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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees
Iowa Caucus Becomes a Heated Contest; How Did Billy "The Kid" Die?
Aired January 15, 2004 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON COOPER, HOST (voice-over): Is Kerry coming back? New polls put Dean, Gephardt, and Kerry toe-to-toe in the Iowa hustle.
Startling new pictures of Saddam Hussein's capture.
A bone-chilling cold snap grips the Northeast. Is the worst yet to come?
Teens and depression: how rockers Good Charlotte tell depressed kids to hold on.
Wild West outlaw Billy the Kid: was his 1881 death a hoax? New DNA evidence could change a legend.
And, on the eve of Michael Jackson's arraignment, is the Nation of Islam pulling his strings?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: Live from the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is ANDERSON COOPER 360.
COOPER: Good evening. Thanks for joining us on 360.
This just in to CNN, a major development in the Michael Jackson case. The beleaguered pop star has chosen a co-counsel to help in his legal fight. We're going to have details ahead in a live report. This is just in to CNN. We'll have all the details in just a few moments.
First, our top story tonight, the tight race that is even tighter tonight, the Iowa caucuses. The latest poll released just one hour ago suggests it is a dead heat between Congressman Richard Gephardt, Senator John Kerry, and former Vermont governor, Howard Dean. All this just hours ago. Former Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun quit the race.
Our reporters are following the latest developments throughout Iowa. Kelly Wallace is with the Kerry campaign. Dan Lothian is with Gephardt's campaign. And CNN senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley, is with the Dean camp.
Kelly, let's begin with you. What's the latest?
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Anderson, those two recent polls, one showing Senator Kerry one point behind, the other showing him one point ahead. But the Kerry team is not celebrating. Aides are very cautious. All they will say is this race is very, very close.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE (voice-over): It's 7:30 a.m. in Council Bluffs, and John Kerry appears to be more focused on making the perfect pancake than on his surprise showing in recent polls.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm always wary of polls, whether I'm up, whether I'm down. You just keep working hard.
WALLACE: So it is mad dash time, trying to win over undecided voters, with the senator crossing the state on the ground and in the air, taking the controls of his chopper along the way. Aides say they have the big mo, momentum. But no one is getting cocky here.
KERRY: I've always said there are three tickets out of Iowa, and I'm looking for one of them. And we're going to try to do the best we can.
WALLACE: That said, Kerry seems to have more spring in his step, a bit more fire in his standard stump speech.
KERRY: So when you go to the caucuses, don't go there to send a message. Go there and send America a president of the United States, because that's what we need to do. Thank you very, very much. God speed.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, Kelly, you said the Kerry camp is being cautious about these new poll numbers just released in the last hour, but they have been sharpening their attacks against Howard Dean. Do they think those attacks, those sharper attacks, have been successful?
WALLACE: Well, they certainly think that undecided voters are taking sort of a second look at Howard Dean. You won't hear John Kerry on the stump really mention Howard Dean by name. But what he does, he talks about experience.
He is trying to make the case that he is more electable than anyone else, including Howard Dean. And again, Anderson, they are being cautious, but they like what they see. They think Senator Kerry is going up, and they think Howard Dean is coming down.
COOPER: All right. We'll see on Monday. Kelly Wallace, thanks very much.
In northern Iowa today, Richard Gephardt is playing it cool, saying he always knew Iowa would be too close to call and he's not concerned.
CNN's Dan Lothian is on the campaign trail with him.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the northern Iowa community of Brit (ph), population 2,250...
REP. RICHARD GEPHARDT (D-MO), DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Thanks so much.
LOTHIAN: ... Dick Gephardt continued his attack on President Bush, as he laid out his case for the economy and health care.
GEPHARDT: My plan is the only one that helps everybody.
LOTHIAN: Gephardt, now caught in a tight race in what some are calling must-win Iowa, says he's not worried about the latest polls.
GEPHARDT: The polls, I feel for a long time, have simply been indicating that this is a tight race. I have felt it was going to be a tight race as long as six months ago. But I feel in the end I'm going to win this race in Iowa.
LOTHIAN: Gephardt is also turning up the heat on Howard Dean. In response to a Dean ad criticizing his positions on Iraq, Gephardt is now running a new 30-second TV ad statewide, attacking Dean on Medicare and Social Security. He says this is not an act of desperation.
GEPHARDT: He started with this. And we're going to answer. And we're going to talk about other difference that is exist between us that we think voters need to hear about as well.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Dan Lothian joins us now.
Dan, Gephardt, as you said, has spent a lot of time, a lot of money in Iowa. A lot of pundits are saying, if he doesn't come in first there, he is out. His career, politically, is over.
Has he acknowledged any of this? Does he say if he doesn't win there it's over?
LOTHIAN: No, he has not. In fact, today someone said to him that, you know, is this really -- by you responding to Dean, is this really an act of desperation? Because many are saying if you don't win here, this is sort of the last hurrah, the end of your career. And he says, "I'm not really focused on that right now. I think that when it is all said and done, I will win here in Iowa."
And that's why he is crisscrossing the state, specifically going into some of those smaller communities where they hope to reach out to some of the undecided voters -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. Dan Lothian, thanks very much.
On to the Dean campaign now. Fresh support today from Carol Moseley Braun, who dropped out of the race.
With that and more, here is CNN's senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): And now, there are eight.
CAROL MOSELEY BRAUN (D), FMR. DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I am here today to thank those Iowans who were prepared to stand for me in Monday's caucuses and ask that you stand, instead, for Howard Dean.
CROWLEY: She was broken, nowhere in the polls. But Carol Moseley Braun bowed out, consoling herself with having gone further than any female presidential candidate.
BRAUN: We will get there one day.
CROWLEY: Braun's endorsement brought out the warm and fuzzy Howard Dean. But as he stood with the support of former Senator Braun and Iowa's veteran Senator Tom Harkin, it begged the question: what's a beltway basher doing with all these insiders?
HOWARD DEAN (D), DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I believe I can bring in the people who have been inside the beltway. They just simply -- they're all good Democrats, they're going to want to wen. They just need to be retrained.
CROWLEY: The truth is, Braun probably didn't have enough voters to make a difference. But the picture was worth the plane flight for the Dean campaign as it fights the perception that the front-runner has stalled.
DEAN: First of all, not much is happening in the polls. And second of all, the polls really don't matter in the last few days. It is all organization.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: And Candy Crowley joins us now. You just heard Howard Dean saying polls don't matter. We've heard a lot about Howard Dean's anger in the past. Are you hearing any whisperings or fear in the Dean camp right now?
CROWLEY: You know, I don't hear fear. But look, this is the time to say you were really worried about the polls, gosh I think we're crashing. You're not going to hear that.
Do I think that they are tense? Yes. They have said all along, this is going to be close, it's going to be a really tough race. And it was spin, and I think now they believe that spin. It is going to be a close race. And they also have sort of a worried eye cast on New Hampshire, where Clark is making a major play. So he's battling on these two fronts. And I think there is some concern, but I don't hear anger or desperation. Just, wow, it's crunch time and things are getting close.
COOPER: It certainly is on Monday. All right. Candy Crowley, thanks very much.
On now to the Michael Jackson case. CNN has learned just moments ago that the beleaguered pop star has chosen a co-counsel to help in his legal fight. The move comes just one day before Jackson will be arraigned on seven felony counts of child molestation.
With all the details, let's go live to Frank Buckley -- Frank.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, the new lead co-counsel with Mark Garagos in the Michael Jackson case is Ben Brathman (ph). He is a former Manhattan assistant district attorney, perhaps best known for his successful defense of Sean P. Diddy Combs on bribery and weapons charges. Mark Geragos calls him a friend.
He says he will be here in Santa Maria tomorrow. And we also learned in this statement from Mark Geragos that, in fact, Michael Jackson does intend to enter a not guilty plea tomorrow. He could have continued the case further on and entered a plea at a later date. Apparently, he intends to enter this not guilty plea tomorrow.
Meanwhile, here at the courthouse in Santa Maria, some 100 or so news organizations preparing to cover the arrival of Michael Jackson. One hundred news organizations, hundreds of Jackson supporters also expected here outside the courthouse.
It will all be covered by a multi-camera feed outside, but inside the courtroom of Rodney Melville (ph) right now, no cameras present. That will be one of the first motions expected to be heard tomorrow when court gets under way.
A couple of other motions also expected on unsealing documents related to the arrest and search warrants. And also on a proposed gag order, proposed by District Attorney Tom Sneddon and opposed by the Jackson defense team.
Today, we also got a taste of the spectacle to come tomorrow when there was a protest just to the south of our location in Santa Barbara outside the district attorney's office. Some 35 to 45 protesters at that location today, protesting the charges against Michael Jackson. Many of them fans of Michael Jackson.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I mean, essentially, I've been a fan since I was -- a long time ago, for 20 years. And I've always -- I've loved the music and the video, and then I discovered the man. And I fell in love with the man with his heart. So that's why I'm here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BUCKLEY: And again, the news, however, Anderson, coming out of this today. There is a new lead co-counsel with Mark Geragos, Ben Brathman (ph), who, again, successfully represented Sean P. Diddy Combs on bribery and weapons charges -- Anderson.
COOPER: Frank, you've been covering this story for a while. Have you heard any rumblings of the possibility that there might be a shake-up or an addition -- I'm not sure exactly how to quantify it -- in addition, at least, to Michael Jackson's legal team?
BUCKLEY: Well, Geragos has a legal team in place. And no -- the short answer is no. We didn't expect this at all. It came out of left field and really caught us off guard just a few moments ago.
COOPER: All right. Frank Buckley, thanks very much. We'll be following this story throughout the hour. In fact, we're going to talk more about this a little later on.
Coming up, we're going to talk to a key financial advisor to Michael Jackson and try to figure out what role, if any, the Nation of Islam is playing in the pop star's affairs. All that is coming up. We'll also talk to Lisa Bloom about any implications about this new addition to the Jackson legal team.
Right now, we're following a number of developing stories for you "Cross Country." Let's take a look.
Atlanta, Georgia: southern unhospitality. Hundreds of protesters loudly booed President Bush as he laid a wreath at the grave of Martin Luther King. Today would have been the 75th birthday of the slain civil rights leader. Earlier, President Bush was in New Orleans touting his faith-based initiatives, which includes federal funding for church-affiliated social programs.
New York: grim outlook. The family of actor and writer, Spalding Gray, now say they fear the worst. Five days after he was last seen and heard from, Gray's wife and brother believe he may have jumped off the Staten Island Ferry. Gray has had a history of serious depression.
Cleveland, Ohio: lottery liar. A lottery saga ends poorly for this woman, Elecia Battle. She pleads no contest to filing a false police report. She admits she lied about buying then losing the winning ticket worth $162 million. She will be sentenced next month and could get jail time. We'll see.
And Hawaii: thousands of homes remain without power because of the weather. Winds has high as 85 miles an hour knocked down power lines, closed roads and schools. So far, no reports of injuries.
And that is a look at stories right now "Cross Country."
A lot ahead. Startling new pictures of Saddam Hussein the day he was captured. You thought he looked bad in these pictures? Wait until you see the new ones. U.S. troops pose to the very beleaguered look of Saddam Hussein.
Plus, arctic blast. The Northeast gets smacked with record cold.
We're also going to have more on Michael Jackson and the shakeup in his legal team or an addition to his legal team. Which is it? We'll try to find out for you.
Also tonight, in our continuing series on conquering depression, we're going to talk about teens struggling with depression and teenage suicide. Getting a little help from a rock band, Good Charlotte. They will join us live from Tokyo in part of our week-long series, "Conquering Depression."
First tonight, let's take a look "Inside the Box" at the top stories on tonight's network newscasts.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Well, those new pictures of Saddam Hussein we told you about taken immediately after his capture have been appearing on the Internet. According to Pentagon insiders, they seem to be the real thing. That doesn't mean the Pentagon is happy about seeing them out there.
CNN's Jamie McIntyre has the story and the pictures.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Here is Saddam Hussein right after he was pulled from the infamous spider hole, held down by a U.S. soldier, or perhaps a translator or other civilian working with the U.S. military. While some people have suggested this image may show Saddam bleeding from the mouth, the picture is inconclusive.
The unofficial photographs were not released by the Pentagon, which is not commenting on them. They appear to have been taken by someone in or working closely with the U.S. military. And seem to show Saddam Hussein as he's brought into one of his former palaces in Baghdad, now serving as a military headquarters, as dozens of U.S. troops look on.
While CNN has not independently verified the authenticity or source of the photos, they do appear genuine, according to a senior U.S. government official. And key details match.
For instance, Saddam appears to be wearing the same clothes and sports the same beard as seen in pictures released by the U.S. government. Another photograph of the box of U.S. currency found with Saddam matches the green case of $750,000 displayed by the U.S. military after his capture. And the picture of the commander of the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade, Colonel James Hickey (ph), who commanded 600 troop who took part in the capture, matches other known images of Hickey (ph).
The photos don't reveal much more about Operation Red Dawn, but they do give a little more of a look at how Saddam Hussein was handled in the hours after his capture.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MCINTYRE: While the photos were not authorized, and the Pentagon is not commenting on them, they are clearly not happy that they were released. It is also unclear if anyone will be reprimanded for taking them with every soldier, practically, in Iraq having a camera in his pocket. It's unlikely whoever took the picture will ever be identified -- Anderson.
COOPER: That's a fascinating story. Thanks very much, Jamie McIntyre.
We're tracking a number of developing stories around the globe right now for you. Let's check the "UpLink."
Basra, Iraq: no to America. Thousands of Shiite Muslims protest the U.S. plan for self-government in Iraq. Now, Iraq's top Shiite cleric is demanding an interim legislature be elected rather than picked by regional caucuses, the way the U.S. wants it. A similar demonstration took place in Baghdad. Chief U.S. Administrator Paul Bremer, he is flying to Washington for talks on the issue.
Across Iraq: losing face. In a symbolic nation-building development, Iraqis exchanged their old money which bore Saddam's face for new currency. They're burning the old stuff. The new dinar has scenes from Iraqi life and history.
Western Japan: huge slaughter to try and control a deadly bird flu outbreak. Officials are preparing to bury over 35,000 dead chickens confirmed to have the virus. They are also killing other chickens at the same poultry farm. Elsewhere in Asia, Vietnam reports four more suspected human cases of the bird flu.
San Paolo, Brazil: digital discipline. An American Airlines pilot has been fined nearly $13,000 fine to avoid a two-year jail sentence. At part of tightened security measures, he was required to be photographed.
The pilot didn't like the rule. So the Brazilian authorities say he showed his contempt by showing them one of his fingers. I think you can guess which finger he showed them.
And that is a look at the "UpLink" tonight.
Conquering depression. A rock band reaches out to teens in trouble. Good Charlotte, they're going to join us live in just a moment from Tokyo.
Also tonight, Michael Jackson and his controversial confidante. We'll talk to one of his key advisers about what's going on inside the Jackson camp.
And a little bit later, a new poll out. It is down to the wire in Iowa. Four candidates running neck and neck. Find out who really has the big mo right now. And first, today's "Buzz." Does Iowa have too much influence over the presidential nominating process? We're going to talk about this later on. But we want to hear your opinion.
Vote now, cnn.com/360. Yes or no? Results at the end of the show.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Well, tonight, we continue our series, "Conquering Depression." According to the National Institute of Mental Health, three to five percent of teens experience clinical depression. For some, the pain will seem overwhelming. Suicide is now the third leading cause of death for young people.
Alarmed by the numbers, and concerned about teen depression, a popular rock band, Good Charlotte, has a new song and a new video out that tries to take on the issue.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He shot himself in the head.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I lost my boyfriend to suicide.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think I know that he's listening. And if he is, I just want him to know I love him.
COOPER (voice-over): In a popular new music video, the voices of those who've lost loved ones to suicide mix with the voices of Good Charlotte, a young band imploring their young listeners dealing with depression to hold on.
(MUSIC)
COOPER: Right now, roughly three million young people are considered for a variety of reasons at risk for suicide. But often, it is not their parents or teachers or doctors kids turn to for help. It's music. And Good Charlotte hopes this song, this video, will reach kids in time.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hang on, because everybody goes through it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've tried to hurt myself. But I'm glad I'm still here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's always a way out, always. I can't imagine not being here now.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's OK to get help. You're going to miss out on so much.
COOPER: Response to the video has been overwhelming. It's playing in heavy rotation on MTV, and suicide prevention hotline numbers featured in the video report a significant rise in calls. The power of the song, the power of the video, the message of hope seems to be getting through.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not the right order of things. You're not supposed to bury your children. They're supposed to bury you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The last thing he said to me was, "Have a fun time with grandma, mom. And I'll see you on Monday." And I'll be waiting for Monday the rest of my life.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: It is a very powerful video. Some fans have written Good Charlotte, saying "Hold On" has literally saved their lives.
Joining us now from Tokyo, two brothers of the band who wrote the song, brothers Joel and Benji Madden.
Thanks very much for being with us, Joel and Benji. What inspired you guys to write the song?
BENJI MADDEN, GOOD CHARLOTTE: Well, we get a lot of letters from fans talking about -- on tour, and, you know, kids coming up to us after shows talking to us about their problems and suicide, sometimes. So we thought there's no way we can write every person back. So we thought the best thing we could do was kind of write a response to those letters on a record for the kids that buy the record and, hopefully, you know, they can get something from that.
COOPER: You mentioned some of the letters and e-mails that you get. We got a couple of them, the fan e-mails. I'm just going to put some of them on the screen.
"Good Charlotte saved my life, too. I was depressed, and all I thought about was death." That's from Rainy.
Ricky wrote, "I know this song is very close to a lot of people's hearts because they have been effected by depression, suicide, including myself."
Becky wrote, "If it wasn't for "Hold On," and the GC guys, I wouldn't be here."
Now, why do you think there is such a problem of young people and depression and suicide?
JOEL MADDEN, GOOD CHARLOTTE: I think it's just hard to be young, you know? You've got a lot of pressure. Kids going to school, they're expecting certain things. And I think a lot of times parents aren't connected with their kids in the way they need to be. So they listen to music and they find a lot of the answers they get are from musicians.
And they watch TV, the watch MTV, and so it's just they feel alone. You know what I'm saying? So...
B. MADDEN: It's a real insecure time of your life, you know? So when you're going to a school of, you know, 2,000 insecure kids, they can be pretty cruel to each other. And, you know, I think every kid feels like they're going through it alone, when really everybody goes through it. It's just part of growing up, it's part of life.
COOPER: And I know that's part of the message...
B. MADDEN: I think everybody has been depressed at some time.
COOPER: Yes. I know that is part of the message of the song you're trying to get across. I mean, I guess a lot of parents might be scared that the kids are not coming to them, the kids are not coming to teachers or to doctors. That they are turning to music.
What do you want parents to know about what's going on with their kids?
B. MADDEN: I mean, I think parents just need -- I think sometimes parents need to go to kids. You know what I mean? They need to like be involved in some of the stuff that they're doing.
Like listen to the music they're doing without -- in a way of like -- I mean, if your kid listens to punk rock or something like that, don't -- a lot of parents just -- they're only looking to screen music. They're not looking to get involved in like -- I mean, I'm not saying be a dad and go get in the mosh pit at a show, but, you know, like know what kind of music your kids are listening to and take interest in it like -- and not in the way of like, oh, you can't listen to that, but like the way of like -- I don't know.
I've never heard anything like that. You know, what's it all about? Like, why do you like these guys' lyrics or stuff like that.
COOPER: Well, you guys, you're doing a lot of good work with your songs. And I appreciate you joining us. You're in tour right now in Japan, Benji and Joel Madden. I appreciate you joining us to talk on this subject.
Thanks a lot, guys.
J. MADDEN: Thanks a lot.
B. MADDEN: Thank you.
COOPER: While there is no single predictor of suicide in teens, there are some common warning signs: suicide threats, direct and indirect, obsession with death, poems, essays and drawings referring to death, dramatic change in personality or appearance, irrational/bizarre behavior, overwhelming sense of guilt, shame or reelection, change eating or sleeping patterns, severe drop in school performance and giving away belongings. And there is a lot of help out there
Our series "Conquering Depression," wraps up tomorrow night. We're going to take a special look at men and depression. The so- called silent sufferers. We're going to talk live with Mike Wallace with CBS's "60 Minutes" and former CNN president Tom Johnson, a frank look at how they have battled depression. Is Kerry coming back? New polls put Dean, Gephardt and Kerry toe to toe in the Iowa hustle.
And on the eve of Michael Jackson's arraignment, is the Nation of Islam pulling his strings?
And who is buried in Billy the Kidd's grave? An age old mystery gets a DNA twist. 360 continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: In the next half hour on 360, Michael Jackson's legal maneuver the day before his big arraignment. Why has he named a new co-counsel? It happened moments ago. That ahead in "Justice Served".
Plus, what's happened to Howard Dean? New polls say the battle for Iowa is tight and four candidates are now neck in neck.
And a real life Western mystery. Who is buried in Billy the Kidd's grave? You might be surprised what some people think.
First, let's check our top stories right now in "The Reset."
Mother nature is tightening her wintry grip on the Northeastern U.S.. It is cold. New York ferry boats were iced in today. Ski resorts in Maine closed. Hundreds of drivers throughout the region were stranded because of dead car batteries. La Guardia and Newark Liberty Airports reported more than 200 flight cancellations.
Up in space: the Mars rover Spirit is now officially on a roll. Mission controllers at NASA held their collective breath as the vehicle put its wheels in motion and descended down its platform today. Tomorrow, controllers want Spirit to deploy its robotic arm and take its first photos with its microscopic imaging.
A defense official said the U.S. military won't release two children being held at U.S. military's base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. They are believed to be between 13 and 15. Both boys have been labeled enemy combatants and have been there more than a year.
An American soldier who died in the Vietnam War is finally coming home. The remains of Army Captain, Clinton Mussel (ph) are being flown back to the U.S. from Laos, 33 years after his death. His body was found in some helicopter wreckage. The Pentagon says it learned about this only in recent years. Captain's Mussel's (ph) remains were positively identified last year. The hero is coming home. And that is a look at "The Reset" tonight.
New developments in the Michael Jackson case. CNN has learned, just moments ago, that the pop star has chosen a co-counsel to help in his legal fight. Jackson has chosen Ben Brafman to join his team. Brafman is a former Manhattan assistant district attorney. The move comes just one day before Jackson arraignment on felony child molestation charges.
With me here now to discuss it all is Lisa Bloom of Court TV. Were you surprised by this?
LISA BLOOM, COURT TV: I was surprised. I haven't seen Mark Geragos in any of the other high profile cases that he's had recently have co-counsel. On the other hand, there is no case like the Michael Jackson case.
COOPER: Why bring in a co-counsel?
BLOOM: Well, 2 reasons come to mind. One, because it is an enormous case. And secondly, because Mark Geragos is also busy with the Scott Peterson case, which is probably going to trial soon, probably needs a little extra help, so he pulls in one of his a friends, someone he knows and someone he trusts.
COOPER: Ben Brafman is a New York lawyer, as I understand.
BLOOM: He is a New York Lawyer. He can be admitted with, what's called "pro hac vice," meaning for the purposes of the single case in California.
COOPER: Don't get technical with me, Lisa Bloom.
BLOOM: I know you love when I speak Latin to you, Anderson. Which means the judge can say, for the purpose of this case, you can practice law in California. That's just a simple formality.
Then, Ben Brafman, I know him. He's a diminutive bulldog of a man, very aggressive, very smart guy, very well respected.
COOPER: And in the legal world, those are all compliments?
BLOOM: Those are good words coming from me about a lawyer.
COOPER: You say bulldog with great admiration.
BLOOM: Well, I do. And for a lawyer, that's what you want, somebody in court that's going to really fight for you, but someone who is also very smart, very ethical. I have nothing bad to say about the man. He certainly knows what he's doing.
COOPER: He represented Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.
BLOOM: And, more importantly than that, he's been on Court TV many times talking about the cases. He really knows his stuff about New York law.
COOPER: Tomorrow what should people look for?
BLOOM: Well, tomorrow is the arraignment, of course, where Michael Jackson will certainly plead not guilty. That's not going to be a surprise. But also what's interesting is, the real headline today should be prosecution to Geragos shut up. The prosecution wants Geragos to be gagged. And of course, the new member of his legal team...
COOPER: The judge will rule on the gag order tomorrow? BLOOM: The judge will rule on that. They attach a copy of the Scott Peterson gag going order, essentially saying, look, what's good in Modesto is good in Santa Barbara. Tell the guy to stop talking to the press.
COOPER: All right. We'll have to see what happens. Lisa Bloom, thanks very much.
Well, over the years, Michael Jackson has a always relied on a changing cast of advisers and employees. Now facing the legal battle of his life, Mr. Jackson seems to have added new member of his entourage. We're not talking about his new co-counsel, we're talking about a man by the name of Leonard Mohammed. He is chief of staff to controversial nation of Islam leader, Louis Farakan. Details of what Mr. Mohammed actually does for Michael Jackson are hard to come by. CNN's, Gary Tuchman reports on what we know.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's a frenzied scene. Michael Jackson's advisers gather in a Beverly Hills hotel. One of those advisers quietly watching the scene is this man, Leonard Mohammed, of the Nation of Islam.
He is the chief of staff to the group's leader, Louis Farrakan, whose daughter is married to Mohammed. At the 1995 Million Man March, organized by the group, some say is a black separatist organization, Mohammed had this to say about his father in law.
LEONARD MOHAMMED, NATION OF ISLAM: The honorable Louis Farrakan is our man, our leader, and he's the architect of this day. He deserves all our support.
TUCHMAN: Now he's offering his support to the so-called King of Pop.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Could you tell us what your role is today and what you've done, sir?
MOHAMMED: Make sure everybody knows that Michael Jackson is innocent and his career is going to continue as usual.
TUCHMAN: Mohammad is 58 years old. He helps the Nation of Islam with economic development programs. But in articles and newspapers from the "Los Angeles Times: to the "Chicago Tribune," to the "New York Times," he's been portrayed as a business man, who has allegedly been in involved in business and tax improprieties in the '80s and '90s.
Mohammed has not returned calls to CNN about the allegations and is saying little about the allegations against Jackson. Sources say he is playing a significant role in the Jackson camp. Gary Tuchman, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE) COOPER: One man who is definitely playing a significant role in the Jackson camp, Charles Koppelman, one of Michael Jackson's financial advisers. He joins us now. Thanks so much for being with us.
CHARLES KOPPELMAN, FINANCIAL ADVISER TO MICHAEL JACKSON: Thank you for inviting me.
COOPER: Let's talk about Leonard Mohammad. What's his role in the inner circle?
KOPPELMAN: He's been a long-time friend of Michael's. With the recent legal troubles that Michael has had, Michael has asked Leonard to spend more time with him in helping him sort out all the different issue as it pertains to his case.
COOPER: There's lots of talk about this, but the "New York Times" reports, citing unnamed sources allegedly within the Jackson camp, whatever exactly that means, said that Leonard Mohammad is involved in legal issues, involved in financial issues, involved in media related issues. True?
KOPPELMAN: I think that you have to understand that when you're Michael Jackson and you run an enterprise as vast and as wide as his, you make the decisions. If he's decided that he wants some help from Leonard Mohammed, he's going to get the help from Leonard Mohammed, no different than he gets the help from myself and the others that have around him advising him.
COOPER: As an adviser does it -- I'm going to put you on the spot, maybe a little bit. As an adviser, does it concern you that someone with the background of Mr. Mohammed, affiliated with the Nation of Islam, a controversial group, and according to the "New York Times," "Washington Post," he has had some questionable business dealings in the past year?
KOPPELMAN: I can't speak the things that I don't really know. I know that he's an individual. That he has a contribution. He's a friend of Michael's. And Michael's asked him to help and he's been kind enough to say he's going to help.
COOPER: You keep hearing of advisers. How does it work? You guys sit around a table and have a weekly meeting? I can't imagine the intricacy of Michael Jackson's life. How does it work?
KOPPELMAN: It is no different than anyone who has a billion dollar enterprise. You have people that you rely on. We speak on a regular basis, five, six, ten times a day.
COOPER: This isn't like a full-time job for you. I mean, you've got a lot of interests, a lot of things going on in your life.
KOPPELMAN: Chairman of Steve Madden Shoes, great shoe company. And by the way, I spent a lot of time talking to the people of Steve Madden Shoes as I do with regard to Michael. The meeting that everybody has been blowing out of proportion is a meeting that we have on a regular base when we can all be together at the same time.
One of the reasons I accepted your invitation is because the press account of all of this stuff, including about Leonard and about these meetings and all the advisers scurrying around is really a lot of nonsense.
COOPER: So the Nation of Islam is not in control of Michael Jackson right now?
KOPPELMAN: Absolutely not.
COOPER: All right. I appreciate you joining us. Thanks very much. Nice to meet you.
KOPPELMAN: Nice to see you.
COOPER: The race is too close to call. Talking about the Iowa caucuses. The intense battle among the Democrats. Some surprising poll numbers just out in the last couple hours.
Plus the story of Billy the Kid. Legend has it the outlaw was killed in 1881. Some saying it was all a hoax. We'll talk about that when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Well, in the last hour, a new poll was released with some pretty dramatic numbers. We're four days until the Iowa caucuses. Four Democratic candidates now seem to be running might close to each other. And for Howard Dean, who was thought to be out in front, it is troubling news. I spoke earlier with Democratic strategist Jenny Backus and "TIME" magazine's Jay Carney. Jay, what happened to Howard Dean?
JAY CARNEY, "TIME" MAGAZINE: He encountered the laws of electoral physics. Howard Dean, remember, was not an establishment candidate with a long record and any kind of support because he was unknown outside of Vermont before he began his incredible march to front-runner status.
So now that a lot of voters besides the core few are paying attention, and he's been making some mistakes, uttering some gaffs he's had to take back, the race is becoming unsettled and very mixed. It is the Democratic party after all, Anderson, and this is not a party that anoints front-runners quickly or easily or willingly.
COOPER: Jenny, Howard Dean is calling himself a pin cushion. There've been a lot of attacks against him. Have the negative ads worked?
JENNY BACKUS, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: I think what you're also seeing is actually some backbone on the part of the other candidates. They've sat here and let Howard Dean sort of drive into first place and sort of struggle to see what their strategy was.
COOPER: Jay, let me try to ask you that question. Have the negative attacks worked?
CARNEY: Oh, sure. As more people pay attention, they've definitely had an effect. What you're seeing is that a lot of sort of new people to the process who don't pay attention until the very end, who aren't very political or beginning to pay attention, and their first glance at the candidates, they see somebody like John Kerry or Dick Gephardt who are establishment and seem confident on the stump, not too hot or too cool, seem appealing. The shift begins to go in that direction. Same with John Edwards.
BACKUS: I was going to say, just to jump on that. To go back to your point, I mean, John Edwards is taking huge advantage right now of the fact that there's the negative fight seems to be isolated between Gephardt, Kerry, and Dean. And he has really emerged and I think he's taken advantage of some of the women that have been with Dean but sort of insecure, this positive optimistic almost Reagan-like vision is serving John Edwards well.
COOPER: He also got a big endorsement from a newspaper there. But you're saying he sort of seems above the fray?
BACKUS: Exactly. And I also think that he seems a little bit different. And he's really hit his stride. I'm getting anecdotal reports from people up in New Hampshire, Iowa, he's sort of the guy with the mo right now. He's what a lot of people call the ultimate second-look candidate. It's like Jay said, they've been watching the game, they've been watching each other take pieces off each other. And then they look over there and there's this smiling nice guy from the South who's saying some pretty interesting things.
COOPER: Well, Jay, Jenny says that Edwards has the mo now. But expectations were that Howard Dean would have the mo. And expectations have been so high, are running so high for him, if he does not finish first in Iowa, how big a blow is that to him?
CARNEY: I think it's a huge blow. I think he needs to finish first by at least a couple points. If he loses, the vultures will come out. We, at least in the media, are some of the vultures. We helped create the phenomenon of Howard Dean. Certainly reported on it. Anointed him the front-runner. If he proves us wrong by losing in Iowa, obviously, the press will be very negative for him and I think that then creates a very open field in New Hampshire.
COOPER: All right, Jenny, final thought.
BACKUS: In some ways, this contest is going to give us a stronger nominee who is going to be more battle tested and, you know, we're hoping to benefit from the vultures like Jay.
COOPER: All right. We'll call you Jenny "Optimistic" Backus. Jenny, thanks very much for joining us and Jay Carney, always good to talk to you. Thanks.
Have we told you that the Iowa caucuses are Monday? Oh, we mentioned it? Because, you know, if we happen to overstate the importance of what a small percentage of Iowa Democrats think, that might just meet the criteria for this particular segment we do every Thursday called "Overkill."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How much do you really know about...
COOPER (voice-over): More than one-third of the Democratic candidates' money for TV ads has been spent in Iowa. A state with a whopping 3 million people. Only about 100,000 of whom are expected to vote on Monday. It works out to about $87 spent per vote.
Let's remember, Iowa, 94 percent white, doesn't mirror the nation's makeup. Nevertheless, candidates are front-loading their resources there more than ever. And along with the media, give Iowans, even nonvoters, lots of individual attention, the kind you'll never get and maybe too much clout.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maybe my one little vote or anything I can do for John Kerry can get him going.
HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: On Monday night, you have a chance to choose the next commander-in-chief of the United States military.
COOPER: Hey, what about the rest of us?
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Iowa has an opportunity next Monday to guarantee that we put a veteran's veteran in the White House.
COOPER: Why do Iowans have this opportunity? It is not like they have such a great track record. Iowans, more often, blow their chance to pick a winner, unless there's a president Dole, Harkin or Gephardt we haven't heard of. So why then do the media pay so much attention? Maybe because the candidates do, knowing that the media will because the candidates do. Welcome to the quadrennial catch-22, that inevitably spirals into overkill.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: All right. There's a controversy surrounding a legend. Did Billy the Kid truly die in 1881 and did he die the way you learned about in fourth grade? That story coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: All right. Welcome back.
Time to check on pop news in tonight's "Current."
Malaysian Muslims are urging a ban on Mariah Carey who is supposed to give a concert there. The Muslim Opposition Party say she's not a good role model for Asians. It's nice to know someone saw "Glitter."
MTV is creating a reality show for Cameron Diaz. Diaz and a group of friends will travel the world on environmental missions. Just like in reality.
Steven Brill had a dinner on Tuesday night to discuss future terrorism (UNINTELLIGIBLE) with Tom Ridge and CNN's Aaron Brown and top news executives and anchors. For the record, I was free Tuesday night. I spent the night at home watching "Judging Amy," eating Hot Pockets by myself. Sad. That's a look at "The Current" tonight.
COOPER: A tale from the old west may have to be rewritten. Legend has it that Billy "The Kid," the famed outlaw, was gunned down by a Sheriff Pat Garrett in 1881. Now someone has come along to shoot holes in that story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): It is a wild west "whodunit," that's the talk of Fort Sumner, New Mexico. It the man the buried here the original outlaw Billy "The Kid"?
SANDY PAUL, EXEC. DIRECTOR, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Billy is buried there, was killed over yonder. And we have Billy "The Kid."
COOPER: That's been the belief since 1881, that "The Kid," also know as William H. Bonny was killed in a shootout with the Sheriff Pat Garrett. But know, a man has come forward that saying that Garrett's widow told him that her husband did not shot the famous wild west gun slinger, but killed a drunk man and dressed him up in "The Kid's" clothes. While some have dismissed it, the new sheriff in town says it's time for an investigation.
SHERIFF TOM SULLIVAN, LINCOLN COUNTY, N.M.: Why wouldn't anybody want to know the truth?
It's that simple, as far as I'm concerned.
COOPER: There have been questions about "The Kid's" storied demise for years. A bunch of want to be Billy's claiming they're the real "Kid," including a man who called himself brushy Bill.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is no question about the fact that Billy "The Kid" was actually killed and Brushy Bill, even though he might of thought he was Billy "The Kid," was not Billy "The Kid."
COOPER: But not everyone is convinced.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's 23 of them exactly that said they were Billy "The Kid." If one of them is Billy "The Kid," that mean that is Pat Garrett let him go.
COOPER: Now, a court will decide if authorities can exhume Billy "The Kid's" mother to see if DNA can solve the mystery, more than 100 years after his alleged demise, the law is once again out to get Billy "The Kid."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, let's hear more from the man leading the investigation, Sheriff Tom Sullivan. He joins tonight from Alamogordo, New Mexico.
Sheriff appreciate you being with us. What makes you think your predecessor, Sheriff Garrett, might not have killed Billy "The kid"?
SULLIVAN: Well, there is physical evidence out there, Anderson, that might lead us to believe that that may not have happened. I'm not trying to defame Pat Garrett. In fact, he's kind of the theme of our office. I don't know whether you can see this patch or not, but I designed this patch with his image on it and the original Lincoln County Courthouse in the background. And we have his image on our patrol car. But there's a lot of things in this investigation that don't add up. There's a lot of facts that just don't add up.
COOPER: So what do you want to do now?
What do you want to do now?
You want exhume the mother of Billy "The Kid" to test DNA?
SULLIVAN: Right. We have filed a petition for exhumation of Billy "The Kid's" mother Catherine Antrim who's buried in Silver City, New Mexico. But we have to go through the courts. And we have a hearing set I believe January 27 to determine whether or not that exhumation is going to be granted. But we're getting opposition from people in Silver City and of course Fort Sumner.
COOPER: Well, it is a fascinating story. And it's history being rewritten if does in fact turn out. I would love to follow it with you. Sheriff, I'm sorry we're short on time, but we appreciate you joining us tonight.
Sheriff Tom Sullivan, Lincoln County sheriff. Tom, good to meet.
SULLIVAN: Thank you.
COOPER: All right.
Still ahead tonight the debate over Mars. We are going to take the pros and cons of a new space mission to the "Nth Degree."
Tomorrow, our series on depression concludes. Michael Wallace from "60 Minutes" is going to join us -- as well as Tom Johnson of CNN. More ahead. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Time now for "The Buzz." We asked you, does Iowa have too much influence over the nominating process?
A lot of votes. Here what's you said, 58 percent of you said, yes, 42 said, no. Almost an even split. Not a scientific poll, just your "Buzz." We appreciate you voting.
Tonight, taking pace to the "Nth Degree."
There's a lot of controversy about President Bush's ambitions for America to go back to the moon and then go to Mars. And frankly, there are any number of valid arguments, pro and con. True, if history is any guide, the cost for such missions will dwarf the initial estimates. And you can certainly argue that this is not the time, that the resources are needed elsewhere. Some are asking what will human exploration yield for mankind that robotic exploration won't?
Mars is about 35 to 40 million miles away which leads us to the staggering, mind boggling, towering scale of the impossibility of it all. But the challenge of achieving something so wondrous is also point in the pro side of the debate. This is certainly not the first time a daring expedition has sparked heated controversy. Columbus had to spend years pleading for support from European courts. And before Lewis and Clark could set out some members of congress disagreed over whether to fund them at all. Debate about a mission's worth and risk and benefits has always been part of the prelude of exploration. Like it or not, it is a necessary part of the process of turning todays science fiction into tomorrows human history.
That wraps up the program tonight. Thanks for watching.
Coming up next "PAULA ZAHN NOW."
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Kid" Die?>
Aired January 15, 2004 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON COOPER, HOST (voice-over): Is Kerry coming back? New polls put Dean, Gephardt, and Kerry toe-to-toe in the Iowa hustle.
Startling new pictures of Saddam Hussein's capture.
A bone-chilling cold snap grips the Northeast. Is the worst yet to come?
Teens and depression: how rockers Good Charlotte tell depressed kids to hold on.
Wild West outlaw Billy the Kid: was his 1881 death a hoax? New DNA evidence could change a legend.
And, on the eve of Michael Jackson's arraignment, is the Nation of Islam pulling his strings?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: Live from the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is ANDERSON COOPER 360.
COOPER: Good evening. Thanks for joining us on 360.
This just in to CNN, a major development in the Michael Jackson case. The beleaguered pop star has chosen a co-counsel to help in his legal fight. We're going to have details ahead in a live report. This is just in to CNN. We'll have all the details in just a few moments.
First, our top story tonight, the tight race that is even tighter tonight, the Iowa caucuses. The latest poll released just one hour ago suggests it is a dead heat between Congressman Richard Gephardt, Senator John Kerry, and former Vermont governor, Howard Dean. All this just hours ago. Former Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun quit the race.
Our reporters are following the latest developments throughout Iowa. Kelly Wallace is with the Kerry campaign. Dan Lothian is with Gephardt's campaign. And CNN senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley, is with the Dean camp.
Kelly, let's begin with you. What's the latest?
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Anderson, those two recent polls, one showing Senator Kerry one point behind, the other showing him one point ahead. But the Kerry team is not celebrating. Aides are very cautious. All they will say is this race is very, very close.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE (voice-over): It's 7:30 a.m. in Council Bluffs, and John Kerry appears to be more focused on making the perfect pancake than on his surprise showing in recent polls.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm always wary of polls, whether I'm up, whether I'm down. You just keep working hard.
WALLACE: So it is mad dash time, trying to win over undecided voters, with the senator crossing the state on the ground and in the air, taking the controls of his chopper along the way. Aides say they have the big mo, momentum. But no one is getting cocky here.
KERRY: I've always said there are three tickets out of Iowa, and I'm looking for one of them. And we're going to try to do the best we can.
WALLACE: That said, Kerry seems to have more spring in his step, a bit more fire in his standard stump speech.
KERRY: So when you go to the caucuses, don't go there to send a message. Go there and send America a president of the United States, because that's what we need to do. Thank you very, very much. God speed.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, Kelly, you said the Kerry camp is being cautious about these new poll numbers just released in the last hour, but they have been sharpening their attacks against Howard Dean. Do they think those attacks, those sharper attacks, have been successful?
WALLACE: Well, they certainly think that undecided voters are taking sort of a second look at Howard Dean. You won't hear John Kerry on the stump really mention Howard Dean by name. But what he does, he talks about experience.
He is trying to make the case that he is more electable than anyone else, including Howard Dean. And again, Anderson, they are being cautious, but they like what they see. They think Senator Kerry is going up, and they think Howard Dean is coming down.
COOPER: All right. We'll see on Monday. Kelly Wallace, thanks very much.
In northern Iowa today, Richard Gephardt is playing it cool, saying he always knew Iowa would be too close to call and he's not concerned.
CNN's Dan Lothian is on the campaign trail with him.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the northern Iowa community of Brit (ph), population 2,250...
REP. RICHARD GEPHARDT (D-MO), DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Thanks so much.
LOTHIAN: ... Dick Gephardt continued his attack on President Bush, as he laid out his case for the economy and health care.
GEPHARDT: My plan is the only one that helps everybody.
LOTHIAN: Gephardt, now caught in a tight race in what some are calling must-win Iowa, says he's not worried about the latest polls.
GEPHARDT: The polls, I feel for a long time, have simply been indicating that this is a tight race. I have felt it was going to be a tight race as long as six months ago. But I feel in the end I'm going to win this race in Iowa.
LOTHIAN: Gephardt is also turning up the heat on Howard Dean. In response to a Dean ad criticizing his positions on Iraq, Gephardt is now running a new 30-second TV ad statewide, attacking Dean on Medicare and Social Security. He says this is not an act of desperation.
GEPHARDT: He started with this. And we're going to answer. And we're going to talk about other difference that is exist between us that we think voters need to hear about as well.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Dan Lothian joins us now.
Dan, Gephardt, as you said, has spent a lot of time, a lot of money in Iowa. A lot of pundits are saying, if he doesn't come in first there, he is out. His career, politically, is over.
Has he acknowledged any of this? Does he say if he doesn't win there it's over?
LOTHIAN: No, he has not. In fact, today someone said to him that, you know, is this really -- by you responding to Dean, is this really an act of desperation? Because many are saying if you don't win here, this is sort of the last hurrah, the end of your career. And he says, "I'm not really focused on that right now. I think that when it is all said and done, I will win here in Iowa."
And that's why he is crisscrossing the state, specifically going into some of those smaller communities where they hope to reach out to some of the undecided voters -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. Dan Lothian, thanks very much.
On to the Dean campaign now. Fresh support today from Carol Moseley Braun, who dropped out of the race.
With that and more, here is CNN's senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): And now, there are eight.
CAROL MOSELEY BRAUN (D), FMR. DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I am here today to thank those Iowans who were prepared to stand for me in Monday's caucuses and ask that you stand, instead, for Howard Dean.
CROWLEY: She was broken, nowhere in the polls. But Carol Moseley Braun bowed out, consoling herself with having gone further than any female presidential candidate.
BRAUN: We will get there one day.
CROWLEY: Braun's endorsement brought out the warm and fuzzy Howard Dean. But as he stood with the support of former Senator Braun and Iowa's veteran Senator Tom Harkin, it begged the question: what's a beltway basher doing with all these insiders?
HOWARD DEAN (D), DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I believe I can bring in the people who have been inside the beltway. They just simply -- they're all good Democrats, they're going to want to wen. They just need to be retrained.
CROWLEY: The truth is, Braun probably didn't have enough voters to make a difference. But the picture was worth the plane flight for the Dean campaign as it fights the perception that the front-runner has stalled.
DEAN: First of all, not much is happening in the polls. And second of all, the polls really don't matter in the last few days. It is all organization.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: And Candy Crowley joins us now. You just heard Howard Dean saying polls don't matter. We've heard a lot about Howard Dean's anger in the past. Are you hearing any whisperings or fear in the Dean camp right now?
CROWLEY: You know, I don't hear fear. But look, this is the time to say you were really worried about the polls, gosh I think we're crashing. You're not going to hear that.
Do I think that they are tense? Yes. They have said all along, this is going to be close, it's going to be a really tough race. And it was spin, and I think now they believe that spin. It is going to be a close race. And they also have sort of a worried eye cast on New Hampshire, where Clark is making a major play. So he's battling on these two fronts. And I think there is some concern, but I don't hear anger or desperation. Just, wow, it's crunch time and things are getting close.
COOPER: It certainly is on Monday. All right. Candy Crowley, thanks very much.
On now to the Michael Jackson case. CNN has learned just moments ago that the beleaguered pop star has chosen a co-counsel to help in his legal fight. The move comes just one day before Jackson will be arraigned on seven felony counts of child molestation.
With all the details, let's go live to Frank Buckley -- Frank.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, the new lead co-counsel with Mark Garagos in the Michael Jackson case is Ben Brathman (ph). He is a former Manhattan assistant district attorney, perhaps best known for his successful defense of Sean P. Diddy Combs on bribery and weapons charges. Mark Geragos calls him a friend.
He says he will be here in Santa Maria tomorrow. And we also learned in this statement from Mark Geragos that, in fact, Michael Jackson does intend to enter a not guilty plea tomorrow. He could have continued the case further on and entered a plea at a later date. Apparently, he intends to enter this not guilty plea tomorrow.
Meanwhile, here at the courthouse in Santa Maria, some 100 or so news organizations preparing to cover the arrival of Michael Jackson. One hundred news organizations, hundreds of Jackson supporters also expected here outside the courthouse.
It will all be covered by a multi-camera feed outside, but inside the courtroom of Rodney Melville (ph) right now, no cameras present. That will be one of the first motions expected to be heard tomorrow when court gets under way.
A couple of other motions also expected on unsealing documents related to the arrest and search warrants. And also on a proposed gag order, proposed by District Attorney Tom Sneddon and opposed by the Jackson defense team.
Today, we also got a taste of the spectacle to come tomorrow when there was a protest just to the south of our location in Santa Barbara outside the district attorney's office. Some 35 to 45 protesters at that location today, protesting the charges against Michael Jackson. Many of them fans of Michael Jackson.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I mean, essentially, I've been a fan since I was -- a long time ago, for 20 years. And I've always -- I've loved the music and the video, and then I discovered the man. And I fell in love with the man with his heart. So that's why I'm here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BUCKLEY: And again, the news, however, Anderson, coming out of this today. There is a new lead co-counsel with Mark Geragos, Ben Brathman (ph), who, again, successfully represented Sean P. Diddy Combs on bribery and weapons charges -- Anderson.
COOPER: Frank, you've been covering this story for a while. Have you heard any rumblings of the possibility that there might be a shake-up or an addition -- I'm not sure exactly how to quantify it -- in addition, at least, to Michael Jackson's legal team?
BUCKLEY: Well, Geragos has a legal team in place. And no -- the short answer is no. We didn't expect this at all. It came out of left field and really caught us off guard just a few moments ago.
COOPER: All right. Frank Buckley, thanks very much. We'll be following this story throughout the hour. In fact, we're going to talk more about this a little later on.
Coming up, we're going to talk to a key financial advisor to Michael Jackson and try to figure out what role, if any, the Nation of Islam is playing in the pop star's affairs. All that is coming up. We'll also talk to Lisa Bloom about any implications about this new addition to the Jackson legal team.
Right now, we're following a number of developing stories for you "Cross Country." Let's take a look.
Atlanta, Georgia: southern unhospitality. Hundreds of protesters loudly booed President Bush as he laid a wreath at the grave of Martin Luther King. Today would have been the 75th birthday of the slain civil rights leader. Earlier, President Bush was in New Orleans touting his faith-based initiatives, which includes federal funding for church-affiliated social programs.
New York: grim outlook. The family of actor and writer, Spalding Gray, now say they fear the worst. Five days after he was last seen and heard from, Gray's wife and brother believe he may have jumped off the Staten Island Ferry. Gray has had a history of serious depression.
Cleveland, Ohio: lottery liar. A lottery saga ends poorly for this woman, Elecia Battle. She pleads no contest to filing a false police report. She admits she lied about buying then losing the winning ticket worth $162 million. She will be sentenced next month and could get jail time. We'll see.
And Hawaii: thousands of homes remain without power because of the weather. Winds has high as 85 miles an hour knocked down power lines, closed roads and schools. So far, no reports of injuries.
And that is a look at stories right now "Cross Country."
A lot ahead. Startling new pictures of Saddam Hussein the day he was captured. You thought he looked bad in these pictures? Wait until you see the new ones. U.S. troops pose to the very beleaguered look of Saddam Hussein.
Plus, arctic blast. The Northeast gets smacked with record cold.
We're also going to have more on Michael Jackson and the shakeup in his legal team or an addition to his legal team. Which is it? We'll try to find out for you.
Also tonight, in our continuing series on conquering depression, we're going to talk about teens struggling with depression and teenage suicide. Getting a little help from a rock band, Good Charlotte. They will join us live from Tokyo in part of our week-long series, "Conquering Depression."
First tonight, let's take a look "Inside the Box" at the top stories on tonight's network newscasts.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Well, those new pictures of Saddam Hussein we told you about taken immediately after his capture have been appearing on the Internet. According to Pentagon insiders, they seem to be the real thing. That doesn't mean the Pentagon is happy about seeing them out there.
CNN's Jamie McIntyre has the story and the pictures.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Here is Saddam Hussein right after he was pulled from the infamous spider hole, held down by a U.S. soldier, or perhaps a translator or other civilian working with the U.S. military. While some people have suggested this image may show Saddam bleeding from the mouth, the picture is inconclusive.
The unofficial photographs were not released by the Pentagon, which is not commenting on them. They appear to have been taken by someone in or working closely with the U.S. military. And seem to show Saddam Hussein as he's brought into one of his former palaces in Baghdad, now serving as a military headquarters, as dozens of U.S. troops look on.
While CNN has not independently verified the authenticity or source of the photos, they do appear genuine, according to a senior U.S. government official. And key details match.
For instance, Saddam appears to be wearing the same clothes and sports the same beard as seen in pictures released by the U.S. government. Another photograph of the box of U.S. currency found with Saddam matches the green case of $750,000 displayed by the U.S. military after his capture. And the picture of the commander of the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade, Colonel James Hickey (ph), who commanded 600 troop who took part in the capture, matches other known images of Hickey (ph).
The photos don't reveal much more about Operation Red Dawn, but they do give a little more of a look at how Saddam Hussein was handled in the hours after his capture.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MCINTYRE: While the photos were not authorized, and the Pentagon is not commenting on them, they are clearly not happy that they were released. It is also unclear if anyone will be reprimanded for taking them with every soldier, practically, in Iraq having a camera in his pocket. It's unlikely whoever took the picture will ever be identified -- Anderson.
COOPER: That's a fascinating story. Thanks very much, Jamie McIntyre.
We're tracking a number of developing stories around the globe right now for you. Let's check the "UpLink."
Basra, Iraq: no to America. Thousands of Shiite Muslims protest the U.S. plan for self-government in Iraq. Now, Iraq's top Shiite cleric is demanding an interim legislature be elected rather than picked by regional caucuses, the way the U.S. wants it. A similar demonstration took place in Baghdad. Chief U.S. Administrator Paul Bremer, he is flying to Washington for talks on the issue.
Across Iraq: losing face. In a symbolic nation-building development, Iraqis exchanged their old money which bore Saddam's face for new currency. They're burning the old stuff. The new dinar has scenes from Iraqi life and history.
Western Japan: huge slaughter to try and control a deadly bird flu outbreak. Officials are preparing to bury over 35,000 dead chickens confirmed to have the virus. They are also killing other chickens at the same poultry farm. Elsewhere in Asia, Vietnam reports four more suspected human cases of the bird flu.
San Paolo, Brazil: digital discipline. An American Airlines pilot has been fined nearly $13,000 fine to avoid a two-year jail sentence. At part of tightened security measures, he was required to be photographed.
The pilot didn't like the rule. So the Brazilian authorities say he showed his contempt by showing them one of his fingers. I think you can guess which finger he showed them.
And that is a look at the "UpLink" tonight.
Conquering depression. A rock band reaches out to teens in trouble. Good Charlotte, they're going to join us live in just a moment from Tokyo.
Also tonight, Michael Jackson and his controversial confidante. We'll talk to one of his key advisers about what's going on inside the Jackson camp.
And a little bit later, a new poll out. It is down to the wire in Iowa. Four candidates running neck and neck. Find out who really has the big mo right now. And first, today's "Buzz." Does Iowa have too much influence over the presidential nominating process? We're going to talk about this later on. But we want to hear your opinion.
Vote now, cnn.com/360. Yes or no? Results at the end of the show.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Well, tonight, we continue our series, "Conquering Depression." According to the National Institute of Mental Health, three to five percent of teens experience clinical depression. For some, the pain will seem overwhelming. Suicide is now the third leading cause of death for young people.
Alarmed by the numbers, and concerned about teen depression, a popular rock band, Good Charlotte, has a new song and a new video out that tries to take on the issue.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He shot himself in the head.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I lost my boyfriend to suicide.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think I know that he's listening. And if he is, I just want him to know I love him.
COOPER (voice-over): In a popular new music video, the voices of those who've lost loved ones to suicide mix with the voices of Good Charlotte, a young band imploring their young listeners dealing with depression to hold on.
(MUSIC)
COOPER: Right now, roughly three million young people are considered for a variety of reasons at risk for suicide. But often, it is not their parents or teachers or doctors kids turn to for help. It's music. And Good Charlotte hopes this song, this video, will reach kids in time.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hang on, because everybody goes through it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've tried to hurt myself. But I'm glad I'm still here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's always a way out, always. I can't imagine not being here now.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's OK to get help. You're going to miss out on so much.
COOPER: Response to the video has been overwhelming. It's playing in heavy rotation on MTV, and suicide prevention hotline numbers featured in the video report a significant rise in calls. The power of the song, the power of the video, the message of hope seems to be getting through.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not the right order of things. You're not supposed to bury your children. They're supposed to bury you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The last thing he said to me was, "Have a fun time with grandma, mom. And I'll see you on Monday." And I'll be waiting for Monday the rest of my life.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: It is a very powerful video. Some fans have written Good Charlotte, saying "Hold On" has literally saved their lives.
Joining us now from Tokyo, two brothers of the band who wrote the song, brothers Joel and Benji Madden.
Thanks very much for being with us, Joel and Benji. What inspired you guys to write the song?
BENJI MADDEN, GOOD CHARLOTTE: Well, we get a lot of letters from fans talking about -- on tour, and, you know, kids coming up to us after shows talking to us about their problems and suicide, sometimes. So we thought there's no way we can write every person back. So we thought the best thing we could do was kind of write a response to those letters on a record for the kids that buy the record and, hopefully, you know, they can get something from that.
COOPER: You mentioned some of the letters and e-mails that you get. We got a couple of them, the fan e-mails. I'm just going to put some of them on the screen.
"Good Charlotte saved my life, too. I was depressed, and all I thought about was death." That's from Rainy.
Ricky wrote, "I know this song is very close to a lot of people's hearts because they have been effected by depression, suicide, including myself."
Becky wrote, "If it wasn't for "Hold On," and the GC guys, I wouldn't be here."
Now, why do you think there is such a problem of young people and depression and suicide?
JOEL MADDEN, GOOD CHARLOTTE: I think it's just hard to be young, you know? You've got a lot of pressure. Kids going to school, they're expecting certain things. And I think a lot of times parents aren't connected with their kids in the way they need to be. So they listen to music and they find a lot of the answers they get are from musicians.
And they watch TV, the watch MTV, and so it's just they feel alone. You know what I'm saying? So...
B. MADDEN: It's a real insecure time of your life, you know? So when you're going to a school of, you know, 2,000 insecure kids, they can be pretty cruel to each other. And, you know, I think every kid feels like they're going through it alone, when really everybody goes through it. It's just part of growing up, it's part of life.
COOPER: And I know that's part of the message...
B. MADDEN: I think everybody has been depressed at some time.
COOPER: Yes. I know that is part of the message of the song you're trying to get across. I mean, I guess a lot of parents might be scared that the kids are not coming to them, the kids are not coming to teachers or to doctors. That they are turning to music.
What do you want parents to know about what's going on with their kids?
B. MADDEN: I mean, I think parents just need -- I think sometimes parents need to go to kids. You know what I mean? They need to like be involved in some of the stuff that they're doing.
Like listen to the music they're doing without -- in a way of like -- I mean, if your kid listens to punk rock or something like that, don't -- a lot of parents just -- they're only looking to screen music. They're not looking to get involved in like -- I mean, I'm not saying be a dad and go get in the mosh pit at a show, but, you know, like know what kind of music your kids are listening to and take interest in it like -- and not in the way of like, oh, you can't listen to that, but like the way of like -- I don't know.
I've never heard anything like that. You know, what's it all about? Like, why do you like these guys' lyrics or stuff like that.
COOPER: Well, you guys, you're doing a lot of good work with your songs. And I appreciate you joining us. You're in tour right now in Japan, Benji and Joel Madden. I appreciate you joining us to talk on this subject.
Thanks a lot, guys.
J. MADDEN: Thanks a lot.
B. MADDEN: Thank you.
COOPER: While there is no single predictor of suicide in teens, there are some common warning signs: suicide threats, direct and indirect, obsession with death, poems, essays and drawings referring to death, dramatic change in personality or appearance, irrational/bizarre behavior, overwhelming sense of guilt, shame or reelection, change eating or sleeping patterns, severe drop in school performance and giving away belongings. And there is a lot of help out there
Our series "Conquering Depression," wraps up tomorrow night. We're going to take a special look at men and depression. The so- called silent sufferers. We're going to talk live with Mike Wallace with CBS's "60 Minutes" and former CNN president Tom Johnson, a frank look at how they have battled depression. Is Kerry coming back? New polls put Dean, Gephardt and Kerry toe to toe in the Iowa hustle.
And on the eve of Michael Jackson's arraignment, is the Nation of Islam pulling his strings?
And who is buried in Billy the Kidd's grave? An age old mystery gets a DNA twist. 360 continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: In the next half hour on 360, Michael Jackson's legal maneuver the day before his big arraignment. Why has he named a new co-counsel? It happened moments ago. That ahead in "Justice Served".
Plus, what's happened to Howard Dean? New polls say the battle for Iowa is tight and four candidates are now neck in neck.
And a real life Western mystery. Who is buried in Billy the Kidd's grave? You might be surprised what some people think.
First, let's check our top stories right now in "The Reset."
Mother nature is tightening her wintry grip on the Northeastern U.S.. It is cold. New York ferry boats were iced in today. Ski resorts in Maine closed. Hundreds of drivers throughout the region were stranded because of dead car batteries. La Guardia and Newark Liberty Airports reported more than 200 flight cancellations.
Up in space: the Mars rover Spirit is now officially on a roll. Mission controllers at NASA held their collective breath as the vehicle put its wheels in motion and descended down its platform today. Tomorrow, controllers want Spirit to deploy its robotic arm and take its first photos with its microscopic imaging.
A defense official said the U.S. military won't release two children being held at U.S. military's base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. They are believed to be between 13 and 15. Both boys have been labeled enemy combatants and have been there more than a year.
An American soldier who died in the Vietnam War is finally coming home. The remains of Army Captain, Clinton Mussel (ph) are being flown back to the U.S. from Laos, 33 years after his death. His body was found in some helicopter wreckage. The Pentagon says it learned about this only in recent years. Captain's Mussel's (ph) remains were positively identified last year. The hero is coming home. And that is a look at "The Reset" tonight.
New developments in the Michael Jackson case. CNN has learned, just moments ago, that the pop star has chosen a co-counsel to help in his legal fight. Jackson has chosen Ben Brafman to join his team. Brafman is a former Manhattan assistant district attorney. The move comes just one day before Jackson arraignment on felony child molestation charges.
With me here now to discuss it all is Lisa Bloom of Court TV. Were you surprised by this?
LISA BLOOM, COURT TV: I was surprised. I haven't seen Mark Geragos in any of the other high profile cases that he's had recently have co-counsel. On the other hand, there is no case like the Michael Jackson case.
COOPER: Why bring in a co-counsel?
BLOOM: Well, 2 reasons come to mind. One, because it is an enormous case. And secondly, because Mark Geragos is also busy with the Scott Peterson case, which is probably going to trial soon, probably needs a little extra help, so he pulls in one of his a friends, someone he knows and someone he trusts.
COOPER: Ben Brafman is a New York lawyer, as I understand.
BLOOM: He is a New York Lawyer. He can be admitted with, what's called "pro hac vice," meaning for the purposes of the single case in California.
COOPER: Don't get technical with me, Lisa Bloom.
BLOOM: I know you love when I speak Latin to you, Anderson. Which means the judge can say, for the purpose of this case, you can practice law in California. That's just a simple formality.
Then, Ben Brafman, I know him. He's a diminutive bulldog of a man, very aggressive, very smart guy, very well respected.
COOPER: And in the legal world, those are all compliments?
BLOOM: Those are good words coming from me about a lawyer.
COOPER: You say bulldog with great admiration.
BLOOM: Well, I do. And for a lawyer, that's what you want, somebody in court that's going to really fight for you, but someone who is also very smart, very ethical. I have nothing bad to say about the man. He certainly knows what he's doing.
COOPER: He represented Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.
BLOOM: And, more importantly than that, he's been on Court TV many times talking about the cases. He really knows his stuff about New York law.
COOPER: Tomorrow what should people look for?
BLOOM: Well, tomorrow is the arraignment, of course, where Michael Jackson will certainly plead not guilty. That's not going to be a surprise. But also what's interesting is, the real headline today should be prosecution to Geragos shut up. The prosecution wants Geragos to be gagged. And of course, the new member of his legal team...
COOPER: The judge will rule on the gag order tomorrow? BLOOM: The judge will rule on that. They attach a copy of the Scott Peterson gag going order, essentially saying, look, what's good in Modesto is good in Santa Barbara. Tell the guy to stop talking to the press.
COOPER: All right. We'll have to see what happens. Lisa Bloom, thanks very much.
Well, over the years, Michael Jackson has a always relied on a changing cast of advisers and employees. Now facing the legal battle of his life, Mr. Jackson seems to have added new member of his entourage. We're not talking about his new co-counsel, we're talking about a man by the name of Leonard Mohammed. He is chief of staff to controversial nation of Islam leader, Louis Farakan. Details of what Mr. Mohammed actually does for Michael Jackson are hard to come by. CNN's, Gary Tuchman reports on what we know.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's a frenzied scene. Michael Jackson's advisers gather in a Beverly Hills hotel. One of those advisers quietly watching the scene is this man, Leonard Mohammed, of the Nation of Islam.
He is the chief of staff to the group's leader, Louis Farrakan, whose daughter is married to Mohammed. At the 1995 Million Man March, organized by the group, some say is a black separatist organization, Mohammed had this to say about his father in law.
LEONARD MOHAMMED, NATION OF ISLAM: The honorable Louis Farrakan is our man, our leader, and he's the architect of this day. He deserves all our support.
TUCHMAN: Now he's offering his support to the so-called King of Pop.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Could you tell us what your role is today and what you've done, sir?
MOHAMMED: Make sure everybody knows that Michael Jackson is innocent and his career is going to continue as usual.
TUCHMAN: Mohammad is 58 years old. He helps the Nation of Islam with economic development programs. But in articles and newspapers from the "Los Angeles Times: to the "Chicago Tribune," to the "New York Times," he's been portrayed as a business man, who has allegedly been in involved in business and tax improprieties in the '80s and '90s.
Mohammed has not returned calls to CNN about the allegations and is saying little about the allegations against Jackson. Sources say he is playing a significant role in the Jackson camp. Gary Tuchman, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE) COOPER: One man who is definitely playing a significant role in the Jackson camp, Charles Koppelman, one of Michael Jackson's financial advisers. He joins us now. Thanks so much for being with us.
CHARLES KOPPELMAN, FINANCIAL ADVISER TO MICHAEL JACKSON: Thank you for inviting me.
COOPER: Let's talk about Leonard Mohammad. What's his role in the inner circle?
KOPPELMAN: He's been a long-time friend of Michael's. With the recent legal troubles that Michael has had, Michael has asked Leonard to spend more time with him in helping him sort out all the different issue as it pertains to his case.
COOPER: There's lots of talk about this, but the "New York Times" reports, citing unnamed sources allegedly within the Jackson camp, whatever exactly that means, said that Leonard Mohammad is involved in legal issues, involved in financial issues, involved in media related issues. True?
KOPPELMAN: I think that you have to understand that when you're Michael Jackson and you run an enterprise as vast and as wide as his, you make the decisions. If he's decided that he wants some help from Leonard Mohammed, he's going to get the help from Leonard Mohammed, no different than he gets the help from myself and the others that have around him advising him.
COOPER: As an adviser does it -- I'm going to put you on the spot, maybe a little bit. As an adviser, does it concern you that someone with the background of Mr. Mohammed, affiliated with the Nation of Islam, a controversial group, and according to the "New York Times," "Washington Post," he has had some questionable business dealings in the past year?
KOPPELMAN: I can't speak the things that I don't really know. I know that he's an individual. That he has a contribution. He's a friend of Michael's. And Michael's asked him to help and he's been kind enough to say he's going to help.
COOPER: You keep hearing of advisers. How does it work? You guys sit around a table and have a weekly meeting? I can't imagine the intricacy of Michael Jackson's life. How does it work?
KOPPELMAN: It is no different than anyone who has a billion dollar enterprise. You have people that you rely on. We speak on a regular basis, five, six, ten times a day.
COOPER: This isn't like a full-time job for you. I mean, you've got a lot of interests, a lot of things going on in your life.
KOPPELMAN: Chairman of Steve Madden Shoes, great shoe company. And by the way, I spent a lot of time talking to the people of Steve Madden Shoes as I do with regard to Michael. The meeting that everybody has been blowing out of proportion is a meeting that we have on a regular base when we can all be together at the same time.
One of the reasons I accepted your invitation is because the press account of all of this stuff, including about Leonard and about these meetings and all the advisers scurrying around is really a lot of nonsense.
COOPER: So the Nation of Islam is not in control of Michael Jackson right now?
KOPPELMAN: Absolutely not.
COOPER: All right. I appreciate you joining us. Thanks very much. Nice to meet you.
KOPPELMAN: Nice to see you.
COOPER: The race is too close to call. Talking about the Iowa caucuses. The intense battle among the Democrats. Some surprising poll numbers just out in the last couple hours.
Plus the story of Billy the Kid. Legend has it the outlaw was killed in 1881. Some saying it was all a hoax. We'll talk about that when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Well, in the last hour, a new poll was released with some pretty dramatic numbers. We're four days until the Iowa caucuses. Four Democratic candidates now seem to be running might close to each other. And for Howard Dean, who was thought to be out in front, it is troubling news. I spoke earlier with Democratic strategist Jenny Backus and "TIME" magazine's Jay Carney. Jay, what happened to Howard Dean?
JAY CARNEY, "TIME" MAGAZINE: He encountered the laws of electoral physics. Howard Dean, remember, was not an establishment candidate with a long record and any kind of support because he was unknown outside of Vermont before he began his incredible march to front-runner status.
So now that a lot of voters besides the core few are paying attention, and he's been making some mistakes, uttering some gaffs he's had to take back, the race is becoming unsettled and very mixed. It is the Democratic party after all, Anderson, and this is not a party that anoints front-runners quickly or easily or willingly.
COOPER: Jenny, Howard Dean is calling himself a pin cushion. There've been a lot of attacks against him. Have the negative ads worked?
JENNY BACKUS, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: I think what you're also seeing is actually some backbone on the part of the other candidates. They've sat here and let Howard Dean sort of drive into first place and sort of struggle to see what their strategy was.
COOPER: Jay, let me try to ask you that question. Have the negative attacks worked?
CARNEY: Oh, sure. As more people pay attention, they've definitely had an effect. What you're seeing is that a lot of sort of new people to the process who don't pay attention until the very end, who aren't very political or beginning to pay attention, and their first glance at the candidates, they see somebody like John Kerry or Dick Gephardt who are establishment and seem confident on the stump, not too hot or too cool, seem appealing. The shift begins to go in that direction. Same with John Edwards.
BACKUS: I was going to say, just to jump on that. To go back to your point, I mean, John Edwards is taking huge advantage right now of the fact that there's the negative fight seems to be isolated between Gephardt, Kerry, and Dean. And he has really emerged and I think he's taken advantage of some of the women that have been with Dean but sort of insecure, this positive optimistic almost Reagan-like vision is serving John Edwards well.
COOPER: He also got a big endorsement from a newspaper there. But you're saying he sort of seems above the fray?
BACKUS: Exactly. And I also think that he seems a little bit different. And he's really hit his stride. I'm getting anecdotal reports from people up in New Hampshire, Iowa, he's sort of the guy with the mo right now. He's what a lot of people call the ultimate second-look candidate. It's like Jay said, they've been watching the game, they've been watching each other take pieces off each other. And then they look over there and there's this smiling nice guy from the South who's saying some pretty interesting things.
COOPER: Well, Jay, Jenny says that Edwards has the mo now. But expectations were that Howard Dean would have the mo. And expectations have been so high, are running so high for him, if he does not finish first in Iowa, how big a blow is that to him?
CARNEY: I think it's a huge blow. I think he needs to finish first by at least a couple points. If he loses, the vultures will come out. We, at least in the media, are some of the vultures. We helped create the phenomenon of Howard Dean. Certainly reported on it. Anointed him the front-runner. If he proves us wrong by losing in Iowa, obviously, the press will be very negative for him and I think that then creates a very open field in New Hampshire.
COOPER: All right, Jenny, final thought.
BACKUS: In some ways, this contest is going to give us a stronger nominee who is going to be more battle tested and, you know, we're hoping to benefit from the vultures like Jay.
COOPER: All right. We'll call you Jenny "Optimistic" Backus. Jenny, thanks very much for joining us and Jay Carney, always good to talk to you. Thanks.
Have we told you that the Iowa caucuses are Monday? Oh, we mentioned it? Because, you know, if we happen to overstate the importance of what a small percentage of Iowa Democrats think, that might just meet the criteria for this particular segment we do every Thursday called "Overkill."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How much do you really know about...
COOPER (voice-over): More than one-third of the Democratic candidates' money for TV ads has been spent in Iowa. A state with a whopping 3 million people. Only about 100,000 of whom are expected to vote on Monday. It works out to about $87 spent per vote.
Let's remember, Iowa, 94 percent white, doesn't mirror the nation's makeup. Nevertheless, candidates are front-loading their resources there more than ever. And along with the media, give Iowans, even nonvoters, lots of individual attention, the kind you'll never get and maybe too much clout.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maybe my one little vote or anything I can do for John Kerry can get him going.
HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: On Monday night, you have a chance to choose the next commander-in-chief of the United States military.
COOPER: Hey, what about the rest of us?
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Iowa has an opportunity next Monday to guarantee that we put a veteran's veteran in the White House.
COOPER: Why do Iowans have this opportunity? It is not like they have such a great track record. Iowans, more often, blow their chance to pick a winner, unless there's a president Dole, Harkin or Gephardt we haven't heard of. So why then do the media pay so much attention? Maybe because the candidates do, knowing that the media will because the candidates do. Welcome to the quadrennial catch-22, that inevitably spirals into overkill.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: All right. There's a controversy surrounding a legend. Did Billy the Kid truly die in 1881 and did he die the way you learned about in fourth grade? That story coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: All right. Welcome back.
Time to check on pop news in tonight's "Current."
Malaysian Muslims are urging a ban on Mariah Carey who is supposed to give a concert there. The Muslim Opposition Party say she's not a good role model for Asians. It's nice to know someone saw "Glitter."
MTV is creating a reality show for Cameron Diaz. Diaz and a group of friends will travel the world on environmental missions. Just like in reality.
Steven Brill had a dinner on Tuesday night to discuss future terrorism (UNINTELLIGIBLE) with Tom Ridge and CNN's Aaron Brown and top news executives and anchors. For the record, I was free Tuesday night. I spent the night at home watching "Judging Amy," eating Hot Pockets by myself. Sad. That's a look at "The Current" tonight.
COOPER: A tale from the old west may have to be rewritten. Legend has it that Billy "The Kid," the famed outlaw, was gunned down by a Sheriff Pat Garrett in 1881. Now someone has come along to shoot holes in that story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): It is a wild west "whodunit," that's the talk of Fort Sumner, New Mexico. It the man the buried here the original outlaw Billy "The Kid"?
SANDY PAUL, EXEC. DIRECTOR, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Billy is buried there, was killed over yonder. And we have Billy "The Kid."
COOPER: That's been the belief since 1881, that "The Kid," also know as William H. Bonny was killed in a shootout with the Sheriff Pat Garrett. But know, a man has come forward that saying that Garrett's widow told him that her husband did not shot the famous wild west gun slinger, but killed a drunk man and dressed him up in "The Kid's" clothes. While some have dismissed it, the new sheriff in town says it's time for an investigation.
SHERIFF TOM SULLIVAN, LINCOLN COUNTY, N.M.: Why wouldn't anybody want to know the truth?
It's that simple, as far as I'm concerned.
COOPER: There have been questions about "The Kid's" storied demise for years. A bunch of want to be Billy's claiming they're the real "Kid," including a man who called himself brushy Bill.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is no question about the fact that Billy "The Kid" was actually killed and Brushy Bill, even though he might of thought he was Billy "The Kid," was not Billy "The Kid."
COOPER: But not everyone is convinced.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's 23 of them exactly that said they were Billy "The Kid." If one of them is Billy "The Kid," that mean that is Pat Garrett let him go.
COOPER: Now, a court will decide if authorities can exhume Billy "The Kid's" mother to see if DNA can solve the mystery, more than 100 years after his alleged demise, the law is once again out to get Billy "The Kid."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, let's hear more from the man leading the investigation, Sheriff Tom Sullivan. He joins tonight from Alamogordo, New Mexico.
Sheriff appreciate you being with us. What makes you think your predecessor, Sheriff Garrett, might not have killed Billy "The kid"?
SULLIVAN: Well, there is physical evidence out there, Anderson, that might lead us to believe that that may not have happened. I'm not trying to defame Pat Garrett. In fact, he's kind of the theme of our office. I don't know whether you can see this patch or not, but I designed this patch with his image on it and the original Lincoln County Courthouse in the background. And we have his image on our patrol car. But there's a lot of things in this investigation that don't add up. There's a lot of facts that just don't add up.
COOPER: So what do you want to do now?
What do you want to do now?
You want exhume the mother of Billy "The Kid" to test DNA?
SULLIVAN: Right. We have filed a petition for exhumation of Billy "The Kid's" mother Catherine Antrim who's buried in Silver City, New Mexico. But we have to go through the courts. And we have a hearing set I believe January 27 to determine whether or not that exhumation is going to be granted. But we're getting opposition from people in Silver City and of course Fort Sumner.
COOPER: Well, it is a fascinating story. And it's history being rewritten if does in fact turn out. I would love to follow it with you. Sheriff, I'm sorry we're short on time, but we appreciate you joining us tonight.
Sheriff Tom Sullivan, Lincoln County sheriff. Tom, good to meet.
SULLIVAN: Thank you.
COOPER: All right.
Still ahead tonight the debate over Mars. We are going to take the pros and cons of a new space mission to the "Nth Degree."
Tomorrow, our series on depression concludes. Michael Wallace from "60 Minutes" is going to join us -- as well as Tom Johnson of CNN. More ahead. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Time now for "The Buzz." We asked you, does Iowa have too much influence over the nominating process?
A lot of votes. Here what's you said, 58 percent of you said, yes, 42 said, no. Almost an even split. Not a scientific poll, just your "Buzz." We appreciate you voting.
Tonight, taking pace to the "Nth Degree."
There's a lot of controversy about President Bush's ambitions for America to go back to the moon and then go to Mars. And frankly, there are any number of valid arguments, pro and con. True, if history is any guide, the cost for such missions will dwarf the initial estimates. And you can certainly argue that this is not the time, that the resources are needed elsewhere. Some are asking what will human exploration yield for mankind that robotic exploration won't?
Mars is about 35 to 40 million miles away which leads us to the staggering, mind boggling, towering scale of the impossibility of it all. But the challenge of achieving something so wondrous is also point in the pro side of the debate. This is certainly not the first time a daring expedition has sparked heated controversy. Columbus had to spend years pleading for support from European courts. And before Lewis and Clark could set out some members of congress disagreed over whether to fund them at all. Debate about a mission's worth and risk and benefits has always been part of the prelude of exploration. Like it or not, it is a necessary part of the process of turning todays science fiction into tomorrows human history.
That wraps up the program tonight. Thanks for watching.
Coming up next "PAULA ZAHN NOW."
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