Bush, Cheney make presence known at economic forum

Waco Tribune Herald ^ | August 14, 2002 | Jason Embry

[McLynnan]

President Bush listened first and talked later Tuesday as he moved from one friendly audience to the next at the Baylor law school.

Bush made 20-minute cameos in four of the eight discussions that kicked off his economic forum. Vice President Dick Cheney visited the other four. Each of the sessions, which ran concurrently, lasted 90 minutes.

Bush was the focus of every room he entered, but others did most of the talking. After opening remarks from two administration officials and investment executive Charles Schwab, Bush told investing and retirement panelists he was looking out for his McLennan County neighbors.

"I think about how people in Crawford look at Wall Street and the numbers," said Bush, whose ranch is about 25 miles west of Waco. "And one of the things I hope that comes out of this discussion is how do we simplify the numbers so that people can understand what they're looking at."

Panelists gave Bush first-hand accounts of the economy's health. Larry Johnston, chairman of the Albertson's grocery store chain, said he sees weakening consumer confidence when customers buy hamburger instead of steak.

Other stories were more encouraging. Dick Holthaus, president of the National Association of Investors Corporations, said the small investment clubs that make up his group received eight requests to sell for every two to buy in recent months. But he said investors have in recent weeks been buying only, which Holthaus chalked up to market factors and an emphasis on corporate responsibility.

Cabinet secretaries and other administration officials moderated the groups. They mostly called on business and civic leaders when Bush was in the room, ignoring professors from schools like Harvard, Stanford and the University of Pennsylvania.

Corporate accounting scandals were fresh in the minds of several panelists. Harry Alford, chairman of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, told Bush he was tired of seeing embattled executives plead the Fifth Amendment before Congress "as if they're Bugsy Siegel or Al Capone."

Bush told Alford that law-breakers will be held accountable. He also said business schools need to teach students the difference between right and wrong.

"They're afraid of taking a position, evidently," Bush said.

Bush walked swiftly into each room he entered, sometimes catching panelists off-guard. He got a delayed standing ovation when he entered the corporate responsibility session. In the discussion session on jobs and recovery, Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill gave panelists advance warning to stand when Bush entered.

The president took a few notes while participants talked, but he mostly looked directly at them, nodding frequently. He also worked in a few laughs.

At the session on jobs and recovery, North Carolina restaurant owner Van Eure sat between Bush and O'Neill, who has sometimes found few champions in Washington. After talking about estate taxes, Eure said it was an honor to sit next to one of her heroes, presumably meaning Bush.

"Who, O'Neill?" Bush quipped in amazement. "We found one, O'Neill."

George Luck, principal of the Waco ISD Alternative Campus and owner of Temple's Bluebonnet Cafe, sat on the health-care panel. A friend who works for Scott & White Memorial Hospital suggested Luck when White House officials asked for participants.

"I think people were very genuine throughout the entire forum," Luck said. "I don't think there was any difference when the president was there."

Luck said panelists were advised to keep comments short so everybody could speak. Salado nurse Lucinda Harman, also part of the health-care session, said the key instructions were to wear business dress and turn cell phones off.

After a wrap-up session at Baylor's Jones Concert Hall, Bush went to a participants' lunch in the Bill Daniel Student Center. They ate Southwest chicken salad and key lime pie, and Bush worked the room for handshakes and photos.

A Marine helicopter transported Bush from his Crawford ranch to Waco that morning, landing on the new intramural fields across La Salle Avenue from the Ferrell Center. He flew back to the ranch after five hours in Waco.

Even before the event began, Democrats complained the Bush forum was little more than a photo-op. In his closing-session remarks, Bush acknowledged at least some of the pageantry.

"Thanks for having us all," he told Baylor President Robert B. Sloan Jr. "And I want you to thank all the good folks here at Baylor University for putting on a great show."

[ravingnutter]

I buy my steak at other groceries here in town that don't charge $6.99, $7.99, and $8.99 a pound for steak like Albertson's. And the steak is just as good! Since I live in ranch/cattle country, I object to paying outlandish prices for steak from Albertsons and it has nothing to do with the economy.

Tell me about it...I went there a couple of times for single items (such as hubby's favorite Gatorade flavor) that I could not find at HEB, but I would not shop there on a regular basis. Albertson's went out of business here in San Antonio, they just couldn't compete with HEB. HEB has taken over five of the stores recently, although I think they may be spreading themselves too thin, their shelves are not as well stocked as they used to be, but that could also be due to lack of competition.

[ohioWfan]

Kool-aid and Neocons?!! LOL!!!..........can't you guys come up with some new material? These silly insults are getting really boring! HA!

[ohioWfan]

Are you always in a bad mood?

[steve50]

So you consider neocon to be an insult?

[ohioWfan]

The neocons here sure get excited over a photo op, don't they?

Oh, excuse me.......I didn't realize this was meant as a compliment.

[SEGUET]

I think that went right of his head - by about 12 feet!

[Tuco-bad]

Are you always in a bad mood?

That's your response to my post??????

I guess you were not able to make an intelligent response.

[SEGUET]

I meant the Kool-Aid line as a compliment - such blind dedication certainly is entitled to its own reward.

[steve50]

such blind dedication certainly is entitled to its own reward.

Does offer a great business opertunity tho, who owns the kneepad concession around this place?

[deport]

The Summit Session with hot links to the breakout sessions.....

---

	President George W. Bush makes a statement on how to improve the economy at the plenary session of the President's Economic Forum held at Baylor University in Waco, Texas on Tuesday August 13, 2002. Small Investor and Retirement Security Session Economic Recovery and Job Creation Session Corporate Responsibility Session Healthcare Security Session Plenary Session Press Briefing by OMB Director Mitch Daniels Press Briefing by Secretary of Treasury Paul O'Neill and Secretary of Commerce Don Evans Press Briefing by Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman and USTR Ambassador Robert Zoellick Policy in Focus: Economy Early Sessions

On August 13, the President hosted the President's Economic Forum at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

The meeting brought together government policy makers, small investors, small business owners, industry experts, teachers, workers, business ethicists, union members, corporate executives, economists, business students, academics, researchers and others to discuss the fundamentals of the economy and the President's agenda to increase economic growth for the future.

The President's Economic Forum featured breakout and discussion sessions on key economic issues. Each session involved approximately 30 participants with diverse points of view, panels and was chaired by a senior government official, and each panel included guest speakers with special expertise in the panel's subject matter.

The President believes that economic freedom is the foundation for individual success and prosperity. Because of the resiliency and determination of the American people, our Nation is on track for sustained economic growth. However, the President will not be satisfied until every American who wants a job can find a job, and all Americans have economic security. The President's economic agenda invests in people by creating jobs, expanding opportunities to save and invest, providing a good education, and helping each American own part of the American dream.

The President's Economic Forum brought together people from all walks of life to discuss the fundamentals of the economy and the President's agenda to increase economic growth for the future.	This panel discussed the best ways to sustain economic recovery, promote long-term growth and create new jobs. It was chaired by Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill.

This panel discussed the President’s agenda to usher in a new era of corporate responsibility. It was chaired by Commerce Secretary Don Evans.

This panel discussed rising health care costs and new approaches to make high-quality health care affordable for all Americans. HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson chaired the panel.

This panel discussed ways to protect pensions, help Americans protect and grow their retirement savings, and protect Social Security for seniors.

[ohioWfan]

An intelligent response to "we should be dancing in the streets?"

What exactly, in your opinion, might an intelligent response to your sarcasm be?

The economy is basically sound. The stock market has been in far worse shape, and anyone over 30 should not be worried. We are in a wartime economy, but it is stable.

And we have a President with an MBA who is trying to solve the problems in an intelligent manner.

As to the dancing in the streets part........I am very proud to be an American. I am thankful to a Sovereign God for blessing this nation with great riches and resources, and am thankful that the 8 years of degradation with an amoral, unprincipled, dangerous president are over, and that we have a man of integrity in the White House.

So I guess I am dancing in the streets...............and I still wonder if you're ever happy.

[SEGUET]

It's a JV between Ashgrief and (Lon) Cheney

[linn37]

Scott and White (or call it sit and wait) is a piss poor hospital run by people who could care less. Its all about getting herded thru the door and back out again.

[ohioWfan]

I'm sure you two are having fun, but the Kool-aid, and "kneepad" insults are out of line, in addition to being ridiculous. So cut it out.

There is no blind loyalty here..... only honest respect for a man who is serving his God by serving his country to the best of his ability, and is doing so with integrity and honor. If that's beyond your ability to comprehend, too bad for you.

[SEGUET]

"....we have a President with an MBA..."

Boy, that makes me feel better - but then again we have high school graduates that can't read.

Is Grad school now a prerequisite for running a country - it sure isn't one for running a company - they don't even teach you how to cook books at those institutions anymore

[linn37]

If I'm going to pay 8.99 I may as well throw in 4 bucks more and buy it at the restraunt where they will cook,serve and clean up after me.

[Moonman62]

"I think about how people in Crawford look at Wall Street and the numbers," said Bush, whose ranch is about 25 miles west of Waco. "And one of the things I hope that comes out of this discussion is how do we simplify the numbers so that people can understand what they're looking at."

He should be talking about government numbers. Nobody can figure them out. He should end withholding, and require people to write monthly checks for their taxes, so they'll know how badly they're getting raped by the government.

[ohioWfan]

George W. Bush's MBA was earned over thirty years ago. What they teach in "those institutions anymore" is irrelevant. A graduate degree from Harvard in business is significant, as is experience in running a company, and being a Governor of a large state.

President Bush is more qualified by education and experience, to correct the economic problems in this country than any past President has been.

[Belial]

You're kidding yourself if you think this "economic summit" is anything other than a PR maneuver.

What policy is being made here? You must realize every participant has been vetted and chosen for a reason...this is no random sampling of Americans.

[Tuco-bad]

The economy is basically sound. The stock market has been in far worse shape, and anyone over 30 should not be worried. We are in a wartime economy, but it is stable.

Economy basically sound - I believe that most people disagree with you.

Stock market has been in worst shape, true, the stock market isn't that bad, it hasn't crashed yet.

We are in a wartime economy - is that the reason Bush is cutting taxes for the wealthy?

Don't they usually raise taxes in a war?

ROTFLMAO