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Boehner Says Immigration Delay Obama's Fault; Warning About Toothpaste Explosives; Sochi Protected By Ring Of Steel; USOC Says Safety Is Primary Concern; Massive Security Force Around Games; Discussing Sochi Security; Interview with Mike McCaul; GOP in 2016

Aired February 06, 2014 - 13:00   ET

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

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WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Right now, Olympic terror threats. How credible are they and can the Russians keep their promise that Sochi for the next two weeks will be, quote, "the safest place on earth"?

Also right now, President Obama acknowledging his low approval ratings and telling Senate Democrats he's willing to help them by staying away.

And right now, John Boehner says President Obama has a serious trust problem and that's what's holding up any progress on immigration reform.

Hello. I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting from Washington. We start with immigration reform. President Obama wants to get it done this year. And the White House press secretary, Jay Carney, struck a positive tone just moments ago at today's White House briefing.

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JAY CARNEY, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: First of all, we remain optimistic about the prospects for comprehensive immigration reform in 2014. We've seen significant movement among Republicans on this issue. And it is heartening to see that Republican leaders in Congress, including speaker of the House and others, identify immigration reform as a necessary priority. That's a good thing.

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BLITZER: But only minutes before Jay Carney said that the House speaker John Boehner threw some serious cold water on the prospect of getting a bill passed this year. Let's bring in our Chief Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash. What is the speaker saying now, Dana?

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, we should preface this, Wolf, by saying that we had reported that this was going to be a very heavy lift because there were so many Republicans in the House, even those who like the idea of reform, who do not like the idea of doing it in this election year.

But the fact that the House speaker, earlier today, came out and unsolicited in his opening remarks, as you say, poured cold water on the idea of doing it this year and trying to shift the blame to the president was fascinating and telling. Listen to what he said.

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JOHN BOEHNER (R), HOUSE SPEAKER: Now, he's running around the country telling everyone he's going to keep acting on his own. Keeps talking about his phone and his pen. And he's feeding more distrust about whether he's committed to the rule of law.

Listen, there's widespread doubt about whether this administration can be trusted to enforce our laws and it's going to be difficult to move any immigration legislation until that changes.

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BASH: And, Wolf, let me give you a little bit of context of what the speaker is talking about. First of all, at the House Republican retreat last week, we heard several sources tell us that part of the discussion, when they had the major discussion about immigration reform, was concern among conservatives and even just the people who, again, do want some kind of reform that they can't trust the president on a couple of levels. First and foremost, to ensure that the border is secure which would be on the substance of it the most important first step in immigration reform that the House Republicans would push.

But also, more broadly, what Republicans did at that retreat was send a letter to the president saying that they want to start off with other issues, other smaller issues maybe not as controversial, to set the stage and have a kind of a relationship, a working relationship, before they got to immigration.

But the fact that the speaker came out today, again, in his opening remarks, he was unasked a question and made this point and shifted this to the president, certainly is very, very illustrative of the reality here which is despite the fact that the speaker wants to get this done, he wanted to start the conversation this year. But it is pretty clear it is not going to happen or at least it's going to make it very difficult to happen in this election year -- Wolf.

BLITZER: I know that would be a serious disappointment to the president who really thinks they might be able to work out a deal with the Republican leadership.

All right, Dana, thanks very much. We'll, of course, continue to follow this story, very important story.

But let's turn now to the winter Olympic Games getting underway and a new security threat looming over the games. The Department of Homeland Security is warning airlines, domestic and foreign, that terrorists may use toothpaste tubes to get explosives onto planes headed to Sochi.

Nick Paton Walsh is on the ground for us in Sochi. Nick, is this warning primarily for American tourists or is it less specific than that?

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's interesting. It's from American officials, but it's not necessarily about threats to Americans either in the United States or necessarily here in Sochi. Now, bearing in mind the kind of militants who might be involved in this don't necessarily consider their number one target to be Americans, they're much more interested in a broader fight against the Russian federal state. It's not exactly clear if American citizens themselves should feel concerned.

Bear in mind, also, that the U.S. State Department did warn U.S. athletes who've been arriving here in large numbers that maybe they shouldn't wear their uniforms when they venture out to the ring of steel, the Olympic venues behind me here. So, clearly, there is concern from Americans about Americans. This specific threat is broader. It's about planes flying from Europe into Russia. There are only two direct flights from Europe into Sochi here that we know about from Frankfurt and from Istanbul. So, particularly clear sets of channels there where they might be concerned.

The question, too, there, Wolf, as we know is whether these explosives are being smuggled onto an airliner for use there in a toothpaste tube or if that's simply a way of delivering them from wherever they're coming to into the venue here for use later on -- Wolf.

BLITZER: I assume the greatest security is around the immediate Olympic village -- the -- where the -- where the athletes are basically concentrated, less security outside that so-called ring of steel.

WALSH: That's absolutely the case. And while I think everybody has a consensus, that it's going to be pretty hard, if not impossible, for any militant, if there is one out there with a plan and they've promised to reduce this to engulfed with flames, at some point, that they would be able to get into that ring of steel.

The biggest concern from U.S. officials, and I think people simply observing who know the region, is softer targets further away from what's behind me. A vast expansive a country that has all the way to the Caspian Sea, Dagestan, where the heart of the insurgency is now. Militants have struck all across that region, almost at will, for the past decade or so, deeply volatile, a state of kind of undeclared war between small cells of Islamist extremists and an often very heavy- handed Russian state here.

And I think the real worry is you may be fine here, in Ivland (ph), maybe even in Sochi, the nearby big city, is that going to be repeated across Russia particularly in its delicate south in the two weeks ahead? Unclear -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Yes, we know what -- we know what the two Tsarnaev brothers were able to do at the Boston marathon -- the -- last year. So, there's obviously a lot of concern coming from that region. They're from -- they were originally from Dagestan themselves.

All right, thanks very much, Nick. We'll get back to you. Today, the CEO of the United States Olympic Committee took questions in Sochi and talked about security for American athletes.

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SCOTT BLACKMUN, CEO, U.S. OLYMPIC COMMITTEE: The safety and security of our athletes and our whole delegation is always our primary concern as the -- you know, as the team behind the team here on the ground. We, as we always do, work very closely with our State Department. Our State Department is in very close contact with the local authorities. And, you know, we react to situations as they arise but we also have a lot of planning exercises in advance. And, you know, these games are no different than any other games in that respect.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: He also spoke about the reasons for the earlier warnings from the U.S. Olympic Committee about American athletes wearing their uniforms outside the venues.

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BLACKMUN: And so, we just wanted the athletes to be aware of the fact that if they're not in an accredited area and they are wearing team USA apparel that it may create an increased risk for them. But we didn't say don't wear your team USA apparel. We just want them to be aware of the fact that it does attract attention from time to time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: All right, let's dig a little bit deeper now.

Joining us, Congressman Michael McCaul.

He's the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.

Congressman, thanks very much for joining us.

REP. MICHAEL MCCAUL, (R-TX), CHAIRMAN, HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE: Thanks for having me, Wolf.

BLITZER: As far as you know, are Americans specifically being targeted in this so-called toothpaste explosives plot?

MCCAUL: I don't believe Americans are targeted. The beef they have is really with the Russians.

However, if you blow up an airline, an airplane, you will have innocent civilians that could include Americans. And remember, the leader of the Northern Caucasus, who's leading this war against the Russians that is radical Islamists, has called for attacks on civilians, including men and women.

So I do think they're really discriminating really between Americans and Russians. But I do think their main targets are the Russians.

BLITZER: You've suggested that these are specific, credible threats.

So what can you tell us about these threats, specifically, two Americans?

MCCAUL: Well, they are specific and credible to the aviation sector. The Department of Homeland Security warned the airlines and foreign governments that this explosive compound can be put in tubes of toothpaste and cosmetics. So they're banning those from being brought on board any airplane flying into Russia. And that's, I think, a good procedures, the good news.

And I do think this is the one area where the Russians have really cooperated with our intelligence community to try to disrupt an active plot that's ongoing to disrupt the Olympics. So that's the good news.

Internally, the Russians aren't really cooperating with us in terms of intelligence and information sharing. But externally, they have uncovered this plot. We are working with them and we are taking steps to prevent this from happening.

BLITZER: You -- you mentioned yesterday that the arrests in France and Austria of these so-called black widows could be significant.

What role would the Department of Homeland Security have played in -- in any of this?

And specifically, did the toothpaste warnings originate from the arrests of these so-called black widows?

MCCAUL: Well, I have been briefed extensively. I can't go into all of the details regarding that. But our intelligence is good. There are two black widows in custody in France. There were six Austrians that were detained and questioned, and for lack of evidence, let go. They are under surveillance currently. They are of concern, obviously.

And -- but I can't go any further than that.

BLITZER: Did the toothpaste threat, though -- and if you can't answer it, you can't answer it, originate with the arrest of these folks in Paris and Vienna?

MCCAUL: Well, I can tell you, the plot itself originated from the leader of the Chechen rebel extremists, Umarov. That's where this plot actually hatched out of. There have been reports that he's been killed since then, but the issue is the plot has been hatched, it is out there.

The good news, again, Wolf, is that our intelligence community, working with the FSB, are very much on top of this. And it's my sincere hope that they -- they're starting to disrupt it and I hope that they can stop it from happening.

BLITZER: And I -- and if you can't answer this, don't answer it, but these so-called black widows, were they involved in possible airline bombing plots? MCCAUL: Well, remember, black widows have blown up avia -- airplanes going from Moscow to Sochi in 2004. This is nothing new.

I can't make that specific link between the black widows in France and this aviation threat at this time, given the briefings that I have had.

But remember, every -- every Chechen rebel slain in Dagestan has a widow attached to him. And they are all considered black widows. The Russians are pretty heavy-handed in their security. They have put them -- most of them under house arrest. That is the other threat internally in Russia, would be these suicide bombing black widows that could disrupt the Olympics.

So you have really two threats going on. One is the aviation sector, and one would be the suicide bombers within Russia, which I think there's a high probability that one of those will probably go off again.

We've already seen two, as you know, expected in December, blowing up a train station and a bus.

BLITZER: In Volgograd, which is a few hundred miles away.

I've been told that the area where the athletes and the venues are taking place, that's probably pretty secure. But if there are terrorist attacks, it would happen just outside that area, where there's less security.

Is that your understanding, as well?

MCCAUL: Yes, Wolf, I think that's a correct analysis. I was in Sochi. I saw the ring of steel. It's a -- although one of the black widows did penetrate it, it's very heavily fortified, with 100,000 security officials, including the Russian military. It should be very difficult to get in.

But they can score just as easy of a victory by hitting a softer target outside the ring of steel.

What's an important point to make is that the eyes of the world will be on these Olympic Games. They've been fighting this war, the Russians, for over 100 years. And this is, in their eyes, their moment to make a very visible public statement.

And that's why I think the percentage and probability is very high that something could happen at the Games.

But I -- I would argue that it most likely would happen outside the Olympic Village and outside the Games.

BLITZER: Yes, that's what I've been told repeatedly over these past few days, as well.

And one -- one concern that U.S. intelligence has -- and you know a lot more about this than I do -- is that if there is some sort of soft target hit outside of the main venues, shall we say, Putin and the Russians, they will pounce big time. There will be a harsh crackdown.

And who knows what happens after that?

Is that a serious concern?

MCCAUL: Oh, very serious. I mean they're cracking down right now in Dagestan. They don't have a constitution like we do, and due process, so they can pretty much go into neighborhoods. They -- they went into Sochi and went door-to-door. You have to be registered in -- in Russia, and if you're not, you get kicked out. So they kicked out a lot of residents in the Sochi area that were not registered under the law.

So a response to any attack would be very heavy-handed by the Russians. They would probably not want it to be very public because of the impact it will have on the Olympics.

But again, a -- an attack outside the perimeter will probably have just as much of a political and terrorist impact as inside and probably get a lot of attention.

BLITZER: Any...

MCCAUL: I know Putin is trying to -- trying to balance the trying to be invisible versus visible in terms of security right now.

BLITZER: And I know that these terrorists have been thinking about doing something for four, five, six, almost seven years, they've been plotting this moment, because they hate Putin so much. Hopefully, it won't happen, but we'll watch, together with you.

Congressman McCaul, thanks so much for sharing some thoughts with us.

MCCAUL: Thanks, Wolf.

Thanks for having me.

BLITZER: Mike McCaul is the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.

And later this hour I'll be speaking a little bit more on the security situation in Sochi. I'll speak with Congressman Dr. Ruppersberger. He's the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee. He's a Democrat. We'll get his thoughts about these threats to the Olympic games that begin tomorrow in Russia.

It's early, but not too early to check the buzz on 2016. Mitt Romney says he's out. We'll take a closer look at who may be running for the Republican nomination. Gloria Borger is standing by. We'll discuss with her when we come back.

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BLITZER: Certainly a lot of talk about who might be in, who's out for the Republican race for president of the United States. For his part, the former Republican nominee, Mitt Romney, told me he's definitely out. Listen to what he said in "The Situation Room."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Would you consider running for president a third time in 2016?

MITT ROMNEY (R), FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: No. I've answered that question a number of times, as you know, and the answer is no. I'm not running for president in 2016. It's the time for someone else to take that responsibility. And I'll be supporting our nominee. And there's some very good people who are taking a very good look at that race.

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BLITZER: Now, let's bring in our chief political analyst Gloria Borger.

Were you surprised by what Romney said? He was very definitive.

GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: He was very definitive. And I think he's gotten a bit of distance from the last presidential race because what surprised me was, when I interviewed him in June, he was singing a little bit of a different tune. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROMNEY: Little guys like Nathan (ph) and the kind of America -

It was hard work. Its - I said it was like a roller coaster. Yes, there are ups and there are downs, but you still pay to get on the roller coaster. It's a real thrill and an experience that we will never forget. And, frankly, I'd do it again.

BORGER: You would?

ROMNEY: I - look -

BORGER: Again?

ROMNEY: I would do it again. But - but it's not my time.

ANN ROMNEY, MITT ROMNEY'S WIFE: Yes, OK, I'll go with that.

ROMNEY: It - and my nugget (ph). But I would love to do it again. Are you kidding? I'd love to do it and win. But it's not my - it's not my time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BORGER: So, Wolf, he's clearly singing the same generational song that he's had his shot at it and it was time to sort of move on. But you saw, I believe, Ann Romney has had an awful lot of influence here. She was a little bit reluctant to do it the first time. She encouraged him to do it the second time. I think she's completely over it now.

BLITZER: Yes. Well, we'll see what happens. You remember Ronald Reagan, he tried three times, third time was a charm for him.

BORGER: Yes.

BLITZER: Romney has tried twice. We'll see if he really means it when he says he's not running again.

BORGER: Exactly. Exactly.

BLITZER: So who's looking good right now? And it's obviously very early. Who's looking not so good?

BORGER: Well, you know, I think, obviously, one of the reasons people are talking about Mitt Romney right now is because of the problems that Chris Christie is having. But as Chris Christie said like within the last year, I think this time it's going to go to a governor. And I think I agree with him.

And if you look at these governors, you've got Christie, of course, Bobby Jindal, Scott Walker, John Kasich. And again, Wolf, we are starting to hear a lot of chatter about Jeb Bush. I think if Chris Christie were stronger, you wouldn't hear that kind of chatter. But I think that lots of donors, big donors, are looking for a governor they can go to. And they're taking another look at Jeb Bush. He has said, as you know, that he would only do it if he could enter the race joyfully, whatever that means. But I think that he is giving it another look, whereas before I think he might not have wanted to get in the fray. So I think the Christie thing really throws it all up in the air.

BLITZER: Ronald Reagan was a governor. George W. Bush was a governor.

BORGER: Well, and -

BLITZER: And people really don't like Washingtonians, if you will.

BORGER: Well, you look at Congress' approval ratings in the single digits. And as much as Marco Rubio and Rand Paul run against Congress and Ted Cruz as well, they are still in the Senate.

BLITZER: Gloria, thanks very much.

BORGER: Sure.

BLITZER: Gloria Borger reporting for us.

By the way, President Obama spent the morning over at the National Prayer Breakfast. You're going to hear what he said about religion changing his life. That's coming up.

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BLITZER: Hundreds of thousands of people in the northeast are suffering through some bone chilling temperatures with no heat in their homes. Their power was knocked out by a brutal winter storm that dumped heavy wet snow and ice all across the region. Most of the outages are in Pennsylvania, where about a half a million people are affected. Officials say the vast majority of customers should get their power back by tomorrow, but it could be three more days before service is fully restored.

Let's go to Wall Street right now where investors are in a relatively optimistic mood. Let's look at where things stand right now on the big board. The Dow, take a look, up 131 points. Stocks climbed quickly this morning largely because of new figures showing fewer Americans than expected filed for first time unemployment benefits last week.

President Obama says religion strengthens America, but he also says religious freedom is threatened around the world. The president spoke at the annual National Prayer Breakfast this morning. He says he's looking forward to meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican next month. The president also reflected on what he calls, quote, "God's guiding hand in his personal journey."

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BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In my life, he directed my path to Chicago and my work with churches who were intent on breaking the cycle of poverty in hard-hit communities there. And I'm grateful not only because I was broke and the church fed me, but because it led to everything else. It led me to embrace Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and led me to Michelle, the love of my life, and it blessed us with two extraordinary daughters. It led me to public service. And the longer I serve, especially in moments of trial or doubt, the more thankful I am of God's guiding hand.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: The National Prayer Breakfast that has been held since 1953. every president since Dwight David Eisenhower has participated.

The Olympic games are underway in Sochi, Russia, but serious worries over possible terror attack, they are dominating the headlines. We'll have the latest security warning and Russia's reaction when we come back.

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