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CNN Live Today

Looking Beneath the Surface for a Killer

Aired May 03, 2005 - 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: An American climber has tried to scale Mt. Everest. Michael O'Brien and his brother, Christopher, were trying to become the first U.S. brothers to reach the summit. Officials in Nepal say that Michael O'Brien slipped and fell in a crevasse. In climbing Everest, the brothers were trying to raise money for hereditary disease research.
Republicans till trying to overturn the Washington government election have won a legal victory. A judge said the Republicans can use a statistical analysis trying to prove illegal votes swayed the election. A two-week trial begins later this month. GOP candidate Dino Rossi is challenging the Democratic governor's Christine Gregoire's 129-vote win last November.

President Bush's 60-day Social Security reform tour may be over, but he is still trying to get the message across. Right now, Mr. Bush is on route to a Nissan plant in Canton, Mississippi. A White House aide says the president will keep reaching out to the American people, hoping lawmakers get the message.

This hour in Wichita, Kansas, the arraignment of Dennis Rader. It is the latest chapter in the 30-year history of the BTK serial killings that once preyed on the nerves of the Midwestern city.

A brief clip from this hour's proceedings:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your honor, we have received a copy of the information and waive the formal reading. At this time, the defendant would stand mutus plea (ph) and ask the court to enter the appropriate plea and set the matter for trial.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very well. Upon the defendant's standing, the court will enter a plea of not guilty, and I will set this matter for jury trial on June 27th, 9:00 in the morning.

Thank you very much.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: As we've been covering this story, both the arrest and then the proceedings against Dennis Rader, we've had a criminal profiler with us, Deborah Schurman-Kauflin.

DEBORAH SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN, CRIMINAL PROFILER: That's right.

KAGAN: Long name. Got to (INAUDIBLE).

Wanted to bring you back because there's so many questions to talk to you about, about this man as a suspect, as a defendant now in the case in general. First of all, are you surprised that Dennis Rader would plead not guilty?

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: Not really, because people like this, they want to relive their crimes, and so this allows him to relive each homicide over and over and over again as each detail is paraded through the courtroom, and he gets more notoriety that way, which is what BTK had always craved.

KAGAN: One thing that we saw happen that was interesting this morning, the district attorney came around to the desk, faced Dennis Rader, and talked about two more additional murders he will be charged with. These have been tacked on since his arrest earlier this year.

When you were here earlier, you had said that you didn't think the current list of murders, of charges against Dennis Rader, would stand, that you expected there to be even more.

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: Right.

KAGAN: And what do you base that on, based on your research of serial killers?

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: Just based on the fact that I work with police all over the world and I work these serial cases. And whenever you find certain victims, you just always know there's more, because they get better as they go forward with their murdering career.

So with time, they get better at eluding police. So it's just a given when you see a certain number of victims, that in general, there are going to be more.

KAGAN: What about this suspect, about this man, about this case fits what you know about serial killers? What is textbook?

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: Well, the interesting thing about him is he's good guy/bad guy, and a lot of times, serial killers, the more intelligent ones, will do altruistic things.

KAGAN: He was a former Boy Scout, that he worked for the post office, that worked in security. People were shocked by that. You say oh, no, that's right in line with what you would expect.

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: Well, very intelligent serial killers will engage in those activities because it gives them a good cover.

It's interesting, because I've studied serial killers for a long time, but I've also recently studied terrorism and terrorists, and they do the same thing. Groups like Hezbollah and Hamas run charities and soup kitchens in countries in order to have a good cover story for what they're doing, and serial killers, the intelligent ones, do the same thing. It allows them to blend in society a lot better. KAGAN: Dennis Rader has been charged in these crimes, of course not convicted. What about him does not fit the typical serial killer profile?

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: Well, actually most of it does, eerily. Yes, he was married. A lot of sadist are married. BTK was obviously a sadist who enjoyed the suffering of his victims. He had children. Most serial killers who are sadist have children. He was a little bit older when he first began committing his crimes. And he was employed, drawn to law enforcement, and this all fits in what we know with serial killers.

KAGAN: So much of what you know of your work has come from actually sitting down, and interviewing and talking to serial killers. If you had that opportunity with Dennis Rader once, and if he's convicted, what would you want to know? What would you ask him?

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: I would ask him why would he come back, and resurface and start communicating with law enforcement again, when he'd gotten away with it. And chances are, if he hadn't come back and began taunting police again, he would have gotten away with it.

KAGAN: He would still be out there.

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: Yes.

KAGAN: What's your own theory about why?

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: I think that he craved the attention so much, he loved being BTK, that he wanted that power and control, and he wanted to terrorize people again, and that overwhelmed his sense of wanting to be free.

KAGAN: It is a conflict that is fascinating, and we'll be watching as it continues to unfold, the justice system in Wichita, Kansas.

Deborah, thank you for your insight. Always good to have you here for that.

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: Thank you.

KAGAN: Police in Southern California have established a team of investigators to look into 11 freeway shootings so far this year. Four people have been killed. Earlier on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," we spoke to a highway patrol other official. He says there's no reason to believe the shootings are connected.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF ART ACEVEDO, CALIF. HIGHWAY PATROL: We are not downplaying it. Every life is of value, but we need to put things in perspective. We're talking about four homicides in the three most populous and heavily traveled freeway systems in the nation. When you contrast that to the fact we have dozens of shootings in our communities on a daily basis in Los Angeles County, and we have a three-square-mile area of Los Angeles County where we're on track to have about 120 homicides this year, it really puts the problem in perspective.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The shootings are taking on an added urgency. Eight of the attacks have taken place within the past two months.

Let's take a look at other stories making news coast to coast this morning. First to Columbus, Ohio, some bizarre testimony in the case of accused highway shooter Charles McCoy Jr. A psychiatrist testified McCoy carried out a dozen shootings on or near Columbus highways to silence voices in his head. Another psychiatrist will testify today that McCoy did know his attacks were wrong.

And now to San Diego's highways, a high-speed chase that tops 100 miles an hour. The driver eventually stopped and arrested after a 30- minute chase that included close calls and nearly hitting a pedestrian. During the arrest, a police dog finished things off, taking a bite out of crime, literally, and the suspect's leg.

To Durham, North Carolina, robber pulling off a bold and heavy- handed heist. As you can see in the surveillance tape, the driver rammed a stolen pickup truck through the front doors of a Costco, then stopped next to the jewelry counter. The passenger smashes the jewelry case, grabbed the goods and they took off.

And now an update on that HIV scare at a Philadelphia grade school, the 19 children there will not need treatment for HIV after all. Additional testing revealed that one of the child's results showed a false positive. All have now been given a clean bill of health. As we told you last week, the kids were pricked after a classmate brought her mother's diabetes testing needle to school.

Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, first lady Laura Bush fighting gangs on the West Coast, while providing comic relief on the East Coast. Her sitdown interview with Dana Bash coming up.

And hit the brakes. You need to know about an investigation surrounding some GM vehicles.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

Let's listen in to the new prime minister.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

IBRAHIM AL-JAAFARI, IRAQI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): By the name of God, the merciful, the most compassionate, I swear by God the almighty that I will perform my duties and responsibilities diligently, honestly, and I swear also to protect the independence and sovereignty of Iraq and look after the interests of its people, and guard its land, water and sky. And I also swear to carry out all the legislations and may God be witness to what I say.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Well, the world is witness as we watch these live pictures from Baghdad. Other new cabinet members being sworn in, as well. A bit of a scramble there at the end, trying to come to an agreement that was an agreeable balance of power between Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds. But that appears to be taking place, live today from Baghdad. More news after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

KAGAN: Well, Susan was talking about cars. Are you in the market for a new one? Do you buy, do you lease? That's the subject of cnn.com. Here is Veronica De La Cruz.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ: Are you in the market for a new car? Considering buying or leasing? Log onto cnnmoney.com before you get behind the wheel. In those new cars on TV, monthly lease payments look a lot lower than loan payments from purchasing, but leasing is not for everyone. Before you make a decision, answer these three questions: do you trade in your car every four years or less? Do you drive less than 15,000 miles a year? Are you looking to skip a downpayment of 10 to 20 percent?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider leasing and try these helpful tips. Master the jargon. You can't successfully negotiate a lease without becoming fluent in industry terms. When you're doing your shopping, try to find a manufacturer- subsidized lease. These offers, featured in splashy ads often seen in the auto section of your newspaper, can be the best deals in town. Set a target price and negotiate hard. Look at the real market price of the car and start a little below that. way, when you're bidding you end up with a price you want to pay.

Still on the fence when it comes to buying or leasing? Crunch the numbers. This online calculator will help you decide which is the better option. Again, you can find it all online at cnnmoney.com/autotips.

For the dot-com newsdesk, I'm Veronica De La Cruz.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: First Lady Laura Bush is still getting rave reviews for her stand-up routine for the White House correspondents dinner. Now late night comedians are following her lead. The punchline, straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: People are still talking about First Lady Laura Bush's performance over the weekend. Mrs. Bush cracked up the crowd at the White House correspondents dinner. Some of her jokes were at the expense of the president, something Jay Leno picked up on last night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) JAY LENO, HOST, "TONIGHT SHOW": Laura Bush was a big hit with her comedy routine at the big Washington correspondents dinner the other night. And this is something new for the Bush family, intentional comedy. This never happens.

The president knew in advance she was going to speak, but he never saw the material. He never knew what she was going to say. Basically the same way he handles the intelligence briefing. He knows they're there -- you know there's something in there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Very funny. Besides showcasing her comedic talent, the First Lady is taking a more prominent public role in more serious matters. Our Dana Bash takes a look at Laura Bush, center stage.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A kiss good-bye from her husband. He gets on his plane, she boards hers for a three-day solo trip out West. Little did we know then, this detour to "The Tonight Show" was just a warm-up act.

LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: If I were you, I'd look out for Barbara Bush.

LENO: Barbara, yes, that's right. Yes.

BASH: The reluctant librarian is stepping out. She has a higher approval rating then the pope when he died, nearly double her husband's. Popularity she uses to soften the president's image and now reshape her own.

BUSH: 9:00, Mr. Excitement here is sound asleep, and I'm watching "Desperate Housewives"...

(LAUGHTER)

BUSH: ... with Lynne Cheney.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am a desperate housewife.

BASH: The reality is that maybe her standup, but in our sitdown just last week, we asked, does she have any guilty pleasures?

BUSH: No, not really.

BASH (on camera): Desperate Housewives maybe?

BUSH: No, not really, I don't watch "Desperate Housewives," but you I do have a stack of the DVDs.

BASH (voice-over): The most surprising thing the unscripted Laura Bush could say about herself?

BUSH: I like to listen to rock 'n' roll. BASH: The classroom is still her comfort zone, but the teacher from rural Texas has one unlikely new project. She took her motorcade from Beverly Hills, home of Gucci, Bulgari (ph) and Tiffany to here. The first lady's fighting gangs. At this facility for gang members trying to make good, her first face-to-face meeting with the subjects of her new cause.

BUSH: Okay, I'll be thinking about y'all.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'll be thinking about you, too.

BUSH: Write me a let and teller me how you're doing.

BASH: It's risky territory, but carefully managed. Laura Bush's popularity is sustained by avoiding controversy.

On Brightstar, her Air Force One, a rare moment of public reflection.

BUSH: I have more of a forum, because people know me better than they did when I started.

BASH: In theory, a wife with 80-plus approval would help a guy with a troubled agenda.

(on camera): Why not take on issues that, to use your popularity, for example, to help your husband, like you did during the campaign, on an issue like Social Security.

BUSH (voice-over): Well, that's a very good question. Maybe I'll do that.

BASH: But probably not. She prefers her issues, schools and now gangs. So maybe she won't come to the rescue on Social Security, but in the rose garden Monday...

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Historical restoration is a job for -- yes.

LAURA BUSH: Eighteenth century.

BUSH: You've become a comedian and an editor.

BASH: And maybe a more vocal sidekick.

Dana Bash, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And let's check the time, 10:52 on the East Coast, 7:52 for those of you on the West.

We're back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) KAGAN: We go live to the United Nations. The question Iran, and what it is doing with uranium enrichment and nuclear power. Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi speaking just a few minutes ago. Let's listen in.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KAMAL KHARRAZI, IRAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER: ... of the IAEA safeguards, and to the strengthening of the agency's verification mechanisms, Kazhakstan signed the additional protocol in 2004, and closely cooperates with the IAEA in this area. Kazhakstan implements additional measures to strengthen the regime for the verification of nuclear activities.

And has been eager to offer assurances and guarantees that they remain permanently fiscal.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: The basic idea what we're going for here, Iran's foreign minister coming out and saying, Iran is insistent it's going to go ahead with its nuclear testing. It rejects the idea that it needs to stop and that it isn't for the purpose of building nuclear weapons. More on that ahead with our Richard Roth.

(WEATHER REPORT)

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Aired May 3, 2005 - 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: An American climber has tried to scale Mt. Everest. Michael O'Brien and his brother, Christopher, were trying to become the first U.S. brothers to reach the summit. Officials in Nepal say that Michael O'Brien slipped and fell in a crevasse. In climbing Everest, the brothers were trying to raise money for hereditary disease research.
Republicans till trying to overturn the Washington government election have won a legal victory. A judge said the Republicans can use a statistical analysis trying to prove illegal votes swayed the election. A two-week trial begins later this month. GOP candidate Dino Rossi is challenging the Democratic governor's Christine Gregoire's 129-vote win last November.

President Bush's 60-day Social Security reform tour may be over, but he is still trying to get the message across. Right now, Mr. Bush is on route to a Nissan plant in Canton, Mississippi. A White House aide says the president will keep reaching out to the American people, hoping lawmakers get the message.

This hour in Wichita, Kansas, the arraignment of Dennis Rader. It is the latest chapter in the 30-year history of the BTK serial killings that once preyed on the nerves of the Midwestern city.

A brief clip from this hour's proceedings:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your honor, we have received a copy of the information and waive the formal reading. At this time, the defendant would stand mutus plea (ph) and ask the court to enter the appropriate plea and set the matter for trial.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very well. Upon the defendant's standing, the court will enter a plea of not guilty, and I will set this matter for jury trial on June 27th, 9:00 in the morning.

Thank you very much.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: As we've been covering this story, both the arrest and then the proceedings against Dennis Rader, we've had a criminal profiler with us, Deborah Schurman-Kauflin.

DEBORAH SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN, CRIMINAL PROFILER: That's right.

KAGAN: Long name. Got to (INAUDIBLE).

Wanted to bring you back because there's so many questions to talk to you about, about this man as a suspect, as a defendant now in the case in general. First of all, are you surprised that Dennis Rader would plead not guilty?

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: Not really, because people like this, they want to relive their crimes, and so this allows him to relive each homicide over and over and over again as each detail is paraded through the courtroom, and he gets more notoriety that way, which is what BTK had always craved.

KAGAN: One thing that we saw happen that was interesting this morning, the district attorney came around to the desk, faced Dennis Rader, and talked about two more additional murders he will be charged with. These have been tacked on since his arrest earlier this year.

When you were here earlier, you had said that you didn't think the current list of murders, of charges against Dennis Rader, would stand, that you expected there to be even more.

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: Right.

KAGAN: And what do you base that on, based on your research of serial killers?

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: Just based on the fact that I work with police all over the world and I work these serial cases. And whenever you find certain victims, you just always know there's more, because they get better as they go forward with their murdering career.

So with time, they get better at eluding police. So it's just a given when you see a certain number of victims, that in general, there are going to be more.

KAGAN: What about this suspect, about this man, about this case fits what you know about serial killers? What is textbook?

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: Well, the interesting thing about him is he's good guy/bad guy, and a lot of times, serial killers, the more intelligent ones, will do altruistic things.

KAGAN: He was a former Boy Scout, that he worked for the post office, that worked in security. People were shocked by that. You say oh, no, that's right in line with what you would expect.

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: Well, very intelligent serial killers will engage in those activities because it gives them a good cover.

It's interesting, because I've studied serial killers for a long time, but I've also recently studied terrorism and terrorists, and they do the same thing. Groups like Hezbollah and Hamas run charities and soup kitchens in countries in order to have a good cover story for what they're doing, and serial killers, the intelligent ones, do the same thing. It allows them to blend in society a lot better. KAGAN: Dennis Rader has been charged in these crimes, of course not convicted. What about him does not fit the typical serial killer profile?

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: Well, actually most of it does, eerily. Yes, he was married. A lot of sadist are married. BTK was obviously a sadist who enjoyed the suffering of his victims. He had children. Most serial killers who are sadist have children. He was a little bit older when he first began committing his crimes. And he was employed, drawn to law enforcement, and this all fits in what we know with serial killers.

KAGAN: So much of what you know of your work has come from actually sitting down, and interviewing and talking to serial killers. If you had that opportunity with Dennis Rader once, and if he's convicted, what would you want to know? What would you ask him?

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: I would ask him why would he come back, and resurface and start communicating with law enforcement again, when he'd gotten away with it. And chances are, if he hadn't come back and began taunting police again, he would have gotten away with it.

KAGAN: He would still be out there.

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: Yes.

KAGAN: What's your own theory about why?

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: I think that he craved the attention so much, he loved being BTK, that he wanted that power and control, and he wanted to terrorize people again, and that overwhelmed his sense of wanting to be free.

KAGAN: It is a conflict that is fascinating, and we'll be watching as it continues to unfold, the justice system in Wichita, Kansas.

Deborah, thank you for your insight. Always good to have you here for that.

SCHURMAN-KAUFLIN: Thank you.

KAGAN: Police in Southern California have established a team of investigators to look into 11 freeway shootings so far this year. Four people have been killed. Earlier on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," we spoke to a highway patrol other official. He says there's no reason to believe the shootings are connected.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF ART ACEVEDO, CALIF. HIGHWAY PATROL: We are not downplaying it. Every life is of value, but we need to put things in perspective. We're talking about four homicides in the three most populous and heavily traveled freeway systems in the nation. When you contrast that to the fact we have dozens of shootings in our communities on a daily basis in Los Angeles County, and we have a three-square-mile area of Los Angeles County where we're on track to have about 120 homicides this year, it really puts the problem in perspective.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The shootings are taking on an added urgency. Eight of the attacks have taken place within the past two months.

Let's take a look at other stories making news coast to coast this morning. First to Columbus, Ohio, some bizarre testimony in the case of accused highway shooter Charles McCoy Jr. A psychiatrist testified McCoy carried out a dozen shootings on or near Columbus highways to silence voices in his head. Another psychiatrist will testify today that McCoy did know his attacks were wrong.

And now to San Diego's highways, a high-speed chase that tops 100 miles an hour. The driver eventually stopped and arrested after a 30- minute chase that included close calls and nearly hitting a pedestrian. During the arrest, a police dog finished things off, taking a bite out of crime, literally, and the suspect's leg.

To Durham, North Carolina, robber pulling off a bold and heavy- handed heist. As you can see in the surveillance tape, the driver rammed a stolen pickup truck through the front doors of a Costco, then stopped next to the jewelry counter. The passenger smashes the jewelry case, grabbed the goods and they took off.

And now an update on that HIV scare at a Philadelphia grade school, the 19 children there will not need treatment for HIV after all. Additional testing revealed that one of the child's results showed a false positive. All have now been given a clean bill of health. As we told you last week, the kids were pricked after a classmate brought her mother's diabetes testing needle to school.

Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, first lady Laura Bush fighting gangs on the West Coast, while providing comic relief on the East Coast. Her sitdown interview with Dana Bash coming up.

And hit the brakes. You need to know about an investigation surrounding some GM vehicles.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

Let's listen in to the new prime minister.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

IBRAHIM AL-JAAFARI, IRAQI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): By the name of God, the merciful, the most compassionate, I swear by God the almighty that I will perform my duties and responsibilities diligently, honestly, and I swear also to protect the independence and sovereignty of Iraq and look after the interests of its people, and guard its land, water and sky. And I also swear to carry out all the legislations and may God be witness to what I say.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Well, the world is witness as we watch these live pictures from Baghdad. Other new cabinet members being sworn in, as well. A bit of a scramble there at the end, trying to come to an agreement that was an agreeable balance of power between Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds. But that appears to be taking place, live today from Baghdad. More news after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

KAGAN: Well, Susan was talking about cars. Are you in the market for a new one? Do you buy, do you lease? That's the subject of cnn.com. Here is Veronica De La Cruz.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ: Are you in the market for a new car? Considering buying or leasing? Log onto cnnmoney.com before you get behind the wheel. In those new cars on TV, monthly lease payments look a lot lower than loan payments from purchasing, but leasing is not for everyone. Before you make a decision, answer these three questions: do you trade in your car every four years or less? Do you drive less than 15,000 miles a year? Are you looking to skip a downpayment of 10 to 20 percent?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider leasing and try these helpful tips. Master the jargon. You can't successfully negotiate a lease without becoming fluent in industry terms. When you're doing your shopping, try to find a manufacturer- subsidized lease. These offers, featured in splashy ads often seen in the auto section of your newspaper, can be the best deals in town. Set a target price and negotiate hard. Look at the real market price of the car and start a little below that. way, when you're bidding you end up with a price you want to pay.

Still on the fence when it comes to buying or leasing? Crunch the numbers. This online calculator will help you decide which is the better option. Again, you can find it all online at cnnmoney.com/autotips.

For the dot-com newsdesk, I'm Veronica De La Cruz.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: First Lady Laura Bush is still getting rave reviews for her stand-up routine for the White House correspondents dinner. Now late night comedians are following her lead. The punchline, straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: People are still talking about First Lady Laura Bush's performance over the weekend. Mrs. Bush cracked up the crowd at the White House correspondents dinner. Some of her jokes were at the expense of the president, something Jay Leno picked up on last night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) JAY LENO, HOST, "TONIGHT SHOW": Laura Bush was a big hit with her comedy routine at the big Washington correspondents dinner the other night. And this is something new for the Bush family, intentional comedy. This never happens.

The president knew in advance she was going to speak, but he never saw the material. He never knew what she was going to say. Basically the same way he handles the intelligence briefing. He knows they're there -- you know there's something in there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Very funny. Besides showcasing her comedic talent, the First Lady is taking a more prominent public role in more serious matters. Our Dana Bash takes a look at Laura Bush, center stage.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A kiss good-bye from her husband. He gets on his plane, she boards hers for a three-day solo trip out West. Little did we know then, this detour to "The Tonight Show" was just a warm-up act.

LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: If I were you, I'd look out for Barbara Bush.

LENO: Barbara, yes, that's right. Yes.

BASH: The reluctant librarian is stepping out. She has a higher approval rating then the pope when he died, nearly double her husband's. Popularity she uses to soften the president's image and now reshape her own.

BUSH: 9:00, Mr. Excitement here is sound asleep, and I'm watching "Desperate Housewives"...

(LAUGHTER)

BUSH: ... with Lynne Cheney.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am a desperate housewife.

BASH: The reality is that maybe her standup, but in our sitdown just last week, we asked, does she have any guilty pleasures?

BUSH: No, not really.

BASH (on camera): Desperate Housewives maybe?

BUSH: No, not really, I don't watch "Desperate Housewives," but you I do have a stack of the DVDs.

BASH (voice-over): The most surprising thing the unscripted Laura Bush could say about herself?

BUSH: I like to listen to rock 'n' roll. BASH: The classroom is still her comfort zone, but the teacher from rural Texas has one unlikely new project. She took her motorcade from Beverly Hills, home of Gucci, Bulgari (ph) and Tiffany to here. The first lady's fighting gangs. At this facility for gang members trying to make good, her first face-to-face meeting with the subjects of her new cause.

BUSH: Okay, I'll be thinking about y'all.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'll be thinking about you, too.

BUSH: Write me a let and teller me how you're doing.

BASH: It's risky territory, but carefully managed. Laura Bush's popularity is sustained by avoiding controversy.

On Brightstar, her Air Force One, a rare moment of public reflection.

BUSH: I have more of a forum, because people know me better than they did when I started.

BASH: In theory, a wife with 80-plus approval would help a guy with a troubled agenda.

(on camera): Why not take on issues that, to use your popularity, for example, to help your husband, like you did during the campaign, on an issue like Social Security.

BUSH (voice-over): Well, that's a very good question. Maybe I'll do that.

BASH: But probably not. She prefers her issues, schools and now gangs. So maybe she won't come to the rescue on Social Security, but in the rose garden Monday...

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Historical restoration is a job for -- yes.

LAURA BUSH: Eighteenth century.

BUSH: You've become a comedian and an editor.

BASH: And maybe a more vocal sidekick.

Dana Bash, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And let's check the time, 10:52 on the East Coast, 7:52 for those of you on the West.

We're back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) KAGAN: We go live to the United Nations. The question Iran, and what it is doing with uranium enrichment and nuclear power. Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi speaking just a few minutes ago. Let's listen in.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KAMAL KHARRAZI, IRAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER: ... of the IAEA safeguards, and to the strengthening of the agency's verification mechanisms, Kazhakstan signed the additional protocol in 2004, and closely cooperates with the IAEA in this area. Kazhakstan implements additional measures to strengthen the regime for the verification of nuclear activities.

And has been eager to offer assurances and guarantees that they remain permanently fiscal.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: The basic idea what we're going for here, Iran's foreign minister coming out and saying, Iran is insistent it's going to go ahead with its nuclear testing. It rejects the idea that it needs to stop and that it isn't for the purpose of building nuclear weapons. More on that ahead with our Richard Roth.

(WEATHER REPORT)

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