Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

America Celebrates Independence Day

Aired July 04, 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.
KATE SNOW, CNN ANCHOR: Tonight Americans mark the 4th of July with picnics, parades and patriotism. We'll look at the nation's 225th birthday celebrations, and Wolf Blitzer will have a special interview with the always independent Senator John McCain.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Can you tell us on this Independence Day that you are going to be a Republican, capital "R," Republican for the rest of your life?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNOW: Congressman Gary Condit skips Independence Day festivities in his California district amid new questions about his conduct in the case of a missing intern. We'll have live updates from Modesto, California and Washington.

And new details on the patient in Kentucky making medical history with his new artificial heart. We'll have a live report.

Good evening. I'm Kate Snow reporting tonight from Capitol Hill. Wolf Blitzer is off.

The fireworks won't begin for a while yet, but Independence Day festivities are in full swing around the country. Hundreds of thousands have braved showers to gather on and around the National Mall here in Washington. Barring heavier sky bursts, the sky rockets will follow concerts and a folk life festival.

Many here took time out for a more quiet reflection on what it's all about. This was the last day to marvel at the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights at the National Archives as it begins two years of conservation work.

In Williamsburg, Virginia visitors traveled back to a time when the American colonists were preparing for their independence struggle.

And Bristol, Rhode Island held an Independence Day parade for the 216th year. That is the nation's oldest.

A lot of attention was focused today on a parade in Modesto, California. Congressman Gary Condit was supposed to have taken part, but skipped that event and others in his home district amid questions about his conduct in the case of a missing Washington intern.

Meantime, the investigation into the disappearance of Chandra Levy has taken a new turn, following claims by a flight attendant that she had an affair with Condit, and that he asked her to lie about it.

Let's begin our coverage with CNN's Rusty Dornin, live in Modesto -- Rusty?

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kate, Congressman Gary Condit is not known for making a lot of public appearances before the general public in his home district, but he did make a point of always attending the 4th of July festivities in Modesto, and also in Atwater, which is about 50 miles south of here. He would attend one parade, jump in his car and attend another.

But this year was different.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DORNIN (voice-over): Modesto's hometown 4th of July parade, an event Congressman Gary Condit never misses, or hadn't, in years.

ROY MCKENZIE, MODESTO PARADE ORGANIZER: Gary Condit's office called a few minutes ago and said that Congressman Condit was not going to be at the parade today. He wanted to spend the day with his family.

DORNIN: That's not the only parade where he was a no-show. He was supposed to wave at the crowds in Atwater, California. Parade organizers there also got a call.

KEN DEVOE, ATWATER PARADE ORGANIZER: He is not coming to the festivities here today, and the explanation that was given to me was that Gary did not want to take away from Atwater's festivities by all the attention being centered on him.

DORNIN: While most of the crowd barely noticed...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't come here to see the politicians.

DORNIN: There, were some who came precisely for that reason.

(on camera): Why did you come to the parade today?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To see if he was going to be here.

DORNIN (voice-over): Others believe he has served in the district too long to be making excuses.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: ... puts blame on him because, I mean, if he's not guilty of anything, he needs to be out here. He needs to be in the public.

DORNIN: Supporters say the fact he wasn't here shouldn't incriminate him. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm sorry he didn't show up, because he shows up every year. There are a lot of Condit supporters in the Valley here, and I think that whether he shows up or not is not that important.

DORNIN: Before the parade began, a silent march in honor of Chandra Levy.

MARSHA DAVIS, LEVY FAMILY FRIEND: To support the Levy family and help find Chandra Levy. We will not give up until we do.

DORNIN: Now, apparently, Condit's chief of staff did tell the wire services that the Congressman did have another obligation which came up, but did not stipulate what that was. He's made very few appearances here -- a fund-raiser, and only things before long-time loyal supporters. So at this point, we don't know if Condit is going make an appearance before he goes back to Washington -- Kate.

SNOW: Rusty, stand by for just a moment. CNN national correspondent Bob Franken has also been following the Chandra Levy investigation. He joins us now live from our Washington bureau.

Bob, what's the latest from investigators?

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, investigators -- this was sort of a day off, but the investigators say that they will be willing to talk to anybody who -- women who say that they've had any sort of relationship with Congressman Condit. We of course know that the FBI interviewed Ann Marie Smith.

They say that they would be interested -- they're not searching for anybody -- but they would be interested in finding out exactly how he related to them, particularly if he broke off with them. This, of course, would be if they claimed that they'd had a romantic relationship. The reason being so they could get some sense of the state of mind of Chandra Levy. Of course, there have been repeated allegations that Congressman Condit had a romantic relationship with her. And of course, that has been consistently denied by the Condit spokesman.

The investigators would be interested to find out if he was very rough on them, if this had, perhaps, left Chandra Levy in a depressed state, if in fact there was a relationship.

One other thing -- we had been told all week that the staff of Congressman Condit was pondering whether he should march in these parades. The -- of course, the big problem they felt would be the huge amount of media attention. Whatever they're telling the wire services, whatever they're saying out there, that certain was something that they were at least discussing.

SNOW: Rusty, let me go back to you in California. Congressman Condit out there, very popular. He's been elected seven times with overwhelming support. Is there any sense out there that that support is starting to ebb at all? DORNIN: He still has very strong support. This is a fairly conservative area, Kate. Farming communities -- farming is still the main industry here. He has a lot of Republican support. His bipartisanship has paid off well here. He still has a large support in the community. People here tend to get angry when they feel someone is being treated unfairly. There are still people who feel that way.

But I am talking to a growing number of people here who are saying: "We've supported him, but we want him to come forth and answer a few questions." And they are wondering why or how he can remain out of the public eye for very much longer.

SNOW: Rusty Dornin in Modesto, California and Bob Franken here in Washington, thank you both.

President Bush marked Independence Day at its source, Philadelphia. And amid all the imagery in the birthplace of the nation, the president may have been seeking to mend his own image, as CNN White House correspondent Major Garrett reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAJOR GARRETT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): White House aides never tire of describing President Bush as a different kind of Republican. Viewed through the prism of the 4th of July, they may have a point. The setting, a block party in gritty north Philadelphia, where Mr. Bush tried reaching out to the GOP's most estranged constituency -- black voters.

The president plunged into the serenading choir, added his touch to an urban street scene, quarterbacked a street football game and judged a slam-dunk contest. All this under the watchful and approving eye of Philadelphia's Democratic Mayor John Street.

This is hardly the way recent Republican presidents have marked the 4th. The elder Bush spent his first two 4ths at the family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine. President Reagan attended public Independence Day celebrations only three times in eight years as president. But Mr. Bush is also a different kind of president, at least this week -- a looser, less podium-bound president One who sheds the Oval Office and its coat-and-tie requirements to mingle with tourists at the Jefferson Memorial.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The true greatness of America is the people.

GARRETT: ... one who greets a newborn baby born to a member of the White House staff, and visits Philadelphia, all designed to combat the perception appearing in polls of late, that Mr. Bush is removed from the public and its daily concerns.

There was policy, too, another push for Mr. Bush's faith-based initiative.

BUSH: Those who hold positions of power should not be wary or hostile towards faith-based charities or other community groups which perform important and good works. We should welcome their conviction and contribution, in all its diversity.

GARRETT: Political imagery is dicey business. At first White House advisers wanted to make sure Mr. Bush looked disciplined, decisive, presidential. Now they want to move a bit closer to friendlier, more approachable image the country came to know during the campaign.

Major Garrett, CNN, Philadelphia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SNOW: He's been a rival of President Bush, and still is on many issues. He's an independent-minded member of the U.S. Senate and a tough-minded former prisoner-of-war, an American hero. Ahead of this Independence Day, Wolf Blitzer spoke with Senator John McCain.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Senator McCain, thanks for joining us. I want to get right to a problem, an apparent problem that President Bush has. A recent "Wall Street Journal" poll showed that his job approval rating was now at only 50 percent. That's a five-year low for a president -- it's a lot less than Bill Clinton had even during the worst days of impeachment and Monica.

Why is President Bush apparently in some trouble, politically?

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Well, I think there obviously is some difficulties at the beginning of every new administration. The Clinton administration, in its beginnings, had problems. I remember trying to run in 1982 during the so-called Reagan recession, when President Reagan's numbers were very low.

I don't think there's any doubt that there have been some difficulties on perceptions about the president on the environment, especially. But I'm confident that the president and the administration are taking some corrective action, and they have had some pretty big successes. And once that those sink in with the American people, I think he'll do a lot better.

BLITZER: "The Wall Street Journal" said that in its poll, the problem that President Bush appears to have is with moderates and independents, specifically the one issue you referred to: The environment, energy. What does he have to do to get back on track?

MCCAIN: I think what he's doing: Emphasize the alternate energy sources, emphasis on hybrid engine cars. He went out the other day to a factory there to emphasize conservation. I think he's doing a lot of those things, a commitment to containment of greenhouse gases, a reduction of greenhouse gases, a commitment to, even though we withdraw from Kyoto Treaty, by the way, which was something I didn't agree with, but still now that we have withdrawn, a commitment to pursue remedial measures as far as climate change is concerned, vigorously, he's committed to doing that. But, you know, I don't think there's any doubt that there is a problem but it certainly is not -- it's very fixable, and I think the president has taken some of the those steps already. He has a big win on education, a big win, and I think you're going to see the American people appreciate that when the bill is finally signed, and the president is able to get some credit for that.

BLITZER: He also had a big win on tax cuts, I know you voted against the tax cut proposal but tax rebate checks are about to be sent out. Is that going to be translated into political support for the president?

MCCAIN: I don't know, but I don't see how it could possibly hurt him. For somebody to say here's an extra $300 or $600 dollars for you to go out and spend, I would imagine that it will be helpful to him.

I think that there's a looming problem with the new economic estimates coming out from CBO and others that are -- that make our surplus less, but you know because of the questions that a lot of us have about room for Social Security, Medicare, trust fund and defense.

But look, I think the president has had some successes, even though I voted against the tax cut. It's a success for him, and I think he will be able to exploit those successes.

BLITZER: Who is more to blame for Jim Jeffords, the senator from Vermont, becoming an independent -- the White House in this particular case, President Bush obviously, or the Republican leadership in the Senate?

MCCAIN: I have to say the establishment. I can't apportion blame. I read where there were threats of retaliation against Jeffords. I think it was a mistake not to let him run the education bill through his committee when he was chairman of the committee and gave it to a lower ranking member of the committee.

In the Washington parlance, mistakes were made, but I think that the Republicans may look back on this as a wakeup call that came early, and that they what began to repair it. I know for example the White House is reaching out to me, reaching out to others in the party, and I'm pleased about that.

BLITZER: So, what are the prospects that John McCain will become an independent?

MCCAIN: I can tell you on Independence Day, I have no cause, no intention, to run for the president of the United States. My job -- or I mean become independent or run for president of the United States.

My job is to work with the president on issues such as reforming the defense establishment, reforming Social Security, elimination of pork barrel and wasteful spending and a number of other issues I think I can be helpful to the president and the American people and the people of Arizona on. BLITZER: And can you tell us on this Independence Day that you are going to be a Republican -- capital R Republican -- for the rest of your life?

MCCAIN: I have every prospect of doing so, and I really am committed to making my party again the party of Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt, one of inclusion and tolerance and a very big tent. And enjoying the same successes that Ronald Reagan did when the Reagan Democrats, so-called, flocked to our banner.

BLITZER: How much encouragement from your supporters -- advice are you getting that you should perhaps started thinking about running once again in 2004 for the presidency?

MCCAIN: None.

BLITZER: No-one is telling you -- none of your private aides, your closest advisers are saying, Senator, maybe you should start thinking about this?

MCCAIN: No, none.

BLITZER: So, where did those stories come from, looking back on more recent history that this was even being considered bubbling up through the process?

MCCAIN: Well, I think it was a combination of factors, it was kind of a combustible mixture. The fact that I invited Senator Daschle up a couple months before that happened to coincide with Jeffords, Senator Jeffords switching, and at the same time a "Washington Post" headline that was without fact, without base, and all of those I think gave rise to this,

And I think it was kind of a combustible situation, but I have not discussed with anyone and will not discuss this issue and I have no intention of leaving the Republican Party.

BLITZER: Senator, we only have a minute left, but on this Independence Day, take a look at the world out there. The U.S. role in the world under President Bush right now with this Republican leadership in the House, the Democratic leadership in the Senate. Are you happy with the way the United States is playing its role, worldwide, today?

MCCAIN: I think the United States must lead, and the American people must recognize that sometimes that entails sacrifices which other nations are not called upon to make. But the benefits of world leadership are so enormous that they overshadow those sacrifices that we have to make.

We are committed. We are driven by Judeo-Christian principles. We will do everything we can in the pursuit of peace in the world, democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law, and there's no other nation in the world that can do that, and I'm proud to be an American everywhere I go.

BLITZER: Senator McCain, thanks for joining us this special day.

MCCAIN: Thank you, Wolf.

BLITZER: Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNOW: Doctors may have as many questions as the patient who receive the new artificial heart. How long can it extend his life?

And stuck in the rapids near the edge of a 100 foot waterfall. This holiday was no picnic.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SNOW: An artificial heart recipient is off a ventilator today. Doctors call it a positive step for the patient. CNN medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen is live in Louisville with the latest -- Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kate, we just spoke with one of the surgeons and he said that the patient, who they are still not naming, is sitting up in bed is talking with his family. The surgeons said in general the surgery went much better than they ever expected.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. LAMAN GRAY, TRANSPLANT SURGEON, UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE: I think that is extremely encouraging what we've seen so far, and I think it has tremendous potential for huge success.

COHEN (voice-over): This artificial heart, unlike the ones from the 1980s, allows the patient to walk freely. The heart, computer chips that control it, and a small battery are inside the body. Outside, a battery pack worn like a belt powers the device.

Doctors had not said much about the man who received the device, except that he's in his mid-to-late 50s and his had multiple heart attacks and chronic kidney failure. Without the artificial heart, they gave him less than a 20 percent chance of living through the next month.

With the heart they make no promises about how long or how well he will live but they have high hopes.

GRAY: We would anticipate that the patient should be able to get out of the hospital, to resume I'd say -- an active lifestyle and stay more then normal -- but a active lifestyle. I would certainly anticipate he would be able to do normal activities. I do not think he could do athletics.

COHEN: But doctors say there are many things that can go wrong.

GRAY: You might have a lung problem. You could have infection problems. You could have stroke problems. Liver failure and kidney failure are the main ones. So far we have not experienced anything so far.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COHEN: Now, doctors are waiting to identify and to operate on four more patients to receive this artificial heart. If those work well, then they're planning on doing 10 more patients -- Kate.

SNOW: Elizabeth, before this first patient what kind of tests did they have to go through to make sure it would actually work?

COHEN: Well, Kate, they did both lab testing and animal testing. They took these hearts into the lab, they put saline solution in them and turned them on, and they've had several that have been going on for a long time: one in fact for 15 months and still pumping that saline solution.

Then they put the heart into a calf and they tried to see if it would work. In fact, it worked. The calves were able to go without their real hearts, instead have the artificial ones and walk around. But it's important to note these are healthy calves. This man why they just put it in is not healthy at all. And the calves, the experiment ended after three months, so they don't really know how long it works in an animal.

SNOW: Fascinating story, though. Thank you, Elizabeth.

Holidays are usually a great time to get out on the water. Well, unless your boat gets stuck at the edge of a waterfall. We'll show you a dramatic rescue attempt.

And if you drive a vehicle like this one, you'll want to stick around for details of a potentially dangerous problem.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SNOW: Welcome back. In other stories making news, "wet and wild" doesn't begin to describe what one couple went through on the Mississippi River today in Minneapolis. Their small boat was stuck on a dam near a 100-foot waterfall. Both were rescued by being pulled through the water on tethered life preservers. Hundreds watched from the shore while many others viewed the rescue live on CNN.

Another rescue today, this one at a Detroit Tigers baseball game. Dozens of people were stranded when a ferris wheel at Comerica Park got stuck. An air compressor on the ride had stopped. The fire department used a hook-and-ladder truck to get the 50-or-so people back on the ground.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating a possible defect in some Jeep Grand Cherokees. Dozens of complaints indicate some models of the sport utility vehicle jump into reverse when the gearshift is put in park. The incidents have reportedly been linked to 32 crashes and 14 injuries. The investigation involves 1995 to '99 Grand Cherokees. A young star of the hit TV mob show "The Sopranos" was arrested today, and it was no act: 16-year-old Robert Iler and three others are accused of robbing two people on New York's Upper East Side. Iler also charged with marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Just ahead, we'll open our WOLF BLITZER REPORTS mailbag. You may not be surprised that we in the media are taking some hits for our coverage of the missing intern story. I'll share some of that next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SNOW: Welcome back. Time now to open our mailbag, which is full of comments about our coverage of the controversy surrounding Congressman Gary Condit. At least one of you didn't like the way Wolf Blitzer and his guests compared Condit's troubles to Bill Clinton's personal problems last night. Mary from Alaska writes: "Stick to the story. That's what we're interested in. We've moved on from Bill bashing. You should try it."

Helen from Ohio e-mails us with this: "I think the media is spending way too much time on this affair. There are more important things to report nowadays."

But Abby from New York feels differently: "I've appreciated the restraint," she writes, "with which the national media have covered the Chandra Levy story. Early condemnations of Gary Condit have been few and far between. I am pleased that the story is getting attention. Wouldn't you if you were Chandra's parents?"

Remember, you can e-mail us at wolf@cnn.com, and you can read Wolf's daily online column by going to cnn.com/wolf.

And that's all the time we have for tonight. Thanks very much for watching. Tomorrow night, Wolf Blitzer takes a stroll in front of George Bush's White House with one of the president's prominent critics, Democratic strategist James Carville.

I'm Kate Snow on Capitol Hill. Enjoy the rest of your holiday. "THE POINT WITH GRETA VAN SUSTEREN" 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