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CNN Live Today

Flap Over Congressman William Jefferson Continues; Vicente Fox Visits U.S.; Lee Boyd Malvo Testifying in John Allen Muhammad's Trial

Aired May 24, 2006 - 11:01   ET

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

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to our second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY. I'm Daryn Kagan.
Our developing story takes us to Washington, D.C. The flap over Congressman William Jefferson goes on. This time some comments from the other side of the aisle.

Here's Dana Bash on Capitol Hill.

Dana, good morning.

DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Well, we have some extraordinary comments from the House speaker. We've been reporting over the last couple of days that there really is an increasing rift between Republicans and the Bush administration on this whole issue of the raid of Congressman Jefferson, a Democrat -- Congressman Jefferson's office. Well, House Speaker Dennis Hastert came out of a meeting with Republicans just a short while ago and said that he wants the Justice Department to return the documents that they took, and also the people involved, the agents, prosecutors, perhaps, to be frozen out of the process.

Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. DENNIS HASTERT (R-IL), HOUSE SPEAKER: Look, we're having conversations with the -- both the executive office department and the attorney general. I think one of the things that we want to make sure is, first, while we are not trying to protect any individual, we want to protect the progress (ph) of the House as far as the Constitution.

And we think those materials ought to be returned. We also think that those people who are involved in that issue ought to be frozen out of that just for the sake of the constitutional aspect of it. Beyond that, you get into legalese, and I don't want to get any further. But that's what we're working on.

Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: Now, these are part of -- we're told from a source who is knowledgeable about the discussions, really ongoing discussions between the House speaker, Republicans up here on the Hill, and the administration, both at the Justice Department and at the White House. And we're told by someone with knowledge of this that that is actually -- has been part of the discussion. But it's very interesting that the speaker decided to go public with this.

Essentially, it looks like he's trying to pressure the administration on this issue, perhaps even setting up even more of a public showdown than we've seen so far. We know, Daryn, that the speaker went to the president himself about this issue just yesterday. So this is very interesting.

The FBI, I should say, has no comment on this at all. It would be interesting to see how they would actually do this, if they would at all agree to do what the speaker is asking, which is essentially take all of the documents, whatever they took out of Congressman Jefferson's office over the weekend, and actually return it.

One other interesting note. As I said, the speaker was in a meeting with Republicans. Karl Rove, the president's deputy chief of staff, was in that meeting. We're told that the speaker made comments, made his position know about the Jefferson case in that meeting., and we're told that Karl Rove didn't say anything about it.

KAGAN: And just quickly, we have these live pictures of the prime minister of Israel addressing a joint meeting of Congress today?

BASH: That's right.

KAGAN: What can you tell us about that?

BASH: That's actually probably going to get under way in the next few minutes. And this is really an extraordinary event. It's going to be a joint -- he's going to be addressing both the House and the Senate.

You know, Daryn, most times around here these days we see a lot of partisan bickering when it comes to the issue of Israel and the U.S. relationship with Israel. It's really pretty extraordinary of how bipartisan it is. We believe this might be the first time an Israeli prime minister has actually spoken to a joint session, and it does come a day after the House, in a bipartisan way, decided to vote essentially to cut off funding for the Palestinian Authority if, in fact, Hamas is in control of the government there.

KAGAN: Dana Bash live on Capitol Hill.

Dana, thank you.

To international politics, or more of it now. Vicente Fox's balancing act. The Mexican president walking a fine line over the illegal immigration minefield.

Our Ed Lavandera is covering Mr. Fox's U.S. tour. Today we find Ed and Mr. Fox in Salt Lake City.

Good morning.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Well, President Fox is just wrapping up a breakfast that was held in his honor at a Mexican restaurant here in Salt Lake City, Utah, but all eyes are here on the state capitol, where in just a few hours President Fox will deliver a speech to the state legislature. Now, President Fox has made a few comments about the immigration issue, which is, of course, what many people are following this trip for. He's only made a few of those comments before groups in front of Mexican immigrants.

So many of the comments have been done in Spanish, only briefly saying a couple of times and making a point of saying it in English, because this balancing act, this fine line that he is walking here, is a harsh criticism that is coming along this trip, that many people perceive what Vicente Fox is trying to do is trying to influence American politics and American debate on the immigration issues, especially as the Senate is debating immigration reform this week.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VICENTE FOX, MEXICAN PRESIDENT: Mexico wants to be part of the solution not of the problem. Mexico promotes new mechanisms that allow for a legal, safe, orderly migration, respecting fully human rights and dignity.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAVANDERA: Those mechanisms that President Fox is talking about are ideas that he has been talking about over the last couple of weeks. Mr. Fox supports a guest worker program, and he's also pushing for some sort of legislation that would make it easier and faster for Mexican immigrants to attain legal status here in the U.S.

Now, he has found some support here in what might appear as an unlikely state, Utah, one of the most conservative states in the country. But among politicians here, he does have some friends who support his idea of a guest worker program.

But Vicente Fox is expected to line out a little bit more perhaps his immigration ideas when he speaks here at the state legislature, the Utah state capitol, in just a few hours. And then from here, he's on to Washington later today, and wraps up his trip in California at the end of the week -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Ed Lavandera, live in Salt Lake.

Thank you.

And we've been watching a developing story out of Turkey today. The airport in Istanbul, the Ataturk Airport, a huge fire in the cargo area of that airport. They think it's an electrical -- a miswiring of the electrical systems in the cargo area that caused the fire.

Three people were injured, but nobody was killed. And the passenger side of the airport still in operation. We're also watching what's happening in a courtroom inside of -- in Maryland, getting inside the minds of killers. We're talking about convicted D.C.-area snipers John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo.

A jury in suburban Maryland is hearing chilling testimony, new testimony about the pair's plans for a second phase of terror. The attacks in October 2002 left 10 people dead.

John Muhammad is being tried again, and in this trial we're finding out more about the relationship between the two killers, the other being Lee Boyd Malvo. He has already pleaded in this part of the case.

"Washington Post" metro editor Eric Rich is covering the story and has been in the courtroom for this remarkable meeting of these killers' minds as Lee Boyd Malvo takes the stand and testifies against John Allen Muhammad.

And Eric, good morning.

ERIC RICH, "WASHINGTON POST" METRO EDITOR: Good morning, Daryn.

KAGAN: Now, what makes this even odd on top of everything that we've seen happen, John Allen Muhammad acting as his own attorney. What is it like inside that courtroom?

RICH: It's really a remarkable scene in the last 24 hours inside the courtroom. Malvo took the stand yesterday morning, testified for the prosecution for about five hours, packed courtroom, 300 people, a lot of victims' families, relatives, many of them weeping.

Malvo went over each of the shootings, described in detail what each -- the role that each -- he said he's played. And then at the end of that, the prosecutors asked Malvo what his view is of Muhammad, and he said he once would have died for Muhammad, but today he thinks he's a coward. He said., "You brought me into your home and you made me a monster."

KAGAN: And so this relationship has clearly changed in the few years since these men were captured.

RICH: That's right. And today we see cross-examination, and late yesterday we saw the beginning of cross-examination by Muhammad, acting as his own lawyer. And if Malvo was once under the sway of Muhammad, as he described it on his direct testimony, that's no longer the case.

It's been some -- Malvo has provided some terse answers to Muhammad's questions. He's very in control, and clearly very bright. He's articulate, he's animated.

He was yesterday on direct examination, and today on cross- examination, he's seeming impatient with Muhammad's often sort of poorly-crafted questions. Muhammad clearly at a loss. He's asking a series of questions that don't really -- that seem disconnected. It's unclear what's guiding him. Earlier in the case, Muhammad's questions were -- seemed to be guided by one long overarching sort of strategy. That's been blown away by Malvo's testimony.

The core of that strategy was that nobody actually saw him shoot and that the case the prosecutors are presenting is circumstantial. Clearly, with Malvo testifying that he witnessed the shootings, that he was there, it's a riveting insider account, and it's the first time we've seen that.

KAGAN: Well, and Malvo's story has changed in the last few years.

RICH: It has changed dramatically. Initially, Malvo told investigators that he was the trigger man in most of the shootings -- most or all of the shootings. Later, what he's now testifying to, he was asked about why he -- why he said that originally and why his story no longer matches that. Yesterday, Malvo said that that was part of an agreement, a plan that he and Muhammad had hatched, that if they were caught, Malvo would take credit for the shootings for accept responsibility for them because he is the younger person and would be less likely to be executed.

KAGAN: Well, and that, in fact, has kind of played out that way, because when they were tried in Virginia, Muhammad got the death penalty and Malvo was serving life in prison without the chance for parole.

RICH: That is correct, although the prosecutors did seek death for Malvo, but they didn't get it.

KAGAN: Is this the first time, as far as we know, that these two have seen each other since they were captured?

RICH: No. Actually, they were in the courtroom together at least once in the Virginia case in 2003 in Muhammad's prosecution, but only briefly. And Malvo didn't testify. We have no reason to believe that they've had any contact since then. They're -- clearly, you know, they're in jail and they're in jail together here in Montgomery -- I mean, the same jail -- but we don't believe that they've had contact, and this would be their reunion.

KAGAN: A quick question, Eric.

RICH: And I should say also there was...

KAGAN: No, go ahead.

RICH: No. Go ahead.

KAGAN: No, you wanted to get a point in. So you go.

RICH: Oh, I was just going to say that the real startling revelations in Malvo's testimony were that, you know, the pair actually had planned for the sniper shootings to be much more damaging than they were, that Muhammad intended to kill six people a day, every day for 30 days, and then go on into a second phase of attacks that would include using explosives to target police officers and children. Some real -- what he imagined, apparently, according to Malvo, is much more damaging than what actually occurred.

KAGAN: So, if you're going to believe Malvo, as horrifying as those weeks were there in the Washington, D.C., area, it could have been even worse had they not been stopped.

Eric, thank you.

Eric Rich, metro editor with "The Washington Post".

RICH: Thanks.

KAGAN: We'll let you get back to the courtroom. Thank you.

Want to back to Capitol Hill. Ehud Olmert, the prime minister of Israel, addressing a joint meeting of Congress.

Let's listen.

EHUD OLMERT, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, distinguished members of the U.S. Congress, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the people in the state of Israel, I wish to express my profound gratitude to you for your privilege of addressing this joint meeting of the U.S. Congress. This building, this chamber, and all of you stand as a testament to the enduring principles of liberty and democracy.

More than 30 years ago, I came to Washington as a young legislator, thanks to a program sponsored by the State Department. I had a chance to tour this building, and I saw then what I believe today, that this institution, the United States Congress, is the greatest deliberative body of the world.

(APPLAUSE)

I did not imagine then that the day would actually come when I would have the honor of addressing this form as the prime minister of my nation, the state of Israel.

Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

The United States is a superpower whose influence reaches across oceans and beyond borders. Your continued support, which I am happy to say transcends parties and affiliations, is of paramount importance to us. We revere the principles and values represented by your great country, and are grateful for the unwavering support and friendship we have received from the U.S. Congress, from President George W. Bush, and from the American people.

(APPLAUSE)

Abraham Lincoln once said, "I am a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn't have the heart to let him down." Israel is grateful that America believes in us. Let me assure you that we will not let you down.

(APPLAUSE)

KAGAN: Congress is getting a very -- we've been listening in to the prime minister of Israel, Ehud Olmert, as he's been addressing a joint meeting of Congress. If you'd like to keep listening to more of what the prime minister has to say, just to go on to one of our newer services, Pipeline, CNN.com, and click on "Pipeline". And we'll continue to carry that speech.

Meanwhile, there's big news from the National Geography Bee. There a winner. And let's see who that is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEX TREBEK, HOST, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHY BEE: We will continue until one of you gets it right and the other misses. Put your card down.

Name the mountains that extend across much of Wales from the Irish Sea to the Bristol Channel. Name the mountains that extend across much of Wales from the Irish Sea to the Bristol Channel.

Time is up.

Niharaj (ph) did not have time to write down a response. Bahnijan (ph) wrote down "Cambrian". The correct response is Cambrian.

Bahnijan (ph), congratulations. You're the National Geographic Bee champion.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: And there you go. Congratulations to him, Bahnijan (ph), a boy from Illinois, is the winner of the National Geographic Society. And, of course, you might recognize the host there, Alex Trebek of "Jeopardy!".

He gets a nice big check.

We have some health news ahead. Is the cure for bird flu more a case of buyer beware?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: None of these products have any scientific evidence to show that they're safe and effective for either the treatment or the prevention of bird flu.

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Would you call this false advertising?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would call it fraud. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Coming up, the latest Internet health scam.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: The experts are stumped. Bird flu has killed seven members of a family in Indonesia, but there's no visible link to birds. And so that begs the question, is it human-to-human transmission?

CNN's Andrew Stevens reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREW STEVENS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Bird flu has killed 124 people worldwide, nearly a quarter of them in Indonesia. The victim here, 8-year-old Rafael Ginting.

Rafael lived and died in a small village in northern Indonesia. His death a tragedy in itself. The one which could also signal a dangerous, new development.

Rafael's family has been decimated by an outbreak of bird flu. Eight family members contracted the deadly H5N1 strain. Seven are now dead.

It's the biggest so-called cluster of deaths ever reported. More worrying. Still, experts sent to the village can't find out how Rafael's family contracted the virus. Alarm bells are ringing at the World Health Organization.

PETER CORDINGLEY, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: They can't find an animal source of this infection, and that worries us. And in the absence of a known animal source, we have to treat this as possibly human-to-human transmission of the virus.

STEVENS: Human-to-human transmission of the deadly strain of bird flu is the single biggest fear of health authorities worldwide. It has happened before, but only in extremely isolated cases. That's because in its current form, the virus cannot pass easily between humans.

(on camera): Experts agree that for a worst-case scenario to occur, a human-to-human pandemic which could affect millions of people, the virus would have to mutate or change so it could be more easily transmitted. Tests on the victims in Indonesia showed that none of those mutations have occurred.

(voice-over): Still, many virologists say a pandemic is all but inevitable.

PROF. LEO POON, VIROLOGIST, UNIV. OF HONG KONG: It's a matter of time (INAUDIBLE). If we allow the virus to circulate in the (INAUDIBLE) long enough, somehow they have a chance to mutate itself. And then it gets adaptable to humans, and then there will be the next disaster into humans.

STEVENS: Indonesia is currently at the center of bird flu outbreaks. A fact the WHO finds deeply disturbing.

PETER CORDINGLEY, WHO: Indonesia, at the moment, has very, very serious problems with this virus, lots of cases this year, and it doesn't seem to be any closer to controlling it.

STEVENS: The Indonesian government says it's doing all it can, but for victims like Rafael, it's too late for help.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Well, you can depend on this. If there's a public health scare, somebody will try to make a buck off of it. Check out bird flu cures. Our Randi Kaye did. Her report first aired on "ANDERSON COOPER 360."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Just type avian flu or bird flu into the Internet browser and find sites that will sell you avian flue protection kits, food to stockpile. There's even generic Tamiflu, herbal cures. There's only one problem with those...

DAVID ELDER, DIRECTOR OF ENFORCEMENT, FDA: None of these products have any scientific evidence to show that they're safe and effective for either the treatment or the prevention of bird flu.

KAYE (on camera): Would you call this false advertising?

ELDER: I would call it fraud.

KAYE (voice-over): As director of enforcement at the FDA, David Elder polices Internet frauds and counterfeits. Along with U.S. Customs, his agents recently seized 51 shipments of so-called generic Tamiflu, purchased over the Internet and on their way to U.S. consumers from China. What alerted them?

ELDER: There is no generic Tamiflu available in this country.

KAYE: Elder shows us how the real and fake pills look alike. But the real surprise, what's inside the pills.

Ten tablets of Vitamin C?

ELDER: Yes.

KAYE: This is just the beginning of a crackdown in which the FDA has sent out at least 28 warning letters to U.S. Internet companies that claim to offer a cure or protection.

ELDER: We've seen counterfeit Gucci bags and counterfeit Rolex watches. These are counterfeit prescription drugs. People are taking these to prevent serious illness. KAYE: We went trolling on the Internet to see what else we could find. Right off the bat, we found Avian RX on this Web site, which says it claims to be the herbal Tamiflu.

ELDER: Making a claim that it's an herbal alternative for Tamiflu is equivalent to a prescription drug claim. I am not aware that anybody has submitted an application to the FDA, seeking approval for that claim on that particular product.

KAYE: We contacted Jared Wheat (ph), president of High Tech Pharmaceuticals, which makes Avian RX. He told us by phone, his company has "no control over the claims by the distributor on the website." He says he "chose the name Avian RX at random," but he told us he had "changed the name from Avian RX to Defend RX."

The next day, we found Defend-RX being offered. The name of the product had changed, but not the claims about it. And then, when we ordered Defend-RX, we got Avian RX, instead.

When we asked Mr. Wheat (ph) about this, he e-mails us, "no comment."

But the FDA had a comment.

ELDER: The manufacturer of Avian-RX is actually under injunction from 2003 for past practices of marketing products without approval by the agency, and remains under that injunction.

KAYE: However, the FDA will not comment on what, if anything, it's doing about Avian-RX or Defend-RX, saying it can't talk about investigations.

One company does talk to us, the maker of AVN 36. Its Web site, birdflustopper.com, claims to offer a powerful immune system booster to help protect your family against the bird flu.

But when we asked Marketing Director Gayla Young for evidence...

GAYLA YOUNG, MARKETING DIRECTOR, AVN 36: It's actually not a cure for bird flu. It doesn't really stop it. At this point there is no vaccine for the H5N1 virus, the avian influenza. Our approach is it was created specifically for the immune system and we want to kind of get people's awareness in taking the bird flu a little more seriously.

KAYE: So why call it birdflustopper.com?

YOUNG: When we have that domain name birdflustopper.com, it's primarily to promote our product, the Avian 36.

KAYE: Young notes the small print does say AVN 36 does not cure bird flu.

(On camera): What will the consumer get as a result of purchasing one of these products?

ELDER: Well, if they purchase it on the Internet, one thing they can be sure of is their credit card will be debited.

KAYE: Is there any way, though, for the average consumer to know the difference between a product that works and a product that is making false claims?

ELDER: There is a way. There are no products currently approved that consumers could purchase over the Internet that are approved for the treatment of prevention of avian flu.

KAYE (voice-over): If all of this seems familiar, it should. Similar promises popped up during the SARS epidemic, and in 2001, with anthrax.

ELDER: Whenever there's public health concerns, there's a small segment of the population that is going to try to seek to profit.

KAYE (on camera): A report by the Italian Wines Union says white wine has the same active ingredients as Tamiflu and might actually save me from the bird flu. Well, that is one bird flu cure I am willing to spend a little money on, just in case. Cheers.

Randi Kaye, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Right back at ya, Randi. ANDERSON COOPER is exposing fraud on his show. Join "AC 360" weeknights at 10:00 Eastern. And to get your Daily Dose of health news online. Log on to our Web site. You'll find the latest medical news, a health library and information on diet and fitness. The address is CNN.com/health.

And this just in to CNN, we're getting word that President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair plan to hold a joint news conference tomorrow in the East Room of the White House. That's scheduled to happen at 7:30 p.m. Eastern, and you can bet you'll see that live right here on CNN.

Well, just like politics, it comes down to the votes. Taylor Hicks or Katharine McPhee? Who is the next American Idol. We've been asking for your e-mail, and of course you, our wonderful viewers, you have been sending us the answers. Livetoday@CNN.com is where you can write to me. Your answer as to who should be the next American Idol. Overwhelmingly, just like Heather in Hamilton, New Jersey -- actually let's start in Manchester, New Hampshire. Steve says, "Taylor is fun to watch, but Katherine clearly has the God-given talent to sell records and fill arenas."

Now on to Hamilton, New Jersey. That's where Heather writes, saying "Taylor. I have never seen an artist with more heart, and soul and love for what he does. He lights up the room and really brings the crowd into his performance."

And one more, to California, Steven in Walnut Creek writes in, "In this sad, image-based society, Taylor just doesn't fit the mold."

Got to tell you, we had a bunch of Katharine e-mail there. Overwhelmingly, though, our viewers going toward Taylor.

We're going to talk more about this. Adrianna Costa from Headline News will be up for a little coffee talk as the girls break down the "Idol" finale. We'll get to that, after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Developing story. We're just getting this information into us here at CNN. President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair will hold a news conference tomorrow night in the east room of the White House, 7:30 p.m. Eastern. And you bet you'll see that live here on CNN.

Meanwhile, we move from that to what a lot of America is talking about. Did you see this last night?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SIMON COWELL, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: OK, assuming that I was right, the show was tied.

PAULA ABDUL, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: Assuming.

RANDY JACKSON, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: Assuming.

COWELL: Then you have just won "American Idol."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Well, that's Simon's take. Keep in mind, Simon didn't even give Taylor Hicks the pass to move on to Hollywood. But that's a different story. We are talking "Soul Patrol" or the "Kat Pack." Who will be celebrating tonight when the next "American Idol" is crowned? Will it be Taylor Hicks, the soulful singer from the Deep South, or the sultry Katharine McPhee from Southern California?

Time for CNN Headline News entertainment reporter Adrianna Costa.

ADRIANNA COSTA, CNN HEADLINE NEWS ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Hello! You'd think we would be a little bit biased since we're both from Southern Cali, right?

KAGAN: Yes, we would be going with Katharine, first of all, to the finals.

COSTA: Hello!

KAGAN: "Coffee Talk."

COSTA: I'm ready to just break this cup.

KAGAN: Great to see you here. We could wrap up this entire segment with one word: Taylor.

COSTA: How did we know? KAGAN: Just go, Taylor.

COSTA: I will still tell you I think the show is unpredictable and it's not a clean sweep.

KAGAN: Really?

COSTA: Katharine does have a lot of fans.

KAGAN: You don't think it's that easy?

COSTA: Listen, Chris Daughtry was knocked off a couple weeks ago and that was a surprise to everyone. So I don't think it's necessarily 100 percent his show. I was going to say, still watch tonight, you guys, because you never know, it could be Katharine's win. More likely than not, Taylor is going to take it.

KAGAN: Yes, let's break down the performances. First, Taylor, I think, from the very first performance, showed up to win.

COSTA: Right. Now, they sang three songs each last night, two repeats, repeat performances from sometime within the season. And then one of the songs, their last song, is what's to become their single, their hit single with radio play and all of that. Katharine's is called "My Destiny" and Taylor's is called, "Do I Make You Proud?" Obviously, you know, neither one of the performers wrote the songs.

KAGAN: Right. And kind of schlocky, I mean. You know, it's...

COSTA: Well, whatever.

KAGAN: I love gospel, but this has been done so many times on the "Idol." Gospel singers at the end. But to break it down, Katharine had a good performance in the middle, redoing her "Over the Rainbow."

COSTA: Right. And that -- I mean, she really, you know, takes the cake with that song. But Simon said, listen, the performances and the rate that this point -- after two songs, the performances were neck and neck. Like, it could have been either person's gain. Then Taylor sang his final song, and Simon said guess what, it's yours, it is your show, it is your win, and that's it, said and done.

KAGAN: Say what you want. Simon usually is pretty accurate of how people vote. Let's talk about Dial Idol.

COSTA: Exactly. Now, dialidol.com, which has been pretty accurate, you know, throughout the entire season, predicts that Katharine -- I mean, I'm sorry, that Taylor is going to win, as well. It looks like Taylor Hicks has 82 percent, versus Katharine, which is 66. Let me tell you what this is. It's a Web site that sort of documents the amount of busy signals you get when a call is placed for each contestant. So 82 percent of the time they call Taylor, it's busy, and 66, Katharine.

KAGAN: And it sounds like a wacky idea, but I think they have had something like 80 percent or higher than 80 percent prediction correct.

COSTA: Right, it's been accurate most of the time.

KAGAN: Like, the last 22 eliminations.

COSTA: Absolutely. So...

KAGAN: What are we going to see tonight, besides -- because they do stretch this thing? This is...

COSTA: Did you guys notice how many celebrities were in the audience? First of all, there was...

KAGAN: It's like the ticket.

COSTA: ... Mandy Moore. Oh, my God, absolutely. Mandy Moore was there. And Tori Spelling was there. Now, tonight, they're expecting all 12 "Idol" contestants from the season, as well as Clay Aiken, "Idol" alum Clay Aiken, and last year's winner Carrie Underwood, to take the stage also. She actually won two Country Music Awards last night, which was cool. And then -- this is going to be a funny one -- they're actually expecting Teri Hatcher to show up. Now, you know about the funny...

KAGAN: Explain what this thing is between Teri Hatcher and Ryan Seacrest.

COSTA: Why I know all this gossip is really embarrassing, but Teri Hatcher...

KAGAN: This is your job.

COSTA: I know, thank you. At least -- you know what? People used to make fun of me, now they're like, good, you should know this. Teri Hatcher used to date, or reportedly dated Ryan Seacrest. They were seen kissing, caught kissing by the paparazzi. She went on "Oprah" and claimed that he dumped her. So this will be the first time they're going to see each other face to face, if she does, in fact, show up.

KAGAN: We'll be watching.

COSTA: And you know how they love the...

KAGAN: Well, and there has to be a lot of reason to create intrigue, because I think we pretty much know who's going to win.

COSTA: Well, we hope so, right?

KAGAN: Taylor.

COSTA: Because we love Taylor.

KAGAN: I'm not necessarily even -- well, yes, OK, I will say, one over or the other, I would vote for Taylor over Katharine.

COSTA: You know what, two years from now, I'm going to still want to buy his music.

KAGAN: You are?

COSTA: Because he's humble. I think he's a humble guy, and I think he's adorable.

KAGAN: And interesting, isn't it true that Simon did not give him a pass in the original try-out?

COSTA: That is true. That is true. I think the salt and pepper sort of threw him off. He turned out to be a huge success.

KAGAN: That he is. And each -- both are going to be big successes either way. Will be come back tomorrow and talk about it?

COSTA: I would love to, yes.

KAGAN: OK, we'll save you a place...

COSTA: Thank you so much.

KAGAN: ... at "Coffee Talk."

COSTA: It's always good to see you. Looking gorgeous, as always, Daryn. Got to keep up with you. I mean, really.

KAGAN: Thanks, you're a cute girl.

COSTA: OK.

KAGAN: Thank you. OK, we'll see you tomorrow.

But meanwhile, you don't have to wait here to see Adrianna. You can see her every morning on Headline News on "Robin and Company."

Well, winning "American Idol" can make you a star. Just look at last year's winner, Carrie Underwood. This is what Adrianna was talking about.

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KAGAN: Very popular song. The Oklahoma native came up a double winner at the Academy of Country Music Awards last night. She won best new female vocalist and her hit song, "Jesus, Take the Wheel" was named single of the year.

Among winners in Las Vegas, Georgia native Jason Aldean, who picked up the best new male vocalist award.

One company wants to help pay for your gas. Well, that's a good deal. Details ahead when we check in on the markets. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

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KAGAN: Happy birthday, Bob Dylan. A senior citizen, the music legend turns 65 today, but he's not retiring. In "Forever Young," Dylan sings may your hands always be busy. Well, his are. He just played the New Orleans Jazz Festival, he's about to launch a European tour, and he hosts his own show on XM Radio. The folks in his hometown in Hibbing, Minnesota are hoping that he will stop by today. They are baking birthday cakes for him.

I'm Daryn Kagan. International news is up next.

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