September 7, 2001

`We've got a plan to get our economy moving
                                so Americans can find work,'' the president
             said. Privately he considered calling for across-the-board budget cuts
             next year if the economy worsens and spending starts eating into Social
             Security (news - web sites) reserves.

             The president spoke from outside the Oval Office, where he and Vice
             President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) had just finished meeting with
             House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and Senate Minority Leader
             Trent Lott, R-Miss., to discuss the economy, rising unemployment and
             the Republicans' political predicament over Social Security.

             GOP leaders, with an eye on next year's midterm elections, see trouble
             if the economy worsens.

             ``The slowdown is real and it's affecting too many lives and we're
             concerned about it,'' said Bush.

             He stopped short of announcing any agreement on spending cuts and
             abruptly turned away from news cameras as reporters tried to ask him
             about the developing deal.