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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees
Slim-Fast Drops Whoopi Goldberg as Spokesperson; Iraqi Governor Assassinated
Aired July 14, 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.
ANDERSON COOPER, HOST: Good evening from New York. I'm Anderson Cooper.
Breaking news as a major Hollywood star gets caught in fallout from presidential politics. Details on that coming up.
360 starts now.
An Iraqi governor assassinated. A massive bomb in Baghdad. And a hostage thought executed may actually be alive.
Taking hostages and making deals in Iraq. An inside look at the big business of kidnapping.
Sex, blackmail, and videotape. A top political fundraiser accused of hiring a prostitute for a colleague and taping the tryst.
Wonder twin powers activate. Shape of a reelection. Form of Jenna and Barbara Bush. Why they're joining their dad's reelection campaign.
And Yoko Ono on 360. My interview with the legendary pop icon.
ANNOUNCER: Live from New York, this is ANDERSON COOPER 360.
COOPER: Good evening. Some breaking news to report tonight.
In a country where freedom of speech is enshrined in the Constitution, there's free speech, and then there's costly speech. Tonight, fallout from a raucous political fundraising party held by the Democrats in New York last week and comments made by one of the entertainers there.
At that event, which raised millions of dollars for the Kerry- Edwards campaign, a number of celebrities called for the defeat of the Republican ticket, among them Whoopi Goldberg, who apparently fired off a stream of lewd sexual wordplays on the Bush name. Today, that cost the actress a Slim-Fast. The diet company for which Goldberg did television ads, dropped her as a spokesperson.
The company said it was disappointed in the way Goldberg chose to express her views, saying, "We are disappointed by the manner in which Ms. Goldberg chose to express herself and sincerely regret that her recent remarks offended some of our consumers. Ads featuring Ms. Goldberg will no longer be on the air." The Democratic event and the Goldberg -- and Goldberg's comments in particular have been grist for Republican supporters for nearly a week now, the president himself even referring to them at an event yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The other day my opponent said, when he was with some entertainers from Hollywood, that they were the heart and soul of America. I believe the heart and soul of America is found in places right here in Marquette, Wisconsin.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: Well, there is apparently a videotape of the Goldberg speech, along with others who spoke, but Democrats have not released that. The Republicans have called on them to do so.
We're going to cover this a lot tonight, but even before the announcement by Slim-Fast, the controversy over what was said and how it was said cropped up again on the campaign trail.
With that, let's go to live to the White House and CNN's Elaine Quijano. Elaine?
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good evening to you, Anderson.
Yes, that event taking place in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on the campaign trail where President Bush was making a three-city bus tour through that state. Dennis Miller actually, in advance of President Bush's appearance there, telling the crowd, quote, "I couldn't let Whoopi Goldberg have all of the fun." Dennis Miller, the comedian, going on to poke fun at Democratic candidates.
Also, though this was a serious time for Democrats, they cited in very serious, somber tones a new British intelligence report just out, one that actually mirrors the findings of that scathing Senate Intelligence report out last week that found intelligence in the run- up to the Iraq war was flawed.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
QUIJANO (voice-over): In his first solo campaign appearance as John Kerry's vice presidential pick, John Edwards attacked President Bush for faulty prewar intelligence, saying a stronger leader like John Kerry would have taken the blame for it, the way British Prime Minister Tony Blair did.
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Tony Blair didn't run from the report. He didn't try to not acknowledge it. Instead, what Tony Blair said was, I take full responsibility for the mistakes.
QUIJANO: President Bush in Wisconsin on a two-day push through the upper Midwest fired back through his campaign, saying, "John Edwards' remarkable distortion of the Butler report was the latest example of the Kerry campaign's flailing and desperate attempt to distract from their troubling record of voting for the use of force in Iraq."
Appealing to rural voters, President Bush also repeated his assertions that the Kerry-Edwards ticket is too far left for middle America.
BUSH: Senator Kerry is rated as the most liberal member of the United States Senate, and he chose a fellow lawyer who is the fourth most liberal member of the United States Senate.
QUIJANO: Back in Iowa, Senator Edwards appealed to those same voters, using the issue of values to point out his rural roots.
EDWARDS: ... about values. Well, I know something about values, just like all of you do. I grew up in a small town in North Carolina. I know what values are, I grew up with them -- work, faith, responsibility, family...
(END VIDEOTAPE)
QUIJANO: President Bush hopes spending time in rural areas of the Midwest on this campaign swing will pay off and help convince voters that he, not John Kerry, shares their priorities, Anderson.
COOPER: Elaine, thanks very much.
And we anticipate we're going to be hearing a lot more about this Whoopi Goldberg situation, about both from Republicans and democrats, most likely, later tomorrow as these candidates continue on the campaign trail. We'll be covering it as well later on on 360.
In Iraq today, American commanders thought that something might happen. It was a national holiday, after all, a day marking the end of the British (UNINTELLIGIBLE) backed monarchy in 1958. They tightened security at all checkpoints, put soldiers on even higher alert, but still, a suicide bomber found his mark. At the gates of the U.S.-fortified green zone, at least 10 people were killed, dozens more injured. It was the deadliest single attack since Iraq regained sovereignty just over two weeks ago.
A provincial governor was also killed in an attack on his convoy as he drove toward Baghdad.
CNN's Baghdad bureau chief, Jane Arraf, is covering it all.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): The rage of helplessness. "If there is a terrorist, come and face us, don't go behind our backs," said this Iraqi national guard.
An anonymous suicide bomber detonated 1,000 pounds of explosives at a checkpoint at the entrance to the green zone, where U.S. and Iraqi officials are based. At least 10 Iraqis were killed, three of them national guardsmen. Dozens more were wounded.
There might have been more victims if this hadn't been a national holiday, the anniversary of the bloody 1958 coup that toppled the monarchy.
The blast broke Baghdad's recent calm, the first major attack since the U.S. handed back sovereignty on June 28.
The interim government's get-tough prime minister, touring the scene, pledged to find the attackers.
IYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI INTERIM PRIME MINISTER: It is an act of aggression against the Iraqi people. We will bring the criminals to justice.
ARRAF: Just hours later, a senior regional official, the governor of Ninevah, which includes the city of Mosul, was assassinated while traveling to Baghdad. His aides said it was a targeted assassination. Gunmen pulled up and opened fire on Youssef Kashmola, a university professor who became governor four months ago. Two bodyguards were also killed in the firefight.
Kashmola took the job after others declined, saying they feared for their lives.
(on camera): There's still fear as well for the lives of foreign hostages still being held here, and a threat of beheading. Diplomats say a Filipino truck driver still expected to be released. This is after the Philippine government indicated it would withdraw troops early.
But the fate of two Bulgarians and an Egyptian known to be held is more murky.
Jane Arraf, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: A quick 360 news note about Corporal Wassef Ali Hassoun, the U.S. Marine who's the subject of a military investigation. Corporal Hassoun is now expected back on U.S. soil tomorrow. The U.S. military had planned to fly him back today after he left a medical center in Landstuhl, Germany, but delayed it for unexplained reasons.
The Senate says no to President Bush. That story tops our look at what's happening cross-country right now. Washington, D.C., no gay marriage amendment, at least not now. President's Senate allies fell 12 votes short of keeping the measure alive this year. But they vow to revisit the issue down the road. Both John Kerry and John Edwards skipped the vote. I'll have more on this subject in my interview with Yoko Ono later tonight.
Off the coast of Puerto Rico, grim search. Fifteen people still missing from a migrant boat, capsizing in the Mona (ph) Passage. A third body was plucked from the water today. Fourteen people have been rescued. Seattle, Washington, a crime beyond comprehension. Police say a man doused his girlfriend and three kids with gasoline and lit them on fire as all five of them drove down a road. No one survived, including the man, but police say the woman told them the story before she died at the hospital. Unbelievable.
California's Vandenberg Air Force Base now, launch scrubbed. Problems with a rocket battery system forced mission controllers to postpone the scheduled liftoff of the Aura research satellite. Once in orbit, it will study the earth's atmosphere and hopefully determine whether the ozone layer is recovering from (UNINTELLIGIBLE) manmade damage.
In L.A., big diesel is going to South Beach. Lakers are trading superstar center Shaquille O'Neal to the Miami Heat for three players in a first-round draft pick. O'Neal began his pro career in Florida 12 years ago, leading the Orlando Magic to the NBA finals in 1995.
That's a quick look at stories cross-country for you tonight.
360 next, sex, lies, and videotape. Did a major campaign donor hire a prostitute to blackmail one of his own colleagues? We'll have the details.
Also, the tale of a tiger gunned down. Were Florida police out of line when they shot Bobo the tiger? Heated words from his owner and accusations of murder.
And on the campaign trail, the Bush twins step into the spotlight for Dad. All that ahead and more.
First, let's take a look at your picks, the most popular stories on CNN.com right now.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Strange story tonight. A top political fundraiser is in the headlines. The feds are calling him a cheat, and now there are allegations he made a video of his own employee in bed with a prostitute. Now, why would he do this? you ask. Authorities say blackmail.
CNN's Adaora Udoji has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you once again, Charles, for all that you have done for the Democratic Party.
ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Federal prosecutors indicted a golden political fundraiser in Charles Kushner, who amassed a New Jersey property portfolio rivaling Donald Trump's. Facing a probe into federal tax fraud and illegal campaign contributions, investigators say he hired New York City call girls to lure two witnesses into sex. Only one went for it. Fodder for the tabloids, serious business to U.S. attorneys. CHRISTOPHER CHRISTIE, U.S. ATTORNEY: When people under investigation decide to take the law into their own hands, to obstruct justice, to attempt to impede the rule of law, it is our obligation to act swiftly and surely to end the obstruction.
UDOJI: U.S. Attorney Chris Christie told a court the real estate mogul, with the help of two others, videotaped the sexual tryst, then sent the tape to the witness's wife in retaliation for his cooperating with the feds.
BENJAMIN BRAFMAN, KUSHNER'S ATTORNEY: Mr. Kushner is confident that when this matter is ultimately resolved in a public courtroom, he will be completely exonerated.
UDOJI: The three-count federal indictment followed another dent in Kushner's reputation. Last month, he got in trouble over fundraising for the 2000 elections. The Federal Elections Commission fined him $500,000 for illegal contributions to former presidential candidate Bill Bradley and others on behalf of his employees, without their knowledge.
(on camera): It all adds up to serious challenges for one of New Jersey's most well-known self-made men.
Adaora Udoji, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Calls for justice following the killing of an American journalist. That story tops our look at global stories in the uplink. Moscow, Russia, funeral services today for Paul Klebnikov. He's the editor of "Forbes" magazine's Russian edition. Now, he was killed outside his office where he launched the magazine just three months ago. Police are investigating the likelihood the murder was a contract killing.
Northern Japan, at least six people are dead following torrential rains and flooding 130 miles northwest of Tokyo. About 20,000 people evacuated their homes.
Paris, France, now, Bastille Day. Two hundred and fifteen years ago today, the French Revolution began with the storming of the Bastille Prison in Paris. This year's parade, English soldiers, there they are, marched the first time ever to celebrate 100 years of friendship between France and England.
Pamplona, Spain, the sun is setting on the running of the bulls. One runner was gored in today's final run. Since the bulls' first run a week ago, 15 people have been gored. And who knows how many have woken up with a vicious hangover.
That is a quick look at what's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) around the world in the uplink.
Last night, if you were watching our program, you saw a man by the name of Steve Sipek, the one-time Tarzan actor, distraught over the shooting death of his 600-pound tiger, an animal he called Bobo. Sipek has basically accused the police of murder, shooting the animal, he says, unnecessarily. Police say it was self-defense.
John Zarrella is covering the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bobo the pet tiger was killed, Florida wildlife officials say, because it turned and lunged at an officer.
MAJ. BRETT NORTON, FLORIDA WILDLIFE OFFICIAL: I can tell you that I trust my officer's instincts. And he has indicated to me that he was in fear of his life.
ZARRELLA: Bobo's action does not surprise the director of the Palm Beach County Zoo, who says whether they are raised from cubs, as Bobo was, or caught in the wild, tigers can kill.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not a tame animal. It still has very wild instincts and is an incredibly dangerous animal.
ZARRELLA: Bobo had escaped from Steve Sipek's private residence and had been on the loose for more than 24 hours. Sipek accuses the Wildlife Commission of intentionally killing Bobo.
STEVE SIPEK, BOBO'S OWNER: No, they did not wait for the tranquilizer guy. They didn't wait for nobody. They just shot him cold.
ZARRELLA: Sipek is one of a handful of people in south Florida with state-issued permits to legally own tigers.
Mark McCarthy (ph) is another.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here in Florida, you're not allowed to keep these animals as pets for one good reason. They will kill you.
ZARRELLA: McCarthy owns a wildlife sanctuary. He says tigers are cute until they mature.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And just like an 18-year-old guy with his first girlfriend, when these hormones start kicking in, these animals start to become very unpredictable and very dangerous.
ZARRELLA: Wildlife officials say there was absolutely no intent to kill Bobo.
(on camera): An investigator has been sent to West Palm Beach to review the shooting. And wildlife officials say the tranquilizer team had been called and was almost there when the tiger was shot.
John Zarrella, CNN, Miami.
(END VIDEOTAPE) COOPER: Well, 360 next, adult attention deficit disorder. That's right, I said adult. Find out why more and more adults are being diagnosed with ADD. If your desk is messy, you can't make plans, you may be more than just disorganized. Stay tuned.
Also tonight, Yoko Ono's new cause, find out why she's weighing in on gay politics. She is our special guest.
And a little later tonight, Whoopi Goldberg bounced from Slim- Fast over comments she made about the president. This is a developing story. Is it a smart move, or bad politics? All that ahead. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Well, a lot of children are diagnosed, but not a lot of adults. Is your desk a mess? Do you have trouble keeping track of things? Do you maybe jump around from job to job or start one project at home, lose interest, and then move on to something else?
It all may come down to biology. You might be an adult with ADD. There are an estimated 8 million adults in the U.S. with the disorder. It the second most common psychological problem in adults after depression, but a lot of people simply don't know about it.
Earlier I spoke with Lisa Belkin. She's a writer for "The New York Times" magazine, and she's written this weekend's cover story about adult ADD.
The numbers are startling. You say only 15 percent of adults know that they have ADD. How do people know whether they have it or not? I mean, because some people are just messy or disorganized.
LISA BELKIN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER, "NEW YORK TIMES" MAGAZINE: Some people are just messy or disorganized. What the doctors say is, this rises to a level above that. It affects your whole life, every aspect of your life, not just, I'm under stress this week so I forgot a doctor's appointment, but, I constantly forget doctors' appointments, and I forget things at work, and I forget things at home, and it takes over my life.
And that seems to be the standard is not just having the symptoms, but are the symptoms invading your life?
COOPER: So if someone's sitting at home watching this and wondering whether they have it, what are some of the questions they can ask themselves?
BELKIN: There's actually a screening test which any therapist would have, but it involves things like, I feel like there's always a motor running inside me, or, I am constantly forgetting appointments, and, I start a task with great gusto, and then peter out when it's time for the final details.
And people will rate them on, you know, from rarely to always. And it's things we all do magnified, writ large. COOPER: Because you thought maybe you even had it going into this article.
BELKIN: I think everyone thinks they have this sometimes. You know, you leave the coffee cup on the top of the car, and you're sure you have some sort of syndrome. And I can't...
COOPER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), (UNINTELLIGIBLE), I mean, isn't there some danger that people will say, Oh, you know, I can't help myself, I've got adult ADD?
BELKIN: Yes, there is a danger. I think, though, that if you spend as much time as I have lately around people who really have it, what you come away with is a great respect for the fact that I don't. OK? I forget things and I lose things, but I don't -- the interviews I did for this story were just qualitatively different than...
COOPER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), one guy...
BELKIN: ... anything I've ever done.
COOPER: ... 37 years old, who's had 50 jobs.
BELKIN: Yes, 50 jobs. Or they would call me in the middle of the night because they had a thought, or the conversations would go on for hours. I called one woman to ask her one question, When did you move to New Mexico? Twenty minutes later, she hadn't answered the question. We were still talking about comparative property values around the country.
COOPER: So (UNINTELLIGIBLE) they have trouble focusing. What sort of treatment is there for adults?
BELKIN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...
COOPER: Because, I mean, with kids, they get Ritalin, (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...
BELKIN: Same thing, same thing. But for the first time this fall is the first drug approved for adults, ADD in adults. Until then, it was written off-label for kids, the dosaging didn't get you through a workday. It got you through school days. So there's medication, and you combine the medication with not just therapy but more coaching.
COOPER: And the difference the way adults are treated than the way kids are treated, I mean, it's really up to the adult at work to sort of take the first couple of steps.
BELKIN: Yes, there's all sorts of mechanisms in place to help kids. Law says you have to help kids. There's no such thing that says you must help an adult, and it's up to the adult. And there's an infrastructure, being, you know, where there's a need, there's a business, and there are people going into the business of coaching adults with ADD to get them through their workday.
COOPER: It's a fascinating article in "The New York Times" this weekend. Lisa Belkin, thanks very much.
BELKIN: Thank you.
COOPER: If you are an adult with ADD, all is not lost. Lisa Belkin says there are a lot of professions in which you can excel, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) even if you're not treated, including sales, acting, and my job, journalism, basically any profession that involves talking a lot, moving around, and adrenaline. The worst jobs, she says, require attention to detail, like accounting, bookkeeping, and working as a librarian.
Whoopi Goldberg gets the axe from Slim-Fast for racy comments about the president.
Wonder twin powers activate. Shape of a reelection. Form of Jenna and Barbara Bush. Why they're joining their dad's reelection campaign.
And Yoko Ono on 360, my interview with the legendary pop icon.
360 continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: 360 next, Howard Dean's former campaign director sounds off on Kerry, Bush, and whether campaigns are doing wrong. Is it smart analysis, or sour grapes? Find out for yourself.
And the Bush twins in the spotlight. Barbara and Jenna Bush come out for Dad.
First, let's check our top story in tonight's reset.
In Ninevah province in Iraq, the governor and two of his bodyguards were shot and killed in a targeted assassination. Governor Youssef Kashmola was on his way to Baghdad to meet with Iraq's president. The governor's killers have not been caught.
In Boston, homeland security chief Tom Ridge says security for the Democratic National Convention is, quote, "very, very strong." Ridge toured the convention site and reviewed security plans. He says he is very confident about the measures that have been put in place. Several thousand security personnel will be on site when the Democrats gather later this month.
In Washington, Vice President Dick Cheney tries to squash rumors. And just moments ago told C-SPAN that he will run for reelection with President Bush. When asked if there were any circumstances under which he would step aside, Cheney responded, "Well, no, I can't."
And in New York, Whoopi's been fired. Slim-Fast, the dietary drink, has canceled all of their commercial spots that use her to promote their products.
That's a quick look at top stories in the reset tonight. Slim-Fast has issued a statement saying, and I quote, "We are disappointed by the manner in which Ms. Goldberg chose to express herself and sincerely regret that her recent remarks offended some of our consumers. Ads featuring Ms. Goldberg will no longer be on the air," end quote.
Joining me now with reaction in Washington, syndicated columnist Armstrong Williams, and in (UNINTELLIGIBLE), excuse me, San Francisco, KGO radio talk show host Bernie Ward.
Gentlemen, appreciate you being on the program.
Armstrong, does this make sense to you, Whoopi Goldberg getting the axe from Slim-Fast?
ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS, SYNDICATED COLUMNIST: Yes, it does make sense. She was totally irresponsible in what she said. She was not originally -- they did not originally plan to have her on the show. When they asked her to send her script on, they sent her a picture of her butt with a kiss on it, and she said she was even shocked that they still asked her to come.
And she decided to grab her crotch to say that her bush's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) than the Bush's in the White House. It was obscene. I mean, it's just, there's no place for it.
And even among Democrats who were to cheer on presidential candidate Kerry and his running mate John Edwards, they were offended, because they realized that you have to draw the line. The only sad part is that President Candidate Kerry chose not to address that. He felt that it was expression, everything said what they felt, but he was offended by what she said about John Edwards looking 18 years old, being a boy. She kept referring to him as a boy. He condemned that, but in no way did he condemn the just derogatory and obscene things that she said about the sitting president of the United States.
COOPER: Let me ask Bernie about his. Bernie, does it make sense that John Kerry didn't say anything? I mean, he came out at the end of the evening and didn't -- and I guess he had the opportunity to distance himself. Why didn't he?
BERNIE WARD, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Well, I don't know why he had to distance himself. The president has never distanced himself from Dick Cheney saying "F-You" to Pat Leahy. And the president himself called a "New York Times" reporter an "a-hole." I don't think there's any need for the president -- or for Mr. Kerry to distance himself. But no only that, if Whoopi Goldberg should be fired for her comments, then Limbaugh shouldn't have a single commercial to his name. This is a man who called Chelsea Clinton a dog. This is a man who continued to accuse the president and his wife of killing Vince Foster, accused his wife of being a lesbian, said that they weren't really married.
COOPER: So, do you think her comments were appropriate, do you think?
WARD: Of course they were for the context they were in. They were in a political concert, they making fun of the president. It was partisan, and it's no different from what the Republicans did to Clinton again and again and again and again. It's just that the Republicans are so much more thin-skinned, it's amazing to me.
COOPER: Armstrong, is there a difference?
WILLIAMS: You know, I feel sad for the decent Americans who could care less about political parties here. And the fact that Ms. Goldberg was obscene, the things that she said and the descriptions, she kept grabbing her crotch. Obviously Slim-Fast took it pretty seriously, because obviously...
COOPER: But aren't politicians making too much of this? I mean, are they just using this for political hay to get ahead?
ARMSTRONG: No, look, man, it was the Democrats in that room that were offended. These were not Republicans. It would have been one thing had it been a Republican gathering, this was a Democratic gathering. They were offended. They were outraged.
WARD: It wasn't the Democrats who wrote to Slim-Fast. We already have news wires saying the Republicans orchestrated all the letters and calls that went to Slim-Fast. So don't even talk about the Democrats Armstrong. The Republicans jumped on this. And then they sent they...
(CROSSTALK)
ARMSTRONG: No, the Democrats were offended in this room, and you should be offended, sir, as you should be offended, you should show your decency on the air tonight while children and grandparents are watching this show. We should never tolerate that kind of behavior anywhere in this country. It is unnecessary. There are ways that you can entertain, there are ways that you can make people laugh and cheer them on, but you don't have to grab your crotch and compare you bushes, saying they're brighter than the president. C'mon, man.
COOPER: Bernie, final thought.
WARD: Well my final thought is, number one, Armstrong doesn't care what Cheney says to Leahy or what the president says to a New York Times reporter. They were supposed to bring civility back to the White House, that hasn't happened.
And for eight years they made obscene fun of president Clinton and his wife and child, and every way they could, and not once did anybody like Limbaugh or (UNINTELLIGIBLE) anybody else lose an endorsement because of it. All of a sudden because now, because Whoopi Goldberg makes some comments, thin-skinned Republicans saw a chance to jump on it. It wasn't the Democrats. They orchestrated the phone calls, they orchestrated the e-mails and Slim-Fast has reacted, which they have a right to do. But please, can we stop being so sanctimonious about this?
COOPER: Armstrong, your final thoughts. I want to give you equal time. ARMSTRONG: You know what? there are still those of us in this country who care about decency, care about images that come across the stage and the television sets, and I just think that even the people at that event have to be applauded for seeing the obscenity in that and spoke out against it. And Ms. Goldberg got exactly what she deserved.
And hopefully other entertainers will learn a lesson from this, there are certain things that Americans will not tolerate no matter their political persuasion...
WARD: Yes, let's hope Limbaugh gets fired from a few.
ARMSTRONG: And I think it's a good sign for this country.
COOPER: We're going to leave it there. Armstrong Williams, Bernie Ward...
WARD: It's a great sign, we love censorship.
COOPER: Appreciate you being on the program, Bernie and Armstrong. Thank you very much. I should also point out, we tried to contact Ms. Goldberg. We have put in several calls to her people, have not heard back. We would love to hear from her on this comment -- on this topic.
As we said, this happened just a short time ago. It is no doubt a story you'll be hearing a lot about in the coming days.
Today's "Buzz" question is this, "did Slim-Fast make the right decision in dropping Whoopi Goldberg." What do you think? Log on to CNN.com/360, cast your vote. We're going to have results at the end of the program tonight. Let's weigh in on that.
Two weeks from now in Boston, the signs hoisted inside the Fleet Center will say Kerry-Edwards, but it hasn't been long since Howard Dean was name was on nearly every Democrats the lips. Remember those days?
Even though his campaign ran out of gas, it is blazed a new trail that future candidates will certainly try to follow in some ways, especially when it comes to Internet fundraising. Joe Trippi was the architect of that campaign. He has written a new book. Earlier, he and I talked about it.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Joe, in your new book, you're pretty tough on John Kerry. You say this about him quote, "every time I see John Kerry on television, I'm struck by the same thought whether he's snowboarding or playing hockey or wearing his leathers, sitting on a Harley Davidson motorcycle, the message seems to be the same: Aren't I amazing. His campaign spots, with their focus on his laudable service in Vietnam tell the same story: Aren't I amazing? It's no different with the other Democratic candidates or with George W. Bush." You're essentially saying, he's no different than all the rest of them. What's he doing wrong?
JOE TRIPPI, FRM. DEAN CAMPAIGN MANAGER: Well, I think the Dean -- Governor Dean, the campaign was about look at you, aren't you amazing? And that's how 650,000 Americans came on to the playing field and helped carry the campaign. I believe Senator Kerry's message, and John Edwards message is a great one, I just think they would get further and energize more people if they turned it away from the focus, it's always on the candidate, turn it back on the focus of the American people and challenge them.
I actually believe Kerry is beginning to that. I believe he started to do that when he sent the announcement about John Edwards to his Internet supporters and alerted them before he alerted everybody else. That was clearly out of the box for that campaign
COOPER: Do you think John Edwards was a good choice for John Kerry?
TRIPPI: Oh yes, I definitely think so. I think the guy appeals to young people. He's got a lot of energy. And I think he's going to help in places like Arkansas, and Louisiana, and in Ohio, which is a key state. The southern part of Ohio is really Kentucky, and I think Edwards makes the Kerry ticket much more competitive.
COOPER: But you know, whatever credit you give to John Kerry in your book, you basically really give to Howard Dean. You say John Kerry wouldn't be where he is today if it wasn't for Howard Dean.
TRIPPI: Well you know, we put out to our supporters that we would opt out -- ask them if we could opt out of the public funding system to try to catch George Bush and keep up with him: 300,000 people went on the Internet and said, yes, Governor Dean, go, we'll help you chase Bush, and help you be competitive on money. Four days after that, Senator Kerry said if it's good enough for Howard Dean supporters, it's good enough for my campaign and did the same thing.
And today, because of that, he has $182 million, compared to George Bush's $214 million. It's the only reason the Kerry campaign is competitive dollar for dollar, is because of what the Dean campaign started.
COOPER: How should Kerry use Dr. Dean on the campaign trail?
TRIPPI: I think Governor Dean has an amazing ability to connect with people outside of politics, who haven't been involved before, young people. And clearly, I think you need to do that if you're going to keep Nader folks from splintering off to Nader and staying within the Democratic party.
Dean is a great person to outreach to those folks, as well as people just haven't been involved before. Half the people who campaign out there for Howard Dean were people who have never been involved in politics before. We keep those people inside the Democratic Party, we win in November.
COOPER; What do you think is next for Howard Dean? I mean, there are some who say, look, down the road he could be sort of a Ralph Nader-style figure running outside the two-party structure.
TRIPPI: I don't think that's in the cards for Governor Dean. I think he's a Democrat, will always be a Democrat. We tried -- we did change the party, we woke it up and made it an opposition party that wasn't afraid of taking on George Bush. That's to Governor Dean's credit and the people who campaigned alongside him. I think that we are campaign finance reform, the American people can be that and we can change it ourselves within our party.
COOPER: Well the book is "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." For the sake of my future employment, I hope the revolution is televised, but Joe Trippi, I appreciate you joining us, thanks.
TRIPPI: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well surprising most political analyst, and apparently surprising their parents as well, the Bush twins, Jenna and Barbara have jumped into the campaign, to get their father re-elected. Turning raw politics into a family affair.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): It's not a bad way (UNINTELLIGIBLE) graduation, traveling aboard Air Force One with the president, or dad, as Barbara and Jenna Bush call him. But for a couple 22-year-old women, this may be the best part of emerging from their parents' protective wings, a "Vogue" magazine spread, complete with glossing glamour shots.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Barbara and Jenna were incredibly gracious and actually poised.
COOPER: In their "Vogue" interview, Jenna explained the decision to take part in their father's campaign this way:
"It's not like he called me up and ask me," she said, "they never wanted to throw us into that world, and I think our decision probably shocked them. But I love my dad, and I think I'd regret it if I didn't do this."
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What is surprising about their experience is that they did have such a normal kind of college experience.
COOPER: Staying out of the public eye is an impressive feat for the daughters of a president, the granddaughters of another, but the bubble burst three years ago when the underage teens had run-ins with the law over alcohol.
LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: Our children are to be totally left alone and allowed to have a totally private life.
COOPER: Are the Bushes equally as protective when it comes to their daughters' boyfriends? Jenna says the president is not the shotgun dad type, he's the joking around to the point where he scares the heck out of them type. They'll have a few more months at least under his watchful eye. Jenna has applied for a teaching job at a Harlem elementary school and Barbara says she plans to work with AIDS- infected children overseas, but for now all that is on hold for pure raw politics.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: As we said, we've been following this developing story on Whoopi Goldberg being let go by Slim-Fast for comments she made at a Democratic fundraiser. We've now received a statement from Whoopi Goldberg and I'm going to put it on and I'll read it to you.
"I completely understand," she says, "why Slim-Fast felt that they needed to respond to their consumers swiftly and promptly regarding this matter given all the press attention it has received. I've remained silent on this issue because I understand that not everyone is going to like my brand of humor and nothing I can say will change that, but it saddens me that people who were not present at the fundraiser, including anyone from Slim-Fast and others who have not seen the material for themselves but are only reacting to sound bites produced by the media have opted to judge my conduct in order to protect their business.
I must also do what I need to do as an artist, as a writer, and as an American, not to mention as a comic it's unfortunate that in this country, the two cannot mesh.
She continues to say, "I've done material on every president in the past 20 years from Reagan to Carter, from Clinton to Bush." I've used portions of the material I did at the fundraiser in shows, speeches and even on national television. And it seems now that people from the other side are using this to further their own agenda. I only wish that the Republican reelection committee would spend as much time working on the economy as they seem to be spending trying to harm my pocketbook."
She goes on to say "I wish God speed to Slim-Fast and its users and hope that everything will be better digested now that I am no longer representing them and just because I'm no longer in those spots, it doesn't mean I will stop talking." That a statement just released from Whoopi Goldberg.
Next on 360, the Scott Peterson trial. What do Viagra, sleeping pills and duct tape have to do with the case? Take a look at that.
Also tonight. Yoko Ono on the fight against gay marriage. She stops by, tells me how she's getting into the debate.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: In "Justice Served" tonight, the Scott Peterson murder trial. In a moment, what Viagra, sleeping pills, duct tape and other items have to do with the case.
First, today, the jury got to see new photos and the judge will decide just how much they'll be able the interviews Peterson did with the media. With developments from the courtroom, here's CNN's Ted Rowlands.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The court released photographs today showing what prosecutors say is some of the physical evidence against Scott Peterson including one picture with what Detective Dodge Hendy (ph) testified are five circular rings left on a flatbed trailer. Prosecutors say those rings which are difficult to see in the evidence photos, are proof that Peterson made a number of cement anchors to weigh down his pregnant wife's body after he threw her in the San Francisco Bay.
One cement anchor was recovered in Peterson's boat. That's the only anchor he made according to Peterson's attorneys. Hendy also testified about a hair in a pair of pliers. The hair, prosecutors say, belongs to Laci Peterson.
Late today, the defense started their cross-examination of Detective Hendy.
SCOTT PETERSON, MURDER SUSPECT: I had nothing to do with her disappearance.
ROWLANDS: The judge postponed a ruling on how much the jury will see of the television interviews Peterson did in the weeks following Laci Peterson's disappearance. The interviews contain what prosecutors say are, quote, "numerous admissions that evidence his guilt." They also say he outright lied when talking to ABC's Diane Sawyer when she asked him when he told police about his girlfriend Amber Frey.
PETERSON: I told the police immediately.
DIANE SAWYER, "GOOD MORNING AMERICA": When?
PETERSON: That was the first night -- the police, I spent with the police.
SAWYER: You told them about her?
PETERSON: Yes. From December 24 on.
ROWLANDS: Prosecutors want to show an edited version of the interviews. The judge continued the hearing until July 29.
The judge also continued a defense motion to outright dismiss the case because of prosecutorial misconduct. That hearing has also been set for July 29. Ted Rowlands, CNN, Redwood City, California.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Case for us tonight, 360 legal analyst Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom. Good to see you. Let's talk about what was found with Scott Peterson in April of 2003. He had $15,000 in cash, seven credit cards, books of maps, his brother's driver's license. This was a guy allegedly going camping. KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE NEWSOM, 360 LEGAL ANALYST: Right. The prosecution is saying hold on, this guy's no Boy Scout. Look at what he has. It looks like this guy is getting ready to take off. And the prosecution is going to argue this is evidence of flight, therefore evidence of consciousness of guilt. If you've got nothing to hide, Scott, then why does it look like you're running from the police and he's down by the border, et cetera.
COOPER: He had sleeping pills, also duct tape, Viagra, water purifier, a shovel. They've been saying he was going camping all along, right?
GUILFOYLE NEWSOM: Right. Well, camping and maybe looking for some love in the spare time. This is what's so curious about it. What is he doing with these items? Is he just going away for a few days trying to get away from the media? It makes no sense.
COOPER: His mom had said...
GUILFOYLE NEWSOM: Why does he have to change his hair color and everything else?
COOPER: His mom has said, look, he's a nomad.
GUILFOYLE NEWSOM: Right and what the prosecution is going to say is that, no, this is a man who's fugitive, a man that knew that the police were closing in on him and also a man that knew his wife wasn't coming back.
COOPER: And it's all going to be missing.
GUILFOYLE NEWSOM: Yes, why does he need -- he doesn't have his golf shoes with him. He doesn't have golf clubs with him, but he's found at Torrey Pines doing evasive driving maneuvers to the police. So this is all very highly suspicious. It seems like he knew his wife wasn't coming back, he was a prime suspect and he was taking a hike.
COOPER: Interesting. All right. We'll see what the jury makes of it. Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom, thanks.
Well, 360 next, a Yoko Ono remix now it's a political tune. She stops by.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Well, you just heard Yoko Ono's new song, "Every Man Has a Man Who Loves Him." It's an updated version of her 1980 song that referred to a heterosexual relationship. Her new gay-friendly lyrics are the latest example of Yoko Ono's new political activism, and she is certainly no stranger to that. Thirty-five years ago, Yoko Ono and her late husband, John Lennon, invited the world to their bed-in. Their message? Give peace a chance.
Now that the Senate says no to a amendment banning gay marriage, Yoko Ono says give gay marriage a chance. I spoke with her earlier.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: So why take on the fight for gay rights now?
YOKO ONO, ARTIST: I think it's very important, because I think it's crazy for people to object other people wanting to get married and all that. You know, I mean, it's something that they should decide, the people who want to get married should get married.
COOPER: There are many people, though, who say that same-sex couples getting married is a threat to traditional values, to traditional marriage.
ONO: On the contrary, I think it's not a threat. It's a very welcomed situation, because now heterosexuals are not marrying so much, and they're getting too scared, and I think that the priests are thinking, well, we need more marriages and weddings.
COOPER: I heard that a friend of yours was actually using the old version of your song to try to convince her son...
ONO: Well, a friend of mine who actually likes my songs -- thank you -- I think he knows all my songs, really. And he was playing all my songs and his mother was saying, look, even Yoko, if you like her songs, but even Yoko says that every man has a woman, so why not maybe you get some woman, you know, that would love you or you would love. And she was just kind of like trying to turn him around, you know? And so when I said I'm doing this, he told me that it's really great for him, because now he can say to his mother, well, she's saying every man has a man, you know.
COOPER: So now the song, rather than being just "Every Man has a Woman Who Loves Him," it's "Every Man Has a Man Who Loves Him," and "Every Woman Has a Woman?"
ONO: Women has women. But you see, the thing is, I have so many gay friends, but still even I didn't know that there was such an incredible situation that they're coping with. They don't want to talk about the fact that they're having problems with their families, you know. The families are rather -- well, I think they pressure, delicately maybe, but pressure the gay people to sort of like not be what they are, you know.
COOPER: You're 71, I hope you don't mind my saying.
ONO: Yes.
COOPER: You look fantastic, by the way.
ONO: Oh, thank you.
COOPER: But do you look at things differently now? I mean, as you look at your career, your life, you know, I think a lot of people of another generation maybe, you know, had feelings about you, because they felt you were responsible for, you know, breaking up The Beatles in some way. But a whole new generation now is coming to know you in a different way. I mean, you're on the dance club charts with remixes of your songs. Do you look back at your own life differently now?
ONO: No, not really. I mean, I was always me, as I am now. It's just that it's nice to know that people are coming around to liking my work, and it's even nicer that I'm still around to witness it. I mean, it's just amazing that I'm still around, you know.
COOPER: This song, "Every Man Has a Woman Who Loves Him" was on this album with John Lennon. Do you think he would like the fact that you've changed it now?
ONO: Well, he wouldn't mind whatever I do. I'm sure that he would be very happy about it. We were like that, you see. I loved everything that he did, as artists and composers, singers/songwriters, and he liked what I was doing. You know, so it was like that. It was like a mutual admiration society we created.
COOPER: Well, it's great that you're around putting out music still. Yoko Ono, thank you very much for being with us.
ONO: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, 360 next. What happens when you mix cell phone text messaging with book reading? We take that answer to "The Nth Degree."
First, today's "Buzz." Still have a few minutes to get in on it. Did Slim-Fast make the right decision by dropping Whoopi Goldberg? Log on to cnn.com/360. Cast your vote. Results when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Earlier we asked you -- Did Slim-Fast make the right decision by dropping Whoopi Goldberg? Thirty-two percent of you said yes; 68 no. Not a scientific poll, but it is your buzz. Thanks for voting.
Tonight, taking serialized publication to "The Nth Degree."
Sure, why not? A Chinese writer is releasing his new novel, 70 words at a time as text messages to cell phone subscribers all across China. Seems a good idea. Phone rings, your spouse yells, "who's that?" You say, it's chapter 22. Turns out Way Ling (ph) isn't the baby's father after all.
Now that you can't say quite a lot in 70 words. Three messages would pretty much do it for Lincoln's Gettysburg address. You'd get all the way from "four score" to "dedicate a portion" in message number one. Of course, there might be some confusion if someone else sent you a text message between two of the Gettysburg transmission. "It is rather for us the living to meet for a drink at the usual place, that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom."
Anyway, it's a new forum, and surely some kinks will have to be worked out. But Charles Dickens published his works in serial form too. Good thing there weren't any cell phones in his day, though. At a rate of 70 words per chapter, people would have been reading "Great Expectations" for decades.
I'm Anderson Cooper. Thanks for watching. Coming up next, "PAULA ZAHN NOW." See you tomorrow.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired July 14, 2004 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, HOST: Good evening from New York. I'm Anderson Cooper.
Breaking news as a major Hollywood star gets caught in fallout from presidential politics. Details on that coming up.
360 starts now.
An Iraqi governor assassinated. A massive bomb in Baghdad. And a hostage thought executed may actually be alive.
Taking hostages and making deals in Iraq. An inside look at the big business of kidnapping.
Sex, blackmail, and videotape. A top political fundraiser accused of hiring a prostitute for a colleague and taping the tryst.
Wonder twin powers activate. Shape of a reelection. Form of Jenna and Barbara Bush. Why they're joining their dad's reelection campaign.
And Yoko Ono on 360. My interview with the legendary pop icon.
ANNOUNCER: Live from New York, this is ANDERSON COOPER 360.
COOPER: Good evening. Some breaking news to report tonight.
In a country where freedom of speech is enshrined in the Constitution, there's free speech, and then there's costly speech. Tonight, fallout from a raucous political fundraising party held by the Democrats in New York last week and comments made by one of the entertainers there.
At that event, which raised millions of dollars for the Kerry- Edwards campaign, a number of celebrities called for the defeat of the Republican ticket, among them Whoopi Goldberg, who apparently fired off a stream of lewd sexual wordplays on the Bush name. Today, that cost the actress a Slim-Fast. The diet company for which Goldberg did television ads, dropped her as a spokesperson.
The company said it was disappointed in the way Goldberg chose to express her views, saying, "We are disappointed by the manner in which Ms. Goldberg chose to express herself and sincerely regret that her recent remarks offended some of our consumers. Ads featuring Ms. Goldberg will no longer be on the air." The Democratic event and the Goldberg -- and Goldberg's comments in particular have been grist for Republican supporters for nearly a week now, the president himself even referring to them at an event yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The other day my opponent said, when he was with some entertainers from Hollywood, that they were the heart and soul of America. I believe the heart and soul of America is found in places right here in Marquette, Wisconsin.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: Well, there is apparently a videotape of the Goldberg speech, along with others who spoke, but Democrats have not released that. The Republicans have called on them to do so.
We're going to cover this a lot tonight, but even before the announcement by Slim-Fast, the controversy over what was said and how it was said cropped up again on the campaign trail.
With that, let's go to live to the White House and CNN's Elaine Quijano. Elaine?
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good evening to you, Anderson.
Yes, that event taking place in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on the campaign trail where President Bush was making a three-city bus tour through that state. Dennis Miller actually, in advance of President Bush's appearance there, telling the crowd, quote, "I couldn't let Whoopi Goldberg have all of the fun." Dennis Miller, the comedian, going on to poke fun at Democratic candidates.
Also, though this was a serious time for Democrats, they cited in very serious, somber tones a new British intelligence report just out, one that actually mirrors the findings of that scathing Senate Intelligence report out last week that found intelligence in the run- up to the Iraq war was flawed.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
QUIJANO (voice-over): In his first solo campaign appearance as John Kerry's vice presidential pick, John Edwards attacked President Bush for faulty prewar intelligence, saying a stronger leader like John Kerry would have taken the blame for it, the way British Prime Minister Tony Blair did.
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Tony Blair didn't run from the report. He didn't try to not acknowledge it. Instead, what Tony Blair said was, I take full responsibility for the mistakes.
QUIJANO: President Bush in Wisconsin on a two-day push through the upper Midwest fired back through his campaign, saying, "John Edwards' remarkable distortion of the Butler report was the latest example of the Kerry campaign's flailing and desperate attempt to distract from their troubling record of voting for the use of force in Iraq."
Appealing to rural voters, President Bush also repeated his assertions that the Kerry-Edwards ticket is too far left for middle America.
BUSH: Senator Kerry is rated as the most liberal member of the United States Senate, and he chose a fellow lawyer who is the fourth most liberal member of the United States Senate.
QUIJANO: Back in Iowa, Senator Edwards appealed to those same voters, using the issue of values to point out his rural roots.
EDWARDS: ... about values. Well, I know something about values, just like all of you do. I grew up in a small town in North Carolina. I know what values are, I grew up with them -- work, faith, responsibility, family...
(END VIDEOTAPE)
QUIJANO: President Bush hopes spending time in rural areas of the Midwest on this campaign swing will pay off and help convince voters that he, not John Kerry, shares their priorities, Anderson.
COOPER: Elaine, thanks very much.
And we anticipate we're going to be hearing a lot more about this Whoopi Goldberg situation, about both from Republicans and democrats, most likely, later tomorrow as these candidates continue on the campaign trail. We'll be covering it as well later on on 360.
In Iraq today, American commanders thought that something might happen. It was a national holiday, after all, a day marking the end of the British (UNINTELLIGIBLE) backed monarchy in 1958. They tightened security at all checkpoints, put soldiers on even higher alert, but still, a suicide bomber found his mark. At the gates of the U.S.-fortified green zone, at least 10 people were killed, dozens more injured. It was the deadliest single attack since Iraq regained sovereignty just over two weeks ago.
A provincial governor was also killed in an attack on his convoy as he drove toward Baghdad.
CNN's Baghdad bureau chief, Jane Arraf, is covering it all.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): The rage of helplessness. "If there is a terrorist, come and face us, don't go behind our backs," said this Iraqi national guard.
An anonymous suicide bomber detonated 1,000 pounds of explosives at a checkpoint at the entrance to the green zone, where U.S. and Iraqi officials are based. At least 10 Iraqis were killed, three of them national guardsmen. Dozens more were wounded.
There might have been more victims if this hadn't been a national holiday, the anniversary of the bloody 1958 coup that toppled the monarchy.
The blast broke Baghdad's recent calm, the first major attack since the U.S. handed back sovereignty on June 28.
The interim government's get-tough prime minister, touring the scene, pledged to find the attackers.
IYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI INTERIM PRIME MINISTER: It is an act of aggression against the Iraqi people. We will bring the criminals to justice.
ARRAF: Just hours later, a senior regional official, the governor of Ninevah, which includes the city of Mosul, was assassinated while traveling to Baghdad. His aides said it was a targeted assassination. Gunmen pulled up and opened fire on Youssef Kashmola, a university professor who became governor four months ago. Two bodyguards were also killed in the firefight.
Kashmola took the job after others declined, saying they feared for their lives.
(on camera): There's still fear as well for the lives of foreign hostages still being held here, and a threat of beheading. Diplomats say a Filipino truck driver still expected to be released. This is after the Philippine government indicated it would withdraw troops early.
But the fate of two Bulgarians and an Egyptian known to be held is more murky.
Jane Arraf, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: A quick 360 news note about Corporal Wassef Ali Hassoun, the U.S. Marine who's the subject of a military investigation. Corporal Hassoun is now expected back on U.S. soil tomorrow. The U.S. military had planned to fly him back today after he left a medical center in Landstuhl, Germany, but delayed it for unexplained reasons.
The Senate says no to President Bush. That story tops our look at what's happening cross-country right now. Washington, D.C., no gay marriage amendment, at least not now. President's Senate allies fell 12 votes short of keeping the measure alive this year. But they vow to revisit the issue down the road. Both John Kerry and John Edwards skipped the vote. I'll have more on this subject in my interview with Yoko Ono later tonight.
Off the coast of Puerto Rico, grim search. Fifteen people still missing from a migrant boat, capsizing in the Mona (ph) Passage. A third body was plucked from the water today. Fourteen people have been rescued. Seattle, Washington, a crime beyond comprehension. Police say a man doused his girlfriend and three kids with gasoline and lit them on fire as all five of them drove down a road. No one survived, including the man, but police say the woman told them the story before she died at the hospital. Unbelievable.
California's Vandenberg Air Force Base now, launch scrubbed. Problems with a rocket battery system forced mission controllers to postpone the scheduled liftoff of the Aura research satellite. Once in orbit, it will study the earth's atmosphere and hopefully determine whether the ozone layer is recovering from (UNINTELLIGIBLE) manmade damage.
In L.A., big diesel is going to South Beach. Lakers are trading superstar center Shaquille O'Neal to the Miami Heat for three players in a first-round draft pick. O'Neal began his pro career in Florida 12 years ago, leading the Orlando Magic to the NBA finals in 1995.
That's a quick look at stories cross-country for you tonight.
360 next, sex, lies, and videotape. Did a major campaign donor hire a prostitute to blackmail one of his own colleagues? We'll have the details.
Also, the tale of a tiger gunned down. Were Florida police out of line when they shot Bobo the tiger? Heated words from his owner and accusations of murder.
And on the campaign trail, the Bush twins step into the spotlight for Dad. All that ahead and more.
First, let's take a look at your picks, the most popular stories on CNN.com right now.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Strange story tonight. A top political fundraiser is in the headlines. The feds are calling him a cheat, and now there are allegations he made a video of his own employee in bed with a prostitute. Now, why would he do this? you ask. Authorities say blackmail.
CNN's Adaora Udoji has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you once again, Charles, for all that you have done for the Democratic Party.
ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Federal prosecutors indicted a golden political fundraiser in Charles Kushner, who amassed a New Jersey property portfolio rivaling Donald Trump's. Facing a probe into federal tax fraud and illegal campaign contributions, investigators say he hired New York City call girls to lure two witnesses into sex. Only one went for it. Fodder for the tabloids, serious business to U.S. attorneys. CHRISTOPHER CHRISTIE, U.S. ATTORNEY: When people under investigation decide to take the law into their own hands, to obstruct justice, to attempt to impede the rule of law, it is our obligation to act swiftly and surely to end the obstruction.
UDOJI: U.S. Attorney Chris Christie told a court the real estate mogul, with the help of two others, videotaped the sexual tryst, then sent the tape to the witness's wife in retaliation for his cooperating with the feds.
BENJAMIN BRAFMAN, KUSHNER'S ATTORNEY: Mr. Kushner is confident that when this matter is ultimately resolved in a public courtroom, he will be completely exonerated.
UDOJI: The three-count federal indictment followed another dent in Kushner's reputation. Last month, he got in trouble over fundraising for the 2000 elections. The Federal Elections Commission fined him $500,000 for illegal contributions to former presidential candidate Bill Bradley and others on behalf of his employees, without their knowledge.
(on camera): It all adds up to serious challenges for one of New Jersey's most well-known self-made men.
Adaora Udoji, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Calls for justice following the killing of an American journalist. That story tops our look at global stories in the uplink. Moscow, Russia, funeral services today for Paul Klebnikov. He's the editor of "Forbes" magazine's Russian edition. Now, he was killed outside his office where he launched the magazine just three months ago. Police are investigating the likelihood the murder was a contract killing.
Northern Japan, at least six people are dead following torrential rains and flooding 130 miles northwest of Tokyo. About 20,000 people evacuated their homes.
Paris, France, now, Bastille Day. Two hundred and fifteen years ago today, the French Revolution began with the storming of the Bastille Prison in Paris. This year's parade, English soldiers, there they are, marched the first time ever to celebrate 100 years of friendship between France and England.
Pamplona, Spain, the sun is setting on the running of the bulls. One runner was gored in today's final run. Since the bulls' first run a week ago, 15 people have been gored. And who knows how many have woken up with a vicious hangover.
That is a quick look at what's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) around the world in the uplink.
Last night, if you were watching our program, you saw a man by the name of Steve Sipek, the one-time Tarzan actor, distraught over the shooting death of his 600-pound tiger, an animal he called Bobo. Sipek has basically accused the police of murder, shooting the animal, he says, unnecessarily. Police say it was self-defense.
John Zarrella is covering the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bobo the pet tiger was killed, Florida wildlife officials say, because it turned and lunged at an officer.
MAJ. BRETT NORTON, FLORIDA WILDLIFE OFFICIAL: I can tell you that I trust my officer's instincts. And he has indicated to me that he was in fear of his life.
ZARRELLA: Bobo's action does not surprise the director of the Palm Beach County Zoo, who says whether they are raised from cubs, as Bobo was, or caught in the wild, tigers can kill.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not a tame animal. It still has very wild instincts and is an incredibly dangerous animal.
ZARRELLA: Bobo had escaped from Steve Sipek's private residence and had been on the loose for more than 24 hours. Sipek accuses the Wildlife Commission of intentionally killing Bobo.
STEVE SIPEK, BOBO'S OWNER: No, they did not wait for the tranquilizer guy. They didn't wait for nobody. They just shot him cold.
ZARRELLA: Sipek is one of a handful of people in south Florida with state-issued permits to legally own tigers.
Mark McCarthy (ph) is another.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here in Florida, you're not allowed to keep these animals as pets for one good reason. They will kill you.
ZARRELLA: McCarthy owns a wildlife sanctuary. He says tigers are cute until they mature.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And just like an 18-year-old guy with his first girlfriend, when these hormones start kicking in, these animals start to become very unpredictable and very dangerous.
ZARRELLA: Wildlife officials say there was absolutely no intent to kill Bobo.
(on camera): An investigator has been sent to West Palm Beach to review the shooting. And wildlife officials say the tranquilizer team had been called and was almost there when the tiger was shot.
John Zarrella, CNN, Miami.
(END VIDEOTAPE) COOPER: Well, 360 next, adult attention deficit disorder. That's right, I said adult. Find out why more and more adults are being diagnosed with ADD. If your desk is messy, you can't make plans, you may be more than just disorganized. Stay tuned.
Also tonight, Yoko Ono's new cause, find out why she's weighing in on gay politics. She is our special guest.
And a little later tonight, Whoopi Goldberg bounced from Slim- Fast over comments she made about the president. This is a developing story. Is it a smart move, or bad politics? All that ahead. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Well, a lot of children are diagnosed, but not a lot of adults. Is your desk a mess? Do you have trouble keeping track of things? Do you maybe jump around from job to job or start one project at home, lose interest, and then move on to something else?
It all may come down to biology. You might be an adult with ADD. There are an estimated 8 million adults in the U.S. with the disorder. It the second most common psychological problem in adults after depression, but a lot of people simply don't know about it.
Earlier I spoke with Lisa Belkin. She's a writer for "The New York Times" magazine, and she's written this weekend's cover story about adult ADD.
The numbers are startling. You say only 15 percent of adults know that they have ADD. How do people know whether they have it or not? I mean, because some people are just messy or disorganized.
LISA BELKIN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER, "NEW YORK TIMES" MAGAZINE: Some people are just messy or disorganized. What the doctors say is, this rises to a level above that. It affects your whole life, every aspect of your life, not just, I'm under stress this week so I forgot a doctor's appointment, but, I constantly forget doctors' appointments, and I forget things at work, and I forget things at home, and it takes over my life.
And that seems to be the standard is not just having the symptoms, but are the symptoms invading your life?
COOPER: So if someone's sitting at home watching this and wondering whether they have it, what are some of the questions they can ask themselves?
BELKIN: There's actually a screening test which any therapist would have, but it involves things like, I feel like there's always a motor running inside me, or, I am constantly forgetting appointments, and, I start a task with great gusto, and then peter out when it's time for the final details.
And people will rate them on, you know, from rarely to always. And it's things we all do magnified, writ large. COOPER: Because you thought maybe you even had it going into this article.
BELKIN: I think everyone thinks they have this sometimes. You know, you leave the coffee cup on the top of the car, and you're sure you have some sort of syndrome. And I can't...
COOPER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), (UNINTELLIGIBLE), I mean, isn't there some danger that people will say, Oh, you know, I can't help myself, I've got adult ADD?
BELKIN: Yes, there is a danger. I think, though, that if you spend as much time as I have lately around people who really have it, what you come away with is a great respect for the fact that I don't. OK? I forget things and I lose things, but I don't -- the interviews I did for this story were just qualitatively different than...
COOPER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), one guy...
BELKIN: ... anything I've ever done.
COOPER: ... 37 years old, who's had 50 jobs.
BELKIN: Yes, 50 jobs. Or they would call me in the middle of the night because they had a thought, or the conversations would go on for hours. I called one woman to ask her one question, When did you move to New Mexico? Twenty minutes later, she hadn't answered the question. We were still talking about comparative property values around the country.
COOPER: So (UNINTELLIGIBLE) they have trouble focusing. What sort of treatment is there for adults?
BELKIN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...
COOPER: Because, I mean, with kids, they get Ritalin, (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...
BELKIN: Same thing, same thing. But for the first time this fall is the first drug approved for adults, ADD in adults. Until then, it was written off-label for kids, the dosaging didn't get you through a workday. It got you through school days. So there's medication, and you combine the medication with not just therapy but more coaching.
COOPER: And the difference the way adults are treated than the way kids are treated, I mean, it's really up to the adult at work to sort of take the first couple of steps.
BELKIN: Yes, there's all sorts of mechanisms in place to help kids. Law says you have to help kids. There's no such thing that says you must help an adult, and it's up to the adult. And there's an infrastructure, being, you know, where there's a need, there's a business, and there are people going into the business of coaching adults with ADD to get them through their workday.
COOPER: It's a fascinating article in "The New York Times" this weekend. Lisa Belkin, thanks very much.
BELKIN: Thank you.
COOPER: If you are an adult with ADD, all is not lost. Lisa Belkin says there are a lot of professions in which you can excel, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) even if you're not treated, including sales, acting, and my job, journalism, basically any profession that involves talking a lot, moving around, and adrenaline. The worst jobs, she says, require attention to detail, like accounting, bookkeeping, and working as a librarian.
Whoopi Goldberg gets the axe from Slim-Fast for racy comments about the president.
Wonder twin powers activate. Shape of a reelection. Form of Jenna and Barbara Bush. Why they're joining their dad's reelection campaign.
And Yoko Ono on 360, my interview with the legendary pop icon.
360 continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: 360 next, Howard Dean's former campaign director sounds off on Kerry, Bush, and whether campaigns are doing wrong. Is it smart analysis, or sour grapes? Find out for yourself.
And the Bush twins in the spotlight. Barbara and Jenna Bush come out for Dad.
First, let's check our top story in tonight's reset.
In Ninevah province in Iraq, the governor and two of his bodyguards were shot and killed in a targeted assassination. Governor Youssef Kashmola was on his way to Baghdad to meet with Iraq's president. The governor's killers have not been caught.
In Boston, homeland security chief Tom Ridge says security for the Democratic National Convention is, quote, "very, very strong." Ridge toured the convention site and reviewed security plans. He says he is very confident about the measures that have been put in place. Several thousand security personnel will be on site when the Democrats gather later this month.
In Washington, Vice President Dick Cheney tries to squash rumors. And just moments ago told C-SPAN that he will run for reelection with President Bush. When asked if there were any circumstances under which he would step aside, Cheney responded, "Well, no, I can't."
And in New York, Whoopi's been fired. Slim-Fast, the dietary drink, has canceled all of their commercial spots that use her to promote their products.
That's a quick look at top stories in the reset tonight. Slim-Fast has issued a statement saying, and I quote, "We are disappointed by the manner in which Ms. Goldberg chose to express herself and sincerely regret that her recent remarks offended some of our consumers. Ads featuring Ms. Goldberg will no longer be on the air," end quote.
Joining me now with reaction in Washington, syndicated columnist Armstrong Williams, and in (UNINTELLIGIBLE), excuse me, San Francisco, KGO radio talk show host Bernie Ward.
Gentlemen, appreciate you being on the program.
Armstrong, does this make sense to you, Whoopi Goldberg getting the axe from Slim-Fast?
ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS, SYNDICATED COLUMNIST: Yes, it does make sense. She was totally irresponsible in what she said. She was not originally -- they did not originally plan to have her on the show. When they asked her to send her script on, they sent her a picture of her butt with a kiss on it, and she said she was even shocked that they still asked her to come.
And she decided to grab her crotch to say that her bush's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) than the Bush's in the White House. It was obscene. I mean, it's just, there's no place for it.
And even among Democrats who were to cheer on presidential candidate Kerry and his running mate John Edwards, they were offended, because they realized that you have to draw the line. The only sad part is that President Candidate Kerry chose not to address that. He felt that it was expression, everything said what they felt, but he was offended by what she said about John Edwards looking 18 years old, being a boy. She kept referring to him as a boy. He condemned that, but in no way did he condemn the just derogatory and obscene things that she said about the sitting president of the United States.
COOPER: Let me ask Bernie about his. Bernie, does it make sense that John Kerry didn't say anything? I mean, he came out at the end of the evening and didn't -- and I guess he had the opportunity to distance himself. Why didn't he?
BERNIE WARD, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Well, I don't know why he had to distance himself. The president has never distanced himself from Dick Cheney saying "F-You" to Pat Leahy. And the president himself called a "New York Times" reporter an "a-hole." I don't think there's any need for the president -- or for Mr. Kerry to distance himself. But no only that, if Whoopi Goldberg should be fired for her comments, then Limbaugh shouldn't have a single commercial to his name. This is a man who called Chelsea Clinton a dog. This is a man who continued to accuse the president and his wife of killing Vince Foster, accused his wife of being a lesbian, said that they weren't really married.
COOPER: So, do you think her comments were appropriate, do you think?
WARD: Of course they were for the context they were in. They were in a political concert, they making fun of the president. It was partisan, and it's no different from what the Republicans did to Clinton again and again and again and again. It's just that the Republicans are so much more thin-skinned, it's amazing to me.
COOPER: Armstrong, is there a difference?
WILLIAMS: You know, I feel sad for the decent Americans who could care less about political parties here. And the fact that Ms. Goldberg was obscene, the things that she said and the descriptions, she kept grabbing her crotch. Obviously Slim-Fast took it pretty seriously, because obviously...
COOPER: But aren't politicians making too much of this? I mean, are they just using this for political hay to get ahead?
ARMSTRONG: No, look, man, it was the Democrats in that room that were offended. These were not Republicans. It would have been one thing had it been a Republican gathering, this was a Democratic gathering. They were offended. They were outraged.
WARD: It wasn't the Democrats who wrote to Slim-Fast. We already have news wires saying the Republicans orchestrated all the letters and calls that went to Slim-Fast. So don't even talk about the Democrats Armstrong. The Republicans jumped on this. And then they sent they...
(CROSSTALK)
ARMSTRONG: No, the Democrats were offended in this room, and you should be offended, sir, as you should be offended, you should show your decency on the air tonight while children and grandparents are watching this show. We should never tolerate that kind of behavior anywhere in this country. It is unnecessary. There are ways that you can entertain, there are ways that you can make people laugh and cheer them on, but you don't have to grab your crotch and compare you bushes, saying they're brighter than the president. C'mon, man.
COOPER: Bernie, final thought.
WARD: Well my final thought is, number one, Armstrong doesn't care what Cheney says to Leahy or what the president says to a New York Times reporter. They were supposed to bring civility back to the White House, that hasn't happened.
And for eight years they made obscene fun of president Clinton and his wife and child, and every way they could, and not once did anybody like Limbaugh or (UNINTELLIGIBLE) anybody else lose an endorsement because of it. All of a sudden because now, because Whoopi Goldberg makes some comments, thin-skinned Republicans saw a chance to jump on it. It wasn't the Democrats. They orchestrated the phone calls, they orchestrated the e-mails and Slim-Fast has reacted, which they have a right to do. But please, can we stop being so sanctimonious about this?
COOPER: Armstrong, your final thoughts. I want to give you equal time. ARMSTRONG: You know what? there are still those of us in this country who care about decency, care about images that come across the stage and the television sets, and I just think that even the people at that event have to be applauded for seeing the obscenity in that and spoke out against it. And Ms. Goldberg got exactly what she deserved.
And hopefully other entertainers will learn a lesson from this, there are certain things that Americans will not tolerate no matter their political persuasion...
WARD: Yes, let's hope Limbaugh gets fired from a few.
ARMSTRONG: And I think it's a good sign for this country.
COOPER: We're going to leave it there. Armstrong Williams, Bernie Ward...
WARD: It's a great sign, we love censorship.
COOPER: Appreciate you being on the program, Bernie and Armstrong. Thank you very much. I should also point out, we tried to contact Ms. Goldberg. We have put in several calls to her people, have not heard back. We would love to hear from her on this comment -- on this topic.
As we said, this happened just a short time ago. It is no doubt a story you'll be hearing a lot about in the coming days.
Today's "Buzz" question is this, "did Slim-Fast make the right decision in dropping Whoopi Goldberg." What do you think? Log on to CNN.com/360, cast your vote. We're going to have results at the end of the program tonight. Let's weigh in on that.
Two weeks from now in Boston, the signs hoisted inside the Fleet Center will say Kerry-Edwards, but it hasn't been long since Howard Dean was name was on nearly every Democrats the lips. Remember those days?
Even though his campaign ran out of gas, it is blazed a new trail that future candidates will certainly try to follow in some ways, especially when it comes to Internet fundraising. Joe Trippi was the architect of that campaign. He has written a new book. Earlier, he and I talked about it.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Joe, in your new book, you're pretty tough on John Kerry. You say this about him quote, "every time I see John Kerry on television, I'm struck by the same thought whether he's snowboarding or playing hockey or wearing his leathers, sitting on a Harley Davidson motorcycle, the message seems to be the same: Aren't I amazing. His campaign spots, with their focus on his laudable service in Vietnam tell the same story: Aren't I amazing? It's no different with the other Democratic candidates or with George W. Bush." You're essentially saying, he's no different than all the rest of them. What's he doing wrong?
JOE TRIPPI, FRM. DEAN CAMPAIGN MANAGER: Well, I think the Dean -- Governor Dean, the campaign was about look at you, aren't you amazing? And that's how 650,000 Americans came on to the playing field and helped carry the campaign. I believe Senator Kerry's message, and John Edwards message is a great one, I just think they would get further and energize more people if they turned it away from the focus, it's always on the candidate, turn it back on the focus of the American people and challenge them.
I actually believe Kerry is beginning to that. I believe he started to do that when he sent the announcement about John Edwards to his Internet supporters and alerted them before he alerted everybody else. That was clearly out of the box for that campaign
COOPER: Do you think John Edwards was a good choice for John Kerry?
TRIPPI: Oh yes, I definitely think so. I think the guy appeals to young people. He's got a lot of energy. And I think he's going to help in places like Arkansas, and Louisiana, and in Ohio, which is a key state. The southern part of Ohio is really Kentucky, and I think Edwards makes the Kerry ticket much more competitive.
COOPER: But you know, whatever credit you give to John Kerry in your book, you basically really give to Howard Dean. You say John Kerry wouldn't be where he is today if it wasn't for Howard Dean.
TRIPPI: Well you know, we put out to our supporters that we would opt out -- ask them if we could opt out of the public funding system to try to catch George Bush and keep up with him: 300,000 people went on the Internet and said, yes, Governor Dean, go, we'll help you chase Bush, and help you be competitive on money. Four days after that, Senator Kerry said if it's good enough for Howard Dean supporters, it's good enough for my campaign and did the same thing.
And today, because of that, he has $182 million, compared to George Bush's $214 million. It's the only reason the Kerry campaign is competitive dollar for dollar, is because of what the Dean campaign started.
COOPER: How should Kerry use Dr. Dean on the campaign trail?
TRIPPI: I think Governor Dean has an amazing ability to connect with people outside of politics, who haven't been involved before, young people. And clearly, I think you need to do that if you're going to keep Nader folks from splintering off to Nader and staying within the Democratic party.
Dean is a great person to outreach to those folks, as well as people just haven't been involved before. Half the people who campaign out there for Howard Dean were people who have never been involved in politics before. We keep those people inside the Democratic Party, we win in November.
COOPER; What do you think is next for Howard Dean? I mean, there are some who say, look, down the road he could be sort of a Ralph Nader-style figure running outside the two-party structure.
TRIPPI: I don't think that's in the cards for Governor Dean. I think he's a Democrat, will always be a Democrat. We tried -- we did change the party, we woke it up and made it an opposition party that wasn't afraid of taking on George Bush. That's to Governor Dean's credit and the people who campaigned alongside him. I think that we are campaign finance reform, the American people can be that and we can change it ourselves within our party.
COOPER: Well the book is "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." For the sake of my future employment, I hope the revolution is televised, but Joe Trippi, I appreciate you joining us, thanks.
TRIPPI: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well surprising most political analyst, and apparently surprising their parents as well, the Bush twins, Jenna and Barbara have jumped into the campaign, to get their father re-elected. Turning raw politics into a family affair.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): It's not a bad way (UNINTELLIGIBLE) graduation, traveling aboard Air Force One with the president, or dad, as Barbara and Jenna Bush call him. But for a couple 22-year-old women, this may be the best part of emerging from their parents' protective wings, a "Vogue" magazine spread, complete with glossing glamour shots.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Barbara and Jenna were incredibly gracious and actually poised.
COOPER: In their "Vogue" interview, Jenna explained the decision to take part in their father's campaign this way:
"It's not like he called me up and ask me," she said, "they never wanted to throw us into that world, and I think our decision probably shocked them. But I love my dad, and I think I'd regret it if I didn't do this."
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What is surprising about their experience is that they did have such a normal kind of college experience.
COOPER: Staying out of the public eye is an impressive feat for the daughters of a president, the granddaughters of another, but the bubble burst three years ago when the underage teens had run-ins with the law over alcohol.
LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: Our children are to be totally left alone and allowed to have a totally private life.
COOPER: Are the Bushes equally as protective when it comes to their daughters' boyfriends? Jenna says the president is not the shotgun dad type, he's the joking around to the point where he scares the heck out of them type. They'll have a few more months at least under his watchful eye. Jenna has applied for a teaching job at a Harlem elementary school and Barbara says she plans to work with AIDS- infected children overseas, but for now all that is on hold for pure raw politics.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: As we said, we've been following this developing story on Whoopi Goldberg being let go by Slim-Fast for comments she made at a Democratic fundraiser. We've now received a statement from Whoopi Goldberg and I'm going to put it on and I'll read it to you.
"I completely understand," she says, "why Slim-Fast felt that they needed to respond to their consumers swiftly and promptly regarding this matter given all the press attention it has received. I've remained silent on this issue because I understand that not everyone is going to like my brand of humor and nothing I can say will change that, but it saddens me that people who were not present at the fundraiser, including anyone from Slim-Fast and others who have not seen the material for themselves but are only reacting to sound bites produced by the media have opted to judge my conduct in order to protect their business.
I must also do what I need to do as an artist, as a writer, and as an American, not to mention as a comic it's unfortunate that in this country, the two cannot mesh.
She continues to say, "I've done material on every president in the past 20 years from Reagan to Carter, from Clinton to Bush." I've used portions of the material I did at the fundraiser in shows, speeches and even on national television. And it seems now that people from the other side are using this to further their own agenda. I only wish that the Republican reelection committee would spend as much time working on the economy as they seem to be spending trying to harm my pocketbook."
She goes on to say "I wish God speed to Slim-Fast and its users and hope that everything will be better digested now that I am no longer representing them and just because I'm no longer in those spots, it doesn't mean I will stop talking." That a statement just released from Whoopi Goldberg.
Next on 360, the Scott Peterson trial. What do Viagra, sleeping pills and duct tape have to do with the case? Take a look at that.
Also tonight. Yoko Ono on the fight against gay marriage. She stops by, tells me how she's getting into the debate.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: In "Justice Served" tonight, the Scott Peterson murder trial. In a moment, what Viagra, sleeping pills, duct tape and other items have to do with the case.
First, today, the jury got to see new photos and the judge will decide just how much they'll be able the interviews Peterson did with the media. With developments from the courtroom, here's CNN's Ted Rowlands.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The court released photographs today showing what prosecutors say is some of the physical evidence against Scott Peterson including one picture with what Detective Dodge Hendy (ph) testified are five circular rings left on a flatbed trailer. Prosecutors say those rings which are difficult to see in the evidence photos, are proof that Peterson made a number of cement anchors to weigh down his pregnant wife's body after he threw her in the San Francisco Bay.
One cement anchor was recovered in Peterson's boat. That's the only anchor he made according to Peterson's attorneys. Hendy also testified about a hair in a pair of pliers. The hair, prosecutors say, belongs to Laci Peterson.
Late today, the defense started their cross-examination of Detective Hendy.
SCOTT PETERSON, MURDER SUSPECT: I had nothing to do with her disappearance.
ROWLANDS: The judge postponed a ruling on how much the jury will see of the television interviews Peterson did in the weeks following Laci Peterson's disappearance. The interviews contain what prosecutors say are, quote, "numerous admissions that evidence his guilt." They also say he outright lied when talking to ABC's Diane Sawyer when she asked him when he told police about his girlfriend Amber Frey.
PETERSON: I told the police immediately.
DIANE SAWYER, "GOOD MORNING AMERICA": When?
PETERSON: That was the first night -- the police, I spent with the police.
SAWYER: You told them about her?
PETERSON: Yes. From December 24 on.
ROWLANDS: Prosecutors want to show an edited version of the interviews. The judge continued the hearing until July 29.
The judge also continued a defense motion to outright dismiss the case because of prosecutorial misconduct. That hearing has also been set for July 29. Ted Rowlands, CNN, Redwood City, California.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Case for us tonight, 360 legal analyst Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom. Good to see you. Let's talk about what was found with Scott Peterson in April of 2003. He had $15,000 in cash, seven credit cards, books of maps, his brother's driver's license. This was a guy allegedly going camping. KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE NEWSOM, 360 LEGAL ANALYST: Right. The prosecution is saying hold on, this guy's no Boy Scout. Look at what he has. It looks like this guy is getting ready to take off. And the prosecution is going to argue this is evidence of flight, therefore evidence of consciousness of guilt. If you've got nothing to hide, Scott, then why does it look like you're running from the police and he's down by the border, et cetera.
COOPER: He had sleeping pills, also duct tape, Viagra, water purifier, a shovel. They've been saying he was going camping all along, right?
GUILFOYLE NEWSOM: Right. Well, camping and maybe looking for some love in the spare time. This is what's so curious about it. What is he doing with these items? Is he just going away for a few days trying to get away from the media? It makes no sense.
COOPER: His mom had said...
GUILFOYLE NEWSOM: Why does he have to change his hair color and everything else?
COOPER: His mom has said, look, he's a nomad.
GUILFOYLE NEWSOM: Right and what the prosecution is going to say is that, no, this is a man who's fugitive, a man that knew that the police were closing in on him and also a man that knew his wife wasn't coming back.
COOPER: And it's all going to be missing.
GUILFOYLE NEWSOM: Yes, why does he need -- he doesn't have his golf shoes with him. He doesn't have golf clubs with him, but he's found at Torrey Pines doing evasive driving maneuvers to the police. So this is all very highly suspicious. It seems like he knew his wife wasn't coming back, he was a prime suspect and he was taking a hike.
COOPER: Interesting. All right. We'll see what the jury makes of it. Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom, thanks.
Well, 360 next, a Yoko Ono remix now it's a political tune. She stops by.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Well, you just heard Yoko Ono's new song, "Every Man Has a Man Who Loves Him." It's an updated version of her 1980 song that referred to a heterosexual relationship. Her new gay-friendly lyrics are the latest example of Yoko Ono's new political activism, and she is certainly no stranger to that. Thirty-five years ago, Yoko Ono and her late husband, John Lennon, invited the world to their bed-in. Their message? Give peace a chance.
Now that the Senate says no to a amendment banning gay marriage, Yoko Ono says give gay marriage a chance. I spoke with her earlier.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: So why take on the fight for gay rights now?
YOKO ONO, ARTIST: I think it's very important, because I think it's crazy for people to object other people wanting to get married and all that. You know, I mean, it's something that they should decide, the people who want to get married should get married.
COOPER: There are many people, though, who say that same-sex couples getting married is a threat to traditional values, to traditional marriage.
ONO: On the contrary, I think it's not a threat. It's a very welcomed situation, because now heterosexuals are not marrying so much, and they're getting too scared, and I think that the priests are thinking, well, we need more marriages and weddings.
COOPER: I heard that a friend of yours was actually using the old version of your song to try to convince her son...
ONO: Well, a friend of mine who actually likes my songs -- thank you -- I think he knows all my songs, really. And he was playing all my songs and his mother was saying, look, even Yoko, if you like her songs, but even Yoko says that every man has a woman, so why not maybe you get some woman, you know, that would love you or you would love. And she was just kind of like trying to turn him around, you know? And so when I said I'm doing this, he told me that it's really great for him, because now he can say to his mother, well, she's saying every man has a man, you know.
COOPER: So now the song, rather than being just "Every Man has a Woman Who Loves Him," it's "Every Man Has a Man Who Loves Him," and "Every Woman Has a Woman?"
ONO: Women has women. But you see, the thing is, I have so many gay friends, but still even I didn't know that there was such an incredible situation that they're coping with. They don't want to talk about the fact that they're having problems with their families, you know. The families are rather -- well, I think they pressure, delicately maybe, but pressure the gay people to sort of like not be what they are, you know.
COOPER: You're 71, I hope you don't mind my saying.
ONO: Yes.
COOPER: You look fantastic, by the way.
ONO: Oh, thank you.
COOPER: But do you look at things differently now? I mean, as you look at your career, your life, you know, I think a lot of people of another generation maybe, you know, had feelings about you, because they felt you were responsible for, you know, breaking up The Beatles in some way. But a whole new generation now is coming to know you in a different way. I mean, you're on the dance club charts with remixes of your songs. Do you look back at your own life differently now?
ONO: No, not really. I mean, I was always me, as I am now. It's just that it's nice to know that people are coming around to liking my work, and it's even nicer that I'm still around to witness it. I mean, it's just amazing that I'm still around, you know.
COOPER: This song, "Every Man Has a Woman Who Loves Him" was on this album with John Lennon. Do you think he would like the fact that you've changed it now?
ONO: Well, he wouldn't mind whatever I do. I'm sure that he would be very happy about it. We were like that, you see. I loved everything that he did, as artists and composers, singers/songwriters, and he liked what I was doing. You know, so it was like that. It was like a mutual admiration society we created.
COOPER: Well, it's great that you're around putting out music still. Yoko Ono, thank you very much for being with us.
ONO: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, 360 next. What happens when you mix cell phone text messaging with book reading? We take that answer to "The Nth Degree."
First, today's "Buzz." Still have a few minutes to get in on it. Did Slim-Fast make the right decision by dropping Whoopi Goldberg? Log on to cnn.com/360. Cast your vote. Results when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Earlier we asked you -- Did Slim-Fast make the right decision by dropping Whoopi Goldberg? Thirty-two percent of you said yes; 68 no. Not a scientific poll, but it is your buzz. Thanks for voting.
Tonight, taking serialized publication to "The Nth Degree."
Sure, why not? A Chinese writer is releasing his new novel, 70 words at a time as text messages to cell phone subscribers all across China. Seems a good idea. Phone rings, your spouse yells, "who's that?" You say, it's chapter 22. Turns out Way Ling (ph) isn't the baby's father after all.
Now that you can't say quite a lot in 70 words. Three messages would pretty much do it for Lincoln's Gettysburg address. You'd get all the way from "four score" to "dedicate a portion" in message number one. Of course, there might be some confusion if someone else sent you a text message between two of the Gettysburg transmission. "It is rather for us the living to meet for a drink at the usual place, that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom."
Anyway, it's a new forum, and surely some kinks will have to be worked out. But Charles Dickens published his works in serial form too. Good thing there weren't any cell phones in his day, though. At a rate of 70 words per chapter, people would have been reading "Great Expectations" for decades.
I'm Anderson Cooper. Thanks for watching. Coming up next, "PAULA ZAHN NOW." See you tomorrow.
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