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BBC Journalist Freed by Gaza Kidnappers; U.K. Downgrades Terror Threat Level; Boston Security Teams Work to Ensure Safe Holiday; Apache Helicopter Pilots Describe Daring Rescue

Aired July 04, 2007 - 13:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALAN JOHNSTON, FREED BBC JOURNALIST: ... to sum up quite how good it feels to be -- to be standing here instead of lying in that room that I was lying in this time just yesterday. It just is unimaginably good to -- to be free.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KYRA PHILLIPS, CO-HOST: He may never have celebrated Independence Day before, but he's celebrating today.

DON LEMON, CO-HOST: British correspondent Alan Johnston, free at last, after 114 days as a hostage in Gaza. It is the story of a lifetime.

Hello, everyone. I'm Don Lemon, live at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta.

PHILLIPS: And I'm Kyra Phillips. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

Good news for the U.K. today. We have just confirmed that the British terror alert has just been dropped from critical to severe. We're going to have more from CNN's Phil Black in London in just a moment.

LEMON: Sweet, sweet freedom for a man who says he's felt buried alive for 16 weeks.

Alan Johnston, the veteran BBC Middle East correspondent, was set free today by his captors in Gaza. CNN's Ben Wedeman reports for us from Jerusalem, right after we hear from the man himself.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHNSTON: A car lurching beside me fast, and for a second I just thought it was a bit of Gaza driving. But it turned out to be much more than that. The car pulled up in front of me. The guy in the street, with a pistol, and the next thing a guy coming around the side, from the passenger side with a Kalashnikov. And I really began to realize very quickly. I'd been in Gaza three years, covered 27 kidnappings, and I knew what it was about.

I'd imagined what it would be like dozens of times, and it was exactly like that. It was a slightly surreal experience, as if I'd lived it before, because I'd imagined it so many times.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Free at last. The BBC's Alan Johnston appears for the first time in public after 114 days in captivity, 114 days of fear, recounted in the somewhat surreal setting in the garden of the British consul in Jerusalem.

JOHNSTON: It was the most, as you can imagine, the most appalling experience, on and on. Like -- as I said before, it was like being buried alive, removed from life. And sometimes, occasionally, quite terrifying, and always frightening, in that I just didn't know when it would end or how it would end.

And when you've lain in one of those hideouts for three months, you wonder why you shouldn't maybe be lying here in nine months or 18 months. And it's just such a relief that it's over.

WEDEMAN: Johnston was kidnapped in Gaza on the 12th of March by a shadowy group called Jaish al-Islam, the Army of Islam.

In early June, the kidnappers released the first video of Johnston.

JOHNSTON: First of all, my captors have treated me very well. They've fed me well. There's been no violence towards me at all, and I'm in good health.

WEDEMAN: The tape laid out demands, including the release from British detention of Abu Qatada, a man described as al Qaeda's spiritual ambassador in Europe.

But the most chilling video came a few weeks later, when he appeared to be rigged with a bomb.

JOHNSTON: As you can see, I've been dressed in what is an explosive belt, which the kidnappers say will be detonated if there's any attempt to storm this area.

WEDEMAN: Since Hamas took over Gaza in mid-June, Hamas officials repeatedly insisted that freeing Johnston was a top priority, part of their effort to impose order in lawless Gaza.

MAHMOUD AL-ZAHAR, HAMAS LEADER: We are going to implement security for every Palestinian, from every guest, especially for the press media and for the Islamic (ph) people. It's a new era.

WEDEMAN: Hamas sources tell CNN they were moments away from an assault on the kidnapper's hideout, an assault aborted when another militant faction interceded and diffused the standoff.

(on camera) Shortly after his release, Alan told me on the phone that one of the things that had kept his spirits up during those long weeks of captivity was a small radio provided by his captors, allowing him to listen to the BBC World Service, and hear that his friends and colleagues had not forgotten him.

JOHNSTON: Thank you very much. WEDEMAN (voice-over): Now he's out of Gaza, free again, and heading home.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good luck. See you. Good luck.

WEDEMAN: Ben Wedeman, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well, the discovery of a suicide note, it may give British investigators new insight into the recent terror plot. And word just in that Great Britain lowers the terror threat from severe -- from critical, rather, to severe.

CNN's Phil Black joins us now, live from London with more -- Phil.

PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, yes, CNN has just confirmed that the terror threat level here in Great Britain is being downgraded.

Following the attempted attacks in London and that attack on Glasgow Airport, it was increased to the highest possible level, critical, which means that another attack is suspected imminently.

It is now being downgraded to severe, which means another attack is considered likely. This implies that perhaps police believe they have all the key suspects rounded up already in this investigation.

Now, there are some interesting pieces of information coming out of this inquiry. Sources very close to it have told CNN that detectives investigating the attacks in London and Glasgow have found a suicide note.

Now, it is not known where it was found or who wrote it, but we are told the language in it is very clear. It is strong. It describes motive and the grievances of those concerned. And it goes some way to confirming what many had already observed from that attack on Glasgow, and that is that the people involved did not expect to survive.

Now, sources have told also CNN that the two people driving that flaming Jeep into the Glasgow terminal were carrying their passports. This is not considered unusual.

The theory goes that those involved in these attacks want to be identified. They want the recognition they believe is due to them, just as happened with the July 7, 2005, attacks here in Britain. Many of those involved in such suicide terror attacks believe they are dying as martyrs, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Phil, Prime Minister Gordon Brown just taking the post there, heading the U.K. Apparently he's changing the background check procedure for overseas doctors. A number of these suspects, as we've been talking about, came over as doctors. What can you tell us about this change in procedure? BLACK: You're correct. The terror threat is not new here, but in this form, seemingly organized and carried out by doctors, that has shocked and disturbed people here.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke about this in the British Parliament today. And he announced that the background checks for overseas recruited doctors would be expanded. There would be a review of that process.

Let's hear from him now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GORDON BROWN, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: We'll expand the watch list, which is the cooperation right across the world, from Europe to the Arab states, of potential terrorists, so that we list them in such a way that authorities in different countries could be warned.

We'll expand the background checks that have been done, where there are highly skilled migrant workers coming into this country. Where people sponsor them, we will ask them to give us their background checks.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACK: Prime Minister Gordon Brown also announced that the watch list of considered suspects, if you like, will be expanded as a result of these latest attacks, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Phil Black, live from London. Thanks, Phil.

LEMON: Parades, picnics, fireworks and, nowadays, high security. In a number of cities, highly specialized units are helping make sure this Fourth is a safe one.

As CNN's Dan Lothian reports, it's not only by land.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Above the Charles River in Boston, an Air Force fighter jet rehearses a Fourth of July flyover. As state police dive teams plunge in below, they're scanning and securing four fireworks barges.

LT. WILLIAM FREEMAN, MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE MARINE UNIT: All these divers are trained for -- to locate any type of IED, improvised explosive device, that may be placed on this barge that could be activated at any time through a cell phone or radio operated device.

LOTHIAN: They're also sweeping the shallow lagoon and nearby bridges. A half million people are expected to show up here on the Fourth, what law enforcement officials call a potentially rich target.

SGT. THOMAS KALIL, MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE MARINE UNIT: We want to make sure that, between the water and the land, we can cut off any type of threat, whatever it may be. LOTHIAN: In Boston Harbor, more vigilance, too. State police and U.S. Coast Guard units are patrolling around a natural gas tanker, a Navy warship, a federal courthouse and Boston's Logan International Airport.

KALIL: The increase of security, land, sea, and air.

LOTHIAN: The Coast Guard says it's ready, even though no additional units from outside the region will be brought in.

CMDR. BILL KELLY, U.S. COAST GUARD: Coast Guard forces in the greater Boston area are essentially either on duty or on call. We are ramping up, in that basically everybody's going to be at work.

LOTHIAN: Law enforcement ramping up, while reassuring the public.

KEVIN BURKE, MASSACHUSETTS SECRETARY OF PUBLIC SAFETY: Every precaution is being taken, and we should not let events that occurred overseas interfere with our normal activities.

LOTHIAN (on camera): Officials stress that there is no known threat, but they realize that, in this current climate, and certainly, with such a major holiday, they have to be prepared.

Dan Lothian, CNN, Boston.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: So, a Fourth without fireworks? That's the reality in some parts of the Midwest, swamped after weeks of rain.

The holiday tradition also is banned in places so dry that one could spark -- well, that one spark could prove disastrous. This includes parts of southern California and Georgia. That heat, stray (ph) sparks, no good. Both in the grip of devastating droughts right now.

Well, the Fourth is certainly no picnic for a lot of folks. Reynolds Wolf, let's take a quick look at -- what are you looking at right now? Vegas?

(WEATHER REPORT)

REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Back to you and there goes your shout-out.

PHILLIPS: Thank you. My godson, King, will be very happy. They're looking forward to the fireworks and the parade.

WOLF: That's what we do, is try to make people happy.

PHILLIPS: There you go. Thanks, Reynolds.

WOLF: Any time.

PHILLIPS: All right.

LEMON: Well, there's trouble on this Fourth of July today for the Gore family. The former vice president's son, Al Gore III, has been arrested in Southern California.

Police say he was pulled over for speeding, and they found marijuana and prescription drugs in the car. Al Gore III, who is 24 years old, is in jail in Santa Ana. Bond is set at $20,000. So far, no public comments from the Gore family.

PHILLIPS: Straight ahead, a harrowing survival story in Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

C.W.O. STEVE CIANFRINI, U.S. ARMY: The aircraft took pretty substantial damage, and at that point, the whole world just opened up on us. I believe we were taking -- at least from other two positions we were being shot at.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: And that's the pilot right there on the wing of that aircraft. What happened next? You're going to hear from the man who got those chopper pilots to safety.

LEMON: Plus, red, white and blue on the greens. Tiger Woods comes up with a way to honor U.S. soldiers, past and present.

PHILLIPS: And Denver doctors say he's not as sick as first thought. Does the CDC owe Andrew Speaker an apology? We're checking the facts.

You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: Live in the CNN NEWSROOM, Don Lemon and Kyra Phillips.

LEMON: Sixteen, almost 17 past the hour on this Independence Day. And here are three of the stories we're working on for you right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

After almost four months as a hostage in Gaza, British journalist Alan Johnston is a free man. Speaking with his fellow reporters, Johnston says he often was unsure of whether he would live or die.

The son of former vice president Al Gore is in jail. Al Gore III was arrested on traffic charges in Southern California, where police say they found marijuana and prescription drugs in his car.

The British government has reduced the terror threat level in the U.K. from critical to severe, and sources say investigators have found a suicide note written by one of the suspects in last week's terror plot. There were no deaths.

PHILLIPS: Two U.S. pilots on an airborne attack mission in Baghdad suddenly find themselves under attack.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CIANFRINI: Five to ten seconds later, outside my door, heavy machine gun opened up on our aircraft, peppered the whole left side. And, again, Mark did what he could to try to get outside of the range, and again, another heavy machine gun opened up. The aircraft took pretty substantial damage.

And at that point, the whole world just opened up on us. I believe we were taking -- at least from two other positions we were being shot at.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, their helicopter did go down, and a rescue mission was their only way out. Chief Warrant Officer Steve Cianfrini and Mark Burrowes (ph), were told a medevac was nowhere near the crash site, but a team of Apaches was.

That's where chief warrant officers Micah Johnson and Allan Davison come into the picture. They're the heroes who swooped in under enemy fire and made the rescue.

Alan, I want to start with you. You commanded the rescue mission. You got word there was a helicopter down. Take it from there.

C.W.O. ALLAN DAVISON, U.S. ARMY: Actually, I was lead ship for our crew, pilot command. Michael Johnson was air mission commander that day.

We caught -- we heard that the -- the Kiowas were taking fire. We headed down south and were still en route when we heard that they indeed had crashed. We got on scene, and it took about, what, five minutes.

MARK JOHNSON, U.S. ARMY: Yes, about five. Five.

DAVISON: Five minutes to find the crashed Kiowa. There was two other Kiowas on scene, separate from the lone wing man, looking for his buddy. The lone wing man found him past the grid.

We went to the crash site, which about a couple of K's to the east, and the helicopter was on its side and burning.

PHILLIPS: So you -- you saw then -- you got to the aircraft, you knew you had to get both those guys out of there, because you came under enemy fire. I know that Mark Burrowes (ph) was trying to protect his copilot there, because he was injured.

Mike, there were only two seats in the Apache, and you had to make a decision, and that was giving up your seat. And then you had to strap yourself to the wing. Tell me, how did you make that decision? How did you know that's what you had to do? JOHNSON: I didn't really know at the time. It was just really a split second thing. I knew it would take less time just to put him in the front seat and the -- Mark, seeing that he was a little more lively, a little more able to talk to at the time.

So I told -- I just told Steven to get in the front and took Mark to the other side. And he pretty much know what to do, like he'd been prior trained on it. So I just told him to hold on, went around to make sure the door was shut, where Steven hopped in, hopped on myself, just clamped in, and off we were.

PHILLIPS: And we're actually looking at the gun camera video right now. It's going to rerack (ph) and you're actually going to see a white blob on the wing, which is actually -- you're on the other side. This right here is Mike strapped to the -- or Mark, rather, strapped to the right wing. You were on the opposite.

What were you thinking on that wing as you were taking off? Did you have your weapons with you? Did you have to fire back at the enemies at any point? Just kind of give me a feel for what it felt like.

JOHNSON: It just felt unreal, really. That's actually Mark on the left side, and I was on the right. We were both wearing tan flight suits.

However, they were a little hard to distinguish at first, because they were in neck deep water, as I was told. So they had really dark uniforms at the time, and for a split second it was really difficult to actually tell who they were.

So we both had our rifles. Mark had his slung at the time. I went to go sling mine as well, around, and I found out my sling was actually broken at the bottom of the butt stock, and so I actually just held onto it with my right hand the whole way out.

And once -- once the wings started pushing up against the aircraft, past, you know, maybe about 80 knots or so, or 90 miles an hour plus, really, you probably become ineffective as far as being able to shoot off the side of the aircraft at all.

But throughout the beginning of the takeoff, we would have been able to suppress if needed. But there was really no need at that time that I could tell. I was -- had full faith in our wing men, CW3 Troy Mosley (ph) and CW2 Sung Choi (ph). They were covering us, as well as the two other 58s out there, the Light Horse elements. And my heart goes out to those guys, as well. And the wing man that tagged along with us, back to the Biaf (ph) air field. So we had plenty of army aviators out there, just ready to suppress fire at any minute. So it wasn't really a factor.

PHILLIPS: And we always know that it takes the entire crew to pull something like this off. I salute you for commending all the guys involved.

Allan, you were flying that Apache. You had two guys on your wings. Tell me you weren't a little nervous about your comrades going 90 miles an hour. They're strapped there. They've got their guns, but you're in charge.

DAVISON: Yes. It was different. I've never flown single pilot. I had a pilot in my front seat, but he didn't have a helmet on, and he doesn't fly our aircraft. So it was surreal, like Micah said.

And during the flight, I kept on looking to the left and to the right, leaning forward, making sure my passengers were still there. Even though they were strapped on with a D-ring, so there was no way they could fall off, I was still concerned for their safety.

JOHNSON: It was a little more than 90 miles an hour. It was about 130 miles an hour, plus, once it was into forward flight. If you ever saw the unedited version of the tape, you'd probably see it was a -- it was a pretty forceful wind and kind of painful for a second there.

PHILLIPS: I'll tell you.

DAVISON: Yes. As soon as we landed...

PHILLIPS: Yes. Go ahead.

DAVISON: As soon as we landed, it was surreal at the time. It wasn't scary, but I think once we dropped the guys off, reality set in. And that's when, you know, adrenaline, you'd kind of feel it coming down, once we got back to where we were stationed at.

First thing Micah says to me, is he starts getting on me about how fast I went. And I told him, I said, "OK, I'll ride on the outside next time." So...

JOHNSON: Next time he's on the outside.

PHILLIPS: Next time he's on the outside and Micah, you're flying the helo. I love it.

Well, you know what? When you guys eventually come home, you'll have no problem getting a job as a NASCAR driver. I'll tell you that. Micah Johnson, Allan Davison, true heroes on this Fourth of July.

JOHNSON: I'd like to say something. I'm sorry. Just my heart goes out to those 58 guys in that battalion. We're all so glad that they can make it. We have seen too many catastrophic events unfold. Just something like that.

And also out to my crew chiefs in Alpha Company, 1227th, and the rest of the pilots. Those guys are great. The real heroes are CW3 Keith Yoakum and CW2 Jason Defrenn, shot down just north of here, 2nd of February, and as well as First Air Cav Brigade. It is just a wonderful bunch of pilots, and command and such. And my heart goes out to everyone here.

PHILLIPS: Well, we honor the fallen today, no doubt, and we honor those that continue to stay in the fight like you two. Micah, Allan, thanks, guys.

DAVISON: Thank you.

JOHNSON: Thank you.

DAVISON: Happy Fourth of July.

LEMON: A playground set against the backdrop of a war zone. As some people try to make Iraq beautiful again, they're up against huge odds. The story and their challenges, straight ahead in the CNN NEWSROOM.

Hi, Allan.

ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A new world record in competitive hot dog eating as America reclaims the mustard yellow belt. Details coming ahead in the NEWSROOM.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... Compton (ph). I'm from the field hospital out here at Camp -- Camp John (ph) Kuwait. I'm from Eclectic, Alabama. I'd like to give a shout-out to my family back out in Virginia Beach. And just right now, Jennifer, Shay (ph), Shelby, I love you. Happy Fourth of July, and I'm coming home soon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: This is some tough stuff. Talking about an injured champion, fierce competition, even allegations of doping. Can you believe that? Those were among the ingredients at this year's annual hot dog eating contest in New York. The results, they're just in. And CNN senior correspondent Allan Chernoff joins us now from Coney Island. He's the man on the job.

I hope you have a strong stomach, because we watched some of that, Allan, and I have to say is not is much.

CHERNOFF: I'm glad you and I were not in this competition. As you saw, simply astounding. I would have to say, the most incredible display of eating ever seen on this planet.

In 12 minutes, Joey Chestnut, a 23-year-old from California, consumed 66 hot dogs and buns, setting a new world record and destroying Takeru Kobayashi's six-year run.

Kobayashi, though, an incredible story, as well. He had a jaw injury. In fact, only last week he had a wisdom tooth taken out. And he was a real question mark going into the contest, but he was able to keep up with Chestnut. They were dog to dog, and at the final buzzer, it appeared it was a tie, 63-63.

It turned out that Chestnut had a few dogs and buns inside of his mouth. He was able to swallow them, get them down, thereby claiming the belt, 66 hot dogs and buns in only 12 minutes. That is a pace of 5.5 dogs a minute. Simply astounding. LEMON: Alan, you sound like a sports announcer, and it was toe to toe and dog to dog. Let me ask you, where do these guys put it? Because they are not really big guys and plus I hear they have to drink the water that's right after the -- like the hot dog bun water. How gross is that?

CHERNOFF: Well, Don, let me explain a little to you about competitive eating. Look how dry a hot dog bun is. It's possible to speed eat this. What you must do when are you competing, especially up on the stage, you have to dip the bun into the water. Now it's nice and soaked, goes down very easily then. It's all a matter of dipping the bun into the water.

LEMON: Alan, you don't have anything inside of that. Where is the wiener?

CHERNOFF: That's right. It's done separately. Usually the guys take the dogs out, shove them in, and then the buns are done separately. Usually they do not use mustard. Mustard would be a hindrance here.

LEMON: I wish you could see Kyra's reaction when I asked that you question. She is laughing over here. Allan Chernoff, Coney Island. Always a pleasure my friend. Happy Fourth to you. Thanks for the lesson, too.

CHERNOFF: To you as well.

PHILLIPS: Well, Hilton is once again in the news, but this time, though, it's not Paris, but the company that made her and her family very rich and very famous. Stephanie Elam has the details. She joins us now today from our New York to see if she can say wiener somehow in this segment.

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, I had the veggie booty story a couple of weeks ago. Come on now.

PHILLIPS: That's a good point. You have already paid your dues.

ELAM: I've paid my dues here. All right. Let's talk a little bit about Hilton Hotels. That's what the story is about. Blackstone group says it's buying the hotel company for about $26 billion, including the assumption of debt. The Hilton Company, of course, owns the hotels bearing its name but it also controls some other familiar brands we know, including Double Tree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn and of course the storied Waldorf Astoria right here in New York City.

The company was founded back in 1919 by Conrad Hilton who happens to be the great-grandfather of Paris. Now the hotels are nothing new to Blackstone. It's poured about $15 billion into that industry over the past three years. You can expect Hilton stock to jump tomorrow when the markets reopen. Of course the markets are all closed today for the Fourth of July holiday.

Now the lazy, crazy hazy days of summer are supposed to be full of soda and pretzels and beer, right? On the next hour of NEWSROOM I'll tell you why your backyard barbecue may hit you in more places than just your gut. Until then, Kyra?

PHILLIPS: You didn't get to say wiener, but pretty close. Don't talk about my gut. I know I have a little Buddha belly, don't rub it in. All right, Stephanie, we'll see you in a little bit.

ELAM: That's good.

LEMON: Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Chris Dodd and Sam Brownback, they are all running for president and they are all spending the Fourth of July in Iowa. So far, at least the only fireworks seem to be over President Bush's decision to commute Scooter Libby's prison sentence.

CNN's senior political correspondent Candy Crowley just left Clear Lake on her way to Waterloo and she joins us now by phone. It may have been easier, Candy, to say who is not there instead of who is there.

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on phone): Absolutely. But what kind of politician can pass up Fourth of July in Iowa when you are running for president, so - The headliners as you know have been Bill and Hillary Clinton here in Iowa, campaigning together for three days, through six cities.

We just left a parade in Clear Lake, which had thousands of people lining the streets for about a mile and a half, as the Clintons walked down, shaking hands, signing autographs. Bill Clinton is still every bit the draw he has always been. Lots of calls for him. Lots of Hillary signs.

The others are kind of struggling for some limelight at this point, just because so much attention has been on the Clintons. We have seen Barack Obama, who is traveling the state with his children, saying this was a family holiday for them, albeit sort of a weird one for his young children. But nonetheless, he's been going to the normal things one does in Iowa, if you are a politician. Meeting with groups of people, going to the ice cream stores, going to the small restaurants, talking with voters, so they are all over this state at this point, don. And I have to tell you, on Fourth of July this is mostly about the picture rather than substance.

LEMON: Yeah, lots of baby kissing I'm sure you have seen a lot of that. And hot dog eating and what have you. Anything to do with the Fourth of July. You mentioned Bill Clinton, Candy. And Bill Clinton, of course, received a lot of criticism about when he left office and his pardons and of course just a couple days ago, the president commuted Scooter Libby's sentence. Now in a radio interview just I think yesterday, the former president got asked about that, about President Bush's decision and let's listen to that, and we'll talk about it, Candy.

CROWLEY: OK.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President, I have to ask you this question since it's timely. What is your reaction to President Bush's commutation of Scooter Libby's prison sentence? You had some controversial pardons during your presidency. What is your reaction to what President Bush did?

BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT: Yeah, but I think the facts were different. I think there are guidelines for what happens when, you know, somebody is convicted, and I think that, you know, you got to understand, I think that this is consistent with their philosophy. They believe that they should be able to do what they want to do. And that the law is a minor obstacle. That's what I think. I think it was wrong to out that CIA agent and wrong to try to cover it up, and wrong that no one was ever fired from the White House for doing it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Now, Candy, some of the op-eds I've read it's like people saying this is the pot calling the kettle black. Your response there to what's going on in the campaign trail? Actually, what is the response on the campaign trail?

CROWLEY: Well, on the campaign trail, this fits perfectly into what the Democratic candidates have been talking about, and their insistence that George Bush has never been held accountable for beginning with the Iraq War, but for anything that has gone wrong in his presidency, and Bill Clinton hit in a gentler way what his wife has been saying on the campaign trail, which says this is about the triumph of cronyism over justice, that sort of thing, all of the candidates, the Democratic candidates have been hitting it pretty hard.

Because as you know, the base of the Democratic Party, in fact, most of the Democratic Party is very anti George Bush at this point, and it tends to get the adrenaline running when you add something new to the pot and this certainly is that.

LEMON: So, Candy, have you been following candidates and I said they are doing everything Fourth of July. So any good Fourth of July food there in Iowa?

CROWLEY: I am so happy to report I haven't seen a hot dog eating contest. I mean, I don't have a TV around, but just the thought of it was a little much. So lots of kissing babies, lots of standard, you know, chips and lemonade and that kind of thing. A very small town -- so many small towns in Iowa have these Fourth of July parades it really reminds you if you grew up in a small town particularly in the Midwest of Fourth of Julys from long ago.

LEMON: All right. Candy Crowley on the campaign trail. Always appreciate your perspective. Thank you, Candy.

CROWLEY: Thanks, Don.

LEMON: Safe travels and happy Fourth to you.

Once again, CNN is raising the bar on the presidential debates. And you can take part. On Monday, July 23rd, the Democratic candidates square off in a CNN/YouTube debate. Anderson Cooper hosts this first of its kind event live and interactive on TV and online.

You can see Republican candidates debate on Monday, September 17th. Submit your own questions right now. Just log on to cnn.com/America votes. And we'll show you some of the funny submissions a little bit later on, right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

CROWLEY: A champion tees off four the troops. Special guests joining Tiger Woods today.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What's it like to play a round with the number one golfer in the world? We'll introduce you to one woman who got the chance of a lifetime, coming up in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How you doing? I'm Al Quayar (ph). I'm stationed in Bahrain. And I would like to say happy Fourth of July to my wife Holly and daughter Isabella in Virginia Beach, and best wishes for a safe and joyful Fourth of July.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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PHILLIPS: She's used to wearing green. Now she'll be on the green. A U.S. Army sergeant gets set to tee off with Tiger Woods at the AT&T National in Washington. It's Tiger's tribute to the troops. CNN's Brianna Keilar is also there, she joins us live from Bethesda, Maryland. Actually standing pretty close to Tiger. I'm wondering, did you get any tips? Not that you need any, Brianna.

KEILAR: No, but I think that he did give one to a former president who teed off today. I'm not sure exactly what he said. The pros start playing for real tomorrow. Today was the pro-am. It was the Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am here at Congressional Country Club. And the military was really featured very prominently in today's events, including in tiger Tiger Woods' foursome.

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SGT. MAJ. MIA KELLY, U.S. ARMY: That was a good one.

KEILAR: Aside from Army Sergeant Mia Kelly's home course at Virginia's Fort Belvoir, the only place this career military woman may spend more time is overseas.

KELLY: I have been to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar, also a place like Germany, Korea Panama, Japan, all over.

KEILAR: But this Independence Day, Kelly is taking the tour of a lifetime. Eighteen holes with Tiger Woods in a pro-am tournament ahead of the AT&T National which Woods is hosting. Woods' father Earl, served in Vietnam, spending 12 years as a Green Beret. Tiger says growing up in a military family gives him first-hand knowledge of the sacrifice they make. TIGER WOODS, GOLGER: I know I can't serve with them but I want to say thank you in some way.

KELLY: And it is the Fourth of July, celebrating Independence Day. For us to maintain our independence, we have to have a strong military, and so I think this is just an awesome thing.

KEILAR: Kelly, who works with an Army information operations unit started playing golf in 2004, and now she's hooked.

KELLY: It's the never-ending pursuit of that perfect golf game. The perfect shot, the perfect putt.

KEILAR: But today, Kelly says she'll settle for a first shot that doesn't embarrass her.

KELLY: I think the only thought that will go through my head is please, please, please don't whiff the ball. It's going to be nerve- wracking, but I really think that after the first shot it will get a lot easier.

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KEILAR (on camera): And Sergeant Kelly did not whiff the ball. She did hit it in the rough off the first hole, but she plugged away on the first hole, and the rest of the round pretty much on a roll there, Kyra. So she learned how nerve racking it can be just having all of that media and all of those fans around you when you are playing with someone like Tiger Woods.

PHILLIPS: We both know that feeling, don't we, then again, are you a handicap 11 I believe, isn't that right?

KEILAR: Somewhere in there.

PHILLIPS: I just had to brag.

KEILAR: That may be generous.

PHILLIPS: I know your dad wanted to you play in the LPGA. You decided to become a reporter. That's OK. You got the best of both worlds.

KEILAR: Yeah. Not bad being out here.

PHILLIPS: That's true. Perfect assignment for you. Now, Tiger wasn't the only famous face out there today, right. Of course there was the former president that I believe Tiger even teed the ball up for.

KEILAR: That's right, he certainly did. And the funny thing is he also had a few other balls and he said I have got some Mulligans in case you need them. But the military featured very prominently. But also former President George H. W. Bush, he really got things rolling, this was the ceremonial first shot of the AT&T National.

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GEORGE H. W. BUSH, FORMER PRESIDENT: The laughing rule is in effect. If anybody laughs when I hit it, they are dead. I have got the Secret Service here to look out for me. All right. Do we have Mulligans? I got ...

WOODS: There.

G.H.W. BUSH: Oh, you're ready.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Drum roll, please.

G.H.W. BUSH: No way I can get down there. If you see a flaw, let me know.

WOODS: You're ready.

G.H.W. BUSH: All right. Why did I agree to do this?

WOODS: Hey!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Not bad. He had a pretty good tee shot there. Do we know how far it went?

KEILAR: You know, I guesstimate it went I'm thinking 160 yard, 150 yards, it really didn't go too far but the point is there were a lot of people around here. He could have embarrassed himself, and he really didn't. Because even though it didn't go that far, it went straight and Kyra, you and I both know that's really half the game.

PHILLIPS: That's so true and it's always that first tee shot sets the whole vibe for the rest of the holes.

KEILAR: Certainly and also some very good comic relief. I mean, he really did have me worried. I was thinking, oh my gosh, where is this going to go? But it wasn't too bad.

PHILLIPS: All right, Brianna, great to see you. Thanks a lot.

LEMON: Maybe a little less sick, but a lot more angry. TB traveler Andrew Speaker lashes out about the way he was treated. But does the CDC really owe him an apology? We'll check the facts coming up in the CNN NEWSROOM.

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LEMON: He set off a tuberculosis scare by traveling around the world. Now there is word Andrew Speaker does not have the worst form of TB, as first diagnosed by the CDC. The CDC is standing by its recommendation to isolate the Atlanta lawyer, but Speaker says the agency went too far. CNN medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen joins us for a fact check but first, Andrew Speaker spoke with our Anderson Cooper last night. Here is an excerpt.

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ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST: Should the CDC apologize to you? Do you think you're owed an apology by the CDC?

ANDREW SPEAKER, TB PATIENT: Yes, I do. I think they owe an apology to the people that they scared. It just -- I know they do dual testing here when they are running a test to see whether or not something has tuberculosis or what kind, they run two at the same time to make sure the results are correct. They created a huge international panic, they scared millions of people around the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Elizabeth Cohen is here now. Does the CDC think it owes Andrew Speaker an apology?

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I think they would say no. They would say, look, whatever kind of tuberculosis you have, whether it's the XDR or the MDR, both of them are resistant to drugs and are very serious diseases, and the CDC has said over and over again, we would have done the same thing if it were MDR or XDR. Thirty percent of people who get MDR, what Andrew Speaker now has, die, 30 percent mortality rate. That is incredibly high. You will notice he is still in the hospital. He is not allowed off the hospital grounds. He is still considered infectious.

So the CDC says look, we would not have changed anything. We would have told him not to get on an airplane and there wouldn't be a change.

LEMON: The question is how do you argue against that? He is even saying that the CDC damaged his reputation. Let's take a listen to that.

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SPEAKER: My job, my family's careers, a lot of them, to a large extent, have been destroyed, because people -- people are going to have a hard time remembering the change in diagnosis is going to be a page 10 story.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COHEN: What's interesting about that is it wasn't a page 10 story. Got a whole lot more attention than that. So I think everyone now knows that he may have been misdiagnosed at the beginning. What's interesting about what he said there is he thinks that somehow that now-- he sort of implies that now this change in diagnosis vindicates him in some way or at least partially vindicates him.

And folks I spoke to were a little bit curious about that. They said why would a change in diagnosis vindicate him? Again, the CDC would have done the same thing. If he feels that the CDC's actions have somehow damaged or he said, I think, nearly ruined his professional life or the professional life of people in his family, well, even if they had gotten the MDR diagnosis from the beginning, they would have done the same thing, they would have taken the same action. So if he feels ruined now in any way, he would have felt ruined if they had gotten the diagnosis right from the beginning.

LEMON: Right. And he was still harmful to other people possibly. So how can ...

COHEN: If you sit on an airplane with MDR TB, that's the TB they think he has now, are you infectious to people. Airplanes, hundreds of people in an enclosed space, and that's why doctors say if you have any kind of tuberculosis, do not get on an airplane and they told him that. They said please don't get on an airplane and he got on seven.

LEMON: Elizabeth Cohen, thank you. Happy Fourth to you.

COHEN: And to you.

PHILLIPS: A Michigan mom the victim of a tragedy this Fourth of July. She was killed while trying to set off a fireworks display. Tragic lesson straight ahead from the CNN NEWSROOM.

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PHILLIPS: Just when you thought it was safe to go into the water, a man fishing in North Carolina caught a one-pound, four-ounce piranha. Isn't he so cute? He said the fish bit down on his pocket knife and left an impression right on the blade. Experts say that the piranha is not native to North Carolina and must have just been dumped there. I bet the water skiers are thrilled about that find.

LEMON: How would you like to run into that in a fishing hole?

PHILLIPS: I wouldn't want to run into that anywhere. In any hole.

LEMON: Finally freed and British journalist Alan Johnston has a militant group to thank for that. Ahead on the CNN NEWSROOM, details on how Hamas helped secure Johnston's safe return.

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