Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Republican Senator Jim Jeffords Considering Switching Parties

Aired May 22, 2001 - 20:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, HOST: Tonight: The break-up of a hundred-year marriage is bound to be unpleasant. As Ford and Firestone accuse each other of faulty products, another huge recall is in the works, millions of tires. We'll go live to Detroit.

Can cell phones cause brain tumors? We'll tell you what the latest government report says. And using cell phones while driving: How dangerous is it? I'll speak with New Jersey senator Jon Corzine, who wants to ban the practice.

And why is Bill Clinton's former attorney now defending Bill Clinton's former nemesis? I'll speak with Robert Bennett, who's backing President Bush's choice for a key job in the Justice Department.

Good evening. I'm Wolf Blitzer, reporting tonight from Capitol Hill.

We begin tonight with car safety on two fronts. How safe are your tires? And should you be allowed to drive and talk on the cell phone at the same time?

First tires. Last year six-and-a-half million Firestone tires were recalled. Today Ford Motor Company announced it was recalling another 13 million Firestone tires at a cost of more than $2 billion, and that's our top story.

Joining us now live from Dearborn, Michigan, with the latest, CNN's Jeff Flock.

Jeff?

JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Wolf, last night the news that that all-time long-time marriage between Ford and Firestone was coming to an end, today the details, today Ford announcing that it is recalling, in fact, replacing all Firestone Wilderness AT tires on all of its products, Ford saying that it is taking that action after getting information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as well as information from Firestone, as well as its own testing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): These are pictures just released by Ford of its latest Firestone tire testing -- tire-drum tests for durability and performance, a peel-strength test of adhesion between the belts, flat- track testing. Ford's conclusion:

JACQUES NASSER, PRES./CEO FORD MOTOR COMPANY: Some of these tires were sending us early warning signals about future problems.

FLOCK: So Ford's CEO, Jacques Nasser, says Ford is going to replace up to 13 million Firestone Wilderness AT tires, the same models as those being looked at in 6,000 accidents and 174 rollover deaths on Ford Explorers.

NASSER: We simply do not have enough confidence in the future performance of these tires keeping our customers safe.

FLOCK: The news came first on Capitol Hill, as Ford's Nasser made his case to legislators and regulators.

SEN. BILLY TAUZIN (R), LOUISIANA: But obviously, if the numbers are right, if these tires fail at a rate better than three times the industry standard, it's an action that Ford cannot afford not to take.

FLOCK: Analysts agree, despite the $2 billion-plus that Ford will play for the replacement program.

DAVID LITTMAN, COMMERCIAL BANK CHIEF ECONOMIST: This is something that hurts in the short run, but obviously, Ford has alternative tire makers, and I think it'll put behind them.

FLOCK: The Ford-Firestone relationship dates to the turn of the century, when Henry Ford chose fried Harvey Firestone's tires for his Model T. Current Ford chairman William Clay Ford, Jr., is the great- grandson of both men.

WILLIAM CLAY FORD, JR., CHAIRMAN, FORD MOTOR COMPANY: And to see, you know, this all taking place obviously is something that's -- it's deeply disturbing. And you know, in a way, it taints a lot of family memories and a lot of the family legacy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FLOCK: But Mr. Ford saying today that apparently his commitment to his customers at Ford more important to him than his own family legacy. So he said, in some sense, it really wasn't a very difficult decision for him to make at all.

Wolf?

BLITZER: Jeff Flock in Dearborn, Michigan, thank you very much.

And turning now to another subject of safety concerns, your cell phone. Asked to investigate whether cell phone radiation is harmful, the government's General Accounting Office today released an inconclusive report. It says research does not show that mobile phone emissions have adverse health effects, but it also says there is not enough information yet to conclude that cell phones pose no risk. Lawmakers have asked the government to provide consumers with more information, and in plain English, on cell phone safety.

A move by other lawmakers could make the mobile phone a lot less mobile. They want your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. CNN's Jeanne Meserve picks up that part of the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Dialing and driving, a bad mix, Congressman Gary Ackerman decided one day while he talked from his car on his cell phone.

REP. GARY ACKERMAN (D), NEW YORK: Then my wife said, "You know you're not really in your lane, you're all over the road?" And it suddenly dawned on me that it's not just the other jerks that you see driving around.

MESERVE: Ackerman and Senator Jon Corzine of New Jersey are proposing legislation that would withhold federal highway funds from states that do not ban cell phone use in cars, though Corzine's bill would give states the option of allowing hands-free devices like earpieces and headsets.

The accident that critically injured supermodel Niki Taylor was caused, the driver says, when he reached for a cell phone. And there also was the case of Jack E. Robinson, the U.S. Senate candidate from Massachusetts, who was participating in a radio call-in show while driving his car.

JACK E. ROBINSON (R-MA), SENATE CANDIDATE: ... just because the governor doesn't think that there could be -- I just got in an accident!

MESERVE: The driver of another car was to blame, but the perception exists that cell phones distract drivers and cause significant numbers of accidents.

MANTILL WILLIAMS, AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION: There is absolutely no evidence that suggest that cell phones alone are a major cause of accidents.

MESERVE: Even the head of the National Highway Safety Administration says banning cell phone in cars is premature, though 40 states are considering legislation and at least 10 localities have passed restrictions.

The cellular industry says common sense can't be legislated, and the American Automobile Association points out that by facilitating the prompt reporting of accidents, cell phones have actually saved lives, like another once-maligned piece of equipment.

WILLIAMS: As early as 1913, we were looking at banning windshield wipers because people believed that they were very distracting to the drivers.

MESERVE (on camera): A couple of recent polls highlight a dilemma. In one, 67 percent said they would like to see a ban on using cell phones while driving. But when another poll asked "Would you obey such a ban?" 61 percent said no.

Jeanne Meserve, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: There's another major story here on Capitol Hill, the possibility that moderate Republican senator Jim Jeffords of Vermont may switch parties and become a Democrat. Let's go live to the White House, CNN's White House correspondent Major Garrett, who's following that part of the story.

Major, what are you hearing from your sources here in Washington?

MAJOR GARRETT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What I'm hearing, Wolf, is that there is a growing body of evidence that Senator Jeffords will, in fact, switch to the Democratic Party. Sources very close to Senator Jeffords's thinking tell CNN that he, in his own mind, has already decided to switch parties, but there is an intense conversation going on right now between him and his senior staff. His senior staff is recommending against that move.

But sources I've talked to say it appears to be a fait accompli, and many Senate Republicans believe that, in fact, if that decision is made by Senator Jeffords to switch parties, their only remaining hope is that he will make the effective date of that switch later, after both the president's tax cut and his education reform plan have passed through a Congress under Republican control of the Senate. If that happens, at least, they say, two very big, important parts of the Bush agenda will have made it through. After that, Democrats will be in control at least of the Senate.

Wolf?

BLITZER: And Major, there was some speculation earlier in the week that he might switch, but not necessarily become a Democrat but become an independent. Is that something still in the works, or has that gone away?

GARRETT: That appears to have gone away, Wolf, and that appears also to have been the product of some hopeful thinking on the part of Republicans. More and more people I've talked to as the afternoon and evening has progressed have come to the conclusion that, in fact, if that decision is made, it will be made to switch to the Democratic Party, not place Senator Jeffords as an independent, where he would be really a man with no party, and that would render the Senate divided completely, 49 Democrats -- rather 50 Democrats, 49 Republicans, one independent. No one would know how to control the place. A switch to the Democratic Party at least would provide some clarity on a majority -- Wolf.

BLITZER: You know, and finally, on the whole issue of switching in this 50-50 Senate, there's also some speculation that Lincoln Chafee, the moderate Republican senator from Rhode Island, was thinking of switching from Republican to Democrat, other speculation that the moderate Democratic senator, Zell Miller of Georgia, is also thinking of becoming a Republican. What are you hearing on those fronts?

GARRETT: Well, it's a very, very scrambled and confused situation right now, Wolf, and a lot of things will be determined after Senator Jeffords makes his intentions clear. Republicans have benefited from -- dramatically from Zell Miller, the Georgia Democrat's, willingness to vote with them on key issues, such as education reform and tax cuts. They would, if Senator Jeffords switched over, make a very strong appeal to him to join back with the Republican Party, put it at 50-50 and try to reach some sense of political equilibrium -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Major Garrett at the White House, thank you very much.

And joining us now from here on Capitol Hill is the Democratic senator from New Jersey, Jon Corzine, who's also following these developments, I'm sure, very closely.

First of all, Senator, tell us what you're hearing about the possibility that Jim Jeffords might switch from Republican to Democrat.

SEN. JON CORZINE (D), NEW JERSEY: Well, I think there been conversation about this on the floor, but it's high speculative, Wolf. And I think there are a number of us that have our fingers crossed, but we'll let time solve this issue.

BLITZER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) you predict?

CORZINE: I have had no direct conversations with Senator Jeffords, and we would welcome him, but that's a decision he's going to have to take.

BLITZER: Let's switch gears and talk about legislation that you introduced, legislation that would ban the use of cell phones while driving. Some people suggest that if you start down that road, the federal government interfering in these kinds of issues, why not ban drinking coffee while driving or eating while driving?

CORZINE: Well, first of all, Wolf, we're trying to encourage states to address this issue. It's one that is very much a concern of a number of -- of the communities in New Jersey. We've had a number of towns that have actually gone and taken steps to ban that. I live in a state where the insurance, auto insurance, rates are the highest in the country. There's a number of studies that show the likelihood of accidents relative to driving while someone has a hand-held cell phone is as much as four times more likely. That raises the cost of auto insurance, which is a real burden on the people of New Jersey, and I think across this country.

And so for common-sense reasons that people understand that there are risks, safety risks, and for the economics that come out of raising the cost of insurance, I think this is something that we ought to take a proactive view of trying to address, not trying to eliminate the use of hands-free cell phone devices, but I think there is a real sense that the hand-held cell phones are causing problems in our transportation system. BLITZER: Senator Jon Corzine, we'll be following your legislation, following the story, obviously, very closely. Thank you very much for joining us.

CORZINE: Thanks, Wolf.

BLITZER: Up next: Democrats say Ted Olson was one of those behind a campaign to bring down President Bill Clinton. As the Senate considers Olson's nomination for a top Justice Department post, Mr. Clinton's own lawyer is coming to Olson's defense. Why? I'll ask attorney Robert Bennett.

Plus the latest on the Senate efforts to cut your taxes.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. When the U.S. Supreme Court heard the disputed Florida recount election case, Ted Olson represented George W. Bush. He's now up for the post of solicitor general, the government's lead trial lawyer. Many Democrats see Ted Olson as a conservative ideologue who played a key role in efforts to destroy former President Bill Clinton. They also see Olson's nomination, at least some of them do, as a chance to get even.

But in another strange case of bedfellows, President Clinton's former lawyer is now supporting Ted Olson. Joining me now to explain his position is former Clinton attorney, Robert Bennett.

Mr. Bennett, thanks for joining us.

ROBERT BENNETT, FORMER CLINTON ATTORNEY: You're welcome, Wolf.

BLITZER: Why are you taking this outspoken position, since you were, of course, once the president's attorney and Ted Olson was a severe critic of the president?

Well, first of all, Ted I have known for many, many years, and he is a man of tremendous talent and ability. He is an honorable man, and I think he would make a superb solicitor general. And what I'm troubled about is rather than to debate the issue on philosophical grounds or policy grounds, we are back into the Washington game of personal destruction.

And we now have bandied about, you know, in our press, in our media, is Ted Olson an honest man? Did he lie to the Senate? Was he candid? And I just think that is unfair. You know, Wolf, we've got a long list of victims of both Republicans and Democrats, who have been chewed up by this personal destruction machine, and we have just got to stop it.

BLITZER: The Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and as you know, they voted 9 to 9 on the Olson nomination, say he was less than candid with them when he testified before that committee there. This exchange between Senator Leahy, the ranking Democrat and Ted Olson. Leahy asking: "Were you involved in the so-called Arkansas Project at any time?" Olson saying: "Only as a member of the board of directors of 'The American Spectator,' I became aware of that. It has been alleged that I was somehow included in that so-called 'project.' I was not involved in the project in its origin or its management."

The Arkansas Project being a multimillion dollar project to find, quote, "dirt" about Bill Clinton.

BENNETT: Well, let me make a few observations. I do not know what Ted Olson's involvement was with either "The American Spectator" or the Arkansas Project. But what I can tell you is I have known this man for many years, and he is a truth teller. And you can rely on his explanations.

Second, what I can tell you, is that during the many years I did represent the president, while it was certainly very clear that Ted Olson was in opposition to the president and a critic of the president, at no time did any information ever come to me to suggest that he crossed any ethical or legal lines.

Finally, you know, I think this candor issue is a canard. I mean, the American people just don't buy that the nine Democrats think he is not honest, and the nine Republicans think he is honest. Now, I have recently read his responses to the Senate, and I have looked at a lot of the material, and if I were voting, I would say that Ted Olson was more than candid with the Senate.

So, if you oppose Olson because you are worried about his philosophy or his impartiality, well then do it on that bases. But don't take a good and honorable man, who I disagree with on a lot of political issues, and try to dehumanize him or destroy him by raising issues of personal character.

BLITZER: Critics of Ted Olson point to those words he used: "I was not involved in the project in its origin or its management," saying he is parsing words, being accused in effect of what they accused your former client, Bill Clinton of doing. Richard Cohen, the columnist in the "Washington Post," wrote only today: "What's at issue is not Olson's masterful representation of Bush, but his association in the squalid and destructive attempt to abort a presidency by almost any means."

BENNETT: Just because Richard Cohen and you look alike doesn't mean that I have to accept what Richard Cohen says. I mean, I disagree with him. Again, all I can say is that the Ted Olson that I have known for many, many years is a truth teller. Each senator is going to have to make their own judgment about whether they think he was candid or not candid, that's not for me.

BLITZER: Is this, though, as far as you see -- and you have been a long-time Washington attorney, you know the scene here quite well -- is this simply not only what you would call politics of personal destruction, but the politics of payback? BENNETT: Well, look, I'm not going to do the very thing I'm criticizing and attribute to any sitting United States senator an improper motive because I haven't talked to each of them. I don't know. But what I am saying, is I'm confident that Ted Olson is an honest man, and would do a terrific job. If you have concerns about his impartiality or concerns about his philosophy, well then debate the issues that way.

But I just don't see the case looking at the material, and looking at his answers, to suggest, that he has not been candid. I mean, if these senators, with all due respect, apply the same standards to themselves as they are now applying to Olson, the greatest deliberative body in the world would be an empty chamber and I don't think that is fair.

BLITZER: I have to leave it right there. Robert Bennett, thanks for joining us. Richard Cohen may have a beard and I have a beard, but we don't look-alike. We will talk about that later. Thanks for joining us.

Up next, there's been a call for a cease-fire in the Middle East. We'll tell you who made the request and what kind of response it's getting. And memories of the public ostracizing of Jews in Nazi Germany. We'll tell you what government has singled out a different religious group among its citizens.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. In other news tonight, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has called for a cease-fire with the Palestinians. The move comes a day after the release of the Mitchell Report, on ending eight months of violence in the Middle East. Hours later, a top Israeli official banned Israelis from initiating further attacks. Still no response from Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

New concern in the international community tonight, over word Afghanistan's ruling Taleban will require Hindus to wear labels identifying their religion. The hard-line Islamic group says the measure would actually protect non-Muslims from being harassed by religious police enforcing Islamic law. Critics disagree. They compare the move to the Nazi policies of the 1930s and '40s, requiring Jews to wear a yellow Star of David.

Here on Capitol Hill tonight, Senate Democrats are vowing to take their time voting on an 11-year, $1.35 trillion tax-relief package. Republicans failed to gain approval last night. A final vote is possible late tonight. Once the bill gains approval, it will need to be reconciled with a larger plan passed by the House. This comes as the Senate awaits Republican James Jeffords' announcement about whether he will switch parties, giving the Democrats control.

It's taken longer to legislate than the actual war itself, but Congress has finally approved construction of the World War II Memorial in Washington. The House passed a final bill, effectively ending an eight-year legal struggle over the location and design of the site. The measure now goes to President Bush for his signature. Opponents say the memorial is too big to be located in the middle of the national mall.

Dangerous weather in your area? On "The Leading Edge," tonight, a high-tech alert can help you stay on top of the storms.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: With severe weather moving across the country tonight, many people are receiving storm warnings right over their computer. A company called E-Alert sends out electronic weather warnings to subscribers by e-mail, cell phone, and pager. The cost: $50 a year.

Germ warfare in your house. Scientists say a polymer on door knobs, telephones, and other surfaces, can be an important weapon against the spread of disease. The coating which kills many germs on contact is not yet available to consumers.

Please stay with CNN throughout the night. NASCAR racer Jeff Gordon is Larry King's guest at the top of the hour. Up next, Kate Snow is filling in for Greta Van Susteren on THE POINT.

Among her topics, the controversy surrounding the new movie "Pearl Harbor."

Tomorrow night, I'll talk with the Dalai Lama. Until then, thanks very much for watching. I'm Wolf Blitzer on Capitol Hill. THE POINT begins right now.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com