Return to Transcripts main page
The Situation Room
White House Confronts Media Problems in Cheney Hunting Accident; Congressional Report Criticizes Government's Katrina Response; Bush's Approval Rating Sinking; Mine Families Appeal For Improved Mine Safety
Aired February 13, 2006 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: To our viewers, you're in THE SITUATION ROOM, where new pictures and information from around the world are arriving all the time.
Happening now, the flack after the vice presidential shot heard around the world. It's 3:00 p.m. in Texas, where the hunting pal Dick Cheney accidentally fired on is in stable condition. Now the White House is trying to recover from tough questions and embarrassing jokes.
Also this hour, blistering new criticism of the Katrina response, and a fierce defense by the Homeland Security chief. It's 4:00 p.m. here in Washington, where even a Republican report is extremely tough on the Bush administration.
And Iraq syndrome. Is public angst about the war making Americans less confident about other conflicts? We have some brand new poll numbers out this hour on the Iran nuclear stand-off and how the president's handling it.
I'm Wolf Blitzer. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
You might think it has all the makings of a "Saturday Night Live" skit, but you can be sure the accidental shooting by Vice President Dick Cheney is absolutely no joke to the White House, certainly no joke to the man he wounded. Attorney Harry Whittington is listed right now in stable condition at a Corpus Christi hospital two days after Dick Cheney mistakenly hit him in the face, neck and chest with bird shots. They had been hunting quail at a private ranch in South Texas.
The White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan was pummeled with questions today about how and when the details of the shooting were made public.
Let's bring in our White House correspondent Dana Bash. She has details -- Dana.
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Wolf. Well, I was here when the news broke, and I can tell you this was a controversial issue from the start, exactly how the information got out and why it took about 24 hours for that to happen.
Now, essentially what happened here at the White House is what you described. Scott McClellan, the White House press secretary, did -- pummeled is a good word. Got pummeled with those questions today. And his answers were very much in line with what we were hearing from the vice president's office yesterday, and also what we heard and are still hearing from Katharine Armstrong. She is the private citizen, one of the owners of the ranch that Mr. Cheney was shooting at. And also was the person that was in charge of getting this information out. That was agreed to by the vice president and Mrs. Armstrong on Sunday morning.
The big question, one of many questions is, why didn't this information get out to the public on Saturday night? The answer that they're giving now is simply that they didn't talk about it. Their focus was on getting Mr. Harry Whittington, the man who Mr. Cheney shot with a bird shot from about 30 yards away, getting him medical treatment.
But I can tell you, Wolf, that today if you watch the White House briefing, which is very contentious, carefully -- you heard Mr. McClellan, Scott McClellan, make it clear that he would have handled this differently.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN: I did not know who was involved in that hunting accident. It wasn't until very early Sunday morning that I found out that the vice president was involved in this accident. And of course, in a position like mine, I was urging that that information be made available as quickly as possible, and the vice president's office was working to get that information out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BASH: Now we also have a little bit more information, Wolf, about how the president and his staff were informed. It was actually Andy Card, the president's chief of staff, that first got word. He initially, just as you heard Scott McClellan say, just heard that there was a hunting accident, not exactly what happened, that Mr. Cheney actually shot a man accidentally. That information was not confirmed to the president until about 8:00 on Saturday night. And again, that information not getting out to the public until Sunday morning.
Along the lines of what Scott McClellan was saying, he was asked whether they've learned any lessons. And he did make clear, make a point to say that when the president was in an accident, for example, in Scotland last year, they told the press. They had a traveling press corps with them. It was a little bit different. But they told them right away to try to get the information out.
I talked earlier today with Alan Simpson, who was an long-time friend of Dick Cheney, and he put it this way. He said, he's always been tight-lipped with the media. He's never been expansive with the media. He says they didn't like it 20, 30 years ago, and they don't like it today -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Dana Bash at the White House. Thanks very much. Alan Simpson, the former U.S. senator from Wyoming, Republican. We're going to have much more on this story, coming up this hour here in our "Strategy Session." Something else, though, for the White House to deal with.
Our new CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll shows the president job approval rating back down to 39 percent, the first time he's been under 40 percent since November of last year. Mr. Bush's rating had held at about 43 percent throughout the month of January. We're going to have more on these new poll numbers, what they tell us about Mr. Bush, all that coming up here in THE SITUATION ROOM.
The president got an earful today from the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. During talks over at the White House, the U.N. chief shared his concerns about the Iraq conflict, the Iranian nuclear stand-off, protests in the Muslim world over those cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. But Annan's main focus seemed to be on the situation in Sudan's war-torn region of Darfur.
In an exclusive interview after the meeting, I asked Kofi Annan about his appeal for resources for peacekeeping in Darfur.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KOFI ANNAN, SECRETARY-GENERAL, UNITED NATIONS: ... the next force, in my judgment, should be quite a different force with a completely different force structure.
It should be highly mobile, both on the ground and in the air, with effective communication, to be able to be on the ground when really needed. When there is a new SOS, to prevent the people from being attacked or molested and not come after the damage has been done.
And this is going to require troops from governments with capacity -- well-trained, well-equipped troops. It should include troops from Western countries, troops from Third World countries, who have participated over the years in peace-keeping. And we all need to pull together to make it happen. And the president is in agreement with me.
BLITZER: Did he indicate he would send American forces, logistical combat, boots on the ground, as they say, to help you?
ANNAN: We hadn't got to that stage yet, because we are doing the planning. And I think when the planning is done and we come up with detailed requirements, then each government will have to indicate what they will offer and what they can do. And I hope U.S. and other governments with capacity will pull together and work with us in putting the forces on the ground and making it happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: And we're going to have much more on my exclusive interview with Kofi Annan in the next hour here in THE SITUATION ROOM and we'll also have the U.N. Secretary-General's take on the Iraq conflict and much more coming up at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. We had a wide- ranging interview earlier today.
Now some harsh words for the Bush administration from fellow Republicans about its handling of the Hurricane Katrina disaster. A new congressional report finds a widespread, quote, "failure of leadership." In response, the Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is offering some changes and a self-defense.
Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is standing by, but let's begin with our Homeland Security correspondent Jeanne Meserve -- Jeanne?
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the minority report from Democrats on the House Select Committee says Michael Chertoff should be removed from office for his missteps during Hurricane Katrina. The draft majority report does not go to that extreme, but does say that Chertoff executed his responsibilities "late, ineffectually, or not at all," even though the effects of the storm had been predicted in a table top exercise called Hurricane Pam.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS (R), CONNECTICUT: We seemed to ignore both 9/11 and this table top exercise that predicted almost everything that would happen. Mr. Chertoff, who is head of the Department of Homeland Security, was basically and surprisingly detached. And Mr. Brown was basically clueless and negligent. And so the whole system just broke down.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MESERVE: Speaking to emergency managers today, Mr. Chertoff acknowledged the response to the storm had been unacceptable.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL CHERTOFF, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: I want to be clear. As the secretary of Homeland Security, I am accountable and accept responsibility for the performance of the entire department, good and bad. I also have the responsibility to fix what went wrong so we can meet the president's expectations and the public's expectations for helping disaster victims as quickly and effectively as possible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MESERVE: Chertoff says his department is working to improve communications, logistics, debris removal and service to victims in advance of upcoming hurricane season, as well as eliminating operational and communications stove pipes.
Chertoff also said there is no place for a lone ranger in emergency response, perhaps a reference to Michael Brown, the former FEMA director who testified Friday that talking to Chertoff was quote, "a waste of time" and that he went directly to the White House. A Chertoff spokesman today accused Brown of willful insubordination and suggested Brown's approach was to blame at least in part for the secretary not having a better grasp of the dire situation in New Orleans -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jeanne Meserve reporting. Thank you very much. And within the past hour, the White House has been doing its own bit of damage control over the Katrina fire storm.
Let's go back to the White House. Suzanne Malveaux with this part of the story -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, it's very interesting. The White House is under no illusion about just the very bad perception that people have of the White House, of FEMA, of Homeland Security. This is coming from the president's own Homeland Security adviser, Fran Townsend, before a group of first responders.
She said just moments ago. She said that we must restore and re- earn your confidence and trust so that when someone says "I am from the federal government and I am here to help," you can believe it and not laugh. That coming from Fran Townsend.
The White House essentially taking issue at two points when it comes to this report. First, the perception that the president was not fully engaged initially before the storm hit. She brings up the fact that he issued emergency declarations, that he was on the phone with the governors as well as the New Orleans mayor and that he made a plea for people to get out. Fran Townsend just moments ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FRANCES TOWNSEND, WHITE HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISER: I reject outright the suggestion that President Bush was anything less than fully involved. He received regular briefings, had countless conversations with federal, state and local officials, and took extraordinary steps prior to landfall.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: The second point here Wolf is the fact that people are saying that they had a full extent of the information about the levee breaches. The White House insisting, Fran Townsend insisting, that they really had conflicting reports initially on that Monday. It wasn't until the next morning they had a full extent, a full briefing about the state of those levees.
But they said having said that, it really wouldn't have mattered, it wouldn't have changed the way they responded to this, that they wanted to save lives. They were out in force in their search and rescue efforts. And Wolf, all of this, of course, part of the White House trying to get out in front of all this. They are saying that Fran Townsend's report is going to be released in the next couple of weeks.
BLITZER: Very quick question, Suzanne. If the president was as fully engaged as she says, why didn't he leave Crawford, come back to the White House before landfall? MALVEAUX: Well the White House says essentially the president can assemble and talk to anybody who he wants to at the Crawford Ranch and that that's what he was doing. He was acting in a very methodical way, making sure members of his cabinets, the secretaries, would all be able to get back to Washington at the same time so he could hold that briefing. That is what we saw. But the president did actually cut short that vacation by two days or so. But it was time for them to collect everybody together and they say it really wouldn't have made a difference. Obviously a big perception problem however, Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, Suzanne, thank you very much -- Suzanne at the White House.
MALVEAUX: A second group of hurricane evacuees is losing FEMA financing for their hotel rooms. A judge in New Orleans today refused to make the government keep paying for rooms for about 12,000 families. FEMA says it will still give them financial aid. The money can be used for hotel stays or for fixing their homes. But attorneys for the evacuees say FEMA isn't providing enough money. In assessing federal response to Hurricane Katrina, the investigation is largely turning on who knew what and when. And many of the digital clues can be found online. Our Internet reporter Jacki Schechner has more. Jacki?
JACKI SCHECHNER, CNN INTERNET REPORTER: Wolf, a graphical representation of the path of Hurricane Katrina behind me, available online from the National Weather Service hurricane center.
But even more interesting than this are the details available online, alerts and advisories from the days in question. Let's take a look at FEMA here. This is Sunday, the day before the hurricane hit. Talking about how a direct hit could wind up submerging the city in several feet of water.
Now remember FEMA is a part of the Department of Homeland Security. Also from this day, making matters worse, their words. At least 100,000 people do not have transportation to get out of town, from the day of the hurricane on Monday the 29th, that the details to protect life and property should be complete at this stage.
Also going on to say that there could be again, freshwater flooding, not only from FEMA, but we saw the same thing from the National Hurricane Center itself. Again Wolf, freshwater flooding very much on everyone's radar screen.
BLITZER: Jacki, thank you very much. Let's check in with Jack Cafferty in New York with "The Cafferty File." Hope you had a nice, quiet weekend, Jack.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Spent a lot of time on the business end of my snow shovel. I have a sore back today, nobody cared. Have you ever been quail hunting with the vice president?
BLITZER: Never been quail hunting period.
CAFFERTY: Would you like to go? BLITZER: No.
CAFFERTY: Oh, OK. The White House has steadfastly refused to make them public, but they got out anyway. Here's the first photo of President Bush and disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. There it is. It was taken in 2001, published this week by "Time" magazine and "The New York Times."
The president seen shaking hands with an Abramoff client, the chairman of the Indian tribe. Abramoff's face is in the background on the left of the picture there. The White House says the photo is authentic but they say it doesn't mean these two men had a personal relationship. They say the president has taken tens of thousands of pictures in the last five years and that a picture like this has nothing to do with the Justice Department's investigation of Abramoff.
But last week an e-mail surfaced from Abramoff to a journalist friend. He wrote that he had met the president almost a dozen times and that he was even invited to the Crawford Ranch along with some other political donors. He said the president saw him in many settings and joked with him about many different things, including his kids. So here's the question this Monday. Does the new photo of President Bush and lobbyist Jack Abramoff mean anything? E-mail your thoughts to caffertyfile@CNN.com or you can go to CNN.com/CaffertyFile. Wolf?
BLITZER: Thank you very much, Jack -- Jack Cafferty with "The Cafferty File." Coming up, the nuclear stand-off with Iran. Do Americans have confidence in the president's ability to diffuse the danger? Also ahead, a push to ban gay marriage making a comeback of sorts on Capitol Hill. We'll tell you what's happening next. That's coming up in the "Culture Wars."
And flying high or still snowed in? We'll have the latest on airport conditions after the weekend white-out in the Northeast. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Our Zain Verjee is on assignment on "AMERICAN MORNING," but CNN's Betty Nguyen is joining us from the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta us with a closer look at other stories making news. Hi, Betty.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hi there, Wolf. Airports across the northeastern U.S. are open again after this weekend's powerful nor'easter. But it's still slow going for many stranded travelers who just want to get back home. There are still some delays at New York's three major airports including La Guardia. The storm canceled more than 500 flights in and out of New York yesterday alone.
Now four U.S. troops were killed in central Afghanistan when their Humvee struck a roadside bomb today. They were on patrol with Afghan national army forces. The U.S. military says the U.S. and Afghan troops, they also came under small arms and grenade fire. U.S. helicopters and fighter planes responded to that attack. High courtroom drama in Saddam Hussein's torture trial in Baghdad today. The ousted Iraqi leader walked into the courtroom shouting "down with Bush," and called the judge a criminal. Hussein's half brother and co-defendant had to be pulled into the courtroom. Two witnesses, former member of Hussein's regime, said they were being forced to testify against their will. The court is now adjourned for the day and resumes tomorrow. We'll be watching.
And a suicide bombing outside a bank killed at least six people in Baghdad today, 41 others were injured. Iraqi police say the bomber blew himself up in a line of people, waiting for food ration payments. Wolf?
BLITZER: All right, Betty, thank you very much -- Betty Nguyen reporting.
Relatives of dead coal miners went to Capitol Hill today on a mission. At a Democratic Party forum they appealed for improved mine safety and tugged at heart strings in the process. CNN's Kathleen Koch is watching the hearings. She is joining us now live.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, there was such pain and anguish etched in the faces of these family members who spoke. Not just those whose loss was fresh but those who say the Sago tragedy in West Virginia could have been prevented.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SARAH BAILEY, DAUGHTER OF SAGO MINER: My dad was more than just a dad to me. He was my best friend. He was my leader. My companion.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOCH (voice-over): Grief and emotion from the families of the lost Sago miners was front and center at the House Forum on Mine Safety. Sarah Bailey read publicly for the first time a letter found with the body of her father George Hamner.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The section is full of smoke and fumes. So we can't escape. I just want you and Sarah to know I love you both, and always have.
KOCH: But equally intense, the anger of families of 13 Alabama miners killed in a similar accident in 2001.
WANDA BLEVINS, WIDOW OF ALABAMA MINER: There was several recommendations that was made. And had they been implemented and followed, gentlemen, you would not be dealing with Sago today. You would not be dealing with Sago today. Nothing was taken into consideration after Brookwood. Nothing. So did my husband die in vain?
KOCH: Families asked lawmakers to require better communications equipment and supplies of food, air and water underground for miners in case they are trapped. They also want better enforcement of mine safety rules and regulations. CHUCK KNISELL, FORMER SAGO MINER: It's time now for the government to stand up and take care of this problem. These coal companies are getting away with murder.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOCH: Today's hearing was decidedly one-sided. No one from the coal industry testified, nor from the government agency that inspects mines. And the hearing was attended by Democrats only. Republicans refusing to participate until after the Sago Mine investigation is concluded, Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, Kathleen. Very heart wrenching stories indeed. Appreciate it very much.
Up next, is President Bush suffering from a case of Iraq syndrome? New poll numbers and Bill Schneider's diagnosis. That's coming up.
Plus, gay marriage in culture wars. Will the U.S. Senate vote to ban same-sex marriage? Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: President Bush is losing ground again with the American people. We have brand new poll numbers out this hour. Our senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, has been looking at these numbers, looking at the trends. What are you picking up?
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Since November, President Bush has been on the offensive trying to boost his approval ratings. How has he done?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): In November, growing discontent over the war in Iraq drove President Bush's job approval down to 38 percent. So the president went on the offensive. He gave a series of speeches aimed at rallying the American public.
November 30th, Annapolis.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We will never give in.
SCHNEIDER: December 12th, Philadelphia.
BUSH: We will accept nothing less than complete victory.
SCHNEIDER: January 10th, Washington.
BUSH: Our goal in Iraq is victory.
SCHNEIDER: The president's job ratings did go up, a bit, to 43 percent. The campaign peaked with the State of the Union speech.
BUSH: We are in this fight to win. And we are winning.
SCHNEIDER: So where is President Bush now? Back down to 39 percent. Americans here talk of victory, but they don't see it. Only 31 percent believe the United States and its allies are winning the war in Iraq. The majority believes neither side is winning.
The number who say the U.S. made a mistake sending troops to Iraq is up to 55 percent, the highest it's been since last September and Iraq syndrome may be setting in like the Vietnam syndrome that made Americans wary of military intervention for 15 years after the Vietnam War.
The U.S. now faces a dire threat from Iran.
BUSH: The nations of the world must not permit the Iranian regime to gain nuclear weapons.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SCHNEIDER: Only nine percent want the U.S. to take military action against Iran now. An additional 36 percent favor military action if diplomatic and economic efforts fail. Together, that equals the 45 percent who say the U.S. should not take any military action against Iran.
Is that Iraq syndrome? Well consider this. The number of Americans who say they are concerned the U.S. will be too quick to use military force against Iran is slightly higher than the number concerned that the U.S. will not do enough to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
BLITZER: Bill, what about the question of how likely it would be that Iran would ever use a nuclear weapon against the United States? What do the American people think about that?
SCHNEIDER: Well the poll asks, suppose Iran does develop nuclear weapons? How likely do you think it is that Iran would provide a nuclear weapon to terrorists who would use it against the United States? You see here 50 percent say that's very likely. And an additional 30 percent say somewhat likely. That to me is a picture of a dire threat that Americans believe if Iran has a nuclear weapon, they will turn it over to terrorists.
BLITZER: Eighty percent believe very likely or somewhat likely. That's a really high number. Thank you very much for that report.
In the culture wars yet another showdown in the works right now over banning gay marriage. Our congressional correspondent, Ed Henry, is joining us now to tell us what is happening on Capitol Hill and how likely this is to play out during this election year.
ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, good afternoon. In fact Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist confirms to CNN he will have a vote on a Constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage the first week of June, a move likely to fail but guaranteed to spark a fiery debate in this election year. Senator Frist knows the vote is going to fail. What's the point? Basically, this is a wedge issue. He knows it's going to whip up conservatives heading into the midterms and it's going to put moderate Democrats on the defensive.
Democrats also charge that Senator Frist is trying to woo voters before the 2008 presidential campaign. Of course Republican aides deny that. They say this is all about getting this issue front and center and not letting up on it.
If you think back to 2004 there were only 48 votes in favor of a procedural motion to get to the ban, 19 votes short of the super majority of 67 you would need to advance a Constitutional amendment. Frist thinks he's picked up a couple of votes. He knows he'll fall short of 67, but he thinks he'll get a little closer, Wolf?
BLITZER: I want to follow up, switching gears a little bit, on that Republican retreat you went out to on the eastern shore of Maryland on Friday. What has emerged from it, and how does the Star Wars theme, if you will, play into all of this?
ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's interesting. House Majority Leader John Boehner told me they really weren't going to plan to emerge with any sort of ten-point plan or anything. And sure enough, Republican aides say nothing really concrete came out of these meetings, especially on the issue of lobbying reform because Republicans are so sharply divided on it.
But this retreat did give Republicans a chance to come together on something they agree on, and that's beating back the challenge from Nancy Pelosi and Democrats in the midterm elections. So Republicans did have a little bit of fun, putting together a spoof film portraying themselves as Star Wars heroes and Pelosi as part of the evil Democratic empire. We've a copy of the tape. Take a look at what they did.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MALE ANNOUNCER: This mighty machine was filled to the most liberal, stocked by the most heinous of left wing robots. The purpose of this...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HENRY: Now, a spokeswoman for Nancy Pelosi had some fun with this as well, shooting back to CNN. Quote, "Republicans have reason to worry this year because the force is with Democrats." And it turns out just coincidentally, George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, will be on the Hill tomorrow appearing with Nancy Pelosi to help roll out their innovation agenda. We'll see if he gets the final word on this, Wolf.
BLITZER: And we got this video from House Republicans, is that right?
HENRY: That's right. They put it out there. Democrats having some fun with it as well. But tomorrow, George Lucas will be on the Hill, so maybe he'll comment on it as well, Wolf.
BLITZER: All right. We'll stand by and see. Thanks very much, Ed Henry, with that.
Up next, the White House under siege today from the White House press corps over Vice President Dick Cheney's friendly fire. But will there be any political collateral damage? That's coming up next in today's strategy session.
Plus, the ballot for Congress. Bill Bennett gives Republicans some campaign advice. Donna Brazile gives the Democrats a few tips as well. If you love politics, you won't want to miss what's coming up. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Today in our strategy session, the vice president's accidental shooting of a fellow hunter has raised numerous questions. Was the press properly informed? Should the White House have come forward sooner?
Plus, our two political professionals have some tough talk for their own parties. Where do they see their greatest weaknesses, the vulnerabilities? Joining us now, CNN analyst, Democratic strategy Donna Brazile. And Bill Bennett, the host of "Morning in America." That's a radio show. Thanks to both of you for joining us.
Listen to Scott McClellan. He was barraged, pummeled, with questions by the White House press corps earlier today on this issue. Why didn't they come forward, the White House, and tell everyone about this accidental shooting instead of learning it form a local newspaper in Corpus Christi? Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: We learned additional information overnight and throughout the night. We were learning additional information here in Washington. The vice president spoke with Mrs. Katherine Armstrong. And they agreed that she should make that information public. She was an eyewitness. She saw what occurred. And she called her local paper to provide those facts to the local paper.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: One of the first rules of damage control -- Lanny Davis used to say this during the Clinton administration, and he knew a lot about damage control -- was if you have bad information, the Reagan administration you serve during that administration, you should get it out yourself. Because you know it's going to get out anyhow. But at least you come forward and tell everyone what's going on. The White House made a mistake this time.
BILL BENNETT, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Maybe. It's a little odd. I mean, I still can't figure this one out. I mean, the White House press corps was in hide dungeon (ph), of course. Now, it was given to a local newspaper.
BLITZER: Not by the White House, by the woman who owns the ranch.
BENNETT: Right. But, I mean, the White House press corps was part of the fourth estate event (ph), the entire fourth estate. So a local newspaper counts. The fact that they waited is a little odd. I think what Cheney has to do, the vice president has to do, is to get out and answer every question there is about this, a good 20 or 30 minutes.
Because it's odd. I mean, the last time this happened was Aaron Burr shot Hamilton. Now, it was different. He meant to kill him, and Cheney was just -- you're the hunter, I'm not. But it was just accidentally shooting, I guess, buck shot...
BLITZER: Bird shot.
BENNETT: Bird shot. Whatever. See, I'm not the hunter. But it is an odd situation. It requires some answers. And he has to come forward himself and explain it.
BLITZER: What do you think?
DONNA BRAZILE, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: I totally agree the vice president should come forward with it. Look, they mishandled it. The president knew about it on Saturday night. Seems like everyone else in the White House knew about it. But the public didn't know.
BLITZER: Scott McClellan, the press secretary, didn't know until Sunday morning.
BRAZILE: Well, still, I'm sure someone understood the gravity of the situation, although this gentleman was not harmed, it was an accident. But still, the vice president's office should have released the information right away and not, you know, sort of pass it onto the owner of the ranch to go public and talk about it. She has no experience talking to the media. The vice president knew what happened. He should have went public.
BLITZER: So you say he wasn't harmed. This is a 78-year-old man who was shot in the face, the cheeks, the torso. And he's in intensive care in stable condition, thank God, right now. Bbut this could have been a whole lot worse.
But still, 78-year-old guy getting shot in that stage of his life. We don't know what kind of history or health problems he might have. Heart problems. That could be a big deal.
BRAZILE: Absolutely. And again, we don't even know if the local sheriffs have been involved and if they were told anything. The secret service apparently shut them out as well. So there's a lot of questions that need to be answered. And again, it starts with the vice president's office.
BLITZER: All right, let's switch gears. BENNETT: Sunlight's the best disinfectant here, as always. Got to answer every question, then it goes away. If they don't, it doesn't go away. Because the comedians are going to run with this. I mean, can you imagine, excuse the expression, cartoonists.
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: All right. Let's talk about some candid advice that both of you have for your respective parties. And Bill, I'm going to start with you on the budget, for example. Let's talk about that. What do the Republicans need to do right now to reestablish their stance?
BENNETT: Big problem for the Republicans because this administration's spending money, and it's spending money fast. I think it's $2.77 trillion, the budget we're looking at. Ronald Reagan's last budget was 1.1. I presided over $16 billion at the Department of Education. Asked for 14, now it's 55.
Republicans are supposed to be keeping government spending under control. The defense part we understand, the war we understand. But there are a lot of restive Republicans out there. If they want to hold onto their base, they better do something about this.
BLITZER: You have some strong advice for your fellow Democrats, including what you call having a voice.
BRAZILE: Well, look. I was out there in every midterm election since 1984 -- the 1986 midterm election. And I tell you, without an agenda, the Democrats cannot rally their base and get independents and others to come and embrace the party of change.
So I think it's important that the Democrats speak with one voice, especially on national security. They put those kitchen tables in there. But they have to meet the threshold on national security and then go forward and tell the American people what they would do differently than the Republicans.
BLITZER: You have candid advice for Republicans when it comes to some global issues and what you have called barbarians. What do you mean?
BENNETT: The three Bs. We talked about one already, the budget. The other is the barbarians, if you will. The radical Islamists. And I think the administration has to be careful. The first comments about the cartoon situation were a little too conciliatory, I think, to the extremists. Then the state department got it right.
But the big problem for the administration -- and some Democrat or somebody may pick up on this, it's an 800-pound guerrilla -- is Saudi Arabia. You know that's the home of Wahabi Islam. That's where 15 of the 19 hijackers came from. It's a very close relationship between the administration and Saudi Arabia.
Luckily for the administration, Al Gore, who is no longer under Donna's supervision, went to Saudi Arabia and in Saudi Arabia, criticized the United States, which is ridiculous. But not every Democrat will do that.
The other problem for us, and I'll be quiet, is the borders. The president has not satisfied the base and most of the American people that he has a good, workable, tough enough plan on the borders. One terrorist gets through this border and does any kind of damage and it can be the end.
BLITZER: What about some advice for the Democrats, Donna, that you have? You call it no more follow the nominee. What do you mean by that?
BRAZILE: Well, we wait every four years in order to talk about national issues when a nominee is selected. We cannot afford to wait until 2008. Look, the other thing I would tell Democrats is not be afraid of the culture issues.
Look, every two Republicans make Democrats jump through the hurdle on God, gays, and guns. Perhaps now that the vice president needs some lessons in terms of shooting, maybe we can just talk about gays. And the Republicans once again will use it as a wedge issue.
So I think Democrats got to talk about culture issues. Got to address those concerns that the American people feel about values. And I believe that that will give Democrats a winning edge. And I have to say, Al Gore is an alpha male. He will not listen to any one of us.
BENNETT: He's in the home of alpha males in Saudi Arabia. Long time.
BLITZER: All right. We'll talk about all of this advice in the weeks, months ahead.
Coming up. Vice President's Cheney's accidental shooting isn't his only problem today. He's also facing some serious political shots from none other than Howard Dean, the Democratic Party chairman. We're going to tell you what Howard Dean is saying.
Plus, President Bush steps up to the plate as the World Series champs pay a visit to the White House. Stay with us because you're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. On our political radar, the Democratic Party chairman versus the vice president. Today, Howard Dean is pressing his contention that Dick Cheney should resign if, it turns out, he ordered a top aide to leak classified information. Former Cheney chief of staff Lewis "Scooter" Libby reportedly told the grand jury in the CIA leak case he leaked the classified memo in defense of the invasion of Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOWARD DEAN, DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: Vice President Cheney has, in fact, ordered the leaking of political information -- of intelligence information. That means that he has to step aside. We don't know if it's true. But he's been accused of it. If it's true, he has to step aside.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Howard Dean on "American Morning" earlier today. You can see "American Morning" every weekday, beginning 6:00 a.m. Eastern here on CNN.
President Bush once again is relishing his role as baseball fan in chief. Today, he met with the 2005 World Series winners, the Chicago White Sox. He says after 88 years of waiting, the Sox earned the right to be called world champions, even though Mr. Bush acknowledged his parents had been in the front row rooting for the other team. That would be the Houston Astros.
Up next, hunting and politics. Dick Cheney's gun mishap reminds us of the many public officials who have put on camouflage and gone after game.
And we know Harry Whittington took a shot from the vice president. But what else goes on at that ranch where they were hunting? We'll have a live report from Texas in our 7:00 p.m. Eastern hour here in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Here's a look at some of the hot shots coming in from our friends over at the Associated Press, pictures likely to be in your hometown newspapers tomorrow. Muskegon, Michigan. An 86-car pile up. Look at this. Snow and ice turned this Michigan freeway into a virtual skating rink. Thank God no one was killed.
To Baghdad now. Saddam Hussein in a robe. The disheveled Iraqi dictator arrived as his trial today shouting, quote, "Down with Bush."
Moscow, zero gravity. This Brazilian astronaut trains with Russians on space travel. He'll blast off for the international space station in March.
Torino, Italy, Olympic gold. The American Joey Cheek sails to victory in the men's 500 speed-skating race. Those are some of today's hot shots. Pictures often worth a thousand words.
After president vice Cheney accidentally shot a hunting pal, politicians may want to think twice about picking up a rifle and going after game. Then again, they may not since hunting and politics go way back. Here's our national correspondent Bruce Morton.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRUCE MORTON, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Do politicians love to hunt? Well, some. Theodore Roosevelt went after big game, went exploring. A genuine enthusiast. Dick Cheney loves to hunt. There's been story after story about his hunting trips, though none, fair is fair, quite as dramatic as this last one. Harry Truman? He'd rather of played poker. Dwight Eisenhower organized a partridge hunt in North Africa during World War II and hunted as president. But when he had his brothers, you'd find him on a golf course. John Kennedy, a biographer recalls, Lyndon Johnson bullied him into shooting a deer once on the LBJ Ranch. But he didn't like it, and didn't fish much either. Though, of course, he loved to sail.
Johnson himself hunted deer and doves on his ranch, though he sometimes stocked game so heavily you could argue there wasn't much sport in it. Richard Nixon? This man was so out of tune with nature he went walking on a beach in a business suit. Stocking game in the wild? Forget it.
Jimmy Carter grew up in rural Georgia, fished as a child, went hunting with his father when he was a kid who could only carry a BB gun. Ronald Reagan? No. Chopped brush and rode at his ranch. But cared so much about wildlife there he had rattlesnakes trapped and carted away, not killed.
George Herbert Walker Bush loved fishing. Grew up in Maine, after all. Hunted some. Bill Clinton went duck hunting in Arkansas, but one friend recalled, like the people, the camaraderie, more than actually seeing how many ducks he could kill.
This president likes to hunt quail with family and friends, especially on New Year's Day. John Kerry, the man he beat, spent time posing with guns. But voters probably saw more of him pursuing exotic sports, wind surfing and so on.
So some do and some don't. But if I were a quail or maybe even just a hunting companion, I know who I'd steer clear of. The vice president is often in what's called a secure location. But that means secure for him.
The last vice president to hit anyone, by the way, was Aaron Burr, who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804. Harry Whittington was much luckier.
Bruce Morton, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Thank you very much for Bruce Morton.
And just ahead, we'll have more on the vice president's bad shot. That's coming up in the next hour, as well in our 7:00 p.m. hour. And we'll also preview how the late night talk shows are going to handle it. You can imagine. It's giving them plenty of material.
Still to come here, not quite a Kodak moment. The first published photo of President Bush and the disgraced Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff is now out. But is the picture worth a thousand words or none at all? Jack Cafferty wants to know what you think. And also, my exclusive interview with the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. What he has to say on the Iran nuclear crisis, the uproar over the Prophet Mohammed cartoons. All that coming up in the next hour right here in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. The story of the vice president's accidental shooting is a made for the Internet story to be sure. Liberal blogs are having a field day with the story. Conservatives are expressing concern. Let's bring in our Internet reporter Jacki Schechner for an update -- Jacki?
SCHECHNER: Wolf, let's start on the conservative side. Some serious conversation over at the corner. John Pedora (ph) is talking about what Dick Cheney must do now. What he's saying is that Cheney's got to come out and explain what happened or otherwise he's going to be damaged goods for the rest of the presidency.
But then we move on to the funny stuff, and there's plenty of it, starting over at The Daily Kos. And this was first posted -- George (inaudible) was posting, said basically it actually happened. This isn't a joke. I'm seeing a lot of that out there today when this first came out over at Talk Left. We're seeing a lot of graphics like this, that they can't be straight shooters in the Bush administration. Left and right on that one, by the way. James Wolcott (ph), Vice President Elmer Fudd. Somebody needs to take the shotgun away from grandpa. Lots of references like this.
And then, of course, there's this game, which is showing up in your e-mail inbox probably as we speak. Take a look. You can see where Dick Cheney, that's supposed to be, waits for the quail. You shoot it. And unfortunately, you miss. Now, of course, this is serious stuff. But we wanted to show you some of the things showing up online.
Also showing up online is this, Wolf. Wanted to show you and Jack this one. This is Cenk Uygur (ph) blogging over at The Huffington Post. He's a liberal radio talk show host. He thinks Jack Cafferty can save the world. Not as a super hero, but with his candor.
And he says he thinks Jack should have his own show. I talked to him today and I reminded him Jack does have his own show on the weekends. It's a business show called "In The Money." But he says no. He wants to hear Jack talk more honestly about current events.
Jack, what do you think?
BLITZER: First of all, he didn't say, "Jack can save the world." He said "Hack can save America." Let's be precise.
SCHECHNER: Oh, I'm sorry. I was giving Jack more credit.
BLITZER: You're the future. You're the hope for America, Jack.
CAFFERTY: Today America, tomorrow the world. You have to start small.
BLITZER: OK. Congratulations.
CAFFERTY: Yes. So "Time" magazine and "The New York Times" are out with one of these photos with the president with Abramoff that the White House refused to release. It's a 2001 picture. Shows the president shaking hands with an Abramoff client. And Abramoff's in the background on the left there. The White House says the photo's authentic, but they say it doesn't mean the two had a personal relationship. The question is this. Does the new picture of President Bush and the lobbyist Jack Abramoff mean anything?
Keith in Arlington, Texas writes, "No. I have a picture of me and the president in the same room. I only said six words to him. I'm sure if you dig deep enough into history, you'll find photos of many presidents with people of dubious concern. Give me a break."
Bob writes from Louisville, "Doesn't mean a thing. Abramoff just saw a group of Indians walking into the White House, managed to tag along without signing in and without anyone knowing he was there. By coincidence, they turned out to be the same people he had charged an exorbitant fee to arrange such a meeting. And by further coincidence, it appears Abramoff, Karl Rove, and the president are the only ones in the picture who aren't Indians."
Aurelia (ph) in Houston: "The pictures show the same thing that the Lewinski pictures show, that there is a connection between the president and Abramoff. Is Bush also going to tell us that he doesn't have fundraising relations with this man, Mr. Abramoff?
R. in Gainesville, Florida: "What concerns me is not that Bush knows Jack Abramoff, but that he seems to have compelled to lie about something so seemingly trivial. It makes me wonder how honest the president is about topics of real significance."
Mo writes, "If it was Abramoff shaking hands with Bush, that might be newsworthy. But when you have to circle a face way in the background like 'Where's Waldo?' I don't think so."
And finally, Robert writes from Florida: "No, Jack. Photos of Bush and Abramoff will not mean anything until there is nudity."
BLITZER: Jack, thanks very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
