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Storms Wreak Havoc in China; President Bush on Economy and War; Toxic Trailers?; Venezuelan Bank Robbery; Can Republicans in Florida count on the Hispanic Vote?

Aired January 29, 2008 - 14:00   ET

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


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Snowstorms, thunderstorms, brutal winds and bitter cold. East of the Plains and west of the Appalachians, it's a great day to stay indoors.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Our severe weather guy, Chad Myers, is watching this latest blast of winter, and he shows you what you can expect. It doesn't appear to be good.

Hello, everyone. I'm Don Lemon, live at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta.

PHILLIPS: And I'm Kyra Phillips.

You're live in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(WEATHER REPORT)

PHILLIPS: Now imagine half the people in the United States trying to get home for the holidays and getting nowhere. That's just what's happening in China, where the worst winter storms in 50 years have stranded hundreds of thousands of passengers and left millions more waiting for the weather to clear.

An inside look now from CNN's Hugh Riminton.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HUGH RIMINTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In the major southern Chinese city of Guangzhou people were continuing to arrive late in the night looking for places on trains that are simply not leaving this city, to make the trip north, particularly to the capital, Beijing. People are crowding in still, even though some have been waiting here for six days for trains that are simply not moving.

This has become a major public health issue. There are no toilets here. There are shelters nearby that have opened up, but they are overflowing. People are sleeping rough.

They want to try to make it home for the Chinese new year, the time of the year when it is an obligation on people to try to get back to their families for a few precious days out of the year. And it is because of the emotions being drawn by these problems at the moment that there has been an extraordinary direct personal apology offered by the Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao. WEN JIABAO, CHINESE PREMIER (through translator): I apologize to you all. We're currently trying our best to repair the system. First, we'll fix the electric grid. After that's fixed, the trains will run again.

We don't need a lot of time. Then all of you can go home for Chinese new year.

RIMINTON: And the bad news is that there's no immediate end in sight to this. It's going to take some days for essential supplies to get through. There are shortages of coal, there are shortages of food in many of the cities. And the forecast is for continued bad weather for some days to come.

Hugh Riminton, CNN, Guangzhou, China.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: Well, the House is poised to vote on the economic stimulus package pushed by President Bush. But senators, well, they're taking a second look and threatening to tack on billions of extra spending which the president warns could derail the whole thing. We'll tell you about the results of the House vote just as soon as that vote happens.

Bringing home the bacon -- historically, a top priority of lawmakers of both parties, accomplished by attacking pet projects called earmarks -- attaching pet projects called earmarks to spending bills. Presidents hate them.

In his final State of the Union speech last night, President Bush issued a warning to Congress.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If you send me an appropriation bill that does not cut the number and costs of earmarks in half, I will send it back to you with my veto.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Mr. Bush is scheduled to sign an executive order targeting earmarks at 3:45 Eastern. We'll have that coverage live from the White House.

PHILLIPS: When a president takes the stage for his final State of the Union speech, well, he's there to prove the curtain hasn't come down yet on his term in office. And last night President Bush made that point to Congress and the nation. Albeit in a subdued way.

Here's CNN White House correspondent, Ed Henry.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Madam Speaker, the president of the United States. ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In his final State of the Union, a president who previously used this stage to build the case for war in Iraq and launched dramatic domestic initiatives like Social Security reform, this time offered little that was new or bold, a nod to the fact his own megaphone is not so loud, as candidates for his job like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have seized the attention. So Mr. Bush began a little wistful.

BUSH: Seven years have passed since I first stood before you at this rostrum. In that time, our country has been tested in ways none of us could have imagined.

HENRY: Then the president turned to the two issues that will define his legacy -- Iraq overseas and the economy at home, trying to make the case he can work with Democrats to prevent America from sliding into recession.

BUSH: In this election year, let us show our fellow Americans that we recognize our responsibilities and are determined to meet them.

HENRY: But Mr. Bush also had a warning for Democrats -- they need to move quickly to complete action on a $150 billion plan to stimulate the economy, and resist the temptation to load it up with extra provisions.

BUSH: That would delay it or derail it and neither option is acceptable. This is a good agreement that will keep our economy growing and our people working, and this Congress must pass it as soon as possible.

HENRY: In the Democratic response, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius said the stimulus package should just be a starting point to deal with the credit crisis.

GOV. KATHLEEN SEBELIUS (D), KANSAS: Our struggling economy requires urgent and immediate action and then sustained attention. Families can't pay their bills.

HENRY: On Iraq, Mr. Bush noted in last year's speech he was defending a controversial surge policy. But this year, there are security gains and 20,000 U.S. troops are coming home.

BUSH: Some may deny the surge is working. But among the terrorists, there is no doubt al Qaeda is on the run in Iraq, and this enemy will be defeated.

HENRY (on camera): But Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid pointed out there has been little political progress by the Iraqi government. And even with these troop cuts, there will still be about 140,000 U.S. troops still on the ground in Iraq, a reminder this part of the president's legacy still up for grabs.

Ed Henry, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE) LEMON: Well, they were lucky enough to survive one of the most devastating storms in U.S. history. But two and a half years later, some people who chose to stay on the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina could be facing a manmade danger.

CNN's Sean Callebs has the latest on those trailers provided by the government.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Remember this, miles of house trailers rushed to the gulf after Hurricane Katrina? One hundred twenty thousand in all that cost FEMA $1.8 billion. The agency bought way too many, so FEMA unloaded 10,000 trailers at bargain rates -- 40 cents on the dollar. So wait. Back up. The trailers are going back to FEMA.

"Keeping Them Honest," we wondered, what's going on? Wanda Phillips in Purvis, Mississippi, knows. She and her husband bought one.

WANDA PHILLIPS, PURVIS, MISSISSIPPI: We thought it was great. It smelled all new.

CALLEBS: That wasn't a new smell. Tests show high levels of formaldehyde, a solution used to preserve wood. The government now admits that formaldehyde could be at unacceptably high levels, basically poisoning people. So FEMA is offering to buy back all 10,000-plus trailers for the full price of the sale.

W. PHILLIPS: We replaced the tabletop, new cushions.

CALLEBS: FEMA won't pay those costs or reimburse travel expenses. Here's the deal: people have 60 days to return the trailers to giant lots like this one, which FEMA rents at a cost to taxpayers of $860,000 a year. The lot also happens to be right across the street from Wanda Phillips.

W. PHILLIPS: You can hear how hoarse I am.

CALLEBS: Apparently, the collection of trailers concentrated formaldehyde in the air. She's had tests done and has documents that show small levels of the toxin in the air. Keep in mind FEMA tells its employees because of the potential danger of formaldehyde, don't enter trailers when it's sunny.

W. PHILLIPS: They're out of control. They are ungoverned. They are doing exactly what they want to do without a care in the world to what happens to the people.

CALLEBS: FEMA wouldn't talk on camera, but said, "... all information pertaining to the buyback program and formaldehyde has been posted on..." its Web site. FEMA says more than 40,000 people are still living in trailers.

W. PHILLIPS: People don't realize how -- how agonizing it's been and what I've been through.

CALLEBS: Phillips is selling her trailer back. And that will solve one problem. But with thousands of others selling theirs as well, she expects another line of traffic in front of her home.

W. PHILLIPS: I felt cheated. I felt like my government, they're there to take care of us and they didn't take care of me.

CALLEBS: And, Phillips says, they still aren't.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: One question -- how much can these people go through? And the other question -- was FEMA suppressing this information about formaldehyde?

Our Sean Callebs is here. He's going to keep them honest.

Sean, don't answer the question. We'll do it after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: All right, now back to our investigation about those FEMA trailers for Hurricane Katrina survivors that are shown to have formaldehyde in them. It would be worse than we thought from Congress -- allegations that FEMA kept another government agency from looking into and exposing the problem.

Our Sean Callebs joins us now here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

We asked the question, Sean, before the break, did they suppress the information about formaldehyde?

CALLEBS: You know, the heat is up on FEMA right now. That is the accusation that is coming from some congressional investigators. What they are concerned about is FEMA went to an entity within the CDC to do a study, because FEMA knew back in 2006 formaldehyde is in these trailers and in high levels that are of concern. Now, they asked the CDC to do a very short-term study, and that's the big concern.

We had a chance to speak earlier today with Nick Lampson. He is a Texas Democrat, a congressman who was on the committee on science and technology. And he has some real questions about the way FEMA does its works.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. NICK LAMPSON (D), TEXAS: They told poor people that couldn't live elsewhere that if they were afraid of the health risks, to raise the windows. You don't -- you don't do -- that's not what our government has been about.

We care about people. We want people to be treated like our families would be -- would be treated. Not following good science and advising people to do things as they try to recover from one tragedy is, indeed, a much greater tragedy. This is compounding. This appears, perhaps, to be the tip of an iceberg that we don't know how large could be.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CALLEBS: That's tough stuff. And what Lampson says is FEMA said to mitigate the problem, just ventilate, open the window. And that's not going to work for people living 18 months in a travel trailer.

LEMON: Yes.

CALLEBS: We're not talking about a mobile home, we're talking about a travel trailer. Now, FEMA says, look, we knew about the problems. We've been very transparent with our concerns. And we're doing everything we can. But to a lot of people, this is just another glaring example of how poorly FEMA was prepared to deal with this.

LEMON: Especially in the wintertime. You want to -- you know, it gets cold when you're in a trailer. It's not like being in, you know, something that's brick and mortar. And Wanda Phillips, her voice, I mean, she says that's from...

CALLEBS: From the high levels of formaldehyde.

LEMON: Formaldehyde.

CALLEBS: We went into her trailer. And it has been sealed for some time. It's now on some land that she and her husband own about 40 miles from her house. The second we went in the trailer, our eyes started watering. You could -- an unpleasant sensation that was almost like, you know, kind of a sandpaper-like feel.

LEMON: Yes.

CALLEBS: I mean, if you had to live in that, it would be difficult. FEMA says it's doing everything it can. And there is a long-term study coming out, Don, next month that everybody is waiting to see because they are talking about the possibility of toxins that could cause cancer.

LEMON: And it's just amazing. If you've ever been in one of those trailers -- and I went in one and I said, "You've been living in this for two and a half years?" I asked the lady and she goes, "Oh, and this is a big one." You know what I mean? That's so...

CALLEBS: A family of four living in 400 square feet.

LEMON: Living in those trailers. Before I let you go, really quickly, when you were telling me about this investigation, we were talking about, you're like, you find one story in New Orleans and that leads you to another story and to another story. Really, how much more, Sean, can these folks take? It's just -- it just seems unbelievable.

CALLEBS: You know, it is tough. And the sad thing is I think that to a lot of people who look and they see the BCS doing great...

LEMON: Right. CALLEBS: ... they see the Sugar Bowl down there going great, and they know that President Bush wants to bring, you know, a very important meeting coming there in April. But if you go just outside the French Quarter, just outside the Garden District, it looks like it did not terribly long after August 29th.

LEMON: Yes.

CALLEBS: And you know what? It's a trifecta of disaster. It's a failure on city, state, and federal government to help these people.

LEMON: It's just sort of mind-boggling when you go down. And as you know, it's near and dear to my heart, and as well as Kyra. She's lived there, I'm from the area. So I appreciate you bringing us this story. Thank you very much.

CALLEBS: Next time you're down there give us a shout.

LEMON: I will. Thank you very much.

PHILLIPS: An opposition lawmaker shot dead in Nairobi. Can former U.N. chief Kofi Annan bring the warring sides in Kenya to the peace table?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(NEWSBREAK)

PHILLIPS: Will words from Kofi Annan to Kenya's government end the violence that's killed hundreds of men, women and children? The former U.N. secretary-general is trying to stem the carnage that followed last month's disputed presidential election.

CNN's Zain Verjee joins us now live from Nairobi.

Zain, an opposition lawmaker was shot dead today. What's the reaction there? What can you tell us about that, first off?

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN STATE DEPT. CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, that really makes the situation worse and fuels a lot more violence and hostility than there already exists. That politician was going home, and he was shot. Then crowds gathered outside his house, and then the security arrived on the scene and started firing tear gas into his home.

His wife came fluttering (ph) out. She was screaming and crying, and the family was also affected by the tear gas, as well as the mourners. We've been seeing scenes of chaos and violence all across Kenya. That is something that nobody from Kenya, including myself, would ever dream of seeing -- images of tribe-on-tribe violence and refugees with stories of real pain and brutality to tell.

Kofi Annan is here, and he did achieve something today. He brought the two sides again together for the second time. There appears to be diplomatic progress, but a lot of people here, Kyra, are really pessimistic, because both sides just don't see eye to eye. There's so much bitterness and bad blood. So a lot of people here are really saying that it's the heavy hand of the United States that's needed to push it forward -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, you've also told me about the gang violence as well. Do you think gangs are starting to take over?

VERJEE: Yes, they are, you know. You know, each tribe has a different gang that runs around, really terrorizing people.

One name, though, Kyra, in particular, really sent shivers down my spine, as well as many people in this country. The name of this gang is Munviti (ph). It's a particular tribe. They are really stealth killers. They are a commando force. They are highly disciplined,. and they just go into certain areas. For example, on the outskirts of Nairobi, there's a slum called Kibera (ph), and they operate there. They kill, they behead people, and then they move on.

They also extort money from people for protection, and things like that. So they're in control of a lot of major towns in the Rift Valley. So that's something that's becoming increasingly worrying -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: And you've grown up in Kenya. Have you ever experienced this while growing up there? And how widespread is the violence now?

VERJEE: Well, the violence is really centered mostly in the Rift Valley area. But the scary part, Kyra, to be honest, is that it's making its way, it's inching its way closer to here, the capital city, Nairobi, where I've grown up all my life.

I mean, people here are very, very concerned about that. You know, my parents, for example, will go about their day, as many other people in Nairobi do, but there is a sense of unease. It is business as usual, but there is a real discomfort. And when my parents, for example, go home and they watch TV, they ask themselves, is this a dream? Is this really Kenya?

Is this really happening? Because we don't feel that here in the central business district, by and large, in the nice residential areas. It really also happens on the outskirts of the slums here. Nairobi has been a very cosmopolitan city. It's a very cool city. It's a beautiful place to be. We have the only national park in the world actually in the city.

But the ethnic groups have lived together here side by side for that reason. And the sad part is, is that people are now beginning to wonder, well, what tribe is he? What tribe is she? And we've never really thought that before, so that's a discouraging sign -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Our Zain Verjee once again.

Great work, Zain. Thanks so much.

LEMON: Florida primary happening today, so courting the Cuban- American vote, is this traditionally a Republican stronghold up for grabs? It's a good question.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Leading our Political Ticker today, two leading candidates, two core issues. John McCain stressing his national security credentials, and Mitt Romney is banking on his financial chops as they battle for Florida's Republican primary vote. They appear to be in a neck-in-neck race, but Rudy Giuliani is hoping to be the spoiler in the contest that could make or break his campaign. We shall see.

No Democratic delegates are up -- at stake in Florida. So, the Dems are looking ahead to next week's Super Tuesday and the 22 Democratic contests.

She was picked to give the Democratic response to President Bush's State of the Union speech. Now she's picking sides in the presidential race. Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius today endorsed Barack Obama. Democrats are hoping to reclaim the state which has consistently gone Republican since Lyndon Johnson won in 1964.

PHILLIPS: Obama's Democratic rival is also getting a high- profile endorsement today. Hillary Clinton has won the backing of California Congresswoman Maxine Waters. Waters is a leading member of the Congressional Black Caucus. She says Clinton is ready to tackle the country's economic challenges.

Check out CNNPolitics.com today for the latest political news that we're covering -- the Florida primary -- from all angles and for a look ahead to Super Tuesday. It's the place to go for the freshest polls, the latest fights, the Political Ticker blog, and much more. And we have more news from the trail coming up in the NEWSROOM.

LEMON: If you fly, you probably know how much of ticket goes to those special fees and surcharges. I can't always figure it out? Can you figure it out? Not really. Well, we've got a new one to tell you about, and it just beats all.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: A $300 surcharge on an airline ticket? Well, on some flights that's what they're charging just for the fuel.

Susan Lisovicz at the New York Stock Exchange with that and a check of the market.

Hey, Susan.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kyra.

Well, stocks are airborne, I guess you could say. But they're not moving much ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision which we'll learn about this time tomorrow. There's more debate than usual as to how much the Fed will cut, given its emergency move last week, and what the Fed will say. The small moves that we are seeing today, mostly to the up side. Alcoa and Boeing each up about four percent on news -- a report on big-ticket items was more than double Wall Street's estimates. That was a nice report we got today, in the middle of the bad news.

Checking the numbers, the Dow is up 60 points. The Nasdaq is up two and a half points. Oil prices up slightly, to just above 91 bucks a barrel. While that's certainly well below the $100-per-barrel oil we saw earlier this month, its still at historically high levels. Airlines are feeling the impact and so are its passengers. Farecompare.com says United is charging $300, not for the flight from L.A. to Tokyo, but as the fuel surcharge. The flight is another $400. So that is in addition to it, Kyra?

PHILLIPS: Wow. Well, is it only on flights to Japan?

LISOVICZ: No, to other long-haul flights and to use their language, a flight to Spain, for instance, at nearly $400 for fuel and Air New Zealand is charging $360 in fuel fees on certain flights. And to think, we used to complain about no meals on flights, Kyra. Flying is so much different these days.

PHILLIPS: Yes, indeed. And they last a lot longer as well when you don't have all the various distractions.

LISOVICZ: That's right.

PHILLIPS: All right. What did about domestic flights?

LISOVICZ: Well, obviously, we'll give thanks because those flights are shorter and they're full, so the fuel charges are not quite as high. But over the weekend, most leading airlines did double their fuel surcharges for domestic flights. They used to be $20 per round trip ticket, now they are $40.

Previous attempts to raise fuel surcharges haven't stuck as the airlines competed for customers. But this one might. The airlines are struggling, of course, to remain profitable. The airline industry just released a report saying fuel accounted for more than a quarter of the cost of a flight. That was before this month's spike in oil prices. It just impacts everyone.

Coming up, another economic stimulus package, not from Democrats or Republicans, but from a big retailer. I'll tell you what it's doing to spur consumer spending in the next hour of NEWSROOM. Kyra, Don, back to you.

PHILLIPS: All right. Susan Lisovicz, thanks so much.

LEMON: Courted by candidates, mobilizing in droves. Latino voters could be a driving force in Florida and across the nation. We'll take a closer look.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: This just in to CNN. A casino fire at the Foxwoods Great Cedar Hotel in Connecticut. It's actually the Foxwoods Casino Resort. This is the Grand Cedar Hotel. It's all connected here. We thought this was just a small fire, but we're getting word now it's a seven-alarm fire. Apparently, flames started -- were seen burning in the lounge on the eighth floor of that hotel. Not sure how many people have been affected by this. We're just getting these live pictures in from our affiliate there in Connecticut, WPRI.

Says here, the sixth, seventh and eighth floors have been evacuated as a precaution. Firefighters right now, ripping up the roof to make sure that they've got all of the fire. You can see the white smoke, which is good news, that it means they're able to put out the flames there. But once again, this is at the Great Cedar hotel at the Foxwoods Resort Casino.

It started as a small fire on the eighth floor. Turned into a seven-alarm fire. We're told that no one has been injured in this blaze. Firefighters have -- were able to battle it within 30 minutes. We're told a security officer is the one that noticed that fire. And the flames coming out of the VIP lounge on the eighth floor. We're keeping an eye on it for you.

LEMON: Let's get back to politics now, while we continue to monitor that story happening in Connecticut, and talk about the flight -- fight for Florida. Will the state be Rudy Giuliani's springboard or his swan song? He's hoping to be the spoiler in today's Republican presidential primary in which -- in which Mitt Romney and John McCain appear locked in a neck-in-neck race.

The Republican battle is grabbing almost all the attention. The Democratic race is in the background since no delegates are at stake there in Florida for that. Florida's Cuban-Americans have long been a staple, a Republican voting bloc, as you'll ever find anywhere. But CNN's John Zarrella shows us, the grand old party may be losing its grip.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In Miami's little Havana, the cup was always filled with Republican votes. But for some, it doesn't taste quite as good as it used to.

LOURDES DIAZ, CUBAN AMERICAN DEMOCRAT: We have been made a lot of promises by Republican party. They come here, they say, you know --

(SPEAKING SPANISH)

-- down with Fidel Castro, and then they ignore us.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These Democrats that are out there, hiding because they don't want to come out. We need to bring them out.

ZARRELLA: At a Democratic hispanic caucus of Florida meeting, they talk of getting out the vote. The simple fact, there's a meeting at all says a lot. Cuban-Americans blamed President Kennedy and the Democrats for the failure nearly 50 years ago of the Bay of Pigs invasion aimed at overthrowing Castro. Ever since, they have voted overwhelmingly Republican.

That was re-enforced when Elian Gonzalez was sent back to Cuba during Bill Clinton's presidency. If you are a Cuban-American it was sacrilege to be anything but. Millie Herrera says in the past, she was harassed for daring to be different.

MILLIE HERRERA, DEM. HISPANIC CAUCUS OF FLA.: I will not see ground to anybody. I will not accept anybody to tell me that I am less patriotic or less beloved -- beloving of Cuban-Americans and Cuban freedom just because I'm a Democrat.

ZARRELLA: The Cuban-American National Foundation, a rock solid ally of the Republican party, since the Reagan era, is no longer handing out automatic support.

FRANCISCO "PEPE" HERNANDEZ, CUBAN AMERICAN NATL. FDN.: Our community has been changing. Our outlook toward the Republican party because of the failure of these this administration to really provide some of the promises.

ZARRELLA: For decades, nearly every Republican candidate and president played to the audience, vowing to bring a free Cuba and for good reason. Census figures show 1.5 million hispanic voters in Florida -- 36 percent of them, 540,000, are Cuban-American. The majority are registered Republicans and political observers say they'll probably stick with the GOP in the general election.

But Democrats sense an opening. Bottom line, if the Republican nominee wants that cup filled with votes again, he may, for the first time in 50 years, have to work for them.

John Zarrella, CNN, Miami.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: All right. Let's talk more about the Latino factor which Luis Clemens from the Web site, candidatousa.com, can talk to us about. He joins us from Plantation, Florida. We've been talking about the impact that Latino voters will have on this election, especially as it comes to Florida.

But you know what, Luis, first of all, thanks for joining us.

LUIS CLEMENS, WWW.CANDIDATOUSA.COM: Happy to be here.

LEMON: You know what, now -- it appears that the Cuban vote, not as essential as it used to be in Florida. They make up 50 percent of the population -- or 45 percent of the hispanic population there. Are we focusing on the wrong thing when we're just focusing on the Cuban vote?

CLEMENS: Well, I think John Zarrella's piece was right to highlight that we're talking about two different steps. Tomorrow, Cuban-American vote will be very important. In the Republican primary, it will be significant, depending on which way it goes. But come November, a lot of those Cuban-American voters could be leaning towards the Democrats.

LEMON: OK. And you saw in John's piece, he mentioned the Bay of Pigs, right? He also mentioned Elian Gonzalez. And we were talking about this. Can something really that happened 50 years ago come into play today, 2008, when you're talking about the vote as it goes to Cuban-American voters?

CLEMENS: Oh, sure. Clearly. When you look at the -- or rather, you listen to the Spanish-language radio ad that the John McCain's campaign put out, it starts off in no uncertain terms stating, John McCain is the only Republican candidate who was a prisoner of war in a communist nation. He made a big deal about mentioning the endorsement of a Bay-of-Pigs veteran, as did Governor Mitt Romney. This is still very much an issue for those older voters who are going to be voting in the primary tomorrow.

LEMON: OK. Let me ask you this, because this sort of came to mind. If you're talking about the Bay of Pigs and the whole -- that Kennedy administration, then what does this endorsement yesterday from a Kennedy brother, daughter, and nephew do to Barack Obama, then?

CLEMENS: Well, I think when it comes to Ted Kennedy's endorsement, those Cuban-Americans who will be voting in tomorrow's GOP primary, it really means nothing. When you're talking about Cuban-American Democrats, when you're talking about Latinos throughout the nation, you're talking about a different sort of influence, but it's still a minor influence. Really, Teddy Kennedy, to many Latino voters, is more of a present figure because of his support of immigration reform, rather than the late president, John F. Kennedy.

LEMON: OK. So, those -- that's still in their psyche, still remember the Bay of Pigs and all of that history. But what about younger voters who don't necessarily remember that? And also, we're hearing that younger voters really may be less conservative than the older voters as it comes to Latino voters.

CLEMENS: Well, it's interesting. I just saw a poll specific to hispanic voters that was conducted over the past few days. And very clearly when it comes to older hispanic Republicans, John McCain had much more support. When it came on the younger hispanic Republicans, they were more in favor of Giuliani, and to a lesser extent Romney.

On the Democratic side, where Hillary's support was highest was on those Democrats that are 45-years-old and older. There was a little bit of an opening, if you will, for Barack Obama in that younger age group of 18 to 34.

LEMON: OK. And just real quickly, reading some of the research that I've been reading here, it talks about non-Cuban Latinos in Florida. And I want to talk about how the candidates are reaching out. Because as I said the census is saying 45 percent of Spanish- language television viewers in the market and also 45 percent -- less than 50 percent, are Cuban-American voters.

You're talking about Venezuelans and all different types of Latino populations, Latino Americans. So what exactly -- are the candidates doing? They are sort of walking a fine line here by -- they have to appeal to Latino voters, but they certainly don't want to be seen to be pandering to them?

CLEMENS: Well, there has been plenty of pandering. That's clear. They've gone out of their way to appeal to Latino voters here in south Florida, through Spanish-language advertising, through events at a whole range of different locations. But when it comes specifically to the Republican candidates, appealing to non-Cuban voters --

LEMON: Yes, but voters are smart enough to know that. I mean -- but they don't like -- even though candidates may be doing it, they don't want to it be that obvious.

CLEMENS: Oh, I think they -- in the case of the Cuban-American voters?

LEMON: Yes.

CLEMENS: They want it plenty obvious.

LEMON: OK.

CLEMENS: They really want it to be clear what their stance on Cuba policy is.

LEMON: OK.

CLEMENS: And for the non-Cuban hispanics, they really want to get some of that love.

LEMON: All right. Thank you for very much. And as I said, is it candidatousa.com?

CLEMENS: It sure is. Thank you.

LEMON: All right. Thank you very much. Luis Clemens from candidatousa.com. We appreciate you joining us today on the CNN NEWSROOM.

And right now, you can be part of the best political team on television. If you're a Floridian, if you're voting today, share your experience with us and the rest of the world. Send your video or pictures in an I-Report to CNNpolitics.com.

And don't miss the big showdowns in the wild, wild west this week. Candidates from both parties will face off in California, the last debates before Super Tuesday. The Republicans will debate tomorrow and the Democrats on Thursday. Both are at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. And you can see them only on CNN, which, of course, is your home for politics.

PHILLIPS: Breaking news out of Venezuela right now. A bit of a bizarre story. We're told that gunmen in a Venezuelan bank apparently were a part of a standoff. They have fled now in an ambulance with hostages. And here's what's interesting. This was a negotiation that went down with police. And I can tell you right now, a negotiation like that would not happen here in the United States. It's happening in Altagracia de Orituco, Venezuela.

Apparently, the gunmen had held more than 30 hostages inside this Venezuelan bank for two days and then they negotiated their getaway with police in an ambulance. It sped off with several captives, according to reports here, leaving the others inside. Now, under the deal with police, the four gunmen were permitted to leave with five hostages and they slipped into this ambulance that actually backed up to the entrance of the Venezuelan bank.

And we're getting -- here's the new video right now of that ambulance. Not quite sure what we're going to be able to see. But apparently, these gunmen held up folders to block their faces. The standoff began on Monday morning. It was a botched robbery. OK, apparently these -- these gunmen and hostages are in this ambulance. They're speeding off right now. You can see all the people that have been watching this unfold for two days now.

One of the captives, I'm told, is driving that ambulance. And here's another part to this situation in Venezuela. One of the gunmen, who reached this agreement with police, asked for a package with diapers and a bottle for a 2-week-old baby that was being held hostage in that bank. Not sure who the individuals were, who the captives were that were left there at the bank. Not sure how many were in that ambulance with the gunmen. But we're following the end of a standoff. But, still, gunmen on the run. A deal made with police. Captives with them. Police also saying part of that deal was not to follow them. We're going to follow it. We'll keep you updated. Quick break.

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PHILLIPS: I need a kidney. Well guess what? He got a kidney. You first saw this man's ultra personal plea right here on CNN. Now we have a happy follow-up.

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: I'm Kareen Wynter in Hollywood. The votes are still uncounted, but I got an exclusive interview with three front-runners. No, not talking about the primaries. I'm talking about the Oscars. That's next in the NEWSROOM.

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PHILLIPS: It's one of our top stories. Gunmen who held more than 30 hostages inside a Venezuelan bank for two days negotiated their getaway in an ambulance, and sped off just moments ago with several captives. We are following the story. We're going to bring you more at the top of the hour.

LEMON: Absolutely. And Hollywood's awards -- that season is in full swing despite the writers strike. CNN's entertainment correspondent, Kareen Wynter, is here to tell us which awards shows dodged the picket line.

But first, I got to tell you, you looked great at the SAG Awards. Kyra and I were just commenting, you looked fantastic.

WYNTER: I love you both. Thank you very much.

LEMON: So, who caught a break?

WYNTER: Well, let's talk a little Grammy news, shall we? The music industry, they are breathing a big sigh of relief this morning, Don, and that's because the Writers Guild has given the Grammy awards a waiver. That means the 50th Annual Grammys on February 10th will have celebrities on the red carpet and speeches on the teleprompters instead of picket lines and protests.

Waivers have been very tough to come by, but last Sunday's SAG awards got one. And while we told you yesterday about the highlights from the big show, we didn't get a chance to show you this exclusive interview I had with three of the big winners, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin and Tommy Lee Jones. They of course, are the stars of "No Country For Old Men." Take a look.

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WYNTER: A big night for all of you with "No Country For Old Men."

JOSH BROLIN, ACTOR, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN: The fact that we got best ensemble cast is kind of funny, because we'd never worked together.

JAVIER BARDEM, ACTOR, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN: I don't Comedy France would call this an ensemble.

WYNTER: How much did you look forward to working with the Coen brothers.

BARDEM: For me, it's always been kind of a dream to imagine one day working with the Coen brothers. Being a Spaniard and barely speaking the language it was kind of mission impossible. But it happened. So, it was like a miracle for me. It was reason enough for me to be pinching my face the whole day, which I actually did for real once.

WYNTER: Did you really?

BARDEM: Yes, I did.

WYNTER: Some people may have had questions regarding the ending. What was that about?

BROLIN: Well, because the structure is unfamiliar. You know, it doesn't pander to the audience -- you rape the audience of the protagonist and that's not something that is normal, you know. So, that's why people react as strongly as they react to the ending.

WYNTER: Talk about the academy awards. We're hoping that the show will on, but eight nominations. BARDEM: Of course, you want to go there and do the red carpet or maybe not. But, I think that's the last thing to think about. It's about people really being hired again.

TOMMY LEE JONES, ACTOR, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN: I would like to see some resolution. I would like to see that resolution be equitable, that's about all I have to say.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WYNTER: A brilliant film and a talented bunch. Now, despite the mess that is this year's award season, many folks are saying that this film is now the Oscar favorite, even if no one is quite sure what exactly is going to happen on Oscar night if the writers are still on strike. We'll of course, keep you posted on that story as it continues.

Also ahead on "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," coming up tonight, you have to hear this, folks, the almost unbelievable Heath Ledger scam. That's right, how a man tried to con Hollywood's biggest stars, we're talking Tom Cruise, John Travolta, to capitalize on the death of Heath Ledger.

An outrageous story, you'll get to see on it TV's most provocative entertainment news show, 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific. And, Don, this one really has me shaking my head.

LEMON: So, you've got to be pulling my leg.

WYNTER: I had to read it twice, to really say, wow, this actually happened. So, you've got to tune in. They'll have more on that.

LEMON: Awful. Kareen, always a pleasure. Thank you.

WYNTER: You too. See you.

PHILLIPS: Dying for insurance. The man who isn't covered and has cancer. Dr. Gupta on his desperate fight to get treated and stay alive.

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