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The Situation Room
Interview With New York Congressman Charles Rangel; Iran Offers Invitation to Iraqi President; Obama on Iraq; 'Seinfeld' Star Accused of Racist Rant
Aired November 20, 2006 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN KING, CNN ANCHOR: And, to our viewers, you're in THE SITUATION ROOM, where new pictures and information are arriving all the time. Standing by, CNN reporters across the United States and around the world to bring you tonight's top stories.
Happening now: Accused of funding, training and arming Iraq's insurgents, Iran now invites its next-door neighbor for a chat about security. We have the view from inside Iran.
Are some U.S. troops bearing an unfair burden? A powerful congressman says it's time to bring back the draft. I will speak with Congressman Charlie Rangel.
And he left everyone laughing as "Seinfeld"'s friend Kramer. Now he has left everyone appalled. What is behind this comedian's racist rant? We have the tape, and now the apology.
Wolf Blitzer is off today. I'm John King.
You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
While Americans look for a way out of Iraq, Iran has its foot firmly in the door, and is pushing its way more and more into the picture. Now Iran is inviting the leader of Iraq for weekend talks. Is that likely the fox guarding the henhouse?
CNN's Aneesh Raman is inside Iran.
ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John, amid suggestions from U.S. lawmakers that Iraq's government should be doing more to control the situation there, some signs that could be happening, at least diplomatically -- first, Syria and Iraq restoring full diplomatic relations, after those had been cut for about a quarter-of-a-century.
The news came as Syria's foreign minister was in Baghdad -- secondly, word that Iraq's president, Jalal Talabani, is set to arrive in Iran this weekend for talks with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- no word yet on what those talks will be about, but one can presume Shia militias and their role in Iraq, along with their support from Iran, will be top on the list.
Iran and Syria have both called for U.S. troops to leave Iraq, sooner, rather than later, or on a set timetable. Neither of those statements have resonated well in Washington. And it's the difficulty that Iraq is now in, balanced between the country that has its forces in Iraq that is, by all accounts, keeping civil war at bay, vs. the interests of the neighbors of Iraq, who will be around much longer -- John.
KING: Aneesh Raman, for us inside Iran.
And, when an increasingly powerful Iran invites its war-torn neighbor to discuss security, is that an offer Iraq can't refuse?
Correspondent Michael Ware joins us now from Baghdad.
Michael, Iraq's president, Mr. Talabani, is going to Tehran. Do you expect any significant tangible results from that, especially when it comes to improving the security situation?
MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, there is no specific agenda that we have been told of. So, no one has an expectation of the delivery of any immediate prize by President Talabani.
However, from an American perspective, key among the list of things to discuss will be security. Indeed, U.S. intelligence and the American ambassador here and the American commander on the ground here have all repeatedly accused Iran of sending money, fighters, training, and weapons across the border.
We're seeing, essentially, Iran, through its surrogates, killing American and British troops. They are also supporting the major militias, which are the fundamental building blocks of the government that President Talabani represents. These countries share a land border. They fought a long and bitter war. There is much for them to discuss.
But foremost will be security. Now, Iran has also offered to help with the rebuilding of the Iraqi army and the Iraqi intelligence service. America does not want that to happen. We will see if that comes up in President Talabani's discussions.
KING: And, Michael, I want to bring your attention to the policy debate here in the United States -- a number of competing proposals being kicked around, as to what the United States should do to change its strategy. Almost every one of them says they have to do a better job, after three-and-a-half-plus years in Iraq, of finding a way to improve the training of Iraqi security forces.
Is any progress being made, while the politicians and others back here in Washington debate what to do next?
WARE: Not really, John. I mean, have only have so much to work with here in Iraq.
And, as we know, most of the security forces, particularly the police and the national police, the former commando paramilitary units, are heavily infiltrated by the Shia militias. That's why we're seeing, in Sunni areas to the west, police being recruited locally, because Sunnis simply cannot trust their own men in uniform, if they come from the central government. There's really very little here for the Americans to work with. We have seen an entire brigade of Iraqi national police taken offline because of its complicity in death squad activity. That unit is now undergoing further training.
But, overall, essentially, America needs to accept that it has not been winning this war so far, and, in fact, its enemies, al Qaeda and Iran, have been emboldened by this war. America needs to make a reassessment, firstly, of what is it trying to achieve. Any concept of establishing a bristling, shiny new democracy for the Middle East has to be cast aside.
America needs to downscale its goals. And that will help reshape what strategy it applies, and how many forces that's going to need, and for how long. Essentially, America needs to accept it's not going to get what it set out to do -- John.
KING: Correspondent Michael Ware for us in Baghdad -- Michael, thank you very much.
WARE: Thank you, John.
KING: That reassessment is under way now at the Pentagon, from trying to win the war, to trying to find a way out. Military planners are reviewing all their strategy options. Are there any good choices left, is one of the questions.
Let's turn now to our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: John, Pentagon officials say, whatever recommendations will be coming from the U.S. military regarding Iraq are currently locked in the head of Joint Chiefs Chairman General Peter Pace.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MCINTYRE (voice-over): Pentagon officials say, there are a lot of myths that have grown up around its internal review of Iraq strategy.
Perhaps the biggest is that the reappraisal will producer a formal report or make any firm recommendations for the way ahead. Instead, officials say, what has been dubbed the strategic dialogue group is more of a brainstorming exercise among 16 of the brightest military officers, mostly colonels or equivalent rank, who are fresh from the front lines in Iraq.
They have been meeting regularly with Chairman Peter Pace and the rest of the Joint Chiefs, providing insights, advice and an unvarnished reality check, according to Pentagon insiders, so Pace can hone his advice to the president, which he hasn't yet offered.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I haven't made any decisions about troop increases or troop decreases, and won't, until I hear from a variety of sources, including our own United States military.
MCINTYRE: Pentagon officials say, a second myth is that the Pentagon group has outlined three options, described by "The Washington Post" describes as go big, for sending a lot more troops, go home, for pulling out quickly, or go long, for the current plan of stepped-up training for Iraqi troops, along with perhaps a short boost in U.S. troop levels.
The "Post" report did prompt outgoing House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter to label his latest idea with a similar catchphrase...
REP. DUNCAN HUNTER (R-CA), HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: Go Iraqi.
MCINTYRE: ... calling for Iraqi units in nine relatively peaceful provinces to be moved to the front lines.
HUNTER: In those provinces are 27 Iraqi battalions. Those Iraqi battalions could be sent into the contested areas in Baghdad, and should be sent into those contested areas.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MCINTYRE: Hunter's idea is more in line with what General John Abizaid, the top Persian Gulf commander, outlined as his preferred strategy last week, pushing Iraqi forces into the lead before the violence spins out of control -- John.
KING: Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon -- thank you, Jamie.
And, coming up: the draft. Find out why a leading Democrat wants to bring it back. Could it really happen? Congressman Charlie Rangel is here in THE SITUATION ROOM.
Inexperienced, but with high hopes -- we sit down with Senator Barack Obama, as he lays out his vision for Iraq.
Plus: FOX kills O.J., so to speak, pulling the plug on O.J. Simpson's multimillion-dollar book and interview deal, after their own stations revolt.
You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: President Bush is heading back to Washington from Asia. Overshadowing his trip at every stop? The Iraq war.
Our White House correspondent Ed Henry is traveling with the president.
ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: John, on his final day in Asia, the president came here to the presidential palace in Indonesia. He faced a wave of protests, and more questions about troop levels in Iraq. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HENRY (voice-over): Thousands of protesters in the streets of Bogor, Indonesia, a Muslim country seething about President Bush's invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan.
During a brief joint press conference with his Indonesian counterpart, Mr. Bush tried to downplay the protest with a quip.
BUSH: It's not the first time, by the way, that people have showed up and expressed their opinion about my policies.
HENRY: Perhaps a fitting end to a weeklong swing through Asia that highlighted the unpopularity of the war in Iraq, attending the APEC summit in Vietnam, inviting inevitable comparisons between two unpopular wars.
The president's final day in the region began in Vietnam, banging the gong at the stock exchange in Ho Chi Minh City, to highlight a former enemy's burgeoning economy.
After criticism he had not been mingling with ordinary people on his trip, the president was bobbing to the beat, as children performed traditional Vietnamese dances and songs.
But a much more hostile reception was waiting in Indonesia...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The biggest terrorist in the world.
HENRY: ... where there's anger about the war in Iraq.
BUSH: I haven't made any decisions about troop increases or troop decreases, and won't until I hear from a variety of sources, including our own United States military.
So, I haven't -- there's no need to comment on something that may not happen. But, if it were to happen, I would tell you the upsides and downsides.
HENRY: And when the Indonesian president was asked whether he had privately urged the U.S. president to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq, Mr. Bush jumped in.
BUSH: I mean, I would be glad to answer for him. No, he didn't. But he can answer it for himself.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HENRY: There was so much concern here about the president's security that he would not even stay overnight in Indonesia -- the White House choosing instead to fly him for 13 hours, so he could sleep safe and sound in Hawaii -- John.
KING: Ed Henry, traveling with the president.
Meanwhile, one of the Democratic prospects hoping to succeed Mr. Bush is out talking about the war.
Today, Democratic Senator Barack Obama gave a speech in Chicago.
CNN's Don Lemon sat down with the senator afterwards.
And Don joins us now live with more -- Don.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: And, John, the -- the junior senator certainly looked presidential today, giving a press conference, taking Q&A afterwards, and being very critical of the Bush administration's handling of the war in Iraq.
And, when he sat down with CNN, he was even more critical and more candid.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Still no formal presidential declaration, but the junior senator from Illinois sounds a lot like a candidate, when criticizing the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq, and offering his own plan for ending the war.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), ILLINOIS: If we commit our troops anywhere in the world, it is our solemn responsibility to define their mission and formulate a viable plan to fulfill that mission, and bring our troops home.
LEMON: Obama spoke to a packed audience, Chicago's Council on Global Affairs, then sat down with CNN to offer words of alarm about the escalating violence in Iraq.
(on camera): You're calling it a civil war. Do you believe that?
OBAMA: I think this is a low-grade civil war, in addition to an insurgency, in addition to terrorists actively involved in what's taking place in Iraq.
You know, what we have is a toxic brew.
LEMON (voice-over): Obama suggested a specific timetable to begin withdrawing troops, four to six months, after Baghdad is secured by American and Iraqi forces; then, troop levels should be lowered, after consulting with military leaders.
And what of a call from fellow Democrat, New York Representative Charles Rangel, to reinstate the draft?
OBAMA: I think that he, understandably, believes that all of us should be making sacrifices, not just a few of us.
My attitude is, is that, if we have good strategy, then the volunteer military forces that we have in place right now are more than adequate.
Thank you very much, everybody. (APPLAUSE)
OBAMA: Thank you.
LEMON: Critics dismissed Obama's speech, accusing him of trying to build a foreign policy resume. The same critics say the American people would never entrust troops in harm's way to someone with Obama's lack of experience.
OBAMA: The important thing is not experience, per se -- Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney had the best resumes in Washington, and initiated a fiasco in Iraq -- but, rather, does someone have the judgment necessary to learn from experience and make good decisions?
LEMON (on camera): Why should someone vote for you, though, over someone like a Hillary Clinton, who already has a machine in place, her staff is in place, and her husband was the president, and she, you know, has more experience than you, and was also the first lady and has some knowledge about what happens with politics?
OBAMA: Don, you know, the -- that would be a decision that the American people would make at the point where I made a determination that I was a candidate.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: And the senator insists that this -- this is not a dress rehearsal. And he knows has got to make a decision soon. He's up against the clock. And he also has to raise a lot of money, probably by the 1st of the year, $50 million to $100 million.
Again, he says it's not a dress rehearsal, John. And he promises, this time, to give us an answer, after he discusses this with his family over the holidays. He says we should have a formal answer from him soon -- John.
KING: We will await that answer, Don, but it sure looks like an audition.
Don Lemon for us in Chicago -- thanks very much, Don -- interesting interview.
And, if Obama does decide to jump into the race for the White House, does he have a chance? A brand-new CNN poll, out this afternoon, shows he's the number-two choice among Democrats to be the party's 2008 nominee. Senator Hillary Clinton is at the top of the list, with 33 percent support. Obama comes in at 15 percent, a statistical dead heat for second place with John Edwards and Al Gore.
And still to come: A school bus plummets off a freeway overpass with 30 students on board. We will have the investigation into this deadly accident.
And racist tirade -- a former "Seinfeld" star goes ballistic at his own audience. There are new developments tonight. We will have them for you right here in THE SITUATION ROOM. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: A mix of grief and deep concern tonight in Huntsville, Alabama, where a school bus plunged off a freeway overpass, killing three students and injuring dozens.
CNN's Rusty Dornin is live at the scene for us with the latest -- Rusty.
RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, still so many questions about who or want forced this bus off the overpass. Now, investigators have left the scene, but you can still see the bus sitting where it landed when it plunged off the freeway overpass this morning.
Now, one witness did tell police that they did see a small car that swerved and possibly hit the bus, forcing it into the railing and over the side of that overpass, plummeting 30 feet down to the cement. And it looks it plunged right on its nose, smashing the front of the bus.
There were 43 children aboard. Three died. Dozens were wounded. Ten walked away from the crash, which is pretty amazing in itself. There are still a couple of the kids who are in grave condition right now. So, this town really is grieving over this freak accident that happened -- still no word on who was driving the car or exactly what happened.
But the NTSB is here, and they will be investigating the cause of this crash -- John.
KING: Rusty Dornin live at the scene for us -- horrible, horrible.
Rusty, thank you very much.
And just ahead here, he's about to assume one of the most powerful committee posts in Congress, and Democrat Charlie Rangel says it's time to bring back the draft. I will ask him why he thinks it's a good idea -- my interview with Charlie Rangel coming up.
Plus: details of a sudden turnaround by the people behind O.J. Simpson's controversial book and TV special about the murders that shocked the world.
Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: To our viewers, you're in THE SITUATION ROOM, where new pictures and information are arriving all the time.
Happening now: The president of Iran invites the president of Iraq to a weekend summit in Tehran. Iran says it's an effort to tackle the chaos in Iraq. A spokesman for the Iraqi president says Jalal Talabani has accepted Iranian Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's invitation. Also: details emerging tonight about the seizure of a submarine off the coast of Costa Rica. Officials captured the homemade vessel Friday, saying it was carrying more than three tons of cocaine. Four men on the submarine were arrested.
And no laughter at a well-known comedian's comments -- the man who played Kramer on the show "Seinfeld" launches into a racist tirade. In a few moments, we will show you the tape of what Michael Richards said, and also what he's saying about it now.
Wolf Blitzer is off today. I'm John King. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
Democratic Charlie Rangel suggests that minorities and lower- income families bear too much of the burden in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is proposing a very controversial solution.
We asked his constituents about that earlier today.
CNN's Mary Snow is in New York -- Mary.
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, Congressman Rangel suggests that bringing back the draft would ensure that everyone shares in the sacrifice.
We went to his district to find out what people there had to say about it.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SNOW (voice-over): This is 125th Street, in the heart of Harlem. Outside a military recruitment station, you don't have to go far to find support congressman Charles Rangel's idea to revive the draft, if needed.
MICHAEL ARROYO, RESIDENT OF HARLEM: Well, if we are short on troops, we have no choice. We got to defend this country. I think everybody should contribute, rich or poor.
SNOW: This is Congressman Rangel's district in New York. And its constituents know all too well about the struggles of the poor. Thirty percent of the population is estimated to be at the poverty level. Hispanics and African-Americans make up most of the population. Rangel says, communities like this are targets for military recruiters. He says a draft would level the field.
REP. CHARLES RANGEL (D), NEW YORK: There's no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq, especially on the flimsy evidence that was presented to the Congress, if indeed we had a draft, and members of Congress and the administration thought that their kids, from their communities, would be placed in harm's way.
SNOW: But the Army directed us to a study done at the Heritage Foundation. TIM KANE, HERITAGE FOUNDATION: For every two volunteers from the poorest American neighborhoods, there are three volunteers from the wealthiest American neighborhoods. So, there is a terrible myth out there that says we need to have a draft, because America's military is, you know, unbalanced.
SNOW: When it comes to recruiting people, one Air Force recruiter says most volunteers are enlisting, in hopes of paying for their education, and starting a career.
SERGEANT DANNY ULCH, U.S. AIR FORCE RECRUITER: I would say there are very few percentage right now, of the kids that come in, and, "Sergeant Ulch, you know what, I want to join the Air Force, because, you know, I'm patriotic and I want to serve my country." I just don't see a lot of that right now.
SNOW: James England, a Harlem resident, says he volunteered for the Marines during the Vietnam war to get a job, and says many here are doing the same thing today.
JAMES ENGLAND, RESIDENT OF HARLEM: There are not a lot of opportunities, as far as jobs available in -- in a paying field that would allow to you have a meaningful life in the community.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SNOW: One of the last polls done on this subject was back in March. CBS found out that 68 percent of Americans opposed reinstating the military draft -- John.
KING: Mary Snow for us in New York -- Mary, thank you very much.
And Charlie Rangel soon will be the chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee. He will have quite a bit of influence on Capitol Hill, but that doesn't mean he will be able to sell his idea of reviving the draft.
Chairman Rangel -- I will call you that a bit early, prematurely, perhaps -- but, Chairman Rangel, I want to start with the idea that many of your colleagues, your Democratic colleagues, are backing away from this idea.
The speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi had a photo-op today with your majority-leader-to-be, Steny Hoyer. And she, essentially, was making the point, you are going to be very, very busy, as the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and that she thought it was best -- my language -- that maybe you stay in your lane, deal with tax issues, deal with spending issues.
Over on the Senate side, a spokesman for Harry Reid, who will be the majority leader of the Senate in January, said this: "The administration has stretched our troops to the breaking point. The burden of meeting the nation's security needs has not been shared equally by all segments of our society. However, Senator Reid still believes these problems are best addressed by making needed adjustments in the all-volunteer force, rather than scrapping the system completely."
So, you are a lonely voice in the new Democratic caucus, are you not?
RANGEL: Let's face it now. It's not within my jurisdiction, but, as long as I'm alive, I want the administration to justify why we're in Iraq.
And if, indeed, there is going to be a military victory, we ought to know that. And, if we're going to need more troops, I'm sick and tired of them coming to the same communities, offering hundreds of thousands of dollars, and spending $4 billion on ads.
Anyone that will tell you that the affluent are enlisting are just not telling the truth. So, whether this becomes a bill or not, the debate will prove that they are enlisting and recruiting in areas of the highest unemployment. And that is whether it's the inner cities or whether it's the rural areas. And, so, that's a fact.
And if you take a look at the war dead and the wounded you will see they neither come from well-known cities or towns you never heard of in the south and the west and those are the facts. And so whoever challenges those are 100 percent wrong.
KING: Among those challenging the facts is Duncan Hunter. You know him well in the House, he's currently the chairman of the Armed Services Committee. When the Republicans lose the majority in January he will become the ranking member. I want you to listen to something Congressman Hunter, Republican of California said a bit earlier today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. DUNCAN HUNTER (R-CA), ARMED SERVICES CHMN.: Right now the military is meeting all of its goals on re-enlistment and accessions into the military. We're doing very, very well. And while you have people who are volunteering to take spots in the U.S. military, it doesn't make sense to be drafting people who would be displacing those persons.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Congressman, Mr. Hunter's point seems to be you're getting a higher caliber of people who walk up and volunteer than you would be if you drafted people and that your proposal would lower the readiness, if you will.
RANGEL: Well, the head military officer general in Iraq testified last week in front of a Senate Committee and while he said we didn't need any more troops, he said that even if we did, we don't have that many combat troops available.
So what does this mean? You send the troops back five and six times? You go deeper into the reserves and the National Guard. This is so totally unfair. Let me make it abundantly clear, if there's anyone that believes that going to war is a national interest, I don't see why they would say that everyone should be in harm's way if we go at all. If it is not enough to be patriotic and to enlist, then it is not enough to go to war. We have never heard the president of the United States or the commander-in-chief make any argument in appealing to the people to enlist because it is the patriotic thing to do.
Instead of that, they offer $40,000 bonus, $70,000 education, and $4 billion in ads. And so I'm saying if you have to go to war, don't just let the poor that come from these communities of high unemployment be in harm's way. Let everyone go or look to diplomatic solutions to these very serious problems. But each time they say, put the military options on the table in Iran, the military options on the table in North Korea, we need more troops in Iraq, then I'm saying that it's not their kids they're talking about. Most of the people talking have received deferments.
KING: Congressman Rangel, you make a point and you make it with quite passion. The Democrats are about to take charge and one of the questions is, can the party govern? Can the party show the discipline to keep focused on its agenda? Have any members of the leadership called you up and said Charlie, we understand your point, Charlie we respect your point, but Charlie please be quiet, don't talk about this right now?
RANGEL: Of course not. No one would ever say this to Charlie because I am saying that if our country is in danger, if there was something that I could do to make a sacrifice I would do it. I don't believe that anyone that is serious in believing that invading Iraq and staying in Iraq and looking for a victory in Iraq, if they really think they're doing this in order to safeguard America and they don't support that everyone should make a sacrifice, I think that's hypocritical.
KING: Let me ask you this question. You will put your proposal forward. You say you would at least like a hearing on it to have a significant debate about troop levels and where they should come from in this country. Is there any doubt in your mind, your proposal does not have the votes. You know that full well. Any doubt in your mind that the Democrats will push to increase the size of the military in the new Congress?
RANGEL: I don't know what they would do, but don't say I don't have the votes. You don't get the votes or you're not supposed to get them. In this new Congress, bills get hearings, they listen to the evidence and they determine whether or not they need this type of legislative solution. Now we haven't even had a Congress. We don't have the committees. As a matter of fact, the next chairman of the Armed Services Committee will be Ike Skelton. And Ike knows that he represents rural areas that too many people from rural areas that need jobs are looking toward the military. And he's put out press releases about it. So I don't know what's going to happen in the next Congress. I do know this, some people are saying we need a military solution in Iraq. And I'm saying with whose kids do you need it?
KING: Congressman Charlie Rangel, soon to be part of the Democratic majority in the House of Representatives. We'll continue to watch this as you come back to Washington. Sir thank you for your time today. RANGEL: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING: Up ahead tonight, an astonishing end to O.J. Simpson's imaginary confession. We'll tell you what's happened with his book and TV special. And racist tirade. What happened at the Laugh Factory is no laughing matter. A former "Seinfeld" star is facing a barrage of criticism tonight. We have the video and his apology. Stay right here, you're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: He made millions laugh with his comedic talents on "Seinfeld." But no one is laughing at a racist tirade by actor Michael Richards, famous for playing Kramer on NBC's hit series.
CNN's Brooke Anderson is live for us in Los Angeles with a report that contains language some may find disturbing -- Brooke?
BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: John, Michael Richards shocked and stunned a packed house of about 300 people at the Laugh Factory here in Los Angeles Friday night when he exploded into a racist, expletive-laden tirade that has many people demanding answers.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL RICHARDS, ACTOR: Throw his ass out, he's a nigger. He's a nigger. He's a nigger.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my god.
RICHARDS: A nigger, look, there's a nigger.
ANDERSON (voice-over): Renowned actor and stand-up comic Michael Richards, best know as Kramer from "Seinfeld" veered from his act and exploded in anger at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles Friday night.
RICHARDS: All right, you see? This shocks you. It shocks you, you see what's buried beneath you stupid (BLEEP).
ANDERSON: In this cell phone video obtained by TMZ.com Richards' outrage escalates and offended audience members challenge him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That was uncalled for.
RICHARDS: What was uncalled for? It's uncalled for you to interrupt my ass you cheap (BLEEP). You guys have been talking and talking and talking.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That was uncalled for you (BLEEP).
RICHARDS: Cracker ass? You calling me cracker ass, nigger?
ANDERSON: Darryl Pitts was in the audience, and says Richards completely lost control when a group of people were disruptive and told him he wasn't funny.
RICHARDS: Shut up. Fifty years ago they would have had you all tied down with a (BLEEP) fork up your ass.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That ain't necessary.
RICHARDS: Well, you interrupted me, pal. That's what happens when you interrupt.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Uncalled for. That was uncalled for.
ANDERSON: Pitts says this venomous personal attack against the rowdy group stunned the 300 in attendance.
DARYLL PITTS, AUDIENCE MEMBER: It just got totally silent. It just took all of the air out of the room. He dropped the mike and just walked off. There was never any, I'm sorry for what you just saw.
ANDERSON: Comedian Paul Rodriguez was also on the bill Friday night.
PAUL RODRIGUEZ: Once the word "nigger" comes out of your mouth and you don't happen to be African-American, then you have a whole lot of explaining.
ANDERSON: But Richards, who was back on stage at the Laugh Factory 24 hours later, didn't explain, refusing to talk on camera. He told CNN off camera, he felt sorry for what happened, and he had made amends. To whom or how he made amends, Richards didn't say.
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld issued a statement telling CNN, quote, "I am sick over this. I am sure Michael is also sick over this horrible, horrible mistake... It is so extremely offensive. I feel terrible for all of the people who have been hurt."
Comedians are known to sometimes cross the line of good taste within their acts. But Pitts says Richards' actions far exceeded the boundaries or what's acceptable and that he should take responsibility.
PITTS: He needs to make a public apology to everyone, because he offended every African-American in this country with what he did.
RODRIGUEZ: Freedom of speech has its limitations, and I think Michael Richards found those limitations.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON (on camera): John, Laugh Factory manager and co-owner Jamie Masada (ph) told CNN just a few hours ago that on Friday night, he refunded club patrons their money for the performance and gave them tickets to return on another night. KING: Brooke, I want to ask you to stand by as we share something just coming into the SITUATION ROOM. Michael Richards, speaking out about that incident. The "CBS Evening News" led the Katie Couric broadcast with this excerpt from "The Late Show with David Letterman," in which Richards and his former co-star Jerry Seinfeld talk about what happened in that L.A. comedy club.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JERRY SEINFELD, COMEDIAN: I was extremely upset about it, and he is extremely upset about it. And I asked him if he would come on the show tonight.
MICHAEL RICHARDS, ACTOR: I lost my temper on stage. I was at a comedy club trying to do my act and I got heckled. And I -- I took it badly and went into a rage.
For me to be in a comedy club and flip out and say this crap, you know, I'm deeply, deeply sorry. I'm not a racist. That's what's so insane about this.
SEINFELD: I know how shattered he is about this. And he deserves a chance -- that's I wanted him to come on. He deserves a chance to apologize.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Brooke, you've covered this story and you've covered Hollywood and the entertainment scene. Is that an explanation that's going to supply?
ANDERSON: Well, it remains to be seen, John.
A coalition of African-American leaders have condemned Richards. And today, the atmosphere was very tense. There was actually a protest outside the Laugh Factory here in L.A., outside where he performed. And inside, things really escalated during a press conference held by club manager and co-owner Jamie Masada and comedian Paul Rodriguez, who was also on the bill.
You know, people were yelling at them, take responsibility, don't justify his actions, to which they responded, we don't justify these actions, we don't condone them, and Michael Richards is banned from performing at the Laugh Factory again.
So it remains to be seen how this will affect his career long term.
KING: Brooke Anderson for us in Los Angeles.
Brooke, thank you very much.
O.J. Simpson has long maintained he's innocent of killing his ex- wife and her friend. So many are asking, why would he want to talk about it, how he would have committed the murders, if he did it.
Our Jason Carroll is in New York with new developments on this story -- Jason.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If he did it, the public will have to wait to find out how O.J. Simpson would have gone about it.
Late today, News Corp., owner of Fox News, bowed to increasing criticism and scrapped the publishing of Simpson's book titled, "If I Did It."
News Corp. also canceled plans to air a TV special where Simpson's book explains how, hypothetically, he would have called his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman.
News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch said, "I and senior management agree with the American public that this was an ill-considered project."
It wasn't just a public outcry. Much came from within News Corp.'s own ranks. Fox's Bill O'Reilly harshly criticized the decision to publish the book and air the interview, calling it "simply indefensible and a low point in American culture."
O'Reilly went a step further, saying he would boycott Simpson's book, as well as any companies that advertised during the televised special.
Fox's Geraldo Rivera expresses his anger on ABC's "Good Morning America".
GERALDO RIVERA, FOX NEWS: I think this project, whoever created it and wherever it's going to air, is just about as low as you can go. This is an appalling idea, involving a low down and dirty double murderer.
CARROLL: The revolt within Fox gained momentum over the past few days. A dozen local Fox stations refused to air the Simpson interview. Ron's Goldman's family set up a website where thousands signed an online petition to boycott the show and the book.
FRED GOLDMAN, RON GOLDMAN'S FATHER: It was amazing that this whole thing has gotten as far as it's gotten. Nothing would surprise me that this SOB would do, but the fact that someone is willing to publish this garbage, that Fox is willing to put it on air, is just morally despicable to me.
CARROLL: Before the plug was pulled on the deal, Judith Regan, publisher of Regan Books, owned by News Corp., explained why she went forward with the controversial project:
"I made the decision to publish this book and to sit face to face with the killer because I wanted him and the men who broke my heart and your hearts to tell the truth, to confess their sins, to do penance, and to amend their lives." (on camera): Regan could not be reached for comment about the book or TV cancellation. Simpson's attorney told CNN even though the deal has already fallen through, Simpson has already been compensated for the deal. The book's publisher made an undisclosed payment toward his children's education.
Jason Carroll, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING: And for more on this story, tune in for Larry King tonight. "LARRY KING LIVE," here on CNN. At 9:00 Eastern, Fred Goldman will sit down with Larry and discuss this latest development.
Up ahead here in the SITUATION ROOM, some people wouldn't be caught dead in these outfits, but these are world leaders are you seeing. Jeanne Moos takes a look at summit fashions.
And if you need something to fuel your nightmares, here's a potential catastrophe, but it won't happen for another 23 years. Carroll Costello will tell us if anything can be done about it.
Stay right here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: President Bush today wrapped up his Asia trip with a brief visit to Indonesia, that after leaving Vietnam, where he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. That meeting ended with Mr. Bush and his fellow world leaders, as is tradition, playing dress up. CNN's Jeanne Moos has the fashion 411.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There is it, plastered on newspapers worldwide, President Bush in pajamas? A designer hospital gown?
Whatever it is, it got almost as much coverage as the TomKat wedding gown.
It's hard not to laugh when you see a tough guy like the former head of the KGB in this getup. Just be glad President Bush didn't accessorize with a matching hat and bag that complete the ensemble, customized with the president's own label, just so, say, Vladimir Putin doesn't accidentally slip into George W.'s outfit.
And here they are, looking like they just stepped out of a bad Clint Eastwood movie.
Every year, world leaders at the Asian Pacific summit dress up in traditional outfits for the summit photo.
This was fall 2004 in Chile.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Bush, Mr. Howard, can we get a shot of you together?
MOOS: The leaders look like they can't wait to disrobe. You would too if journalists were poking fun at you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: President Bush is trying to hide on the back row. We know you are there, Mr. President.
MOOS: Bearing a vague sartorial resemblance to a certain villain.
You can blame these wardrobe malfunctions on Bill Clinton. He got the tradition started by handing out bomber jackets at the first APEC summit in 1993.
President Clinton seemed to get a kick out of playing dressup, looking comfortable even in a nifty Indonesian shirt.
And this could be a waiters' convention. The photographer at this summit in Mexico dangled sun tan lotion from a stick so the world leaders would watch the birdie and look into the lens.
Maybe people in potato chip pant suits shouldn't throw stones. I have been out in public wearing an outfit made of snack packaging.
(on camera): I don't know if I like being called value size.
(voice-over): No photographer would want his view of this obstructed.
The world leaders seem to get a kick out of seeing each other in non-business attire, though the president's critics would say he is no stranger to wearing costumes.
And sometimes they come in handy. For instance, when the president of South Korea needed to wipe his eyes.
If Rudy Giuliani runs for president, he already will have had plenty of practice playing dressup. And even when Rudi stripped at a press roast, his approval ratings didn't sink like a rock-ette.
Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING: As only Jeanne Moos can.
Let's find out what's coming up next hour on "PAULA ZAHN NOW." Hi, Paula.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: I had forgotten about that exciting routine, John. Long buried in the archives long ago.
Tonight, we're going to talk about the controversial call to bring back the draft. Just one of the top stories we'll be looking at. In depth tonight, we'll not only hear from the politicians, we'll also hear from some of the young men and women who are volunteering for military duty, even though they know there is a good chance they will be on the front lines in Iraq and the war on terror. It's all coming up at the top of the hour.
See, John, if you lived here in New York, you would have gotten to see that in person, of Rudy with the Rockettes.
KING: Rudy and the Rockettes. I suspect if Rudy keeps running, we're going to see a lot of that video.
ZAHN: Yes, you will.
KING: Paula, we'll be watching in a few minutes. Thank you.
And still ahead here, it sounds like science fiction, but the facts are more frightening. An asteroid on a possible collision course with Earth. We'll show you what, if anything, can be done about it. Carol Costello has that story. Stay right here, here in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We won't know for sure for years, but there is a slim chance our planet could be on a collision course with an asteroid. And while the worst-case scenario is unlikely, it is possible. So what can be done? CNN's Carol Costello is looking into it. She joins us live from New York with our "Welcome to the Future" report -- Carol.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, you sound skeptical, John. You know, it may be a possibility, but if an asteroid does hit Earth, there's no going back. That's why NASA is trying to find a way to stop something that weighs 25 million tons and goes, oh, about, about 35 million miles per hour. It's trying to stop Armageddon.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO (voice-over): It's the kind of catastrophe Hollywood dreams of as in the movie "Armageddon," but it's not all hype. There really is an asteroid out there. The 25 million ton Apophis. It could pack enough punch to wipe out a small country. Scientists say they are 99.7 percent sure it will miss us in 2029, but it will come so close some will be able to see it, and that is too close.
BRUCE WILLIS, ACTOR: The United States government just asked us to save the world. Anybody want to say no?
COSTELLO: And because NASA thinks Armageddon isn't as far- fetched as it might appear on the screen, it is now looking for its own action hero: An astronaut to land a spaceship on an asteroid hurtling through space at 30,000 miles per hour to figure out how to deflect something worse than anything Hollywood can cook up.
(on camera): I'm picturing Bruce Willis with this big old bomb standing on the asteroid and planting it right in the middle and blowing it to smithereens.
MICHAEL SHARA, ASTROPHYSICIST: Gosh, I hope not. That would be just bad news.
COSTELLO: Mike Shara is an astrophysicist at New York's American Museum of Natural History.
SHARA: That will just send tens or hundreds of pieces heading our way. And instead of being hit by a 45, what will happen is we'll be hit by a shotgun blast.
COSTELLO: Experts say there is a better way, called deflection methodology.
SHARA: You either land on it or dock with it and gently push it a little bit so that you speed it up in its path. Or better still, just get in front of it with a massive spacecraft and let the gravitational attraction to the spacecraft speed it up a little bit.
COSTELLO: In other words, unlike the heroes of Hollywood's "Armageddon," a crafty astronaut might simply knock the thing off course, saving humanity until the next time.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Apophis, which means, by the way, death, is due to fly by Earth on Friday the 13th, 2029. Now, there is a 1 in 45,000 chance it will cosmically veer off course and it will hit the Earth. Don't roll your eyes. And I can tell you are, John King.
KING: Deflection methodology. You cut that class in college, didn't you?
COSTELLO: Yes, but I learned a lot today, John.
KING: That's a fascinating -- look, I'm not rolling my eyes. We need to learn these things.
COSTELLO: Liar, liar, pants on fire.
KING: Carol Costello from New York, thank you very much.
Thanks for joining us. I'm John King. Come back tomorrow.
Up next, "PAULA ZAHN NOW."
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