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Ridge to Resign as Homeland Security Secretary; Bush Meets with Canadian Prime Minister; 9/11 Commission Chair Argues to Pass Intel Reform

Aired November 30, 2004 - 13:59   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: Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge set to announce live this hour that he's stepping down. We'll take it live when it happens.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush also live this hour. A joint news conference with the Canadian prime minister in Ottawa, it's moments away and we'll take you there.

DANIEL SIEBERG, CNN TECHNOLOGY CORRESPONDENT: I'm technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg. Does the idea of paying for groceries using your fingerprint make you excited or nervous? Coming up, we'll show you how your body parts can be used as your password.

HARRIS: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Tony Harris in for Miles O'Brien.

PHILLIPS: And I'm Kyra Phillips. This hour of CNN's LIVE FROM starts right now.

HARRIS: Well, as you know if you've been watching CNN, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge is going home. The founding secretary of a vast department created in the wake of September 11 told his 180,000 employees of his exit this morning. He'll tell the world in about 45 minutes from now. We get the back story now from CNN's Jeanne Meserve in Washington.

Hi, Jeanne.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Tony. You're right. The nation's first homeland security secretary is leaving. Tom Ridge met with President Bush this morning, and then told the department's senior staff and leadership of his plans, and he will hold a press conference within the hour.

Sources say he is likely to stay on the job until a successor has been named and confirmed, and people close to Ridge say he now will consider his future options. There has been speculation that he would go to work for a defense contractor, law firm or possibly a consulting company.

Ridge a former congressman and governor of Pennsylvania, was asked by President Bush just weeks after the 9/11 attacks to be his homeland security adviser. And when 22 separate government agencies were blended into the Department of Homeland Security in March of 2003, Ridge stepped over into the job of secretary.

He has won some praise for tackling what was widely regarded as an exceedingly difficult job, but many outside observers say the department is falling short of delivering what it should and could.

Although Ridge is recognized for his ability to communicate with the public, the color-coded color threat warning system he instituted became fodder for comedians and cartoonists.

Who will replace Ridge? That's the question now. And no announcements have been made.

If there is a department insider, the betting is on Asa Hutchinson, currently, under secretary for border and transportation security.

Also prominently mentioned, Frances Townsend, who currently serves as the president's homeland security adviser.

Also on the list of possible replacements, Mike Leavitt, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. He was governor of Utah during the Salt Lake City Olympics and played a part in making security preparations there, as did Mitt Romney.

Romney is now governor of Massachusetts. He's one of the National Governors Association leads on homeland security and sits on the DHS Homeland Security Advisory Committee.

Whoever does get the job, and there are many other names being mentioned, they're going to have a lot to do. Many feel there are serious and tough management issues that must be tackled to improve the department's efficiency and effectiveness.

And some analysts feel what the department needs after Ridge is a political heavyweight with the skills to play and win the power and money games of Washington at a time when homeland security appears to be receding as a high impact issue. No word yet on when the White House will name a successor -- Tony.

HARRIS: OK, Jeanne, 2:45 this afternoon, correct?

MESERVE: That's right.

HARRIS: OK. Jeanne Meserve in Washington. Jeanne, thank you.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CO-HOST: Well, the border's not as open, the neighbors not quite as close as they once were, but the long, lucrative and generally low profile relationship between the U.S. and Canada is back on the radar today with President Bush's first official visit north of the border.

We're expecting a brief news conference with Mr. Bush and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin in just a few moments. In the meantime, CNN's Suzanne Malveaux checks in with us by phone with the latest from there and what they'll be talking about -- Suzanne. SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, we expect to hear from both of the leaders in about five minutes or so from the Parliament Hill.

The two leaders, of course, are really strained neighbors. They have a personal close relationship, but they're uneasy friends when it comes to policy, national policy.

But we expect that they're going to deal with, of course, is first and foremost they're going to be talking about security issues from both sides: the U.S. concerned about maintaining homeland security and making sure that the border with Canada is safe; and of course, for Canada, it definitely has a vested interest in keeping the people, as well as its products, flowing, because as you know, these two countries are the biggest trading partners in the world.

Now, there are a couple of issues that Canada really wants to have resolved, and it's namely over these trade disputes.

One of them, of course, is the fact that U.S. banned imported Canadian beef because of the case of Mad Cow. They're certainly hoping to push that forward. We are told that there's no deadline or date that they've set to actually loosen those regulations. They'll be no commitment from the Bush administration on that today.

And of course, the other hot issue is this lumber issue, the fact that the U.S. has slapped tariffs on Canadian soft lumber. And that is something that the World Trade Organization just last week ruled illegal, and the U.S. is appealing that, as well.

So these are just some of the issues, of course, between the two leaders and the two countries that they're going to have to work over. And again, we have been told not to expect any new policy initiatives or announcements, but rather that this is kind of a checking in, a progress report and really a trip that's meant to create some good will -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, Suzanne, speaking of announcements, of course, you've heard about Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge expected to resign and give his resignation 2:45 Eastern Time.

Have you heard anything from the president's advisers as to if he might comment on that if he speaks before Tom Ridge?

MALVEAUX: Well, certainly it kind of puts him in an awkward position, because I did speak with several of the White House advisers how he would handle that.

They expect that they'll put out, perhaps, a piece of paper later today, just because the president, of course is going to be speaking before Ridge even formally makes his announcement.

But Kyra, of course, we know that this certainly is no surprise. This is something that we reported two weeks ago, that according to two senior administration sources, confirming that it was Ridge's intention to leave the department. And of course, the big question here is just how quickly the president is going to be able to name a replacement.

PHILLIPS: Suzanne Malveaux, thank you so much.

MALVEAUX: Thank you.

HARRIS: Making the U.S. intelligence systems smarter is still stumping Congress today, as an overhaul backed by the president, the 9/11 Commission and many 9/11 family members still can't reach the floor of the House. The odds are long and time is short.

And Joe Johns is our man on Capitol Hill with the latest.

Hi, Joe.

JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Tony.

The former 9/11 Commissioners back out front on this issue again today, once again arguing that intel reform needs to be passed on Capitol Hill and this year, even with time running out in the 108th Congress.

They were focusing in part on those House members who decided not to bring this bill up for a vote.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOAN MOLINARO, MOTHER OF 9/11 VICTIM: On September 11, 2001, this was the price I paid for your negligence, for my government failing me. This is the price I am not willing to pay because you continue to fail in your duties.

No bill should pass the Senate, the House, anywhere unless it contains immigration reform, you secure our borders, you keep my girls alive. You allowed the murder of my son. I will not allow you to kill my daughters.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JOHNS: That, of course, the mother of one 9/11 victim who has been arguing, of course, that the bill before the Congress does not go far enough, particularly in the area of immigration.

Meanwhile, as I said, the former 9/11 Commissioners were back out front today, talking about why this bill needs to be passed, even over the objections of some in the House.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM KEAN, CHAIR, 9/11 COMMISSION: The request to our nation's leaders today is give us a vote. Pass this bill. The choice is between this bill and the status quo.

The basic structure of the intelligence community hasn't changed since 9/11. The status quo failed us. The status quo does not provide our leaders with the information they require to keep the American people safe. Reform is an urgent matter and reform simply must not wait until after the next attack.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JOHNS: So this battle does continue. The Congress is due back in session next week, and a lot of people are hoping they'll talk some more about the bill. The former chair and vice-chair of the 9/11 commission are expected to meet with vice president Cheney to talk about it, also.

Back to you, Kyra and Tony.

HARRIS: Joe Johns, Capitol Hill. Joe, thank you.

And we are busy this hour. We are waiting the president and Paul Martin, the Canadian prime minister, there in Ottawa at Parliament Hill in just a couple of moments. They'll address the press.

And we are also awaiting a live announcement from Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge that he is stepping down. We will bring that to you live when it happens.

And just ahead, another delay in the penalty phase of the Scott Peterson trial. We'll have more on that straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: We want to remind you once again, about 2:45 Eastern Time, we are expecting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge, to step up to the podium and give his resignation.

This comes at a time where a number of secretaries within the Bush administration are resigning. A lot of talk about the changes in the administration. He'll be the next to follow.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired November 30, 2004 - 13:59   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge set to announce live this hour that he's stepping down. We'll take it live when it happens.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush also live this hour. A joint news conference with the Canadian prime minister in Ottawa, it's moments away and we'll take you there.

DANIEL SIEBERG, CNN TECHNOLOGY CORRESPONDENT: I'm technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg. Does the idea of paying for groceries using your fingerprint make you excited or nervous? Coming up, we'll show you how your body parts can be used as your password.

HARRIS: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Tony Harris in for Miles O'Brien.

PHILLIPS: And I'm Kyra Phillips. This hour of CNN's LIVE FROM starts right now.

HARRIS: Well, as you know if you've been watching CNN, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge is going home. The founding secretary of a vast department created in the wake of September 11 told his 180,000 employees of his exit this morning. He'll tell the world in about 45 minutes from now. We get the back story now from CNN's Jeanne Meserve in Washington.

Hi, Jeanne.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Tony. You're right. The nation's first homeland security secretary is leaving. Tom Ridge met with President Bush this morning, and then told the department's senior staff and leadership of his plans, and he will hold a press conference within the hour.

Sources say he is likely to stay on the job until a successor has been named and confirmed, and people close to Ridge say he now will consider his future options. There has been speculation that he would go to work for a defense contractor, law firm or possibly a consulting company.

Ridge a former congressman and governor of Pennsylvania, was asked by President Bush just weeks after the 9/11 attacks to be his homeland security adviser. And when 22 separate government agencies were blended into the Department of Homeland Security in March of 2003, Ridge stepped over into the job of secretary.

He has won some praise for tackling what was widely regarded as an exceedingly difficult job, but many outside observers say the department is falling short of delivering what it should and could.

Although Ridge is recognized for his ability to communicate with the public, the color-coded color threat warning system he instituted became fodder for comedians and cartoonists.

Who will replace Ridge? That's the question now. And no announcements have been made.

If there is a department insider, the betting is on Asa Hutchinson, currently, under secretary for border and transportation security.

Also prominently mentioned, Frances Townsend, who currently serves as the president's homeland security adviser.

Also on the list of possible replacements, Mike Leavitt, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. He was governor of Utah during the Salt Lake City Olympics and played a part in making security preparations there, as did Mitt Romney.

Romney is now governor of Massachusetts. He's one of the National Governors Association leads on homeland security and sits on the DHS Homeland Security Advisory Committee.

Whoever does get the job, and there are many other names being mentioned, they're going to have a lot to do. Many feel there are serious and tough management issues that must be tackled to improve the department's efficiency and effectiveness.

And some analysts feel what the department needs after Ridge is a political heavyweight with the skills to play and win the power and money games of Washington at a time when homeland security appears to be receding as a high impact issue. No word yet on when the White House will name a successor -- Tony.

HARRIS: OK, Jeanne, 2:45 this afternoon, correct?

MESERVE: That's right.

HARRIS: OK. Jeanne Meserve in Washington. Jeanne, thank you.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CO-HOST: Well, the border's not as open, the neighbors not quite as close as they once were, but the long, lucrative and generally low profile relationship between the U.S. and Canada is back on the radar today with President Bush's first official visit north of the border.

We're expecting a brief news conference with Mr. Bush and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin in just a few moments. In the meantime, CNN's Suzanne Malveaux checks in with us by phone with the latest from there and what they'll be talking about -- Suzanne. SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, we expect to hear from both of the leaders in about five minutes or so from the Parliament Hill.

The two leaders, of course, are really strained neighbors. They have a personal close relationship, but they're uneasy friends when it comes to policy, national policy.

But we expect that they're going to deal with, of course, is first and foremost they're going to be talking about security issues from both sides: the U.S. concerned about maintaining homeland security and making sure that the border with Canada is safe; and of course, for Canada, it definitely has a vested interest in keeping the people, as well as its products, flowing, because as you know, these two countries are the biggest trading partners in the world.

Now, there are a couple of issues that Canada really wants to have resolved, and it's namely over these trade disputes.

One of them, of course, is the fact that U.S. banned imported Canadian beef because of the case of Mad Cow. They're certainly hoping to push that forward. We are told that there's no deadline or date that they've set to actually loosen those regulations. They'll be no commitment from the Bush administration on that today.

And of course, the other hot issue is this lumber issue, the fact that the U.S. has slapped tariffs on Canadian soft lumber. And that is something that the World Trade Organization just last week ruled illegal, and the U.S. is appealing that, as well.

So these are just some of the issues, of course, between the two leaders and the two countries that they're going to have to work over. And again, we have been told not to expect any new policy initiatives or announcements, but rather that this is kind of a checking in, a progress report and really a trip that's meant to create some good will -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, Suzanne, speaking of announcements, of course, you've heard about Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge expected to resign and give his resignation 2:45 Eastern Time.

Have you heard anything from the president's advisers as to if he might comment on that if he speaks before Tom Ridge?

MALVEAUX: Well, certainly it kind of puts him in an awkward position, because I did speak with several of the White House advisers how he would handle that.

They expect that they'll put out, perhaps, a piece of paper later today, just because the president, of course is going to be speaking before Ridge even formally makes his announcement.

But Kyra, of course, we know that this certainly is no surprise. This is something that we reported two weeks ago, that according to two senior administration sources, confirming that it was Ridge's intention to leave the department. And of course, the big question here is just how quickly the president is going to be able to name a replacement.

PHILLIPS: Suzanne Malveaux, thank you so much.

MALVEAUX: Thank you.

HARRIS: Making the U.S. intelligence systems smarter is still stumping Congress today, as an overhaul backed by the president, the 9/11 Commission and many 9/11 family members still can't reach the floor of the House. The odds are long and time is short.

And Joe Johns is our man on Capitol Hill with the latest.

Hi, Joe.

JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Tony.

The former 9/11 Commissioners back out front on this issue again today, once again arguing that intel reform needs to be passed on Capitol Hill and this year, even with time running out in the 108th Congress.

They were focusing in part on those House members who decided not to bring this bill up for a vote.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOAN MOLINARO, MOTHER OF 9/11 VICTIM: On September 11, 2001, this was the price I paid for your negligence, for my government failing me. This is the price I am not willing to pay because you continue to fail in your duties.

No bill should pass the Senate, the House, anywhere unless it contains immigration reform, you secure our borders, you keep my girls alive. You allowed the murder of my son. I will not allow you to kill my daughters.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JOHNS: That, of course, the mother of one 9/11 victim who has been arguing, of course, that the bill before the Congress does not go far enough, particularly in the area of immigration.

Meanwhile, as I said, the former 9/11 Commissioners were back out front today, talking about why this bill needs to be passed, even over the objections of some in the House.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM KEAN, CHAIR, 9/11 COMMISSION: The request to our nation's leaders today is give us a vote. Pass this bill. The choice is between this bill and the status quo.

The basic structure of the intelligence community hasn't changed since 9/11. The status quo failed us. The status quo does not provide our leaders with the information they require to keep the American people safe. Reform is an urgent matter and reform simply must not wait until after the next attack.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JOHNS: So this battle does continue. The Congress is due back in session next week, and a lot of people are hoping they'll talk some more about the bill. The former chair and vice-chair of the 9/11 commission are expected to meet with vice president Cheney to talk about it, also.

Back to you, Kyra and Tony.

HARRIS: Joe Johns, Capitol Hill. Joe, thank you.

And we are busy this hour. We are waiting the president and Paul Martin, the Canadian prime minister, there in Ottawa at Parliament Hill in just a couple of moments. They'll address the press.

And we are also awaiting a live announcement from Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge that he is stepping down. We will bring that to you live when it happens.

And just ahead, another delay in the penalty phase of the Scott Peterson trial. We'll have more on that straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: We want to remind you once again, about 2:45 Eastern Time, we are expecting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge, to step up to the podium and give his resignation.

This comes at a time where a number of secretaries within the Bush administration are resigning. A lot of talk about the changes in the administration. He'll be the next to follow.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com