Return to Transcripts main page
The Situation Room
Minutemen React to Illegal Immigration Debate; How Would Bird Flu Affect The Country?; Some Schools Removing Soda from Vending Machines; Confusion in Medicare System
Aired May 03, 2006 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: And 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 tonight's top stories.
Happening now, life in prison for the only person convicted of the 9/11 attacks.
It's 7:00 p.m. in Alexandria, Virginia, where jurors delivered a verdict on Zacarias Moussaoui's fate. We'll have reaction from a 9/11 family member, from President Bush, and Moussaoui's chilling claim that he won.
Also this hour, the first lady, Laura Bush, and her husband's political headaches -- and there are many. Does she agree with him on whether the national anthem should be sung in Spanish?
It's 6:00 p.m. in Mississippi, where our John King went one-on- one with Mrs. Bush.
And the minutemen on the march with a message for Congress about the immigration wars.
It's 4:00 p.m. in Los Angeles, where protesters gave the citizens border patrol an angry sendoff.
I'm Wolf Blitzer. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
We begin with a developing story. He hoped to die a martyr, at least that's what he said, but a jury decides he should have time to think about his crimes surrounded by some of the most dangerous prisoners in America. Admitted al Qaeda conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Our Suzanne Malveaux will have reaction from the White House. Our CNN senior analyst, Jeff Toobin, will have analysis.
But let's begin our coverage with our justice correspondent, Kelli Arena, who was inside the courtroom when the verdict was read -- Kelli.
KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, Zacarias Moussaoui didn't react when that verdict was read, but on his way out of the courtroom, he screamed, "America, you lost!" But the judge in the case said she feels the government always wins when justice is done, and she feels that it was because Moussaoui got a fair trial.
Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty had this to say...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL MCNULTY, DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL: The jury has spoken and we respect and accept its verdict. And we thank them for their service.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ARENA: Now, before the verdict came out, prosecutors said that regardless of the outcome in this case, this showed that the U.S. can try terrorists in the U.S. judicial system. The verdict form offers very few clues as to what went on in deliberations, but jurors did say that Moussaoui played a minor role in the September 11th attacks and had limited knowledge of them. They refuted the government's argument that Moussaoui could be held responsible for the nearly 3,000 deaths on September 11th.
These jurors, obviously, Wolf, had a lot to deal with. The most emotional, of course, was the testimony from victim family members.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EDWARD MACMAHON, MOUSSAOUI DEFENSE ATTORNEY: And in this case, victims were allowed to come into court and testify, regardless of their desire for a particular outcome. The testimony of the family members was intensely personal and it also displayed the deep divisions that mark the issue of capital punishment in our country.
This is the only case, to our knowledge, where victims have testified as witnesses called by the defense. This testimony demonstrated resilience and the possibility of renewal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ARENA: Moussaoui will be sentenced tomorrow morning. He'll be 38 later on this month. Wolf, he'll be spending the rest of his life in a maximum security prison.
BLITZER: Kelli, tell our viewers what you heard Moussaoui say as he was being escorted outside the courtroom.
ARENA: Well, he yelled, "America, you lost!" He referred to two of the prosecutors, telling them they lost, too. And then he said, "I won." And he clapped his hands.
Wolf, not uncommon to hear this man have something to say, evil, sarcastic on his way out the courtroom. He's done it throughout this entire trial. After the judge and the judge left, he said something every single day. This day was no different.
BLITZER: Kelli Arena at the courthouse.
Thanks very much.
Just a short while ago, President Bush delivered his verdict on Moussaoui's sentence.
Let's check in with our White House correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, it was after the Oval Office meeting, President Bush meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, when President Bush was asked about his reaction to the Moussaoui sentencing. And he used this occasion to make a couple of points.
First, he offered his condolences to those who suffered and who died on September 11th. Secondly, he recognized the heroes, specifically those passengers of United Flight 93. And third, he used this occasion to promote the war on terror.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Mr. Moussaoui got a fair trial. The jury convicted him to life in prison, where he'll spend the rest of his life. In so doing, they spared his life, which is something that he evidently wasn't willing to do for innocent American citizens.
And as I think about the trial, I can't help but think about the families who lost a loved one on September the 11th. I think about the rescuers who tried to save lives in the burning buildings. I -- and I know that it's really important for the United States to stay on the offense against these killers and bring them to justice.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: President Bush also in a written statement earlier today used this occasion to say that much more needed to be done in the war on terror. And, Wolf, his exact words, he said, "We can be confident our cause is right and the outcome is certain. Justice will be served." He goes on to say that "Evil will not have the final say."
All of this coming at a time, Wolf, when polls show the majority of Americans have some serious doubts about the Iraq war, as well as the broader mission in the war on terror -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Suzanne, thanks very much.
And let's get some analysis now from our senior legal analyst, Jeff Toobin.
Jeff, this trial took place only about a mile or so from the Pentagon. There was a lot of assumption going in that he was almost certainly going to get the death sentence. He didn't get that.
What does it say about these nine men and three women who deliberated?
JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN SR. LEGAL ANALYST: Well, you know, the Justice Department threw millions of dollars, thousands of hours, hundreds of people, everything they had into this case, and they didn't get what they wanted. Basically, the problem seems to have been that they picked someone who was a peripheral player, that he was a "wannabe," in the words of the defense, not a central player, someone who was in prison on September 11th, having been arrested three weeks earlier.
At least one juror -- we don't know how many it was, but at least one juror said this would be an excessive punishment for him. So he will die later in prison rather than sooner.
BLITZER: What is life going to be like for him for the next several decades, assuming he lives that long, in this maximum security facility?
TOOBIN: Horrific. He will be in, all likelihood, in the prison in Florence, Colorado, which is known as Alcatraz -- as Alcatraz in the Rockies.
Twenty-three hours a day in his cell, a television that beams religious programming and educational programming, decided upon by the prison wardens. No contact with other visitors. No recreation with other prisoners. No chance of escape.
It is a dismal, dismal life. He won't be executed. That's the best you can say for him.
BLITZER: Jeff Toobin, thank you very much.
My next guest's mother died on 9/11 on American Airlines Flight 11. Carie Lemack joins us now from Washington with her reaction to the Moussaoui verdict.
What is your reaction, Carie?
CARIE LEMACK, MOTHER DIED ON FLIGHT 11: Well, I think a little bit of relief, and I'm very proud the American justice system did what it needed to do and justice was served today. This man got exactly what he deserved. He's an al Qaeda wannabe, and he can spend the rest of his life in prison.
BLITZER: Were you surprised, Carie?
LEMACK: Definitely. I think I was shocked. I think my first words were, "Oh, my god. Oh, my god."
I never thought that this jury was going to come back with anything other than the death penalty, but it really renews my faith in the American system that we can look at a case, that jurors can see a case, say, you know what? We're trying this man not for 9/11, but that he lied. And you don't kill someone because they lied. It's a terrible thing, but he gets what he deserves, which is life in prison. BLITZER: Your mother clearly very dear to you, understandably so. What was it like reliving all those days of this trial, remember your mother Judy?
LEMACK: Well, I think my mom is with me every day. So I'm always living with her. But unfortunately, 9/11 is with me every day, too.
This trial has exacerbated it. A lot of nightmares, a lot of anxiety. And that's why one of the first emotions I felt today was relief. Because after tomorrow, you and every other media person is not going to be talking about Zacarias Moussaoui.
He'll be in jail, and no one is going to have to talk about him again. He'll never be in the headlines. And it allows us to focus on more important things, like aviation security and stopping nuclear terrorism, and the other things that I think better honor my mom than Zacarias Moussaoui and his death.
BLITZER: A lot of people -- a lot of pundits out there say this brings closure to the family members. What do you say about that?
LEMACK: Well, I call it the "C" word. We don't use the "C" word, Wolf. 9/11 and what happened after, and our lives now, there is no closure.
There's no way to bring closure, especially what you look at what we've been living with just the past two weeks. We had the release of a film that a lot of people did not support. Some did, some didn't. But at least it brought back all the horrors.
We had more bones found at Ground Zero. We had more 9/11 tapes found from four and a half years ago. I don't know how they got lost, but suddenly they were found.
And now this. This is not a typical death, a death of 9/11. It's not better or worse than any other death, but it's definitely different. And I don't think you could ever say people get closure.
But I will say that I think I found a little bit of relief today. And I would like to go on honoring my mother by making this country safer.
BLITZER: We express our condolences to you, as we have on many occasions, Carie. Thanks for spending a few moments with us on this day.
We're going to be speaking later in this hour here in THE SITUATION ROOM with some other family members and get their reactions as well.
In the meantime, let's go up to New York. Jack Cafferty is standing by with "The Cafferty File" -- Jack.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Bought any gas lately, Wolf?
BLITZER: Yes.
CAFFERTY: Yes. It's a little rough out there.
Well, this may be a first. The House of Representatives today passed a law against something they cannot define. The House voted to impose criminal and civil penalties on any energy company caught price gouging.
The measure got broad bipartisan support. It now goes to the Senate. It calls for penalties of up to $150 million for refiners and other wholesalers, $2 million for retailers.
The members of the House are proud tonight. They can tell their constituents they voted to get tough on the oil companies.
Here's the problem. Part of this bill that passed today would require the Federal Trade Commission to define "price gouging." There is no federal definition of what constitutes price gouging. But the House is getting tough on it, whatever it turns out to be.
The oil industry says although there have been many investigations by the FTC, they have never, ever prosecuted anyone for price manipulation.
So here's the question: What's an appropriate punishment for oil companies that are found guilty of price gouging? Whatever that is.
E-mail your thoughts to caffertyfile@CNN.com or go to CNN.com/caffertyfile -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Thanks, Jack, for that.
Coming up here in THE SITUATION ROOM, playing the race card. Find out why the predominantly White minutemen are going to black neighborhoods to preach against illegal immigrants.
Our Chris Lawrence standing by with that.
Also, Laura Bush, one-on-one. Hear what she has to say about her husband being called a lame duck, immigration, and the national anthem in Spanish. She spoke with our John King.
And if bird flu strikes the U.S., could your office be a breeding ground for the disease and for panic? Brian Todd watching this story.
You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
Tonight, the White House is trying to stay out of a potentially devastating threat. The administration is warning that a bird flu pandemic could cause massive disruptions in the United States lasting for months. The updated response strategy calls for stockpiling vaccines and developing new ones. If a pandemic hits, the administration urges voluntary quarantines for those infected, limited contact among employees, restrictions on travel. The White House is defending itself against critics who say the U.S. isn't ready for a health disaster.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FRAN TOWNSEND, HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISER: The whole purpose of planning and preparation is to mitigate the uncertainty, to take the fear out of it so there's not chaos.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. RAHM EMANUEL (D), ILLINOIS: The Homeland Security Department had a plan for New Orleans. They just ignored it. And the parts that they did follow were so bungled and mismanaged, we are still dealing with the aftermath.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Our correspondent Brian Todd is joining us now with more on how a bird flu pandemic might play out -- Brian.
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, we looked at some of the worst case scenarios set out in this report, the possible numbers of people affected and people out of the workplace, and we spoke to experts who say if any of this plays out, some things we take for granted could drastically change.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TODD (voice over): The possibilities are frightening. Up to two million dead, many more infected. Nearly half the American workforce off the job either sick, afraid of getting sick, or caring for someone who is.
(on camera): Under a worst case scenario, 50 million people infected, is this going to look like a ghost town in that scenario?
DR. GEORGES BENJAMIN, AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSN.: Brian, it's very likely that these streets could be deserted if we don't do the kind of planning that is necessary to make sure we're prepared for any kind of pandemic flu outbreak.
TODD (voice over): As head of the nonprofit American Public Health Association, Dr. Georges Benjamin has spent a lot of time thinking about the worst case scenarios set out in the Bush administration's pandemic flu plan. Benjamin and other experts say a pandemic could change the way we do the simplest things, starting with what Benjamin calls voluntary social distancing.
BENJAMIN: Snow days, closing schools, a change in the way our work schedules are, deciding how we buy our groceries.
TODD: Like having them delivered to your home, according to experts, or having restaurant food delivered rather than dining out. What about those who have to be at a workplace?
We asked David Heyman, an expert on protecting national infrastructure during a crisis.
(on camera): You've got people working within three or four feet of each other. What does it do to this American workforce?
DAVID HEYMAN, CENTER FOR STRATEGIC & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES: To the extent you can distribute them in space so they're not close to each other, you would do that. You might see people in here wearing masks. You'd probably see disinfectants on tables so that people can do good infection control. And you'd see people perhaps at home or on tele-boxes (ph), listening to each other on remote communications.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TODD: Experts say a lot of these measures would start out being temporary, but like with the public information campaigns during the flu pandemics of the 20th century, once people are in the mindset of doing those basic things, like washing hands, covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough, it becomes a permanent part of our fabric. But some larger members will -- excuse me -- measures will take a lot of time to implement, like figuring out when to close schools and, of course, what to do with the kids who are out of school -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Brian Todd reporting for us from Washington.
Thanks.
Other important news we're following.
Are illegal immigrants taking away jobs that Americans want or need? And, if so, by how much? One controversial group at the center of the immigration debate now hopes to answer those questions for workers around the country.
Chris Lawrence is here, and he's got details -- Chris.
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Wolf, the minutemen left here today to protest what they see as weak immigration enforcement. But if today's rally was any indication, it will not be a smooth ride to the nation's capital.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The minutemen are here (ph).
LAWRENCE (voice over): The minutemen's caravan across America barely got going before it was stopped in its tracks by protesters.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You are creating only violence.
LAWRENCE: The group that sent hundreds of volunteers to patrol the border is sending a message to Congress.
ED WHITBREAD, MINUTEMAN PROJECT: No guest worker, no amnesty plan. We don't talk about it until we secure the borders.
LAWRENCE: Wednesday's rally also exposed a division in the African-American community and its views on illegal immigrants.
MARVIN STEWART, MINUTEMAN SUPPORTER: They need to get in the back of the line if they want to come in this nation and do it the right way.
LAWRENCE: Some stood with the minutemen, others against them.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But we're not going to let you (INAUDIBLE).
LAWRENCE: Najee Ali says African-Americans should never stand with minutemen.
NAJEE ALI, MINUTEMAN PROTESTER: They're using you as pawns and tokens. And you're making things worse between African-Americans and Latinos. We have blacks and Latinos fighting each other in the schools and in the jails and in the community.
LAWRENCE: Some minutemen seem to feel there's an opportunity to recruit new allies in the black community.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, these guys are fighting for us. They're defending our civil rights.
LAWRENCE: Ted Hayes (ph) says illegal immigrants are driving down wages and taking jobs from African-Americans.
Others disagree.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am not welcoming you here!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The black community does not...
LAWRENCE: Based on this rally, there is no one view that speaks for the whole community.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LAWRENCE: Yes, it's just impossible to pigeonhole opinion on an issue as complex as immigration. But we will keep an eye on that minutemen caravan as it makes its way, Wolf, this weekend to President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, and then on to Washington, D.C., next week.
BLITZER: You're on the frontlines on all of this. Chris, thanks for the excellent report and your excellent reporting.
LAWRENCE: Thank you.
BLITZER: Still to come tonight in THE SITUATION ROOM, are Laura Bush and her husband on the same page when it comes to singing the national anthem in Spanish? The first lady answers some tough questions about the political clouds over the White House.
Also, prices and punishment. What should the oil industry pay if it's found to be gouging consumers? Jack Cafferty will be back with your e-mail.
Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to THE SITUATION ROOM.
Zain Verjee is off today. Fredricka Whitfield is joining us now from the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta with a closer look at some other stories making news.
Hi, Fred.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Good evening to you, Wolf.
Tonight, Congress is closer to passing lobbying reform after a recent series of corruption cases. The House today narrowly passed a scaled-back bill that requires greater disclosure of lobbying activities, among other things. Democrats say the bill is only designed to create the illusion of reform and does nothing to curb the influence of money in politics. Now lawmakers must work out differences between the House bill and a Senate version.
A state mining inspector says it may have been words he shouted that led families of 12 Sago miners to believe initially that their loved ones had survived. He says he may have shouted, "They're alive!" when he first reached the trapped men. In West Virginia today, the official told a panel investigating the January disaster that it wasn't until he examined the bodies that he realized there was only one survivor.
Tiger Woods calls his late father his best friend and greatest role model. Earl Woods died this morning at his home in Cypress, California. He was 74. He had been battling prostate cancer since his first diagnosis back in 1998.
Earl Woods once said in an interview that his goal in raising Tiger was to raise not a golfer, but a good person -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Fred, thanks for that.
And our condolences to Tiger Woods and his whole family.
Just ahead, you want your children to choose nutritious drinks, but your child just wants sugary sodas. Now under a new deal brokered by former President Bill Clinton that may change.
We'll have details.
Plus, Laura Bush one-one-one in THE SITUATION ROOM. She doesn't agree with her husband on everything. Hear what she has to say about singing the national anthem in Spanish. She spoke with our John King earlier today. You'll want to stick around for this
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to THE SITUATION ROOM. I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting. And we'll get back to our top story right now.
After seven days of deliberations, a federal jury has decided that confessed al Qaeda conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui should be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 9/11 attacks. A judge will impose the sentence formally tomorrow morning.
After learning that he escaped the death penalty, Moussaoui jeered and he said this -- and let me quote specifically -- he said, "America, you lost. I won," and then he clapped his hands.
Let's get some reaction from two relatives of 9/11 victims.
Abraham Scott's wife Janice (ph) died in the attack on the Pentagon on that awful day. Rosemary Dillard's husband Eddie (ph) also died in that attack.
Let me start with you, Rosemary. What's your reaction to the fact now that he's going to spend the rest of his life in a maximum security prison, rather than being executed?
ROSEMARY DILLARD, HUSBAND DIED ON 9/11: My reaction is that this showed the global world what a fair system the Americans have. I think the jury worked very diligently on it. I think the prosecutors and the defense attorneys all worked very hard. This will give this man years and years to sit there and spend a day for each of the victims that were murdered on 9/11.
BLITZER: Abraham, what is your reaction?
SCOTT: I was disappointed, somewhat surprised but disappointed. I was hoping that he would get the death penalty, but I'm sure the jurors, each one of the jurors took a long and hard examination of the hundreds of evidence that were brought forth before them during the second phase of the trial. And I personally believe that they arrived upon the right decision, even though I still support him being put to death.
BLITZER: Rosemary, what was it like listening to all of the evidence come in, day after day after day and reliving that awful day?
DILLARD: You know what, Wolf? There were things that I learned that I did not know. It was like tearing a scab off a sore. I mean, each night when I would leave, it was all I could do to make it home and to go to bed. I mean, it was horrible. We relived 9/11 all over again.
So from day-to-day, it got more and more difficult, and when some of the videos that were shown in the courtroom, I had never seen. And I cannot tell you -- my heart broke, and we talked frequently about flight 93 and how those people together fought for their lives. And all I could think of is that had to of happened on flight 11, flight 77, all of the flights that day. I mean, it just hurt, and it just hurts so bad.
BLITZER: Abraham, what was it like for you?
SCOTT: Well, each one of the family members who lost loved one at the Pentagon was given an opportunity to obtain a sealed copy of the autopsy of their deceased loved one. I did get one, but I have not opened it because I wanted to remember my wife as she was prior to 9/11 when she was alive on this earth.
The things that I saw in the courtroom sort of -- well, not sort of. It was in lieu of me opening that autopsy, because they showed charred remains of victims who were in the Pentagon, the prosecutor did. And that -- it just give me a vivid imagination in terms of how my wife died that day.
The other thing that happened was it was brought out that some of the victim, who I thought died instantaneously lived for a while. And I was hoping -- I'm hoping and praying that my wife and everybody had died instantaneously, but it just give me a sense of feeling that there's a possibility that my wife did not die instantaneously. And it's really brought stressful feeling to me.
BLITZER: Abraham Scott and Rosemary Dillard, our heart goes out to both of you. Thanks for spending a few moments here in THE SITUATION ROOM. Appreciate it very much.
SCOTT: And thank you.
BLITZER: And only moments ago, the jury's verdict was posted online. Our Internet Reporter Abbi Tatton is standing by with details on what went down in that jury room. What do we know by going online and taking a look at this, Abbi?
ABBI TATTON, INTERNET REPORT: Wolf, this is the 42-page special verdict form, the form that jurors were actually looking over in the past few days and filling out. And that filled out copy is now available online signed by each of those jurors, though it is, in part, redacted.
And you do get a little bit of a glimpse into which arguments the jurors found compelling here, which they gave weight to. In the aggravating factors, the jurors did not unanimously find that the actions of Zacarias Moussaoui contributed to the deaths of 3,000 people.
In the mitigating factors, these are the factors that the defense was trying to show. Only three found that Moussaoui's role in 9/11 was minor. None thought he was in effectual, and none also thought that he suffered from a psychotic disorder. All of this is now posted at CNN.com/situationreport -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Abbi, Thank you very much. Up ahead, Laura Bush in her own words. Hear what she has to say about her husband being called a lame duck. We'll hear what she says about the national anthem being sung in Spanish. And what does she think about Karl Rove? She is one-on-one with our John King here in THE SITUATION ROOM.
Also, Bill Clinton's campaign against sugary soda. We'll have his plan set to keep your kids slim and trim, an announcement from him earlier today. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
It's the hope of millions of parents, you wish your child would go for the low calorie drinks to quench their thirst in school. But your child wants sugar-filled sodas and juices. It appears parents may now be getting some help with the help of a former president of the United States.
Let's get some details from CNN's Mary Snow. She's joining us in New York -- Mary.
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, most children won't have the choice to buy a soda soon. The country's top soft drink makers will stop selling most soda in the nation's school. They agreed to the ban under a plan led by former President Clinton.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SNOW (voice over): The new rules in school, no more soda in elementary schools, diet soda only in high schools, shrink the size of portions and cut the calories. Former President Clinton's foundation and the American Heart Association brokered the deal with the beverage industry. The aim, to fight obesity in kids.
BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This one policy can add years and years and years to the lives of very large numbers of young people.
SNOW: Mr. Clinton, who battled being overweight and later dealt with heart problems, said the goal is to cut 100 calories per day and that even half that amount can make a difference.
CLINTON: An 8-year-old child consumes 45 fewer calories a day, every day for a decade, when the child graduates from high school he or she will weight 20 pounds less.
SNOW: Soft drink makers Coca Cola, Pepsi and Cadbury Schweppes will still sell beverages but will switch to other drinks including bottled water.
DON KNUASS, PRES. CEO, COCA-COLA NORTH AMERICA: We think it is going to strengthen our industry's ability to counter the perception that some of our critics have that our products don't fit into -- some of our products don't fit into a balanced lifestyle. SNOW: The Centers for Science of the Public Interest threaten to sue the soft drink industry to get soda out of schools. They applaud the industry's voluntary move, but fault the government for not making it a requirement.
MICHAEL JACOBSON, CTR. FOR SCIENCE IN PUBLIC INTEREST: In recent years we've had anti-regulatory, pro-business congresses that simply won't step on business' toes.
SNOW: In New York City where schools that switched to fruit juice and water three years ago, some say at this point a government initiative is not necessary.
MARTIN OESTREICHER, NYC PUBLIC SCHOOLS: The beverage industry is starting to read the writing on the wall and certainly having the prestige of former president Clinton behind it is going to help them get this to be a strong national movement.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SNOW: Former president Clinton is not through. He said he hopes to take the same approach to food sold in schools. Wolf?
BLITZER: Mary, thank you for that.
Also tonight, there are new calls from Democrats in Congress to delay the deadline for enrollment in the new Medicare prescription drug plan. Serious problems with the system were the spotlight today on Capitol Hill. Let's bring in our senior national correspondent John Roberts who has details. John?
JOHN ROBERTS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Almost 70 percent of the estimated 44 million eligible senior citizens have signed up for the new Medicare prescription drug plan. A new report from the Government Accountability Office out today suggests that number may have been even higher if the Department of Health and Human Services had its act together.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): We found 80-year-old Edna Boyd at the legal aid office today looking for help with prescription drug plans, unable to get the answers she needed from the Medicare hotline.
EDNA BOYD, MEDICARE RECIPIENT: They just sort of skating it and when I get one number, I get another number and I get that number, I'm to the point now, I actually had to say after getting a lot of numbers, could I speak to someone with a pulse?
ROBERTS: A Government Accountability Office investigation out today found Edna is not alone. That a third of the time information from the hotline was either inaccurate, incomplete or inappropriate or, in some cases, the call dropped altogether.
The Web site where people can sign up for coverage was described as difficult to use, complicated, and would cause users confusion. Democratic Congressman Pete Stark who asked for the report is demanding Medicare delay the May 15th sign-up deadline.
REP. PETE STARK (D), CALIFORNIA: The government is doing a really lousy job of explaining a complex bill to old and adult seniors like myself who need patience and counseling and understanding and they're not getting it.
ROBERTS: In front of Congress today the Medicare chief hotly disagreed with the GAO's findings.
DR. MARK MCCLELLAN, MEDICARE DIRECTOR: Incomplete and inaccurate and out of date.
ROBERTS: Dr. Mark McClellan admits back in January when the GAO did its investigation, there were problems but that those problems have since been addressed.
MCCLELLAN: Our goal is to make sure our beneficiaries can get the help they need when they want to enroll in coverage and that is reflected now in the hundreds of thousands of calls we're answering every day.
ROBERTS: But Edna Boyd, who tried just this morning without success to get answers, disagrees.
BOYD: It's very frustrating. To the point right now if I thought it would help, I'd punch someone in the nose but I don't think that would help.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING: Democrats are betting that the White House will wait until the 11th hour and extend that May 15th deadline. In fact, it's already been extended for the lowest of low income seniors and people in the Hurricane Katrina zone, but critics are concerned if the government waits too long to change the deadline or doesn't change it people might be forced into decisions that they don't fully understand. Wolf?
BLITZER: John Roberts, thanks to you for that.
We're getting reaction now from the former mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani, to the verdict today that Zacaria Moussaoui will serve the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole rather than the death sentence, which he was eligible for. Let's listen to what the former mayor said in New York only moments ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUDOLPH GIULIANI, FORMER NEW YORK MAYOR: I know you want to ask me about the verdict. I testified in the case, it seems to me, about a month ago. I certainly believe that he should of been executed, that the verdict should of been death. He knew about the plan to do this massive attack on America and to kill thousands and thousands of people. He lied about it to the FBI. If he had told the truth about it, there's not much doubt that all of those people that died would be alive today. It seems to me that, in my judgment, that would merit the death penalty. However, the jury--
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Rudy Giuliani speaking in New York only moments ago.
Just ahead here in THE SITUATION ROOM, our John King goes one-on- one with the First Lady Laura Bush. One thing she has to say about the national anthem in Spanish might actually surprise you.
Also, feeling the pinch at the pumps. What is the right punishment for gas companies if they're caught price gouging? Jack Cafferty is taking your e-mails. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Checking "The Bottom Line" now. The Dow Jones Industrials average, the S&P 500, the tech heavy Nasdaq all, take a look, were down slightly.
First Lady Laura Bush went to the Gulf Coast once again today on a mission to rebuild school libraries wiped out by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The former librarian announced $500,000 of grants to 10 public and private schools in Louisiana and Mississippi. Mrs. Bush also opened up about her husband's political problems in a special interview with our chief national correspondent, John King. John is joining us now live with more on that. John?
JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, quite interesting. The first lady is traveling quite a bit these days and it is no surprise why. Her husband's poll numbers are bad, the vice president's are worse and yet Laura Bush remains quite popular with the American people. So her mission here in the Gulf Coast today, not only to give out some of that grant money to rebuild libraries devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, but to try in any way she can to help repair some of the damage those hurricanes did to her husband's image.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KING: As you know, voter anger, the country's anger at what they perceive to be a slow federal response is one of the reasons your husband's poll ratings have slumped considerably. He's now in the mid 30s in most poll ratings, and they're using the term in Washington, many are, lame duck. He can't like that.
BUSH: No, I'm sure he doesn't like that. I don't like that either obviously. But when you're elected for a second term, and there are term limits, then of course you start off in some ways as a lame duck. I still know that my husband is going to be very effective and has been very effective, and that his agenda that he ran on in the last election, in 2004, he will be able to get through. We have a lot of problems. We have -- there are a lot of challenges facing our country, besides, obviously this major challenge of the devastated Gulf Coast. We have a war on terror, we have a war in Iraq.
The Iraqis are building their government, and that's encouraging and exciting. We have high oil prices. We have all of the things that countries have to deal with. And we have them all at once.
But I also know we have -- just like that librarian said, we have a lot of people with a can-do spirit and with -- that'll work hard and will be able to overcome these challenges, just like Americans have overcome all the other challenges that we've faced in our country.
KING: Well, you say can-do spirit. The president's new chief of staff, I think, has used the term "mojo," trying to get some new mojo, fresh mojo, momentum, in the White House. As you know, there has been a staff shakeup in the White House. And there are many, including friends of the president, who say because of loyalty to his former chief of staff, because maybe of just some sheer stubbornness, a stubborn streak that he has, he waited too long to do that.
BUSH: No, no, I don't think that at all. Andy Card served so ably. He was a terrific chief of staff. He turned -- served longer than every other chief of staff, save one, and he did a wonderful job. He's very beloved in the White House and all around Washington. But at the same time, it's great to have Josh Bolten in this job. He comes with a fresh perspective, and he'll be terrific.
KING: One of the great constant conversations in Washington -- and I know you don't always like the conversation in Washington -- is about this mythical figure, Karl Rove. And there's -- he's a friend, as well as an adviser. He's been with you and your husband since your days back as governor in Texas. He had his policy portfolio taken away.
In Washington, there's this big debate. Was Karl Rove demoted, was he forced out of his office and across the hall? Who is Karl Rove to this president? You know the Democrats think of him as the bogeyman sometimes. They blame him for a lot of things. Is he indispensable in this White House?
BUSH: He's a very good friend, Karl is. He's been with the president through all his races, starting with the first governor's race. He's a very brilliant strategist. His politics are his avocation, his real interest. He's valuable, absolutely. There's no doubt about it.
KING: Has your husband ever complained of feeling snake bit? It seems sometimes he does come out -- in the Rose Garden, the other day, to talk about good economic news, and to introduce his new press secretary.
And then things happen that dominate the news cycle. Violence in Iraq, Karl being called back before the grand jury. Your husband has been at the political game a long time, not only in his own campaigns, but around his father when he was president and vice president. Has he ever walked the halls to the White House and say...
BUSH: You know what...
KING: ... I'm snake bit?
BUSH: You know, John, he really doesn't complain. He doesn't complain at all, and I think that's one of his really great traits, one of the best traits about him, is that he knows what his responsibility is.
He knows what he swore to the people of the United States when he was sworn in as president of the United States. And he takes those responsibilities very seriously. You know, when you run for this job, you have no idea what will happen. You have to expect the unexpected. And these are challenges, but they're not insurmountable. And I know he knows that.
KING: As you know, one of the debates in the country right now is about immigration reform, illegal immigration. And one of the controversies is the new Spanish language version of the national anthem. Your husband, the president, said he thinks it should only be in English. But if you go to the State Department Web site, you can find it in I think four languages. Secretary Rice said she's heard a rap version of the national anthem. What's wrong with...
BUSH: Well, we've all heard a lot of different versions like at the Super Bowl...
KING: What's wrong with singing in Spanish?
BUSH: ... every year. I don't think there's anything wrong with singing it in Spanish. The point is it's the United States' national anthem. And what people want is it to be sung in a way that respects the United States and our culture. At the same time, we are a nation of immigrants. We are a nation of many, many languages, because immigrants come and bring their languages.
KING: Is that an issue on which you disagree with your husband? He says it should be sung in English.
BUSH: Well, I think it should be sung in English, of course.
KING: But you also said in other...
(CROSSTALK)
BUSH: But we're -- but it's, you know -- it's like reading hymns in the hymnal. I love it when I look at the bottom of "Amazing Grace" and there are the words in the Methodist hymnal in Swahili. I think that's great. And I recognize that we're a nation of immigrants, and that we're a welcoming nation. And that's why we're diverse, that's why we're so strong. That's why our culture is as rich as it is.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING: So the first lady there adding her voice and disagreeing, at least somewhat with her husband on the emotional issue of whether the national anthem should be sung in Spanish. Wolf, she was much more careful when I asked about the wide waving of those Mexican flags, at those giant immigration rallies we've seen across the country in recent days. Many, even though who support the causes of the marchers, say that's offensive, that it sends an anti-American sentiment. I asked the first lady if she agreed with that. She would not answer directly, only saying that it is a very sensitive and emotional issue and that everybody involved in all of their actions and all of their words must take into account what she called, that, quote, "sensitivity." Wolf?
BLITZER: Good interview, John. Have a safe trip back to Washington. Thanks very much.
Let's find out what's coming up at the top of the hour on "PAULA ZAHN NOW." Paula's standing by. Hi, Paula.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Hi Wolf, thanks so much. Just about five minutes from now, we will continue with tonight's developing story, reaction to a jury's decision to spare the life of al Qaeda conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui.
Also, what is the worst that could happen in a bird flu pandemic swept across America? Would your town be ready? What should you do to protect yourself on the job and to protect your family?
And are you a workaholic? Well we're going to show you some of the warning signs and the consequences of ignoring them. I would suspect from time to time in our life, Wolf, you and I have been accused being one of those. But this guy has really pronounced signs that the radar should go off.
BLITZER: Thanks, Paula. I will be watching. Thanks for that.
Up next, what's the right punishment for gas companies found guilty of price gouging? Jack Cafferty with your e-mail, that's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Jack is going to wrap up this hour with "The Cafferty File." Jack?
CAFFERTY: Thanks, Wolf.
The House voted to impose criminal civil penalties on any energy company caught price gouging. The measure got broad bipartisan support. It goes to the Senate now. The question is, what's an appropriate punishment for oil companies that are found guilty of price gouging?
Dan in Toronto writes: Jail time. At least 25 years. It's amazing we're willing prosecute the poor, guilty of the same crime, theft, readily, with harsh punishment. But we give corporate execs a pass. If the punishment and prosecution were much tougher, there would be less incentive to engage in dishonest business practices.
Craig in Arlington, Texas: This is simple. Half of all that year's gross profits to be placed against the national debt and minimum 10-year prison sentences for all top corporate executives who had any knowledge whatsoever of the price gouging, starting with the CEO.
Tim in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania: It is unfortunately totally predictable that our Congress would quickly pass a piece of legislation that's hard to argue with, completely unenforceable and a complete wasted of time, instead of focusing on issues that need to be addressed.
Gus writes in Boulder, Colorado: As you pointed out, there's no legal definition of what price gouging is. So there will never be any convictions or fines.
Frank in Staten Island, New York, writes: Jack, price gouging should be severely punished, but a $150-million fine is a pittance to a company that makes $8 billion per quarter. We should make these companies really pay by forcing them to hire and put in charge the idiots that passed this bill.
And Jack in Atlanta writes: Cut off their spigots.
Wolf?
BLITZER: Jack, in 10-15 seconds, what did you think of the verdict today?
CAFFERTY: I thought we spent an inordinate amount of time on something that's cost the taxpayers a lot of money. And as long as he's out of sight and out of mind, whether he's dead or in prison for life, I don't care. I'm just glad it's over with.
BLITZER: Jack, I'll see you tomorrow in THE SITUATION ROOM, thanks as usual. I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting. Up next, "PAULA ZAHN NOW," Paula's in New York. Paula?
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
