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President Bush Visits Israel; Search Continues For China Earthquake Survivors; Morehouse College Sees First White Valedictorian
Aired May 14, 2008 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: The devastation is huge, almost beyond belief. But small victories, well, they keep rescuers digging in earthquake-ravaged China.
A woman spent 50 hours under tons of debris before she was pulled out alive. She is eight months pregnant.
MELISSA LONG, CNN ANCHOR: Joshua Packwood is a standout in every sense. For the past four years, he's stood out at Morehouse College. Now he's the first white valedictorian in Morehouse history. You are going to meet him live this hour.
LEMON: Very interesting doing that story. Some people say great. Others say, hmm. That should be reserved for African- Americans. We will see in this story.
I'm Don Lemon.
LONG: I'm Melissa Long, in today for Kyra Phillips. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
LEMON: Boy, just look at that. You can hear it. People are frightened, of course. The buildings, the trees, the ground, everything is shaking. Where do you run?
This is what millions in central China went through during Monday's catastrophic earthquake. And this dramatic new video shows it. Today, rescue and recovery, well, it goes on, along with urgent efforts to prevent a potentially devastating flood.
And CNN's international desk is watching developments around the clock. And so is our Isha Sesay.
She joins us now from the international desk with the very latest.
What do you have, Isha?
ISHA SESAY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Don.
Yes, indeed, I want to reference those pictures that our viewers just saw, incredible images that really capture the terror and the chaos that erupted when that earthquake struck on Monday. Now, we want to update you on the dam, the Zipingpu Dam. It's upriver from the epicenter of this quake, which was, of course, Sichuan Province. Early in the day, we had been hearing from government officials that were saying that the quake had caused severe cracks in the structure. We're now hearing that the dam is stable and it is safe after investigation. That is according to China's state-run news agency.
There had been fears of flooding, Don, as you were just saying -- 630,000 people living in this area, and they had said that, if this dam gave way, the area would be swamped.
Approximately 2,000 troops, you're seeing images on your screens there of the troops that were dispatched to carry out major repairs on the dam. We're now hearing it is safe and stable, but that is according to China's state-run news agency.
OK, bring it back to me now.
The official death toll that we're getting at this point in time is almost 15,000 people. That number is expected to rise. In Sichuan Province alone, more than 25,000 people are missing. So, that figure of 15,000, we expect it to rise in the coming hours. But we want to bring you some video now, because, amid all the tragedy, there are glimmers of hope and stories of success.
Take a look at this. You're looking at pictures of a pregnant woman. That is a pregnant woman being pulled from out underneath the rubble there. She is alive, and, you know, trapped there for almost two days. The relief and joy felt by the rescue workers and the onlookers is clear to see.
We also want to bring you some more images, some more heartrending images. Entire schools have been submerged during this earthquake, children in their classrooms. Many children have lost their lives. But look at these images, some very lucky youngsters being pulled out into the light after two days, this earthquake striking on Monday, but there they are, rescuers retrieving them from beneath the ground -- Don and Melissa, heartrending images...
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: Yes, it is. And I was talking to Eunice Yoon earlier. We had her on in the broadcast asking her about personal stories. And it's just sad to see mothers weeping over their children who had obviously died. It's unbelievable, Isha.
SESAY: It certainly is.
And as we say, that the sad thing that we have to keep repeating is that it's 15,000, almost 15,000 people confirmed dead. But given the scope of this tragedy, that number will rise.
LEMON: Yes, not only this tragedy, but also Myanmar as well.
SESAY: Absolutely.
LEMON: Thank you very much for that, Isha Sesay, over at our international desk.
It's hard to find refuge in the middle of an earthquake. We know about that because we have seen a lot of them out West. But one thing is for sure. If you're in a tall building, you certainly want to get out.
Now, watch and listen to this dramatic video from Chengdu from CNN I-Reporter Mike Weed. Well, you have seen the faces of the victims, and you know the odds facing the rescuers. Now you might be looking for ways to help out in all of this. Go to CNN.com/impact, where you can find links to aid groups. It is a chance for you to impact your world.
LONG: A nation suffering tremendous loss and widespread death is about to get punched again. A storm is heading for Myanmar's coastline, where a cyclone turned the world upside down for millions of people just a week-and-a-half ago.
Myanmar's official death toll rose above 38,000 people today. This was according to the state-run media. But almost all aid experts, including the United Nations, say the actual numbers are much higher. Another large storm will, to say the least, hamper the relief efforts in the cyclone zone.
LEMON: Well, take a look at this man. This is Brian Crowder. He's 31 years old, and he has a long rap sheet. And he has new trouble with the law now.
Crowder is the person of interest who Florida police think may have had a hand in starting an enormous brushfire.
Our Rob Marciano is in Palm Bay, Florida.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It's been a busy morning here in Brevard County, not only for the firefighters battling the blaze, but also for police officers investigating what they think is arson. They do have one person in custody.
They chased him down not too far from him early this morning with the help of a canine unit. He's being treated for dog bites. He has quite a rap sheet. His name is Brian Crowder, 31 years old. And they think he started a fire not too far from here. They're not sure about the other fires.
Here's what the police chief had to say about that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Many times in these arsons, it's not -- many times, not one person. People are fascinated by fires. They may want to go out and create their own activity. So, again, too, all we know is what I have told you is this individual possibly connected to the arson that occurred this morning.
MARCIANO: The criminal investigation surely will continue, but the damage already been done, this home completely destroyed. There's a total of 22 homes that are deemed inhabitable, 160 homes or structures damaged to the tune of $9.6 million.
They're getting a little bit better hand on this fire, but it continues to burn today.
Rob Marciano, Palm Bay, Florida.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(WEATHER UPDATE)
LEMON: All right. Now, for a fascinating interview that I can't wait to see, and I'm sure many of you can't wait to see. It's about Hillary Clinton.
She says she's running full steam ahead after trouncing Barack Obama in West Virginia. On this day after her big victory, Clinton sat down with our very own Wolf Blitzer in "THE SITUATION ROOM."
And Wolf joins us now from Washington.
OK, she has financial problems. The numbers aren't adding up. And I'm sure you asked her about this, Wolf. Why is she still pressing on?
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: She was determined, Don.
She says she's in this all the way. She's not going anywhere. She also spoke about the possibility, if this were a basketball game, there can always be a three-point shot at the buzzer. She is determined to move on. She recognizes the difficulties.
She made it clear that she's under no illusions, but, at the same time, she insisted she is not giving up, by any means. She's going to play out these final five contests. I pointed out some of the major differences right now, some of the tensions, the disunity within the Democratic Party.
And I asked her, you know, a lot of people say the best way to unite the Democratic Party, if the so-called dream ticket, the dream team, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were on the same ticket. And listen to this exchange we had. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Mario Cuomo, the former governor of New York, among others, says the best way to heal this Democratic Party, irrespective of who gets the nomination, is for the two of you to be on the ticket.
SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D-NY), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I know. I think he made a speech or wrote something to that effect. And it's premature for either of us to talk about that. I think both of us are committed to doing everything we can to win in the fall. I certainly am.
And I will do -- I will do whatever it takes, because I know what four more years of basically the same Bush policies would mean to America, even though they would be carried out by someone else. They are more of the same. We cannot afford that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: She also -- among other things, she defended Barack Obama and his stance on Hamas, on this, the 60th anniversary of Israel. She disagreed with the criticism that was leveled against Barack Obama from John McCain.
At one point in the interview, we did speak on a personal level about some of the emotional issues that are out there right now. And I asked her about the extraordinary role her daughter, Chelsea, is now playing. And we had this exchange.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: What goes through your mind, when you have your own daughter out there, working as hard for you as she is?
CLINTON: Well, it's one of the most incredibly gratifying experiences of my life, as a person and as a mother. I get very emotional. She is an exceptional person, and she's worked so hard, and she's done such a good job that I'm just filled with pride every time I look at her.
Obviously, we are very close. We are in communication all the time. But she is doing this because she believes I would be a good president, but also because she cares so much about our country's future. She did grow up in the White House. She knows what a difference a president makes.
If anybody ever doubted what difference a president makes, after seven years of George Bush, I think the doubts should be put to rest. So she's doing it because she's my daughter, but she's doing it because, as she says, she's a young American who cares about our future.
BLITZER: And she's doing it because she loves you.
CLINTON: Absolutely.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Now, she got a little emotional there and she got a little choked up, understandably so.
All in all, we went through a whole range of the substantive issues, including the war in Iraq, what's happening with Iran, gas prices, issue number one, the economy. And we're going to play the whole interview for our viewers right at the top of the hour at 4:00 p.m. Eastern.
LEMON: Yes. And just about any mom talking about their daughter or their children will get emotional. So, that was a nice moment there, Wolf.
I want to ask you about some other controversy that's sprung up lately. You know, the white voter comment that Hillary Clinton made and has received so much controversy, what did she say about that?
BLITZER: She surprised me, because when I read to her back the statement that she had made in that interview with "USA Today" about white voters that caused a whole stir, and I pointed out that one of her strong friends and backers, Charlie Rangel, the congressman from New York, had said that was -- quote -- "the dumbest thing she could have ever said," her reply was very blunt to me, very forthright.
She said: He's right. It was the dumbest thing I could have said.
She acknowledged she did not speak properly, and she was rather candid and in acknowledging that. I was sort of surprised to hear her admit a mistake, a major mistake like that.
LEMON: Wow. Well, at least she acknowledged it.
OK. Wolf Blitzer. Sounds like a very fascinating interview. And, of course, Wolf, today, 4:00 p.m. Eastern, correct?
BLITZER: That's right. We will have the whole interview right at the top of the hour.
LEMON: Thank you, sir.
LONG: A white student is making history at a historically black college. The details coming up and a live conversation with him.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LONG: President Bush is in the Middle East in Jerusalem today in fact to help celebrate Israel's 60th anniversary.
And as you saw earlier here on CNN TV, the president spoke at that ceremony a short time ago.
And White House correspondent Ed Henry is traveling with the president -- Ed.
ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Melissa, before that, the White House having to deal with the fact that there was a fresh round of violence here today at a shopping mall in southern Israel, a rocket fired from Gaza, some 14 people wounded, including three seriously, a baby among those wounded, a fresh reminder, really, about the violence here on the ground that the president is getting an almost firsthand look at.
It wasn't that close to him, about 60 kilometers or so. But he gets an idea now of how precarious the situation here is and how difficult it will be for him to achieve a peace deal before he leaves office at the end of the year, a sharp contrast to that celebration, you noted, the celebration for the 60th anniversary of Israel.
Mr. Bush was honored by a who's who of Israeli politicians, as well as Jewish-American leaders. At that ceremony, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert noted basically that Israel will do what it needs to do to try and stop this violence, basically hinting at Israeli military action. And Mr. Bush made clear that the U.S. will back Israel.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And, in the long run, we share a powerful belief and a powerful weapon against the terrorists. We believe that the surest way to defeat the enemies of hatred is to advance the cause of hope to the cause of freedom, liberty as the great alternative to tyranny and terror.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HENRY: (AUDIO GAP) in Tel Aviv, Mr. Bush greeted warmly at the airport when he first arrived in Israel for the 60th anniversary celebration, that those would be the dominant pictures, but, instead, again, the scene of chaos, violence in southern Israel really pushing that away a bit and perhaps overshadowing some of the positive natures of the trip.
Clearly, the White House having to deal with the violence on the ground here. It's a fresh reminder of how difficult it will be to get a peace deal, especially when you add it to the violence that is going on right now in Lebanon. Clearly, the region is not very stable -- Melissa.
LONG: Again, a five-day trip, and a little bit later into this trip, the president, as you mentioned, will be in Saudi Arabia. The White House says it's an important visit because it really commemorates the 75th anniversary of official -- of relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, but also on the table, the discussion of oil.
HENRY: That's right.
I remember being with the president last time here in the region in January, just four short months ago. The president also met with the king of Saudi Arabia and raised the issue of these high oil prices somewhat gingerly, suggested that maybe Saudi Arabia could help by increasing production, putting more oil on the market to deal with the soaring demand.
I remember back in January the price of a barrel of oil was mid- $90s perhaps. It's now gone up $25, $30 a barrel. Gasoline prices, as you know, in the United States around $4 a gallon in some places. At that time in January, the king of Saudi Arabia basically, after thinking about it,, rebuffed the president's attempt to get more oil on the market.
And, so, while the president has said that he will raise this again with the king of Saudi Arabia, we're not expecting any change from the Saudi government. So, you really can't expect any relief for U.S. consumers in the short term -- Melissa. LONG: And, again, to clarify some important milestones, the 75th anniversary of the U.S./Saudi relations, the 60th anniversary of Israeli statehood being celebrated today in Jerusalem.
Ed Henry live for us traveling with the president -- Ed, thank you.
LEMON: "I am a gay American," remember that?
LONG: Can't forget.
LEMON: Yes. He came out as gay when he was New Jersey's married governor. Nearly four years later, Jim McGreevey and his estranged wife are still slugging it out over divorce terms. We will tell you what he had to say on the stand today.
(BUSINESS REPORT)
KEILAR: A white student is making history at a historically black college. And we will have a conversation with him coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Hello, everyone.
I'm Don Lemon live at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta.
LONG: And I'm Melissa Long in today for Kyra Phillips.
You are in the CNN NEWSROOM.
LONG: It is the bottom of the hour here. Just a few of the stories we're working on for you in THE CNN NEWSROOM and some new video to share with you showing the terrifying moments when that catastrophic 7.9 magnitude quake struck Central China on Monday. The death toll is now nearing 15,000. It is expected to rise. Tens of thousands more are missing or, as the government puts it, are out of reach.
In Southern Israel, 14 people were hurt when a rocket struck a shopping mall. And a mother and infant are among those injured. The militant group Islamic Jihad is claiming responsibility.
Police plan to question this man in connection with a string of wildfires burning thousands of acres in Florida. They say Brian Crowder was seen starting a small fire in one of the fire-ravaged communities.
LEMON: All right. This story has caused a ruckus in some places and it's gotten a lot of press lately. On Sunday, right here in Atlanta, history will be made. Morehouse College, the self-proclaimed college of choice for African-American men -- you've heard of the Morehouse man -- well, they'll have their first white valedictorian ever.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) LEMON (voice-over): It's graduation season and the proud men of Morehouse College in Atlanta are ready.
TODD LEVERETTE, MOREHOUSE SENIOR: We're men of Morehouse. And when we cross that stage on May 18, we will be Morehouse men.
LEMON: For over a century, Morehouse men have prided themselves for personifying Dr. King's dream -- intelligent, successful and black. Until now.
JOSH PACKWOOD, MOREHOUSE VALEDICTORIAN: I'll be the first white student at Morehouse to become valedictorian.
LEMON: Surprising to some, maybe, that a white guy, who also had a Fulbright scholarship to Columbia University, would end up at an historically black college. But not to Josh Packwood, who attended a mostly black high school.
PACKWOOD: So it was very -- I guess it was kind of strange. Like I just kind of always gravitated toward -- toward, you know, to the black community.
LEMON: Josh fit in at Morehouse immediately. School administrators say he was elected dorm president and to class council in his freshman year.
PRES. ROBERT FRANKLIN, MOREHOUSE COLLEGE: Mr. Packwood is deserving. He has earned this. And we're committed to merit, to hard work, no matter who it might be.
LEMON: But Josh is aware that his top of the class status has raised eyebrows among some students, but mostly among alumni.
STERLING HUDSON, MOREHOUSE COLLEGE: I think that segment of our alumni has to wake up to a new world, basically -- a diverse world.
KAHOAOKEKAI BONHOMME, MOREHOUSE JUNIOR: Most likely they never had the opportunity to even dream of becoming valedictorian at a predominantly white institution. So I can definitely understand where they're coming from. I respectfully disagree.
PACKWOOD: People have been willing to take a chance on me and get to know me as opposed to just writing me off as the crazy white kid who decided to an HBCU.
LEMON: Josh's brother starts at Morehouse this fall.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Josh -- Josh Packwood joins us now from New York.
All right, so you loved it so much, you convinced your little brother to go?
PACKWOOD: Absolutely. I let him make his own decision, but, you know, I had some say in it, I guess. LEMON: Yes, you did.
OK. Let me ask you this. Let's be honest, when you thought that you were going to be the valedictorian and the first white valedictorian at Morehouse, what was their reaction?
What did some of the students say to you?
PACKWOOD: A lot of them, you know, were very happy for me, very supportive, some surprised. There was some concern, obviously, that it wasn't going to be an African-American. But all in all, all the students, the administrators, the faculty, the staff had been and have been very supportive.
LEMON: Yes, what do you mean surprised that it wasn't going to be a African-American?
What do you mean by that?
PACKWOOD: Well, you know, I would be the first in history, so I guess no precedence to kind of work off of. And I don't think a lot of people knew my GPA or knew that I was that high in the class, possibly. So I mean there was just -- you know, a lot of people just didn't know that I was at -- that I was ranked at the top of my class for many years.
LEMON: OK.
So you why did you choose to go to Morehouse?
I mean you had a Fulbright scholarship to Columbia. I'm sure you could have gone to many universities.
But why would you go to an historically black college or university?
PACKWOOD: The key factor for me when I decided on my college was which college was going to provide me the opportunity to grow and mature. And more specifically, which one is going to help me become a leader in the future and a change agent. And I felt that would only come through a very unique perspective and a unique experience. Columbia would have provided a great education, but I don't know if it would have allowed me to empathize with others' views and form a brotherhood as I have at Morehouse.
LEMON: And to get a real less lesson in diversity, one that you live every day.
OK, let's talk about your background, as well, because I understand, you know, it was no big deal for you, you say, to go to a black university or to be around minorities, and especially African- American people, because you were taken in by an African-American family because of problems you had at home.
PACKWOOD: That's absolutely right. And that's why it's so funny to me to get a lot of the media attention, because it was a relatively easy four years in terms of the social environment. I had a lot of success in terms of extracurricular activities. I had a lot of fun socially, made numerous friends.
So, for me, it was an easy transition. Because I grew up in a black household for a few years and because my stepfather was black and because I went to a predominantly black public high school, you know, I was already kind of indoctrinated in many of the -- you know, if you can define them -- if it's even possible, which I don't think it is -- the cultural aspects of black America.
LEMON: Yes. I've got to ask you this -- and this just occurred to me as we were doing this interview.
If you, your stepfather was black, you spent a lot of time with black people, you've gone to a black university, all of this obvious.
How do you see yourself? What -- do you see yourself as a certain race?
Are you -- I'm obviously aware that you're white.
But how do you see yourself, as you move through society?
PACKWOOD: Well, first and foremost, after Sunday, a Morehouse man. But as President Franklin so graciously referred to me as a Euro- American. You know, in terms of race and ethnicity, I think it's difficult for us to define. I think it's sometimes silly of us to dwell on because there are so many complex examples of people from various backgrounds, that one person can represent so many different lands, so many different languages. It's difficult for me to define myself. But I do know the common ground is that I am -- I will be a Morehouse man.
LEMON: All right. Spoken like a true Morehouse man, Josh Packwood. And just so you know, Josh, when I spoke to the administrators there, all of them said that you deserved it. And they said that this was a marker not only for Morehouse, but for other HBCUs, as well, and colleges and universities around the country. There are going to be more like you coming, because they need all races to go to their colleges in order to survive.
So Josh Packwood, congratulations to you. And we'll see you at graduation.
PACKWOOD: Thank you so much.
LEMON: All right.
Well, this summer CNN presents "Black in America." It is a six hour special event and we'll examine the complex issues, successes and struggles black men, women and families can encounter. "Black in America," July 23 and 24. Soledad O'Brien reports only here on CNN.
LONG: A terrific young man. A terrific interview.
LEMON: Yes, very interesting. Smart. LONG: It was really neat to hear from him.
Well, their marriage broke down in a very public, fairly unusual way. But Jim and Dina McGreevey's divorce seems pretty normal -- at least in one way. Almost for years after the New Jersey governor came out as gay, the spouses are now hashing it out over money -- child support, division of assets, alimony all resolved. The ex-governor is on the stand today talking about his income in a potentially lucrative deal that his estranged wife turned down.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIM MCGREEVEY, FORMER NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR: I thought that if we could somehow -- this was -- leaving the governor's office was a profound change in our lives. And I thought if we could write a book together to talk about the importance of living openly, living transparently, living truthfully, that she and I could write a far more compelling book together than I could as an individual.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: Dina Matos McGreevey also has a fraud claim pending. She says she was duped into a marriage by a gay man who needed a wife to advance his political career.
LEMON: A chopper plunges hundreds of feet into a neighborhood, lands on a pedestrian and bursts into flames. Look at that. Well, we'll show you more of the fiery aftermath.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: That's horrifying just every time you see it.
What do you do?
Where do you run, all of this when the ground beneath your feet and everything around you is shaking?
What do you do?
Well, you're seeing the terrifying moments when that catastrophic earthquake struck Central China Monday. CNN -- just a couple of hours ago -- got this amateur video in from Sichuan Province, the quake's epicenter.
Words can't do it justice, so let's just watch and listen a bit more here.
Man. Well, in the aftermath of that disaster, China is rushing to prevent another. Some 2,000 troops are trying to plug cracks in this massive dam -- there it is -- in Sichuan Province, to prevent a potential flood in an area where people are still buried in rubble or out on the streets. The death toll right now almost 15,000 and expected to rise by the hour. Thousands more are missing or they're either trapped. LONG: A nation suffering terrible loss and widespread death is about to get punched again. Now we're talking about Myanmar. And a storm is heading for the coastline there, where a cyclone turned the world upside down for millions of people just a week-and-a-half ago now.
Myanmar's official death toll rose above 38,000 today. This is according to the state-run media. But almost all aid experts, including the United Nations, say the actual numbers are actually much higher. Another large storm will, to say the least, hamper relief efforts in the cyclone zone. And Myanmar is truly a puzzle. Aid groups want to help. They're not allowed. Armies of several nations are ready to go in and ready to work, but there's no permission.
We are hearing today that the U.N. secretary-general is rallying donor nations and may call an international summit to lay out whatever options exist to help the millions of cyclone survivors. Ban Ki-Moon calls the government's response to the disaster unacceptably slow.
LEMON: Well, an international effort is underway to keep the violence in Lebanon from reigniting. Senior officials from nine Arab countries are there and they're mediating. The acting head of the U.S. Central Command, Lieutenant General Martin Dempsey, is there, too. At least 62 people have died in fighting between Hezbollah and supporters the U.S.-backed government. A cease-fire announced Monday appears to be holding so far, but the tensions remain high.
LONG: Of course, thousands of American soldiers have served in Iraq. But only one can say he played Forrest Gump on the big screen. And back then, of course, he was little Forrest. And now he's planning his future after life in the armed forces.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: All right. We have some information just into the CNN NEWSROOM, and I am just reading it. Melissa is helping me out here.
But basically, it's saying that Dean -- Howard Dean, who is the head of the DNC, announces a joint fundraising agreement with the Clinton and the Obama campaigns. He announced that today.
And the chairman says, "While this is a close primary, at the end of the day both of our candidates understand that this election is about the future of our country. In signing this agreement, Senators Clinton and Obama are demonstrating their commitment to unifying our party and ensuring that we have the resources needed to win the White House, no matter who the nominee is."
As has been reported, Hillary Clinton's campaign millions of dollars in debt. She's also been loaning her campaign money there. So we're not exactly sure how this is going to help the campaign and how this is going to work out. Our political people would know more about than I do.
But I want to tell you that Howard Dean just announced a joint fundraising agreement with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, both of their campaigns.
I'm sure "THE SITUATION ROOM" will have much more details in about 10 minutes following this broadcast.
The decider has been on the Internets for years, right?
(LAUGHTER)
LEMON: Since long before he got to the White House. But President Bush was just given his very first online interview -- online only interview.
LONG: Really?
LEMON: Yes. You can find it on "the Google." But...
(LAUGHTER)
LEMON: On "the Google." But we prefer you check out this report from CNN's Jeanne Moos.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Googler-in- chief has debuted on the Internet, coaxed into doing his Dr. Evil impression.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: You mean this?
MOOS: Being asked if he's given up golf because of Iraq. The answer is yes.
BUSH: I don't want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander-in-chief playing golf.
MOOS: It's billed by Yahoo! as the president's first online exclusive -- but online tends to bring back memories of this line.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM OCTOBER 17, 2000)
BUSH: And I have filters on Internets.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Not once, but several times, President Bush has made the Internet plural.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM OCTOBER 4, 2000)
BUSH: I hear there's rumors on the Internets.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I hear there's rumors on the Internets.
MOOS: The President was endlessly mocked. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because we can all, agree there's just too many Internets.
STEPHEN COLBERT, HOST, "THE COLBERT REPORT": Now, I'm no fan of the Internets...
MOOS: And things only got worse when he was asked if he ever uses Google.
BUSH: Occasionally. And one of the things that I've used on the Google is to pull up maps.
MOOS: "The Google" was the faux pas that had the Web-savvy chortling.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And he was just referring to it as "the Google," like "the Donald."
MOOS: Someone even established a Web site, TheGoogleOntheInternet.com (ph), complete with T-shirts. And now the president is putting himself on the line in an online interview.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who does the better impression, Will Ferrell of you...
BUSH: The issue of the so-called global warmings.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Or Dana Carvey of your father?
BUSH: Dana Carvey.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I didn't. No, I didn't.
MOOS: The president has said that while in the White House, he can't use e-mail for security reasons.
(on-camera): Hard as it is to imagine George Bush sitting at a keyboard typing, listen to this.
(voice-over): The president is looking forward to using a computer when he leaves office.
BUSH: I e-mail to my buddies. As governor, I could stay in touch with all kinds of people around the country, and was firing off e- mails at all times of -- all times of the day to stay in touch with my pals.
MOOS: So, take that, all you impersonators implying President Bush can't find his way around the Internets.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: User name and password.
MOOS: As a former president, he'll be firing off e-mails, so no more giggling about "the Google."
BUSH: The Google. Internets.
MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LONG: A great story.
LEMON: I'm checking some stuff out on the Internets right now.
LONG: Yes?
LEMON: I'm on "the Google."
LONG: Are you on "the Google?"
LEMON: I'm on -- let's see, I'm...
LONG: All right.
LEMON: I'm going to do the Google on the Melissa.
LONG: Well, while you're looking for an interview, perhaps, with President Bush, an exclusive online interview, we're going to talk about Forrest Gump.
You remember the movie, right?
LEMON: Yes, I do.
LONG: OK.
LEMON: With a box of chocolates -- life is like a box of chocolates...
LONG: You never know what you're going to get.
LEMON: You never know what you're going to get, no.
LONG: Well, this gentleman knows what is ahead for him, because he played Forrest Gump as a boy on the big screen. And just like Forrest, he joined the military. Now the specialist, Michael Humphrey, is getting out of the Army.
He spent 15 months serving in Iraq, where he was known to his fellow soldiers as simply "Gump." Well, now he has a movie role in the works.
So the question, of course, is life really like a box of chocolates?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SPC. MICHAEL HUMPHREYS, "YOUNG FORREST GUMP": I was just kind of logging off. So, you know, I knew I was getting out soon. And I was like well, I've got to figure out what I'm going to do. And all of a sudden somebody just pops up and they're like hey, you want to do a movie?
I'm like OK, yes.
Where did that come from?
But, yes, fine, you know. So I think that implies definitely.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: Humphreys gets out of the Army next month. Congratulations on your service. He says he plans to go to college and he is still thinking about that acting career. So keep an eye out for him on "the Google."
LEMON: I think he might have a good shot at that, don't you?
Yes, all right, well, time now to turn to "THE SITUATION ROOM'S" Wolf Blitzer.
LONG: And he is standing by in "THE SITUATION ROOM" with what's coming up on his show, including a terrific interview with Hillary Clinton.
LEMON: Yes. I can't wait for that -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Thanks very much, guys.
It was a wide-ranging one-on-one interview we had with Senator Clinton. She gets emotional talking about what she calls one of the most incredibly gratifying experiences of her life. She also explains what she even says may have been one of the dumbest things she's ever said. And she strongly defends Barack Obama against some attacks from John McCain.
We're also going to get reaction from the interview from the governor of Florida, Charlie Crist. He's a strong supporter of McCain. He's standing by live. And the former senator, Tom Daschle, an Obama supporter. He's standing by live, as well.
And a shopping mall in Israel takes incoming rocket fire while President Bush is in the country.
All that, guys, and a lot more coming up in "THE SITUATION ROOM".
LEMON: All right, Wolf.
Looking forward to it. Thank you very much.
A chopper plunges hundreds of feet into a neighborhood, lands on a pedestrian and then it bursts into flames. We'll show you more of the fiery aftermath.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: All right, you've got to see this to believe it. And it was Caught on Camera. A deadly line of fire in Canada. A helicopter crashed yesterday the streets in this British Columbia neighborhood, landing on a pedestrian and bursting into flames. The pedestrian was killed, along with the three people on board the chopper.
A witness says the helicopter plunged about 300 feet. Investigators are on the scene trying to figure out what caused that crash.
Man.
LONG: What a tragedy.
LEMON: Yes.
LONG: Well, the closing bell is just about to ring on Wall Street. Coming up on 4:00.
LEMON: Sad story, Susan, but I hope you have good news for us.
SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I do following --
LONG: A free lunch.
LEMON: Yes, where's my free lunch?
LISOVICZ: Well, the big story today was that food prices jumped nearly 1 percent last month alone. That's the biggest monthly jump in 18 years. With that in mind, cheap eats or free even eats, McDonald's tomorrow in the New York metro area, Don -- so you do have to use the metro card --
LEMON: That's where I'm taking to you lunch.
LISOVICZ: OK.
Free -- and it's southern style, chicken biscuits and chicken sandwiches, so you'll feel right at home.
Dunkin' Donuts for iced coffee, its second national free iced coffee day. You get 16 ounces. Pick your favorite.
LEMON: Pick either one of those places, Susan. I will spare no expense.
LISOVICZ: Or we could go to Taco Bell who --
LEMON: Oh, cool.
LISOVICZ: -- tomorrow is rolling out its Why Pay More value menu --
LEMON: Choices.
LISOVICZ: -- with 10 items at 79 cents, 89 cents and 99 cents, including the 79 cent triple layer nacho.
Yes. We could live large tomorrow. LONG: Don could be chivalrous.
LEMON: Yes, live large. If we ate all that we'd be living large.
LISOVICZ: That's exactly right.
Oil prices are down, three major averages rallied.
I'll see you guys tomorrow.
LEMON: Thanks, Susan. Have a good one.
LISOVICZ: You too.
LONG: Thanks, Susan.
"SITUATION ROOM" with Wolf Blitzer starts ...
LEMON: ... right now.
