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The Situation Room
All Security Checkpoints Reopened At Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport; White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan Hands in Resignation; Look Back At Scott McClellan; Rudy Giuliani's Latest Move
Aired April 19, 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: Ali, thanks very much.
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, a suspicious bag, a security alert and an evacuation all at the Atlanta Airport. Thousands of passengers now delayed. It's 4:00 p.m. in Atlanta, where a news conference is scheduled for this hour. We're monitoring this breaking story. There are new developments happening right now. We'll bring them to you.
Also, the president's messenger announces his exit, and the man behind the message gets cut out of policy making. It's 4:00 p.m. here in Washington. We've got the inside story on Scott McClellan's departure and Karl Rove's new job description.
And Rudy Giuliani looks to the right. Is the moderate ex-New York City mayor trying to make conservative friends as he ponders a run for the White House?
I'm Wolf Blitzer. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
There's a breaking story we're following in Atlanta this hour. All security checkpoints have been reopened at Atlanta's Hartsfield- Jackson International Airport after they were shut down because of a suspicious device detected at one of them.
It was detected at Hartsfield's north terminal, where passengers are spilling out into the curbside area. Investigators have the carry-on bag containing the suspicious device. A spokesman says the airport is still open and inbound flights are landing. Outbound flights clearly are delayed.
Let's bring in our homeland security correspondent, Jeanne Meserve. She's been watching this story unfold over the past two hours. She has got the latest -- Jeanne.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, we're still trying to get all the details, but we have been told that the all-clear has been sounded. Hartsfield is now going to be operational. Shortly before 2:00, a screener, a TSA screener, saw in their x- ray machine what they thought might be a part of an improvised explosive device, according to the TSA. When that was discovered, the Atlanta Bomb Squad was called, a perimeter was set up. The main screening checkpoint at Hartsfield was shut down and outgoing flights were halted while this was checked out.
As you know, this has been playing out now for a couple of hours, and the airport appeared to be largely paralyzed. But the terminal was not evacuated. It was not shut down.
We can only infer from the fact that the all-clear has now been sounded that they did not, in fact, have an improvised explosive device on their hands, but we haven't gotten the official word on how that's played out, Wolf.
BLITZER: There's no doubt. There's no doubt that shutting down, in effect -- or the a least clearly delaying traffic at one of the busiest airports in the United States, is a significant development. In the past when we've seen this, usually it's been a false alarm.
Are we getting any indications right now, the all-clear, whether this was simply a false alarm, a misidentification of this suspicious bag, or if there really was some danger to passengers?
MESERVE: No indication at this point in time, Wolf. I will tell you, however, that there has been an increased emphasis on trying to find IEDs or their components. The TSA a few months ago relaxed the rules on small things like small knives and scissors so screeners could spend more time looking for explosive devices, which the TSA believe pose a much greater threat to aviation.
A lot of the screeners have been put through additional training to have try to pick out IEDs and their components. Obviously, one today thought they saw something. Whether or not it was a false alarm, again, we just don't have the details yet. We'll try and get those for you.
BLITZER: All right. Now, stand by, Jeanne. I want to bring in our Rusty Dornin. She's in Atlanta. She's picking up some additional information.
Rusty, what are you learning?
RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, we just spoke with Payne Sterling (ph), who is the manager here at the Hartsfield Airport, and she says indeed all things are going back to normal, all the flights have been resumed.
And I'm standing above the main lobby area where the people are all funneled through, the very intricate, complex security line here at Hartsfield. The lines are moving. Apparently they've opened every line they have in the airport to allow people to proceed.
They would not tell us exactly what happened, whether someone was taken into custody or what they did with this supposed suspicious device. They only said they'll be having a press conference here at 4:30 Eastern where TSA will be on hand and they will explain more about what's going on.
But passengers here are moving. The lines are very long. There's been thousands of people that have been sort of stalled here for the past few hours. I just heard some alarm go off. It sounds like somebody might have gone out the exit the wrong way. But it looks like things are getting back to normal, and we should be hearing more in about a half sure.
BLITZER: But at this point, Rusty, as we look at these live pictures showing the people beginning to go in and out of the airport -- once again, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the busiest in the country. At this point, we don't know if this was a false alarm or if there really was some danger.
DORNIN: No, we have no idea because the manager of the airport would not answer our questions about what happened to the device, whether it was a false alarm, whether anyone was taken into custody. She would only say that TSA would be answering those questions when they have the press conference at 4:30.
BLITZER: All right, we'll stand by for that. Rusty, thanks very much.
Tom Foreman is here in THE SITUATION ROOM with us. This is one of the busiest airports, not only in the United States, but in the world.
TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We've been watching just how busy it is, Wolf. And we want to give you a little sense of that. Take a look at this. This is Atlanta Airport. And these are all the flights right now in the air headed to the Atlanta Airport. It's an extraordinary number of airplanes all coming into this area.
And whenever you have a delay like this, the problem is that all of those planes are going to land, all of these people are going to get off. Some will make Atlanta their final destination but many, as you know, Wolf, are going to try to transition through that airport and take another flight off. Obviously, something like this is a major disruption, even if it turns out to be a false alarm.
BLITZER: Because that airport is a huge hub and anybody traveling in the South certainly almost always has to go through Atlanta.
FOREMAN: You know the old saying, you can't even go to hell without going through Atlanta first or heaven.
BLITZER: Or heaven, for that matter. So this is going to cause a lot of disruption, whether or not it was a real scare or if it was a false alarm.
FOREMAN: And this was short.
BLITZER: And the delays are going to be incredible. FOREMAN: Unbelievable and this was short. Imagine if it went on much longer, this is what happens just from a false alarm. That's why people are trying to take this so seriously.
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: We're going to continue to watch the story. We'll stand by for the news conference at the bottom of the hour, but the all-clear has been given at the Atlanta International Airport. And we're going to watch this story. Fortunately, it looks like nothing serious has happened, but we'll get all the latest information for you. And remember stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
Other important news happening in Washington today. At the White House right now, officials are working to fill the press secretary's job now that Scott McClellan has handed in his resignation. Today's announcement had been widely expected, but it's still a big step in the West Wing shuffle that's underway.
More surprising, though, new marching orders for the deputy White House chief of staff, Karl Rove. After months of legal trouble and controversy, he's losing his leading role in making policy. Now he's going back to focusing in on the big political picture, something everyone acknowledges he does very, very well. Our correspondents Dana Bash and Suzanne Malveaux are standing by.
First let's go to the White House. Elaine Quijano has the latest -- Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Wolf. It's been less than a week since Josh Bolten took over as the new White House chief of staff. But already a major change in a highly visible position.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
QUIJANO (voice-over): After nearly three years on the job as the president's chief spokesman, an emotional Scott McClellan announced his resignation.
SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: I have given it my all, sir. And I've given you my all. And I will continue to do so as we transition to a new press secretary over the next two to three weeks. Thank you for the opportunity.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's going to be hard to replace Scott. But, nevertheless, he's made the decision, and I accept it.
QUIJANO: McClellan first went to work for then Texas governor George W. Bush in 1999, eventually following him to the White House and being named press secretary in June of 2003.
MCCLELLAN: I look forward to working with the White House press corps. At least most of you, anyway. QUIJANO: In his role, McClellan was the public face of the administration, fielding sharp questions on issues ranging from faulty pre-war Iraq intelligence ...
MCCLELLAN: In terms of the intelligence, I mean, we have said multiple times that the intelligence was wrong.
QUIJANO: ... to the CIA leak investigation.
MCCLELLAN: While that investigation is ongoing, the White House is not going to comment on it.
QUIJANO: Last summer, after days of pointed exchanges with reporters about the case, he joked about the intensity of the job.
MCCLELLAN: It may not look like it, but there's a little flesh that's been taken out of me the last few days.
QUESTION: Where?
MCCLELLAN: Like I said, it may not look like it. I can assure you that it has been.
QUIJANO: McClellan's announcement of his departure was not unexpected. As CNN first reported two weeks ago, Republican sources say the new White House chief of staff, Josh Bolten, is focusing on reshaping White House communications and legislative affairs.
Possible names being mentioned to succeed McClellan, Fox News anchor Tony Snow, former Treasury spokesman Rob Nichols, and former Pentagon spokeswoman and CNN contributor Torie Clarke.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
QUIJANO: Now, also announced today, a significant change in the duties of senior advisor Karl Rove. Rove will no longer handle both policy and politics. Against a backdrop of the upcoming midterm elections in November, Rove will concentrate on politics. The move is another indication of the wide latitude Josh Bolten has in making changes in the West Wing -- Wolf.
BLITZER: So if Karl Rove is giving up policy, involvement in policy, focusing in strictly on politics, who picks up the policy?
QUIJANO: Well, Josh Bolten has given policy authority to a close colleague of his, Joel Kaplan. Now, Kaplan and Bolten know each other very well. They worked together, of course, at the Office of Management and Budget, but even before that, Kaplan worked as a special assistant to the president in the Office of the Chief of Staff and he reported directly to Bolten directly in that capacity -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Thanks, Elaine, very much for that.
Let's bring in our other White House correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux. She broke this story of a White House shake-up and McClellan's likely departure more than two weeks ago. You had good sources, as you always do, Suzanne. Excellent work on this.
But take us behind the scenes a little bit. What happened with Scott McClellan? Was he effectively pushed, or did he just come to this conclusion on his own?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, sure, Wolf. Of course, it all started on really a quiet Sunday in Crawford, making many, many calls to people, spending the day on the phone with current Bush administration officials, those who have left the administration, friends of this White House, critics of this White House.
What was really fascinating, Wolf, was that it was very, very consistent. Everyone was essentially saying the same thing, that Josh Bolten was reaching out, having conversations with folks. And there were two areas that they were not pleased with, that they were looking for changes: legislative affairs and White House communications, specifically the job of the White House press secretary.
Now, all of this, as you know, we got quite a bit of push back, if you will, from the White House. They said that this was merely speculation, perhaps premature. It was kind of quiet for a couple of weeks and then things again picked up over the weekend or so.
Again, the same sources, those people, saying that this was an open secret about Scott McClellan, that this was very much going to happen. It was determined that it wasn't about personalities, but about positions, I'm told. Also that, of course, Bolten very logical in his thinking, that he was trying to fix what he saw was essentially broken.
So we saw on Monday -- that is when Bolten, of course, made that dramatic statement behind closed doors to his staff saying, leave -- this would be a good time if you feel like you'd like to leave. Some sources saying, essentially, he gave people a graceful way to get out, simply saying, look, you know, if you want to spend more time with your family, now is the time to make your wishes known.
We know from Scott McClellan today had he did, in fact, talk to the president on Monday about his departure and then with Josh Bolten on Tuesday. And then, Wolf, it was yesterday -- that is when we were able to confirm, myself and some of my colleagues, that, in fact, the White House did reach out to Fox's Tony Snow a couple of weeks ago here for a couple of hours, specifically to talk about the potential of working in White House communications. And then last night, of course, I reached out to McClellan, it was silent, and I think that silence said a lot -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, Suzanne, good work. Suzanne, we're going to have a lot more from you coming up in THE SITUATION ROOM.
Let's get some reaction to all of this on Capitol Hill. Our congressional correspondent Dana Bash is standing by.
What is the reaction? How are people responding? We know Congress is in recess right now, but what are you picking up? DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Wolf.
Well, when you talk to congressional Republicans -- let's start there -- they are very happy if, as one source put it, Karl Rove is back on his feet. If that is the case, they say, they're thrilled. That beat, of course, is really putting much of his focus on politics and strategically looking at the universe this election year specifically.
It goes without saying that most Republicans, especially in the leadership on Capitol Hill, are frankly scared to death about what this climate that they're in means for their prospects this November. So they say if Karl Rove is, in fact, going to spend more of his time doing that, that's great with them.
Now, from Democrats, some of the reaction is what you would expect it to be, Wolf. The Democratic National Committee chairman, Howard Dean, simply called it window dressing. Here's some of what he said in a statement. He said, "A demotion is not enough. From the collapse of the president's scheme to privatize Social Security to Rove's involvement in the outing of a covert CIA agent's identity, while he still holds a security clearance, the president has abundant reason to fire Karl Rove."
So Democrats, those who are coming out, are essentially saying this should not be about bureaucracy or changes within the staff, but really, big picture, also about, they say, changing the policy inside the Bush White House -- Wolf.
BLITZER: In terms of big picture, what does it mean, if anything, for the upcoming elections, the political elections in November?
BASH: Well, you know, that's a really good question. Look, the bottom line is that Karl Rove and his shop, if you will, had already been very involved in talking to candidates, talking to the people who are really looking at the prospects for this November. I talked to somebody who is close to Rove who said, look, he's excited about the fact that he can get out more, even talk more one-on-one with some of these candidates, especially the vulnerable Republicans.
But the bottom line is, Wolf, this is something that Karl Rove has been -- excuse me, it's been like a mythology of Karl Rove and the way he has dealt with the politics and the elections from 2000 to 2002 to 2004. So the rank and file Republicans, they say if he's going to be more focused on this, they're very happy.
But when you talk to people close to Karl Rove, they will tell you this is, for sure, no matter how you slice it, a bit of a punch in the gut, because he certainly is this kind of figure when it comes to politics. But he always fancied himself as somebody who is also big on policy and a bit of a policy wonk. So taking that away from him, at least in the official mode, is something that, no matter how you slice it -- is something that's not seen as a good thing for Karl Rove.
BLITZER: A lot of people in town saying this is a slap in his face, Dana. Thank you very much.
We're going to have a lot more on this coming up. Much more on the politics, the history of White House shake-ups. Paul Begala and Torie Clarke. They know quite a bit about West Wing politics. She's been mentioned as a possible White House secretary. She's said no so far. We asked her a couple of weeks ago. We'll ask her again, has she changed her mind, what's going on that front?
Also, coming up here in THE SITUATION ROOM, the former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer will talk about his successor's exit, where the Bush administration goes from here. Lots more on this coming up today in THE SITUATION ROOM.
Meantime, let's check in with Zain Verjee once again at the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta for a closer look at other stories making news.
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN ANCHOR: Wolf, we're keeping you updated on this developing story CNN first told you about in just the past hour or so. A huge explosion, suspected to be from a rocket attack, shook the diplomatic district in Kabul in Afghanistan. The U.S. embassy is there, as well as NATO's peacekeeping mission. Details are quite sketchy at best. But so far, there's only one minor injury that's been reported.
You're looking at some new video that CNN is receiving. You can see emergency officials and crews on the ground, as well as military officials and troops. We'll bring you more details when we get them.
Chinese President Hu Jintao is heading to Washington, D.C. this afternoon, ahead of meetings tomorrow with President Bush. Earlier today in Washington state, president Hu toured a Boeing aircraft plant. China's got a deal with Boeing to buy 18 of its 737 jets. That amounts to something like $5 billion. President Hu addressed several thousand Boeing employees.
Trade issues are expected to figure quite prominently in his White House meeting. President Bush is expected to press him to cut China's trade surface with the U.S., that stands at more than $2 billion. We're going to have more on President Hu's visit in our next hour, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern -- Wolf.
BLITZER: I know you got a special report coming up on that, Zain. Thanks very much.
BLITZER: Jack Cafferty is standing by in New York with "The Cafferty File." Hi, Jack.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Wolf, Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney struck a Capitol police officer with a closed fist. That's according to the official police report on McKinney's scuffle three weeks ago. The report describes what happened as an assault on a police officer. That's a felony. McKinney's office had no comment on the police report. They said it's an ongoing legal matter.
Gee, what a switch. When McKinney was stopped by an officer after trying to go around a security checkpoint at the nation's Capitol without identifying herself, you couldn't shut her up. She was everywhere. It was racial profiling. It was much ado about a hairdo, blah, blah, blah.
Dragging a couple of lawyers around with her, you couldn't get away from this woman. Now suddenly she's nowhere to be seen. A grand jury in Washington is hearing evidence against her and will eventually decide whether she'll be indicted.
The question is this. What's the appropriate punishment for Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney for allegedly striking a police officer with a closed fist? E-mail your thoughts to caffertyfile@CNN.com or go to CNN.com/caffertyfile.
BLITZER: Thanks, Jack.
Coming up in THE SITUATION ROOM, much more on our top story. That's the shakeup over at the White House. It's been a rocky road for Scott McClellan. We're going to take a look back at what's being described as his greatest hits.
Plus, what's the White House strategy going forward right now? I'll ask two experts, Paul Begala and Torie Clarke. They're in our "Strategy Session."
And later, New York's bravest team up with Hillary Clinton. That would be the Senator Hillary Clinton. We'll explain why in today's "Political Radar."
Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. As Scott McClellan prepares to leave the White House podium for good, people may argue about how well he did his job. But most would agree that being the president's press secretary isn't easy at all. Let's bring in our senior political correspondent Candy Crowley -- Candy.
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, since questions about McClellan's future have been in Washington's groundwater for several weeks, his departure is not particularly surprising. And given the requirements of the job, pretty predictable.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Good afternoon, everyone, happy Friday. The employment report shows that our economy is strong and growing.
CROWLEY (voice-over): The job of a White House press secretary is to talk about good stuff to people looking for bad stuff.
DAVID GREGORY, NBC NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Where this White House, where this administration went wrong in its response to Katrina? MCCLELLAN: You know, David, there are some that are interested in playing the blame game.
CROWLEY: When everybody else is busy or at lunch or in a meeting or ducking calls, this job requires you show up for battle sometimes unarmed, wearing a smile, throwing out tidbits, refusing to take the bait. It was easiest the first day.
MCCLELLAN: That friendly response there is a trap.
CROWLEY: It was July of '03, the president's approval rating was 62 percent. The war was four months old.
MCCLELLAN: We are confident that we will uncover the full extent of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction program.
CROWLEY: Since then, McClellan has talked, argued, cajoled and quick-stepped his way through a war gone sour, Abu Ghraib prison abuses, the CIA leak, Katrina, the indictment of a top aide to the vice president and every et cetera in between.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is that his gun, that shotgun?
MCCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Was the device...
MCCLELLAN: You'll have to talk to the vice president's office and check that fact. You can check with their office.
CROWLEY: In the end you are a juggler of facts as you think you know them and facts as they turn out to be, serving at the pleasure of the president and mostly the displeasure of the media. You carry water, even when you're hung out to dry.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have said that you personally went to Scooter Libby, Karl Rove and Elliott Abrams to ask them if they were the leakers.
MCCLELLAN: I spoke with them so that I could come back to you and say that they were not involved.
CROWLEY: Karl Rove and Scooter Libby did discuss the identity of a CIA agent with reporters. Katrina was an inarguable disaster. And there were no weapons of mass destruction. In the end, you can drown carrying all that water.
MCCLELLAN: I'm ready to move on.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CROWLEY: He has served as press secretary for two years and nine months, but the life of a White House press secretary is more accurately measured in dog years and headlines. One imagines McClellan would be the first one to say it was time for him to go. BLITZER: I would think that's a fair assessment. Candy, what about Karl Rove? What do you think of this decision for him to give up the policy portfolio as deputy White House chief-of-staff, hand that over to someone else, what does that really say about his clout inside the White House?
CROWLEY: You know, I'm not sure it says anything about his clout inside the White House. And here's why, you know and I know it's about access. If they said to me, Karl Rove is leaving the White House, they've taken away his cell phone and they've changed the president's cell phone number, then I believe Karl was not the greater among equals of deputies to the president.
But the fact is he still has access. This is a man the president trusts enormously. I think if Karl Rove has something to say about policy he's certainly going to say it. Having said that, obviously you don't want to give up policy, particularly Karl, who prided himself on that.
But it's a way for Josh Bolten to say, "I'm in charge now." He's brought in his deputy. But I doubt Karl's going to be shy about speaking up about policy. And in Washington, as you know, policy and politics pretty much go hand in hand.
BLITZER: Thanks very much Candy, solid reporting as usual.
Much more on this story only moments away. Two people with lots of White House experience, Paul Begala and Torie Clarke. They're standing by to join us live in today's "Strategy Session." We'll ask Torie once again, could she turn down the president if he personally asked her to serve the country as his White House press secretary now that Scott McClellan is leaving? Good question. We'll see what she says.
And later, is Rudy Giuliani making a move to the right? We've got the details in today's political radar. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. I'm Wolf Blitzer in THE SITUATION ROOM. Our Zain Verjee is standing by at the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta with a closer look at some other stories once again making news. Hi, Zain.
VERJEE: Hi, Wolf.
It's the first anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI's elevation to the papacy. He marked the milestone by asking for prayers that he might carry on, as what he calls, God's gentle and firm pastor. The concept was joined by 50,000 faithful gathered at St. Peter's Square for his weekly general audience. At 78, Pope Benedict became the oldest pope in 275 years and the first German pope in more than 1,000 years.
Iran's president dips his toe into the politics of oil with a declaration that record crude prices are still below their true value. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also says that developed nations are the biggest beneficiaries of high oil prices, but he stopped short of threatening to use oil as a weapon. One industry analyst says the Iranian hard-liner's playing the oil card, basically to deflect pressure from his nuclear program.
Federal officials are taking a "kill the flock and ask questions later" approach to bird flu. The Agriculture Department saying that if it suspects that the deadly virus has attacked U.S. turkeys or chickens, it won't necessarily wait for the tests to confirm the infection. The government says free-ranging chickens and small backyard flocks are at the greatest risk. Authorities expect the bird flu virus to make it to the U.S. this year. Wolf?
BLITZER: Zain, thanks very much.
The expert who literally wrote the book on diagnosing mental illness testified just hours ago that the 9/11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui is schizophrenic. In court today, the defense is also using Moussaoui's own words to try to prevent him from receiving the death penalty.
Our Internet reporter, Abbi Tatton, is standing by with details -- Abbi.
ABBI TATTON, CNN INTERNET REPORTER: Wolf, when Moussaoui was acting as his own defense attorney in 2002, he filed frequent rambling, hand-scrawled motions to the judges, like this one, "In the name of Allah," referring to the "U.S. godless government" at the top of each of them.
And now the defense team are using these to show that -- they hope to show that Moussaoui is mentally unstable. A psychologist referred to this one. He told jurors that Moussaoui here was talking about a bug fan. He thought the FBI was bugging a fan that was in his position -- possession.
In another one, he was talking about wanting to sit at a separate table in the courtroom. Psychologists said that he had psychotic delusions that the marshals in the courtroom were trying to kill him. These are -- there are hundreds and hundreds of these documents online at the U.S. District Court in Virginia -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Abbi.
Coming up, the plight of White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan -- he's not the first spokesman to suffer behind the podium. Paul Begala and Torie Clarke face off in our "Strategy Session." That's coming up.
We will also look back at the way past presidential messengers have done their jobs.
And, later, McClellan's predecessor, the former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, tells us what he knows about today's shakeup and what may come next.
Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: At the White House, the outgoing press secretary, Scott McClellan, says he's looking forward to beginning the next chapter of his life. He will join an elite club of former presidential spokesmen.
Our senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, has been thinking about those guys.
And, over the years, a lot of them have stepped up to the podium -- Bill.
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Wolf, no servant can serve two masters, the Bible says, which is why being White House press secretary has to be the most impossible job in Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SCHNEIDER (voice-over): The White House press secretary is a public servant who must serve two masters.
STEPHEN HESS, PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN, BROOKINGS INSTITUTION: The taxpayers pay the bills, and they're responsible for giving information to the public. On the other hand, they're appointed by the president.
And the president has very strong feelings about what information he wants to get out.
SCHNEIDER: A press secretary has to tell the truth, and nothing but the truth, but not necessarily the whole truth.
BARRY TOIV, FORMER DEPUTY WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: I'm sorry. It is not easy getting up here and saying nothing. It takes a lot of preparation.
(LAUGHTER)
SCHNEIDER: Like in this case.
QUESTION: Does the president stand by his pledge to fire anyone involved in the leak of the name of a CIA operative?
SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Terry (ph), I appreciate your question. I think your question is being asked related to some reports that are in reference to an ongoing criminal investigation.
SCHNEIDER: Here's another strategy.
HESS: The press secretary may well be kept in the dark, as indeed Ron Ziegler was during the whole Watergate period. And one suspects that that was equally true of Mike McCurry during the -- the Monica situation.
SCHNEIDER: Larry Speakes, President Reagan's press secretary, was kept out of the loop about the invasion of Grenada in 1983.
And this case:
HESS: They liked John Kennedy's press secretary, Pierre Salinger. He was a lot of fun, but he didn't know there was going to be a Bay of Pigs invasion. So, that's bad stuff.
SCHNEIDER: The press secretary can get it from both sides, from the press corps, and sometimes from the president, as Ron Ziegler learned during Watergate.
Former White House press secretaries do have ways of consoling themselves.
HESS: You can usually count on the first year of big-buck speeches. And, then, the second thing they do is a big-buck memoir.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SCHNEIDER: But, even in those memoirs, they run the risk of seeming disloyal to the president, if they tell too much, which may be worth the risk in their post-White House careers -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Thanks very much for that, Bill -- Bill Schneider reporting.
Up next, there's a job opening over at the White House, now that the press secretary, Scott McClellan, has announced his resignation. Would our own CNN political analyst Torie Clarke take the job if the president of the United States asks her to do so? She joins us with another expert on West Wing politics. That would be on our Paul Begala. I don't think he is going to be asked to take that job -- our "Strategy Session" coming up next.
And is Rudy Giuliani laying new groundwork for a presidential bid? We will look at the former New York mayor's political partnerships that are unfolding right now and what they may tell us about his future.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
Today, in our "Strategy Session," the White House press secretary, Scott McClellan, is out. Will changing the messenger do anything to change the message coming out of the White House?
Joining us now, our CNN political analysts, the Democratic strategist Paul Begala and the former Pentagon spokeswoman Torie Clarke. Torie, I promised our viewers I would ask you head on. If the president of the United States says to you, "Torie, I need your help; the country needs you to be the press secretary at the White House," what would you say to that?
VICTORIA CLARKE, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: I don't think your viewers were asking you to ask that.
(LAUGHTER)
BLITZER: I was asking myself to ask that.
(LAUGHTER)
CLARKE: I honestly don't. You know, I was talking to my friends in the press corps today. And they weren't saying, boy, Wolf has got to ask this question.
BLITZER: The country wants to know, will Torie Clarke go back and serve this administration if asked?
CLARKE: Not happening. It's not -- it's not under consideration. They're not going to ask. And I'm not going to do it. And I'm getting insulted. The last several times I have seen you two: "Torie, go. Go. Get out of here."
(LAUGHTER)
BLITZER: They would be smart, don't you think, Paul, to ask her?
CLARKE: I'm a little insulted.
PAUL BEGALA, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: They would.
And I do know. I have enough friends in the Republican Party that -- and this is not a shameless plug, but they're reading Torie's book.
(LAUGHTER)
BEGALA: She wrote a book called "Lipstick on a Pig..."
CLARKE: God bless you.
BEGALA: ... right, which I bought because I thought...
(CROSSTALK)
CLARKE: ... take it back.
BEGALA: "Lipstick on a Pig" was my dating strategy growing up in Texas, OK?
(LAUGHTER)
BEGALA: But, apparently, it has got a different meaning in non- agricultural areas.
(LAUGHTER)
BEGALA: And it's a terrific book about how to manage the press.
And whoever takes that job, our country would be well served -- I would rather have Torie stay here with us...
CLARKE: Thank you.
BEGALA: ... but our country would be well served, because she came through an administration I did not support, but she came through with her credibility intact. It's the most important thing you can have in that job.
BLITZER: Here's how Scott McClellan explained, in part, why he decided to resign. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The White House is going through a period of transition. Change can be helpful. And this is a good time and good position to help bring about change.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: He did an honorable thing by announcing his...
CLARKE: Right.
BLITZER: ... his own resignation.
I'm sure the president would like to see some other people resign who haven't announced their resignations. But he came forward. And...
CLARKE: Right.
BLITZER: ... by all accounts, he made some blunders, but he's a very decent guy.
CLARKE: Absolutely.
And I have had countless phone calls today, in talking about Scott. And I wish we had enough time to spend on it, because, whether you like or dislike him, or like or dislike this administration, he's dedicated. He's committed. He loves this country. He would do anything that he thinks will help. And if he thinks him stepping aside is going to help the administration move forward and help the country, he will do it, so, hats off to him.
BLITZER: But it's -- he's just one messenger. And there's a...
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: There's another bigger problem that you see, Paul. BEGALA: Well, they don't have a communications problem.
I like Scott as a guy, too, but he leaves with his credibility in tatters, because the president's credibility is in tatters. That's the problem, is that they don't have a communications problem. They have a reality problem.
They need to change the facts on the ground in Iraq. Now, I think they should change the staff in the West Wing, too. But they need to change direction. They need to change policies. And a -- a new flack is not going to do that.
I mean, I think it's funny -- frankly, in terms of personnel, the more interesting thing is that Karl Rove, the very powerful deputy chief of staff, has been forced to give up some of that power. Now, I worked in the West Wing.
Never in American history has anybody walked into the president's office and said...
(LAUGHTER)
BEGALA: ... sir, I need less power. Sir, you need to give up -- I need to give up some of my power.
It was taken from him, presumably by Mr. Bolten, the new chief of staff. And that's an interesting West Wing power play. For Karl Rove, the most powerful person in Washington, to lose power tells you, at least, that Mr. Bush is giving Bolten a strong hand.
BLITZER: Here's how the Democratic National Committee put it in a statement they released today: "After having his hand in nearly every bad Bush policy decision and nearly every scandal that has consumed the Bush White House, it is not surprising that Karl Rove was demoted this morning. But a demotion is not enough. The president," the statement goes on to say, "has abundant reason to fire Karl Rove" -- the DNC not mincing any words.
(CROSSTALK)
CLARKE: ... DNC, positive as ever.
(LAUGHTER)
CLARKE: Boy, let's do what's good for the country.
BLITZER: But do you see -- you have worked in the administration.
CLARKE: No, I think -- I -- this -- we...
BLITZER: Do you see this as a slap in his face?
CLARKE: This gets -- no. I see this, again, as a lot of people who care more about the White House and the administration than their personal agendas. But it is significant, in that inside-baseball way. A lot of people said, is Josh Bolten really in charge? Can he really take on the big dogs?
He has. So, I think it's significant, in that regard.
BLITZER: Because there was a lot of speculation in recent weeks that the president, in his own way, would trim some of the power, not only of Karl Rove, but of the vice president, Dick Cheney, as well, given the state of his political standing right now.
BEGALA: Wolf, that's the big question.
And -- and, you know, you covered the Clinton White House when I worked there. And I thought Al Gore was a very powerful vice president. And he was. But, by all accounts, Dick Cheney is even more powerful. And, that, we won't be able to know. It's not like they are going to release to the press that Dick Cheney has been demoted in some way.
But that will be an interesting thing. Has the president lost confidence in Dick Cheney, as well as Mr. Rove?
BLITZER: Here's a -- how Scott Reed, a good Republican strategist -- worked on Bob Dole's campaign a few year ago -- didn't work out so well, that particular campaign, as you remember.
CLARKE: But they had fun.
BEGALA: He's a very smart guy.
CLARKE: They had fun.
BLITZER: He put it today -- Scott Reed is a very smart guy.
"Rove is a smart guy and knows when the winds of change are blowing. This was a clever move to restructure and make the White House functional."
That's a pretty honest assessment.
CLARKE: Sure.
And, in very cynical terms, you are going to have Karl Rove out there concentrating on nothing but political races, which he does very, very well. So, I think a few Democrats are going to sleep a little less -- a little less well tonight, knowing he's out there really focusing in on them.
BLITZER: Is that true? Are you going to be a little bit more nervous, knowing he can...
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: ... devote 100 percent of his energy to getting Republicans elected in November? BEGALA: Sure. He had been so effective on Katrina rebuilding. The president put him in charge of that. It's the biggest disaster we have seen in years. I hope he runs every Republican race.
I like Karl. I know I'm not allowed to say that as a Democrat. I go back a long, long ways with him. But, you know, he's not the alpha and the omega. What did de Gaulle say, that the graveyards are filled with indispensable men? I think the Democrats are going to do quite well.
And, you know, if I may quote our president, bring it on, Karl.
BLITZER: So, the bottom line in all of this discussion -- we will go back to where we started.
CLARKE: Right.
BLITZER: Torie, you're here in THE SITUATION ROOM, this SITUATION ROOM...
CLARKE: Got little handcuffs on this table right now.
BLITZER: ... not the West Wing Situation Room, for the time being?
CLARKE: I'm here.
BLITZER: Thanks.
CLARKE: Thank you.
BLITZER: Paul, Torie, thanks very much.
(LAUGHTER)
BLITZER: Up next, the incident report in the case of Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney begs Jack Cafferty's first question of the day: What's the appropriate punishment for the congresswoman for allegedly striking a police officer with a closed fist?
And, later, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's political future -- is the middle-of-the-road Republican turning to the right?
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: There's some severe weather unfolding in Georgia.
Let's bring in our Jacqui Jeras. She has got the latest.
What is going on, Jacqui?
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, we have a developing tornado right now, Wolf, in Georgia. This is southwest of Atlanta. This is in Troup County -- and very strong rotation indicated by Doppler radar in the northern parts of the county. Now, this storm extends into Coweta County and has producing -- been producing tremendous amounts of hail, to the size of baseballs -- so, a very dangerous storm that is moving to the south and east at 30 miles per hour.
If you live in Hogansville, if you live in Harrisonville, you need to be taking cover now, so, a possible tornado situation. There is a watch in effect across the entire area until 9:00 Central Time tonight -- Wolf.
BLITZER: We will check back with you, Jacqui. Thanks very much.
From Jacqui to Jack in New York with "The Cafferty File" -- Jack.
CAFFERTY: Wolf, Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney struck a Capitol Police officer with a closed fist. That's according to the official police report on McKinney's scuffle three weeks ago. McKinney's office had no comment. The question we asked is, what's the appropriate punishment for Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney for allegedly striking a police officer with a closed fist?
Diane in Allentown, Pennsylvania: "She loses her congressional seat, does community service for three years, and attends anger- management classes. She needs to be treated like any one of us little people. We can't discriminate just because she's a congresswoman, now, can we?"
Mike in San Diego: "The judge needs to sentence swinging Cynthia to six months in the House gym, so she can work on that left hook."
Harold in Anchorage, Alaska: "Expulsion from the House and due time in jail. Our elected representatives should be held to the same standards as their constituents."
Heather: "Punishment for Representative Cynthia McKinney might include never seeing her face or name in the media again."
John in Atlanta: "Forget punishing her. It is we, the 4th Congressional District, who are being punished by having no serious or legitimate representative in Washington."
Bill in Punta Gorda, Florida: "She should fight a duel with Zell Miller, the winner to be crowned Georgia's biggest wacko."
And Jackie writes: "Require her to spend a day with Jack Cafferty. Then she will know how tough..."
(LAUGHTER)
CAFFERTY: "... life can really be."
(LAUGHTER)
CAFFERTY: I wonder what she met by that? BLITZER: I don't know. But, thanks...
(LAUGHTER)
CAFFERTY: I don't either.
BLITZER: ... Jack.
From Jack to another Jacki. Jacki Schechner is standing by with a copy of that police report on Cynthia McKinney.
What are you seeing online, Jacki?
JACKI SCHECHNER, CNN INTERNET REPORTER: You can take a look at the police report yourself, Wolf.
Here, you can see Paul McKenna, the name of the officer who filed the report. Assault on the police officer is the event classification. Taking a closer look -- we have heard some word of a cell phone. There's no indication of that here. Tools or weapons used, N/A. You can see the method here: strike.
And, as Jack was talking about, you can see that he says he was allegedly hit with a closed fist.
Now, according to Cynthia McKinney's Web site, she has a timeline of what she calls the incident with Capitol police. You can see, it starts at 1:00, with nothing but the word "incident," no further explanation. But it goes all the way down to number seven, which is her full apology that she made on the House floor.
If you want to read the police report yourself, go to CNN.com/SITUATIONREPORT. It's a short one, Wolf, just a page.
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Jacki, for that.
And this note: Stay tuned. In the next hour, our Brian Todd will have plenty more on the latest in the Cynthia McKinney case. Stay with us for that.
Still to come, a new ruling in the case against Tom DeLay. We're following the congressman's legal troubles in Texas.
And does Rudy Giuliani have a prayer of winning the GOP nomination? He may be looking for a way to impress Christian conservatives. There are new developments unfolding right now. And we will share them with you.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: You're looking at a live picture -- or you will be in a second -- a live picture from Everett, Washington, the state of Washington. That's a 747, an Air China 747, the president of China, Hu Jintao, just boarded that plane. It is going to be taking him right here to Washington.
And he's going to be flying from Everett, Washington, to Andrew Air Force Base, outside of Washington, for his meetings with President Bush tomorrow at the White House -- big, formal ceremony tomorrow morning set on the South Lawn. We will have extensive coverage of that.
A quick check of our "Political Radar" right now -- in Texas today, a new ruling in the campaign finance case against Congressman Tom DeLay. An appeals court upheld the ruling throwing out a conspiracy charge against the former House majority leader. DeLay still faces a money-laundering charge and another conspiracy charge. There is still no trial date for DeLay, who is resigning from his congressional seat.
In New York today, Senator Hillary Clinton makes the first big announcement of her reelection campaign. The New York Democrat accepted the endorsement of two unions representing New York City firefighters. It's seen as a show of support for her response to the 9/11 attacks and a boost for her possible -- possible -- presidential bid.
Now let's catch up with a former and possibly future rival of Senator Clinton. That would be Rudy -- Rudy Giuliani. He is foraging some notable new alliances, as the former New York City mayor considers if he will run for president in 2008. Some think the moderate Republican is trying to improve his standing with the right wing of his party.
Our Mary Snow is following Rudy Giuliani's latest move. She is joining us from New York -- Mary.
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, Rudy Giuliani is hitting the campaign trail for others. And it's raising questions about what Giuliani's own political future may hold.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SNOW (voice-over): Just two days after Rudy Giuliani was publicly snubbed by Christian conservative leader the Reverend Jerry Falwell, Ralph Reed, former leader of the Christian Coalition, is aligning himself with the former New York City mayor. Reed is running for Georgia's lieutenant governor. And Giuliani will speak at a fund- raiser for him next month.
ARNOLD STEINBERG, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: It sure seems like strange bedfellows. It's sort of the material for a great "Saturday Night Live" skit.
SNOW: Reed has galvanized voters against issues such as abortion and gay rights. Those are two issues Giuliani publicly supports, and the reason why the Reverend Falwell said he could not back Giuliani, if he runs for president.
REVEREND JERRY FALWELL, CHANCELLOR, LIBERTY UNIVERSITY: We have probably irreconcilable differences on life and family and that kind of thing.
SNOW: Republican political strategist Arnold Steinberg says for Giuliani to have allies like Ralph Reed is significant.
STEINBERG: What Rudy Giuliani is doing is paying respects to the conservative base of the Republican Party and trying to diffuse their energetic, passionate opposition against him.
SNOW: And, at a campaign event for conservative Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, Giuliani made a joke at the expense of a Democrat Republicans love to hate, Senator Hillary Clinton, who was serving as New York senator at the end of Giuliani's terms as mayor of New York City.
RUDOLPH GIULIANI (R), FORMER MAYOR OF NEW YORK: And, for one year, I had Hillary.
(LAUGHTER)
GIULIANI: There's a book that just came out, Michael, that -- that does point out the one thing that Hillary and I do have in common. We are both Yankee fans.
(LAUGHTER)
SNOW: When asked at a campaign event if she expected to see more jokes at her expense, she didn't take the bait.
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: Oh, I have no idea. I'm running for reelection. And I'm doing the best I can to represent the people of New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SNOW: Now, among Republicans, Giuliani is seen getting as much support as potential contender John McCain, who recently mended fences with the Reverend Jerry Falwell. Observers say that adds to the urgency for Giuliani to shore up support among conservatives -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Mary, thank you very much.
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