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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Alabama Handgun Linked to Sniper

Aired November 01, 2002 - 17:00   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: It has some of the nation's highest income families and the nation's highest breast cancer rate.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People are dying (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and nobody even seems to notice.

BLITZER: What's going on near the Golden Gate? And campaign countdown, we'll look at crucial races around the country. It's Friday, November 1, 2002. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. The scope of the Washington area sniper shootings is so vast and complex the Montgomery, Alabama police chief calls it an unfolding nightmare.

At a news conference just a short while ago, Chief John Wilson revealed that a handgun was found near the site of a deadly shooting linked to the sniper suspects. CNN's Charles Molineaux is in Montgomery, Alabama. He's joining us now live -- Charles.

CHARLES MOLINEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, not just a handgun but the very kind and caliber of handgun that police said that they were looking for, the gun that they believe was used in the killing of a liquor store manager and yet that discovery also resulted in some quick backpedaling and rethinking of some theories because, on the same day police got word that ballistics tests had actually established the victim was killed not by a handgun at all but by a rifle, a Bushmaster.

Let's go back to September 21. That was the scene where Claudine Parker was shot and killed outside this liquor store. Witnesses, including a Montgomery policeman say they saw and chased two men who later turned out to be, they thought, John Malvo and John Muhammad, the D.C. sniper suspects, and Muhammad had a pistol.

No one saw a rifle, which led to the expectation that there wasn't one unless, as investigators now suspect, there was a third person involved who fired the killer shot, especially now that ATF investigators have determined that it was, in fact, the Bushmaster that fired the shot that killed the victim. The question is how could this have happened? The chief says what happened was pretty much understandable.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF JOHN WILSON, MONTGOMERY, ALA., POLICE: A .22 caliber magnum bullet and a .223 have tremendously similar similarities. They're a lot alike. You're talking about paper thin differences and what we were dealing with was very microscopic fragments. Also, what has to fit into the equation are the statements of the witnesses. That's very important. Nobody has now, nor did anybody then indicate that they saw a long gun.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MOLINEAUX: Police say this is not a setback for the investigation, far from it, in fact it means that they now have more information and more direct evidence linking the two suspects to the scene here in Montgomery, Alabama. The big breakthrough, of course, was the seizure of that Bushmaster rifle when John Malvo and John Muhammad were arrested, something that ATF officials say was a dramatic breakthrough because now they can actually test fire the gun, get whole bullet samples from it, and FedEx them around to investigators to examine and compare with other unsolved murders -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Charles Molineaux in Montgomery, Alabama, Charles thanks very much. And, the Montgomery Police Chief Mr. Wilson, of course, has been at the center of the Alabama link to the Washington area sniper shootings but he's remained steadfast in praising the work of his men and those federal officials helping in this very complex case.

This week Wilson said it was his gut feeling that a third person was involved in that September 21 liquor store shooting that killed one woman and wounded another. Is he now backing off the third person theory or moving forward with it?

Chief John Wilson is joining us now live from Montgomery. Chief thanks so much for joining us.

WILSON: Thank you.

BLITZER: Well, tell our viewers who are confused a little bit about the possibility of yet a third suspect, where that stands right now.

WILSON: Well, I cautioned everybody the very first day that we had our briefing here not to draw any steadfast conclusions because we had a lot of evidence that was still unfolding. Our forensics people were working with the assumption that no long gun was seen including one of the victims that survived indicated seeing a flash. We have two officers' independent statements that report seeing a handgun, so we know one was at the scene. Now exactly what role it plays we don't know at this moment.

The new revelation adds to our case. It strengthens it, doesn't hurt it. Now that we know we can place them here at our scene with that rifle, we get another piece of evidence, so either something happened before officers arrived on the scene or there was, in fact, somebody else involved and we're looking at all possibilities.

BLITZER: Is it still your gut instinct, though, that there might have been a third person involved in this murder in Montgomery?

WILSON: Wolf, this is a most unconventional case and I think that we're going to have to do some unconventional thinking here, and while I may have some instincts I'm certainly not going to lock myself into that. We had the blue car all along that we talked about from the very outset. At first before we knew the suspects were even involved with a blue car after their capture, we were treating it as a witness.

Well now we have to rethink that. The car was moving at some point. It was seen in the area. Whether it's the same car or not we don't know, but we simply are not ruling out any possibilities. We're going to go back and reconstruct the entire crime scene now with the known knowledge that the rifle was used and let's see what we come up with then.

BLITZER: But your suspicion, of course, is that John Muhammad and John Lee Malvo were responsible for that murder in your town?

WILSON: In my professional opinion there's no question. We have the gun, brochure, or what's been described as a gun magazine, seen in the possession of Malvo. He dropped it. That's where we retrieved the prints. We have an officer's positive identification without question that he saw Muhammad and that's who he chased so we can put them in the area without this new evidence, but it just helps our case. So, we're just going to back and find out where this piece of the puzzle fits and I'm confident, I've got great faith in my investigators. The best thing I can do for them is stay out of their way and let them do their job.

BLITZER: And so, your suspicion also is that the Bushmaster may have been used but there was a handgun that was used as well, right?

WILSON: Right. Well, it's not a suspicion anymore. I've talked to ATF extensively. I mean I'm kind of put on the spot here a little bit and I wanted some clear explanations about why we got one determination once and a second determination the second time and they're a very professional organization and I really appreciate them coming forward with new evidence because it would have been grossly wrong and not helped anybody had we not known that the rifle was, in fact, used and so I have no problem with this change. I know the rifle was there. We now know it was used but I also have to work with the theory that the officers clearly saw a handgun.

BLITZER: And you know that the rifle was used to kill that woman, not the handgun, is that right?

WILSON: That's correct. Well, we don't know now. I want to stop there. I'm not going to talk about all the evidence involving the handgun. I'm not going to say that it wasn't used in any way. Remember there was one victim severely injured and we do not have that bullet. I mean there's always a possibility both guns were used. We just don't know and the thing that really is troubling to us and is making this case hard for us is, the key piece is the suspects themselves and without access to them, we're going to have to figure it out on our own and I'm confident we'll do that.

BLITZER: I think you're going to have to wait in line to get access to those two suspects. A lot of other people want to talk to them obviously as well. Before I let you go, chief, what about other crimes, maybe other murders, unsolved cases, in your jurisdiction? Are you taking another look at them and do you suspect these two guys might have been responsible for those crimes?

WILSON: We're going to look at every possibility but we do not, I will tell you in my opinion right now, we don't have them developed as suspects in any unsolved murders we have at the moment. There again, let's don't draw any conclusions. That could change.

We're not going to leave any stone unturned. We've got a lot of victims out there that are depending on us to make sure this case is done professionally, not just in our jurisdiction but all over the country and we're not going to rush this case. There's no need to. They're in custody. They're not going anywhere. So however long it takes to get the factual answers that we can support that's what we're going to do.

BLITZER: Chief Wilson good of you to join us. I know you've been incredibly busy, thanks very much.

WILSON: No problem.

BLITZER: Good luck to you and all your men and women who are working this investigation.

WILSON: Thank you. Thank you for helping us with it, thanks.

BLITZER: Thank you very much. Thank you. And, in yet another twist to the case, did one of the suspects call police only to be turned away? Apparently that's exactly what happened. Here's a recording of a call reports say was made by one of the suspects to Rockville, Maryland Police.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

OPERATOR: Rockville City Police. This line is recorded.

CALLER: Good morning, don't say anything just listen. We are the people that are causing the killing in your area. Look on the Tarot card. It says call me God. Do not release the threat. We have called you three times before trying to set up negotiations. We've gotten no response. People have died.

OPERATOR: Sir, I need to refer you to the Montgomery County Police hotline. We are not investigating the crime. Would you like the number?

(END AUDIO CLIP)

BLITZER: Joining us now for more on this sniper case our Justice Correspondent Kelli Arena. She's been covering this extremely intriguing story -- Kelli.

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, investigators are not at all happy about that tape being released. They say that it is evidence that should not have been made public, but now that it's out there, some investigators suggest that it backs up their belief that the motive behind the killings from the beginning was extortion. Now don't forget at two separate crime scenes the alleged snipers left notes demanding $10 million. Now how that call was handled, as well as calls made to the FBI's tip line, are under review. FBI Director Robert Mueller today said that both the technology used and training offered to individuals handling calls are being looked at. What's more, Mueller confirmed that not every call into the FBI's tip line was recorded and that is a policy that's also under review -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Kelli Arena with that information thanks very much for that. And, they're bringing home the bacon and preparing for war, women in the military. Should they be allowed to take a more active role in combat? I'll talk to retired three-star U.S. Army Lieutenant General Claudia Kennedy.

Also, girl interrupted, a Hollywood star accused of Grand Theft, Burglary and Vandalism, did Winona really do it for a movie role, or did she get star crossed? And, the state that caused the presidential election debacle braces for yet another potentially messy vote. Find out why Florida still may not have its act together, but first a look at news making headlines around the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice over): Attacking the attackers, an international human rights group says Palestinians who launch suicide attacks against Israelis are guilty of crimes against humanity. The group, Human Rights Watch, also says Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat should be doing more to stop the attacks. Arafat says Israeli occupation of Palestinian areas is the root cause of the violence.

A prison fire in Morocco has killed at least 49 inmates. The cause is under investigation. Turkey is getting ready for a Sunday election that could put a party with Islamic roots in control of the government. Party leaders are denying allegations they turned Turkey into an Islamic state.

Things are beginning to get back to normal near Sicily's Mount Etna. Winds have shifted allowing workers to sweep up ash from the volcano which erupted this week.

The butler didn't do it. British prosecutors have dropped theft charges against the late Princess Diana's butler, Paul Burrell. Burrell said all along that he had merely taken some items for safekeeping after Diana's death and, as it turns out, he's found a surprise witness to back up his story, Queen Elizabeth. Buckingham Palace says Burrell told the queen five years ago about his plan to hold on to some of Diana's papers. The law is a little like chess. When the queen made her move it was checkmate and the game was over for the prosecutors, and that's our look around the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. The Bush administration is voicing more confidence that the United States will be able to push through a tough new U.N. Security Council resolution calling on Iraq to disarm or else. The U.S. and Britain need seven other countries to vote with them and no vetoes from permanent members of the Security Council.

France and Russia both with veto power, of course, object to threats against Iraq. Russia's foreign minister today said the parties are drawing closer to an agreement but stressed also once again that the resolution can not give anyone the right to use force.

Iraq, meanwhile, today expressed confidence that friendly states on the Security Council will block the United States and British resolution. Some of those council members are represented at a big business event going on right now in Baghdad.

CNN's Rym Brahimi is in the Iraqi capitol.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): To a chorus of girls telling President Bush they love Saddam Hussein, Iraq's trade minister arrived for the big event, the Baghdad International Trade Fair. It's not so much what's for sale as who's selling. The trade fair is a barometer of which countries are eager or at least willing to be seen doing business with Iraq.

It's all legal business under the U.N. approved oil-for-food program, but Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan, touring a display of military industries, made the point that Iraq has many resources. Among the biggest participants at the fair, Russia, France, and China, the three permanent U.N. Security Council members which Iraq hopes will help ward off the looming threat of U.S. led war.

TAHA YASSIN RAMADAN, IRAQI VICE PRESIDENT (through translator): Hoping, God willing, to meet with you at the Baghdad International Fairgrounds in the next session in 2003, and Iraq is crowned with a great victory on its evil enemies, enemies of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and progress.

BRAHIMI: Although Iraq's oil revenue has fallen in the last year due to disputes with the U.N. over pricing, it still has plenty to spend, several billion dollars a year for food, medicine, and other goods to keep the country running, everything from the latest model cars, like these, to the basic kitchen sink.

Rym Brahimi CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: They fought and died in the Persian Gulf War, what role will they play if there's a new war with Iraq? Joining me now from Toronto is retired three-star U.S. Army General Claudia Kennedy.

She was the highest ranking woman in the U.S. military serving as deputy chief of staff for intelligence. She's also the author of the book "Generally Speaking." General Kennedy thanks so much for joining us. What role will women in the U.S. military play in the event that there is another war with Iraq?

LT. GEN. CLAUDIA KENNEDY, U.S. ARMY (RET): Wolf, women are an integral part of the army and so they'll continue to play the roles that they play during peacetime and during exercises and in other operations.

BLITZER: How close will they actually get to combat?

KENNEDY: Women will get as close to combat as they do if they're doing any operations that requires logistics or medical care or administration, intelligence, engineering. Women are in all of the fields except for being in tanks and fighting as infantry.

BLITZER: Is that it? Is that the only restriction on women right now, not only in the U.S. Army, but the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps?

KENNEDY: Well, the Navy and the Air Force have a higher percentage of jobs open to women than does the Army and the Army has a higher percentage of jobs open to women than the Marine Corps. That's because most of the Marine Corps fights as infantry and women are excluded from ground combat, fighting as infantry.

BLITZER: Is it your opinion that women should be allowed to have equal opportunity to be involved in all those jobs and those restrictions should be eliminated?

KENNEDY: I think it's very important for us to use all of the talent available to us and we should take a look at people based on their training, based on their abilities. You know we have women who are very courageous, very smart, very well trained, and so we need to use everyone's talent in that.

BLITZER: So you're saying that women should be allowed to fight in the infantry, for example, or get into tanks and kill the enemy if necessary?

KENNEDY: I think that I would stop short of making such a direct statement only because it's a decision that the people who are in charge today need to make and we have a great chief of staff, General Eric Shinseki (ph) is as good as they come, great leader. He can figure that detail out.

But I would just say that the Army has done a great job of using all of its talent, and you know we have seen in the last several decades very impressive expansion of activities and opportunities open to women, mostly because the Army needed women in those jobs, and when women got in those jobs, women did a wonderful, high quality performance, and therefore are welcome to return every time.

BLITZER: As you know, the historic argument is that women shouldn't get some of those jobs in close-up combat because of the fear that they could be taken as a prisoner of war and that would be unusually harsh for a woman. Does that argument still hold?

KENNEDY: Well, that argument is one that presumes that a woman's life is more fragile than a man's and I think we've had a lot of conversation about how very strong and resilient women are. In fact, women are believed to be much more robust than men in general. Now some people then bring in the argument about upper body strength but there is a lot of work done in the Army that has nothing to do with the number of pushups you do.

BLITZER: That's absolutely true, especially if you have a good, solid brain. You can do a lot of important work for the U.S. military. Do you sense, as we prepare, as the United States potentially gets ready for a new war that the women in the U.S. military in any of the branches, that they are ready to do their duty? They're looking forward to this or are they reluctant warriors?

KENNEDY: Women are just like the men warriors in this sense. When they have a job that they enjoy and that they're well trained for and they feel very confident of their leadership, they go on these operations and feel very good about it. In fact, look forward just as the men do to performing in a job that they've trained for. You know, this army is as ready and as well prepared and as well trained as it's ever been and our army has never been more effective, nor has it ever been so diverse.

BLITZER: Some of the best fighter pilots out there happen to be women. I've seen them up close and personal. Thanks very much General Kennedy for joining us.

KENNEDY: Absolutely.

BLITZER: Here's your chance to weigh in on the story. Our web question of the day is this: The U.S. military does not allow women to fight in direct ground combat, should this change? We'll have the results later in this program. Go to my web page, cnn.com/wolf. That's where you can vote. While you're there, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your comments, your questions. I'll try to read some of them on the air each day at the end of this program. That's also where you can read my daily online column; once again, cnn.com/wolf.

A Hollywood star accused of Grand Theft and Burglary. It's Winona's turn in court today. Did she do it for a movie role? Hear what her defense team plans to say. Also, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the Senate races in 2002 an across the country glance at this year's hot ticket. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Now to the high profile trial of Winona Ryder. The defense is laying out its case, questioning why security personnel changed their stories about Ryder's alleged shoplifting. Defense testimony is just getting underway in the California courtroom. Today, CNN's Thelma Gutierrez looks at the latest on the trial.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Winona Ryder, one of Hollywood's most accomplished actresses accused of Grand Theft, Vandalism, and Burglary. The prosecution presented more of this videotape to jurors showing Ryder shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills last December. Colleen Rainey a key witness for the prosecution and former Saks investigator testified she saw firsthand what the tape does not show.

ANTHONY SALERNO, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: She says that she saw Winona Ryder cutting through fabric to remove sensor tags from clothing and from handbags and other items.

GUTIERREZ: Under cross-examination, defense attorney Mark Gerrigos (ph) pointed out that none of the alleged statements Ryder made to guards were included on the incident report, nor were details about what Rainey claims she witnessed in the fitting room.

SALERNO: He's left with raising the specter that possibly because she didn't put it in the original report, now she's putting it in and therefore she's lying. It's not much to go on but it's really all he has.

GUTIERREZ: Rainey testified when Ryder was confronted she said she was told to do it in preparation for a movie called "Shop Girl." The guard says Ryder later changed the title to "White Jazz." Gerrigos suggested Rainey lied and may have had a motive to do so.

Her husband is a struggling screenwriter and Gerrigos charged the couple may have wanted to sell the Winona Ryder story. Rainey vehemently denied making any money from this incident. Security Guard Ernest DeMaya (ph) testified when confronted Ryder said: "I thought my assistant had paid for it. I'm very sorry."

SALERNO: If Winona Ryder gets on the stand and gives the performance of her life, she has a chance at being acquitted or at least getting a hung jury.

GUTIERREZ: The prosecution showed jurors this chart with a description of the merchandise allegedly taken. Among the items an $80 pair of socks, a $540 Nittori (ph) bag, a $750 Yves St. Laurent blouse, and a $760 Mark Jacobs thermal top, the total amount $5,560.40.

A publicist for the actress told CNN this week has been miserable for Ryder who maintains her innocence. As for the claim that she was researching a movie, the publicist said the guards twisted the story. She claims it was a guard who asked Ryder if she had read the book "Shop Girl" and that Ryder mentioned "White Jazz" as a possible project coming up. She says Ryder is hurt that they would lie about her. Thelma Gutierrez CNN, Beverly Hills.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: The soon-to-be former wife of former General Electric CEO Jack Welch says $35,000 a month is not enough to live on. The couple reached agreement on a temporary alimony settlement today but Jane and Jack Welch are keeping quiet about how much it will be. The deal means they'll be able to keep more of their financial affairs private. Welch is reported worth about $439 million. Sex, negative ads, and good old-fashioned politics, the election races are heating up coast-to-coast. We'll go across the country to see who may tip the balance of power. Also, bad news for the Sunshine State looks like voting in Florida could still be a mess. Four days to the election, will they get their act together in time?

Plus, one of the wealthiest suburbs of the nation plagued by breast cancer, now residents are taking matters into their own hands to find out what's making them sick. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. Coming up, we'll go across the country with a look at the hot election races. What states will tip the scales of government power. A look at what's in play.

But first, let's take a look at other stories making news right now.

(NEWSBREAK)

Tuesday's election will decide which party controls the Senate. Democrats currently control the chamber by a one vote margin, but Republicans are working very hard to try to change that.

We have a series of reports on some key races. Let's start in North Carolina.

BOB BUCKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Bob Buckley in North Carolina where the U.S. Senate race was supposed to be a slam dunk for the Republicans. Elizabeth Dole had a 14-point lead on former Clinton Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles. Bowles' lead is now down to six after a barrage of attack ads from the Democrats.

Republicans have recently begun to fight back. Here's their latest. Hand towel says, vote Erskine Bowles on the front. Turn it over. It says made in Brazil. Three hundred North Carolina jobs lost. This hand towel was made by a company whose CEO is Erskine Bowles wife.

Despite all the attack ads, Mrs. Dole's support has stayed just about the same. Just under 50 percent, although they have allowed Mr. Bowles to pick up a lot of the undecided vote. Mr. Bowles is preferred by women. Mrs. Dole is preferred by the men. And in the long run, most political observers believe Mrs. Dole's personal popularity will pull this race out for the Republicans.

BRIAN ALLEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I am Brian Allen in Sioux Falls. And here in South Dakota, the biggest race by far is for U.S. Senate, which pits Democratic incumbent Tim Johnson against Republican Congressman John Thune .

Now, there's obviously a lot at stake here. This is Majority Leader Tom Daschle's home state, but South Dakota is heavily Republican which is why at this late stage of the game, the race is so close. Recent poll numbers show Jonathan with a slight lead anywhere from one to three percentage points. The Thune campaign is calling in some Republican heavy hitters for the weekend, the president, the first lady and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Meantime, Tim Johnson is hitting the road in a bus along with Tom Daschle looking to shore up his support. This campaign doesn't cut on one issue, but several, chief among them, drought relief, homeland security and health care.

CHRISTINA CHATALIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Christina Chatalian and in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where President Bush is campaigning for Congressman John Sununu in the U.S. Senate race. Now, Governor Gene Shaheen is running against the congressman, and, right now, the race is a toss up with two polls showing Governor Shaheen is slightly leading over Sununu.

Now, this race is being watched nationally because in this race, New Hampshire is one of the states that could determine which party will control the U.S. Senate in Washington. Now, the Secretary of State of New Hampshire says they're expecting a strong turnout, actually a record turnout, this Tuesday, and voters will be looking at some of the issues the two candidates have been addressing. Social Security, a prescription drug plan for seniors, homeland security and education. I'm Christina Chatalian in New Hampshire.

T. J. HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm T. J. Holmes in Little Rock Arkansas, where this state's attorney general is hoping to in with the senate seat, once held by his father. Democrat Attorney General Mark Pryor is a fifth generation Pryor family public servant here in the state. The last being his father, the very popular David Pryor who spent 18 years in the Senate.

Mark Pryor is in a bitter battle with Republican Senator Tim Hutchinson, who many felt was vulnerable this year after he divorced his wife and remarried a staffer during his senate term. In his closing days in his campaign, a number of big names and big bucks are pouring into the state on behalf of Hutchinson. Just earlier this week, Vice President Dick Cheney was in town. This weekend, Rudolph Giuliani is expected, and on Monday, President Bush expected to make a stop all in hopes of saving the seat for the republicans.

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And I am Frank Buckley live in Minneapolis, Minnesota, site of one of the most fascinating and hotly- contested U.S. Senate races this season. The death exactly one week ago today of incumbent Senator Paul Wellstone has thrust a former Vice President Walter Mondale into this race on the Democratic side against the Republican Norm Coleman.

Republicans are pulling out all the stops, bringing in their biggest hitters, their biggest stars. Today, Vice President Dick Cheney was here campaigning with Coleman. Tomorrow, Laura Bush will be here, and on Sunday. President bush will be here to campaign for Coleman.

Walter Mondale, meanwhile, is holding town hall meetings. He is meeting with voters, hearing their ideas, talking to them about him. He has said he will engage in one debate before election day. That debate will not be coming tonight. Tonight, there is a debate involving the Republican Coleman along with the Independent's party candidate and the Green party candidate. Analysts here, Wolf, saying that the fact that Mondale is skipping this debate may give Coleman some further ammunition to say that Mondale is out of touch with the current issues -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Frank, are some of the ads on either side or both sides beginning to go negative?

BUCKLEY: Well, was there some discussion apparently within the republican ranks. In fact, it went beyond discussion. We are told the republicans created an ad that would have gone negative against Mondale. A well-placed G.O.P. source in Washington tells me that the ad that had many visual images of the Carter-Mondale era, gas rationing, high mortgage rates, high interest rates, things of that nature. The ad went so far as to go up on the satellite, was fed to local stations here in Minnesota, but a decision was made not to put it into the rotation for fear of a backlash. They decided, instead, to stay positive their message for now -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Frank Buckley on the scene for us in Minnesota. Thanks very much and thanks to our affiliate reporters, as well.

When we come back, a Florida flashback to an election nightmare. We may not see hanging chads anymore on Tuesday, but there still could be plenty, plenty of trouble. We'll tell you why when we come back.

Also, why does one of the wealthiest counties have one of the highest breast cancer rates? We'll tell you that, as well.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: A county where plenty of money and unfortunately minutey (ph) of breast cancer cases. That story and the shocking part about it that's raising awareness coming up on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: After the 2000 election vote, counting problems in Florida gave the sunshine state a lot of unwanted attention. Florida election officials promised to fix the problems, but as a new election approaches, there are fears things may not necessarily go as smoothly as hoped. CNN's John Zarrella reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Uh-oh, somehow I think we've seen this movie before. Could it be deja vu all over again? Again?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's terrible. It's an outrage.

ZARRELLA: Hoping to avoid long lines next Tuesday, Broward County opened half a dozen polling places for early voting. What's happened was never expected. Waiting times up to two hours. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It usually doesn't take this long for the regular polling place, so the early expedited balloting was not too expedited.

ZARRELLA: There is mounting concerned from elections officials that what they are seeing now could translate into a major election- day meltdown, when all 700 precincts open.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Take a look at the number of voting machines.

ZARRELLA: The problem, a ballot up to 15 pages, filled with wordy state and local issues on everything from school room class sizes to whether pregnant pigs can be confined.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If the public comes prepared, has marked their sample ballots in advance, the procedures at the precinct will go quickly.

ZARRELLA: Experts say, if voters haven't look said at the ballot ahead of time, it could take up to 15 minutes to wade through all of the gobbledygook, resulting in untenable lines, frustration and tens of thousands of people walking away from the polls. Experts say, in heavily democratic Broward, that would not be good for Bill McBride.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: McBride has to carry Broward and South Florida by big numbers, and he can only do that with a high turnout. Every time a voter turns away and goes home, that's probably a McBride voter. He can't afford this.

ZARRELLA: Elections officials asked the state for permission to use provisional ballots, but were turned down. Democratic Congressman Peter Deutsche who represents Broward said he talked personally with Florida's republican Secretary of State Jim Smith.

REP. PETER DEUTSCH (D), FLORIDA: Response to me was let them wait.

ZARRELLA: Deutsch says he thinks the response would have been different, if it involved a republican county.

DEUTSCH: If this was Collier County, I don't think you'd let them wait.

JIM SMITH, FLORIDA SECRETARY OF STATE: That is an insult.

ZARRELLA: At a press conference, Smith bristled at the notion of partisan politics.

SMITH: There's no authority in the law to pass out a provisional ballot in a long line and let people vote.

ZARRELLA: In the past, the problems and accusations of partisan politics usually surfaced after the voting. This time, the bickering is going on before the booths are even open.

John Zarrella, CNN, Miami. (END VIDEO TAPE)

BLITZER: That could just be the beginning.

When we come back, a wealthy suburb of San Francisco, also home to the highest breast cancer rates in the country. Now, residents are turning to extreme measures with an extreme ad to find out the truth. We'll go live to California for an in-depth look.

Plus, old medicine in modern times, why more and more doctors are now making house calls.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Now, to the west coast, specifically northern California where there's a medical mystery. CNN's Rusty Dornin is on the health beat in Marin County where health officials want to understand why the breast cancer rate is so high -- Rusty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, you know this, is one story that is hard not to have some reporter involvement. I moved here about 11 years ago to Marin, just when the breast cancer rates were rising.

No one can figure out why. It's beautiful here. People are very health conscious. The trails of Mount (UNINTELLIGIBLE) behind me were the ones that motivated folds folks to design the very first mountain bikes. There's no large industry, no obvious chemical pollution, so they've never been able to do any environmental studies because they had nothing to focus on here.

But, in reaction, there's been a grassroots efforts, an in your face campaign, to get the message across.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

It seems like paradise, just across the Golden Gate Bridge. Marin County, California, home to rich, beautiful, healthy people. Right? These tough to ignore ads are part of the Marin County cancer projects search for the cause.

AD ANNOUNCER: People are dying in Marin County, and no one even seems to notice.

DORNIN: They want to know why the rate of breast cancer here is 45 percent higher than the national average.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm certainly lonely. And you know, I miss her. I feel angry about the loss.

DORNIN: Annie Fox (ph). She was 29 when she got breast cancer. She died three months ago at age 35. Her fiance Chris Stewart (ph) says it's tough not to be angry.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would love to see more research done here.

DORNIN: Some have speculated about the environment. Sheila Lavine (ph) joined the cause to find the solution years ago and then last year, she got breast cancer.

Why do you think this happened to you? Do you think it's something here in the environment?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's a real important question that I think many of us are asking, right now, because it's such a wonderful environment, and people live in a healthy lifestyle. People are very conscious of how they live, and yet, it is happening here.

DORNIN: Epidemiologist Tina Clarke authored the most recent study on breast cancer rates in Marin County. She says, educated, affluent women might be unknowingly doing things that put them more at risk.

TINA CLARKE, EPIDEMIOLOGIST: These are things like not having children at all, delaying child bearing until later ages, like after 30, drinking more alcohol.

DORNIN: Four federal agencies have now pledged to solve Marin's mystery.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

Now frustrated, thousands of volunteers from the Marin cancer project will begin knocking on every single door in the county on November 9th in a one one-day drive trying to get more money for research, trying to get more awareness here in efforts to do something about this devastating disease that's killing so many more women here than anywhere else -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Those graphic TV ads that you've been seeing out there in Marin County. How are they playing? How's the public reacting to them?

DORNIN: Well, one interesting this is one of the local television stations has refused to play the ads, but won't tell the Marin cancer project exactly why, but the project itself claims it's getting hundreds of phone calls from folks who see those ads and are so affected by them that they want to join the campaign.

BLITZER: Rusty Dornin, thanks for that report in beautiful Marin County. It is a spectacular place. I've been there, and we can see right behind you how nice it is. Thanks for that important report.

And do you remember when doctors used to make house calls? They're widely assumed to be a thing of the past. But get this, they're making a comeback among some health care professionals and with good reason.

Our medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE) ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Three years ago Dr. Eric De Jonge abandoned his office.

DR. ERIC DE JONGE: Yes, Ms. Swan (ph), it's doctor downstairs, you can buzz the door.

COHEN: And now, this is his office. The homes of people who need him. People like 94-year-old Mary Swan (ph). too sick to leave her house. If a doctor didn't come to her, she'd have to go to a nursing home, which she doesn't want and given the price, neither would Medicare.

DE JONGE: Open your mouth nice and wide.

COHEN: Today, Dr. De Jonge checks an aching tooth. He asked her what she's taking for it. Mrs. Swan (ph) can remember where the bottle sits in her bathroom, but not the name.

DE JONGE: Can I go look for it a minute?

COHEN: It's only on a house call that a doctor can go find the patient's medicine herself.

DE JONGE: This is hydrogen peroxide.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

DE JONGE: I think this is probably not the best thing to be putting in your mouth.

COHEN: He also checks Mrs. Swan's blood pressure and lungs.

DE JONGE: Nice deep breaths.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I wouldn't be living, if it wasn't for them.

COHEN: Then he moves on to his next patient. Dr. De Jonge and five colleagues from the Washington Hospital Center do these house calls, seeing eight patients in a day. That's not a lot compared to a regular doctor's office, but he says their practice is financially healthy.

DE JONGE: Our overhead is less than half of an office practice, so we have to see less patients to make our ends meet.

COHEN: In his big black bag, he carries with him everything he needs. He can do EKGs, blood tests, measure oxygen in the blood all right there.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's been a Godsend to us. It absolutely has been.

COHEN: Jan Hall's (ph) 82-year-old mother, Majorine Cowens (ph) has Alzheimer's disease.

DE JONGE: Do you know who I am?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.

COHEN: Today, Dr. De Jonge doctor checks her knee. Two weeks ago, she was in so much pain she'd stopped eating. Then, during a house call, he drained fluid and gave her steroid shots.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: From that point you on, you could see her start to feel better.

DE JONGE: Is that right?

COHEN: There are a few other house call projects around the country. And Dr. De Jonge and others are encouraging more. They cut on emergency room visits, they say, and they bring care to people who can't get the care themselves.

Elizabeth Cohen, CNN, Washington D.C.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

BLITZER: Time's running out for you to weigh in on our web question of the day. The U.S. military does not allow women to fight in direct ground combat. Should this change? Log on to cnn.com/wolf. That's where you can vote. We'll have the results right when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Here's how you're weighing in on the web question of the day. The U.S. military does not allow the women to fight in direct ground combat. Should this change? Forty-three percent of you say, yes. Fifty-seven percent of you say, no. Remember, this is not a scientific poll.

That's all the time we have today. Please join me Sunday at noon eastern for LATE EDITION, the last word on Sunday talk. Among my guests, the former New York City Mayor, Rudy Giuliani. Until then, thanks very much for watching.

I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.

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







Aired November 1, 2002 - 17:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, HOST: It has some of the nation's highest income families and the nation's highest breast cancer rate.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People are dying (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and nobody even seems to notice.

BLITZER: What's going on near the Golden Gate? And campaign countdown, we'll look at crucial races around the country. It's Friday, November 1, 2002. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. The scope of the Washington area sniper shootings is so vast and complex the Montgomery, Alabama police chief calls it an unfolding nightmare.

At a news conference just a short while ago, Chief John Wilson revealed that a handgun was found near the site of a deadly shooting linked to the sniper suspects. CNN's Charles Molineaux is in Montgomery, Alabama. He's joining us now live -- Charles.

CHARLES MOLINEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, not just a handgun but the very kind and caliber of handgun that police said that they were looking for, the gun that they believe was used in the killing of a liquor store manager and yet that discovery also resulted in some quick backpedaling and rethinking of some theories because, on the same day police got word that ballistics tests had actually established the victim was killed not by a handgun at all but by a rifle, a Bushmaster.

Let's go back to September 21. That was the scene where Claudine Parker was shot and killed outside this liquor store. Witnesses, including a Montgomery policeman say they saw and chased two men who later turned out to be, they thought, John Malvo and John Muhammad, the D.C. sniper suspects, and Muhammad had a pistol.

No one saw a rifle, which led to the expectation that there wasn't one unless, as investigators now suspect, there was a third person involved who fired the killer shot, especially now that ATF investigators have determined that it was, in fact, the Bushmaster that fired the shot that killed the victim. The question is how could this have happened? The chief says what happened was pretty much understandable.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF JOHN WILSON, MONTGOMERY, ALA., POLICE: A .22 caliber magnum bullet and a .223 have tremendously similar similarities. They're a lot alike. You're talking about paper thin differences and what we were dealing with was very microscopic fragments. Also, what has to fit into the equation are the statements of the witnesses. That's very important. Nobody has now, nor did anybody then indicate that they saw a long gun.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MOLINEAUX: Police say this is not a setback for the investigation, far from it, in fact it means that they now have more information and more direct evidence linking the two suspects to the scene here in Montgomery, Alabama. The big breakthrough, of course, was the seizure of that Bushmaster rifle when John Malvo and John Muhammad were arrested, something that ATF officials say was a dramatic breakthrough because now they can actually test fire the gun, get whole bullet samples from it, and FedEx them around to investigators to examine and compare with other unsolved murders -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Charles Molineaux in Montgomery, Alabama, Charles thanks very much. And, the Montgomery Police Chief Mr. Wilson, of course, has been at the center of the Alabama link to the Washington area sniper shootings but he's remained steadfast in praising the work of his men and those federal officials helping in this very complex case.

This week Wilson said it was his gut feeling that a third person was involved in that September 21 liquor store shooting that killed one woman and wounded another. Is he now backing off the third person theory or moving forward with it?

Chief John Wilson is joining us now live from Montgomery. Chief thanks so much for joining us.

WILSON: Thank you.

BLITZER: Well, tell our viewers who are confused a little bit about the possibility of yet a third suspect, where that stands right now.

WILSON: Well, I cautioned everybody the very first day that we had our briefing here not to draw any steadfast conclusions because we had a lot of evidence that was still unfolding. Our forensics people were working with the assumption that no long gun was seen including one of the victims that survived indicated seeing a flash. We have two officers' independent statements that report seeing a handgun, so we know one was at the scene. Now exactly what role it plays we don't know at this moment.

The new revelation adds to our case. It strengthens it, doesn't hurt it. Now that we know we can place them here at our scene with that rifle, we get another piece of evidence, so either something happened before officers arrived on the scene or there was, in fact, somebody else involved and we're looking at all possibilities.

BLITZER: Is it still your gut instinct, though, that there might have been a third person involved in this murder in Montgomery?

WILSON: Wolf, this is a most unconventional case and I think that we're going to have to do some unconventional thinking here, and while I may have some instincts I'm certainly not going to lock myself into that. We had the blue car all along that we talked about from the very outset. At first before we knew the suspects were even involved with a blue car after their capture, we were treating it as a witness.

Well now we have to rethink that. The car was moving at some point. It was seen in the area. Whether it's the same car or not we don't know, but we simply are not ruling out any possibilities. We're going to go back and reconstruct the entire crime scene now with the known knowledge that the rifle was used and let's see what we come up with then.

BLITZER: But your suspicion, of course, is that John Muhammad and John Lee Malvo were responsible for that murder in your town?

WILSON: In my professional opinion there's no question. We have the gun, brochure, or what's been described as a gun magazine, seen in the possession of Malvo. He dropped it. That's where we retrieved the prints. We have an officer's positive identification without question that he saw Muhammad and that's who he chased so we can put them in the area without this new evidence, but it just helps our case. So, we're just going to back and find out where this piece of the puzzle fits and I'm confident, I've got great faith in my investigators. The best thing I can do for them is stay out of their way and let them do their job.

BLITZER: And so, your suspicion also is that the Bushmaster may have been used but there was a handgun that was used as well, right?

WILSON: Right. Well, it's not a suspicion anymore. I've talked to ATF extensively. I mean I'm kind of put on the spot here a little bit and I wanted some clear explanations about why we got one determination once and a second determination the second time and they're a very professional organization and I really appreciate them coming forward with new evidence because it would have been grossly wrong and not helped anybody had we not known that the rifle was, in fact, used and so I have no problem with this change. I know the rifle was there. We now know it was used but I also have to work with the theory that the officers clearly saw a handgun.

BLITZER: And you know that the rifle was used to kill that woman, not the handgun, is that right?

WILSON: That's correct. Well, we don't know now. I want to stop there. I'm not going to talk about all the evidence involving the handgun. I'm not going to say that it wasn't used in any way. Remember there was one victim severely injured and we do not have that bullet. I mean there's always a possibility both guns were used. We just don't know and the thing that really is troubling to us and is making this case hard for us is, the key piece is the suspects themselves and without access to them, we're going to have to figure it out on our own and I'm confident we'll do that.

BLITZER: I think you're going to have to wait in line to get access to those two suspects. A lot of other people want to talk to them obviously as well. Before I let you go, chief, what about other crimes, maybe other murders, unsolved cases, in your jurisdiction? Are you taking another look at them and do you suspect these two guys might have been responsible for those crimes?

WILSON: We're going to look at every possibility but we do not, I will tell you in my opinion right now, we don't have them developed as suspects in any unsolved murders we have at the moment. There again, let's don't draw any conclusions. That could change.

We're not going to leave any stone unturned. We've got a lot of victims out there that are depending on us to make sure this case is done professionally, not just in our jurisdiction but all over the country and we're not going to rush this case. There's no need to. They're in custody. They're not going anywhere. So however long it takes to get the factual answers that we can support that's what we're going to do.

BLITZER: Chief Wilson good of you to join us. I know you've been incredibly busy, thanks very much.

WILSON: No problem.

BLITZER: Good luck to you and all your men and women who are working this investigation.

WILSON: Thank you. Thank you for helping us with it, thanks.

BLITZER: Thank you very much. Thank you. And, in yet another twist to the case, did one of the suspects call police only to be turned away? Apparently that's exactly what happened. Here's a recording of a call reports say was made by one of the suspects to Rockville, Maryland Police.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

OPERATOR: Rockville City Police. This line is recorded.

CALLER: Good morning, don't say anything just listen. We are the people that are causing the killing in your area. Look on the Tarot card. It says call me God. Do not release the threat. We have called you three times before trying to set up negotiations. We've gotten no response. People have died.

OPERATOR: Sir, I need to refer you to the Montgomery County Police hotline. We are not investigating the crime. Would you like the number?

(END AUDIO CLIP)

BLITZER: Joining us now for more on this sniper case our Justice Correspondent Kelli Arena. She's been covering this extremely intriguing story -- Kelli.

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, investigators are not at all happy about that tape being released. They say that it is evidence that should not have been made public, but now that it's out there, some investigators suggest that it backs up their belief that the motive behind the killings from the beginning was extortion. Now don't forget at two separate crime scenes the alleged snipers left notes demanding $10 million. Now how that call was handled, as well as calls made to the FBI's tip line, are under review. FBI Director Robert Mueller today said that both the technology used and training offered to individuals handling calls are being looked at. What's more, Mueller confirmed that not every call into the FBI's tip line was recorded and that is a policy that's also under review -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Kelli Arena with that information thanks very much for that. And, they're bringing home the bacon and preparing for war, women in the military. Should they be allowed to take a more active role in combat? I'll talk to retired three-star U.S. Army Lieutenant General Claudia Kennedy.

Also, girl interrupted, a Hollywood star accused of Grand Theft, Burglary and Vandalism, did Winona really do it for a movie role, or did she get star crossed? And, the state that caused the presidential election debacle braces for yet another potentially messy vote. Find out why Florida still may not have its act together, but first a look at news making headlines around the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice over): Attacking the attackers, an international human rights group says Palestinians who launch suicide attacks against Israelis are guilty of crimes against humanity. The group, Human Rights Watch, also says Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat should be doing more to stop the attacks. Arafat says Israeli occupation of Palestinian areas is the root cause of the violence.

A prison fire in Morocco has killed at least 49 inmates. The cause is under investigation. Turkey is getting ready for a Sunday election that could put a party with Islamic roots in control of the government. Party leaders are denying allegations they turned Turkey into an Islamic state.

Things are beginning to get back to normal near Sicily's Mount Etna. Winds have shifted allowing workers to sweep up ash from the volcano which erupted this week.

The butler didn't do it. British prosecutors have dropped theft charges against the late Princess Diana's butler, Paul Burrell. Burrell said all along that he had merely taken some items for safekeeping after Diana's death and, as it turns out, he's found a surprise witness to back up his story, Queen Elizabeth. Buckingham Palace says Burrell told the queen five years ago about his plan to hold on to some of Diana's papers. The law is a little like chess. When the queen made her move it was checkmate and the game was over for the prosecutors, and that's our look around the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. The Bush administration is voicing more confidence that the United States will be able to push through a tough new U.N. Security Council resolution calling on Iraq to disarm or else. The U.S. and Britain need seven other countries to vote with them and no vetoes from permanent members of the Security Council.

France and Russia both with veto power, of course, object to threats against Iraq. Russia's foreign minister today said the parties are drawing closer to an agreement but stressed also once again that the resolution can not give anyone the right to use force.

Iraq, meanwhile, today expressed confidence that friendly states on the Security Council will block the United States and British resolution. Some of those council members are represented at a big business event going on right now in Baghdad.

CNN's Rym Brahimi is in the Iraqi capitol.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): To a chorus of girls telling President Bush they love Saddam Hussein, Iraq's trade minister arrived for the big event, the Baghdad International Trade Fair. It's not so much what's for sale as who's selling. The trade fair is a barometer of which countries are eager or at least willing to be seen doing business with Iraq.

It's all legal business under the U.N. approved oil-for-food program, but Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan, touring a display of military industries, made the point that Iraq has many resources. Among the biggest participants at the fair, Russia, France, and China, the three permanent U.N. Security Council members which Iraq hopes will help ward off the looming threat of U.S. led war.

TAHA YASSIN RAMADAN, IRAQI VICE PRESIDENT (through translator): Hoping, God willing, to meet with you at the Baghdad International Fairgrounds in the next session in 2003, and Iraq is crowned with a great victory on its evil enemies, enemies of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and progress.

BRAHIMI: Although Iraq's oil revenue has fallen in the last year due to disputes with the U.N. over pricing, it still has plenty to spend, several billion dollars a year for food, medicine, and other goods to keep the country running, everything from the latest model cars, like these, to the basic kitchen sink.

Rym Brahimi CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: They fought and died in the Persian Gulf War, what role will they play if there's a new war with Iraq? Joining me now from Toronto is retired three-star U.S. Army General Claudia Kennedy.

She was the highest ranking woman in the U.S. military serving as deputy chief of staff for intelligence. She's also the author of the book "Generally Speaking." General Kennedy thanks so much for joining us. What role will women in the U.S. military play in the event that there is another war with Iraq?

LT. GEN. CLAUDIA KENNEDY, U.S. ARMY (RET): Wolf, women are an integral part of the army and so they'll continue to play the roles that they play during peacetime and during exercises and in other operations.

BLITZER: How close will they actually get to combat?

KENNEDY: Women will get as close to combat as they do if they're doing any operations that requires logistics or medical care or administration, intelligence, engineering. Women are in all of the fields except for being in tanks and fighting as infantry.

BLITZER: Is that it? Is that the only restriction on women right now, not only in the U.S. Army, but the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps?

KENNEDY: Well, the Navy and the Air Force have a higher percentage of jobs open to women than does the Army and the Army has a higher percentage of jobs open to women than the Marine Corps. That's because most of the Marine Corps fights as infantry and women are excluded from ground combat, fighting as infantry.

BLITZER: Is it your opinion that women should be allowed to have equal opportunity to be involved in all those jobs and those restrictions should be eliminated?

KENNEDY: I think it's very important for us to use all of the talent available to us and we should take a look at people based on their training, based on their abilities. You know we have women who are very courageous, very smart, very well trained, and so we need to use everyone's talent in that.

BLITZER: So you're saying that women should be allowed to fight in the infantry, for example, or get into tanks and kill the enemy if necessary?

KENNEDY: I think that I would stop short of making such a direct statement only because it's a decision that the people who are in charge today need to make and we have a great chief of staff, General Eric Shinseki (ph) is as good as they come, great leader. He can figure that detail out.

But I would just say that the Army has done a great job of using all of its talent, and you know we have seen in the last several decades very impressive expansion of activities and opportunities open to women, mostly because the Army needed women in those jobs, and when women got in those jobs, women did a wonderful, high quality performance, and therefore are welcome to return every time.

BLITZER: As you know, the historic argument is that women shouldn't get some of those jobs in close-up combat because of the fear that they could be taken as a prisoner of war and that would be unusually harsh for a woman. Does that argument still hold?

KENNEDY: Well, that argument is one that presumes that a woman's life is more fragile than a man's and I think we've had a lot of conversation about how very strong and resilient women are. In fact, women are believed to be much more robust than men in general. Now some people then bring in the argument about upper body strength but there is a lot of work done in the Army that has nothing to do with the number of pushups you do.

BLITZER: That's absolutely true, especially if you have a good, solid brain. You can do a lot of important work for the U.S. military. Do you sense, as we prepare, as the United States potentially gets ready for a new war that the women in the U.S. military in any of the branches, that they are ready to do their duty? They're looking forward to this or are they reluctant warriors?

KENNEDY: Women are just like the men warriors in this sense. When they have a job that they enjoy and that they're well trained for and they feel very confident of their leadership, they go on these operations and feel very good about it. In fact, look forward just as the men do to performing in a job that they've trained for. You know, this army is as ready and as well prepared and as well trained as it's ever been and our army has never been more effective, nor has it ever been so diverse.

BLITZER: Some of the best fighter pilots out there happen to be women. I've seen them up close and personal. Thanks very much General Kennedy for joining us.

KENNEDY: Absolutely.

BLITZER: Here's your chance to weigh in on the story. Our web question of the day is this: The U.S. military does not allow women to fight in direct ground combat, should this change? We'll have the results later in this program. Go to my web page, cnn.com/wolf. That's where you can vote. While you're there, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your comments, your questions. I'll try to read some of them on the air each day at the end of this program. That's also where you can read my daily online column; once again, cnn.com/wolf.

A Hollywood star accused of Grand Theft and Burglary. It's Winona's turn in court today. Did she do it for a movie role? Hear what her defense team plans to say. Also, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the Senate races in 2002 an across the country glance at this year's hot ticket. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Now to the high profile trial of Winona Ryder. The defense is laying out its case, questioning why security personnel changed their stories about Ryder's alleged shoplifting. Defense testimony is just getting underway in the California courtroom. Today, CNN's Thelma Gutierrez looks at the latest on the trial.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Winona Ryder, one of Hollywood's most accomplished actresses accused of Grand Theft, Vandalism, and Burglary. The prosecution presented more of this videotape to jurors showing Ryder shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills last December. Colleen Rainey a key witness for the prosecution and former Saks investigator testified she saw firsthand what the tape does not show.

ANTHONY SALERNO, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: She says that she saw Winona Ryder cutting through fabric to remove sensor tags from clothing and from handbags and other items.

GUTIERREZ: Under cross-examination, defense attorney Mark Gerrigos (ph) pointed out that none of the alleged statements Ryder made to guards were included on the incident report, nor were details about what Rainey claims she witnessed in the fitting room.

SALERNO: He's left with raising the specter that possibly because she didn't put it in the original report, now she's putting it in and therefore she's lying. It's not much to go on but it's really all he has.

GUTIERREZ: Rainey testified when Ryder was confronted she said she was told to do it in preparation for a movie called "Shop Girl." The guard says Ryder later changed the title to "White Jazz." Gerrigos suggested Rainey lied and may have had a motive to do so.

Her husband is a struggling screenwriter and Gerrigos charged the couple may have wanted to sell the Winona Ryder story. Rainey vehemently denied making any money from this incident. Security Guard Ernest DeMaya (ph) testified when confronted Ryder said: "I thought my assistant had paid for it. I'm very sorry."

SALERNO: If Winona Ryder gets on the stand and gives the performance of her life, she has a chance at being acquitted or at least getting a hung jury.

GUTIERREZ: The prosecution showed jurors this chart with a description of the merchandise allegedly taken. Among the items an $80 pair of socks, a $540 Nittori (ph) bag, a $750 Yves St. Laurent blouse, and a $760 Mark Jacobs thermal top, the total amount $5,560.40.

A publicist for the actress told CNN this week has been miserable for Ryder who maintains her innocence. As for the claim that she was researching a movie, the publicist said the guards twisted the story. She claims it was a guard who asked Ryder if she had read the book "Shop Girl" and that Ryder mentioned "White Jazz" as a possible project coming up. She says Ryder is hurt that they would lie about her. Thelma Gutierrez CNN, Beverly Hills.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: The soon-to-be former wife of former General Electric CEO Jack Welch says $35,000 a month is not enough to live on. The couple reached agreement on a temporary alimony settlement today but Jane and Jack Welch are keeping quiet about how much it will be. The deal means they'll be able to keep more of their financial affairs private. Welch is reported worth about $439 million. Sex, negative ads, and good old-fashioned politics, the election races are heating up coast-to-coast. We'll go across the country to see who may tip the balance of power. Also, bad news for the Sunshine State looks like voting in Florida could still be a mess. Four days to the election, will they get their act together in time?

Plus, one of the wealthiest suburbs of the nation plagued by breast cancer, now residents are taking matters into their own hands to find out what's making them sick. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. Coming up, we'll go across the country with a look at the hot election races. What states will tip the scales of government power. A look at what's in play.

But first, let's take a look at other stories making news right now.

(NEWSBREAK)

Tuesday's election will decide which party controls the Senate. Democrats currently control the chamber by a one vote margin, but Republicans are working very hard to try to change that.

We have a series of reports on some key races. Let's start in North Carolina.

BOB BUCKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Bob Buckley in North Carolina where the U.S. Senate race was supposed to be a slam dunk for the Republicans. Elizabeth Dole had a 14-point lead on former Clinton Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles. Bowles' lead is now down to six after a barrage of attack ads from the Democrats.

Republicans have recently begun to fight back. Here's their latest. Hand towel says, vote Erskine Bowles on the front. Turn it over. It says made in Brazil. Three hundred North Carolina jobs lost. This hand towel was made by a company whose CEO is Erskine Bowles wife.

Despite all the attack ads, Mrs. Dole's support has stayed just about the same. Just under 50 percent, although they have allowed Mr. Bowles to pick up a lot of the undecided vote. Mr. Bowles is preferred by women. Mrs. Dole is preferred by the men. And in the long run, most political observers believe Mrs. Dole's personal popularity will pull this race out for the Republicans.

BRIAN ALLEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I am Brian Allen in Sioux Falls. And here in South Dakota, the biggest race by far is for U.S. Senate, which pits Democratic incumbent Tim Johnson against Republican Congressman John Thune .

Now, there's obviously a lot at stake here. This is Majority Leader Tom Daschle's home state, but South Dakota is heavily Republican which is why at this late stage of the game, the race is so close. Recent poll numbers show Jonathan with a slight lead anywhere from one to three percentage points. The Thune campaign is calling in some Republican heavy hitters for the weekend, the president, the first lady and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Meantime, Tim Johnson is hitting the road in a bus along with Tom Daschle looking to shore up his support. This campaign doesn't cut on one issue, but several, chief among them, drought relief, homeland security and health care.

CHRISTINA CHATALIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Christina Chatalian and in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where President Bush is campaigning for Congressman John Sununu in the U.S. Senate race. Now, Governor Gene Shaheen is running against the congressman, and, right now, the race is a toss up with two polls showing Governor Shaheen is slightly leading over Sununu.

Now, this race is being watched nationally because in this race, New Hampshire is one of the states that could determine which party will control the U.S. Senate in Washington. Now, the Secretary of State of New Hampshire says they're expecting a strong turnout, actually a record turnout, this Tuesday, and voters will be looking at some of the issues the two candidates have been addressing. Social Security, a prescription drug plan for seniors, homeland security and education. I'm Christina Chatalian in New Hampshire.

T. J. HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm T. J. Holmes in Little Rock Arkansas, where this state's attorney general is hoping to in with the senate seat, once held by his father. Democrat Attorney General Mark Pryor is a fifth generation Pryor family public servant here in the state. The last being his father, the very popular David Pryor who spent 18 years in the Senate.

Mark Pryor is in a bitter battle with Republican Senator Tim Hutchinson, who many felt was vulnerable this year after he divorced his wife and remarried a staffer during his senate term. In his closing days in his campaign, a number of big names and big bucks are pouring into the state on behalf of Hutchinson. Just earlier this week, Vice President Dick Cheney was in town. This weekend, Rudolph Giuliani is expected, and on Monday, President Bush expected to make a stop all in hopes of saving the seat for the republicans.

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And I am Frank Buckley live in Minneapolis, Minnesota, site of one of the most fascinating and hotly- contested U.S. Senate races this season. The death exactly one week ago today of incumbent Senator Paul Wellstone has thrust a former Vice President Walter Mondale into this race on the Democratic side against the Republican Norm Coleman.

Republicans are pulling out all the stops, bringing in their biggest hitters, their biggest stars. Today, Vice President Dick Cheney was here campaigning with Coleman. Tomorrow, Laura Bush will be here, and on Sunday. President bush will be here to campaign for Coleman.

Walter Mondale, meanwhile, is holding town hall meetings. He is meeting with voters, hearing their ideas, talking to them about him. He has said he will engage in one debate before election day. That debate will not be coming tonight. Tonight, there is a debate involving the Republican Coleman along with the Independent's party candidate and the Green party candidate. Analysts here, Wolf, saying that the fact that Mondale is skipping this debate may give Coleman some further ammunition to say that Mondale is out of touch with the current issues -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Frank, are some of the ads on either side or both sides beginning to go negative?

BUCKLEY: Well, was there some discussion apparently within the republican ranks. In fact, it went beyond discussion. We are told the republicans created an ad that would have gone negative against Mondale. A well-placed G.O.P. source in Washington tells me that the ad that had many visual images of the Carter-Mondale era, gas rationing, high mortgage rates, high interest rates, things of that nature. The ad went so far as to go up on the satellite, was fed to local stations here in Minnesota, but a decision was made not to put it into the rotation for fear of a backlash. They decided, instead, to stay positive their message for now -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Frank Buckley on the scene for us in Minnesota. Thanks very much and thanks to our affiliate reporters, as well.

When we come back, a Florida flashback to an election nightmare. We may not see hanging chads anymore on Tuesday, but there still could be plenty, plenty of trouble. We'll tell you why when we come back.

Also, why does one of the wealthiest counties have one of the highest breast cancer rates? We'll tell you that, as well.

Stay with us.

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BLITZER: A county where plenty of money and unfortunately minutey (ph) of breast cancer cases. That story and the shocking part about it that's raising awareness coming up on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: After the 2000 election vote, counting problems in Florida gave the sunshine state a lot of unwanted attention. Florida election officials promised to fix the problems, but as a new election approaches, there are fears things may not necessarily go as smoothly as hoped. CNN's John Zarrella reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Uh-oh, somehow I think we've seen this movie before. Could it be deja vu all over again? Again?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's terrible. It's an outrage.

ZARRELLA: Hoping to avoid long lines next Tuesday, Broward County opened half a dozen polling places for early voting. What's happened was never expected. Waiting times up to two hours. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It usually doesn't take this long for the regular polling place, so the early expedited balloting was not too expedited.

ZARRELLA: There is mounting concerned from elections officials that what they are seeing now could translate into a major election- day meltdown, when all 700 precincts open.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Take a look at the number of voting machines.

ZARRELLA: The problem, a ballot up to 15 pages, filled with wordy state and local issues on everything from school room class sizes to whether pregnant pigs can be confined.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If the public comes prepared, has marked their sample ballots in advance, the procedures at the precinct will go quickly.

ZARRELLA: Experts say, if voters haven't look said at the ballot ahead of time, it could take up to 15 minutes to wade through all of the gobbledygook, resulting in untenable lines, frustration and tens of thousands of people walking away from the polls. Experts say, in heavily democratic Broward, that would not be good for Bill McBride.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: McBride has to carry Broward and South Florida by big numbers, and he can only do that with a high turnout. Every time a voter turns away and goes home, that's probably a McBride voter. He can't afford this.

ZARRELLA: Elections officials asked the state for permission to use provisional ballots, but were turned down. Democratic Congressman Peter Deutsche who represents Broward said he talked personally with Florida's republican Secretary of State Jim Smith.

REP. PETER DEUTSCH (D), FLORIDA: Response to me was let them wait.

ZARRELLA: Deutsch says he thinks the response would have been different, if it involved a republican county.

DEUTSCH: If this was Collier County, I don't think you'd let them wait.

JIM SMITH, FLORIDA SECRETARY OF STATE: That is an insult.

ZARRELLA: At a press conference, Smith bristled at the notion of partisan politics.

SMITH: There's no authority in the law to pass out a provisional ballot in a long line and let people vote.

ZARRELLA: In the past, the problems and accusations of partisan politics usually surfaced after the voting. This time, the bickering is going on before the booths are even open.

John Zarrella, CNN, Miami. (END VIDEO TAPE)

BLITZER: That could just be the beginning.

When we come back, a wealthy suburb of San Francisco, also home to the highest breast cancer rates in the country. Now, residents are turning to extreme measures with an extreme ad to find out the truth. We'll go live to California for an in-depth look.

Plus, old medicine in modern times, why more and more doctors are now making house calls.

Stay with us.

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BLITZER: Now, to the west coast, specifically northern California where there's a medical mystery. CNN's Rusty Dornin is on the health beat in Marin County where health officials want to understand why the breast cancer rate is so high -- Rusty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, you know this, is one story that is hard not to have some reporter involvement. I moved here about 11 years ago to Marin, just when the breast cancer rates were rising.

No one can figure out why. It's beautiful here. People are very health conscious. The trails of Mount (UNINTELLIGIBLE) behind me were the ones that motivated folds folks to design the very first mountain bikes. There's no large industry, no obvious chemical pollution, so they've never been able to do any environmental studies because they had nothing to focus on here.

But, in reaction, there's been a grassroots efforts, an in your face campaign, to get the message across.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

It seems like paradise, just across the Golden Gate Bridge. Marin County, California, home to rich, beautiful, healthy people. Right? These tough to ignore ads are part of the Marin County cancer projects search for the cause.

AD ANNOUNCER: People are dying in Marin County, and no one even seems to notice.

DORNIN: They want to know why the rate of breast cancer here is 45 percent higher than the national average.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm certainly lonely. And you know, I miss her. I feel angry about the loss.

DORNIN: Annie Fox (ph). She was 29 when she got breast cancer. She died three months ago at age 35. Her fiance Chris Stewart (ph) says it's tough not to be angry.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would love to see more research done here.

DORNIN: Some have speculated about the environment. Sheila Lavine (ph) joined the cause to find the solution years ago and then last year, she got breast cancer.

Why do you think this happened to you? Do you think it's something here in the environment?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's a real important question that I think many of us are asking, right now, because it's such a wonderful environment, and people live in a healthy lifestyle. People are very conscious of how they live, and yet, it is happening here.

DORNIN: Epidemiologist Tina Clarke authored the most recent study on breast cancer rates in Marin County. She says, educated, affluent women might be unknowingly doing things that put them more at risk.

TINA CLARKE, EPIDEMIOLOGIST: These are things like not having children at all, delaying child bearing until later ages, like after 30, drinking more alcohol.

DORNIN: Four federal agencies have now pledged to solve Marin's mystery.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

Now frustrated, thousands of volunteers from the Marin cancer project will begin knocking on every single door in the county on November 9th in a one one-day drive trying to get more money for research, trying to get more awareness here in efforts to do something about this devastating disease that's killing so many more women here than anywhere else -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Those graphic TV ads that you've been seeing out there in Marin County. How are they playing? How's the public reacting to them?

DORNIN: Well, one interesting this is one of the local television stations has refused to play the ads, but won't tell the Marin cancer project exactly why, but the project itself claims it's getting hundreds of phone calls from folks who see those ads and are so affected by them that they want to join the campaign.

BLITZER: Rusty Dornin, thanks for that report in beautiful Marin County. It is a spectacular place. I've been there, and we can see right behind you how nice it is. Thanks for that important report.

And do you remember when doctors used to make house calls? They're widely assumed to be a thing of the past. But get this, they're making a comeback among some health care professionals and with good reason.

Our medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE) ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Three years ago Dr. Eric De Jonge abandoned his office.

DR. ERIC DE JONGE: Yes, Ms. Swan (ph), it's doctor downstairs, you can buzz the door.

COHEN: And now, this is his office. The homes of people who need him. People like 94-year-old Mary Swan (ph). too sick to leave her house. If a doctor didn't come to her, she'd have to go to a nursing home, which she doesn't want and given the price, neither would Medicare.

DE JONGE: Open your mouth nice and wide.

COHEN: Today, Dr. De Jonge checks an aching tooth. He asked her what she's taking for it. Mrs. Swan (ph) can remember where the bottle sits in her bathroom, but not the name.

DE JONGE: Can I go look for it a minute?

COHEN: It's only on a house call that a doctor can go find the patient's medicine herself.

DE JONGE: This is hydrogen peroxide.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

DE JONGE: I think this is probably not the best thing to be putting in your mouth.

COHEN: He also checks Mrs. Swan's blood pressure and lungs.

DE JONGE: Nice deep breaths.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I wouldn't be living, if it wasn't for them.

COHEN: Then he moves on to his next patient. Dr. De Jonge and five colleagues from the Washington Hospital Center do these house calls, seeing eight patients in a day. That's not a lot compared to a regular doctor's office, but he says their practice is financially healthy.

DE JONGE: Our overhead is less than half of an office practice, so we have to see less patients to make our ends meet.

COHEN: In his big black bag, he carries with him everything he needs. He can do EKGs, blood tests, measure oxygen in the blood all right there.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's been a Godsend to us. It absolutely has been.

COHEN: Jan Hall's (ph) 82-year-old mother, Majorine Cowens (ph) has Alzheimer's disease.

DE JONGE: Do you know who I am?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.

COHEN: Today, Dr. De Jonge doctor checks her knee. Two weeks ago, she was in so much pain she'd stopped eating. Then, during a house call, he drained fluid and gave her steroid shots.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: From that point you on, you could see her start to feel better.

DE JONGE: Is that right?

COHEN: There are a few other house call projects around the country. And Dr. De Jonge and others are encouraging more. They cut on emergency room visits, they say, and they bring care to people who can't get the care themselves.

Elizabeth Cohen, CNN, Washington D.C.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

BLITZER: Time's running out for you to weigh in on our web question of the day. The U.S. military does not allow women to fight in direct ground combat. Should this change? Log on to cnn.com/wolf. That's where you can vote. We'll have the results right when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Here's how you're weighing in on the web question of the day. The U.S. military does not allow the women to fight in direct ground combat. Should this change? Forty-three percent of you say, yes. Fifty-seven percent of you say, no. Remember, this is not a scientific poll.

That's all the time we have today. Please join me Sunday at noon eastern for LATE EDITION, the last word on Sunday talk. Among my guests, the former New York City Mayor, Rudy Giuliani. Until then, thanks very much for watching.

I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington.

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