CNN Larry King Live-Transcript

CNN LARRY KING LIVE

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KING: Let's check in with Senator Judd Gregg, Republican of New Hampshire, one of those gentlemen who was in the garage all night. Senator Gregg, what was it like? Hold on. I'm hearing Sergeant Schneider. What was it like, Senator Greg?

SEN. JUDD GREGG (R-NH) WAS IN SENATE PARKING GARAGE: It was interesting. It was sort of a bonding experience. A number of my colleagues were there, a lot of staff. We had a few hours to talk about things and we got a few things done and it was a very -- everybody handled themselves very professionally, especially the Capitol Hill Police, who are doing a superb job.

KING: What was it like in the office at 6:30?

GREGG: Well, we got the notice, there was an alarm that went off around 7:00. I was actually headed out, I was in my car. The officer said we should go to this gathering area in the garage. It was sort of interesting to end up in the garage. I started off the morning on Air Force One and I ended up in the garage this evening as the president was headed up to New Hampshire. It's been an interesting day.

KING: You began the day with the president and ended the day at the garage?

GREGG: That's right. It's a great job. KING: Were you ever nervous?

GREGG: Not really. We've been through a lot of these here in the Capitol. It's unfortunate. It's a sign of the times. Obviously, a very serious problem we had was the Anthrax, was real. But in most instances, they have been false alarms. But, you know you should err on the side of caution. We respect the professionalism of the police here. And they're there to protect us. They make these decisions and we do what they say.

KING: Do you feel, as a senator, well protected in your own office? Do you feel well-protected in the Russell Building?

GREGG: Well, yes, as well as could be. You know, the important thing is to keep the government as an open government so that people who want to come and see you can. And that's critical. And obviously, that's -- that makes the type of protection that you might get somewhere else a little more difficult.

But anybody who's in public life understands that. And, really, the police do a superb job here, as do the various law enforcement communicates that basically support them, like the FBI. So, yes, I do feel fairly confident that we've got good protection.

KING: Did you bond with your fellow senators?

GREGG: Oh, yes, very closely. We got to talk about a lot of good things. We talked about biannual budgeting and a lot of very important subjects.

KING: Now, did you really talk business?

GREGG: A little bit. But mostly we just kidded each other and had a good time. And most of the time was spent actually talking with folks on our staff or other staffs. And actually there were some interns here from Australia and they came over, we talked with them and sort of -- that's the ultimate intern experience, to be stuck in a garage with three or four members of the Senate.

KING: Were you concerned that no food was delivered?

GREGG: You know, that's something we've got to fix next time we do this, no question about it. There were actually a couple of kids there. And fortunately somebody found some crackers in their car, so they were able to get something to eat. But if we're going to have a gathering place like this, I think I'm sure the police are going to take a look at what they have there for resources to support 200 people sitting in a room for three or four hours.

KING: While I've got you, a couple of quick things. What were you doing in New Hampshire with the president?

GREGG: Well the president came out to talk about the budget and the need to discipline federal spending, something I very much support. He gave an excellent speech, a very substantive speech to a group of folks in the state. And we very much appreciate him picking New Hampshire as the place to talk about fiscal responsibility because that's very high on the agenda of most people from New Hampshire.

KING: And then you flew back and went back to the -- were you in the Senate today or were you in the office all day?

GREGG: Well, back and forth. We had a lot of different meetings going on. So, I've been on the floor and back and forth. We're doing the asbestos bill, which is a fairly significant piece of legislation, about $140 billion. Obviously, a very big piece of legislation. And so I'm involved in that as budget chairman.

KING: One other thing, Senator. Back at work tomorrow right on the dot?

GREGG: Absolutely. That's our job and we enjoy doing it. You know, you've got to respect the staff here for doing it and especially the law enforcement people who protect us.

KING: Thanks, Senator Gregg, always good talking to you.

GREGG: Thank you, Larry.

KING: Senator Judd Gregg, Republican of New Hampshire, begins the day on Air Force One with the president in New Hampshire, ends the day in the garage of the Senate office building with a threat.

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