What Woman Would Bush Support for President?

Sept. 7, 2006 — -- Charles Gibson continued his interview with President Bush after Bush gave a speech in Atlanta, as part of his current series of talks on terrorism. The following is an excerpt from the interview:

Charles Gibson: Mr. President, all your people have said that this series of speeches that you've given over the last few days are not political in nature, but we're less than two months from an election. Can you really tell me with a straight face that this doesn't have a lot of political implications?

President Bush: Everything a president does is … has got some political implications. We're in an election year but the job of the commander in chief during a time of war is to constantly explain to the American people what's taking place and what the strategies are and that the tactics as tactics change … those tactical changes. And I'm not the first president to have to become an educator in chief during a time of war. Other presidents have constantly addressed the nation, and that's what I've been doing consistently, and so I'm sure people will try to read politics into it, but for me it's not politics. It is doing my job.

Gibson: But implicitly aren't you making the most important case as far as you're concerned? For the Republican Party in this off year election?

Bush: Well, you know, the truth of the matter is, in most years, when you're not at war, the economy is the key issue and this economy is hot, and it's strong and people are working. The unemployment rate is low.

But in a time of war, that becomes the overriding issue. And I can understand why. People are dying. We're spending money on the war. People wonder whether we can win. People understand the stakes of losing, and so … one shouldn't be surprised that the war is a dominant issue in this campaign, because it's a dominant issue of our life, in many ways.

Gibson: A flip of 15 seats gives the House to the Democrats, a flip of six gives the Senate to the Democrats. Can you say to me that in any way the security of this country would be harmed?

Bush: I'm going say to you it's not going to happen … and so therefore you're asking me to speculate something I don't think is going to happen, and since I don't think it's going to happen I haven't started worrying about that. I believe that we will continue to control the House and the Senate, because we've got a good record on the economy and we've got a good, strong position on defending this country.

Gibson: When you go through the House, seat by seat, and you look at who's leading right now, you are in jeopardy of losing the House.

Bush: I tell you what lets do -- check back in with me after the elections.

Gibson: I will, I will; I'll do that.

Bush: I don't think we're going to lose it. I don't. This campaign is, uh, just beginning. I can remember in 2002, people were speculating, "Well, you can't hold it." In 2004, they were speculating I'm not gonna win. I've heard too much political speculation in my political life … I know that our message of good economy and strong on this … and strong on defending this country, is one that ultimately will prevail.

Gibson: But I'm not asking you a hypothetical.

Bush: Yeah you are.

Gibson: Well, I'm saying, should there be concern -- in your mind -- in this country, for the security of the country, were the Democrats to carry the House?

Bush: In my mind, the Republican Party and its members are much better suited to defending this country. … And you're speculating as to whether or not the house is going to turn. Well, you may not think you are, but you are.

If you were a candidate running for the Senate or the House this year, would you appear with George Bush?

President Bush:Absolutely.

Gibson:You would?

Bush: I would.

Gibson: And what do you say to those who won't?

Bush:I don't. … I frankly haven't had that many say, "I don't want you around." Uh, now some of them are wisely saying, "I'd rather have Laura than you."

Gibson: (Laughs)

Bush: So those (inaudible) say you're a genius. (overlap)

Gibson: Well … to give you an example, tomorrow you're going to go to Missouri and Michigan, with two candidates. You'll do fundraisers for them, but they don't want any public events.

Bush: I don't know about that. I think the reasons why the events aren't public is they're in somebody's house. But look, uh …

Gibson: But the simple question, is George Bush really a liability to the Republican candidates? (overlap)

Bush: I would … you know, you better ask the candidates. You know, I don't think I am. Uh, we've raised a lot of money for the political party, and I've appeared with a lot of candidates, but that's up to each candidate to make their decision.

Gibson: How do you handicap the 2006 elections?

Bush: Think we'll hold both House and Senate, really do.

Gibson: Don't think you'll lose more than 15 seats in the House?

Bush: No, I don't.

Gibson: How about the Senate?

Bush: Feel very comfortable we'll hold the Senate. I know we're going to have to do a lot of hard work, and our candidates are going to have to go out and spell out the differences between themselves and their opponents, particularly on issues like raising taxes, we're the low-tax party. Many of the other candidates are advocating raising taxes on the Democrat side, and this war on terror, and it's, uh, and as I mentioned to you, the, you know, in a time of war the war dominates a lot of the politics. It dominates the attitude of the country.

Gibson: How do you handicap 2008 at this point?

Bush: Can't get there. Still stuck in 2006.

Gibson: You don't have a sense? Do you think Hillary …

Bush: I don't have any idea. And if I did … (overlap)

Gibson: Do you think Hillary … (overlap)

Bush: I would … and if I did, I wouldn't share it with you, you know?

Gibson: (laughs) I can't believe that a politician hasn't looked at the 2008 … and in his own mind.

Bush: I really haven't been spending time on it. I mean … look, obviously I think about it, but I … I haven't analyzed it. The 2006 elections are very important for the country and, uh, but I fully recognize that once I give my State of the Union 2007, and good souls such as yourself will be already starting to speculate on who the next person will be.

Gibson: We're starting to speculate now … (overlap)

Bush: Well, you shouldn't. You got to get through this election. (laughs) (overlap)

Gibson: … but everything this year applies in many respects to 2008. You said you don't think you're going to lose the House …

Bush: No, I don't.

Gibson: … but in some respects, could you work with the Democrats if they controlled the House? And I'm … I'm interested, for instance, if it might be easier to get immigration reform …