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CNN Live Sunday

Saddam Captured: Political Fallout

Aired December 14, 2003 - 14:32   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.


CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the capture of Saddam Hussein is being hailed by members of Congress adds a major move forward in the creation of a new Iraq. CNN's Bob Franken has the latest on congressional reaction.
Bob, lots of happy faces there?

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, with the focus on the Democratic presidential candidates, who for the last several months have been making a past-time out of verbally stomping on the president. Well, this was the day, for obvious reasons, that they needed to tread very carefully.

If there was ever a day to let the president have his day, this was it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I want to first congratulate our extraordinary military on an extraordinary effort, and an extraordinary success. This, I hope, will change the course of the occupation of Iraq. But I think the first order of business is to congratulate the United States' military, two, congratulate the Iraqi people. And to say this is a great day both for the American military, the American people, and for the Iraqi people.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN: None of the Democratic candidates was going after the president. So what would they do then? They would turn on their own. Particularly the man who is the front runner, who has run a very strong anti-war campaign. Witness Democratic candidate Joe Lieberman.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOE LIEBERMAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: If Howard Dan had his way, Saddam Hussein would still be in power today, not in prison. And the world would be a much more dangerous place. The American people would have a lot more to fear.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN: In case you're wondering, it was raining when Sen. Lieberman was speaking. But the Democrats decided this was not the day to be raining on the president's parade.

Carol?

LIN: Well put. Thank you very much. Bob Franken, reporting live.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired December 14, 2003 - 14:32   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the capture of Saddam Hussein is being hailed by members of Congress adds a major move forward in the creation of a new Iraq. CNN's Bob Franken has the latest on congressional reaction.
Bob, lots of happy faces there?

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, with the focus on the Democratic presidential candidates, who for the last several months have been making a past-time out of verbally stomping on the president. Well, this was the day, for obvious reasons, that they needed to tread very carefully.

If there was ever a day to let the president have his day, this was it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I want to first congratulate our extraordinary military on an extraordinary effort, and an extraordinary success. This, I hope, will change the course of the occupation of Iraq. But I think the first order of business is to congratulate the United States' military, two, congratulate the Iraqi people. And to say this is a great day both for the American military, the American people, and for the Iraqi people.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN: None of the Democratic candidates was going after the president. So what would they do then? They would turn on their own. Particularly the man who is the front runner, who has run a very strong anti-war campaign. Witness Democratic candidate Joe Lieberman.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOE LIEBERMAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: If Howard Dan had his way, Saddam Hussein would still be in power today, not in prison. And the world would be a much more dangerous place. The American people would have a lot more to fear.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN: In case you're wondering, it was raining when Sen. Lieberman was speaking. But the Democrats decided this was not the day to be raining on the president's parade.

Carol?

LIN: Well put. Thank you very much. Bob Franken, reporting live.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com