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Winter Storm to Hit 23 States; Missing American Worked for CIA; North Korea Leader's Uncle Executed; Boehner Blasts Conservative Groups

Aired December 13, 2013 - 13:00   ET

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

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Right now, the White House is facing questions over Robert Levinson, the American held in Iran, now identified as working for the CIA. We're awaiting the White House briefing this hour.

Democrats now are taking direct aim at the New Jersey governor, Chris Christie, blaming him for a school day traffic jam on the George Washington Bridge. And now Christie is responding to these allegations.

And right now, a winter storm is poised to hit 23 states. That means a weekend of more snow and freezing temperatures affecting millions of Americans. We're going to tell you how long it will last.

Hello, I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. A fierce winter storm is taking direct aim the Northeast and the Great Lake states, 23 states will be affected. That means more snow, more ice and more bone- chilling temperatures.

Our meteorologist, Jennifer Grey, is joining us from the CNN Weather Center right now. Jennifer, we started this week with some bad weather. Now, what, another round. How bad will it be? How long will it last?

JENNIFER GRAY, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, Wolf, this is our fifth winter storm this season. We had one the beginning of the week that went on into last weekend. We have another one that we're tracking and it's going to continue to head up the coast. We are going to see it pull up to the east in the next couple of minutes. We're going to see -- hold on one second. Let me get my maps squared away. That low is going to develop and continue to push up the east coast. It's going to cause anywhere from three to five inches of snow in some locations as it continues to make its way. There we go. And as it continues to push into the Northeast, by Saturday night into Sunday, we're going to see possible freezing rain, heavy snow up to the north. And possible two to four inches of snow in places like New York City.

So, this is going to continue to push to the east. It is going to first though impact places like Chicago. Two to four inches possibly in Chicago, four to six in Grand Rapids, three to five inches of snow possibly in Detroit as well as Cleveland. And as we look to the Northeast, we'll see snowfall amounts in places like Buffalo, eight to 10 inches. New York City could see three to six inside the city, Boston one to three -- Wolf. BLITZER: All right, Jennifer, thanks for that update. We'll be careful out there.

We turn now to a bombshell in intelligence circles. A new report says Robert Levinson, the longest held American captive overseas was indeed working for the CIA when he was captured in Iran. The news comes nearly seven years after he was taken and after nearly seven years of denials from the CIA.

Our Susan Candiotti is joining us now. Susan, first of all, what was he doing in Iran for the CIA?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, to hear David Magee tell it, he is a family friend and a former federal prosecutor who has been trying to help the Levinson family throughout. He says that Levinson was under contract for the CIA working to try to get information on nuclear program and also on Hezbollah's work in Iran for the CIA and for other reasons as well. But that time and again, the family was denied information, denied confirmation from the CIA that Levinson was actually working for the agency.

And it wasn't until Magee tells me that the family was able to access both Levinson's files and e-mails between him and a contact within the CIA that they were able to get documentation which they then took to the Senate Intelligence Committee at the time U.S. Senator Bill Nelson was the chair at the time. And then that information was taken to the CIA at that time. They conducted an investigation but Mr. Magee believes that they really knew the whole time what was going on.

In any case, eventually that led to the CIA having a meeting with the family and according to Magee, apologizing to them for not coming forward with this information a long time ago. And eventually, a settlement was worked out between Magee and the CIA for the family amounting to $2.5 million.

BLITZER: The associated press says they've been holding this story for quite some time. Why did they decide to go public with it now?

CANDIOTTI: The A.P. said -- they explained it this way. They said that backing in 2010, they had been able to document the information that there was a connection that Levinson was working for the CIA and that they went to Washington three times for them to work with them on the story to get comment from them.

But on three different occasions, Washington asked them to hold off on it, saying that it had promising leads about where Levinson was. But because sources told -- the A.P. said that sources told them that it was practically certain that by that time, Iran knew exactly what Levinson was really doing over there, that that was another reason why the A.P. decided to go forward with the information. And after six and a half years, as you know, the family is still on pins and needles, still desperate to find out what happened to Bob Levinson.

BLITZER: And they think they -- that the Iranians knew because supposedly he had been tortured? Is that the explanation they received? CANDIOTTI: Well, certainly interrogated using various methods. According to Magee, it is practically a certainty that, you know, by now that Iran would have known, would gotten -- been able to get information about what he was really doing over there.

BLITZER: What a story this is. All right, Susan, thanks for the update. Susan Candiotti reporting.

By the way, in about 20 minutes or so, I'll be joined by CNN Law Enforcement Analyst Tom Fuentes. He worked with Levinson when they were both at the FBI. And I'll ask him about Levinson's ties to the CIA and his secretive work for the agency.

Now for political intrigue with one very high profile Republican. I'm talking about the New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. He's being accused of playing some petty traffic games as revenge on a political rival. And today, the controversy grows with the port authority resignation.

Jake Tapper has been following the story for us. Jake, tell us what's going on?

JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR, "THE LEAD": It's a really complicated local story that is only national because national Democrats have taken aim and are now talking about Governor Chris Christie's connection to this controversy. What happened is September 9th, two of the three lanes of traffic from Fort Lee, New Jersey onto the George Washington Bridge were closed. The allegation backed up by no evidence by local Democrats is that this was in retaliation by the Christie administration because the mayor of Fort Lee did not endorse Governor Chris Christie. Christie says that's not true and several members of his administration testified under oath that this was because of a traffic study that didn't go through the proper protocols.

Today, the deputy executive director of the port authority, Bill Baroni, resigned. He was already probably on his way out but because of this problem with the traffic study not going through the proper protocols, he said he was leaving early. Governor Christie said that you have to be accountable in public life even if he already was on his way out. And Christie also said at a press conference today that he ultimately was responsible because everybody who works for him, he is responsible for their behavior.

But this is an issue, Democrats are really trying to make a lot of hay about it. You had the Democratic National Committee put out a video alleging malfeasance, political payback. You had President Obama's top political advisor, David Plouffe, send out a tweet about this this morning. Democrats trying to really make some hay. I want to play some sound for you, Wolf. For the first one, it's Governor Christie's response when he was asked about the fact that national Democrats are talking about this issue.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS CHRISTIE (R), NEW JERSEY: And national Democrats will make an issue about everything about me so get used to the new world, everybody. You know, it's -- we're not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TAPPER: And then, of course, was Governor Christie's response when asked if he bore any responsibility even if, according to what he said, he didn't even know about the traffic study or what happened in the Fort Lee lanes that day. Here's Governor Christie's response to that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTIE: I don't feel blamed for this at all because I had nothing to do with it. But in answer to Matt's question, I'm ultimately responsible for anything that anybody does in my administration. Whether I appointed the people or whether there are people who are career people. You know, you're the -- you're the governor. You're in charge. And you have to take responsibility.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TAPPER: Today's resignation of the deputy executive director of port authority, the political appointee that Governor Christie signed off on, is the second resignation. There was an earlier one this week, Governor Christie hoping to put this behind him. Democrats obviously, Wolf, hoping that this is just the beginning of blemishes on Governor Christie's public record, but we'll see where the evidence leads us. So far, Wolf, absolutely no evidence indicating this was a political payback and anything other than incompetence. Of course, the story is still developing.

BLITZER: And you make a good point though that Democrats are pouncing on this, assuming that Christie, a very popular guy, could potentially be the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.

TAPPER: Well, they're worried that if he were able to get through the nominating process, he could win. He could be a formidable opponent. But most national Democrats with whom I've spoken about 2016 say that however formidable Christie might be as a Republican nominee, they do not think he would be able to make it through the Republican nominating process because too many positions he's taken. Including one he was taking at his press conference today about tuition equality, allowing dreamers, people -- young people who came to this country illegally but through no fault of their own, allowing them to have tuition -- in-state tuition in New Jersey, the same way those who are in this country legally do, that's an issue that could potentially hurt Governor Christie on the campaign trail. It certainly hurt Governor Rick Perry in 2012.

So, Democrats always excited to knock down a Republican star, but they're not really concerned because they don't think that he would be able to make it through Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, et cetera -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jake tapper, we'll certainly have more on this and a whole bunch of other news 4:00 p.m. Eastern on "THE LEAD." We'll see you then, Jake. Thank you.

A brutal consolidation of power in North Korea as the leader Kim Jong- un's uncle is executed. We're going to tell you what he's accused of doing, from drugs to women to millions of dollars in secret cash. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Palace intrigue in North Korea. Reports out of the secretive nation say the leader Kim Jong-un's uncle has been executed. He was reportedly found guilty of trying to overthrow the state by using, and I'm quoting now, "despicable methods."

Brian Todd is covering the story for us. Brian, exactly what is the uncle accused of doing?

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, Jang Song Thaek is accused of being a traitor. The official North Korean news agency report on this called him, quote, "despicable human scum and worse than a dog." It accuses him of trying to grab power from Kim Jong-Un of double dealing on him behind the scenes but it also accused Jang of womanizing, drug use, gambling and extravagant expenses. A report say a military tribunal moved very quickly to convict him and read the charges against him. The North Koreans often execute people by firing squad. Not clear if that was how this was carried out in this instance -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Obviously shocking to a lot of the folks who watch the Korean peninsula closely, the South Koreans, the Chinese, the Japanese, certainly the United States. The U.S. still has 30,000 troops along the demilitarized zone separating, what, a million North Korean troops from nearly a million South Korean troops. But what does this say about the intrigue going on in Kim Jong-un's own family?

TODD: The family dynamic, Wolf, is fascinating really for its opaque quality. You really don't know much about their family dynamic. But what we can say was that Kim Jong-un was said to be very close to his uncle, Jang Song Thaek. He was considered an important mentor to Kim when Kim was transitioning into power after the death of his father in 2011. Jang Song Thaek was, until recently, the second most powerful person in North Korea. Jang was married to Kim Jong-un's aunt, to Kim's father's sister. Her name is Kim Kyong-hui. She herself very powerful, a four-star general in North Korea. She was considered a driving force before the young Kim's ascent to power. But it's not clear what her future is now going to be now that her husband has been executed.

So, Wolf, a lot of upheaval, a lot of intrigue and really behind the scenes the family dynamic could be really just thrown all a kilter with this. It's not clear what the young Kim is going to do with members of his family who are surviving right now.

BLITZER: Yes, a lot of nervousness out there on the Korean peninsula right now, a lot of uncertainty. Brian is going to have more on this in "The Situation Room" later today, 5:00 p.m. Eastern. One U.S. official summed up the execution this way, it's a, quote, "dramatic statement that Kim Jong-un intends to be ruthless in consolidating his control."

Joining us now on the phone to talk a little bit more about this is the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, former governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson.

Governor, thanks very much for coming in.

Earlier this week we spoke about this uncle having been arrested. How surprising was it to you that he has now been executed?

BILL RICHARDSON, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS (via telephone): Well, what is astonishing is the level of visibility that has taken place with the execution and public humiliation of this former North Korean leader. It indicates that Kim Jong-un is sending a very strong message that any dissent, any disagreement is going to be receiving this kind of punishment.

My theory is a little different than many analysts about what's happening. I think there's a real contesting of power of Kim Jong-un. This is not the first case when he's been challenged. It seems that in the last few months he's replaced some of the key generals from his father's regime with his own people. Yes, he's consolidating power, but it seems that their efforts within the leadership to undermine him, to possibly replace him, and it shows a little instability in the regime, which worries me. You know, you don't want instability in a country that has nuclear weapons and shoots missiles and is generally in a hostile state. So I'm a little concerned about the kind of execution, the visibility, the message that Kim Jong-un is sending. He's basically saying, don't mess with me. This is what's going to happen to you. And to the world it's also, look, I'm firmly in control. Yet the fact that there's been such discomfort with his leadership among some people, like his uncle, shows a little instability there.

BLITZER: Yes. Well, it's a real - a source of concern. You and I were there exactly three years ago in North Korea. There was a lot of instability at that time, a lot of tension on the Korean peninsula when we were there. The U.S. was moving troops, aircraft carriers, stuff like that in the region. The South Koreans were on alert. Do you anticipate, because of this current uncertainty and instability potentially in North Korea, the U.S. military, the U.S. is going to be doing stuff like that?

RICHARDSON: Well, I think that -- no, I believe the U.S. is playing it correctly, basically using strong words that this is a ruthless action. But beyond that, I think the way to play it is play it cool. Let developments there happen. But watch it very closely. This is a time when perhaps China can try to moderate things. The last thing China wants is instability in the Korean peninsula because if there's any kind of altercation or a breakup of the regime, that could be a lot of refugees that go into China.

So all I'm saying is, we should stay cool. Perhaps China can send a signal that this is unacceptable. That, cool down, Kim Jong-un. Let's have some stability there.

BLITZER: Yes. Well, everything I'm hearing from the Chinese experts is that they're very upset about this because they did have a good relationship with this uncle, Jang Song Thaek, and they're very concerned about what's going on in their next door neighbor. As you point out, they're afraid millions of refugees could pour across into China. That's something they're trying to avoid.

Bill Richardson, as usual, thanks very much for joining us.

RICHARDSON: Thank you.

BLITZER: The gloves are off. The House speaker, John Boehner, does battle against conservative groups. Could this be a sign that those groups are losing some of their influence here in Washington? That story and a lot more straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: This just coming in. Take a look. These are live pictures. Firefighters are on the scene at a petrochemical plant explosion in the Chicago suburb of Blue Island. The explosion caused a fire. There are reports of injuries. We have no information yet how extensive those injuries are. But you're looking at these live pictures courtesy of our affiliate WBBM. We're going to bring you updates as we get them. But, once again, an explosion and fire at a Chicago petrochemical plant.

Other news, the budget compromise that was passed overwhelmingly by the House of Representatives now heads to a contentious and combative Senate. Senates are locked in a bitter partisan struggle, part of the fallout from a Democratic rule change on filibusters. The bill is expected to pass the Senate next week, but the margin could be thin. The budget bill sailed through the House of Representatives overwhelmingly, the vote 332-94. The speaker, John Boehner, pushed for its passage and he blasted those conservative groups that opposed the deal. Our senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash has this part of the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): John Boehner turned a spat with powerful outside groups in his own party into an all-out war.

REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R), HOUSE SPEAKER: They're misleading their followers. I think they're pushing our members in places where they don't want to be.

BASH: Boehner first took his private ire public yesterday at conservative groups for pressuring rank and file Republicans to oppose a budget deal he supports. Many before they saw it. Now it's clear the speaker is using this moment to take a broader stand against outside forces that have so often made it impossible for him to convince conservative members to compromise on fiscal issues. BASH (on camera): They've had a lot of sway in a lot of the decisions that your members have made over the past couple of years. Does this budget mark a turning point, and are your members, at your behest, going to be more focused on maybe compromise and less on what the outside groups are pressuring them to do?

BOEHNER: When groups come out and criticize an agreement that they've never seen, you begin to wonder just how credible those actions are. I thought it was my job and my obligation to stand up for conservatives here in the Congress who want more deficit reduction, stand up for the work that Chairman Ryan did.

BASH (voice-over): Mike Needham runs Heritage Action, one of the groups Boehner is lashing out at.

BASH (on camera): John Boehner said groups like yours have completely lost credibility.

MICHAEL NEEDHAM, HERITAGE ACTION FOR AMERICA: Hey, look, I don't think it's for anybody in Washington to decide who has credibility. It's certainly very frustrating that an honest disagreement about a bill that was -- or a deal that was struck has devolved into name calling from the speaker.

BASH (voice-over): But Boehner made clear this is about more than the budget. It's been brewing for a while.

BOEHNER: They pushed us into this fight to defund Obamacare and to shut down the government. If you'll recall the day before the government reopened, one of the people -- one of these groups stood up and said, well, we never really thought it would work. Are you kidding me?

BASH (on camera): Some activists in those consecutive groups think that the speaker's strategy is to clear the decks in advance of other divisive issues coming next year, like immigration reform. But senior House Republican sources insist that's not the case, that this is just a situation where the speaker was genuinely upset and it boiled over in front of the cameras.

Dana Bash, CNN, Capitol Hill.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And we'll see what happens in the Senate next week when that bill comes up for a vote.

New revelations about an American missing in Iran. Reports that Robert Levinson was working for the CIA, prompting a major investigation. We'll talk about that with CNN law enforcement analyst Tom Fuentes, who knows Levinson and certainly knows about what they both did when they both worked at the FBI.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)