Washington Week Show - # 4151
Washington Week Show - WW 4151 - "Open"
Washington Week Show # 4151 - ( On the Road in San Francisco ) Live studio audience, asks questions of panel. Host Gwen Ifill, with guests Gloria Borger, Richard Berke, David Broder. Tape starts abruptly and panel members are seated at table on stage with audience members in the foreground.
Washington Week Show - WW 4151 - "Bush, 9-11, Congress"
Host Gwen Ifill starts show. Each guest (Gloria Borger, Richard Berke, David Broder) give their view of the Bush Presidency and how it has been shaped by the September 11th attacks. Ifill asks how this has affected Congress.
Washington Week Show - WW 4151 - "Domestic Affairs"
David Broder discusses the state of affairs in Congress. While the President has established himself as a commander-in-chief, domestic affairs have fallen to Congress who feel a disconnect with the executive branch. Gloria Borger notes that the President's popularity has not trickled down to Congressional Republicans. Richard Berke notes that Republicans won't criticize the President because they need his popularity to advance their agenda. Gwen Ifill asks what the voters are paying attention to and the answer is along the usual lines of jobs and economic security. Broder notes that there are state governments having budgetary issues. The panel agrees that there is a disconnect between the issues in Washington D.C. and what voters care about outside the Beltway.
Washington Week Show - WW 4151 - "Journalism after Watergate"
Citing the 30th anniversary of Watergate, Gwen Ifill asks David Broder about the state of journalism in politics-- is it more dogged in pursuing politicians for their downfall, or are they simply more alert and aware of the state of events happening around them? David Broder believes investigative journalism remains the same, although the relationship between the press and the White House has been poisoned ever since Watergate, regardless of the party in power. Richard Berke thinks the press corps is more dogged in their questions, but overall he agrees with Broder.
Washington Week Show - WW 4151 - "Partisanship"
Panel members Gloria Borger, Richard Berke, David Broder take questions from the audience. First question: "The President has said he doesn't want partisan issues interfering with the setting up with the new Homeland Security Bureau. Is a certain level of partisanship inevitable, and what are you hearing?" Borger says that there will be partisanship with this new bureau, especially given some agencies will be part of the new bureau, while others won't be; this may create communication and cooperation issues. Berke agrees, notes that Democrats and Republicans are already trying to one up each other with political points pertaining to who held the original idea of a Department of Homeland Security.
Washington Week Show - WW 4151 - "War on Terror"
Audience member asks panel, "In the months following September 11th, everyone seemed very reluctant to criticize the Bush Administration's War on Terror, yet people here in San Francisco - I've been hard pressed even to find one person who is for the war. What do you think public opinion is on that and why the discrepancy?" David Broder does not doubt her claim about the lack of support for the war in San Francisco, but points out across the country there is widespread support for the ensuing military action. This, however, should not preclude debate and discussion about the war on terror in the coming months and years.
Washington Week Show - WW 4151 - "Civil Liberties"
Audience member (Middle Eastern man) asks, "The actions proposed and taken recently by Attorney General John Ashcroft and the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld are seen by some as threats to our civil liberties. What kind of debate is there on these issues?" Gwen Ifill maintains there is a huge debate going on about this. Gloria Borger lists the different facets of civil liberties versus security and military prerogatives taking place. She is encouraged by the debates. Richard Berke believes that the person to keep on eye on is John Ashcroft. His message and media exposure may play a part in upcoming elections.
Washington Week Show - WW 4151 - "Wartime Debate"
Audience member asks, "The United States has a strong tradition of strenuous debate during war-time. What is Congress's proper role in exercising oversight over the Executive Branch?" David Broder admits that Congress was inhibited into exercising his power over the executive branch, but that is changing in the current climate. Richard Berke and Gloria Borger both weigh in on the partisan nature this debate will play in, especially as election season comes around.
Washington Week Show - WW 4151 - "2000 Election"
Audience member asks, "Obviously the country is a far different place from when President Bush first took office, but is his Presidency still under the shadow of a contested election, or is that issue largely faded away?" Richard Berke notes that after September 11th, that memory has completely faded away. David Broder notes that it does not register even in Florida.
Washington Week Show - WW 4151 - "Campaign Fundraising"
Audience member asks, "The President has raised more than 90 million dollars this year for various candidates. Could you please tell me how big a factor Big Money will be this fall?" Gloria Borger notes how money can make the difference in close campaign races. David Broder doesn't believe that a close race is necessarily decided by who has more money. Richard Berke notes how well Gray Davis (Governor of California) does raising money, even though he's not well liked by people, even in the Democratic Party.
Washington Week Show - WW 4151 - "Middle East"
Audience member asks, "What is the Bush administration considering as a ways and means to end the conflict in the Middle East?" Gwen Ifill notes that the President was due to deliver as speech on his plans and intentions in the Middle East, but that has been delayed by recent attacks in the region. Gloria Borger and Richard Berke note the difficult position the President finds himself in due to the lack of clarity presented to him.
Washington Week Show - WW 4151 - "Campaign Issues"
Audience member asks, "What issues do the Democrats hope to use this fall to win back the House and retain the Senate?" Gloria Borger says by focusing on domestic policies. David Broder points out that the issues Democratic run on cost money, which would force them to go against Bush tax cuts. Richard Berke notes that there is no one overriding issue at this point. Host Gwen Ifill closes the show. More soundless b-roll of the panel on stage, relaxed.
Washington Week Show - WW 4151 - "Wrap Up"
Time code jumps. Different angle of host Gwen Ifill talking with the floor manager, discussing camera placement and wording. She then closes the show. Credits roll.