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Exclusive Interview with Genarlow Wilson; Hillary Clinton Celebrates 60th Birthday; Dog Saves Young Girl From Kidnapper
Aired October 28, 2007 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MELISSA LONG, CNN ANCHOR: He went from honor student to jailhouse prisoner all because of consensual ten sex. Tonight you'll hear CNN's exclusive interview with Genarlow Wilson.
Seven college students died here. Tonight, grieving families ask how it happened; the fire tragedy on the east coast.
They jumped into the deep end to escape the California wildfires; salvation by swimming pool.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get your hair wet. Keep your hair wet so that your hair doesn't catch on fire.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: It's an amazing story of survival you just have to hear.
Also, finding laughter in the face of misery.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Finally, no termites.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: Meet the couple who is finding a bright side to a dark tragedy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEPHEN COLBERT, TALK SHOW HOST: This is a tremendous honor. You all must be thrilled to have me here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: But wait until you hear which real candidate Stephen Colbert is actually beating in the race to the white house.
You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
And good evening. I'm Melissa Long.
This weekend is the first weekend Genarlow Wilson is breathing free air in more than two years. He walked out of a prison after a Georgia Supreme Court ruled that the sentence that put him there was cruel and unusual; his crime at the time, having consensual oral sex with a teenage girl when he himself was a teen. The now 21-year-old says he's still young, but changed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GENARLOW WILSON, FREED FROM PRISON: For the most part I'm mature, you know as a young man. You know I know that this is no place they want to ever come again and, you know, I wouldn't advise anybody to come here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: In Atlanta today, inside the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, Genarlow Wilson and his family attended worship services; also, had a conversation with Rick Sanchez. First issue, why did Wilson choose to stay in prison convicted of a sex crime instead of just taking a plea deal?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So you were willing to stay in a maximum security prison with rapists and with murderers for principle?
WILSON: Of course.
SANCHEZ: And the principle was?
WILSON: I feel like it was a good cause.
SANCHEZ: You didn't want to be branded.
WILSON: I did not, and I feel like they didn't intend for this to happen to people like myself. Come to find out we were correct because they changed the law. They just didn't make it retroactive. We went through the right court procedures and we got it done.
SANCHEZ: You would have been able to get out and walk as a free man and the only thing is you would have carried with you this label of sexual offender.
WILSON: Exactly, but I might have had lesser time, but then again I would have nowhere to go because I would have no home. I wouldn't be able to stay with my mother because I have a little sister. When you're a sex offender you can't be around kids. Basically, I can't even have kids myself. So what is the point of life?
SANCHEZ: So you weren't willing to do that deal?
WILSON: Of course not. You have no future.
SANCHEZ: Although others did.
WILSON: Yes, you know, but I consider myself a different person. You know, I wanted more for myself and for my family so I just had to -- I had a more difficult task.
SANCHEZ: The new Genarlow will be how compared to the old Genarlow?
WILSON: I feel like it's going to be more conservative, more alert of, you know, what's going on around him and just thankful for what he has. You know, because back then when it seems like you have everything, you feel like you have no worries until it's all gone. I know what it feels like to be without. I don't ever want to feel like that again. I don't ever want to see the inside of a prison or a prison, period.
SANCHEZ: And you'll make sure it doesn't happen? Good luck.
WILSON: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LONG: Now I spoke with Wilson's attorney B.J. Bernstein tonight. She says when Genarlow was first told he would be freed he had a hard time believing it.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
B.J. BERNSTEIN, WILSON'S ATTORNEY: Genarlow said that the warden told him what was happening, but he himself didn't 100 percent believe he -- another inmate told him, actually, had heard it on the radio and the warden called him to the office and was relieved and when he signed the release papers, that's when he said this is really happening.
LONG: I'm sure a lot of people are curious. How is he doing?
BERNSTEIN: He's doing well. I think we're all in this bit of a haze and shock. On Friday night, you know, he wanted French fries and wings and his mom said he could keep hearing the pitter patter, going to the refrigerator because he's been eating a lot and sleeping. He got his haircut. They went shopping to get him some new shirts because nothing fits from before. He's lost some weight since being in prison and right now he's just enjoying his time with his family and we went to church this morning and that was huge because he became a very spiritual person and I don't mean it in the corny way. I know everybody says you find religion in prison, but he really did have to find something because if you can imagine at 17 wondering why this is happening in my life and how can I have peace with it and religion's been a part of it. So church this morning was very powerful.
LONG: Considering everything he's been through, I would expect him to say I want to go work as an attorney, but he's looking more into a sociology career or maybe business.
BERNSTEIN: He's really interested and I think it's reflective of what's going on about people and how they act and their moral decisions and the politics of it because that's what happened in his case, and I think that that's why actually he's interested in that. I think he wants to connect. He really wants to work with young people and spreading the message about five minutes of fun can be a lifetime of regret. He never says he didn't do anything wrong that night and he's very strong that he doesn't want this to happen to anybody else his age.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LONG: You just heard from Genarlow Wilson. You'll have that opportunity again tomorrow night 8 p.m. Eastern on Rick Sanchez's program "OUT IN THE OPEN." I hope you'll join us for that, 8 p.m. eastern.
Now by the time that Mr. Wilson walked out of prison, we here at CNN had amassed quite a collection of regular and probing investigative reports on the case, leading most of those reports facing the prosecutors, the lawmakers, peeling the layers from the Genarlow Wilson's story and demanding answer, a very determined Rick Sanchez.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: You lost your freedom. What's that like to lose your freedom?
WILSON: It's real hard because I started off -- it was like I had everything one day and the next day I had nothing.
SANCHEZ: Where and when did this all begin? Right here at this Days Inn in suburban, Atlanta, December 31st, 2003. Genarlow and some of his friends decided they'd come here, rent a room and ring in the New Year. It was a decision that has forever changed his life.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're in!
SANCHEZ: A victory in the legal battle for Genarlow Wilson sentenced to 10 years because of a Georgia sodomy law that harshly punished the 17-year-old for having oral sex with another teenager. This victory was short lived. A decision to release Wilson was appealed just an hour later and today he is still behind bars. He has said it all along to me in jail.
At no time did you tell that young lady that she had to give you oral sex.
WILSON: No, sir.
SANCHEZ: Then the attorney who prosecuted him confirmed it to me.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: From what we've seen on the videotape and heard from the victim herself we do not believe there was any physical force used.
SANCHEZ: When Georgia lawmakers were asked to reconsider Wilson's case under their new law, the president of the senate had this to say.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you aware that these boys videotaped that rape?
Wilson was not convicted of rape. So on the steps of the capitol, I confronted Johnson about his assertion.
SANCHEZ: Do you feel bad that you characterized this as a rape when you were talking yesterday in the senate?
JOHNSON: No. No.
You don't have any problem with that. Because it wasn't a rape.
JOHNSON: It's a rape in my mind.
SANCHEZ: Read us what it says. Can you read it to us?
BERNSTEIN: It's the sentence is void.
SANCHEZ: The sentence is void. That means he's clear -- that means he's clear!
SANCHEZ: B.J., explain to us what this means, if you could.
BERNSTEIN: The order, he's released. He's released!
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LONG: Now, fire destroyed their home, killed their neighbors and what you see in a moment, all that remains of their property. A southern California couple owe their lives to their swimming pool. We're going to take you here it all happened live in just a moment here in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LONG: It is being called the greatest ending ever in a college football game. You be the judge now. It happened in Jackson, Mississippi, on the last play of Saturday's game between Trinity University and Millsap College and when you see what happened you'll know why it's tonight's top pick.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's caught again and Tomlin now on the lateral and now the lateral to Thompson and he laterals it back to Maddox on the other side. Maddox looking for a block. He fakes the lateral to Curry and now he laterals it to Curry and Curry is at the 49 yard line, he's dancing around and he throws it back now to Maddox who throws it across the field to Barmoore. Barmoore's looking to run. He's looking for a block. He's got a convoy. He's going to throw it to Thompson. Thompson's at the 30 yard line. Thompson now laterals it back to Curry at the 35. They are running out of spaces. Curry fakes and he's going to lateral it to Tomlin. Tomlin's got a chance to go and he laterals it and now he's going to go to Maddox and Maddox at the 30 yard line and now it's a lateral and Curry's still going. He scored!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a touchdown!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The game is over!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: What amazing play. Talk about teamwork, huh? In case you lost count, 15 laterals on the play and seven different players touched the ball. Amazing.
Up next, San Diego and the governor, they get something to cheer about. Also, a chance to say thank you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LONG: Seven college students died here. Tonight, grieving families ask how it happened; the fire tragedy on the East Coast.
They jumped into the deep end to escape the called California wildfires; salvation by swimming pool.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get your hair wet. Keep your hair wet so that your hair doesn't catch on fire.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: It's an amazing story of survival you just have to hear.
Also, finding laughter in the face of misery.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Finally, no termites!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: Meet the couple who is finding a bright side to a dark tragedy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COLBERT: This is a tremendous honor. You all must be thrilled to have me here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: But wait until you hear which real candidate Stephen Colbert is actually beating in the race for the White House. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
Of course, the Santa Ana winds are one thing. Arson, another. Tonight, five people face charges for allegedly setting fires in devastated southern California and police say they're looking for others as well. An all-out search continues this evening for a white Ford F-150 pickup. Witnesses spotted the truck close to where the Santiago fire started in Orange County. That fire alone devoured an area twice the side of New York City. Authorities confirmed that fire is arson and they believe the Rosa fire in Riverside County is also arson. They're still investigating the cause of several others.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Arnold Schwarzenegger has had his hands full this week. You better believe it. A lot of emotion here at Qualcomm this afternoon. Firefighters, police ...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: A sign the smoke is lifting. Two days ago, San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium was filled with fire refugees and today you see football fans filling the bleachers as the Chargers and Houston went to battle. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger right there surrounded by fire, police chiefs and team captains presiding over the coin toss. They got a standing ovation.
So many touching stories of survival and another tonight from a San Diego couple. They managed to escape the flames by, believe it or not, getting in their backyard swimming pool.
CNN's Reggie Aqui spoke with the couple. He joins us now live from their now-devastated home.
Reggie.
REGGIE AQUI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Melissa, we've heard so many incredible stories and this story of survival is so unbelievable. Let me tell you what happened.
Dina and Roger Bielasz live here. I'm standing on the top of a mountain. We're surrounded by big drop-offs. So if you go this way, this way or behind me it drops off. They were completely trapped by this fire. The one thing they did have, this swimming pool. Yes, this is what they used to survive. They jumped in the shallow end at first, but it's so close to the house that was completely engulfed in flames, at that point they had to swim over to the deep end of their pool. That's where they sat over there for three hours. Imagine sitting in that pool and it was quite cold as they watch their entire life burn down in front of them.
We talked to them earlier today. We have some video to roll to show you exactly the area we're talking about. You can see it better with the light earlier. The reason why they jumped into this pool, I should mention, is because they came up with a plan -- they came up with this plan years ago and they said to each other, if anything gets so bad that there is nowhere to run, if a fire comes to our house, jump in the pool. Maybe we can survive that way. They remembered that plan when it became so dire inside their house. They actually took a big risk because there was fire in their backyard, but there was really nothing they could do. They could either suffer from smoke inhalation and possibly die inside their house or suffer from burns outside. They took the chance, jumped in and saved their own lives.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. ROGER BIELASZ, WILDFIRE SURVIVOR: We ducked our head under that overhang.
AQUI: For how long?
DINA BIELASZ, WILDFIRE SURVIVOR: I think about three hours.
BIELASZ: About three hours.
BIELASZ: Yes. Actually it was about -- an eternity and a half.
BIELASZ: Yes.
BIELASZ: It's the longest wait I've ever had for a ride and thank heavens we never filled the pool in. We talked about that. We were going fill it in, not fill it in, but we need the escape plan if it ever happened.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
AQUI: The Bielasz family, they've lost so much because of this fire, but nothing is more important to them than the friends that they lost. Melissa, they made a deal not just with each other and also with their next-door neighbors. We're talking about Chris Bane and Victoria Fox. They live just down the road from me and they said to them, jump in this pool if the fire gets too close. They waited in this pool and wondered where their neighbors were and those neighbors never showed up.
As you might remember, earlier this week, we heard reports two of people who died in their home. Those were the neighbors we're talking about here, Melissa. Here's the situation, I know a lot of people are wondering how could you not know that a fire was so close to you. Remember this all happened in the middle of the night. These folks never got any calls from anyone, no knock at the door. So all they had to do was rely on themselves. Luckily, these two had a pool.
LONG: Amazing story and, of course, so touching. You called it an eternity and a half as he watched his home go up in flames. Were they able to salvage anything?
AQUI: Nothing at all. They really couldn't. All they could do was save themselves. Walk out of this pool, walk down the road and find someone who fortunately helped them out.
LONG: At least they are OK this evening. An amazing story for them to tell as well. Reggie Aqui live from southern California. Reggie, thank you.
Now that couple also spoke with my colleague Fredricka Whitfield earlier about their harrowing experience.
BIELASZ: The pool water was cold. We were shivering. I just kept thinking to myself, oh, my God -- oh, my God and we could hear cans popping in the pantry. We could hear wine bottles breaking and glass exploding, and I just kept telling Roger, you've got to keep wet, get your hair wet. Keep your hair wet so that your hair doesn't catch on fire and stay close back here to the rocks and as we were shivering at one point, we started to get cramps and so I told Reg keep your hands under water and you have to move your legs around. Keep your legs and move your feet so that you don't -- because we've got to just got to do it.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And you're talking to one another. Was it pretty loud, too? I mean you're hearing all the popping, the flames, the crackling. Was it difficult to you know engage one another, to keep talking and you know help each other out?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIELASZ: We weren't talking because the air around us was solid soot. So we tried not to talk.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: Again, they are safe, but they lost everything.
Now, would you like to see Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff really angry? Check this out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL CHERTOFF, HOMELAND SECURITY CHIEF: It was one of the dumbest and most inappropriate things I've seen since I've been in government.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: That the secretary bashing his own agency, FEMA and find out what set him off. We are keeping them honest straight ahead in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LONG: The man in charge of FEMA's public relations office starts a new job in the morning. He is heading over to work for the director of national intelligence. You're wondering why should I care about this, right? Well, Pat Philbin oversaw the FEMA government, the FEMA department, rather that held what you might call a fake news conference. A FEMA spokesman says Sylvan was offered the new job before this week's P.R. disaster. CNN's Josh Levs is keeping them honest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know how news conferences are supposed to work. Reporters ask questions, officials answer. But what if reporters aren't asking the questions?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the FEMA press briefing ... LEVS: Last week the federal emergency management agency announced a news conference in Washington about what it was doing for victims of the California wildfires, but the agency announced it at the last minute so FEMA says no reporters showed up. They just called in on the listen-only phone line.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We understand the secretary ...
LEVS: So who's asking the questions? FEMA says it was their employees. The agency released this video of the news conference.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you happy with FEMA's response so far?
HARVEY JOHNSON, FEMA DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR: I'm very happy with FEMA's response so far.
LEVS: Not exactly hard-hitting journalism. Word got out, embarrassing the White House.
DANA PERINO, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: It is not a factor that we would employ here at the White House and we certainly don't condone it.
LEVS: FEMA apologized. In a statement, Deputy Administrator Harvey Johnson called it "an error in judgment" and sand "the intent was to provide useful information." A spokesman added that the questions were based on things reporters had contacted FEMA about.
AARON WALKER, FEMA PRESS SECRETARY: We know we did a bad job, but we're doing -- we're getting back on track.
LEVS: That didn't stop Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff who oversees FEMA from tearing in to those responsible.
CHERTOFF: It was one of the dumbest and most inappropriate things I've seen since I've been in government and may I make unambiguously clear in Anglo Saxon pros that it will not happen again and there will be disciplinary action against those who exhibited extraordinarily poor judgment.
LEVS: Here's the kicker. The news conference in which Michael Chertoff made those remarks, FEMA didn't invite all the press to that. FEMA officials say there was only one TV crew invited and that was from the Associated Press.
Josh Levs, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LONG: Tragedy on the beach tonight. Fire sweeping through a North Carolina house, killing college students. We will take you to the scene live straight ahead in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LONG: Five people are now facing arson charges in southern California and investigators say they are far from finished. Two people have been arrested in San Bernardino County. San Diego authorities picked up two others and a fifth person was charged in Los Angeles County. Investigators are offering a $250,000 reward for more information. Authorities tonight confirm that massive Santiago fire was deliberately set. They believe the Rosa fire in Riverside County also the work of arson.
Amid the devastation and the burned out homes some, Californians are learning you can help yourself by helping others. One couple lost everything to the fires, did not lose their sense of hope nor their sense of humor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIM WALL: There's some wires over here so watch that.
CAROL WALL: On Monday night we saw it on TV. We could see my car sitting in front of the house, but no house behind it.
J. WALL: When we saw it, we both cried, because it was, you know -- it was everything that we had. It's just gone in smoke, literally. There are so many neighbors around here. They've lost a lot of things too. So we wanted to do something that would lighten everybody up and turn everyone around if we could.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It caught my eye and caught my attention.
J. WALL: I'm Jim Wall.
C. WALL: I'm Carol Wall.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was trying to figure out where they were coming from. They have a big sign.
J. WALL: Finally, no termites!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was expecting the sign to say keep out.
J. WALL: We're trying to lighten the neighborhood up. We're trying to inspire people, let them know that this is not the end of the world.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Finally no termites. Well, you know, it just really shows that some people have a sense of humor in all this despair.
J. WALL: The living room is on this side and the family room is on that side and the upstairs is downstairs.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At least it's a little humor in the face of something so bad like this.
J. WALL: Battling termites for years until finally, finally, all 132 million of them are gone. When we came in with the sign, we came in with the flag, people were applauding. They were running over and its just changed the attitude of most of the people here. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At least someone has -- you know, can bring some smiles to someone, you know?
J. WALL: Carol and I have been married 25 years. We've had a lot of ups and downs in our life. We had a daughter pass away last year. We had a business that failed three years ago. So we've been dusting ourselves off and picking ourselves up for quite a while.
The grill is still here and functional. I think we can clean this up and take this with us. Then the hose didn't melt.
C. WALL: It should have been gone.
J. WALL: So now we have a hose and we have a grill. What do we take away from something like this is before you can understand happiness, you have to feel sadness. Whatever happened yesterday is done and there's nothing we can do about it. So we're just moving forward.
And they lived happily ever after.
C. WALL: That was a pretty good one.
J. WALL: Yes, and we will. We will.
C. WALL: Yes.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LONG: Amazing optimism. Of course, true character always shows during times of adversity.
Of course, you have the fires in the West Coast and the tropical turbulence on the other end, rough weather scenes all around. Let's check in with Hillary Andrews in the CNN severe weather center. Hi, Hillary.
(WEATHER REPORT)
LONG: Thanks so much. Happy Halloween to you as well. We continue to accept our i-Reports. Just go to CNN.com to find the link.
Well, there's (INAUDIBLE) spreading nasty rumors. Let's face it, of course, break ups can get pretty mean. But police say this woman did something they've rarely seen and it was only indirectly aimed at her ex. A story that will make you say you've got to be kidding me in a couple of minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LONG: I guess if anyone deserves to lead off tonight's Dog Bone politics, it is comedian Steven Colbert. The Comedy Central host claims he is going to run for president as both a Democrat and a Republican. But only in his native South Carolina. A recent poll of state Democrats found Colbert hovering around two percent, slightly ahead of Bill Richardson and just behind Joe Biden. Today he even got the key to the city of Columbia.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEPHEN COLBERT, COMEDIAN: Mr. Mayor, thank you so much. I accept your proclamation naming me South Carolina's favorite son. This is a tremendous honor. You all must be thrilled to have me here. Citizens of Colombia, I grew up in South Carolina, and I continue to spend a great deal of time here. In fact, if the IRS asks, we do this every weekend.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: Actress Shirley Mclane believes in UFOs. No, that's certainly not a news flash. But in a new book, she writes that her longtime friend, Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich, has seen one, too. She says that close encounter happened one night outside her former home in Washington State. The Kucinich campaign is not commenting.
Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is embracing his recent endorsement, but here's the twist; it's from the president of a university that considers Mormonism a cult. Bob Jones III has endorsed Romney, who is trying to become the first Mormon president. Jones says Romney embraces conservative values. Romney says he's, quote, proud to have the support of people who don't agree with my faith.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hillary hugged Chelsea.
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I love you so much.
MOOS: Hillary hugged Bill. Hillary hugged Billy. Bill hugged Billy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: It is a Clinton family hug-fest. It is a story that CNN's Jeanne Moos will embrace for us coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LONG: College students spending a leisurely weekend in a quaint North Carolina coastal town, but some time early this morning flames engulfed this beach house, where 13 friends were staying and more than half of them did not make it out alive. Sabrina Zimring from our affiliate WTVD takes you there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We started hearing things exploding. You could hear breaking.
SABRINA ZIMRING, WTVD (voice-over): This incredible home video, taken by neighbors early Sunday morning, shows just how intense this fire was.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When I opened the door on the T Canal, on the end, I could see this house just engulfed in flames.
ZIMRING: The sounds of sirens woke neighbors in this quaint beach community. They watched from their balcony as firefighters battled the flames. Several university of South Carolina and Clemson College students were staying here at this house. At least one person jumped to safety from the third floor. But for seven of the students, help came too late.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That was what I thought. Oh, my god, people are in that house and it was almost a panic, almost, the thought of thinking did they get out?
ZIMRING: News of today's tragedy shook this small town.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was devastating, because I don't think anybody has seen anything like this on the island.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is one of the largest tragedies we've ever had here.
ZIMRING: But the mayor gave credit to emergency workers for their quick response.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think the fire department needs to be commended on that.
ZIMRING: Fire alarms sounded in the home, but there were no sprinklers. Right now the cause of the fire is still unknown, but officials say they do not suspect foul play.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LONG: That was Sabrina Zimring from our affiliate WTVD reporting.
For an elected leader of a European country, some people apparently can be extremely sensitive. France's new President Nicolas Sarkozy sat down for an interview with the CBS news program "60 Minutes." But apparently Leslie Stahl wasn't aware of a touchy topic, the president's marital situation.
Here's the background; at the time of the interview, the French and American media were clamoring for news about the Sarkozy's rumored bad marriage. "60 Minutes" Leslie Stahl wanted the details.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LESLIE STAHL, CBS CORRESPONDENT: Since we've been here, it seems that every day we're hearing another story about your wife. What's going on? .
PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY, FRANCE (through translator): If I have something to say about Cecilia, I would certainly not do so here. STAHL But there's a great mystery. Everybody's asking. Even your press secretary was asked at the briefing today. No comment?
SARKOZY: He was quite right to make no comment and no comment. Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: And that was the end of the interview. It took place two weeks before the French president announced the divorce. President Sarkozy and Leslie Stahl made nice with a later interview, also airing on tonight's "60 Minutes."
Now let me paint a picture for you. It is a story that will sound familiar; a man and wife, both attorneys. He becomes a governor and then the president. She's a popular first lady. She becomes a senator. She runs for president. She wins the presidency in a landslide.
And no, I'm not taking liberties with American history. You have to look farther south to Argentina this evening. That's where political history is being dramatically written with the apparent election of that country's first woman president. The parallels to the Clintons impossible to ignore. Patricia Janiot with our sister network CNN in Espanol. I spoke with Patricia a few minutes ago.
PATRICIA JANIOT, CNN EN ESPANOL: Every time she's asked that question she says that she is not like Hillary, that she became a senator way before her husband became president. Now, obviously, with this very large margin, she's become the only woman elected to the presidency, the only woman that has become president after her husband, and the only woman with this large a victory after democracy has returned to this country 25 years ago.
LONG: And with the change of leadership happening this December, what would her husband's role be as first husband, first gentleman?
JANIOT: Everybody is asking that question and many people say that he's going to work in his own party, the Peronista (ph), el Partido Peronista (ph). But many people say that he's not going to quit. She has publicly shown a lot of respect about his role in politics, his program in his four years of government. And many people say that she's going to consult with her husband, especially in economic issues, that he's going to negotiate with the other governments in the countries where he has a lot of experience, that he's not going quit.
But tonight we saw a gesture. He came to the podium. He just raised her hand for a moment and he went back, just to not overshadow her, to let her show -- to let her shine and to let her take the lead.
LONG: Again, from Buenos Aires, that was Patricia Janiot with our sister network CNN in Espanol.
Now to the woman who would like to follow in the footsteps of Fernandez in the U.S. It has been a Hillary Rodham Clinton love fest in New York this week. A lot of hugs, a lot of cash. And of course, a birthday cake. Before she blew out the 60 candles, you can imagine what Clinton wished for.
CNN's Jeanne Moos checks out the birthday bash.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS: when you're turning 60 and running for president --
(SINGING)
MOOS: Elvis Costello sings happy birthday to you, a far cry from her 53rd birthday, when Hillary was running for the Senate and reporters gave her a cupcake with a candle that blew out.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What do you want for your birthday?
CLINTON: A Senate seat sounds like a really good idea.
MOOS: Yes, well, the White House sounds even better. This was a birthday celebration/fund-raiser. As one headline writer put it, it's my 60th party and I'll charge 2,300 if I want to. At New York's Beacon Theater, Elvis Costello performed and Billy Crystal handled friendly world-series obsessed hecklers.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Go Red Sox!
BILLY CRYSTAL, COMEDIAN: Just jump out of the balcony. Let's just do it now.
MOOS: And there was birthday hugging galore. Hillary hugged Chelsea.
CLINTON: I love you so much, honey. I love you so much.
MOOS: Hillary hugged Bill. Hillary hugged Billy. Bill hugged Billy. And while they were reverentially listening to Hillary speak, Chelsea held her father's hand. Bill Clinton reminisced about all those birthdays he and Hillary spent together in 32 years of marriage.
WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: She was just 23 when we met. The poor child didn't know any better than to talk to me.
Hillary, in her 60th year, still looking, I think, very beautiful. We love you. And I'm so proud of you. Happy birthday. Come up here.
MOOS: Up she came.
(on camera): Now, if you somehow neglected to send Hillary a gift, you can always send one of these electronic birthday cards, conveniently available on Hillary's campaign website.
(voice-over): Bill invites folks to sign her card.
B. CLINTON: What's your birthday wish for Hillary? Let her know.
MOOS: Bet she's wishing for Iowa and New Hampshire, but when you send this birthday greeting you're greeted with contribute.
Celebs singing to presidents and would-be presidents are nothing new, though Elvis Costello is no Marilyn Monroe.
(SINGING)
MOOS: We've come a long way to a possible Mrs. President from Ms. Monroe.
Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LONG: And coming up, Angels owner was just about to sell her.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Before, she ran from a cat that was smaller than her, so I was ready to put her up for sale. But after that, she's got the most comfortable seat in the house.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: She's for sale no more after Angel became the guardian angel for a little girl, dog rescues girl. This whole story straight ahead in "THE NEWSROOM."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LONG: Good evening, once again. A hero is being held tonight in Miami. Police say the so-called angel fought off a man trying to abduct a nine-year-old girl. She is safe at home this hour. Now, if hindsight is 20/20, this little dog's owners must have known they found a pretty special pet when they came up with its name.
Here's Charles Billy from our affiliate WSVN.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLES BILLY, WSVN (voice-over): Meet Angel, the tiny terror, so-called because this female Jack Russell is a hero.
ANDRE BROWN, FATHER: We had a choice between a Jack or an American Bulldog. I'm glad we went with the Jack.
BILLY: Angel saved her owner, an eight-year-old girl. Her dad tells the story.
BROWN: She said a stranger ran up behind her. He caught her by surprise and he tried to grab her by the waist and pull her away with him. And my dog got all over him. She got all over him. He wanted no part of it. BILLY: Angel tore into the suspect, biting him in the legs, waist, arms and chest. It gave the little girl a chance to run and she took it, running back home from this empty lot across the street. Here, dad holds the shirt she was wearing and the soot the suspect left behind.
BROWN: All of the black spots is his dirt against her, his belly to her back.
BILLY: That was what she was wearing.
BROWN: Yes. That is what she was wearing.
BILLY: Even though dad is relieved, he is still stunned by Angel's aggression.
BROWN: Before she ran from a cat that was smaller than her, so I was ready to put her up for sale, but after that she's got the most comfortable seat in the house tonight.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LONG: And well deserving of that seat. We showed it to you earlier, but it is certainly worth another look. Keep your eye on the football. That is, if you can keep your eye on it. We sped it up for you. This is Saturday's game between Trinity University and Millsap (ph) College in Jackson, Mississippi.
Trinity staged one of the most remarkable comebacks in college football history. On the last play of the game, as time was expiring, Trinity lateraled that ball an almost unbelievable 15 times! Did you lose track of the ball? It's hard to keep track. Wide receiver Riley Curry (ph) touched the ball four separate times before he eventually ran -- there we go -- 44 yards to the end zone. Then he does the dance of joy on the field.
I'm Melissa Long. Have a wonderful evening. Thanks for joining Gus in the CNN NEWSROOM.
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