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President Bush Defends Economic Policy; U.S. Government's War on Weight
Aired March 10, 2004 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to CNN's LIVE FROM. I'm Kyra Phillips.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Miles O'Brien. Here are the headlines.
Convicted sniper Lee Boyd Malvo will be spending the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole. A Virginia judge imposed that sentence today, as recommended by a jury. Other jurisdictions say they may also seek to try Malvo. But it's not clear if they will pursue the death penalty.
A Senate committee plays hardball with Major League Baseball over drug testing. At a hearing today, committee chairman John McCain told baseball commissioner Bud Selig the national pastime needs a comprehensive drug testing plan. McCain says Congress will act if baseball does not do a better job of policing itself. Selig says the players union has resisted a tougher policy.
Target: EPA. The Environmental Protection Agency has been slapped with a lawsuit stemming from the 9/11 attacks. Residents and workers in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn are suing the agency, saying it misled them about air quality after the World Trade Center collapsed. The suit says they were unnecessarily exposed to potentially hazardous levels of toxic substances.
Haiti's new prime minister on his way from Florida to Haiti should be arriving right about now. Gerard Latortue was named to the post by a U.S.-backed council of sages. He's a former U.N. official and international business consultant. Upon leaving Florida, Latortue called former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide a liar. Aristide has said his resignation was coerced by U.S. officials.
PHILLIPS: President Bush back from a visit to Cleveland, Ohio. He stumped for votes, defended his economic policy and deflected a verbal attack from a new campaign ad.
For more on this, White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, President Bush just returned to the White House after his quick trip to Ohio, and now they picked that state not just because no Republican has won the White House without winning Ohio, but also because a lot of Americans there are facing some economic challenges. President Bush acknowledging those, saying that he understood, at the same time, outlining his economic policy, arguing particularly his free trade policy would eventually create more jobs. He talked about a plan to make tax cuts permanent, support small businesses, break down barriers to trade and to retrain American workers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We have put a recession behind us.
(APPLAUSE)
BUSH: Thanks in large part to your hard work, our economy is expanding, productivity is strong, unemployment has been falling, incomes are rising, and we're going to stay on this path of growth and prosperity in this country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: The second part of the Bush strategy, of course, is to contrast his own economic policy with that of his opponent, Senator Kerry. While not naming him by name, he did say that it was time to get rid of this tired defeatist mind-set of raising taxes, increasing spending, and economic isolationism -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right, Suzanne, let's talk about this ad slamming Bush and the economy. Let's watch it first and then get White House reaction.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, AD)
NARRATOR: President Bush. Remember the American dream? It's about hope, not fear. It's about more jobs at home, not tax breaks for shipping jobs overseas. It's about giving our children their chance, not our debt. It's about providing health care for people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: All right, what's the reaction, Suzanne?
MALVEAUX: Well, already, the Bush campaign has reacted quite strongly. What they've done -- and this was yesterday -- they have filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, essentially saying that this organization that's putting out the ads is breaking the law, that they're violating campaign finance laws because they're using unlimited funds to impact a federal election.
They say that they are acting as a political party, or a political action committee, and that they should have regulations regarding those donations and how they spend that money. That group, by the way, says they believe this is just trying to intimidate them from donors contributing. But it's going to be very important to see the outcome of that ruling.
PHILLIPS: Suzanne Malveaux, live from the White House, thanks. O'BRIEN: On the Democratic side, Senator John Kerry's four-state sweep on Tuesday put a little more orange on that map you see there that shows the states that have voted thus far in his camp. With his realistic opponents all gone from the race, just a matter of time for Kerry. And he could clinch the nomination officially next week.
We get more on all this from CNN's Candy Crowley.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Another election night sweep for John Kerry.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, people voted, and they voted for change in this great country of ours.
CROWLEY: So what else is new? Not much, the primary season nobody saw coming has turned into the primary season everybody has seen.
(APPLAUSE)
(CHEERING)
CROWLEY: Another day, another photo op or two. A shake and smile with, one presumes, actual voters in a Florida diner, and a hold and swing at the Little Big World Day Care Center.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is Mr. Kerry; he's running to be president of the United States.
CROWLEY: John Kerry has done due diligence for the past several days, traveling Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida at rallies and town halls, asking Democrats to support him in the primaries. But that's not what it's about anymore. This is what it's about.
KERRY: If the president wants to have a debate a month, on just one subject, and we go around the country, I think that would be a great idea. Let's go do it.
(APPLAUSE)
CROWLEY: It's about engaging George Bush early and often, one way or the other.
KERRY: George Bush, who promised to be a uniter, has become the great divider.
CROWLEY: With Kerry's nomination all but assured, the primary states are pretty much backdrops now, places to warm up for a general election already boiling. And of course, places to look for cold cash.
(on camera): A little change of pace for Senator Kerry this afternoon, when he returns to Washington for a series of meetings with old friends and old foes. That will include a meet this afternoon with Howard Dean. Aides on both sides say they doubt anything major will come out of this session. It is just a continuation of their efforts to get to like one another.
Candy Crowley, CNN, Chicago.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: Also today, some harsh words from Kerry to describe his opposition. He was mingling with workers in Chicago, and he called Republicans crooked. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Keep smiling.
KERRY: Oh, yes, don't worry, man.
Thank you. We're going to keep pounding, let me tell you. We're just beginning to fight here. These guys are -- these guys are the most crooked, you know, lying group of people I've ever seen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: Now, it's unclear whether Kerry was aware his microphone was on at that point. Asked to explain the remark later, a campaign official said Kerry wasn't referring to President Bush personally, but what he called the GOP attack machine.
This response from the Bush campaign -- and we quote it now -- "Throughout the primary process and obviously now, Democrats have used some of the most harsh, angry, bitter rhetoric that we have seen in our country's history" -- that, again, from the Bush campaign.
Now much more rhetoric bound to come your way. Of course, Judy Woodruff is very good at cutting through all that and getting to the truth. "INSIDE POLITICS" with Judy Woodruff, that's at 3:30 Eastern time. You don't want to miss it.
PHILLIPS: Other news across America, Attorney General John Ashcroft expected to make a full recovery after surgery. Doctors removed Ashcroft's gallbladder yesterday to prevent a reoccurrence of gallstone pancreatitis. He's in a Washington hospital and should be there for several days.
And relief could come soon for millions of satellite TV subscribers. The owners of Dish Network and Viacom say they're nearing a deal to end a contract dispute. That squabble forced Dish to drop several Viacom channels, including MTV, Nickelodeon, in its lineup yesterday.
O'BRIEN: In Toronto, the National Hockey League today hold a hearing this afternoon into a sucker punch by Todd Bertuzzi -- It hurts watching that one, doesn't it? -- of the Vancouver Canucks. Steve Moore of the Colorado Avalanche on the receiving end of that. He suffered a broken neck, concussion, severe, deep cuts in his face and all of that. Vancouver police are investigating that attack, which came during Monday night's game. Ouch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SARAH BLOOR, VANCOUVER, B.C. POLICE: Regardless of the fact that this involves a player in the National Hockey League, this will be a routine assault investigation. Crown Council will be responsible for making a decision as to whether or not anyone is charged.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: Todd Bertuzzi has been suspended indefinitely. Moore will remain hospitalized in Vancouver for some time.
Now to Capitol Hill, where a Senate panel considers tougher drug tests for professional athletes. Senator John McCain says sport legitimacy is coming into question as more players bulk up and he warns if baseball managers and players don't adopt tougher standards, Congress might do it for them.
The head of the baseball players union would not agree to tougher testing similar to that required by the National Football League, however.
PHILLIPS: Meanwhile, the House is considering protecting the fast-food industry from lawsuits filed on behalf of overweight people. Attorneys argue the threat of lawsuits will force fast-food outlets to serve healthier meals. Several lawmakers say it's time to end frivolous lawsuits and for people to accept responsibility for their own actions. A vote could come later today.
More Americans are bulging over their belts. Federal health officials hope a serving of humor might get those folks up and moving.
More now from CNN's Christy Feig.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTY FEIG, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Two-thirds of Americans are too fat, despite previous calls by public health officials to exercise. So now the Department of Health and Human Services is taking it one step further. They're adding humor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, AD)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Can I help you, sir?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: I found these over by the stairs.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Love handles. Lots of people lose them taking the stairs instead of the escalator. Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FEIG: The goal, to get Americans doing many small things that add up. TOMMY THOMPSON, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY: Walking, instead of riding, going up the steps instead of taking the elevator, and getting off one block earlier and walking that extra block.
FEIG: Excess weight increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, disability and some cancers and now is one of the top killers in the U.S. A new study in "The Journal of the American Medical Association" found poor diet and physical inactivity caused 400,000 deaths in 2000. Only tobacco killed more, 435,000.
DR. JULIE GERBERDING, DIRECTOR, CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL: Obesity is catching up with tobacco as the leading actual cause of mortality in our country.
FEIG: Those at least 30 pounds overweight are considered obese. And it costs $117 billion in 2000. Another study says if it continues at the current rate, by 2020, one in every five health care dollars for people 50 to 69 will go towards obesity-related medical problems.
In Washington, I'm Christy Feig.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: Well, is her dress size keeping an opera singer off the stage, we ask? Now one production may be over before the...
PHILLIPS: Lady sings.
O'BRIEN: She's a lady. Speaking of music, Diana Ross is back in the news, serving more jail time?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER UPDATE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Live pictures now via our affiliate WCBS out of New York. This is in Queens. Don't have a lot of information right now.
All we know is that a freight train has collided with a car, a passenger car. We don't know the extent of the injuries, if, indeed, anyone has been hurt in this accident. But injuries are reported. We just don't know the number. Once again, a freight train colliding with a car here, live pictures via WCBS there in Queens, New York. We are continuing to follow that story. We'll bring you as much information as we can once we get it.
O'BRIEN: News around the world to tell you about now.
Coalition officials say an autopsy is to be performed today on the body of Abul Abbas, the Palestinian militant leader most remembered for planning the 1985 attack an the Achille Lauro cruise ship. Abbas died in U.S. custody in Iraq from what the Pentagon says appears to be natural causes. Israeli troops shot and killed five members of the Al Aqsa Martyr Brigade today. The attack was Israel's deadliest in the West Bank in months.
You know the saying it ain't over until the fat lady sings. Well, over is the operative word here. I guess fat is operative as well. The London Opera House has booted Deborah Voigt, one of the world's top some sopranos, from a production that called for her to wear a little black dress. Well, the dress is a little too little, I guess. But they say she's out because of her size. The opera house says she was not the appropriate choice for the show.
PHILLIPS: A Philadelphia TV station is under fire for a ratings period sting on child sex. Journalism or ploy for more viewers?
CNN's Jason Carroll has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a driveway of an empty home in suburban Philadelphia sits a police car to ward off pedophiles, placed there after a controversial news report on how pedophiles lure victims on the Internet. It aired on Philadelphia's WCAU and outraged some members of this community.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was a ratings stunt. And I truly believe that.
CARROLL: In the story, a WCAU employee poses as an underage girl or boy. Contact is made with an adult on the Internet. Arrangements are confirmed to meet at this house, which the station rented. Once the adults show up, they're met by news cameras.
Neighbors Mary Pat and John Minor told the local NBC crew they were deeply troubled by the station's methods.
MARY PAT MINOR, PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENT: We're not naive people. We know this goes on and we know it probably goes on in our neighborhood. But to invite them to a house two doors down from my house where my children were standing.
JOHN MINOR, PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENT: It was an unbelievably irresponsible thing to do.
CARROLL: Irresponsible, Minor says, because, once exposed, the alleged pedophiles were free to go in a neighborhood where a school is just around the corner. The station canceled a scheduled interview with CNN, but issued this statement: "No one was put in danger by the story. The station's reporters and producers conducted themselves responsibly.
Critics call the report a form of vigilante journalism encouraged by this Web site, Perverted-Justice.com, which exposed alleged pedophiles and urges news organizations to go after them. But police say WCAU put the community at risk because they didn't contact law enforcement, had no way of knowing if the alleged pedophiles were armed, and lured the suspects to a neighborhood heavily populated by children.
LEE HUNTER, NEWTOWN POLICE CHIEF: That's the worst possible scenario, absolutely the worst possible scenario.
CARROLL (on camera): There are still a number of people in this community who are angry about the report. That is why they have held a town hall meeting, so community leaders, as well as a representative from the TV station, can hear their concerns. The station, for its part, says it stands by the methods used in the report.
Jason Carroll, CNN, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Well, there's a car that's being recalled. We want to tell you about it. That's coming up when we give you the business.
O'BRIEN: And look who has her own doll. It was just a matter of time, wasn't it? The Super Bowl incident that just refuses to go away. And, of course, here we go perpetuating it all. We apologize. But we can't resist.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, Ford is issuing a major recall.
O'BRIEN: Well, I guess quality wasn't job one in this case, was it, Rhonda Schaffler?
RHONDA SCHAFFLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Miles and Kyra, this is a big one as far as this recall goes.
It involves 1.3 million 2000 to 2003 model year Taurus and Mercury Sable sedans. The second largest U.S. automaker is citing problems with brake lights and air filters, among them a malfunctioning electronic switch that can cause brake lights to quit working or stay on all the time. And that's caused at least two accidents and one injury.
The other concern, air filter paper sometimes catches fire. Ford says the supplier put the wrong chemical on the filter paper. So Ford is going to begin notifying its customers today. Owners can take their cars to a dealership for repairs at no charge.
If you need more information, by the way, owners can contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Again, 1-800-392-3673. On Wall Street, shares of Ford down about 2 percent.
(FINANCIAL UPDATE)
PHILLIPS: Well, checking entertainment headlines this Wednesday, March 10, the lady sings the blues. Diana Ross has been ordered back to Arizona to serve her two-day sentence for DUI. Ross had made arrangements to serve the time in Connecticut last month. But a Tucson judge wasn't satisfied with the deal. Lessons in anger management. Miles, listen up. White Stripe singer Jack White lucky he's not wearing prison stripes after a fight with another band's singer. Instead of jail time, White has to pay a $500 fine and attend classes to get his temper under control.
And, hey, want a piece of boobgate history? A doll depicting Janet Jackson's infamous wardrobe malfunction is on the eBay auction block. Bidding on the synthetic diva is now at nearly $100. And, yes, if you pop Janet's top, you'll find a star-shaped nipple shield.
O'BRIEN: Which answers the question that has been on our mind all day. And, of course, viewers shared in that question.
And I don't know how we get from that to somebody with such stature as Judy Woodruff.
PHILLIPS: You just don't even mention it, Miles.
O'BRIEN: You don't even do it. We're not going to mention it.
We're not going to say anything about the story we just did, Judy, because it just is way -- well it's our kind of thing and we're sorry about that.
PHILLIPS: We're above that.
(LAUGHTER)
O'BRIEN: Anyway Judy Woodruff, "INSIDE POLITICS" coming up. How are you?
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: It's always a pleasure to see both of you. Thank you very much.
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIPS: Such energy.
WOODRUFF: You are the best, both of you.
(LAUGHTER)
O'BRIEN: Sweet of you to say.
WOODRUFF: Right.
Some tough talk today about Republicans from John Kerry. We're going to tell you what he had to say. And Bill Clinton talks about running for public office. Is the former president anxious to hit the campaign trail again?
Find out when I go "INSIDE POLITICS" in three minutes.
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War on Weight>
Aired March 10, 2004 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to CNN's LIVE FROM. I'm Kyra Phillips.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Miles O'Brien. Here are the headlines.
Convicted sniper Lee Boyd Malvo will be spending the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole. A Virginia judge imposed that sentence today, as recommended by a jury. Other jurisdictions say they may also seek to try Malvo. But it's not clear if they will pursue the death penalty.
A Senate committee plays hardball with Major League Baseball over drug testing. At a hearing today, committee chairman John McCain told baseball commissioner Bud Selig the national pastime needs a comprehensive drug testing plan. McCain says Congress will act if baseball does not do a better job of policing itself. Selig says the players union has resisted a tougher policy.
Target: EPA. The Environmental Protection Agency has been slapped with a lawsuit stemming from the 9/11 attacks. Residents and workers in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn are suing the agency, saying it misled them about air quality after the World Trade Center collapsed. The suit says they were unnecessarily exposed to potentially hazardous levels of toxic substances.
Haiti's new prime minister on his way from Florida to Haiti should be arriving right about now. Gerard Latortue was named to the post by a U.S.-backed council of sages. He's a former U.N. official and international business consultant. Upon leaving Florida, Latortue called former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide a liar. Aristide has said his resignation was coerced by U.S. officials.
PHILLIPS: President Bush back from a visit to Cleveland, Ohio. He stumped for votes, defended his economic policy and deflected a verbal attack from a new campaign ad.
For more on this, White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, President Bush just returned to the White House after his quick trip to Ohio, and now they picked that state not just because no Republican has won the White House without winning Ohio, but also because a lot of Americans there are facing some economic challenges. President Bush acknowledging those, saying that he understood, at the same time, outlining his economic policy, arguing particularly his free trade policy would eventually create more jobs. He talked about a plan to make tax cuts permanent, support small businesses, break down barriers to trade and to retrain American workers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We have put a recession behind us.
(APPLAUSE)
BUSH: Thanks in large part to your hard work, our economy is expanding, productivity is strong, unemployment has been falling, incomes are rising, and we're going to stay on this path of growth and prosperity in this country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: The second part of the Bush strategy, of course, is to contrast his own economic policy with that of his opponent, Senator Kerry. While not naming him by name, he did say that it was time to get rid of this tired defeatist mind-set of raising taxes, increasing spending, and economic isolationism -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right, Suzanne, let's talk about this ad slamming Bush and the economy. Let's watch it first and then get White House reaction.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, AD)
NARRATOR: President Bush. Remember the American dream? It's about hope, not fear. It's about more jobs at home, not tax breaks for shipping jobs overseas. It's about giving our children their chance, not our debt. It's about providing health care for people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: All right, what's the reaction, Suzanne?
MALVEAUX: Well, already, the Bush campaign has reacted quite strongly. What they've done -- and this was yesterday -- they have filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, essentially saying that this organization that's putting out the ads is breaking the law, that they're violating campaign finance laws because they're using unlimited funds to impact a federal election.
They say that they are acting as a political party, or a political action committee, and that they should have regulations regarding those donations and how they spend that money. That group, by the way, says they believe this is just trying to intimidate them from donors contributing. But it's going to be very important to see the outcome of that ruling.
PHILLIPS: Suzanne Malveaux, live from the White House, thanks. O'BRIEN: On the Democratic side, Senator John Kerry's four-state sweep on Tuesday put a little more orange on that map you see there that shows the states that have voted thus far in his camp. With his realistic opponents all gone from the race, just a matter of time for Kerry. And he could clinch the nomination officially next week.
We get more on all this from CNN's Candy Crowley.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Another election night sweep for John Kerry.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, people voted, and they voted for change in this great country of ours.
CROWLEY: So what else is new? Not much, the primary season nobody saw coming has turned into the primary season everybody has seen.
(APPLAUSE)
(CHEERING)
CROWLEY: Another day, another photo op or two. A shake and smile with, one presumes, actual voters in a Florida diner, and a hold and swing at the Little Big World Day Care Center.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is Mr. Kerry; he's running to be president of the United States.
CROWLEY: John Kerry has done due diligence for the past several days, traveling Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida at rallies and town halls, asking Democrats to support him in the primaries. But that's not what it's about anymore. This is what it's about.
KERRY: If the president wants to have a debate a month, on just one subject, and we go around the country, I think that would be a great idea. Let's go do it.
(APPLAUSE)
CROWLEY: It's about engaging George Bush early and often, one way or the other.
KERRY: George Bush, who promised to be a uniter, has become the great divider.
CROWLEY: With Kerry's nomination all but assured, the primary states are pretty much backdrops now, places to warm up for a general election already boiling. And of course, places to look for cold cash.
(on camera): A little change of pace for Senator Kerry this afternoon, when he returns to Washington for a series of meetings with old friends and old foes. That will include a meet this afternoon with Howard Dean. Aides on both sides say they doubt anything major will come out of this session. It is just a continuation of their efforts to get to like one another.
Candy Crowley, CNN, Chicago.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: Also today, some harsh words from Kerry to describe his opposition. He was mingling with workers in Chicago, and he called Republicans crooked. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Keep smiling.
KERRY: Oh, yes, don't worry, man.
Thank you. We're going to keep pounding, let me tell you. We're just beginning to fight here. These guys are -- these guys are the most crooked, you know, lying group of people I've ever seen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: Now, it's unclear whether Kerry was aware his microphone was on at that point. Asked to explain the remark later, a campaign official said Kerry wasn't referring to President Bush personally, but what he called the GOP attack machine.
This response from the Bush campaign -- and we quote it now -- "Throughout the primary process and obviously now, Democrats have used some of the most harsh, angry, bitter rhetoric that we have seen in our country's history" -- that, again, from the Bush campaign.
Now much more rhetoric bound to come your way. Of course, Judy Woodruff is very good at cutting through all that and getting to the truth. "INSIDE POLITICS" with Judy Woodruff, that's at 3:30 Eastern time. You don't want to miss it.
PHILLIPS: Other news across America, Attorney General John Ashcroft expected to make a full recovery after surgery. Doctors removed Ashcroft's gallbladder yesterday to prevent a reoccurrence of gallstone pancreatitis. He's in a Washington hospital and should be there for several days.
And relief could come soon for millions of satellite TV subscribers. The owners of Dish Network and Viacom say they're nearing a deal to end a contract dispute. That squabble forced Dish to drop several Viacom channels, including MTV, Nickelodeon, in its lineup yesterday.
O'BRIEN: In Toronto, the National Hockey League today hold a hearing this afternoon into a sucker punch by Todd Bertuzzi -- It hurts watching that one, doesn't it? -- of the Vancouver Canucks. Steve Moore of the Colorado Avalanche on the receiving end of that. He suffered a broken neck, concussion, severe, deep cuts in his face and all of that. Vancouver police are investigating that attack, which came during Monday night's game. Ouch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SARAH BLOOR, VANCOUVER, B.C. POLICE: Regardless of the fact that this involves a player in the National Hockey League, this will be a routine assault investigation. Crown Council will be responsible for making a decision as to whether or not anyone is charged.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: Todd Bertuzzi has been suspended indefinitely. Moore will remain hospitalized in Vancouver for some time.
Now to Capitol Hill, where a Senate panel considers tougher drug tests for professional athletes. Senator John McCain says sport legitimacy is coming into question as more players bulk up and he warns if baseball managers and players don't adopt tougher standards, Congress might do it for them.
The head of the baseball players union would not agree to tougher testing similar to that required by the National Football League, however.
PHILLIPS: Meanwhile, the House is considering protecting the fast-food industry from lawsuits filed on behalf of overweight people. Attorneys argue the threat of lawsuits will force fast-food outlets to serve healthier meals. Several lawmakers say it's time to end frivolous lawsuits and for people to accept responsibility for their own actions. A vote could come later today.
More Americans are bulging over their belts. Federal health officials hope a serving of humor might get those folks up and moving.
More now from CNN's Christy Feig.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTY FEIG, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Two-thirds of Americans are too fat, despite previous calls by public health officials to exercise. So now the Department of Health and Human Services is taking it one step further. They're adding humor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, AD)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Can I help you, sir?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: I found these over by the stairs.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Love handles. Lots of people lose them taking the stairs instead of the escalator. Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FEIG: The goal, to get Americans doing many small things that add up. TOMMY THOMPSON, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY: Walking, instead of riding, going up the steps instead of taking the elevator, and getting off one block earlier and walking that extra block.
FEIG: Excess weight increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, disability and some cancers and now is one of the top killers in the U.S. A new study in "The Journal of the American Medical Association" found poor diet and physical inactivity caused 400,000 deaths in 2000. Only tobacco killed more, 435,000.
DR. JULIE GERBERDING, DIRECTOR, CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL: Obesity is catching up with tobacco as the leading actual cause of mortality in our country.
FEIG: Those at least 30 pounds overweight are considered obese. And it costs $117 billion in 2000. Another study says if it continues at the current rate, by 2020, one in every five health care dollars for people 50 to 69 will go towards obesity-related medical problems.
In Washington, I'm Christy Feig.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: Well, is her dress size keeping an opera singer off the stage, we ask? Now one production may be over before the...
PHILLIPS: Lady sings.
O'BRIEN: She's a lady. Speaking of music, Diana Ross is back in the news, serving more jail time?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER UPDATE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Live pictures now via our affiliate WCBS out of New York. This is in Queens. Don't have a lot of information right now.
All we know is that a freight train has collided with a car, a passenger car. We don't know the extent of the injuries, if, indeed, anyone has been hurt in this accident. But injuries are reported. We just don't know the number. Once again, a freight train colliding with a car here, live pictures via WCBS there in Queens, New York. We are continuing to follow that story. We'll bring you as much information as we can once we get it.
O'BRIEN: News around the world to tell you about now.
Coalition officials say an autopsy is to be performed today on the body of Abul Abbas, the Palestinian militant leader most remembered for planning the 1985 attack an the Achille Lauro cruise ship. Abbas died in U.S. custody in Iraq from what the Pentagon says appears to be natural causes. Israeli troops shot and killed five members of the Al Aqsa Martyr Brigade today. The attack was Israel's deadliest in the West Bank in months.
You know the saying it ain't over until the fat lady sings. Well, over is the operative word here. I guess fat is operative as well. The London Opera House has booted Deborah Voigt, one of the world's top some sopranos, from a production that called for her to wear a little black dress. Well, the dress is a little too little, I guess. But they say she's out because of her size. The opera house says she was not the appropriate choice for the show.
PHILLIPS: A Philadelphia TV station is under fire for a ratings period sting on child sex. Journalism or ploy for more viewers?
CNN's Jason Carroll has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a driveway of an empty home in suburban Philadelphia sits a police car to ward off pedophiles, placed there after a controversial news report on how pedophiles lure victims on the Internet. It aired on Philadelphia's WCAU and outraged some members of this community.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was a ratings stunt. And I truly believe that.
CARROLL: In the story, a WCAU employee poses as an underage girl or boy. Contact is made with an adult on the Internet. Arrangements are confirmed to meet at this house, which the station rented. Once the adults show up, they're met by news cameras.
Neighbors Mary Pat and John Minor told the local NBC crew they were deeply troubled by the station's methods.
MARY PAT MINOR, PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENT: We're not naive people. We know this goes on and we know it probably goes on in our neighborhood. But to invite them to a house two doors down from my house where my children were standing.
JOHN MINOR, PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENT: It was an unbelievably irresponsible thing to do.
CARROLL: Irresponsible, Minor says, because, once exposed, the alleged pedophiles were free to go in a neighborhood where a school is just around the corner. The station canceled a scheduled interview with CNN, but issued this statement: "No one was put in danger by the story. The station's reporters and producers conducted themselves responsibly.
Critics call the report a form of vigilante journalism encouraged by this Web site, Perverted-Justice.com, which exposed alleged pedophiles and urges news organizations to go after them. But police say WCAU put the community at risk because they didn't contact law enforcement, had no way of knowing if the alleged pedophiles were armed, and lured the suspects to a neighborhood heavily populated by children.
LEE HUNTER, NEWTOWN POLICE CHIEF: That's the worst possible scenario, absolutely the worst possible scenario.
CARROLL (on camera): There are still a number of people in this community who are angry about the report. That is why they have held a town hall meeting, so community leaders, as well as a representative from the TV station, can hear their concerns. The station, for its part, says it stands by the methods used in the report.
Jason Carroll, CNN, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Well, there's a car that's being recalled. We want to tell you about it. That's coming up when we give you the business.
O'BRIEN: And look who has her own doll. It was just a matter of time, wasn't it? The Super Bowl incident that just refuses to go away. And, of course, here we go perpetuating it all. We apologize. But we can't resist.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, Ford is issuing a major recall.
O'BRIEN: Well, I guess quality wasn't job one in this case, was it, Rhonda Schaffler?
RHONDA SCHAFFLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Miles and Kyra, this is a big one as far as this recall goes.
It involves 1.3 million 2000 to 2003 model year Taurus and Mercury Sable sedans. The second largest U.S. automaker is citing problems with brake lights and air filters, among them a malfunctioning electronic switch that can cause brake lights to quit working or stay on all the time. And that's caused at least two accidents and one injury.
The other concern, air filter paper sometimes catches fire. Ford says the supplier put the wrong chemical on the filter paper. So Ford is going to begin notifying its customers today. Owners can take their cars to a dealership for repairs at no charge.
If you need more information, by the way, owners can contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Again, 1-800-392-3673. On Wall Street, shares of Ford down about 2 percent.
(FINANCIAL UPDATE)
PHILLIPS: Well, checking entertainment headlines this Wednesday, March 10, the lady sings the blues. Diana Ross has been ordered back to Arizona to serve her two-day sentence for DUI. Ross had made arrangements to serve the time in Connecticut last month. But a Tucson judge wasn't satisfied with the deal. Lessons in anger management. Miles, listen up. White Stripe singer Jack White lucky he's not wearing prison stripes after a fight with another band's singer. Instead of jail time, White has to pay a $500 fine and attend classes to get his temper under control.
And, hey, want a piece of boobgate history? A doll depicting Janet Jackson's infamous wardrobe malfunction is on the eBay auction block. Bidding on the synthetic diva is now at nearly $100. And, yes, if you pop Janet's top, you'll find a star-shaped nipple shield.
O'BRIEN: Which answers the question that has been on our mind all day. And, of course, viewers shared in that question.
And I don't know how we get from that to somebody with such stature as Judy Woodruff.
PHILLIPS: You just don't even mention it, Miles.
O'BRIEN: You don't even do it. We're not going to mention it.
We're not going to say anything about the story we just did, Judy, because it just is way -- well it's our kind of thing and we're sorry about that.
PHILLIPS: We're above that.
(LAUGHTER)
O'BRIEN: Anyway Judy Woodruff, "INSIDE POLITICS" coming up. How are you?
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: It's always a pleasure to see both of you. Thank you very much.
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIPS: Such energy.
WOODRUFF: You are the best, both of you.
(LAUGHTER)
O'BRIEN: Sweet of you to say.
WOODRUFF: Right.
Some tough talk today about Republicans from John Kerry. We're going to tell you what he had to say. And Bill Clinton talks about running for public office. Is the former president anxious to hit the campaign trail again?
Find out when I go "INSIDE POLITICS" in three minutes.
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