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The Situation Room
Bush Touts Medicare Program; Interview with Roy Blunt; Secret Service Releases Logs of Abramoff's White House Visits
Aired May 10, 2006 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: To our viewers you are in THE SITUATION ROOM, where new pictures and information from around the world 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, the Republicans fear factor. There are brand new poll numbers and they're sounding an even louder alarm for the president and GOP members of congress. It's 4:00 p.m. here in Washington and we're about to roll out our new numbers.
Also this hour, the House is nearing a vote on tax cuts. What kind of a break would you be getting, and will President Bush and his party get political relief?
And new information on the White House visits by convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Is there anything that is embarrassing to President Bush? We'll tell you about the documents that have just released only moments ago are showing. I'm Wolf Blitzer. You're in the THE SITUATION ROOM.
First up this hour, our brand new poll that is likely to give Republicans in Congress that sinking feeling. Check this out. We asked registered voters which party's candidate they would choose if Congressional elections were held today. More than half, 52 percent, said Democrats. That's a hefty 14 point lead over Republicans who get only 38 percent.
Right now, House Republicans are hoping to bolster their standing with the public by moving forward on a presidential priority. That would be tax cuts. President Bush is dealing with his own political problems at the same time. And there is new polling evidence of how bad the situation is getting and why.
Our Congressional correspondent Dana Bash is standing by with more from the Hill. Let's go to Bill Schneider, our senior political analyst, with more on the latest numbers. Bill?
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Wolf, is anything going well right now? Actually, yes. Is it helping President Bush? Actually, no.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): President Bush is trying hard to be upbeat. GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: That's 138 additional Americans found jobs in the last month. National unemployment rate is 4.7 percent. This economy is strong.
SCHNEIDER: Is anybody listening? Yes. Most Americans say economic conditions are good. But is it doing the president any good? No. Our poll of polls has five polls taken so far this month. Four of them show Bush's rating in the low 30s.
In The New York Times-CBS News poll, 53 percent say the economy is good, but only 28 percent approve of the way President Bush is handling the economy. There's gratitude for you.
Why are Americans so grumpy? One thing, they fear the economy is bound to get worse what with gas prices and all.
SEN. FRANK LAUTENBERG (D), NEW JERSEY: How it is that the inflation index is so modest when everything costs more, whether it's milk, whether it's electric, whether it's housing, whether it's prescription drugs.
SCHNEIDER: Almost half the public say they're very concerned about inflation, even more than interest rates. But the main reason Americans are grumpy isn't the economy, it's Iraq. Bad news from Iraq trumps any good news about the economy. Here is proof. Right now, Democrats have a 14 point lead over Republicans when registered voters are asked how they would vote for Congress this year.
Among voters who think the economy is in good shape, Republicans have a 28 percent lead. But among voters who think the economy is in good shape but who disapprove of the decision to go to war in Iraq, Democrats are 21 points ahead.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Why does Iraq overwhelm the economy? People are apprehensive about the economy. They're angry about Iraq.
BLITZER: Bill, with that. Thanks very much. Let's go to Capitol Hill where House members are nearing a vote on extending tax breaks. Republicans say it will strengthen the economy. Democrats portray it as a boon for the wealthy. Let's bring in our congressional correspondent, Dana Bash. Dana?
DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, a recent poll shows THAT just 10 percent of Americans said the most important thing that Congress should deal with is tax cuts. That's not something you would know listening to Republicans here on the Hill today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): From this afternoon rally --
REP. DEBORAH PRYCE (R), OHIO: Are you ready to stop a tax increase?
BASH: To the House floor.
REP. DAVID DREIER (R), CALIFORNIA: My virtue of being a Republican, I was born to cut taxes, and I'm proud of the fact I was born to cut taxes.
BASH: To this press conference.
REP. NANCY JOHNSON (R), CONNECTICUT: This is a very important tax bill. Their answer is no action.
BASH: Republicans stepped in front of as many microphones as they could find to trumpet GOP agreement on a 70 billion dollar tax cut package they say will keep the economy strong. For politically wounded Republicans, any check in the win column is something to tout this election year.
AMY WALTER, COOK POLITICAL REPORT: The biggest problem for Republicans right now is that Democrats overwhelmingly are more interested in this upcoming election. They're more energized, more engaged.
BASH: Tax cuts are the mother's milk of the GOP, and strategists hope this will galvanize disillusioned Republican voters.
BRIAN JONES, REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CMTE.: It cuts across all demographics of the party. It will help with conservatives, with moderates, with swing voters. It's been an issue that has obviously worked for the party in the past. We believe it will work again.
BASH: Democrats slam the tax cuts as fiscally irresponsible at a time of war and deficit and call this a gift for the wealthy, especially the extension of a tax break on a capital gains and dividends.
REP. ALCEE HASTINGS (D), FLORIDA: The money that you talk about is funny money, phony money because the deficit absorbs it any way you look at it economically.
SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV) MINORITY LEADER: The Exxon board room is cheering this is going to pass. The people who work for Exxon are not cheering.
BASH: That's why Republicans are stressing a provision they say protects the middle class from what many call a stealth tax increase. The so-called alternative minimum tax that effectively raises taxes for millions of middle income voters.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BASH: And just to give you a sense of how eager Republicans are here and at the White House to celebrate a much needed political victory, senior Bush aides started working yesterday on what one official tells me will be an elaborate signing ceremony on this issue on tax cuts next week at the White House.
BLITZER: On the Hill, thank you very much. President Bush is back at the White House right now after making a final pitch in Florida for the Medicare prescription drug program. The enrollment deadline only five days away. There are new calls today to try to push that date back. our White House correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux is joining us from the North Lawn. She has more on this story.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: You're absolutely right. President Bush wrapped up his three day swing in Florida really to push for those seniors to sign up to the prescription drug plan. Florida is the state with the highest percentage of seniors.
There are some 43 million people eligible for this people, 37 million have signed up so far. As you mentioned of course Monday is the deadline. This is important for this president and the administration. It's considered a big legislative win. The president has invested a lot of political capital. But also seniors, a critical voting block for Republicans in the midterm elections.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: We're here today to talk about a Medicare plan that I believe is a good deal for America's seniors. It's very important for people to understand that there are significant savings for you involved in this plan. The average senior saves about one half on his or her drug bills. That's good news. This is a plan that helps people if there's a catastrophe in their lives, and this means the low income folks won't have to choose between food and medicine.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: It's also a plan that is highly controversial. Democrats really seizing on this, they say it's confusing, it's costly. A lot of people don't know what it's about. Still, they believe the deadline to sign up for this program should be extended.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV), MINORITY LEADER: We must extend the deadline, eliminate the penalty. And in general, fix the Medicare prescription drug program. Seniors are paying too much for their medicine. Why should they pay more for Bush's bad medicine? They shouldn't.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Republicans, Wolf, do not want an extension. What they want to happen is for seniors to take advantage of this program, to sign up as quickly as possible so they don't face the penalties after Monday, and of course, they want to claim a big victory in time for the mid-term elections.
BLITZER: Thank you very much. The president's choice for CIA director now has a confirmation hearing date. They Senate Intelligence Committee will take up General Michael Hayden's nomination one week from tomorrow. Hayden, meanwhile, is making the rounds on Capitol Hill today where the outgoing CIA chief is also in the spotlight. Let's bring in our congressional correspondent, Andrea Koppel.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: There's no other way to put it. Today has been a highly unusual and even an awkward day up here because as you mentioned, even as you have President Bush's nominee to head up the CIA, General Hayden, continuing to knock on doors here in the Senate, just a stone throw away, quite literally, you have the now-outgoing head of the CIA, Porter Goss, who used to work her on Capitol Hill. Who was receiving a distinguished congressional service award.
We're really kind of beginning to put the pieces in place here. We have seen in the last five days tremendous outpouring of emotion, especially among some Republicans both in the House and in the Senate.
Underneath that, some sort of veiled frustration on their part. The surprise, the suddenness of Porter Goss's forced resignation. And a lot of that has to do with the fact that Porter Goss is one of their own, especially for the Republican congressmen.
They used to work with him for 15 years before he left here to go over to the CIA. And we heard even listening to now Senator Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, who used to be over in the House, considered Porter Goss a close friend. You could hear the emotion in their voices, Wolf.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. SAXBY CHAMBLISS (R), GEORGIA: If you look in Webster's Dictionary under Porter Goss, you will see integrity, perseverance, public service, and commitment to freedom.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOPPEL: So it's as much about the person as it is about the policies of General Hayden, who as we said, has been having another round of meetings here on the Hill, trying to allay the concerns of senators on a couple of key issues.
One of them of course being his military background, his ties to the military. And the other being his relationship in helping to develop that controversial NSA surveillance program. One of the Democratic leaders, Dick Durbin met with General Hayden behind closed doors. And afterwards, he came out and laid out what for many is a top concern.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL), MINORITY WHIP: Could he be independent? As a man in uniform, would he be answering to the secretary of defense and to the president's commander in chief? Could he give an independent judgment on important issues about America's security. He assured me during the intelligence reform bill he had done that. He raised some questions about some things that occurred in defense intelligence in the past to suggest that he could be independent.
(END VIDEO CLIP) KOPPEL: Now it's important to point out that Dick Durbin does not sit on the Senate Intelligence Committee, but Senator Trent Lott, the Republican of Mississippi does. After his meeting, Wolf, he came out and said that they had a very good meeting. He feels that General Hayden will do a very good job during his confirmation hearings. And he said he is convinced he'll be confirmed.
Now there's one question mark. There's a meeting that's going to be taking place a little later this afternoon with Arlen Specter, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, who has suggested, Wolf, that he might throw up road blocks to the Hayden nomination if he doesn't get the answers that he needs to get to some questions about that controversial NSA program, Wolf.
BLITZER: Andrea Koppel, thank you -- Andrea up on the Hill. And Andrea Koppel, Suzanne Malveaux, Dana Bash, Bill Schneider, they're all part of the best political team on television. CNN, America's campaign headquarters.
Jack Cafferty also part of the best political team on television. He's joining us from New York.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: And you are as well, but you weren't here yesterday.
BLITZER: Everybody takes a day off now and then.
CAFFERTY: Was that an excused absence?
BLITZER: Yes.
CAFFERTY: I mean, did Sam (ph) give you a note?
BLITZER: Yes, got a note from Sam (ph).
CAFFERTY: John Roberts did a pretty good job yesterday.
BLITZER: He's very good.
CAFFERTY: Hey is this -- these hearings for Hayden, that's not a ground ball, is it, for the administration?
BLITZER: They start a week from tomorrow. I think they could be lively. I think there could be some interesting developments.
CAFFERTY: It could be good stuff. All right, got another poll here, Wolf. Seventy percent of Americans think the country is on the wrong track. We have massive illegal alien problems, open borders, massive budget deficits, massive numbers of people with no health insurance, an endless quagmire in Iraq, a growing threat from Iran, and the general disdain of a good part of the international community.
We've come a long way in the last six years in the wrong direction. Consider this: the man running the country, President Bush, has a favorable rating of 29 percent. Hillary Clinton, 34 percent; John Kerry, 26 percent; Al Gore, 28 percent; John McCain, 31 percent.
We're not talking a big collection of winners here, are we boys and girls? I mean, look at those numbers, pretty dismal. And in two years, we've got to find somebody to run this place. So here is the question. Where will America's next generation of leaders come from? I mean, we some need help. E-mail us at CaffertyFile@CNN.com or go to CNN.com/CaffertyFile.
BLITZER: Are you suggesting there may be an opportunity for a third- party Independent candidate?
CAFFERTY: Yes. I mean, anybody that comes along with some good solid ideas, I would think would have no trouble attracting a following. The country is fed up with the Democrats and the Republicans and the status quo. I mean, I'm not suggesting we need Ross Perot again, but somebody with a good list of ideas and some financial backing, who knows? Anything might be possible.
BLITZER: Jack, let's see what our viewers think, thanks.
And if you want to get a sneak preview of Jack's questions, plus an early read on the day's political news, what's ahead in THE SITUATION ROOM, you can do that. Sign up for our daily e-mail alert. Go to CNN.com/SITUATIONROOM. You'll find out how you can do it.
Coming up, does the tax cut bill that's about the pass the House of Representatives give relief to Republicans facing tough re-election battles? I'll ask Congressman Roy Blunt. He's the No. 3 Republican in the House of Representatives.
Plus, much more on our new poll on the president and his problems. I'll speak with Donna Brazile and Bay Buchanan, they're in today's "Strategy Session."
Also, Jack Abramoff at the White House. How many times did the convicted former top lobbyist actually visit? We've just obtained some Secret Service documents. We're going through them right now. We're going to tell you what they reveal. All that coming up just ahead here in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. There's a lot for Congress to chew on today, from a vote on tax cuts to our new poll numbers showing Republicans at a 14-point disadvantage to Democrats.
The House Majority Whip Roy Blunt is here in THE SITUATION ROOM to join us. He's the No. 3 Republican in the House of Representatives. Thanks, Congressman for talking in.
REP. ROY BLUNT (R-MO), MAJORITY WHIP: Wolf, nice to be with you.
BLITZER: The $70 billion in extending the tax cuts. Here is what Republican Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine said. Let me read it to you. "The point is the preponderance of these revenues will go to upper-income people, people who make a million dollars or more. It's a question of priorities."
This from a fellow Republican. What do you say that you're giving these tax breaks to the wealthiest people in the country?
BLUNT: Well you know, these tax breaks -- these particular tax breaks on the dividends and capital gains go to lots of people. They go to pension plans, lots of pension plans, owned part of the companies of America. It's a good thing to tell companies that profits are a good thing and sharing that with the people in the company is a good thing as well. The capital gains rate clearly has helped drive the economy. We've seen five million new jobs created in the last 32 months. We must be doing something right.
BLITZER: So is this still the old trickle down economics that you're talking about?
BLUNT: I think this is the economics that really look at what we can do to trust the American people to take good care of their own families, grow the economy and create jobs more effectively than some big government plan.
BLITZER: Whatever happened to the Republican Party that was deeply committed to fiscal restraint, balancing the budget? Remember the Contract with America? It looks like the deficit numbers are out of control and there's no end in sight.
BLUNT: They're not acceptable, but I don't think they're out of control at all. There were more than $100 billion less last year than was anticipated just a year ago.
BLITZER: But we're still talking $400 billion, $500 billion a year.
BLUNT: Actually, I think we're talking more like $300 billion a year. They're numbers that aren't acceptable. But the highest revenue growth in the history of the federal government was last year. It's possible to cut the right taxes, grow the economy, and increase revenue -- double digit increase in revenue last year, somewhere between 12 percent and I think maybe as high as 14 percent. This year we're in double digits again. You can cut taxes and grow revenue if you do that in a way that grows the economy. That's what we're seeing happen here.
BLITZER: Here's our new CNN poll. Registered voters' -- registered voters' -- choice for Congress -- you have got a tough challenge ahead of you -- Democrats, 52 percent, Republicans, 38 percent. Clearly a significant hurdle for you guys to overcome if you're going to be the majority whip in the next session of Congress as opposed to being the minority whip.
BLUNT: It's a lot more fun to be the majority whip. We go to the floor every day to win. They have to go to the floor every day and their job, the minority whip's job, I tell my friend Steny Hoyer, is to lose every day.
BLITZER: How worried are you that you're going to be in the minority?
BLUNT: I'm not worried we're going to be in the minority because two things that poll really doesn't measure. One is, the Democrats really beginning last week have finally begun to talk about what they're for. Ms. Pelosi this weekend on television I didn't think came across really defining her party in a way that is where people are. They're not going to be able to do that.
The second thing is candidates. I think you've got to give them an A probably in driving a message in the last few months, but no better than a B minus or a C plus in candidate recruitment.
BLITZER: Realistically in the House, how many seats do you believe are at play?
BLUNT: I think realistically there may be as many as three dozen in play, about a dozen of theirs, probably two dozen of ours. And I just don't think they're that good, either in the candidates they have recruited or what they stand for.
Ultimately, this is going to come down to a choice, not a referendum. The choice works to our advantage. Those figures actually indicate a referendum. Are you totally happy with everything that's going on? Who is -- whoever is -- the choices, but would you rather go in the direction that raises taxes, that walks away from the war on terror, the things that I think we're going to see the Democrats say are their positions.
BLITZER: Mike Murphy, a Republican strategist, he worked for the McCain campaign, as you remember. He said this the other day. He said, "If the election were held today, I would say the odds are 90 percent that we would lose the House of Representatives." You disagree.
BLUNT: I'm not sure that is right.
BLITZER: If the elections were held today.
BLUNT: I know the election is not held today, and that's the real key.
BLITZER: So you think that a lot can happen between now and then.
BLUNT: I think between now and then, the Democrats are going to be forced to define what they're for. That's definitely going to work to our advantage, as it works to our advantage to have a chance to explain what we're for.
BLITZER: Here is the big problem that everybody suggests the Republicans have, the Bush administration have, which is namely Iraq. Republican Senator John Thune of South Dakota, I'll read to you what he said. "The atmospheres right now aren't good for Republicans going into the fall elections. Right now, Iraq is the albatross hanging around our necks. It's like a weight out there. If we continue down that track and there's no substantial difference going into the fall elections, there are no guarantees."
How worried are you that this Iraq situation is going to drag down the Republicans?
BLUNT: I think it's a problem. I think it's one of the reasons that voters and taxpayers and people polled aren't embracing the strong economy, this uncertainty about Iraq, maybe gas prices in addition to that. But forming the government in Iraq makes a big difference.
BLITZER: Congressman -- hold on one second, Congressman. I hate to interrupt you, but they're sentencing the defendant in that Rhode Island case, that nightclub fire that a lot of people were killed in. Let's just listen in briefly.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... knowing that your actions were a approximate cause of the deaths of 100 people. The court can only fashion a sentence according to law and not according to the results of your actions.
Any attempt by me here today or by others to correlate any sentence composed today with the value of these lives or to attach any other yardstick that may be applied, I believe would be a dishonor to the memory of the victims of this tragedy.
You and the victims' families will be forever mindful of that fatal night. And it's not within the power of this or any court to fashion a sentence reflective of the enormity of this tragedy. Robert F. Kennedy quoted the great Greek poet Aeschylus when he said, quote, "even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, until in our own despair and against our will comes wisdom through the awful grace of God," unquote.
That may be all that anyone so touched by this loss can expect to look forward to in the future. The court's considered opinion after considering all of the totality of the circumstances in this case, is that this offense does require a period of incarceration as a result of the criminal act.
This court will therefore sentence you to 15 years at the ACI, four years of which to be served by you, with 11 years suspended. And the court will place you on probation for a period of three years. This court does not believe that you pose a threat to society in the future. The court believes that this is reasonably appropriate for the matters we have heard he today. All right, sir.
BLITZER: All right, there you have it. Daniel Biechele, the manager of the rock band -- the former rock band manager sentenced to 15 years, 11 years though suspended, three years probation. We're going to continue to watch this.
I want to hear what some of the victims' families said just before, what the defendants actually said just before the judge ruled on this sentence. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) DANIEL BIECHELE, DEFENDANT: I don't know that I'll ever forgive myself for what happened that night, so I can't expect anybody else to. I can only pray that they understand that I would do anything to undo what happened that night, and give them back their loved ones.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: So that's it. Daniel Biechele, appealing for mercy, obviously distraught by what happened. More than 100 people were killed when the pyrotechnics went off in that nightclub in Providence, Rhode Island. Sentenced to 15 years, but 11 years suspended, so he'll serve four years, three years on probation. We'll get the reaction, get more on this story as it unfolds. A very sad story.
We interrupted Roy Blunt, the House majority whip. We were just talking about some of the serious problems the Republicans face. It seems first and foremost, the deteriorating situation -- at least it has been deteriorating -- in Iraq. How much is that hovering over Republican candidates come November?
BLUNT: I think it's a problem. I have been concerned -- particularly concerned about it since about the middle of January. It was obvious the new government wasn't forming. I'm much more optimistic now than I have been any time since mid-December when that fourth great demonstration of wanting to vote for a permanent government came out.
The difference in what we have now and what we've had before is this government is permanent. They're going to be there for four years. They're not waiting for the next event to happen in a few days or a few months. I hope that this government can come in and do what governments are supposed to do, and as we're pulling back, moving back, we have 30,000 fewer troops there than we had mid-December.
There are 250,000 Iraqi security forces of one kind or another trained and independently acting right now. I think we're going to see a dramatic change in that. I hope that happens in the near future, but certainly, between now and November, and I think that will begin to make a difference in the mind of Americans who understand that we have enemies in the world, and we've got to figure out a way to combat those enemies.
BLITZER: Roy Blunt is the majority whip in the House of Representatives. Sorry for the interruption, but that's what we do here in THE SITUATION ROOM.
BLUNT: You know, I actually saw some of the family testimony the other morning. Earlier they were repeating the testimony, and obviously, in that kind of situation, no matter what the justice system does, it can't replace what those families have lost. It's a sad thing.
BLITZER: A heart wrenching situation. I want to congratulate you and your wife Abby. You just adopted a little child from Russia.
BLUNT: We did. We did. BLITZER: Congratulations.
BLUNT: He's a great little guy.
BLITZER: How does it feel to have a little toddler...
(CROSSTALK)
BLUNT: Well, I haven't had a little guy around for a long time, but he is a lot of fun. And his life has changed, and ours has, too.
BLITZER: A new politician in the family, maybe.
BLUNT: Maybe so.
BLITZER: All right.
Thanks very much, Roy Blunt. Good to have you in THE SITUATION ROOM.
Still ahead, the convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, how many times did he actually visit the Bush White House? The Secret Service has just released documents. We are going to tell you what is in them.
And the battle for the Senate -- the latest polls may be giving Democrats high hopes. We are going to take a closer look at what they have to do to win and how hard that may be.
Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to THE SITUATION ROOM. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.
There are new developments right now in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal. Just a short while ago, the Secret Service released logs of Abramoff -- Abramoff's visits to the White House.
Questions have been raised about the extent of the convicted lobbyists' contacts with the president and top officials in his administration.
Our chief national correspondent, John King, has been going through the documents.
What have we learned, John?
JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Not much to go through, Wolf.
This will not end the questions, but the Secret Service releasing, just a short time ago, as you mentioned, these logs that show two visits by the convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, two visits. One of the visits to the White House on March 6, 2001. He was there for about 50 minutes in the late afternoon. We know, from checking the records, at this time, the president of the United States was in Chicago. So, Jack Abramoff was at the White House. We don't know who he was meeting with. But we do know it wasn't the president of the United States.
BLITZER: It doesn't say who signed off to allow him...
(CROSSTALK)
KING: It doesn't say. And that's one of the lingering questions.
The group that filed suit to get these records says the White House should give us that information. I just called the White House. They said, simply, the documents are all we're getting today. They won't tell us who he was there meeting with. They won't even tell us if they have gone back to check to see who -- see if they know who he was with.
The other document saying that Jack Abramoff was there, again, this a very brief visit, about 20 minutes, a little more than that, maybe 40 minutes, on January 20, 2004.
More recent -- this was the day of the president's State of the Union. The president generally has no public events that day. As you know, he has lunch with anchors and some other political correspondents on that State of the Union day.
Why was he there? Again, the White House won't tell us. It's routine on State of the Union day that they have briefings for conservatives, other constituent groups. Could have been something like that. But the White House won't tell us.
So, this won't end the questions. We also know this -- these two times aren't the only times he was at the White House, because "TIME" magazine published, not that long ago, a photo of Jack Abramoff at the White House, the building next to the White House, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. That was May 9, 2001. He was there with one of his clients, the chief of an Indian tribe.
So, it immediately raises the question. You know he was there at least a third time. How many more times could there have been? The White House says, though, that these are the only electronics records that show he was there.
And, again, the group that sued for them is a conservative group, Judicial Watch. It says the White House now must go back to the records. Why was he there? Who did he meet with? Judicial Watch says the public deserves to know that information. But, again, we just put that question to the White House. They say they won't give us an answer.
BLITZER: I thought he was also there for some social occasions, a Hanukkah party, lighting of the menorah, some Christmas parties. That -- none of that shows up in these documents.
KING: None of it shows up in these documents. The Secret Service is the agency that has to explain all this.
We're trying to get a better official response from them. But, in quick conversations with people there, they say that you don't always end up in the electronic records. It can depend on who clears you in, what type of event you were cleared for, whether you came in as an individual or with a group, whether you came in with a group that had already been cleared for security at some other location.
There a whole number of different ways this can happen. But, essentially, the answers we're getting is, these are the two times he is in the records. Could he have been there more? Yes. We know he was there more, yes. But the White House won't even tell us if they have gone back through all of their records, people's own personal meeting logs, to see if they have those records. They won't even tell us that, which is why the questions from the conservative group Judicial Watch and certainly from the Democrats won't stop with the release of this.
BLITZER: And just to remind our viewers, he's pleaded guilty already. He's cooperating with the prosecution. And his sentence, how many years he's going to spend in jail, is going to be dependent on how much he cooperates. At least, that's the threat that's hanging over him.
KING: And we should be clear. Nothing -- nothing that he has been in court on has anything to do with the Bush White House, and -- which is one of the reasons the Bush White House says, why are you asking us all these questions? There's no allegation of any wrongdoing by anyone inside the gates of the White House.
At the same time, as you noted, he's a convicted felon. He was at the White House. People ask, when was he there? Why was he there? Who was he with? The White House says it won't tell us.
BLITZER: All right, John, thanks very much. I know you're going to keep on digging. A lot of reporters are going to be -- keep -- keep on digging on this story.
The conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch has posted the White House logs online.
Let's bring in our Internet reporter Jacki Schechner. She's standing by.
Jacki, what are you seeing?
JACKI SCHECHNER, CNN INTERNET REPORTER: Wolf, this is why we got our hands on these, because the Judicial Watch filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act.
And they said, as soon as they got them, they would put them online immediately. They have done that. You can take a look at them for yourself, the dates and the times that Jack Abramoff was at the White House. John gave you all of that information.
They're also now going online, Judicial Watch is, with a statement saying they believe that the logs are incomplete. And the reason they say they're incomplete is because they filed for requests during the Clinton administration, and they say those documents had additional information.
Who was the person going to see? Who requested the visit? What room were they going to? This is information that is not on the current documents.
Now, as for the Department of Justice, which delivered this information to Judicial Watch, their cover letter on the information says no exemptions have been made, that nothing has been withheld.
If you want to read these for yourself, go to CNN.com/SITUATIONREPORT, Wolf. We have posted them there.
BLITZER: Jacki, thank you very much.
Up next, the battle for Congress -- there's a lot of talk about the Democrats recapturing the House, but what about the Senate? Our Jeff Greenfield breaks down the numbers.
Plus, Republicans get ready to push a tax cut bill through Congress. Is this a smart political strategy? I will ask Donna Brazile and Bay Buchanan -- they are standing by -- in today's "Strategy Session."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
Less than six months before congressional elections, Democrats probably feeling heartened right now by our new poll numbers. Take a closer look at it once again. Democrats have a 14-point lead over Republicans among registered voters asked about their preference for Congress.
Our senior analyst, Jeff Greenfield, is taking a closer look at the battle for control of Capitol Hill -- Jeff.
JEFF GREENFIELD, CNN SENIOR ANALYST: Wolf, by every traditional standard, historical patterns, the president's low approval ratings, current congressional polls, the Democrats ought to feel optimistic about taking back both houses of Congress. But look more closely at the Senate, and you will see why that optimism may be premature.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GREENFIELD (voice-over): In the Senate today, there are 55 Republicans, 44 Democrats, and one independent, who lines up with the Democrats.
To take the Senate, Democrats need to win six seats. Their targets include: Pennsylvania, where pro-life Democrat Bob Casey now leads Senator Rick Santorum; Rhode Island, where maverick Republican Lincoln Chafee faces both a primary fight and a heavily Democratic electorate; Montana, where Senator Conrad Burns faces questions about his ties to lobbyist-turned-felon Jack Abramoff; Ohio, where senator Mike DeWine may be burdened by a state Republican Party tainted by scandal; Tennessee, where Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is retiring. The likely Democratic contender, Representative Harold Ford, could benefit from a divisive GOP primary.
Democrats are also eying Missouri and Arizona as possibilities to complete that six-pack.
But this math assumes Democrats will hold all of their seats. And that may not be so easy. Consider New Jersey, where a Republican hasn't been elected to the Senate in 34 years. Democrat Robert Menendez, appointed by now Governor Jon Corzine to fill Corzine's Senate seat, is trailing in the polls, behind Tom Kean Jr., son of a popular former liberal Republican governor.
Look at Maryland, which hasn't elected a Republican to the Senate in 26 years. There, Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele has a chance of running a very competitive race to replace retiring Democrat Paul Sarbanes, especially if a bruising Democratic primary fight between Representative Ben Cardin and ex-NAACP chief Kweisi Mfume leaves the party split.
A footnote: Back in 2002, Maryland elected its first GOP governor since Spiro Agnew in 1966.
Or look at Washington state, where Senator Maria Cantwell faces a well-financed challenger in former Safeco CEO Mike McGavick.
Or Minnesota -- that state is a lot less blue than it once was. George W. Bush narrowly lost the state twice. And Republicans are unified behind Representative Mark Kennedy against likely Democratic nominee Amy Klobuchar.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GREENFIELD: One more point about the Senate -- back in '94, the Republicans won it by winning six open seats that had been held by retiring Democrats. But, this year, there's only one open GOP seat that can be really be called competitive, Tennessee.
So, to win the Senate, Democrats will have to beat at least five incumbents, which is usually a tougher task that picking up an open seat. That's why the Democrats' chances in the House, with a number of vulnerable Republicans in the blue states of New England, may be a better bet, assuming, of course, you're foolish enough to bet on an election that is six months away -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jeff Greenfield, excellent report.
Coming up, our new poll shows President Bush isn't getting any credit for improvements in the economy. Is there anything he can do to get his numbers up or to give congressional Republicans a lift?
Some Republicans hope tax cuts will give them a break with voters. Will that do the trick? Tough political questions for Bay Buchanan and Donna Brazile. They're standing by in our "Strategy Session."
Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Today, in our "Strategy Session," more poll numbers that are giving Republicans cause for deep concern. Will the GOP be able to rebound in time for the November elections?
Joining us now, our CNN political analyst and Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, and Bay Buchanan, the support of American Cause.
Here are some of the numbers that have come out. "The New York Times"/CBS poll, Bush's job approval at a record low; 31 percent approve of the way he's doing his job; 63 percent disapprove. "The New York Times"/CBS poll, the question is, is the U.S. today better or worse off than it was before President Bush became president?
Look at this, Bay. Only 14 percent believe the -- that the United States is better off today than it was before he became president; 68 percent believe the country is worse off right now.
Those are enormous challenges for the Republicans.
BAY BUCHANAN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, clearly, the president has -- has a real problem right now. And he's going to have to...
BLITZER: Well, the president doesn't have to worry about getting reelected. But Republicans do.
(CROSSTALK)
BUCHANAN: They do. They do.
And if you want to talk 2006, clearly, what the Republicans in the House are going to have to do is separate themselves from the president. And they are going to have to do some bold legislative proposals put on the table, pass them, so that they can define themselves as something different than the president.
Clearly, on immigration, they already have done so, in December, passed a tough enforcement bill. They're going to have to introduce that again, if nothing comes through in the next couple months, so that we really put the Democrats on the record as on the wrong side of immigration, put them on the right side of immigration.
Taxes -- this tax cut very is smart. They have got to get their base back, Wolf. They have got to get their base energized, make certain it votes. I -- I think they can do it. It's six months. But if they don't do anything, there's going to be a tsunami wave come across and knock out a number of those Republicans.
BLITZER: Donna, it's hard for -- for the Republicans or Democrats to go against their same-party president. It would be very hard for these Republicans on the Hill to distance themselves, as Bay is suggesting, from President Bush.
DONNA BRAZILE, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: They have been in a long- term romance with the president.
And, for five-and-a-half years, they practically have done everything that the White House has told them to do. They have been a rubber-stamp Congress. And I think for the Republicans now to all of a sudden distance themselves or to separate from the commander in chief, that would be just as much of a mistake as -- as standing with the president.
Look, the Republicans have no ideas. They have run out of ideas. And the reason why the American people are now voting with no confidence in the polls is because they don't believe the Republican Party have any solutions.
And they're ready for a change.
(CROSSTALK)
BUCHANAN: But, Wolf, if you read those polls, they also don't believe the Democrats have any solutions.
(CROSSTALK)
BRAZILE: They believe we can do a better job.
(CROSSTALK)
BUCHANAN: They're not happy with Congress at all.
And, indeed, as the Democrats -- one of the -- part two...
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: Let me show you some of these poll numbers.
BUCHANAN: Sure.
BLITZER: "New York Times"/CBS poll, Congress job approval -- remember, this is a Republican-led House and Senate -- 23 percent approve of the way Congress is doing its job; 64 percent disapprove.
Now, you break it down, which party is doing a better job, for example, on Iraq, 30 percent say Republicans doing a better job; 48 percent say Democrats. Which party is doing a better job on gas prices? Eleven percent say Republicans; 57 percent say Democrats. Which party has a better job -- which party shares your moral values? Normally a Republican stronghold. Thirty-seven percent say Republicans; 50 percent say Democrats.
Those numbers are -- must be eye-opening and startling for Republicans.
BUCHANAN: There's no question they are. And I -- and I think you can see all Republicans on the Hill, they are very, very worried, and they're focused. And that's the good news, is, they are focused to do something different.
As Donna says, they have been a rubber stamp. They cannot keep that up. But, part two -- if they make themselves independent, part two is to let the American people know what Democrats stand for. And Nancy Pelosi has helped us out. What they want is two years of gotcha politics. They want to do investigations and impeachment hearings. That's not what the American people want. They want real leadership and fresh ideas. Democrats are not offering that up.
BLITZER: All right, hold your thought for a minute. I want to take a quick break, but continue this "Strategy Session" right after a short break -- much more with Donna and Bay.
We are going to take a look at the politics behind the proposed tax cuts. "Strategy Session," only a moment or two, back after this break.
And Senator Hillary Clinton has become known for being the other half of some odd political couples. But wait until you hear who she's teaming up with right now. Will it help her get media coverage if she runs for president?
Stay with us. We will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Donna Brazile, Republicans are going to energize their base right now by trying to push through these tax cuts that the House looks like they're going to get approved.
BRAZILE: They will also anger their base and energize the Democrats, because, once again, the Democrats are saying it's time to pay as you go. It's time to return to some fiscal sanity.
And these tax cuts, Wolf, the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center said they're lopsided, they're immoral. And the average American -- I wanted to just show Bay -- will get $20 -- $20 -- if you make under $75,000.
BLITZER: But if you're a millionaire?
(CROSSTALK)
BRAZILE: You get $42,000.
So, this is one -- and, look, we're robbing Peter to pay Paul. This is raising the deficit.
(CROSSTALK)
BRAZILE: And, Bay, the other reason why this is morally wrong and indefensible is that we're raising the debt ceiling in order to pay for these tax cuts. BUCHANAN: You know, we're extending tax cuts that are already in place, ones that, once people talked about it and they looked they were going to pass three years ago, spurred this economic growth that we are looking at.
Wall Street is just doing terrific. The market is doing great. That's not just the rich. Those are investors that are -- and business investors and other investors. And you know who benefits?
BRAZILE: Twenty dollars, Bay.
BUCHANAN: You know who gets a lot more than $20...
BRAZILE: Who?
BUCHANAN: ... is your retirees, who have all their money in the market. It's middle class who has their -- their future retirement in...
(CROSSTALK)
BRAZILE: But they're paying more for gasoline. And what are the Republicans doing about gasoline?
(CROSSTALK)
BUCHANAN: Do not suggest that these tax cuts are only hitting the wealthy. These -- there are investors that are benefiting, and, as result, retirees and anyone who has money in that market.
BLITZER: All right, guys, we have got to leave it there, unfortunately.
Donna and Bay, $20.
BUCHANAN: Well, I will take this, if you like.
(LAUGHTER)
BUCHANAN: I can use it, even if it's only $20.
BRAZILE: No, I'm a Democrat. I'm...
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: She's going to buy coffee for all of us after this.
(LAUGHTER)
BLITZER: Donna and Bay, part of the best political team on television, stay with us. Thanks very much.
And still to come here in THE SITUATION ROOM, would you want to put up with the stress and the fish-bowl life of the White House? Jack Cafferty is wondering where the next generation of America's leaders will come from? We will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: There's Jack Cafferty with "The Cafferty File" -- Jack.
CAFFERTY: Startled myself there, being in the wall.
Wolf, the question this hour...
(COUGHING)
CAFFERTY: Pardon me -- is, where will America's next generation of leaders come from? A poll done by a CBS News/"The New York Times" indicates that some of the folks that are out there aren't very popular with the electorate at all.
Jared in Tempe, Arizona, writes: "It appears that the leadership of this country is up in the air. I think, before the country decides on a leader to dig us out of this mess, we need to redefine the values and beliefs that America is supposed to be leading the rest of the world with." Sam writes from Atlanta, Georgia: "The problem is that Clinton, Kerry, Bush, McCain, and Gore are all baby-boomer Washington insiders. We need fresh faces and a new generation of leaders."
James in Lake Ronkonkoma, New York: "We need a leader who can be -- we can be proud of, someone from the ground up, A third party never had more of a chance than it does now. It's the only chance for this country to turn back the tides of self-destruction."
Kyle in Marion, Ohio: "I think Libertarians are the best bet. They have some great ideas. They have a large base. I really don't think money would be a problem. If they got a good candidate, the money will come in to support them."
Jim writes: "I expect we won't get decent leaders until we get the survivors of World War III."
And Darren in Parker, Arizona: "With the road this country is on now, I wouldn't be surprised if Vicente Fox's grandchildren were running for office here soon" -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jack, is there a name that a lot of the viewers seem to throw out there as a potential third-party presidential candidate?
CAFFERTY: Interestingly enough, a lot of people mention Lou Dobbs, who I know is not interested.
Barack Obama's name came up. But none of the -- none of the -- the -- the people that we talked about. Nobody said, oh, Hillary Clinton is a great idea, or, John McCain is a great idea. They got the sense of the question, which is, we need something new, some new ideas and some new people. And -- and, so, Barack Obama, I guess, is a young, popular guy on the Democratic side of the ledger.
BLITZER: We will watch Barack Obama. We will watch all these guys.
Thanks, Jack.
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