Washington Week Show - WW 4303
Washington Week Show - WW 4303 - "Show Open"
Show host Gwen Ifill, with guests Michael Duffy, Doyle McManus, Dan Balz, Gloria Borger. Composite footage (unclean) with Washington Week title and text: President George W. Bush seated with Dick Cheney, Colin Powell, Donald Rumsfeld and John Ashcroft; British Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Bush standing at podiums; Saddam Hussein sitting in room with advisers; American tank passing by; American soldiers cover victim on side of the road; group of U.S. (African American male) soldiers, one knocking on civilian gate; U.S. soldier holding rifle, civilians in BG; John Kerry, John Edwards, Dick Gephardt; $20 bills being printed; Alan Greenspan; pedestrians walking along city street.
Washington Week Show - WW 4303 - "Intelligence Issues"
Host Gwen Ifill examines how President George W. Bush could use inaccurate intelligence in a State of the Union speech. President Bush speaking to press: "I take responsibility for making the decision, the tough decision, to put together a coalition to remove Saddam Hussein, because the intelligence-- not only our intelligence but the intelligence of this great country-- made a clear and compelling case that Saddam Hussein was a threat to security and peace." British Prime Minister Tony Blair says, "The British intelligence that we had, we believe as genuine. We stand by that intelligence." Ifill asks Michael Duffy of Time Magazine what to make of those responses. He says that it's apparent that politicians, no matter the country, have difficulty in admitting a mistake or apologizing. Oddly, this is a story that should have died a week ago but it was the White House that kept bringing it up and putting it front and center. In doing so, the White House has done nothing but raise further questions. Normally, the Bush administration is adept at damage control, but it this case the story has momentum because of the division within the administration regarding the certainty in the intelligence that Saddam Hussein has serious nuclear ambitions.
Washington Week Show - WW 4303 - "Intelligence Issues"
Gloria Borger of U.S. News and World Report asks Michael Duffy of Time Magazine about the nature of the intelligence, the threat assessment released to the press. Duffy says intelligence seems more an art form than science. It's difficult and rare to have 100% certainty in the reports that are written, so they are written with different confidence levels. Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times wants to know who is responsible for putting the inaccurate intelligence into President Bush’s State of the Union speech. More information has come out that the decision came from what appears to be differing accounts and a misunderstanding between a mid-level CIA official and a mid-level NSC official. It's unlikely the full truth will be known. Gwen Ifill asks Duffy about the political fallout, references Time Magazine’s new poll numbers showing a decline in the President’s approval ratings. He does not believe those declines are due to recent events, but may explain why the administration has continued to try and make an unflattering story look better in the eyes of the public.
Washington Week Show - WW 4303 - "Iraq War"
Host Gwen Ifill transitions to difficulties the Pentagon is facing in what they now admit is a guerrilla war in Iraq. Commander US Central Command says, "It's low intensity conflict in our doctrinal terms, but it's war however you describe it." Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times explains that whether or not the U.S. should have been prepared is one argument roiling within the Bush administration. It is clear they were not prepared for this kind of fight. The planning was executed perfectly, but events following arrival into Baghdad was not. Military and senior officials did not plan for mass looting and the disintegration of the police force, and they did not plan for guerrilla style warfare. Saddam and his loyalists had sabotage plans (water and electrical) in place that were carried out. Turkey’s decision not to allow the 4th Infantry Division to pass through its land and into Northern Iraq allowed Saddam’s loyalists to leave Baghdad to the north and entrench themselves there where most of the guerrilla warfare is being carried out. Gloria Borger of U.S. News and World Report points out that the United States may have underestimated the impact of Saddam still being alive can have on the Iraqi people. McManus agrees, notes that Saddam has been keeping up with the news and instructing people what to do, how to resist.
Washington Week Show - WW 4303 - "Iraq War"
Michael Duffy of Time Magazine wonders why the U.S. does not send more troops to combat the problem of guerrilla warfare in Iraq. Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times says the government has thought about it, but believes current troop levels are sufficient. Assault forces are being swapped out for police and anti-guerrilla forces to better combat the new challenges facing troops, but the guerrilla war is getting worse as insurgents are learning and getting better at fighting back. Dan Balz of the Washington Post asks what this means for U.S. commitment in Iraq, cost, and troop levels. McManus says troop levels will not be drawn down at the scheduled time. Gwen Ifill cites a study from the Center of Strategic International Studies calculating the window for success in this campaign is closing. McManus notes this was a task force that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld sent over and came back with sobering news.
Washington Week Show - WW 4303 - "Democrats Campaigning"
Show host Gwen Ifill introduces segment: Democrats trying to find President George W. Bush's weaknesses. Dan Balz of the Washington Post thinks Dems will attack on two fronts: Iraq War and the economy. With the former, the emerging narrative is the President misled the country into going to war, but what may be more effective in the long run is the potential for the Iraq War to be a long term commitment with little progress and mounting casualties. Ifill wonders if this will translate to more campaign dollars for Democrats. Balz notes that President Bush has raised more money for his campaign than the nine Democratic candidates combined, and even as Dems raise money-- with Howard Dean being the most successful-- they will spend it fighting each other before the winner is decided.
Washington Week Show - WW 4303 - "Democrats Campaigning"
Gloria Borger wonders why Democratic Presidential candidate Dick Gephardt is having issues raising money. Dan Balz of the Washington Post says it was thought Gephardt had the best national donor network but that has not proven out. The question now is whether he has been looking for money in the wrong areas or if he is simply not a strong candidate. Doyle McManus of the Washington Post asks who else has money troubles and how soon will candidates have to drop out of the race. Balz says Democratic candidate Joe Lieberman has not had issues raising money but has had issues spending too much, too quick, and has had staff shakeups. It is still too early to foresee any candidates dropping out of the race.
Washington Week Show - WW 4303 - "The Deficit"
Show host Gwen Ifill introduces segment on the national deficit. Gloria Borger of U.S. News and World Report says not only is the deficit exploding but is 50% more than the administration predicted it would be. The Bush administration promises the deficit will be cut by 2006 via economic growth through tax cuts. Democrats contend they had a balanced budget, while U.S. President George W. Bush has not. Michael Duffy of Time Magazine wants to know the breakdown of the deficit; Borger notes the biggest hit and variable going forward is the cost of the Iraq War. The longer the war wages and the more troops sent, the more the deficit will balloon. Other factors to consider is the growth rate of the economy and the impact baby boomers will have economically as they enter retirement and become eligible for Medicare. Dan Balz of the Washington Post reports that Republicans don’t think this is a big issue politically, but wonders how Democrats will attack this. Borger says Dems will use this to try and rile up the American voter and connect the deficit to joblessness.
Washington Week Show - WW 4303 - "The Deficit"
Host Gwen Ifill mentions the last time deficits were a big issue was when Ross Perot was running for President and at that time interest rates also were very high. Gloria Borger of U.S. New and World Report agrees the deficit has to be tied to something else in order to worry the American public. Democrats highlight that former U.S. President Bill Clinton was able to produce a balanced budget, but the Bush administration cannot. The Bush administration contends this is not the same world-- the post 9/11 world requires more money to fight terrorism, carry out these wars, and fund the Department of Homeland Security.
Washington Week Show - WW 4303 - "Show End"
Show host Gwen Ifill thanks her guests, wraps up the program with an anecdote about a recent disagreement between two Congressmen on the U.S. House of Representatives floor. Credits roll.