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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports
Helicopter Crash Kills 2 U.S. Pilots in Iraq; Dean Trying to Stage Comeback in New Hampshire; Interview With John Edwards
Aired January 23, 2004 - 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, HOST: Happening now. Two developing stories. In Iraq, in the north, a helicopter crash kills two U.S. pilots.
And in the Sunni Triangle in the center of the country, U.S. forces score a key capture. A terror-related arrest.
And here in New Hampshire, Howard Dean fighting for his political life.
Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.
The trend is his friend, and word of a key endorsement for John Kerry while a key rival is on the rise.
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm doing everything I know how to do.
BLITZER: I'll speak with Senator and Mrs. John Edwards.
Makeover -- the kinder, gentler side of Howard Dean.
HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: My goodness gracious. Wow!
BLITZER: Look out, Joe Lieberman. He's on the bus. With our own Richard Quest.
Kobe Bryant in court, will his accuser's personal history stay personal?
ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Friday, January 23, 2004.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Hello. From New Hampshire where polls show the trend is clearly his friend as we begin the final weekend before the New Hampshire primary. A new CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll shows John Kerry surging to a 12-point lead among the Democratic candidates.
The poll, the first to reflect the full impact of the Iowa caucuses on likely New Hampshire voters gives Kerry 344 percent of the support, versus 22 percent for Dean. 17 percent for Wesley Clark, and 12 percent for John Edwards.
Dean, the front-runner, has launched, he had been the front- runner, that is, has launched a furious media campaign to make up lost ground. The other candidates, the other candidates clearly out in force today. Our national correspondent Bob Franken has been watching all of today's developments. He's joining us with the developments -- Bob.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the winters in New Hampshire are legendary but even with the icy roadways, all the candidates are out trying to gain some traction.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN (voice-over): It's hard telling if that mild debate made any difference whatsoever for Howard Dean or any of the candidates. Or whether the new Dean campaign is having any effect. Or what it means. Dean was still being his provocative self, suggesting, for instance, that the Federal Reserve chairman should go.
DEAN: I think Alan Greenspan has become too political.
FRANKEN: Dean is trying to recapture the magic and recapture the lead from John Kerry. But he was also looking over his shoulder at Wesley Clark to make sure Clark didn't quietly overtake him. Down below, Joe Lieberman.
SEN. JOE LIEBERMAN (D-CT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Independents are going to vote, they're going to play a critical role here.
FRANKEN: Lieberman and John Edwards are hoping that those independent voters don't embarrass them. The other candidates are watching enviously as John Kerry glides along at the top of the heap.
KERRY: How you doing? Thank you, sir, I appreciate that very, much.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN: Well, it should be remembered that the leader of the pack right now seemed to be down and nearly out just a couple of weeks ago -- Wolf.
BLITZER: We'll have to remember that. Thank you very much, Bob Franken here in Manchester.
Let's take a closer look now at the top candidates. John Kerry got another boost late today, an endorsement by former Vice President Walter Mondale. Mondale, who will be a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, says Kerry would be the strongest candidate to take on President Bush.
Kerry, who served of course in the Vietnam war today accused the Bush administration of being indifferent to the needs of veterans. Let's take a closer look at two other top candidates in the New Hampshire race, Wesley Clark and Howard Dean. We begin with CNN's Dan Lothian, who's covering the Clark campaign.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Dan Lothian in Manchester, New Hampshire. Retired General Wesley Clark says he feels good about his performance at last night's debate. He believes he was able to make a clear case to the American people that he is electable. But Clark is still having to deal with that issue of credentials as a Democrat. This is a question that came up when he first got into the race because of support for Republicans in the past that came up with last night's debate but today Clark said it is just not an issue.
WESLEY CLARK (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think that voters understand I am a Democrat, and I think that the Republican party understands that as well. And if you refer to Richard Cohen's latest column in the "Washington Post," he said I'm the one Democrat that Karl Rove has to fear, and I looked at who asked the questions, and I think that that's part of a Republican party agenda in the debate.
LOTHIAN: In that last comment, Clark referring to a Fox News anchor, who took part in the questioning last night. That could be quite controversial. On the campaign trail today, Clark began by singing with kindergarten students.
Later speaking to supporters, Clark said as president he will focus on education creating jobs, providing universal health care and make America safer. The Clark campaign is expected to get key endorsements over the next couple of days. Already today, they are being endorsed by the former attorney general of Florida Bob Butterworth.
Dan Lothian, CNN, Manchester, New Hampshire.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Candy Crowley in Manchester. The Dean campaign, after a devastating third place in Iowa and a controversial concession speech, is still trying to get the water from coming onto the ship. Dean has been in damage mode for some time. It continued today as he moved through the general paces of the New Hampshire primary playing the guitar, picking out some apples, and having town hall meetings.
Damage control really started in earnest yesterday. After the debate, Dean and his wife Judy showed up on a prime-time program, clad in sweaters, holding hand, and then Dean moved onto "The David Letterman Show" to show his humorous side as he was asked for the top ten list of ways to turn around his campaign.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEAN: I don't know, maybe fewer crazy red-faced rants?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CROWLEY: Dean is determined to stick to policy as he moves to the final four days of the New Hampshire primary. The question is whether this is all working, he certainly thinks it is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEAN: I believe we've turned this around in New Hampshire. We've got a long way to go to catch up from the loss of Iowa. But I think we have turned it around. We're seeing some indications of that, and I think we can win it, too. In the last four days -- New Hampshire is a state that, one, likes underdogs and two, it likes people who stand up and say what they think.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CROWLEY: Nothing Howard Dean has done in the past week has done anything to sway his supporters. His campaign says he has taken in nearly a million dollars since polls closed in Iowa. Most of it over the Internet.
I'm Candy Crowley, CNN, in Manchester, New Hampshire.
BLITZER: Thank you very much, Candy. Here is your chance to weigh in on this important story. Our web question of the day is this. "Are the media unfairly characterizing Howard Dean's post-Iowa loss rally?" You can vote right now. Go to CNN.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast. While you're there, I'd love to hear directly from you. Send me your comments any time. I'll try to read some of them on the air, each day at the end of this program. That's also where you can read my daily online column. CNN.com/wolf.
President Bush's promising to get the money flowing to U.S. cities which say they have yet to see their share of homeland security funds approved by the U.S. Congress. He addressed the annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors earlier today. Our White House correspondent Dana Bash has the story -- Dana.
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the president announced yesterday a proposed increase by almost 10 percent in homeland security funding. But for the mayors the president spoke to today, their beef is that they have been putting counterterrorism measures in place in their cities but haven't seen much of the billions Mr. Bush has already signed into law. Mr. Bush did not give specifics but he did promise to address that today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Mayor Jim just told me on the way in, he said, you know, one of the problems we face, we mayors face, is that the money is allocated and gets stuck, and I appreciated that -- that recognition of the problem and -- so we'll work with the mayors to make sure it gets unstuck. I understand sometimes it gets stuck down in Washington.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BASH: The president starting with the State of the Union and speeches since has been saying the threat of terrorism is still very real in this country. Democrats have been hitting the president for not putting his money where his mouth, so to speak, by not funding homeland security well enough. The president today said to the mayors that he understands that everything in the coming year will be tinged with politics, but appealed to them to work together no matter what is going on in the campaign trail. Back to you, Wolf.
BLITZER: Thank you very much, Dana Bash at the White House.
The vice president meanwhile, Dick Cheney, he's in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos for the annual World Economic Forum. He's scheduled to speak to the group tomorrow on terror, post-war Iraq and the impact of economic growth. Meanwhile, his former company, Halliburton now says it will refund more than $6 million to the Pentagon for possible overcharges by a Kuwaiti subcontractor. The company says it's fired employees who allegedly took kickbacks from the subcontractor.
One on one with Senator John Edwards. Hear directly from the candidate. That's coming up just ahead.
Plus, this, necessary details of an invasion -- or an invasion of privacy? Kobe Bryant's lawyers argue his accuser's medical record should be opened as evidence.
Trying to ease the pain. New details on Rush Limbaugh's efforts to cut a deal.
And on the bus, but not alone. See what happens when our Richard Quest bumps into Senator Joe Lieberman. It's not your ordinary run- in. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Much more coverage of the New Hampshire primary. That's coming up in just a moment, but there's other news we need to report right now. In fact, news tonight of a major arrest by U.S. forces in Iraq. Let's go live to CNN justice correspondent Kelli Arena -- Kelli.
KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the suspect is being identified as Husam al-Yemeni. U.S. officials say that he was captured during a raid near Fallujah last week, along with several other individuals.
Now Yemeni is described as a top lieutenant to Abu Mus'ab al- Zarqawi. Zarqawi is active with the terror organization Ansar al Islam which is connected to al Qaeda.
Officials call the capture significant. And say that it suggests they may be getting closer to finding Zarqawi himself. Now, Zarqawi has been connected to several important al Qaeda related attacks, including the assassination of U.S. diplomat Lawrence Foley in Jordan and the finding of Ricin in Britain.
And officials are keeping their focus on the area in an around Fallujah, they describe it, Wolf, as a hot bed of anti-U.S. sentiment and several attacks on U.S. military personnel have been carried out there. Back to you.
BLITZER: Thank you very much, Kelli Arena, with that.
Two more deaths in Iraq today when a helicopter crashed in the north. Our senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre has those details -- Jamie.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf. Another deadly helicopter crash in Iraq, this one in the north. Two U.S. army pilots assigned to the 101st airborne division were killed when the Kiowa warrior helicopter crashed south of the city of Mosul at 8:30 at night.
According to reports coming back from the helicopter that was with it, there's no mention of any hostile activity so they're not sure there was any hostile fire, but it's the second time this month that an OH-58 Kiowa has crashed in Iraq.
Earlier this month, one of the scout helicopters was shot down near Fallujah killing a female pilot. Altogether some 16 helicopters have been -- have crashed or been shot down in Iraq since the end of major combat claiming some 60 lives -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre, thank you very much.
Meanwhile, four U.S. Marines are dead following the crash of their helicopter in California. The Huey went down last night at Camp Pendleton just north of San Diego. Officials say three crew members were killed in the crash, the fourth died at a hospital. Investigators are looking into the cause.
In Baghdad, an explosion ripped through an office of the Iraqi Communist Party killing two employees and injuring a third. The Communists have a representative on the Iraqi governing council. Nine people, including two U.S. soldiers, were killed in attacks yesterday.
Meantime, the commander of the coalition ground forces says the insurgents are taking a page from al Qaeda's book and may be getting training from the terror network.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LT. GEN. RICARDO SANCHEZ, U.S. ARMY: We're seeing al Qaeda-like tactics. We believe there's training that's been conducted.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In Iraq?
SANCHEZ: No, not conducted in Iraq, but training provided to those elements that are operating in here. And we think that there's also financing that has been taking place.
And so, you put all those things together, and you say, well, it's al Qaeda-like tactics, techniques and procedures being used, and you can ask yourself the question, is this al Qaeda or not al Qaeda? I think the fingerprints are present.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Now to Pakistan, and an interview with our Christiane Amanpour, Pakistan's president Pervez Musharraf has his eye on al Qaeda as well, saying he has a good idea who's responsible for the recent attempts on his life, including last month's ambush of his motorcade.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PERVEZ MUSHARRAF, PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN: We have rounded up all the people that were involved. But the people who are behind, that yes, we are reasonably sure that it is al Qaeda, some operatives. We haven't got to the top of the -- identified the person who may have issued the orders, but we know there are linkages that the idea came from the al Qaeda.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: President Pervez Musharraf speaking with our Christiane Amanpour earlier today.
No longer in the shadows. My interview with Senator John Edwards coming up. And this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELIZABETH EDWARDS, JOHN EDWARDS WIFE: I think every wife has to do exactly what they're comfortable doing?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Unwavering support, hear from Elizabeth Edwards on her role as a candidate's wife on the campaign trail and more.
Media blitz: for better or worse, does overexposure help or hurt a campaign?
And confidential information, or crucial evidence in the Kobe Bryant case. Today, arguments over what should be revealed about the accuser. We'll be live from Eagle, Colorado.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: North Carolina Senator John Edwards seemingly came out of nowhere to finish second in the Iowa caucuses, and polls show him surging in New Hampshire as well. Earlier, I joined him aboard his campaign bus for an extensive interview. I asked about the criticism he's received from frontrunner John Kerry, who later apologized for suggesting that Edwards was in diapers when Kerry was fighting in Vietnam.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is a case where initial impressions are deceiving. And what we saw happen in Iowa and what I see happening in New Hampshire right now, it was when people get a closer look at you, they get a chance to test you. They test your character, they test what your substantive knowledge is, what your vision is for the country.
For example, people sometimes ask me what's been your involvement in national security? Well, the truth is, I've been on the Senate Intelligence Committee, investigated September 11. Helped write the laws to respond to it and not take our liberties away in the process. I've been in Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Middle East, these parts of the world, met with the leaders. Met with our own security operations in these parts of the world, to see what's working and what's not.
I've laid out the most detailed vision for what America's role in the world should be among all the presidential candidates.
But the most important thing that people see at the end, Wolf, which is what happened in Iowa, that's the reason there was this big upsurge, what's happening here in New Hampshire, is they see that these are battles that I have been fighting my entire life. I mean, I have a lifelong history of taking on very tough, tough battles and winning them. And they've had the chance to see that in me, and that's what will continue to happen as we go forward.
BLITZER: People forget that Bill Clinton was in his mid-40s when he was elected president of the United States.
EDWARDS: That's right.
BLITZER: I guess you are blessed that you look younger than 50. In any other (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that would be great.
EDWARDS: I got lots of scars on the inside. I promise you.
BLITZER (voice-over): John Reed Edwards, the kid next door who seemingly caught every break, but in reality made most of his breaks. Born to parents who worked the textile mills in the Carolinas and Georgia, finally settling in the tiny train stop of Robbins, North Carolina.
EDWARDS: Thank you, we're going to do this together. All of us.
BLITZER: Don't let the home spun southern drawl fool you. This is a man driven from early on, the first member of his family to go to college, law school, a star civil litigator, who, from the start, dazzled his employers with his talent and ambition. Taking on manufacturers, hospitals and other corporations, Edwards didn't just win; he won settlements and judgments that set records on behalf of the little guy.
Iowa proved what many in the Carolinas already knew, underestimate John Edwards at your peril.
EDWARDS: I'm going to compete everywhere in the country, and I think if you...
BLITZER: As robustly in New Hampshire as -- you're competing a lot more robustly than some had thought you would do? EDWARDS: I'm doing everything I know how to do. I'm working my heart out. I've got 100 town hall meetings, I'm here every day campaigning and I'll continue to do that.
BLITZER: Were you disappointed that Senator Fritz Hollings endorsed John Kerry?
EDWARDS: I love Fritz Hollings, he's a wonderful guy. What we learned in Iowa, Wolf, was that the endorsements just don't have a lot of impact. And I suspect that'll be true, both with the endorsements I've gotten and the endorsements that others have gotten.
BLITZER: What does have an impact?
EDWARDS: You seeing voters in person. I mean, what I saw happening in Iowa and I'm now seeing happening in New Hampshire is when you're at the end (ph) state, when people are deciding what to do, they're looking for a president.
BLITZER: Quick question on the Patriot Act. The president wants to renew all of the provisions of the Patriot Act when they come up. Some of them expire, as you well know. You voted for the Patriot Act. What will be your position when some of the more controversial aspects come up for renewal?
EDWARDS: The Patriot Act needs to be changed. There are provisions in the Patriot Act that never get any attention that are very good, allowing us to do a better job of going after terrorists and money laundering, bringing the law up to date with technology. So it used to be before this law, that you could get a search warrant, could get an answering machine, but you couldn't get the voice mail. Well, we obviously need to update the law to comply with technology, and better information sharing.
Those are all good things. The provisions that need to be changed are the sneak and peek provisions that allow the government to go into someone's house, search, without, in my view, adequate safeguards in place, and never -- and leave and never tell you they were there. Allowing the government to go into libraries and book stores without adequate safeguards. Those things I think need to be changed.
BLITZER: One final quick question, your vote authorizing war potentially to go to war against Iraq. Looking back, now that all the dust has settled, the U.S. is there, Saddam Hussein is under arrest, there's a new government potentially going to take over in Iraq. Was it the right thing to do, your vote?
EDWARDS: I think Saddam Hussein being gone is a very good thing, and that's going back and looking at it in hindsight, that's a luxury nobody has. I did what I believe was the right thing to do at the time.
BLITZER: Senator Edwards, thanks very much.
EDWARDS: Thanks, Wolf. (END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And much more of my interview with Senator Edwards is coming up Sunday on "LATE EDITION," noon Eastern.
Southern style with a swell in support her husband's now in the national light -- in the national spotlight. Later this hour, I'll speak with his number one supporter, Mrs. -- Mrs. John Edwards.
The Dean offensive. Has the presidential candidate's now infamous post-Iowa speech actually become a good thing for his campaign? And could it spell victory in New Hampshire?
Signs of life. It's all quiet on the Red Planet, but NASA scientists remain hopeful the Spirit rover hangs on.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Managing the media. Is too much TV time helping or hurting Howard Dean? A look at his campaign. We'll get to that.
First, though, a quick check of the latest headlines. The Mars rover Spirit is in critical condition. That's the word from NASA officials. They say the rover sent some data today, but restoring it to full function could take weeks. Spirit developed problems Wednesday. NASA still doesn't know whether they're software or hardware related. The rover's twin is expected to land on Mars tomorrow.
There's a new man in charge of the U.S. hunt for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The CIA has announced, Charles Duelfer will replace David Kay, who is stepping down. Duelfer is a veteran of U.N. weapons inspections in Iraq during Saddam Hussein's regime.
Scott Peterson's murder trial has been postponed for at least a week. It was supposed to start Monday, but it's been delayed while a new judge is appointed to the case. The next hearing is scheduled for February 2.
An icon of children's television died today in Vermont. Bob Keeshan, better known as Captain Kangaroo, was 76. He ruled weekday morning television and delighted kids for 30 years, winning six Emmy Awards along the way. A family statement says Keeshan had suffered from a long illness.
Howard Dean's poll numbers may be falling, but it's not for lack of media exposure, most recently a concerted drive trying to undo whatever damage was done by his now infamous speech in Iowa.
CNN's Jennifer Coggiola is joining us now live with a look at the fallout -- Jennifer.
JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Wolf. Well, as we know, television has a way of amplifying events by showing them over and over again, as in the case of Howard Dean's post-Iowa speech. Well, we showed people here in D.C. his appearances last night both in an ABC News prime-time exclusive with Diane Sawyer and on CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman."
Let's see how it played out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "PRIMETIME")
HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I have all kinds of warts. I wear cheap suits sometimes. I say things that I probably ought not to say. But I leading with my heart. And that's what I was doing right there, is leading with my heart.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COGGIOLA (voice-over): Heart, something politicians are punished for having, according to this woman from Connecticut.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They finally get this passionate candidate and now they're jumping all over him because he is passionate.
COGGIOLA: Watching last night's interview for the first time, she wasn't sure Dean's recent media appearances are going to help.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's overexposure at this point. And I really -- I don't know if he put the last nail in his coffin. I think it's kind of a Kerry/Clark race at this point.
COGGIOLA: This Maryland woman didn't think Monday's speech hurt Dean to begin with.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I really didn't think it was a big deal. It didn't bother me. I don't know why they made such a big production out of it.
COGGIOLA: And that voters in the media have lost sight of what matters.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think people should focus on the issues and focus on what his policies are, what he -- where he stands on the issues.
COGGIOLA: But what Dean thought mattered last night, keeping his sense of humor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN")
DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST: And the No. 1 way Howard Dean can turn things around?
DEAN: Oh, I don't know, maybe fewer crazy, red-faced rants?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COGGIOLA: This cattle rancher from Idaho says Dean had no choice.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He had to address it straight on.
COGGIOLA: But the big question, will it all help?
DEAN: Yes!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'll give you 9-5 odds that he will not.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COGGIOLA: Well, whatever the odds, it's next week's New Hampshire primaries and those that will follow that will be the true judge to determine if Dean can recover -- Wolf.
BLITZER: CNN's Jennifer Coggiola in Washington -- Jennifer, thank you very much.
Whether they like it or not, the candidates' spouses are inevitably drawn into the campaign. Earlier, I spoke with Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Senator John Edwards.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Ms. Edwards, thanks very much for joining us.
What do you make of the role that the wives are playing right now? Because, as you know, there's a lot of controversy over Governor Dean's wife, Dr. Judy Steinberg Dean. How do you see that unfolding in this campaign?
ELIZABETH EDWARDS, WIFE OF SENATOR JOHN EDWARDS: Well, I think every wife has to do exactly what they're comfortable doing. I can't imagine, for myself, standing on the sidelines, but I have no criticism whatsoever of her choices.
BLITZER: You respect her decision to want to stay out of it?
EDWARDS: Oh, absolutely.
I remember, John Glenn's wife was extremely shy. It was extremely difficult for her to do what she did in the campaign. And she turned out to be terrific at it. But everybody should feel comfortable doing -- I hope we've gotten to the point where every wife should feel comfortable doing what they think is right for themselves.
BLITZER: How have you liked this bid for the presidency?
EDWARDS: I'm actually having a lot of fun. I spend time every day with men and women who, if they lived in my hometown, they would be my friends. They're people who are interested in what's going on. They care about the direction of the country. Talking to them is great fun. I really am having a great time. BLITZER: And you still have time for your kids?
EDWARDS: I do, although I had Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday without them. So they arrive in a couple of hours. And I'll be pretty anxious to see them.
BLITZER: And, briefly, you've had a real horrible tragedy in your life.
(CROSSTALK)
EDWARDS: We have.
BLITZER (voice-over): John and Elizabeth Edwards may have been in the habit of pinching themselves. Life couldn't have been much better, a 20-year-old love story, two beautiful kids, professional success, wealth beyond their dreams.
John had an especially close bond with their son, Wade. Together, they climbed Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro. Even their experiences as litigators, helping families deal with tragedy, couldn't have prepared John and Elizabeth for what was to come. April 4, 1996, 16-year-old Wade Edwards, on his way to meet his parents at their beach house, is killed when his vehicle flips off a North Carolina interstate.
EDWARDS: We lost our oldest son, Wade, in 1996. And there are a lot of people around the country, way too many people around the country, who are in exactly that same situation.
And events where I go, people come up to me all the time and say that they're, sadly, a member of the same sorority that I'm a member of. And so you make connections with people in that way, not political connections, but personal connections, that help you understand there's a great story about the -- there's a story in the Bible about the mustard seed. There's also a story, a Buddhist story about the mustard seed, where a woman whose son dies goes to the temple and asks, please, you can't let this be. You can't let him die.
And he said, I can fix it if you will go and get mustard seed from a house that has no grief. And she goes house to house. And, if they have mustard seed, she says, that's wonderful, but you can't really any grief. And what she finds is that everybody has grief. And so, though our story personally is, of course, very important us to and the loss very dear to us, it's not something that -- we're not unique in this. Unfortunately, we're not unique in this category.
BLITZER: Part of the rejuvenation for the Edwards family came later, when Elizabeth was in her late 40s and daughter Emma Claire was born, followed two years later by son Jack.
(on camera): What's next? You're excited. You're pumped. You're ready to go. Do you think your husband is going to be the next president of the United States? EDWARDS: I'm completely convinced of it. I have absolute confidence. And he is -- I've never known -- we've been married for 26 years. I've never known him not to do whatever he had to do to make certain he accomplished the goals he thought were important.
BLITZER: And, obviously, you love him very much.
EDWARDS: I do.
BLITZER: Thanks very much.
EDWARDS: Sure.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: The question of confidentiality keeping both sides in the Kobe Bryant case busy today, why it's getting so very complicated. We're live from the Colorado courthouse.
Plea bargain busted, why a deal is not happening for talk show host Rush Limbaugh.
And on a quest with Joe Lieberman. CNN's Richard Quest caught up with the presidential candidate today. And they took a ride you will definitely want to see. We'll get to that.
First, though, a quick look at some other news making headlines around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Wedding tragedy. Joy turned to horror in Southern India when fire broke out at a wedding. At least 45 people died, including the groom and four children. Police think an electrical short may have caused the wedding pavilion's thatch roof to burst into flames.
Middle East mission. About 100 members of the Japanese air force have arrived in Kuwait. They're the main body of a Japanese unit that will help the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq. Commanders say their main mission will be to help transport humanitarian goods.
Bird flu in Thailand. After several days of denials, Thai now officials confirm that bird flu has hit their country. They say Thailand has two confirmed human cases of the disease. Three more Thais are believed to have been infected, including one man who died.
Monkey business. Many Asians are celebrating the lunar new year, the year of the monkey. The celebration often is called the Chinese new year, but there also are celebrations in other Asian countries and in Asian communities in many other countries.
And that's our look around the world.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: There's been a surprising And perhaps even shocking development in the Kobe Bryant case.
CNN's Gary Tuchman is covering the case for us in Eagle, Colorado. He's joining us now live.
What's happening, Gary?
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, right now, Kobe Bryant, his attorneys and prosecutors, are in a closed session inside the courthouse without the news media present. The judge will decide if the accuser's medical history, which contains two purported suicide attempts, should not remain confidential any longer and should be part of a trial.
No one is supposed to have that medical information, except for the hospital and the woman. But we found out in court today a very big surprise, that the prosecutors had it and defense attorneys have it. They all had it by accident. What happened was, the hospital thought it was sending rape crisis center checkup video to the prosecutors.
Instead, they sent medical records from a visit the accuser had a month earlier to the same hospital, when she went there for an emergency room visit, which apparently contained information about a purported suicide attempt. The prosecution got these records. And then, by accident, they sent it to the defense. Nobody was supposed to have it.
Now the judge is saying the defense has to destroy it and take it out of their minds. Can that happen?
With us right now, Craig Silverman, Colorado defense attorney, a prominent attorney who has been following this case.
How huge of a blunder is this?
CRAIG SILVERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well, quite a snafu by not just one agency, but two. The hospital made a mistake. And then the prosecution didn't even look at it. They just sent it onto the defense.
The judge tried to remedy it by having the defense destroy the records today, but, really, to get rid of the damage, they would make all the members of team Kobe have a partial lobotomy. The information is in their head.
TUCHMAN: The defense basically knows all this information, is able to make future decisions about how important this information is, based on what they've seen already, right?
SILVERMAN: Right.
Here they are back in the courtroom arguing in closed session about these records, when, in fact, part of them have already been disclosed to the defense.
TUCHMAN: Finally, Kobe Bryant's attorneys want this to be used in a trial. Meanwhile, the prosecution wants to use during a trial statements Kobe Bryant made to police before he was arrested. Is there a contradiction in the defense's argument against that?
SILVERMAN: Well, not really.
This is going to be a he said/she said. The critical question is, what will they have to cross-examine people with? Will the accuser be confronted with these purported suicide attempts and other sexual partners? Will Kobe Bryant be confronted with the statements that he now regrets to law enforcement at Cordillera.
TUCHMAN: Craig Silverman, thank you for talking with us.
SILVERMAN: My pleasure.
TUCHMAN: We can tell you, we do not expect the judge to make a decision today about the medical records, although the hearing is going on right now.
The judge also said he wants this case to move expediently. He says that everybody involved, the prosecution, the defense and the alleged victim, want it to go quickly. But there's no sign this trial will come any time soon -- Wolf, back to you.
BLITZER: What a blunder. Thanks very much, Gary Tuchman, for that. Please thank Craig as well for us.
CNN has confirmed that Rush Limbaugh's attorneys discussed a plea bargain with Florida prosecutors who are investigating whether the radio talk show host illegally obtained prescription drugs.
Our national correspondent Susan Candiotti is joining us now from Miami. She has details -- Susan.
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Wolf.
This is a story we first reported last month, that Rush Limbaugh was talking with the state attorney's office, according to a spokesperson for Limbaugh, to make the allegations go away and take responsibility for his actions. Well, now there are documents to back all of this up, letters obtained by CNN through a public records request from a Florida newspaper.
It's an inside look at a process the public doesn't usually see. In a December 11 letter from Roy Black to Palm Beach, Florida, prosecutors, he says, Limbaugh is an addict, not a criminal, and asks for a pretrial intervention. That puts him in a treatment program and, if Rush completes it, would make the case go away. On December 15, prosecutors say, no way, saying records indicate evidence that would support in excess of 10 felony counts.
The deal, Limbaugh pleads guilty to one count of doctor shopping, says the state, for prescription pain killers and then gets three years probation, finish a drug treatment program, do community service. But the talks break down. And in a statement to CNN, Limbaugh's attorney calls the state's deal preposterous and he adds the following: "There was no doctor shopping. Mr. Limbaugh never considered accepting the state's ludicrous offer."
Well, Limbaugh's attorney says the discussions ended right there. And they are also fuming about the fact that these letters have now become public. However, the state prosecutor's office did get clearance from the Florida attorney general before releasing these documents. Of course, Wolf, the investigation is not over. And so far, Mr. Limbaugh has not been charged with anything -- back to you.
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Susan Candiotti, doing some excellent reporting for us. Appreciate it very much.
Joe Namath tells ESPN he's undergoing counseling for alcohol abuse. The Hall of Fame quarterback says his wakeup call was an interview he gave while attending an NFL game last month. He appeared intoxicated while talking to a female TV reporter and told her twice, twice, that he wanted to kiss her. Namath tells ESPN he is disappointed in his behavior.
No ordinary quest.
RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hold very tight. You never know who you'll meet on the CNN Election Express. In just a moment, I'll show you who we met today, when WOLF BLITZER REPORTS from New Hampshire continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: If you've ever been a tourist in another country, you probably know that one of the best ways to see things is on a bus tour.
Our London-based correspondent Richard Quest took a bus tour in New Hampshire today aboard the CNN Election Express. He saw some interesting sights and met some interesting people.
He's joining us now live from Portsmouth to tell us all about it.
Tell us what happened, Richard?
QUEST: Wolf, you never know who you're going to meet on the bus. You've got to admire these politicians. I don't care whether you're left, right or center. They are dragging themselves around the snows of New Hampshire. And perhaps, it's so cold, that was one reason I was able to entice one of the Democratic presidential nominees on to the bus.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
QUEST: Come and have a look inside, a brief look inside of the Election Express.
(voice-over): It's one of the beauties of being on the bus. You never know who will drop in.
CROWD: Let's go, Joe! Let's go, Joe!
QUEST: We ran into, actually, nearly ran over, Senator Joe Lieberman. He may be flailing in his run for the big ticket, but he doesn't need a ticket to get on our chariot. It was a chance to chitchat about the facilities. After all, this used to be Hank Williams Jr.'s touring bus.
SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D-CT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Did Hank leave anything here?
QUEST: On to serious matters and Iraq. And although so many Democrats were against the war, Joe Lieberman believes Iraq will not be a deciding issue on how they vote in the primaries.
LIEBERMAN: Ultimately, in this election, people are more worried about life here at home, whether they're going to have their job, whether they can afford health insurance, what about the environment. And I believe they're voting more on those issues right now.
QUEST: Politics done. Time for more chitchat.
LIEBERMAN: So, what is your first name again?
QUEST (on camera): Richard Quest.
LIEBERMAN: Richard, right.
QUEST (voice-over): Oh, well, politicians in New Hampshire can be forgiven. I blame the cold.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
QUEST: Now, Hadassah Lieberman did say that, next time she comes back, she hopes I've got the tea and scones ready for a bit of afternoon tea, Wolf.
BLITZER: Richard, you know, the motto of one state, one important state, is, live free or die. Do you know what that means, coming from old England, as you do?
QUEST: Ah, General Stark, "Live free or die"; 1809, it was written. And, yes, it is the motto of this state.
But what is fascinating, Wolf, about "Live free or die" is that it becomes a hoary old bromide in this part of the world that, effectively, everybody from every different aspect, every political view, every point of view always justifies it in New Hampshire with those wonderful words: Yes, it's a case of live free or die.
BLITZER: Richard Quest, from old England, visiting New England, I hope you're enjoying your stay.
QUEST: It's cold.
(LAUGHTER)
BLITZER: It certainly is.
Richard, thank you very much.
Freezing falls, you want to talk cold, and one bridge you don't want to drive over right now. It's our picture of the day. That's coming up next.
And our hot "Web Question of the Day" is this: Are the media unfairly characterizing Howard Dean's post-Iowa-loss rally? You can vote right now. Simply go to CNN.com/Wolf. We'll have the results for you immediately, when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Time now for our picture of the day, Niagara Falls. They're stunning at any time of the year, but the grip of winter makes them particularly spectacular right now. The region has been smothered by snow and chilled by frigid temperatures. Tonight's low is forecast to fall to just 10 degrees. Look at that, Niagara falls, a beautiful place.
Here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Question of the Day." Remember, we've been asking you this question: Are the media unfairly characterizing Howard Dean's post-Iowa-loss rally? Look at this; 60 percent of you say yes; 40 percent of you say no. As always, we remind you, this is not a scientific poll.
Let's get to some of your e-mail about last night's presidential debate.
Katy writes this: "My choice for the Democratic presidential nominee has been narrowed down to Kerry, Clark and Edwards after closely watching them in the debate. Either one of them would make a better president than George Bush."
Rich sends us this: "The time has come for Al Sharpton, Dennis Kucinich, and Joe Lieberman to check their egos at the door and bow out of the Democratic presidential race. There's nothing more irritating than watching a debate with time wasted on candidates who have no chance of winning."
Shelly writes this: "Every single one of the Democratic candidates did a far better job tonight than every single one of the panelists asking irrelevant and picky questions. Where were the issues?"
A reminder, you can always catch WOLF BLITZER REPORTS weekdays at this time, 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Please tune in Sunday for "LATE EDITION, the last word in Sunday talk. Among my special guests, presidential candidates John Edwards and Joe Lieberman, also Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy.
Until then, thanks very much for joining us.
"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.
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to Stage Comeback in New Hampshire; Interview With John Edwards>
Aired January 23, 2004 - 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, HOST: Happening now. Two developing stories. In Iraq, in the north, a helicopter crash kills two U.S. pilots.
And in the Sunni Triangle in the center of the country, U.S. forces score a key capture. A terror-related arrest.
And here in New Hampshire, Howard Dean fighting for his political life.
Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.
The trend is his friend, and word of a key endorsement for John Kerry while a key rival is on the rise.
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm doing everything I know how to do.
BLITZER: I'll speak with Senator and Mrs. John Edwards.
Makeover -- the kinder, gentler side of Howard Dean.
HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: My goodness gracious. Wow!
BLITZER: Look out, Joe Lieberman. He's on the bus. With our own Richard Quest.
Kobe Bryant in court, will his accuser's personal history stay personal?
ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Friday, January 23, 2004.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Hello. From New Hampshire where polls show the trend is clearly his friend as we begin the final weekend before the New Hampshire primary. A new CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll shows John Kerry surging to a 12-point lead among the Democratic candidates.
The poll, the first to reflect the full impact of the Iowa caucuses on likely New Hampshire voters gives Kerry 344 percent of the support, versus 22 percent for Dean. 17 percent for Wesley Clark, and 12 percent for John Edwards.
Dean, the front-runner, has launched, he had been the front- runner, that is, has launched a furious media campaign to make up lost ground. The other candidates, the other candidates clearly out in force today. Our national correspondent Bob Franken has been watching all of today's developments. He's joining us with the developments -- Bob.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the winters in New Hampshire are legendary but even with the icy roadways, all the candidates are out trying to gain some traction.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN (voice-over): It's hard telling if that mild debate made any difference whatsoever for Howard Dean or any of the candidates. Or whether the new Dean campaign is having any effect. Or what it means. Dean was still being his provocative self, suggesting, for instance, that the Federal Reserve chairman should go.
DEAN: I think Alan Greenspan has become too political.
FRANKEN: Dean is trying to recapture the magic and recapture the lead from John Kerry. But he was also looking over his shoulder at Wesley Clark to make sure Clark didn't quietly overtake him. Down below, Joe Lieberman.
SEN. JOE LIEBERMAN (D-CT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Independents are going to vote, they're going to play a critical role here.
FRANKEN: Lieberman and John Edwards are hoping that those independent voters don't embarrass them. The other candidates are watching enviously as John Kerry glides along at the top of the heap.
KERRY: How you doing? Thank you, sir, I appreciate that very, much.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN: Well, it should be remembered that the leader of the pack right now seemed to be down and nearly out just a couple of weeks ago -- Wolf.
BLITZER: We'll have to remember that. Thank you very much, Bob Franken here in Manchester.
Let's take a closer look now at the top candidates. John Kerry got another boost late today, an endorsement by former Vice President Walter Mondale. Mondale, who will be a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, says Kerry would be the strongest candidate to take on President Bush.
Kerry, who served of course in the Vietnam war today accused the Bush administration of being indifferent to the needs of veterans. Let's take a closer look at two other top candidates in the New Hampshire race, Wesley Clark and Howard Dean. We begin with CNN's Dan Lothian, who's covering the Clark campaign.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Dan Lothian in Manchester, New Hampshire. Retired General Wesley Clark says he feels good about his performance at last night's debate. He believes he was able to make a clear case to the American people that he is electable. But Clark is still having to deal with that issue of credentials as a Democrat. This is a question that came up when he first got into the race because of support for Republicans in the past that came up with last night's debate but today Clark said it is just not an issue.
WESLEY CLARK (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think that voters understand I am a Democrat, and I think that the Republican party understands that as well. And if you refer to Richard Cohen's latest column in the "Washington Post," he said I'm the one Democrat that Karl Rove has to fear, and I looked at who asked the questions, and I think that that's part of a Republican party agenda in the debate.
LOTHIAN: In that last comment, Clark referring to a Fox News anchor, who took part in the questioning last night. That could be quite controversial. On the campaign trail today, Clark began by singing with kindergarten students.
Later speaking to supporters, Clark said as president he will focus on education creating jobs, providing universal health care and make America safer. The Clark campaign is expected to get key endorsements over the next couple of days. Already today, they are being endorsed by the former attorney general of Florida Bob Butterworth.
Dan Lothian, CNN, Manchester, New Hampshire.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Candy Crowley in Manchester. The Dean campaign, after a devastating third place in Iowa and a controversial concession speech, is still trying to get the water from coming onto the ship. Dean has been in damage mode for some time. It continued today as he moved through the general paces of the New Hampshire primary playing the guitar, picking out some apples, and having town hall meetings.
Damage control really started in earnest yesterday. After the debate, Dean and his wife Judy showed up on a prime-time program, clad in sweaters, holding hand, and then Dean moved onto "The David Letterman Show" to show his humorous side as he was asked for the top ten list of ways to turn around his campaign.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEAN: I don't know, maybe fewer crazy red-faced rants?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CROWLEY: Dean is determined to stick to policy as he moves to the final four days of the New Hampshire primary. The question is whether this is all working, he certainly thinks it is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEAN: I believe we've turned this around in New Hampshire. We've got a long way to go to catch up from the loss of Iowa. But I think we have turned it around. We're seeing some indications of that, and I think we can win it, too. In the last four days -- New Hampshire is a state that, one, likes underdogs and two, it likes people who stand up and say what they think.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CROWLEY: Nothing Howard Dean has done in the past week has done anything to sway his supporters. His campaign says he has taken in nearly a million dollars since polls closed in Iowa. Most of it over the Internet.
I'm Candy Crowley, CNN, in Manchester, New Hampshire.
BLITZER: Thank you very much, Candy. Here is your chance to weigh in on this important story. Our web question of the day is this. "Are the media unfairly characterizing Howard Dean's post-Iowa loss rally?" You can vote right now. Go to CNN.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast. While you're there, I'd love to hear directly from you. Send me your comments any time. I'll try to read some of them on the air, each day at the end of this program. That's also where you can read my daily online column. CNN.com/wolf.
President Bush's promising to get the money flowing to U.S. cities which say they have yet to see their share of homeland security funds approved by the U.S. Congress. He addressed the annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors earlier today. Our White House correspondent Dana Bash has the story -- Dana.
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the president announced yesterday a proposed increase by almost 10 percent in homeland security funding. But for the mayors the president spoke to today, their beef is that they have been putting counterterrorism measures in place in their cities but haven't seen much of the billions Mr. Bush has already signed into law. Mr. Bush did not give specifics but he did promise to address that today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Mayor Jim just told me on the way in, he said, you know, one of the problems we face, we mayors face, is that the money is allocated and gets stuck, and I appreciated that -- that recognition of the problem and -- so we'll work with the mayors to make sure it gets unstuck. I understand sometimes it gets stuck down in Washington.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BASH: The president starting with the State of the Union and speeches since has been saying the threat of terrorism is still very real in this country. Democrats have been hitting the president for not putting his money where his mouth, so to speak, by not funding homeland security well enough. The president today said to the mayors that he understands that everything in the coming year will be tinged with politics, but appealed to them to work together no matter what is going on in the campaign trail. Back to you, Wolf.
BLITZER: Thank you very much, Dana Bash at the White House.
The vice president meanwhile, Dick Cheney, he's in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos for the annual World Economic Forum. He's scheduled to speak to the group tomorrow on terror, post-war Iraq and the impact of economic growth. Meanwhile, his former company, Halliburton now says it will refund more than $6 million to the Pentagon for possible overcharges by a Kuwaiti subcontractor. The company says it's fired employees who allegedly took kickbacks from the subcontractor.
One on one with Senator John Edwards. Hear directly from the candidate. That's coming up just ahead.
Plus, this, necessary details of an invasion -- or an invasion of privacy? Kobe Bryant's lawyers argue his accuser's medical record should be opened as evidence.
Trying to ease the pain. New details on Rush Limbaugh's efforts to cut a deal.
And on the bus, but not alone. See what happens when our Richard Quest bumps into Senator Joe Lieberman. It's not your ordinary run- in. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Much more coverage of the New Hampshire primary. That's coming up in just a moment, but there's other news we need to report right now. In fact, news tonight of a major arrest by U.S. forces in Iraq. Let's go live to CNN justice correspondent Kelli Arena -- Kelli.
KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the suspect is being identified as Husam al-Yemeni. U.S. officials say that he was captured during a raid near Fallujah last week, along with several other individuals.
Now Yemeni is described as a top lieutenant to Abu Mus'ab al- Zarqawi. Zarqawi is active with the terror organization Ansar al Islam which is connected to al Qaeda.
Officials call the capture significant. And say that it suggests they may be getting closer to finding Zarqawi himself. Now, Zarqawi has been connected to several important al Qaeda related attacks, including the assassination of U.S. diplomat Lawrence Foley in Jordan and the finding of Ricin in Britain.
And officials are keeping their focus on the area in an around Fallujah, they describe it, Wolf, as a hot bed of anti-U.S. sentiment and several attacks on U.S. military personnel have been carried out there. Back to you.
BLITZER: Thank you very much, Kelli Arena, with that.
Two more deaths in Iraq today when a helicopter crashed in the north. Our senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre has those details -- Jamie.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf. Another deadly helicopter crash in Iraq, this one in the north. Two U.S. army pilots assigned to the 101st airborne division were killed when the Kiowa warrior helicopter crashed south of the city of Mosul at 8:30 at night.
According to reports coming back from the helicopter that was with it, there's no mention of any hostile activity so they're not sure there was any hostile fire, but it's the second time this month that an OH-58 Kiowa has crashed in Iraq.
Earlier this month, one of the scout helicopters was shot down near Fallujah killing a female pilot. Altogether some 16 helicopters have been -- have crashed or been shot down in Iraq since the end of major combat claiming some 60 lives -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre, thank you very much.
Meanwhile, four U.S. Marines are dead following the crash of their helicopter in California. The Huey went down last night at Camp Pendleton just north of San Diego. Officials say three crew members were killed in the crash, the fourth died at a hospital. Investigators are looking into the cause.
In Baghdad, an explosion ripped through an office of the Iraqi Communist Party killing two employees and injuring a third. The Communists have a representative on the Iraqi governing council. Nine people, including two U.S. soldiers, were killed in attacks yesterday.
Meantime, the commander of the coalition ground forces says the insurgents are taking a page from al Qaeda's book and may be getting training from the terror network.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LT. GEN. RICARDO SANCHEZ, U.S. ARMY: We're seeing al Qaeda-like tactics. We believe there's training that's been conducted.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In Iraq?
SANCHEZ: No, not conducted in Iraq, but training provided to those elements that are operating in here. And we think that there's also financing that has been taking place.
And so, you put all those things together, and you say, well, it's al Qaeda-like tactics, techniques and procedures being used, and you can ask yourself the question, is this al Qaeda or not al Qaeda? I think the fingerprints are present.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Now to Pakistan, and an interview with our Christiane Amanpour, Pakistan's president Pervez Musharraf has his eye on al Qaeda as well, saying he has a good idea who's responsible for the recent attempts on his life, including last month's ambush of his motorcade.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PERVEZ MUSHARRAF, PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN: We have rounded up all the people that were involved. But the people who are behind, that yes, we are reasonably sure that it is al Qaeda, some operatives. We haven't got to the top of the -- identified the person who may have issued the orders, but we know there are linkages that the idea came from the al Qaeda.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: President Pervez Musharraf speaking with our Christiane Amanpour earlier today.
No longer in the shadows. My interview with Senator John Edwards coming up. And this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELIZABETH EDWARDS, JOHN EDWARDS WIFE: I think every wife has to do exactly what they're comfortable doing?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Unwavering support, hear from Elizabeth Edwards on her role as a candidate's wife on the campaign trail and more.
Media blitz: for better or worse, does overexposure help or hurt a campaign?
And confidential information, or crucial evidence in the Kobe Bryant case. Today, arguments over what should be revealed about the accuser. We'll be live from Eagle, Colorado.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: North Carolina Senator John Edwards seemingly came out of nowhere to finish second in the Iowa caucuses, and polls show him surging in New Hampshire as well. Earlier, I joined him aboard his campaign bus for an extensive interview. I asked about the criticism he's received from frontrunner John Kerry, who later apologized for suggesting that Edwards was in diapers when Kerry was fighting in Vietnam.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is a case where initial impressions are deceiving. And what we saw happen in Iowa and what I see happening in New Hampshire right now, it was when people get a closer look at you, they get a chance to test you. They test your character, they test what your substantive knowledge is, what your vision is for the country.
For example, people sometimes ask me what's been your involvement in national security? Well, the truth is, I've been on the Senate Intelligence Committee, investigated September 11. Helped write the laws to respond to it and not take our liberties away in the process. I've been in Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Middle East, these parts of the world, met with the leaders. Met with our own security operations in these parts of the world, to see what's working and what's not.
I've laid out the most detailed vision for what America's role in the world should be among all the presidential candidates.
But the most important thing that people see at the end, Wolf, which is what happened in Iowa, that's the reason there was this big upsurge, what's happening here in New Hampshire, is they see that these are battles that I have been fighting my entire life. I mean, I have a lifelong history of taking on very tough, tough battles and winning them. And they've had the chance to see that in me, and that's what will continue to happen as we go forward.
BLITZER: People forget that Bill Clinton was in his mid-40s when he was elected president of the United States.
EDWARDS: That's right.
BLITZER: I guess you are blessed that you look younger than 50. In any other (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that would be great.
EDWARDS: I got lots of scars on the inside. I promise you.
BLITZER (voice-over): John Reed Edwards, the kid next door who seemingly caught every break, but in reality made most of his breaks. Born to parents who worked the textile mills in the Carolinas and Georgia, finally settling in the tiny train stop of Robbins, North Carolina.
EDWARDS: Thank you, we're going to do this together. All of us.
BLITZER: Don't let the home spun southern drawl fool you. This is a man driven from early on, the first member of his family to go to college, law school, a star civil litigator, who, from the start, dazzled his employers with his talent and ambition. Taking on manufacturers, hospitals and other corporations, Edwards didn't just win; he won settlements and judgments that set records on behalf of the little guy.
Iowa proved what many in the Carolinas already knew, underestimate John Edwards at your peril.
EDWARDS: I'm going to compete everywhere in the country, and I think if you...
BLITZER: As robustly in New Hampshire as -- you're competing a lot more robustly than some had thought you would do? EDWARDS: I'm doing everything I know how to do. I'm working my heart out. I've got 100 town hall meetings, I'm here every day campaigning and I'll continue to do that.
BLITZER: Were you disappointed that Senator Fritz Hollings endorsed John Kerry?
EDWARDS: I love Fritz Hollings, he's a wonderful guy. What we learned in Iowa, Wolf, was that the endorsements just don't have a lot of impact. And I suspect that'll be true, both with the endorsements I've gotten and the endorsements that others have gotten.
BLITZER: What does have an impact?
EDWARDS: You seeing voters in person. I mean, what I saw happening in Iowa and I'm now seeing happening in New Hampshire is when you're at the end (ph) state, when people are deciding what to do, they're looking for a president.
BLITZER: Quick question on the Patriot Act. The president wants to renew all of the provisions of the Patriot Act when they come up. Some of them expire, as you well know. You voted for the Patriot Act. What will be your position when some of the more controversial aspects come up for renewal?
EDWARDS: The Patriot Act needs to be changed. There are provisions in the Patriot Act that never get any attention that are very good, allowing us to do a better job of going after terrorists and money laundering, bringing the law up to date with technology. So it used to be before this law, that you could get a search warrant, could get an answering machine, but you couldn't get the voice mail. Well, we obviously need to update the law to comply with technology, and better information sharing.
Those are all good things. The provisions that need to be changed are the sneak and peek provisions that allow the government to go into someone's house, search, without, in my view, adequate safeguards in place, and never -- and leave and never tell you they were there. Allowing the government to go into libraries and book stores without adequate safeguards. Those things I think need to be changed.
BLITZER: One final quick question, your vote authorizing war potentially to go to war against Iraq. Looking back, now that all the dust has settled, the U.S. is there, Saddam Hussein is under arrest, there's a new government potentially going to take over in Iraq. Was it the right thing to do, your vote?
EDWARDS: I think Saddam Hussein being gone is a very good thing, and that's going back and looking at it in hindsight, that's a luxury nobody has. I did what I believe was the right thing to do at the time.
BLITZER: Senator Edwards, thanks very much.
EDWARDS: Thanks, Wolf. (END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And much more of my interview with Senator Edwards is coming up Sunday on "LATE EDITION," noon Eastern.
Southern style with a swell in support her husband's now in the national light -- in the national spotlight. Later this hour, I'll speak with his number one supporter, Mrs. -- Mrs. John Edwards.
The Dean offensive. Has the presidential candidate's now infamous post-Iowa speech actually become a good thing for his campaign? And could it spell victory in New Hampshire?
Signs of life. It's all quiet on the Red Planet, but NASA scientists remain hopeful the Spirit rover hangs on.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Managing the media. Is too much TV time helping or hurting Howard Dean? A look at his campaign. We'll get to that.
First, though, a quick check of the latest headlines. The Mars rover Spirit is in critical condition. That's the word from NASA officials. They say the rover sent some data today, but restoring it to full function could take weeks. Spirit developed problems Wednesday. NASA still doesn't know whether they're software or hardware related. The rover's twin is expected to land on Mars tomorrow.
There's a new man in charge of the U.S. hunt for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The CIA has announced, Charles Duelfer will replace David Kay, who is stepping down. Duelfer is a veteran of U.N. weapons inspections in Iraq during Saddam Hussein's regime.
Scott Peterson's murder trial has been postponed for at least a week. It was supposed to start Monday, but it's been delayed while a new judge is appointed to the case. The next hearing is scheduled for February 2.
An icon of children's television died today in Vermont. Bob Keeshan, better known as Captain Kangaroo, was 76. He ruled weekday morning television and delighted kids for 30 years, winning six Emmy Awards along the way. A family statement says Keeshan had suffered from a long illness.
Howard Dean's poll numbers may be falling, but it's not for lack of media exposure, most recently a concerted drive trying to undo whatever damage was done by his now infamous speech in Iowa.
CNN's Jennifer Coggiola is joining us now live with a look at the fallout -- Jennifer.
JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Wolf. Well, as we know, television has a way of amplifying events by showing them over and over again, as in the case of Howard Dean's post-Iowa speech. Well, we showed people here in D.C. his appearances last night both in an ABC News prime-time exclusive with Diane Sawyer and on CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman."
Let's see how it played out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "PRIMETIME")
HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I have all kinds of warts. I wear cheap suits sometimes. I say things that I probably ought not to say. But I leading with my heart. And that's what I was doing right there, is leading with my heart.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COGGIOLA (voice-over): Heart, something politicians are punished for having, according to this woman from Connecticut.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They finally get this passionate candidate and now they're jumping all over him because he is passionate.
COGGIOLA: Watching last night's interview for the first time, she wasn't sure Dean's recent media appearances are going to help.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's overexposure at this point. And I really -- I don't know if he put the last nail in his coffin. I think it's kind of a Kerry/Clark race at this point.
COGGIOLA: This Maryland woman didn't think Monday's speech hurt Dean to begin with.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I really didn't think it was a big deal. It didn't bother me. I don't know why they made such a big production out of it.
COGGIOLA: And that voters in the media have lost sight of what matters.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think people should focus on the issues and focus on what his policies are, what he -- where he stands on the issues.
COGGIOLA: But what Dean thought mattered last night, keeping his sense of humor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN")
DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST: And the No. 1 way Howard Dean can turn things around?
DEAN: Oh, I don't know, maybe fewer crazy, red-faced rants?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COGGIOLA: This cattle rancher from Idaho says Dean had no choice.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He had to address it straight on.
COGGIOLA: But the big question, will it all help?
DEAN: Yes!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'll give you 9-5 odds that he will not.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COGGIOLA: Well, whatever the odds, it's next week's New Hampshire primaries and those that will follow that will be the true judge to determine if Dean can recover -- Wolf.
BLITZER: CNN's Jennifer Coggiola in Washington -- Jennifer, thank you very much.
Whether they like it or not, the candidates' spouses are inevitably drawn into the campaign. Earlier, I spoke with Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Senator John Edwards.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Ms. Edwards, thanks very much for joining us.
What do you make of the role that the wives are playing right now? Because, as you know, there's a lot of controversy over Governor Dean's wife, Dr. Judy Steinberg Dean. How do you see that unfolding in this campaign?
ELIZABETH EDWARDS, WIFE OF SENATOR JOHN EDWARDS: Well, I think every wife has to do exactly what they're comfortable doing. I can't imagine, for myself, standing on the sidelines, but I have no criticism whatsoever of her choices.
BLITZER: You respect her decision to want to stay out of it?
EDWARDS: Oh, absolutely.
I remember, John Glenn's wife was extremely shy. It was extremely difficult for her to do what she did in the campaign. And she turned out to be terrific at it. But everybody should feel comfortable doing -- I hope we've gotten to the point where every wife should feel comfortable doing what they think is right for themselves.
BLITZER: How have you liked this bid for the presidency?
EDWARDS: I'm actually having a lot of fun. I spend time every day with men and women who, if they lived in my hometown, they would be my friends. They're people who are interested in what's going on. They care about the direction of the country. Talking to them is great fun. I really am having a great time. BLITZER: And you still have time for your kids?
EDWARDS: I do, although I had Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday without them. So they arrive in a couple of hours. And I'll be pretty anxious to see them.
BLITZER: And, briefly, you've had a real horrible tragedy in your life.
(CROSSTALK)
EDWARDS: We have.
BLITZER (voice-over): John and Elizabeth Edwards may have been in the habit of pinching themselves. Life couldn't have been much better, a 20-year-old love story, two beautiful kids, professional success, wealth beyond their dreams.
John had an especially close bond with their son, Wade. Together, they climbed Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro. Even their experiences as litigators, helping families deal with tragedy, couldn't have prepared John and Elizabeth for what was to come. April 4, 1996, 16-year-old Wade Edwards, on his way to meet his parents at their beach house, is killed when his vehicle flips off a North Carolina interstate.
EDWARDS: We lost our oldest son, Wade, in 1996. And there are a lot of people around the country, way too many people around the country, who are in exactly that same situation.
And events where I go, people come up to me all the time and say that they're, sadly, a member of the same sorority that I'm a member of. And so you make connections with people in that way, not political connections, but personal connections, that help you understand there's a great story about the -- there's a story in the Bible about the mustard seed. There's also a story, a Buddhist story about the mustard seed, where a woman whose son dies goes to the temple and asks, please, you can't let this be. You can't let him die.
And he said, I can fix it if you will go and get mustard seed from a house that has no grief. And she goes house to house. And, if they have mustard seed, she says, that's wonderful, but you can't really any grief. And what she finds is that everybody has grief. And so, though our story personally is, of course, very important us to and the loss very dear to us, it's not something that -- we're not unique in this. Unfortunately, we're not unique in this category.
BLITZER: Part of the rejuvenation for the Edwards family came later, when Elizabeth was in her late 40s and daughter Emma Claire was born, followed two years later by son Jack.
(on camera): What's next? You're excited. You're pumped. You're ready to go. Do you think your husband is going to be the next president of the United States? EDWARDS: I'm completely convinced of it. I have absolute confidence. And he is -- I've never known -- we've been married for 26 years. I've never known him not to do whatever he had to do to make certain he accomplished the goals he thought were important.
BLITZER: And, obviously, you love him very much.
EDWARDS: I do.
BLITZER: Thanks very much.
EDWARDS: Sure.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: The question of confidentiality keeping both sides in the Kobe Bryant case busy today, why it's getting so very complicated. We're live from the Colorado courthouse.
Plea bargain busted, why a deal is not happening for talk show host Rush Limbaugh.
And on a quest with Joe Lieberman. CNN's Richard Quest caught up with the presidential candidate today. And they took a ride you will definitely want to see. We'll get to that.
First, though, a quick look at some other news making headlines around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Wedding tragedy. Joy turned to horror in Southern India when fire broke out at a wedding. At least 45 people died, including the groom and four children. Police think an electrical short may have caused the wedding pavilion's thatch roof to burst into flames.
Middle East mission. About 100 members of the Japanese air force have arrived in Kuwait. They're the main body of a Japanese unit that will help the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq. Commanders say their main mission will be to help transport humanitarian goods.
Bird flu in Thailand. After several days of denials, Thai now officials confirm that bird flu has hit their country. They say Thailand has two confirmed human cases of the disease. Three more Thais are believed to have been infected, including one man who died.
Monkey business. Many Asians are celebrating the lunar new year, the year of the monkey. The celebration often is called the Chinese new year, but there also are celebrations in other Asian countries and in Asian communities in many other countries.
And that's our look around the world.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: There's been a surprising And perhaps even shocking development in the Kobe Bryant case.
CNN's Gary Tuchman is covering the case for us in Eagle, Colorado. He's joining us now live.
What's happening, Gary?
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, right now, Kobe Bryant, his attorneys and prosecutors, are in a closed session inside the courthouse without the news media present. The judge will decide if the accuser's medical history, which contains two purported suicide attempts, should not remain confidential any longer and should be part of a trial.
No one is supposed to have that medical information, except for the hospital and the woman. But we found out in court today a very big surprise, that the prosecutors had it and defense attorneys have it. They all had it by accident. What happened was, the hospital thought it was sending rape crisis center checkup video to the prosecutors.
Instead, they sent medical records from a visit the accuser had a month earlier to the same hospital, when she went there for an emergency room visit, which apparently contained information about a purported suicide attempt. The prosecution got these records. And then, by accident, they sent it to the defense. Nobody was supposed to have it.
Now the judge is saying the defense has to destroy it and take it out of their minds. Can that happen?
With us right now, Craig Silverman, Colorado defense attorney, a prominent attorney who has been following this case.
How huge of a blunder is this?
CRAIG SILVERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well, quite a snafu by not just one agency, but two. The hospital made a mistake. And then the prosecution didn't even look at it. They just sent it onto the defense.
The judge tried to remedy it by having the defense destroy the records today, but, really, to get rid of the damage, they would make all the members of team Kobe have a partial lobotomy. The information is in their head.
TUCHMAN: The defense basically knows all this information, is able to make future decisions about how important this information is, based on what they've seen already, right?
SILVERMAN: Right.
Here they are back in the courtroom arguing in closed session about these records, when, in fact, part of them have already been disclosed to the defense.
TUCHMAN: Finally, Kobe Bryant's attorneys want this to be used in a trial. Meanwhile, the prosecution wants to use during a trial statements Kobe Bryant made to police before he was arrested. Is there a contradiction in the defense's argument against that?
SILVERMAN: Well, not really.
This is going to be a he said/she said. The critical question is, what will they have to cross-examine people with? Will the accuser be confronted with these purported suicide attempts and other sexual partners? Will Kobe Bryant be confronted with the statements that he now regrets to law enforcement at Cordillera.
TUCHMAN: Craig Silverman, thank you for talking with us.
SILVERMAN: My pleasure.
TUCHMAN: We can tell you, we do not expect the judge to make a decision today about the medical records, although the hearing is going on right now.
The judge also said he wants this case to move expediently. He says that everybody involved, the prosecution, the defense and the alleged victim, want it to go quickly. But there's no sign this trial will come any time soon -- Wolf, back to you.
BLITZER: What a blunder. Thanks very much, Gary Tuchman, for that. Please thank Craig as well for us.
CNN has confirmed that Rush Limbaugh's attorneys discussed a plea bargain with Florida prosecutors who are investigating whether the radio talk show host illegally obtained prescription drugs.
Our national correspondent Susan Candiotti is joining us now from Miami. She has details -- Susan.
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Wolf.
This is a story we first reported last month, that Rush Limbaugh was talking with the state attorney's office, according to a spokesperson for Limbaugh, to make the allegations go away and take responsibility for his actions. Well, now there are documents to back all of this up, letters obtained by CNN through a public records request from a Florida newspaper.
It's an inside look at a process the public doesn't usually see. In a December 11 letter from Roy Black to Palm Beach, Florida, prosecutors, he says, Limbaugh is an addict, not a criminal, and asks for a pretrial intervention. That puts him in a treatment program and, if Rush completes it, would make the case go away. On December 15, prosecutors say, no way, saying records indicate evidence that would support in excess of 10 felony counts.
The deal, Limbaugh pleads guilty to one count of doctor shopping, says the state, for prescription pain killers and then gets three years probation, finish a drug treatment program, do community service. But the talks break down. And in a statement to CNN, Limbaugh's attorney calls the state's deal preposterous and he adds the following: "There was no doctor shopping. Mr. Limbaugh never considered accepting the state's ludicrous offer."
Well, Limbaugh's attorney says the discussions ended right there. And they are also fuming about the fact that these letters have now become public. However, the state prosecutor's office did get clearance from the Florida attorney general before releasing these documents. Of course, Wolf, the investigation is not over. And so far, Mr. Limbaugh has not been charged with anything -- back to you.
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Susan Candiotti, doing some excellent reporting for us. Appreciate it very much.
Joe Namath tells ESPN he's undergoing counseling for alcohol abuse. The Hall of Fame quarterback says his wakeup call was an interview he gave while attending an NFL game last month. He appeared intoxicated while talking to a female TV reporter and told her twice, twice, that he wanted to kiss her. Namath tells ESPN he is disappointed in his behavior.
No ordinary quest.
RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hold very tight. You never know who you'll meet on the CNN Election Express. In just a moment, I'll show you who we met today, when WOLF BLITZER REPORTS from New Hampshire continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: If you've ever been a tourist in another country, you probably know that one of the best ways to see things is on a bus tour.
Our London-based correspondent Richard Quest took a bus tour in New Hampshire today aboard the CNN Election Express. He saw some interesting sights and met some interesting people.
He's joining us now live from Portsmouth to tell us all about it.
Tell us what happened, Richard?
QUEST: Wolf, you never know who you're going to meet on the bus. You've got to admire these politicians. I don't care whether you're left, right or center. They are dragging themselves around the snows of New Hampshire. And perhaps, it's so cold, that was one reason I was able to entice one of the Democratic presidential nominees on to the bus.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
QUEST: Come and have a look inside, a brief look inside of the Election Express.
(voice-over): It's one of the beauties of being on the bus. You never know who will drop in.
CROWD: Let's go, Joe! Let's go, Joe!
QUEST: We ran into, actually, nearly ran over, Senator Joe Lieberman. He may be flailing in his run for the big ticket, but he doesn't need a ticket to get on our chariot. It was a chance to chitchat about the facilities. After all, this used to be Hank Williams Jr.'s touring bus.
SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D-CT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Did Hank leave anything here?
QUEST: On to serious matters and Iraq. And although so many Democrats were against the war, Joe Lieberman believes Iraq will not be a deciding issue on how they vote in the primaries.
LIEBERMAN: Ultimately, in this election, people are more worried about life here at home, whether they're going to have their job, whether they can afford health insurance, what about the environment. And I believe they're voting more on those issues right now.
QUEST: Politics done. Time for more chitchat.
LIEBERMAN: So, what is your first name again?
QUEST (on camera): Richard Quest.
LIEBERMAN: Richard, right.
QUEST (voice-over): Oh, well, politicians in New Hampshire can be forgiven. I blame the cold.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
QUEST: Now, Hadassah Lieberman did say that, next time she comes back, she hopes I've got the tea and scones ready for a bit of afternoon tea, Wolf.
BLITZER: Richard, you know, the motto of one state, one important state, is, live free or die. Do you know what that means, coming from old England, as you do?
QUEST: Ah, General Stark, "Live free or die"; 1809, it was written. And, yes, it is the motto of this state.
But what is fascinating, Wolf, about "Live free or die" is that it becomes a hoary old bromide in this part of the world that, effectively, everybody from every different aspect, every political view, every point of view always justifies it in New Hampshire with those wonderful words: Yes, it's a case of live free or die.
BLITZER: Richard Quest, from old England, visiting New England, I hope you're enjoying your stay.
QUEST: It's cold.
(LAUGHTER)
BLITZER: It certainly is.
Richard, thank you very much.
Freezing falls, you want to talk cold, and one bridge you don't want to drive over right now. It's our picture of the day. That's coming up next.
And our hot "Web Question of the Day" is this: Are the media unfairly characterizing Howard Dean's post-Iowa-loss rally? You can vote right now. Simply go to CNN.com/Wolf. We'll have the results for you immediately, when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Time now for our picture of the day, Niagara Falls. They're stunning at any time of the year, but the grip of winter makes them particularly spectacular right now. The region has been smothered by snow and chilled by frigid temperatures. Tonight's low is forecast to fall to just 10 degrees. Look at that, Niagara falls, a beautiful place.
Here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Question of the Day." Remember, we've been asking you this question: Are the media unfairly characterizing Howard Dean's post-Iowa-loss rally? Look at this; 60 percent of you say yes; 40 percent of you say no. As always, we remind you, this is not a scientific poll.
Let's get to some of your e-mail about last night's presidential debate.
Katy writes this: "My choice for the Democratic presidential nominee has been narrowed down to Kerry, Clark and Edwards after closely watching them in the debate. Either one of them would make a better president than George Bush."
Rich sends us this: "The time has come for Al Sharpton, Dennis Kucinich, and Joe Lieberman to check their egos at the door and bow out of the Democratic presidential race. There's nothing more irritating than watching a debate with time wasted on candidates who have no chance of winning."
Shelly writes this: "Every single one of the Democratic candidates did a far better job tonight than every single one of the panelists asking irrelevant and picky questions. Where were the issues?"
A reminder, you can always catch WOLF BLITZER REPORTS weekdays at this time, 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Please tune in Sunday for "LATE EDITION, the last word in Sunday talk. Among my special guests, presidential candidates John Edwards and Joe Lieberman, also Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy.
Until then, thanks very much for joining us.
"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.
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to Stage Comeback in New Hampshire; Interview With John Edwards>
