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Iraq Prepares to Vote; Interview With Congressman Harold Ford

Aired January 28, 2005 - 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.


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Here is what is happening now in the news.
U.S. military forces on the scene of a helicopter crash in Baghdad, the second crash of a U.S. military chopper in Iraq in three days. The OH-58 Kiowa had two crew members on board. No word yet on their fate on or the cause of the crash. We'll keep you up to date.

The man police say caused that deadly train crash in Glendale, California, appears in a Los Angeles courtroom. Juan Alvarez's arraignment was delayed, however, until February 15, so he can undergo further medical evaluation. Police say Alvarez left his SUV on the tracks after an aborted suicide attempt, causing Wednesday's crash; 11 were killed, nearly 200 injured.

Palestinian security forces take up positions in the southern Gaza. It's all part of new measures being implemented by Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas to crack down on violence against Israelis. Israel praised the move and says, in return, it will limit operations in the West Bank and Gaza.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Across America and indeed around the world, Iraqi expatriates are already voting in that country's first free election in half-a-century. You're looking at pictures of a polling place in Nashville, Tennessee, live pictures right now. This half-hour, we're going to hear from Senator -- or Congressman Harold Ford of Tennessee, who plans to visit Iraq after's Sunday vote.

O'BRIEN: With Iraq's election nearing, it's been another deadly day for Americans. The military is now reporting five Americans killed in roadside bombings and shootings, all in the Baghdad area, at least three Americans wounded. Also today, Iraqi officials announced the arrest of three alleged terrorists, including a man described as the chief of operations in Baghdad for the terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

The officials say the arrests were made 11 days ago.

PHILLIPS: A virtual state of siege in effect for Iraq's trial in democracy. An extended curfew is now in place. Borders are sealed, and troops in the streets. An election official says the polling stations are up and ready to go, but insurgents are vowing again today to make voters pay with their lives.

We'll start our coverage in Baghdad with our chief international correspondent, CNN's Christiane Amanpour.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Iraq's election commission members display the voting boxes and show how people should cast their ballots in private, behind these booths. That's if they dare to show up.

With all this violence, Iraq looks more like it's preparing for war than elections, with people waiting in long lines to stockpile everything from fuel to bread.

"They're buying more, because they're afraid," says Ahmed (ph) the baker. "All the shops will be closed for three to four days."

A strict election lockdown is about to be enforced, so people are buying up basics, essential foods and water. It's happening at hospitals, too, with doctors preparing to spend the nights in their offices, preparing for possible widespread bloodshed.

(on camera): The roads are already virtually deserted ahead of the election lockdown to prevent suicide car bombers. But in some Baghdad neighborhoods, these anonymous leaflets are being dropped. They give -- quote -- "a final warning" to voters to stay away from the polls. They claim to have rockets, mortars and explosives ready for every polling station.

(voice-over): But, in some parts of Baghdad, you sense a spirit of defiance as the election draws near.

"This is important for all Iraqis for us to have democracy,' says this man. "We are not afraid of the dangers. We must vote." With two days to go before the vote, election workers and party political agents are coming out of hiding, hooting, honking and handing out leaflets, even though their colleagues have been threatened and killed during the election campaign. Newspapers have only just printed the names of all 7,000 candidates after weeks of official secrecy because of fears they would be assassinated. And so people now are eagerly digesting what amounts to a crash course in what to do at the voting booth.

"We support the election," says Hamid (ph). "This is the only way for our country to be stable."

"Iraqis need some strong medicine to cure the violence and chaos that have plagued them since the war," says Sheik Saad al Ubadi (ph). "Since when do we live like this?" he said. We're the richest oil country. We need to vote for someone to represent this country and to protect its people.

Christiane Amanpour, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: One of the main opponents of the Iraq war is expressing support for the election. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko says the vote could help restore true sovereignty in Iraq. And he promised Moscow will respect the results. On the other hand, Yakovenko warned that -- and we quote him now -- "unprecedented violence could disrupt the process and voter turnout." Yesterday, Russia said it wouldn't send any election monitors to Iraq because of security concerns.

PHILLIPS: With hope and sometimes tears, Iraqi immigrants in the U.S. are looking homeward. They're traveling to five cities to vote in Iraq's elections.

CNN's Thelma Gutierrez is at the former El Toro Marine base in Southern California. She joins us live.

How is turnout since we last talked, Thelma?

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, I can tell you, it's picking up just a little bit. We've seen small groups of people, an entire family, several generations of people, come in all morning long. We're expecting about 3,900 people who have actually registered at this site who will come back to this site and actually vote through the weekend.

Now, it's the only polling spot on whole the West Coast. And we've talked to folks who are coming from as far away as Oregon and Washington and Montana just to make sure to come here and to be part of history.

Many of them actually carried flags and they proudly held up their ink-stained fingers, saying that they were proud to vote for the very first time. Inside the polling site, an applause broke out as one woman actually cast her vote for the very first time this morning. Many say they took time off of work and traveled up to 17 hours just to have a chance to come to California and make their votes known.

And joining me now is Father Felix Shabi (ph).

And you just voted, sir. Can you talk to me a little bit about this what this moment is like for you?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, as you know, it's the first time for all the Iraqi people to vote. So it's my pleasure to be here today. And, as you just said, this is the only center that we have in all California. I'm coming from San Diego. But I am full of enthusiasm to vote for the first time in my life to test the democracy, the real democracy.

And I hope that our voting here outside of Iraq, it will help our people, our families, all Iraqis inside Iraq to live a better life, to live in democracy, and to live without any fear, and to taste the real democracy.

GUTIERREZ: Father Felix Shabi, thank you very much.

And, Kyra, that's pretty much what we've been hearing from most of the people who come here to this voting site. If you could take a look right behind me, you can see that security here is also very tight. People have to come through. Their cars are inspected. They have to show I.D. and they have to pass through metal detectors just to be able to come and vote -- Kyra, back to you.

PHILLIPS: All right, Thelma Gutierrez, live there from the polling station in El Toro, California, thanks so much -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: What a wonderful message that sends to people inside Iraq, being able to see that. That was really -- I don't know whose idea it was to allow the expats to vote, but it really is an incredible message.

PHILLIPS: You notice all the families coming to.

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: Almost everybody we've talked to, they bring their kids and their mom and their dad. It's...

O'BRIEN: Building a tradition right there on the spot, we hope.

Revisiting a sore spot for U.S. troops in Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SPC. THOMAS WILSON, U.S. ARMY: Why do we soldiers have to dig through local landfills for pieces of scrap metal and compromised ballistic glass to up-armor our vehicles and why don't we have those resources readily available to us?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Ah, yes, the question heard 'round the world. Remember that guy? Up next, we'll talk to a congressman from that soldier's state. we'll share his thoughts on the pending election and U.S. forces in the region.

PHILLIPS: Also, another day in court for attorneys representing the king of pop. The latest straight ahead in Michael Jackson's upcoming trial.

O'BRIEN: And don't look now, but Ronald McDonald may soon pay a visit to your kids' school. And he hopefully won't make the kids cry. We'll explain.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER UPDATE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: So, what is really at stake for the U.S. and Iraq with the outcome of the Iraqi elections? And why is Iran showing a lot of interest in all of this?

We get insight now from our senior political analyst, Bill Schneider.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST (voice-over): The Bush administration has a lot riding on Sunday's election in Iraq.

KENNETH POLLACK, CNN ANALYST: Their theory is that the Iraqis come to the polls in large numbers, they're going to elect a legitimate government that will basically undermine the underpinnings of the insurgency.

SCHNEIDER: There is one outcome the United States can never accept. It is exactly the outcome insurgents like Abu Musab Zarqawi want.

BRIG. GEN. ERV LESSEL, MULTINATIONAL FORCE: Last year he came out and said that one of his objectives was to create sectarian violence and create civil war.

SCHNEIDER: The Sunni Arabs are the biggest problem. They're the minority who used to rule Iraq. They face the prospect of losing power. If Sunnis won't vote, they won't get their fair share of seats that will draft a new constitution.

LAITH KUBBAH, NAT'L ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY: If we do not include that community in the process, we're simply handing in millions of people to the insurgency.

SCHNEIDER: A civil war could lead to the break up of Iraq and the total failure of U.S. policy. Neighboring Arab states like Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria will do whatever they can to keep Iraq intact and protect Sunni interests. Iran seems strangely committed to the electoral process in Iraq -- for a reason.

JON ALTERMAN, CTR. FOR STRATEGIC INT'L STUDIES: The Iranians want the election to go well because the Iranians think that everything is coming their way. Their friends, the Shia, in Iraq, are going to do well.

SCHNEIDER: A big victory by Shiite religious parties could create fear among many Iraqis of too much Iranian and radical Islamic influence. The election has to produce a government that can hold Iraq together. Iraqis are waiting to see if that can happen. So is the rest of the Middle East. POLLACK: Maybe this democracy idea isn't such a bad idea.

SCHNEIDER: And if they don't see it?

POLLACK: We'll see a lot of Arabs saying democracy is a terrible idea and we don't want here what they've got in Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well, the world spotlight is on Iraq just two days out from the country's historic election. One person who will be keeping an especially close watch on the vote is Congressman Harold Ford. Ford, a Democrat from Tennessee, will travel to Iraq and to Afghanistan after the election.

Congressman Ford, thanks for being with us.

Why are you going? What do you hope to accomplish?

REP. HAROLD FORD (D), TENNESSEE: First of all, thanks for having me.

I want to see what I think most Americans want to see and what you've talked about, an outcome that is legitimate, accepted by the Iraqi people and a government that is representative of Iraq and can write a constitution and draft a constitution that will not only stand for the moment but will be an enduring document, much like ours is.

PHILLIPS: As we continue to monitor the live picture there in Nashville of those that have been going to vote, have you had a chance to stop by and visit the tent, talk to any of the Iraqis there who are voting?

FORD: I have not. I'm in Memphis. They're in Nashville. I was there a week ago, as the voter registration was occurring.

But we hope the numbers are big. I think, in the long term, not only do we want a constitution drafted that is strong and, again, can withstand challenge and even turmoil within the country. We want to find ways in which to bring our troops home. And the only way we can do that is to have an election or to hope for an election that is legitimate, that is accepted by the Iraqi people.

And then, for the American forces, as General Luck has recommended, to shift our focus to training security and military forces to defend and protect that government. And then, hopefully, our troops can come home.

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: Yes. You talk about troops coming home, but let's talk about the troops there. We can't forget this video and this young man, Specialist Thomas Wilson of the 278th Regimental Combat Team, based out of Knoxville. And he challenged Donald Rumsfeld. And you will remember the famous quote that went all across the United States. We heard from him just moments ago asking Rumsfeld, why do we have to go into landfills and get scrap metal to protect ourselves on these Humvees?

Have you talked to this man? And when you go to Iraq, are you ready to hear what these men and women have to say to you? Because I have a feeling they're going to have a lot of complaints.

FORD: You know, I've been listening to reservists and active duty members all across my state. I took a trip two weeks ago to Fort Campbell, where the 101st Airborne, the Screaming Eagles, are, and traveled after that to our National Guard bases, our Air Force -- Air National Guard bases -- excuse me -- and talked with men and women who had just returned and men and women who were on their way.

Specialist Wilson exposed something that this administration didn't want to expose, that, No. 1, what they told us, what President Bush and Don Rumsfeld told the Congress, that these troops had the equipment and armor needed, was just not true. And Secretary Rumsfeld's answer only worsened the problem.

I can only hope now that steps are being taken to fix it. And I'll learn firsthand on the ground from those who are not preaching the good language here, but are actually living it. And I hope to see Specialist Wilson when we're there on the ground in a few weeks.

PHILLIPS: I know you're going to Afghanistan, too. And I want to ask you about Osama bin Laden. Have we forgotten about Osama bin Laden? Do we still care? And, also, how do you respond to critics that say, well, we don't want to capture Osama bin Laden, because then it doesn't justify aggressive action in that country fighting a war on terror? What do you think about that?

FORD: Well, I think that's asinine, the critic that -- any critic that would say something, it's just foolish. Naturally, we want to capture Osama bin Laden. And, frankly, we have failed. I say we as a nation have, although this administration's policies have created that. But we as a nation have.

I think, first and foremost, the elections in Iraq are probably the most important challenge we face over the next several weeks. And, actually, the election will occur in 48 hours. But how we help that nation respond afterwards I think will determine a long time how we're perceived in that region of the world.

As strong and as great a nation as we are, two things we must remember. No. 1, we're more misunderstood and disliked and unrespected around the globe than we've been in some time. And, two, we as Americans cannot just impose our will and our way on people as right as we may think we are. Democracies mean people can choose the governments they want and leaders they want, even if Americans don't approve of it.

Remember, a lot of people around the world were puzzled when we reelected George Bush. But guess what? We had every right to do it. And other nations around the globe have every right to elect whom they want to elect as well. What our job should be is to work with those nations, to work with those people to ensure that their democracy is open and fair and that freedom is indeed flourishing and allow the people to govern and lead themselves. And that's what we are going to have to do in Iraq.

PHILLIPS: Congressman Harold Ford Jr., I hope that you'll take pictures, possibly video, lots of notes.

FORD: Absolutely.

PHILLIPS: And I'm going to ask you now, you're going to come back and talk to us after this trip, right?

FORD: Every time CNN invites me, I come. So, absolutely.

(LAUGHTER) PHILLIPS: Well, this is a formal invitation. I hope you talk to Specialist Thomas Wilson, too. I'd love to hear what he has to say to you now.

FORD: I hope to talk to his family before I go over, too.

PHILLIPS: Outstanding. Thanks so much, Congressman.

FORD: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Well, ahead on INSIDE POLITICS, hear the compelling stories of three American soldiers who were wounded in Iraq and their thoughts on the upcoming election.

O'BRIEN: We're on the cusp of the Michael Jackson trial, an important pretrial hearing today, some big questions on the docket. Among them, will Michael Jackson's accuser testify? The judge has weighed in. And we'll have a report for you in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: All right.

As we said, an important day in the Michael Jackson case. As a matter of fact, jury selection for that trial begins on Monday. A lot of pretrial motions today, a series of them.

Miguel Marquez is in Santa Maria, has been watching it for us.

Give us the latest, Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, lots and lots of work to do, 30 different items on the docket today.

I'll get right to it. The judge just ruled that the accuser and his brother must testify in public in this case. He will not allow sketch artists on that day and said that he admonished the crowd to stay quiet during their testimony, but said they will, in fact, testify in public.

The plaintiff, the district attorney, had asked that they not be allowed to -- that they be allowed to testify behind closed doors and only their voices heard. There was also a ruling on the amount of material seized at Neverland Ranch. It was described as erotic by the defense, or by the prosecution. The defense attorney, Brian Oxman, described what the prosecution seized at Neverland as 17 books, 32 magazines, two DVDs of heterosexual pornography or adult material, two photographs of nude boys from 1993, four computers to which 70 employees at Neverland Ranch had access to, and 23 magazines from 1936 that they consider collector's items.

The upshot of all of this is that the judge said that stuff from '93 is out, will not be allowed in testimony, and the words that can be used to describe this, sexually explicit and adult material, are in. Out are erotic, obscene or pornographic -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Miguel Marquez, thank you very much -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, the polls in Iraq are scheduled to open 7:00 a.m. on Sunday. That's 7:00 a.m. local time, about 33 hours to go.

CNN's Nic Robertson is standing by live in north of the country in Sulaymaniyah. I hope I'm saying that right, Nic.

Give us a wrap on how things are.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, there was something of a carnival atmosphere. Although the street is quiet behind me, I can still hear cars driving around town, horns blaring, a lot of young men waving flags from the windows of vehicles, a lot of excitement here about the elections, a lot of people we're talking to saying they're going to go out and vote.

I talked with the interior minister here today. He said that they were expecting a large turnout. He said he was concerned about security, but he said that he was relying a lot on the Kurds here to keep an eye out for the potential of suicide bombers. Security here is generally very good. We've also heard that the main political parties here joining forces. They hope to get a very strong representation in Iraq's new parliament.

A lot of people we're talking to saying they're going to vote for a Kurdish candidate because they want a strong representation. They don't want any repetition of the abuses of Saddam Hussein's government against the Kurds. But the big worry for a lot of Kurds here is the weather. It's a mountainous area. If there's a heavy snowfall, they're afraid that Kurds won't be able to get out to the polls in big numbers. Therefore, their representation in the country would be down -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Nic Robertson, we'll check in with you throughout the weekend. Thank you so much.

O'BRIEN: That wraps up this Friday edition of LIVE FROM.

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Aired January 28, 2005 - 15:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Here is what is happening now in the news.
U.S. military forces on the scene of a helicopter crash in Baghdad, the second crash of a U.S. military chopper in Iraq in three days. The OH-58 Kiowa had two crew members on board. No word yet on their fate on or the cause of the crash. We'll keep you up to date.

The man police say caused that deadly train crash in Glendale, California, appears in a Los Angeles courtroom. Juan Alvarez's arraignment was delayed, however, until February 15, so he can undergo further medical evaluation. Police say Alvarez left his SUV on the tracks after an aborted suicide attempt, causing Wednesday's crash; 11 were killed, nearly 200 injured.

Palestinian security forces take up positions in the southern Gaza. It's all part of new measures being implemented by Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas to crack down on violence against Israelis. Israel praised the move and says, in return, it will limit operations in the West Bank and Gaza.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Across America and indeed around the world, Iraqi expatriates are already voting in that country's first free election in half-a-century. You're looking at pictures of a polling place in Nashville, Tennessee, live pictures right now. This half-hour, we're going to hear from Senator -- or Congressman Harold Ford of Tennessee, who plans to visit Iraq after's Sunday vote.

O'BRIEN: With Iraq's election nearing, it's been another deadly day for Americans. The military is now reporting five Americans killed in roadside bombings and shootings, all in the Baghdad area, at least three Americans wounded. Also today, Iraqi officials announced the arrest of three alleged terrorists, including a man described as the chief of operations in Baghdad for the terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

The officials say the arrests were made 11 days ago.

PHILLIPS: A virtual state of siege in effect for Iraq's trial in democracy. An extended curfew is now in place. Borders are sealed, and troops in the streets. An election official says the polling stations are up and ready to go, but insurgents are vowing again today to make voters pay with their lives.

We'll start our coverage in Baghdad with our chief international correspondent, CNN's Christiane Amanpour.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Iraq's election commission members display the voting boxes and show how people should cast their ballots in private, behind these booths. That's if they dare to show up.

With all this violence, Iraq looks more like it's preparing for war than elections, with people waiting in long lines to stockpile everything from fuel to bread.

"They're buying more, because they're afraid," says Ahmed (ph) the baker. "All the shops will be closed for three to four days."

A strict election lockdown is about to be enforced, so people are buying up basics, essential foods and water. It's happening at hospitals, too, with doctors preparing to spend the nights in their offices, preparing for possible widespread bloodshed.

(on camera): The roads are already virtually deserted ahead of the election lockdown to prevent suicide car bombers. But in some Baghdad neighborhoods, these anonymous leaflets are being dropped. They give -- quote -- "a final warning" to voters to stay away from the polls. They claim to have rockets, mortars and explosives ready for every polling station.

(voice-over): But, in some parts of Baghdad, you sense a spirit of defiance as the election draws near.

"This is important for all Iraqis for us to have democracy,' says this man. "We are not afraid of the dangers. We must vote." With two days to go before the vote, election workers and party political agents are coming out of hiding, hooting, honking and handing out leaflets, even though their colleagues have been threatened and killed during the election campaign. Newspapers have only just printed the names of all 7,000 candidates after weeks of official secrecy because of fears they would be assassinated. And so people now are eagerly digesting what amounts to a crash course in what to do at the voting booth.

"We support the election," says Hamid (ph). "This is the only way for our country to be stable."

"Iraqis need some strong medicine to cure the violence and chaos that have plagued them since the war," says Sheik Saad al Ubadi (ph). "Since when do we live like this?" he said. We're the richest oil country. We need to vote for someone to represent this country and to protect its people.

Christiane Amanpour, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: One of the main opponents of the Iraq war is expressing support for the election. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko says the vote could help restore true sovereignty in Iraq. And he promised Moscow will respect the results. On the other hand, Yakovenko warned that -- and we quote him now -- "unprecedented violence could disrupt the process and voter turnout." Yesterday, Russia said it wouldn't send any election monitors to Iraq because of security concerns.

PHILLIPS: With hope and sometimes tears, Iraqi immigrants in the U.S. are looking homeward. They're traveling to five cities to vote in Iraq's elections.

CNN's Thelma Gutierrez is at the former El Toro Marine base in Southern California. She joins us live.

How is turnout since we last talked, Thelma?

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, I can tell you, it's picking up just a little bit. We've seen small groups of people, an entire family, several generations of people, come in all morning long. We're expecting about 3,900 people who have actually registered at this site who will come back to this site and actually vote through the weekend.

Now, it's the only polling spot on whole the West Coast. And we've talked to folks who are coming from as far away as Oregon and Washington and Montana just to make sure to come here and to be part of history.

Many of them actually carried flags and they proudly held up their ink-stained fingers, saying that they were proud to vote for the very first time. Inside the polling site, an applause broke out as one woman actually cast her vote for the very first time this morning. Many say they took time off of work and traveled up to 17 hours just to have a chance to come to California and make their votes known.

And joining me now is Father Felix Shabi (ph).

And you just voted, sir. Can you talk to me a little bit about this what this moment is like for you?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, as you know, it's the first time for all the Iraqi people to vote. So it's my pleasure to be here today. And, as you just said, this is the only center that we have in all California. I'm coming from San Diego. But I am full of enthusiasm to vote for the first time in my life to test the democracy, the real democracy.

And I hope that our voting here outside of Iraq, it will help our people, our families, all Iraqis inside Iraq to live a better life, to live in democracy, and to live without any fear, and to taste the real democracy.

GUTIERREZ: Father Felix Shabi, thank you very much.

And, Kyra, that's pretty much what we've been hearing from most of the people who come here to this voting site. If you could take a look right behind me, you can see that security here is also very tight. People have to come through. Their cars are inspected. They have to show I.D. and they have to pass through metal detectors just to be able to come and vote -- Kyra, back to you.

PHILLIPS: All right, Thelma Gutierrez, live there from the polling station in El Toro, California, thanks so much -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: What a wonderful message that sends to people inside Iraq, being able to see that. That was really -- I don't know whose idea it was to allow the expats to vote, but it really is an incredible message.

PHILLIPS: You notice all the families coming to.

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: Almost everybody we've talked to, they bring their kids and their mom and their dad. It's...

O'BRIEN: Building a tradition right there on the spot, we hope.

Revisiting a sore spot for U.S. troops in Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SPC. THOMAS WILSON, U.S. ARMY: Why do we soldiers have to dig through local landfills for pieces of scrap metal and compromised ballistic glass to up-armor our vehicles and why don't we have those resources readily available to us?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Ah, yes, the question heard 'round the world. Remember that guy? Up next, we'll talk to a congressman from that soldier's state. we'll share his thoughts on the pending election and U.S. forces in the region.

PHILLIPS: Also, another day in court for attorneys representing the king of pop. The latest straight ahead in Michael Jackson's upcoming trial.

O'BRIEN: And don't look now, but Ronald McDonald may soon pay a visit to your kids' school. And he hopefully won't make the kids cry. We'll explain.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER UPDATE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: So, what is really at stake for the U.S. and Iraq with the outcome of the Iraqi elections? And why is Iran showing a lot of interest in all of this?

We get insight now from our senior political analyst, Bill Schneider.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST (voice-over): The Bush administration has a lot riding on Sunday's election in Iraq.

KENNETH POLLACK, CNN ANALYST: Their theory is that the Iraqis come to the polls in large numbers, they're going to elect a legitimate government that will basically undermine the underpinnings of the insurgency.

SCHNEIDER: There is one outcome the United States can never accept. It is exactly the outcome insurgents like Abu Musab Zarqawi want.

BRIG. GEN. ERV LESSEL, MULTINATIONAL FORCE: Last year he came out and said that one of his objectives was to create sectarian violence and create civil war.

SCHNEIDER: The Sunni Arabs are the biggest problem. They're the minority who used to rule Iraq. They face the prospect of losing power. If Sunnis won't vote, they won't get their fair share of seats that will draft a new constitution.

LAITH KUBBAH, NAT'L ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY: If we do not include that community in the process, we're simply handing in millions of people to the insurgency.

SCHNEIDER: A civil war could lead to the break up of Iraq and the total failure of U.S. policy. Neighboring Arab states like Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria will do whatever they can to keep Iraq intact and protect Sunni interests. Iran seems strangely committed to the electoral process in Iraq -- for a reason.

JON ALTERMAN, CTR. FOR STRATEGIC INT'L STUDIES: The Iranians want the election to go well because the Iranians think that everything is coming their way. Their friends, the Shia, in Iraq, are going to do well.

SCHNEIDER: A big victory by Shiite religious parties could create fear among many Iraqis of too much Iranian and radical Islamic influence. The election has to produce a government that can hold Iraq together. Iraqis are waiting to see if that can happen. So is the rest of the Middle East. POLLACK: Maybe this democracy idea isn't such a bad idea.

SCHNEIDER: And if they don't see it?

POLLACK: We'll see a lot of Arabs saying democracy is a terrible idea and we don't want here what they've got in Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well, the world spotlight is on Iraq just two days out from the country's historic election. One person who will be keeping an especially close watch on the vote is Congressman Harold Ford. Ford, a Democrat from Tennessee, will travel to Iraq and to Afghanistan after the election.

Congressman Ford, thanks for being with us.

Why are you going? What do you hope to accomplish?

REP. HAROLD FORD (D), TENNESSEE: First of all, thanks for having me.

I want to see what I think most Americans want to see and what you've talked about, an outcome that is legitimate, accepted by the Iraqi people and a government that is representative of Iraq and can write a constitution and draft a constitution that will not only stand for the moment but will be an enduring document, much like ours is.

PHILLIPS: As we continue to monitor the live picture there in Nashville of those that have been going to vote, have you had a chance to stop by and visit the tent, talk to any of the Iraqis there who are voting?

FORD: I have not. I'm in Memphis. They're in Nashville. I was there a week ago, as the voter registration was occurring.

But we hope the numbers are big. I think, in the long term, not only do we want a constitution drafted that is strong and, again, can withstand challenge and even turmoil within the country. We want to find ways in which to bring our troops home. And the only way we can do that is to have an election or to hope for an election that is legitimate, that is accepted by the Iraqi people.

And then, for the American forces, as General Luck has recommended, to shift our focus to training security and military forces to defend and protect that government. And then, hopefully, our troops can come home.

(CROSSTALK)

PHILLIPS: Yes. You talk about troops coming home, but let's talk about the troops there. We can't forget this video and this young man, Specialist Thomas Wilson of the 278th Regimental Combat Team, based out of Knoxville. And he challenged Donald Rumsfeld. And you will remember the famous quote that went all across the United States. We heard from him just moments ago asking Rumsfeld, why do we have to go into landfills and get scrap metal to protect ourselves on these Humvees?

Have you talked to this man? And when you go to Iraq, are you ready to hear what these men and women have to say to you? Because I have a feeling they're going to have a lot of complaints.

FORD: You know, I've been listening to reservists and active duty members all across my state. I took a trip two weeks ago to Fort Campbell, where the 101st Airborne, the Screaming Eagles, are, and traveled after that to our National Guard bases, our Air Force -- Air National Guard bases -- excuse me -- and talked with men and women who had just returned and men and women who were on their way.

Specialist Wilson exposed something that this administration didn't want to expose, that, No. 1, what they told us, what President Bush and Don Rumsfeld told the Congress, that these troops had the equipment and armor needed, was just not true. And Secretary Rumsfeld's answer only worsened the problem.

I can only hope now that steps are being taken to fix it. And I'll learn firsthand on the ground from those who are not preaching the good language here, but are actually living it. And I hope to see Specialist Wilson when we're there on the ground in a few weeks.

PHILLIPS: I know you're going to Afghanistan, too. And I want to ask you about Osama bin Laden. Have we forgotten about Osama bin Laden? Do we still care? And, also, how do you respond to critics that say, well, we don't want to capture Osama bin Laden, because then it doesn't justify aggressive action in that country fighting a war on terror? What do you think about that?

FORD: Well, I think that's asinine, the critic that -- any critic that would say something, it's just foolish. Naturally, we want to capture Osama bin Laden. And, frankly, we have failed. I say we as a nation have, although this administration's policies have created that. But we as a nation have.

I think, first and foremost, the elections in Iraq are probably the most important challenge we face over the next several weeks. And, actually, the election will occur in 48 hours. But how we help that nation respond afterwards I think will determine a long time how we're perceived in that region of the world.

As strong and as great a nation as we are, two things we must remember. No. 1, we're more misunderstood and disliked and unrespected around the globe than we've been in some time. And, two, we as Americans cannot just impose our will and our way on people as right as we may think we are. Democracies mean people can choose the governments they want and leaders they want, even if Americans don't approve of it.

Remember, a lot of people around the world were puzzled when we reelected George Bush. But guess what? We had every right to do it. And other nations around the globe have every right to elect whom they want to elect as well. What our job should be is to work with those nations, to work with those people to ensure that their democracy is open and fair and that freedom is indeed flourishing and allow the people to govern and lead themselves. And that's what we are going to have to do in Iraq.

PHILLIPS: Congressman Harold Ford Jr., I hope that you'll take pictures, possibly video, lots of notes.

FORD: Absolutely.

PHILLIPS: And I'm going to ask you now, you're going to come back and talk to us after this trip, right?

FORD: Every time CNN invites me, I come. So, absolutely.

(LAUGHTER) PHILLIPS: Well, this is a formal invitation. I hope you talk to Specialist Thomas Wilson, too. I'd love to hear what he has to say to you now.

FORD: I hope to talk to his family before I go over, too.

PHILLIPS: Outstanding. Thanks so much, Congressman.

FORD: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Well, ahead on INSIDE POLITICS, hear the compelling stories of three American soldiers who were wounded in Iraq and their thoughts on the upcoming election.

O'BRIEN: We're on the cusp of the Michael Jackson trial, an important pretrial hearing today, some big questions on the docket. Among them, will Michael Jackson's accuser testify? The judge has weighed in. And we'll have a report for you in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: All right.

As we said, an important day in the Michael Jackson case. As a matter of fact, jury selection for that trial begins on Monday. A lot of pretrial motions today, a series of them.

Miguel Marquez is in Santa Maria, has been watching it for us.

Give us the latest, Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, lots and lots of work to do, 30 different items on the docket today.

I'll get right to it. The judge just ruled that the accuser and his brother must testify in public in this case. He will not allow sketch artists on that day and said that he admonished the crowd to stay quiet during their testimony, but said they will, in fact, testify in public.

The plaintiff, the district attorney, had asked that they not be allowed to -- that they be allowed to testify behind closed doors and only their voices heard. There was also a ruling on the amount of material seized at Neverland Ranch. It was described as erotic by the defense, or by the prosecution. The defense attorney, Brian Oxman, described what the prosecution seized at Neverland as 17 books, 32 magazines, two DVDs of heterosexual pornography or adult material, two photographs of nude boys from 1993, four computers to which 70 employees at Neverland Ranch had access to, and 23 magazines from 1936 that they consider collector's items.

The upshot of all of this is that the judge said that stuff from '93 is out, will not be allowed in testimony, and the words that can be used to describe this, sexually explicit and adult material, are in. Out are erotic, obscene or pornographic -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Miguel Marquez, thank you very much -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, the polls in Iraq are scheduled to open 7:00 a.m. on Sunday. That's 7:00 a.m. local time, about 33 hours to go.

CNN's Nic Robertson is standing by live in north of the country in Sulaymaniyah. I hope I'm saying that right, Nic.

Give us a wrap on how things are.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, there was something of a carnival atmosphere. Although the street is quiet behind me, I can still hear cars driving around town, horns blaring, a lot of young men waving flags from the windows of vehicles, a lot of excitement here about the elections, a lot of people we're talking to saying they're going to go out and vote.

I talked with the interior minister here today. He said that they were expecting a large turnout. He said he was concerned about security, but he said that he was relying a lot on the Kurds here to keep an eye out for the potential of suicide bombers. Security here is generally very good. We've also heard that the main political parties here joining forces. They hope to get a very strong representation in Iraq's new parliament.

A lot of people we're talking to saying they're going to vote for a Kurdish candidate because they want a strong representation. They don't want any repetition of the abuses of Saddam Hussein's government against the Kurds. But the big worry for a lot of Kurds here is the weather. It's a mountainous area. If there's a heavy snowfall, they're afraid that Kurds won't be able to get out to the polls in big numbers. Therefore, their representation in the country would be down -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Nic Robertson, we'll check in with you throughout the weekend. Thank you so much.

O'BRIEN: That wraps up this Friday edition of LIVE FROM.

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