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Philadelphia Abortion Doctor Charged With Murder; Massive FBI Mafia Takedown; Michelle Obama and Wal-Mart Team Up; Kidnapped Infant Reunited With Family After 23 Years; Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum Under Fire; Ex-Husband of Sandra Bullock Getting Married; First Gulf War CNN Correspondents and Photojournalists Remember the War 20 Years Later; Polls Show High Unfavorable Ratings for Sarah Palin

Aired January 20, 2011 - 15:00   ET

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

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: And hello to you all.

We are getting some new information about the gruesome methods allegedly used at this clinic. There's the outside. This is a clinic in West Philadelphia. A doctor there now charged with infanticide and murder. He was arraigned today. And we're learning a little bit more about one of his victims, a 41-year-old victim.

Her family is suing. And I know this story resonated with a lot of you watching yesterday. I heard from you after my interview with the district attorney. We're going to get more there.

Also, a huge mafia bust in the Northeast today, dozens of mobsters representing just about every single mob family you have probably heard of, a coordinated roundup in three states.

And have you heard this?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICK SANTORUM (R), FORMER U.S. SENATOR: I find it almost remarkable for a -- for a -- for a black man to say, no, we are going to decide who are people and who are not people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Rick Santorum ever present on the list of presidential hopefuls making a comment about the current president. What does his race have to do with his position on abortion? Jessica Yellin is drilling down on that one for me in just a couple of minutes.

But I want to begin with this: the FBI staging a mob takedown that is so big, the suspects reportedly have been taken to an Army brig in Brooklyn.

Now, this is a massive case involving hundreds of lawmen rousting more than 100 mob chiefs, made men, union bosses from their beds this morning. The alleged crimes range from loan-sharking and classic mob hits to what Attorney General Eric Holder calls truly senseless murders.

In fact, he describes a couple of cases that to a lot of us kind of sound like scenes from the movie "Goodfellas." Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIC HOLDER, U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: In one instance, a victim was allegedly shot and killed during a botched robbery attempt. And two other murder victims allegedly were shot in a public bar because of a dispute over a spilled drink.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: A spilled drink, did you hear that?

Gil Alba is a former New York police detective. He also founded Alba Investigations.

Gil, good to see you again.

You know, somebody on my team...

(CROSSTALK)

GIL ALBA, FORMER NYPD DETECTIVE: Thanks for having me.

BALDWIN: Someone on my team said it best. This is like "The Godfather," "The Sopranos" and "Goodfellas" kind of rolled into one.

Put this in perspective for all of us. How massive was this bust this morning?

ALBA: Well, you know, you do watch those shows, and this is similar to that.

Those homicides that they commit, the mafia homicides, are just hits just like that. They all have a pattern. This was one of the biggest mafia arrests in -- you know, in the country. And -- and it kind of is going to put a dent into -- into the mafia. So it's a good arrest.

I mean, to put this work together, like the FBI did, with the help of New York City Police Department and other police departments, that's a massive undertaking. And each one of those people that they brought in, there was enough probable cause, meaning that they got them on good charges and they have enough to bring them to court and -- and testify against them.

BALDWIN: And, you know, Gil, it makes sense that we are -- are hearing from the FBI and we're hearing from police departments in these different jurisdictions. But -- but why are we seeing and hearing from the attorney general? Is that unusual at all?

ALBA: Well, I think this was a big case. And, you know, I think the attorney general, one of the reasons that he was there...

BALDWIN: Why?

ALBA: ... it's not only a massive organized -- organized crime lockup, but the fact that he mentioned gangs also is kind of a... BALDWIN: Hmm.

ALBA: ... a good thing they could go into. That's a big thing with the -- with the gangs. So, this is a big arrest throughout the country. So, I think that's the reason he was there. And, you know, you have -- you have to have his permission to do all this.

BALDWIN: Can you elaborate just a little further on that? What do you mean?

ALBA: As far as permission...

BALDWIN: The gang...

ALBA: ... from him?

BALDWIN: ... the gang -- the gang issue.

ALBA: Oh, I -- I think he mentioned gangs on -- as far as the FBI possibly going into -- you know, looking into gangs and organized gangs and what they do. And, you know, that's a big problem across the country...

BALDWIN: Huh.

ALBA: ... which I don't think the FBI is involved in, but perhaps maybe through this they can get into that.

BALDWIN: So perhaps this is just the beginning of even more arrests. We're talking mob. And potentially down the road, we're talking gangs.

And -- and in terms of sheer numbers here, we have 127 suspects, 16 indictments. Does today's takedown cripple the mafia? Can we use that word, cripple?

ALBA: Yes, I -- it -- it definitely does, because, you know, how did they get these guys? How did they arrest them? They had to do surveillance. They have got to take photos. They have got to have eaves -- you know, listen to their phone conversations.

All this, they need permission for. And this is not a one-day operation. This happened through the years. And what happens here, every time you arrest somebody, they don't want to go to jail, and especially the worst guys and the top guys don't want to go to jail. And they're the ones that turn on everybody. And they get the best information from those guys. And that's what happened with this...

BALDWIN: So...

ALBA: ... arrest -- this many arrests.

BALDWIN: ... you make a good point. And I want you to elaborate on that. You know, you -- you talk about the wiretaps and things of that nature, but, really, it's the -- we can call them the defectors, those who have broken the -- the so-called code of silence who are then speaking to the FBI. I mean, their -- their speaking is huge in getting these bad guys.

ALBA: Yes, yes, that's -- that's the ones. I mean, the -- the informants and the people that you get information -- the information from, those are the ones that make the case.

New technology now, with the cell phones and computers and all that, you know, really help with the -- with these kind of cases. But, you know, you have got to hand it to the FBI and the New York City Police Department and the other agencies, state police. They did a tremendous job of putting all this together.

BALDWIN: How many -- Gil, how many mob families are -- are we talking here were involved today?

ALBA: Well, there's -- there's five mob families in New York. And I think they're talking about somebody else in Rhode Island who was doing -- getting money with strip clubs, and another one in -- in another location.

So, there's probably about five, seven mob families that they're talking about.

BALDWIN: Yes, we just...

ALBA: So, they went after...

BALDWIN: Go ahead. Continue.

ALBA: They went after everybody on this.

BALDWIN: Yes, we saw just some of the names.

ALBA: Yes.

BALDWIN: A lot of us kind of recognize those. And -- and some of these crimes, you know, they go back not one, not two, three decades. Like you said, it takes them awhile to sort of cull their information.

In fact, the -- the attorney general mentioned one case a moment ago -- we played the sound -- where -- with two people. They were killed in this fight over a spilled drink. What do you know about that?

ALBA: Yes. That -- that's an easy one, because these guys have such super egos, and they're killers. I mean, they -- they will kill -- they kill 10, 12, 15 people. I mean, some of them have them -- they have them on wiretapping talking about how many people they killed.

Can they get all the evidence against them for those crimes? Probably not, but, some, they can. And they will kill you over anything. And just like the "Wiseguy," you know, the movie, and -- and, you know, "The Sopranos" and all that, these killings and these hits are -- are almost identical to that.

BALDWIN: Is there anything, in watching all these takedowns -- I know we were all sort of captivated by all of this as it evolved through the morning. What really stood out to you? ALBA: Well, the -- the massive arrests and the...

BALDWIN: The number.

ALBA: ... organization that they had and -- and the numbers that they had. And this is definitely going to put a dent in the mafia, because those guys are not going to talk on the phone. Those guys are not going to do various things to companies and -- and little stores.

Or, you know, these guys go in and -- and they want money for -- you know, you -- you -- you run a strip club or something, and...

BALDWIN: Hmm.

ALBA: ... and they -- they will -- they will give you protection. So, the protection is against their group. So, that's how they make money. You have got to pay them off that way.

BALDWIN: Hmm.

ALBA: And there's -- there's a lot of different ways, from the unions, you know, building their thing, calling on strikes from the mafia calling the unions to strike. So, they control -- a lot of the unions, they control. And then, of course, they take the money from the unions.

BALDWIN: So amazing. You know, we see it in -- in the movies and television. And it is so real-life. And to think they got so many people, that they needed to throw them all in an Army brig in Brooklyn, that -- that kind of amazed a bunch of us.

Gil Alba, it's all...

(CROSSTALK)

ALBA: Yes, but you...

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Go -- go ahead. Go ahead. Final thought.

ALBA: No, you know, some of the things about these people are -- are -- and I say these people, I meant the mafia, that they're involved. They're almost all in -- in the neighborhood, each other -- knows each other. This is their -- this is how they have been raised from childhood.

BALDWIN: Hmm.

ALBA: So, you know, they have some pride in being -- in -- in being in the mafia. And, you know, this is how they're connected. And now they get caught for this. And now they turn on whoever, their best friends.

BALDWIN: That's how it works. And that's how the FBI gets their information. And that's where we see these busts come from. Gil Alba, thank you so much for you perspective, former NYPD.

And from New York and New Jersey, want to go to Philadelphia. You remember this man? This is a Philadelphia doctor in court today facing charges of performing illegal abortions. And he's also accused in the death of a patient. We're going to have the latest on that developing story next.

And first lady Michelle Obama teaming up with Wal-Mart to make healthy food more affordable for all of us.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Here are a couple other top stories today.

You have two Miami-Dade police officers killed in the line of duty. One officer died during a shoot-out with a violent murder suspect. The second officer, who was wounded, died during surgery a short time later. Both were part of this federal task force involved in serving an arrest warrant. The suspect was also killed.

Chinese President Hu Jintao is stopping in Chicago on his visit here to the U.S. Before he left Washington, President Hu talked about the economy with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker John Boehner. The U.S. lawmakers also raised some concerns about China's commitment to human rights. While in Chicago, Hu will meet with business and political leaders and attend a dinner in his honor.

The nation's first lady and the world's largest retailer announcing an initiative to make healthy food more affordable. Michelle Obama was on hand as Wal-Mart unveiled its plan to start selling healthier food with less sugar, less sodium and no trans fat. Ms. Obama promotes health and fights childhood obesity through her Let's Move campaign. And she welcomed this move today by Wal-Mart.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHELLE OBAMA, FIRST LADY: Efforts like this show us that, yes, we can improve how we make and sell food in this country. We can do that. And we can feed our kids better. Yes, we can give parents better information, so that they can make better decisions for their families. We can do this.

And yes, there are CEOs like Bill Simon out there and so many others across this country who are willing to step up and help us solve this problem.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Did you hear what Rick Santorum said about the president? The story is next.

And then: an infant kidnapped from the hospital 23 years ago finally reunited with her family. We're going to tell you how this whole thing happened and hear from the family coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Welcome back.

Have you heard about this? I'm going to play you Rick Santorum, former U.S. senator from the state of Pennsylvania. Santorum, you remember, lost his reelection bid back in 2006. And now there's talk he could possibly be up for a run for president.

Well, here's what he said last night about abortion and President Obama. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, CNS NEWS/YOUTUBE)

SANTORUM: Is that human life a person under the constitution? And Barack Obama says no. Well, if that person -- human life is not a person, then I find it almost remarkable for a -- for a -- for a black man to say, no, we are going to decide who are people and who are not people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Did you catch that last part? We're not quite sure exactly what he meant. So, let's play it again.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SANTORUM: Then I find it almost remarkable for a -- for a -- for a black man to say, no, we are going to decide who are people and who are not people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: And now let me read it to you verbatim. He said -- quote -- "I find it almost remarkable for a black man to say we are going to decide who are people and who are not people."

Again, he was talking about the president.

So, Jessica Yellin, our national political correspondent here, do we know what he was trying to say?

JESSICA YELLIN, CNN NATIONAL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Brooke.

He's released a statement. Big picture, he's referring to the way African-American slaves were once viewed in the U.S. as less than a full person. Today, he did release a statement elaborating on that.

This is Rick Santorum in his words. He said -- quote -- "For decades, certain human beings were wrongly treated as property and denied liberty in America because they were not considered persons under the Constitution. Today, other human beings, the unborn of all races, are also wrongly treated as property and denied the right to life for the same reason, because they are not considered persons under the Constitution."

Again, this is Santorum -- quote -- "I am disappointed that President Obama, who rightfully fights for civil rights, refuses to recognize the civil rights of the unborn in this country."

So, he believes that fetuses as a class are denied rights in the way African-Americans as a class were denied rights under slavery.

BALDWIN: OK. So, that is his clarification. And it could be connected here, because there is talk perhaps of him wanting to run for president. He's a real capital-C conservative. So, would this -- Jessica, would this comment hurt him?

YELLIN: Well, the truth is, it depends what your politics are, Brooke. With some ardent social conservatives, it will help him. It will resonate. But some African-Americans are likely to be offended. You know, slavery was a unique injustice, and it does require enormous sensitivity, especially in how a white politician addresses it.

BALDWIN: On the subject of abortion here, it seems it is really kind of heating up here as a political issue. In fact, just a short time ago, House Boehner -- House Speaker John Boehner unveiled this bill on abortion. And he said, essentially, passing this bill one of his top priorities.

Here he was.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R-OH), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Today, we're here to talk about another promise that we're keeping. And that is ensuring that tax dollars are never used to fund elective abortions.

A ban -- a ban on taxpayer funding of abortions is the will of the people and it ought to be the will of the land.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: So, Jessica, break it down for me.

I mean, what is he specifically talking about? What would this legislation do?

YELLIN: OK, it's one of three bills in the House that would restrict abortion rights. And this one would go the furthest by encouraging private insurance to basically stop covering abortion services, even when you're paying for it through private money.

So, how would it do that? One way, right now, you or your employer get a tax credit if you buy your own health insurance.

BALDWIN: Hmm. YELLIN: Well, under this law, if your insurance company lets people get abortion coverage, you won't be eligible for that tax credit. So, that's just one thing in the bill. There are other things, but it's pushing private insurance to stop covering abortion services -- no federal money at play, but it's -- it's a push in that direction.

BALDWIN: I got it. I got it. We will be following it. Jessica Yellin, we're seeing a surge of abortion funding here really...

YELLIN: Yes.

BALDWIN: ... coming out of the -- the House Republicans.

We will talk more on that, I'm sure, in the future.

Jess, thank you so much.

And, you know, talk about tears of joy for a family reunited with their abducted infant. She was just days old. This was 23 years ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because I knew she was coming back, because she's -- when you see her, it's a trait. The whole family got the trait, the whole family.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Listen to that. We will have more on this remarkable reunion. That is ahead.

Also, how young is too young to enroll your children in exercise class?

(LAUGHTER)

BALDWIN: Before you answer, I want you to watch our series . We're calling it "Extreme Parenting." That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Parents or parents-to-be, I'm curious to see what you think about this. You know, with the rate of childhood obesity at an all- time high now, it might not seem so extreme for parents to enroll their children in exercise class.

But what if the children are not even able to walk yet? What's so wrong with just sending them outside to play?

As part of our series "Extreme Parenting," CNN's Christine Romans speaks with one woman who runs a gym devoted to all children.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Brooke, it gives new meaning to the term training your toddler: sports training for the diaper set. According to the woman you're about to meet, you can never start sports training too soon.

DOREEN BOLHUIS, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, GYMCO: Hey, you guys ready?

We would not leave academic education to chance and hope that children figure it out. We cannot leave physical literacy education to chance.

ROMANS (voice-over): At Gymco Sports in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Doreen Bolhuis trains tykes, some of them only a few months old, to kick, throw, climb, and balance. Bolhuis's goal is to get kids moving earlier than ever before.

BOLHUIS: That's very good balance.

We like to do things that we're good at, so when we teach children how to move well, they're going to keep moving and choose to be active.

ROMANS: Nora Cares is an acolyte. Her now middle school kids have been training since they were two.

NORA CARES, PARENT OF FORMER GYMCO STUDENTS: I think it set them apart in that they have built their confidence a lot sooner than other kids their age.

AVA CARES, FORMER GYMCO STUDENT: I remember when I was really young, I would like to go on the balance beams.

GEO CARES, FORMER GYMCO STUDENT: I remember jumping on the trampolines.

ROMANS: But doctors like NYU's Dennis Cardone worry about pushing kids into specialized sports too soon.

DR. DENNIS CARDONE, SPORTS MEDICINE, NYU LANGONE MEDICAL CENTER: We are seeing injuries in younger children that we had never seen before. We're seeing overuse injuries, which were exclusive to adults, and now we see them in seven, eight-year-olds.

ROMANS: The government now classifies more than 10 percent of preschool age children as obese.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Swing forward. That a boy, land in the blue. Perfect!

ROMANS: Everyone agrees kids need to be more active. It's the how that's the question. There's organic play, and then there's specialized sports. Where do you cross the line?

CARDONE: Unstructured activity is probably -- will lead to less of these overuse type injuries that we see. It's not until you introduce a parent or a coach into the activity that it leads to these overuse type injuries.

ROMANS: It's one thing to encourage babies to stretch and roll, say psychologists like Wendy Walsh, but toddler sports training is extreme parenting, she says, especially for kids who may not be ready. WENDY WALSH, BLOGGER, MOUNTLOGIC. COM: You want to be a good parent? Go to the playground. Climb the monkey bars with your kids. You can get in shape with them. I used to do pull-ups on the bars and sit-ups in the sand box, OK? That's what kids need.

ROMANS: The Mayo Clinic concludes unstructured physical activity, not training, is what's best for kids up to age five. But tell that to a thriving gym full of two, three, and four-year-olds.

BOLHUIS: I understand that there are skeptics and there are concerns, and every good thing can be done in a harmful way. But the fear of that should not keep us from doing the good things that we know are important for our children.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go for it!

ROMANS (on camera): The bottom line, Brooke, every child has their own developmental timetable. And this is one thing that Doreen, Wendy, Dr. Cardone, everyone agreed on. Don't ever aim to live vicariously through your kid or -- or push them to be any of their peers. Sure, they may learn different skills sooner or later than you would hope or expect, but the playing field will even out by the time they enter grade school -- Brooke.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: Sit-ups in the sandbox, whew, that is tough. We will get more "Extreme Parenting" tomorrow.

Now to this story: We are getting new information today about the gruesome methods allegedly used at this clinic there in Philadelphia. A charger -- a doctor charged with infanticide and murder, he was arraigned today. We are going to get a live report next.

Also, this incredible story, have you heard about this today? A 23- year-old woman who was kidnapped as an infant finally finds her biological parents. We're going to hear from them next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: A Philadelphia doctor accused of murder and barbaric treatment was arraigned today. Prosecutors say Dr. Kermit Gosnell performed illegal abortions, delivering babies who were born alive before doing the unthinkable -- it's even tough to talk about -- allegedly severing their spinal cords with scissors.

He's also accused in the death of one of his female patients. Now, this clinic was operated by this doctor for decades. It was opened in 1979, served mostly low-income minority women and immigrants. Inside, police found bags and bottles scattered throughout this clinic, inside of those, the remains of aborted fetuses.

Our Deb Feyerick is in New York following this story.

And -- and, Deb, I know he's -- he wasn't ever a licensed OB-GYN, but is he still even a licensed M.D.? DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No, he's not.

He -- his medical license was suspended last year after the clinic was raided. It was suspected to be a pill mill, thought to be illegally distributing painkillers. Well, that's when prosecutors went in and those fetuses were discovered.

Sixty-nine-year-old Kermit Gosnell, a family practitioner, was never, never certified as an OB-GYN, which means he should never have been performing abortions, illegal late-term abortions or any abortions period. Here's the DA.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SETH WILLIAMS, PHILADELPHIA DISTRICT ATTORNEY: The officers, however, could not ignore what they saw with their own eyes, smelled with their own noses, and what they heard from interviews with employees. Bags and bottles holding aborted fetuses were scattered throughout the building. A row of jars containing severed feet lined a shelf. Furniture and equipment was dusty, broken, urine and blood-stained. Untrained, unsupervised workers injected dangerous drugs into women undergoing illegal late-term abortions.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FEYERICK: Now, Gosnell has been charged in the deaths of seven infants more than six months along. Late term abortions are illegal. Prosecutors believe infants would have likely survived. Instead, Gosnell is accused of taking scissors to severe the spinal cords. One of the patients, a 41-year-old political refugee from Nepal, she died after allegedly being prescribed lethal doses of anesthetics.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BERNARD SMALLEY, ATTORNEY, KAMAMAYA MONGAR: She's here for less than six months. She is the matriarch of the family and these children have to grow up without their mother. You have a husband who is going to have to go on without his wife. And so it is -- there will be justice at the end of the day, but at what price? They've lost a loved one who can never come back.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FEYERICK: And Brooke, this is a woman who already had three kids and one grand kid. Brooke?

BALDWIN: We're speaking with Mr. Smalley here next hour, the family attorney representing that family from Nepal. The next question was what about the anesthesia and this pay scale?

FEYERICK: This is what's incredible. Gosnell apparently was using a sliding pay scale to administer anesthesia to poor women using unsanitary instruments in filthy rooms. Some had animals and litter boxes.

Prosecutors say one 15-year-old girl, a daughter of one of the employees was allowed to administer anesthesia to the women who came to the clinic. This women's society was apparently a family operation. His wife and sister-in-law also worked there. They did not have licenses to practice medicine nor did seven other employees at clinic, all of whom were slapped with various charges.

Gosnell's lawyers tells us, quote, "These charges are horrific, troubling, and serious." He warns of a rush to judgment, saying his client should be presumed innocent. Is he being held without bail till February 9th. But certainly a grizzly scene and you can imagine these poor women hopefully trying to get help and instead that's what they were met with allegedly.

BALDWIN: I cannot imagine. These allegations are unreal. Deb Feyerick, thank you.

As I just mentioned, coming up, we're going to hear from the attorney, Mr. Smalley, for that family of one of the patients who died after seeking treatment. She was a mother of three at this doctor's clinic.

But just days in office and already Alabama's new governor is apologizing for some religious statements. The governor's controversial comment came a short time after he took office Monday. And here is part of what he said at a church, quote, "So anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I'm telling you, you're not my brother and you're not my sister and I want to be your brother."

Cue the discord. The ADL, Anti-Defamation League called his comments offensive, Jewish and other religious leaders requested an audience with the new governor. So he did indeed meet with them and here is what he is now saying.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. ROBERT BENTLEY, (R) ALABAMA: I would like to say that anyone who heard those words and felt disenfranchised, I want to say that I'm sorry. And if you're not a person who can say that you're sorry, then you're not a very good leader.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Along with being Alabama's newest governor, Mr. Bentley is also a Southern Baptist deacon.

You remember this? Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Something is happening outside. The skies over Baghdad have been illuminated.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know if you're able to hear me or not. You can perhaps hear the sound across in the background.

(END VIDEO CLIP) BALDWIN: Do you remember watching all the green lights live on television? I remember. Folks, that was 20 years ago. When we come back, we're going to hear from the reporters who were there when those air strikes began.

Also, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, best known for the role in the September 11th terrorist attacks, but now there's a new report confirming what he already confessed to, that he beheaded "Wall Street Journal" reporter Daniel Pearl. Coming up, we're going to tell you more where vein matching, this forensic technique actually used to link him to Pearl's death.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: I cannot believe this was 20 years ago, 20 years now after the first grainy night vision images flashed across our TV screens when we were tuned into CNN. The first president Bush says he has no regrets about going to war with Iraq.

George H.W. Bush and his former top men Dick Cheney, James baker, Colin Powell, Dan Quayle all of whom are gathering in Texas to reflect on operation desert storm to drive Iraqi troops out of Kuwait. It was not an easy way to try to cover a war back in those days. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you're still with us, you can hear the bombs now. They are hitting the center of the city.

TOM JOHNSON, FORMER CNN PRESIDENT: I went to Ted Turner's office. And I said, Ted, for us to own this story in the event of actual war, we need to spend perhaps $5 I think to $35 million more in expenses than we're authorized to spend in our budget. And I said, how much am I authorized to spend? I'll never forget his answer. He looked back at me and said, and these are his exact words, "You spend whatever you think it takes, pal."

INGRID FORMANEK CNN PRODUCER: It was a very surreal scene because Iraq had never had that much press there before. It was a very repressive regime. For the first time they allowed a large amount of media to come in.

And we managed to establish a simple device like having two open phone lines. They gave us permission after a lot of hard work and trying to get permission. And then bypass a telephone exchange, which is one of the first things bombed the first night of the war. All the phones in Iraq went out. We had the four wire which enabled us to broadcast that first night of the war.

JOHN HOLLIMAN, FORMER CNN REPORTER: Our camera man just came to the window. What does it look like through your view finder?

On the other side of the hotel, we have some of the buildings that have incredible damage and also a lot of anti-aircraft batteries.

MARK BIELLO, CNN SENIOR PHOTOJOURNALIST: I was terrified. I mean, I thought this was fortunately for all the accuracy of the technology of the weapons, we did survive. Rashid was not taken out. But we were certainly in harm's way.

RICH BROOKS, SENIOR PHOTOJOURNALIST: It was eye-opening to me because had I traveled the region quite a bit before that covering the first Gulf war between Iran and Iraq. And so to go there and see suddenly the United States mobilizing to go to war over a very small country was quite something to see. After the first night of the gulf war, everyone around the world knew who CNN was.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: That was 20 years ago. So this next story had a lot of us around here in our morning meeting wanting to know more. So we're bringing in an expert who's going to join me in just a minute.

But first, remember Khalid Sheikh Mohammed? He is the self-described mastermind behind 9/11 and the senior Al Qaeda leader suspected of beheading "Wall Street Journal" reporter Daniel Pearl. That was back in 2002. In fact, he's confessed to this and told authorities he did it.

Al Qaeda released a video of Pearl's beheading. But you never see the face of the decapitator, only his hand. So here's the part we wanted to know a little bit more about. It seems the FBI and CIA have used this forensic technique called "vein matching" and were able to determine the hand in that video was that of KSM, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

That brings us to Lawrence Kobilinski. He knows his stuff. He's joining me from New York. Lawrence, obviously we all remember the video. 2002. Tough to watch then, absolutely no need to replay it right now. But my question to you is this. How in the world did investigators use the image of the killer's hands to corroborate with KSM's confession he did it, he beheaded Daniel pearl?

DR. LAWRENCE KOBILINSKI, FORENSIC SCIENTIST: Well, brook, this is not a routine standard procedure in the arsenal of criminalists. What it is based upon is the fact that the major vessels in the hand or any other place on the body remain in the same position throughout one's lifetime barring some kind of clinical intervention so that if you can capture an image of the position of the veins from that video, you can then compare it to a known image.

In other words, you're doing what we call biometrics making measurements based upon the position of the venous structure in the hand, and if the two patterns match, you can then say, well, it's the same person. It's very easy to exclude. It's a little harder to include a person as the source.

BALDWIN: How in the world can you look at somebody's wrist? I'm looking at my wrist, my wrist looks like your wrist. Aren't our veins in similarly placed positions? How can you tell my vein is the vein in the picture?

KOBILINSKI: It's not only the veins but the branching of the veins, the position of the veins relative to landmarks on the back of the hand. There have to be mathematical algorithms worked out. This is not something -- this was based on science and mathematics. But it is still a question in the courts, is this going to be admissible in the courtroom. It may be reliable scientifically but that has to be proven. Then the judge has to decide whether at federal or local level whatever, the judge has to decide if this is reliable science or not.

BALDWIN: That was my next question. We know he's in Guantanamo Bay right now. We don't know if he'll be tried in New York. There's debate over that. Even if he goes to trial, but if he does, ultimately, would this help in the prosecution's case? Would this be additional evidence potentially? How does that work?

KOBILINSKI: Indeed. We never look at any one item of evidence. We look at in conjunction with other items of evidence. We have a confession obtained in ways that might not be acceptable to the courts but this would basically support the confession and put together, you haven't ruled him out based upon the science. I think it's pretty strong evidence that they've got the right person, the person who killed Danny Pearl.

BALDWIN: Lawrence, one other question before I let you go. You've worked on high profile cases. Has this vein matching been used in other high profile cases before?

KOBILINSKI: I got to tell you, I am not familiar with any major or even minor cases where this technique has been used. It's just -- it's brand new technology. That's why it's got to be tested in the courts. As far as the science is concerned, it needs a lot more research.

And let me tell you the hand is not a flat surface. The image is grainy on the video. There are a lot of problems with this kind of science. So we have to wait and see how this all falls out.

BALDWIN: It is fascinating nonetheless. Lawrence, thank you so so much. Lawrence Kobilinski. Thank you.

KOBILINSKI: Pleasure.

BALDWIN: Coming up next, less than a year after Jesse James divorced Sandra bullock, now word he may be getting hitched again. Who might he be marrying? We're going to have more with that after the break.

Also, everyone is talking about the dress -- did you see this, she was gorgeous -- Michelle Obama wore to the state dinner last night. We'll tell you who designed it and was our good friend Monty Durham from "Say Yes to the Dress" Atlanta has to say about it next.

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BALDWIN: Remember Kelly Clarkson from way back ten seasons ago? I'm talking about "American Idol." last night was a fresh start for the newest season. You have two new judges, fan chemistry. Did you watch? Also, texting while walking. Is it that dangerous inning one lady has been caught on camera texting and tripping. She is not too thrilled about all the attention though, the fact that it's gone all around on YouTube. What did she go and do? She lawyered up.

It is all trending today. Joining me now is Kareen Wynter from Hollywood with all of the above. Let's begin, I was just having this conversation with my executive producer on the break we're on season 10.

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: I know, the tenth. Can you believe it? "AI," it's back with new judges, J. Lo, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith along with new contestants. It was just pure comedy. We'll get to that in a little bit, all of the laughs.

First, Brooke, the ratings they're in. You know, there's no Simon this year but it seems Lopez right there and Tyler fit right in with randy. A lot of chemistry. but the show is getting mixed reviews. Ratings down from last year, 26 million people watched versus last year's debut show where 29 million tuned in.

But one thing that didn't disappoint, this guy you're about to see. If you haven't seen it, you're in for quite a treat. Take a look at some of the contestants, this one guy from Japan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(SINGING)

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WYNTER: All that hip shaking. Forget J. Lo, he was the real star. Those auditions were I think in New Jersey -- yes, New Jersey. He was, if you didn't hear, you couldn't follow along, he was actually singing a Miley Cyrus song and dancing like Michael Jackson. What could be better? He didn't make it to the final round.

BALDWIN: That's the best part I think about "AI" are all the auditions. We'll stay tuned, season 10.

Topic number two, I saw this woman in the interview, she's none too pleased. Do tell.

WYNTER: It's really one of those videos that I think you have to see to believe, and it's really hard to believe that something like this could have happened, but you it did. A woman in Pennsylvania, walking while texting. Keep your eyes in what's in front of you, or something like that can happen. She falls right in the fountain.

Brooke, that's not the end of it. Cathy Cruz Marrero is embarrassed. She's lawyered up. Why? She's furious this video was posted. Millions have seen it. She believes it was posted by mall security who apparently are heard laughing in the background, but she's angry that no one came to help her. Listen to what she said on "Good Morning America" today.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I admit it was funny, but nobody took my feelings into consideration. I'm sorry. Nobody called, are you OK? It shows in I video nobody went to my aid. Not one single person.

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WYNTER: You got to admit, though, Brooke, that's hilarious. But are you kidding me? She's the one that fell in the mountain.

BALDWIN: Apparently she works in the mall. Wouldn't you know there's a fountain right there? I do feel bad for her, no one came to her help. You should do that. Moving on.

Finally, total transparency. I have a total girl crush on Sandra Bullock. I can't even talk about it. You take it.

WYNTER: I know. Jessie James was once married to Sandra bullock. Her ex, Jesse James is now hitched. He actually proposed to tattoo artist Cat Von D, but apparently he told "People" -- this really got me. Listen to this quote -- that "2010 was actually the best year of my life, because I fell in love with my best friend, an amazing woman who stood behind me when the world turned their backs."

I really can't make of sense of that statement. He apparently cheated on Sandy with like so many women, but Cat Von D on her Twitter account saying "Overwhelmed with joy right now. I guess the cat is out of the bag."

BALDWIN: They are a tattooed match made in heaven. That's fun today. Kareen Wynter, thank you so much.

And we've been watching and waiting -- I'm being told no live picture. We'll continue to wait for this rocket launch.

But also coming up here, it is now been two years since p.m. 378 took office, so how do Americans think he's doing? We'll have results of this brand-new poll. That's next, and hopefully eventually this live rocket launch.

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BALDWIN: Now to this amazing story out of New York. Here's a 23- year-old Atlanta woman doubted she was part of the family who raised her. She went online. She found her own baby pictures on this missing children website.

So this year Carolina White was reunited with the mother who never gave up looking for her. All of those pictures were purchased and licensed within this last hour, meaning we were even unable to show you the Web site that helped her find her way home. But it's a happy story, I promise.

Gloria Borger joins me now from Washington. So Gloria, overall, what are people saying? Thumbs up, thumbs down? GLORIA BORGER, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Sort of 50/50. It's not too early to talk about reelection, but today the president's reelection campaign sort of got under way with some announcement. We learned officially that Tim Kaine will stay as the head of the committee. We know that David axle roll and Jim Messina will be helping out with that reelection effort. Axelrod heading back to Chicago. They're going to do it again.

As for the president himself, it looks like the public is still pretty much over to suggestions when it comes to at the presidency. We asked, as you were talking about before, whether Barack Obama has been a success or failure. Take a look at these numbers, 45 percent say he's a success. 48 percent say he's pretty much a flop.

Interestingly, though, when you dig deeper into the numbers, as we like to do, you see it's split along party lines. Younger people think he's more of a success than older people do. And independent voters, they're split right down the middle. Of course, those are the voters he needs if he's going to win in 2012.

BALDWIN: And then more numbers. I read your column. You talked about "Palin fatigue" nationwide. Our polls show 56 percent of voters have an unfavorable opinion of Palin. So are Republicans, Gloria, are they growing less favorable, too?

WYNTER: It's really interesting, because when you talk to Republicans privately, particularly establishment Republicans, they're very willing to criticize her, but not publicly. Only recently are they actually kind of dipping their toes in the water and starting to criticize Sarah Palin publicly.

We heard from Newt Gingrich the other day, for example that Sarah Palin has to be more careful about her public pronouncements. And what I'm hearing, even from conservative Republicans, brook, is they have this sense that people are exhausted by Sarah Palin. They believe she's essentially maxed out with all the supporters that she's going to get. She's not going to get any more than she already has.

So I think politicians who are generally lagging indicators are going to start taking her on a bit more frontally as the months progress. We'll just have to watch.

BALDWIN: Interesting, the Palin factor. Gloria Borger in Washington, Gloria, thank you so much.

WYNTER: Sure.

BALDWIN: As always another political ticker update in 30 minutes, and updates online, go to CNNpolitics.com. There are also twitter hits.