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Al Franken Runs For U.S. Senate; Legal Battles Over Anna Nicole Smith Intensify
Aired February 14, 2007 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Kyra Phillips, live at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Don Lemon.
A funny man says it is no joke. Al Franken is running for the United States Senate. We're following this developing story.
PHILLIPS: Flights canceled, schools closed, roads unfit for travel -- the worst isn't over yet in some places -- the latest and most important info you need just ahead.
LEMON: Plus, we will have this for you. Her life was a spectacle, and so is her death. We're watching friends and family tangle and teams of lawyers wrangle over Anna Nicole Smith's remains.
You're live in the CNN NEWSROOM.
The weather is a big story today, blinding snow, icy roads and runways, homes with no lights or heat -- a wicked winter storm creating havoc from the heartland to New England. Schools are closed, and thousands of flights are canceled, amid record snowfall and a subzero windchill.
Well, we have got you covered here with Rob Marciano. He's in Cleveland. Jason Carroll is in Albany, New York, and Reynolds Wolf tracking it all for you from our Severe Weather Center.
But, first, we start with a developing story. Anna Nicole Smith can't be buried just yet, but events are moving quickly, as the battles over Smith's body and her baby rage on.
CNN national correspondent Susan Candiotti is in Broward County, Florida, with the very latest for us.
Susan, what have you learned?
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Don.
Well, it's something that the Broward County medical examiner might take issue is, and that is how quickly Anna Nicole Smith's remains might be decomposing. But, for now, a Broward County probate judge has said he's in no hurry to release the remains of Anna Nicole Smith, saying: "I'm not releasing the body. The body belongs to me now" -- at least until he can get a line on who deserves to do what and who's in charge of what. So, here's what's at stake, three things -- number one, who should get the remains, either Howard Stern, her partner or, for example, Smith's mother, who's in Texas, or, two, where the remains should go once they are released. Should they go, as Stern says, to the Bahamas, where Anna Nicole Smith's son has been buried, her son, Daniel, who died of an overdose in September of this year, or, as her mother puts it, she should go back to Texas. That's where she was born. And that's where her mother says she should be.
And the third matter before this court, possibly, is this matter of who's the father , and the DNA testing, and where those samples should go, and who should be in charge of those samples.
So, it's a three-pronged process. And, at this emergency hearing, the judge decided to decide tomorrow perhaps what will happen. He's going to have a hearing at 9:30, where they will try to sort all these things out -- Don, back to you.
LEMON: All right, Susan Candiotti, in Florida, just out of that emergency hearing, thank you so much for that report.
PHILLIPS: Blowing snow, pelting sleet, and bone-chilling cold, and it's only going to get worse in Upstate New York.
Bracing for the blizzard, our own Jason Carroll is in New York's capital.
Hey, Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I have got to tell you, Kyra, just over the past few hours, it's gotten much worse up here.
You can take a look and see how much snow we have gotten up here in Albany so far. They're saying it's about a half-a-foot. I think it's a little bit more than that, judging by this little snowdrift that we have got right here.
And the worst is yet to come. A blizzard warning is in effect until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. You can see what it looks out here right now in downtown Albany. It's a virtual ghost town -- few people, few drivers out here that are left.
Earlier, we saw a lot of drivers skidding their way, trying to get home. The concern at this point is the high winds and the low visibility. The driving conditions are definitely hazardous. Just trying to get up to our live shot, we had to drive about 20 miles per hour just to get here safely.
In terms of the police department, they tell us no major accidents so far, just minor accidents. Of course, their concern is about what's going to happen later on. The worst of this blizzard is supposed to be hitting us at about 8:00 tonight. So, the worst is yet to come.
Spoke to the mayor a little earlier, the mayor from Albany. He says a command center has been set up, so emergency services are coordinating all of their efforts. He says they are used to storms like this; they are prepared for this particular storm. But, once again, they are asking everyone to stay off the roads. That's the best thing that everyone can do at this point.
The reason why you're not seeing many people out here right now is because schools are closed. Most businesses have shut down. They have told people to go home early. But a lot of the people that you see out here are people who didn't think that the storm was going to be so bad this early. They were expecting the storm to be much -- much worst later.
But, as you can see from the conditions right now, we are at near whiteout conditions at this point in Albany -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right, Jason Carroll, our Southern California boy, reporting live there from the snowdrifts...
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: ... bless your heart.
CARROLL: Thanks, Kyra.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: All right.
Well, conditions are much improved in Cleveland for much of the morning now.
Rob Marciano, the snow was blowing a little sideways at you.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It was. This morning was miserable. I won't tell you any differently than that, blowing sideways, and blowing 30, 40 miles an hour.
It's still blowing pretty good, but the snow, for the most part, at least for now, has stopped. Even though we're still in a winter storm warning until 4:00 for some squalls, most of the snow is beginning to wind down.
So, the cleanup has begun. We are just -- we are on Ninth Street. You can see a sidewalk, a little mini-plow getting things done here. But the streets, for the most part, are pretty quiet. The mayor has asked for a voluntary ban, I suppose, on driving, kind of keep as many cars off the road as possible.
And, if you park your car to the side of the road, it's going to get towed, because they want to clear these roads as much as possible. Fifteen inches of now has fallen on the city of Cleveland. This is the worst snowstorm this season, could very well be the worst they have seen in several years -- but blue sky with some sunshine.
That's the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney all hang out in there. They haven't come out. They don't like the snow. But it is open for business; 34 people have actually gone into the museum to check things out.
So, life goes on here in Cleveland, albeit it a much, much slower day than they would typically see. The entire state of Ohio has been hammered by this storm -- make no mistake about that -- especially the southern half, where it was a mixture of rain, sleet and freezing rain.
The Cincinnati area, there were, at one point, over 100,000 people without power. And this cold northwest wind is bringing in only colder air behind this system. So, tonight, temperatures are going to drop down close to zero in many spots. And you can bet those folks who live in the southern part of this state that clipped with the freezing rain, and may not have power, it is going to be a long, cold night.
School is out today. This would be the sixth day, according to one parent, that they have not seen school throughout the year. After five days, I'm told, they have to make up for it in the months of May and June.
So, the kids are happy today. We have seen a few out playing in the snow, enjoying their day off and enjoying what Mother Nature has brought them, but they may have to stay in school an extra day or two come May or June.
But the worst is over here, Kyra. Cold air, though, is certainly filtering in behind this system, as it just explodes off the coast.
Reynolds, I'm sure, will have more on that -- back to you.
PHILLIPS: All right. Fess up. Did you go in the museum?
MARCIANO: I poked in there to warm up...
(LAUGHTER)
MARCIANO: ... use the facilities.
(LAUGHTER)
MARCIANO: But I was too cheap to buy a ticket.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Oh, geez.
My guess, you could probably scam one, since you just mentioned -- gave it a little plug there.
All right, Rob, we will check in with you.
MARCIANO: Maybe. See you.
PHILLIPS: All right. Thanks.
MARCIANO: OK. (CROSSTALK)
(LAUGHTER)
LEMON: Geez.
On the road and in the air, this storm is stranding travelers -- Chicago's O'Hare, one of the world's busiest airports, about 400 morning flights kaput, canceled. A city spokesman said the bad weather in the Northeast was to blame for all of that.
Some travelers were cool about the delays, but others got probably a lot heated.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's Valentine's Day, and I'm supposed to go out to dinner. So, I would really like to get back.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I actually think this is kind of funny.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So, I mean, it's hard, because we're trying to make it out for a conference that starts tonight. And there's nothing available. But what can you do?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, we were headed to Colorado to go skiing, and we just got bumped. The flight got canceled. We sat on the plane for two hours. And, then, it malfunctioned. They couldn't fix it. They just canceled the flight. So, we're out of luck.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is the fourth flight we have been booked on. So, now we're going to try to book our fifth.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Not worth being frustrated about. It's just one of those things that happens when you travel.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That is the worst. If you're ever stuck at an airport with nowhere to go, you just have to sit there.
Everyone digging out today has one question, Reynolds Wolf. Guess what that is?
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I can only imagine. Bring it on.
LEMON: When will spring start? That's the question. Probably, when am I going to get out of this airport?
WOLF: I know I -- I know I resemble a groundhog in many ways, but I'm not about to touch that one.
(LAUGHTER) WOLF: We will get to that one later on.
It is definitely wintertime in the Northeast. And I will tell you, moments ago, you saw partly cloudy skies in Rob Marciano's picture. What we're going to be seeing are partly cloudy skies in places like Albany as we get to tomorrow afternoon.
But, for the time being, it is snow, about nine inches of fresh snow in Albany just over the past couple of hours. And we're going to be seeing more of that. We have got the classic nor'easter here. Notice the wind coming in out of the north, near Hartford, back over to Newark, more of a north-northwesterly breeze, around 20 to 18 miles an hour -- in Nantucket, 38 to 34 miles an hour. We have had gusts, though, in Nantucket topping 50 miles an hour.
And the snow is going to keep on coming. The question is, how much are we going to see? The latest computer models indicate that, for the next 48 hours, some spots, like, say Albany, back over to parts of Vermont, as well as New Hampshire, and north, in Portland, could see upwards of a foot of fresh snowfall.
And the problem is, as this storm system moves more to the northeast, we're going to see a lot of cold air come in behind it. So, even though this big snow maker is going to move off into the Atlantic, that cold air is going to remain in place. It's not going to let the snow really begin to dissipate, not going to let it begin to melt.
So, we're going to be stuck with the icy conditions for some time to come. And that's going to cause all kinds of headaches for people traveling, not just on roads, but, obviously, the airport. You saw the frustrated passengers out in Chicago. You're going to see frustrated passengers in many places, like Boston. We have a grand stoppage there, also grand stoppages for New York, as well as over in La Guardia, Chicago, currently, the ground delay about one hour and 10 minutes, so to speak -- no sign of spring as of yet.
It's wintertime. We have got to deal with it, no way to shake it -- back to you.
LEMON: Didn't that Punxsutawney guy say early spring?
(CROSSTALK)
WOLF: He did. He did. I think his forecast has been just crumpled up and thrown right out the window.
LEMON: We need to have a talk with that little fellow.
WOLF: Pretty much so.
LEMON: All right.
(LAUGHTER)
LEMON: Thank you, Reynolds. (CROSSTALK)
LEMON: When weather becomes the news, you can become a CNN correspondent. If you see severe weather happening, send us an I- Report. Go to CNN.com and click on I-report or type ireport@CNN.com right into your cell phone, and make sure you share your photos and your videos.
PHILLIPS: Business trip, timely exit, or none of the above? Reports say a radical Shiite cleric in Iraq has fled to Iran -- more on that story and what it could mean straight ahead from the NEWSROOM.
LEMON: Don't know if you were watching the press conference earlier, but call it freaky Wednesday. The president tries out some punchlines today, as a comic kicks off a serious run for Congress. George Bush and Al Franken -- a very special newsroom edition of "Life Swap."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Greetings from COB Speicher in Tikrit, Iraq.
My name is Captain Vanessa Stolzoff (ph) from Marietta, Georgia.
Mom, dad, Brent (ph), family and friends, I wish I could be with you on Valentine's Day. I love you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello, America. I'm 2nd Lieutenant Royce Braxton (ph). I'm here at COB Speicher in Iraq.
And I would like to tell my family in Chicago, Illinois, that I love them and I wish them a happy Valentine's Day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(MUSIC)
PHILLIPS: Maybe we can listen a little bit.
What do you think, Otis (ph)?
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Don -- Don has got the moves.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: All right.
We asked you to share your stories of long-lasting love with us. And here's what a few of you sent us at CNN.com.
Floyd (ph) and Dorothy Latrell (ph) have been married for 75 years. Oh, yeah. Is this great? The great granddaughter, Jill Hansen, sent us this shot of that couple from Aplington, Iowa.
LEMON: That's adorable. That's adorable.
PHILLIPS: I want to see them smooch.
All right, Marsha Lyman sent this photo in of herself with her husband, Ted.
What's up with the hat, Ted?
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: It was...
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: It needs a little twirly thing up top.
It was taken by a family friend in Williamsburg, Virginia, at Ted's 60th birthday party. Marsha says the secret to a lasting marriage is trust.
Auwen (ph) and Felomenina Kuola (ph) his Toronto, Canada, have been married for 50 years. Their son-in-law, Anil Fernandes, took this photo. Their daughter says that her parents have a love built on respect and commitment.
Well, if you want to contribute to CNN as an I-Reporter, you can just visit CNN.com/ireport. Send your pictures or your video.
LEMON: Did you see her the last -- she's beautiful.
PHILLIPS: Beautiful woman.
LEMON: Yes, very pretty .
PHILLIPS: But looks has nothing to do with it.
(LAUGHTER)
LEMON: That's for women, right? I think guys are more visual than...
PHILLIPS: Yes. That's right. Isn't that what Elizabeth Cohen told us. That's right.
LEMON: Yes. Guys like the looks. We're very visual people.
(LAUGHTER)
LEMON: All right, this is the day that little cherubic guy floats around, shooting arrows at us, if we're lucky. I don't know about that.
But there's also a run on chocolate, mushy cards, and pricey roses. Here's some cold hard facts about Valentine's Day. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON (voice-over): Our love affair with Valentine's Day goes all the way back to -- well, take your pick. Some experts say it all started with the ancient Romans. Others give credit to the early Christian Church.
As for the guy shooting the arrows, Cupid, in Roman mythology, he's the son of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. To the ancient Greeks, he was Eros, the son of another goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite.
What would this day be without chocolate? More than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold this Valentine's Day. Men are expected to spend nearly double that on amount on gifts this year than women, $156, vs. $85.
Also, 65 percent of people who buy Valentine's Day flowers are men. As for cards, about one billion are exchanged each year. The only occasion topping that is Christmas. Guess who gets the most Valentine's Day cards? Teachers, followed by kids, moms, wives, and then sweethearts.
Speaking of sweethearts, archaeologists in Italy are getting in on the spirit of the day by digging up the bones of a prehistoric couple locked in tender embrace. Officials say they will do their best to keep them together. They were discovered near Verona, the city of Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: That's very sweet.
You can't decide what color roses to give your valentine, your sweetie? Well, the rainbow rose -- check it out -- could be the answer. We're going to show you more coming up in the CNN NEWSROOM.
And Happy Valentine's Day. Here's your pink slip. Another U.S. automaker announces major cuts in its work force.
Hit the brakes. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Another major automaker needs major repairs. And that means thousands more workers will lose their jobs. DaimlerChrysler's North American wing plans to cut 13,000 jobs over the next three years. That's 9,000 U.S. factory workers, 2,000 Canadians, plus 2,000 salaried staffers. Chrysler partly blames slumping truck and SUV sales, with the soaring price of gas.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM LASORDA, CEO, CHRYSLER: Our inventories were not aligned with the changing market. And we have to bite the bullet and reduce production to better balance with dealer orders. (END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Chrysler plans to close a Delaware assembly plant and an Ohio parts distribution center and cut shifts in Michigan and Missouri. Ford and GM announced big cuts earlier.
Well, forget the good neighbor promise, Mississippi. State Farm will not be there.
Susan Lisovicz from the New York Stock Exchange with the details.
This is a heartbreaker, Susan.
SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Heartbreaker, and more and more chapters in this story that continue to unfold, Kyra.
State Farm will not write any new homeowner or commercial property policies in Mississippi. Existing policies will not be affected. They will be honored -- still, a big blow for Mississippi residents. State Farm is the largest home insurer there, with more than 30 percent of the market.
But the reason for the move shouldn't be much of a surprise. State Farm, in a statement, says: "We came to this decision reluctantly, but it is no longer prudent for us to take on additional risks in a legal and business environment that is becoming more unpredictable. When there's more certainty, we will reassess the situation" -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Well, I'm guessing that's referring to the many legal cases that State Farm is facing right now.
LISOVICZ: No question about it. Hurricane Katrina was the most costly storm in U.S. history -- State Farm on the hook for a lot of damage.
Last month, we told you about a federal jury awarding $2.5 million to one Mississippi couple who sued State Farm for refusing to cover Katrina-related damage. After that, the company decided to settle similar disputes with 600 more policyholders. All in all, the insurer says it has already paid more than $1 billion in damages.
On Wall Street today, well, there's some major money being made -- the three major averages adding to yesterday's rally, the Dow hitting a new all-time high. Comments from Fed Chief Ben Bernanke are boosting confidence. In testimony before the Senate Banking Committee today, he said the economy will grow at a moderate pace this year and next, and that it will strengthen as the housing market strengthens.
Checking the numbers, the Dow industrials right now up 98 points, at three-quarters-of-a percent, at 12752. Looks likely we will close at a new high. The Nasdaq composite is up 29 points, or more than 1 percent.
And that's the latest from Wall Street. I will be back in 30 minutes for the closing bell -- in the meantime, Don and Kyra, back to you.
PHILLIPS: Thanks, Susan.
Well, freaky Wednesday? The president tries out some punchlines, as a comic kicks off a serious run for Congress -- George Bush and Al Franken in a very special NEWSROOM edition of "Life Swap."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Hello, everyone. I'm Kyra Phillips, live at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Don Lemon.
Let's see if I can say it like the weather guy. Hello, Syracuse. Hope you like winter, because there's lots more coming your way. We will take you live to Upstate New York.
Bundle up. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
PHILLIPS: The brunt of the storm is bypassing towns that are already buried. Instead, it's hitting places overdue for wintry weather, such as Syracuse, New York.
Our Reggie Aqui is there, taking it all in.
Hey, Reggie.
REGGIE AQUI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kyra. How's it going?
If you look -- actually, we have the camera turned around.
Hey, Mike.
Here we go.
OK, you can see just what the snow is like today. And we're talking about anywhere between a foot-and-a-half and two feet of snow that we're getting. And, as you can see, traffic is still coming through here. But what you're not seeing, all the students -- usually, I would be standing in a sea of students. Right now, hardly anyone is coming by.
That's because, for the first time in 14 years, Syracuse University has canceled classes this afternoon and this evening. This is a place that usually toughs it out during snow like this. But this is even more than they can handle.
Now, earlier today, we were driving around with a guy who delivers valentines. And -- and, usually, it's a really happy occasion for him. But he's been doing this for 25 years, and he tells me this is the worst day he's ever experienced having to do his job.
He's been driving around in these treacherous conditions with his son, his sixth-grade son. They have been sort of tag-teaming this Valentine's effort today. And he's -- he tells me he has been on about 30 orders this afternoon so far. They expect to do about 200 by the end of the day at this one florist shop.
And they're having to really battle the elements, both in their cars, and, when they can't get there by car, walking up big hills to get to sorority houses, fraternity houses, all the students around here who are sending each other Valentine's gifts.
And get this. He tells me that, all day long, he hasn't received a single tip from one person. So, a lot of people today are being kind of cheap in this weather, as they are kind of bundling up, staying home, and staying off the streets.
I should tell you that the reason Syracuse has canceled classes today, not so much for the students, because most of them live here, or at least live nearby, but because of the faculty, the professors who have to commute here. They're very worried about putting them in danger on the streets -- so, as I mentioned, first time in 14 years they have had to cancel these classes, which is a really good indication of how bad they think this is.
And the snow keeps on coming down. It hasn't stopped yet. We expect it won't stop, probably until tomorrow. And then they have got another couple of days of flurries after that -- back to you guys.
PHILLIPS: So...
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Obviously, the students are enjoying the snow. They're excited.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Now, Reggie, so, you're saying that the flower guy isn't getting any tips for going through this treacherous weather to deliver flowers on Valentine's Day?
AQUI: OK. Can you believe that?
PHILLIPS: That...
(CROSSTALK)
AQUI: He says, every year, people are getting cheaper and cheaper.
And this is a really -- this is a very nice guy. He's very humble. He's not really complaining. I asked the question, you know, are you making a lot of money today? Are people giving you some sympathy tips because of the snow? Not a penny. Not a penny.
PHILLIPS: What's the name of his flower shop?
AQUI: What's the of the flower name?
PHILLIPS: Yes, do you know?
AQUI: I'm suddenly -- oh, was it Westcott Flower Shop that we went to? Yes, it was Wescott Flower Shop.
PHILLIPS: There it is right there.
And what's his name? What's his name at Wescott Flower Shop?
AQUI: He was Angelo. And then his son is Mario. So if you see Angelo or Mario come to your door, give them some cash, will you?
PHILLIPS: Exactly. Hook them up. Those Italians, they're all about love and romance, you know, they deserve a little tip today.
AQUI: that's right. Hook him up before you hook up, something like that.
PHILLIPS: There you go.
Thanks for hooking us up, Reggie. Is it your photog OK there? We were worried we lost him in a snowbank.
AQUI: It's slippery and very confusing with all the snow.
PHILLIPS: Reggie Aqui, appreciate it. We'll keep checking with you there at Syracuse.
Well, Reynolds Wolf has an iReport from New York state for us.
Reynolds, what do you have?
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, we've got a great iReport for you. Maybe, maybe -- let's see. Let's take a look at it. It's from Edward Moises (ph). It's actually out of Frankfurt, New York, great contribution that he gave us. And it shows us, again, just an SUV with a little bit of an implement on the front of it. I guess that would be a snow plow. Looks pretty good there. And -- just all white. A scene you're going to be seeing all over the Empire State of New York.
And here's one of the reasons why.
(WEATHER REPORT)
LEMON: Now to Iraq. He's blamed for some of the worst sectarian violence in Iraq. Now comes word that radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al Sadr may not be in Iraq any more.
CNN's Michael Ware has that story for us.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Has one of the most powerful men in Iraq fled the country? And if he has, does it matter?
According to U.S. military intelligence, the powerful anti- American rebel cleric Muqtada al Sadr has left Iraq for neighboring Iran, according to White House sources. It is said that he is fleeing. And an American crackdown on his formidable Mehdi Army militia, which in many ways dominates the streets of the capital of Baghdad and is behind many of the sectarian killings.
Muqtada also heads a powerful political faction in the burgeoning Iraqi Parliament that put the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki into power. Muqtada's political party and his militia both insist the cleric remains in the country. However, he has yet to make an appearance.
Even if he has left Iraq, the question remains whether he would still be able to maintain command and control both over his political and military factions or whether it would break apart into rogue elements.
Either way, observers here on the ground suggest if he has left Iraq for fear of his security, it is not in the face of an American offensive, but most likely in the face of internal factional fighting.
Michael Ware, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: A peaceful moment in an anxious city. Tens of thousands of Lebanese gathered in Beirut's Martyrs' Square to honor Rafik Hariri on the second anniversary of his murder. Government supporters were separated from Hezbollah-led opposition protesters by soldiers and barbed wire.
Hariri, a former Lebanese premier, was killed in a bombing as his motorcade passed through central Beirut on this date in 2005. His supporters and many others blame Syria, but Syria denies involvement. And a U.N. probe continues.
LEMON: She was warned to stay away from Afghanistan, but this aid worker went and what she saw broke her heart. Her story, straight ahead in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Russia. Presidential news conferences are serious business. Well, mostly.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
QUESTION: Without commenting on the Libby trial then, can you tell us whether you authorized any of these three...
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Yes, thanks, Pete. I'm not going to talk about any of it.
QUESTION: They're not under investigation?
BUSH: Peter, not going to talk about any of it.
QUESTION: How about pardon? Many people have asked whether you're going to...
BUSH: Not going to talk about it, Peter. Would you like to think of another question? Being the kind man that I am, I will recycle you.
Do you like that one? Recycling him?
QUESTION: That took care of one of my questions, as well, sir.
BUSH: If that's the case, sit down. Next question.
Michael, who do you work for?
QUESTION: Mr. President, I work for politico.com.
BUSH: Pardon me?
QUESTION: Politico.com. Yes, sir, today.
BUSH: You want a moment to explain to the American people exactly what...
QUESTION: Mr. President, thank you for the question.
BUSH: Quit being so evasive. You can checking the time? I just thought he was looking at the watch because he was getting bored. I wasn't sure, you know. Remember the debates? Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: President Bush, having fun with the White House Press Corps. Humor has always been a potent weapon in politics. And that could be a big advantage for the nation's newest would-be senator, no joke. CNN political analyst Bill Schneider here to talk about all of this. Was that the president or was that the guy who plays him on the "Tonight Show"? He was funny today. Why do you think -- he seemed frisky. You know, a little bit more at ease. Why do you think he took this tone, considering what's going on with Iraq, Iran, the war and everything?
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, it is very serious times. And he's also being labeled a lame duck. The president wanted to look relaxed, in charge, comfortable, to dispel any notion that he feels oppressed and worried and beleaguered by all the problems besetting his presidency.
It's another way of establishing his authority, I think, to show that he's not the way Jimmy Carter was during the Middle East crisis or Bill Clinton when he had to defend his relevancy after his party lost control of Congress. That he feels perfectly comfortable and reassured.
LEMON: Yes, and he doesn't have to run again. So I guess you have to pick your moments as well, because people may not have taken to this had he done this.
SCHNEIDER: That's right, there's also a moment there that I thought I would call attention to. He said he's going to resist all temptation to become the pundit in chief. That he's not paying a lot of attention to the 2008 race.
But then later he said someone from Congress advised him before he gave his speech on Iraq last month to be eloquent. Then the president added slyly, he didn't say articulate. That was a clear dig at Senator Biden. He's paying attention to that race, by the way.
LEMON: Oh, he is. I was going to say that. At least he didn't say articulate.
SCHNEIDER: He said that himself.
LEMON: Let's switch gears here, Bill. Let's talk about Al Franken. Of course, everyone's going to say "Saturday Night Live," that's going to be the first thing that comes up when he talks about running for Senate. And he made that announcement today as the presidential candidates have been doing on his Web site. Let's take a list.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AL FRANKEN (D), MINNESOTA SENATE CANDIDATE: Hi, I'm Al Franken and I'm running for the United States Senate here in Minnesota. I'd like to talk to you about why I'm running. I'm not a typical politician. I've spent most of my career as a comedian.
Minnesotans have a right to be skeptical about whether I'm ready for this challenge and wonder how seriously I would take the responsibility that I'm asking to you give me. I want you to know that nothing means more to me than making government work better for the working families of this state and over the next 20 months, I look forward to proving to you that I take these issues seriously.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: OK. He is a comedian, but he is very serious about politics. We all know that. This is a state that elected Jesse the body Ventura as governor. Does Al Franken stand a chance? Is he going to be taken seriously, Bill?
SCHNEIDER: Yes, I think he will be. First of all, he has made a great effort to establish his seriousness. He's written best-selling books, which were half in jest, books poking fun at Rush Limbaugh, but making some -- and other conservative figures, but also making some serious points.
And his stint at Air America, which is a very sometimes light- hearted, by generally very serious liberal radio network I think has established his credibility as someone who can speak knowledgeably about a lot of the issues. And Minnesota, Democrats have been in the resurgence in recent years. It's a very competitive state.
LEMON: So we could see a change there. And Al Franken stands a chance. You heard it first from our Bill Schneider, part of the best political team on television. Thank you so much for that.
SCHNEIDER: Sure. PHILLIPS: An American accused of joining al Qaeda in a terror war now is back in the states facing charges. We're going to tell you about his alleged target straight ahead from the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, an American accused of teaming with al Qaeda to try to overthrow the Somali government. Daniel Maldonado ordered held without bond in Houston. Prosecutors say Maldonado traveled to Somalia to join Islamic extremists and elements of al Qaeda. He allegedly was issued an AK-47 and attended the military training camps, two of them actually. Maldonado was captured in Kenya last month as he fled Somalian soldiers and returned to the U.S. this week.
A year in Afghanistan that changed the life of an American aide worker. And it may change the way you think about that country. CNN's Jamie McIntyre has her story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was this scene of desecration, the bodies of dead Taliban fighters burned by U.S. psychological operations troops in 2005, that seared the consciousness of an American aid worker just beginning her year long tour in Afghanistan.
HOLLY HIGGINS, AFGHANISTAN AID WORKER: The burning of the bodies over in Kandahar by U.S. psy-ops guys, what to say? I kept too busy to feel rage as the reports rolled in. But if I had been still, that's where I would have been gone. We have been placed at tremendous risk because of their actions. There is no excuse, no justification. There is something broken along the chain of leadership.
MCINTYRE: As Higgins rereads her laptop journal, she says it reveals the ground truth. It's a record, she says, of how well meaning intentions utterly failed there because the Taliban still rules, often using a simple weapon of intimidation.
HIGGINS: It's called the night letter and it's served as notice to holy warriors to fight back against the unholy infidels. It specifically states that any Afghan known to work as a cook or a driver or engage in social intercourse with the likes of us, will result in the execution of the Afghan.
MCINTYRE (on camera): Higgins is now back home in the U.S., but for that year her home was a sandbag compound in Lashkar Gah, capital of Afghanistan's southern Helmand Province, where every year, a bigger harvest of opium poppies fuels the Taliban resistance.
All but one friend told her not to go. Security experts warned she would be a target.
HIGGINS: And that the Taliban are, they're patient and they'll wait and they'll watch and they'll get you.
MCINTYRE (voice-over): Fair-skinned, blonde, the only woman at a U.S.-funded development project, Higgins couldn't hide.
HIGGINS: I had been warned that the locals would believe I was a prostitute brought in from the West to service as the ex-pat staff and that this blatant violation of Islamic morality in the conservative south would put the team at heightened risk for violent retaliation.
There was a lot of staring. The men literally looked just bewildered, bewildered by me. And so I just felt like kind of a freak of nature really.
MCINTYRE: Higgins' job for that year was to show case economic development success stories.
HIGGINS: There was just -- there was really very little to say. And it was heartbreaking.
MCINTYRE: In fact, she could point to only one project, a cobblestone road that for a time provided work for the locals until the funds ran out.
HIGGINS: See how it just -- it's just beautiful. And these are all from the nearby Helmand River.
(CROSSTALK)
MCINTYRE: It just didn't last.
HIGGINS: No, it's a drop in the bucket. And, boy, we had to milk it over and over and over and over, because that's what we had.
MCINTYRE: There was little else. Here's the new women's center, with shiny Singer sewing machines donated by the U.S. government. It's empty, unused. All the women scared off by the Taliban.
MCINTYRE (on camera): So after having spent a year there, are you discouraged?
HIGGINS: I am. I am.
MCINTYRE (voice-over): In a "Washington Post" opinion piece last month Higgins wrote, "Now I a home, hearing with dismay that President Bush lauds our work as a success and is requesting more aid for Afghanistan."
HIGGINS: Helmand is no success story. You ask anyone there, anyone.
MCINTYRE: After a year, far from the U.S. military, Holly Higgins' ground truth is this, grandiose plans to improve life there were defeated by Taliban bribes. Roughly $200 a month for Afghans to resist the U.S.
HIGGINS: We could have paid $250 a month for high and -- you know, quick impact, high visibility projects that would have encouraged the citizens to sort of understand that we were their allies.
MCINTYRE: Is it a lost cause? Five thousand new British troops are going into Helmund. But Higgins says it will take money, not military force, to defeat the Taliban.
HIGGINS: They desperately wanted our help. They were happy that we were there. And we've lost that to a great degree.
MCINTYRE: During her year of living dangerously, Higgins learned the hard way that in Afghanistan good intentions are not enough and disappointment can be as perennial as the spring poppies.
Jamie McIntyre, CNN, Dickiesville, Maryland.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Well, a Florida judge says Anna Nicole Smith's body belongs to me -- belongs to him. He's scheduled a hearing tomorrow on whether to release Smith's remains for burial or if so, to whom. It's part of an on-going battle between two men who say they're the father of her baby. Larry Birkhead wants a DNA test. Howard K. Stern does not. Stern talked exclusively to "Entertainment Tonight's" Marc Steines, who talked to our Larry King last night, along with a producer who worked on the interview.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LARRY KING, CNN ANCHOR: Do you have any idea, Bonnie, why he won't have a DNA and put this case away?
BONNIE TIEGEL, E.T. SENIOR SUPERVISING PRODUCER: I don't have that answer. I can only know what he's told us, and that is Anna's wishes were not to do that. They didn't want to do that because they were asked by Larry Birkhead. And they made the decision -- Anna made the decision, which I believe Howard is going along with...
KING: But no -- everyone says that's a weak explanation. Wouldn't you agree? It's a weak explanation.
TIEGEL: I just don't have the answer to one.
KING: You want to know you're the father, wouldn't you? Wouldn't he want to know? He can't know for sure. No one knows for sure until you do that, right?
TIEGEL: That's correct. Anna doesn't...
STEINES: But do you go against her wishes? Think of yourself as Howard now. He knows what Anna's wishes were.
KING: But he looks like a money-grubber because she's going to inherit a lot of money and he wants it.
STEINES: I know, but what do you do? Do you...
KING: You do the DNA. STEINES: You do the DNA? Even though you know Anna didn't want it to happen?
KING: I would do the DNA for the baby. The only thing that counts now is the baby, I think.
TIEGEL: That is going to be resolved. But it is going to be resolved possibly on their terms.
STEINES: Is it the baby or is it the pile of money?
KING: What only counts is the baby, her life counts. She should know her father.
STEINES: Right, right, right.
TIEGEL: And he has an amazing relationship with that baby.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, tonight on "LARRY KING LIVE", Rudy Giuliani, he's leading in the polls, at least among the Republican candidates right now, but what would New York's former mayor do as America's next president? Larry goes one-on-one with Rudy Giuliani at 9:00 p.m. Eastern only on CNN.
Can't decide what color of roses to give your Valentine, your little sweetie pie? The rainbow rose, how about every color under the rainbow. That could be your answer, coming up in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi, I'm Captain Keith Peterson (ph) in Baghdad, Iraq. I'd just like to say Happy Valentine's Day to my wife April in Newburn, North Carolina. I miss you and I love you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm in First Class Shawna Lovelace (ph) in beautiful Baghdad, Iraq. And I'd like to say happy Valentine's Day to my niece and nephews Karena (ph), Delvon (ph) and Kelvon (ph) Blass (ph) in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I'd also like to say hello to my mom and dad, Brenda and Jimmy Lovelace (ph), my brothers, Courtney Lovelace and Kelvon Blass and my sister-in-law and all my friends. Hey, y'all.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
PHILLIPS: Robert, can you go back to Betsy over there, by chance? I just want -- that's Betsy Anderson, ladies and gentlemen. And she is one hot single mama. She's successful. Give her a call. And she is an unbelievable barefoot skier. She is nationally ranked. There she is.
LEMON: I share her sentiment, too. I'm so over Valentine's. Except I've got a rose. It's the one you gave me earlier.
PHILLIPS: Cheapo. Looking for something unique this Valentine's? Well, the rainbow rose is one-of-a-kind unlike the red one Don got for free and gave to me and everybody else in the news room. That's a whole other story.
LEMON: That rose has been around. A Dutch grower came up with a secret technique to give each petal a different color. You might hope there's a pot of gold at the end of these rainbows. A dozen would run you about 144 bucks. Hmm.
Time now to say happy Valentine's Day to Wolf Blitzer.
PHILLIPS: That's right. He's always my Valentine.
Hi, Wolf.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, guys.
Happy Valentine's Day to both of you, as well.
Congress right now bitterly divided over resolutions opposing a troop increase in Iraq. We're going to talk about it with former Democratic Senator and Vietnam War veteran Max Cleland.
Also, the growing controversy and debate over Iran's role in Iraq. You'll want to see my interview with the top spokesman for the U.S. multinational forces in Iraq, Major General William Caldwell. He'll join from us Baghdad.
And some critical rulings on key evidence in the trial of former White House aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby. We're going to have the latest for you. We'll go the courthouse.
All that coming up right here in the "SITUATION ROOM" -- Kyra, Don.
PHILLIPS: Thanks for the flowers and the chocolates, Wolf. I really appreciate it.
BLITZER: Did you notice, Kyra, the red tie?
PHILLIPS: Yes, I did.
Is that for me?
BLITZER: I'm sending it to you.
Can you feel it?
PHILLIPS: I feel the energy and the vibe.
LEMON: I can feel the love.
PHILLIPS: Love you, Wolf. LEMON: Thank you, Wolf. And I'm sure you'll be talking about this tomorrow. This is just into the CNN NEWSROOM. It's being billed as a speech on the war on terror tomorrow at the White House. The president will speak about that. And also he is expected to talk about Afghanistan and the war on terror tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. We'll carry it for you live, everything you need to know right here in the "SITUATION ROOM" -- in the NEWSROOM and then we'll follow up in the "SITUATION ROOM".
PHILLIPS: All right. The closing bell is about to ring on Wall Street.
(MARKET REPORT)
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