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Bush Unveils Mortgage Rescue Plan; GM Offers Buyouts to U.S. Workers; Candidates Campaign for Next Primaries; Former Cop Testifies He Accidentally Killed Girlfriend

Aired February 12, 2008 - 13:00   ET

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


DON LEMON, CO-HOST: Buying out workers, helping out homeowners. The world's biggest automaker looking to cut costs by cutting union jobs.
BRIANNA KEILAR, CO-HOST: And the Bush administration trying to keep people on the verge of foreclosure from going over the edge.

LEMON: Ali Velshi talks homes. Our Susan Lisovicz talks jobs, and we're all talking about your financial security.

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

KEILAR: And I'm Brianna Keilar in for Kyra Phillips. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

And let's get right to it. Just a short time ago the Bush administration revealed a new mortgage rescue plan. It helps a lot more people than the previous one, and for those who qualify, it puts the looming threat of foreclosure on hold, at least for the short- term.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HENRY PAULSON, TREASURY SECRETARY: Part of this lifeline is aimed at homeowners who face a real risk of losing their home and have not yet addressed the problem. Perhaps they're hoping to find a way to get current on their mortgage payments, or perhaps they don't think any solution is possible. For whatever reason, they have not yet taken action.

Our hope is that today's announcement will reach them, and they will reach out immediately for help.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: All right. So the question is, is help really on the way? Let's bring in our senior business correspondent, Mr. Ali Velshi.

Ali, help on the way?

ALI VELSHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's going to be the way for a lot of people, particularly those who are about 90 days past due or more on their mortgages. Here's what this program is called, Project Lifeline. It basically throws a people a lifeline to be below or really late on their payments. Because once you're 90 days or later, that's usually when the foreclosure process begins.

So this announcement today is that any legal proceedings having to do with foreclosure are going to stop for 30 days, and it's going to give your bank a chance to talk to you about what you can do. Can you refinance? Is there something else you can do?

Here's the thing: 2.2 million foreclosures in the United Stats in 2007. More than 400,000 of those were people who actually got all the way through the process and lost their homes.

The bank loses on average $50,000 every time it forecloses. So the bank doesn't want your house. You would like your house. So this is some attempt to try and get to that.

And unlike the announcement that came out in December, with the Hope Now Alliance, when the banks and the government came together and said they were going to do some things, there were a whole lot of criteria there that you had to meet.

This once is for everybody who is 90 days or more late from THE major lenders in the company: Citibank, Washington Mutual, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan, Chase, Countrywide. All the big banks are involved in this one, Don.

So it should be helpful if it keeps people from losing their homes.

LEMON: We certainly hope so. OK. CNN's Ali Velshi. Ali, thank you.

VELSHI: Sure.

KEILAR: Tens of thousands of GM workers have an offer on the table right now. But how many of them will bite, and how are investors taking the automakers' record-setting losses?

Let's go now to Susan Lisovicz. She's at the New York Stock Exchange with some answers for us.

Hi, Susan.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Brianna.

Well, GM is offering buyouts to 74,000 workers, its entire U.S. hourly work force. And a lot of them may bite, because they're lucrative offers.

About 46,000 of the workers are eligible to retire today. And they can take pension incentives worth between $45,000 and $62,500 to retire. In addition, there are inducements for those who are five years from retirement to leave early and receive benefits. Those who leave and agree to sever all ties with the company, including giving up lucrative pensions and health-care coverage, will receive a lump sum of $140,000, if they have ten years of service, or $70,000 for those with less than 10 years.

GM did a big buyout in 2006. It helped pare its workforce by 40,000, but this move isn't aimed to reduce its workforce. It's designed to replace higher-paid workers with lower-paid workers. GM has no target for how many workers will take the buyout.

GM shares are up more than 1 percent. The market overall is up sharply . We'll have details on why the market's reacting so favorably to GM, despite the red ink, a little bit later on in the program -- Brianna.

KEILAR: Yes, we'll have to see how many of those higher-paid workers do bite on that. Susan Lisovicz for us there, thanks.

LISOVICZ: You're welcome.

LEMON: Chad Myers is in the CNN weather center and looking at a wintry mess throughout the Ohio Valley. Just got an alert here just before we went on the air, Chad. Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, all bad news?

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, yes. I mean, we've had snow and ice in Louisville and Paducah and Cincinnati all night long. The good is at least some people actually got some snow first. Now that freezing rain is on top of the snow, which doesn't sound like a picnic, but it's better than having the freezing rain first, then having the snow on top of it so you can't see it.

But the problem is there's a big cold air mass coming down through Indianapolis right now, through Richmond, Indiana, and it's going to take whatever here is raining -- northern Kentucky, back in Louisville -- it's going to freeze it back on contact.

One more thing I want to tell you about, too, some potential for severe weather today. I zoomed you all the way down. This is southern Louisiana. There's New Orleans. A new tornado warning for you. Now this is well south of New Orleans. In a -- I'll be honest, a very sparsely populated area. But Myrtle Grove, you're under the gun for a pretty big rotating thunderstorm in the next, probably, five to ten minutes.

And notice, this storm will be moving well to the south of New Orleans, and then back out into the Gulf of Mexico. But there is the potential for some severe weather today.

Look at our radar. Move the radar ahead. It's going to push this big red box down here. That's the potential box. That's the watch box. The other purple box I showed you, that's the warning. That's where it's actually happening.

Severe weather to the south, strong ice storm to the north, a classic late winter, early spring kind of storm with a bunch of snow for the Adirondacks and the Catskills and great snow, I guess, if you're going up there skiing.

South of the snow, it's going to be an ice event, and they had it last night in the Ohio Valley. They'll have it tonight in the Poconos, and all the way, maybe even into New York City will be very, very close to some of those valleys where the cold air gets to. The rain tries to go down into that 32-degree air, and it's not a good picture.

Here's a picture from Cincinnati. I don't know what station this is. There we go, WLWT. My mother-in-law actually had to go to work this morning, she's a school teacher. Boy, what a mess they had there. Slip-sliding away. Bunch of wrecks on 71 and 75.

The only thing I can tell you right now is if you're out and about, get home within the next hour or so. Your temperature now is 34, but by 5 p.m. your temperature will be 24. Whatever you see on the ground that is slush or water will be frozen solid before sunset -- Don.

LEMON: You said they were slipping and sliding in Ohio. Cincinnati. Right?

And Chad, I think we have another weather story. I'm not exactly sure where this one is, but it also involves cars and some possible slipping and sliding.

T.J. Holmes in the newsroom.

T.J., where are we talking about?

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: We're talking about the Fresno area in California, Highway 99 in particular, between Fresno and Tulare out there.

But look at these pictures. Fog is what we're talking about out here -- has caused a mess out here on the highway. We've seen pile- ups before, but this is one of those worst-case scenarios with -- when there's a chain reaction, vehicles can't see the vehicle in front of them, crash into that vehicle and then it just starts a chain reaction. But you see the fog here and the issue that we're having out here.

Some of these newest pictures we're getting in from our affiliates out there. But it just started a chain reaction. At least three big rigs involved in this thing. And the local affiliates out there at least reporting up to 50 cars now involved.

We know of -- we've been able to confirm from one of our affiliates at least 16 vehicles, but some out there are reporting -- some outlets, up to 50 vehicles involved. And it just caused a mess.

Local affiliates out there also reporting that up to 13 injuries, at least, that we know of. Just a mess out there, caused because of fog. But that Highway 99 between Tulare and Fresno, part of it shut down completely in both directions because of the fog out there. We'll keep our eye on it, try to get some more details, see how serious some of those injuries are, as well, guys.

LEMON: T.J., it's really scary to be in the middle of it. You don't know what's in front or behind you.

HOLMES: You don't know what's going on, if folks can't see you crash into the one in front of you, just starts that chain reaction. There you go.

LEMON: All right. Keep an eye on it for us.

HOLMES: All right.

LEMON: Thank you, T.J.

KEILAR: Topping our political ticker, another busy day on the trail for the presidential candidates. Democrat Hillary Clinton is already looking ahead to the big Texas primary coming up on March 4. She will be campaigning later today in El Paso. Texas is considered one of the key upcoming states for Clinton, along with Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Clinton's Democratic rival Barack Obama began his day in Washington with some Senate business to take care of and then on to campaigning. Like Clinton, he's also looking at the road ahead. This evening, Obama attends a rally in Madison, Wisconsin, where primaries are a week away.

And on the Republican side, frontrunner John McCain also tending to some Senate business today. And also on tap, a fundraiser in Maryland before his election night party in Virginia.

John McCain's Republican rival, Mike Huckabee, also hoping for a good showing today in the Potomac Primaries, but actually, he's not in the region. He's at home today in Little Rock, Arkansas.

And today's Potomac Primaries are a big deal for all of the candidates.

Let's go now to CNN's Jessica Yellin. She's joining us from New York to talk about what's at stake.

Hi, Jessica.

JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Brianna.

Well, as you've said, it is important for all the candidates. Barack Obama is looking to make a clean sweep in today's Potomac Primaries. There are 168 delegates at stake for the Democrats, and after a winning weekend, it would give him quite a bit of momentum to be able to walk away from today saying he got all three contests firmly under his belt.

Senator Clinton's aides are downplaying all of this, setting expectations low, saying they're looking to pick up as many delegates as possible. But as you say, looking ahead to Ohio and Texas, two states in which she both has a long history of organization -- in Texas in particular, she's been organized there for more than a year.

And she also has a demographic advantage. Some of the blue collar areas there, those folks tend to vote in her favor, because they like her policies, her economic and health-care policies. They also like clear memories of the Clinton administration and the good old days of the 1990s.

And then of course, the Latino vote in Texas. She's looking to pick that up quite handily.

Now Barack Obama, he is not letting all this out of his sights. His folks think that he has enough time -- because these contests aren't until March 4 -- to really compete in those states and have a good showing there.

As you point out, there are other contests between now and then in Wisconsin and Hawaii.

Don't expect for either of them to change their message significantly between now and then. Both think they have winning messages. Senator Clinton is just looking to streamline her organization a bit going ahead.

And finally, as you pointed out, Mike Huckabee still in the race. He's saying he is going to vie for every delegate he can get. It looks like he's either trying to shape the Republican agenda for the nominating contest, or maybe he's looking to be a vice-presidential candidate, because right now John McCain just about has a nomination locked up, though he says he's not taking his eye off the ball -- Brianna.

KEILAR: Yes, Jessica, he's certainly -- Huckabee's certainly not giving up there. Thank you, Jessica Yellin for us in Washington.

And as Jessica just said, there's -- or in New York, rather. As Jessica just said, there's a lot at stake in today's Potomac Primaries. And you can track the results as they come in, minute-by- minute, state-by-state, all night at CNNpolitics.com, plus analysis from the best political team on television. All of that, and more, at CNNpolitics.com.

LEMON: In his own defense, a former Ohio police officer described how his pregnant girlfriend died.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOBBY CUTTS, ACCUSED OF MURDER: I threw my arm -- I threw my arm back --and (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Bobby Cutts says what happened to Jessie Davis was a terrible accident. Prosecutors call it murder. A jury is about to decide.

KEILAR: And Major League Baseball steroids scandal. The issue is about to return to the spotlight on Capitol Hill, with one of the biggest names in the sport getting set to testify.

And another former Major Leaguer is wading into the controversy. We've got the latest.

LEMON: And the flu is spreading across the U.S. How can you fight the bug before it bites you and your family?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: It is 1:15 Eastern Time. And here are three of the stories that we're working on in the CNN NEWSROOM.

If you're about to lose your home, the Bush administration wants you to reach out for help right now. It's unveiled a new plan to hold off foreclosures for 30 days for people who are at least 90 days late on paying their mortgage.

And apparently, strong turnout so far for the Potomac Primaries in Maryland, Virginia and D.C. Democrat Barack Obama's hoping to build on his momentum from a four-state weekend sweep of Hillary Clinton.

Meantime, Republican Mike Huckabee's looking to chip away further at John McCain's strong lead.

And jangled nerves in southern Mexico right now after a strong earthquake rocked the region of Oaxaca. The 6.4-magnitude quake was felt across hundreds of miles. Some building damage reported but no reports of major injuries at this time.

LEMON: This is probably the most interesting testimony that anyone has seen in a long time. The question here is intentional or accidental? Jurors have to choose between the two in the case of a former Ohio police officer charged with killing his pregnant girlfriend.

As CNN's Rusty Dornin tells us, the case has not lacked for drama.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CUTTS: ... in trouble until I decided what to do.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bobby Cutts is pleading not guilty to aggravated murder. His attorney told the jury in opening statements there was no evidence linking the former police officer to the killing of his pregnant girlfriend, Jessie Davis.

So when Cutts took the stand to testify, the courtroom gave an audible gasp.

CUTTS: I did not kill her. I didn't do what they were saying. I didn't commit murder. I didn't kill anyone.

DORNIN: Cutts told the stunned courtroom he went to pick up his 2-year-old son but says Davis grabbed him and wouldn't let him leave.

CUTTS: I threw my arm. I threw my arm back -- and (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And where did that elbow land?

CUTTS: Her throat area.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In her throat area?

CUTTS: Yes. She hit the ground.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How hard did she fall?

CUTTS: She fell pretty hard.

DORNIN: On cross-examination, prosecutors had Cutts re-enact that moment.

CUTTS: Then I come back. I catch you with my elbow.

DORNIN: Cutts told the court he tried CPR on his girlfriend. Police found a large bleach stain on her rug. He said he used the bleach to try and revive Davis. He said he didn't want his young son to see her body, so he wrapped her in a comforter, and then...

CUTTS: Placed her in the bed of my truck.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And why did you place her there?

CUTTS: I thought how in the hell am I going to explain that?

DORNIN: Thousands of people last summer searched for the young women when she disappeared in June. Cutts met with police nine times before finally leading them to her body a week later, dumped in a park.

If convicted, Cutts could get the death penalty.

Most defense lawyers are very hesitant to let their clients testify in their own defense.

AVERY FRIEDMAN, ATTORNEY: The second you put your -- your client on the stand, the game is over.

And the fact is, the prosecution has a great case. This is a prosecutorial smack-down in this case, and they have done everything they're supposed to do. How in the world they actually thought that Bobby Cutts could engender sympathy from this jury to me is utterly, utterly mind-boggling.

DORNIN: Closing arguments in the case are set to wrap up Tuesday. (END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: OK. Closing arguments on Tuesday, Rusty. Rusty joins us now.

DORNIN: Yes.

LEMON: And you saw Avery Friedman. I mean, yesterday we had him on. He was like, "I cannot believe anybody's attorney would let him testify."

DORNIN: Right, that would put them on the stand.

LEMON: What are you hearing about these closing arguments?

DORNIN: Well, the closing arguments, it's interesting, because you see him up there re-enacting that it was an accident, that he hit her with his elbow in the neck and rocked her back. Well, of course, prosecutors are claiming that he strangled her.

The problem is the body was so decomposed they're having trouble -- there's no one who can really say exactly how. Of course, prosecutors are saying not only did he hide the body, but he kept this whole thing secret for nine days.

LEMON: That's the thing. How does have any credibility, then...

DORNIN: Right.

LEMON: ... if he's telling the truth, it was an accident?

DORNIN: But his life is at stake here. I mean, he's eligible for the death penalty. He's -- but apparently the judge has said they're not going to be reducing the charges.

LEMON: I want to know about the little boy. But before I get to that, I remember one of the prosecutors saying, "Do you have a cold?"

And he said, "No."

DORNIN: I don't see any tears there.

LEMON: And he goes, "Why?"

"Because I don't see any tears." And that was...

DORNIN: Very telling.

LEMON: ... very telling.

DORNIN: Yes.

LEMON: Very telling. Took the words right out of my mouth.

OK. What about the little boy, who was at home? The same little boy, did he say, "Mommy's in the rug" or something like that? DORNIN: "Mommy's in the rug. Mommy broke the table." Prosecutors say he was left alone for something like 24 hours. Hence, there's a child endangerment charge, as well.

Apparently, he is living with his maternal grandmother, and they were actually given a home. Countrywide Financial apparently gave them a home after this whole thing happened last summer. So young Blake, 2 1/2 years old, is living with his grandmother now.

LEMON: That's such a sad story. I mean, especially when it comes to a little kid. Very sad. OK. Thank you.

KEILAR: A speed bump for John McCain. Some conservatives still not sold on the Republican frontrunner. We're going to take a look at how it's affecting his campaign.

LEMON: And it doesn't happen often, but when it does, look out. I was freaking out yesterday. Were you?

KEILAR: Me, too. Me, too.

LEMON: What sparked yesterday's BlackBerry blues? And what should you do if it happens again? Besides me, taking a nap, because I'm not getting e-mails. We'll have the latest for you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: Among the most popular stops on the road to the White House, CNN's "LARRY KING LIVE." Democrat Barack Obama's wife, Michelle, was a guest last night, and she talked about her husband's campaign, their life together and also their hopes for the country's future. And, she shed some light on the more personal side of her husband.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHELLE OBAMA, WIFE OF BARACK OBAMA: There is my opinion as the wife, so I can share that.

LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": Are you closer than that (ph)?

OBAMA: He's a great orator. He's inspirational. He's brilliant, all of that. But you know what? He's a good man. He's, first of all, my best friend. He's a phenomenal support to me and the girls.

I mean, this is a guy who, in the midst of this race, hasn't missed a parent-teacher conference, you know. This is the stuff that I look at. Took the girls trick-or-treating. Came home for a day to buy the Christmas tree. Took me out for our anniversary.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Making an appearance on "LARRY KING LIVE," as well, Republican candidate Mike Huckabee. He talked about his uphill battle to win his party's nomination.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Lay it out for me how Mike Huckabee can win this nomination.

MIKE HUCKABEE (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: OK. A couple of things can happen. One, you might have some delegates that defect, people who are committed to somebody else who decide to go elsewhere when they're released. The main thing is that, until somebody has 1,191 delegates, we don't have a nominee.

Now other things can happen. Senator McCain could say something on any given day, as I could, that would end the campaign. Candidates are capable of having those moments.

But the other thing that could happen is, if nobody gets 1,191 we go to the convention, and that's when the delegates at that convention would actually pick their nominee. That's a possibility.

KING: What do you think of the other side of the ledger, this Obama/Clinton race?

HUCKABEE: It's fascinating. I, a few months ago, absolutely said there's no way that anybody but Hillary could win this thing. I've had to say, boy, I was as wrong about what was going on, on their side, as I was in sort of predicting how things were going to shake out on our side.

Everybody's predictions have been wrong. That's why when people say there's no way I can win this, why would I accept that, since the conventional wisdom and the absolute "going-to-be" has never been yet? I think it could go to the wire. I think Obama has a real shot at getting the nomination.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: And you will certainly want to tune in to CNN's "LARRY KING LIVE" tonight at a special time, midnight Eastern, for the results of the Potomac Primaries. We're going to have a panel of political experts joining Larry to analyze the results. Again, that's at midnight Eastern, only on CNN.

And be the first to know the results in tonight's Potomac Primaries in Maryland, Virginia and D.C. Just sign up for CNN breaking news e-mail alerts, and you'll know when we know. Sign up at CNN.com.

LEMON: A Major League legend, the major witness at tomorrow's House hearing on steroids in baseball. Roger Clemens' public pitch coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Hello, everyone. I'm Don Lemon live at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta. KEILAR: And I'm Brianna Keilar, in for Kyra Phillips today. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

We want to get back to our breaking news that we reported last half hour. Highway 99 in Fresno, a big pileup there. Our T.J. Holmes on top of it.

What do you have, T.J.?

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Well, we've got a big mess and a bunch of other little messes along this highway because of fog out there. Take a look at these pictures. You can see what we're talking about here. This is the mess up and down the highway, Highway 99. This is around the Fresno area, between Fresno and Tulare out there, in California.

But you can see some injured. We understand there are several injured in this thing. And at least 40 vehicles involved, at least three big rigs. But we've seen these things before happen in different situations. Sometimes it's fog, sometimes it's heavy rain, sometimes it's snow, some whiteout conditions. But it happens. You can't see what's in front of you. One accident happens, people coming along behind you, 50, 60, 70 miles an hour. They can't tell it's been an accident in front, and just starts a chain reaction. And you can see some of these, the big rigs there. You can tell there were some pretty hefty impacts involved in these accidents.

Now northbound Highway 99 we understand right now is beginning to move a bit. Southbound, however, we believe is still shut down right now, and the CHP out there says you can expect the southbound lanes of Highway 99 to have serious delays and maybe be shutdown up until around noontime out there, so at least another hour and a half. So that's going to cause some serious problems.

But we do know that there have been several injuries involved in this thing. We don't know the extent of them. Don't know officially about any possible deaths related to these accidents. We don't know the extent of them, don't know officially about any possible deaths related to this accident, but a lot of people involved, a lot of vehicles involved. And, guys, it's because of fog this time. And this is just one of those things. What can you do but just try to slow down and be as careful as you can.

We've seen some witness accounts, or heard some witness accounts about people just trying to get around some of those accidents the best they can and avoid them, but no luck, no dice. But a lot of accidents.

LEMON: And the best thing to do is get the heck off the highway. T.j., if we can look at that video again. That video looks good. I mean, the visibility by the time the TV cameras get there, right? But before...

HOLMES: And you know, this is totally different. We're sitting here, sitting in chairs looking at a still picture, but these folks are going 60, 70 miles an hour down the highway, and an accidents happens in front of your. The next thing you know you're up on it and it just starts a chain reaction. And there are like a large accident they're talking about, like a major one, but then there are so many other staggered and scattered about up and down that entire highway. So there are not just one accident. There are, I mean, numerous, all up and down this highway because of this fog. So they're going to be a while trying to get that straightened out.

LEMON: All right, check out the injuries or deaths. Hopefully none, but let us know, OK. Thank you.

HOLMES: Sure thing.

(BUSINESS HEADLINES)

KEILAR: Rogers Clemens returning to Capitol Hill tomorrow. He's going to be testifying at a House hearing on steroids in baseball. And the all-star pitcher's former trainer will also be there to repeat his allegations that he injected Clemens with performance-enhancing drugs.

In the meantime, another former major leaguer is waiting into the steroids fray.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN ROCKER, FMR. MAJOR LEAGUE PLAYER: So I consented, took it and failed it. So in Major League Baseball the league, which Bud Selig is the commissioner of, ordered the test, failed the test. Bug Selig knew in the year 2000 John Rocker was taking the juice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: John Rocker's comments are raising some eyebrows, also questions ahead of tomorrow's hearing. And here were some of the answers, legal analyst Sunny Hostin. Thank for joining us, Sunny.

SUNNY HOSTIN, CNN LEGAL CORRESPONDENT: Thank you.

KEILAR: And you know, I want to ask right off the bat, talk about John rocker. Obviously considering some of the comments he's made in the past he's not exactly the beacon of credibility, I guess you could say. Is f what he is saying is true, does that mean that the commissioner -- that basically the commissioner of baseball knew that he was taking steroids, does that mean that the commissioner could face legal liability?

HOSTIN: Well, you know, I think so. But the interesting thing here is that, bottom line, a lot of people are facing liability, and Roger Clemens in particular after this Mitchell Report which was supposed to sort of put the end to steroid abuse and that sort of thing. Roger Clemens came out against the report and said, I did not do this, wasn't me, wasn't me, never took them. Now he's going to testifying in front of Congress.

And I think, really, the larger question is, what is he going to do? Is he going to continue saying, I didn't do it? Is he going to plead the fifth, or is he going to perhaps as some are insinuating lie to Congress, and now he's looking at five years in prison. It's become the Justice Department's problem, perjury, all sorts of things. Are we looking at another mayor John Jones situation?

KEILAR: But let's talk about that, Sunny, because we heard Rafael Palmero say that he didn't use performance-enhancing substances, only to later test positive for them. The expectation is, perhaps, that Clemens is going to be saying what he's been saying all along -- no, I did not use these drugs.

And then on the other side you're going to be having his former trainer, Brian McNamee saying, actually, yes, I injected him with human growth hormone, steroids, testosterone. And so, as you said, it really is going to set up this he said/he said. Now McNamee has the backing of the former Senator Majority Leader George Mitchell in this report. What legal issues is this going to raise? Could Congress really take legal action against Clemens if they find there is evidence he is lying?

HOSTIN: I think absolutely, absolutely. Again, lying to Congress is a serious, serious offense. You can be in prison for five years. Obstructing a federal investigation. Having been a former federal prosecutor myself, the worst thing to do is lie to a prosecutor, to lie to Congress, because that in and of itself is a crime.

The fact that he used steroids or he may have used steroids, it is an illegal substance, yes. But prosecutors typically don't prosecute people just for that. They don't prosecute the cocaine user, or the marijuana user or steroid user, but what they will do is usually prosecute the manufacturer. But if you lie, if you lie, then you become the target.

KEILAR: That's going to be so interesting tomorrow. And of course Clemens' lawyer has said he'll be forthcoming, he's not going to take the Fifth. So, I mean, this is going to be a very, very interesting hearing for us.

HOSTIN: Absolutely.

KEILAR: Legal analyst Sunny Hostin for us, thanks so much.

And meantime, the Clemens hearing is scheduled as we said tomorrow. Its going to be at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. We're going to be following it very closely. You can see the testimony live on CNN.com and also our sister network, "Headline News."

LEMON: And back now to our developing news, let's go to the news room. T.J. has someone on the phone who can probably give us some insight on this, right T.J.?

HOLMES: Yes, we got Officer Joe Miller with the California Highway Patrol on the line with us.

Sir, thank you for giving us some time and if you have a count, how many accidents do you have out there and how many vehicles are involved?

VOICE OF OFFICER JOE MILLER, CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL: Well, it was one accident at this point. Looked like about 50 vehicles involved. And we had anywhere from 10 to 12 people that were injured. Fortunately, no fatalities.

HOLMES: No fatalities, what's the extent of those injuries, pretty serious?

MILLER: They range from major injuries to minor injuries.

HOLMES: Now, did word go out to folks, I guess advisories and whatnot and certainly when people hit the road, they can tell it's foggy, but is this something you've been trying to remind people about and tell them to be careful and to slow down?

MILLER: Exactly, yes. You know, we've been broadcasting throughout the morning that there was some fog in the area and people need to reduce their speed, increase their slowing distances and drive with their low-beam headlights.

HOLMES: Tell us, what is the speed limit out there on that stretch of highway we are talking about and what was visibility out there?

MILLER: On the stretch of highway, it's 65 miles an hour and that's for ideal conditions. You know, obviously, people should reduce their speeds when driving in foggy conditions. And it was reported that the fog was about 50 feet visibility at the time.

HOLMES: Oh my goodness, man. Tell us what the clean-up is like now. Do we have it right that northbound is moving but southbound, you still got some problems?

MILLER: That's correct. Northbound is open and flowing about 40 miles an hour. Southbound 99 is closed and they are currently diverting traffic off the freeway. CHP is working diligently, trying to get the roadway clear at this point. They have a big rig towed and lots of other vehicles to clear at this point. So, it'll be a process obviously with the crash of this magnitude, but they're working very quickly to get the freeway flowing again.

HOLMES: All right, Officer Miller, you all got a mess on your hands out there. But you're absolutely right, tell folks just to slow down and use some good judgment there. But like you said, no fatalities. Officer Joe Miller with CHP, sir, we appreciate you giving us some time.

And again folks, to button (ph) that up, about 50 vehicles involved, several big rigs, fog. He said about 50 feet was the visibility. 65 miles an hour is the speed limit. So, if you can imagine going 65, 70 miles an hour and you can only see about 50 feet in front of you, you start crashing and just see that chain reaction. We've seen these so often, but the key there, just to slow down. But they got a mess on their hands trying to clean it up, but no fatalities. We'll see about the extent of the injuries, guys. LEMON: Yes, that's good news. OK, thank you, T.J. and Officer Joe Miller, as well.

HOLMES: All right.

LEMON: Got a sore throat, a bad cough and that sneezy, achy, feverish feeling? Well, you are not alone. The flu bug is spreading. We'll show you where so you can protect your health.

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KEILAR: It's one of the big contributors to heart disease and stroke and it's increasing among American women. New research shows that while high blood pressure rates among men have been declining from the 1990s to the early 2000s, the incidence of high blood pressure among women jumped from 17 to 22 percent and there's a geographical link. People in southern states as well as the District of Columbia are more likely to have high blood pressure than residents of northeastern and midwestern states. The study appears in the American Heart Association Journal "Circulation."

LEMON: All right, so you may be one of the many people in the U.S. who are already painfully aware of this. The flu season is really taking a toll. Tell me something I don't know ...

JUDY FORTIN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: I know, right.

LEMON: ...I don't already know, right? Medical correspondent Judy Fortin is here to tell us if this is the worst, if the worst is over, how we can protect ourselves. And I want to know is this a more unusual tougher flu season in a while (ph)?

FORTIN: A lot of questions, but you know, we can just take a survey in the NEWSROOM here.

LEMON: I know.

FORTIN: So many people we know have been sick.

LEMON: I hear someone was blowing their nose.

FORTIN: That's right, and it's probably going to get worse, too, Don. It's really too early to tell right now how bad this flu season will be, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the reports of illness are on the upswing. And they're pointing to a more severe flu season.

Now, according to the CDC, flu has spread all over the country. Thirty-one states are reporting widespread flu activity and 17 states are reporting regional activity. But it's important to remember that we are in what's called the peak of flu season right now. Actually, the CDC is saying this flu season got off to a slow start, but it's picked up quite a bit in the last couple of weeks, so maybe that's why we're seeing so many people who are sick.

LEMON: And sometimes they get it right with the strain, in particular ...

FORTIN: Ah, yes.

LEMON: ...or whatever, so is the flu vaccine this time helping? Is it working the way it's supposed to?

FORTIN: Well, the experts are telling us yes and no. And let me tell you why. Every year, flu shots contain three different strains of the influenza virus. Well, this year's flu shot seems to cover only one strain very well. The CDC says the other two strains do not seem to provide what they're calling optimal coverage.

Experts say even if the vaccine is not perfectly matched, it can still offer enough protection to make the illness milder or prevent flu-related complications. Now, because flu season can last as late as May in some parts of the country, the CDC says getting a flu vaccine now can still be beneficial.

I know, you're looking at me very skeptically, aren't you?

LEMON: Well, because we were talking before, I got the flu vaccine, right, I got the shot.

FORTIN: And you say you got sick.

LEMON: And I got sick.

FORTIN: But that's not supposed to happen.

LEMON: And I don't usually get the flu, it's not supposed to happen.

OK, so other than the vaccine, what else can you do? Are there some practical things?

FORTIN: Well, here's what you can do. If you've already tried some of the other things, I'm going to tell you something you've heard before: prevention, prevention, prevention. We talk about it all the time, but preventing the spread of germs is the best way to keep from getting the flu in the first place.

So, wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol- based hand sanitizer. It really works. Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth because that's how the virus can get into your system. Try telling that to kids, right?

LEMON: Yes.

FORTIN: And if you get the flu, stay home so you don't spread it to others. And if you do get sick, you might want to go see your doctor. And if you do have the flu, they can prescribe antiviral drugs that can lessen some of the symptoms.

LEMON: OK, so here's the -- sometimes you may just have a bad cold and you don't know ... FORTIN: Yes.

LEMON: Is there -- what's the difference between a cold and the flu, Judy?

FORTIN: You know, we get that question all the time. And there really are some telltale signs. Unlike the flu, colds rarely cause a fever or headaches. Now, both illnesses share some similar symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, sneezing and stuffy nose. Symptoms of the flu come on suddenly and they may include muscle aches, chills, extreme exhaustion especially at the beginning of the illness. In other words, you feel lousy.

LEMON: I always get it wrong because my mom used to say feed a cold, starve a fever, starve -- I forget. I'm not sure which ...

FORTIN: Take care of yourself, how's that?

LEMON: That's the best thing (ph).

FORTIN: Wash your hands!

LEMON: Wash your hands, right. Get some rest.

FORTIN: Do it now!

LEMON: Absolutely, thank you, Judy Fortin.

FORTIN: You're welcome.

KEILAR: A speed bump for John McCain. Some conservatives still not sold on the Republican frontrunner. We're going to take a look at how it's affecting his campaign.

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KEILAR: Let's go straight to the news room now and T.J. Holmes, he has some details on a reported school shooting in California.

HOLMES: Yes, this is in Oxnard, California, Southern California, just northwest of Los Angeles it is. This is a live picture here of E.O. Green Junior High School where we understand that one person has been shot and another person in custody after this shooting near this middle school.

Now, details are just coming into us and we're trying to get them worked out. But AP reporting that this shooting was at or near the junior high school and that one person has been wounded. Nobody -- we don't know the extent of the injuries here.

And again, here are some of the pictures we're seeing, certainly of some of the students being filed out and outside of the school. But it's believed that possibly both of the people involved were in fact students of the school. And we're talking about a junior high middle school. We're talking about sixth, seventh, eighth grade students, what, 11, 12, 13, maybe up to 14, 15-years-old, so rather young students here.

We don't know details, just that it happened about 8:30 out there local time in California, in Oxnard. We don't know the extent of the injuries to the person shot, but it's believed that both the shooter and person who was shot were both students at this school.

This is fresh, just into us, another story we are working over here at the breaking news desk. When we get more details about what't happening out there, we'll certainly pass them along, but no other injuries that we know of to any other students at the school. Just appears to be a shooter and one other person involved here, but we don't know the extent of the injuries to that other person shot.

We're working this for you, Brianna.

KEILAR: All right, and it seems like a spate of school shootings. We're going to be checking back with T.J. here in a few minutes for more details. Thanks, T.J.

HOLMES: All right.

LEMON: Concern and controversy over a change in immigration policy. A look at the new requirements for getting a green card.

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LEMON: An unsettled base putting pressure on John McCain. The Republican frontrunner still trying to get some conservatives on board.

CNN's Mary Snow takes a look at the McCain campaign.

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MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Mike Huckabee received an embrace from Jonathan Falwell, son of the late Reverend Jerry Falwell, but not an endorsement. Jerry Falwell Jr. is backing the Republican underdog over Senator John McCain, who in 2000 called Jerry Falwell an agent of intolerance. The two men later made amends.

It speaks to a complicated relationship between McCain and evangelicals who are divided in the 2008 race. Jonathan Falwell says the division is healthy.

JONATHAN FALWELL, THOMAS ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH: I think what we're seeing today is the culmination of his dream when he started the Moral Majority back in the late '70s. It was not simply that we have one organization, but we have thousands of organizations, because he knew that strength comes in numbers.

SNOW: Strength in numbers among united evangelicals helped elect George W. Bush as president in 2000 and 2004. In 2008, focus on the family founder James Dobson for one says he can't vote for McCain against a Democrat. Among the gripes, McCain hasn't supported a Constitutional amendment to ban abortion and same-sex marriage.

Despite that, McCain is emerging as the likely Republican nominee.

JEFFERY SHELER, AUTHOR, "BELIEVERS": To the extent that evangelicals will not, have not played the kingmaker role in the nomination fight, I think that suggests that there is not as much influence as some people thought they might have in this election cycle.

SNOW: Author Jeffery Sheler says a new guard of evangelical leaders like Rick Warren is having influence by emphasazing issues such as the environment and the war. But some conservative leaders say in the end, McCain needs evangelicals.

TONY PERKINS, FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL: I do not think that a Republican nominee for president can successfully capture the White House without the active, motivated support of evangelical voters.

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