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Ailing U.S. Chief Justice Hearing Arguments Today; President Bush Speaks in Tucson, Arizona

Aired March 21, 2005 - 13:30   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: President Bush out west right now making another major push for his Social Security reform plan. Minutes from now he's set to speak to a crowd at the Tucson Convention Center in Arizona. We're going to take you there live as soon as the president begins speaking, about 1:45 Eastern Time.
At least six people have been injured in an industrial fire and explosion at a steel plant in Dearborn, Michigan. Officials say that the spilling molten steel set off the fire at that complex, once owned by the Ford Motor Company. It's now owned by a Russian steel company.

Michael Jackson back in court, but apparently not feeling well. Arriving a few minutes late, Jackson walked slowly to the courthouse in Santa Maria, California, just a couple of hours ago. After a delay, Jackson was listening to testimony as the trial continued.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: It is back to work for William Rehnquist, the ailing chief justice of the United States is back on the bench for the first time since undergoing surgery for thyroid cancer.

CNN's Kathleen Koch is live at the Supreme Court with details.

Hi, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Tony.

It was very much business as usual for the 80-year-old chief justice, though this was, indeed, the first time since his thyroid cancer was revealed back in October, first time he has rejoined his colleagues on the court this morning. He left his home, the Associated Press snapped a photo. Hopefully, we're showing you that.

But the justice in court. When he stepped from behind the burgundy curtain with the other justices, he walked under his own power. He did not use the cane that is visible in the AP photo. But in the courtroom, though, we did not see the cane. Now, in the courtroom itself, the justice was very intently paying attention to all the arguments. He asked several questions, at least in the first hour during which CNN observed his participation.

He sat up in the leather chair. Again, sometimes taking notes, sometimes leaning back. At one point, at least during the first hour of arguments, he did get up and briefly leave the courtroom, but that is not unusual, because he's also had for quite some time problems with severe back pain. So it's not unusual for him to leave for a moment or two and stretch his back and then return.

Before the Supreme Court justices began hearing oral arguments this morning, they did issue a number of rulings, a number of orders, and one of those was that they declined to take on the appeal of Zacarias Moussaoui. He's the only person in the U.S., suspect who is charged at this point in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. And what Moussaoui had been requesting was for the judges to look over the U.S. government's -- their case that Moussaoui could not question three detainees, three al Qaeda detainees, who he believed could clear him. He and his attorneys wanted access to them.

However, the U.S. government, and ten a lower cost ruling that agreed with them, said that, no, he couldn't have access to those al Qaeda detainees. What he could have were only government summaries. So the Supreme Court said those summaries will be what he will have to deal with. The Justice Department did have a reaction to that this morning.

Spokesman Bryan Sierra saying, quote, "We are pleased with today's action by the U.S. Supreme Court which once again affirms our belief the government can provide Zacarias Moussaoui with a fair trial, while still protecting national security interests."

Now this case now goes back to the trial court in Alexandria, Virginia, where a trial could take place as soon as September -- Tony.

HARRIS: Hey, Kathleen, quick question -- will the appearance of a chief justice today, will that sort of, I guess,allay some of the concerns about his health?

KOCH: I think one appearance will certainly not dispel all of the concerns about his health though he did appear to be fairly strong today. His voice really neither weak nor as powerful as it normally would be. He did have several instances where he had to clear his throat. Again, in the AP photo, you can see him using the cane outside the court to help him move around.

And also at the end of two hours of oral arguments, we are told the Supreme Court chief justice did need help in getting up out of his seat, that Justice Stevens helped him get up and then helped him leave the courtroom. So he is still a man certainly not in fine health, not in completely good health, though this may certainly be a condition that his condition has stabilize -- Tony.

HARRIS: And an encouraging sign that he is back on the job.

Kathleen, we appreciate. Thank you.

KOCH: Thank you.

HARRIS: Big changes could be in store for the United Nations. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is proposing the boldest changes to the world body in its 60-year history. In a speech before the U.N. General Assembly today, Annan called for expanding the 15-member U.N. Security Council, restructuring the human rights commission and strengthening the authority of the U.N.'s internal watchdog. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: In a world of interconnectedness and opportunities, it is in each country's self- interest that all of these challenges are addressed effectively. The course of larger freedom can only be advanced if nations work together, and the United Nations can only help if it is remolded as an effective instrument of their common purpose.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Annan is calling for the adoption of the reform package in September. Now that could be difficult. Some leaders are questioning whether the proposal is timed just before a report is due out on the U.N.'s handling of the Iraqi Oil-for-Food program.

PHILLIPS: The latest fighting in Iraq has left 26 insurgents dead in a firefight with the Kentucky National Guard. The military says a convoy was ambushed by 40 to 50 suspected foreign fighters about 20 miles southeast of Baghdad. The insurgent death toll is the highest since the battle for Falluja just four months ago.

Near Iraq's border with Syria, a U.S. Marine unit is facing the same type of deadly threats from insurgents, tribal gangs and criminals.

CNN's Jane Arraf is with the troops, who say the enemy is becoming more elusive.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This ritual marks the end of the day at this Marine base at the western edge of Iraq. But Marines say the battle here is like fighting ghosts. And night or day doesn't matter.

This room is the nerve center of the battle. On this night, reports are coming in that insurgents in the city are massing for an attack on the base.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Normally what happens when this happens, it's a pretty decent attack. You get mortars, rockets, small-arms fire somewhere.

ARRAF: The base adjoins the city of Huseba (ph) on the Syrian border. A city run by criminal gangs, insurgents, and foreign fighters. The Marines don't go in there unless they have to.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How about see if you guys can fire on there.

ARRAF: On this night, the information comes from phone calls from local residents who say they're seeing masked armed men gathering.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're getting word from a couple sources that they are gathering. ARRAF: They've received 16 calls, as company commander Frank Diorio.

CPT. FRANK DIORIO, U.S. MARINE CORPS: Very rarely do we have this kind of information that's coordinated and from different sources all at once. Normally, we expect to get attacked every day, but not with this much coordination. So it's just better to preempt it.

ARRAF: The Marines have snipers and mortar men in position. There are tanks, if needed, and air support. They still haven't seen a single insurgent.

DIORIO: What do you have south of your position right now that you're concerned about?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have three units.

ARRAF (on camera): There are no tanks rolling through the desert, no fighting in the trenches. This is what the war in Iraq has become, fighting an elusive enemy on shifting ground.

(voice-over): It's like playing chess, Diorio says.

DIORIO: I can either break it up before it happens, or I can let it happen. If we break it up today, it's going to happen another time.

ARRAF: They decide to call in harrier jets to fly over the city and to launch mortars in a show of force.

Corporal Marlin Garcia (ph) gets the word. They load the mortars.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're going to fire nine rounds (INAUDIBLE) total. You're going to go?

ARRAF: In the command operations center, Lieutenant Michael Hod (ph) calls in a grid. Garcia and the mortar team begin firing. Next to them, it's almost deafening. Inside, it's just a dull thud. The target was an empty field where mortars have been launched at the base before. The Marines don't want to be drawn into firing into the crowded city. After the mortars and the flyover, the city is quiet. The insurgents, it seems, have vanished, perhaps waiting to fight another day.

Jane Arraf, CNN, Huseba (ph), Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: And be sure to catch a special edition of "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS" today, live from the Middle East. Two years after the invasion of Iraq, when might U.S. troops leave? That's today at 5:00 Eastern.

Other news around the world now, in the Middle East, Palestinians condemn an Israeli plan to build 3,500 new housing units in the West Bank. That comes amid Israeli reports on a possible agreement of turning over control of the West Bank town Tukorum (ph) to Palestinian control.

A veiled warning for North Korea. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hints about international sanctions if North Korea's nuclear program continues. Traveling in China, Rice also criticized the Chinese government for new threats against Taiwan, and for limiting religious freedom.

Afghanistan announcing its first parliamentary elections in the post-Taliban era. It's set for September 18th, and that word comes as Afghans celebrate their new year's day, which also marks the end of winter.

HARRIS: Terri Schiavo -- is the congressional bill to help save Terri Schiavo's life even constitutional? And what precedents could it be setting? I'll put those questions to a constitutional law professor. That's next.

Plus what's hot on CNN.com? We'll check in with our online correspondent a little later.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: We can't stop talking about this.

PHILLIPS: That's true.

HARRIS: We can not stop talking about this case. Two hours and counting until a U.S. district court in Tampa takes up the Terri Schiavo case. At 3:00 Eastern, the judge will consider a request to reinsert Schiavo's feeding tube. The case has bounced from state court to Congress to federal court.

Joining us to talk about the jurisdictional battle and possible precedent this could set is criminal defense attorney David Oblon.

DAVID OBLON, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTY.: Good afternoon. This is an odd day, isn't it?

HARRIS: It does feel like an odd day. And let me start by as clearly as we can, David, what is the constitutional issue on the table here that we're considering.

OBLON: Well, the main constitutional issue is one of federalism -- who controls these family law the state government? Is it the federal government, or is it the state government? And obviously, it's the state government. This is a remarkable act of Congress, to change years and centuries of procedure.

HARRIS: But federalism, federalism. All right, I understand all that, but break it down, David. Isn't this about, who speaks for Terri?

OBLON: Yes, once you determine that question, who speaks for Terri, then all the other constitutional issues just fall into place. In the state court, it was obviously Terri's husband who was speaking for her. That was determined in court. And now the result was one that was -- that was not pleasant for the parents, and so they brought the case into the federal arena and into Congress, and now Congress says, well, let's do a do-over.

HARRIS: David, hang on just a second. Don't go anywhere. We're going to take you out to Tucson, Arizona, where President Bush is there to talk about Social Security, but we expect him to make comments on the Schiavo matter.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRES. OF THE UNITED STATES: This is a case with serious issues. But an extraordinary circumstances like this, it is wise to always err on the side of life.

(APPLAUSE)

I appreciate the work of the Senate...

HARRIS: Oh, did we just lose the president? We just lost him. OK, let's go back to David Oblon. All right, we've got the president back up again.

Let's listen in.

BUSH: I appreciate the strong support of Senator McCain, Senator Kyle, members of the congressional delegation, for understanding that everyone desires to be free, that deep in everybody's soul is the desire to live in a free society. And they also understand that free societies are peaceful societies. And that if you're interested in a peaceful world, which we're interested in for our children and our grandchildren, the best thing to do is to spread freedom, which is precisely what is taking place. I want to assure you that over the next four years, we will work with our friends and allies to encourage those who live under tyranny to be bold and confident and to follow their hearts. We'll work with friends and allies to make the world a more peaceful place, by spreading freedom.

And freedom is on the march. Just think about what has happened in Afghanistan, for example. Millions went to the polls after they were shackled by the Taliban. We acted in our own self-interest. We upheld the doctrine that said if you harbor a terrorist, you're equally as guilty as a terrorist. As a result of our action and self- defense, in defending America, millions of people in Afghanistan are now free. The first voter in the election was a woman.

(APPLAUSE)

The Ukraine had elections. There will be a Palestinian state, a democracy living side by side with our close friend and ally, Israel, which will lead the peace.

And then in Iraq, millions went to the polls in spite of the terrorists, in spite of the threats. You know why? People long to be free and if just given the chance, they'll take the risk necessary to be free.

(APPLAUSE)

These are exciting times. These are exciting times, and I appreciate so very much working with people in the United States Congress who understand the deep desire for all souls, regardless of religion or where they live, to realize the greatest gift the Almighty can provide, and that is freedom to each man and woman in this world.

(APPLAUSE)

I got one other issue I want to talk about, I appreciate the fact that our economy is growing. We've got, I think, about a 4 percent unemployment rate here in the great state of Arizona. That's a good sign. People are working. Today more people are working in America than ever before in our nation's history, and I want to thank the entrepreneurs who are here, and the small business owners, and the dreamers and doers and job creators.

(APPLAUSE)

But like you, I'm concerned about our energy crisis. I'm concerned about the fact that we're -- people are seeing more -- paying more at the pump. And so I urge the Congress to stop debating and get an energy bill to my desk. We need an energy bill that encourages more conservation, an energy bill that works on renewable sources of energy, an energy bill that modernizes electricity grid, an energy bill that allows for environmentally safe exploration for natural energy gas in our own homeland. We do not need an energy bill that provides tax breaks for oil companies.

We need an energy bill that is a -- that represents a broad strategy, to encourage better use of energy and to find more energy so we become less dependent on foreign sources of energy.

(APPLAUSE)

Now, let me talk about Social Security. First of all, right off the bat, I want to tell you one of my predecessors did a smart thing. Franklin D. Roosevelt did a good thing in creating the Social Security system. The system has provided a safety net for millions of seniors. I want you to hear, and you'll hear it more than one time if you're a person now receiving a Social Security check -- nothing will change for you. This United States government will keep our promise to people who have retired or near retirement. Nothing's going to change. I don't care what the flyers say. I don't care what the ads say. I don't care what the political rhetoric says. If you're getting a check, nobody is going to change the system for you. And that's important for you to hear.

Listen, I can understand people being nervous about a Social Security dialogue. Sometimes that just means, because Bush and McCain and others are talking about it, that means somebody is going to take my check away. It's just not going to happen. The system, the safety net is in good shape for people born prior to 1950. There are holes in the safety net, however, for a generation of Americans coming up, and I'll explain to you why. The math has changed.

HARRIS: President Bush in Tucson, Arizona, to talk about Social Security, what he's talking about right now. But he also took a moment to talk about the ongoing drama in the Terri Schiavo case.

Let's bring in White House correspondent Dana Bash. And Dana, when talking about Terri Schiavo's case, he says, in cases as complex as this, such a human drama, err on the side of life. That's consistent with what we've heard from him so far, isn't it?

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: It is. But really, what is significant right now, Tony, is that, even though Congress has been making a series of extraordinary moves since last week, and even though the president did actually sign this bill in the wee hours of the morning, this is the first time since all of this has really been at such a fevered pitch in Washington that we've heard from the president himself. He spoke here. He was here in Arizona talking about Social Security, but since he signed this, since he made his views known through his actions, today we just heard him in words.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: A couple issues I do want to talk about. Democrats and Republicans in Congress came together last night to give Terri Schiavo's parents another opportunity to save their daughter's life. This is a complex case with serious issues. But in extraordinary circumstances like this, it is wise to always err on the side of life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: So there we hear the president talking about the fact that he signed this last night -- actually, early this morning. And very quickly, we are told the president did so at 1:11 in the morning. He was sleeping, waken up by a White House operator to say that this was actually passed. He opened the door to his bedroom, signed the bill, and went back to sleep -- Tony.

HARRIS: Dana Bash, traveling with the president in Tucson, Arizona, today. Dana, thank you. More LIVE FROM when we come right back.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired March 21, 2005 - 13:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush out west right now making another major push for his Social Security reform plan. Minutes from now he's set to speak to a crowd at the Tucson Convention Center in Arizona. We're going to take you there live as soon as the president begins speaking, about 1:45 Eastern Time.
At least six people have been injured in an industrial fire and explosion at a steel plant in Dearborn, Michigan. Officials say that the spilling molten steel set off the fire at that complex, once owned by the Ford Motor Company. It's now owned by a Russian steel company.

Michael Jackson back in court, but apparently not feeling well. Arriving a few minutes late, Jackson walked slowly to the courthouse in Santa Maria, California, just a couple of hours ago. After a delay, Jackson was listening to testimony as the trial continued.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: It is back to work for William Rehnquist, the ailing chief justice of the United States is back on the bench for the first time since undergoing surgery for thyroid cancer.

CNN's Kathleen Koch is live at the Supreme Court with details.

Hi, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Tony.

It was very much business as usual for the 80-year-old chief justice, though this was, indeed, the first time since his thyroid cancer was revealed back in October, first time he has rejoined his colleagues on the court this morning. He left his home, the Associated Press snapped a photo. Hopefully, we're showing you that.

But the justice in court. When he stepped from behind the burgundy curtain with the other justices, he walked under his own power. He did not use the cane that is visible in the AP photo. But in the courtroom, though, we did not see the cane. Now, in the courtroom itself, the justice was very intently paying attention to all the arguments. He asked several questions, at least in the first hour during which CNN observed his participation.

He sat up in the leather chair. Again, sometimes taking notes, sometimes leaning back. At one point, at least during the first hour of arguments, he did get up and briefly leave the courtroom, but that is not unusual, because he's also had for quite some time problems with severe back pain. So it's not unusual for him to leave for a moment or two and stretch his back and then return.

Before the Supreme Court justices began hearing oral arguments this morning, they did issue a number of rulings, a number of orders, and one of those was that they declined to take on the appeal of Zacarias Moussaoui. He's the only person in the U.S., suspect who is charged at this point in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. And what Moussaoui had been requesting was for the judges to look over the U.S. government's -- their case that Moussaoui could not question three detainees, three al Qaeda detainees, who he believed could clear him. He and his attorneys wanted access to them.

However, the U.S. government, and ten a lower cost ruling that agreed with them, said that, no, he couldn't have access to those al Qaeda detainees. What he could have were only government summaries. So the Supreme Court said those summaries will be what he will have to deal with. The Justice Department did have a reaction to that this morning.

Spokesman Bryan Sierra saying, quote, "We are pleased with today's action by the U.S. Supreme Court which once again affirms our belief the government can provide Zacarias Moussaoui with a fair trial, while still protecting national security interests."

Now this case now goes back to the trial court in Alexandria, Virginia, where a trial could take place as soon as September -- Tony.

HARRIS: Hey, Kathleen, quick question -- will the appearance of a chief justice today, will that sort of, I guess,allay some of the concerns about his health?

KOCH: I think one appearance will certainly not dispel all of the concerns about his health though he did appear to be fairly strong today. His voice really neither weak nor as powerful as it normally would be. He did have several instances where he had to clear his throat. Again, in the AP photo, you can see him using the cane outside the court to help him move around.

And also at the end of two hours of oral arguments, we are told the Supreme Court chief justice did need help in getting up out of his seat, that Justice Stevens helped him get up and then helped him leave the courtroom. So he is still a man certainly not in fine health, not in completely good health, though this may certainly be a condition that his condition has stabilize -- Tony.

HARRIS: And an encouraging sign that he is back on the job.

Kathleen, we appreciate. Thank you.

KOCH: Thank you.

HARRIS: Big changes could be in store for the United Nations. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is proposing the boldest changes to the world body in its 60-year history. In a speech before the U.N. General Assembly today, Annan called for expanding the 15-member U.N. Security Council, restructuring the human rights commission and strengthening the authority of the U.N.'s internal watchdog. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: In a world of interconnectedness and opportunities, it is in each country's self- interest that all of these challenges are addressed effectively. The course of larger freedom can only be advanced if nations work together, and the United Nations can only help if it is remolded as an effective instrument of their common purpose.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Annan is calling for the adoption of the reform package in September. Now that could be difficult. Some leaders are questioning whether the proposal is timed just before a report is due out on the U.N.'s handling of the Iraqi Oil-for-Food program.

PHILLIPS: The latest fighting in Iraq has left 26 insurgents dead in a firefight with the Kentucky National Guard. The military says a convoy was ambushed by 40 to 50 suspected foreign fighters about 20 miles southeast of Baghdad. The insurgent death toll is the highest since the battle for Falluja just four months ago.

Near Iraq's border with Syria, a U.S. Marine unit is facing the same type of deadly threats from insurgents, tribal gangs and criminals.

CNN's Jane Arraf is with the troops, who say the enemy is becoming more elusive.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This ritual marks the end of the day at this Marine base at the western edge of Iraq. But Marines say the battle here is like fighting ghosts. And night or day doesn't matter.

This room is the nerve center of the battle. On this night, reports are coming in that insurgents in the city are massing for an attack on the base.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Normally what happens when this happens, it's a pretty decent attack. You get mortars, rockets, small-arms fire somewhere.

ARRAF: The base adjoins the city of Huseba (ph) on the Syrian border. A city run by criminal gangs, insurgents, and foreign fighters. The Marines don't go in there unless they have to.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How about see if you guys can fire on there.

ARRAF: On this night, the information comes from phone calls from local residents who say they're seeing masked armed men gathering.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're getting word from a couple sources that they are gathering. ARRAF: They've received 16 calls, as company commander Frank Diorio.

CPT. FRANK DIORIO, U.S. MARINE CORPS: Very rarely do we have this kind of information that's coordinated and from different sources all at once. Normally, we expect to get attacked every day, but not with this much coordination. So it's just better to preempt it.

ARRAF: The Marines have snipers and mortar men in position. There are tanks, if needed, and air support. They still haven't seen a single insurgent.

DIORIO: What do you have south of your position right now that you're concerned about?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have three units.

ARRAF (on camera): There are no tanks rolling through the desert, no fighting in the trenches. This is what the war in Iraq has become, fighting an elusive enemy on shifting ground.

(voice-over): It's like playing chess, Diorio says.

DIORIO: I can either break it up before it happens, or I can let it happen. If we break it up today, it's going to happen another time.

ARRAF: They decide to call in harrier jets to fly over the city and to launch mortars in a show of force.

Corporal Marlin Garcia (ph) gets the word. They load the mortars.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're going to fire nine rounds (INAUDIBLE) total. You're going to go?

ARRAF: In the command operations center, Lieutenant Michael Hod (ph) calls in a grid. Garcia and the mortar team begin firing. Next to them, it's almost deafening. Inside, it's just a dull thud. The target was an empty field where mortars have been launched at the base before. The Marines don't want to be drawn into firing into the crowded city. After the mortars and the flyover, the city is quiet. The insurgents, it seems, have vanished, perhaps waiting to fight another day.

Jane Arraf, CNN, Huseba (ph), Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: And be sure to catch a special edition of "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS" today, live from the Middle East. Two years after the invasion of Iraq, when might U.S. troops leave? That's today at 5:00 Eastern.

Other news around the world now, in the Middle East, Palestinians condemn an Israeli plan to build 3,500 new housing units in the West Bank. That comes amid Israeli reports on a possible agreement of turning over control of the West Bank town Tukorum (ph) to Palestinian control.

A veiled warning for North Korea. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hints about international sanctions if North Korea's nuclear program continues. Traveling in China, Rice also criticized the Chinese government for new threats against Taiwan, and for limiting religious freedom.

Afghanistan announcing its first parliamentary elections in the post-Taliban era. It's set for September 18th, and that word comes as Afghans celebrate their new year's day, which also marks the end of winter.

HARRIS: Terri Schiavo -- is the congressional bill to help save Terri Schiavo's life even constitutional? And what precedents could it be setting? I'll put those questions to a constitutional law professor. That's next.

Plus what's hot on CNN.com? We'll check in with our online correspondent a little later.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: We can't stop talking about this.

PHILLIPS: That's true.

HARRIS: We can not stop talking about this case. Two hours and counting until a U.S. district court in Tampa takes up the Terri Schiavo case. At 3:00 Eastern, the judge will consider a request to reinsert Schiavo's feeding tube. The case has bounced from state court to Congress to federal court.

Joining us to talk about the jurisdictional battle and possible precedent this could set is criminal defense attorney David Oblon.

DAVID OBLON, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTY.: Good afternoon. This is an odd day, isn't it?

HARRIS: It does feel like an odd day. And let me start by as clearly as we can, David, what is the constitutional issue on the table here that we're considering.

OBLON: Well, the main constitutional issue is one of federalism -- who controls these family law the state government? Is it the federal government, or is it the state government? And obviously, it's the state government. This is a remarkable act of Congress, to change years and centuries of procedure.

HARRIS: But federalism, federalism. All right, I understand all that, but break it down, David. Isn't this about, who speaks for Terri?

OBLON: Yes, once you determine that question, who speaks for Terri, then all the other constitutional issues just fall into place. In the state court, it was obviously Terri's husband who was speaking for her. That was determined in court. And now the result was one that was -- that was not pleasant for the parents, and so they brought the case into the federal arena and into Congress, and now Congress says, well, let's do a do-over.

HARRIS: David, hang on just a second. Don't go anywhere. We're going to take you out to Tucson, Arizona, where President Bush is there to talk about Social Security, but we expect him to make comments on the Schiavo matter.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRES. OF THE UNITED STATES: This is a case with serious issues. But an extraordinary circumstances like this, it is wise to always err on the side of life.

(APPLAUSE)

I appreciate the work of the Senate...

HARRIS: Oh, did we just lose the president? We just lost him. OK, let's go back to David Oblon. All right, we've got the president back up again.

Let's listen in.

BUSH: I appreciate the strong support of Senator McCain, Senator Kyle, members of the congressional delegation, for understanding that everyone desires to be free, that deep in everybody's soul is the desire to live in a free society. And they also understand that free societies are peaceful societies. And that if you're interested in a peaceful world, which we're interested in for our children and our grandchildren, the best thing to do is to spread freedom, which is precisely what is taking place. I want to assure you that over the next four years, we will work with our friends and allies to encourage those who live under tyranny to be bold and confident and to follow their hearts. We'll work with friends and allies to make the world a more peaceful place, by spreading freedom.

And freedom is on the march. Just think about what has happened in Afghanistan, for example. Millions went to the polls after they were shackled by the Taliban. We acted in our own self-interest. We upheld the doctrine that said if you harbor a terrorist, you're equally as guilty as a terrorist. As a result of our action and self- defense, in defending America, millions of people in Afghanistan are now free. The first voter in the election was a woman.

(APPLAUSE)

The Ukraine had elections. There will be a Palestinian state, a democracy living side by side with our close friend and ally, Israel, which will lead the peace.

And then in Iraq, millions went to the polls in spite of the terrorists, in spite of the threats. You know why? People long to be free and if just given the chance, they'll take the risk necessary to be free.

(APPLAUSE)

These are exciting times. These are exciting times, and I appreciate so very much working with people in the United States Congress who understand the deep desire for all souls, regardless of religion or where they live, to realize the greatest gift the Almighty can provide, and that is freedom to each man and woman in this world.

(APPLAUSE)

I got one other issue I want to talk about, I appreciate the fact that our economy is growing. We've got, I think, about a 4 percent unemployment rate here in the great state of Arizona. That's a good sign. People are working. Today more people are working in America than ever before in our nation's history, and I want to thank the entrepreneurs who are here, and the small business owners, and the dreamers and doers and job creators.

(APPLAUSE)

But like you, I'm concerned about our energy crisis. I'm concerned about the fact that we're -- people are seeing more -- paying more at the pump. And so I urge the Congress to stop debating and get an energy bill to my desk. We need an energy bill that encourages more conservation, an energy bill that works on renewable sources of energy, an energy bill that modernizes electricity grid, an energy bill that allows for environmentally safe exploration for natural energy gas in our own homeland. We do not need an energy bill that provides tax breaks for oil companies.

We need an energy bill that is a -- that represents a broad strategy, to encourage better use of energy and to find more energy so we become less dependent on foreign sources of energy.

(APPLAUSE)

Now, let me talk about Social Security. First of all, right off the bat, I want to tell you one of my predecessors did a smart thing. Franklin D. Roosevelt did a good thing in creating the Social Security system. The system has provided a safety net for millions of seniors. I want you to hear, and you'll hear it more than one time if you're a person now receiving a Social Security check -- nothing will change for you. This United States government will keep our promise to people who have retired or near retirement. Nothing's going to change. I don't care what the flyers say. I don't care what the ads say. I don't care what the political rhetoric says. If you're getting a check, nobody is going to change the system for you. And that's important for you to hear.

Listen, I can understand people being nervous about a Social Security dialogue. Sometimes that just means, because Bush and McCain and others are talking about it, that means somebody is going to take my check away. It's just not going to happen. The system, the safety net is in good shape for people born prior to 1950. There are holes in the safety net, however, for a generation of Americans coming up, and I'll explain to you why. The math has changed.

HARRIS: President Bush in Tucson, Arizona, to talk about Social Security, what he's talking about right now. But he also took a moment to talk about the ongoing drama in the Terri Schiavo case.

Let's bring in White House correspondent Dana Bash. And Dana, when talking about Terri Schiavo's case, he says, in cases as complex as this, such a human drama, err on the side of life. That's consistent with what we've heard from him so far, isn't it?

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: It is. But really, what is significant right now, Tony, is that, even though Congress has been making a series of extraordinary moves since last week, and even though the president did actually sign this bill in the wee hours of the morning, this is the first time since all of this has really been at such a fevered pitch in Washington that we've heard from the president himself. He spoke here. He was here in Arizona talking about Social Security, but since he signed this, since he made his views known through his actions, today we just heard him in words.

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BUSH: A couple issues I do want to talk about. Democrats and Republicans in Congress came together last night to give Terri Schiavo's parents another opportunity to save their daughter's life. This is a complex case with serious issues. But in extraordinary circumstances like this, it is wise to always err on the side of life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: So there we hear the president talking about the fact that he signed this last night -- actually, early this morning. And very quickly, we are told the president did so at 1:11 in the morning. He was sleeping, waken up by a White House operator to say that this was actually passed. He opened the door to his bedroom, signed the bill, and went back to sleep -- Tony.

HARRIS: Dana Bash, traveling with the president in Tucson, Arizona, today. Dana, thank you. More LIVE FROM when we come right back.

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