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American Morning
President Bush Showing Unwavering Support for Donald Rumsfeld; Basketball Star Kobe Bryant Back in Colorado For Another Hearing
Aired May 10, 2004 - 08:00 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.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN broadcast center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
Welcome back, everybody.
Just after eight o'clock here in New York.
This morning, we are talking with "Time" magazine's senior foreign correspondent. Her name is Johanna McGeary. And "Time," of course, taking an extensive look at the Iraqi prisoner abuse story this week, uncovered information about possible abuse beyond Abu Ghraib Prison and also suggestions that the FBI may have also known what was going on. We're going to talk with her about that.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: And some intriguing elements, too, in that article about how Secretary Rumsfeld is taking all this, too. So just minutes away on that.
Kobe Bryant's back in Colorado, another hearing today, expected to speak in court for just the second time. We'll get a full report on that and also looking at how the trial proceedings are expected to unfold. It could be an intriguing week there in Eagle, Colorado.
O'BRIEN: Mr. Cafferty, hello.
Did you miss me last week?
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, I did.
Yes, I did.
O'BRIEN: That's the right answer even if it's not true.
CAFFERTY: What am I supposed to say? No, we didn't miss you. There are no openings on the "Today Show." I've got to say yes, I missed you.
Just kidding.
Coming up in the Cafferty File, sick and tired of taking a lot of crap from people at work? Well, we're going to offer up an idea for a career change.
And in the interests of helping my good friend on my immediate right, who is carrying twins, we are going to look at some possibilities for names for those little gremlins when they get here.
O'BRIEN: Oh, I need help with that.
HEMMER: I thought we decided on Jack and Bill.
CAFFERTY: Well, besides those two names.
O'BRIEN: No, you all decided on Jack and Bill.
CAFFERTY: You mean you're not going to name them Jack and Bill?
O'BRIEN: I haven't said anything. You'll know when you know.
HEMMER: After such a fine compliment, I just figured she would return it.
CAFFERTY: I know. Well, we'll see.
O'BRIEN: Well, uh-nnh.
CAFFERTY: We have some ideas for you.
HEMMER: Top stories here at the top of the hour.
Welcome back, by the way, too.
O'BRIEN: Thank you.
HEMMER: Great to have you back here.
From Iraq, let's start. Radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr reportedly ordering his militia to spread out and battle against U.S. troops. One of al-Sadr's offices was destroyed in a U.S. air strike overnight. About 19 of his supporters were killed there.
Meanwhile, U.S. Marines and a new Iraqi security corps patrolling the streets of Fallujah together. Military officials say the corps may have better luck persuading insurgents to disarm.
More fallout from the Iraq prisoner scandal. A.P. reporting that soldiers from the Army's 800th Military Police Bridge will not receive the Army Bronze Medal. The Brigade operated U.S. prisons in Iraq, including the Abu Ghraib facility. The Bronze Star denotes heroism, outstanding achievement or meritorious service.
Police in the Philippines say today's voting day has been largely peaceful and quiet, a change from the month leading up to the national elections, when about 100 people were killed or injured. The incumbent president, Gloria Arroyo, has been in the tight race with the main challenger, film star Fernando Poe. Official results due next month, but early tallies are expected within hours in the Philippines.
A sports note, L.A. playoffs, the L.A. Lakers squashing the two time NBA champ San Antonio Spurs 105-81. That's a change from the first two games when the Spurs beat the Lakers two-zip. Shaquille O'Neal dominated, 28 points. Kobe Bryant chipped in 22. Spurs center Tim Duncan held only 10 points, but made only four of 14 shots. The Spurs leading the Western Conference semifinals two games to one game before tomorrow night in L.A. at the Staples Center.
Also, the Nets won last night, too, over Detroit, their first victory in that series. Two-one Detroit leads there.
O'BRIEN: Thank you very much.
HEMMER: There you go.
(WEATHER REPORT)
O'BRIEN: Well, President Bush is showing unwavering support for his defense secretary, Donald Rumsfeld. That even as Rumsfeld is coming under increasing scrutiny from congressional law makers and as more photos of alleged instances of abuse come to light.
White House correspondent Dana Bash now with details -- Dana, good morning.
DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.
And the White House spent all weekend trying to send strong signals of support for Donald Rumsfeld. That included a rare call from the vice president's office, issuing a statement of strong solidarity. And the president will be able to show his support later today, about two and a half hours from now, for the defense secretary. He is going for a previously scheduled briefing at the Pentagon. He will appear before the cameras with Rumsfeld and he'll also get a private briefing on Iraq. That, of course, no doubt will be dominated by the Iraqi prisoner abuse issue.
Now, the White House is emboldened by the fact that no Republican has outright called for Rumsfeld's resignation, but at least one did make clear that he's reserving judgment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. CHUCK HAGEL (R-NB), FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: I think they have made major mistakes and we will see how far this goes and where it goes. But, yes, I think it's still in question whether Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld and, quite frankly, General Myers, can command the respect and the trust and the confidence of the military and the American people to lead this country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BASH: Meanwhile, there are intense internal discussions here at the White House about what to do about those remaining pictures and even the video that apparently exists of these abuses. The issue is whether or not these will actually be leaked. Officials here say that they fully expect these remaining pictures, more them, to be leaked. So whether or not -- the question is whether or not to get out ahead of these things, to release them and show transparency or not, because another big issue, a big potential problem, is what this could do to jeopardize any criminal inquiry. These are all discussions and discussions that they're having here at the White House and a final decision will have to be made by the president himself -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Lots of questions there.
Dana Bash for us at the White House this morning.
Dana, thanks.
BASH: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: Bill.
HEMMER: Soledad, some members of Congress this week will review in private more photos of alleged U.S. abuse of Iraqi prisoners. There's also apparently a videotape of alleged abuses on the tape.
"Time" magazine reports that the Pentagon may want Congress to see its first.
In its cover story on newsstands today, "Time" also reports that Secretary Rumsfeld is more shaken over this scandal than in previous crises.
"Time" senior correspondent Johanna McGeary is our guest here.
Good morning to you, Johanna.
JOHANNA MCGEARY, SENIOR FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT, "TIME" MAGAZINE: Good morning.
HEMMER: Nice to see you.
The first issue here with Secretary Rumsfeld more shaken than before, what have you learned about this?
MCGEARY: Well, people who know him say that he is not a man given to self-doubt. He's not a guy who questions decisions he's made or who is very introspective about his own personal role in things. He's usually quite confident about what he's done. But they say this has really been a blow to him and that he is seriously concerned about what's happened and what's going to happen to him.
HEMMER: Tell me specifically about this issue, why is this getting a different reaction from him than other cases?
MCGEARY: Well, it's hard to know. But in part it's probably because he didn't pay enough attention to what was happening and instead of letting people know this was going to break, he kept it quiet when he should have known.
HEMMER: What's your reporting -- if you even know the answer to this question -- as to why the White House was not out in front of this, or even the Pentagon, for that matter? Why they, in the words of Senator Joseph Biden, used such poor judgment in gauging the potential for the reaction on behalf of just -- not just the American people, but people around the world?
MCGEARY: I think that's the question everybody's asking. I mean they knew about this from January. They certainly knew the details by the beginning of March and yet nobody seemed to have been on the ball. All you have to do is look at the pictures once to know this was going to be an incredible scandal, and they didn't.
HEMMER: There are rumors about this videotape. It may or may be released to the public eventually.
Do you have any indication as to what's on it?
MCGEARY: I don't know what's on the videotape. There's certainly been allegations that these things concern charges like rape. There might be photographs of people who have died. But we really don't know yet. And I'm sure they're going to leak out, so we'll see soon enough.
HEMMER: There are, there's a strong consideration to giving compensation for the Iraqi prisoners who were involved in this.
What's been the reaction not just from the Pentagon, but also from overseas regarding that?
MCGEARY: Well, it's hard to know at this point. Certainly it is traditional in Arab societies to pay money for crimes that are committed against people. But whether that's going to work or not at this point, I don't know.
HEMMER: How much greater could this grow?
MCGEARY: Oh, it's really hard to tell. You know, when Rumsfeld was on the Hill on Friday and they talked about thousands more photographs, that suggests it's more than seven people involved. So it could get bigger.
HEMMER: Johanna McGeary from "Time," thanks.
MCGEARY: You're welcome.
HEMMER: It's on newsstands today.
Appreciate talking to you -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Basketball star Kobe Bryant back in Colorado this morning for another hearing in his sexual assault case. He may be formally arraigned as early as tomorrow.
Adrian Baschuk has this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ADRIAN BASCHUK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Kobe Bryant will be arraigned this week and will stand before the court to declare he is not guilty.
LARRY POZNER, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: The judge must set a trial within six months of the arraignment. But that isn't in stone.
BASCHUK: Variables persist. Will Judge Terry Ruckriegle rule in favor of the defense's motion challenging Colorado's rape shield law? The defense wants parts of the accuser's sexual past submitted as trial evidence.
Also, will the judge rule statements Kobe Bryant made to police be sealed and never heard by a jury?
POZNER: Here's what we can say. Anything the defense wins is weakening the prosecution case.
BASCHUK: The prosecution scored a prior victory when the judge ordered the alleged victim's medical records sealed. But this week, he re-examines the decision and conducts hearings on whether evidence can be submitted that Kobe Bryant's accuser allegedly attempted suicide twice in 2003 and whether or not she has a history of drug abuse.
CRAIG SILVERMAN, FORMER DENVER DEPUTY D.A.: There are a lot of witnesses that the defense has lined up through a solid investigation who will testify about alleged drug and alcohol problems. Is that relevant or is it just character assassination?
BASCHUK: The judge will address another tough question -- whether or not the accuser can continue to be referred as a "victim" in open court proceedings by the prosecution.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BASCHUK: Now, there are 10 items scheduled for this week's court docket. And following with the slow tenor of this case thus far, Bryant's arraignment is the last item to go before the court -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Adrian Baschuk for us this morning.
Adrian, thanks.
HEMMER: In a moment here, three separate and segregated proms for one high school class. How do the students there feel about it? We'll check in.
O'BRIEN: Also, it was a very special Mother's Day for the Thomas Hamill family. We take you live to his hometown just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: After spending three weeks as an Iraqi hostage, Thomas Hamill is adjusting to freedom and his family. Hamill returned home Saturday to Macon, Mississippi and spoke publicly for the first time about his ordeal.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) THOMAS HAMILL, FORMER HOSTAGE IN IRAQ: I'm thankful for all this support. It's overwhelming. But there are still men and women, civilian and military that are in the Middle East that are in harm's way. They are all heroes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: Hamill says he doesn't see himself as a hero. The 44- year-old civilian contractor was kidnapped by Iraqi insurgents but managed to escape.
Dorothy Baker Hines is the mayor of Macon, Mississippi, also a family friend, and she joins us this morning from Macon to talk a little bit about the Hamill homecoming.
Nice to see you, ma'am.
Thanks for being with us. MAYOR DOROTHY BAKER HINES, MACON, MISSISSIPPI: Yes, ma'am, it's nice to be here.
O'BRIEN: Well, thank you.
I know that Thomas Hamill had said that he really wanted to play down any celebrations and spend some quiet time with his family.
What exactly are the family's plans right now?
BAKER HINES: Well, I think basically they still just want to, you know, spend some time together and so we're going to respect their wishes. You know, in fact, this weekend I tried to spend a little time with my family, too, because I had not been able, you know, to be with my family. So I really understand. Of course, I know his predicament. You know, it was -- you can't compare it to anything.
But, you know, we're just thankful and grateful that he's home and we just know that his family, you know, wants to be with him and have some good, private time. So we're going to respect those wishes here at the city.
O'BRIEN: That's good to hear.
News of his escape, of course, came at a time when there was so much other bad news, and continues to be, coming out of Iraq. Thomas Hamill, though, we heard say, you know, I'm not a hero.
Are you surprised when you hear him say that?
BAKER HINES: Oh, no ma'am. He's a very humble, private man and, you know, I knew that kind of in the beginning. But, you know, to his family, he's a hero. You know, he went over there to try to help the people in the Middle East and his family. So, you know, to his family, he's a hero and, you know, here we still, though, we're like him, we want to give all the praise and glory to the lord, because he's the reason Tommy Hamill is home today.
O'BRIEN: Macon, of course, a pretty small town. I think the population is something like 2,500 folks.
How have you dealt with the giant media spotlight that has been focused on Macon over the last many, many weeks?
BAKER HINES: It's been a little, you know, it's been very different. It's nothing that, you know, we haven't been used to anything like that. But I think our citizens and everyone has, you know, we've tried to cooperate and we appreciate the media because without y'all, our story wouldn't have gotten out. And we've had so many people all over the United States and the world to, you know, rally around this family with us. They've prayed. They've sent cards, letters, donations.
It's been wonderful and I'm sure, you know, Tommy said he's overwhelmed. This mayor has been overwhelmed, too. But I'll tell you, it's wonderful to see all the people that are out there that really care about this little town and about Mr. Hamill.
O'BRIEN: Yes, that is -- has been really nice to see, hasn't it?
BAKER HINES: Yes, it has.
O'BRIEN: I know that Tommy Hamill said that he wanted first and foremost to hug his two kids when he got home.
But what about more down the road in the future? A book deal? A movie deal? These are all things that are being talked about.
Are those possibilities, do you think?
BAKER HINES: Well, yes, ma'am, I'm sure there are. You know, Miss. Lynch, you know, with her story, and then, of course, you know, the family has got the P.R. person that was a -- that helped Miss. Lynch. And I just wish the best for the family. You know, he does have a story to tell and, you know, we're just, we'll be there supporting him and do anything we can to help him in his -- you know, because I'm sure, like I said, it's overwhelming to him and I know it is to us here.
So, I just, you know, I know he's going to make the right decisions for his family that, you know, him going over there to begin with shows that he's going to put his family first. So like I said, we'll support him in any decisions he makes and we'll help him in any way we can.
O'BRIEN: Mayor Hines, we thank you so much for your time this morning.
We sure appreciate it.
Good luck to all of you there.
BAKER HINES: Well, thank you, ma'am.
Y'all have a good day.
O'BRIEN: And likewise.
Thank you -- Bill.
HEMMER: I certainly will.
A nice story.
Thanks.
A German teenager is being investigated on suspicion of computer sabotage. The teen, arrested late last week, has confessed to creating the so-called Sasser worm, which has infected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide. That worm raced around the world last week, exploiting a flaw in Microsoft's Windows operating system.
In a search of the suspect's home, German investigators confiscated his customized computer, which contained the Sasser worm's source code. The suspect could face up to five years in prison.
In a moment here, the female soldier in the now infamous photo showing her holding an Iraqi prisoner on a leash. Her lawyers explain why they think this photo is staged.
Back in a moment on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: All righty, back to Jack -- the Question of the Day.
CAFFERTY: What a way to start a week, just start stalking politics and religion and, you know, it just gets it going.
The Roman Catholic Church opposes abortion. Democrats have historically supported a woman's right to choose to have an abortion. So the dilemma for Senator John Kerry is that he's a Catholic and a Democrat and there are bishops in this country who are suggesting they might refuse to administer communion to a person of Mr. Kerry's stature because he supports a woman's right to choose on abortion.
And that's the question of the day -- is it right for -- should John Kerry be able to support abortion rights and still get communion from the Catholic Church?
Getting lots and lots of mail, starting with Jim: "The church has every right and responsibility to refuse the sacraments to a member who publicly refuses to obey the rules. He has to make a choice to either run for president as an abiding Catholic or abandon his faith and run."
Miami, Florida, Mary writes: "If the church can give communion to priests who molest little boys behind the altar, then they can surely give it to a politician who has a few different opinions than the church. A U.S. president does not take orders from the Vatican and the Catholic Church has no right to try to manipulate our choices and issues here." Carrie in Warren, Pennsylvania writes: "You can't tell me John Kerry is the only Catholic that supports a woman's right to choose. He may, however, be one of the few who has the whatchamacallits to say it in a public forum."
HEMMER: Guts.
CAFFERTY: Guts is a good word. "Punish -- " that's not the word they used, but guts is good, thank you.
HEMMER: No, I'm aware of that.
CAFFERTY: Yes. "Punish him for being honest? I think not."
Darlene in Naples, Florida: "The Catholic Church choosing to refuse to give communion to those parishioners that openly choose to support abortion is ridiculous. The Catholic Church needs to turn their heads on this issue, as they chose to do with the molestation cases."
And John in Toronto: "Surely John Kerry should be allowed to have two positions on this important issue, two -- an I'm for it but I'm against it position, like he has with the war, taxes, Vietnam veterans and gay marriage. That would undoubtedly satisfy the Vatican, CNN and maybe the American voter."
So you're...
O'BRIEN: I'm glad we made the list.
CAFFERTY: ... there in rare form this morning. Yes.
O'BRIEN: The Vatican, CNN and the American voter.
But don't Catholic -- American Catholics as a whole really go a varied bunch of response to the abortion, their personal opinions on abortion? I mean and it's not like the church sort of says well, only those who can get communion today are the ones who support...
CAFFERTY: Well, I suppose technically it would apply to anybody that they knew had a position supporting a woman's right to choose.
HEMMER: Yes, but for years Catholics overwhelming were Democratic.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
HEMMER: And in the past decade or two they've gotten away from that. They're almost pretty much evenly split, I believe, between the Democratic and Republican side.
A quick thought on this. When JFK ran for president in 1960, 44 years ago, religion was a centerpiece of his campaign.
CAFFERTY: Well, it was...
HEMMER: There was a heavy, intense focus.
CAFFERTY: There...
HEMMER: And I think 44 years later, the country's come pretty far. This case, the question of religion with Kerry has not dominated his campaign to this point, like it did four decades ago.
O'BRIEN: To this point. But now it is.
CAFFERTY: Well, and no Catholic had ever been elected president until John Kennedy ran.
HEMMER: That's right.
CAFFERTY: And it was a huge question mark in that campaign, whether or not it would work as a liability against his being attractive enough to enough voters to win the office.
HEMMER: That's right.
O'BRIEN: They're rolling the music. You know what that means?
CAFFERTY: It means it's time for us to get the hell out of here for the (COMMERCIAL BREAK)s.
O'BRIEN: Time to move on.
Still to come this morning, the high school that had three proms.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They may not tell you anything, but they look at you like from head to toe and, you know, and I mean there's a violent comment, you know, a racist comment, oh, you know, they'll just look at you really bad and probably say some sort of comment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: A student body that's divided three ways. Is it about pride in their own race or prejudice against others? We'll explain on AMERICAN MORNING.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired May 10, 2004 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN broadcast center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
Welcome back, everybody.
Just after eight o'clock here in New York.
This morning, we are talking with "Time" magazine's senior foreign correspondent. Her name is Johanna McGeary. And "Time," of course, taking an extensive look at the Iraqi prisoner abuse story this week, uncovered information about possible abuse beyond Abu Ghraib Prison and also suggestions that the FBI may have also known what was going on. We're going to talk with her about that.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: And some intriguing elements, too, in that article about how Secretary Rumsfeld is taking all this, too. So just minutes away on that.
Kobe Bryant's back in Colorado, another hearing today, expected to speak in court for just the second time. We'll get a full report on that and also looking at how the trial proceedings are expected to unfold. It could be an intriguing week there in Eagle, Colorado.
O'BRIEN: Mr. Cafferty, hello.
Did you miss me last week?
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, I did.
Yes, I did.
O'BRIEN: That's the right answer even if it's not true.
CAFFERTY: What am I supposed to say? No, we didn't miss you. There are no openings on the "Today Show." I've got to say yes, I missed you.
Just kidding.
Coming up in the Cafferty File, sick and tired of taking a lot of crap from people at work? Well, we're going to offer up an idea for a career change.
And in the interests of helping my good friend on my immediate right, who is carrying twins, we are going to look at some possibilities for names for those little gremlins when they get here.
O'BRIEN: Oh, I need help with that.
HEMMER: I thought we decided on Jack and Bill.
CAFFERTY: Well, besides those two names.
O'BRIEN: No, you all decided on Jack and Bill.
CAFFERTY: You mean you're not going to name them Jack and Bill?
O'BRIEN: I haven't said anything. You'll know when you know.
HEMMER: After such a fine compliment, I just figured she would return it.
CAFFERTY: I know. Well, we'll see.
O'BRIEN: Well, uh-nnh.
CAFFERTY: We have some ideas for you.
HEMMER: Top stories here at the top of the hour.
Welcome back, by the way, too.
O'BRIEN: Thank you.
HEMMER: Great to have you back here.
From Iraq, let's start. Radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr reportedly ordering his militia to spread out and battle against U.S. troops. One of al-Sadr's offices was destroyed in a U.S. air strike overnight. About 19 of his supporters were killed there.
Meanwhile, U.S. Marines and a new Iraqi security corps patrolling the streets of Fallujah together. Military officials say the corps may have better luck persuading insurgents to disarm.
More fallout from the Iraq prisoner scandal. A.P. reporting that soldiers from the Army's 800th Military Police Bridge will not receive the Army Bronze Medal. The Brigade operated U.S. prisons in Iraq, including the Abu Ghraib facility. The Bronze Star denotes heroism, outstanding achievement or meritorious service.
Police in the Philippines say today's voting day has been largely peaceful and quiet, a change from the month leading up to the national elections, when about 100 people were killed or injured. The incumbent president, Gloria Arroyo, has been in the tight race with the main challenger, film star Fernando Poe. Official results due next month, but early tallies are expected within hours in the Philippines.
A sports note, L.A. playoffs, the L.A. Lakers squashing the two time NBA champ San Antonio Spurs 105-81. That's a change from the first two games when the Spurs beat the Lakers two-zip. Shaquille O'Neal dominated, 28 points. Kobe Bryant chipped in 22. Spurs center Tim Duncan held only 10 points, but made only four of 14 shots. The Spurs leading the Western Conference semifinals two games to one game before tomorrow night in L.A. at the Staples Center.
Also, the Nets won last night, too, over Detroit, their first victory in that series. Two-one Detroit leads there.
O'BRIEN: Thank you very much.
HEMMER: There you go.
(WEATHER REPORT)
O'BRIEN: Well, President Bush is showing unwavering support for his defense secretary, Donald Rumsfeld. That even as Rumsfeld is coming under increasing scrutiny from congressional law makers and as more photos of alleged instances of abuse come to light.
White House correspondent Dana Bash now with details -- Dana, good morning.
DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.
And the White House spent all weekend trying to send strong signals of support for Donald Rumsfeld. That included a rare call from the vice president's office, issuing a statement of strong solidarity. And the president will be able to show his support later today, about two and a half hours from now, for the defense secretary. He is going for a previously scheduled briefing at the Pentagon. He will appear before the cameras with Rumsfeld and he'll also get a private briefing on Iraq. That, of course, no doubt will be dominated by the Iraqi prisoner abuse issue.
Now, the White House is emboldened by the fact that no Republican has outright called for Rumsfeld's resignation, but at least one did make clear that he's reserving judgment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. CHUCK HAGEL (R-NB), FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: I think they have made major mistakes and we will see how far this goes and where it goes. But, yes, I think it's still in question whether Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld and, quite frankly, General Myers, can command the respect and the trust and the confidence of the military and the American people to lead this country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BASH: Meanwhile, there are intense internal discussions here at the White House about what to do about those remaining pictures and even the video that apparently exists of these abuses. The issue is whether or not these will actually be leaked. Officials here say that they fully expect these remaining pictures, more them, to be leaked. So whether or not -- the question is whether or not to get out ahead of these things, to release them and show transparency or not, because another big issue, a big potential problem, is what this could do to jeopardize any criminal inquiry. These are all discussions and discussions that they're having here at the White House and a final decision will have to be made by the president himself -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Lots of questions there.
Dana Bash for us at the White House this morning.
Dana, thanks.
BASH: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: Bill.
HEMMER: Soledad, some members of Congress this week will review in private more photos of alleged U.S. abuse of Iraqi prisoners. There's also apparently a videotape of alleged abuses on the tape.
"Time" magazine reports that the Pentagon may want Congress to see its first.
In its cover story on newsstands today, "Time" also reports that Secretary Rumsfeld is more shaken over this scandal than in previous crises.
"Time" senior correspondent Johanna McGeary is our guest here.
Good morning to you, Johanna.
JOHANNA MCGEARY, SENIOR FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT, "TIME" MAGAZINE: Good morning.
HEMMER: Nice to see you.
The first issue here with Secretary Rumsfeld more shaken than before, what have you learned about this?
MCGEARY: Well, people who know him say that he is not a man given to self-doubt. He's not a guy who questions decisions he's made or who is very introspective about his own personal role in things. He's usually quite confident about what he's done. But they say this has really been a blow to him and that he is seriously concerned about what's happened and what's going to happen to him.
HEMMER: Tell me specifically about this issue, why is this getting a different reaction from him than other cases?
MCGEARY: Well, it's hard to know. But in part it's probably because he didn't pay enough attention to what was happening and instead of letting people know this was going to break, he kept it quiet when he should have known.
HEMMER: What's your reporting -- if you even know the answer to this question -- as to why the White House was not out in front of this, or even the Pentagon, for that matter? Why they, in the words of Senator Joseph Biden, used such poor judgment in gauging the potential for the reaction on behalf of just -- not just the American people, but people around the world?
MCGEARY: I think that's the question everybody's asking. I mean they knew about this from January. They certainly knew the details by the beginning of March and yet nobody seemed to have been on the ball. All you have to do is look at the pictures once to know this was going to be an incredible scandal, and they didn't.
HEMMER: There are rumors about this videotape. It may or may be released to the public eventually.
Do you have any indication as to what's on it?
MCGEARY: I don't know what's on the videotape. There's certainly been allegations that these things concern charges like rape. There might be photographs of people who have died. But we really don't know yet. And I'm sure they're going to leak out, so we'll see soon enough.
HEMMER: There are, there's a strong consideration to giving compensation for the Iraqi prisoners who were involved in this.
What's been the reaction not just from the Pentagon, but also from overseas regarding that?
MCGEARY: Well, it's hard to know at this point. Certainly it is traditional in Arab societies to pay money for crimes that are committed against people. But whether that's going to work or not at this point, I don't know.
HEMMER: How much greater could this grow?
MCGEARY: Oh, it's really hard to tell. You know, when Rumsfeld was on the Hill on Friday and they talked about thousands more photographs, that suggests it's more than seven people involved. So it could get bigger.
HEMMER: Johanna McGeary from "Time," thanks.
MCGEARY: You're welcome.
HEMMER: It's on newsstands today.
Appreciate talking to you -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Basketball star Kobe Bryant back in Colorado this morning for another hearing in his sexual assault case. He may be formally arraigned as early as tomorrow.
Adrian Baschuk has this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ADRIAN BASCHUK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Kobe Bryant will be arraigned this week and will stand before the court to declare he is not guilty.
LARRY POZNER, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: The judge must set a trial within six months of the arraignment. But that isn't in stone.
BASCHUK: Variables persist. Will Judge Terry Ruckriegle rule in favor of the defense's motion challenging Colorado's rape shield law? The defense wants parts of the accuser's sexual past submitted as trial evidence.
Also, will the judge rule statements Kobe Bryant made to police be sealed and never heard by a jury?
POZNER: Here's what we can say. Anything the defense wins is weakening the prosecution case.
BASCHUK: The prosecution scored a prior victory when the judge ordered the alleged victim's medical records sealed. But this week, he re-examines the decision and conducts hearings on whether evidence can be submitted that Kobe Bryant's accuser allegedly attempted suicide twice in 2003 and whether or not she has a history of drug abuse.
CRAIG SILVERMAN, FORMER DENVER DEPUTY D.A.: There are a lot of witnesses that the defense has lined up through a solid investigation who will testify about alleged drug and alcohol problems. Is that relevant or is it just character assassination?
BASCHUK: The judge will address another tough question -- whether or not the accuser can continue to be referred as a "victim" in open court proceedings by the prosecution.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BASCHUK: Now, there are 10 items scheduled for this week's court docket. And following with the slow tenor of this case thus far, Bryant's arraignment is the last item to go before the court -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Adrian Baschuk for us this morning.
Adrian, thanks.
HEMMER: In a moment here, three separate and segregated proms for one high school class. How do the students there feel about it? We'll check in.
O'BRIEN: Also, it was a very special Mother's Day for the Thomas Hamill family. We take you live to his hometown just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: After spending three weeks as an Iraqi hostage, Thomas Hamill is adjusting to freedom and his family. Hamill returned home Saturday to Macon, Mississippi and spoke publicly for the first time about his ordeal.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) THOMAS HAMILL, FORMER HOSTAGE IN IRAQ: I'm thankful for all this support. It's overwhelming. But there are still men and women, civilian and military that are in the Middle East that are in harm's way. They are all heroes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: Hamill says he doesn't see himself as a hero. The 44- year-old civilian contractor was kidnapped by Iraqi insurgents but managed to escape.
Dorothy Baker Hines is the mayor of Macon, Mississippi, also a family friend, and she joins us this morning from Macon to talk a little bit about the Hamill homecoming.
Nice to see you, ma'am.
Thanks for being with us. MAYOR DOROTHY BAKER HINES, MACON, MISSISSIPPI: Yes, ma'am, it's nice to be here.
O'BRIEN: Well, thank you.
I know that Thomas Hamill had said that he really wanted to play down any celebrations and spend some quiet time with his family.
What exactly are the family's plans right now?
BAKER HINES: Well, I think basically they still just want to, you know, spend some time together and so we're going to respect their wishes. You know, in fact, this weekend I tried to spend a little time with my family, too, because I had not been able, you know, to be with my family. So I really understand. Of course, I know his predicament. You know, it was -- you can't compare it to anything.
But, you know, we're just thankful and grateful that he's home and we just know that his family, you know, wants to be with him and have some good, private time. So we're going to respect those wishes here at the city.
O'BRIEN: That's good to hear.
News of his escape, of course, came at a time when there was so much other bad news, and continues to be, coming out of Iraq. Thomas Hamill, though, we heard say, you know, I'm not a hero.
Are you surprised when you hear him say that?
BAKER HINES: Oh, no ma'am. He's a very humble, private man and, you know, I knew that kind of in the beginning. But, you know, to his family, he's a hero. You know, he went over there to try to help the people in the Middle East and his family. So, you know, to his family, he's a hero and, you know, here we still, though, we're like him, we want to give all the praise and glory to the lord, because he's the reason Tommy Hamill is home today.
O'BRIEN: Macon, of course, a pretty small town. I think the population is something like 2,500 folks.
How have you dealt with the giant media spotlight that has been focused on Macon over the last many, many weeks?
BAKER HINES: It's been a little, you know, it's been very different. It's nothing that, you know, we haven't been used to anything like that. But I think our citizens and everyone has, you know, we've tried to cooperate and we appreciate the media because without y'all, our story wouldn't have gotten out. And we've had so many people all over the United States and the world to, you know, rally around this family with us. They've prayed. They've sent cards, letters, donations.
It's been wonderful and I'm sure, you know, Tommy said he's overwhelmed. This mayor has been overwhelmed, too. But I'll tell you, it's wonderful to see all the people that are out there that really care about this little town and about Mr. Hamill.
O'BRIEN: Yes, that is -- has been really nice to see, hasn't it?
BAKER HINES: Yes, it has.
O'BRIEN: I know that Tommy Hamill said that he wanted first and foremost to hug his two kids when he got home.
But what about more down the road in the future? A book deal? A movie deal? These are all things that are being talked about.
Are those possibilities, do you think?
BAKER HINES: Well, yes, ma'am, I'm sure there are. You know, Miss. Lynch, you know, with her story, and then, of course, you know, the family has got the P.R. person that was a -- that helped Miss. Lynch. And I just wish the best for the family. You know, he does have a story to tell and, you know, we're just, we'll be there supporting him and do anything we can to help him in his -- you know, because I'm sure, like I said, it's overwhelming to him and I know it is to us here.
So, I just, you know, I know he's going to make the right decisions for his family that, you know, him going over there to begin with shows that he's going to put his family first. So like I said, we'll support him in any decisions he makes and we'll help him in any way we can.
O'BRIEN: Mayor Hines, we thank you so much for your time this morning.
We sure appreciate it.
Good luck to all of you there.
BAKER HINES: Well, thank you, ma'am.
Y'all have a good day.
O'BRIEN: And likewise.
Thank you -- Bill.
HEMMER: I certainly will.
A nice story.
Thanks.
A German teenager is being investigated on suspicion of computer sabotage. The teen, arrested late last week, has confessed to creating the so-called Sasser worm, which has infected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide. That worm raced around the world last week, exploiting a flaw in Microsoft's Windows operating system.
In a search of the suspect's home, German investigators confiscated his customized computer, which contained the Sasser worm's source code. The suspect could face up to five years in prison.
In a moment here, the female soldier in the now infamous photo showing her holding an Iraqi prisoner on a leash. Her lawyers explain why they think this photo is staged.
Back in a moment on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: All righty, back to Jack -- the Question of the Day.
CAFFERTY: What a way to start a week, just start stalking politics and religion and, you know, it just gets it going.
The Roman Catholic Church opposes abortion. Democrats have historically supported a woman's right to choose to have an abortion. So the dilemma for Senator John Kerry is that he's a Catholic and a Democrat and there are bishops in this country who are suggesting they might refuse to administer communion to a person of Mr. Kerry's stature because he supports a woman's right to choose on abortion.
And that's the question of the day -- is it right for -- should John Kerry be able to support abortion rights and still get communion from the Catholic Church?
Getting lots and lots of mail, starting with Jim: "The church has every right and responsibility to refuse the sacraments to a member who publicly refuses to obey the rules. He has to make a choice to either run for president as an abiding Catholic or abandon his faith and run."
Miami, Florida, Mary writes: "If the church can give communion to priests who molest little boys behind the altar, then they can surely give it to a politician who has a few different opinions than the church. A U.S. president does not take orders from the Vatican and the Catholic Church has no right to try to manipulate our choices and issues here." Carrie in Warren, Pennsylvania writes: "You can't tell me John Kerry is the only Catholic that supports a woman's right to choose. He may, however, be one of the few who has the whatchamacallits to say it in a public forum."
HEMMER: Guts.
CAFFERTY: Guts is a good word. "Punish -- " that's not the word they used, but guts is good, thank you.
HEMMER: No, I'm aware of that.
CAFFERTY: Yes. "Punish him for being honest? I think not."
Darlene in Naples, Florida: "The Catholic Church choosing to refuse to give communion to those parishioners that openly choose to support abortion is ridiculous. The Catholic Church needs to turn their heads on this issue, as they chose to do with the molestation cases."
And John in Toronto: "Surely John Kerry should be allowed to have two positions on this important issue, two -- an I'm for it but I'm against it position, like he has with the war, taxes, Vietnam veterans and gay marriage. That would undoubtedly satisfy the Vatican, CNN and maybe the American voter."
So you're...
O'BRIEN: I'm glad we made the list.
CAFFERTY: ... there in rare form this morning. Yes.
O'BRIEN: The Vatican, CNN and the American voter.
But don't Catholic -- American Catholics as a whole really go a varied bunch of response to the abortion, their personal opinions on abortion? I mean and it's not like the church sort of says well, only those who can get communion today are the ones who support...
CAFFERTY: Well, I suppose technically it would apply to anybody that they knew had a position supporting a woman's right to choose.
HEMMER: Yes, but for years Catholics overwhelming were Democratic.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
HEMMER: And in the past decade or two they've gotten away from that. They're almost pretty much evenly split, I believe, between the Democratic and Republican side.
A quick thought on this. When JFK ran for president in 1960, 44 years ago, religion was a centerpiece of his campaign.
CAFFERTY: Well, it was...
HEMMER: There was a heavy, intense focus.
CAFFERTY: There...
HEMMER: And I think 44 years later, the country's come pretty far. This case, the question of religion with Kerry has not dominated his campaign to this point, like it did four decades ago.
O'BRIEN: To this point. But now it is.
CAFFERTY: Well, and no Catholic had ever been elected president until John Kennedy ran.
HEMMER: That's right.
CAFFERTY: And it was a huge question mark in that campaign, whether or not it would work as a liability against his being attractive enough to enough voters to win the office.
HEMMER: That's right.
O'BRIEN: They're rolling the music. You know what that means?
CAFFERTY: It means it's time for us to get the hell out of here for the (COMMERCIAL BREAK)s.
O'BRIEN: Time to move on.
Still to come this morning, the high school that had three proms.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They may not tell you anything, but they look at you like from head to toe and, you know, and I mean there's a violent comment, you know, a racist comment, oh, you know, they'll just look at you really bad and probably say some sort of comment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: A student body that's divided three ways. Is it about pride in their own race or prejudice against others? We'll explain on AMERICAN MORNING.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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