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The Situation Room
Steve Irwin Dies of Sting by Stingray in Australia; Voter Discontent increases as Election Nears; John King Discusses Iraq with Major General William Caldwell; Conflicting polls tell Different Stories in Connecticut Senatorial election
Aired September 04, 2006 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN KING, CNN ANCHOR: To our viewers, you are in THE SITUATION ROOM where new pictures and information are arriving all the time. Standing by CNN reporters across the United States and around the world to bring you today's top stories.
Happening now, the Democrats fire a new shot on Iraq and make demands of President Bush. The Fall battle for Congress is beginning in earnest. It's 4:00 p.m. here in Washington and we have a brand new poll on Iraq, voter anger and what it all may mean come election day.
Also this hour, Iraq politics in the trenches, new developments in two very different and compelling races. Will Iraq veteran Tammy Duckworth (ph) win a house seat by opposing the war? Will Senator Joe Lieberman win reelection by bucking his party?
And the death of TV's "Crocodile Hunter" from the barb of a sting ray. It's 6:00 a.m. Tuesday in Australia. We will have the latest on Steve Irwin's under water accident. If this could happen to a wildlife expert, could it happen to you? Wolf Blitzer's off today. I'm John King, you are in THE SITUATION ROOM.
Right now, top Democrats in Congress are proving once again how much their 2006 election strategy is linked to the Iraq war. They are sending a letter to President Bush that calls for a phased redeployment of troops and a change at the top of the Pentagon and they're doing it on the traditional kickoff day of the Fall campaign.
On this Labor Day President Bush also is making a political statement, hoping to help Republicans keep control of Congress. He's been talking up the economy, the issue that is weighing on voters minds as much or more than Iraq. Our White House correspondent Ed Henry is standing by, first though, our Congressional correspondent Andrea Koppel with the Democrats new shot on Iraq. Andrea?
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Even though Congress doesn't return from its summer recess until tomorrow, with this letter Democrats are setting off their opening salvo on what is sure to be both a highly partisan and a very bitterly fought five weeks before they leave for their final days ahead of the midterm elections. Now, even though they lay out their laundry list of reasons as to why the president's strategy in Iraq isn't working, they highlight the latest death toll among U.S. soldiers, marines and Iraqi civilians, as well as the price tag for this. So far in this last month another $8 billion. The letter also says with daily attacks against American and Iraqi troops close to their highest levels since the start of the war, and sectarian violence intensifying, we can only conclude that our troops are caught in the middle of a low-grade civil war that is getting worse. Democrats urge President Bush to consider changing his Iraq policy and repeat many of the steps they've already suggested. But what sets this letter apart is that it also tells President Bush the current civilian leadership at the Pentagon isn't up to the job of implementing it. Although it doesn't mention Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld by name, Democrats indicated last week they plan to offer up a no confidence motion on Mr. Rumsfeld later this month. While a change in your Iraq policy will best advance our chances for success, they write, we do not believe the current civilian leadership at the Department of Defense is suited to implement and oversee such a change in policy. They are also determined not to repeat their mistakes from campaigns in '02, and '04, where Republicans put them on the defense on national security and so also today they released a scathing new report card on homeland security, giving Republicans an overall grade of C-minus.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN CHUCK SCHUMER (D), NEW YORK: The bottom line is that the federal government's homeland security effort has been hampered by underfunding, poor management, bureaucratic tangles and political deal-making and we are not doing enough.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOPPEL: The message Democrats are trying to send is two-fold. One, contrary to what Republicans claim, they are united on Iraq and, two, they are not going to let Republicans get the upper hand on signature issues, like national security, without a file.
KING: Congressional correspondent Andrea Koppel on the Labor Day salvo from the Democrats. Now let's check over to the White House and see what President Bush thinks about the Republican's Iraq dilemma. Here's out White House correspondent Ed Henry. Ed I assume they didn't let this one go unanswered.
ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right John. Not surprisingly the White House dismissing the latest Democratic gambit. White House spokeswoman Dana Perino insisting to CNN that the president is already pursuing a new direction in Iraq, with one key difference, quote, we refuse to quit and withdraw our troops before the job is done. In an effort to divert people's attention to their cut and run strategy, and to feed the liberal base of their party Democrats are launching baseless partisan attacks against the secretary of defense. The American people want serious ideas from their leaders in Washington, not campaign letters and political stunts. Now that back and forth obviously a reminder that this is the opening day, Labor Day, of the midterm election season officially and while the president gave a speech today on the economy, tomorrow he will turn right back immediately to national security. Part two of his latest series of the speeches on the war on terror. This one in Washington at the Military Officers Association of America. Various members of the diplomatic core will be there and Dana Perino says the president will focus on the state of the enemy, how it's been weakened and how, the White House says, it's spending all resources necessary to defeat the enemy. Now Democrats, of course, insist the president's policies have actually made the country less safe and they point the finger of blame squarely at Defense Secretary Rumsfeld. Interestingly, now some Republicans are also pointing the finger at Rumsfeld. As you remember, Pat Tiberi, a Republican congressman from Ohio, on Friday saying he wants new leadership at the Pentagon. Over the weekend a Republican Senate candidate Tom Cane Jr. (ph) also suggesting Rumsfeld should go, but I can tell you here at the White House senior officials insist that Secretary Rumsfeld still has the full confidence of the president, John.
KING: And as they insist that, Ed, that he still has the full confidence of the president, how do they deal with the debate over whether the president should be giving speeches like this, which essentially just puts Iraq back on the debating plate for the day, or whether he should take a more quiet approach, almost stay out of it and let the Republicans try to fight this out race by race.
HENRY: Well, two answers, one is that they can hardly ignore Iraq and the war on terror as the key issue in the upcoming midterm elections. Secondly, they insist that they are trying to put aside the politics and focus hard on the fact that we are still at war. The nation is at war and the president has to deal with it, all politics aside, but as you know better than anyone, politics is front and center on this issue on both sides, not just the Republican but the Democratic side as well.
KING: A little more than two months to go. Ed Henry at the White House, thank you very much.
And now the big picture on election day. Republicans currently hold 231 seats in the House, Democrats have 201. The one independent in the House usually vote with Democrats and there are two vacancies, one Democrat, one Republican. Add it all up, it means Democrats need to pick up 15 seats to reclaim control of the House, a goal many now believe is within their reach. A power shift in the Senate is considered less likely, but possible. Republicans now hold 55 seats, Democrats have 44 seats and the sole independent in the Senate usually votes with the Democrats. That means Democrats need to gain six seats to seize control in the Senate.
Our Dana Bash is on the campaign trail in an Illinois congressional district that is one of the key Fall battlegrounds, but first Bill Schneider has our new poll numbers on the fight for Congress and the mood of the voters. Bill?
BILL SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: John, Labor Day is the opening day of the Fall campaign. Now let's see who is favored and why.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SCHNEIDER (voice-over): One question dominates this year's midterm campaign, which party will control the House of Representatives? The race begins with Democrats 16 points ahead among all registered voters. Among the just over half of registered voters who are likely to vote in a midterm, the Democrat's lead narrows a bit, but they are still 10 points ahead. Of course there is no single nationwide race this year. It's 435 separate local contests. The national vote is just a broad indicator of what voters want. What do voters want? In a word, change. Remember the angry voters of the early 1990s? They gave us term limits, Ross Perot, a Republican president thrown out, then a Democratic Congress. They're back. Three-quarters of the public say they are angry about something. The war in Iraq, certainly.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We can't stay the course as President Bush tells us to do.
SCHNEIDER: Voter who say Iraq is their top concern are voting overwhelmingly Democratic but Iraq is not the only big issue this year. Just as many voters cite the economy.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The unemployment rate is 4.7 percent. That's a good sign if you are somebody looking for a job. It means people are working here in the United States.
SCHNEIDER: But gas prices and the pay slump have soured voters on the economy. The number of people who say the economy is in good shape has taken a tumble this year. It's down to 44 percent. Economic voters are just as angry as Iraq voters and they, too, are voting strongly Democratic.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SCHNEIDER: What will the Democrats do about Iraq and the economy? Well, that's not really clear, but one thing is clear, by nearly two to one, the public believes Democrats are the party of change. John?
KING: Advantage Democrats with two months to go. Bill Schneider thank you very much. Now many of this years critical House races are in suburban districts now held by Republicans, places where the GOP's message of low taxes and tough on terror usually sells, but this year opposition to the war on Iraq and the unpopularity of President Bush is raising Democratic hopes. The 6th congressional district, just outside of Chicago, is one of those places and our congressional correspondent Dana Bash is there, Dana.
DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well John, for Democrats to wrestle control back from Republicans of Congress this election year, it is just precisely this kind of suburban area that they are going to have to win. Republican Congressman Henry Hyde served here for more than three decades and the race to replace him, he is retiring, is now a toss-up.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BASH (voice-over): It's a typical weekend in a textbook American suburb, high school football. Visit the stands full of Republican parents and frustration with Washington this election year is palpable.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am a registered Republican but I will definitely vote for change and probably vote Democrat because that's change.
BASH: That's a problem for Republican Peter Roskam in this GOP stronghold outside Chicago.
SEN. PETER ROSKAM, ILLINOIS STATE SENATE: Hi how are you, I am Senator Peter Roskam, running for Congress. It's nice to see you today.
BASH: In any other year he would likely be a shoe-in but this is not any other year. His pitch combines classic suburban issues like tax cuts with one of this year's hot topics, immigration.
ROSKAM: Secure our borders with stronger enforcement, oppose amnesty, oppose taxpayer subsidized health care for illegals. That's what I'm for man and that ain't complicated.
BASH (on camera): And while Democrats are trying to nationalize this election, seize on voter discontent in Washington, Peter Roskam is following the Republican playbook by trying to focus on issues close to home, like promising to bring federal dollars back to fix this dangerous intersection.
ROSKAM: I am known within this community and I have been an advocate for the types of things that I think resonate within the sixth district.
BASH: But keeping all politics local isn't easy when your opponent is Iraq war vet Tammy Duckworth.
TAMMY DUCKWORTH (D), ILLINOIS CONG. CANDIDATE: When I talk about securing us here at home it is because I am actually doing that work in real life. It's not a theory. It's not something that the national party tells me, it's firsthand experience.
BASH: Democrats recruited Duckworth, a political novice, because of her national security credentials and compelling story. She lost both legs when the helicopter she was piloting was shot down in Iraq, a war she calls a mistake.
DUCKWORTH: I absolutely support going after those terrorists, but I think by invading Iraq we completely distracted ourselves.
BASH: She says she has seen up close what Democrats call administration misjudgment and mismanagement.
DUCKWORTH: I ate steak and lobster every Sunday night in Iraq but I didn't have enough armor for the tanker trucks that carried 5,000 gallons of aviation fuel.
BASH: Accountability and fresh thinking are her themes, a combination she calls a perfect fit for a fed-up electorate. Back at the football game, Republican Tom Fendly says Duckworth's inexperience in politics means she's not ready for Congress but he's disappointed with his party and thinks voters should send a message.
TOM FENDLY, REGISTERED REPUBLICAN: I am in the school of shaking things up. I believe a lot of Americans are disillusioned right now with the whole political process.
BASH: That's why Republicans here and around the country worry they could come up a few yards short on election day.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Now, Peter Roskam, in order to appeal to those disillusioned voters, is doing something that many Republican candidates are doing across the country. He says, look, he is willing to and happy to accept help from the president in fund-raising but he is also eager to remind voters that he is on the ballot. It is his qualifications and his agenda, not the president's, John.
KING: And Dana, as you know, the Democrat on the ballot is Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq veteran. What does she make of it when her national party leaders in Washington are writing to the White House, saying Donald Rumsfeld needs to go, Mr. President.
BASH: I asked her about that, whether or not she agreed with her party on this issue and she actually kind of rolled her eyes and said, no I think it's a bad idea. She essentially slammed her national leaders for doing this. She said when I go around this district the last thing they want to talk to me about, the voters here, is whether or not Donald Rumsfeld should have his job. I can tell you that that is precisely why Democrats think this is a winning issue for them, to really push this idea that Donald Rumsfeld needs to go. Because on the one hand, it allows Democrats like Tammy Duckworth, running in a Republican stronghold like this, to assert her independence and say she disagrees with national Democrats, on the other hand, as one Democrat strategist I talked to today said, it also really fires up the Democratic base, for them to see their leaders trying to be really tough on the administration, especially Donald Rumsfeld. That's certainly something, as we go from here to election day, Democrats need, as you know, to fire up their base, to make sure they actually go to the polls, John.
KING: Dana Bash for us is one of this Fall's most hotly contested Congressional race. Dana, thank you very much. And Dana Bash, Bill Schneider, Ed Henry and Andrea Koppel all part of the best political team on television. CNN, America's campaign headquarters.
It's worth remembering the political war over Iraq doesn't strictly fall along party lines. In New Jersey, as Ed Henry noted, Republican Senate candidate Tom Cane Jr. now is calling for the resignation of Defense Secretary Rumsfeld. His opponent, incumbent Democrat Robert Menendez, also has called for Rumsfeld to go.
Jack Cafferty is off today, but Jack and the Cafferty File return next week.
Coming up Steve Irwin died doing what he loved the most. The wild life expert was filming under water when a stingray's barb pierced his heart. We will go live to the Atlanta aquarium for a look at the mysterious sea creatures and the damage they can do.
Plus another threat from the sea. Will some tropical weather, way out on the Atlantic, soon threaten the United States? Our forecast ahead. And much more on our new poll on the battle for Congress. Can the Democrats retake either house? I will ask Donna Brazile and Bay Buchanan in today's Labor Day Strategy Session. Stay right here. You are in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: Fellow animal handlers are calling the death of TV's "Crocodile Hunter," a tragic fluke. Steve Irwin was killed today when a stingray plunged a barb into his chest. It happened while he was taping an underwater documentary in the Great Barrier Reef off Australia's northeast coast. His manager says Irwin came out over the top of Stingray buried in the sand. News reports say Irwin went into cardiac arrest after he was stung. Irwin was a popular TV personality here in the United States and in his native Australia. He was known for his enthusiasm for nature, his fearlessness in handling dangerous animals and for his trademark catch-phrase "crikey." Steve Irwin was 44 years old.
Experts say Stingrays normally are not aggressive, but when they do sting it can be extremely painful, crippling and potentially deadly. CNN's David Mattingly is at the world's largest aquarium in Atlanta with more, David.
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John, we are hearing that these creatures are incredibly docile most of the time and they do not attack human beings but they will defend themselves if they feel like they are being threatened. And calling them Stingrays is a bit of an understatement. With me right is Ray Davis, the expert here at the Georgia aquarium. We keep hearing about this defense mechanism they have. Show me what it is.
RAY DAVIS, GEORGIA AQUARIUM: We take a look at this. This is a Stingray barb, located a the base of the tail (INAUDIBLE) to see swing us behind us occasionally in ocean voyager.
MATTINGLY: This is about as long as an adult index finger. It's very sharp on this end, but there's one particular thing about the way it's made. When it comes out of the body it does an incredible amount of damage.
DAVIS: Exactly. It's sheaved in a soft tissue layer that has the venom and bacteria in it. It penetrates very easily. It's barbed, pretty much like an arrow, coming back out, as the animal whips it's tail back out, it creates a lot of extra damage because of those extra hooks, serrations, on the edge of the barb.
MATTINGLY: Are these creatures something to be afraid of?
RAY: I wouldn't be afraid of them. We need to understand them and respect them. We need to understand, as we teach here, that this is a protected contact situation, and that in the areas where you go, like the beach, the coastal zones, that you need to be aware that they are in this area. They are around the sandy bottoms feeding on shrimp, crabs, clams, and you want to make sure that they know you are there.
MATTINGLY: Hundreds of people are stung by these every year but they are so rarely fatal. How unusual was this?
RAY: It's extremely, extremely unusual. It's the first time I am actually aware that somebody died from this. I understand that over the decades there have been about 17 reported cases where there have been fatalities associated to being stung by a Stingray. It's a very painful experience. The secondary infection that you get from this can be as debilitating if it's not taken care of. So as soon as you are stung by a Stingray, you can treat for the extreme pain by taking the effected area, putting it in as hot water as you can stand without scalding your flesh. But then you need to seek medical advice and help immediately to see that there's no barb left behind, clean out the wound, keep it open, and make sure you don't have a severe bacterial infection from this.
MATTINGLY: Steve Irwin, more than a television personality. He was known as an incredible educator. What are your thoughts today?
RAY: We lost a charismatic advocate for animals in wild places. Many of the young staff at Georgia Aquarium, the reason that they are here taking care of animals is because they grew up watching Steve Irwin and what he did.
MATTINGLY: Ray Davis of the Georgia Aquarium, thank you very much. John back to you.
KING: David Mattingly in Atlanta. David thank you very much. A fascinating look there and we will have much more in our next hour on Steve Irwin, the details of his death and the danger from Stingrays. And on "LARRY KING LIVE," Steve Irwin's (INAUDIBLE) personality on display tonight, a replay of Larry's interview with Irwin airs at 9:00 p.m. Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, here on CNN.
Andrea Koppel joins us now from the news room here in Washington with a closer look at other stories making news, Andrea.
(NEWS BREAK)
KING: Andrea Koppel. Andrea, thank you very much and next up, in the war in Iraq is the current violence spiraling into a civil war? I will ask a top U.S. general in Baghdad about the situation on the ground.
And later a rare meeting between rivals. Joe Lieberman and Ned Lamont come face-to-face on the campaign trail. We will go live to Connecticut to find out just what happened. You are in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: Welcome back to THE SITUATION ROOM. I'm John King in Washington. Amid new calls from Democrats for a phased withdrawal from Iraq, the U.S. troop death toll there has now climbed to 2,651. The U.S. military said today that a soldier was killed by an improvised explosive device near Bakuba (ph), Iraq yesterday.
Major General William Caldwell thank you for joining us today in THE SITUATION ROOM. I want to begin with a letter sent by the Democratic leaders in Congress to the president today. As you well know the mission in Iraq is par of the political debate, election year debate, back here in the United States. In this letter, the Democratic leaders say this, with daily attacks against American and Iraqi troops at close to their highest levels since the start of the war and sectarian violence intensifying, we can only conclude that our troops are caught in the middle of a low grade civil war that is getting worse. War critics in Congress say it's a civil war. Many retired military officials say it's a civil war. Academics at think tanks say it's a civil war, but the Pentagon says it is not. Why, sir, give us the definition and why, in your view, this is not a civil wary, the situation you have there.
MAJ. GEN. WILLIAM CALDWELL, SPOKESMAN, MULTINATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ: John, what I'll tell you is we also face a tough situation with the sectarian violence. I don't think anybody questions that. It has overtaken the terrorism threat that we felt and dealt with initially here, in the first two years. All this set off about the February time frame, but the institutions of this government are running. They are in charge. They are able to communicate with the people. We find in, there are 18 provinces out there, we find in 14 of the provinces almost minimal attacks for 67 percent of the population. They live in relative safety each and every day, and it's in these 4 provinces right here in the dead center of the country that we find our greatest challenges. But we see this government, the prime minister in particular, with his reconciliation plan, starting to take these things on and deal with them from not just a military perspective, from also a political perspective.
KING: And if, sir, that changed, that assessment changed in the days and weeks ahead and you did think that you had a civil war on your hands, how would that effect the rules of engagement? Is there an automatic switch to a different posture if you are going from fighting an insurgency to being in the middle of a civil war?
CALDWELL: Well it's something we continually watch all the time and what kind of an operating environment we are in in each and every area we operate. Because, within the country of Iraq, itself, if you are up in the north, if you're down in the south, there's many places where it's very peaceful and calm and your entire operational status and the way you deal with the people is a little different than you would perhaps if you are out in al Anbar province to the west here, which is our most difficult province to deal with. So we routinely do that already and the way we continue to conduct our operations each and every day. So we watch the environment, we look at what's happening, we make an assessment every day. Our commanders stay very attuned to it and we adjust our method of employment and our rules of engagement as appropriate.
KING: You made an interesting point, saying that the challenge has changed, from the initial terrorist threat, to now this sectarian violence that you're dealing with. I want to read to you something the president said in his speech the other day that is the source of quite a bit of debate here in the United States.
The president, quoting General Abizaid, said: "If we leave," meaning leave Iraq, "they will follow us. And he is right," meaning General Abizaid. "The security of the civilized world depends on victory in the war on terror. And that depends on the victory in Iraq."
There are many in this country who say that most of the violence is insurgency, is civil sectarian strife, and there are a very few organizations and people in Iraq capable of projecting terrorism on a global scale. What's your assessment, sir?
CALDWELL: Well, I tell you, the reason we have the sectarian violence we experienced today all started because of a group of terrorists -- in the February time frame, blew up the Golden Mosque there in Samarra. And that has set off a string of tit for tats that have occurred now since the February-March time frame, leading up to the July time frame, when it was really at its all-time peak, and when we instituted new plans and procedures to start dealing with that violence.
So, those who say terrorists are not a threat don't realize that the terrorists look for the seams. They look for the weaknesses. They look for the methods by which they can exploit people. And, in this case, they found one between extremist elements, both on the Shia and the Sunni side, by blowing up that mosque.
KING: But do you believe...
CALDWELL: In fact...
KING: Do you believe, inside...
(CROSSTALK)
CALDWELL: You know...
(CROSSTALK)
KING: ... inside Iraq -- excuse me, General, but do you believe, inside Iraq, that there are groups of any significant number...
CALDWELL: No, no. Go ahead.
KING: ... and resources that are capable of, say, planning and launching attacks on the United States, or capable of planning, of launching attacks on U.S. installations in other countries beyond Iraq?
CALDWELL: Well, what -- what we have existing currently today is al Qaeda in Iraq.
And they can, in fact, reach globally with their -- their capabilities. We have seen that. We see the fact foreign fighters continually -- every month, between 40 to 60 of them flow into this country to engage in their struggle that they have got going against us, this insurgency they have here in this country.
So, already, they are reaching out well beyond the -- the country of Iraq. And, if we were to pull out of here, I think we would see perhaps what occurred in Afghanistan, where terrorist training camps could develop, and -- and, in fact, and they can continue to develop and train and grow an insurgent element that would be exportable.
KING: Major General William Caldwell, sir, we always thank you for your time, and especially on this day. Thank you for joining us very much.
CALDWELL: OK. Thank you, John.
KING: Up next: showdown on the campaign trail. We will go live to Connecticut, where Senator Joe Lieberman and his challenger, Ned Lamont, faced off today.
And next hour: as the nuclear tensions between Tehran and the West heat up, an exclusive CNN interview with Iran's former president.
Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: On this Labor Day, Iraq, politics, and the battle for Congress on parade, you might say, in Connecticut.
Senator Joe Lieberman, the Democrat-turned-independent candidate, found himself uncomfortably close to Democratic challenger Ned Lamont.
Our Mary Snow is covering their Senate showdown, and joins us now from Connecticut.
Hi, Mary.
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, John.
You know, Newtown boasts of the largest Labor Day parade in Connecticut, an event not to be missed by any candidate running in November. But no one expects the political battleground in this small town to be as contentious as it turned out to be today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SNOW (voice-over): Their only face-to-face encounter lasted just seconds.
NED LAMONT (D), CONNECTICUT SENATORIAL CANDIDATE: Hey, Joe. Just wanted to say hi. Happy Labor Day to you.
SNOW: The handshake between incumbent Senator Joseph Lieberman, now running as an independent, and his Democratic challenger, Ned Lamont, was civil, but cool, at the start of the Newtown, Connecticut, Labor Day parade. By the end of the parade, things grew heated among a small number from opposing sides, vying for attention from cameras.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get away from my child!
SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D), CONNECTICUT: Well, I don't know what that was, but there's a lot of emotion here. But people ought to express is, obviously. I mean, that's the nature of our politics. But what -- what -- I will tell you what has to stop. There is too much hatred.
SNOW: One of the biggest divisions in this race, the war in Iraq. A heckler wearing a President Bush mask chided Lieberman for supporting the administration's decision for keeping troops in Iraq.
(APPLAUSE)
SNOW: On the flip side, Republicans, like Paul Kelly, support the veteran Democrat and one-time presidential candidate.
PAUL KELLY, CONNECTICUT REPUBLICAN: I have a lot of respect for Joe because of this one issue. And it's a -- it's -- it's a key issue.
UNIDENTIFIED MALES AND FEMALES: Ned Lamont will save the state.
SNOW: Ned Lamont's call to bring troops home helped this political novice defeat Lieberman in last month's primary.
On a holiday when the focus is usually on jobs, many in this crowd say the war in Iraq is key.
LAMONT: Nice to see you.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
LAMONT: Thanks.
SNOW: Lamont was met with both cheers and boos.
LAMONT: The war in Iraq has been a terrible distraction from the fight on terror, has done nothing to protect the United States of America. And I am going to keep carrying that message, as well.
SNOW: And it has left Democrats, like Albert Miles (ph), sitting on the fence, undecided over his choice of a candidate, which he doesn't think is all that bad.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a good thing to see. It makes people active. And people should be involved in the -- in the political process.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SNOW: Now, the focus on Iraq is only expected to increase this week, as veterans back both candidates in opposing ads scheduled to start airing this week -- John.
KING: Mary, as you know, many Democrats had hoped Senator Lieberman would not run as an independent, and they hoped maybe he would reconsider; maybe a poll a little bit after the primary would convince him to get out of the race.
What's the latest state of the race?
SNOW: The latest state is -- the latest polls after the primary -- herein lies the dilemma. One poll shows Lieberman, in a three-way race, as an independent, with a double-digit lead. But another poll since then shows a virtual tie.
So, it's really hard to read in to these polls, with the Republican candidate, by the way, having a very small percentage overall.
KING: Sixty-three days to go. It looks like one of the best races in the country.
Our Mary Snow there today -- Mary, thank you very much.
And coming up: Watch out, incumbents. Our new poll out this hour shows that voters are angry. Should members of Congress be worried? I will ask Donna Brazile and Bay Buchanan.
Plus: Top Democrats urge the president to replace Donald Rumsfeld. What is the political fallout? Find out in today's "Strategy Session."
Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: And those numbers help frame today's Labor Day "Strategy Session," as top Democrats try to hold President Bush's feet to the fire on Iraq. And our new poll shows voters are angry about Iraq and more, as the fall battle for Congress really gets going.
Joining us now, our CNN political analysts, Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, and Bay Buchanan, who is president of the American Cause.
Let's start with this table-setter. The numbers we showed -- showed our viewers essentially show how many seats, 15 in the House, six in the Senate, the Democrats need to take control.
Here's our new poll, just out this hour. Likely voters' choice for Congress, 53 percent of Americans say they will vote Democrat. Forty-three percent say they will vote Republican.
Bay Buchanan, are we looking at a Speaker Pelosi?
BAY BUCHANAN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: I don't know if you can say that quite yet.
Certainly, this is a political environment in which the Republicans should be a little nervous. They are coming from behind. It -- it looks like the very -- the stars are in the right place for the Democrats. However, we have got 60 days, John. You and I both know that's a long time. This is going to be hardball politics, straight out, for two months. And we will see where everyone stands at the end. And I think Republicans have a chance to bring this issue back and to hold a lot of those seats.
KING: Hang tight for one second. You said Republicans should be nervous. Forget the poll numbers.
BUCHANAN: Sure.
KING: Why should they be nervous? What have they done wrong to get in this position?
BUCHANAN: Well, you know, the poll that you just addressed also shows that the American people are angry. They're very angry. I have noticed that myself, as I have traveled around this country this month -- this last couple months.
I have talked to congressmen out there. They say they are angry. And I say, what about? And they say, it's nothing specific. Our own voters are just upset. They don't feel that we have made as much progress as we should. We have not moved the country where it should.
It's not just Iraq or the economy or immigration. I think it's just a general feeling about -- by citizens that the country is not where it should be.
KING: And Democrats have a 10-point lead now. It's pretty comparable to how the Republicans were doing back in 1994. Are you ready to celebrate? Or what are you worried about?
DONNA BRAZILE, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Oh, absolutely not. Actually, it's 64 days. And that is a long time in politics.
But, look, Democrats feel very comfortable today about the lead that we are having with the American people. We have good candidates across the country. We are competitive in a lot more states than, say, in -- in 2002. So, I think the Democrats will pick up seats. I -- I don't know if we can take all those seats right now that are so- called a toss-up, or leaning Republican. But I do believe that Democrats -- this year, this will be the year of change.
KING: I want to discuss that anger a bit more in a second. But is this a pro-Democrat year, or it simply an anti-incumbent year, and there are more Republican incumbents than there are Democratic incumbents; therefore, you think your party is going to benefit?
BRAZILE: Well, there's no question this is an anti-incumbent year, anti-status quo.
Voters are angry, because they want to see a change in strategy in Iraq. They want to see something happen on the economy. And they are upset, quite frankly, with the president right now on a host of issues. So, this is the year that Democrats can really sharpen the differences, and -- and win significant seats across the board.
KING: Well, let's look at the number. Bay mentioned the anger.
If you look at our new poll again, just out this hour, your feelings about how things are going in the country -- only 21 percent of the American people say they are content. Seventy-six percent say they are angry. Seventy-six percent -- that's up from 59 percent in February.
Bay, its two months. Seventy-six percent. What can you possibly do? You can't turn that number around.
BUCHANAN: No, you can't.
KING: I guess the goal for Republicans is just try to drop it back down.
BUCHANAN: There's -- there's a couple of things you can do. And I think the administration is looking at doing just that.
You -- they are angry at what's happening out there. So, what they are going to have to do is convince the voter that the Democrats have no other plan, that things haven't gone as well as we would have liked, but they offer nothing.
And, so, you know, Donna says Iraq hasn't gone as well as it should. Clearly, we all know that. But what are they offering that's different? People are upset at the porous border -- border. The president hasn't secured it. Are the Democrats going to secure it? They certainly are not. They have not addressed that issue.
Issue after issue, they have nothing to offer. And I think, if the American people do feel that national security is an issue when they go into that voting box, and they don't feel that the Republicans -- they feel Republicans have the leadership, and that the Democrats don't have any other answers, they may very well stay with Republicans.
BRAZILE: Well, we -- Democrats have had a lot to offer, but, unfortunately, with one party in control of all three branches of government, it's difficult for Democrats to put forward their ideas.
That is why I believe Democrats taking control of Congress will enable the American people to restore checks and balances, but also a different direction in Iraq. Today, the House leader and the Senate leadership on the Democratic side came together, with a strong letter to President Bush, saying: You know what, Mr. President? It's time to change course.
And we outlined some things that the president can do in order to make the situation there in Iraq better. And we also said that, if we are going to implement these changes, we clearly need somebody at the Defense Department who will listen and implement these changes. So, Democrats are ready to change...
KING: Well, let's -- let's -- let's read...
BRAZILE: ... the -- the status quo.
KING: Let's read a bit from that letter.
This is from a letter to -- from the Democratic leaders to the president of the United States.
And, in it, they say: "While a change in your Iraq policy will best advance our chances for success, we do not believe the current civilian leadership at the Department of Defense is suited to implement and oversee such a change in policy."
It's a polite way of saying, fire Donald Rumsfeld right there.
Bay Buchanan, the president doesn't agree. The White House made clear again today that Donald Rumsfeld has his confidence.
But, even if the president agreed, he is not going to do this two months before an Election Day. That would open the floodgates, wouldn't it?
BUCHANAN: No. No. Of course he's not going to do it. You would put yourself on the defense. You would absolutely say your were right -- the Democrats are right. We -- we haven't done as well as we could.
And -- and it's a silly time -- it's a silly stunt, to be quite honest. It's a ridiculous time to change your secretary of defense. You have got two years left of this administration. How long would be a learning curve?
I think the key here is, the Democrats, is this what their idea is? We will go -- we are going to change the secretary of defense? And everybody knows that. What else are you going to do that is different from the president?
If all the Democrats do is what they have said now, is that all they are going to offer, then, what they're saying to the voters is give -- you know, it's a shot in the dark.
KING: Is there...
(CROSSTALK)
BUCHANAN: Are going to vote for a shot in the dark?
KING: Let me -- let me -- let me -- let me -- jump in, because Dana Bash was out in the 6th Congressional District in Illinois. Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq veteran running in a Republican district, she has got a pretty good chance. It's a toss-up, but the momentum is slightly her way right now.
She says she doesn't need the advice of the national party leaders about whether or not Donald Rumsfeld should stay or go. Let her run her race.
Is there a risk here for Democrats, if they keep getting in the president's face, keep asserting themselves on these issues, at a time when there's an anti-incumbent, which means more anti-Republican, sentiment, that people, to make Bay's point, will say, well, wait a minute, wait a minute, if -- if -- if I'm a Republican voter, and I'm about to throw the bum out, oh, wait, I'm going to get the Democrats; do I really want that?
Shouldn't -- shouldn't they just lay back?
BRAZILE: No way. Sixty-one percent of the American people now believe the war was a mistake.
Look, the Democrats are saying, let's have a phased redeployment. Let's train the Iraqi troops, so that they can stand up. Let's have -- convene an international conference, so that we can jump-start this reconstruction process.
What we are saying with Donald Rumsfeld is that he's not listening. He's not listening to the generals on the ground. He's not -- he's not really interested in changing his strategy.
Since the last letter the Democrats sent to the president, 60 troops have died, 100 more wounded, 1,000 Iraqi civilians, $8 billion in U.S. money. It's time for a change in Iraq.
BUCHANAN: John, nothing that she said is -- is not what the president is doing. He's doing very much that. Sure, there's no timetable, but they are not going on a specific timetable. He does...
(CROSSTALK)
BRAZILE: ... saying 2006 should be a year of transition.
(CROSSTALK)
KING: Let me call -- let me call time out. Our timetable is, we got about one minute left.
(CROSSTALK)
KING: Our time out -- we got about one minute left.
(LAUGHTER)
KING: I know you are a Democrat. Put it aside for a minute.
I know you are a critic of the White House sometimes. Put it aside for a minute.
You're the president of the United States. This is your legacy. You need to win these midterm elections to have two more years to try to govern. You're George W. Bush. You have 60 days. What is the one thing you should do? BUCHANAN: He has got to convince the American people that he is on his game when it comes to national security, remind them there has been no that has been -- we have not been attacked for five years. We know where these terrorists are. We are strong, and we're aggressive, so that does not become the national issue in the country. And let our candidates run on their own. They will do fine.
BRAZILE: This is not...
KING: Give him some advice, just this once.
BRAZILE: This is not about winning control of the Congress. This is about winning the war on terror, winning in Iraq. That counts, in my judgment, to be the most important thing the president should be focused on.
And that means having a change of strategy and a change of leadership at the Defense Department.
KING: We're going to leave it there on this Labor Day. We will see both of you a lot in the two months ahead.
Donna Brazile...
(CROSSTALK)
KING: ... Bay Buchanan, as you know -- and, earlier Mary Snow, as well -- part of the best political team on television -- CNN, America's campaign headquarters.
And up next: Iran's president flexes his military muscle again. We will tell you what Tehran is doing now.
And, in our next hour, our own Zain Verjee's exclusive interview with the former president of Iran, Mohammad Khatami.
Also ahead: The Crocodile Hunter could be killed by a -- if -- if -- if the Crocodile Hunter could be killed by a stingray, are you at risk? We will have fresh reports on Steve Irwin's death and the threat underwater.
Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: And Andrea Koppel joins us now with a closer look at other stories making news.
Hi, Andrea.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi again, John.
Bombs, kidnappings and arrests in Iraq today -- two British soldiers were wounded when a roadside bomb went off next to their military convoy as it passed through Basra. In Baghdad, a policeman and a bystander were injured when a car bomb exploded in the central part of the city. Police also announced that 23-year-old soccer star Ghanim Ghudayer has been kidnapped from his home. And they found the bodies of 40 people who had been shot to death. Most of them had also been tortured.
Iran tests a new air defense system. Tehran says it successfully tested short-range surface-to-surface and sub-to-surface missiles. The maneuvers began August 19. Iran says the tests are part of its drive to become militarily self-sufficient. Iranian officials say they now export more than $100 million worth of military equipment to more than 50 countries.
And the U.S. offers North Korea a carrot. Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Christopher Hill says, one-on-one talks between the U.S. and North Korea are possible, but only if Pyongyang returns to six-party negotiations. Hill is visiting Asia, in hopes of restarting the talks, which stalled last November. He arrived in Tokyo today -- John.
KING: Andrea Koppel -- Andrea, thank you very much.
And still to come here: It's the mother's milk of politics. Who has got the most of it, as the fall battle for Congress heats up?
And, in our next hour, conservative pundit Pat Buchanan squares off on what he calls an immigration emergency with the president of a leading Latino organization.
You are in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: Here's a look at some of the "Hot Shots" coming in from the Associated Press, pictures likely to be in your newspaper tomorrow.
Southern Lebanon: A French soldier helps repair a bombed-out bridge.
Moscow: Orthodox demonstrators drive a wooden stake into a poster of the pop star Madonna. They're demanding the cancellation of her upcoming concert, because she has performed from a crucifix wearing a crown of thorns.
Dallas: A man and his daughter participate in a pro-immigration demonstration.
New York: Twenty-year-old tennis Rafael Nadal serves during his fourth round win at the U.S. Open.
And that's today's "Hot Shots" -- pictures often worth 1,000 words.
On our "Political Radar" this Labor Day, the bottom line two months before congressional elections. The most recent filings show the Republican National Committee has $43 million cash on hand, more than three times the available cash over at the Democratic National Committee.
But the group that oversees the Democratic battle for the Senate had out-raised its Republican counterpart by some $15 million. And, in the battle for the House, the Democrats' Campaign Committee has nearly as much cash on hand, more than $30 million, as the Republicans do. Of course, more money in the bank means the parties have more to spend in the lead-up to Election Day, something they hope will translate into more votes.
On this Labor Day weekend, immigrants and their supporters are holding marches across the nation. About 1,000 people turned out in the streets of Portland, Oregon, yesterday, urging the U.S. House and Senate to break their stalemate over immigration reform. A major immigration rally is planned right here in Washington on Thursday.
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