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Bush Urges Increasing Efforts in Afghanistan; Judge Orders New DNA Sample from Anna Nicole; Web Site Helps Parents Protect Kids Online

Aired February 15, 2007 - 13:00   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.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KRISTA BARTH, ATTORNEY FOR HOWARD K. STERN: I've people that loved her, that stood by her, that were actually there, that actually knew her. And the woman sitting across from me has not laid eyes on that young lady since 1995.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: A court battle over Anna Nicole Smith's corpse. The hearing in Florida. We'll take you there live.

LEMON: And protecting your kids. A new tool to help parents outsmart sexual predators.

PHILLIPS: NASCAR and spiked fuel, rocked by a supersonic scandal just days before the Daytona 500.

You're live in the CNN NEWSROOM.

Overshadowed perhaps, but not forgotten. The war in Afghanistan thrust back into the spotlight with a speech by President Bush. As you may have seen live here on CNN, Mr. Bush hailed big success over the past five years but warned the mission is far from over. The Taliban and al Qaeda are fighting back, which is why he says he's taking action.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm asking Congress for $11.8 billion over the next two years to help this young democracy survive. I've ordered an increase in U.S. forces in Afghanistan. We've extended the stay of 3,200 troops now in the country for four months, and we'll deploy a replacement force that will sustain this increase for the foreseeable future. The forces and funds are going to help President Karzai defeat common enemies.

The success in Afghanistan is important for our security. We are engaged in a long ideological struggle between the forces of moderation and liberty versus the forces of destruction and extremism. And a victory for the forces of liberty in Afghanistan will be a resounding defeat in this ideological struggle.

It's in our national interest that we succeed, that we help President Karzai and the people of Afghanistan succeed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Now our terrorism analyst, Peter Bergen, testified before Congress on the Afghan war and the Taliban resurgence. He's going to join us live here in the NEWSROOM in just a few minutes.

LEMON: And Afghanistan is also familiar turf for our senior international correspondent, Nic Robertson. He's been there many times before during and after the U.S. invasion. Nic listened to the president's speech today from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, as well as outlining an increase in U.S. troop strength and an increase of funding for Afghanistan, President Bush also placed a lot of his emphasis on what NATO countries must do. He said that NATO countries must contribute to this. This is an area where NATO cannot fail, its first out of Europe operation.

The problem has been over the past year or so that the various NATO nations don't want to contribute their troops to the operations in Afghanistan or at least put them potentially in harm's way. The issues have been rules of engagement and such like, which has kept French troops and German troops out of the -- out of the south of Afghanistan, where British and Canadian troops have recently been positioned.

That has been an ongoing problem for NATO leaders. Indeed, at a NATO conference just a few months ago, it was noticeable how little support, broad support, there seemed to be to increase troop strength inside Afghanistan. The United States now contributing 3,200 extra troops. At least they'll stay for an additional four months.

The other area President Bush focused on, Hamid Karzai, the president of Afghanistan, saying that he must win the confidence of the people. Concern in Afghanistan, amongst politicians, that Hamid Karzai is not showing enough direction and enough leadership at this time.

And indeed, the concerns about corruption because of the growing poppy cultivation -- they're producing opium and heroin that President Bush spoke about -- that reaches into the highest echelons of the government. That's the analysis of experts.

President Bush talking about the need to reform the judicial system, appoint additional judges. This has been done, but it has been noticeable, at least until very recently in Afghanistan, that no senior drug barons, no big figures in the drug export and the drug production and growth in Afghanistan, have been arrested, or taken to court. So a lot of pressure, here, being focused by President Bush. If Hamid Karzai was to keep the support of his people and the people of the United States, he must take these steps.

And also addressing the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan that have been growing in the past six months, trying to smooth over the waters there, trying to bring President Hamid Karzai and President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan together to get their effort along the Pakistan/Afghan border, which is where the Taliban have been crossing into Afghanistan to strike at U.S. troops. So a lot of emphasis put on there, an economic zone to be implemented along the border.

So that puts emphasis on NATO needing to step up. On Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, needing to win the support and confidence of his people. And, again, the pressure on Pakistan and Afghanistan to cooperate.

Nic Robertson, CNN, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: And the war being fought on Capitol Hill still is Iraq. It's the final day of the debate in the House of Representatives on a nonbinding statement to protest deployment of more than 20,000 additional combat troops.

Right now, Cathy Rogers, Republican of Washington state, speaking live.

The measure also underscores support of troops already there and those who have served in the past. The vote is planned for tomorrow.

LEMON: An Iranian connection, real or alleged, is high on the radar of joint chiefs chairman Peter Pace.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEN. PETER PACE, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: We know that the explosively formed projectiles are manufactured in Iran. What I would not say is that the Iranian government, per se, knows about this. It is clear the Iranians are involved, and it's clear that materials from Iran are involved, but I would not say, based on what I know, that the Iranian government clearly knows or is complicit.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Pace and Defense Secretary Robert Gates have a Pentagon news conference scheduled today for 4:30 p.m. Eastern, and our Wolf Blitzer will have that for you in "THE SITUATION ROOM".

PHILLIPS: No resting in peace for Anna Nicole Smith, as the battle over her body drags on. Lawyers for Smith's mother, Virgie Arthur, her companion, Howard K. Stern, and her one-time boyfriend, Larry Birkhead, all fighting it out with the probate judge in the middle. Our Susan Candiotti is at the courthouse in Broward County, Florida.

It was quite the drama this morning, Susan, to say the least.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was, Kyra. Among the jibs and the jabs and the anecdotes that we've heard, including learning THAT the probate judge once used to drive a cab, WELL, one thing at least did get settled so far. And that is this.

The judge has ordered that a new DNA sample can be taken from Anna Nicole Smith's remains over at the Broward medical examiner's office. And at this hour, an entourage of sorts is on its way over to that office -- that's our understanding -- presumably, to take this fresh swab, as it were, from the inside of one of her cheeks.

The judge is allowing that to happen as part of a lawsuit, a paternity lawsuit, that was filed by Anna Nicole Smith's ex-boyfriend, Larry Birkhead, in California. He claims he is the father of her infant daughter, Dannielynn, who is 5 months old, and who is living in the Bahamas right now. In fact, there's a court order that she can't leave the Bahamas for the time being.

So this is what -- how this played out in court.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUDGE LARRY SEIDLIN, BROWARD COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT: Doctor, if you're comfortable, you'll take that swab test, the medical examiner. I'm ordering that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your honor, I would like to have it done very promptly because that's not a complicated...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Today.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That takes exactly 10 seconds.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As Anna Nicole is in our custody that no one has access in order to describe to the media how she looks or any kind...

SEIDLIN: Absolutely not.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So therefore, if you want to do the -- if your expert wants to do the examination of the samples, we'll do it in a separate room outside the autopsy room, without the viewing of Anna Nicole. Is that...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Absolutely.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: So as you can see, tight security remains in place over there at the Broward County medical examiner's office.

But other than that decision being made, there has been little other progress. What else is at play here is who gets Anna Nicole Smith's remains. It has been a week, since Thursday, a week ago, since she died. And right now there is a battle between Howard K. Stern, Smith's partner, says, "I want her body. I want to take her back to the Bahamas and bury her next to her son Daniel, age 20, who died back in September of an overdose, just a few days after the birth of her daughter."

Smith's mother, Virgie Arthur, who is here in court this day, said, "No, I want my daughter. I have the right to her, and I want to bring her back to Texas and bury her there."

Well, after all that was said, the attorneys representing Stern's -- Mr. Stern, made a rather pointed attack against Smith's mother.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARTH: I have people that loved her, that stood by her, that were actually there, that actually knew her. And the woman sitting across from me has not laid eyes on that young lady since 1995. She's never laid eyes on her granddaughter. And she sits here today to take her to Texas and put her in the ground all alone.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: Mrs. Arthur has not had anything to say during this hearing so far. Her attorneys did not address that particular pointed attack. And they're in recess now for lunch and plan on resuming these proceedings this afternoon.

Back to you, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Susan. We'll keep checking in, no doubt.

LEMON: So much snow you have to take it off in layers. Back- breaking work, as folks shovel out from Chicago all the way to Boston. Many school districts closed again today. Businesses, too, in the southern Adirondacks where as much as 40 inches of snow fell since this time on Tuesday.

The monster storm is blamed for at least 13 deaths in seven states and blackouts affecting hundreds of thousands of homes.

Now many travelers are still trying to get where they were going. That was yesterday. They were supposed to get there yesterday. They haven't left yet. They were stranded at airports, bus terminals and train stations overnight and in some cases on grounded planes for as long as -- get this -- 11 hours.

REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: No thank you.

LEMON: No, you could not have said it better, no thank you. There ought to be a law.

WOLF: Yes, I'm telling you, man.

LEMON: Yes, they're not sure -- some kids may be cheering for all that, but the people who are shoveling out and the people who are stuck in the airport, not cheering at all.

WOLF: We often talk about how difficult it is for people to deal with, but you can imagine being on one of those planes with a bunch of kids? I mean, that's just -- it's just excruciating, I'm sure. Thankfully, though, things are going to get better.

(WEATHER REPORT)

LEMON: And Reynolds, you know we love i-reports, don't we?

WOLF: Absolutely. We share plenty of those for you, too, throughout the day. You bet.

LEMON: CNN.com/ireport.

WOLF: It's all that simple.

LEMON: Thank you, Reynolds.

WOLF: You bet.

PHILLIPS: A simple spray keeps the flu at bay. A new study says it's nothing to snooze at. Details on why your kid's doctor may give it a shot next flu season.

LEMON: And say it isn't so, Ricky Bobby. Days before Daytona a fuel tampering scandal hits NASCAR. A tankful of trouble straight ahead in the CNN NEWSROOM.

PHILLIPS: And caught on tape, a police cruiser on an icy road, smack in the middle of a multi-vehicle pileup. We're going to check in on that driver. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: We're going to work with Pakistan and Afghanistan to enhance cooperation to defeat what I would call a common enemy. Taliban and al Qaeda fighters do hide in remote regions of Pakistan. This is -- this is wild country. This is wilder than the Wild West.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: It's a no man's land, the rugged frontier between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Let's talk more about U.S. strategy in the region and the president's speech this morning with our terrorism analyst Peter Bergen. He just testified on Capitol Hill about this very issue. He joins us now live from Washington.

And Peter, I'm curious, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, what did they ask you? Were there any surprises? And what was the first thing out of the box?

PETER BERGEN, TERRORISM ANALYST: Well, Tom Lantos, who's the chairman of the committee, made a very strong statement about how other NATO countries that are not really producing troops to fight in Afghanistan need to step up to the plate.

As you know, Kyra, the British, the Canadians, are bearing the brunt of fighting but other countries like France, Spain and Germany, while they're in the coalition in Afghanistan, are not really providing troops. And so that was a pretty strong statement from him.

Seems to me that, you know, that there is a fair amount of bipartisan consensus that we need to do something in Afghanistan; the window is closing to some degree; 2007's a critical year for the effort. And President Bush's speech this morning in Washington, I think, was you know, a good first start.

I mean, the -- it's still -- you can do a surge in Afghanistan militarily, diplomatically, and reconstruction, you can really make a difference. Afghanistan is a country where 8 out of 10 Afghans want the international forces in the country. They're pro-United States; they're pro-NATO. They have a high degree of -- go ahead.

PHILLIPS: Why is the Taliban coming back in such a strong way, Peter? Is it because the Taliban was never really brought down when the bombing campaign happened on behalf of the U.S. military? Is it because they were forced out and now they're coming back? Why is the Taliban coming back in such a strong way? Stronger than -- stronger in 2006 than before the war.

BERGEN: Well, I mean there are a lot of reasons for that. One is the drug trade. They're benefiting from that in part.

Two, as the president mentioned in his speech, they are benefiting from some form of safe haven in Pakistan.

Three, there is some dissatisfaction with the government in terms of the international community, in terms of reconstruction, particularly in the south of the country.

But they're back, but they're not yet really a strategic problem for the -- either the Afghan government or the United States or its NATO allies. They're certainly a lot more than they were in '03 when they were really a nuisance. They are a serious tactical challenge but one that -- I mean, I don't anticipate the Taliban suddenly setting up a government in Kabul any time soon, which is not to underplay the fact that they showed some resilience and they're obviously planning a pretty big offensive in the spring.

PHILLIPS: So did the military strategy fail? Do the people just hate the idea of a democracy? Or is the drug trade just too powerful or so powerful that it can pay citizens to help build the Taliban, versus taking on legitimate jobs?

BERGEN: Well, I think, Kyra, that's really the point, is that, you know, you can get $100 a month for working for the Taliban and maybe $70 a month working as an Afghan policeman.

Now this is one of the poorest countries in the world. People are actually desperately poor. They have large families. And so for a lot of people, this is an economic choice.

I don't think Afghans are any less in favor of democracy than any other group. In fact, they voted -- 10 million of them turned out to vote in a presidential election that elected presidential -- President Karzai. It was a 70 percent turnout, which is much higher than turnouts in most elections in countries in the west.

So I don't think it's -- it's not that the people are opposed to democracy. It's that the Taliban is able to -- particularly in the south -- draw on certain resentments, pay a little bit more and, you know, there is -- there is this question of safe haven in Pakistan. It's a, you know, kind of complex answer to why they've come back.

PHILLIPS: Something that was interesting in your testimony. You said that Iran actually had a useful role in Afghanistan. We've been talking so much about Iran and what part of the government is supplying these weapons to the insurgency in Iraq. But Iran actually was useful with regard to Afghanistan?

BERGEN: Yes, I mean -- yes, we've tended to demonize Iran on all levels, but when it comes to Afghanistan, this is an country that could have played a very, very difficult role for us when we went in there to overthrow the Taliban, and they could continue to make it difficult for us in Afghanistan. They have a lot of influence; they have a lot of money.

But they've been, I think, somewhat of a beneficial force in Afghanistan. They have not armed militias in Afghanistan. The things -- the allegations that we're making about Iran in Iraq just simply haven't happened in Afghanistan.

Also, Iran has a huge domestic drug problem. And one thing that -- an area of, I think, common interest for the international community is the fact that Iran's got a big drug problem. And we have a strong interest in sort of ameliorating that problem in Afghanistan, as they do.

PHILLIPS: Our terrorism expert, Peter Bergen. Thanks so much, Peter.

BERGEN: Thank you.

LEMON: What you don't know won't hurt you? Well, that's not the case when it comes to the Internet and your kids. Ahead in the NEWSROOM, a new web site helps parents get net smart.

PHILLIPS: Caught on tape, a police cruiser on an icy road, smack in the middle of a multi-vehicle pileup. Ooh!

LEMON: Terrible.

It is a sticky situation for peanut butter lovers. Up next in the NEWSROOM, the 411 on bad batches that can make you sick. Grab a pencil. We've got names and numbers.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Well, nearly one year ago, Dubai Ports World agreed to take control of six U.S. ports. That sparked a political uproar, and the company said it would sell those leases. You may have thought that was the end of it. But the global saga certainly continues.

Susan Lisovicz at the New York Stock Exchange with all the details on that.

Hi, Susan.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Don.

Well, Dubai Ports World has already worked out all of the details to sell five of its six port operations in the U.S. to an American company, AIG Global Investment Group.

But Dubai is having problems sealing the deal with the final port. That's because talks with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have hit a snag.

"The Wall Street Journal" says the Port Authority won't approve the lease transfer unless Dubai Ports pays as much as $85 million. The Port Authority wants the money as a departure fee. Not only that, the Port Authority is also trying to get a commitment from AIG that it will invest in infrastructure improvements like upgrading railroad tracks and upgrading wharfs. So some details still not worked out, Don.

LEMON: A lot of times people, though, don't reach agreement when it comes to things like this. What happens if they don't come to an agreement?

LISOVICZ: Well, it's a package deal, Don, and so that could create real problems. The ports are packaged, so if the New York/New Jersey portion falls apart, the entire transaction, which also involves Baltimore, Philadelphia, Miami, Tampa and New Orleans, could fall apart, too. That means Dubai Ports would have to find a new buyer, and that could take months.

As for the Port Authority, well, it tell us, quote, "We are having productive discussions and hope to reach an agreement soon."

We hope so.

(STOCK REPORT)

LISOVICZ: And that's the latest from Wall Street.

Coming up, Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea just didn't cut it. Now, just in time for Presidents' Day, a new offering from the U.S. Mint. I'll have details next hour.

Back to you, Don and Kyra. LEMON: That was a great way of putting it. Thank you, Susan.

LISOVICZ: You're welcome.

PHILLIPS: Hello, everyone. I'm Kyra Phillips live at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta.

LEMON: And I'm Don Lemon.

Is nothing sacred anymore? NASCAR falls prey to its own version of a steroid scandal, but it's not the drivers. Some pit crews are allegedly juicing the cars. We're live in Daytona with the details for you right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

But first, the secret lives of online predators. They thrive in your child's cyber world, out of sight of Internet inept parents. But a new web site claims it can help parents stay one -- excuse me, one step ahead.

Our Brianna Keilar is in Washington to tell us all about this -- Brianna.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there, Don.

There's a whole online language of abbreviations and acronyms that kids are using online. It's really easy to be oblivious as to what exactly they're saying. So a quick pop quiz for you, Don. What does POS mean?

LEMON: Say again? I missed your question.

KEILAR: Oh, I was saying POS. If you were to see that in an instant message, from maybe a young person, would you know what that means?

LEMON: POS? No. I usually know this stuff, usually up on the LOL and the whatever. POS, sounds like point of sale, but maybe not.

KEILAR: That's what I would think, too. Sounds like you're pretty savvy, but a lot of parents aren't. This is kind of alarming, because POS means parent over shoulder. Certainly something very alarming if you're a parent that maybe your kid is using that in an instant message.

That's where this new website that's being launched comes in. It's being launched by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. It's called Netsmartz411.org. That's Netsmartz with a "Z." If you look in the library, it actually breaks down what of these abbreviations and acronyms mean.

Now, some of them, they're harmless. JK means just kidding. Some of them are alarming. P911, is sort of an alert there. It's, hey, my parents are coming. Or PAW, parents are watching. So certainly something if you're a parent to be looking for.

Also, maybe you think your child has had an encounter with an online predator. You can look on this website. It's going to tell you about some of the information you should get from your kid, some of the information you should get from your computer, if you're going to report it here to their cyber tip line. Or maybe you want to talk to law enforcement authorities about it.

Also, Don, maybe you want to know about some safety -- some security measures, rather, on the Xbox, or you want to know exactly what online discussions your kids are having on Xbox live or Runescape. These are very popular online interactive video games. All of those questions answered on this website.

LEMON: This is very good because we always talk about things -- what difference does this legislation, or these laws really make. And this one seems to be making a real difference. I didn't know that. And I'm sure I may be hipper than a lot of parents, and they probably don't know it.

Now, I'm sure this website can't answer every question, Brianna. What if it's not answered on that website?

KEILAR: Well, no, and certainly this website is evolving as more questions get asked. If there's a question, and you don't have an answer to it on this website, there's a really cool feature you can go to. It's called ask an expert. You just click here and you can send in an e-mail. If it's coming up here.

And you can put in, obviously, your name, you can put in -- they can answer you by e-mail address or even your phone number. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children says their experts -- these are people who have at least six months of training on how to answer questions, they will start to look at your e-mail within 24 hours.

LEMON: Brianna Keilar, very nice, I learned something and I'm sure our viewers did as well. Thank you so much for that.

KEILAR: You're welcome.

PHILLIPS: A simple spray keeps the flu at bay. A new study says it's nothing to sneeze at. Details on why your kid's doctor may give it a shot next flu season.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: More troops, or not, the debate over what to do in Iraq continues. Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader, spoke just moments ago. Let's take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SENATOR HARRY REID (D-NV), MAJORITY LEADER: We demand an up or down vote on the resolution that the House is debating, as we speak. A resolution that says we support the troops and we oppose the escalation of the presence in Iraq. We're determined to give our troops and the American people the debate they deserve.

Now, we know that time is of the essence. That's why the Senate will have another Iraq vote on Saturday.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Interesting, on Saturday. Dana Bash, up or down vote.

I actually didn't know they would come in and do that possibly on a Saturday. Is that standard operating procedure?

DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It is absolutely not standard operating procedure. That's the whole point of what Democrats decided to do this afternoon.

Basically, to boil it down, it's this -- the Senate is deadlocked on a vote, how to vote, when to vote, on a resolution dealing with the president's plan. The House has been debating all week of course. The Senate deadlocked last week. They deadlocked over a procedural issues.

The Republican wanted to make sure they had at least one or two, maybe, of their resolutions to vote on. And Democrats were fighting them on that. And what happened last week, if you remember is because of that, the motion to proceed through this issue just simply failed because Republicans blocked it.

Well, since then, Kyra, over the last 24 hours or so, some of those Republicans, a couple of them, have been standing up and saying, look we don't want to go home for a week-long recess, which begins on Friday, until the Senate acts. It's our responsibility to have our voices heard.

So essentially, you know, Chuck Schumer, the Democrat from New York, said it best when he described the Democrat's strategy, it's to call the Republican's bluff. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): They thought that they could sort of bluff us by saying, hey if you don't give us these obfuscatory amendments -- if you don't give us these obfuscatory amendments, we'll make you stay here. That's what they said. Well, right now, we're calling their bluff. We're staying here. Now vote yes or no.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: So what we are going to see if things move the way they are planned, as of now, is a vote on Saturday. Now, this is going to be a vote that will require a 60 to pass. Here's what is going to be interesting, Kyra. That is that some of the Republican, most of them who oppose the president's plan -- Republicans like John Warner, for example, and about five others -- they voted with their party last week, and they voted to block moving forward on this because they wanted to be good soldiers, if you will, when it comes to the party.

This time, just spoke with Senator Warner on the way here; he says that he is inclined and probably will vote with the Democrats. So he will vote to oppose the president's plan. So, although it might not actually pass, because it will require 60 votes it could get pretty close. And that's exactly what the Democrats are trying to do as Senator Schumer said, called the Republican's bluff.

We haven't heard from the Republicans yet. The way the Senate works is this could be a plan to vote on Saturday, but it could also in the end, be the beginning of some kind of brokering or negotiating. We'll see.

PHILLIPS: I guess that means you're going to be working on Saturday, as well, Dana. Is that right? I'm sorry.

BASH: It is sounding -- I think I just realized that as I was saying that to you. You're right.

(LAUGHTER)

PHILLIPS: You're going to have a six-day week. All right, Dana Bash, appreciate it.

BASH: Thank you.

LEMON: All the protection, none of the pain. A needle-free flu vaccine for kids. Don't want to miss this ahead in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: This just getting in to CNN. We're being told that police were seen entering the ocean front home of Anna Nicole Smith, the home that was shared by her and her companion before she died. According to information just coming in here to CNN, two uniformed police officers arrived in a patrol car, passed through the gate, and then just a short while after that, they were followed by a van with "Crime Scene Unit" on the side.

One of the officers apparently escorted the men from the van into the home. They declined to answer any questions from reporters. The Crime Scene Unit was seen taking pictures of the property. Now, Stern, Anna Nicole's partner, had filed a burglary report after claiming that a computer and some home videos, and other items, were taken from the mansion before he returned from Florida, when Anna Nicole had collapsed and died.

Not sure whether the Crime Scene Unit is there due to that burglary report, or not. It could be something else. We're working more information. We'll let you know.

LEMON: So what is the best way to protect your kids from the flu? Well, it may not be a shot in the arm. CNN Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen joins us with more on that.

I think I know what it means. It's kind of surprising information. You would think it would go straight to where it's supposed to go if you shoot it in the arm.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Right. And flu shots definitely work, but every parent knows kids hate shots. And parents hate shots.

LEMON: Adults.

COHEN: It is no fun to watch your kid have to get a shot. There is something called FluMist, which is a nose spray. You see it being delivered here. That is used sometimes to vaccinate kids against the flu. Now, folks at Merck, who make this nose spray, wanted to know, would it work in children ages six months to five years. So they did a study, which has just been published in "The New England School of Medicine".

And here's what they found. They found that when kids got the nose spray that it was actually 55 percent more effective than the shot. This is exciting. Many pediatricians who would like to possibly use this instead.

Now, why does it appear to be so much more effective? Well, one reason seems to be that when you give a child a shot in the nose, so to speak, is that actually -- the medicine actually goes right to where the germs are. Flu germs live in your nose. So the thinking is it was more effective because that's where the germs are.

LEMON: OK. So, here's a question. If it's so effective, why not just automatically give it to babies and kids?

COHEN: Right now, it is not approved by the FDA for babies and kids under five. The reason why they're not just snapping their fingers and saying on the basis of this study let's do it, is that the study also showed that it did seem to cause some wheezing. Kids who got this nose spray did seem to have more wheezing.

And not just a little bit of wheezing but enough wheezing that sometimes it landed them in the hospital. They need to look at the data, need to look at the risks and benefits before they make the decision.

LEMON: OK, so here's -- everyone says get it early, you know, make sure you get it. Is it too late to get the flu shot or flu vaccine or the mist for your kids?

COHEN: It's not. You know what, it's never too late. As long as we're in the flu season, which we are right now, we're towards the end of the flu season. But it is never too late. So what you can do is you can bring your child in, talk to your pediatrician, about getting a flu shot.

Who's supposed to get them? According to the Centers for Disease Control, children ages six months to five years should be vaccinated against the flu, and older children should be vaccinated if they have certain medical conditions like asthma or diabetes. Also, anyone who lives with children in these two groups should be vaccinated.

The CDC says these household contacts can help keep these kids safe. A lot of people forget that. If you have a young child, or a child with a chronic condition, you should also get vaccinated.

LEMON: You always have very good information. But this one is really important, because a lot of kids get sick and we know the most vulnerable are kids and older people, people with compromised --

COHEN: That's right. Exactly. You know who gets older people sick?

LEMON: The kids?

COHEN: The kids, that's right. That's another reason to get your kids vaccinated.

LEMON: Elizabeth Cohen, thank you so much.

COHEN: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Hey you there, with that sandwich, is that peanut butter?

(LAUGHTER)

It could be Peter Pan or Great Value peanut butter. Check the jar because it could be contaminated with salmonella. ConAgra, the company behind those brands, says that jars with product codes beginning with 2111 should be thrown out. Tainted PB has sickened almost 300 people in 39 states.

The company is offering a full refund to anyone who bought the bad stuff. Send the lid along with your name and address to ConAgra Foods, P.O. Box 57078, Irvine, California, 92619. Or you can call 1- 866-344-6970. Once again, that number is 1-866-344-6970.

LEMON: I'm sure we have all that information on our website, or at least we should, if you need to go there.

OK, so say it isn't so, Ricky Bobby, days before Daytona, a fuel tampering scandal hits NASCAR. A tankful of trouble is straight ahead in the NEWSROOM

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, if you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'. If you're a NASCAR fan, you'll recognize that line, which has been around since the sport began. Things may be changes a bit. Witness the crackdown this week affecting five drivers preparing for Sunday's Daytona 500 -- Elliott Sadler, I'm so upset with you. CNN's Ray D'Alessio is in Daytona.

Ray, I'm so disappointed in these boys.

RAY D'ALESSIO, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: I'll tell you what, Kyra, yeah, there's certainly no lack of controversy here in Daytona.

NASCAR officials sending out the message loud and clear that enough already, cheating will no longer be tolerated. You mentioned it, five crew chiefs suspended. Most notably, David Hyder, who is the crew chief for Michael Waltrip. Of course, Waltrip, a two-time winner of the Daytona 500. Hyder suspended indefinitely and fined a record $100,000 after NASCAR inspectors found an illegal fuel additive in Waltrip's car before and after last Saturday's qualifying.

Now, in all the penalties this week, some of the harshest ever handed down by NASCAR. Fines totaling $250,000. And as you might expect, all this has caused quite a buzz in the garage area.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BORIS SAID, NASCAR DRIVER: NASCAR's finally drawing a line. Not a line, a ditch in the sand, where they don't want to tolerating any cheating or any pushing the rules. It just like speeding on the highway, you get $100 ticket. If the fine was life in imprisonment, you wouldn't speed. That's what NASCAR's doing now to us racers.

KYLE PETTY, NASCAR DRIVER: I'm not throwing rocks. I live in that glass house. I've cheated 10 million times. And I'll admit it straight up dude. Lived to pay for it and lived to walk away from it. We've all been there.

TY MORRIS, GM, MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING: We don't know what the substance is, where it was added, how it was added. But we're pretty confident that someone, somewhere -- somehow -- has independently done this, and we are also in our own investigation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

D'ALESSIO: That was Ty Morris, general manager for Michael Waltrip Racing. Morris, really stopping short of calling the whole fuel additive a possible sabotage. There have been reports that it was possibly jet fuel, but some of the people that talked to here today would not confirm that.

Michael Waltrip, himself, once again, addressing the media today, and apologizing for the embarrassment this whole scandal has not only caused Michael Waltrip Racing, but the manufacturer, Toyota, as well. Waltrip saying he actually thought about withdrawing his from today's qualifying race, but was talked out of it by his wife, Buffy, and NASCAR President Mike Helton -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: So, Ray, what do you think, is it possible the drivers didn't know what was going on? Because usually they're pretty tuned in to their crew, and what's happening with their car.

D'ALESSIO: I laugh because we actually had a chance to talk to Richard Petty who was the king, of course, of NASCAR, very famous legendary driver.

Richard Petty did not want to go on camera, said, I don't want to get caught up in the whole controversy, because it doesn't involve my team. But I will say this, I was here for the very first Daytona 500 and they were cheating way back when.

It's there, Kyra, it's just a matter if these guys want to push the line and get caught or not. But as they say, the show must go on. They're getting ready to start the first qualifying race of the Gatorade Duels today. And then, of course, coming up on Sunday is the race. So, as I said, a lot of controversy here in Daytona.

PHILLIPS: It's always -- always adds to the whole NASCAR theme. Thanks, Ray.

D'ALESSIO: Exactly.

LEMON: Those wild NASCAR crashes, they have nothing on this one. Whatever you're doing, take a look at this. The storm may be over but the mess remains, and so does the danger. Take a look at this amazing dashboard video.

Wow. This happened near Cincinnati at the height of the storm on Tuesday. A tractor trailer slides on the road, slamming into a car, and a police cruiser. An officer was responding to another accident at the time. Unbelievably, no one was seriously hurt.

PHILLIPS: He no longer plays in the NBA but still manages to earn a personal foul. Ahead in the NEWSROOM, Tim Hardaway shoots from the lip and doesn't score any points.

LEMON: Well, chomp that cigar all you want, just don't light it. Ahead in the NEWSROOM, a congressman's penchant for puffing ignites a flap on Capitol Hill.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Well, he is a blue state Republican with a platform that spans the political spectrum -- well, almost. Rudy Giuliani, that's who we're talking about; he tells our very own Larry King he's definitely running for president. He's not just exploring, and he's not just running away from some social positions, that are more on line with many Democrats.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LARRY KING, CNN ANCHOR, LARRY KING LIVE: Are you pretty sure that no matter what you appoint, Roe versus Wade will remain?

RUDY GIULIANI, FMR. MAYOR, NEW YORK CITY: Nobody knows that.

Would it would hurt you if they overturned it? And you appointed judges that...

GIULIANI: I don't think it would hurt me or help me, or it would be a matter of states making decisions or --

KING: You'd be indifferent to it?

GIULIANI: I wouldn't indifferent to it. It wouldn't be the litmus test on which I would appoint somebody. I'd appoint somebody because I thought they'd be a good judge who would do the best they could to interpret the Constitution. And maybe nine times out of ten, I'll be satisfied with that appointment, and one out of ten times, I'll be sitting there -- like I used to do when I appointed lots of people when I was the mayor, and say, how could they do that. Why do they do that? I didn't understand why they did it.

KING: You're pro basically the gay movement, right? That gays have equal right to heteros, that they be treated the same way in society and hospital?

GIULIANI: Gays -- gays...

KING: Insurance benefits and all of that?

GIULIANI: Gays should be protected. I signed the domestic partnership law in New York -- but the way I'm portrayed by my opponents, and I guess to drive people away from me, is I'm in favor of gay marriage. I'm not.

I did 220 weddings. They were all between a man and a woman. I believe marriage should be between a man and a woman. At least, I hope they were all between a man and a woman. It looked that way at the time.

I believe, yeah, I believe that marriage is something that should be between a man and a woman. And that the way to handle this -- the way to handle respect and everything else is to have something like domestic partnership, which I support.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Well, tonight, on "Larry King Live," the fight for Anna Nicole Smith's body. Join him at 9:00 p.m. Eastern, only on CNN.

PHILLIPS: Next hour of the NEWSROOM starts right now.

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