Washington Week Show - WW 4232
Washington Week Show - WW 4232 - "Show Opening"
Washington Week Show 4232 - Show hosted by Gwen Ifill, with guests Martha Raddatz, Doyle McManus, Michael Duffy, Jeffrey Birnbaum. Composite footage (unclean) with Washington Week title and text: U.S. National Security Adviser Colin Powell speaking at the UN-- "How much longer are we willing to put up with Iraq's non-compliance before we as a council, we as the United Nations, say enough, enough." Saddam Hussein laughing with Iraqi military officers. Columbia space shuttle disaster; NASA mission control room; debris being recovered. U.S. President George W. Bush walks past helicopter on White House lawn. Stacks of budget books. American soldiers walking in desert. $20 bills being printed.
Washington Week Show - WW 4232 - "U.S. - U.N. Presentation"
Host Gwen Ifill begins show, talks about U.S. National Security Adviser Colin Powell’s speech at the United Nations and the case against Iraq. Martha Raddatz of ABC News details how thorough the presentation was with the goal being to completely dismantle Iraq military capabilities, giving little credence to the weapons inspection process. Ifill wonders if that will be enough to persuade fellow United Nations Security Council members (namely France and Germany) to go to war against Iraq. Germany's Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer states, "The dangers of a military action and its consequences are plain to see, precisely because of the effectiveness of the work of the inspectors, we must continue to seek a peaceful solution to the crisis." Ifill asks Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times if this kind of rhetoric will lead to another UN resolution. McManus states that another resolution is not needed to continue or augment the weapons inspections. A resolution will be needed if military action is to be taken. America believes it is making some headway, different variations of a resolution favoring military intervention may be possible.
Washington Week Show - WW 4232 - "U.S. - U.N. Presentation"
Host Gwen Ifill asks Martha Raddatz of ABC News about the weaker points of U.S. National Security Adviser Colin Powell’s presentation to the United Nations. Raddatz says the link between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda operatives/affiliates is circumstantial at best, and the most unconvincing portion of the presentation in the eyes of U.S. alliesl. Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times says establishing a link to terrorism gives the U.S. a reason to not wait for the weapons inspection process to conclude. A traditional rogue nation can be contained, but terrorism has no borders and requires quick action. Michael Duffy of Time Magazine wonders what has changed and why the United States is waiting for another resolution when only months ago they were claiming they had all the authority they needed to go ahead and do things their way. Raddatz says nothing has really changed and that previous statements could be chalked up to diplomatic stratagem. America still believes it has the authority to deal with Iraq on its own, but it wants unity among its allies.
Washington Week Show - WW 4232 - "Strategy To Go To War"
Jeffrey Birnbaum of Fortune Magazine asks if there is any correlation between U.S. National Security Adviser Colin Powell’s speech to the United Nations and the color elevation of the Homeland Security warning system. Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times says the White House insists the two events are not connected. There was a spike in monitored “chatter” around the Muslim holy period but that does not mean anything will happen. Martha Raddatz of ABC News points out another coincidence where the U.S. State Department put out a global warning that included the possibility of chemical and biological attacks. Host Gwen Ifill brings the conversation back to Colin Powell. McManus believes Powell’s presence at the UN, rather than the Ambassador, shows how well fellow European nations regard him, even if they disagree on the next steps to be taken. Raddatz adds that Powell’s popularity is higher than that of President Bush when it comes to Iraq. McManus believes Powell is the best person to continue to push the U.S. agenda on Iraq both domestically and internationally.
Washington Week Show - WW 4232 - "Strategy To Go To War"
Martha Raddatz of ABC News believes some kind of action will take place within a week, while the U.S. watches what the United Nations weapons inspectors report says. Host Gwen Ifill asks if there has been any increased pressure from UN weapons inspectors head Hans Blix. Raddatz says yes; coupled with U.S. pressure, Iraq has caved in to some demands, allowing more open inspection and aerial surveillance. Jeffery Birnbaum of Fortune Magazine asks what Saddam Hussein has been up to during this time. Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times says Saddam has opened up the country to scientists and weapons inspectors, creating a fear among U.S. officials that he will capitulate to demands and become diplomatic. Raddatz notes none of that will make any difference to the U.S., which has made up its mind. McManus adds that the U.S. will no longer listen or believe in any Iraqi promises.
Washington Week Show - WW 4232 - "Space Shuttle Columbia Tragedy"
Host Gwen Ifill transitions to the tragic loss of space shuttle Columbia and the possible reasons behind the disaster. Michael Duffy of Time Magazine discusses how the investigation is proceeding and the differences between the Challenger and Columbia accidents. The investigation is focusing on the why the heat shield failed, specifically the tiles lining the hull. Ifill notes the politics taking shape as shuttle program scientists have been muzzled by independent investigators. Duffy noticed that once the scientists held an transparent and free form press conference, the nature of the investigation changed as to who reports to who and how information would be shared with the media. What is known now is that the space shuttle program will be grounded for the foreseeable future.
Washington Week Show - WW 4232 - "Space Shuttle Columbia Tragedy"
Martha Raddatz of ABC News brings up resulting actions following the Space Shuttle Challenger accident, asks if history will repeat itself here. Michael Duffy of Time Magazine notes that while NASA captures the minds and imagination of everyday Americans who do not follow politics or government agencies, they do not have a specified mission which will undoubtedly hurt the space shuttle program after this accident. Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times asks what exactly is the future of the shuttle program, especially if the shuttles have gotten to old and need to be modified with new technology. Duffy states Columbia was 22 years old, but was built to complete 100 missions (it was on its 28th). There is no new form of space transportation on the horizon, especially given NASA’s budget has been flat for several decades, only rising with inflation. Jeffery Birnbaum of Fortune Magazine asks if NASA has an idea of exactly what went wrong; Duffy maintains that calling up NASA will get different scientists providing different theories, which is why an independent board is taking charge in the investigation. Congress will also likely get involved, bringing into question NASA’s mission and purpose.
Washington Week Show - WW 4232 - "Budget Proposal"
Host Gwen Ifill uses the proposed 2004 NASA budget to segue to U.S. President George W. Bush’s spending plan. Jeffery Birnbaum of Fortune Magazine looks into what the plan tells us about the President’s priorities, which can be boiled down to: National Security, Homeland Security, and tax cuts. Domestic programs are held at the level of inflation. The President and the Republican Party seem to have abandoned the idea of fiscal responsibility, as this plan would contain record high budget deficits. Ifill asks what has changed in the GOP and public mindset. Birnbaum believes the American people don’t care anymore and that politics have changed since the September 11th attacks. Michael Duffy of Time Magazine wonders if domestic programs have been left alone by Bush because he knows Democrats will take on that. Birnbaum agrees, gives an example of one program that has been pared down by the President but will likely be fully funded by Democrats once it gets through Congress.
Washington Week Show - WW 4232 - "Budget Proposal"
Jeffery Birnbaum of Fortune Magazine reminds people there are layers of fiction in the opening budget proposal, especially since the current year’s budget has not passed Congress and already there is talk about next year’s budget. Martha Raddatz of ABC News notes that there is no “cost of war” in the spending plan sowhat will happen if we do go to war? Birnbaum says an additional $100 billion can be added to the deficit should the U.S. go to war in Iraq, and even more can be added to the deficit if the alternative minimum tax is “fixed”. After previous years in surplus, now there will be deficits and red ink in the future. Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times asks what the “bumper sticker” message will be in regards to this spending plant. Birnbaum says President Bush wants to convey that he cares about the people, correcting a mistake his father made, and he is doing so by putting forth this proposed tax cut.
Washington Week Show - WW 4232 - "Show End"
Gwen Ifill thanks her guests, wraps up the show. Credits roll.