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U.S. Citizens Flee Georgia; Bad Timing For Obama Vacation?; Russian Offensive in Georgia Expands; Gardasil: Reviewing the Risks

Aired August 11, 2008 - 15:00   ET

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

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Well, despite the battles on the ground between Russia and Georgia, there was a moment of sportsmanship and camaraderie between the enemies, if you will, at the Olympic games.
Russia's silver medalist, this is in women's 10 meter air pistol, she put her arm around Georgia's bronze medal winner. This was a moment, Russia's medalist on the left, Georgia's on the right. Then the rivals kissed each other on the cheek. They call each other friends. They say this conflict between their countries doesn't get in the way. And by the way, it was China that took the gold in that event -- 10 meter women's air pistol.

The next hour of the CNN NEWSROOM starts right now.

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Russians move in. Americans move out. Convoys of U.S. citizens flee the Russian invasion of the Black Sea nation of Georgia.

A hard look at Gardasil. Thousands of women say the new vaccine against cervical cancer damaged their health. CNN's Special Investigations Unit is on the case.

Ice in August? Rough weather in the Northeast and Northern Plains and our Bonnie Schneider on top of it all for us today. She is watching it from the CNN Severe Weather Center.

Hello, everyone, I'm Don Lemon, live here at CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta. You are in the CNN NEWSROOM.

All right, right off the top, we start with the latest information. Here's the latest on the Russia invasion of Georgia. The United States has started bringing out U.S. citizens. The State Department says about 170 Americans left today. The U.N. Security Council plans to meet on the crisis in about two hours.

The U.S. and it's allies are trying to push a demand for Russia to cease-fire. Today, the Russian offensive expanded in earnest from two disputed regions in Georgia proper. Georgia now says Russian troops are at the outskirts of Gori, not in the city itself, as some reports have said.

We're trying to get more information on the departure of U.S. citizens, and working that part of the story for us is CNN's Zain Verjee, our State Department correspondent. She joins us now from the Washington. What have you found out, Zain?

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Don, the U.S. has evacuated 170 American citizens from the Republic of Georgia. They left in two convoys. Those convoys were headed from the capital, Tbilisi, to Armenia.

There's going to be another convoy evacuating U.S. citizens tomorrow. Over the weekend, the U.S. had announced that anyone, any U.S. citizen that wants to leave, they can leave and the U.S. will arrange for that.

There have been a few other developments at the State Department this day Don, the U.S. calling on Russia to stop its aggression. The deputy State Department spokesman Robert Wood says the U.S. envoy, Matthew Bryza, is already in Georgia and he's going to be there for several days to try and get both sides to agree to a cease-fire and also to set up some sort of international mediation mechanism between the sides.

The U.S., Robert Wood tells us, too, is also going to give humanitarian assistance to Georgia. The embarrass has declared a disaster on the ground. And what that does is it releases some money. The U.S. has authorized $250,000 in initial funding that's going to help about 10,000 people on the ground.

And lastly, Don, a State Department official tells us that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has really been working the phones hard ever since the weekend. She has made more than 90 phones, speaking to the Georgian president, Saakashvili, the Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, the French foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, as well as the U.N. secretary-general, Ban Ki-Moon.

Those conversations and phone calls still continuing, the State Department really, Don, treating this situation with great urgency -- Don.

LEMON: State Department correspondent Zain Verjee working the story from Washington.

Meantime, here in the CNN Headquarters in Atlanta, our international desk also on top of the story. Keeping track of that situation, CNN's Hala Gorani.

What have you found out, Hala?

HALA GORANI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, in the last few minutes, first of all, as I'm speaking to you, we're going to run some video that we have just received from the Associated Press of fighting outside of Abkhazia. You can see people scurrying for safety, some smoke and some cars on fire as well.

This is an indication of the ferociousness of some of the military battles that have occurred in Georgia in several parts, Gori, as well as South Ossetia, also outside of Abkhazia. That's another region in Georgia that wants independence from the Republic of Georgia. At least some people in that region do.

Now, we do understand from the Russian defense forces that Russian military is outside of Tbilisi, that is the capital of Georgia, but that they have not gone in.

As for the president of Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvili, he is saying he does not consider that there is a threat on the capital city. And this is a very important story, not just for the region, but of course for the world as well, because Russia on the one hand wants to protect it says its citizens inside of Georgia. The U.S. through President Bush is saying the Russian response has been -- quote -- "disproportionate."

So you are seeing a battle of words between Russia and the United States, but caught in the middle, as often is the case, civilians, who have suffered quite a bit over the last few days.

LEMON: That's amazing video coming into the NEWSROOM, Hala. I'm not sure how much of it we have. But again, exactly where is this coming to us from?

GORANI: This is Abkhazia. OK, so you have in Georgia two enclaves that would like independence. And this is according to this referenda that has not been officially recognized, but there is at least a good chunk of people in those two enclaves who would like independence from the Republic of Georgia.

This is a result of the disintegration of the Soviet Union in the early '90s and all these republics, Georgia, the Ukraine, others that have splintered off from the Soviet Union. This is essentially a settling of the borders post-Cold War. These two enclaves want independence from Georgia. Or at least the very least, a sizable chunk of people in these two enclaves want independence.

Russia for its part says that South Ossetia has most of its citizens, most of the citizens in South Ossetia are Russian and so therefore says it has a right to go in there and protect its citizens. Georgia says that terribly is ours. You have no right to violate the sovereignty of our state.

So, you see you have military battles and you have battles of words and rhetoric between the two countries.

LEMON: CNN's Hala Gorani working that story from our international desk, also bringing us that brand-new video first time seen right here on CNN. Thank you very much for that, Hala.

And the two main presidential candidates are condemning Russia's invasion. Republican John McCain had this to say this morning in Erie, Pennsylvania.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Our united purpose should be to persuade the Russian government to cease its attacks, withdraw its troops, and enter into negotiations with Georgia. We must remind Russia's leaders that the benefits they enjoy from being part of the civilized world require their respect for the values, stability and peace of the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: And from Democrat Barack Obama -- quote -- "I condemn Russia's aggressive actions and reiterate my call for an immediate cease-fire. As I have said for many months, aggressive diplomatic action must be taken to reach a political resolution to this crisis and to assure that Georgia's sovereignty is protected."

We will check with Hala Gorani a little bit later on again on that new video coming in. We will also hear from some missionaries from Texas who left Georgia before the Russians moved in.

Meantime, police in Montreal are investigating last night's rioting in a multiethnic neighborhood. Rioters there torched cars and tossed beer bottles at police. At least two officers and a paramedic were hurt. The violence broke out a day after an 18-year-old man was killed in a skirmish with police. Two others were hurt.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

YVAN DELORME, MONTREAL POLICE CHIEF: We were prepared to respond to that kind of situation, but it's a new kind. And we face young people. We knew their territories, so they went inside a building -- around building the cross street. So, we saw a different way of manifestation. And we, like I said in French, we're there to listen, to understand what happened.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: And here is what is happening right now. Police are trying to round up suspects who may have started the violence.

More worries for embattled Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf. A Pakistani provincial assembly is calling for him to step down. It passed a nonbinding resolution for its ouster today. Musharraf is refusing to go. Pakistan's three other assemblies are expected to vote on similar resolutions. And that could lead to impeachment proceedings. Pakistan's government accuses the president of incompetent policies which have crippled the economy.

Thailand's supreme court has issued warrants for deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife. They had permission to travel to Beijing for the Olympics, provided they returned for a hearing today on corruption charges. Instead, though, they fled to London. Well, Thaksin says there were threats on his life and he couldn't expect a fair hearing in Thai courts. Thai prosecutors are considering whether to ask for their extradition.

Rescue teams by the hundreds are racing to Vietnam's northern mountains. A weekend tropical storm triggered deadly flash floods and landslides. At least 100 people are dead. More than two dozen are still missing. Tens of thousands of homes are destroyed. Thousands of cattle swept away and acres of crops are ruined. (WEATHER UPDATE)

LEMON: We appreciate it.

Three days, three bus crashes, two of them deadly. Three people were killed early yesterday when their casino bus turned over south of Memphis. It was headed to Harrah's Tunica.

Now, more than 30 survivors are flying home to South Carolina today, no word on what caused that crash. Tire failure may be to blame for another bus accident, this one in Las Vegas. Almost 30 casino employees were hurt, four critically, when their shuttle bus crashed last night. Investigators say they found evidence the tread had separated from the left front tire.

Something similar may have happened in Sherman, Texas. Investigators say it appears a recapped tire may have blown, causing the crash that killed 17 passengers on Friday. Federal investigators say the charter company operating that bus was unlicensed. It and a related company have been ordered to stop operating immediately.

A Michigan teen says her life will never be the same after she got a shot to prevent a deadly disease. We will tell you why she is blaming the vaccine Gardasil.

A dangerous turn in a mission of peace. American missionaries hunker down as Russian tanks roll into the Republic of Georgia. We have got this harrowing story for you and some new video that is just coming in.

And a former American Olympic star heads to Beijing to be with friends. Our Fredricka Whitfield, it is her dead. And we have got the unbelievable, incredible, heart-wrenching story. You and don't want to miss it.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Soaking up the sun and hitting the links in Hawaii. Is Barack Obama's vacation a good idea right now? We will check in with our senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, for his thoughts.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: We're following developing news today here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

It involves, as you can see, the Russian invasion of Georgia. New pictures into the CNN NEWSROOM from Abkhazia, which is a province that is further into this region. And Russian troops have apparently gotten that far. You can see people fleeing and fighting there on the ground.

Our Hala Gorani from CNN International will update on these new pictures and exactly what's happening in Georgia in just a moment. Don't go away. All right, let's talk politics now. In the race for the White House, John McCain has the campaign trail all to himself. The Republican is stumping today in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.

And a short time ago, he toured a general electric plant in Erie, where he also held a town hall style meeting. For Barack Obama, a week of downtime. He and his family are vacationing in Hawaii, where the candidate played a little golf. He did that over the weekend. Obama spent most of his childhood in the 50th state. His sister and maternal grandmother still live there.

With big things happening in the world right now, is this a good time for Barack Obama to be on vacation and having these pictures of him playing golf while there is unrest?

Let's check in now with our CNN political analyst, Mr. Bill Schneider, from Washington.

OK, Bill, so I'm assuming that, I don't know, he's got pictures there. He knows what's going on. He's reacted to it. Is it good for him to be seen playing golf while all this is happening?

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, remember, this crisis doesn't directly involve the United States. There are no American forces there. There are Americans in Georgia. I believe the State Department has asked them to leave or is trying to evacuate them.

The United States is playing some role. It's evacuating Georgian troops from Iraq and helping them return to defend their country. But it doesn't directly threaten or involve the United States. So, I don't think it's too great a problem for Barack Obama to be on vacation right now, unless this crisis escalates into something far more serious. And no one hopes that happens.

LEMON: OK. Let me ask you this. I'm assuming this that this is a working vacation for Senator Obama, since he's got a lot to do when he gets back. Specifically, he's got to pick a vice presidential running mate.

SCHNEIDER: Yes, he does. And he's got to do it soon. He says he's going to let everyone know by text-messaging, whatever that is. And then all of his supporters will know at the same time.

There are lots of names on his list. Evan Bayh is widely discussed as a very serious possibility. He's the senator from Indiana, not a terribly exciting choice, but he has a lot of experience. And a lot of Democrats say, we don't need anymore excitement. We have got Barack Obama.

Joe Biden has long years in Washington, a lot of foreign affairs experience, national security. Bill Richardson. Imagine. An African-American nominee for president and a Latino nominee for vice president. There's change for you. And he has a lot of foreign affairs experience as well. Tim Kaine in Virginia, another possibility, seen as very much on the short list. He's the governor of Virginia. He's Catholic, a southern state. That could also open up some possibilities. Virginia is very much swing state this year.

LEMON: All right. Our senior political analyst, Mr. Bill Schneider -- Bill, we appreciate that.

At the top of the hour, in CNN's "SITUATION ROOM," New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will talk more about Barack Obama's vacation and whether or not it is a good idea for him to be there right now.

And we also want to tell you that, at 5:15 Eastern time -- 5:15 Eastern time -- that's about two hours or so -- the president can be early sometimes -- President Bush will speak in the Rose Garden, make a statement on what's happening in this conflict with Georgia involving Russia. So, 5:15, Rose Garden, President Bush. "THE SITUATION ROOM" will have it all for you.

A popular vaccine for girls and young women has created a lot of confusion among parents and scientists -- reviewing the risks of Gardasil in the NEWSROOM.

A group of Americans caught in a war zone, what they were doing in Georgia when the Russians attacked and what they're doing now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BUSINESS REPORT)

LEMON: All right. Well, as kids begin to head back into the classroom, some parents might want to keep them ahead of the financial curve.

Here's Ali Velshi with this week's "Right on Your Money."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALI VELSHI, CNN SENIOR BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Introducing your child to the stock market early on may help them go from a corner lemonade stand to cashing in on Wall Street.

TROY DUNN, AUTHOR, "YOUNG BUCKS": It teaches them a quick understanding of profits and losses, make money, lose money.

VELSHI: Author Troy Dunn says step one is making it fun. He suggests having kids use their own money to buy a single share of stock in places they like to shop.

DUNN: Kids love Toys 'R' Us. Kids love Wal-Mart. Kids love Disney. And so when you help your child understand that they can actually own a piece of Disney, that's very exciting for a child.

VELSHI: Dunn says the stock market is a great way for kids to learn about more than just math and money.

DUNN: They get to figure out over time is that the world events that are happening that we see on the news and read about in the newspaper are impacting the money that they have in the stock market.

VELSHI: And parents could profit from the lessons too.

DUNN: One of the benefits of teaching your child about the stock market is you'll learn right long with them. And who knows. You as a family might end up increasing your personal net worth.

VELSHI: Ali Velshi, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: Let's talk concerns now about Gardasil. Is the vaccine that helps prevent certain types of cervical cancer making teenagers sick? A CNN Special Investigations Unit report.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Hello, everyone. I'm Don Lemon, live here at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta.

You are in the CNN NEWSROOM.

LEMON: It's time now to tell you about some of the stories we're working on for you today right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

Russian tanks are rumbling further into Georgia. Georgia's president today accused Moscow of wanting invasion, occupation and annihilation of his country. President Bush, who is returning from his trip to Asia this hour, will make comments on the situation in Russia from the Rose Garden at 5:15 Eastern. CNN will have live coverage for you.

It's police versus Muslim protesters in Indian Kashmir. A.P. is reporting that security forces have killed a Kashmir political leader taking part in the marches. Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets over a road blockade put in place by Hindu groups.

And Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick may have waded into more legal trouble. A judge is set to decide if Kilpatrick violated the terms of his bond in an assault case. At issue, weekend contact with his sister, who is a witness in the case.

We want to tell you now about a bleak situation unfolding today in Georgia. Russian forces are rumbling out of two disputed territories across the Georgian countryside and into several cities. The Russian invasion expanding as the U.S. and others demand a cease- fire.

Hala Gorani has the very latest for you from our International Desk, as well as some new video -- Hala.

GORANI: New video and we're also monitoring international reaction. There is really intense diplomatic activity to try to get a cease-fire in the region.

But first, let us show you this new video that's come out of Georgia, outside of Abkhazia. That is one of the enclaves where a portion of the people there want independence from the Republic of Georgia. And you can see there are cars on fire, people running away, taking cover. There is fighting going on in that part of Georgia, as well as others. We were mentioning earlier, South Ossetia.

Now there are fears that the capital of Tbilisi -- or there were fears, to be more precise, that the capital of Tbilisi was under threat. But the Russian military is saying they have no plans to roll into the capital.

But what we're seeing now is some intense activity near Abkhazia, one of those enclaves where there are desires for independence from the Republic of Georgia.

We mentioned intense diplomatic activity. And that is because the French foreign minister and the French president and other international leaders are saying look, back off, the two of you, we cannot afford to have a conflict in this part of the world.

Now, as to why the United States cares, why George Bush, among others, is siding with Georgia on this, well, we have video from all the way back in 2005, when the president was meeting Mikheil Saakashvili there. Now, I'll remind our viewers this. You know, Georgia has the third largest contingent of troops in Iraq. Georgia wants to be part of NATO. Georgia wants to be close to the West under Mikheil Saakashvili.

It was different before 2003. But over the last five years, that has been the case. And you can see there "Welcome in Georgia." That was a sign held up by a Georgian about three years ago. It's not everywhere in the world you see those signs, by the way.

So that explains strategically why the United States is also involved -- back to you.

LEMON: All right. Hala Gorani from our International Desk.

Hala, we appreciate your perspective on this.

Hala, of course, has been covering this story in our international unit here at CNN for some days now since it broke out again.

Thanks to Hala.

Americans in Georgia are making a hasty exit any way they can. That includes some missionaries who cut short their trip after tanks rolled by them in Tbilisi. But not all of them are home.

Reporter Courtney Zubowski of CNN affiliate KHOU has more on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(VIDEO CLIP) COURTNEY ZUBOWSKI, KHOU CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You may not understand the Russian language, but the message doesn't get lost in translation.

JOEL ANDERSON, EAST/WEST MINISTRIES (through translator): We hope that our kids successfully come home.

ZUBOWSKI: Joel Anderson got back from the country of Georgia on Saturday.

ANDERSON: And we were concerned, but, no, we weren't fearful at all.

ZUBOWSKI: Joe and 10 others from the Houston area are a part of a ministry group that teaches English to Georgians. For the last week, they've been staying near the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi, about 35 miles from the artillery fire. Everything was fine -- until last Thursday.

ANDERSON: My son comes up and says, dad, we just saw a bunch of tanks on the road. And I'm thinking, OK, tanks. OK, right.

ZUBOWSKI: It became obvious that the country was in conflict. The group rushed back to where they had been staying and hunkered down.

ANDERSON: There's a radio that's hooked up and all the Georgians are sitting around, sitting around the radio just listening. And it's -- you could hear a pin drop. And then all the Americans are kind of in there waiting to hear -- have the Georgians tell us what's going on. And we're hearing rumors, I mean, all over the place.

ZUBOWSKI: Five more people with the group got out of Georgia tonight, including Connor (ph), Joel Anderson's son. Their flight was one of the only flights not canceled. There are still four more missionaries in Georgia. James Herrington was in charge of the last missionary trip there.

JAMES HERRINGTON, EAST/WEST MINISTRIES: We understand that these things can happen and that doesn't mean that we're going to stop. It means we might alter some things we do. We might be more careful with our travel and other things. But I don't think it will in any way, you know, put a stop to the things we do there.

ZUBOWSKI: The missionary group became close with its students in Georgia.

Translation...

ANDERSON: We're praying for everybody who lives in Georgia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: Now, as we've mentioned, the U.S. government has been helping American citizens get out of Georgia on convoys. So far, about 170 have been evacuated. It's not known if the four remaining missionaries are among them.

Also, the president expected to speak out about this at 5:15 Eastern time. He will do that in the Rose Garden. Just as soon as he does that, we'll bring that to you live right here on CNN. That will happen during "THE SITUATION ROOM." It starts at 4:00 p.m. Eastern here on CNN.

All right, this is a CNN special investigation. A shot that is supposed to help prevent certain types of cervical cancer, the vaccine Gardasil has been widely publicized and given to young girls. But as we first reported last month, it also raised a few red flags.

Our special investigations correspondent, Abbie Boudreau, here now with an update.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ABBIE BOUDREAU, CNN SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Taquaria Williams doesn't get to act like a kid anymore. She's just too tired.

TAQUARIA WILLIAMS, GARDASIL RECIPIENT: (INAUDIBLE) I used to do a lot.

BOUDREAU: But Taquaria's mother says everything changed last September after her daughter received Gardasil, a vaccine that prevents 70 percent of cervical cancer.

MATIA WHITE, MOTHER: She's never been sick. She's never been in a hospital, nothing -- until the Gardasil shot.

BOUDREAU: Two months after getting the shot, Taquaria says she got a rash on her face and arms, leaving these scars. She had swelling all over, pain in her joints and poor circulation in her fingertips. Her doctor told us she now suffers from an autoimmune disease and says it is possible the Gardasil triggered her illness, though she made it clear the cause cannot be proven.

According to a federal tracking system called VAERS, there have been 9,749 adverse reactions following the vaccination and 21 reported deaths since 2006.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I chose to get my daughter vaccinated.

BOUDREAU: But Merck, Gardasil's maker, points out these are anecdotal cases. In a statement, company officials says it "does not necessarily mean that the vaccine caused or contributed to the event."

An official with the Centers for Disease Control says VAERS does not provide enough information for researchers to prove whether Gardasil caused any of the reported side effects.

DR. JOHN ISKANDER, ACTING IMMUNIZATION SAFETY DIRECTOR: We want to have better data to reassure people. But, again, the patterns of -- and the number of serious events looked at in VAERS do not suggest any increase in risk. BOUDREAU: Well, the CDC believes Gardasil is safe, a conservative watchdog called Judicial Watch, which has been studying Gardasil's safety, says parents' concerns about the vaccine are valid.

CHRIS FARRELL, JUDICIAL WATCH: So without long-term studies and without a safety test, essentially the public is being used as a large-scale public health test.

BOUDREAU (on camera): What would have happened if you would have known that this research was out there?

WHITE: I would have never gotten it. Never. I would have never had her get the shot.

BOUDREAU: Abbie Boudreau, CNN, Flint, Michigan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: Well, he laid the groundwork for disco and was rapping before there was rap.

Isaac Hayes is being remembered as a music pioneer. Hayes' wife and his son found him unconscious yesterday in his Memphis, Tennessee home, next to his treadmill. He was pronounced dead an hour later.

The singer/songwriter won an Oscar and for his theme the movie "Shaft." Who can forget that? And some of us, well, you may know him better for his animated alter ego. For years, Hayes was the voice of Chef on TV's "South Park". Isaac Hayes was 65-years-old.

Also gone too soon, Bernie Mac. The award winning actor and comedian died early Saturday at the age of 50. He'd been in the hospital three weeks battling pneumonia. Born in poverty on Chicago's South Side, Mac became a star of standup comedy and later on both television and also in the movies. A public memorial is planned for Saturday at the House of Hope in Chicago.

Bernie Mac's friends and classmates are shocked by his passing. From "Ocean's" co-star George Clooney, "The world just got a little less funny. He will be dearly missed."

Comedian Chris Rock says he appreciated Mac's friendship even more than his humor: "Bernie Mac was one of the greatest friends a person could have. Losing him is like losing 12 people because he absolutely filled up any room he was in. I'm going to miss the Mac Man."

A lot of people will, as well.

Let's talk now about John Edwards -- that affair.

Should it really matter to you as a voter? Should it matter?

Well, we'll hear what some of you are saying in your e-mails right here in the NEWSROOM. We're going to read them on the air. Olympic reunion -- 60 years after winning gold, a couple of American heroes -- there he is right there with his daughter, who happens to work here. They head back to the Olympic Games.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: All right. Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards' political future is uncertain after he admitted that he cheated on his wife. Edwards says he had an affair with former campaign staffer Rielle Hunter two years ago -- or Riley Hunter. We're going to try to get a clarification of that.

But should a politician's private indiscretions be the public's business?

A lot of our viewers have been weighing in on this. They have very strong opinions.

I've got to tell you, I was flying this weekend. I went to Chicago to do the Bernie Mac story.

JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right.

LEMON: Every single person...

LEVS: Yes, you bet.

LEMON: ...(INAUDIBLE) so sad. I saw your story on Bernie Mac, but can you believe this Edwards thing?

What's going on?

LEVS: That's the talk.

LEMON: OK. I've also been hearing different things -- reading in the paper...

LEVS: Right.

LEMON: Some people are saying Rielle...

LEVS: Rielle...

LEMON: ...versus Riley.

LEVS: ...versus Riley.

LEMON: What is it?

LEVS: Well, I've never gotten to -- I have never spoken with her. But the newspapers that have followed this very closely say that despite the spelling of her name, it actually is Riley. That's what we're reading. So we're thinking maybe it is Riley.

LEMON: OK.

LEVS: If you're watching, call us.

LEMON: What are our viewers saying, Josh?

LEVS: OK. So here's the thing, so we asked this question of people, right?

LEMON: OK.

LEVS: Here's what we said. And it's what you were just talking about before the break.

We said, "Should this matter -- should a politician's personal indiscretions be the public's business?"

Here are some of our really interesting e-mails.

First, from Arwood Haile -- you see it here, Haile: "In 48 years of marriage, I've been faithful. Is it impossible to find a leader that will abide by the principles found in the scriptures in leading such a great country?"

Now, let's look at the other side. From Louis Bryan: "No. No. A thousand times no. Reporting on politicians' sexual affairs conduct is not news. It's an invasion of a couple's privacy. Elizabeth Edwards is coping with incurable cancer. She has asked politely for the media to back off."

Let's keep going.

Stu McCullouch here: "As a contributor to the John Edwards campaign, I'm very disappointed in such a late confession and feel very badly about the followers who donated their time to his campaign. It isn't the deed, it's the lie."

Now, Terry Decker: "Do judgment, character, integrity, loyalty, faithfulness, honesty, compassion, etc. mean nothing? Of course we should know whether our leaders have those qualities."

And now there's another one here from Jolene -- Jolene Pope: "It's none of the public's business. If a married politician has an affair, the only way it becomes the public's business is if there is a crime committed in connection with it."

So there you go. That's the balance. We're seeing both sides, hearing from a lot of people.

We invite you guys to tell us what you think, ireport.com. Send in your thoughts.

LEMON: Regardless of how you feel, isn't it always the cover-up that gets you?

That's what one of the viewers said.

LEVS: Yes. I mean, in the end, that's how a lot of people feel about it -- it's the lie that makes them more upset than if the person had come clean sooner. That's what you say and that's what a lot of people say, you know?

LEMON: Yes.

But you already made one mistake. Don't lie and add on top of it.

LEVS: That's what a lot of people say, that it's not just the original deed, that it's the lie. Yes, a lot of people share that sentiment. Sure.

LEMON: Joshua Levs, an important question.

LEVS: Yes.

LEMON: Rielle or Riley.

LEVS: I know. We -- I will get to the bottom of that for you. I promise I will. Tomorrow we will know. I'll be here.

LEMON: All right.

LEVS: All right.

LEMON: Thank you very much for that, Josh.

LEVS: Thanks.

LEMON: Guess what, the feathers were flying -- oh, make that climbing -- at the Pet Olympics in Hong Kong. That's the Olympics I like to watch. Talk about some new breeds of athlete.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: All right. We want to talk some Olympics. Time now for the Beijing Report.

After three full days of competition, Team USA is holding in the number two spot in the Olympic medal count.

Let's take a look at the board after today's events. Host nation China, they're still top -- at the top of the list with 14 medals. Nine of those are gold. The Americans are right behind, though, with 12 total medals, three gold medals. South Korea and Italy both have eight medals overall. Still lots of time for the U.S. to catch up.

Helping the Americans keep pace and pocketing a world record in the process, the men's 400 freestyle relay team, they toasted the favored French swimmers by eight-one hundreths of a second for the gold.

OK, prompter. Keep up with me. Thank you very much.

And it was 32-year-old Jason Lezak who brought it home. He started the anchor leg a body length behind, but pulled even and just out touched with his French rival at the wall. He pulled ahead and just out touched him.

Lezak's winning sprint kept teammate Michael Phelps in the hunt for a record eight golds at the game.

Our own Fredricka Whitfield heading to the Olympic Games in Beijing this week. She will not be there to cover it for us -- for CNN -- though, of course, we're expecting a couple of phone calls from her and maybe a little blog.

Instead, she's going to be with her very famous, very accomplished father. He is a former Olympian there. And he's going to be there to see some old friends, as well.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Let me re- introduce you to my dad, Mal Whitfield, 1948 and 1952 Olympic medalist -- gold, silver, bronze. I first introduced you to marvelous Mal a few years back when London became the host of the 2012 Games.

(on camera): Were you euphoric?

MAL WHITFIELD, 1948 OLYMPIAN: Oh, yes, I was quite pleased that the committee chose London.

F. WHITFIELD: Well, now it's you and me off to Beijing.

Are you ready?

M. WHITFIELD: Oh, I've been -- I've been ready. I haven't had a good night's sleep.

(LAUGHTER)

M. WHITFIELD: I'll sleep on the plane.

F. WHITFIELD (voice-over): Clearly, we're both over the top thrilled as we pack our bags for China. One reason...

M. WHITFIELD: What happens in the Olympic Games, it becomes a family of people -- people meeting people from all over the world

F. WHITFIELD: Together to celebrate and witness greatness. The other big reason for our excitement -- you're looking at it.

M. WHITFIELD: For me, going to Beijing will be the most exciting experience I've ever had in my life.

Why? Because, personally, I'm almost 84-years-old. And if you look at the time I've spent in sports, since I was 8-years-old. So I wanted to be an Olympian.

F. WHITFIELD: And after so many years, seeing other Olympians of his day. He doesn't know for sure who will be there, but hopes on Olympians like bronze long jumper Herb Douglas; Harrison Dillard, the only man to win gold as a 100 meter sprinter and hurdler; gold medal diver Dr. Sammy Lee -- still both a cut up and pin up, despite recent back surgery.

SAMMY LEE, 1948 OLYMPIAN: And Mal and I, both being from Los Angeles, it's funny.

F. WHITFIELD: And still vividly reflective at age 88.

LEE: So-called experts who say that, you know, the wrong color, the wrong size, it inspires you to be tougher and you're more dedicated.

F. WHITFIELD: Despite discrimination, segregation, the Depression and military draft during World War II and the Korean War, they stayed on course to make Olympic history, Dr. Lee winning two golds in the 10-meter platform in 1948 and 52, and a bronze on springboard. In the same back-to-back games, dad collectively winning three gold, a silver and a bronze.

M. WHITFIELD: I ran three events -- 800 meters, the 400 meters and the 400-meter relays. I just always did it, but it was all worth it.

F. WHITFIELD: A fighter then and a fighter now, who says the constant shooting pain in his joint is already feeling healing powers from the surprise-filled journey to Beijing. His only fear -- old friends don't recognize him.

M. WHITFIELD: As old as I am, they will remember the face and my laugh.

F. WHITFIELD: Weeks after his final surgery...

LEE: I'm recuperating and the goal of going to Beijing is stimulating me to -- to heal fast.

F. WHITFIELD: And the prospect of these octogenarian Olympians meeting at the XXIX Olympiad inspires me.

Let the games and our adventure begin.

Fredricka Whitfield, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: OK, no kidding, I'm on the phone with Fredricka Whitfield right now -- say hi, Fred.

F. WHITFIELD: Hey.

LEMON: Fred is on. Fred is doing some last minute shopping. I'm going to go and tell them about what you said I can report. I'll talk to you later. Bye.

Oh, Fred, this is a surprise for her dad. There are going to be -- there are five '48ers, as they call them, and four of them -- she says he's not watching -- four of them are actually going to meet him over there and it's going to be a big surprise for her dad.

Her dad is going to be right here in the CNN NEWSROOM on Friday, either the 2:00 hour or the 3:00 hour. And I'll be interviewing him live. And it is a big honor to meet him, finally, and to interview him live on the air right here on CNN.

And lots of Olympians are animals when they compete. But they've got nothing on these guys. The Olympic -- the Olympics have gone to the dogs and the birds and other assorted pets in Hong Kong. The competition was organized by a pet store company and proceeds go to charity. Here some of the athletes were virtually drooling with excitement. Others clearly thinking their owners were barking up the wrong tree. Very cute. A different kind of Olympics.

The closing bell and a wrap of all the action on Wall Street straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: All right. Live pictures now of Andrews Air Force Base. And there you see President Bush on Air Force One, making a safe landing. He is back from Beijing. And, of course, at 5:15 Eastern time today, in the Rose Garden, the president will make a statement about the conflict happening in Georgia.

Air Force One on the ground at Andrews right now.

Wolf Blitzer will handle that for you in "THE SITUATION ROOM."

Susan Lisovicz, what's the verdict?

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, an extension -- a modest extension of Friday's gains.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

LEMON: Now let's turn it over to "THE SITUATION ROOM."

I said Wolf Blitzer, but it is actually Mr. John Roberts.

Take it away, sir.