CNBC Press Releases

BARTIROMO: What do you think of Senator Clinton's idea, the kid bond idea? It sounds similar, actually, to your idea of private accounts with Social Security.

Pres. BUSH: Well, my idea in Social Security was is that rather than putting your money into a trust that was not generating a rate of return that was fair, that you ought to be allowed to take some of your money and set it aside in a personal account. But that's your money already contributed. In other words, it's setting aside a part of the portion of your contribution in the Social Security system, which I think is vastly different from what she proposed.

BARTIROMO: Do you think that her plan is a good one?

Pres. BUSH: I'm not going to interject myself into the presidential campaign yet.

BARTIROMO: You have more than a year left in your second term. What are your goals for the economy for the rest of your service here?

Pres. BUSH: Well, first is to keep taxes down and keep, you know, and to have good, wise fiscal policy. To work with Congress and say, `Look, let's set priorities and meet those priorities,' and be willing to use the veto if they want to overspend, which the initial blush looks like they're going to try to do. Secondly, is to keep opening up markets for US goods and services. One of the reasons why our third quarter growth was good was because of exports. In other words, when we export it means growth in our economy. When we export, it means people are going to work. And so try to get these free trade agreements passed. Continue to work on energy policy that makes us less dependent on foreign sources of energy. And so I've got an important agenda that--and win the war on terror and protect the homeland.

By the way, one of the best economic measures we can do is make sure we don't get attacked again. As you know, the attacks of September the 11th crippled our economy for a short period of time. I wouldn't say--cripple's not the right word--damaged our economy for a short period of time. And you know, and we'll keep working night and day to make sure we protect the American people.

BARTIROMO: So is Social Security off the table at this point or will you try to fix it in the remaining time?

Pres. BUSH: You know, I'd like to, but remember, I'm the person that has laid this issue out in my State of the Union address and talked specifically about how to address Social Security. Whether or not Congress has got the will to step up and try to get something done, I don't know. We'll continue to try. My door's open. I'd like very much for people of both parties to come in and say, `You know, you gave us a good starting point, you gave us a good idea. Let's get together and get something done.' Because Social Security and Medicare, the unfunded liabilities inherent in those programs, are two of the most significant fiscal challenges this country faces. I mean, this is a real problem for us that we've got to get done.

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