W wants to double the size of the Peace Corps by increasing the number of PCVs in the field from 7,000 to 14,000. Sounds like a good idea, right? Well it might be if so many of the volunteers already in the field didn't have jobs of marginal success working with staffs and budgets that are stretched thin. Peace Corps does some great things, but one thing it doesn't do well is support it volunteers and make sure they are working and living succesfully.

Staffers in DC are struggling to find new countries to place PCVs. I heard Eritrea and Djobouti bandied about. I'm every country that currently does not have volunteers is in play and on the radar screen. So muh for the old line of the Peace Corps only going into countries where it has been invited. It's frightening.

Here's the transcript of from a discussion on CNN's Money Line:

Coming up next, our special report, "The Great American Giveaway -- tonight, the Peace Corps and American contribution to volunteerism all around the world and all that we receive in return. Casey Wian has the story.

Stay with us.

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DOBBS: Tonight, we continue our series of special reports, "The Great American Giveaway."

The Peace Corps has been helping poor countries around the world now for 40 years. At the same time, it's helped improve this country's image. That program has been so successful that President Bush now wants to double the number of volunteers.

Casey Wian has the story.

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CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Peace Corps wasn't JFK's idea, but, more than anyone, he made it happen.

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JOHN F. KENNEDY, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It is a genuine effort by the people of the United States, particularly those who are young, to play their part in working for peace and improving the lives of all mankind.

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WIAN: While many nations have started similar programs, the Peace Corps remains the world's largest government-funded volunteer organization aiding developing nations; 170,000 Americans, from senators to TV stars, have served in 136 countries, building homes, improving agriculture, teaching English.

DAN FOOTE, FORMER PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER: It helps to overcome the perception in many places overseas that Americans are the richest, most spoiled, most selfish nation in the world.

WIAN: Peace Corps volunteers are often the first Americans people in developing nations meet.

GADDI VASQUEZ, DIRECTOR, PEACE CORPS: There are many leaders in countries today who sit as prime ministers, as vice presidents, as presidents, as ministers of various agencies and organizations who were thought and trained by Peace Corps volunteers during their childhood or during their youth.

WIAN: The Peace Corps has evolved beyond its college campus roots. Now 6 percent of its 7,000 volunteers are 50 or older.

JOSEPH SIEGLE, COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS: The Peace Corps budget's about $300 million a year currently. And I think it probably has more bang for the buck in terms of improving the U.S. image than just about anything else that we're spending that amount on.

WIAN: President Bush wants to double the Peace Corps ranks to 14,000 volunteers and boost its budget to a half-billion dollars by 2007. That would be the fastest buildup since the program's start in 1961.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WIAN: While the Peace Corps lobbies Congress for more money, there's no shortage of Americans willing to volunteer. The Peace Corps has a backlog of 200,000 people who have requested information. And applicants outnumber accepted volunteers by more than 2-1 -- Lou.

DOBBS: A remarkable success over four decades, the Peace Corps.