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The Situation Room
President Bush Meets With GOP Leaders to Discuss Pressing Issues; Madeleine Albright Interview; Rudy Giuliani Visits Iowa
Aired May 02, 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: Thanks very much, Ali. And to our viewers you are now 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 reaches out to Congress and puts some of his toughest problems on the table. It's 4:00 p.m. here in Washington where new polls help explain why Mr. Bush could use help from Capitol Hill.
Also this hour, Republicans putting the brakes on a plan designed to ease the pain at the pump. And Democrats trying to get more mileage out of soaring gas prices. Is either side making headway with voters.
If he could make it there, can Rudy Giuliani make it anywhere. The former New York mayor tests his presidential appeal in Iowa. We're in the heartland covering the race to 2008. I'm Wolf Blitzer and you're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
Right now Republicans in Washington are scrambling on several fronts. Lawmakers are trying to show they are as concerned about rising gas prices as voters are. That may be easier said than done, especially now that one GOP proposal has hit the skids.
At the White House this afternoon President Bush and GOP Congressional leaders have been discussing the energy crisis as some administration officials now openly call it. Today new poll numbers show just how much the president's party is feeling the pain at the pump. Our senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, is standing by with the latest numbers. Our White House correspondent, Ed Henry, has what is going on over there. Let's start our coverage with our Congressional correspondent, Dana Bash.
DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, GOP strategists continue to tell leaders here, Republican leaders here, what they must keep doing is making a big deal out of oil profits and specifically talking about and talking to the CEO's of those oil companies. That's exactly what the House speaker did today. He called to his office here at the Capitol, Rex Tillerson, the new CEO of Exxon Mobil, and after that meeting our intrepid Congressional producer, Ted Barrett, caught up with the CEO. Let's listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) TED BARRETT, CNN PRODUCER: Do you think Exxon is being unfairly singled out at this point, being called in by the speaker to demand answers from you guys?
REX TILLERSON, CHMN./CEO EXXON MOBIL CORP.: No, I think we are the largest American oil company, we are very global. We are a large -- huge investor around the world in developing the supply. And it's only natural that people are going to want to know what we think about things.
BARRETT: Is there anything that Exxon Mobil can do to lower the gas prices at this point?
TILLERSON: The things we are doing. We are investing heavily, $20 billion a year over the next five years, to develop new supply. Developing supply from all over the world, including a lot of investment in this country in some new developments. And you know all of that is directed at trying to address the tightness in the supply situation. I think on the other side we have to ask people to make sure they are using energy wisely. Be efficient with it. Don't waste it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BASH: Tillerson also insisted that there is nothing he and his company can do to affect the high gas prices in a way that really would make a short-term difference. Now meanwhile, Wolf, Senate Republicans, you remember, it was just last week that they released an eight-point plan to try to affect those gas prices and they topped it with a $100 rebate to consumers.
Well now already several sources here tell us that that idea is all but dead.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BASH (voice-over): Just five days after Senate Republican Leader Bill Frist proposed a $100 rebate as one answer to high gas prices, Senate Republicans are already planning to drop the idea after it fell like a brick with the public and within their own party.
SEN. JOHN CORNYN (R), TEXAS: I think it's a silly idea. In a word. And I think most people recognize that it's not a serious response to what is a real crisis.
BASH: Texas GOP Senator John Cornyn says his constituents have been calling, complaining the $100 rebate is nothing more than an election year gimmick.
CORNYN: It may be a tank and a half worth of gas in an SUV in Texas.
BASH: And across the capitol, House Majority Leader John Boehner called the rebate, quote, insulting. The idea, designed to calm public outrage over gas prices, only further inflamed it. Across the country, letters to the editor, opinion pieces, blogs all calling a $100 rebate pointless. Democrats were quick to jump on the GOP misfire.
SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV), MINORITY LEADER: The hundred dollar rebate was dead before it was offered. It was ridiculous.
BASH: Senator Rick Santorum, one of the only Republicans standing by the rebate, points out it was just one of several proposals in a multi-part plan.
SEN. RICK SANTORUM (R), PENNSYLVANIA: It wasn't intended to do anything to increase the supply or reduce demand. It was a way of trying to provide some help, some temporary help at a time of gas price spikes this summer driving season.
BASH: But GOP leadership aides concede to CNN it was a mistake, rushed out amid the election year frenzy to respond to the gas price problem and a Democratic proposal to suspend the gas tax.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
One of those Republican leadership aides who is conceding that perhaps that wasn't the best idea, perhaps done in haste, just sent a note saying, with his tongue firmly in the cheek, that everybody deserves a, quote, mission to Mars moment. That referring to an idea that President Bush put forward a few years ago in the State of the Union Address saying that the United States of America should go to Mars.
That, remember, went absolutely nowhere and fell pretty flat pretty immediately.
BLITZER: Dana Bash on Capitol Hill.
Let's go to the White House now and the president's late meeting with Republican congressional leaders. Gas prices were expected to be very high on their agenda, as well. Let's check in with our White House correspondent, Ed Henry. Was it?
ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: This is quickly becoming a hallmark of the Josh Bolten era. Almost nonstop outreach to Congress. No real break through on gas prices, but the new chief of staff has clearly heard the criticism from Republican leaders that this White House has been thumbing their nose at them and that they have been taking the Republican support on the Hill for granted.
In his first term, the president could practically dictate the agenda to Republican leaders and they followed. With his poll numbers now sliding with these thorny issues splitting the Republicans on the Hill and the president, whether it's the Dubai ports deal or immigration, now gas prices, this rebate deal.
We're seeing a flurry of presidential meetings with lawmakers as well as the staff shuffling, all aimed at the goal of getting the White House's mojo back, as Josh Bolten himself said over the weekend. The White House Spokesman Scott McClellan today noting that today was marked off as a legislative workday for the president. Sort through some of these thorny issues. The outgoing press secretary talked about those issues, the effort to move forward on them after he was also asked about whether or not the mojo renovation was working, whether White House aides were feeling refreshed?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: I'm feeling pretty re-energized. I'll be more energized in a week and a half. There are real results we are accomplishing for the American people. There is more we need to do. We need to build upon that and this president is committed to solving problems. And there are some problems facing this country that we need to act on, and that we need to act on sooner rather than later.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HENRY: In reality, though, the White House not getting results on an issue like gas prices this quickly. Obviously this meeting broke up with Republican leaders with no real break through, but at least they are opening a dialogue with Republican leaders. Josh Bolten putting his stamp on this White House right away in that area.
Meanwhile the president knows how to get his mojo back. As soon as the meeting broke up, he headed out for a bike ride.
BLITZER: A bike ride is good. Ed up over at the White House.
If there were a political misery index, gas prices just might soar to the top for President Bush and his fellow Republicans. Our senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, is crunching some brand new poll numbers. What is going on, Bill?
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Wolf, Hurricane Katrina was a disaster. And so are gas prices. But gas prices are having a much bigger political impact.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SCHNEIDER (voice-over): Hurricane Katrina was a natural disaster. Gas prices are an unnatural disaster. Which is why the issue of gas prices has a much sharper political edge. President Bush's job approval is down to 33 percent in the latest CBS News poll. His approval rating on gas prices, 17 percent. Yikes! Many Republicans say it's a problem of supply and demand.
SEN. JON KYL (R), ARIZONA: Why has crude oil price gone up? Because the demand has exceeded the supply.
SCHNEIDER: So what's the solution?
SEN. BILL FRIST (R-TN), MINORITY LEADER: We need to increase domestic supply. Supply right here at home. We need to diversify our energy sources.
SCHNEIDER: That gets you an A in economics and an F in politics. Because Americans do not see the sudden rise in gas prices as some kind of natural disaster. Like a hurricane.
SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL), MINORITY WHIP: Isn't it curious as you drive around your hometown that all the prices on all the pumps seem to go up at the same time and come down at the same time.
SCHNEIDER: The public's instinctive reaction is that somebody's up to no good. They see evidence of that.
SEN. JEFF BINGAMAN (D), NEW MEXICO: Consumers are confused and angry as to why these prices are occurring now. Their anger is stoked by reports of the high salaries and retirement packages being handed out to executives.
SCHNEIDER: Somebody is to blame. Democrats seem to get that. Republicans don't. Maybe people think because Republicans get more money from business, maybe because the president and vice president are oil men. Whatever. But when the public is asked, "Which party is more likely to see to it that gas prices are low?" They pick the Democratic Party over the Republican Party by better than two to one.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SCHNEIDER: The political impact is dramatic. In January, about equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats said they felt more enthusiastic than usual about voting this year. Now, Democrats have a clear edge. Republican voters seem to be demoralized.
BLITZER: We'll see if Republicans can mobilize that base between now and November. Bill, thanks very much. Thanks not only to Bill Schneider, Ed Henry, Dana Bash, all part of the best political team on television. CNN, America's campaign headquarters.
Zain Verjee is off again today. Betty Nguyen is joining us from the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta with a closer look at some other stories making news. Good afternoon, Betty.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hi there, Wolf. More buses, better communication and a kinder, gentler pet policy. All elements of a new evacuation plan for New Orleans as the 2006 hurricane season draws near. Mayor Ray Nagin today unveiled the city's revised evacuation plan. Now Nagin was widely criticized for the city's response as Hurricane Katrina approached last August. His new plan, though, would get the poor and elderly out sooner and allows people to bring pets with them as long as they are caged.
Well, you heard it here just in the past few hours. More heated rhetoric over Iran and its nuclear program. Today a top Iranian military commander declared if the U.S. launches any attack, Israel will be Iran's first target. Meanwhile undersecretary of state Nicholas Burns predicts the United Nations will soon pass a resolution ordering Iran to suspend its nuclear program.
And a hospital official says a suicide bomber blew up his car today near a convoy carrying the governor of Iraq's Anbar province. The governor's fate is unclear at this time, but three of the bodyguards died in the central Ramadi blast. The U.S. military death toll has risen by three as well. A Marine died in combat Friday and a soldier was killed just yesterday by a roadside bomb in Baghdad. Earlier last week, a third service member died of noncombat related causes. All this brings the death toll to 2,405 since the Iran conflict began -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Thanks, Betty, we'll get back to you very soon.
So is Iraq on the verge of collapse? The just-released report names dozens of countries on the verge of becoming what is known as failed states and Iraq, get this, is right at the top. Our Internet reporter Jacki Schechner is joining us now with details. Jacki?
JACKI SCHECHNER, CNN INTERNET REPORTER: Wolf, "Foreign Policy" magazine and the Fund for Peace surveyed 148 countries on 12 different criteria, including economic development, human rights and security among others.
The higher the score, the more fragile the state. Sudan was at the very top of the list, one of the worst records in human rights. Eleven of the top 20 in Africa.
Let's take a look at Iraq. They came in fourth. They were fourth last year, they ranked very high in human flight, the loss of a professional class.
Also in the top 10 were Afghanistan and Pakistan, two of our allies in the war on terror. Pakistan moving from everything 34 all the way to the ninth position. Where did we come in, 128, more fragile than France and the U.K. but not as fragile as Italy, Germany and Spain -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Thanks, Jacki. Interesting numbers. Let's go up to New York. Jack Cafferty once again joining us with "The Cafferty File." Jack?
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Where is Zain this week?
BLITZER: Zain is, as you know, she is eventually going to be moving to Washington. She is looking for places to live.
CAFFERTY: THE SITUATION ROOM is not the same when she is not on it.
BLITZER: Zain is a very, very important part of our team.
CAFFERTY: Yes, the main difference is you can understand all the words. I'm just kidding.
Think of it as sort of an I.Q. test for voters. Are they smart enough to recognize pork barrel spending for what it really is? "The New York Times" has an interesting story today. It's out in Nebraska where the Republican challengers for the U.S. Senate seat that is currently held by a Democrat are actually calling attention to pork projects brought home by the incumbent. Things like a parking lot at an Omaha art museum. In fact, challengers in several states: Montana, Ohio, and Rhode Island among others are telling voters that incumbents have brought back to their districts various pork projects and pointing them out. The strategy is to turn the national uproar over pork barrel spending against the politicians who secured it.
It's not clear yet how it is going to play out. We're all appalled by expensive, useless stuff that lawmakers slip into bills. But if the money is going to be spent in our district, well then we're not so sure we want to send it back to Washington.
So here's the question. How will lawmakers pet projects affect your vote in November? E-mail us at CaffertyFile@CNN or go to CNN.com/CaffertyFile -- Wolf.
BLITZER: And Zain always misses you, too, Jack, when you're off. I just want you to know.
CAFFERTY: I was just having a little fun at her expense.
BLITZER: I know. She'll be back, though.
If you want to get a sneak preview of Jack's questions plus an early day on the day's political news, what is ahead on THE SITUATION ROOM, sign up for our daily e-mail alert. You can do that by simply going to CNN.com/SITUATIONROOM, follow the instructions.
Coming up, how will the conflict in Iraq go down in history? Madeleine Albright had some very strong words on that subject. The former secretary of state joins me live right here in THE SITUATION ROOM.
Plus, how does the president and his party get out from under those horrible poll numbers they're facing? I'll ask Donna Brazile and Bill Bennett today's "Strategy Session."
And later, Rudy Giuliani in Iowa. Is he testing the waters for a possible run for the White House? Our Candy Crowley travels there, she investigates. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. In the post-9/11 era, the Bush administration faces a more threatening and complicated world from Iraq and Iran to al Qaeda and religious extremism. Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is a vocal critic of the president's world view. She is the author of a new book that's just out on the connection between religion and foreign policy. The book is entitled "The Mighty & The Almighty: Reflections of America, God, and World Affairs." The former secretary joins us in THE SITUATION ROOM.
Madam Secretary, thanks very much.
MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE: Great to be with you Wolf, thank you.
BLITZER: This is what the president said yesterday on Iraq. Listen to the optimism conveyed in his words.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This nation of ours and our coalition partners are going to work with new leadership to strengthen our mutual efforts to achieve success, a victory in this war on terror. We believe this is a turning point for the Iraqi citizens and it's a new chapter in our partnership.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: And this in contrast is what you write in your book, "The Mighty & The Almighty." "Although we must fervently hope otherwise, the invasion of Iraq and its aftermath may eventually rank among the worst foreign policy disasters in U.S. history." What if the president is right, that this is a turning point, and stable democracy emerges and U.S. troops can eventually come home?
ALBRIGHT: Well, I would love to be proven wrong, Wolf. I really -- nobody wants us to fail, but the president has indicated turning points before. I don't think his body language indicated a lot of optimism.
I am slightly more optimistic this week than I was 10 days ago with the naming of the new Iraqi prime minister, but you have reported more deaths again, and there's not an indication that the insurgency is under control.
I hope very much that there is a change, but the effect of Iraq and the mistaken implementation of the policy, I think, is going to plague the United States for a long time. And it concerns me incredibly about the overall effects of a very bad Iraqi policy.
BLITZER: What do you make of Senator Biden's recommendation to divide Iraq up into three separate autonomous areas, a Sunni, a Kurdish, and a Shia zone?
ALBRIGHT: Well, I think that already the Constitution recognizes that there are differences among the areas in Iraq, and recognizes a certain amount of autonomy with continued control by the central government, a foreign and defense policy.
I think the different areas need to be recognized. I would be very concerned in the long run about a split-up of Iraq totally, because I think that would have very deep repercussions in an area that is already highly destabilized. And one of the results, I think, of the Iraq war is the increasing influence of Iran. And if Iraq were to split up, that would increase Iran's influence.
But I think that Senator Biden has presented a very interesting idea that is worth exploring with a kind of a system that is more federal with a central government that continues to have a variety of different authorities.
BLITZER: In your book, you're critical of this passage from the president's second inaugural address. And I'm going to play it for our viewers. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: It's the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of Democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Now what's -- explain what is wrong with that ultimate goal?
ALBRIGHT: Well, I think there's nothing wrong with having a goal of ending tyranny in the world, but it is basically not something that can just be accomplished with rhetoric.
And I have been critical of speeches made by the president in which he says that the United States will deliver freedom to the inhabitants of the world, in fact, says that it is our destiny to do so, which is very much the same words that the president -- that God told Moses to do.
So I think it is overreaching, and I'm very concerned about having rhetorical statements like that which put the United States in a position of acting as if we're on a mission from God.
BLITZER: Today the Iranians said that if the U.S. were to launch any military strike against Iran and its nuclear facilities, the first thing they would do would be to attack Israel. Shimon Peres, elder statesman of Israel, immediately said Israel can defend itself.
What do you make of this rhetorical flourish coming from Tehran now, and what would you do differently than the current administration is doing?
ALBRIGHT: Well, I am very troubled by what is going on with Iran, and the statements that have been made and obviously some of the things that President Ahmadinejad has said are perfectly ridiculous. What is important is for the international community to act together and take action in the Security Council.
But I have also come to the realization that it is very important for us to have direct talks with Iran. They are not a reward. It is not negotiating. It is delivering very tough messages to Iran, and I think that we are in a very bad situation with Iran.
And one of the points that I make in terms of the failure of our Iraq policy, as I've said, is the increasing influence of Iran in the region, something that is an unintended consequence of a mistaken Bush policy.
BLITZER: Would you have direct talks with the Iranians, U.S.- Iranian talks, on the nuclear issue?
ALBRIGHT: I would. You know, I know that the president has OK'd that there be talks on Iraq, and I personally think that those talks should be widened. It doesn't mean that the Iranians will talk, but I do think it is worth trying here because we are in a very bad situation.
I agree, as a former policy maker, that you never take a military option off the table, but I think we have to pursue all diplomatic ends because we are in a very serious situation and the combination of what is happening at the United Nations with the idea that we also look at direct talks, not negotiation. Direct talks is something that I think worth trying.
BLITZER: Here's a quote from the book, on religion and foreign policy. "The difficulty, of course, is not that the Bush administration has sought to exercise leadership on moral grounds, the problem is that its rhetoric has come close to justifying U.S. policy in explicitly religious terms and that is like waving a red flag in front of a bull." Explain that to our viewers.
ALBRIGHT: Well, I think that the problem is that the way the policy has been presented, if you disagree with the United States, you're picking a fight with God. Now, what happened is that after 9/11 I thought President Bush acted really well and unified the country and unified the world in terms of supporting us, because it was us versus people that believed that you could kill people by flying airplanes into building.
When the president -- because it looked as though he thought that God -- we were doing God's work -- said, in fact, that people had to approve of our policies in Iraq or what we were doing in Abu Ghraib or extending the limits of American power, then he narrowed the number of people that would support us. And I don't think we want to be in a position where we are telling people that arguing with us is arguing with God.
BLITZER: The book is entitled "The Mighty and the Almighty, Reflection on America, God and World Affairs." An introduction by her former boss, President Bill Clinton.
Madeleine Albright, thanks for joining us. Congratulations on the new book.
ALBRIGHT: Thank you very much, Wolf.
BLITZER: And coming up here in THE SITUATION ROOM, Rudy Giuliani hits the campaign trail. But is he ready to make a run for the White House? We caught up with the man known as "America's Mayor" as he landed in Iowa.
Plus, he's one of the few Democrats to side with the president when it comes to Iraq, but is that hurting Senator Joe Lieberman as he runs for reelection in his home state of Connecticut? We have got some new poll numbers. All that coming up next. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to THE SITUATION ROOM. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. Many people still think of Rudy Giuliani as America's mayor. But could he be America's next president? The New York Republican has been testing the waters in Iowa, and he has been making the case that his moderate views could be just what his party needs.
Our senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley, watched Giuliani in action in Iowa, the state that holds the first big presidential contest of 2008 -- Candy.
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, now private citizen Giuliani, has said for some time he would like to one day return to public life. The question has always been where and when? As he traveled through Iowa, Giuliani's answer appeared to be, maybe here, but not yet.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RUDOLPH GIULIANI (R), FORMER MAYOR OF NEW YORK: Welcome to Iowa.
CROWLEY (voice-over): Can a big-city mayor find happiness in the byways and burbs of Middle America? That is what he is trying to find out.
GIULIANI: My effort this year will be to help Republicans get elected. And, then, you know, quite honestly, also, as part of it, saying to myself, does it look like I have a chance in 2008, and make that decision after the 2006 election.
CROWLEY: It has been almost five years since Rudy Giuliani plowed his way through the dust and chaos of 9/11 to become a national hero, America's mayor.
REP. JIM NUSSLE (R-IA), IOWA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: He's, as what they say now, a superstar within our party.
CROWLEY: He is quite the draw in Iowa in places like Des Moines and Davenport, turning out the crowds, talking up the candidates, courting the faithful for future reference.
GIULIANI: George W. Bush will be considered historically a great president. And it doesn't -- I mean, I -- and I think a lot of things are going to happen in the next couple of years that help to support that.
CROWLEY: If you could run for president on buzz, His Honor would be printing up bumper stickers.
RAY HOFFMAN, IOWA GOP CHAIRMAN: Initially, the first few visits, I'm sure 9/11 is the reason they come, and they see him, they meet him. And if -- then they are going to want to find out. They're going to ask him questions. And they will probably be some hard questions.
CROWLEY: Like, can a pro-abortion-rights, pro-gay-rights, pro- gun-licensing, twice-divorced candidate survive the party's conservative primary voters? Perhaps a change of subject. GIULIANI: The major thing that we organize around as Republicans is a government that puts more reliance on people than government.
CROWLEY: The signal could not be more clear. If Giuliani runs, he will have to fundamentally change the dialogue within the Republican Party. He will be a tough sell in '08, but Giuliani is a tough customer, who, as mayor, cut crimes and taxes and stared into the face of terrorism. Many a presidential campaign has begun on less.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CROWLEY: Current political thought goes something like this: If Republicans get their clocks cleaned in '06, Rudy Giuliani's chances in '08 improve. The idea is, the more devastated Republicans are, the more likely they are to look off the beaten path for someone to put them back on track -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Candy, in Iowa, thank you very much.
Three states holding primaries are on our "Political Radar" this Tuesday. Voters in Ohio, Indiana and North Carolina are choosing candidates for governor and Congress. The Ohio contest is being watched especially closely. It's considered a bellwether state. And some top Republicans there have been embroiled in ethics scandal.
The outcome could offer hints about the battle for Congress this fall. We will bring you the results tomorrow, right here in THE SITUATION ROOM.
A new poll suggests Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman has not suffered very much with Connecticut voters for supporting President Bush's Iraq policy. In the Quinnipiac University poll, Lieberman has a 59 percent approval rating. That is only down slightly from February. And, in a possible Democratic primary matchup, the poll shows Lieberman beating businessman Ned Lamont by 46 percentage points, 46 percentage points.
The actress Susan Sarandon appears to be setting aside her criticism of Senator Hillary Clinton's stance on the Iraq war. The two women teamed up here in Washington today to carry on Christopher Reeve's battle for spinal cord research. Sarandon introduced Senator Clinton by saying -- and I'm quoting now -- "We are all very lucky to have her as a leader in Congress."
Previously, Sarandon has accused Senator Clinton of crumbling under pressure by voting to authorize the Iraq war. That was her quote, crumbling under pressure.
Up next here in THE SITUATION ROOM, poll problems over at the White House -- how does the president and his party rebound in time for the midterm elections? Can he? I will ask two experts, Donna Brazile and Bill Bennett. They are standing by live.
Plus, what effect will soaring gas prices have come November? Find out in today's "Strategy Session." Stay with us. We will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Today, in our "Strategy Session," a new poll shows Republican voters aren't as fired up as Democrats are when they go to the polls in November. At least, that's what is coming out right now. What can the GOP do to ignite their base? Can Democrats come up with enough support to gain control of either chamber of Congress?
Joining us now, our CNN political analysts Democratic strategist Donna Brazile and Bill Bennett, the host of the radio program "Morning in America."
Here's some aspects of this "USA Today"/Gallup poll. Generic congressional matchup, who do you prefer, Democrats or Republicans? Fifty-four percent of those who responded said Democrats. Thirty-nine percent said Republicans.
But, Bill, perhaps more worrisome to you and your fellow Republicans is this question: Are you more enthusiastic about voting than usual? In January, 48 percent, the Democrats said yes. It's now up to 50 percent. But among Republicans, in January, 47 percent said yes, almost the same then as the Democrat . But it's gone down now to 38 percent...
BILL BENNETT, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Yes.
BLITZER: ... which suggests that that base is not necessarily as enthusiastic as it should be going into these midterm elections.
BENNETT: Well, as the song said, it's a long way from May to November, or something like that.
There's time for excitement. Politics shouldn't necessarily have to be about excitement. It has to do with making choices. And on these generic polls, the problem with generic polls is, of course, people vote in a specific place for a specific person. And I -- by the way, I don't think you will see a change in the Congress. But...
BLITZER: In either House or Senate?
BENNETT: No. I don't. But I -- that's right.
But I do think some things could be done. The president could, for example, veto a spending bill, any spending bill.
(LAUGHTER)
BENNETT: I will take any spending bill, would be a good idea.
BLITZER: He hasn't vetoed anything since he took office.
BENNETT: You're right. Keep reminding people about the very good aspects of this economy. We're getting pummeled on this gas thing over and over and over again. The media is playing that up very big, but tremendous news in productivity, tremendous news in unemployment. The president should talk about that.
In terms of the largest picture, I think, frankly, the world will decide a lot. There are big things going on out there in the world, Iraq and Iran. I think this Iran thing is really heating up. The world may just...
BLITZER: All right.
BENNETT: ... take the agenda, and then we will see what turns out.
BLITZER: Donna, bill makes a point. Between now and November, there's a lot of time for things to change.
DONNA BRAZILE, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, it's good news for the Democrats, because Democrats are very energized.
The Democrats have good candidates. They have been able to raise money, match the Republicans on raising money at the congressional level. So, the Democrats believe that this is a year to talk about issues that not only impact Americans where they live, where they work, but also to challenge the Republicans.
This is going to be a national election, a referendum on the president, and a referendum, of course, on the GOP control of Congress, and the do-nothing Congress, at that. So, I think Democrats are in a very good place to take 16 seats in the House. There are more seats in play. It's still an uphill battle, six seats in the United States Senate. I feel good about where the Democrats are today.
BLITZER: So, you think it's possible the Democrats could at least carry one of those houses?
BRAZILE: Absolutely.
BENNETT: Well...
BLITZER: Here is what Glen Bolger, a Republican pollster says, quoted in "The Washington Post." "Angry voters turn out and vote their anger. Democrats will have an easier time of getting out their vote because of their intense disapproval of the president. That means we Republicans are going to have to bring our A turnout game out in November."
He's right on that.
(CROSSTALK)
BENNETT: The angries win. The haters win. Well, we will see.
I mean, we will see. The president, I think, has another opportunity. It is interesting, again, a lot of coverage in the media of the gas thing. When we do our radio show, we open the lines, whatever people want to talk about. People are still talking about immigration, more than anything else, by... BLITZER: More than the high price of gas?
BENNETT: By 3-1, by 3-1.
BLITZER: Well, that was yesterday because of the demonstrations.
BENNETT: But it has been all -- it has been all week. It's really been two weeks.
The only time out they took was for something we talked about, the Moussaoui trial, when people were kind of riveted and reminded. So, the president has an opportunity. And there's one thing he could do there. He could say, you know, whether you're talking about the House proposals or the Senate proposals, we are going to close this border.
That seems to be the condition in everybody's proposal. We're going to do it. If he can do that, be credible on that, put the resources there, a fence, electronic fence, whatever, I think he can go a long way.
But, again...
BRAZILE: Yes.
BENNETT: ... we're not going up against Mr. Generic...
(LAUGHTER)
BENNETT: ... you know, whatever the powers of Mr. Generic poll. We go up against individuals.
It's George Bush who has got some weaknesses. But there is Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi. And they have got some problems, too, you know?
BLITZER: A lot -- a lot of analysts, Donna, have made the comparisons between this year, 2006, and 1994, when the Republicans came from almost seemingly out of nowhere and took the majority in Congress.
Here's what Donnie Fowler, former DNC chairman, says: "The difference between now and '94 is, we don't have a Newt Gingrich. It's just that simple. But if we find ourselves a message, we could do to Republicans almost what they did to us in '94."
The point about they don't have a -- the Democrats don't have a Newt Gingrich, is there no Democrat who can emerge as this outspoken champion, put forward a Contract With America and -- and get the job done?
BRAZILE: You know, the good news is that we have a lot of Newt Gingriches in the Democratic Party. But they are not at the national level.
These are people who are running for Congress. They are the state party chairs. They're the state party leaders. The grassroots, the netroots, they are very activated. They're energized. I have never seen anything like it before.
I was there in 1994, when the Democrats lost control of the Congress. And one of the big reasons, in addition to the Republicans nationalizing the election and the Democrats, you know, being taken from behind with Newt Gingrich, is that the Democrats didn't really have a game plan on the ground.
This year, with Howard Dean, 50-state plan, we have a real terrific opportunity to capitalize on the Republicans being demoralized and in disarray, so that Democrats can come from behind.
BLITZER: Here's the -- a worrisome poll number for you in this "USA Today"/Gallup poll.
BENNETT: That's all you have got for me.
BLITZER: Well, the numbers aren't...
(LAUGHTER)
BLITZER: ... that good for you.
Who do you trust more to deal with the gas prices, the question was. The answer, 51 percent said Democrats. Twenty-eight percent said Republicans.
I think there's a perception out there that Republicans are in bed with big oil companies. And they -- they really are not going to take on this issue.
BENNETT: Yes. Again, I think this issue, we will see some more of this as we get in to the summer.
But I don't think the fall elections, and certainly the elections of '08, will be decided on gasoline. I think, if there's one major domestic issue, I think it will be the immigration issue. But I don't think it will even be that. I think it will be foreign policy. It may be Iran. I think it will be Iraq.
And I think the world will again have a large part to say in what that decision is. I see activity in the Democratic Party, no doubt about it. And I kind of think what Dean has done is pretty good. I think it's pretty gutsy, you know, to go where he has gone and try to organize and go into red states.
I think that's...
BRAZILE: Absolutely.
(CROSSTALK)
BENNETT: That's the Donna Brazile advice. She goes there. She is comfortable with everybody.
BRAZILE: Absolutely.
BENNETT: But I don't see the plan yet. And I certainly don't see the five or six Newt Gingriches, much...
BLITZER: We have got to leave it there.
BENNETT: ... much less 10.
BLITZER: When you have got some poll numbers that are favorable, you will show them to us.
(LAUGHTER)
BENNETT: Of course.
BLITZER: We will be happy to put them up on the screen.
BENNETT: I will get them for you.
BLITZER: Thanks to both...
BRAZILE: But, meanwhile, he can talk about Howard Dean.
BENNETT: I will get them for you.
(LAUGHTER)
BLITZER: Donna...
BENNETT: Good.
BLITZER: ... and Bill, thanks very much.
And, remember, Donna Brazile and Bill Bennett are part of the best political team on television -- CNN, America's campaign headquarters.
Coming up here in THE SITUATION ROOM, tales of tragedy and appeals for truth -- the families of 12 ill-fated Sago miners go before a hearing in search of answers to the disaster that killed them.
And, later, a move to decriminalize drugs in Mexico -- that's coming up in our 7:00 p.m. Eastern hour. Will the land south of the border become, as one college student called it, the new Amsterdam?
You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Let's check back with Betty at the CNN Global Headquarters for a quick look at some other stories making news -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Hi there, Wolf. Stories today of crushing loss and demands for answers to lingering questions. They came at the first day of government hearings into what could have caused West Virginia's Sago Mine disaster. Family members of the 12 coal miners who died in the mine early in January told panel members of their lost loved ones. They also appeal for the truth about what happened. We will continue to follow this.
Well, the number-two man in the 2002 Washington-area sniper spree may testify for the first time against his former mentor. The Associated Press quotes a source who says negotiations are under way for Lee Boyd Malvo to take the stand against John Allen Muhammad. Now, jury selection began yesterday in Muhammad's Maryland trial. He has already been tried and sentenced to death in Virginia. The shooting spree, in all, killed 10 people and wounded three.
Well, jurors in the sentencing trial of confessed 9/11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui are calling it a day again, and will resume work tomorrow. It has been six days of deliberation and still no decision on whether Moussaoui should receive the death penalty for his role in the attacks. Legal experts say the likelihood of a death sentence diminishes the longer the deliberations go on -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Betty, thank you very much.
Still ahead here in THE SITUATION ROOM, the president's message on Iraq, does he have trouble selling it? Or do Americans just not want to buy it?
And Vice President Dick Cheney's clout, is -- is it what it used to be, after his hunting accident and other political misfires? We will revisit Cheney's role in our 7:00 p.m. Eastern hour here in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: The district attorney in Durham, North Carolina, attorney Mike Nifong, faces a reelection challenge today from two Democratic primary opponents.
The election comes just one day after a defense lawyer in the Duke lacrosse case asked Nifong to recuse himself, suggesting his aggressive prosecution is politically motivated.
Meanwhile, Duke has released the results of an internal investigation into the school's lacrosse culture.
Our Internet reporter, Abbi Tatton, is joining us now with details -- Abbi.
ABBI TATTON, CNN INTERNET REPORTER: Wolf, the results of two investigations into issues related to the March 13 lacrosse incident are now online at Duke.edu, one of the them, one of the two panels, a panel of faculty members who looked into lacrosse culture.
What they found -- and those findings are all online -- was that they did not hear evidence the group as a whole was either racist or sexist. They also found that they performed well in the classroom. However, outside of the classroom, there were certain issues, many of them related to alcohol, found that many of the team members were irresponsible consumers of alcohol.
The findings went on to describe certain disciplinary incidents related to the team over the past few years, and put them all into tables, these from the fall of 2005, the vast majority related to the consumption of alcohol, intoxication, other incidents -- all these findings at Duke.edu -- Wolf.
BLITZER: I suppose a lot of college students, though would be guilty of irresponsible use of alcohol, intoxication and other problems. We will continue to watch the story.
Abbi, thank you very much.
Still to come, pork under the dome -- will a penchant for pet projects by some lawmakers affect the way you vote this fall? Jack Cafferty going through your e-mail.
And the mayor of New Orleans -- in the midst of an election runoff, he unveils a new hurricane evacuation plan. We are going to have a live report. That's coming up in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Let's check in with Jack once again with "The Cafferty File" -- Jack.
CAFFERTY: Thanks, Wolf.
Interesting story in "The Times" this morning -- in Nebraska, the Republican challengers for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by a Democrat are actually calling attention to pork projects brought home by the incumbent. It's a tactic that challengers are using in several other states as well to turn the national uproar over this wasteful pork-barrel spending against the politicians who secured it.
So, the question is: How will lawmakers' pet projects affect your vote in November?
Penelope writes, from Salt Lake City, Utah: "Jack, I'm going to make it my pet project to help vote as many as I can out of office. I'm sick to death of the whole lot of them."
Charles in Bridgeton, Missouri: "Real simple. If they're against amnesty for illegals, they get my vote. If they're for lobbying reform, they get my vote. And, if they're against the mess in Iraq, they get my vote. In other words, I don't care if they want to build a bridge from New York to London, as long as they deal with my concerns at the same time."
Skip in Naples, Florida: "When I vote in November, I want to know if my congressman or senator voted for government subsides for the major oil companies. Welfare for the oil companies must qualify as some kind of pork."
Maurice in Two Rivers, Wisconsin: "My vote in November will be simple. And some of it has to do with pork-barrel spending. The longer a politician stays in office, the worse everything gets. Never reelect anyone."
And Dave in Cape Carteret, North Carolina, "When I see my tax money being spent on some useless project, I don't care whether it is my hometown or not. The guy that proposed it is not going to get my vote. If everyone throughout the country would do the same thing, this nonsense would stop."
Wolf, this nonsense that I do here is going to stop right now.
BLITZER: But you will be back for a little bit more in the next hour.
(LAUGHTER)
CAFFERTY: Yes.
BLITZER: Jack, you're not going anywhere. Thanks very much.
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