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CNN Live Today

Democrats Stepping Up Pressure for Bush to Fire Karl Rove; Interview With Senator Tom Harkin

Aired July 14, 2005 - 11:30   ET

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

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's take a look at what's happening right now in the news, a partial building collapse this morning in New York City. At least five people were hurt. One is a baby, who is said to be in critical condition. The building was being razed to put up a high rise. Firefighters are fairly sure right now that no one else is trapped in the rubble.
To London, and citizens all across Europe pausing for two minutes today to remember the victims of last week's terror attacks. For a third day, police searched houses in Leeds, England for clues about the suspected suicide bombers.

A double suicide attack today in the heart of Baghdad. One person was killed. Five others were wounded. The attack happened at a checkpoint leading to a secure zone that houses the Iraqi government and U.S. embassy. Police say a third potential suicide bomber was found among the wounded.

And a man suspected in the kidnapping and murder of Egypt's top diplomat in Iraq, seen here, is in U.S. custody today. The U.S. military describes the suspect as a high-ranking member of Al Qaeda with ties to Abu Musab Al Zarqawi. The military says a second suspected Al Qaeda leader is also in custody.

Democrats are stepping up the pressure today for President Bush to fire top political adviser, Karl Rove. Three House members called last hour for the Bush administration to turn over documents related to the leak that exposed a CIA operative. Rove has been identified as the alleged source of that leak. Rove, through an attorney, denies he leaked the operatives' name or did anything illegal. That is not good enough for Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HOWARD DEAN, DNC CHAIRMAN: Now we're going to find out, Mr. President, if you'll keep your word. Who do you value more, Mr. President? Do you value intelligence operatives defending the United States of America? Or do you value political operatives from Texas? We're going to find out.

(APPLAUSE)

Who do you value more, Mr. President, the security of the American people or your political cronies? Will you keep your word, Mr. President? We'll find out if the president of the United States will keep his word. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Meanwhile, President Bush is urging Americans not to prejudge Rove, but he hasn't come forward with the ringing endorsement that you might expect for his closest political adviser.

To the White House now and our correspondent Suzanne Malveaux.

Suzanne, good morning.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Well, clearly the image says it all. Here is the picture, of course, that the White House is trying to portray, the president choosing to use words to defend his top aide, but rather these images. You see President Bush and Karl rove walking out of the Oval Office together, laughing and smiling, even joking. President Bush at one point seemingly to play a game with the media, pretending, even faking that he was going to come before the microphones and the cameras to make a statement. But then instead, leaving to Marine One.

The president, of course, this is in keeping with White House strategy, that is not to forward this story, not to talk about this, to say that, yes, there's an ongoing investigation; but at the same time sending a clear message that he backs Karl Rove.

Now today President Bush heads to Indianapolis, Indiana. That is where he's going to be speaking before the Indiana Black Expo. It is several thousand African-Americans gathered to talk about various things. They're going to be talking about corporate, as well as other legal matters. This is a business and community group.

We are told the president, do not expect him to talk about Karl Rove. Do not expect him to give him sort of ringing endorsement, as people have asked him to come forward and say, but rather expect for Karl Rove to be there by his side as he is on so many occasions.

The president demonstrating that he supports them by those very pictures of the two of them together. The president instead is going to try to put forward his domestic agenda. He's going to talk about Social Security, about education, many other various issues that are on the agenda, but, of course, he is not going to be moving this forward. That is the whole idea of the White House strategy.

On the other hand, of course, Daryn, the Democratic strategy, the critics of Karl Rove, they want to put this out there, they want to put more pressure on the president. We expect that moveon.org, it is a liberal advocacy group, is going to be here at the White House about 2:30. They'll be out in full force, their protest essentially calling for the president to fire Karl Rove, trying to keep the pressure up on this administration -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Suzanne Malveaux, live from the White House. Suzanne, thank you.

Let's take a look at other stories making news around the world this morning. Tropical storm no more, now it's Hurricane Emily, and it tore through Granada early this morning, winds topping 90 miles an hour. Hundreds of people fled to shelters as the storm raged outside their doors. Much of Granada is still recovering from the fury of Hurricane Ivan just 10 months ago.

To France now, Paris is celebrating Bastille Day under tighter- than-usual security. A week after the London terror attacks, some 5,000 police officers are keeping watch over this year's festivities, celebrating the anniversary of the French Revolution.

Much of France has been in a glum mood lately, after voters rejected the E.U. constitution, and Paris failed to win the race to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

But here's something for Americans to cheer. Lance Armstrong still has the yellow jersey in the Tour De France. In a fitting compliment to Bastille Day, French racer David Moncoutie won today's 116-mile 12th stage. Moncoutie is 15th Frenchman since World War II to win on Bastille Day. Armstrong finished in the main bunch, more than 10 minutes back, but he does maintains his overall lead by 38 seconds.

Just ahead, I'll have a check of weather and business. And later, a live report from the British Open. Updates on a Tiger and a Golden Bear, both making news from the British links.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Will it be a seventh straight victory for American cyclist Lance Armstrong? You can get the inside track on the 90-second annual Tour De France at SI.com.

Armstrong is going for his seventh consecutive win in cycling showcase race before retiring. His time of 20:53 in the opening time trial effectively crushed his main rivals. Armstrong joked around saying, "I figure the faster I pedal, the faster I can retire." This gallery shows images of the six-time champ on his quest for win number seven.

The race, running more than 2,240 miles, started July 2nd and will finish July 24th in Paris.

You can click on the tour tracker for a preview of the route, the latest results, as well as profiles on teams, cyclists and past winners. Other cyclists in this year's are intent on putting Armstrong to the best. From Jan Ulrich to Ivan Basso, this chart highlights five other top contenders.

Finally, does Lance Armstrong have a dark side? You can read more in this SI.com extra. Daniel Coyle talks about his new book on the cyclist. Find all the action at SI.com/tour.

From the dot-com newsdesk, I'm Veronica De La Cruz.

(END VIDEOTAPE) (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We've been following a breaking news story out of the upper west side of Manhattan. A building collapsed. At least five people have been injured.

Our Deborah Feyerick is on the scene with more on that.

Deb, hello.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Daryn.]

Well, officials initially said that one of those injured was a seven-month-old baby. Initially they put that child in critical condition. But now we're being told that the child is in stable condition. She and another woman were walking past that building when it collapsed at about 9:00 this morning. Five people in total were hurt. They sustained injures as bricks began to fall. The building right in back of a bus stop used here on 100th and Broadway.

Now the structure, one story, it's a supermarket we are told, that was being demolished in order to make way for a 31-story building. There's been a lot of protest in this community, many residents thinking that a building that large simply doesn't belong in this neighborhood, and they're angry that there's been no community oversight. However, they do say as far as they know there's been no violations, safety violations, against this building, something that we are now trying to verify.

Now after this collapse, subway service was suspended, and the reason, of course, for that is because officials wanted to make sure that nearby buildings were solid. They wanted to make sure that those buildings had not been compromised, that the integrity of the foundations were, in fact, intact.

The operation stopped being a search operation probably about an hour ago. They determined that nobody else was in that building. So now what firefighters, and police officers and rescue workers are doing, is they're bringing in heavy equipment in order to clear out a lot of that debris.

Where we're standing here at 100th and Broadway, a very, very busy intersection, a thoroughfare straight through the heart of Manhattan. And right now, a lot of activity going on at the site of the collapse. But otherwise, if you're in this area, pretty much everything else at a standstill -- Daryn?

KAGAN: Deborah Feyerick live from the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Thank you. We're also getting word that we expect a news conference from that site very soon. And when that happens, we'll bring that to you live here on CNN.

We have a lot of other news to get to, including the Emmy nominations, coming this morning. We will do that straight ahead. Right now, a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

It is tee time. The 134th British Open getting under way today on the sacred sod of St. Andrews, Scotland. Our sports correspondent Don Riddell is there. Don, hello. I'm watching my leaderboard here while I'm doing the news. A little confession there for you. It looks like Tiger had an excellent first round.

DON RIDDELL, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: You're absolutely right, yes. Memories, almost, of St. Andrews here five years ago in 2000 when he just ran away with it and won the tournament by an incredible eight strokes. There was a point this morning where he birdied seven of nine holes. And he really was playing very, very well. He ended up on six under, which is a two-stroke lead, as we speak at the moment. And he really is in supreme confidence.

He came into the press conference afterwards and spoke to us. And one of the questions was, could you play any better? And he really confidently answered, yep, of course I can. So I think he's going to go to bed very confident about tomorrow's round. And he's happy in the knowledge that he doesn't have to fight to get into contention in the tournament. He already is very much in contention.

Arguably, his biggest challenger, I guess, would the South African Retief Goosen, two-time winner of the U.S. Open. He's two shots behind him. But I think many people here at the moment will be fancying Tiger for another British Open win.

KAGAN: His biggest challenger for attention might be Jack Nicklaus, who is saying a very sentimental good-bye at this British Open.

RIDDELL: You're right. Record crowds expected here this week, largely for Jack Nicklaus. It will be a very emotional farewell. We're not quite sure when he'll be bowing out, whether it will be Friday or Sunday afternoon. That, of course, all depends on whether he makes the cut. And this morning, he shot a three over par-75. So he has a fair bit of work to do. He's probably going to have to shoot below par on Friday if he's to have a chance of making the cut.

But thousands and thousands and thousands of fans have been here to support him. He's received a tremendous ovation on every fairway, every hole. And even up in town center in St. Andrews, the -- there are skews of people forming outside the banks because they've issued a five-pound bank note with Jack Nicklaus and the Golden Bear on those notes. I don't think anybody has any real intention of spending that money. I think that will be going into some private collections and some mementos of Jack Nicklaus. But hues everywhere in the town, all for Jack Nicklaus.

KAGAN: Yes. That would be a keeper. As is he, even once he hangs up the clubs. Thank you, Don Riddell, live from Scotland.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

KAGAN: An issue sparking heated debate. Stem cell research, from Hollywood actors and political heavyweights, everyone seems to have an opinion. One of the Senate's most visible supporters of the controversial research will join me to explain why he thinks it's needed. We will also hear from the other side.

Also ahead, the Emmy nominations are out. We're going to take you to L.A. for a live report on who made the cut.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: In our "Daily Dose," several lawmakers call on President Bush to reverse his opposition to more government spending on stem- cell research. Stem-cell lines are derived from human embryos. In 2001, the president imposed federal research limits on human embryos. The Senate plans to vote this month on legislation that would relax research restrictions. Actor Michael J. Fox, who has Parkinson's Disease, spoke out yesterday in favor of additional research. He and others believe it might lead to new treatments for several diseases. Others disagree on using human embryos in medical research.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. WILLIAM HURLBURT, STANFORD UNIVERSITY: I respectfully disagree with Senator Harkin. I do believe there is a moral dilemma here. A large percentage of our population does have moral concerns about the process of desegregating or destroying a human embryo in the procurement of embryonic stem cells.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: This is the time we were hoping to speak with Senator Tom Harkin, one of the main sponsors of the bill on Capitol Hill in the Senate, the Harkin-Specter bill. He's busy on the Senate floor. So we will go ahead and extend an invitation to have him come back at a later time.

Meanwhile, let's go to New York City, a news conference going on right now with the latest on that building collapse earlier today.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

COMM. NICHOLAS SCOPPETTA, NEW YORK FIRE DEPT.: This was a -- is a demolition job that was started about six weeks ago. Safeway Environmental Corporation is the company doing the job. They had a piece of heavy equipment on the roof. You have seen that small white backhoe in the site. That was the equipment that was on the roof. And the wall, front wall, was just a shell a building at the time that this happened this morning. The front wall came down, taking the scaffolding with it.

All of the construction workers are accounted for. The pedestrians were hit by the falling debris. We had a company here in a little over four minutes. It was ladder 22. They succeeded in getting out all of the pedestrians that were hit by the rubble, and some of them were caught in it, and they have been transported to St. Luke's and Harlem Hospital, three to St. Luke's and the others when the to Harlem hospital.

About sometime after arrival, maybe about 9:40 or, so we requested the Transit Authority to stop service on the one, two and three trains coming through this area. And service has now been restored. About 11:00, a little over an hour that it was curtailed. And the Transit Authority has been asked to keep their -- the subways running at no more than five miles an hour. That is because of the condition of the walls on both sides. They seem stable, but we don't want excessive vibrations from the subways bringing down any more of that structure on either side.

The building to the right, as you face the collapse, was evacuated.

KAGAN: We've been listening into a news conference in New York City, the latest on that partial building collapsed that happened earlier today. It is a demolition job that started six weeks ago. All the construction workers have been accounted for. Five people were hurt. We had been hearing about a baby that was injured in the collapse of the scaffolding. That baby, seven months old, now listed in stable condition.

While we were listening in to the news conference, we were able to secure Senator Tom Harkin from the floor of the Senate to talk about his bill with stem-cell research.

Senator, good morning. Thanks for making time for us

SEN. TOM HARKIN (D), IOWA: Good morning, Daryn.

I'm sorry, I just had a whole bunch of votes on the Senate floor.

KAGAN: You know, you're a busy guy.

Let's talk about the Harkin-Specter bill. What are you trying to achieve with this, sir?

HARKIN: Well, what we're trying to achieve is to open up some more stem-cell lines for our researchers in America, so that we can find a cure for Alzheimer's, for ALS, for juvenile diabetes, spinal cord injuries, to make these cures closer to reality than they are right now.

KAGAN: And to those who say there's no proof that this will lead to any kind of cure and that this is a moral dilemma, because you do have to destroy human embryos, which some consider human life, what do you say to those people?

HARKIN: Well, you know, we have in vitro fertilization. We have over 400,000 embryos that are now frozen that are being discarded as hospital waste. Everyday they're being discarded. It seems to me that we could use these to extract the stem cells to save lives, to make lives better for people, to cure suffering and illness. To me, that is the moral and the ethical approach, and really the respect- for-life approach. KAGAN: There's another bill out there that's looking at alternative methods that people say -- supporters of that bill say do not call for the destruction of human embryos, and President Bush pushing to fund that kind of research instead. What would you say about that bill?

HARKIN: Well, first of all, I'm not opposed to it, that's fine. Except that these are simply theories. They've never been proven. It's never been done before. It may take another 10 or 15 years to find out if this approach really works. I'm just saying that people with ALS and juvenile diabetes, people who are suffering now, we shouldn't have them wait another 10 to 15 years to see if a theory works out.

If they want to fund that approach, that's fine. Let's do that, but at the same time, let's do what we know how to do, extract the embryonic stem cells and proceed for the cures for these debilitating diseases

KAGAN: There's the self-imposed deadline of August 1st to vote on your bill. Do you think you're going to make that? And do you expect passage?

HARKIN: Well, we're hoping for it. As you know, the House passed the bill overwhelmingly, bipartisan support. We have well over 60 votes on the Senate side, again, bipartisan, on both Republican and Democrat, conservative, liberal, pro-choice, pro life. We have a lot of support for this bill. All we need is for the president and for the Republican leadership to let us bring it up, vote on it, just like they voted for it in the House, without amendments and send it to the president for his signature.

KAGAN: We will be watching it. We are out of time.

Senator Harkin, thank you for your time today.

HARKIN: Thank you, Daryn.

KAGAN: And for our viewers interested in the Emmys, go to CNN.com. All the nominations are there for you.

That's going to do it for me. I'm Daryn Kagan. I will see you right back here on Friday morning. You have a great day.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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