Washington Week Show - # 4431
Washington Week Show - WW 4431 - "Show Open"
Show host Gwen Ifill opens program. Composite footage (unclean) with Washington Week title and text: Iraqi election, voters; U.S. President George W. Bush speaking to press, says states "The fact that they're voting in itself is successful." U.S. soldier shaking man's hand. President Bush says, "Certainly a world without tyranny is an ideal world." Social security checks being printed. President Bush says, "I look forward to a fruitful discussion of all ideas with the exception of raising the payroll tax." Alberto Gonzales. American soldiers firing guns. U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy saying, "It will not be easy to extricate ourselves from Iraq but we must begin."
Washington Week Show - WW 4431 - "Bush Press Conference"
Gwen Ifill introduces segment on President Bush’s press conference after Inaugural address. U.S. President George W. Bush says, "My Inaugural address reflected the policies of the past four years... we're implementing in Afghanistan and Iraq, and it talked about a way forward. I think America is at its best when it leads toward an ideal." John Harris of The Washington Post discusses Bush’s Inaugural address and ensuing statements. Mentions of U.S. Foreign Policy and Social Security. Discussion of upcoming elections in Iraq.
Washington Week Show - WW 4431 - "Bush Press Conference"
John Harris of The Washington Post continues discussion on President George W. Bush’s press conference following Inaugural address. Discussion of how successful Bush’s press conference was; Bush’s manner of speaking and leadership style; how winning re-election may have changed Bush. Mention of Bush’s confidence. Mention of the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and gay rights. Discussion of President Bush’s stance on abortion and gay rights. Brief discussion of President Bush’s goals for his second term.
Washington Week Show - WW 4431 - "Iraq Elections"
Gwen Ifill introduces segment on upcoming elections in Iraq. General John Abizaid, Commander Central Command, with Donald Rumsfeld beside him, says, "We should anticipate that after the elections that the people that desire to derail the process of a new future for Iraq will continue to fight and continue to fight hard. But they're fighting an uphill battle because the Iraqi security forces and with our backing will be successful." Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times begins discussion. Brief mention of Iraqi resentment of American occupation. Discussion on the future of Iraq after elections; voter turnout and possible violence; what the new Iraqi government might look like.
Washington Week Show - WW 4431 - "Iraq Elections"
Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times continues discussion of elections in Iraq. Discussion of insurgency in Iraq; polling in Iraq; how long it may take to count the votes, and the legitimacy of the elections; possible withdrawal timetable of U.S. forces after the elections.
Washington Week Show - WW 4431 - "Condoleezza Rice & Intelligence"
Gwen Ifill introduces segment on U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and delay of her confirmation by Senate Democrats; what Secretary Rice may have known about flawed prewar intelligence. Mark Dayton (D) Minnesota says, "I don't like to impugn anyone’s integrity but I really don't like being lied to repeatedly, flagrantly, intentionally. It's wrong, it's undemocratic, it's un-American and it's dangerous." (D, Texas) says, "The fact is that no one party or person misled the rest of us, Democrat, Republican, or Independent. The truth is we were all misled by this erroneous intelligence." Condoleezza Rice being sworn in by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Micheal Duffy of Time Magazine begins discussion on Secretary Rice and debate over intelligence. Discussion of covert operations, military intelligence vs. CIA intelligence, and Iran Contra. Discussion of the White House’s stance in the intelligence debate. Discussion on who is in control of the global war on terror.
Washington Week Show - WW 4431 - "Intelligence"
Micheal Duffy of Time Magazine continues discussion on the intelligence debate. Discussion of George Tenet leaving his position as director of the CIA. Discussion of Donald Rumsfeld’s stance on intelligence. Discussion of the battle in Senate to confirm Condoleeza Rice as Secretary of State. Further discussion on Intelligence and the formation of a National Intelligence Directory.
Washington Week Show - WW 4431 - "Alberto Gonzales"
Gwen Ifill introduces segment on the confirmation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Sentor Orrin Hatch (R, Utah) says, "My gosh, this man is an honorable, decent person who deserves to be confirmed." Senator Joseph Biden (D, Delaware) says, "It's his judgment. His judgment is flawed." Joan Biskupic of USA Today begins discussion on the Senate battle to confirm Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Discussion of Gonzales’ testimony and trying to justify the torture memos (memos Gonzales created as White House counsel condoning torture in relation to the Abu Ghraib scandal). Discussion of Abu Ghraib scandal. Discussion of how Senate Democrats will vote on Alberto Gonzales.
Washington Week Show - WW 4431 - "Alberto Gonzales"
Joan Biskupic of USA Today continues discussion of Alberto Gonzales. Discussion of how Gonzales would be as U.S. Attorney General. Discussion of Gonzales’ political career and personal life. Discussion of why Democrats are questioning Gonzales confirmation. Discussion of Senate Judiciary Committee and future Supreme Court nominations.
Washington Week Show - WW 4431 - "Dick Cheney & Show Close"
Show host Gwen Ifill introduces a clip of U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney at an observance for the liberation of Auschwitz. Footage from the official observance of the liberation of Auschwitz, Dick Cheney wearing gray coat whereas everyone else is dressed in black. Ifill closes show. End credits.