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Bush Issues Statement Proclaiming Support For Rumsfeld; History Of Retired Military Dissent; Many Members Of Congress Using Easter Break To Campaign For Reelection; Nontraditional Families To Participate In White House Easter Egg Roll; What Is Bill Clinton Up To Now?
Aired April 14, 2006 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks, Kyra.
To our viewers, you're in THE SITUATION ROOM, where new pictures and information are arriving all the time. Standing by, CNN reporters across the United States and around the world to bring you today's top stories.
Happening now, President Bush makes a pointed effort to defend his Pentagon chief, but can Donald Rumsfeld hold up under mounting pressure to resign? It's 4:00 p.m. in Washington where the Bush administration can't ignore a revolt by retired generals.
Also this hour, Easter eggs and the culture wars. Gay families are hoping to put a new spin on a White House tradition. Is it a positive statement or a political protest?
And the many faces of Bill Clinton now on display -- ex- president, self-proclaimed sinner, and preacher of the political gospel. Could first spouse be next?
I'm Heidi Collins and you're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
Hi, everybody. Wolf is off today. The cries for Donald Rumsfeld's head apparently got too loud today for President Bush. Just a couple of hours ago, Mr. Bush interrupted his Easter weekend stay at Camp David to issue a statement proclaiming his full support for his defense secretary.
He's rallying behind Rumsfeld now that a half dozen retired generals have publicly called for the Pentagon chief's resignation. Our senior analyst Jeff Greenfield is standing by now.
First up, our White House correspondent Ed Henry -- Ed.
ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Heidi.
A remarkable defense of the defense secretary, President Bush deciding to issue this vote of confidence himself, not a statement from the White House press secretary, but from the commander in chief, interrupting his holiday at Camp David to do it, first in a phone call to secretary Rumsfeld, then in this public statement, the president clearly feeling this could not even wait until Monday. The course of criticism has just grown too loud so he, in his prepared statements, said in part, quote, "Secretary Rumsfeld's energetic and steady leadership is exactly what is needed at the critical period. He has my full support and deepest appreciation."
Also noteworthy in this short statement, just three paragraphs, the president four times referred to the secretary as Don, a clear sign he still considers him a close confidante, not someone he is trying to distance himself from.
Also noteworthy, this was released on the very first day on the tenure of the new White House chief of staff, Josh Bolten, taking over for Andy Card. A lot of speculation about the potential for a White House shake-up at the staff level, the cabinet level.
We're told Bolten will not be going to Camp David this weekend. Instead, he's going to be moving officially from his office over at the budget director's office to the chief of staff office. He wants to hit the ground running Monday.
It's very interesting, people reading the tea leaves, looking at the fact that the president has not put out such a full-throated defense of the treasury secretary, John Snow, who also has been embattled. Whenever we ask the White House press secretary about John Snow, we're told they don't comment on personnel moves. Clearly the president not hesitating about a personnel move or a potential personnel move.
Commenting on Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is a clear sign he's sticking with him, perhaps in part because firing Don Rumsfeld would be admitting that mistakes have been made in Iraq. This is a president that does not like to admit mistakes -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Ed Henry, a lot going on, even though it is Good Friday. thank you for that, Ed.
Secretary Rumsfeld also brushing aside his critics today. During an interview with an Arab television network, he was asked about the retired generals who are urging him to step down.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: I intend to serve the president at his pleasure, and the fact that two or three or four retired people have different views -- I respect their views, but obviously, if out of thousands and thousands of admirals and generals, if every time two or three people disagreed we changed the secretary of defense of the United States, it would be like a merry-go-round.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Secretary Rumsfeld says he's not surprised by the criticism he's been get getting from retired military brass. Should we be surprised?
Well here's our senior analyst Jeff Greenfield to talk to that. And, Jeff, this has happened before, right?
JEFF GREENFIELD, CNN SENIOR ANALYST: Well, Heidi, is it all that unusual for retired military brass to criticize a war? No, but what does make the current dissent unusual is that the folks cheering on this dissent are not the usual suspects.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GREENFIELD (voice-over): Such dissent goes back at least as far as the Civil War, when President Lincoln fired top general George McClellan for his apparent unwillingness to fight. McClellan became Lincoln's Democratic opponent in 1864, running on a peace platform.
Probably the most famous dissenter was General Douglas MacArthur ...
HARRY TRUMAN, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: General MacArthur did not agree with that policy.
GREENFIELD: ... who was relieved of his command in Korea by President Truman for publicly challenging the war strategy. MacArthur became a hero to conservatives. He addressed a joint session of Congress.
GEN. DOUGLAS MACARTHUR: That old soldiers never die, they just fade away.
GREENFIELD: He launched a nationwide speaking tour. He even tried to run for president in 1952. It was, of course, another general, Dwight D. Eisenhower who won and who became a hero to liberals when in his farewell speech in 1961 ...
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Create a permanent, armaments industry.
GREENFIELD: ... he warned against the growth of a military industrial complex.
EISENHOWER: A military industry complex.
GREENFIELD: Indeed, civilian control of the military was a major theme of liberal concerns in the early 60s. The book and the movie "Seven Days In May" was about a charismatic general planning a coup against a peace-minded president.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I know who Judas was. He was a man I worked for and admired.
GREENFIELD: And during Vietnam, most of the military objection to the strategy of defense secretary Robert McNamara was that was that he wasn't using enough force, was not committed enough to win.
Retired Air Force General Curtis LeMay was especially vociferous, suggesting early on when it came to North Vietnam we should "bomb them back to the Stone Age" if they didn't lay down their arms. LeMay became George Wallace's third-party running mate in 1968. The current crop of retired military dissenters are not united by any one common objection. Some say the whole idea of the war in Iraq was wrong. Some think the execution has been flawed or incompetent. Some have held long-standing objections to Rumsfeld's strategies.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GREENFIELD: But now the people who might once have worried about excessive military influence are embracing the military critics of Rumsfeld. Why? Because they know that one of the strongest arguments in politics is that old street corner phrase, hey, your own man says so -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. Jeff Greenfield, we will be staying on top of this one, and in the next hour talk more about it. Thank you.
This year's Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1st, but the fall-out from last year's devastating season is not over. A new report by the Homeland Security Department's inspector general says the agency's focus on terrorism left it unprepared to deal with Hurricane Katrina.
The report also includes 38 recommendations to improve disaster response this year, including speeding up and coordinating federal, state, and local assistance. We'll be talking with David Paulison and Max Mayfield more on that topic a little bit later today.
Meanwhile, the newest assessment of FEMA's response to Katrina doesn't mince words. Our Internet reporter Abbi Tatton has the report on that. Abbi, what are you seeing there?
ABBI TATTON, CNN INTERNET REPORTER: Heidi, it's over 200 pages long but the bottom line of this internal report now is that much of the criticism that FEMA has received post-Katrina have been warranted. The report looks at various aspects of the Katrina response, the housing, for example, those cruise ships.
The cruise ship program that has been criticized, this report found that in the early days, it cost over $3,000 per evacuee per week to house them on one of the cruise ships what they call not necessarily efficient.
It also looked at those debit cards -- remember those that were handed out to evacuees in the early days -- and found that in the first couple of days, over $22 million worth of debit cards were handed out with no program to find out whether the people getting them were actually eligible.
Thirty-eight recommendations in this report. FEMA has responded to each of them, and it also says that they've received many critical assessments. They are looking to effectively respond to the recommendations in all of them -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right, Abbi Tatton. We'll talk with you again soon.
Time now, though, for "The Cafferty File." Our Jack Cafferty joining us from New York once again. Hi, Jack.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Good afternoon, Heidi. Here we go again. A Dubai-owned company wants to take over a British company that operates plants here in the United States that supply the U.S. military. A secret report on the proposed $1.25 billion deal has been sent to President Bush who has 15 days to decide if it goes forward.
One of the plants owned by this British firm, Doncasters, is the sole supplier of turbine fan parts for U.S. Abrams Battle Tanks. The proposed sale has been reviewed by the Committee of Foreign Investment in the United States. That would be CFIUS. Its recommendations, though, remain secret.
This deal follows an uproar that eventually scuttled another Dubai-state owned company's plan to acquire operations at six major U.S. ports. So here's the question. Should a Dubai-owned company be allowed to take over U.S. plants that supply our military? E-mail us your thoughts at caffertyfile@CNN.com or go to CNN.com/caffertyfile -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Yes, feels a little bit like deja vu to me. All right, we'll check back with you Jack. Thank you.
Coming up, the battle for Congress. Democrats are up in the polls, but it's a long way until election day. Can Democrats win back either the House or Senate?
Plus, the bottom line of the White House. No, not strategy, but tax returns. How much are President Bush and Vice President Cheney worth?
And later, it's an annual tradition at the White House, but this year, the Easter egg hunt finds itself smack in the middle of our culture wars.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Zain Verjee's vacation continues, but Fredricka Whitfield is here with us today, filling in for Zain with all the latest headlines. Hi, Fredricka.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello to you, Heidi.
In a defiant speech, Iran's president is again calling for the destruction of Israel. At a conference with Middle Eastern and African leaders today, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Israel is, quote, "heading toward annihilation" and will soon be, quote, "broken down." He also said Israel's existence permanently threatens the Middle East. The U.S. State Department calls his comments reprehensible and troubling.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEAN MCCORMACK, STATE DEPT. SPOKESMAN: If you think about it, you have the elected head of state calling for the annihilation of another state. That is not only, as I said, reprehensible but a source of grave concern for the entire international community.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Iran's president is also again depending his country's nuclear program. He accused the U.S. and Western nations of being against the advancement of technology and science in Iran. Tehran says its nuclear intentions are peaceful, but the U.S. and European Union fear it aims to build a nuclear weapon. The U.N. Security Council is giving Iran until April 28 to stop uranium enrichment. So far, Tehran has not agreed to that.
Well, do you have plans to travel on Delta Airlines any time soon? Then you'll definitely want to hear this. With a Saturday deadline looming, the airline and pilots' union have reached a tentative deal to avert a threatened strike over pay and benefit cuts. The pilots still must approve the deal; so must a bankruptcy court. Delta has said a strike could put it out of business. And we'll have much more on this story from our Ali Velshi next hour in THE SITUATION ROOM, Heidi.
COLLINS: All right, Fred, thanks. We'll check back a little later.
Right now, though, members of Congress are on Easter break and many of them using the time to campaign for reelection. The 2006 battle for control of Capitol Hill could end in a big upset, at least if Democrats get their way.
Our congressional correspondent Andrea Koppel is looking into the chances of that actually happening.
Hi, Andrea.
(AUDIO GAP)
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: ... from Republican control. And while most of these mid-term elections won't take place until November, there are a handful of special elections that are taking place sooner. One of them happened this week in California and like fortunetellers, Democrats and Republicans have been gazing long and hard at Democrat Francine Busby victory over a crowded field of Republicans hoping for a glimpse of future congressional races set for this fall.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KOPPEL (voice-over): With only 44 percent of the vote, Francine Busby now faces a tough run-off election in California's 50th District, likely against former Congressman Brian Bilbray, to replace disgraced Republican Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham. But analysts say this race won't give political watchers the answers they want now.
AMY WALTER, COOK POLITICAL REPORT: We do have a run-off on June 6th. I think we still have to pay attention on that see how in one- on-one race the two candidates match up. But for right now, there is nothing that we saw in that election to suggest that there was some sort of sea change brewing in that district.
KOPPEL: With 231 Republicans, 201 Democrats and an Independent who votes with Democrats, Democrats would need to win 15 seats in order to take back the House. The best way for Democrats to do that, says Amy Walter, is to focus on a much broader base of races.
WALTER: Because if there are only 15 or 16 or 17 top targeted races in play, it means they need to win almost 100 percent of those races. And that's almost impossible to do.
KOPPEL: That means victories by strong Democratic candidates won't be enough on their own in states like New Mexico's First District, where two-term Attorney General Patricia Madrid will square off against incumbent Heather Wilson. In Indiana's Eighth District, where Democrats have fielded Sheriff Brad Ellworth to challenge John Hostettler. And in Connecticut's Fourth District, where Democrat Diane Farrell is again challenging the independent-minded Republican Chris Shays.
President Bush's low approval ratings, mixed with high gas prices and uncertainty in Iraq, are reflected in polls, one showing 49 percent of perspective voters casting ballots for congressional Democrats while 35 percent say they support Republicans. Encouraging news for Democrats who are hoping they'll be able to ride a wave of voter discontent to win back the House from Republicans.
WALTER: It's very hard to predict how big a wave is. If you and I are standing out on the beach and I look out there and I say, well, I think it's a 10-foot wave, and you tell me you think it's a 15-foot wave, we're never going to know how big it is until it comes and hits us.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOPPEL: The last time a big wave hit the House was 1994 during the Republican revolution, when Newt Gingrich presented his "Contract with America." No one then, not Democrats or Republicans, saw the wave coming then. The difference 12 years later, Heidi, is that both sides are preparing for such a possibility.
COLLINS: And we will have much more on this battle for Congress, Andrea, coming up in our "Strategy Session." Thank you.
And remember, you're in THE SITUATION ROOM where political news is arriving all the time. CNN, America's campaign headquarters.
Now back to the White House, and a president's bottom line. A short while ago, the first couple released their income tax returns with the filing deadline looming. So did the Cheneys.
Let's bring back our White House correspondent Ed Henry.
So, how do the numbers break down, Ed?
HENRY: Well, Heidi, you know, everybody loves counting other people's money, so it's noteworthy that while Vice President Cheney is second in command, of course, he's first when it comes to the checkbook. He and his wife Lynn see their income more than doubling that of the first couple, Mr. and Mrs. Bush. In fact, President Bush and Laura Bush reported adjusted gross income of just over $735,000, $618,000 that was taxable income. They ended up paying nearly $188,000 in federal income taxes.
Meanwhile, you know -- and I want to point out the bulk of the first couple's income coming from the president's salary of $400,000 per year. The rest coming from family trusts. Now, for Mr. Cheney and his wife, they had taxable income of $1.96 million.
They paid federal taxes of $529,000, but their adjusted gross income was over $8.8 million. The Cheneys giving a lot of money to charity. Mr. and Mrs. Bush also giving some $75,000 to various churches and charities, including the Red Cross and their Katrina relief fund -- Heidi.
COLLINS: So, Ed, why the big disparity, then, between the Cheney's taxable income and the adjusted gross?
HENRY: Well, there's about $6 million in exercising stock options from Halliburton, of course, the company that the vice president used to run. You'll remember so much controversy about his tenure there back in 2001. The vice president agreed to put this money aside, give it to charity. Once, in fact, he exercised those options, also some royalties from a book that Mrs. Cheney wrote. It put that $6 million or so right to charity, so it was not actually taxable income -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. Ed Henry with the numbers.
Thank you, Ed.
Next up, President Bush says he's sticking by his man at the Pentagon. We'll look at the strategy behind today's statement on Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Plus, much more on the fight for Congress. Can the Democrats take advantage of a golden opportunity? Should Republicans be worried? I'll ask two experts, Donna Brazile and Bill Bennett when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: In our "Strategy Session" today President Bush takes pains to show he's still standing behind Donald Rumsfeld. At the same time the president faces tests of his own political clout and his national security strategy.
We're joined by CNN political analyst and Democratic strategist Donna Brazile today and by Bill Bennett CNN contributor and host of "Morning in America."
Thanks guys for being here.
Let's talk about this situation with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. We have six retired generals now that have come forward and expressed their extreme displeasure. President Bush issued a statement today, as we mentioned. Here is part of it. I want to put it up on the screen for our viewers right now.
It says, "Secretary Rumsfeld's energetic and steady leadership is exactly what is needed at this critical period. He has my full support and deepest appreciation."
Is this the way to do it, Bill, a written statement on a Good Friday holiday?
BILL BENNETT, HOST, "MORNING IN AMERICA": It's a good strong statement. Yes, and as you know, there's not a lot of news. So I think it's a good time for it. There have been enough people who have spoken out that I think it's good for the president to do it. The fact that several retired generals did it maybe makes the case more against retirement than it does against Don Rumsfeld. But this is a firm arm around the shoulder by the president of the United States supporting Don Rumsfeld.
Look, I mean these guys can have their differences. That's fine. Some of them I think have fundamental differences about the war, whether we should be conducting the war. And a couple of them, at least, should have the courage to say and the integrity to say and the honesty to say, it's not Don Rumsfeld's execution of the war they are arguing with, it is the war itself.
And, you know, they should be calling on the commander in chief to step down. As I have listened to them clearly that's the case with some of them.
COLLINS: Donna, what do you think?
DONNA BRAZILE, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Well, the president has said repeatedly that he takes his cues from those on the ground, the commanders on the ground. And these are former commanders and now what they are saying is that Mr. Rumsfeld should go. They are saying that he's been wrong on so many fronts.
He's been wrong about weapons of mass destruction. He's been wrong about the troop levels in Iraq. He's been wrong about the insurgency. He's been wrong about the reconstruction. So they have given the president, I think -- although they are retired, they are telling the president it's time for Mr. Rumsfeld to go. And I think the president should listen to those retired generals.
BENNETT: Well, these guys when they were on the ground did not give this advice, which I think does not speak to their sense of integrity.
BRAZILE: Well, we don't know that, Bill.
BENNETT: Well, yes, we do. Because they have been interviewed. And several of them said, no. I mean, I watched Batiste last night, and he said, no, when I was there I just went along and I just waited until I got out. Well, I mean that's -- we can expect more of a man than that.
But, look, there are not six generals or 10 generals. There are hundreds of generals and by far the vast majority support Don Rumsfeld. People retire, they second guess. It's a difficult war. Absolutely, mistakes have been made. I'm glad to see the president back and up again.
COLLINS: In fact, Bill, you mentioned, there are hundreds of retired generals out there. I do want to make sure that we get an opportunity here to play the sound from the latest general and what he had to say. This is Major General Charles Swannack. Let's listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAJ. GEN. CHARLES SWANNACK, JR., (RET.), U.S. ARMY, 82ND AIRBORNE COMMANDER: I feel that he has micro managed the generals who are leading our forces there to achieve our strategic objectives. I really believe that we need a new secretary of defense.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Could it really ever happen that Donald Rumsfeld would go, Bill? I mean, this is the guy who was basically running the war in Iraq, running the war on terror, wouldn't there be some huge political consequences?
BENNETT: Well, sure, there are circumstances under which he could go. It's happened before in the history of the United States. But, again, I'm more impressed by guys like John Singlaub who stood up to Jimmy Carter about Korea and was fired as a result of it. But he was in service on the ground and made his point then.
But, no, I mean, there's civilian control of the military. The president can decide he's not happy with his -- either his generals or his secretary of defense and make that decision. But, again, Don Rumsfeld is not responsible for the reports on the weapons of mass destruction. That was intelligence all over the world that said that.
And I'll tell you, politically, totally weak, I hate to do politics. But I know that's her job, I know. Politically, it would really hurt the president to let Don Rumsfeld go because immediately this would be interpreted as weakness. We are in a no win game for the president. He keeps Rumsfeld, he's keeping damaged goods, according to a lot of the media. If lets him go that would be a show of weakness.
COLLINS: Donna, is that your ascension or is it a fresh start?
BRAZILE: No, that's just the problem. The problem is that we are putting politics ahead of our troops and ahead of having a winning strategy for victory in Iraq. And let me just say this. Last night General Batiste said that Mr. Rumsfeld intervened in some of the decisions that the generals made on the ground, that Mr. Rumsfeld didn't listen. And we all know about the weapons of mass destruction and some of the faulty intelligence. And it's clear that the administration looked at and reviewed and analyzed what they wanted to believe and not what clearly was out there for all to see. So I think it's time the president listened to the commanders on the ground and listened to what they have to say and find someone else to delegate this war to, so that we can win and bring our troops home.
BENNETT: Look, Peter Pace said incessantly, every time he's been asked, we have these opportunities, we have these forums, we have these discussions, where generals can bring up their disagreement. It is an open forum. They can bring it to the secretary. They can bring it to me. They can bring it to my deputies. These objections were not made at the time.
He just -- I'm sorry but just the second guessing after the fact is not the same thing as being there on time. Now, can you look at this war and say, well, you know, things should have gone differently? Certainly. But to do it this way it is just not impressive.
COLLINS: Well, it is true that both Rumsfeld and the war in Iraq are going to be huge issues. We have midterm elections coming up. Let's talk about that for a minute and how these issues might affect the midterm elections. I want to put a poll up for you guys, ABC "Washington Post" poll. This is interesting.
The sampling error is plus or minus three percent. But look at the disparity. This is Democrats saying 55 percent and Republicans 40 percent, as far as who will win Congress. Should Republicans be worried, Bill?
BENNETT: Sure. Always be worried. Always act as if things are bad. The good news here is that people don't vote in general, they vote in particular, and when you disaggregate the data, as they say, and look at individual races it looks a little different.
But, look, we're in tough times, in a number of ways, mainly, the unpopularity of this war. And there are some other factors. So, of course, Republicans should be worried. I had Chris Shays on my show today. It's a very interesting test. I think Donna would agree. He's a liberal Republican in Connecticut.
He's a target by the Democrats. I would understand why they are targeting him, because that's a liberal, fairly liberal district. Nevertheless, he says: I will support the president and support the president on the war. And he says: I have told the president, my hide doesn't matter, so much as you doing the right thing.
So, it's going to be an interesting -- an interesting fall. I...
COLLINS: Donna.
BENNETT: at Six...
BRAZILE: Well...
BENNETT: ... six, seven months away, I have to predict I don't think they are going to change...
BRAZILE: Well...
(CROSSTALK)
BENNETT: ... change the composition.
BRAZILE: Well, Mr. Shays is vulnerable on immigration, on Iraq, and so many other issues.
Look, the Democrats are fielding a really good crop of candidates. They have more money in the bank that they -- than they had this same time in the 2002 cycle. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has done a fabulous job in trying to get a good message out there to help these candidates.
We have fresh blood out there. The polls look good. We still need a tidal wave of -- of support from independents and others. And, of course, turnout is everything in an election. The good news is that Democrats are well positioned. The bad news is, we have seven more months to wait for this victory to occur.
COLLINS: All right. I want to move on, if we could, guys, before we run out of time here...
BENNETT: Sure.
COLLINS: ... about the Zacarias Moussaoui trial.
I mean, this has sort of been a nightmarish trip down memory lane. We have got victims' family members testifying. We have got the flight recordings from Flight 93. And we have got his testimony as well.
In fact, let's put this on the screen, if we could. This is something that he said just yesterday: "I just wish the attacks of September 11 could have gone on the 12th, the 13th, the 14th, the 15th, the 16th, the 17th. We can go on and on. There's no remorse for justice."
At this point, do you think that people make a connection between that awful day and the fact that President Bush was in power; this happened on his watch? And, if they do, are there some sort of political fallout that could come from these proceedings, Bill?
BENNETT: Yes, I suppose, though I would be loathe to try to turn this into political fodder either way.
It probably helps the president, to the extent that people remember, he was the president on 9/11, and that, at the end of the day, whatever criticisms you have and objections you have to the war, we have been safe. We have been secure.
But I think, more significantly, Heidi, this reminds people of the horror of that day and what we were facing and what we're still facing. And, in this guy, we see personified the problem that we're facing. This guy, I think, is not insane. I just think he is a deeply committed fanatic. And there are a lot of people like him. And, so, this takes resolve. We have our political differences.
COLLINS: Hmm.
BENNETT: But this was a reminder.
I know it changed everything. I have just got to say, quickly, we were talking about nothing but immigration for about six days on the radio, Heidi...
COLLINS: And then this started.
BENNETT: ... and Donna.
COLLINS: Right.
BENNETT: Then it just stopped.
BRAZILE: Yes.
BENNETT: Once the Moussaoui stuff came out, the whole subject changed.
COLLINS: Donna?
BRAZILE: There's no question, it reminds of that horrible -- that horrible day that occurred.
But it also should remind us that the 9/11 Commission put out a very excellent review and a list of recommendations. And it's important that the Congress and the administration work together to fully implement, so that we can avoid this type of horrific moment again.
And Mr. Moussaoui, all I could say is that I hope justice is well served in Alexandria, and that he get his due.
COLLINS: I can't echo that sentiment more, even though I'm a journalist and I have no opinion, right?
(LAUGHTER)
COLLINS: Donna Brazile, Bill Bennett, we certainly appreciate you being here in the "Strategy Session."
BENNETT: Thank you.
COLLINS: Thanks so much.
BENNETT: Thank you.
BRAZILE: Happy Easter.
BENNETT: Bye-bye.
Happy Easter.
COLLINS: You, too.
Coming up: It's a holiday tradition here in Washington, but, this year, the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House may find itself in the middle of the culture war -- the story and the situation online coming up next.
Plus, it has been quite a week for the former president. We will tell you about Bill Clinton and his next campaign.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: In the culture wars, nontraditional families are planning to take part in a White House tradition on Monday, the annual Easter Egg Roll. And some conservatives are questioning their motives.
Our Brian Todd has more on the event that some critics have dubbed "Brokeback Bunny"?
Really, Brian?
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Heidi.
That name has gotten almost more attention than this whole controversy. This event is, in fact, all about tradition. It is now 128 years old. The White House has always taken pride in the fact that the Easter Egg Roll is an open event, first come, first served, everyone welcome.
Well, this year, that openness is being put to the test.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TODD (voice-over): Dressing up...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALES: Yay!
(CHEERING)
TODD: ... rolling eggs, posing with Peter Rabbit...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALES: Yay!
TODD: ... time-honored traditions at the White House Easter Egg Roll, which, this year, come with a twist, a twist that starts at the ticket line, where more than 100 gay and lesbian couples are converging this year to grab first-come, first-serve passes for the event.
JENNIFER CHRISLER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FAMILY PRIDE COALITION: I think we're making a statement, certainly that we are here, that we exist, that we're raising children. TODD: Jennifer Chrisler, a mother of twins, is organizing the effort, and says, it's only about giving their children about access to events and creating memories.
One Christian group thinks otherwise.
MARK TOOLEY, UNITED METHODIST DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE ON RELIGION AND DEMOCRACY: I think the groups who are organizing this statement basically are exploiting a children's event to share their political perspective.
TODD: Chrisler says, this isn't political. But when we asked what her group thinks about the Bush administration's record on gays and lesbians ...
CHRISLER: I believe this administration is wrong about how they think about the policies that affect gay and lesbian people and gay and lesbian families in this country.
TODD (on camera): OK. So, putting that together with what you're doing, and the fact that you didn't do it for a Democratic administration, this is not a political statement that you're making?
CHRISLER: No. This is about us being visible for the American people, so that they can see that gay and lesbian parents exist in this country.
TODD (voice-over): White House officials will only say, this is a public event; everyone is welcome to attend. And they have no plans to make the Egg Roll invitation only in the future.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TODD: Jennifer Chrisler says her group expects about 400 people from gay and lesbian families to be at the White House Monday, out of an expected crowd of about 16,000 -- Heidi.
COLLINS: So, Brian, how common is it, really, for issues like these to get in the way of something like the White House Easter Egg Roll?
TODD: Not very common. I mean, some -- there's some version of history that the Easter Egg Roll actually began with a political controversy, because it used to be at the Capitol. There was a ruckus created. And then they moved it to the White House.
But, actually, this year, the Humane Society has asked the White House to only use eggs from uncaged hens for this event, citing the cruelty that it says is inflicted on caged animals. The White House denied that request, saying that it has consulted with the American Egg Board, and found that eggs from caged hens provide better food safety. So, you might want to think about that the next time you're in the...
(LAUGHTER)
TODD: ... dairy aisle, I guess.
COLLINS: I'm sorry, the what? The...
(LAUGHTER)
COLLINS: ... the American Egg Board?
TODD: The American Egg Board.
COLLINS: OK.
TODD: Yes, there is such a group.
COLLINS: OK. All right.
TODD: You learn something new every day.
(CROSSTALK)
COLLINS: We certainly do.
(LAUGHTER)
COLLINS: And we appreciate you for that. Thank you so much, Brian Todd.
TODD: Thanks.
COLLINS: As hundreds of gay and lesbian families descend on the White House lawn for Easter, they are getting a little help from the Internet as well.
Our Abbi Tatton has the details on that.
Hi, Abbi.
TATTON: Heidi, the group behind this effort says, what they are doing is not political. However, one look at their Web site, and you can see, it is certainly well-organized and being organized for some time.
This is FamilyPride.org. They're -- together with co-sponsoring organizations around the country, they're having people go to their Web site to sign up and say that they are going to participate and join the Easter Egg Roll on Monday.
But, also, they are looking for volunteers to help out, people, for example, who can stand in line and get tickets, if some of the families cannot. Even, they are looking for people to hand out refreshments on the day.
Now, the executive director, Jennifer Chrisler, says that they have had a strong response online, although they have had a few comments protesting what they are doing as well -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. Abbi Tatton, thanks for looking that up. Coming up: Now, Governor Schwarzenegger has been trying to claim more of the middle ground in California. Is it helping his reelection campaign? We have new numbers to report.
And is the federal government ready for hurricane season? It is a life-and-death question for the acting director of FEMA, David Paulison -- that interview ahead.
You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: On our "Political Radar" this Friday, a new poll suggests that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's reelection bid still is on shaky ground. Only about a third of likely voters in California say they are inclined to reelect Schwarzenegger. And the Field Poll shows the governor is tied with or just barely ahead of the two leading Democratic candidates for his job.
And one little-known White House hopeful is getting his 15 seconds of fame. This is Democrat Mike Gravel. Now, he's a former senator from Alaska, who today became the 40th person to file papers to run for president in 2008, yes, the 40th. Big names, like Clinton and McCain, can wait. But it seems, a lot of underdogs want to put their hats in the ring unusually early this time around.
This week, a man who has already served two terms in the White House has been sounding like he is still running for something. What is Bill Clinton up to now?
Here's our senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, with more of that.
Hi, Bill.
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Heidi, former presidents are supposed to retire from politics. Can they still get the "Political Play of the Week"? You bet.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SCHNEIDER (voice-over): It has never happened before: the spouse of an ex-president running for president. If Senator Hillary Clinton jumps into the 2008 race, a lot of people will ask, exactly what role will her husband play?
WILLIAM J. CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I determined, when I left office, that I was absolutely not going to spend the rest of my life wishing I were still a president.
(APPLAUSE)
SCHNEIDER: In a series of appearances this week, the former president made a point of separating his career from his wife's. It's all about her now. CLINTON: My wife said to tell you hello tonight, but, you know, she's a big-time politician now. And she's in her hometown of Chicago, speaking to this big economic club.
SCHNEIDER: Mr. Clinton expressed penance for his sins, his sins -- not hers.
CLINTON: A Pentecostal minister who is a friend of mine in Louisiana confessed that he voted for the reelection of the president. As a matter of fact, he said he wanted to make a confession to me.
(LAUGHTER)
CLINTON: And I thought, that's pretty good, having a Pentecostal preacher confess to the world's most famous sinner. So, I..
(LAUGHTER)
CLINTON: ... listened to what he had to say.
SCHNEIDER: Bill Clinton lives and breathes politics. Has he really set aside his own political ambitions? Not entirely.
(APPLAUSE)
CLINTON: This week, he won the Great American Award from the Joint Center For Political and Economic Studies, and the J. William Fulbright Prize For International Understanding.
But it sounds like he's aiming for something else.
CLINTON: The person whose career mine has most closely tracked and a man I helped to elect president, I'm proud to say, is Jimmy Carter. I'm very honored by the work he has done. And he won a Nobel Prize, which he richly deserved, as much for what he did after he left the White House as what he was in -- as when he was in.
(APPLAUSE)
SCHNEIDER: Bill Clinton is still campaigning for the Nobel Peace Prize. But, for now, he will just have to settle for the "Political Play of the Week."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SCHNEIDER: Bill Clinton is trying to show he has got his own career and his own agenda. That way, if Senator Clinton runs for president, it will be harder to depict her campaign as the Clinton restoration -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Interesting.
All right, Bill, how about some honorable mentions?
SCHNEIDER: Oh, well, you know, there are a couple of interesting things. The immigration protesters this week scored a little bit of a victory, because the House speaker and Senate majority leader said, they now want to strip the most controversial provision from the House immigration bill. That's the provision that declares illegal immigrants to be felons. In fact, they say it's the Democrats who wouldn't let them take it out.
And there's another interesting development. Thousands of displaced New Orleans residents have been returning to Louisiana, so they can cast their vote for mayor in person. They could vote by absentee ballot over -- through the mail, but they want to actually show up to make a political statement.
COLLINS: That is a...
SCHNEIDER: Heidi.
COLLINS: That is a good story, and a long drive as well.
All right, Bill Schneider, thank you.
Up next: a rare outbreak of the mumps now spreading across the nation's midsection. It's a medical mystery. Can doctors solve it?
And will the 2006 hurricane season be as devastating as the last one? We will get an early warning from the national hurricane director, Max Mayfield, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Here's a look now at some of the "Hot Shots" coming in from the Associated Press, pictures likely to be in your newspaper tomorrow.
In Jerusalem, an American actor reenacts the crucifixion during a Good Friday procession.
In Iowa: a car blown over by a tornado that ripped through the area overnight.
To Virginia now: electric touchdown. Lightning hits the ground during a fast-moving thunderstorm, obviously caused some fire there, too.
And, in England: a newborn emu and two huge emu eggs. Look at those. It's tiny now, but expected to grow over 5 feet tall.
And that's today's "Hot Shots," pictures worth 1,000 words.
Fred, did you have any idea that emu eggs were so big and so blue?
WHITFIELD: No.
(LAUGHTER)
WHITFIELD: It's so blue, so beautiful.
COLLINS: Yes.
WHITFIELD: Thought only robins' eggs got to have...
COLLINS: Yes.
WHITFIELD: ... the treat of such a beautiful color. But now we know...
COLLINS: Now we know.
WHITFIELD: ... the emus, too.
All right. Thanks so much.
Well Heidi, also in Jerusalem, as we mentioned, on this Good Friday, thousands of Christian pilgrims are retracing the path Jesus took through the Old City to the site of the crucifixion. People from around the world stopped to pray at each of the 14 stations of the cross.
Pope Benedict XVI is presiding over his first Good Friday as pontiff. He is taking part in the torch-lit Way of the Cross procession at Rome's Colosseum. It recalls Jesus' final hours.
A pair of explosions rocked one of New Delhi, India's most famous mosques today. Police say 13 people were injured. The first blast went off inside the 17th century mosque complex. The second detonated 10 minutes later near the entrance. Bomb squads are checking for more explosives. No one has claimed responsibility as yet.
A 17,000-acre wildfire in northeastern New Mexico has forced the evacuation of about 100 people today. Six hundred firefighters are on the scene northeast of Santa Fe. They are using helicopters and air tankers to fight the flames. Officials say the blaze is about 20 percent contained, but they are worried that winds could pick up later on today.
And, Heidi, they do believe that these fires may have been sparked by human causes, they say.
COLLINS: Well, I hate to hear that.
All right, Fredricka Whitfield, we will check in later on. Thank you.
Still to come, President Bush faces a decision, with echoes of the failed Dubai ports deal. Should an Arab-owned company take over a U.S. plant that supports the military? Jack Cafferty has your e- mails.
And, if you thought state-sponsored segregation was a thing of the past in American schools, think again. Is one city in the heartland setting back race relations? The stunning story in our 7:00 p.m. Eastern hour of THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COLLINS: And those are CNN.com's most popular stories today.
Meanwhile, our Jack Cafferty, he's back now with "The Cafferty File" -- a popular guy as well.
Hey, Jack.
CAFFERTY: Yes, there you. Thanks, Heidi.
A Dubai-owned company wants to take over a British company that owns the only plant here in the United States that makes turbo fan parts for the U.S. Abrams battle tank, the only place in the world these parts are made. A secret report on the proposed $1.25 billion deal has been sent to President Bush. He has 15 days to decide if it goes forward.
The question we asked is, should a Dubai-owned company be allowed to take over U.S. plants that supply the military? Remember how the ports deal was welcomed.
Nick in New York writes: "This acquisition deal must have been in the works for some time. Coupled with the now defunct ports deal, one has to ask if Dubai is engaged in a plan to gain control of strategic U.S. assets -- just a thought."
Matt in Bloomington, Indiana: "There should be no problem with a Dubai company producing parts for the military. We perform a quality- control inspection to ensure that the parts meets the standards established by the government. There's no shortage of corporations begging for government contracts, to ensure that the parts will be made, if the Dubai company fails."
Brian in Tulsa, Oklahoma: "Why is it the administration is hell bent on doing business with these people? Why don't we just give them a couple of offices in the West Wing and access to the real Situation Room? Idiots."
Dwight writes: "Of course. The U.S. military is heavily reliant on Dubai as a Middle East base and as a friend in many ways. The one plant in question pales against this greater and ongoing reliance. The U.S. can't expect to participate in international commerce if it balks at every incident like this."
Joe in North Smithfield, Rhode Island: "I can't believe our government would entertain another proposal of any kind from Dubai. I feel the first round that was a loss to Dubai ought to be enough to tell the powers that be that the American people don't want anyone, foreign entities, controlling anything that may affect the security of America."
Jerry in Austin writes: "Tanks, no but tanks."
Good, Jerry.
COLLINS: Yes.
CAFFERTY: This week, on "IN THE MONEY," Allen Wastler looks at the top 10 best jobs in the country. Hint: This isn't one of them.
Americans spend $34 billion a year on our pets. We will talk to a celebrity who thinks it's perfectly normal to lie on the floor and hand-feed her dog kosher chicken from one of the most expensive restaurants in New York. That would be Le Cirque.
"IN THE MONEY" airs Saturdays at 1:00, Sundays at 3:00. It's a festival. We invite...
(LAUGHTER)
CAFFERTY: ... you to join us.
COLLINS: Wow.
CAFFERTY: Heidi.
COLLINS: That is some good stuff coming up.
And do you see the little picture of the itty-bitty dogs in those little outfits, Jack?
CAFFERTY: Itty-bitty dogs and...
COLLINS: It just -- yes.
(CROSSTALK)
COLLINS: On that promo. Look. That is just wrong.
CAFFERTY: Aren't those cute?
COLLINS: Yes. No, you just don't dress your pet. I -- I have learned this.
CAFFERTY: Yes. I don't dress mine, but, you know, I...
COLLINS: OK. Good to know.
All right, Jack.
(LAUGHTER)
COLLINS: We will be back in just a little bit with you as well.
CAFFERTY: All right.
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