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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports
U.S. Air Strike Kills 9 Children; Defending Michael Jackson; What Is Killing Animals at National Zoo?
Aired December 08, 2003 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Air strike gone awry. Children caught in the middle. Can the U.S. make amends?
Shatterproof. It's built to withstand bombs, but are their nerves shattered for good?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To force someone to go back to the scene of the crime is unthinkable.
BLITZER: Defending Michael Jackson. Will the pop star's high- powered lawyer take aim at the accusers?
Zoo story. What's killing the animals at a national landmark?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: A huge political development unfolding right now. The former Vice President Al Gore plans to endorse Howard Dean for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Joining us now on the phone with more, CNN's Judy Woodruff. This is a big deal, Judy, but give our viewers a sense of perspective, how important this is for Howard Dean.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there, Wolf. This is crucial, this is incredibly important for Howard Dean. He was already surging, being seen as the frontrunner in Iowa and New Hampshire. And even in a national poll out today, 25 percent. But this endorsement by Al Gore, who, as we know, won the popular vote in 2000, is going to give him a boost, and it is going to hurt everyone of the other major candidates for president on the Democratic side.
BLITZER: Specifically, it hurts Gephardt in Iowa and it hurts Kerry in New Hampshire, the two major challengers in those early political states to Howard Dean. The former vice president coming up tonight, getting ready to endorse Howard Dean.
WOODRUFF: That's right. And Wolf, but it also hurts people like John Edwards and Wesley Clark, who were hoping for any kind of an opening to get their campaigns moving up. This hurts them as well.
You know, Wolf, I interviewed Howard Dean today, didn't get an inkling of this. They told me something big was coming tomorrow. They didn't want to say what it was. They really wanted this news to come out tomorrow, when Dean will be in Iowa. There is also a Democratic debate tomorrow night in New Hampshire. But the news is out there, and you're right, it is very important for the Dean campaign, because it slows down any momentum on the part of other candidates who want to catch up with him.
BLITZER: And there's no doubt, Judy, that Al Gore still has an enormous amount of followers within the Democratic rank and file, especially in recent weeks and months as he has spoken out increasingly against President Bush.
WOODRUFF: That's right, Wolf. And there's also a lot of anger on the part, still, of many Democrats who feel that the election was, in their words, stolen. The Republicans will turn around, of course, and say, that's absolutely not what happened. The Supreme Court ruled the way that it did. But there are Democrats who still resent the fact that Al Gore didn't win. And this (AUDIO GAP) still have the memories of 2000 fresh in their minds.
BLITZER: At the same time, Judy, I'm sure you will agree, it is premature to say it's all over, that this is going to wrap things up for Howard Dean. He still has a struggle ahead of him.
WOODRUFF: No. That's absolutely right, because the Iowa caucuses are still about six weeks away. Anything could happen. You and I both know six weeks is a lifetime in American politics. Howard Dean could say something or do something that could hurt him. But having said all that, I think it is fair to say that with the position that Dean was already in and you add to that this very significant endorsement, it is going to make it that much harder for Dick Gephardt in Iowa, for John Kerry in New Hampshire and for the other candidates to get a leg up.
BLITZER: One final question before I let you go, Judy, the former president, Bill Clinton, the senator from New York state, his wife, the former first lady, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, as far as I know, they have not endorsed anybody, certainly not publicly. Do you think this sets the stage for potentially their throwing their endorsement into this ring?
I think we lost Judy Woodruff. But she'll be back. Judy Woodruff reporting from us from New York, a very important political development today. The vice president, the former vice president, Al Gore, getting ready to formally endorse the former Vermont governor, Howard Dean, for the Democratic presidential nomination. We'll have much more on this breaking story coming up later this hour.
But let's move on to other major news unfolding right now. This time in Afghanistan. The United States has launched its largest ever ground campaign since the start of that military operation in Afghanistan some two years ago. The U.S. military is calling it Operation Avalanche. They will send at least 2,000 U.S. troops into the eastern and southern parts of Afghanistan, to try to root out remnants of the Taliban and al Qaeda, before they dig in, for the winner. Just before the operation began, though, this weekend, an airstrike went terribly wrong. Meant to kill an alleged terrorist, it apparently took the lives of nine innocent children. That's raising huge questions there, as well as in Washington. Let's go live to our senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre -- Jamie.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, that airstrike on Saturday was designed to target a single individual, a man believed to be a suspected Taliban leader, but, instead, as you mentioned, killing nine children. And now, there's a possibility that the targeted person might have been the wrong man.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MCINTYRE (voice-over): The U.S. military claims it was an accident of war. Blood, shoes, and toys littered the ground of the mountain village in eastern Afghanistan, cratered by the powerful guns of U.S. A-10 attack jets that Saturday went after a man the U.S. says was a known terrorist.
Nine children, seven boys and two girls, were killed by mistake in the air strike, along with a man who may or may not have been the intended target.
The U.S. military has appointed a commission to investigate the deaths, which raised questions about the appropriateness of using A-10 tank killer jets against a single person, and the quality of the intelligence that indicated he was alone in an isolated rural area.
Pentagon sources say the U.S. still believes it got the right man, a Taliban holdout who had killed two foreign contractors. But local villagers insist all the victims were innocent.
"These innocent children, they didn't have any weapons with them," said this man, who is head of the village, "and none of their relatives were part of al Qaeda," he added.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai was said to be profoundly shocked by the tragedy, and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan issued a warning read by a spokesman.
FRED ECKHARD, U.N. SPOKESMAN: The fight against terrorism cannot be won at the expense of innocent lives.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MCINTYRE: The Pentagon likes to tout its high-tech weaponry and sophisticated targeting as evidence that it takes every step humanly possible to avoid civilian casualties. But with a number of incidents now in which a large number of civilians have been killed in Afghanistan, that claim is getting harder to make -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre with the latest from the Pentagon. Jamie, thank you very much.
In Iraq, meanwhile, U.S. troops are up against an increasingly effective enemy. New videotape from inside the resistance shows just how dangerous the insurgents have become. Let's go live to our senior international correspondent Nic Robertson. He's on the scene for us in Baghdad -- Nic.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, coalition officials have been saying they do expect the current lull, if you will, in anti-coalition forces activity to increase at any time. Over the last few months, they've said how these anti-coalition forces have been improving their game plan in attacking coalition forces, although they have played down their effectiveness.
It is typically very difficult for journalists to get close to the Iraqi resistance, as they like to call themselves here, and members of "Time" magazine have been able to do that, and they were given some quite revealing videotape recently.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTSON (voice-over): A fleeting glimpse, played here in slow motion, of what anti-coalition forces boastfully claim is a modified air-to-air missile, ready to fire at the U.S.-run Baghdad International Airport. The missile fires, but we don't know where it is, or who these men are. But they shot this videotape and gave it to "Time" magazine correspondent, Michael Ware, to bolster claims they are becoming more sophisticated.
MICHAEL WARE, "TIME" MAGAZINE: I'm encountering resistance forces now who are fare more organized, far more disciplined, and they're becoming much more effective than they were three months ago.
ROBERTSON: As attacks against U.S. troops began last summer, Ware made contact with anti-coalition forces. Videotape of attacks they gave him then were verified by coalition officials. Now, he says, he's meeting with more senior insurgents and getting a better insight into their operations.
WARE: The group that I have encountered is not just one cell that has come together to fight its holy war. What I have found is a whole series of cells that now answer up a chain of command. And coming down that chain of command is the money and the instructions.
ROBERTSON: On another videotape Ware was given, the men, who call themselves resistance fighters, can be seen preparing to fire a 120 millimeter mortar at what they say is a U.S. base south of Baghdad. On the tape, one man addresses another as "sir." Shortly after, another who says his job is just to drive refuses to help prepare the mortar, an indication for Michael Ware many have military backgrounds. Some are former intelligence officials, others former Fedayeen Saddam members.
WARE: They are the hard core Fedayeen who were part of Saddam's militia, involved in political repression under the regime. These men very clearly are fighting for Saddam to this day. The others, while they may recognize Saddam, are fighting for broader motives.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTSON: Now, what Michael Ware has heard from his sources reflects, in part, what were hearing from ours I was recently told by U.S. intelligence official they were very concerned by the increasing sophistication of the anti-coalition forces. One of the intelligence officers described what they've been doing is evolving through several phases recently -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Nic Robertson, in Baghdad for us. Nic, thank you very much.
So, does U.S. Intelligence really know who is behind all of these attacks on coalition forces?
Is there a right way and a wrong way to try to put an end to this insurgency?
Joining us from Washington Reuel Gerecht. He's a former CIA director, he is now with the American Enterprise Institute. Reuel, thanks very much.
What is the best way to fight these insurgents?
REUEL GERECHT, FORMER CIA OFFICER: Well, as time goes on, I would say that the tactics and strategy the Pentagon is using may, in fact, be wrong. I think they need to start using about what you might call old-time tactics of saturating the area with the right type of soldiers. The Pentagon has been reluctant to do that. And it has developed a tactic that is heavily dependent upon having the right type of intelligence, which, in all probability, is simply never going to arrive in time.
BLITZER: Saturating the area with soldiers.
You mean, increasing dramatically the number of U.S. Troops on the ground?
GERECHT: I don't know if you have to increase dramatically. But I think you do need to be able to, essentially, saturate in an area and control it. That is, to move from one town to one village, one section of the city and ensure those areas are pacified that the individuals cannot return to them. The Pentagon has decided to use a different tactic, like I said, essentially waiting for the right type of intelligence to strike. I think obtaining that type of battlefield intelligence is going to be virtually impossible.
BLITZER: Correct me if I am wrong, but these attacks between U.S. coalition partners seem to be more sophisticated than earlier thought?
GERECHT: I think that's true. It is difficult to say how sophisticated they really are. But it's -- certainly, they're better than what they used to be. And it is not surprising the more time these individuals have in the field, you -- they will start to coalesce into more efficient units. So we can expect to see more sophisticated attacks.
BLITZER: Some analysts have suggested, Reuel, that if the U.S. becomes more aggressive, that might be playing into these insurgents' hands. They want to see more action because then there could be civilian casualties creating greater opposition to the United States.
GERECHT: Well, I think they have to be conscious of that. At the same time, unless you do have an aggressive plan to counter this -- the insurgents and terrorists, I don't think you can win. You have to remember, it appears that most of these individuals are among the hard core. I think to suggest that, in fact the Americans become more aggressive, the average Iraqi Sunni is going to join them is a bit much. So the emphasis needs to be going out and getting the enemy. It is a question of tactics.
BLITZER: Reuel Gerecht, formerly of the CIA, now the American Enterprise Institute, thanks for that analysis.
GERECHT: My pleasure.
BLITZER: Up next, Arnold Schwarzenegger gets a lawsuit. Find out why California's new Governor is being sued right now.
Prosecutor killed: investigators looking into Jonathan Luna personal life possibly for clues. We'll tell you what they're finding.
Deadly flu: a serious strain and a shortage of the flu vaccine. That combination has people lining up for their dose.
But will it do the job?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Panic attacks, forgetfulness, how can I work every day like this?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Emotional move. Almost nine years after the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, a new building opens up. Many workers, though, don't want to make the switch. Their remarkable story. All that coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Campaign comedy: The Reverend Al Sharpton shows off his lighter side for a few laps and maybe a few votes. We'll get to that. First, though, today's "News Quiz."
Presidential Candidate Reverend Al Sharpton was once touring manager for which of the following rhythm and blues singers, Ray Charles, James Brown, Smokey Robinson, B.B. King. The answer coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. We are following a huge political story here in the United States, the former Vice President Al Gore, about to endorse the former Vermont Governor Howard Dean for president of the United States. The Democratic nomination much more coverage of that breaking story coming up.
In the meantime we a following some other stories including this, an unusual twist in the killing of a U.S. Federal prosecutor. Sources telling CNN investigators are looking at a possible online link to the murder of Jonathan Luna involving adult Web sites. CNN's Mike Brooks is joining us here at the CNN Center with the latest on this remarkable case.
What's going on -- Mike.
MIKE BROOKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Very remarkable case. Wolf, good evening.
Just a short time ago, the U.S. Attorney's office in Baltimore released an -- issued a news release. Pardon me. It did not contain new information as authorities continued to investigate leads in this bizarre murder.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BROOKS (voice-over): Investigators looking into the death of Jonathan Luna continue to consider all of the possibilities, including the chance the prosecutor's death may have been linked to his personal life.
Sources say Luna's name has turned up on some adult Web sites. Electronic records show that Luna took an indirect route to the rural Pennsylvania area where his body was found, an area where some people have been known to gather for sexual encounters.
Police have visited area motels asking workers if they recognize Luna's picture. Investigators have also been trying to determine whether Luna had any debt problems. His wife told authorities Luna had some credit cards she didn't know about until after his death. Still, police have not discarded the possibility Luna was murdered because of his profession.
As an assistant U.S. attorney based in Baltimore, Luna had prosecuted many violent criminals. His father says he often urged his son to take a safer job. Paul D. Luna told the Associated Press, quote, "I was warning him many times. I'm very positive this is for his job. I even told that to the FBI."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BROOKS: Sources tell CNN investigators began looking into Luna's personal life when they found nothing to indicate his killer or killers was related to any of his cases. But the question remains, how did Jonathan Luna's body end up in a rural area in Pennsylvania, 70 miles from his home?
And Wolf, just a short time ago the FBI released on their Web site, a picture of Jonathan Luna's car in hopes that anyone who saw his car between Baltimore and Ephrata, Pennsylvania will call the FBI with any information they may have. BLITZER: There it is. We're showing it to our viewers right now. What a bizarre case. This is -- I suspect this investigation only just beginning. Mike Brooks, thanks very much.
Fear over a new federal office building in Oklahoma City.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To force someone to go back to the scene of the crime is unthinkable.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Find out why this new facility is becoming a cause for concern.
Also, could it be the same old story for the family accusing Michael Jackson of molestation? New details coming in to us right now. And what's behind the medical mystery taking its toll on animals at the National Zoo? Those stories, much more, only minutes away. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: More now on that huge, huge political development breaking right now. A Democratic source telling CNN the former Vice President Al Gore will endorse Howard Dean for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Joining us now from New York with their special insight into the story, the co-hosts of CNN's CROSSFIRE, Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala. Paul, first to you, you know Democratic politics as well as anyone. Give us some perspective. What does this mean for Howard Dean?
PAUL BEGALA, CO-HOST, CROSSFIRE: Well, first it is an enormous boost for the very reason that we're talking about it. It will suck up a lot of air time, give him a lot of favorable press. Democrats love to remind people that Al Gore got more votes than George Bush in the last election, so it's very good for him.
I wouldn't go so far as to say it locks anything up, though, because people want to make up their own minds. I think if Dean overplays this, they are going to want to vote for themselves.
BLITZER: What do you think, Tucker?
TUCKER CARLSON, CO-HOST, CROSSFIRE: I think Paul is right. I mean, I think this is a bigger deal than most endorsements, simply because among a lot of the Democratic faithful, among primary voters, Al Gore is the president. I mean, you saw that rallying cry in Florida just the other day. "We won, and it was stolen from us."
That's what a lot of rank and file Democratic primary voters believe in. Here's the guy they think ought to be president endorsing Howard Dean. It's significant. There's no way to spin it otherwise. The second reason is the Washington establishment, Terry McAuliffe-types really don't like Howard Dean, both because they think he's going to lose to George W. Bush in November and also because they understand he's running against them, their leadership. So here you have a Washington Democrat, an insider, a member of their group, Al Gore, a Clinton Democrat, endorsing Howard Dean. I think it's a big deal.
BLITZER: Paul, is Tucker right? The Democratic establishment is nervous about Howard Dean?
CARLSON: Yes, it is. You know, a whole lot of Democrats are concerned that perhaps Dean could fall into the same kind of trap as some of the Democrats who have lost in the past. Zell Miller, my old pal from Georgia, Democratic senator, has been very critical of the party, has been more critical of Howard Dean than anyone. He says he combines McGovern on the war with Mondale on taxes. Now I think that Gore's endorsement can help him a lot.
The guy I'm thinking of right now, though, is Joe Lieberman. He was Gore's running mate. He was the person who Al Gore thought should be the president if, God forbid, anything happened to Gore should they have won the election. And Lieberman's in the race and was not going to run if Gore ran, and now Gore is bypassing Joe Lieberman, his friend and running mate, to endorse Howard Dean. That's an enormous story.
BLITZER: It's a slap clearly at Joe Lieberman. Tucker, Joe Lieberman was very loyal to Al Gore. He said he would not seek the Democratic nomination if Al Gore were to run. Al Gore, of course, is not running. What does it say to you about Joe Lieberman's relationship with Al Gore?
CARLSON: Well, I think it's a measure of the low regard generally that many Democrats have for Joe Lieberman. I'm struck -- as someone who likes Joe Lieberman, thinks he's a decent and thoughtful and pretty serious person, maybe the best of the field -- I'm struck when I talk to Democrats by how hostile their feelings are for him, by and large.
I'm talking now about activist Democrats, people who get out and organize for the primaries. I think the feeling is, among many of them, that he let his party down by not being tough enough, specifically for not being tough enough during the Florida recount, for seeming to give ground to the Bush campaign then and in general for being too moderate, for coming out or seeming to come out against affirmative action, et cetera. He is seen as too conservative and as someone who aids Bush's policies. They really -- a lot of people really don't like him on the Democratic left. It's interesting.
BLITZER: Paul, in practical terms, Iowa, New Hampshire, the big contest coming up in January. What does this do in the -- what's largely seen as a two-man contest in Iowa between Howard Dean and Richard Gephardt, and largely a lot of people see a two-man contest in New Hampshire between Howard Dean and John Kerry. The Gore endorsement of Howard Dean, what does it do in those two states? BEGALA: Well, I'll be watching Iowa very carefully, because, you know, in fact, Al Gore in 1988, when he first ran for president, dropped out of the Iowa caucuses, criticized them as being too liberal, and he did beat Bill Bradley there in the 2000 primary caucus, but I still think there may be some residual bitterness so I don't know that it helps in Iowa where probably Dean needs help more than anywhere else.
I think the place that helps the most really is in Washington, in New York City, in Los Angeles, where the establishment Democrats, the fund-raisers, the people who Tucker talked about before, who may be a little worried that Dean might not be electable. Gee whiz, there is no one on this Earth drawing a breath who wants to see George Bush lose more than Al Gore, and if he thinks Howard Dean is the man to do it, that says a lot.
BLITZER: One final question, unrelated, to Tucker Carlson, we saw you guys unveil the Election Express today, the new CNN campaign bus in New York City. Tucker, tell our viewers what you guys plan on doing with this bus over the next weeks and months.
CARLSON: Wolf, nothing less than covering this nation, its highways and byways. We're going everywhere with this bus. We're leaving for New Hampshire in about eight minutes from now. We're going to be up there for the Democratic debate tomorrow night, the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) debate.
From there, we're going out to Iowa. We'll be down in South Carolina. We'll be out to California and back. We will be everywhere in this thing, talking to the people we often talk about, voters, and to candidates. We're talking -- we'll probably end up talking to all of them by the end. We're talking to General Wesley Clark tomorrow and John Edwards, senator from North Carolina, the day after. It is going to be great.
BLITZER: All right, the CNN Election Express. Lots of political news. This is the place to stay and watch it in the weeks and months to come.
Tucker Carlson, Paul Begala, the co-hosts of CNN's "CROSSFIRE," thanks for that analysis.
CARLSON: Thanks, Wolf.
BLITZER: Up next: desperate digging, as searchers scour for signs of life, a battle against time as a theater in Toronto collapses.
Bracing for the worst, as the flu season strikes with a vengeance, what you need to know right now to protect yourself.
And the same story, different cast -- new revelations about the family accusing Michael Jackson of molestation.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN.
Cupping up this half-hour: a lawsuit against the governor of California -- why a Hollywood stuntwoman is suing Arnold Schwarzenegger right now.
First, though, a quick check of the latest headlines.
Rescue workers in Canada's largest city are combing through the rubble of a collapsed theater. They are hoping to reach at least one person who is trapped in the debris. Today's collapse in Toronto killed at least one person and injured more than a dozen others. Workers were demolishing the theater when it collapsed onto a school right next door.
The family and friends of missing North Dakota college student Dru Sjodin are still holding out hope she will be found alive. Search teams continue to look for clues. And police, who have received almost 1,500 tips in the case, say they have no plans to give up the search. Sjodin disappeared from a Grand Forks mall more than two weeks ago. Police have arrested a suspect in her kidnapping.
As investigators check out clues in a deadly string of shootings in Ohio, the reward money in the case has doubled. It's now $20,000. The 14 shootings, one of them fatal, have all happened along or near Interstate 270, the beltway around Columbus. Police say they believe all of them are linked.
The landmark Medicare reform bill, which cleared Congress last month after a bitter fight, is now the law of the land. President Bush signed the legislation today. Among other things, it includes a prescription drug benefit. The $400 billion overhaul of Medicare won't go into full force until 2006.
Health officials are tracking ominous signs, as they brace for a flu season expected to be worse than normal. It is one of the earliest season in years, and vaccine makers say all their doses are now effectively gone.
CNN's Holly Firfer is joining us now live with more -- Holly.
HOLLY FIRFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, well, the country's two flu-makers say they have distributed all of their flu shots to doctors and health care facilities. In fact, one company is already working on next year's vaccine.
So what do you do if you have not been inoculated?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FIRFER (voice-over): The line for flu shots numbered in the hundreds.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We waited two hours on Saturday for my husband and I to get ours.
FIRFER: This is Des Moines, Iowa, but could be anywhere USA. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We did about 500 shots between Friday and Saturday alone, plus the roughly 170 we had left today.
FIRFER: The health departments in 13 states, seen here in blue, have reported widespread flu outbreaks. And with reports of deaths in Texas and Colorado, some doctors say they are running out of vaccine and can't get any more.
In a typical year, 70 to 75 million Americans get flu shots. This year, 83 million doses were produced, but have all been used.
TOMMY THOMPSON, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY: We're making a survey through CDC of all the state health departments, a lot of the major clinics and a lot of individual doctors' offices and hospitals throughout America, just to find out what is available.
FIRFER: The CDC says manufacturers made plenty of vaccine. It is likely just a distribution issue.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The vaccine manufacturers may have sold all of their vaccine, but there still is vaccine available in many communities.
FIRFER: And there are alternatives. If you are between the ages of six and 49 and in good health, you can get the flu mist vaccine. Adults don't need a doctor's prescription. Just see your pharmacist.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FIRFER: And, as we talk in general terms and we throw out numbers, it is important to remember the human side of this.
One story that really hit home for us, a soldier in Iraq came back to the U.S. this week to bury his 14-month-old son. He was the sixth child to die from the flu in Colorado. So, Wolf, it is a very human issue, too.
BLITZER: What a sad story that is. Thanks very much, Holly Firfer.
FIRFER: Sure.
BLITZER: Taking aim at the accusers. What's the king of pop's high-powered attorney saying about the family suing Michael Jackson? I will speak live with a journalist covering this case.
Suing Arnold Schwarzenegger -- new accusations against the governor of California -- this time, of smear.
And nurture or neglect. Are several recent animal deaths at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. a sign of shortcomings? We'll have a live report.
First, though, a quick look at some other news making headlines "Around the World."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Pressure on Israel. The International Court of Justice may get involved in the controversy over the Israeli construction of a barrier in the West Bank. The U.N. General Assembly is expected to approve a resolution asking the court to issue an opinion whether Israel is legally obligated to tear down the barrier.
Preparing for Armageddon. Israel is building a vast bunker network to house government officials during a nuclear attack or a conventional war. Security sources say work on the shelter began last year outside Jerusalem, amid fears of Iran's nuclear program.
Tainted election results? International observers are sharply criticizing the outcome of Russia's parliamentary elections, calling it free, but not fair. Allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin won a sweeping victory in yesterday's vote. The Bush administration says it agrees with the European Organization for Security and Cooperation, which denounced the results as overwhelmingly distorted.
New Miss World. Rosanna Davison is a 19-year-old college student from Ireland. She won the crown by beating out 105 other women at the competition held in Southern China. Davidson is the daughter of Chris De Burgh, the singer best known for his 1986 hit, "Lady in Red."
Parade of champions. Hundreds of thousands of people jammed Central London to cheer England's World Cup rugby championships. England won the title last month by beating Australia 20-17.
And that's our look "Around the World."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: "Feeling Good."
The Reverend Al Sharpton shows his funny side and reveals a talent few of us have ever seen before. We'll get to that.
First, though, the answer to today's news quiz.
Earlier we asked: Presidential candidate Reverend Al Sharpton was once touring manager for which of the following famous rhythm and blues singers? The answer, James Brown. Sharpton became touring manager for the soul singer in 1973 and worked with him through the early '80s.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: A Holly stuntwoman who said she was sexually harassed by Arnold Schwarzenegger on a movie set year ago is now suing the California governor for defamation.
CNN investigative correspondent Art Harris is in Los Angeles. He's joining us now with live with details -- Art. ART HARRIS, CNN NATIONAL INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, one day before California voters went to the polls in October, a stuntwoman from the film "Terminator 2" charged that then candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger had sexually harassed her on the movie set.
Now, that woman, Rhonda Miller, has filed a lawsuit that claims he and his campaign defamed her by -- quote -- "spreading lies that she was a convicted felon." After that October press conference, the governor's campaign staff sent out an e-mail instructing the media to look on a Los Angeles court Web site for her name, according to her lawyers. The Rhonda Miller who popped up had a lengthy criminal record.
She is a different Rhonda Miller, according to her attorneys at today's press conference in Los Angeles. Schwarzenegger's longtime attorney told me today that this case is -- quote -- "absolutely without merit" and that sexual harassment claims were -- quote -- "totally fabricated." Miller says she has been unable to find work in the entertainment industry since she came forward -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Art Harris with the latest on that -- Art, thanks very much.
This important note to our viewers. Arnold Schwarzenegger will be Judy Woodruff's guest tomorrow, 3:30 p.m. Eastern, on a special edition of "INSIDE POLITICS" from Sacramento, California.
The family of the child accusing Michael Jackson of molestation reportedly has made several accusations before. That's just one of the revelations about the case in an article appearing this week in "Newsweek" magazine.
Andrew Murr is the co-author. He's joining us now live from Los Angeles.
What's the major thrust of your reporting, Andrew?
ANDREW MURR, "NEWSWEEK": Well, the piece sort of does two things. It is a profile of Geragos.
But the news that you're referring to is something that was starting to be out there a week or so ago. And we developed it a little further. You remember, there was a -- something that started as a shoplifting case at the mall, where the family was arrested allegedly for shoplifting. Charges were filed, but dropped. And then the family sued. They sued, saying that security guards at J.C. Penney and Tower Records had beaten them up, had falsely imprisoned them, etcetera. There was no mention of any -- in the suit, at least, of any sort of sexual assault.
But when they were deposed, all four members of the family who were involved in this thing, father, mother, the alleged Jackson victim and a brother, told a story in the deposition about the mom being sexually assaulted by the Tower guard. The suit, the sexual allegations were never added to the suit. The suit was settled. The family got some money. But it's curious to wonder how this sort of sexual element happened. On the face of it, it is sort of odd, because it is broad daylight. It's in a mall. There is allegedly a fight going on. It's hard to see how sexual assault could happen. On the other hand, there's -- there's not a very full record in the court. The depositions are not actually in the court record.
So it is a little hard for us to draw too many conclusions. And it certainly doesn't say anything about the truth or untruth of the allegations against Michael Jackson directly.
BLITZER: You remember when the prosecutor in Santa Barbara and the sheriff came out with the announcement that they were going to arrest Michael Jackson, they said the accuser and his family, they were not going forward with any civil suits against Michael Jackson. The information you're getting seems to suggest this family may be very much interested in trying to get some money out of Michael Jackson.
MURR: Well, it's hard to tell.
If I were beaten up in a parking lot by security guards and I hadn't shoplifted, I would probably be suing myself. And that may not predict any future results of some other case. But it does say, at the least, that, if this thing does -- if charges are filed and the defense attorneys have to roll up their sleeves and get to work, that this provides a target of opportunity, no doubt about it.
BLITZER: Something that Mark Geragos certainly would seek to exploit.
Thanks very much, Andrew Murr of "Newsweek" magazine, for joining us.
MURR: Thank you, Wolf.
BLITZER: Problems facing some of the nation's biggest pets. Straight ahead, we'll tell you what's causing zookeepers to put down a popular pachyderm.
First, though, a look at some other stories you may have missed this weekend.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Americans, beware. The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia is out with a new warning of possible terror attacks in the kingdom. And it is advising Americans there to stay alert, especially in public places.
Snowed under. The first big snowstorm of the season socked the mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States over the weekend. Some areas got four feet of snow. This storm swept up the coast, from the Carolinas to New England, causing at least eight deaths.
Who is No. 1? The BCS, or Bowl Championship Series, is supposed to determine the top college football team in the United States. But this year, the computers and the human poll voters aren't seeing eye to eye. Despite getting smashed by Kansas State story, Oklahoma is still atop the BCS standings. The Sooners play LSU in the Sugar Bowl, the so-called national championship game. But Southern California is No. 1 in the Associated Press poll. The Trojans meet Michigan in the Rose Bowl. The No. 1 team in the AP poll has never dropped after winning its bowl game.
So, if they both win their bowls, Oklahoma and Southern Cal could end up No. 1.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE")
AL SHARPTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (singing): I feel good!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Candidate as comedian. It wasn't soul singer James Brown on stage. It was the Reverend Al Sharpton. The Democratic presidential candidate had some fancy footwork going on as he hosted "Saturday Night Live." Sharpton wowed the audience by singing some of Brown's songs and imitating some of his moves.
And that's our "Weekend Snapshot."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: The National Zoo in Washington, D.C. is coming under fire for alleged mismanagement that resulted in the deaths of several animals. The allegations are in a two-part "Washington Post" article based on a nine-month investigation by the newspaper.
CNN's Jennifer Coggiola is at the zoo with the latest -- Jennifer.
JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Wolf.
Well, it is a troubling story for any animal lover. This was over a period of about three years, where there were some bizarre deaths of animals here at the zoo, and now allegations of covered-up mistakes and some incompetent animal care that have launched investigation into much-loved zoo here in Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COGGIOLA (voice-over): Boomba (ph), an 18-month-old zebra, once walked these grounds. She died in February 2000, according to "The Washington Post," after her food rations had been mistakenly cut in half.
In August of that same year, Nancy, an East African bush elephant that shared her home with other elephants here, died of what was later discovered to be bovine tuberculosis, a disease spreadable to other animals and elephants, but not humans. And just this past January, two red pandas died after eating rat poison buried in their yard. Their deaths launched an investigation by the Academy of Sciences, at the request of Congress in March.
Why these puzzling deaths, along with nearly 20 others over a six-year period? Zoo spokesman, Dr. Bob Hoage, says he doesn't have enough information to respond to each and every charge, but says, overall, there has been a problem of miscommunication.
ROBERT HOAGE, NATIONAL ZOO SPOKESMAN: In the past, there were problems. There were some -- something wasn't working very well in terms of internal communication, internal supervision. But I think we've really -- we're turning the corner there. And I think we've made some great strides in fixing those problems.
COGGIOLA: But Dr. Donald Nichols, a pathologist at the National Zoo who, according to "The Washington Post," has given his notice to resign, he believes the animals were simply victims of a deadly pattern of negligence. In a 48-page letter to the Academy of Sciences obtained by "The Washington Post,' he added -- quote -- "Because of incompetence in management and veterinary medicine, the operations at the National Zoo have been in such a state of disarray that it has led to poor animal care, animal suffering, and even animal deaths."
The zoo director and head veterinarian, Dr. Lucy Spelman, has recently implemented changes at the zoo to improve conditions, which the zoo tells CNN includes four full-time vets on hand, and new top animal care managers hired. But for an establishment in the capital that's been around more than a century, can it recover from the allegations of not protecting its own treasures?
HOAGE: It certainly is depressing to have "The Washington Post" publish stories so negative about the National Zoo. But I think, at the same time, it depresses us on the one hand. And, on the other hand, it galvanizes us into supporting even more of the changes that have been made and even wanting to do more to make the zoo a better place.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COGGIOLA: Now, the National Zoo is federally owned and operated by the Smithsonian Institution. So it is not required by law to undergo any of the testing by the USDA or meet the same standards by them that regulate zoos across the nation. Bottom line, they have no power here -- Wolf.
BLITZER: CNN's Jennifer Coggiola at the National Zoo in Washington -- thanks, Jennifer, very much.
A new federal building and new fears -- why some workers in Oklahoma City do not want to move into their new office space.
We'll explain.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Eight-and-a-half years after a bomb leveled the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City, a new building has been opened today -- a new federal building, that is. The new building is being called one of the nation's safest.
About two dozen workers moved in today. While some workers are eager to move into the new building, others say working in the new structure, kitty-corner from the Murrah Building, will bring back grim memories.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: ... work every day like this. And I'm not the only one.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I take tranquilizers and things to keep me from getting agitated about it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't want to go, because I don't want to be in a federal building.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Late this afternoon, the Department of Housing and Urban Development told CNN it is trying to accommodate the concerns of the workers who don't want to work in the new building. The possibilities include placing workers in alternative facilities, transfers, or allowing employees to work from home.
That's all the time we have today.
"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.
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Jackson; What Is Killing Animals at National Zoo?>
Aired December 8, 2003 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Air strike gone awry. Children caught in the middle. Can the U.S. make amends?
Shatterproof. It's built to withstand bombs, but are their nerves shattered for good?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To force someone to go back to the scene of the crime is unthinkable.
BLITZER: Defending Michael Jackson. Will the pop star's high- powered lawyer take aim at the accusers?
Zoo story. What's killing the animals at a national landmark?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: A huge political development unfolding right now. The former Vice President Al Gore plans to endorse Howard Dean for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Joining us now on the phone with more, CNN's Judy Woodruff. This is a big deal, Judy, but give our viewers a sense of perspective, how important this is for Howard Dean.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there, Wolf. This is crucial, this is incredibly important for Howard Dean. He was already surging, being seen as the frontrunner in Iowa and New Hampshire. And even in a national poll out today, 25 percent. But this endorsement by Al Gore, who, as we know, won the popular vote in 2000, is going to give him a boost, and it is going to hurt everyone of the other major candidates for president on the Democratic side.
BLITZER: Specifically, it hurts Gephardt in Iowa and it hurts Kerry in New Hampshire, the two major challengers in those early political states to Howard Dean. The former vice president coming up tonight, getting ready to endorse Howard Dean.
WOODRUFF: That's right. And Wolf, but it also hurts people like John Edwards and Wesley Clark, who were hoping for any kind of an opening to get their campaigns moving up. This hurts them as well.
You know, Wolf, I interviewed Howard Dean today, didn't get an inkling of this. They told me something big was coming tomorrow. They didn't want to say what it was. They really wanted this news to come out tomorrow, when Dean will be in Iowa. There is also a Democratic debate tomorrow night in New Hampshire. But the news is out there, and you're right, it is very important for the Dean campaign, because it slows down any momentum on the part of other candidates who want to catch up with him.
BLITZER: And there's no doubt, Judy, that Al Gore still has an enormous amount of followers within the Democratic rank and file, especially in recent weeks and months as he has spoken out increasingly against President Bush.
WOODRUFF: That's right, Wolf. And there's also a lot of anger on the part, still, of many Democrats who feel that the election was, in their words, stolen. The Republicans will turn around, of course, and say, that's absolutely not what happened. The Supreme Court ruled the way that it did. But there are Democrats who still resent the fact that Al Gore didn't win. And this (AUDIO GAP) still have the memories of 2000 fresh in their minds.
BLITZER: At the same time, Judy, I'm sure you will agree, it is premature to say it's all over, that this is going to wrap things up for Howard Dean. He still has a struggle ahead of him.
WOODRUFF: No. That's absolutely right, because the Iowa caucuses are still about six weeks away. Anything could happen. You and I both know six weeks is a lifetime in American politics. Howard Dean could say something or do something that could hurt him. But having said all that, I think it is fair to say that with the position that Dean was already in and you add to that this very significant endorsement, it is going to make it that much harder for Dick Gephardt in Iowa, for John Kerry in New Hampshire and for the other candidates to get a leg up.
BLITZER: One final question before I let you go, Judy, the former president, Bill Clinton, the senator from New York state, his wife, the former first lady, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, as far as I know, they have not endorsed anybody, certainly not publicly. Do you think this sets the stage for potentially their throwing their endorsement into this ring?
I think we lost Judy Woodruff. But she'll be back. Judy Woodruff reporting from us from New York, a very important political development today. The vice president, the former vice president, Al Gore, getting ready to formally endorse the former Vermont governor, Howard Dean, for the Democratic presidential nomination. We'll have much more on this breaking story coming up later this hour.
But let's move on to other major news unfolding right now. This time in Afghanistan. The United States has launched its largest ever ground campaign since the start of that military operation in Afghanistan some two years ago. The U.S. military is calling it Operation Avalanche. They will send at least 2,000 U.S. troops into the eastern and southern parts of Afghanistan, to try to root out remnants of the Taliban and al Qaeda, before they dig in, for the winner. Just before the operation began, though, this weekend, an airstrike went terribly wrong. Meant to kill an alleged terrorist, it apparently took the lives of nine innocent children. That's raising huge questions there, as well as in Washington. Let's go live to our senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre -- Jamie.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, that airstrike on Saturday was designed to target a single individual, a man believed to be a suspected Taliban leader, but, instead, as you mentioned, killing nine children. And now, there's a possibility that the targeted person might have been the wrong man.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MCINTYRE (voice-over): The U.S. military claims it was an accident of war. Blood, shoes, and toys littered the ground of the mountain village in eastern Afghanistan, cratered by the powerful guns of U.S. A-10 attack jets that Saturday went after a man the U.S. says was a known terrorist.
Nine children, seven boys and two girls, were killed by mistake in the air strike, along with a man who may or may not have been the intended target.
The U.S. military has appointed a commission to investigate the deaths, which raised questions about the appropriateness of using A-10 tank killer jets against a single person, and the quality of the intelligence that indicated he was alone in an isolated rural area.
Pentagon sources say the U.S. still believes it got the right man, a Taliban holdout who had killed two foreign contractors. But local villagers insist all the victims were innocent.
"These innocent children, they didn't have any weapons with them," said this man, who is head of the village, "and none of their relatives were part of al Qaeda," he added.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai was said to be profoundly shocked by the tragedy, and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan issued a warning read by a spokesman.
FRED ECKHARD, U.N. SPOKESMAN: The fight against terrorism cannot be won at the expense of innocent lives.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MCINTYRE: The Pentagon likes to tout its high-tech weaponry and sophisticated targeting as evidence that it takes every step humanly possible to avoid civilian casualties. But with a number of incidents now in which a large number of civilians have been killed in Afghanistan, that claim is getting harder to make -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre with the latest from the Pentagon. Jamie, thank you very much.
In Iraq, meanwhile, U.S. troops are up against an increasingly effective enemy. New videotape from inside the resistance shows just how dangerous the insurgents have become. Let's go live to our senior international correspondent Nic Robertson. He's on the scene for us in Baghdad -- Nic.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, coalition officials have been saying they do expect the current lull, if you will, in anti-coalition forces activity to increase at any time. Over the last few months, they've said how these anti-coalition forces have been improving their game plan in attacking coalition forces, although they have played down their effectiveness.
It is typically very difficult for journalists to get close to the Iraqi resistance, as they like to call themselves here, and members of "Time" magazine have been able to do that, and they were given some quite revealing videotape recently.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTSON (voice-over): A fleeting glimpse, played here in slow motion, of what anti-coalition forces boastfully claim is a modified air-to-air missile, ready to fire at the U.S.-run Baghdad International Airport. The missile fires, but we don't know where it is, or who these men are. But they shot this videotape and gave it to "Time" magazine correspondent, Michael Ware, to bolster claims they are becoming more sophisticated.
MICHAEL WARE, "TIME" MAGAZINE: I'm encountering resistance forces now who are fare more organized, far more disciplined, and they're becoming much more effective than they were three months ago.
ROBERTSON: As attacks against U.S. troops began last summer, Ware made contact with anti-coalition forces. Videotape of attacks they gave him then were verified by coalition officials. Now, he says, he's meeting with more senior insurgents and getting a better insight into their operations.
WARE: The group that I have encountered is not just one cell that has come together to fight its holy war. What I have found is a whole series of cells that now answer up a chain of command. And coming down that chain of command is the money and the instructions.
ROBERTSON: On another videotape Ware was given, the men, who call themselves resistance fighters, can be seen preparing to fire a 120 millimeter mortar at what they say is a U.S. base south of Baghdad. On the tape, one man addresses another as "sir." Shortly after, another who says his job is just to drive refuses to help prepare the mortar, an indication for Michael Ware many have military backgrounds. Some are former intelligence officials, others former Fedayeen Saddam members.
WARE: They are the hard core Fedayeen who were part of Saddam's militia, involved in political repression under the regime. These men very clearly are fighting for Saddam to this day. The others, while they may recognize Saddam, are fighting for broader motives.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTSON: Now, what Michael Ware has heard from his sources reflects, in part, what were hearing from ours I was recently told by U.S. intelligence official they were very concerned by the increasing sophistication of the anti-coalition forces. One of the intelligence officers described what they've been doing is evolving through several phases recently -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Nic Robertson, in Baghdad for us. Nic, thank you very much.
So, does U.S. Intelligence really know who is behind all of these attacks on coalition forces?
Is there a right way and a wrong way to try to put an end to this insurgency?
Joining us from Washington Reuel Gerecht. He's a former CIA director, he is now with the American Enterprise Institute. Reuel, thanks very much.
What is the best way to fight these insurgents?
REUEL GERECHT, FORMER CIA OFFICER: Well, as time goes on, I would say that the tactics and strategy the Pentagon is using may, in fact, be wrong. I think they need to start using about what you might call old-time tactics of saturating the area with the right type of soldiers. The Pentagon has been reluctant to do that. And it has developed a tactic that is heavily dependent upon having the right type of intelligence, which, in all probability, is simply never going to arrive in time.
BLITZER: Saturating the area with soldiers.
You mean, increasing dramatically the number of U.S. Troops on the ground?
GERECHT: I don't know if you have to increase dramatically. But I think you do need to be able to, essentially, saturate in an area and control it. That is, to move from one town to one village, one section of the city and ensure those areas are pacified that the individuals cannot return to them. The Pentagon has decided to use a different tactic, like I said, essentially waiting for the right type of intelligence to strike. I think obtaining that type of battlefield intelligence is going to be virtually impossible.
BLITZER: Correct me if I am wrong, but these attacks between U.S. coalition partners seem to be more sophisticated than earlier thought?
GERECHT: I think that's true. It is difficult to say how sophisticated they really are. But it's -- certainly, they're better than what they used to be. And it is not surprising the more time these individuals have in the field, you -- they will start to coalesce into more efficient units. So we can expect to see more sophisticated attacks.
BLITZER: Some analysts have suggested, Reuel, that if the U.S. becomes more aggressive, that might be playing into these insurgents' hands. They want to see more action because then there could be civilian casualties creating greater opposition to the United States.
GERECHT: Well, I think they have to be conscious of that. At the same time, unless you do have an aggressive plan to counter this -- the insurgents and terrorists, I don't think you can win. You have to remember, it appears that most of these individuals are among the hard core. I think to suggest that, in fact the Americans become more aggressive, the average Iraqi Sunni is going to join them is a bit much. So the emphasis needs to be going out and getting the enemy. It is a question of tactics.
BLITZER: Reuel Gerecht, formerly of the CIA, now the American Enterprise Institute, thanks for that analysis.
GERECHT: My pleasure.
BLITZER: Up next, Arnold Schwarzenegger gets a lawsuit. Find out why California's new Governor is being sued right now.
Prosecutor killed: investigators looking into Jonathan Luna personal life possibly for clues. We'll tell you what they're finding.
Deadly flu: a serious strain and a shortage of the flu vaccine. That combination has people lining up for their dose.
But will it do the job?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Panic attacks, forgetfulness, how can I work every day like this?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Emotional move. Almost nine years after the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, a new building opens up. Many workers, though, don't want to make the switch. Their remarkable story. All that coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Campaign comedy: The Reverend Al Sharpton shows off his lighter side for a few laps and maybe a few votes. We'll get to that. First, though, today's "News Quiz."
Presidential Candidate Reverend Al Sharpton was once touring manager for which of the following rhythm and blues singers, Ray Charles, James Brown, Smokey Robinson, B.B. King. The answer coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. We are following a huge political story here in the United States, the former Vice President Al Gore, about to endorse the former Vermont Governor Howard Dean for president of the United States. The Democratic nomination much more coverage of that breaking story coming up.
In the meantime we a following some other stories including this, an unusual twist in the killing of a U.S. Federal prosecutor. Sources telling CNN investigators are looking at a possible online link to the murder of Jonathan Luna involving adult Web sites. CNN's Mike Brooks is joining us here at the CNN Center with the latest on this remarkable case.
What's going on -- Mike.
MIKE BROOKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Very remarkable case. Wolf, good evening.
Just a short time ago, the U.S. Attorney's office in Baltimore released an -- issued a news release. Pardon me. It did not contain new information as authorities continued to investigate leads in this bizarre murder.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BROOKS (voice-over): Investigators looking into the death of Jonathan Luna continue to consider all of the possibilities, including the chance the prosecutor's death may have been linked to his personal life.
Sources say Luna's name has turned up on some adult Web sites. Electronic records show that Luna took an indirect route to the rural Pennsylvania area where his body was found, an area where some people have been known to gather for sexual encounters.
Police have visited area motels asking workers if they recognize Luna's picture. Investigators have also been trying to determine whether Luna had any debt problems. His wife told authorities Luna had some credit cards she didn't know about until after his death. Still, police have not discarded the possibility Luna was murdered because of his profession.
As an assistant U.S. attorney based in Baltimore, Luna had prosecuted many violent criminals. His father says he often urged his son to take a safer job. Paul D. Luna told the Associated Press, quote, "I was warning him many times. I'm very positive this is for his job. I even told that to the FBI."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BROOKS: Sources tell CNN investigators began looking into Luna's personal life when they found nothing to indicate his killer or killers was related to any of his cases. But the question remains, how did Jonathan Luna's body end up in a rural area in Pennsylvania, 70 miles from his home?
And Wolf, just a short time ago the FBI released on their Web site, a picture of Jonathan Luna's car in hopes that anyone who saw his car between Baltimore and Ephrata, Pennsylvania will call the FBI with any information they may have. BLITZER: There it is. We're showing it to our viewers right now. What a bizarre case. This is -- I suspect this investigation only just beginning. Mike Brooks, thanks very much.
Fear over a new federal office building in Oklahoma City.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To force someone to go back to the scene of the crime is unthinkable.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Find out why this new facility is becoming a cause for concern.
Also, could it be the same old story for the family accusing Michael Jackson of molestation? New details coming in to us right now. And what's behind the medical mystery taking its toll on animals at the National Zoo? Those stories, much more, only minutes away. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: More now on that huge, huge political development breaking right now. A Democratic source telling CNN the former Vice President Al Gore will endorse Howard Dean for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Joining us now from New York with their special insight into the story, the co-hosts of CNN's CROSSFIRE, Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala. Paul, first to you, you know Democratic politics as well as anyone. Give us some perspective. What does this mean for Howard Dean?
PAUL BEGALA, CO-HOST, CROSSFIRE: Well, first it is an enormous boost for the very reason that we're talking about it. It will suck up a lot of air time, give him a lot of favorable press. Democrats love to remind people that Al Gore got more votes than George Bush in the last election, so it's very good for him.
I wouldn't go so far as to say it locks anything up, though, because people want to make up their own minds. I think if Dean overplays this, they are going to want to vote for themselves.
BLITZER: What do you think, Tucker?
TUCKER CARLSON, CO-HOST, CROSSFIRE: I think Paul is right. I mean, I think this is a bigger deal than most endorsements, simply because among a lot of the Democratic faithful, among primary voters, Al Gore is the president. I mean, you saw that rallying cry in Florida just the other day. "We won, and it was stolen from us."
That's what a lot of rank and file Democratic primary voters believe in. Here's the guy they think ought to be president endorsing Howard Dean. It's significant. There's no way to spin it otherwise. The second reason is the Washington establishment, Terry McAuliffe-types really don't like Howard Dean, both because they think he's going to lose to George W. Bush in November and also because they understand he's running against them, their leadership. So here you have a Washington Democrat, an insider, a member of their group, Al Gore, a Clinton Democrat, endorsing Howard Dean. I think it's a big deal.
BLITZER: Paul, is Tucker right? The Democratic establishment is nervous about Howard Dean?
CARLSON: Yes, it is. You know, a whole lot of Democrats are concerned that perhaps Dean could fall into the same kind of trap as some of the Democrats who have lost in the past. Zell Miller, my old pal from Georgia, Democratic senator, has been very critical of the party, has been more critical of Howard Dean than anyone. He says he combines McGovern on the war with Mondale on taxes. Now I think that Gore's endorsement can help him a lot.
The guy I'm thinking of right now, though, is Joe Lieberman. He was Gore's running mate. He was the person who Al Gore thought should be the president if, God forbid, anything happened to Gore should they have won the election. And Lieberman's in the race and was not going to run if Gore ran, and now Gore is bypassing Joe Lieberman, his friend and running mate, to endorse Howard Dean. That's an enormous story.
BLITZER: It's a slap clearly at Joe Lieberman. Tucker, Joe Lieberman was very loyal to Al Gore. He said he would not seek the Democratic nomination if Al Gore were to run. Al Gore, of course, is not running. What does it say to you about Joe Lieberman's relationship with Al Gore?
CARLSON: Well, I think it's a measure of the low regard generally that many Democrats have for Joe Lieberman. I'm struck -- as someone who likes Joe Lieberman, thinks he's a decent and thoughtful and pretty serious person, maybe the best of the field -- I'm struck when I talk to Democrats by how hostile their feelings are for him, by and large.
I'm talking now about activist Democrats, people who get out and organize for the primaries. I think the feeling is, among many of them, that he let his party down by not being tough enough, specifically for not being tough enough during the Florida recount, for seeming to give ground to the Bush campaign then and in general for being too moderate, for coming out or seeming to come out against affirmative action, et cetera. He is seen as too conservative and as someone who aids Bush's policies. They really -- a lot of people really don't like him on the Democratic left. It's interesting.
BLITZER: Paul, in practical terms, Iowa, New Hampshire, the big contest coming up in January. What does this do in the -- what's largely seen as a two-man contest in Iowa between Howard Dean and Richard Gephardt, and largely a lot of people see a two-man contest in New Hampshire between Howard Dean and John Kerry. The Gore endorsement of Howard Dean, what does it do in those two states? BEGALA: Well, I'll be watching Iowa very carefully, because, you know, in fact, Al Gore in 1988, when he first ran for president, dropped out of the Iowa caucuses, criticized them as being too liberal, and he did beat Bill Bradley there in the 2000 primary caucus, but I still think there may be some residual bitterness so I don't know that it helps in Iowa where probably Dean needs help more than anywhere else.
I think the place that helps the most really is in Washington, in New York City, in Los Angeles, where the establishment Democrats, the fund-raisers, the people who Tucker talked about before, who may be a little worried that Dean might not be electable. Gee whiz, there is no one on this Earth drawing a breath who wants to see George Bush lose more than Al Gore, and if he thinks Howard Dean is the man to do it, that says a lot.
BLITZER: One final question, unrelated, to Tucker Carlson, we saw you guys unveil the Election Express today, the new CNN campaign bus in New York City. Tucker, tell our viewers what you guys plan on doing with this bus over the next weeks and months.
CARLSON: Wolf, nothing less than covering this nation, its highways and byways. We're going everywhere with this bus. We're leaving for New Hampshire in about eight minutes from now. We're going to be up there for the Democratic debate tomorrow night, the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) debate.
From there, we're going out to Iowa. We'll be down in South Carolina. We'll be out to California and back. We will be everywhere in this thing, talking to the people we often talk about, voters, and to candidates. We're talking -- we'll probably end up talking to all of them by the end. We're talking to General Wesley Clark tomorrow and John Edwards, senator from North Carolina, the day after. It is going to be great.
BLITZER: All right, the CNN Election Express. Lots of political news. This is the place to stay and watch it in the weeks and months to come.
Tucker Carlson, Paul Begala, the co-hosts of CNN's "CROSSFIRE," thanks for that analysis.
CARLSON: Thanks, Wolf.
BLITZER: Up next: desperate digging, as searchers scour for signs of life, a battle against time as a theater in Toronto collapses.
Bracing for the worst, as the flu season strikes with a vengeance, what you need to know right now to protect yourself.
And the same story, different cast -- new revelations about the family accusing Michael Jackson of molestation.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN.
Cupping up this half-hour: a lawsuit against the governor of California -- why a Hollywood stuntwoman is suing Arnold Schwarzenegger right now.
First, though, a quick check of the latest headlines.
Rescue workers in Canada's largest city are combing through the rubble of a collapsed theater. They are hoping to reach at least one person who is trapped in the debris. Today's collapse in Toronto killed at least one person and injured more than a dozen others. Workers were demolishing the theater when it collapsed onto a school right next door.
The family and friends of missing North Dakota college student Dru Sjodin are still holding out hope she will be found alive. Search teams continue to look for clues. And police, who have received almost 1,500 tips in the case, say they have no plans to give up the search. Sjodin disappeared from a Grand Forks mall more than two weeks ago. Police have arrested a suspect in her kidnapping.
As investigators check out clues in a deadly string of shootings in Ohio, the reward money in the case has doubled. It's now $20,000. The 14 shootings, one of them fatal, have all happened along or near Interstate 270, the beltway around Columbus. Police say they believe all of them are linked.
The landmark Medicare reform bill, which cleared Congress last month after a bitter fight, is now the law of the land. President Bush signed the legislation today. Among other things, it includes a prescription drug benefit. The $400 billion overhaul of Medicare won't go into full force until 2006.
Health officials are tracking ominous signs, as they brace for a flu season expected to be worse than normal. It is one of the earliest season in years, and vaccine makers say all their doses are now effectively gone.
CNN's Holly Firfer is joining us now live with more -- Holly.
HOLLY FIRFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, well, the country's two flu-makers say they have distributed all of their flu shots to doctors and health care facilities. In fact, one company is already working on next year's vaccine.
So what do you do if you have not been inoculated?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FIRFER (voice-over): The line for flu shots numbered in the hundreds.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We waited two hours on Saturday for my husband and I to get ours.
FIRFER: This is Des Moines, Iowa, but could be anywhere USA. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We did about 500 shots between Friday and Saturday alone, plus the roughly 170 we had left today.
FIRFER: The health departments in 13 states, seen here in blue, have reported widespread flu outbreaks. And with reports of deaths in Texas and Colorado, some doctors say they are running out of vaccine and can't get any more.
In a typical year, 70 to 75 million Americans get flu shots. This year, 83 million doses were produced, but have all been used.
TOMMY THOMPSON, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY: We're making a survey through CDC of all the state health departments, a lot of the major clinics and a lot of individual doctors' offices and hospitals throughout America, just to find out what is available.
FIRFER: The CDC says manufacturers made plenty of vaccine. It is likely just a distribution issue.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The vaccine manufacturers may have sold all of their vaccine, but there still is vaccine available in many communities.
FIRFER: And there are alternatives. If you are between the ages of six and 49 and in good health, you can get the flu mist vaccine. Adults don't need a doctor's prescription. Just see your pharmacist.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FIRFER: And, as we talk in general terms and we throw out numbers, it is important to remember the human side of this.
One story that really hit home for us, a soldier in Iraq came back to the U.S. this week to bury his 14-month-old son. He was the sixth child to die from the flu in Colorado. So, Wolf, it is a very human issue, too.
BLITZER: What a sad story that is. Thanks very much, Holly Firfer.
FIRFER: Sure.
BLITZER: Taking aim at the accusers. What's the king of pop's high-powered attorney saying about the family suing Michael Jackson? I will speak live with a journalist covering this case.
Suing Arnold Schwarzenegger -- new accusations against the governor of California -- this time, of smear.
And nurture or neglect. Are several recent animal deaths at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. a sign of shortcomings? We'll have a live report.
First, though, a quick look at some other news making headlines "Around the World."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Pressure on Israel. The International Court of Justice may get involved in the controversy over the Israeli construction of a barrier in the West Bank. The U.N. General Assembly is expected to approve a resolution asking the court to issue an opinion whether Israel is legally obligated to tear down the barrier.
Preparing for Armageddon. Israel is building a vast bunker network to house government officials during a nuclear attack or a conventional war. Security sources say work on the shelter began last year outside Jerusalem, amid fears of Iran's nuclear program.
Tainted election results? International observers are sharply criticizing the outcome of Russia's parliamentary elections, calling it free, but not fair. Allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin won a sweeping victory in yesterday's vote. The Bush administration says it agrees with the European Organization for Security and Cooperation, which denounced the results as overwhelmingly distorted.
New Miss World. Rosanna Davison is a 19-year-old college student from Ireland. She won the crown by beating out 105 other women at the competition held in Southern China. Davidson is the daughter of Chris De Burgh, the singer best known for his 1986 hit, "Lady in Red."
Parade of champions. Hundreds of thousands of people jammed Central London to cheer England's World Cup rugby championships. England won the title last month by beating Australia 20-17.
And that's our look "Around the World."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: "Feeling Good."
The Reverend Al Sharpton shows his funny side and reveals a talent few of us have ever seen before. We'll get to that.
First, though, the answer to today's news quiz.
Earlier we asked: Presidential candidate Reverend Al Sharpton was once touring manager for which of the following famous rhythm and blues singers? The answer, James Brown. Sharpton became touring manager for the soul singer in 1973 and worked with him through the early '80s.
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BLITZER: A Holly stuntwoman who said she was sexually harassed by Arnold Schwarzenegger on a movie set year ago is now suing the California governor for defamation.
CNN investigative correspondent Art Harris is in Los Angeles. He's joining us now with live with details -- Art. ART HARRIS, CNN NATIONAL INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, one day before California voters went to the polls in October, a stuntwoman from the film "Terminator 2" charged that then candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger had sexually harassed her on the movie set.
Now, that woman, Rhonda Miller, has filed a lawsuit that claims he and his campaign defamed her by -- quote -- "spreading lies that she was a convicted felon." After that October press conference, the governor's campaign staff sent out an e-mail instructing the media to look on a Los Angeles court Web site for her name, according to her lawyers. The Rhonda Miller who popped up had a lengthy criminal record.
She is a different Rhonda Miller, according to her attorneys at today's press conference in Los Angeles. Schwarzenegger's longtime attorney told me today that this case is -- quote -- "absolutely without merit" and that sexual harassment claims were -- quote -- "totally fabricated." Miller says she has been unable to find work in the entertainment industry since she came forward -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Art Harris with the latest on that -- Art, thanks very much.
This important note to our viewers. Arnold Schwarzenegger will be Judy Woodruff's guest tomorrow, 3:30 p.m. Eastern, on a special edition of "INSIDE POLITICS" from Sacramento, California.
The family of the child accusing Michael Jackson of molestation reportedly has made several accusations before. That's just one of the revelations about the case in an article appearing this week in "Newsweek" magazine.
Andrew Murr is the co-author. He's joining us now live from Los Angeles.
What's the major thrust of your reporting, Andrew?
ANDREW MURR, "NEWSWEEK": Well, the piece sort of does two things. It is a profile of Geragos.
But the news that you're referring to is something that was starting to be out there a week or so ago. And we developed it a little further. You remember, there was a -- something that started as a shoplifting case at the mall, where the family was arrested allegedly for shoplifting. Charges were filed, but dropped. And then the family sued. They sued, saying that security guards at J.C. Penney and Tower Records had beaten them up, had falsely imprisoned them, etcetera. There was no mention of any -- in the suit, at least, of any sort of sexual assault.
But when they were deposed, all four members of the family who were involved in this thing, father, mother, the alleged Jackson victim and a brother, told a story in the deposition about the mom being sexually assaulted by the Tower guard. The suit, the sexual allegations were never added to the suit. The suit was settled. The family got some money. But it's curious to wonder how this sort of sexual element happened. On the face of it, it is sort of odd, because it is broad daylight. It's in a mall. There is allegedly a fight going on. It's hard to see how sexual assault could happen. On the other hand, there's -- there's not a very full record in the court. The depositions are not actually in the court record.
So it is a little hard for us to draw too many conclusions. And it certainly doesn't say anything about the truth or untruth of the allegations against Michael Jackson directly.
BLITZER: You remember when the prosecutor in Santa Barbara and the sheriff came out with the announcement that they were going to arrest Michael Jackson, they said the accuser and his family, they were not going forward with any civil suits against Michael Jackson. The information you're getting seems to suggest this family may be very much interested in trying to get some money out of Michael Jackson.
MURR: Well, it's hard to tell.
If I were beaten up in a parking lot by security guards and I hadn't shoplifted, I would probably be suing myself. And that may not predict any future results of some other case. But it does say, at the least, that, if this thing does -- if charges are filed and the defense attorneys have to roll up their sleeves and get to work, that this provides a target of opportunity, no doubt about it.
BLITZER: Something that Mark Geragos certainly would seek to exploit.
Thanks very much, Andrew Murr of "Newsweek" magazine, for joining us.
MURR: Thank you, Wolf.
BLITZER: Problems facing some of the nation's biggest pets. Straight ahead, we'll tell you what's causing zookeepers to put down a popular pachyderm.
First, though, a look at some other stories you may have missed this weekend.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Americans, beware. The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia is out with a new warning of possible terror attacks in the kingdom. And it is advising Americans there to stay alert, especially in public places.
Snowed under. The first big snowstorm of the season socked the mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States over the weekend. Some areas got four feet of snow. This storm swept up the coast, from the Carolinas to New England, causing at least eight deaths.
Who is No. 1? The BCS, or Bowl Championship Series, is supposed to determine the top college football team in the United States. But this year, the computers and the human poll voters aren't seeing eye to eye. Despite getting smashed by Kansas State story, Oklahoma is still atop the BCS standings. The Sooners play LSU in the Sugar Bowl, the so-called national championship game. But Southern California is No. 1 in the Associated Press poll. The Trojans meet Michigan in the Rose Bowl. The No. 1 team in the AP poll has never dropped after winning its bowl game.
So, if they both win their bowls, Oklahoma and Southern Cal could end up No. 1.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE")
AL SHARPTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (singing): I feel good!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Candidate as comedian. It wasn't soul singer James Brown on stage. It was the Reverend Al Sharpton. The Democratic presidential candidate had some fancy footwork going on as he hosted "Saturday Night Live." Sharpton wowed the audience by singing some of Brown's songs and imitating some of his moves.
And that's our "Weekend Snapshot."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: The National Zoo in Washington, D.C. is coming under fire for alleged mismanagement that resulted in the deaths of several animals. The allegations are in a two-part "Washington Post" article based on a nine-month investigation by the newspaper.
CNN's Jennifer Coggiola is at the zoo with the latest -- Jennifer.
JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Wolf.
Well, it is a troubling story for any animal lover. This was over a period of about three years, where there were some bizarre deaths of animals here at the zoo, and now allegations of covered-up mistakes and some incompetent animal care that have launched investigation into much-loved zoo here in Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COGGIOLA (voice-over): Boomba (ph), an 18-month-old zebra, once walked these grounds. She died in February 2000, according to "The Washington Post," after her food rations had been mistakenly cut in half.
In August of that same year, Nancy, an East African bush elephant that shared her home with other elephants here, died of what was later discovered to be bovine tuberculosis, a disease spreadable to other animals and elephants, but not humans. And just this past January, two red pandas died after eating rat poison buried in their yard. Their deaths launched an investigation by the Academy of Sciences, at the request of Congress in March.
Why these puzzling deaths, along with nearly 20 others over a six-year period? Zoo spokesman, Dr. Bob Hoage, says he doesn't have enough information to respond to each and every charge, but says, overall, there has been a problem of miscommunication.
ROBERT HOAGE, NATIONAL ZOO SPOKESMAN: In the past, there were problems. There were some -- something wasn't working very well in terms of internal communication, internal supervision. But I think we've really -- we're turning the corner there. And I think we've made some great strides in fixing those problems.
COGGIOLA: But Dr. Donald Nichols, a pathologist at the National Zoo who, according to "The Washington Post," has given his notice to resign, he believes the animals were simply victims of a deadly pattern of negligence. In a 48-page letter to the Academy of Sciences obtained by "The Washington Post,' he added -- quote -- "Because of incompetence in management and veterinary medicine, the operations at the National Zoo have been in such a state of disarray that it has led to poor animal care, animal suffering, and even animal deaths."
The zoo director and head veterinarian, Dr. Lucy Spelman, has recently implemented changes at the zoo to improve conditions, which the zoo tells CNN includes four full-time vets on hand, and new top animal care managers hired. But for an establishment in the capital that's been around more than a century, can it recover from the allegations of not protecting its own treasures?
HOAGE: It certainly is depressing to have "The Washington Post" publish stories so negative about the National Zoo. But I think, at the same time, it depresses us on the one hand. And, on the other hand, it galvanizes us into supporting even more of the changes that have been made and even wanting to do more to make the zoo a better place.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COGGIOLA: Now, the National Zoo is federally owned and operated by the Smithsonian Institution. So it is not required by law to undergo any of the testing by the USDA or meet the same standards by them that regulate zoos across the nation. Bottom line, they have no power here -- Wolf.
BLITZER: CNN's Jennifer Coggiola at the National Zoo in Washington -- thanks, Jennifer, very much.
A new federal building and new fears -- why some workers in Oklahoma City do not want to move into their new office space.
We'll explain.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Eight-and-a-half years after a bomb leveled the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City, a new building has been opened today -- a new federal building, that is. The new building is being called one of the nation's safest.
About two dozen workers moved in today. While some workers are eager to move into the new building, others say working in the new structure, kitty-corner from the Murrah Building, will bring back grim memories.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: ... work every day like this. And I'm not the only one.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I take tranquilizers and things to keep me from getting agitated about it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't want to go, because I don't want to be in a federal building.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Late this afternoon, the Department of Housing and Urban Development told CNN it is trying to accommodate the concerns of the workers who don't want to work in the new building. The possibilities include placing workers in alternative facilities, transfers, or allowing employees to work from home.
That's all the time we have today.
"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.
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Jackson; What Is Killing Animals at National Zoo?>
