The Bush Legacy
CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller has been reading viewer mail sent to the "White House Booth."
Is the White House quieter this week? It's hard to believe that with possible indictments coming down against Libby and Rove, and Cheney now getting strong scrutiny that there wouldn't be a pall of death hanging over everyone. Is it "business as usual", or does it feel more like they're waiting for the funeral arrangements to be finalized?
Maryjane Schwartz
Dear Maryjane: No White House wants to be seen anguishing over the possibility of criminal charges being brought against top aides. A spokesman says President Bush is focused on the people's priorities including the war in Iraq, the economy, and other matters. In an effort to show he was not in the grip of anxiety, President Bush stunned the press today by popping out the front door of the West Wing, smiling and waving, as he walked to the executive office building next door for a bill signing ceremony. But there's no denying that an indictment of senior advisor Karl Rove and/or 'Scooter' Libby would be a political body blow to the White House.
Where can I find the Current Presidents pardon List?
Ken
Dear Ken: Since taking office, President Bush has granted only 58 pardons. That's far fewer than his predecessor Bill Clinton, who granted 396 during eight years in office. Mr. Bush is viewed to be stingy with pardons compared to some previous presidents: Richard Nixon issued 863; Lyndon Johnson granted 960, Dwight Eisenhower gave over a thousand and Harry Truman signed 1913 of them. The Office of the Pardon Attorney at the US Department of Justice has all these statistics on its website at http://www.usdoj.gov/pardon/statistics.htm.
Not much has been heard or seen of Vice President Dick Cheney these past few weeks. What has he been doing and saying about the current investigations and Meir's nomination?
Don Cooper
Dear Don: The Vice President has been around, but he's not been saying much about the CIA leak investigation. That's the White House strategy — no comment while the investigation is ongoing. Cheney has been doing some public appearances this week. He'll be in Georgia on Friday for a political appearance and a speech to U.S. troops at Robins Air Force Base.
I noticed that on one of the answers given on the internet question and answer area that Bush rarely makes himself available on Air Force 1 to the press. Do you think it's because his advisors are afraid of him committing more "Bushisms" or is he really that much of an elitist?
Mary Barabasz
Dear Mary: When he has something to say, he's not shy about appearing before reporters. But he's not given to lengthy, soul-searching chats the way Bill Clinton was. Mr. Bush's staff is more wary of the press than is Mr. Bush. He's got a good handle on what we do, and why we do it. And as a second term president, he doesn't have to worry about so-called "Bushisms." There are so many out there already.
How do you think historians and the public will view Pres. Bush's legacy, twenty years from now?
Raymond Williams
Dear Raymond: It's still too soon to say. He's got three years to go in office, and a lot can happen. If Iraq remains a quagmire and democracy fails to take root, his legacy will be marred. If the insurgents are beaten, and a democratic government takes hold, it will be a triumph. Domestically, the economy is churning, but the National Debt is at an all-time high of over $8 trillion dollars — more than a quarter of that built up on Mr. Bush's watch. And there are budget deficits as far as the eye can see in the years to come. That means the government is spending money and passing on the bills to future generations. Historians of the future will certainly resent that.
Was just wondering why Robert Novak isn't in the spotlight like Judith Miller. And why hasn't more been said about him?
PJZ
Dear PJZ: The best guess is that Robert Novak cooperated with prosecutors and testified before the Grand Jury. We don't know that for certain, but its the only way to explain why he's avoided any public spats with investigators. We'll soon know more.
As a 40-year CBS news listener, what has troubled me most over the past few years has been Mark Knoller's role on the CBS team. His "reporting" has clearly been a simple parroting of any message that the Administration wishes to disseminate. If he has asked ANY probing questions along the way, it's been lost on your listeners. But perhaps this is his role on your team?
Whether he's been cowed by the Administration's very public threats to cut off access to anyone who reports negatively on them; or perhaps believes in blindly promoting the Republican agenda; or maybe is just not that smart, Edward R. Murrow must be rolling over in his grave. This kind of "reporting" is certainly not reflective of the legacy of CBS.
John Public
Dear John: I don't think a correspondent has any apologies to make for fairly reporting on what the President does or says. When I listen to the news, I want to know what was said and what actions were taken, so I can decide for myself what it means.
I don't try to score points with anyone by engaging in Bush-bashing or being a lap dog. Some reports may be seen to cast the president in a favorable light, others not.
But my goal is to report the news fairly and honestly while keeping my own views out of it.
I hope Murrow would be proud.