Washington Week Show - # 4432
Washington Week Show - WW 4432 - "Show Open"
Show host Gwen Ifill opens program. Composite footage (unclean) with Washington Week title and text: Iraqi woman places ballot in box (voting); older man voting; President George W. Bush says, "And the whole world now knows that a small group of extremists will not overturn the will of the Iraqi people." People wearing coats, walking down city street. President Bush says, "By the year 2042 the entire system would be exhausted and bankrupt, if steps are not taken to overt that outcome." U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Elderly people seated on park bench, reading newspapers. Senator states, "The Bush plan isn't really social security reform; it's more like social security roulette." President Bush receiving standing ovation during State of the Union address.
Washington Week Show - WW 4432 - "Iraq Elections"
Gwen Ifill introduces segment on elections in Iraq. Mention of Iraqi voter turnout and sporadic violence. Footage from the the State of the Union address: Iraqi woman hugging mother of fallen marine. Mention of 15,000 U.S. troops preparing to pull out of Iraq, with only part of the Iraq army ready to take over control. U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld says, "Numbers are numbers. Capability and capacity to do things are something other than that, and as I pointed out, they depend on experience, they depend on leadership, they depend on intelligence." Tom Gjelten of National Public Radio discusses post-war Iraq, reduction of U.S. troops and Iraqi elections.
Washington Week Show - WW 4432 - "Iraq Elections"
Tom Gjelten of National Public Radio continues discussion on the success of Iraqi elections and the significance of the Iraqi people being involved in their liberation from Saddam Hussein. Discussion on the negative impacts of U.S. military involvement in the liberation. Discussion of Iraqis defying terrorists and insurgents by participating in elections, and U.S. commanders being hopeful for a new situation in Iraq. Discussion of political changes now that elections have taken place. Discussion of the major cultural/religious groups in Iraq (Kurds, Shia, and Sunni) and their roles in the elections.
Washington Week Show - WW 4432 - "Iraq Elections"
Tom Gjelten of National Public Radio continues discussion on whether the U.S. can withdraw before Iraqi forces are fully trained to take over. Discussion of Iraq stepping up if U.S. forces leave now. Discussion of the U.S. now being an occupying force in Iraq and continued insurgency. Mention of how Iraq currently does not have the capability or equipment for the U.S. to hand security control over to Iraqi forces. Discussion of the Sunni representation in the new Iraq government, since the Sunni population of Iraq did not participate in the elections.
Washington Week Show - WW 4432 - "Social Security"
Gwen Ifill introduces segment on U.S. domestic issues and social security. U.S. President George W. Bush says "We got a job to do. Doesn't matter how hard the issue is. As a matter of fact, the harder the issue, the bigger the challenge and the more exciting it's going to be when we get the job done." Jackie Calmes of The Wall Street Journal discusses Bush’s plan for social security. Discussion of comments Bush made about social security when he ran for Congress in 1978. Mention of movement for social security fund privatization. Discussion of how social security has affected the careers of past politicians. Discussion of privatizing social security and whether the government could fund the transition and social security for those who are already retired.
Washington Week Show - WW 4432 - "Social Security"
Jackie Calmes of The Wall Street Journal continues discussion on social security. Discussion of private accounts for retirement (in place of social security), reduction of social security benefits, and taxes (funding). Discussion of the government’s ability to finance social security payments (benefits) in the future. Mention of the social security trust fund.
Washington Week Show - WW 4432 - "Social Security"
Gwen Ifill transitions to next topic: President George W. Bush’s plans for social security and Democrat opposition to it. Janet Hook of the Los Angeles Times begins discussion. Discussion of Democrats wanting to preserve social security, debate between Democrats and Republicans. Discussion of younger and older voters on the subject of social security reform.
Washington Week Show - WW 4432 - "Social Security"
Janet Hook of the Los Angeles Times continues discussion of President George W. Bush’s plans for social security. Discussion of Bush’s timing, strategy, and chances for getting Democrats to work with his plans. Discussion of Republican opposition to Bush’s plans. Brief discussion of whether social security is the biggest issue President Bush and Congress will face; mention of judicial nominations and tax reform.
Washington Week Show - WW 4432 - "Bush Agenda"
Gwen Ifill introduces new segment. David Sanger of The New York Times begins discussion on President George W. Bush’s overall agenda. Mentions social security and foreign policy (Palestine aid, the Middle East, Iraq, Islam, and Iran). Mention of tax reform, gangs, DNA testing for convictions. Discussion of President Bush’s silence on the subjects of U.S.-European relations and relations with Russia and China. Mention of Nuclear problems in Iran and North Korea. Discussion of Condoleezza Rice’s (Secretary of the State) visit to Europe and Rice’s negative remarks about Iran while there.
Washington Week Show - WW 4432 - "Bush Agenda"
David Sanger of The New York Times continues discussion of President George W. Bush’s overall agenda. Discussion of the future budget announcement and creating contingency funds for permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq. Mention of the loss of U.S. military bases in Saudi Arabia. Mention of U.S. occupation of Iraq. Mention of Iran. Discussion of President Bush’s first term vs. his second term. Mention of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mention of Iraqi elections. Discussion of whether Bush will peruse domestic or foreign policies more in his second term. Discussion of Bush and foreign policy. Discussion of how long Bush has to show progress in Iraq before it hurts his presidency.
Washington Week Show - WW 4432 - "Bush Agenda / Show Close"
David Sanger of The New York Times continues discussing President Bush’s overall agenda, and his more peaceful approach to foreign policy in Saudi Arabia and Egypt vs. his more aggressive policy with Iran. Gwen Ifill closes show. End credits.