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Missing U.S. Soldiers; Iraq Major Focus in Democratic Debate; Three Suspects in Custody in Alleged Plot Targeting JFK International Airport
Aired June 04, 2007 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, everyone. You are in the CNN NEWSROOM.
I'm Tony Harris.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Heidi Collins.
Good morning to you.
Watch events come into the NEWSROOM live on this Monday morning. It's June 4th, and here is what's on the rundown.
Missing soldiers' update. The photo IDs of U.S. troops missing since last month show up on an insurgent Web site.
Our live report straight ahead.
HARRIS: Summit bound. President Bush makes his way to Europe. Will he get his way on some key issues?
COLLINS: A huge branch falls, an officer goes down. What may have saved his life?
We'll tell you about it in the NEWSROOM.
Some disturbing new information just coming into CNN now on those two U.S. soldiers missing in Iraq. The two disappeared May 12th after a battle with insurgents south of Baghdad.
We go straight to the Pentagon now and CNN's Barbara Starr.
Barbara, good morning to you. What's the latest?
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Heidi, good morning to you.
Some very concerning news. The latest development are the military I.D. cards of the two missing soldiers since that attack last month have now appeared on an Internet site. We'll show our viewers what we have here.
I think we do have the military I.D. cards that have appeared on this site. They are the cards of Private Byron Wayne Fouty and also Specialist Alex Ramon Jimenez.
These cards are the standard military I.D. cards that all U.S. military personnel carry. There we have them now.
Of course, Private First Class Joseph Anzack, the man was -- he was found dead after several days of searching. His body returned to his family. But both Private Byron Wayne Fouty and Specialist Alex Ramon Jimenez still missing. Still, the search does go on for them.
That Arabic writing you see at the top there is translated to say the following: "Bush is the reason for the loss of your prisoners." That is meant to believe, we believe, that Bush is to blame for the loss of these men.
Of course, they came under an insurgent attack in which several U.S. soldiers were killed on that day. And three went missing. Anzack -- Private Anzack was later found.
As to the appearance of these military I.D. cards, Heidi, it is not a proof of life of these two men.
COLLINS: Right.
STARR: But it is associated with the Islamic State of Iraq, one of the umbrella organizations for Al Qaeda in Iraq, and certainly is causing some great concern with U.S. military personnel. There had been a claim that they had them. This does not prove that at all, but this hunt for these two men does go on -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Yes, certainly. It never will end.
It's got to be so hard, though, Barbara, for the families when information like this comes out. In fact, we do understand, of course, Pentagon officials have notified the families of the missing soldiers that this posting could actually appear.
STARR: Well, our understanding from U.S. military sources is that they have contacted or are trying to contact the families to let them know this type of material is out there. They don't want to cause them anymore distress than they're already under. It's not clear whether they have reached all the vital family members in both of these families, but they are endeavoring to do that.
What military officials tell us is they had some intelligence information that this type of material or even a video of some sort might be appearing. And again, no indications that any video would show the soldiers. We don't want to cause -- mislead anyone. But they have been searching these Islamic Web sites for days now, looking for clues that some type of material would be posted, in fact -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. CNN's Barbara Starr live from the Pentagon this morning, staying on top of the story for us.
Barbara, thank you so much.
We also want to take a moment to make sure that we credit terrorism expert Laura Mansfield for first identifying this posting on the Internet. HARRIS: The road to the White House and the way station of war. Eight Democrats face off in a CNN debate. Iraq a major focus.
More from our senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley, part of the best political team on television.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Consistently third in national polls, John Edwards took it to them this evening, commending his top two rivals for voting against an Iraq spending bill, blasting them for failing to lead.
JOHN EDWARDS (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: They went quietly to the floor of the Senate, cast the right vote. But there is a difference between leadership and legislature.
CROWLEY: It produced the first dustup of the evening as Obama took exception.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And I think, John, the fact is, is that I opposed this war from the start. So you are about four and a half years late on leadership on this issue. And I think it's important not to play politics on something that is as critical and as difficult as this.
CROWLEY: Running for the nomination of a fierceness antiwar party, Joe Biden was the odd man out, the only one to have voted in favor of the Iraq spending bill. Biden explained he could not in good conscience leave U.S. troops without funds. Though refusing to be directly critical of his colleagues, Biden managed to get his point across.
SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN (D-DE), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And I knew the right political vote, but I tell you what, some things are worth losing elections over.
CROWLEY: Perched at the top of the pack, Clinton's debate mission was to be frontrunner, stay above the fray. She had her sights set on the general election, not her Democratic colleagues.
SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D-NY), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And the differences among us are minor. The differences between us and the Republicans are major, and I don't want anybody in America to be confused.
CROWLEY: Clinton and Edwards clashed only gently when he repeated his assertion that the war on terror is nothing more than a bumper sticker.
EDWARDS: And that's exactly what it is. It's a bumper sticker.
CROWLEY: She politely dissented.
CLINTON: I have seen first hand the terrible damage that can be inflicted on our country by a small band of terrorists, and I believe we are safer than we were. We are not yet safe enough.
CROWLEY: The group touched on immigration, the crisis in Darfur, health care, education and taxes. But time and again, the war dominated the stage. As it has the campaign.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: And Candy Crowley joins us from Manchester, New Hampshire.
And Candy, as we Monday morning quarterback this, did anyone improve their standing coming out of this debate? I guess another way of asking this is, who feels good about their performance?
CROWLEY: Well, I think you can look at the top tier and say that they all really improved on their performance. Look, I think that this is Hillary Clinton's venue. She has done very well in both debates. She has facts at her fingertips.
She is sort of calm, answers the questions. She does very well. This clearly is her forum. Not as much so as when she is out on the campaign trail, where Obama tends to be the one that shines.
Certainly Obama improved on the performance greatly from before. The rap on him in the first debate was that it took him a long time to get around to the answers. He seemed a lot quicker on his feet this time.
And you saw John Edwards, very aggressive, going at both Clinton and Obama. Certainly sticking out more, and that is the point, is to be the person they're talking about the next morning.
HARRIS: Yes, absolutely.
And Candy, looking to tomorrow, and the Republican debate there in Manchester, who needs a solid performance?
CROWLEY: Well, I don't want to be, you know, too glib about this. They all need a solid performance. But I think in general, look for Mitt Romney to try to distinguish himself.
He has been somewhat languishing in the numbers in the polls. He's got a lot of money. He needs to show some strength among voters.
John McCain, as you know, has been under fire for this immigration bill. He's going to give a big speech on it today. He supports it, and the conservatives in the party do not. So he is under the gun. I expect to see -- certainly he has to put in a good performance.
HARRIS: CNN Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley for us this morning.
Candy, thank you.
COLLINS: So, where do the Democrats stand in the eyes of voters? We crunch the numbers of the national polls conducted over the past four months.
Senator Hillary Clinton has the top rank among the Democratic presidential nomination. Her support numbers have been consistent from February through May.
Senator Barack Obama has seen a slight uptick. John Edwards saw a spike in April, but last month he returned to the same level he had in February.
Tomorrow, the Republicans are up to bat on CNN. Their debate is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Our primetime coverage begins at 6:00 p.m. Eastern.
HARRIS: Five people down in a weekend shooting. Two remain in critical condition this morning in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Police say Mark Galloway shot his girlfriend, three members of her family, and a family friend. He is being held on $1 million bond. Police believe it started as an argument between Galloway and his girlfriend. They say he turned himself in after the shooting.
The national crime rates on the rise again. Violence spreading in some cities like Philadelphia. A closer look straight ahead in the NEWSROOM.
COLLINS: Want to turn now to Chad Myers, with the latest on the weather situation all across the nation.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: And now to Tony's favorite story of the day.
HARRIS: Here we go.
COLLINS: Paris Hilton, yes, in jail this morning in Lynnwood, California. She turned herself in late last night, just hours after attending the MTV Movie Awards.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PARIS HILTON, SOCIALITE: I am trying to be strong right now. I'm definitely scared, but I'm ready to face my sentence. And even though this is a really hard time, I have my friends and family and my fans who support me, and it's just been really helpful in this really scary time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Hilton was sentenced to 45 days in jail for violating probation on a reckless driving conviction. She could be out in 23 if she behaves herself.
HARRIS: Still to come this morning, President Bush on his way to Europe. Some critical issues on the table for the G8 summit. That story ahead in the NEWSROOM. KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: I'm Kelli Arena, in Washington. I'll have the very latest in the JFK terror plot just ahead in the NEWSROOM.
COLLINS: Accused of war crimes. Former Liberian leader Charles Taylor on trial. A look at the reign of a feared leader ahead in the NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: Roller shoes, the kids love them. Now a warning. The fancy footwear could land your child in the emergency room.
That story coming up for you in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: An alleged plot targeting JFK International Airport. Three suspects in custody this morning. And right now, the hunt is on for a fourth.
More now from CNN Justice Correspondent Kelli Arena.
Kelli, there's an extradition hearing today in Trinidad.
ARENA: That's right. It's actually under way right now. And our Susan Candiotti is inside that courtroom and should be able to report on what happened as soon as it's over.
But that's right, the two suspects that are in Trinidad expected to be extradited from that country back to the United States. Another suspect in custody here in the U.S. and one on the loose. Authorities believe that that person is in Trinidad. They are cooperating, working with officials there to try to get that person in custody, as well -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Let's talk a little bit about how this all went down, if you will. How did law enforcement come upon the plot in the first place?
ARENA: Well, through an informant, which is becoming more and more important in these terrorism cases these days. This group apparently tried to recruit someone who was working with law enforcement. And that is how officials got on to this plot.
It dates back to the very beginning of last year, Heidi. And the plan was to basically blow up fuel supply tanks, pipelines, even some buildings at JFK airport. And this was a group that did some heavy duty surveillance, a lot of planning. And then at the very final stages, tried to get some support, financial support, logistical support from an extremist group in Trinidad known as JAM, which stands for Jamaat-al-Muslimeen.
Not very successful on that front, but they were looking, you know, to put in place the final touches so that they could go ahead with this plot.
COLLINS: There have been quite a few people, I think, Kelli, who have been wondering just how successful that plan would have been. I mean, it is quite spectacular. And I think in the beginning we were wondering if they were trying to blow up airplanes, or if, in fact, it was the actual airport itself.
ARENA: Well, we know now that is was actually, you know, the pipelines that were the focus and the fuel tanks. But, you know, there's always a discussion after all of these plots about, well, you know, how equipped were these people, and could they have pulled it off? And again, we see that discussion this time, and there's some disagreement on that front.
You know, I mean -- and as one -- as one, you know, terrorism official put it to me, he said, "You know what? If one person is killed as a result of a terror plot that we did not stop, we failed."
You know, these guys were conducting surveillance, they were traveling, you know, back and forth, you know, to Trinidad, trying to get some support. You know, to get some financing so they could be able to get those explosives. So, you know, even if it just ended up as, you know, partially blowing up a building...
COLLINS: Of course.
ARENA: ... that's successful.
COLLINS: Yes.
ARENA: So, you know, this conversation will always go on, Heidi. It is just -- you know, it is just a nature of the game when you're trying to prevent an attack rather than respond to it after the fact.
COLLINS: Absolutely. All right.
CNN's justice correspondent, Kelli Arena.
Kelli, we'll talk with you again next hour. Thanks so much.
ARENA: Sure thing.
HARRIS: Securing Baghdad apparently not going as well as planned. Three months into the U.S. troop buildup in the Iraqi capital, a new report offers a bleak assessment. That report obtained by "The New York Times" quotes commanders on the ground in Baghdad. They say U.S. and Iraqi forces control fewer than a third of Baghdad's neighborhoods.
In the remaining neighborhoods, troops have either not started operations to root out insurgents or they still face resistance. The last American forces in the troop buildup plan are now arriving in Iraq.
COLLINS: The month of June off to a deadly start for the U.S. military in Iraq. The Pentagon says at least 14 American troops lost their lives Saturday and Sunday. Most of them killed by roadside bombs. Another soldier killed Friday as the month began.
The attacks concentrated in and around Baghdad. Other troop deaths in two northern provinces, Diyala and Nanbe (ph).
The U.S. death toll since the start of the war is now at least 3,494.
HARRIS: Dramatic pictures, a lucky escape caught on tape. The story behind these pictures.
Can you make them out? You can see that tree. That's for sure. Coming up in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: A court appearance today for a driver accused of plowing into a crowd at a street fair in Washington, D.C. More than 40 people were injured in the crash.
Take a look at the scene. Some of them children.
D.C. police say the woman drove through the crowd shortly after hitting an unmarked police car. She is charged with aggravated assault while driving. More charges could still be filed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COMMANDER PATRICK BURKE, D.C. POLICE: It's a very complicated investigation. We have taken close to 70 statements already, and we're working through a lot of the issues. The female has been tested for alcohol and drug impairment. That's currently under investigation. And obviously, it's premature to speculate on the exact cause at this point, but that is something that will come out as we go further.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Officials say all of the people injured in the accident are expected to recover.
COLLINS: A warning now about those trendy sneakers on wheels. They could send your child rolling into the emergency room, in fact.
Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen has details now regarding a new study that was just released today.
This is the culprit.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Right.
COLLINS: What did the study have to say?
COHEN: Well, this is a Heely, and the study was on shoes like this. Other companies make them, too.
It looks like a sneaker. It is a sneaker. But flip it over, and it's a roller skate, sort of, kind of, like a roller blade.
COLLINS: Yes. I love this. COHEN: Yes, they're very fun, but you can see this turns. And the problem that they're having is that kids lose their balance, or a little stone gets into that roller. And so, what they found in this study -- it was at a children's hospital in Ireland -- is that in a 10-week period, they had 67 kids come in with Heely-related injuries, everything from hurt wrists, broken ankles, cracked skulls.
Now, the kids you're seeing right there, and they look like they know what they're doing. They look like they've been Heelying for a while. A lot of kids in the study who got into trouble were novices. They had just started playing with their Heelys.
COLLINS: All right. So, there's an age group. I mean, I've tried to actually think about getting them for my guy, and he is still too small. So...
COHEN: How old is he?
COLLINS: Six.
COHEN: Yes. That may be a little too young.
COLLINS: Way too small.
COHEN: Yes.
COLLINS: And now that we're learning this, we should talk more about that, though. What about in this country? The study was done in Ireland. So...
COHEN: Right. There have been actually studies done in this country, too. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said they looked at a 16-month period in the U.S., and what they found was that there were 64 injuries and one death. So that's, again, a pretty high number. Again, we're talking about broken bones, cracked skulls, that kind of thing.
COLLINS: Yes. So if your kids have Heelys, they should be careful.
COHEN: Well, you know, there was one doctor who was quoted in an Associated Press article saying, you know, my kids had Heelys, but after I treated a bunch of kids with Heelys injuries, I took my child's Heelys away. So that's always an option.
Another option -- and this is according to an orthopedic surgeons group that is expected to say, you know what? If your kids are going to use Heelys, have them wear safety gear. Have them wear helmets, ankle and knee pads, wrist protectors. That kind of thing.
HARRIS: Oh lord.
COHEN: Now, the thing is, is that a lot of kids wear these to school without the heel.
COLLINS: Yes, they're not really allowed, are they? COHEN: This heel comes off. A lot of schools don't allow them anymore.
COLLINS: Yes.
COHEN: But you can take this out and you can just put a cover on it, and they're plain old sneakers.
COLLINS: Right.
COHEN: But then what if, you know, right after school they want to go Heelying? Are they going to have that protective gear in their backpack?
COLLINS: No.
COHEN: That's not going to happen.
COLLINS: No, never.
COHEN: That's not going to happen. So...
COLLINS: And is that the word, Heelying? Is that the verb?
COHEN: I've heard both Heelying and Heeling. I've heard both.
COLLINS: Heeling is what I do with my Labrador, though.
COHEN: Right, right, right.
COLLINS: All right. So we are watching the Heelys and the studies that have come out on them.
Thank you so much.
COHEN: Thank you.
COLLINS: Elizabeth Cohen.
HARRIS: And still to come this morning in the NEWSROOM, the Democrats square off with one central issue rising above the rest. A closer look ahead in the NEWSROOM.
COLLINS: The alleged plot to attack JFK airport. Fuel tanks the main target. Could it have really worked?
We'll take a look ahead in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Heading to Europe this hour and the G8 summit. President Bush has a lot on his plate as he prepares to meet with his European counterparts.
We get more from CNN White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice over): President Bush is heading to Europe trying to convince the world of one thing.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We are a compassionate nation.
MALVEAUX: That message may be a tough sell for Mr. Bush, who faces criticism for the chaos in Iraq, the growing tension with Russia and widespread skepticism about his approach to tackling global warming. In a transparent effort to blunt some of that criticism, President Bush spent the week ahead of the G-8 Summit laying out a series of global initiatives, including a speech proposing long-term goals to limit greenhouse gas emissions among the world's 15 biggest polluters.
BUSH: The United States takes this issue seriously.
MALVEAUX: Germany's leader, Angela Merkel, host of the G-8, welcomed his remarks, but wants a binding agreement to cut greenhouse gasses in half by 2050.
There is no sign the U.S. will sign up for that. The climate change issue is sure to test the still developing relationship between Mr. Bush and Merkel, who last year got acquainted by sharing a German barbecue and back rub.
This year's class photo will look different for President Bush, with new leaders from France, Japan and soon Britain.
CHARLES KUPCHAN, COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS: You have a leadership in Europe that is more pro-American.
MALVEAUX: But it is far from certain whether that means Mr. Bush will get his way on key issues, such as imposing tougher sanctions on Iran and Sudan, expanding free trade and building a proposed U.S.-NATO missile defense shield in Eastern Europe. That plan is vehemently opposed by Russian president, Vladimir Putin, who sees it as a potential threat and a source of friction between the U.S. and Russia.
REGINALD DALE, CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES: Russia's playing a tough game in Europe. And it's trying to divide the Europeans among themselves and the Europeans from the United States.
MALVEAUX (on camera): President Bush will try to reassert his position as a player on the world stage at the G-8 summit. But he's not taking anything for granted. He has already set up a personal meeting with Putin at his family's Kennebunkport home to try to further strengthen ties.
Suzanne Malveaux, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
HARRIS: Front and center on the political stage, eight Democrats square off for their party's presidential nomination. No knockouts in the CNN debate, but quite a few jabs and maybe some bloodied noses.
Donna Brazile is a prominent Democratic political strategist and CNN contributor. She managed Al Gore's presidential bid in 2000.
Donna, great to see you.
DONNA BRAZILE, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: It's always good to see you.
HARRIS: And Terry Jeffrey he is a former campaign to Republican Pat Buchanan. He is editor at large of "Human Events."
And, Terry, great to see you.
Thanks for your time this morning, both of you.
TERRY JEFFREY, EDITOR, "HUMAN EVENTS": It's good to be here.
HARRIS: Donna, let's start with Hillary Clinton.
Did she cement her frontrunner status last night, in your opinion?
BRAZILE: Look, I thought Senator Clinton did a fantastic job. She didn't really engage her rivals, but at the same time she knew the subjects very well. She was able to get out her message. So let me just say this, game point Hillary Clinton. She's still the frontrunner.
HARRIS: And, Terry, what did you think?
JEFFREY: Yes, I agree with Donna, although, you know, I'm a conservative who disagrees with Hillary on just about every issue. I thought she came across as very smart and commanding last night. I think that Hillary has sort of a fine line to walk between looking a little bit too shrill, as she sometimes does in stump speeches, and showing that she's the resolute sort of leader who could be the first female commander-in-chief.
HARRIS: Yes.
JEFFREY: And I think if you agree with her ideologically, which I don't, I think she would come across as exactly that sort of person last night.
HARRIS: Hey, Terry, you mentioned smart and commanding. Take a look at this moment. I thought it was an interesting moment. The candidates getting a little testy with our Wolf Blitzer over hypothetical questions. And then this moment.
And, Donna, you know the moment we're referring to here.
Hillary seems to take control of the stage. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE)
WOLF BLITZER, HOST: Raise your hand if you agree with Senator Biden that the United States should use military force to stop the genocide in Darfur.
SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: Are we talking about a no fly zone?
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wolf...
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: All right, hold on. Hold on.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is not -- is not going to work.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These are general (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: This is an important issue...
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: This is an important issue.
SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: Yes, a no fly zone absolutely.
He asked about a no fly zone and I think you'll get...
JOHN EDWARDS, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: If he's talking about American troops that...
CLINTON: ... us behind Joe's policy.
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: You start with a no fly zone...
EDWARDS: I'm talking about American troops.
BLITZER: ... but very often, Senator Clinton, that could move on to other operations.
EDWARDS: But he's...
CLINTON: Well, but, Wolf, we're not going to engage in these hypotheticals. I mean one of the jobs of a president is being very reasoned in approaching these issues. And I don't think it's useful to be talking...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wolf, I was there... CLINTON: ... in these kind of abstract hypothetical terms. And I think that...
BLITZER: All right...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Terry, what did you think of that moment?
JEFFREY: I thought it was an excellent moment. I thought -- in fact, I mean in that narrow little point she was making, I think she was absolutely right. I thought she was very clear and I thought she did a good job there, quite frankly.
HARRIS: And, Donna, Barack Obama -- talk to us about his performance last night. A former presidential adviser, David Gergen, said he was hesitant and weak on policy compared to Hillary Clinton.
Do you agree, disagree?
BRAZILE: Well, let me just say this. After his first debate performance, I thought he had to come in there. He had to improve his game. He had to not only understand the topics, but again show a little bit of that convention speech that most people remember.
HARRIS: Yes.
BRAZILE: And he was on, again, he was -- he was -- he did a fantastic job. He was -- he made all of his right points. And I thought when he looked at John Edwards and said, "Thank you very much. I've been here four-and-a-half years later. Where have you been on the leadership issue in Iraq?"
So I thought Obama, you know, he scored last night, as well.
HARRIS: OK. Although, Terry, at that moment, it took me a second to put it all together, what he was referring to, and then OK. So it might have been a moment there where it could have been delivered a little more cleanly.
But what did you think of the Senator of Illinois last night?
JEFFREY: I don't think Senator Obama did a very good job last night. Quite frankly, I think he's a tremendous stump speaker, unlike Hillary Clinton.
But that line against John Edwards, which was his best and most memorable of the whole debate, actually reinforced what Obama's problem is.
He needs to distinguish himself from Hillary Clinton, the frontrunner. The best moment he's had in his campaign is when Hillary went after him, when David Geffen criticized her. Since then, he's been sort of is cruising at a certain altitude that's not high enough, actually, to win the nomination.
He needs to engage her. He needs to tell Democratic voters that Hillary did not lead on the war, not John Edwards.
HARRIS: John Edwards -- Donna, what did you think of him last night?
He certainly came out swinging.
BRAZILE: John Edwards came to the debate last night prepared to demonstrate not just his leadership on this whole Iraq issue and the supplemental, but, also, I think he came prepared to engage his rivals, especially Senator Clinton and Senator Obama on Iraq.
HARRIS: Yes.
BRAZILE: I thought he did a fantastic job. Look, any debate where he can talk about the issues -- universal health care, talk about Iraq, talk about immigration and not talk about, you know, his hair cut or the size of his house or the hedge fund, I thought that was a good -- it's a good night for John Edwards.
HARRIS: Hey, Terry did John Edwards step ahead, in your estimation, of Barack Obama by that performance last night?
JEFFREY: Well, I think he did for exactly the reason Donna said. He came in with a clear strategy. He wanted to distinguish himself first from Hillary and second from Senator Obama, particularly on the Iraq War. He did that well.
Those issues that Donna listed, if you were a Republican watching that debate last night, it reminded you why you will never vote for a Democratic candidate among this field...
HARRIS: Huh.
JEFFREY: ... and that other than the Iraq War -- where I think the Democrats have an advantage -- everything else they were talking about -- universal health care, which is actually socialized medicine, increasing taxes -- I think those are things that middle America does not want. The Democrats reminded them that that's where they stand last night.
HARRIS: And, Donna, let's talk a moment about Senator Biden. Last night you said he was on fire.
Take a listen to an example of that -- that fire.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE)
SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN (D-DW), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: By the time all these guys talk, 50,000 more people are going to be dead. They're going to be dead. And I tell you, I guarantee you, we have the capacity, by setting up a no fly zone, to shut down the Janjaweed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: All right, that's Joe Biden talking about Darfur last night. Donna, did he scare the room?
BRAZILE: Well, first of all, the American people should know a little bit about what's happening in the Sudan.
HARRIS: Absolutely.
BRAZILE: Four hundred thousand people dead, millions displaced. And I thought Joe Biden was not just passionate in talking about what we can do, but he also showed, you know, among second tier candidates, that he's a man of substance. And he understands exactly what's happening in that region of the country.
And Terry said something that the Republicans may not like the Democrats. But let me just say this. Republicans don't like the Republican candidates. That's why they're begging Fred Thompson to come in. So they should -- I hope they did take a look at the Democrats. We might have something to offer them this year.
HARRIS: You know what, Terry and Donna, maybe a just last thought from both of you on this. I know there is a lot of attention -- we've done it here -- on the top three candidates. But as I watched the debate last night, I was struck by -- there seemed to be a lot of big brains on display -- a lot of smart people with a lot to say about the issues facing this country right now.
Terry, you first.
JEFFREY: Well, you know, I wouldn't agree the candidates of being stupid. I just think they have wrong-headed ideas. And I don't think any of them would have got to the point where they're now unless they had been at least cunning and calculating enough to rise to the top in American politics.
But being cunning and calculating isn't necessarily the characteristic you want in a president of the United States. You want level of intelligence, also, a certain character, and, also, a certain understanding of what the problems are that face the nation and what is the wisest course to go forward and solve those problems.
HARRIS: Donna, let me give you the last word on this.
BRAZILE: After six years of an administration that took us to war for the wrong reasons, an administration that has raised the national deficit, an administration that's not taking care of its own here in America, I think the American people are looking for change. And last night the Democrats offered the country a new direction. And I would hope that as this debate unfolds that the American people give the party a real decent opportunity to not just serve, but also to lead, in 2008.
HARRIS: Donna Brazile, thanks for your time.
Terry Jeffrey, thanks for your time, as well.
JEFFREY: Thank you. HARRIS: It was great to talk to you guys, both of you, this morning. Appreciate it.
BRAZILE: Thank you.
HARRIS: And tomorrow, the Republicans are up to bat on CNN. Their debate is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Eastern time. Our prime time coverage begins at 6:00 p.m. Eastern.
COLLINS: Chad Myers is once again joining us now to talk a little bit more about the weather situation.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes.
COLLINS: There's some swirling and whirling going on.
MYERS: Look at that. I know. It almost looks like...
COLLINS: It's pretty.
MYERS: It almost looks like a tropical storm out there.
COLLINS: Yes.
MYERS: Just the remnants of Barry.
(WEATHER REPORT)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
HARRIS: And still to come this morning, a close brush for a police officer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I really don't remember turning around. I remember getting hit in the back and I didn't go down or nothing. And went just went right back to work.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Huh. A big branch falls 50 feet. We will tell the tale, coming up for you in the NEWSROOM.
COMMERCIAL
HARRIS: We are certainly happy to have you with us here weekdays morning 9:00 until noon Eastern right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.
But did you know, did you know, did you know that you can take us with you anywhere on your iPod?
We call it the CNN NEWSROOM pod cast and it is available to you 24/7 right on your iPod.
COLLINS: Get a load of this -- caught on tape. Check out this police cruiser video. Police and firefighters in New York on the scene of an accident when a huge tree branch comes tumbling down on top of them. Latricia Thomas of our affiliate station WTEN reports.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
LATRICIA THOMAS, WTEN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Defreestville firefighter Joe Bruno was among this emergency crew trying to pullout a crash victim when the tree falls. From the smashed cruiser you can see first responders rushing to help Sergeant Doug Pinzer, struck in the head by the two foot wide branch.
SGT. JOE BRUNO, DEFREESTVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT: I don't even remember turning around. I remember getting hit in the back and I didn't go down or nothing and we just went right back to work.
THOMAS: Bruno's turnout gear helped to shield his body from any major injuries and so did his emergency vehicle.
BRUNO: This truck saved our lives. This truck took a good portion of what came down off of that tree and protected us.
THOMAS: Also protecting Sergeant Pinzer from anything more than a serious concussion.
LYNN PINZER, POLICE OFFICER'S WIFE: That one said they did let me in. And I saw his eyes were open and he was responding. It was quite the relief.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What I think right now is thank god everyone is all right. Thank god everyone is all right.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COLLINS: Isn't that unbelievable?
Police say the branch actually fell from about 50 feet in the air. Unbelievable.
HARRIS: The national crime rate on the rise again -- violence spreading in some cities, like Philadelphia. A closer look ahead in the NEWSROOM.
COMMERCIAL
COLLINS: The FBI releasing new crime numbers this morning. They show a slight increase in total crime across the country for the second straight year. Murders and robberies both on the upswing.
On the other side, rape and aggravated assault both down slightly.
CNN justice correspondent Kelli Arena takes a look at what's behind the numbers in one big city -- Philadelphia.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE) KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In Philadelphia, especially here in the Badlands, violence has claimed about 170 lives so far this year.
OFFICER MICHAEL MOORE, PHILADELPHIA POLICE: In our 10 years of being on the police department, it's -- this is definitely the worst it's ever been.
ARENA: Police officer Michael Moore patrols the most dangerous streets, where the criminals are often better armed than the cops.
SEYMOUR JOHNSON, PHILADELPHIA POLICE COMMISSIONER: Eighty-five percent of our homicides are by handgun. We have the most lax gun laws in the entire country -- Philadelphia. And I think that our legislators have to take a very, very close look at that.
ARENA: Another casket, another grieving mother; memorial T- shirts and lots of tears. Primativo Sanchez (ph) was 20 years old. His friends called him Junito. His mother says he was shot after an argument over his car.
EMILY RUIZ, VICTIM'S MOTHER: I thought they would like beat him up or fight with him or something, or take his car. But not to kill him. He was innocent. My son was innocent.
ARENA: But today in Philadelphia, grudges are settled with bullets, not fists.
(on camera): Residents here say that there are a lot of reasons for the violence -- gangs, drugs, poverty. But every single person we talked to said the biggest reason by far is how easy it is to get a gun.
(voice-over): Now city officials are putting more cops on the streets, there's a curfew and surveillance cameras. And residents, too, are taking action. Many of these marchers are victims of violence.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Put down your guns.
ARENA: Greg Butaroni (ph) mentors young boys in crisis.
GREG BUTARONI: We try to show the kids that there is no glory in what's going on on the streets, especially with senseless violence.
ARENA: Alex Moreno is one of those kids.
ALEX MORENO, 9TH GRADER: He got me away from the streets a little more. I mean like he helped me realize what I was doing was wrong.
ARENA: And where he could end up.
Kelli Arena CNN Philadelphia.
(END VIDEO TAPE) HARRIS: Catching up after a coma -- 19 years for one man. Changes, to be sure. That story coming up in the NEWSROOM.
COLLINS: Doing time -- Paris Hilton behind bars.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PARIS HILTON: I'm really scared but I'm ready to do this. And I hope I'm an example to other young people when they make decisions.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Hmm. Hilton's not so simple life, in the NEWSROOM.
COMMERCIAL
COLLINS: Former Liberian President Charles Taylor on trial accused of war crimes. But he boycotted day one of the trial today. Instead, his lawyer read a letter to the court in which Taylor called the trial a charade. In the same letter, Taylor dismissed his lawyer and asked to represent himself.
CNN's Fredericka Whitfield looks at the details leading up to a landmark trial.
But we do warn you, some of the images may be disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): He is accused of ordering horrific, terrifying abuses in neighboring Sierra Leone in exchange for power and illegally mined diamonds. At least 150,000 civilians shot, burned in their homes, hacked to death, killed while trying to escape forced labor, sexual and other physical abuses.
And among the rebel fighters empowered to carry out these unthinkable crimes, child soldiers.
Now, the man that allegedly sponsored this, former Liberian President Charles Taylor, on trial at the Hague. The 59-year-old has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of war crimes against humanity.
But prosecutors say their case is solid, with 139 witnesses testifying.
AYESHA KAJEE, SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS: He is a butcher. He conscripted children as soldiers. He drugged children. He destroyed the infrastructure of the nation -- not just his own, but a neighboring one, as well. He deserves to be in jail.
WHITFIELD: But this trial came close to not happening. The influential West African leader, despite growing international pressure, refused to step down.
CHARLES TAYLOR, FORMER LIBERIAN PRESIDENT: This is not about Charles Taylor. It's about how Africa can be free and how African leaders can be respected.
WHITFIELD: In 2003, his government was overthrown. Then, with the wave of a white handkerchief, Taylor boarded a plane for exile in Nigeria. Later, he was handed over to the United Nations-backed war crimes court.
Prosecutor Stephen Rapp.
STEPHEN RAPP, U.N. SPECIAL COURT PROSECUTOR: The arrest, the transfer, the indictment and, indeed, the trial of Charles Taylor, a former chief of state, represents a vindication to the principle that no person, no matter what their position, is above the law.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "LORD OF WAR," COUNTRY LIONSGATE FILMS)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know they call me the lord of war. But perhaps it is you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's warlord.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you. But I prefer it my way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Taylor's rise to warlord distinction is like a Hollywood movie and believed to be the inspiration for the film "Lord Of War."
A U.S. college graduate who escaped from a Massachusetts prison while held on charges of embezzlement, awaiting extradition to Liberia. Taylor reemerged in West Africa, commanding a ragtag rebel army accused of hacking its way to Liberia's campaign of Monrovia.
He became president, mostly, say observers, because of voters' fear rather than favor.
TAYLOR: Long live our freedom!
UNIDENTIFIED PEOPLE: Long!
TAYLOR: Long live our independence!
UNIDENTIFIED PEOPLE: Long!
KAJEE: He was brutal enough to bring into being the -- the kind of question used in the Sierra Leone civil war -- you know, do you want short sleeves or long sleeves?
In other words, shall I cut your hand off here or here?
And that kind of brutality is something that isn't easily forgotten.
WHITFIELD (on camera): Nor will this tribunal at the Hague be easily forgotten. Regardless of the outcome of what's expected to be an 18 month proceeding, it will be remembered as the first trial of an African leader accused of brutal war crimes.
Fredericka Whitfield, CNN, Johannesburg, South Africa.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COLLINS: Good morning, everybody.
I'm Heidi Collins.
HARRIS: And good morning.
I'm Tony Harris.
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