Focus
on Washington
HFH
Q&A:
President George W. Bush
May 2001
by Max Wavering, HFH uncertainty
columnist
With
the American economy teetering on the brink of recession, the honeymoon is
surely over for President George W. Bush. Yet after the first 100 days,
over 65 percent of Americans approve of his job performance, feeling he has
grown from an unsure, tentative candidate into a strong president and world
leader. Undergoing a trial by fire, he has faced a gamut of problems and crises
– from California’s energy mess, rising gasoline prices and FBI incompetence
at home to violence in the Middle East, discord among America’s allies over
his stances on global warming and the Missile Defense Initiative, as well as the
degenerating state of U.S. relations with Russia and China. Recently, HFH's Max
Wavering interviewed Mr. Bush.
Credit: Larry Downing/Reuters
HFH:
Mr. President, let’s start with foreign policy: You recently led the
nation through a crisis that saw the detention of a Navy surveillance plane crew
by China. Now that they are home,
what action does your administration plan to take to avert a similar event in
the future?
Bush:
It’s both a complex problem and a simple one – more like a
“simplex” one. You see, there
are actually two Chinas – a good one and a bad one -- did you know that?
Anyway it really don’t matter if there are two, or 1.6 trillion Chinas:
The answer is right up front. It’s a tax cut – a major, sweeping tax cut –
plain ‘n simple.
HFH:
Related to that, the Chinese, as well as our European allies and Russia
are adamantly against your proposed missile defense system and your promise to
abrogate the ABM Treaty. How will you assure them the U.S. means them no harm?
Bush:
Once again, the answer is darn plainer than it looks.
A $1.6 trillion tax cut will give the American people back their
hard-earned money. You see, it’s more important than ever in this dangerous
world.
Credit: Larry Downing/Reuters
HFH:
Sir, to stay with foreign policy, your recent renunciations of the ABM Treaty,
as well as the Kyoto accord, have caused murmurs among even our strongest
European allies that George W. Bush’s America is a unilateralist one, and
therefore an unreliable ally. How will your administration address these fears?
Bush:
Simple. With history’s biggest, baddest, across-the-board tax cut.
$1.6 trillion man! Can you picture all that money? That is one big pile of
green.
HFH:
Mr. President, rolling blackouts are threatening the prosperity of California
– America’s largest state – and, may I add, one that you lost last
November. Are you going to give
them the treatment Gerald Ford gave New York when he told the city to “drop
dead” during their bond default crisis in the 1970s?
Bush:
No way. That game’s not in my playbook -- California is the world’s
9th biggest economy. That’s real big. Whether they voted for me or didn’t,
they’ll be able to cash in on my tax-cut package.
Now that ought’a put a heap ‘a Texas sunshine back in their smiles.
It’s $1.6 trillion – or did I tell ya that already?
HFH:
John Ashcroft, your controversial pick for attorney general is being
criticized again. This time for
leading morning prayer meetings at the Justice Department –
Bush:
– Probably praying Congress don’t usurpitate my $1.6 trillion tax cut. And
to that I’d say “amen.”
HFH:
The FBI’s recent record has been abysmal. Now, with the stay of Timothy
McVeigh’s execution due to the FBI’s admission it had mishandled thousands
of pages of interview documents, the defense attorneys may be seeking a further –
Bush:
– Sorry to interrupt again, but I can’t let that comment go by
without saying paperwork results in thousands of lost hours of productivity.
With my tax cut -- $1.6 trillion – much of the FBI’s excess capacity
that creates this paperwork will be eliminated.
Less agents, less investigation, less interviews – that’s less paper.
It’s Texas simple -- less government fat equals more money -- $1.6
trillion -- in every American’s pocket. And
that’s just the right amount.
HFH:
Dick Cheney has been called the most powerful vice president in American
history. Do you think this
diminishes your position?
Bush:
My position is as crystal clear as the Houston air -- taxes have to come down.
I say to Americans – it’s your money, not the government’s.
HFH:
Sir, there is a call among most Democrats and some moderate Republicans that
wild ferrets should be allowed to roam in federally funded ball bearing factories.
Has your administration taken a stand?
Bush:
None yet, but I can assure you as we review the hastily signed set of
regulations left us by the previous administration these proposals will also be
included in our $1.6 trillion tax reduction bill.
It’s the right thing to do.
HFH:
Same for demon worshippers? Activists say if ferrets can come in, why not these
characters too? Why demonize Devil worshippers?
Bush:
Once again, we haven’t addressed this particular issue at this juncture.
But when we do, I’m sure these folks will be included somewhere in our
tax reductions. All $1.6 trillion
– not a cent more or less – plain ‘n simple.
There’s something for every American, no matter their race,
ethnicalpacity or sexual ornamentation. It’s
what conservative compassionableness is all about.
HFH:
Thank you sir.
Bush:
My pleasure. May I say, I love your Weblication, and God bless my $1.6
billion tax cut.
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