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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees

Democrats will be debating in New Hampshire tonight.; The Spirit rover stopped transmitting data on Wednesday.; Florida orange juice industry changing marketing plan.; Why are Palestine mothers, daughters and wives volunteering to kill?; Interview with soldiers from "TIME" Magazine's "Person of the Year" issue.; Sex Slaves in America.; Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck break up.

Aired January 22, 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): A crucial test for Kerry. What will happen tonight when the Democratic hopefuls square off?

A mother, a wife. Both murderers. What turned these women into suicide bombers?

Sex slaves in America. Young girls bought and sold for sex. A revealing look at a clandestine crime.

They made the cover of "TIME" Magazine. Tonight, three decorated soldiers speak out.

Shunned by low-carb diets, orange juice fights back. The sweet drink gets salty.

And, Hollywood's abuzz. Bennifer's no more. Who will America obsess about now?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: Live from the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is ANDERSON COOPER 360.

COOPER: New polls suggest Iowa's big winner may also have a clear edge in New Hampshire. Thanks for joining us on 360.

We are just one hour away from the only Democratic debate in the Granite State before Tuesday's important primary. Now just moments ago, this University of New Hampshire track poll was released. It shows John Kerry with a five-point lead over Howard Dean, followed by Wesley Clark, John Edwards and Joseph Lieberman.

It almost mirrors the latest CNN-"USA Today" Gallop tracking poll with the same numbers for Kerry and Dean. Now, this poll was taken over three days; two of them after of the Iowa caucuses.

Extensive political coverage tonight. CNN's Kelly Wallace is with the Kerry camp. CNN senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley, is following Dean. Dan Lotion with Clark, and Jeanne Meserve with Edwards. Let's start in Manchester, New Hampshire with Kerry.

Kelly, what's the latest?

KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Anderson, Senator Kerry's aides say tonight the senator needs to do what he has been doing. They say they welcome the opportunity to have Kerry on the stage with the six other candidates. And there, they say, he will make the case that he believes he is the one who has the national security and political experience to defeat President Bush in November.

Now, at the same time, he goes into tonight's debate as the clear front-runner. And that means he faces high expectations and could be the target of attacks. The senator himself is saying today he is, "prepared for anything." But the general feeling on the part of Kerry advisers, they believe a lot of people will be watching, and they believe if the senator delivers a solid performance, does what he has been doing on the stump, then they say this campaign will continue to be on a roll -- Anderson.

COOPER: All right. Kelly Wallace, thanks from Manchester.

Now, the Dean campaign is trying to shake off three days of criticism stemming from that speech in Iowa. You know the one we're talking about. Today, the candidate joked that he's hoarse from screeching. No doubt many will be watching Dean's demeanor during tonight's debate.

Let's go live to CNN's senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley, in New Hampshire for the latest -- Candy.

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, what the Dean camp believes their candidate has to do tonight is focus on his record. They think he has a very strong case to make that he isn't about just giving speeches, he is about actually having done things while he was governor of Vermont.

Having said that, they know very well that they have to undo the impressions of the last three days. As one strategist put it to me, he has to say, look, you all know who I am. I'm Howard from next door. That next door, of course, being Vermont. He has been in and out of this state for about two years.

They believe that Howard Dean merely has to remind his core voters who he is, where he came from, and who he was when the man that -- they came to in such droves. They believe it is just a matter of a course correction here, just reminding those voters that he is still the Howard Dean they came to, still the Howard Dean they ought to vote for.

Very, very big debate for Howard Dean. Even he has said he has to win here in New Hampshire to win the presidential nomination -- Anderson.

COOPER: He's also going to be talking with Diane Sawyer later tonight, and also on "David Letterman" tonight, I guess trying to undo part of the damage, as you said, from the last three days.

Candy Crowley, thanks.

CROWLEY: Absolutely.

COOPER: Wesley Clark is trying to bag fresh support on the campaign trail. He rolled up his sleeves, got to work at a New Hampshire supermarket today.

We go live to CNN's Dan Lothian for an update on Clark's charge.

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, Anderson. Retired General Wesley Clark is hoping to connect with New Hampshire voters in a big way tonight as he takes part in a very crucial debate. This after spending, as you mentioned, part of the day as a bag boy at a local supermarket near Manchester, connecting with grocery shoppers.

Aides say Clark intends to stand out from the crowded field not by attacking the front-runners, but by contrasting his positions to those of President Bush. One political consultant tells me Clark has to show that he can win and that he's electable, and that he cannot afford to get caught up in the momentum of the other candidates.

In the latest Granite State polls, the retired general is in third place. But Clark says he is not watching the numbers. Instead, he is listening to the voters, focusing on the issues, and delivering a positive message -- Anderson.

COOPER: They all say they never look at the numbers. We'll see. All right.

Dan Lothian, thanks very much.

Retired General Wesley Clark is hoping to connect with New Hampshire voters, of course, as Dan Lothian just said. We're going to go on now to find out what's going on in the other campaign.

John Edwards reaching out for a lot of young voters. Let's find out what's going on with him, how he spent the day, with CNN's Jeanne Meserve -- Jeanne.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, following the old maxim "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," the Edwards campaign does not intend to change tactics or strategy for tonight's debate. They say Edwards will not attack any of the other Democratic candidates. And if they attack him, well, it could work to Edwards' advantage.

They say no particular message is being scripted for tonight's debate, that he will stick with familiar themes. That he is the one candidate who can unite the country, that he is a comparative Washington outsider. And that he's the one candidate who understands the concerns of the average citizen.

They say that he spent some time today brushing up on the issues and developments in other campaigns. And most importantly, they say he was going to go for a run. Campaign officials acknowledged that this is Edwards' best chance to distinguish himself from the other candidates in this race. But one official is already predicting that John Kerry wins in New Hampshire.

Anderson, back to you.

COOPER: All right. Jeanne Meserve in Manchester. Thanks, Jeanne.

You might have thought that Senator Edwards was the youngest Democratic candidate. A lot of people always talk about his youth. Well, think again.

The Reverend Al Sharpton has that distinction. He's 49. Edwards is 50. The oldest Democratic candidate, well, he's Senator Joe Lieberman at 61. President Bush, we should remind you, is 57.

Just some fast facts for you.

Speaking of the president, he is moving ahead with his own campaigns right now, both the political one and the one against international terrorism. The White House officially says they are not quite in political campaign mode, not just yet. At a stop in New Mexico, the president promised his anti-terrorism campaign would never relent against those who would harm America.

We're going to have a lot more about politics later on tonight. We're going to talk to an experienced political veteran reporter, Joe Klein from "TIME" Magazine. He's up in New Hampshire. We're going to talk to him about what's going on in tonight's debate.

In other news today, concern at NASA jet propulsion laboratory. Scientists don't know exactly why the Mars rover has gone silent, but it has. The Spirit rover stopped transmitting data on Wednesday. It is not completely dead, the rover, but it is not exactly healthy either.

CNN's Miles O'Brien has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN SPACE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On its 18th Martian morning, NASA's Spirit rover awakened, alive, but clearly not well.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have had a very serious anomaly on the vehicle. And our ability to determine exactly what has happened has been limited by our inability to receive telemetry from the vehicle.

O'BRIEN: Instead of returning another raft (ph) of amazing images and scientific data across 100 million miles of space, Spirit sent a tone, a scientifically meaningless signal which does mean the golf cart-sized rover is in big trouble. But what could it be? Engineers are mystified because it came without warning, after 17 days of near flawless operation on the surface.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Something could break; clearly, something could fail. That's a concern we seriously have. It's very serious.

O'BRIEN: And for this team, many of them veterans of the failed Mars Polar Lander Mission four years ago, tone is a lot better than nothing.

RICHARD COOK, DEPUTY PROJECT MANAGER: Whenever you get confirmation that it's working -- I mean, that you're seeing a signal, both receiving and transmitting, that means that a number of things in the chain has to work.

O'BRIEN: While there is no good time for a failure of this magnitude, Spirit's communication meltdown comes as the engineering team should be turning its focus to its twin. Opportunity is on target to arrive on the other side of Mars on Saturday night.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hopefully by the end of the day today we will be able to ascertain that Spirit can do no harm to itself, and then we can leave it in a safe state and turn our attention to Opportunity.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: With all that in mind, the Spirit engineering team is getting some rest right now. They're hoping while the engineers sleep, Spirit will wake up in the middle of its Martian night about three hours from now and communicate with a passing satellite and phone home. Of course, just sending tone is not enough, in this business, Anderson. They'd like to get those cards and letters coming back soon as well.

COOPER: Miles O'Brien in Pasadena. Thanks, Miles.

We are following a number of developing stories right now "Cross Country." Let's take a look.

The Supreme Court Roe v. Wade at 31. Today marked the 31st anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion. Thousands of abortion opponents gathered for a rally and protest march at the Supreme Court building in Washington. Abortion rights demonstrators held their own rally during D.C.'s morning rush hour.

Flandreau, South Dakota: Bill Janklow goes to jail. The once powerful politician, who served as governor and congressman, he has been sentenced to 100 days for barreling through a stop sign and killing a motorcyclist in August. After serving one month, though, he will be allowed to leave jail for 10 hours a day to perform community service.

New York City: do potential jurors get it? Lawyers for Martha Stewart have complained to the judge in her securities fraud case that many of the prospective jurors now being questioned do not understand the crime she's being charged with. Stewart is charged with obstruction of justice and securities fraud. She's not being charged with insider trading.

Beverly Hills, California: death of a legend. Dancer Ann Miller, on the right there, has died of lung cancer at 81. The actress starred in more than 40 films dating back to the 1930s. She worked with Hollywood greats: Ginger Rogers, Jimmy Stewart. Miller was also a dancing partner in films with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.

Sad to say. Death of an American legend. And she was.

That is a look at stories "Cross Country" for you tonight.

The low-carb craze is bad news for orange juice. Well now citrus growers are fighting back.

Plus, female suicide bombers, the New face of terror. They are mothers and daughters and wives. Why are they becoming murderers?

And sex slaves in the USA. It is hard to believe. But we're going to have a revealing look at a form of modern-day slavery happening right here, right now. Few of us even know it is going on.

But first, let's see what the other guys are doing. A look at "Inside the Box" at the top stories on tonight's network newscasts.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Well, so what happens when your multi-billion-dollar industry gets bashed by a group of dieters, no less? If you are the Florida orange juice industry, you spend the money and change your marketing plan.

What's this all about? CNN's Miami bureau chief, John Zarrella, has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN MIAMI BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): Florida OJ, Michael Gati loves it. He'd also love to lose a few pounds. But he's had second thoughts about trying low-carb diets. Some plans recommend staying away from orange juice concentrate.

MICHAEL GATI, CONSUMER: It's insane. It goes against all that is common sense; natural orange juice is the best thing for you.

ZARRELLA: Amen to that, says the Florida citrus industry, which has been taking a diet book beating. The diet books and their authors say orange juice concentrate is too high in sugar, although they don't see their diets as undermining the industry.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We love whole fruits. We love whole grapefruits, whole oranges and less concentrated juices.

ZARRELLA: The problem is, 95 percent of Florida's oranges goes to juice. And at $9 billion a year, citrus is the state's second largest industry. According to an industry study, in the past two years, retail sales have dropped eight percent. Industry officials charge diet plans are responsible for the squeeze.

BOB CRAWFORD, FLORIDA DEPT. OF CITRUS: They've kind of had some confusing things that have led some consumers to believe that they can't have orange juice in any kind of diet.

ZARRELLA: With so much at stake in jobs and revenue, the industry is going to spend nearly $2 million on a new ad campaign touting the nutritional value of orange and grapefruit juice.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ZARRELLA: And industry officials are looking into whether there are any grounds for a lawsuit. Because under Florida law, growers can sue anyone who falsely disparages Florida's fruit or vegetable industries -- Anderson.

COOPER: John, thanks very much for that.

We're tracking a number of developing stories right now around the globe. Let's check the "UpLink."

Jerusalem: "I am not about to resign." That statement from Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon. Prosecutors there say they may indict him for his alleged role in a bribery scandal. Yesterday, an Israeli businessman he has close connections with was indicted on charges he tried to bribe Mr. Sharon when he was foreign minister.

Bangkok, Thailand: the bird ban spreads. Today, Japan became the third country to ban chicken imports from Thailand because of bird flu fears. A spokesman for the World Health Organization, meanwhile, expects growing concern about the virus' threat to the human population.

Beijing, China: ringing in the new, well, the old-fashioned way. At the Temple of Heaven they celebrated the dawn of the year of the monkey with this lavish traditional display. And a lot of rubber (ph) right there. Just a few years ago this would have been banned by the government as superstition. No longer.

That is a look at the "UpLink" tonight.

We're learning more details about the most recent suicide bombing in Israel. The bomber was a woman. The first time Hamas has used women suicide bombers. Many fear it will not be the last.

In part one of his two-part series for us, CNN's Matthew Chance investigates this growing phenomenon to find out exactly why Palestinian mothers and daughters and wives are volunteering to kill.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): What could drive a mother to abandon her two children and to kill? Ryn Riashi (ph) was just 22. She killed four Israelis and herself at a Gaza checkpoint. A mother shattering another taboo in this conflict. She told the soldiers here she needed help before exploding.

Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that sent her, says tactics have changed. More mothers and sisters and daughters are on their way. UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Jihad is an obligation on the women just like prayer. It's an obligation. In the past, we feel that women should be spared until the time of need arose. When the brothers in the military wing saw the need to operate in such a way as this, they did just that.

HALA SARAJ, PSYCHOLOGIST: This woman and thousands of our women are looking to the day that they can sacrifice for the sake of children, women (UNINTELLIGIBLE) who kill daily for the sake of Jerusalem and al-Aqsa.

CHANCE: To gauge the strength of feeling, we came to Gaza on the first day of school after the holidays. The teenage girls of Amid Shauti High (ph) assemble to salute the Palestinian flag. In the English class afterwards, talk is of political struggle and the role they'll play in years to come. The lawyers and doctors and suicide bombers of the future could be among them.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We don't think that the world are looking for us. And we believe one day we will die. If I have to die, I will make them die with me. Just disappointed.

This is a way of our study. We don't have another way.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is the only way to get our freedom.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't agree what this woman did for days. Because she had two small children. How can she leave them alone?

CHANCE: It's a question many Palestinians are struggling to answer. The whole issue of using women as bombers is new for them as well, and not everyone here supports it. Officials, like Um Jihad (ph), with long-standing links to the armed Palestinian struggle refuse to endorse it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): In the past, the women's role in military activities was limited. We mostly took part in supporting jobs such as communication, and helping the wounded and their families. I did feel sorry for this woman who sacrificed herself. She should have lived and taken care of her children. This kind of mission will not help the Palestinian people.

CHANCE: Some opposed to violence say the use of women could be a watershed.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Families have come out openly and said, we don't want our daughters or our children to be part of this. Not only do we not want to pay the price, as some Israelis say is our motivation, but we don't want to lose our children.

CHANCE Still, many Palestinians embrace their new martyrs. At a funeral in Gaza, the belief among the gunmen is that Rym Riashi (ph) has earned a privileged place, both in heaven and on the Palestinian streets.

(on camera): Across Gaza, images of suicide bombers, gunmen, even innocent civilians killed in the conflict, stare out at passersby from virtually every street corner. There is an undeniable cult of martyrdom here that makes popular heroes of the dead. Little wonder then, women, as well as men, are willing to kill and be killed just like them.

Matthew Chance, CNN, Gaza.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Remarkable. Tomorrow, we're going to bring you part two of Matthew Chance's report.

From the front lines of Iraq to the cover of "TIME" Magazine, and a special seat at the State of Union, three American heroes speak out about loss, duty and the war in Iraq coming up.

Also tonight, sex slaves in the USA. Women and children held in bondage. Find out how this illegal traffic continues.

And a little later, high stakes in New Hampshire. We'll talk with veteran political reporter Joe Klein about what the latest poll numbers may mean.

First, today's "Buzz." Can Howard Dean make a comeback after Iowa? What do you think? He's close in the polls. Vote now, cnn.com/360. Results at the end of the program.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Well, at the president's State of the Union address you may remember three soldiers who were special guests of the president. They were there to represent all the men and women now serving in Iraq. There they are.

It is a function that these performed when they were photographed for the cover of "TIME" Magazine's 2003 "Person of the Year" issue. Today I spoke with Sergeant Marquette Whiteside, Specialist Billie Grimes, and Sergeant Ronald Buxton. I started by asking how they learned they'd been picked for the cover of "TIME" Magazine.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SGT. MARQUETTE WHITESIDE, U.S. ARMY: They pulled us aside and said "You all made the cover." And we were like, OK.

COOPER: That's all you said, OK?

WHITESIDE: Yes. I mean, we really weren't expecting to be on there anyway. But then (UNINTELLIGIBLE) come down like that it was kind of a surprise. But we just played it off. It was (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

COOPER: Did you call your dad? Did you call home and let them know?

SGT. RONALD BUXTON, U.S. ARMY: I didn't even tell them when I found out. A couple days later I got an e-mail, a very mean e-mail, why didn't you tell us this and that? So they were excited. I think they own a few copies.

COOPER: I bet they bought up more than just a few copies.

BUXTON: Yes. I'm sure they did.

COOPER: Now you all were trained for field artillery, which is a very different mission than the mission you find yourselves doing now. I mean, basically, very close contact infantry work, in many ways. When you heard the mission was different than, perhaps, what you had originally been trained for, what went through your mind?

BUXTON: It wasn't really a mission. We were going to go regardless. We will be given what we needed to do the mission. It wasn't, oh, wow, it's another mission.

It was new. It may be different. A little bit of apprehension, but...

COOPER: I know that your lieutenant, Lieutenant Benjamin Colgen (ph), was instrumental in helping sort of retrain I guess some of you for going to people's homes, searching for weapons, searching for insurgents. Tell me a little bit about what Lieutenant Colgen (ph) was like.

WHITESIDE: Lieutenant Colgen (ph) is one of the most wonderfulest (ph) person I ever met in my life. He was a real cool dude, real easy to talk to, real laid back. And more than anything, he always let us know what we were going to be doing that day.

COOPER: One of you said that you thought he was sort of untouchable. Was that...

WHITESIDE: I mean, the whole team thought that. Because a lot of times we would go somewhere and the first person out was Lieutenant Colgen (ph). And he would just walk off by himself. So we were like, this cat is invincible, man. We just thought that -- we never thought he would be the one to get hurt or anything like that.

COOPER: Sadly he was. I mean, Sergeant Buxton, you were on patrol with Lieutenant Colgen (ph) night he was killed.

BUXTON: Roger. We were having problems with some mortar attacks and rocket attacks. And we were trying to catch these individuals. And the OP saw somebody that they thought the rocket came from.

That's when we were going to close off a bridge. And we were going to sweep the back of the bridge. We left the other two vehicles behind to block it. And we were going to sweep the back area of the bridge when it happened.

COOPER: And it was an improvised explosive device, IED, as they call it?

BUXTON: There wasn't a lot left to investigate. But that's probably the case.

COOPER: Sergeant Whiteside, you talked to his wife. Both of you talked to his wife after his death. What did you say to her?

WHITESIDE: I was just trying to say something to make her to laugh. And I got her to laugh a little bit. But more than anything, I just wanted to let her know how much we appreciated her husband and how much we would always miss him. And I just told her that her and her kids will always be in my prayers.

COOPER: When you hear about people back here protesting against the war or arguing about the war, does it -- do you hear about it in the front lines? And does it affect you in any way?

WHITESIDE: I mean, we hear about it. But we can't stop doing what we're doing over there. No matter what anybody back here thinks, we still have to carry on with our mission and do the right thing over there. And as far as about going out there and helping the Iraqi people, that's what we're there to do. And we have to continue to do that day in and day out.

COOPER: Sergeant Buxton, Specialist Grimes, you are both going back to Iraq. What do you think about going back?

SPC. BILLIE GRIMES, U.S. ARMY: I'm anxious to be back. I'm ready to be with my friends. We've been over there for so long together. It's like you kind of hate being back here because you're leaving them behind. You want to get back there where they're at.

BUXTON: The team needs us.

COOPER: The team needs you?

BUXTON: We need to get back to the team.

COOPER: It is really an honor to meet all of you. And I appreciate you being with us, not only representing yourselves and your unit, but also all the men and women who are over there right now. Thank you very much for being with us.

GRIMES: Thank you.

BUXTON: Thank you.

WHITESIDE: You're welcome.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): The last debate before Tuesday's vote. Will New Hampshire hopefuls' claws come out?

Sex slaves in America. Young girls bought and sold for sex. A revealing look at a clandestine crime.

And Hollywood's abuzz. Bennifer is no more. Who will America obsess about now?

360 returns.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Here's what's coming up in the next half hour. The Democrats are about to face off in New Hampshire in about 30 minutes. We'll look at the latest polls and what's at stake in tonight's debate. Joe Klein joins me for that.

Plus, the campaign trail isn't all teleprompters and handlers. We'll go behind the scenes in our new segment, "Raw Politics."

New developments in jury selection for the Martha Stewart trial. That's coming up in "Justice Served" with Lisa Bloom.

The pop culture world is abuzz. J. Lo and Bennifer no more or actually, Bennifer was J. Lo and Ben anyway, you know. We have the fallout and the heartbreak P-Diddy, stay tuned.

First, let's check our top stories in tonight's "Reset." "TIME" magazine reports a grand jury has begun hearing testimony in the investigation into who leaked the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame to journalists. Plame's husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, you see him there, says the leak was in retaliation for undercutting President Bush's rationale for going to war in Iraq. "TIME" says the decision on whether to subpoena journalists is forth coming.

Charleston, South Carolina. Padilla's not going anywhere. Designated enemy combatant Jose Padilla will stay in a Navy brig after a ruling today by a federal appeals court. Padilla had been ordered released from military custody by last weekend. An appeals panel granted the government's request to keep him in jail pending an expedited hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Attorney General John Ashcroft is being sued by a Canadian citizen who says Ashcroft sent him into the hands of Syrian torturers. Computer engineer Maher Arar is now back at home in Ottawa. He says he was illegally deported in September 2002. Instead of being sent home to Canada, he was sent to Syria where he was released from a strong Canadian protest.

Another Enron executive has been indicted. Richard Causey is accused of securities fraud and conspiracy charges. He surrendered to FBI agents and appeared before a federal magistrate where he pleaded not guilty. He faces potential jail time up to 55 years and over $5 million in fines if convicted.

Congressional investigators say the FDA and drug manufacturers must share the blame equally for allowing the narcotic Oxycontin to be so easily abused. The general accounting office say the FDA failed to aggressively regulate the painkiller even if the drug makers were pushing it hard in the marketplace. That's a look at the "Reset." Right now, the Democrats are debating tonight in New Hampshire in about 30 minutes. A new CNN/USA Today Gallup polls show Senator John Kerry with 30 percent, five points ahead of Howard Dean. They're followed in order by Wesley Clark, John Edwards, and Joe Lieberman. And that is the poll closely matched by a University of New Hampshire survey just released also.

Joining me now inside the campaign horse race is 360 contributor Joe Klein of "TIME" magazine. Joe, thanks for being with us. Joe, if the lesson in Iowa was don't go negative, stay upbeat, is tonight's debate going to be boring?

JOE KLEIN, "TIME" MAGAZINE: Yes. I think it's going to be -- it might well be a snore. I think all these guys are so daunted by the lesson of Iowa and they're so intent on fighting the last war, that I don't know that they will cut each other up very much. There won't be very much of the proverbial blood on the floor unless Howard Dean decides to slit his wrists or something. I mean that metaphorically, of course.

COOPER: Let's hope so. Let's talk first about John Kerry, what he has to do tonight. Clearly, right now, he seems to be the front- runner. He is an excellent debater. As you well know, he's had some fiery debates in the past.

KLEIN: Well, yes. It's hard to have an excellent debate when there's seven people still on the stage. But he staged one of the most memorable series of debates in 1996 when he was running for reelection to the Senate against a very charming and popular governor William Weld, whom he beat.

COOPER: Joe, is something different about John Kerry in the last week or so? Especially since Iowa. People talk about big momentum. He seems energized. Do you see that on the road?

KLEIN: Well, in John Kerry's case, energized is a little bit of an exaggeration. The biggest thing that's changed for John Kerry is that he won. He won because people determined that he looked and seemed presidential. He had a lot of knowledge about foreign policy, and, also, about domestic policy. He just seemed solid. Democrats are taking this election seriously this year.

COOPER: What does Howard Dean have to do tonight? A lot of people will be watching his deportment very closely.

KLEIN: God, I don't know what he can do. He's going to have to seem charming. He's going to have to seem calm. He's going to have to seem smart. He's going to have to distinguish himself from the others as being a cut above if he wants to get back in this race. Now, of course, he can get back in this race. He has money. He has support throughout the entire country, and you don't want to count somebody out. He took one of the heaviest hits I've ever seen a presidential candidate take. It came out of his own mouth on Monday night.

COOPER: So, I mean, I guess you could say damage control. He will be talking to Diane Sawyer later tonight. He's going to be on "David Letterman" later tonight as well. You think it's serious for Dean, not just media blowing this up a little bit?

KLEIN: Well, I think that when these kind of events, when a gaff like this reaches the David Letterman and Jay Leno stage, it is well past our influence because many, many more people watch David Letterman and Jay Leno than watch political coverage. You know it strikes me at the heart to say that that is true but it's true.

COOPER: Say it ain't so, Joe. Joe Klein, thanks for being with us.

KLEIN: It is so.

COOPER: All right. What can you do? Thanks very much.

Every Thursday on the program we like to take a look at a story the media has really run with, maybe even run amok with. Overplayed, overanalyzed, overkilled. Tonight, Howard Dean's Iowa speech is "Overkill."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST, "THE DAVID LETTERMAN SHOW": I think maybe Howard Dean has a bit of a problem because earlier today during a debate in New Hampshire he bit off Joe Lieberman's ear.

COOPER (voice-over): It wasn't just Letterman and the late-night crowd crooning about Howard Dean's Iowa address. The spectacle of a speech turned everyday viewers, even political analysts, into comedians.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When he comes to Oklahoma, tell him not to do that here. They'll put him in a barn with the rodeo animals.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Give the voters what they want to hear. They want to hear about his plan to improve our economy, improve our healthcare and get away from that awful animal sound he made on Monday night.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Awful animal sound. That's the first time I heard it described that way.

COOPER: Since Tuesday morning, the coverage has been intense. Dean was hit with the same question phrased many different ways. Namely, what was that all about?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You were quite fired up, passionate. Some people feared you might implode.

COOPER: The coverage has taken on a life of its own. One New York paper published this photo taken as Dean attended his son's hockey game. A certainly whoop-worthy event but the paper said it was proof Dean was, quote, "at it again."

Whether they saw it live or not, everyone, it seems, has something to say about that speech.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The guy is a human being. People need to chill out.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He went over the top. It might hurt him.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yahoo! In the south we call that just kind of a redneck.

COOPER: Now, Dean seems to be doing damage control.

HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm a little hoarse. It's not because of the Iowa screech. I actually have a cold.

COOPER: Tonight, he'll even be on "The David Letterman" show hoping perhaps once and for all to finally put an end to this overkill.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: And of course, we want to hear from you. What do you think? Today's "Buzz" question is this. Can Howard Dean make a comeback after Iowa? Vote now, CNN.com/360. We're going to have results at the end of the program shortly.

Time for "Justice Served." We have developments in Martha Stewart's jury selection and the pending murder trial of Scott Peterson, two cases we're going to talk about. We'll begin with the Peterson case which has become a trial without a judge. The one appointed just yesterday is now out and a new one will be named sometime next week. Court TV's Lisa Bloom is here to help us sort it all out. Lisa, thanks for being with us. Were you surprised the D.A. challenged the judge that was picked?

LISA BLOOM, COURT TV ANCHOR: Not really. I practice in California. Each side gets a chance to ding a new judge, you get three days to do it, just to get rid of a judge for any reason you want, without any explanation. It happens all the time. It doesn't happen so much in high-profile cases but those of us who practice know it is pretty common.

COOPER: The man who was picked, a retired justice, 82 years old, had death penalty experience. Do we know what the D.A had a problem with?

BLOOM: Well, here's the thing, Anderson. You get three days from when you're notified who the judge is to decide whether you're going to get rid of him or not and exercise a peremptory challenge. It is not much time. Usually attorneys have the very unscientific manner of running through the office saying, what do we know about this judge? You hear one bad thing and he's out of there. But it is a hard decision to make because you're deciding this judge, versus everybody else in the world who is the unknown.

COOPER: Because they say you only got one shot. You get one shot. BLOOM: You don't know who the alternative is. The prosecution has exercised its peremptory challenge. The defense can do the same thing, when another is appointed leading to a third appointment.

COOPER: All right. It will be interesting to see.

Let's talk about Martha Stewart a little bit. We are hearing now, her lawyer is concerned that a lot of the prospective jurors don't seem to under what she's being charged with.

BLOOM: Yes, I don't know why. She's not charged with insider trading, criminally. She charged with insider trading civilly. She is charged with securities fraud for lying about the insider trading. I mean, I am being factious. I think, it is a very confusing case. Most people don't understand it. Even attorneys following the case we have to look up the charges are each time. That helps the defense. Because the defense is going say the prosecution is overreaching a little bit. They didn't really insider trades charges. That's what she was investigated for, not charged with.

COOPER: I mean, do they have to understand what the charges are?

Isn't that what's the trial for?

BLOOM: Well, that's true, and fair enough. When they go back in the jury room, whoever is chosen to be on the panel, they will go back with a written jury verdict form that will spell out the charges. And I think the defense is trying to make an important point, to get the jurors told directly by the judge at this earlier phase. She's not charged with insider trading, it's lesser charges.

COOPER: Let's talk about the judge. The judge is sort of despairing of every maybe finding jurors who never even heard of Martha Stewart. I think, they've sort of given up on that. I guess the key now just finding people who feel they can be impartial?

BLOOM: And that what we see in high-profile cases time and again. Of course, people have heard of Martha Stewart, Kobe Bryant, or Michael Jackson. Your are not find 12 ignorant people here in Manhattan who haven't heard of Martha Stewart. But people who can put what they know about her aside and decided on the fact or at least who are going to say that to the judge to get on the jury.

COOPER: Let's talk about Kobe Bryant case a little bit. What's coming down the pipe. What's going on right now.

BLOOM: Well, tomorrow a number of motion goes will be heard, about the victim's medical records, whether she waived her right to claim they are protected by doctor-patient confidentiality by talking to a number of people. If so, the judge may say the records should be coming in. That's the important one.

COOPER: All right. Court TV's Lisa Bloom. Thanks, good to see you. All right you can stick around if want to hear about JLo and Ben.

BLOOM: I'm dying to hear all about it.

COOPER: It will come shortly.

I want to go more to "Justice Served" right now. NBA star Kobe Bryant will be back in a Colorado courtroom tomorrow where most of the talk will center around the alleged victim in the sexual assault case.

With a preview here is Gary Tuchman.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Kobe Bryant's attorneys have filed court documents saying there is evidence his accuser had sex with another man within 18 hours of being allegedly raped by Kobe Bryant. There's evidence she had sex with someone else in the days before the alleged crime. If such information is allowed to be presented to a jury, it could greatly complicate prosecution efforts to prove the alleged victim's injuries are from the Los Angeles Lakers Star.

CRAIG SILVERMAN, COLORADO DEFENSE ATTORNEY: If they could establish she had sex between the Kobe Bryant encounter and going to the sheriff's department with another man. And they are well on their way to doing so. If that occurs I have to believe this case is over.

TUCHMAN: Bryant's attorneys will be asking Judge Terry Ruckriegle for the right to discuss some the woman's sexual history during the trial.

CYNTHIA STONE, COLORADO COALITION AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT: It is not that a victim's prior sexual history can never be admitted into court. It has to be relevant to the case at hand.

TUCHMAN: Part of the upcoming hearing will be closed to the news media as the judge tries to determine if the medical records stay confidential. Bryant's attorneys saying reported suicide attempts and psychological problems demonstrate a quote "motivate a scheme not to tell the truth."

LARRY POZNER, COLORADO DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I believe that the prosecution could not have known the depth of the accuser's problems. We have had bomb shell, after bomb shell come out that we know about.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, moving on.

Young girls smuggled into the United States as sex slaves. In a shocking report about a crime few Americans know is happening. You might be surprised where it's happening to.

And the less rehearsed side of politics where the president eats at a diner for instance. We'll begin our new segment "Raw Politics." That's ahead.

And say it aint so, no one saw it coming. Actually, maybe a lot of people saw it coming, the break-up of well you know who, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. We'll talk about that coming up. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Well, we turn our attention now to a little reported story, a story about slavery going on right here, right now in the U.S. By one estimate, there may be as many as 50,000 children and young women living here right now forced to work as sex slaves. Young girls can be sold as for as little as $60, earn 10's of thousands for traffickers. The U.S. sex slave trade is the topic of the cover story in this coming Sunday's "New York Times" magazine. The author of the piece Peter Landesman. It's an extraordinary peace. He is a contributing writer to the "Times." He joins us now from Los Angeles. Peter thanks for being with us.

First of all, people think of prostitution. This is no prostitution.

PETER LANDESMAN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER, "N.Y. TIMES": No. And the differentiation is important to make. Prostitutes who live in the gray zone and they are subject to a lot of different (UNINTELLIGIBLE). They do make money. They have a payroll. They earn some sort of living off this. We're talking about women, girls, toddlers literally in chains both figuratively and literally.

COOPER: And these people are brought from where?

I mean, Eastern Europe?

Trafficked in through Mexico?

LANDESMAN: Mexico is the conduit to this country for all sorts of contraband, not just drugs but also human trafficking and the trafficking of sex slaves. These girls, the victims I've been writing about come from eastern Europe and Asia, but primarily eastern Europe and Mexico where poverty leaves them deeply vulnerable.

COOPER: So, they're brought in, and Then What happens to them?

They wind up in, I mean, city, in Atlanta, in Los Angeles?

LANDESMAN: Los Angeles, New York. You know, the kids -- the kids we think are homeless, the hookers we see on the street corners we believe are working for themselves or local pimps. A lot of these women, a lot of these girls, a lot of these kids, children are working at the behest of literally slave owners and traffickers who threaten their lives, their family if they try to escape. These are people who are often from other countries, so don't have the benefit of home security.

COOPER: And we're not talking about -- this is not a small scale. This is a very sophisticated operation, extensive ties. In the article you have one just really horrific description of selling going on at Disneyland? LANDESMAN: Yes, mechanisms of movement are extremely sophisticated, just like drugs and just like weapons. To traffickers humans are another commodity, except the profit margin with humans, especially sex slaves, is enormously profitable. Children and teenagers are traded along rest stops and interstate freeways. In Disneyland by color coded methods. Exchanged just like any other commodity, bought and sold and taken back and used.

COOPER: Well, someone will say, can't they escape, can't they get out?

I mean, how -- what happens to these young women, to these children after a while?

LANDESMAN: These particular victims -- the number is probably much greater than 50,000. If they try to escape, they're beaten or killed. Either wittingly or unwittingly, their families in the countries of origin whether it be Moldovia, Russia or Mexico are held as collateral for their human body. If they try to escape, they know very well that their brother, sister, mother, father could be very well beaten or killed if they attempt to escape.

COOPER: They are not using condoms. These people end up dying.

LANDESMAN: They frequently do die. A lot of them do die. You know, some of the prostitutes that johns, you know, are friends, family use unwittingly behind the scenes, some them are these girls. And they don't know who they are. I mean, of course, sometimes they use condoms as you would with some prostitutes. But most of the time, no, not at all.

COOPER: It's an eye-opening story. I mean, I didn't know much about it. I heard a little bit. But your reporting on it, you've been working on it four months. It's extraordinary. It is in this Sunday's "New York Times Magazine." We appreciate you joining us. Thank you.

Well, the campaign isn't all stump speeches and photo ops. We are looking at what doesn't tend to make the evening news coming up in our new segment, "Raw Politics." That's ahead.

And also, it's official. Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, they've broken up. The engagement's off. We'll talk about that. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Well, today the president and the Democratic candidates were on the road running hard, photo ops, sound bites, all carefully orchestrated but truth be told, campaigns are messy business. Some of the most interesting moments never make it on air. Tonight, we're starting a regular feature on 360, a look at some of the moments that you'll rarely see covered. It's "Raw Politics."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) COOPER (voice-over): Today at a presidential pit stop at the Nothing Fancy cafe in Roswell, New Mexico, the president wanted food and didn't want to eat alone.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm hungry and I'm going to order some ribs.

COOPER: The problem is the press wanted some answers, not some ribs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are critics who say you simply haven't spent enough to keep the country secure.

BUSH: My job is to secure the homeland. That's exactly what we're going to do. I'm here to take somebody's order. You get paid a lot of money. You ought to be buying food. It is part of how the economy grows. You have plenty of money in your pocket. When you spend it, it drives the economy forward. What would you like to eat?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right behind you. Whatever you order.

BUSH: I'm ordering ribs. This is not a press conference. This is my chance to help this lady put money in her pocket. So instead of asking questions, answer mine. Are you going to buy some food?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

COOPER: Despite their promises, no press corp food orders came in.

BUSH: They make a lot of money and won't spend much. I'm sorry. I'm not saying they're overpaid. They're just not spending money.

COOPER: In the end, the president realized he would have to spur the local economy all by himself.

BUSH: They're on me.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: "Raw Politics."

Let's check pop news. Sad news. Bennifer is no more. Jennifer Lopez called off her engagement to Ben Affleck. It's official. Her spokeswoman said, quote, "at this difficult time we ask you respect her privacy." I guess now we'll have to wait unitl there's a new movie for her to promote before we hear the details.

President Bush's daughter Barbara is breaking a family tradition. The 22-year-old senior at Yale has not been asked to join Skull and Bones, the secret society which her father, grandfather, and great grandfather all were members in. Barbara's twin sister Jenna was also not asked to join the group which probably stings a little bit less since she goes to the University of Texas.

The Vatican is denying reports that Pope John Paul II endorsed Mel Gibson's controversial biblical epic, "The Passion of Christ." The Vatican says the Pontiff does not make public judgments on artistic works. Sad. Considering "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton" opens tomorrow.

And Art Garfunkel of Simon and Garfunkel was busted for marijuana possession when his limo was stopped for speeding in upstate New York. Police say the 62-year-old folk singer had a small amount of pot in his jacket. The incident is expected to raise the stakes in Simon and Garfunkel's rivalry with Hall and Oates for the most tepid behind the music ever.

The break-up heard around the world. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. It's over. We'll give you a moment to try and compose yourselves and talk about it when we come back in the "Nth Degree."

Tomorrow, behind the glitz, glamour of the Golden Globe awards, is there a dirty secret? Find out tomorrow on 360. That's why they called it.

First, today's "Buzz." "Can Howard Dean make a comeback after Iowa?" What do you think? Vote now. CNN.com/360. We'll have the results when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Time now for the "Buzz." We asked you, "Can Howard Dean make a comeback after Iowa?" 35 percent said yes. 65 percent said no. It is not a scientific poll. Just your buzz. We appreciate it.

"Nth Degree." It is official. The love that once shined so bright it warmed America's celebrity clogged heart has died. I'm sorry. It's an emotional moment for us all. We fell in love and out of love with those crazy kids as quickly and as often as they did with each other. Remember "Gigli"? How we laughed at them. I'm sorry. I can't do this. Just roll the tape.

Who will we obsess about now? I'm sure we'll find somebody. Thanks for watching tonight. That's all the time we have. 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





Spirit rover stopped transmitting data on Wednesday.; Florida orange juice industry changing marketing plan.; Why are Palestine mothers, daughters and wives volunteering to kill?; Interview with soldiers from "TIME" Magazine's "Person of the Year" issue.; Sex Slaves in America.; Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck break up.>


Aired January 22, 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): A crucial test for Kerry. What will happen tonight when the Democratic hopefuls square off?

A mother, a wife. Both murderers. What turned these women into suicide bombers?

Sex slaves in America. Young girls bought and sold for sex. A revealing look at a clandestine crime.

They made the cover of "TIME" Magazine. Tonight, three decorated soldiers speak out.

Shunned by low-carb diets, orange juice fights back. The sweet drink gets salty.

And, Hollywood's abuzz. Bennifer's no more. Who will America obsess about now?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: Live from the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is ANDERSON COOPER 360.

COOPER: New polls suggest Iowa's big winner may also have a clear edge in New Hampshire. Thanks for joining us on 360.

We are just one hour away from the only Democratic debate in the Granite State before Tuesday's important primary. Now just moments ago, this University of New Hampshire track poll was released. It shows John Kerry with a five-point lead over Howard Dean, followed by Wesley Clark, John Edwards and Joseph Lieberman.

It almost mirrors the latest CNN-"USA Today" Gallop tracking poll with the same numbers for Kerry and Dean. Now, this poll was taken over three days; two of them after of the Iowa caucuses.

Extensive political coverage tonight. CNN's Kelly Wallace is with the Kerry camp. CNN senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley, is following Dean. Dan Lotion with Clark, and Jeanne Meserve with Edwards. Let's start in Manchester, New Hampshire with Kerry.

Kelly, what's the latest?

KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Anderson, Senator Kerry's aides say tonight the senator needs to do what he has been doing. They say they welcome the opportunity to have Kerry on the stage with the six other candidates. And there, they say, he will make the case that he believes he is the one who has the national security and political experience to defeat President Bush in November.

Now, at the same time, he goes into tonight's debate as the clear front-runner. And that means he faces high expectations and could be the target of attacks. The senator himself is saying today he is, "prepared for anything." But the general feeling on the part of Kerry advisers, they believe a lot of people will be watching, and they believe if the senator delivers a solid performance, does what he has been doing on the stump, then they say this campaign will continue to be on a roll -- Anderson.

COOPER: All right. Kelly Wallace, thanks from Manchester.

Now, the Dean campaign is trying to shake off three days of criticism stemming from that speech in Iowa. You know the one we're talking about. Today, the candidate joked that he's hoarse from screeching. No doubt many will be watching Dean's demeanor during tonight's debate.

Let's go live to CNN's senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley, in New Hampshire for the latest -- Candy.

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, what the Dean camp believes their candidate has to do tonight is focus on his record. They think he has a very strong case to make that he isn't about just giving speeches, he is about actually having done things while he was governor of Vermont.

Having said that, they know very well that they have to undo the impressions of the last three days. As one strategist put it to me, he has to say, look, you all know who I am. I'm Howard from next door. That next door, of course, being Vermont. He has been in and out of this state for about two years.

They believe that Howard Dean merely has to remind his core voters who he is, where he came from, and who he was when the man that -- they came to in such droves. They believe it is just a matter of a course correction here, just reminding those voters that he is still the Howard Dean they came to, still the Howard Dean they ought to vote for.

Very, very big debate for Howard Dean. Even he has said he has to win here in New Hampshire to win the presidential nomination -- Anderson.

COOPER: He's also going to be talking with Diane Sawyer later tonight, and also on "David Letterman" tonight, I guess trying to undo part of the damage, as you said, from the last three days.

Candy Crowley, thanks.

CROWLEY: Absolutely.

COOPER: Wesley Clark is trying to bag fresh support on the campaign trail. He rolled up his sleeves, got to work at a New Hampshire supermarket today.

We go live to CNN's Dan Lothian for an update on Clark's charge.

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, Anderson. Retired General Wesley Clark is hoping to connect with New Hampshire voters in a big way tonight as he takes part in a very crucial debate. This after spending, as you mentioned, part of the day as a bag boy at a local supermarket near Manchester, connecting with grocery shoppers.

Aides say Clark intends to stand out from the crowded field not by attacking the front-runners, but by contrasting his positions to those of President Bush. One political consultant tells me Clark has to show that he can win and that he's electable, and that he cannot afford to get caught up in the momentum of the other candidates.

In the latest Granite State polls, the retired general is in third place. But Clark says he is not watching the numbers. Instead, he is listening to the voters, focusing on the issues, and delivering a positive message -- Anderson.

COOPER: They all say they never look at the numbers. We'll see. All right.

Dan Lothian, thanks very much.

Retired General Wesley Clark is hoping to connect with New Hampshire voters, of course, as Dan Lothian just said. We're going to go on now to find out what's going on in the other campaign.

John Edwards reaching out for a lot of young voters. Let's find out what's going on with him, how he spent the day, with CNN's Jeanne Meserve -- Jeanne.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, following the old maxim "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," the Edwards campaign does not intend to change tactics or strategy for tonight's debate. They say Edwards will not attack any of the other Democratic candidates. And if they attack him, well, it could work to Edwards' advantage.

They say no particular message is being scripted for tonight's debate, that he will stick with familiar themes. That he is the one candidate who can unite the country, that he is a comparative Washington outsider. And that he's the one candidate who understands the concerns of the average citizen.

They say that he spent some time today brushing up on the issues and developments in other campaigns. And most importantly, they say he was going to go for a run. Campaign officials acknowledged that this is Edwards' best chance to distinguish himself from the other candidates in this race. But one official is already predicting that John Kerry wins in New Hampshire.

Anderson, back to you.

COOPER: All right. Jeanne Meserve in Manchester. Thanks, Jeanne.

You might have thought that Senator Edwards was the youngest Democratic candidate. A lot of people always talk about his youth. Well, think again.

The Reverend Al Sharpton has that distinction. He's 49. Edwards is 50. The oldest Democratic candidate, well, he's Senator Joe Lieberman at 61. President Bush, we should remind you, is 57.

Just some fast facts for you.

Speaking of the president, he is moving ahead with his own campaigns right now, both the political one and the one against international terrorism. The White House officially says they are not quite in political campaign mode, not just yet. At a stop in New Mexico, the president promised his anti-terrorism campaign would never relent against those who would harm America.

We're going to have a lot more about politics later on tonight. We're going to talk to an experienced political veteran reporter, Joe Klein from "TIME" Magazine. He's up in New Hampshire. We're going to talk to him about what's going on in tonight's debate.

In other news today, concern at NASA jet propulsion laboratory. Scientists don't know exactly why the Mars rover has gone silent, but it has. The Spirit rover stopped transmitting data on Wednesday. It is not completely dead, the rover, but it is not exactly healthy either.

CNN's Miles O'Brien has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN SPACE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On its 18th Martian morning, NASA's Spirit rover awakened, alive, but clearly not well.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have had a very serious anomaly on the vehicle. And our ability to determine exactly what has happened has been limited by our inability to receive telemetry from the vehicle.

O'BRIEN: Instead of returning another raft (ph) of amazing images and scientific data across 100 million miles of space, Spirit sent a tone, a scientifically meaningless signal which does mean the golf cart-sized rover is in big trouble. But what could it be? Engineers are mystified because it came without warning, after 17 days of near flawless operation on the surface.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Something could break; clearly, something could fail. That's a concern we seriously have. It's very serious.

O'BRIEN: And for this team, many of them veterans of the failed Mars Polar Lander Mission four years ago, tone is a lot better than nothing.

RICHARD COOK, DEPUTY PROJECT MANAGER: Whenever you get confirmation that it's working -- I mean, that you're seeing a signal, both receiving and transmitting, that means that a number of things in the chain has to work.

O'BRIEN: While there is no good time for a failure of this magnitude, Spirit's communication meltdown comes as the engineering team should be turning its focus to its twin. Opportunity is on target to arrive on the other side of Mars on Saturday night.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hopefully by the end of the day today we will be able to ascertain that Spirit can do no harm to itself, and then we can leave it in a safe state and turn our attention to Opportunity.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: With all that in mind, the Spirit engineering team is getting some rest right now. They're hoping while the engineers sleep, Spirit will wake up in the middle of its Martian night about three hours from now and communicate with a passing satellite and phone home. Of course, just sending tone is not enough, in this business, Anderson. They'd like to get those cards and letters coming back soon as well.

COOPER: Miles O'Brien in Pasadena. Thanks, Miles.

We are following a number of developing stories right now "Cross Country." Let's take a look.

The Supreme Court Roe v. Wade at 31. Today marked the 31st anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion. Thousands of abortion opponents gathered for a rally and protest march at the Supreme Court building in Washington. Abortion rights demonstrators held their own rally during D.C.'s morning rush hour.

Flandreau, South Dakota: Bill Janklow goes to jail. The once powerful politician, who served as governor and congressman, he has been sentenced to 100 days for barreling through a stop sign and killing a motorcyclist in August. After serving one month, though, he will be allowed to leave jail for 10 hours a day to perform community service.

New York City: do potential jurors get it? Lawyers for Martha Stewart have complained to the judge in her securities fraud case that many of the prospective jurors now being questioned do not understand the crime she's being charged with. Stewart is charged with obstruction of justice and securities fraud. She's not being charged with insider trading.

Beverly Hills, California: death of a legend. Dancer Ann Miller, on the right there, has died of lung cancer at 81. The actress starred in more than 40 films dating back to the 1930s. She worked with Hollywood greats: Ginger Rogers, Jimmy Stewart. Miller was also a dancing partner in films with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.

Sad to say. Death of an American legend. And she was.

That is a look at stories "Cross Country" for you tonight.

The low-carb craze is bad news for orange juice. Well now citrus growers are fighting back.

Plus, female suicide bombers, the New face of terror. They are mothers and daughters and wives. Why are they becoming murderers?

And sex slaves in the USA. It is hard to believe. But we're going to have a revealing look at a form of modern-day slavery happening right here, right now. Few of us even know it is going on.

But first, let's see what the other guys are doing. A look at "Inside the Box" at the top stories on tonight's network newscasts.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Well, so what happens when your multi-billion-dollar industry gets bashed by a group of dieters, no less? If you are the Florida orange juice industry, you spend the money and change your marketing plan.

What's this all about? CNN's Miami bureau chief, John Zarrella, has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN MIAMI BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): Florida OJ, Michael Gati loves it. He'd also love to lose a few pounds. But he's had second thoughts about trying low-carb diets. Some plans recommend staying away from orange juice concentrate.

MICHAEL GATI, CONSUMER: It's insane. It goes against all that is common sense; natural orange juice is the best thing for you.

ZARRELLA: Amen to that, says the Florida citrus industry, which has been taking a diet book beating. The diet books and their authors say orange juice concentrate is too high in sugar, although they don't see their diets as undermining the industry.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We love whole fruits. We love whole grapefruits, whole oranges and less concentrated juices.

ZARRELLA: The problem is, 95 percent of Florida's oranges goes to juice. And at $9 billion a year, citrus is the state's second largest industry. According to an industry study, in the past two years, retail sales have dropped eight percent. Industry officials charge diet plans are responsible for the squeeze.

BOB CRAWFORD, FLORIDA DEPT. OF CITRUS: They've kind of had some confusing things that have led some consumers to believe that they can't have orange juice in any kind of diet.

ZARRELLA: With so much at stake in jobs and revenue, the industry is going to spend nearly $2 million on a new ad campaign touting the nutritional value of orange and grapefruit juice.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ZARRELLA: And industry officials are looking into whether there are any grounds for a lawsuit. Because under Florida law, growers can sue anyone who falsely disparages Florida's fruit or vegetable industries -- Anderson.

COOPER: John, thanks very much for that.

We're tracking a number of developing stories right now around the globe. Let's check the "UpLink."

Jerusalem: "I am not about to resign." That statement from Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon. Prosecutors there say they may indict him for his alleged role in a bribery scandal. Yesterday, an Israeli businessman he has close connections with was indicted on charges he tried to bribe Mr. Sharon when he was foreign minister.

Bangkok, Thailand: the bird ban spreads. Today, Japan became the third country to ban chicken imports from Thailand because of bird flu fears. A spokesman for the World Health Organization, meanwhile, expects growing concern about the virus' threat to the human population.

Beijing, China: ringing in the new, well, the old-fashioned way. At the Temple of Heaven they celebrated the dawn of the year of the monkey with this lavish traditional display. And a lot of rubber (ph) right there. Just a few years ago this would have been banned by the government as superstition. No longer.

That is a look at the "UpLink" tonight.

We're learning more details about the most recent suicide bombing in Israel. The bomber was a woman. The first time Hamas has used women suicide bombers. Many fear it will not be the last.

In part one of his two-part series for us, CNN's Matthew Chance investigates this growing phenomenon to find out exactly why Palestinian mothers and daughters and wives are volunteering to kill.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): What could drive a mother to abandon her two children and to kill? Ryn Riashi (ph) was just 22. She killed four Israelis and herself at a Gaza checkpoint. A mother shattering another taboo in this conflict. She told the soldiers here she needed help before exploding.

Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that sent her, says tactics have changed. More mothers and sisters and daughters are on their way. UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Jihad is an obligation on the women just like prayer. It's an obligation. In the past, we feel that women should be spared until the time of need arose. When the brothers in the military wing saw the need to operate in such a way as this, they did just that.

HALA SARAJ, PSYCHOLOGIST: This woman and thousands of our women are looking to the day that they can sacrifice for the sake of children, women (UNINTELLIGIBLE) who kill daily for the sake of Jerusalem and al-Aqsa.

CHANCE: To gauge the strength of feeling, we came to Gaza on the first day of school after the holidays. The teenage girls of Amid Shauti High (ph) assemble to salute the Palestinian flag. In the English class afterwards, talk is of political struggle and the role they'll play in years to come. The lawyers and doctors and suicide bombers of the future could be among them.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We don't think that the world are looking for us. And we believe one day we will die. If I have to die, I will make them die with me. Just disappointed.

This is a way of our study. We don't have another way.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is the only way to get our freedom.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't agree what this woman did for days. Because she had two small children. How can she leave them alone?

CHANCE: It's a question many Palestinians are struggling to answer. The whole issue of using women as bombers is new for them as well, and not everyone here supports it. Officials, like Um Jihad (ph), with long-standing links to the armed Palestinian struggle refuse to endorse it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): In the past, the women's role in military activities was limited. We mostly took part in supporting jobs such as communication, and helping the wounded and their families. I did feel sorry for this woman who sacrificed herself. She should have lived and taken care of her children. This kind of mission will not help the Palestinian people.

CHANCE: Some opposed to violence say the use of women could be a watershed.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Families have come out openly and said, we don't want our daughters or our children to be part of this. Not only do we not want to pay the price, as some Israelis say is our motivation, but we don't want to lose our children.

CHANCE Still, many Palestinians embrace their new martyrs. At a funeral in Gaza, the belief among the gunmen is that Rym Riashi (ph) has earned a privileged place, both in heaven and on the Palestinian streets.

(on camera): Across Gaza, images of suicide bombers, gunmen, even innocent civilians killed in the conflict, stare out at passersby from virtually every street corner. There is an undeniable cult of martyrdom here that makes popular heroes of the dead. Little wonder then, women, as well as men, are willing to kill and be killed just like them.

Matthew Chance, CNN, Gaza.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Remarkable. Tomorrow, we're going to bring you part two of Matthew Chance's report.

From the front lines of Iraq to the cover of "TIME" Magazine, and a special seat at the State of Union, three American heroes speak out about loss, duty and the war in Iraq coming up.

Also tonight, sex slaves in the USA. Women and children held in bondage. Find out how this illegal traffic continues.

And a little later, high stakes in New Hampshire. We'll talk with veteran political reporter Joe Klein about what the latest poll numbers may mean.

First, today's "Buzz." Can Howard Dean make a comeback after Iowa? What do you think? He's close in the polls. Vote now, cnn.com/360. Results at the end of the program.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Well, at the president's State of the Union address you may remember three soldiers who were special guests of the president. They were there to represent all the men and women now serving in Iraq. There they are.

It is a function that these performed when they were photographed for the cover of "TIME" Magazine's 2003 "Person of the Year" issue. Today I spoke with Sergeant Marquette Whiteside, Specialist Billie Grimes, and Sergeant Ronald Buxton. I started by asking how they learned they'd been picked for the cover of "TIME" Magazine.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SGT. MARQUETTE WHITESIDE, U.S. ARMY: They pulled us aside and said "You all made the cover." And we were like, OK.

COOPER: That's all you said, OK?

WHITESIDE: Yes. I mean, we really weren't expecting to be on there anyway. But then (UNINTELLIGIBLE) come down like that it was kind of a surprise. But we just played it off. It was (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

COOPER: Did you call your dad? Did you call home and let them know?

SGT. RONALD BUXTON, U.S. ARMY: I didn't even tell them when I found out. A couple days later I got an e-mail, a very mean e-mail, why didn't you tell us this and that? So they were excited. I think they own a few copies.

COOPER: I bet they bought up more than just a few copies.

BUXTON: Yes. I'm sure they did.

COOPER: Now you all were trained for field artillery, which is a very different mission than the mission you find yourselves doing now. I mean, basically, very close contact infantry work, in many ways. When you heard the mission was different than, perhaps, what you had originally been trained for, what went through your mind?

BUXTON: It wasn't really a mission. We were going to go regardless. We will be given what we needed to do the mission. It wasn't, oh, wow, it's another mission.

It was new. It may be different. A little bit of apprehension, but...

COOPER: I know that your lieutenant, Lieutenant Benjamin Colgen (ph), was instrumental in helping sort of retrain I guess some of you for going to people's homes, searching for weapons, searching for insurgents. Tell me a little bit about what Lieutenant Colgen (ph) was like.

WHITESIDE: Lieutenant Colgen (ph) is one of the most wonderfulest (ph) person I ever met in my life. He was a real cool dude, real easy to talk to, real laid back. And more than anything, he always let us know what we were going to be doing that day.

COOPER: One of you said that you thought he was sort of untouchable. Was that...

WHITESIDE: I mean, the whole team thought that. Because a lot of times we would go somewhere and the first person out was Lieutenant Colgen (ph). And he would just walk off by himself. So we were like, this cat is invincible, man. We just thought that -- we never thought he would be the one to get hurt or anything like that.

COOPER: Sadly he was. I mean, Sergeant Buxton, you were on patrol with Lieutenant Colgen (ph) night he was killed.

BUXTON: Roger. We were having problems with some mortar attacks and rocket attacks. And we were trying to catch these individuals. And the OP saw somebody that they thought the rocket came from.

That's when we were going to close off a bridge. And we were going to sweep the back of the bridge. We left the other two vehicles behind to block it. And we were going to sweep the back area of the bridge when it happened.

COOPER: And it was an improvised explosive device, IED, as they call it?

BUXTON: There wasn't a lot left to investigate. But that's probably the case.

COOPER: Sergeant Whiteside, you talked to his wife. Both of you talked to his wife after his death. What did you say to her?

WHITESIDE: I was just trying to say something to make her to laugh. And I got her to laugh a little bit. But more than anything, I just wanted to let her know how much we appreciated her husband and how much we would always miss him. And I just told her that her and her kids will always be in my prayers.

COOPER: When you hear about people back here protesting against the war or arguing about the war, does it -- do you hear about it in the front lines? And does it affect you in any way?

WHITESIDE: I mean, we hear about it. But we can't stop doing what we're doing over there. No matter what anybody back here thinks, we still have to carry on with our mission and do the right thing over there. And as far as about going out there and helping the Iraqi people, that's what we're there to do. And we have to continue to do that day in and day out.

COOPER: Sergeant Buxton, Specialist Grimes, you are both going back to Iraq. What do you think about going back?

SPC. BILLIE GRIMES, U.S. ARMY: I'm anxious to be back. I'm ready to be with my friends. We've been over there for so long together. It's like you kind of hate being back here because you're leaving them behind. You want to get back there where they're at.

BUXTON: The team needs us.

COOPER: The team needs you?

BUXTON: We need to get back to the team.

COOPER: It is really an honor to meet all of you. And I appreciate you being with us, not only representing yourselves and your unit, but also all the men and women who are over there right now. Thank you very much for being with us.

GRIMES: Thank you.

BUXTON: Thank you.

WHITESIDE: You're welcome.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): The last debate before Tuesday's vote. Will New Hampshire hopefuls' claws come out?

Sex slaves in America. Young girls bought and sold for sex. A revealing look at a clandestine crime.

And Hollywood's abuzz. Bennifer is no more. Who will America obsess about now?

360 returns.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Here's what's coming up in the next half hour. The Democrats are about to face off in New Hampshire in about 30 minutes. We'll look at the latest polls and what's at stake in tonight's debate. Joe Klein joins me for that.

Plus, the campaign trail isn't all teleprompters and handlers. We'll go behind the scenes in our new segment, "Raw Politics."

New developments in jury selection for the Martha Stewart trial. That's coming up in "Justice Served" with Lisa Bloom.

The pop culture world is abuzz. J. Lo and Bennifer no more or actually, Bennifer was J. Lo and Ben anyway, you know. We have the fallout and the heartbreak P-Diddy, stay tuned.

First, let's check our top stories in tonight's "Reset." "TIME" magazine reports a grand jury has begun hearing testimony in the investigation into who leaked the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame to journalists. Plame's husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, you see him there, says the leak was in retaliation for undercutting President Bush's rationale for going to war in Iraq. "TIME" says the decision on whether to subpoena journalists is forth coming.

Charleston, South Carolina. Padilla's not going anywhere. Designated enemy combatant Jose Padilla will stay in a Navy brig after a ruling today by a federal appeals court. Padilla had been ordered released from military custody by last weekend. An appeals panel granted the government's request to keep him in jail pending an expedited hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Attorney General John Ashcroft is being sued by a Canadian citizen who says Ashcroft sent him into the hands of Syrian torturers. Computer engineer Maher Arar is now back at home in Ottawa. He says he was illegally deported in September 2002. Instead of being sent home to Canada, he was sent to Syria where he was released from a strong Canadian protest.

Another Enron executive has been indicted. Richard Causey is accused of securities fraud and conspiracy charges. He surrendered to FBI agents and appeared before a federal magistrate where he pleaded not guilty. He faces potential jail time up to 55 years and over $5 million in fines if convicted.

Congressional investigators say the FDA and drug manufacturers must share the blame equally for allowing the narcotic Oxycontin to be so easily abused. The general accounting office say the FDA failed to aggressively regulate the painkiller even if the drug makers were pushing it hard in the marketplace. That's a look at the "Reset." Right now, the Democrats are debating tonight in New Hampshire in about 30 minutes. A new CNN/USA Today Gallup polls show Senator John Kerry with 30 percent, five points ahead of Howard Dean. They're followed in order by Wesley Clark, John Edwards, and Joe Lieberman. And that is the poll closely matched by a University of New Hampshire survey just released also.

Joining me now inside the campaign horse race is 360 contributor Joe Klein of "TIME" magazine. Joe, thanks for being with us. Joe, if the lesson in Iowa was don't go negative, stay upbeat, is tonight's debate going to be boring?

JOE KLEIN, "TIME" MAGAZINE: Yes. I think it's going to be -- it might well be a snore. I think all these guys are so daunted by the lesson of Iowa and they're so intent on fighting the last war, that I don't know that they will cut each other up very much. There won't be very much of the proverbial blood on the floor unless Howard Dean decides to slit his wrists or something. I mean that metaphorically, of course.

COOPER: Let's hope so. Let's talk first about John Kerry, what he has to do tonight. Clearly, right now, he seems to be the front- runner. He is an excellent debater. As you well know, he's had some fiery debates in the past.

KLEIN: Well, yes. It's hard to have an excellent debate when there's seven people still on the stage. But he staged one of the most memorable series of debates in 1996 when he was running for reelection to the Senate against a very charming and popular governor William Weld, whom he beat.

COOPER: Joe, is something different about John Kerry in the last week or so? Especially since Iowa. People talk about big momentum. He seems energized. Do you see that on the road?

KLEIN: Well, in John Kerry's case, energized is a little bit of an exaggeration. The biggest thing that's changed for John Kerry is that he won. He won because people determined that he looked and seemed presidential. He had a lot of knowledge about foreign policy, and, also, about domestic policy. He just seemed solid. Democrats are taking this election seriously this year.

COOPER: What does Howard Dean have to do tonight? A lot of people will be watching his deportment very closely.

KLEIN: God, I don't know what he can do. He's going to have to seem charming. He's going to have to seem calm. He's going to have to seem smart. He's going to have to distinguish himself from the others as being a cut above if he wants to get back in this race. Now, of course, he can get back in this race. He has money. He has support throughout the entire country, and you don't want to count somebody out. He took one of the heaviest hits I've ever seen a presidential candidate take. It came out of his own mouth on Monday night.

COOPER: So, I mean, I guess you could say damage control. He will be talking to Diane Sawyer later tonight. He's going to be on "David Letterman" later tonight as well. You think it's serious for Dean, not just media blowing this up a little bit?

KLEIN: Well, I think that when these kind of events, when a gaff like this reaches the David Letterman and Jay Leno stage, it is well past our influence because many, many more people watch David Letterman and Jay Leno than watch political coverage. You know it strikes me at the heart to say that that is true but it's true.

COOPER: Say it ain't so, Joe. Joe Klein, thanks for being with us.

KLEIN: It is so.

COOPER: All right. What can you do? Thanks very much.

Every Thursday on the program we like to take a look at a story the media has really run with, maybe even run amok with. Overplayed, overanalyzed, overkilled. Tonight, Howard Dean's Iowa speech is "Overkill."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST, "THE DAVID LETTERMAN SHOW": I think maybe Howard Dean has a bit of a problem because earlier today during a debate in New Hampshire he bit off Joe Lieberman's ear.

COOPER (voice-over): It wasn't just Letterman and the late-night crowd crooning about Howard Dean's Iowa address. The spectacle of a speech turned everyday viewers, even political analysts, into comedians.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When he comes to Oklahoma, tell him not to do that here. They'll put him in a barn with the rodeo animals.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Give the voters what they want to hear. They want to hear about his plan to improve our economy, improve our healthcare and get away from that awful animal sound he made on Monday night.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Awful animal sound. That's the first time I heard it described that way.

COOPER: Since Tuesday morning, the coverage has been intense. Dean was hit with the same question phrased many different ways. Namely, what was that all about?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You were quite fired up, passionate. Some people feared you might implode.

COOPER: The coverage has taken on a life of its own. One New York paper published this photo taken as Dean attended his son's hockey game. A certainly whoop-worthy event but the paper said it was proof Dean was, quote, "at it again."

Whether they saw it live or not, everyone, it seems, has something to say about that speech.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The guy is a human being. People need to chill out.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He went over the top. It might hurt him.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yahoo! In the south we call that just kind of a redneck.

COOPER: Now, Dean seems to be doing damage control.

HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm a little hoarse. It's not because of the Iowa screech. I actually have a cold.

COOPER: Tonight, he'll even be on "The David Letterman" show hoping perhaps once and for all to finally put an end to this overkill.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: And of course, we want to hear from you. What do you think? Today's "Buzz" question is this. Can Howard Dean make a comeback after Iowa? Vote now, CNN.com/360. We're going to have results at the end of the program shortly.

Time for "Justice Served." We have developments in Martha Stewart's jury selection and the pending murder trial of Scott Peterson, two cases we're going to talk about. We'll begin with the Peterson case which has become a trial without a judge. The one appointed just yesterday is now out and a new one will be named sometime next week. Court TV's Lisa Bloom is here to help us sort it all out. Lisa, thanks for being with us. Were you surprised the D.A. challenged the judge that was picked?

LISA BLOOM, COURT TV ANCHOR: Not really. I practice in California. Each side gets a chance to ding a new judge, you get three days to do it, just to get rid of a judge for any reason you want, without any explanation. It happens all the time. It doesn't happen so much in high-profile cases but those of us who practice know it is pretty common.

COOPER: The man who was picked, a retired justice, 82 years old, had death penalty experience. Do we know what the D.A had a problem with?

BLOOM: Well, here's the thing, Anderson. You get three days from when you're notified who the judge is to decide whether you're going to get rid of him or not and exercise a peremptory challenge. It is not much time. Usually attorneys have the very unscientific manner of running through the office saying, what do we know about this judge? You hear one bad thing and he's out of there. But it is a hard decision to make because you're deciding this judge, versus everybody else in the world who is the unknown.

COOPER: Because they say you only got one shot. You get one shot. BLOOM: You don't know who the alternative is. The prosecution has exercised its peremptory challenge. The defense can do the same thing, when another is appointed leading to a third appointment.

COOPER: All right. It will be interesting to see.

Let's talk about Martha Stewart a little bit. We are hearing now, her lawyer is concerned that a lot of the prospective jurors don't seem to under what she's being charged with.

BLOOM: Yes, I don't know why. She's not charged with insider trading, criminally. She charged with insider trading civilly. She is charged with securities fraud for lying about the insider trading. I mean, I am being factious. I think, it is a very confusing case. Most people don't understand it. Even attorneys following the case we have to look up the charges are each time. That helps the defense. Because the defense is going say the prosecution is overreaching a little bit. They didn't really insider trades charges. That's what she was investigated for, not charged with.

COOPER: I mean, do they have to understand what the charges are?

Isn't that what's the trial for?

BLOOM: Well, that's true, and fair enough. When they go back in the jury room, whoever is chosen to be on the panel, they will go back with a written jury verdict form that will spell out the charges. And I think the defense is trying to make an important point, to get the jurors told directly by the judge at this earlier phase. She's not charged with insider trading, it's lesser charges.

COOPER: Let's talk about the judge. The judge is sort of despairing of every maybe finding jurors who never even heard of Martha Stewart. I think, they've sort of given up on that. I guess the key now just finding people who feel they can be impartial?

BLOOM: And that what we see in high-profile cases time and again. Of course, people have heard of Martha Stewart, Kobe Bryant, or Michael Jackson. Your are not find 12 ignorant people here in Manhattan who haven't heard of Martha Stewart. But people who can put what they know about her aside and decided on the fact or at least who are going to say that to the judge to get on the jury.

COOPER: Let's talk about Kobe Bryant case a little bit. What's coming down the pipe. What's going on right now.

BLOOM: Well, tomorrow a number of motion goes will be heard, about the victim's medical records, whether she waived her right to claim they are protected by doctor-patient confidentiality by talking to a number of people. If so, the judge may say the records should be coming in. That's the important one.

COOPER: All right. Court TV's Lisa Bloom. Thanks, good to see you. All right you can stick around if want to hear about JLo and Ben.

BLOOM: I'm dying to hear all about it.

COOPER: It will come shortly.

I want to go more to "Justice Served" right now. NBA star Kobe Bryant will be back in a Colorado courtroom tomorrow where most of the talk will center around the alleged victim in the sexual assault case.

With a preview here is Gary Tuchman.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Kobe Bryant's attorneys have filed court documents saying there is evidence his accuser had sex with another man within 18 hours of being allegedly raped by Kobe Bryant. There's evidence she had sex with someone else in the days before the alleged crime. If such information is allowed to be presented to a jury, it could greatly complicate prosecution efforts to prove the alleged victim's injuries are from the Los Angeles Lakers Star.

CRAIG SILVERMAN, COLORADO DEFENSE ATTORNEY: If they could establish she had sex between the Kobe Bryant encounter and going to the sheriff's department with another man. And they are well on their way to doing so. If that occurs I have to believe this case is over.

TUCHMAN: Bryant's attorneys will be asking Judge Terry Ruckriegle for the right to discuss some the woman's sexual history during the trial.

CYNTHIA STONE, COLORADO COALITION AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT: It is not that a victim's prior sexual history can never be admitted into court. It has to be relevant to the case at hand.

TUCHMAN: Part of the upcoming hearing will be closed to the news media as the judge tries to determine if the medical records stay confidential. Bryant's attorneys saying reported suicide attempts and psychological problems demonstrate a quote "motivate a scheme not to tell the truth."

LARRY POZNER, COLORADO DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I believe that the prosecution could not have known the depth of the accuser's problems. We have had bomb shell, after bomb shell come out that we know about.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, moving on.

Young girls smuggled into the United States as sex slaves. In a shocking report about a crime few Americans know is happening. You might be surprised where it's happening to.

And the less rehearsed side of politics where the president eats at a diner for instance. We'll begin our new segment "Raw Politics." That's ahead.

And say it aint so, no one saw it coming. Actually, maybe a lot of people saw it coming, the break-up of well you know who, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. We'll talk about that coming up. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Well, we turn our attention now to a little reported story, a story about slavery going on right here, right now in the U.S. By one estimate, there may be as many as 50,000 children and young women living here right now forced to work as sex slaves. Young girls can be sold as for as little as $60, earn 10's of thousands for traffickers. The U.S. sex slave trade is the topic of the cover story in this coming Sunday's "New York Times" magazine. The author of the piece Peter Landesman. It's an extraordinary peace. He is a contributing writer to the "Times." He joins us now from Los Angeles. Peter thanks for being with us.

First of all, people think of prostitution. This is no prostitution.

PETER LANDESMAN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER, "N.Y. TIMES": No. And the differentiation is important to make. Prostitutes who live in the gray zone and they are subject to a lot of different (UNINTELLIGIBLE). They do make money. They have a payroll. They earn some sort of living off this. We're talking about women, girls, toddlers literally in chains both figuratively and literally.

COOPER: And these people are brought from where?

I mean, Eastern Europe?

Trafficked in through Mexico?

LANDESMAN: Mexico is the conduit to this country for all sorts of contraband, not just drugs but also human trafficking and the trafficking of sex slaves. These girls, the victims I've been writing about come from eastern Europe and Asia, but primarily eastern Europe and Mexico where poverty leaves them deeply vulnerable.

COOPER: So, they're brought in, and Then What happens to them?

They wind up in, I mean, city, in Atlanta, in Los Angeles?

LANDESMAN: Los Angeles, New York. You know, the kids -- the kids we think are homeless, the hookers we see on the street corners we believe are working for themselves or local pimps. A lot of these women, a lot of these girls, a lot of these kids, children are working at the behest of literally slave owners and traffickers who threaten their lives, their family if they try to escape. These are people who are often from other countries, so don't have the benefit of home security.

COOPER: And we're not talking about -- this is not a small scale. This is a very sophisticated operation, extensive ties. In the article you have one just really horrific description of selling going on at Disneyland? LANDESMAN: Yes, mechanisms of movement are extremely sophisticated, just like drugs and just like weapons. To traffickers humans are another commodity, except the profit margin with humans, especially sex slaves, is enormously profitable. Children and teenagers are traded along rest stops and interstate freeways. In Disneyland by color coded methods. Exchanged just like any other commodity, bought and sold and taken back and used.

COOPER: Well, someone will say, can't they escape, can't they get out?

I mean, how -- what happens to these young women, to these children after a while?

LANDESMAN: These particular victims -- the number is probably much greater than 50,000. If they try to escape, they're beaten or killed. Either wittingly or unwittingly, their families in the countries of origin whether it be Moldovia, Russia or Mexico are held as collateral for their human body. If they try to escape, they know very well that their brother, sister, mother, father could be very well beaten or killed if they attempt to escape.

COOPER: They are not using condoms. These people end up dying.

LANDESMAN: They frequently do die. A lot of them do die. You know, some of the prostitutes that johns, you know, are friends, family use unwittingly behind the scenes, some them are these girls. And they don't know who they are. I mean, of course, sometimes they use condoms as you would with some prostitutes. But most of the time, no, not at all.

COOPER: It's an eye-opening story. I mean, I didn't know much about it. I heard a little bit. But your reporting on it, you've been working on it four months. It's extraordinary. It is in this Sunday's "New York Times Magazine." We appreciate you joining us. Thank you.

Well, the campaign isn't all stump speeches and photo ops. We are looking at what doesn't tend to make the evening news coming up in our new segment, "Raw Politics." That's ahead.

And also, it's official. Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, they've broken up. The engagement's off. We'll talk about that. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Well, today the president and the Democratic candidates were on the road running hard, photo ops, sound bites, all carefully orchestrated but truth be told, campaigns are messy business. Some of the most interesting moments never make it on air. Tonight, we're starting a regular feature on 360, a look at some of the moments that you'll rarely see covered. It's "Raw Politics."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) COOPER (voice-over): Today at a presidential pit stop at the Nothing Fancy cafe in Roswell, New Mexico, the president wanted food and didn't want to eat alone.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm hungry and I'm going to order some ribs.

COOPER: The problem is the press wanted some answers, not some ribs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are critics who say you simply haven't spent enough to keep the country secure.

BUSH: My job is to secure the homeland. That's exactly what we're going to do. I'm here to take somebody's order. You get paid a lot of money. You ought to be buying food. It is part of how the economy grows. You have plenty of money in your pocket. When you spend it, it drives the economy forward. What would you like to eat?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right behind you. Whatever you order.

BUSH: I'm ordering ribs. This is not a press conference. This is my chance to help this lady put money in her pocket. So instead of asking questions, answer mine. Are you going to buy some food?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

COOPER: Despite their promises, no press corp food orders came in.

BUSH: They make a lot of money and won't spend much. I'm sorry. I'm not saying they're overpaid. They're just not spending money.

COOPER: In the end, the president realized he would have to spur the local economy all by himself.

BUSH: They're on me.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: "Raw Politics."

Let's check pop news. Sad news. Bennifer is no more. Jennifer Lopez called off her engagement to Ben Affleck. It's official. Her spokeswoman said, quote, "at this difficult time we ask you respect her privacy." I guess now we'll have to wait unitl there's a new movie for her to promote before we hear the details.

President Bush's daughter Barbara is breaking a family tradition. The 22-year-old senior at Yale has not been asked to join Skull and Bones, the secret society which her father, grandfather, and great grandfather all were members in. Barbara's twin sister Jenna was also not asked to join the group which probably stings a little bit less since she goes to the University of Texas.

The Vatican is denying reports that Pope John Paul II endorsed Mel Gibson's controversial biblical epic, "The Passion of Christ." The Vatican says the Pontiff does not make public judgments on artistic works. Sad. Considering "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton" opens tomorrow.

And Art Garfunkel of Simon and Garfunkel was busted for marijuana possession when his limo was stopped for speeding in upstate New York. Police say the 62-year-old folk singer had a small amount of pot in his jacket. The incident is expected to raise the stakes in Simon and Garfunkel's rivalry with Hall and Oates for the most tepid behind the music ever.

The break-up heard around the world. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. It's over. We'll give you a moment to try and compose yourselves and talk about it when we come back in the "Nth Degree."

Tomorrow, behind the glitz, glamour of the Golden Globe awards, is there a dirty secret? Find out tomorrow on 360. That's why they called it.

First, today's "Buzz." "Can Howard Dean make a comeback after Iowa?" What do you think? Vote now. CNN.com/360. We'll have the results when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Time now for the "Buzz." We asked you, "Can Howard Dean make a comeback after Iowa?" 35 percent said yes. 65 percent said no. It is not a scientific poll. Just your buzz. We appreciate it.

"Nth Degree." It is official. The love that once shined so bright it warmed America's celebrity clogged heart has died. I'm sorry. It's an emotional moment for us all. We fell in love and out of love with those crazy kids as quickly and as often as they did with each other. Remember "Gigli"? How we laughed at them. I'm sorry. I can't do this. Just roll the tape.

Who will we obsess about now? I'm sure we'll find somebody. Thanks for watching tonight. That's all the time we have. Coming up next, "Paula Zahn now."

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