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CNN Live Today

White House Wants Rice to Testify as Soon as Possible

Aired March 31, 2004 - 10:30   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.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We are getting word here to CNN through wire reports of reports of another bombing with casualties in Uzbekistan in the capital of Tashkent. This would follow a weeklong series of bombings. Uzbekistan is significant because it's been a close ally of the U.S. in war on terrorism, also serving as a launching pad for operations into Afghanistan. Once again, getting word of more violence, a fourth day of violence in the capital of Uzbekistan of Tashkent. More on that just ahead as that information becomes available.
Also looking at other top stories.

Witnesses describing a grisly attack in Fallujah, the heart of Iraq's Sunni Triangle and a hotbed of insurgent activity. Two cars reportedly came under grenade attack and the assailants sprayed the vehicles with bullet. Four civilian contractors were killed and witnesses say crowds dragged at least one body through the street.

Also today near Fallujah, five U.S. soldiers died when their vehicle ran over a bomb. An Army spokesman says the improvised explosive device they hit was very large. With their deaths, 600 U.S. military personnel have now died in Iraq.

Here in the U.S., five women have filed a lawsuit against the Hooter's restaurant chain. They say they were secretly videotaped as they changed into skimpy waitress outfits, while applying for jobs. Celebrity attorney Gloria Allred is handling the case saying the chain failed to properly supervise the manager of the suburban Los Angeles restaurant. The manager no longer works there and denies those charges.

The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a sexual harassment case that considers whether quitting under duress is the same as being fired and therefore entitled to the same protection under the law. At issue is a woman who worked for the Pennsylvania State Police. She says male co-workers sexually harassed her until she felt forced to quit.

The Bush administration has just wrapped up its informal briefing in the day. Our White House correspondent Dana Bash is there checking in and bringing us the latest. Dana, it was this time yesterday there was some very big news about Condoleezza Rice.

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: It was this time yesterday, and in just the in the past 24 hours the White House and commission have been trying to work out the details of when exactly that testimony will take place. It will likely be mid to late next week.

But the White House is making it very clear this morning through the spokesman they want her to testify as soon as possible. Clearly, Daryn, they want to get this over and done with and close this chapter once and for all.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GEORGE W. BUSH PRESIDENT UNITED STATES: Dr. Rice will participate in an open public hearing.

BASH (voice-over): The President told aides he had to now find a way to let Condoleezza Rice appear before the 9/11 Commission because the process, he said, was getting in the way of the substance. Process often euphemism for politics.

JAMES THOMPSON, 9/11 COMMITTEE MEMBER: Which is true?

BASH: Even from sometimes helpful Republican commission members, a drum beat of pressure.

THOMPSON: The commission has voted unanimously to ask Dr. Rice to appear.

JOHN LEHMAN, 9/11 COMMITTEE MEMBER: The White House is making a political blunder, an important miscalculation of the political impact of this.

SCOTT REED, REPUBLICAN CONSULTANT: This was a classic instance of, this was boiling and gaining more momentum, and the White House recognized it's time to do something about it and shut this down.

BASH: The latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll shows the President's overall approval up. But there were danger signs for Mr. Bush. Fifty-three percent of Americans said they think the Bush administration is covering up how it handled intelligence information before 9/11. And 53 percent also believed the president has misled the public for political reasons. This for a commander in chief whose reelection theme is strength in leadership against terrorism.

Democrats saw the opening and were mounting a Senate floor offensive to pressure Dr. Rice just as the White House changed course. They quickly claimed victory, even if they may have lost one election year issue.

SEN. TOM DASCHLE (D-SD), MINORITY LEADER: Well, it wasn't only good politics. I think it is a good policy. I don't think in this case they had any choice but to do what the American people are clamoring for.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BASH: Now some Republican strategists argued that it was important maybe to hold off on Dr. Rice testifying saying that Democrats were likely to overplay their hand and look like they were the ones politicizing this issue. But here at the White House, Bush officials privately said they wanted to end this, diffuse the situation and move on.

KAGAN: There were actually two announcements yesterday, one about Condoleezza's testimony the other more detailed about how President Bush and Vice President Cheney will appear before the commission. Any new details on that, Dana?

BASH: We still don't have a time and place for that. They are still trying to work that out. That was an interesting development yesterday that the two of them, first of all, would be meeting jointly, as we discussed at this time yesterday with the commission.

But also that the White House reverse course on that issue, deciding not just to meet with the chair and vice chair, but to meet with all 10 commissioners and to give them the White House saying now, as much time as possible -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Dana Bash at the White House.

Washington's new weapons inspector says there is new information, if not evidence in the search for forbidden arsenals in Iraq. The man testified behind closed doors on Capitol Hill yesterday and spoke exclusively to national security correspondent David Ensor.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Just back from his first six weeks on the job in Iraq, Charles Duelfer, the CIA's new man in charge of looking for weapons of mass destruction, says, although nothing has been found yet, he does not rule out finding weapons.

CHARLES DUELFER, CIA CHIEF WEAPONS INSPECTOR: We continue to receive reports almost on a daily basis of hidden weapons, hidden materials, which we have to investigate.

ENSOR: Duelfer told senators he has found more evidence Saddam Hussein's regime had civilian factories able to quickly produce chemical and biological weapons, but he said most Iraqi scientists and engineers are afraid to tell what they know.

DUELFER: There is a fear that if they are seen to be cooperating with the United States and its coalition partners, the regime elements may secret retribution on them. There's enormous reluctance on the part of scientists to come forward. This is more akin to a homicide investigation than a search to find existing weapon.

ENSOR: Duelfer, who was deputy director of the U.N.'s effort to find weapons in Iraq in the '90s said the U.S. occupation has made the job harder, not easier.

DUELFER: I've got a lot of armored cars which are riddled with bullet holes that our inspectors were in. Were they not armored, these people would be injured or dead.

ENSOR: One senior senator in the room for Duelfer's closed door testimony says after looking at the unclassified version put out in public by the CIA, that he is troubled.

SEN. CARL LEVIN (D), MICHIGAN: Again the CIA is taking a mistake in having its public statements different in tone in a significant way from its underlying classified documents.

DUELFER: It may simply be that in the process of declassification, something is lost. But certainly it is not my intent to show, you know, a different version in the public as opposed to the classified version.

ENSOR (on camera): Charles Duelfer is heading back to Baghdad soon, which he says will be a relief after the intense political atmosphere in Washington. Only half joking, he said, it's safer in Baghdad.

David Ensor, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Let's check in on the Tyco trial. Jurors are back to ponder the fate of former executives Dennis Kozlowski and Mark Swartz. Allen Chernoff of CNN Financial News following that case again for us from New York City. Let me guess. Another motion for a mistrial?

ALLEN CHERNOFF, CNNfn CORRESPONDENT: Well, we still actually haven't heard from the judge on yesterday's motion for a mistrial. So that right now is on hold. But it does appear the jury is back at work, and it appears the jury is moving past the controversy surrounding juror number four, who has been the apparent holdout.

Right now the jury is listening to a read back of testimony from defendant Mark Swartz, the former chief financial officer at Tyco. He and Dennis Kozlowski had received $84 million in bonuses and his testimony is focusing on those bonuses. Swartz and Kozlowski have claimed that the board of directors at Tyco had approved these bonuses, but there is no specific documentation of that.

On the witness stand, Swartz says Kozlowski told him the former head of the compensation committee at Tyco, Phil Hampton, had given his OK for these bonuses, but Mr. Hampton died back in April of 2001.

Prosecutors are hoping the longer this goes on, the better it all appears for their side, the better chance they have of getting a conviction. And clearly the tension in the courtroom is rising. Mr. Kozlowski's wife Karen Mayo was reading a prayer just before the jury walked in.

KAGAN: Allen Chernoff in New York, we'll be checking back with you.

You can call it an Amish paradise.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Can't have a car, but can have bicycles and that's all we need around here. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Coming up, a look at the simple life on vacation.

And bringing you a fashion paradise. Designer Tommy Hilfiger joins us for a firsthand look at his new clothing line, he calls it "H."

(COMMERCIAL REPORT)

KAGAN: "Across America" now. In a Texas city southeast of Houston, firefighters have contained this blaze at a British Petroleum oil refinery. It's not clear what sparked the explosion. All the workers are accounted for and there are no injuries. It comes at a time when gas prices are at a record high.

In Kansas, criminal records are just a mouse click away. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has created an online database of court convictions dating back to 1939. A KBI spokesman says the service speed up public access and frees up agency employees. The agency gets thousands of requests each year for data. The cost, $17.50 per search.

Liberals are launching an air war of sorts today with the debut of "Air America," the first network with a proclaimed lean to the left. Comedian-author Al Franken will host a talk show in a couple of hours meant to counterbalance rush hour and conservative talk.

Straight ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY we'll chat with Tommy Hilfiger who is here with us looking dapper. And he has his new brand called "H."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Express yourself with flirty fashions. It's spring. It means it's time to start up serious fashion flings.

Who better than Tommy Hilfiger to talk about his new line collided and also an ad campaign featuring some pretty big names. So "H."

TOMMY HILFIGER, FASHION DESIGNER: "H," Hilfiger.

KAGAN: I figured out that much. What does it represent and what are you trying to do with this line?

HILFIGER: I've been known for very casual clothes for a long time, red white and blue casual wear. I decided it was time to dress up. Get my customers into a more sophisticated, more refined, more luxurious look.

KAGAN: You're going after the same customer?

HILFIGER: Same and a little bit older. KAGAN: I think we have we're showing some pictures of some of the new line. Tell us how it's different than the regular Tommy stuff we're used to seeing.

HILFIGER: It's more refined. More luxurious, more grown up and something you could actually wear on the show something you could wear

KAGAN: So you're saying I'm older than your typical targeted demographic.

HILFIGER: Well, if you look at my demographics, they range from infants to 75-year-old golfers. So I would say you are in the middle.

KAGAN: OK.

HILFIGER: And I think that a woman like you could wear it to work and wear it out in the evening. Men can wear it to work. You can really mix it up as well. So it's not a full look head to toe that is being dictated by a designer.

KAGAN: Interesting choice of celebrities that you picked to endorse this. David Bowie and his wife will be a big part of the ad campaign you'll see in the magazines over the next month. Everything seems so youth obsessed right now. David Bowie is a huge star.

HILFIGER: But David Bowie is over 55.

KAGAN: Right.

HILFIGER: His wife is much younger. But not substantially younger. They are ageless. They are icons. They are a diverse couple. They are rock 'n' roll and fashion combined. And that's really the whole idea the whole inspiration behind this line.

KAGAN: So you're going to tell me when you were sitting in the meetings with the ad agencies and marketers, someone didn't say, David Bowie, too old.

HILFIGER: I knew exactly what I wanted to portray. As a matter of fact, we just signed Beyonce to be the face of our fragrance, which is a little bit younger. And the idea of having celebrities behind your brand is very powerful because people look up to celebrities. Especially people with clean records and people who have great ageless style. Like David and Iman.

KAGAN: Let's talk about the pressure of constantly having to reinvent yourself, particularly in the fashion business.

HILFIGER: That's really the challenge. That makes it exciting. If I had to do the same thing every day, I'd be very bored. So I need to do that. I have to continually come up with new ideas, and even taking the show on the road is a new idea. We

have fashion shows in New York or London or some designers, Milan and Paris. But I've decided to take it out to the public, take it on the road, and really reach and touch the consumers. KAGAN: There's the challenge of the creative challenge. There's also the business side of it. I was doing a little research and found a "New York times" article from last year. "Most analysts say that the Hilfiger brand has peaked. Its brand is already mature most of it is sold in department stores and department stores aren't doing really well."

You had this incredible success. Reached the top of the fashion industry and yet do you feel like the other brand was going down so you have to just, by the need of just staying alive reinvent yourself?

HILFIGER: I felt a plateauing to the business because we have so much invested in casual wear. We've taken it globally. It has plateaued somewhat. So I decided in order to get growth into the company, I would invent something new and I've created this collection called "H" Hilfiger. It's in the stores now. It's doing extremely well, and I've never done dressy clothes.

KAGAN: It's a whole new thing for you?

HILFIGER: It's a whole new thing. People are responding so well. But at the same time it's rejuvenated my casual business, believe it or not. And it's sold more jeans. It's sold more chinos, athletic wear.

And I think every once in awhile an artist or designer has to come up with something new in order to put a halo over the brand, as we say or call more attention to what they are doing so well. We have been in business almost 20 years. And we've been so known for casual. This is just a brand new pioneering for us, and it's really working well.

KAGAN: So give us some insight on the personal part of that journey, 20 years into it. It is as fun to be on top and stay on top or was the climb going up the ladder more fun?

HILFIGER: It's a challenge either way. Going up the ladder, you think you can do no wrong and then all of a sudden you hit a stumbling block and realize there's a lot of competition around you, especially in this business. When I how competition was surrounding me and how much competition decided to copy what i was doing, I decided to zig when they were zagging. So I decided to leapfrog them and go ahead, which is what we've done with this more luxurious look.

KAGAN: And it's called "H." When will consumers see it in the stores?

HILFIGER: It's in the stores right now. It's in all the Macy's stores, Federated stores, Bloomingdale's coast to coast and literally world wide. I'm going on tour in India from here. We're opening stores in China; we have them all over Europe. We have them in Southeast Asia, in Japan.

KAGAN: That's why you like hanging out with rock stars like David Bowie because you're on tour yourself. A fashion rock star.

HILFIGER: You cross in the night.

KAGAN: Good luck with the new line. It's called "H," going after a new targeted demographic. Tommy Hilfiger, Thanks for stopping by.

HILFIGER: Great to be here.

KAGAN: We want to know, we're talking about sleeping. This man, he clearly does not sleep a lot because he's so busy this is clearing a man who doesn't sleep a lot because he's so busy. We have a sleep expert coming on. Send us your e-mail questions. We'll help you with your beauty rest.

And blossoms are in bloom. They might last a little longer than usual, a check of the weather. We'll check the cherry blossoms in D.C. as well.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: For many in the nation's capital, you might say life is like a bowl of cherries or cherry blossoms. The famous cherry trees are expected to be in full bloom today the awesome blossom of pink and white will continue for another week. Several thousand cherry trees form a frame around the Jefferson memorial. If you don't know the story, back in 1912 Japan gave the United States the trees as a token of friendship

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: What keeps you up at night? Our sleep doctor wants to know. Send us your questions, LiveToday@cnn.com. The doctor will be in the house shortly with your answers.

If you are fed up with the rising price at the pump, stick around. We have an expert with tips on how to keep your costs down.

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 March 31, 2004 - 10:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We are getting word here to CNN through wire reports of reports of another bombing with casualties in Uzbekistan in the capital of Tashkent. This would follow a weeklong series of bombings. Uzbekistan is significant because it's been a close ally of the U.S. in war on terrorism, also serving as a launching pad for operations into Afghanistan. Once again, getting word of more violence, a fourth day of violence in the capital of Uzbekistan of Tashkent. More on that just ahead as that information becomes available.
Also looking at other top stories.

Witnesses describing a grisly attack in Fallujah, the heart of Iraq's Sunni Triangle and a hotbed of insurgent activity. Two cars reportedly came under grenade attack and the assailants sprayed the vehicles with bullet. Four civilian contractors were killed and witnesses say crowds dragged at least one body through the street.

Also today near Fallujah, five U.S. soldiers died when their vehicle ran over a bomb. An Army spokesman says the improvised explosive device they hit was very large. With their deaths, 600 U.S. military personnel have now died in Iraq.

Here in the U.S., five women have filed a lawsuit against the Hooter's restaurant chain. They say they were secretly videotaped as they changed into skimpy waitress outfits, while applying for jobs. Celebrity attorney Gloria Allred is handling the case saying the chain failed to properly supervise the manager of the suburban Los Angeles restaurant. The manager no longer works there and denies those charges.

The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a sexual harassment case that considers whether quitting under duress is the same as being fired and therefore entitled to the same protection under the law. At issue is a woman who worked for the Pennsylvania State Police. She says male co-workers sexually harassed her until she felt forced to quit.

The Bush administration has just wrapped up its informal briefing in the day. Our White House correspondent Dana Bash is there checking in and bringing us the latest. Dana, it was this time yesterday there was some very big news about Condoleezza Rice.

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: It was this time yesterday, and in just the in the past 24 hours the White House and commission have been trying to work out the details of when exactly that testimony will take place. It will likely be mid to late next week.

But the White House is making it very clear this morning through the spokesman they want her to testify as soon as possible. Clearly, Daryn, they want to get this over and done with and close this chapter once and for all.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GEORGE W. BUSH PRESIDENT UNITED STATES: Dr. Rice will participate in an open public hearing.

BASH (voice-over): The President told aides he had to now find a way to let Condoleezza Rice appear before the 9/11 Commission because the process, he said, was getting in the way of the substance. Process often euphemism for politics.

JAMES THOMPSON, 9/11 COMMITTEE MEMBER: Which is true?

BASH: Even from sometimes helpful Republican commission members, a drum beat of pressure.

THOMPSON: The commission has voted unanimously to ask Dr. Rice to appear.

JOHN LEHMAN, 9/11 COMMITTEE MEMBER: The White House is making a political blunder, an important miscalculation of the political impact of this.

SCOTT REED, REPUBLICAN CONSULTANT: This was a classic instance of, this was boiling and gaining more momentum, and the White House recognized it's time to do something about it and shut this down.

BASH: The latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll shows the President's overall approval up. But there were danger signs for Mr. Bush. Fifty-three percent of Americans said they think the Bush administration is covering up how it handled intelligence information before 9/11. And 53 percent also believed the president has misled the public for political reasons. This for a commander in chief whose reelection theme is strength in leadership against terrorism.

Democrats saw the opening and were mounting a Senate floor offensive to pressure Dr. Rice just as the White House changed course. They quickly claimed victory, even if they may have lost one election year issue.

SEN. TOM DASCHLE (D-SD), MINORITY LEADER: Well, it wasn't only good politics. I think it is a good policy. I don't think in this case they had any choice but to do what the American people are clamoring for.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BASH: Now some Republican strategists argued that it was important maybe to hold off on Dr. Rice testifying saying that Democrats were likely to overplay their hand and look like they were the ones politicizing this issue. But here at the White House, Bush officials privately said they wanted to end this, diffuse the situation and move on.

KAGAN: There were actually two announcements yesterday, one about Condoleezza's testimony the other more detailed about how President Bush and Vice President Cheney will appear before the commission. Any new details on that, Dana?

BASH: We still don't have a time and place for that. They are still trying to work that out. That was an interesting development yesterday that the two of them, first of all, would be meeting jointly, as we discussed at this time yesterday with the commission.

But also that the White House reverse course on that issue, deciding not just to meet with the chair and vice chair, but to meet with all 10 commissioners and to give them the White House saying now, as much time as possible -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Dana Bash at the White House.

Washington's new weapons inspector says there is new information, if not evidence in the search for forbidden arsenals in Iraq. The man testified behind closed doors on Capitol Hill yesterday and spoke exclusively to national security correspondent David Ensor.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Just back from his first six weeks on the job in Iraq, Charles Duelfer, the CIA's new man in charge of looking for weapons of mass destruction, says, although nothing has been found yet, he does not rule out finding weapons.

CHARLES DUELFER, CIA CHIEF WEAPONS INSPECTOR: We continue to receive reports almost on a daily basis of hidden weapons, hidden materials, which we have to investigate.

ENSOR: Duelfer told senators he has found more evidence Saddam Hussein's regime had civilian factories able to quickly produce chemical and biological weapons, but he said most Iraqi scientists and engineers are afraid to tell what they know.

DUELFER: There is a fear that if they are seen to be cooperating with the United States and its coalition partners, the regime elements may secret retribution on them. There's enormous reluctance on the part of scientists to come forward. This is more akin to a homicide investigation than a search to find existing weapon.

ENSOR: Duelfer, who was deputy director of the U.N.'s effort to find weapons in Iraq in the '90s said the U.S. occupation has made the job harder, not easier.

DUELFER: I've got a lot of armored cars which are riddled with bullet holes that our inspectors were in. Were they not armored, these people would be injured or dead.

ENSOR: One senior senator in the room for Duelfer's closed door testimony says after looking at the unclassified version put out in public by the CIA, that he is troubled.

SEN. CARL LEVIN (D), MICHIGAN: Again the CIA is taking a mistake in having its public statements different in tone in a significant way from its underlying classified documents.

DUELFER: It may simply be that in the process of declassification, something is lost. But certainly it is not my intent to show, you know, a different version in the public as opposed to the classified version.

ENSOR (on camera): Charles Duelfer is heading back to Baghdad soon, which he says will be a relief after the intense political atmosphere in Washington. Only half joking, he said, it's safer in Baghdad.

David Ensor, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Let's check in on the Tyco trial. Jurors are back to ponder the fate of former executives Dennis Kozlowski and Mark Swartz. Allen Chernoff of CNN Financial News following that case again for us from New York City. Let me guess. Another motion for a mistrial?

ALLEN CHERNOFF, CNNfn CORRESPONDENT: Well, we still actually haven't heard from the judge on yesterday's motion for a mistrial. So that right now is on hold. But it does appear the jury is back at work, and it appears the jury is moving past the controversy surrounding juror number four, who has been the apparent holdout.

Right now the jury is listening to a read back of testimony from defendant Mark Swartz, the former chief financial officer at Tyco. He and Dennis Kozlowski had received $84 million in bonuses and his testimony is focusing on those bonuses. Swartz and Kozlowski have claimed that the board of directors at Tyco had approved these bonuses, but there is no specific documentation of that.

On the witness stand, Swartz says Kozlowski told him the former head of the compensation committee at Tyco, Phil Hampton, had given his OK for these bonuses, but Mr. Hampton died back in April of 2001.

Prosecutors are hoping the longer this goes on, the better it all appears for their side, the better chance they have of getting a conviction. And clearly the tension in the courtroom is rising. Mr. Kozlowski's wife Karen Mayo was reading a prayer just before the jury walked in.

KAGAN: Allen Chernoff in New York, we'll be checking back with you.

You can call it an Amish paradise.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Can't have a car, but can have bicycles and that's all we need around here. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Coming up, a look at the simple life on vacation.

And bringing you a fashion paradise. Designer Tommy Hilfiger joins us for a firsthand look at his new clothing line, he calls it "H."

(COMMERCIAL REPORT)

KAGAN: "Across America" now. In a Texas city southeast of Houston, firefighters have contained this blaze at a British Petroleum oil refinery. It's not clear what sparked the explosion. All the workers are accounted for and there are no injuries. It comes at a time when gas prices are at a record high.

In Kansas, criminal records are just a mouse click away. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has created an online database of court convictions dating back to 1939. A KBI spokesman says the service speed up public access and frees up agency employees. The agency gets thousands of requests each year for data. The cost, $17.50 per search.

Liberals are launching an air war of sorts today with the debut of "Air America," the first network with a proclaimed lean to the left. Comedian-author Al Franken will host a talk show in a couple of hours meant to counterbalance rush hour and conservative talk.

Straight ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY we'll chat with Tommy Hilfiger who is here with us looking dapper. And he has his new brand called "H."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Express yourself with flirty fashions. It's spring. It means it's time to start up serious fashion flings.

Who better than Tommy Hilfiger to talk about his new line collided and also an ad campaign featuring some pretty big names. So "H."

TOMMY HILFIGER, FASHION DESIGNER: "H," Hilfiger.

KAGAN: I figured out that much. What does it represent and what are you trying to do with this line?

HILFIGER: I've been known for very casual clothes for a long time, red white and blue casual wear. I decided it was time to dress up. Get my customers into a more sophisticated, more refined, more luxurious look.

KAGAN: You're going after the same customer?

HILFIGER: Same and a little bit older. KAGAN: I think we have we're showing some pictures of some of the new line. Tell us how it's different than the regular Tommy stuff we're used to seeing.

HILFIGER: It's more refined. More luxurious, more grown up and something you could actually wear on the show something you could wear

KAGAN: So you're saying I'm older than your typical targeted demographic.

HILFIGER: Well, if you look at my demographics, they range from infants to 75-year-old golfers. So I would say you are in the middle.

KAGAN: OK.

HILFIGER: And I think that a woman like you could wear it to work and wear it out in the evening. Men can wear it to work. You can really mix it up as well. So it's not a full look head to toe that is being dictated by a designer.

KAGAN: Interesting choice of celebrities that you picked to endorse this. David Bowie and his wife will be a big part of the ad campaign you'll see in the magazines over the next month. Everything seems so youth obsessed right now. David Bowie is a huge star.

HILFIGER: But David Bowie is over 55.

KAGAN: Right.

HILFIGER: His wife is much younger. But not substantially younger. They are ageless. They are icons. They are a diverse couple. They are rock 'n' roll and fashion combined. And that's really the whole idea the whole inspiration behind this line.

KAGAN: So you're going to tell me when you were sitting in the meetings with the ad agencies and marketers, someone didn't say, David Bowie, too old.

HILFIGER: I knew exactly what I wanted to portray. As a matter of fact, we just signed Beyonce to be the face of our fragrance, which is a little bit younger. And the idea of having celebrities behind your brand is very powerful because people look up to celebrities. Especially people with clean records and people who have great ageless style. Like David and Iman.

KAGAN: Let's talk about the pressure of constantly having to reinvent yourself, particularly in the fashion business.

HILFIGER: That's really the challenge. That makes it exciting. If I had to do the same thing every day, I'd be very bored. So I need to do that. I have to continually come up with new ideas, and even taking the show on the road is a new idea. We

have fashion shows in New York or London or some designers, Milan and Paris. But I've decided to take it out to the public, take it on the road, and really reach and touch the consumers. KAGAN: There's the challenge of the creative challenge. There's also the business side of it. I was doing a little research and found a "New York times" article from last year. "Most analysts say that the Hilfiger brand has peaked. Its brand is already mature most of it is sold in department stores and department stores aren't doing really well."

You had this incredible success. Reached the top of the fashion industry and yet do you feel like the other brand was going down so you have to just, by the need of just staying alive reinvent yourself?

HILFIGER: I felt a plateauing to the business because we have so much invested in casual wear. We've taken it globally. It has plateaued somewhat. So I decided in order to get growth into the company, I would invent something new and I've created this collection called "H" Hilfiger. It's in the stores now. It's doing extremely well, and I've never done dressy clothes.

KAGAN: It's a whole new thing for you?

HILFIGER: It's a whole new thing. People are responding so well. But at the same time it's rejuvenated my casual business, believe it or not. And it's sold more jeans. It's sold more chinos, athletic wear.

And I think every once in awhile an artist or designer has to come up with something new in order to put a halo over the brand, as we say or call more attention to what they are doing so well. We have been in business almost 20 years. And we've been so known for casual. This is just a brand new pioneering for us, and it's really working well.

KAGAN: So give us some insight on the personal part of that journey, 20 years into it. It is as fun to be on top and stay on top or was the climb going up the ladder more fun?

HILFIGER: It's a challenge either way. Going up the ladder, you think you can do no wrong and then all of a sudden you hit a stumbling block and realize there's a lot of competition around you, especially in this business. When I how competition was surrounding me and how much competition decided to copy what i was doing, I decided to zig when they were zagging. So I decided to leapfrog them and go ahead, which is what we've done with this more luxurious look.

KAGAN: And it's called "H." When will consumers see it in the stores?

HILFIGER: It's in the stores right now. It's in all the Macy's stores, Federated stores, Bloomingdale's coast to coast and literally world wide. I'm going on tour in India from here. We're opening stores in China; we have them all over Europe. We have them in Southeast Asia, in Japan.

KAGAN: That's why you like hanging out with rock stars like David Bowie because you're on tour yourself. A fashion rock star.

HILFIGER: You cross in the night.

KAGAN: Good luck with the new line. It's called "H," going after a new targeted demographic. Tommy Hilfiger, Thanks for stopping by.

HILFIGER: Great to be here.

KAGAN: We want to know, we're talking about sleeping. This man, he clearly does not sleep a lot because he's so busy this is clearing a man who doesn't sleep a lot because he's so busy. We have a sleep expert coming on. Send us your e-mail questions. We'll help you with your beauty rest.

And blossoms are in bloom. They might last a little longer than usual, a check of the weather. We'll check the cherry blossoms in D.C. as well.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: For many in the nation's capital, you might say life is like a bowl of cherries or cherry blossoms. The famous cherry trees are expected to be in full bloom today the awesome blossom of pink and white will continue for another week. Several thousand cherry trees form a frame around the Jefferson memorial. If you don't know the story, back in 1912 Japan gave the United States the trees as a token of friendship

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: What keeps you up at night? Our sleep doctor wants to know. Send us your questions, LiveToday@cnn.com. The doctor will be in the house shortly with your answers.

If you are fed up with the rising price at the pump, stick around. We have an expert with tips on how to keep your costs down.

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