Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Al-Harithi Killed in Yemen Attack; Sniper Task Force Possibly Linking Malvo and Muhammad to More Shootings

Aired November 04, 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.


(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF BLITZER, ANCHOR (voice-over): A day in court, behind closed doors for a sniper suspect as police look for links in growing list of shootings.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was later I saw a shadow to my left. Saw a flash of light, heard the shot, window broke. I was being shot.

BLITZER: What secrets does this stolen lap-top hold?

America votes. Bring out the heavy hitters in the final hours before a crucial election day.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: When you get in that voting booth here in Iowa, I got some suggestions for you.

BLITZER: Nasty campaign ads.

AD ANNOUNCER: While he ran his savings and loan, it laundered $25 million in Mexican drug money.

BLITZER: We'll show you the best of the worst.

AD ANNOUNCER: He wants to hold office so bad, he's willing to sell his soul.

BLITZER: And one key ally tells U.S. forces to stay away. One opens the door a crack and another goes through a political upheaval. Will the U.S. have enough bases left for a possible war with Iraq?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: It's Monday, November 04, 2002. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. In a major development in the war on terror, sources tell CNN a U.S. missile strike today killed a top operative of Osama bin Laden and five other al Qaeda suspects. Our National Security Correspondent David Ensor is following the story. He's joining me now live -- David.

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, this happened early in the morning and the first report suggested that the car might have blown up as a result of terrorists carrying bomb- making materials blowing themselves up as has happened in the past. But now we know that isn't what happened.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR (voice-over): Knowledgeable sources say the blast that killed six al Qaeda suspects in a car in Yemen was caused by a missile fired by the United States. Among the six killed in the attack was this man, Abu Ali Al-Harithi also known as Kayeed Sinain (ph), Al- Harithi who was once a senior bodyguard of Osama bin Laden according to U.S. officials.

Officials believe Al-Harithi was in charge of the al Qaeda organization in Yemen and they say he was one of the top 15 or so leaders of the organization worldwide. He is also a suspect in the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen, another reason why Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said he hopes Al-Harithi has indeed been killed.

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: Needless to say, he has been an individual that has been sought after as an al Qaeda member as well as a suspected terrorist connected to the USS Cole, so it would be a very good thing if he were out of business.

ENSOR: In the past, the U.S. has tracked al Qaeda suspects using unmanned aerial vehicles, like this Predator, some of which are armed with Hellfire missiles. But Pentagon and U.S. intelligence officials are firmly refusing comment on the information that the attack on the car carrying al Qaeda operatives in Yemen was from the U.S.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR: U.S. officials do not want to create additional problems for the government of Yemen, which is trying to help on the war on terrorism without angering fundamentalist Yemenis living in the tribal areas from which, of course, Osama bin Laden's family hails. So that is one reason why they are declining all official comment on this report -- Wolf.

BLITZER: David, it looks like this was a targeted killing or a targeted assassination, which is what the Israelis do with terrorist suspects that they go after. What are U.S. officials saying? How are they describing this attack?

ENSOR: The thing is, Wolf, they are not confirming. U.S. officials are not confirming that the United States was behind this attack, but I have sources that I'm confident are telling the truth that are telling me it was. So, they don't have to discuss it and they are not comparing it with the Israeli attacks, for example. But on the face of it, off the top of one's head, there isn't much difference in some ways.

BLITZER: All right, David Ensor with this late-breaking story thanks very much. Let's move on to the showdown with Iraq right now. A day after Saudi Arabia hinted it may not necessarily let U.S. forces launch attacks from its territory the NATO member, Turkey a staging point during the Persian Gulf War, is undergoing political turmoil. A faction with strong Islamist roots won a landslide victory in yesterday's national elections. On the issue of Iraq, the party leader says: "We do not want war, blood, tears, and death," but he suggests a new government would back a U.S. led military campaign if it's sanctioned by the United Nations.

Kuwait said today that if military action is approved by the U.N. Security Council, it will allow U.S. forces to use its bases, but it stressed the Kuwaiti armed forces will not take part in an attack on Iraq. Kuwait, of course, was occupied by Iraqi forces 12 years ago and was then liberated by a U.S. led coalition.

The Saudi comments which came in an exclusive interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour would seem to be bad news for U.S. war planners, but the Bush administration is not voicing much concern.

Let's go live to our Senior Pentagon Correspondent Jamie McIntyre -- Jamie.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well the reaction, Wolf, on the day when the war continues in Iraq, the Pentagon releasing more cockpit videos showing Iraqi gunners firing rockets and artillery shells at U.S. planes patrolling the no-fly zones. This one shows a .100 mm artillery piece hidden in an orchard in Northern Iraq.

You can see the trees here as the piece is hidden in there. If you look toward the top of the screen you can see the flashes, the muzzle flashes, as they fire at U.S. planes. In response, U.S. F-16s dropped laser-guided bombs on some other guns hidden in a revetment. The assessment from the Pentagon was one was damaged and one was destroyed.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon is downplaying the comments of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud who seemed to indicate that even if the U.S. gets backing from the United Nations, it can't count on staging out of Saudi Arabia or even flying over Saudi territory.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: And you would not allow over flights?

PRINCE SAUD AL-FAISAL, SAUDI FOREIGN MINISTER: Well, I'm just saying that we will abide by the decision of the United Nations Security Council that we will cooperate with the Security Council. But as for entering the conflict or using facilities as part of the conflict, that's something else.

AMANPOUR: And that's a no on that?

AL-FAISAL: No.

MCINTYRE (voice-over): But the United States is well aware the Saudi government rarely gives permission for offensive operations ahead of time, so to the Pentagon what appeared to be a rebuff was no cause for concern.

RUMSFELD: I don't know that what you quoted is necessarily a change in their policy, so I don't find it notable in any sense.

MCINTYRE: At the State Department, U.S. officials also cautioned not to read too much into Saudi Arabia's carefully worded statements of lukewarm support.

RICHARD BOUCHER, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: That's not the impression that we received from their remarks or from our subsequent conversations with the Saudis.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCINTYRE: The United States always cuts Saudi Arabia a lot of slack, well aware that the ruling royal family has real fears about an Islamic revolt if it's seen to be too aligned with the United States, but at the same time Pentagon officials admit there's been growing tension in the relationship between the two countries, which has always been, Wolf, a marriage of convenience.

BLITZER: And presumably will continue to be so. Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon thanks very much. Let's turn now to another major story that we're covering right now. The sniper investigators are trying to determine if more shootings in Maryland can indeed be linked to the two suspects John Muhammad and John Malvo. This possible key development comes as Malvo appeared in Federal Court earlier this afternoon. CNN's Patty Davis is outside the courthouse in Baltimore. She's got these and other late-breaking developments -- Patty.

PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, Malvo's public defender says that a federal judge did indeed order Malvo detained this afternoon. But since he's a minor, there's not much other information known about the case. It is under seal.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVIS (voice-over): Seventeen-year-old John Lee Malvo's appearance in Federal Court behind closed doors, details kept under wraps since he's a juvenile. A brief glimpse through the courtroom door showed Malvo wearing a maroon prison jumpsuit, looking solemn and unkempt as he waited for his lawyers.

The sniper task force, meanwhile, said it's looking into two more shootings to see if they're connected to the Washington, D.C. area sniper killing spree, one on September 5 outside this Clinton, Maryland restaurant. Owner, 55-year-old Paul Laruffa survived after being shot at close range in his car after closing up his restaurant, his Sony laptop and $3,000-$4,000 in restaurant receipts stolen.

PAUL LARUFFA, SHOOTING VICTIM: I saw a shadow to my left, saw a flash of light, heard the shots, the window broke. I was being shot approximately, they think, six times.

DAVIS: The sniper task force investigating whether the laptop found in Muhammad's blue Chevy Caprice is Laruffa's. Its serial number is scratched off so the FBI is checking the laptop's contents. The other shooting, September 15 also in Clinton, Maryland at this liquor store, Muhammad Rasheed shot once in the stomach and robbed as he locked up for the night.

MOHAMMAD RASHEED, SHOOTING VICTIM: My vision and my first vision I tried to see the guy. It was a small guy, skinny guy, not big, not heavy. Maybe the other guy who is the small one (UNINTELLIGIBLE) but I'm not really sure. I don't want to blame anyone.

DAVIS: Both shootings occurred within miles of where Muhammad's ex-wife and children live. Evidence from the shooting has been sent to an ATF lab for testing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DAVIS: What happens to Malvo next is unclear. He's been charged with murder in several local jurisdictions, but he could face the death penalty in Virginia. The federal government will decide where this case is tried first. As for Muhammad, he will be in Federal Court tomorrow at his own detention hearing -- Wolf.

BLITZER: And we're standing by awaiting the Attorney General John Ashcroft's decision momentarily or, at least, the next few days, not necessarily momentarily. At least in the next few days we're told by sources that decision could be made where the first trial will be held. Let's move on.

Jesse Ventura pulls rank on the Democrats and the Republicans. The governor of Minnesota puts an Independent in the Senate as the former vice president battles it out for the seat. We'll go live to Minnesota for a look at one of the hottest races in the country.

And, inside a hostage crisis, for the first time new and terrifying pictures as gunmen storm a theater. And they're nasty and dirty, the ads that make it into our Hall of Shame, what happened to running a clean campaign? We'll find out. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: He's fired up again. What's troubling Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura? That's coming up on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. In Minnesota, surprise fireworks in that state's heated Senate race and from Governor Jesse Ventura as well. CNN's Anderson Cooper is in St. Paul. He's got the latest -- Anderson.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, you got to love Minnesota politics. This does not get anymore exciting than what is going on in this race in this state today. About 15 hours to go before polls open here and both candidates are running neck-and-neck, Walter Mondale, the Democratic Farmer Labor candidate, Norm Coleman the Republican candidate, both candidates debating today. As I said, the race is simply too close to call. Polls indicate about ten percent of Minnesotans have not made up their minds yet. Both candidates hope that today's debate would help those undecided voters make up their minds.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): Diehard supporters braved brisk temperatures to greet their candidates at this one and only debate between two candidates running neck-and-neck. Republican Norm Coleman, two term mayor of St. Paul eager to face off with former Vice President Walter Mondale, icon of Minnesota politics, running in his first election in 18 years.

WALTER MONDALE (D), MN. SENATE CANDIDATE: I have served this state all my life and I am ready to serve again.

COOPER: In a state still mourning the death of Paul Wellstone, the Democratic Senator killed in a plane crash ten days ago, Mondale said he's the one to carry on the late Senator's work.

MONDALE: I think that Paul and I shared so much together, the commitment for social justice, the ability to speak independently.

COOPER: Coleman, respectful, reminded voters he has the support of President George W. Bush, who campaigned here yesterday.

NORM COLEMAN (R), MN. SENATE CANDIDATE: It would be kind of nice for a Senator from Minnesota to have a relationship with the president and the Secretary of Agriculture.

COOPER: Separated only by a small table, both candidates stress they were far apart on the issues. On Iraq, Mondale saying the U.S. should not take unilateral military action.

MONDALE: We were telling the world we were going to go on our own. That is not strength, Norman, that's weakness. We're strong when we have the world with us.

COLEMAN: Then what's the best way to get that broad, multinational coalition? And the reality is that 77 Senators, 77 Senators, a broad, bipartisan both sides of the aisle said the way to do that is to come together as Americans to show our resolve.

COOPER: The tone was civil, the debate at times personal. On abortion:

MONDALE: I believe in choice. I think these issues should be decided by the women and the family. You have been an arbitrary right-to-lifer. I am not.

COLEMAN: I would take exception, I'll use a kind word, to the description of an arbitrary. My wife and I have had two children who were born, first a son and the last daughter. They died at very young ages. I have a deep and profound respect for the value of life. MONDALE: Coleman saying age was not an issue, made sure to paint Mondale as an old-time liberal, reminding Minnesotans of Mondale's failed run for the White House in 1984.

COLEMAN: You don't grow jobs. You don't grow the economy by raising taxes. The vice president thought that in 1984. He was wrong. He proposes now again what he calls rolling back some of the tax cut. That's raising taxes.

MONDALE: You talk about my proposal for tax increase in '84. You know right after the election, they raised taxes. I was the one who told the truth before the election.

COOPER: While the debate was underway, Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, frustrated that the Independent candidate was not invited, held a protest press conference naming an Independent, Dean Barkley, to serve as interim Senator.

GOV. JESSE VENTURA (I), MINNESOTA: My appointee is as qualified to serve the people of Minnesota as any Democrat or Republican.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Governor Ventura also lashed out at the Republican Party, the Democratic Farmer Labor Party here in Minnesota, and the media saying that they basically are joined together to try to subvert the third party movement in this country. Regardless, Governor Ventura's candidate, the interim appointment for Senate will only be in the Senate for a very short period of time. Whoever wins tomorrow's election, once the results are certified, will be the next Senator from Minnesota -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Anderson Cooper on the scene for us in St. Paul. Anderson thanks very much. And here's your chance to weigh in on this story. Our web question of the day is this: Should Democrats and Republicans be forced to allow third party candidates in debates? We'll have the results later in this program. Vote at cnn.com/wolf.

While you're there, I'd like to hear from you. Indeed, I'd love to hear from you. Send me you comments. We'll try to read some of them on the air each day at the end of this program. That's also, of course, where you can read my daily online column, cnn.com/wolf.

This additional programming note, tomorrow, 5:00 p.m. Eastern in our special Election Day WOLF BLITZER REPORTS, I'll speak with the Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura.

Hot governor races coast-to-coast, who will hold the keys to the states? Both parties battle it out for control, the view from California to Florida when we return. Also, Jailhouse Rock, a look at the wackiest and nastiness political ads. But first, our weekend snapshot.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): A major earthquake triggered landslides, cracked highways and shut down the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. The 7.9 magnitude quake slammed a remote area of Alaska's interior yesterday and shook lakes as far away as Louisiana. Only one minor injury was reported. The quake, centered about 75 miles south of Fairbanks, was one of the strongest ever recorded in the United States.

A pileup involving almost 200 cars and big rig trucks injured dozens of people yesterday on California's Long Beach Freeway. Officials blame the accident on drivers going too fast for foggy conditions.

The aircraft carrier USS Constellation and its battle group of warships is headed for the Persian Gulf. Almost 8,000 sailors and marines are taking part in the group's role in the war on terror and possibly against Iraq if war is declared on Iraqi Leader Saddam Hussein.

New York is facing its toughest challenge yet in its bid to host the Summer Olympics of 2012. New York beat out San Francisco to host the event. Now the Big Apple must go up against a field that includes Rome, Toronto, Moscow, and Istanbul. The winner will be picked in 2005.

An incredible victory in the New York City Marathon, Marla Runnion who's legally blind, was the first American woman to finish the 26.2 mile race. Running in her first ever marathon, the 33-year- old Runnion finished fifth overall among the women runners.

And for dog lovers everywhere, check out the skydiving Dachshund. The hot dog and its owner took part in an air show at Bandenburg (ph) Air Force Base in California, and that's our weekend snapshot.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: With a number of important races still close to predict, prominent Republicans and Democrats are crisscrossing the country for last minute campaigning.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): President Bush is ending the 2002 election campaign with a flourish with visits to four states in the Heartland. His first stop of the day was in Iowa, where he predicted Republican Greg Gansky will defeat incumbent Senator Tom Harkin.

BUSH: You can take great satisfaction in knowing you had a big hand in influencing the outcome of this election and there are some reasons why I'm here. I want some allies in Congress to work with on key issues.

BLITZER: After that, the president was off to Missouri and Arkansas, before ending up in his home state, Texas. Somewhere in all this he and Mrs. Bush are celebrating the first lady's 56th birthday.

Another Republican on the national campaign trail, Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor traveled to Minnesota to stump for Republican Senate Candidate Norm Coleman. Well known Democrats were campaigning as well. Former President Bill Clinton was trying to boost the turnout for Connecticut gubernatorial candidate Bill Curry, a former Clinton policy adviser. And, you'd think that after all his troubles in Florida two years ago, former Vice President Al Gore might want to avoid that state but no.

AL GORE, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT: In two days you have an opportunity to make a change. You have an opportunity to make your wishes known. But the name of the game is turnout.

BLITZER: He campaigned in Florida with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride. McBride's opponent has the same last name as Gore's opponent two years ago. McBride is running against President Bush's brother, Jeb.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And we'll have much more on the Florida contest as well as some other key races for governor later this hour. The war on terror moves to Yemen. The U.S. strikes down one of Osama bin Laden's bodyguards with a missile, a look at the next phase in combating al Qaeda.

Also, hostage crisis on tape, chilling new video of terrorists taking over a crowded theater, bombs strapped to their bodies. Plus, political ads turned very nasty. Democrat Mario Cuomo and Republican David Dreier join us live to talk about mudslinging on both sides, but first a look at some other news making headlines "Around the World."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): There's been another accusation involving Middle East unrest. The human rights group Amnesty International accuses the Israel Defense Force of committing war crimes during operations in the West Bank. Israel says the report is one-sided.

Party planners, top communist leaders are meeting in Beijing, preparing for the Party Congress which opens Friday. The Congress is held once every five years and it comes as China prepares to turn control over to a new generation of leaders.

There were echoes of the past in Iran, thousands of demonstrators mark the 23rd anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. Embassy. A rally outside the former embassy was complete with the customary chant, "Death to America, death to Israel."

Burning balloon burst into flames and crashed at a Japanese balloon festival. The pilot and passenger managed to jump out with minor injuries.

There's a spicy investigation in Britain where police are looking into an alleged plot to kidnap Spice Girl Victoria Beckham. The plot never was carried out but five of the suspects arrested over the weekend remain in custody. The five also are charged with an alleged conspiracy to robbery Sotheby's auction house, and that's our look "Around the World."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer. Coming up, dramatic pictures of a hostage crisis as it unfolds, but first let's look at some other stories making news right now.

(NEWSBREAK)

BLITZER: In the war on terror, sources tell CNN a U.S. missile attack in Yemen killed a top operative of Osama bin Laden and five other al Qaeda suspects. The operative was identified as Abu Ali Al- Harithi, who officials say was in charge of al Qaeda operations in Yemen. He was also wanted in the bombing of the USS Cole two years ago.

Joining us now to talk more about this U.S. attack against al Qaeda and its impact on the war on terror, CNN's terrorism analyst, Peter Bergen, also the author of "Holy War," a book about Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda.

Peter, in all of your investigations, your research and reporting, when was last time, as far as you know, the U.S. has actually gone out and assassinated or killed al Qaeda operatives outside of Afghanistan where there was a war, of course, going on?

PETER BERGEN, CNN TERRORISM ANALYST: This seems to be first time. I mean the last time that -- in this phase of the war on terrorism, Muhammad Atta, the military leader, was killed in November in Afghanistan by a U.S. missile. So this appears to be the first time it's happened since.

BLITZER: Why didn't the U.S. ask the Yemeni government, which presumably controls that territory to arrest, to capture, these guys and then extradite them to the United States if they were wanted al Qaeda terrorists?

BERGEN: Well, that's a very good question. I mean the Yemeni government has actually tried with -- you know doesn't really control the entire country. But it has made a good faith effort to go after al Qaeda. But in the past, it has had some not -- things that are not successes. I mean the Yemeni government went after al Qaeda and 18 soldiers were killed several months ago. So perhaps the U.S. government maybe made the calculation that this was a way to deal with the problem where there wouldn't be a failure.

BLITZER: So this sounds like a major, potentially, new phase in the U.S. war on terror, simply go out and assassinate or kill suspected terrorists, something of course, the Israelis have been doing for a long time.

BERGEN: It does appear to be a new phase, particularly I mean -- as in the Muhammad Atta incidence, we were at war in Afghanistan against the Taliban. It was in a war situation. We're obviously not at war in Yemen. BLITZER: If you take a look at the whole status right now, where does the U.S. stand in its war against al Qaeda and the remnants of Osama bin Laden's operation?

BERGEN: Well, I mean, there have been successes along the U.S. side, but there's still a lot of things that haven't -- you know, there are still a lot of members of al Qaeda out there. I mean just in Yemen, we saw earlier this month, a French oil tanker was attacked, you know, a huge hole was blown in the side of a ship. Obviously, the oil business is central to the American economy. So al Qaeda remains active in Yemen. The news of today suggests, you know, at least a sort of victory, but much remains to be done.

BLITZER: Peter Bergen, as usual, thanks very much.

BERGEN: Thank you.

BLITZER: We'll be watching this next new phase, but I assume you'll watch it a lot more closely than we will. Thanks very much, Peter.

Chilling videotape has emerged of the deadly hostage crisis that unfolded in a Russian theater earlier this month. CNN's Matthew Chance has a look now from Moscow.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The night started like any other at the popular musical that had drawn a near full house to this Moscow theater. But the drama that followed was unscripted and terrifying and we now know caught clearly on the house video cameras. At first, the cast doesn't seem to know what to make of the masked gunmen who burst on to their stage nor could they know the ordeal that awaited them.

OLEG GOLUB, ACTOR (through translator): At first I thought it was the Army, some kind of bomb threat. Then we heard a gun firing near, so we stopped singing. The Chechen rebels took us off the stage. The backstage was filled with fighters.

CHANCE: Over the coming minutes, the hostage takers rounded up those inside. A man is kicked backstage. The orchestra is ordered out of its pit into the auditorium. There, the hostages are further terrorized by rebels, some strapped with explosives. One sits calmly next to a powerful bomb the rebels have threatened to explode.

What happened over the next three days is a matter of record. Anesthetic gas was pumped in and Russian forces ended the siege. The lives of 120 innocent people were lost. Many Russians still believe what's so astounding is that so many people were saved.

Matthew Chance, CNN, Moscow.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Amazing pictures. From the wackiest political ads to the nastiest.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES TRAFICANT, FORMER CONGRESSMAN: Let me tell something, you want to send the best to Washington; you want to straighten this stuff out? I want your vote. I believe I can do a better job than half of those people down in Washington.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: A look at the Congressional campaign and the run from behind bars. Does Traficant have a chance? And some good old- fashioned mudslinging. Has politics hit a new low or is it business as usual on the campaign trail? We'll ask Democrat Mario Cuomo and Republican David Dryer. They're with me when we return. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back it has to be one of the most unusual campaign ads this campaign season. The former Democratic Congressman James Traficant of Ohio is vying to return to Capitol Hill from prison.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRAFICANT: They say I can't win the Congressional race behind bars. Let me tell you something, you want to send the best to Washington; you want to straighten this mess out...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: An Independent now, you'll recall Traficant was ousted from Congress this year and sent to prison for bribery and racketeering. We'll see how he does in the elections tomorrow.

Shifting focus slightly, what would be an election year without mudslinging ads? There has been a slew of them this campaign season. Here is a few that some may argue hit below the belt. You be the judge.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AD ANNOUNCER: We've heard a lot about Tony Sanchez and his commercials, but he didn't tell you that while he ran his savings and loan, it laundered 25 million in Mexican drug money.

AD ANNOUNCER: What do those who know him say?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A political chameleon.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A flimflam man.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's mean as a junkyard dog and everybody knows it. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: An attorney general who does 180s on fundamental issues like nuclear waste storage and abortion.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It strikes me as political opportunism.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He wants to hold office so bad, he's willing to sell his soul.

AD ANNOUNCER: State Senator Mike Taylor once ran a beauty salon and a hair care school until the Department of Education uncovered Taylor's hair care scam for abusing the student loan program and diverting money to himself.

AD ANNOUNCER: Barbra Streisand defends Saddam Hussein then rips George Bush as a frightening dictator. "The Post" calls her Baghdad Babs, but Carolyn McCarthy calls her a contributor.

AD ANNOUNCER: Rick Perry, stopped for speeding, bullied the young female officer. He's too important for this.

RICK PERRY, ELECTION CANDIDATE: Ma'am, what's the hold up here?

UNIDENTIFIED OFFICER: I'm writing a warning, sir.

PERRY: Why don't you just let us get on down the road?

AD ANNOUNCER: Liz Kruger voted against restrictions on public urination and aggressive pan handling.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Urinating in public, that's disgusting.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Joining us now to talk more about the art of negative political ads, the former New York Governor, Mario Cuomo and the Republican Congressman from California, David Dryer.

Gentlemen, thanks so much for joining us.

REP. DAVID DREIER (R), CALIFORNIA: ... representing Liz Krueger, I think. Aren't you, Governor?

BLITZER: We'll get to that. We'll get to that later, David. Hold on for a second. Governor Cuomo, you've been in and around politics for a long time. Is it my imagination or are the ads -- the TV ads getting a little nastier now than they used to be 10, 20, 30 years ago?

MARIO CUOMO (D), FORMER NEW YORK GOVERNOR: Well, I'll tell you how bad they are. I hope Congressman Dreier isn't responsible for the ad against Liz Krueger that we just saw, accusing her of urinating or whatever it was. That would really disappoint me.

No, no, there is no question they're worse. We've come a long, long way from Lincoln-Douglas debates and it's pathetic. It's pathetic at a lot of different levels. It's pathetic because they work. It's pathetic because consultants will tell you over and over that he can beat your opponent with negative ads.

And regrettably that happens to be a truth. I witnessed it myself. I tried to run a positive ad for $3 million in 1994 and was told by the consultants it would only hurt and it did because the other guy was running negative ads.

BLITZER: David, we thought that after 9/11, there would be a new civility in politics. Whatever happened to that?

DREIER: Well, there's been actually a civility in governance. And I happen to believe that we, contrary to the view out there and the focus on a lot of negative things in the Congress, we've been able to work together on a lot of bipartisan issues. But I agree totally with Governor Cuomo. This kind of stuff is very unfortunate. But we know -- and I'm happy I haven't had to run these negative ads; I just say all these nice things.

But when you're taking on an incumbent, one of the things -- and the governor knows this very well -- you have to give the voters a reason to get rid of that person who's there and so that's one of the reasons that these ads play a role in motivating voters. Again, it's an unfortunate thing although I will tell you some of them, Wolf, are pretty entertaining that you just showed us. I hadn't seen a lot of them.

BLITZER: Well, they are -- they certainly are entertaining. Governor Cuomo, why do the political consultants tell you they work? Are they -- have they done the kind of research that shows that these nasty ads really make a difference?

CUOMO: Oh, there are all sorts of theses written. You can find them on the Internet. There's all sorts of proof that the negative ads will produce a reduction in the vote for your opponent. Carl McCall who's running for governor in New York state, he lost 13 points in about a week and a half over some letters that he wrote in which he said good things about his daughter, the people who were in a position to help her and never did anything wrong.

Nobody ever accused him of a crime. Nobody ever accused him of putting money in his pocket, but they smelled bad. They looked bad and they hurt him very, very severely. So there's no question they work.

Now, Wolf, we ought to get it clear. There are some negative ads that are perfectly legitimate. If I have a position that is an absurd one or a wrong one in your opinion, then you run a negative ad and that's not, I think, the -- something to complain about. What we're complaining about are distortions, things that are exaggerated and the other person doesn't have a fair opportunity to respond. They do try to respond. They're just repeating the insult.

BLITZER: David, you're a leader in the Congress and the Republican Party in the House of Representatives. Should anyone step in and try to police or oversee these ads when they get really off the charts and out of control? DREIER: Well, I will tell you something, Wolf, you are never going to get me to come onto your program to in any way advocate a modification of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. So my answer is a resounding no. I don't think there should be a government regulation that controls what people say.

We obviously have dealt with the issue of campaign finance reform, which goes into effect the day after tomorrow. And we've dealt with election reform to try and ensure that we don't have the problems that we had in Florida coming up in future elections.

But I do think that the only outrage should be voiced by the people and I think that when there is empirical evidence that these vitriolic, vicious ads don't move voters, they won't be on the air any longer. And I think that's really got to be the determinant. So I hope we can keep it on a higher plain.

Governor Cuomo is absolutely right. Not since the -- I mean the Lincoln-Douglas debates we don't see open now but there has been negative campaigning throughout history. And he's absolutely right, too, in saying that it's important to define the differences between two candidates and a lot of that's interpreted as negative.

BLITZER: Governor Cuomo, this will be a short question and I know you'll have a short answer because we're almost out of time. We've seen the Democrats this time go to Frank Lautenberg for the bench in New Jersey, Walter Mondale in Minnesota. Will they go Mario Cuomo in two years from now for some race that may require your services?

CUOMO: No, I hope we don't have the kind of situation that produced the need for both Frank Lautenberg and for Walter Mondale. But in my case, I have a very young, very advanced version of Cuomo ready to do almost anything and serve.

BLITZER: All right, Mario Cuomo and David Dreier, always good to have you on this -- only a few hours away. Everybody...

(CROSSTALK)

DREIER: Make sure the Republicans get out to vote. We're putting out our big get out to vote push.

BLITZER: And I know the Democrats are feeling the same. Thanks, again, gentlemen.

And when we come back, oops, they may do it again and not just in Florida. Are we in store for some big time trouble tomorrow? We'll find out next. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. Thirty-six states will be holding elections for governor tomorrow. A number of the races are drawing national attention. We have a series of reports starting with the contest in Maryland. LOU DAVIS, WMAR CORRESPONDENT: I'm Lou Davis in Baltimore. A very tight race for the governor's seat here in Maryland. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the oldest child of Robert Kennedy, faces a challenge by Republican Congressman Robert Ehrlich, the congressman who first went to Washington during the Newt Gingrich Contract With America days.

Two main issues here in Maryland. The first one is the budget. Maryland faces a $1.7 billion deficit next year. The second is guns, an issue made even more sensitive because of the recent serial sniper killings here in Maryland. There hasn't been a Republican governor elected in Maryland since the days of Spiro Agnew, who later became vice president for Richard Nixon. The polls now show that this race is just too close to call.

VICTORIA BLOCK, WHDH CORRESPONDENT: I'm Victoria Block in Massachusetts where the race for governor is a dead heat and Independents and women hold the key to the corner office. Republican Mitt Romney and Democrat Shannon O'Brien both say that education, the economy and health care are their top priorities. Romney is painting himself as the outsider who doesn't owe special interest anything and can come in from the outside and clean up state government. O'Brien, a former legislature says she can hit the ground running. She's currently the state treasurer. She says she won't need on the job training.

Traditionally, Massachusetts has been a Democratic state traditionally, but for the last 12 years, we've had a Republican governor in office. If O'Brien wins, she would be the first woman elected governor in Massachusetts.

Both candidates disagree on their visions in terms of leading the state. What they do agree on is one thing as they head into Election Day; this race for governor in Massachusetts is a nail biter.

KEVIN RIGGS, KCRA CORRESPONDENT: I'm Kevin Rigs in Sacramento. In a state of 34 million people with 55 electoral votes, whoever wins the governorship of California automatically becomes a White House contender in 2004. This year, the race is largely an unpopularity contest. Whoever wins will be the one that voters dislike the least.

Democrat Gray Davis has seen his once bright image tarnished first by last year's energy crisis and this year by the longest budget stalemate in state history brought about primarily by a collapse of the dot-com industry. Davis has also been hammered repeatedly on his ethics and for his massive fund-raising.

Republican Bill Simon in the meantime has proven to be a mistake- prone candidate, stumbling repeatedly on his taxes, on investments and a blockbuster allegation that the illegal fund-raising he leveled against Davis that proved to be false in the end.

History is on Davis' side. Californians have not denied a governor re-election in 60 years but turnout will be the key and whoever wins can hardly claim a mandate. LLOYD SANDERS, WTVT CORRESPONDENT: With Democrat Bill McBride trailing in the polls, he's enlisted the help of Florida music icon, Jimmy Buffett. Buffett and McBride on a three-city tour beginning in West Palm Beach then Tampa, then Orlando on a world-wind trip across the state as McBride pulls out all the stops to mobilize Democrats to get out and vote. McBride has said a big turnout is the key to beating Jeb Bush on Tuesday.

McBride has also had help from Former Vice President Al Gore and Former President Bill Clinton. Today, though, the Parrot Head Tour in Tampa, as McBride and Buffett head out to try to get a Democrat win here in this hotly contested race in Florida.

Reporting from Tampa, I'm Lloyd Sanders. Wolf, back to you.

BLITZER: Lloyd, thanks very much. Thanks to all of our affiliate reporters for all of that excellent political reporting.

And if you like Florida, you may wind up loving this election at least that's what some observers are really afraid of. They're predicting more voting debacles like the ones that marred the presidential election two years ago. Our Congressional correspondent Kate Snow is looking at the potential for disaster.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATE SNOW, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Florida 2000, what a mess, hanging Chads, dimpled ballots and an election in the balance. Brace yourselves. Tomorrow could be a rerun, though not necessarily in Florida.

DOUG CHAPIN, ELECTION REFORM INFO. PROJ.: There is a potential for chaos. Can't predict where it will be but there is definitely a potential.

DAN GWADOSKY, ASSN. OF SECS. OF STATE: The states are going to work very hard to avoid the types of issues that people experienced two years ago. But I think it's fair to say that there are going to be some problems. There are going to some issues.

SNOW: With close races nationwide, control of Congress at stake and a lot more scrutiny on election procedures, questionable votes could lead to a Florida-like swarm of lawyers and reporters.

(on camera): Part of what makes it so hard to predict is there is no one system of voting nationwide. Every color on this map represents a different voting method. And despite the outcry after Florida, most Americans will start vote the same way they always have...

(voice-over): ... pulling levers, cards read by optical scanners, pencil and paper ballots and, yes, even punch cards.

CHAPIN: Punch cards, which were clearly sort of the pariah technology after the 2000 election, still have their defenders and their adherence around the country. And if used properly, they work very well, but they have to be used properly.

SNOW: In the Chicago area, public service announcements tell voters to be aware of dimples and Chads.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't leave us hanging!

SNOW: Problems with old machines are one concern, but new electronic machines are no guarantee of a smooth vote either. In Georgia, a key Senate race is too close to call as the state rolls out new ATM-style machines with their first big test election day.

GWADOSKY: No matter what you do with technology, no matter what your procedures are, if you don't have adequately trained people helping and assisting to conduct the elections, you're still likely to have problems.

SNOW: September's primary in Florida proved that. Some poll workers didn't know how to run their new electronic machines. Same thing in Montgomery County, Maryland.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go ahead and press "start."

SNOW: The county has gone great pains to make things better for election night, running training sessions for poll workers and their every action will be under the microscope. Both parties have mobilized an army of lawyers ready to jump into legal disputes from technical problems to accusations of voter fraud and intimidation. Thousands of lawyers deployed to polling places, one of the legacies of Florida. This election night could be another long one.

Kate Snow, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And time is running out for you to weigh in on our "Web Questions of The Day." Should Democrats and Republicans be forced to allow third party candidates in debates? Log on to CNN.com/Wolf. That's where you can vote. We'll have the results immediately when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Questions of The Day." Earlier we asked should Democrats and Republicans be forced to allow third party candidates in debates? Look at this, 85 percent of you say yes, 15 percent of you say no. Jesse Ventura is going to be very happy with these results. You can find the exact vote tally and continue to vote by the way on my Web site, CNN.com/Wolf. Remember, of course this is not -- repeat not -- a scientific poll.

That's all the time we have today. Please join me again tomorrow, 5:00 p.m. Eastern, for a special Election Day edition of WOLF BLITZER REPORTS. Among my guests, the Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura.

And please join us of course weekdays, noon Eastern for "SHOWDOWN IRAQ." Until then, thanks very much for watching. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. "LOU DOBBS MONEYLINE" is up next.

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





Possibly Linking Malvo and Muhammad to More Shootings>


Aired November 4, 2002 - 17:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF BLITZER, ANCHOR (voice-over): A day in court, behind closed doors for a sniper suspect as police look for links in growing list of shootings.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was later I saw a shadow to my left. Saw a flash of light, heard the shot, window broke. I was being shot.

BLITZER: What secrets does this stolen lap-top hold?

America votes. Bring out the heavy hitters in the final hours before a crucial election day.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: When you get in that voting booth here in Iowa, I got some suggestions for you.

BLITZER: Nasty campaign ads.

AD ANNOUNCER: While he ran his savings and loan, it laundered $25 million in Mexican drug money.

BLITZER: We'll show you the best of the worst.

AD ANNOUNCER: He wants to hold office so bad, he's willing to sell his soul.

BLITZER: And one key ally tells U.S. forces to stay away. One opens the door a crack and another goes through a political upheaval. Will the U.S. have enough bases left for a possible war with Iraq?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: It's Monday, November 04, 2002. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. In a major development in the war on terror, sources tell CNN a U.S. missile strike today killed a top operative of Osama bin Laden and five other al Qaeda suspects. Our National Security Correspondent David Ensor is following the story. He's joining me now live -- David.

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, this happened early in the morning and the first report suggested that the car might have blown up as a result of terrorists carrying bomb- making materials blowing themselves up as has happened in the past. But now we know that isn't what happened.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR (voice-over): Knowledgeable sources say the blast that killed six al Qaeda suspects in a car in Yemen was caused by a missile fired by the United States. Among the six killed in the attack was this man, Abu Ali Al-Harithi also known as Kayeed Sinain (ph), Al- Harithi who was once a senior bodyguard of Osama bin Laden according to U.S. officials.

Officials believe Al-Harithi was in charge of the al Qaeda organization in Yemen and they say he was one of the top 15 or so leaders of the organization worldwide. He is also a suspect in the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen, another reason why Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said he hopes Al-Harithi has indeed been killed.

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: Needless to say, he has been an individual that has been sought after as an al Qaeda member as well as a suspected terrorist connected to the USS Cole, so it would be a very good thing if he were out of business.

ENSOR: In the past, the U.S. has tracked al Qaeda suspects using unmanned aerial vehicles, like this Predator, some of which are armed with Hellfire missiles. But Pentagon and U.S. intelligence officials are firmly refusing comment on the information that the attack on the car carrying al Qaeda operatives in Yemen was from the U.S.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR: U.S. officials do not want to create additional problems for the government of Yemen, which is trying to help on the war on terrorism without angering fundamentalist Yemenis living in the tribal areas from which, of course, Osama bin Laden's family hails. So that is one reason why they are declining all official comment on this report -- Wolf.

BLITZER: David, it looks like this was a targeted killing or a targeted assassination, which is what the Israelis do with terrorist suspects that they go after. What are U.S. officials saying? How are they describing this attack?

ENSOR: The thing is, Wolf, they are not confirming. U.S. officials are not confirming that the United States was behind this attack, but I have sources that I'm confident are telling the truth that are telling me it was. So, they don't have to discuss it and they are not comparing it with the Israeli attacks, for example. But on the face of it, off the top of one's head, there isn't much difference in some ways.

BLITZER: All right, David Ensor with this late-breaking story thanks very much. Let's move on to the showdown with Iraq right now. A day after Saudi Arabia hinted it may not necessarily let U.S. forces launch attacks from its territory the NATO member, Turkey a staging point during the Persian Gulf War, is undergoing political turmoil. A faction with strong Islamist roots won a landslide victory in yesterday's national elections. On the issue of Iraq, the party leader says: "We do not want war, blood, tears, and death," but he suggests a new government would back a U.S. led military campaign if it's sanctioned by the United Nations.

Kuwait said today that if military action is approved by the U.N. Security Council, it will allow U.S. forces to use its bases, but it stressed the Kuwaiti armed forces will not take part in an attack on Iraq. Kuwait, of course, was occupied by Iraqi forces 12 years ago and was then liberated by a U.S. led coalition.

The Saudi comments which came in an exclusive interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour would seem to be bad news for U.S. war planners, but the Bush administration is not voicing much concern.

Let's go live to our Senior Pentagon Correspondent Jamie McIntyre -- Jamie.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well the reaction, Wolf, on the day when the war continues in Iraq, the Pentagon releasing more cockpit videos showing Iraqi gunners firing rockets and artillery shells at U.S. planes patrolling the no-fly zones. This one shows a .100 mm artillery piece hidden in an orchard in Northern Iraq.

You can see the trees here as the piece is hidden in there. If you look toward the top of the screen you can see the flashes, the muzzle flashes, as they fire at U.S. planes. In response, U.S. F-16s dropped laser-guided bombs on some other guns hidden in a revetment. The assessment from the Pentagon was one was damaged and one was destroyed.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon is downplaying the comments of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud who seemed to indicate that even if the U.S. gets backing from the United Nations, it can't count on staging out of Saudi Arabia or even flying over Saudi territory.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: And you would not allow over flights?

PRINCE SAUD AL-FAISAL, SAUDI FOREIGN MINISTER: Well, I'm just saying that we will abide by the decision of the United Nations Security Council that we will cooperate with the Security Council. But as for entering the conflict or using facilities as part of the conflict, that's something else.

AMANPOUR: And that's a no on that?

AL-FAISAL: No.

MCINTYRE (voice-over): But the United States is well aware the Saudi government rarely gives permission for offensive operations ahead of time, so to the Pentagon what appeared to be a rebuff was no cause for concern.

RUMSFELD: I don't know that what you quoted is necessarily a change in their policy, so I don't find it notable in any sense.

MCINTYRE: At the State Department, U.S. officials also cautioned not to read too much into Saudi Arabia's carefully worded statements of lukewarm support.

RICHARD BOUCHER, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: That's not the impression that we received from their remarks or from our subsequent conversations with the Saudis.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCINTYRE: The United States always cuts Saudi Arabia a lot of slack, well aware that the ruling royal family has real fears about an Islamic revolt if it's seen to be too aligned with the United States, but at the same time Pentagon officials admit there's been growing tension in the relationship between the two countries, which has always been, Wolf, a marriage of convenience.

BLITZER: And presumably will continue to be so. Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon thanks very much. Let's turn now to another major story that we're covering right now. The sniper investigators are trying to determine if more shootings in Maryland can indeed be linked to the two suspects John Muhammad and John Malvo. This possible key development comes as Malvo appeared in Federal Court earlier this afternoon. CNN's Patty Davis is outside the courthouse in Baltimore. She's got these and other late-breaking developments -- Patty.

PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, Malvo's public defender says that a federal judge did indeed order Malvo detained this afternoon. But since he's a minor, there's not much other information known about the case. It is under seal.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVIS (voice-over): Seventeen-year-old John Lee Malvo's appearance in Federal Court behind closed doors, details kept under wraps since he's a juvenile. A brief glimpse through the courtroom door showed Malvo wearing a maroon prison jumpsuit, looking solemn and unkempt as he waited for his lawyers.

The sniper task force, meanwhile, said it's looking into two more shootings to see if they're connected to the Washington, D.C. area sniper killing spree, one on September 5 outside this Clinton, Maryland restaurant. Owner, 55-year-old Paul Laruffa survived after being shot at close range in his car after closing up his restaurant, his Sony laptop and $3,000-$4,000 in restaurant receipts stolen.

PAUL LARUFFA, SHOOTING VICTIM: I saw a shadow to my left, saw a flash of light, heard the shots, the window broke. I was being shot approximately, they think, six times.

DAVIS: The sniper task force investigating whether the laptop found in Muhammad's blue Chevy Caprice is Laruffa's. Its serial number is scratched off so the FBI is checking the laptop's contents. The other shooting, September 15 also in Clinton, Maryland at this liquor store, Muhammad Rasheed shot once in the stomach and robbed as he locked up for the night.

MOHAMMAD RASHEED, SHOOTING VICTIM: My vision and my first vision I tried to see the guy. It was a small guy, skinny guy, not big, not heavy. Maybe the other guy who is the small one (UNINTELLIGIBLE) but I'm not really sure. I don't want to blame anyone.

DAVIS: Both shootings occurred within miles of where Muhammad's ex-wife and children live. Evidence from the shooting has been sent to an ATF lab for testing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DAVIS: What happens to Malvo next is unclear. He's been charged with murder in several local jurisdictions, but he could face the death penalty in Virginia. The federal government will decide where this case is tried first. As for Muhammad, he will be in Federal Court tomorrow at his own detention hearing -- Wolf.

BLITZER: And we're standing by awaiting the Attorney General John Ashcroft's decision momentarily or, at least, the next few days, not necessarily momentarily. At least in the next few days we're told by sources that decision could be made where the first trial will be held. Let's move on.

Jesse Ventura pulls rank on the Democrats and the Republicans. The governor of Minnesota puts an Independent in the Senate as the former vice president battles it out for the seat. We'll go live to Minnesota for a look at one of the hottest races in the country.

And, inside a hostage crisis, for the first time new and terrifying pictures as gunmen storm a theater. And they're nasty and dirty, the ads that make it into our Hall of Shame, what happened to running a clean campaign? We'll find out. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: He's fired up again. What's troubling Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura? That's coming up on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. In Minnesota, surprise fireworks in that state's heated Senate race and from Governor Jesse Ventura as well. CNN's Anderson Cooper is in St. Paul. He's got the latest -- Anderson.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, you got to love Minnesota politics. This does not get anymore exciting than what is going on in this race in this state today. About 15 hours to go before polls open here and both candidates are running neck-and-neck, Walter Mondale, the Democratic Farmer Labor candidate, Norm Coleman the Republican candidate, both candidates debating today. As I said, the race is simply too close to call. Polls indicate about ten percent of Minnesotans have not made up their minds yet. Both candidates hope that today's debate would help those undecided voters make up their minds.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): Diehard supporters braved brisk temperatures to greet their candidates at this one and only debate between two candidates running neck-and-neck. Republican Norm Coleman, two term mayor of St. Paul eager to face off with former Vice President Walter Mondale, icon of Minnesota politics, running in his first election in 18 years.

WALTER MONDALE (D), MN. SENATE CANDIDATE: I have served this state all my life and I am ready to serve again.

COOPER: In a state still mourning the death of Paul Wellstone, the Democratic Senator killed in a plane crash ten days ago, Mondale said he's the one to carry on the late Senator's work.

MONDALE: I think that Paul and I shared so much together, the commitment for social justice, the ability to speak independently.

COOPER: Coleman, respectful, reminded voters he has the support of President George W. Bush, who campaigned here yesterday.

NORM COLEMAN (R), MN. SENATE CANDIDATE: It would be kind of nice for a Senator from Minnesota to have a relationship with the president and the Secretary of Agriculture.

COOPER: Separated only by a small table, both candidates stress they were far apart on the issues. On Iraq, Mondale saying the U.S. should not take unilateral military action.

MONDALE: We were telling the world we were going to go on our own. That is not strength, Norman, that's weakness. We're strong when we have the world with us.

COLEMAN: Then what's the best way to get that broad, multinational coalition? And the reality is that 77 Senators, 77 Senators, a broad, bipartisan both sides of the aisle said the way to do that is to come together as Americans to show our resolve.

COOPER: The tone was civil, the debate at times personal. On abortion:

MONDALE: I believe in choice. I think these issues should be decided by the women and the family. You have been an arbitrary right-to-lifer. I am not.

COLEMAN: I would take exception, I'll use a kind word, to the description of an arbitrary. My wife and I have had two children who were born, first a son and the last daughter. They died at very young ages. I have a deep and profound respect for the value of life. MONDALE: Coleman saying age was not an issue, made sure to paint Mondale as an old-time liberal, reminding Minnesotans of Mondale's failed run for the White House in 1984.

COLEMAN: You don't grow jobs. You don't grow the economy by raising taxes. The vice president thought that in 1984. He was wrong. He proposes now again what he calls rolling back some of the tax cut. That's raising taxes.

MONDALE: You talk about my proposal for tax increase in '84. You know right after the election, they raised taxes. I was the one who told the truth before the election.

COOPER: While the debate was underway, Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, frustrated that the Independent candidate was not invited, held a protest press conference naming an Independent, Dean Barkley, to serve as interim Senator.

GOV. JESSE VENTURA (I), MINNESOTA: My appointee is as qualified to serve the people of Minnesota as any Democrat or Republican.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Governor Ventura also lashed out at the Republican Party, the Democratic Farmer Labor Party here in Minnesota, and the media saying that they basically are joined together to try to subvert the third party movement in this country. Regardless, Governor Ventura's candidate, the interim appointment for Senate will only be in the Senate for a very short period of time. Whoever wins tomorrow's election, once the results are certified, will be the next Senator from Minnesota -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Anderson Cooper on the scene for us in St. Paul. Anderson thanks very much. And here's your chance to weigh in on this story. Our web question of the day is this: Should Democrats and Republicans be forced to allow third party candidates in debates? We'll have the results later in this program. Vote at cnn.com/wolf.

While you're there, I'd like to hear from you. Indeed, I'd love to hear from you. Send me you comments. We'll try to read some of them on the air each day at the end of this program. That's also, of course, where you can read my daily online column, cnn.com/wolf.

This additional programming note, tomorrow, 5:00 p.m. Eastern in our special Election Day WOLF BLITZER REPORTS, I'll speak with the Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura.

Hot governor races coast-to-coast, who will hold the keys to the states? Both parties battle it out for control, the view from California to Florida when we return. Also, Jailhouse Rock, a look at the wackiest and nastiness political ads. But first, our weekend snapshot.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): A major earthquake triggered landslides, cracked highways and shut down the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. The 7.9 magnitude quake slammed a remote area of Alaska's interior yesterday and shook lakes as far away as Louisiana. Only one minor injury was reported. The quake, centered about 75 miles south of Fairbanks, was one of the strongest ever recorded in the United States.

A pileup involving almost 200 cars and big rig trucks injured dozens of people yesterday on California's Long Beach Freeway. Officials blame the accident on drivers going too fast for foggy conditions.

The aircraft carrier USS Constellation and its battle group of warships is headed for the Persian Gulf. Almost 8,000 sailors and marines are taking part in the group's role in the war on terror and possibly against Iraq if war is declared on Iraqi Leader Saddam Hussein.

New York is facing its toughest challenge yet in its bid to host the Summer Olympics of 2012. New York beat out San Francisco to host the event. Now the Big Apple must go up against a field that includes Rome, Toronto, Moscow, and Istanbul. The winner will be picked in 2005.

An incredible victory in the New York City Marathon, Marla Runnion who's legally blind, was the first American woman to finish the 26.2 mile race. Running in her first ever marathon, the 33-year- old Runnion finished fifth overall among the women runners.

And for dog lovers everywhere, check out the skydiving Dachshund. The hot dog and its owner took part in an air show at Bandenburg (ph) Air Force Base in California, and that's our weekend snapshot.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: With a number of important races still close to predict, prominent Republicans and Democrats are crisscrossing the country for last minute campaigning.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): President Bush is ending the 2002 election campaign with a flourish with visits to four states in the Heartland. His first stop of the day was in Iowa, where he predicted Republican Greg Gansky will defeat incumbent Senator Tom Harkin.

BUSH: You can take great satisfaction in knowing you had a big hand in influencing the outcome of this election and there are some reasons why I'm here. I want some allies in Congress to work with on key issues.

BLITZER: After that, the president was off to Missouri and Arkansas, before ending up in his home state, Texas. Somewhere in all this he and Mrs. Bush are celebrating the first lady's 56th birthday.

Another Republican on the national campaign trail, Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor traveled to Minnesota to stump for Republican Senate Candidate Norm Coleman. Well known Democrats were campaigning as well. Former President Bill Clinton was trying to boost the turnout for Connecticut gubernatorial candidate Bill Curry, a former Clinton policy adviser. And, you'd think that after all his troubles in Florida two years ago, former Vice President Al Gore might want to avoid that state but no.

AL GORE, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT: In two days you have an opportunity to make a change. You have an opportunity to make your wishes known. But the name of the game is turnout.

BLITZER: He campaigned in Florida with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride. McBride's opponent has the same last name as Gore's opponent two years ago. McBride is running against President Bush's brother, Jeb.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And we'll have much more on the Florida contest as well as some other key races for governor later this hour. The war on terror moves to Yemen. The U.S. strikes down one of Osama bin Laden's bodyguards with a missile, a look at the next phase in combating al Qaeda.

Also, hostage crisis on tape, chilling new video of terrorists taking over a crowded theater, bombs strapped to their bodies. Plus, political ads turned very nasty. Democrat Mario Cuomo and Republican David Dreier join us live to talk about mudslinging on both sides, but first a look at some other news making headlines "Around the World."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): There's been another accusation involving Middle East unrest. The human rights group Amnesty International accuses the Israel Defense Force of committing war crimes during operations in the West Bank. Israel says the report is one-sided.

Party planners, top communist leaders are meeting in Beijing, preparing for the Party Congress which opens Friday. The Congress is held once every five years and it comes as China prepares to turn control over to a new generation of leaders.

There were echoes of the past in Iran, thousands of demonstrators mark the 23rd anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. Embassy. A rally outside the former embassy was complete with the customary chant, "Death to America, death to Israel."

Burning balloon burst into flames and crashed at a Japanese balloon festival. The pilot and passenger managed to jump out with minor injuries.

There's a spicy investigation in Britain where police are looking into an alleged plot to kidnap Spice Girl Victoria Beckham. The plot never was carried out but five of the suspects arrested over the weekend remain in custody. The five also are charged with an alleged conspiracy to robbery Sotheby's auction house, and that's our look "Around the World."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer. Coming up, dramatic pictures of a hostage crisis as it unfolds, but first let's look at some other stories making news right now.

(NEWSBREAK)

BLITZER: In the war on terror, sources tell CNN a U.S. missile attack in Yemen killed a top operative of Osama bin Laden and five other al Qaeda suspects. The operative was identified as Abu Ali Al- Harithi, who officials say was in charge of al Qaeda operations in Yemen. He was also wanted in the bombing of the USS Cole two years ago.

Joining us now to talk more about this U.S. attack against al Qaeda and its impact on the war on terror, CNN's terrorism analyst, Peter Bergen, also the author of "Holy War," a book about Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda.

Peter, in all of your investigations, your research and reporting, when was last time, as far as you know, the U.S. has actually gone out and assassinated or killed al Qaeda operatives outside of Afghanistan where there was a war, of course, going on?

PETER BERGEN, CNN TERRORISM ANALYST: This seems to be first time. I mean the last time that -- in this phase of the war on terrorism, Muhammad Atta, the military leader, was killed in November in Afghanistan by a U.S. missile. So this appears to be the first time it's happened since.

BLITZER: Why didn't the U.S. ask the Yemeni government, which presumably controls that territory to arrest, to capture, these guys and then extradite them to the United States if they were wanted al Qaeda terrorists?

BERGEN: Well, that's a very good question. I mean the Yemeni government has actually tried with -- you know doesn't really control the entire country. But it has made a good faith effort to go after al Qaeda. But in the past, it has had some not -- things that are not successes. I mean the Yemeni government went after al Qaeda and 18 soldiers were killed several months ago. So perhaps the U.S. government maybe made the calculation that this was a way to deal with the problem where there wouldn't be a failure.

BLITZER: So this sounds like a major, potentially, new phase in the U.S. war on terror, simply go out and assassinate or kill suspected terrorists, something of course, the Israelis have been doing for a long time.

BERGEN: It does appear to be a new phase, particularly I mean -- as in the Muhammad Atta incidence, we were at war in Afghanistan against the Taliban. It was in a war situation. We're obviously not at war in Yemen. BLITZER: If you take a look at the whole status right now, where does the U.S. stand in its war against al Qaeda and the remnants of Osama bin Laden's operation?

BERGEN: Well, I mean, there have been successes along the U.S. side, but there's still a lot of things that haven't -- you know, there are still a lot of members of al Qaeda out there. I mean just in Yemen, we saw earlier this month, a French oil tanker was attacked, you know, a huge hole was blown in the side of a ship. Obviously, the oil business is central to the American economy. So al Qaeda remains active in Yemen. The news of today suggests, you know, at least a sort of victory, but much remains to be done.

BLITZER: Peter Bergen, as usual, thanks very much.

BERGEN: Thank you.

BLITZER: We'll be watching this next new phase, but I assume you'll watch it a lot more closely than we will. Thanks very much, Peter.

Chilling videotape has emerged of the deadly hostage crisis that unfolded in a Russian theater earlier this month. CNN's Matthew Chance has a look now from Moscow.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The night started like any other at the popular musical that had drawn a near full house to this Moscow theater. But the drama that followed was unscripted and terrifying and we now know caught clearly on the house video cameras. At first, the cast doesn't seem to know what to make of the masked gunmen who burst on to their stage nor could they know the ordeal that awaited them.

OLEG GOLUB, ACTOR (through translator): At first I thought it was the Army, some kind of bomb threat. Then we heard a gun firing near, so we stopped singing. The Chechen rebels took us off the stage. The backstage was filled with fighters.

CHANCE: Over the coming minutes, the hostage takers rounded up those inside. A man is kicked backstage. The orchestra is ordered out of its pit into the auditorium. There, the hostages are further terrorized by rebels, some strapped with explosives. One sits calmly next to a powerful bomb the rebels have threatened to explode.

What happened over the next three days is a matter of record. Anesthetic gas was pumped in and Russian forces ended the siege. The lives of 120 innocent people were lost. Many Russians still believe what's so astounding is that so many people were saved.

Matthew Chance, CNN, Moscow.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Amazing pictures. From the wackiest political ads to the nastiest.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES TRAFICANT, FORMER CONGRESSMAN: Let me tell something, you want to send the best to Washington; you want to straighten this stuff out? I want your vote. I believe I can do a better job than half of those people down in Washington.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: A look at the Congressional campaign and the run from behind bars. Does Traficant have a chance? And some good old- fashioned mudslinging. Has politics hit a new low or is it business as usual on the campaign trail? We'll ask Democrat Mario Cuomo and Republican David Dryer. They're with me when we return. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back it has to be one of the most unusual campaign ads this campaign season. The former Democratic Congressman James Traficant of Ohio is vying to return to Capitol Hill from prison.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRAFICANT: They say I can't win the Congressional race behind bars. Let me tell you something, you want to send the best to Washington; you want to straighten this mess out...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: An Independent now, you'll recall Traficant was ousted from Congress this year and sent to prison for bribery and racketeering. We'll see how he does in the elections tomorrow.

Shifting focus slightly, what would be an election year without mudslinging ads? There has been a slew of them this campaign season. Here is a few that some may argue hit below the belt. You be the judge.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AD ANNOUNCER: We've heard a lot about Tony Sanchez and his commercials, but he didn't tell you that while he ran his savings and loan, it laundered 25 million in Mexican drug money.

AD ANNOUNCER: What do those who know him say?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A political chameleon.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A flimflam man.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's mean as a junkyard dog and everybody knows it. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: An attorney general who does 180s on fundamental issues like nuclear waste storage and abortion.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It strikes me as political opportunism.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He wants to hold office so bad, he's willing to sell his soul.

AD ANNOUNCER: State Senator Mike Taylor once ran a beauty salon and a hair care school until the Department of Education uncovered Taylor's hair care scam for abusing the student loan program and diverting money to himself.

AD ANNOUNCER: Barbra Streisand defends Saddam Hussein then rips George Bush as a frightening dictator. "The Post" calls her Baghdad Babs, but Carolyn McCarthy calls her a contributor.

AD ANNOUNCER: Rick Perry, stopped for speeding, bullied the young female officer. He's too important for this.

RICK PERRY, ELECTION CANDIDATE: Ma'am, what's the hold up here?

UNIDENTIFIED OFFICER: I'm writing a warning, sir.

PERRY: Why don't you just let us get on down the road?

AD ANNOUNCER: Liz Kruger voted against restrictions on public urination and aggressive pan handling.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Urinating in public, that's disgusting.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Joining us now to talk more about the art of negative political ads, the former New York Governor, Mario Cuomo and the Republican Congressman from California, David Dryer.

Gentlemen, thanks so much for joining us.

REP. DAVID DREIER (R), CALIFORNIA: ... representing Liz Krueger, I think. Aren't you, Governor?

BLITZER: We'll get to that. We'll get to that later, David. Hold on for a second. Governor Cuomo, you've been in and around politics for a long time. Is it my imagination or are the ads -- the TV ads getting a little nastier now than they used to be 10, 20, 30 years ago?

MARIO CUOMO (D), FORMER NEW YORK GOVERNOR: Well, I'll tell you how bad they are. I hope Congressman Dreier isn't responsible for the ad against Liz Krueger that we just saw, accusing her of urinating or whatever it was. That would really disappoint me.

No, no, there is no question they're worse. We've come a long, long way from Lincoln-Douglas debates and it's pathetic. It's pathetic at a lot of different levels. It's pathetic because they work. It's pathetic because consultants will tell you over and over that he can beat your opponent with negative ads.

And regrettably that happens to be a truth. I witnessed it myself. I tried to run a positive ad for $3 million in 1994 and was told by the consultants it would only hurt and it did because the other guy was running negative ads.

BLITZER: David, we thought that after 9/11, there would be a new civility in politics. Whatever happened to that?

DREIER: Well, there's been actually a civility in governance. And I happen to believe that we, contrary to the view out there and the focus on a lot of negative things in the Congress, we've been able to work together on a lot of bipartisan issues. But I agree totally with Governor Cuomo. This kind of stuff is very unfortunate. But we know -- and I'm happy I haven't had to run these negative ads; I just say all these nice things.

But when you're taking on an incumbent, one of the things -- and the governor knows this very well -- you have to give the voters a reason to get rid of that person who's there and so that's one of the reasons that these ads play a role in motivating voters. Again, it's an unfortunate thing although I will tell you some of them, Wolf, are pretty entertaining that you just showed us. I hadn't seen a lot of them.

BLITZER: Well, they are -- they certainly are entertaining. Governor Cuomo, why do the political consultants tell you they work? Are they -- have they done the kind of research that shows that these nasty ads really make a difference?

CUOMO: Oh, there are all sorts of theses written. You can find them on the Internet. There's all sorts of proof that the negative ads will produce a reduction in the vote for your opponent. Carl McCall who's running for governor in New York state, he lost 13 points in about a week and a half over some letters that he wrote in which he said good things about his daughter, the people who were in a position to help her and never did anything wrong.

Nobody ever accused him of a crime. Nobody ever accused him of putting money in his pocket, but they smelled bad. They looked bad and they hurt him very, very severely. So there's no question they work.

Now, Wolf, we ought to get it clear. There are some negative ads that are perfectly legitimate. If I have a position that is an absurd one or a wrong one in your opinion, then you run a negative ad and that's not, I think, the -- something to complain about. What we're complaining about are distortions, things that are exaggerated and the other person doesn't have a fair opportunity to respond. They do try to respond. They're just repeating the insult.

BLITZER: David, you're a leader in the Congress and the Republican Party in the House of Representatives. Should anyone step in and try to police or oversee these ads when they get really off the charts and out of control? DREIER: Well, I will tell you something, Wolf, you are never going to get me to come onto your program to in any way advocate a modification of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. So my answer is a resounding no. I don't think there should be a government regulation that controls what people say.

We obviously have dealt with the issue of campaign finance reform, which goes into effect the day after tomorrow. And we've dealt with election reform to try and ensure that we don't have the problems that we had in Florida coming up in future elections.

But I do think that the only outrage should be voiced by the people and I think that when there is empirical evidence that these vitriolic, vicious ads don't move voters, they won't be on the air any longer. And I think that's really got to be the determinant. So I hope we can keep it on a higher plain.

Governor Cuomo is absolutely right. Not since the -- I mean the Lincoln-Douglas debates we don't see open now but there has been negative campaigning throughout history. And he's absolutely right, too, in saying that it's important to define the differences between two candidates and a lot of that's interpreted as negative.

BLITZER: Governor Cuomo, this will be a short question and I know you'll have a short answer because we're almost out of time. We've seen the Democrats this time go to Frank Lautenberg for the bench in New Jersey, Walter Mondale in Minnesota. Will they go Mario Cuomo in two years from now for some race that may require your services?

CUOMO: No, I hope we don't have the kind of situation that produced the need for both Frank Lautenberg and for Walter Mondale. But in my case, I have a very young, very advanced version of Cuomo ready to do almost anything and serve.

BLITZER: All right, Mario Cuomo and David Dreier, always good to have you on this -- only a few hours away. Everybody...

(CROSSTALK)

DREIER: Make sure the Republicans get out to vote. We're putting out our big get out to vote push.

BLITZER: And I know the Democrats are feeling the same. Thanks, again, gentlemen.

And when we come back, oops, they may do it again and not just in Florida. Are we in store for some big time trouble tomorrow? We'll find out next. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. Thirty-six states will be holding elections for governor tomorrow. A number of the races are drawing national attention. We have a series of reports starting with the contest in Maryland. LOU DAVIS, WMAR CORRESPONDENT: I'm Lou Davis in Baltimore. A very tight race for the governor's seat here in Maryland. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the oldest child of Robert Kennedy, faces a challenge by Republican Congressman Robert Ehrlich, the congressman who first went to Washington during the Newt Gingrich Contract With America days.

Two main issues here in Maryland. The first one is the budget. Maryland faces a $1.7 billion deficit next year. The second is guns, an issue made even more sensitive because of the recent serial sniper killings here in Maryland. There hasn't been a Republican governor elected in Maryland since the days of Spiro Agnew, who later became vice president for Richard Nixon. The polls now show that this race is just too close to call.

VICTORIA BLOCK, WHDH CORRESPONDENT: I'm Victoria Block in Massachusetts where the race for governor is a dead heat and Independents and women hold the key to the corner office. Republican Mitt Romney and Democrat Shannon O'Brien both say that education, the economy and health care are their top priorities. Romney is painting himself as the outsider who doesn't owe special interest anything and can come in from the outside and clean up state government. O'Brien, a former legislature says she can hit the ground running. She's currently the state treasurer. She says she won't need on the job training.

Traditionally, Massachusetts has been a Democratic state traditionally, but for the last 12 years, we've had a Republican governor in office. If O'Brien wins, she would be the first woman elected governor in Massachusetts.

Both candidates disagree on their visions in terms of leading the state. What they do agree on is one thing as they head into Election Day; this race for governor in Massachusetts is a nail biter.

KEVIN RIGGS, KCRA CORRESPONDENT: I'm Kevin Rigs in Sacramento. In a state of 34 million people with 55 electoral votes, whoever wins the governorship of California automatically becomes a White House contender in 2004. This year, the race is largely an unpopularity contest. Whoever wins will be the one that voters dislike the least.

Democrat Gray Davis has seen his once bright image tarnished first by last year's energy crisis and this year by the longest budget stalemate in state history brought about primarily by a collapse of the dot-com industry. Davis has also been hammered repeatedly on his ethics and for his massive fund-raising.

Republican Bill Simon in the meantime has proven to be a mistake- prone candidate, stumbling repeatedly on his taxes, on investments and a blockbuster allegation that the illegal fund-raising he leveled against Davis that proved to be false in the end.

History is on Davis' side. Californians have not denied a governor re-election in 60 years but turnout will be the key and whoever wins can hardly claim a mandate. LLOYD SANDERS, WTVT CORRESPONDENT: With Democrat Bill McBride trailing in the polls, he's enlisted the help of Florida music icon, Jimmy Buffett. Buffett and McBride on a three-city tour beginning in West Palm Beach then Tampa, then Orlando on a world-wind trip across the state as McBride pulls out all the stops to mobilize Democrats to get out and vote. McBride has said a big turnout is the key to beating Jeb Bush on Tuesday.

McBride has also had help from Former Vice President Al Gore and Former President Bill Clinton. Today, though, the Parrot Head Tour in Tampa, as McBride and Buffett head out to try to get a Democrat win here in this hotly contested race in Florida.

Reporting from Tampa, I'm Lloyd Sanders. Wolf, back to you.

BLITZER: Lloyd, thanks very much. Thanks to all of our affiliate reporters for all of that excellent political reporting.

And if you like Florida, you may wind up loving this election at least that's what some observers are really afraid of. They're predicting more voting debacles like the ones that marred the presidential election two years ago. Our Congressional correspondent Kate Snow is looking at the potential for disaster.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATE SNOW, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Florida 2000, what a mess, hanging Chads, dimpled ballots and an election in the balance. Brace yourselves. Tomorrow could be a rerun, though not necessarily in Florida.

DOUG CHAPIN, ELECTION REFORM INFO. PROJ.: There is a potential for chaos. Can't predict where it will be but there is definitely a potential.

DAN GWADOSKY, ASSN. OF SECS. OF STATE: The states are going to work very hard to avoid the types of issues that people experienced two years ago. But I think it's fair to say that there are going to be some problems. There are going to some issues.

SNOW: With close races nationwide, control of Congress at stake and a lot more scrutiny on election procedures, questionable votes could lead to a Florida-like swarm of lawyers and reporters.

(on camera): Part of what makes it so hard to predict is there is no one system of voting nationwide. Every color on this map represents a different voting method. And despite the outcry after Florida, most Americans will start vote the same way they always have...

(voice-over): ... pulling levers, cards read by optical scanners, pencil and paper ballots and, yes, even punch cards.

CHAPIN: Punch cards, which were clearly sort of the pariah technology after the 2000 election, still have their defenders and their adherence around the country. And if used properly, they work very well, but they have to be used properly.

SNOW: In the Chicago area, public service announcements tell voters to be aware of dimples and Chads.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't leave us hanging!

SNOW: Problems with old machines are one concern, but new electronic machines are no guarantee of a smooth vote either. In Georgia, a key Senate race is too close to call as the state rolls out new ATM-style machines with their first big test election day.

GWADOSKY: No matter what you do with technology, no matter what your procedures are, if you don't have adequately trained people helping and assisting to conduct the elections, you're still likely to have problems.

SNOW: September's primary in Florida proved that. Some poll workers didn't know how to run their new electronic machines. Same thing in Montgomery County, Maryland.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go ahead and press "start."

SNOW: The county has gone great pains to make things better for election night, running training sessions for poll workers and their every action will be under the microscope. Both parties have mobilized an army of lawyers ready to jump into legal disputes from technical problems to accusations of voter fraud and intimidation. Thousands of lawyers deployed to polling places, one of the legacies of Florida. This election night could be another long one.

Kate Snow, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And time is running out for you to weigh in on our "Web Questions of The Day." Should Democrats and Republicans be forced to allow third party candidates in debates? Log on to CNN.com/Wolf. That's where you can vote. We'll have the results immediately when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Questions of The Day." Earlier we asked should Democrats and Republicans be forced to allow third party candidates in debates? Look at this, 85 percent of you say yes, 15 percent of you say no. Jesse Ventura is going to be very happy with these results. You can find the exact vote tally and continue to vote by the way on my Web site, CNN.com/Wolf. Remember, of course this is not -- repeat not -- a scientific poll.

That's all the time we have today. Please join me again tomorrow, 5:00 p.m. Eastern, for a special Election Day edition of WOLF BLITZER REPORTS. Among my guests, the Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura.

And please join us of course weekdays, noon Eastern for "SHOWDOWN IRAQ." Until then, thanks very much for watching. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. "LOU DOBBS MONEYLINE" is up next.

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





Possibly Linking Malvo and Muhammad to More Shootings>