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Election 2000

CNN’s Bill Press: The Bush Cabinet

December 21, 2000
8 p.m. EST
Photo of Bill Press
Bill Press  

(CNN) – On Friday, December 22, President-elect George W. Bush is expected to announce New Jersey’s Christie Whitman as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Wisconsin's Governor Tommy Thompson will likely be nominated to head the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as Virginia Governor James Gilmore as chairman of the Republican National Committee. Other Cabinet and senior staff nominations could also be made.

Bill Press is co-host of Crossfire, CNN's political debate program. As co-host on the left, Press squares off every night against either Robert Novak or Mary Matalin, who represent the right, to debate the hottest issue of the day.

CNN Moderator: Welcome to Crossfire online, Bill Press.

Bill Press: Hello, everybody. Sorry for the delay. I was trapped in the
airport!

CNN Moderator: Bob Novak thinks President-elect Bush has appointed a fairly liberal Cabinet. Do you agree?

Bill Press: I think Bush's appointments so far have been very good. I disagree with some of their policies, which is no surprise, but they are all experienced pros. Novak and other conservatives aren't happy because there are no flaming right-wingers.

Comment from Econochatter: Bill Press does not understand that regulation works to the benefit of the regulated.

"Isn't it interesting? Republicans give Clinton NO credit for eight years of outstanding economic growth, but once there's a slight downturn, suddenly he's totally to blame!"
— Bill Press

Bill Press: I disagree. Regulations on food safety, for example, save lives and protect consumers. Same with highway traffic regulations and air safety regulations. I'm not for government takeover, but sometimes government oversight is necessary.

Comment from Leadbones: Bill Press is a socialist. An inconvenience such as late flight and he goes whining to the government for a solution. How pathetic.

Bill Press: I am HARDLY the only passenger to experience delays, to lose luggage, to be lied to or get bum service. If you're happy, fine. Seventy percent of airline passengers say service is worse than ever before.

Question from Greggorio: Bill, should the public be scared of terrorism with Bush in office?

Bill Press: I think terrorism is a real threat - more of a threat than nuclear missiles - but I don't think it will increase just because Bush is president.

Question from ThePatriot: Look, we need a tax cut and even the Federal Reserve System (Fed) is saying the economy is going south.

Bill Press: If the Fed thought the economy was going south, it would have lowered interest rates, but it did not. Nothing wrong with a tax cut, as long as it benefits those who need it, not just the wealthiest people in the country, which Bush's plan would do.

CNN Moderator: Is the incoming administration trying to "talk down" the markets as some critics say?

Bill Press: Yes, I think Bush and Cheney have been irresponsible, talking about a looming recession. This is no recession. The economy is still strong. The Dow is up over 10,000 and most economists will agree that talk of a recession can lead to a recession. Bush should zip his lip.

Question from Funny: Bill, why is there only one liberal host for Crossfire, while there are two right-wing hosts? Is it more difficult to defend the Republican positions?

Bill Press: The truth is, I'm the only left left. There are two of them and only one of me because it takes two to TRY to beat me.

MESSAGE BOARD
 

Question from Knoll: Do you think McCain will try to get his campaign finance bill passed between the 3rd and the 20th?

Bill Press: McCain says he will push his campaign finance bill as the No. 1 issue when the Senate reconvenes. He insists he has 60 votes in the Senate. That's the last thing Bush wants, but McCain marches to his own drummer. Go, John!

Question from Ap215: Mr. Press, what is the best possible solution for Democrats and Republicans to make sure this doesn't happen again in future elections?

Bill Press: Count all the votes. Seriously, there must be national standards for voting machines and national rules for how to conduct recounts. I also think you should be able to impeach Supreme Court justices who take over a presidential election, like this one did.

Question from Issaquah: Have we ever had a President-elect making policy statements to this degree before taking office?

Bill Press: Oh, sure. They do it all the time. Remember? Clinton held a big economic summit in Little Rock a week after the election, long before he was sworn in. Nothing unusual about it.

Question from SonomaJoe: Bill, will Republicans in Senate share power with Democrats?

Bill Press No! Clearly, with a Senate tied 50-50, the American people want power sharing; they want bipartisanship. But Trent Lott refuses to accept it. He insists Republicans will be chairmen of all committees. I think he's making a big mistake. Of course, they will blame Clinton.

Question from Guest: If there is a recession, do you think they will blame Clinton?

Bill Press Isn't it interesting? Republicans give Clinton NO credit for eight years of outstanding economic growth, but once there's a slight downturn, suddenly he's totally to blame!

Question from ThePatriot: By saying that Bush can talk down the economy, you are saying that he has a lot of credibility with the very savvy investors we have here in America today, right?

Bill Press: No. What I'm saying is that the market is skittish. When people hear a president predict the worst, they think he must have some insights into bad news, and they overreact. Fear drives a lot of investment decisions. Bush has to learn to watch his every word, and I think he will. Give him time.

Question from PJunkie: In view of the 50-50 tie in the U.S. Senate and the stonewalling by Republicans of Clinton appointees to the judiciary, should Senate Democrats block judicial appointments by George Bush that would reverse Roe v Wade and support other parts of the right wing agenda?

Bill Press: I think the Democrats and Republicans should split up the committee chairs or have rotating chairs. And Daschle and Lott should take turns making the executive decisions. Won't be easy, but I think they could do it. And I think the American public would applaud it. If not, Democrats will get the Senate leadership soon enough -- 2002!

Question from Cool: Do you think that the talk about a recession from Bush is a ploy he is using to get his tax cut passed?

Bill Press: No, I don't. I just think he's using the present problems with NASDAQ to try to sell his hapless tax plan, which will be dead on arrival in Congress.

Question from Flrdli: Bill, what is your favorite way to celebrate Christmas? Bill Press: My favorite way to spend Christmas is to be with my family, to walk on the beach, to hike in the hills and to play a few rounds of golf. I leave for California Saturday morning. No Spin Room next week, and somebody else will be filling in for Crossfire.

CNN Moderator: Thank you for joining us today, Bill Press.

Bill Press: Great to be with you all again. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thanks for watching Crossfire!

Bill Press joined the Crossfire chat room via telephone from CNN’s Washington bureau. The above is an edited transcript of the interview, which took place on Thursday, December 21, 2000.



CNN COMMUNITY:
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A divided Congress
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RELATED STORIES:
Whitman, Thompson latest Bush nominees
December 21, 2000
Bush aides deny effort to 'talk down' markets
December 21, 2000

RELATED SITES:
CNN Election 2000 Online News Interviews and Chat Transcripts
Bill Press' Biography
CNN's Election 2000 Archive
CNN's Crossfire

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