Washington Week Show - #4525
Washington Week Show - WW 4525 - "Show Open"
Show host Gwen Ifill opens the program.
Washington Week Show - WW 4525 - "Show Open"
Composite footage (unclean) with Washington Week title and text: U.S. President George W. Bush; elections in Iraq; Congress; U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy; U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy says, "Mr. President, it is time to have some checks and balances in this country. We are a democracy. Let's have checks and balances, not secret orders and secret courts." Capitol Some. Empty chairs in Supreme Court chairs. Sign for ballot box. American voters at polling booths.
Washington Week Show - WW 4525 - "George W. Bush and Iraq"
Show host Gwen Ifill introduces segment on U.S. President George W. Bush. Mention of the successful elections in Iraq and Iraq exit strategy.
Washington Week Show - WW 4525 - "George W. Bush and Iraq"
Show host Gwen Ifill continues segment on U.S. President George W. Bush and his stance on Iraq. Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times begins discussion on Iraq elections, what will happen afterward. New Iraq government, security forces, continuing insurgency. Discussion of the peaceful elections, mention of Sunni participation. Discussion of what President Bush’s strategy is for Iraq, mention of troop withdrawal. Discussion of American public support for the war in Iraq.
Washington Week Show - WW 4525 - "Iraq Elections and Government"
Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times continues discussion of Iraq elections and what may happen next there. Discussion of a possible turning point, and the new Iraqi government; the minority Sunni population and their involvement in elections and new government.
Washington Week Show - WW 4525 - "George W. Bush and Patriot Act"
Show host Gwen Ifill introduces segment on domestic issues, the Patriot Act, and President George W. Bush’s attempt to exempt CIA interrogators from the ban on using cruel and unusual punishment. U.S. Senator John McCain (R, AZ) says, "We've sent a message to the world that the United States is not like the terrorists. We have no grief for them, but what we are is a nation that upholds values and standards of behavior and treatment of all people no matter how evil or bad they are." Ifill continues discussion of the Patriot Act.
Washington Week Show - WW 4525 - "Bush Administration"
David Sanger of The New York Times begins discussion on the cutback of presidential powers. Discussion of the Bush administration's goal to build up presidential powers and what happened after September 11th. Discussion of President Bush and Vice President Cheney stepping off the proposed CIA exemption from the ban on cruel and unusual punishment, backlash from Senator McCain. Discussion of the Patriot Act and domestic spying, President Bush’s reaction to the Act not being extended. Discussion of the powers the Bush administration has given itself to fight the war on terror. Discussion of The New York Times report on domestic spying; John McCain and other Republicans taking a political stance against Bush, voting against the extension.
Washington Week Show - WW 4525 - "George W. Bush and Patriot Act"
David Sanger of The New York Times continues discussion of President Bush’s issues with other Republicans and the Patriot Act. Mention of September 11th. Show host Gwen Ifill joins discussion on President Bush’s issues with other Republicans. Discussion of upcoming mid-term elections and the unpopularity of the war in Iraq. Discussion of President Bush losing Republican support, whether Bush’s extended powers and tactics are necessary.
Washington Week Show - WW 4525 - "Bush Administration and Policy"
Show host Gwen Ifill introduces segment on changes in the White House and the Bush Administration. Karen Tumulty of Time Magazine discusses changes President Bush has made to his agenda in reaction to current political climate. Mention of Bush trading baseball player Sammy Sosa while Bush was President of the Texas Rangers. Discussion of changes reflected in President Bush’s speeches on Iraq and torture policy; how the administration will solve the political problem it faces. Mentions of Iraq and Supreme Court nominations. Discussion of the White House creating a new agenda and preparing for the State of The Union address. Discussion of future proposals on immigration, the transfer of medical technology, computerizing medical records, and health benefits. Discussion of Vice President Cheney and his stance on unpopular policies; mention of John McCain. Discussion of Dick Cheney spending less time in the White House and more time at the Naval Observatory and his vacation home. Brief mention of Dick Cheney’s age, health, and role as Vice President.
Washington Week Show - WW 4525 - "Bush Administration and Policy"
Karen Tumuly of Time Magazine continues discussion of the Bush Administration in its second term. Discussion of Karl Rove and his relationship with President Bush; mention of Rove and the CIA leak investigation; what Karl Rove is currently doing for the Bush Administration; the possibility of Rove leaving the administration. Discussion of President Bush’s approval polls; mention of Iraq, Hurricane Katrina, and the economy; discussion of good news from Iraq, lower oil prices, and Katrina being off the from page, all contributing to a rise in Bush’s approval ratings. Discussion of Bush taking more public responsibility for mistakes in order to increase credibility and create more room to maneuver politically. Brief discussion on issues with rebuilding efforts in Iraq.
Washington Week Show - WW 4525 - "Supreme Court and Texas"
Show host Gwen Ifill introduces segment on the Supreme Court stepping into debate over redrawing Congressional districts in Texas to favor Republican Party and House leader Tom DeLay. Jeanne Cummings of The Wall Street Journal discusses why the Supreme Court has become involved in the dispute. Discussion of past Supreme Court involvement in the redrawing of district lines in Pennsylvania. Discussion of the ideal size for House districts. Discussion of the long running practice of legislators redrawing district lines to favor one party over another. Discussion of the Supreme Court ruling on the Pennsylvania district map and the split opinions of the Justices. Discussion of Tom DeLay urging the redrawing of the Texas congressional district map and the gaining of six Republican seats. Split screen of Jeanne Cummings and quick clip of Tom DeLay. Discussion of the possible Court opinion and whether the Texas district map will be redrawn in time for 2006 elections. Discussion of the boost Democrats will earn if the redrawing is declared unconstitutional.
Washington Week Show - WW 4525 - "Supreme Court and Texas"
Jeanne Cummings of The Wall Street Journal continues discussion of Supreme Court involvement in the redrawing of the Texas congressional districts to favor the Republicans. Discussion of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, his background on voting rights cases. Discussion of the 2003 redrawing of Texas Congressional District map using old census data. Discussion of how Alito could effect the case if his nomination is confirmed, and the signals the Court is sending by hearing the case. Mention of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy and the case involving the indictment of Tom DeLay.
Washington Week Show - WW 4525 - "Show Close"
Show host Gwen Ifill closes program. End credits.