Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports
Polls in New Hampshire Close in 3 Hours; New 9/11 Audiotape Released
Aired January 27, 2004 - 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, HOST: Happening now -- only three hours from now, all the polls here in New Hampshire will be closed. We're already getting first indications of the most important issues and factors on the minds of these voters.
Plus this just in, incredible newly released audiotape, transmissions from one of the hijacked planes on 9/11. Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.
New Hampshire primary voters speak at the ballot box. What are they saying?
The candidates on the stump to the bitter end, we'll gauge the move at campaign headquarters.
WESLEY CLARK (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is an election about how President Bush's performance in office has been and it's an election about who has a better vision for the future of America.
BLITZER: Wesley Clark says he does. This hour, my conversation with the Democratic presidential hopeful.
He's stumping for President Bush. This man's job, reminding voters, the Republicans are in New Hampshire, too.
And in New York, accusations of shady stock deals and bald-faced lies. The trial begins for domestic diva Martha Stewart.
ANNOUNCER: This is a special edition of WOLF BLITZER REPORTS live from Manchester, New Hampshire.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Finally, it's decision time here in the Granite state. The polls shortly will be closed in the New Hampshire primary, the first primary of this presidential election year. Just 22 delegates are at stake, but eve more important is the potential momentum for the candidate with the strongest showing. The early lead goes to Wesley Clark, thanks to a small number of voters who actually went to the polls shortly after midnight in the tiny village of Dixville Notch.
Clark picked up eight votes followed by Kerry with three. Edwards, one, too, and Lieberman and Dean each got one. From Merrimack to Manchester to Bedford. We have reporters keeping a close watch on the candidates. We'll take you live to the headquarters of John Kerry, Howard Dean, Wesley Clark, John Edwards and Joe Lieberman, in just a moment.
First, though, who are these voters and what are their positions right now on some of the key issues? We got to Manchester when we spoke to voters coming out of the polls this morning. Here to talk to us is senior political analyst Bill Schneider. What are we learning so far, Bill?
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: These are very liberal voters. The majority of them call themselves and look how liberal they actually are. Two-thirds of them said they would favor civil unions for homosexual couples who wish they had the same rights as married couples a man and a woman by three to one. They favor gay civil unions.
But the mood among these liberal voters is worried, it's angry, it's pessimistic. 76 percent of them say they are worried about another terrorist attack on the United States. What do they think about the state of economy? Over 70 percent say the economy is not in good shape. It's in very bad shape. These are not happy liberals, they're unhappy, they're angry and facing a difficult choice here, Wolf.
The choice is do they want a candidate who will vent, or do they want a candidate who will vanquish George Bush? For a lot of these voters they're not sure that's the same candidate.
BLITZER: Bill Schneider studying the early exit poll numbers. We'll be checking back with him here clearly throughout the night. Thank you very much. Bill, thanks very much.
Both Kerry and Dean kept the heat on each other even as voters headed for the polls. National correspondent Kelly Wallace is over at the Kerry campaign headquarters -- Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, John Kerry accusing Howard Dean of engaging in negative campaigning by criticizing Kerry's position on war with Iraq, but going into the day, Kerry's advisers have been saying they fully expect a tight race and that is why they say they're taking nothing for granted. In fact, the senator himself described as getting a bit antsy went out a short time ago to greet some voters after he was working the phones, sitting alongside veterans at his campaign headquarters trying to get out the vote.
The Kerry campaign saying the so-called "Veterans Brigade" was very successful in Iowa and they hope it will be successful here in New Hampshire. Kerry faces the challenge of not only winning in New Hampshire but also meeting expectations after leading by a wide margin in the polls all week. He was asked about that today, and he said he would be happy with a one-point win, saying three weeks ago, pundits were writing off his campaign. We're also told this campaign will start running ads in all seven states tomorrow. The senator's first stop will be Missouri, a state now up for grabs with Dick Gephardt out of race -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Kelly Wallace, thank you very much.
Let's move over to Howard Dean, the former front-runner fighting to regain the top spot. Our senior political correspondent Candy Crowley is joining us from Dean campaign headquarters -- Candy.
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, as you know, the candidate did some rounds on morning television this morning, including one on CNN where, he said that John Kerry ought to quit whining. Other than that, there have been a lot of interviews, local radio, local television, about 20, I'm told by the campaign, but only very brief cameo appearances by the candidate in public. He did go to several polling places handing out coffee, even to those who might not be for him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You guys want some coffee? Are you freezing? We're all friendly here. I used to do what you're doing right now when I first started out. You're very welcome.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CROWLEY: As you know, Wolf, tonight's results are going to play into tomorrow's strategy. The Dean campaign will head from here tonight back home to Burlington, where the campaign wants to take a look at results tonight to decide exactly what states they want to go to next. They're not sure, they're going to play heavily in all seven. They want to decide where they want to spend most of their time and money -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Candy Crowley, thank you, very much.
If the polls over the past few days are right, Wesley Clark is expected to be right in the thick of the battle for third place here in New Hampshire. CNN's Dan Lothian is joining us now from Clark's headquarters in Bedford -- Dan.
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, as you know, just a few weeks ago, General Clark was a strong second in the polls, perhaps given that chance of even pulling out a win here in New Hampshire. But then he did start sliding, made some missteps during the campaign, had to clarify a number of statements. Today he is not focusing on that, focusing on trying to win over the uncommitted, the independent voters.
He was out on the sidewalks here in Manchester meeting and greeting voters. The campaign says today he's spending time doing satellite TV interviews in some of the local markets in those states for the February 3rd and February 10th states. Those are states they're focusing on. After they leave here, they'll begin the "True values" tour taking off from here, heading to South Carolina for a rally concert tonight. The campaign saying that no matter what happens here in New Hampshire they will continue on message, they will continue focusing on Clark as being the outsider who can beat President Bush -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Dan Lothian with the Clark campaign. My interview coming up this hour with Wesley Clark, along with Clark, Senator John Edwards is hoping for a strong finish here in New Hampshire. CNN's Suzanne Malveaux is over at the Edwards campaign headquarters in Merrimack -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, Senator Edwards is with his family anxiously awaiting the results. But his camp says they do not believe the poll numbers. They don't believe it reflects what's happening on the ground. Just take a look at the hundreds and hundreds of people who have come out to support Edwards. We're talking about growing crowds.
We saw Edwards this morning at a polling station yesterday in Concord where he had a town hall meeting, just one of a hundred town hall meetings that he's held. Really, his "close the deal" strategy is about using his personal appeal as well as his strong communication skills to talk about a vision of hope for America. He also talked about the danger points that are critical to voters, health care, education, a lot of domestic issues. He has been dogged by some criticism that his one term in Senate does not give him the political as well as the foreign experience but he says he believes he can pull this out. They want and hope for a third place finish -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Suzanne Malveaux. Thank you very much.
Senator Joe Lieberman also wrapping up his campaign in New Hampshire on a positive note. And he too certainly hoping to pull off a surprise. CNN's Jeanne Meserve is over at Lieberman's headquarters here in Manchester -- Jeanne.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, Joe Lieberman says something good is happening in New Hampshire today. He believes he could come in third here but will continue even if he does not. A stop at a polling place, just one of the many stops he made today as he continued to try to persuade voters to come into his camp. Lieberman passed on Iowa as you know and literally moved here into New Hampshire to show commitment here.
His staff says that he spent as much money here as he possibly could and that they made extraordinary efforts to identify their voters. The efforts in the last couple of days have been to keep those voters. As you know, there's been a lot of last-minute mind changes made by New Hampshire voters.
Also today, to get the voters out to get them to the polls. The official line from the Lieberman campaign is that he will continue on no matter what. He is slated to travel from New Hampshire on to Delaware and New Hampshire, those are the two states where the campaign believes he has the best chance of pulling off a win on February 3 and they do say he needs a win on that night. As for New Hampshire, one of his aides says one of the benefits of low expectation is exceeding low expectations. They certainly hope to do that -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jeanne Meserve, thank you very much.
All of our reporters will be joining us throughout this long night. And to our viewers, here's your turn to weigh in on this important story. Our web question of the day is this. Will a candidate's performance in New Hampshire impact whether you vote for him? You can vote right now. Go to CNN.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast.
Just ahead, we have some dramatic newly released audiotape from the cockpit of a hijacked plane on September 11. You'll want to hear this.
Also, President Bush responds for the first time to the former weapons hunter David Kay. Hear what the president has to say. All that. Plus this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLARK: We did not think the war in Iraq was a necessary war. It was an elective war.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: I go one on one with Wesley Clark. I'll ask him about abortion, the Bush administration, John Kerry and more. That's just ahead.
A day of bloodshed across Iraq. A series of attacks spells trouble for U.S. troops and for CNN's own staffers in Baghdad.
And opening statements in the Martha Stewart trial. Does Stewart's lawyer have the right ingredients to convince the jury? Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: More coverage of the New Hampshire primary. That's coming up. And let's check other important news developing today. President Bush spoke out for the first time on comments by the former chief U.S. weapons hunter that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction before the start of the war. Despite David Kay's blunt assessment, the president is standing firm in his decision to invade Iraq. Here's our White House correspondent Dana Bash with the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In his first comments since outgoing chief weapons inspector David Kay said Saddam Hussein did not have weapons of mass destruction, the president staunchly defended both the war and the pre-war intelligence.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Saddam Hussein was a grave and gathering threat to America and the world. There's no doubt in my mind. And I say that based upon intelligence that I saw prior to the decision to go in Iraq, and I say that based upon what I know today. BASH: As he made his case for war last year, the president was unequivocal about Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction.
BUSH: The Iraq regime continues to possess and conceal some of the most lethal weapons ever devised.
BASH: For months the weapons hunt progressed and none was found. The White House remained publicly confident illicit weapons would be unearthed. Now a retreat. No prediction from the president at all. Only a reminder that inspectors are still looking.
BUSH: Let the Iraq survey group do its work so we can find out the facts and compare the facts to what was thought.
BASH: Though Kay blames intelligence agencies, not the White House, Democrats say they're not so sure.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We need to find out what happened, why it happened? What went wrong?
BASH: The White House is eager to point out Dr. Kay has said weapons or not, Saddam Hussein violated U.N. resolutions, was a threat, and he believes the war in Iraq was justified. Dana Bash, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: This programming note -- the former weapons hunter David Kay will be my guest on this program tomorrow. He'll join me live at 5:00 p.m. Eastern, 2:00 p.m. Pacific.
It's been a deadly day for American forces in Iraq. A total of six American soldiers were killed in two separate attacks. In the latest, a bomb exploded south of Baghdad killing three U.S. soldiers and wounding three others. Earlier, a roadside blast west of Baghdad killed three soldiers and an Iraqi, another American and three Iraqis were wounded. The attacks occurred in the Sunni triangle, a hot bed of insurgent activity.
And CNN suffered casualties today in Iraq. Two CNN employees were killed and a third slightly wounded when the cars they were traveling in came under fire. Those killed were translator/producer Duraid Isa Mohammed (ph) and driver Yasser Khatab (ph). Cameraman Scott McWhiny (ph) was grazed in the head by a bullet. Traveling in the same car with McWhiny were correspondent Michael Holmes, producer Shirley Hwang (ph) and a security adviser and their driver. They were not hurt.
In another development, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan says he'd be willing to send the team to Iraq to determine if early elections should be held as long as the U.S.-led coalition can guarantee the mission safety. The daily guerrilla attacks pose a serious obstacle to this summer's scheduled political handover to a sovereign Iraqi government. The Bush administration is pushing a caucus system to choose the assembly but a powerful cleric is calling for direct elections. Stay with us, we've got incredible new audiotapes just released from a hijacked plane on September 11.
Also, a one-two punch of ice and snow. Federal workers are sent home early in the nation's capital, but that's not the only trouble spot.
And still to come, rallying the Republicans. Massachusetts governor wants to make sure President Bush is not forgotten here in New Hampshire. I'll speak live with Mitt Romney.
Plus this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLARK: This administration focused on a strategic distraction to Iraq, and now it's in a mess.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: The man who wants to be president, Wesley Clark, speaks out about abortion, President Bush and its rivals. I'll go one on one with Wesley Clark. That's coming up.
First, though, today's news quiz. "Which candidate has won the New Hampshire more times than any other candidate in history?"
George H.W. Bush, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan." The answer coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. A dramatic moment today on Capitol Hill, during a hearing on the 9/11 attacks. A tape was played of a phone conversation with American Airlines flight attendant Betty Ann Ong during the hijacking of American flight 11, one of the two planes that crashed into the World Trade Center. Joining us now with more, our congressional correspondent, Joe Johns.
Joe, I know you're going to play some of these audiotapes for our viewers. I want to just advise our viewers to listen very closely to what Betty Ann has to say. Go ahead, Joe.
JOE JOHNS, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's a very disturbing tape. A chilling telephone call from September 11 replayed today on Capitol Hill. It's the voice of a flight attendant calling an airline reservation center to report that her plane had been hijacked. Her name was Betty Ong and she was on American Airlines flight 11. It was the plane taken over by September 11 ringleader Mohammed Atta and four others, apparently using brutal force and mace or pepper spray. It was the first plane to crash into the World Trade Center. The tape was played in its entirety in the Senate hearing room with her family members seated in the audience. This is an excerpt from that recording.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BETTY ONG, AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT ATTENDANT: I remember one got stabbed. A person was stabbed. Nobody knows who stabbed who, and we can't even get up to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) because nobody can breathe. No. 1 is stabbed right now, and No. 5. A first-class passenger -- a first-class galley flight attendant and a person have been stabbed. We can't get in the cockpit, the door won't open. Hello?
911: Yes, I'm taking it down, all the information. We're also, you know, of course, recording this. At this point...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is operations, what flight number are we talking about?
911: Flight 12.
ONG: No, we're on flight 11 right now. This is flight 11.
911: Flight 11, I'm sorry, Nadia (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Boston to Los Angeles. Our No. 1 has been stabbed and five has been stabbed.
ONG: Can anybody get up to the cockpit? Can anybody get up to the cockpit? We can't even get into the cockpit. We don't know who's up there.
911: Well, if they were crews, they would keep the door closed.
ONG: I'm sorry?
911: Would they not maintain a sterile cockpit?
ONG: I think the guys are up there. They might have gotten up there or something. Nobody can call the cockpit, we can't even get inside.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNS: The woman whose voice you heard on part of that call, Nadia Gonzalez (ph) today praised Betty Ong for her courage and professional demeanor and for providing information to help the investigation. Betty Ong was 45. She was from Andover, Massachusetts -- Wolf.
BLITZER: And our heart goes out to her family who were there. Joe Johns, thank you very much. A chilling, chilling, audiotape.
Judgment day here in New Hampshire. Wesley Clark says he has a better vision for America. Will the voters agree? I'll talk with the Democratic presidential hopeful. That's straight ahead.
The case against Martha Stewart. Prosecutors come out swinging in the opening day of her trial, saying she did more than just lie.
Notable passing. The death of a television talk show pioneer, Jack Paar. Stay with us. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN, I'm Wolf Blitzer in Manchester, New Hampshire. Wesley Clark skipped the Iowa caucuses to concentrate on New Hampshire. I caught up with the former NATO commander today at Pappy's Diner (ph) here in Manchester. He talked about a number of issues including his decision to focus on this state.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: General, thank you for joining us. Let's talk about tonight. Give us your bottom line assessment. What do you believe will happen?
CLARK: I think we'll get votes in New Hampshire but I won't predict on where we'll finish. But I'm happy on what we've been able to do up here. We came into the race late, some of the people have been up here for years, working the issues and the people. We didn't, we came in late, and I think we've done really well up here. We've got a very strong message. I think we'll do very well across this country.
BLITZER: Lot of people think you made a strategic blunder not going to Iowa because you could have done well presumably. Was that a mistake looking back?
CLARK: Well, I think if I'd had time, I would have done extremely well in Iowa but it wasn't a mistake because it was never a real option. We just never had the money or the time, after I got into the campaign. I came into the campaign, I call it with before nose. I made the decision on the 15th of September, I had no political money, absolutely none. I had therefore, no staff, and therefore I had no strategy and no policy papers and I had never run for elective office and so it simply wasn't possible to go to Iowa. It took 30 days to get a communications team, 60 days to get a campaign manager. We didn't really have our team together until Thanksgiving.
BLITZER: How is the money situation now?
CLARK: Really good.
BLITZER: How good? Specifically, how much money do you have going into the next campaign.
CLARK: We have enough money to do everything we need to do for the week and the week after that and the week after that. We are very very strong across this country.
BLITZER: Where are you going to spend most of your time in the next week or two.
CLARK: In the states...
BLITZER: Which ones? CLARK: South Carolina, Missouri, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona. We'll be going all the way across and back, and forth, back and forth, we'll be meeting as many people as we can, and carrying a strong message. All of the signs are favorable, and we've got strong organizations there, and I feel very good about it.
BLITZER: Politics is new for you. were a general -- you were in the military for 34 years. You've made some mistakes. What are the most serious mistakes that you personally made campaigning, speaking out over these past few months?
CLARK: Well, I don't know what they are. But I think that when you look at where we've come, what we've got is a very strong message about helping Americans.
What I want to do is help our country get out of the mess in Iraq and I won't get us into another one. And we're going to help working families in this country. For 30 years, we've not done any better. 90 percent of the American people, despite the fact that the American income has more than doubled, 90 percent of us are no better off than we were 30 years ago, whereas a small minority have done very, very well.
We've got families across this country struggling, Wolf. And we're going to have the most impressive tax reform proposal in 30 years. We're going to help 31 million American families. If you're a family with kids and you're making $100,000 or less, you're going to get a $1,500-a-year tax reduction. And if you're making $50,000 with two kids, you will never pay federal income tax again. And that will help our families.
BLITZER: And if you're making more than $100,000 a year?
CLARK: Well, if you're making more than $100,000 a year, you will keep the Bush tax cut that has been given you.
If you're making more than $200,000 a year, we're going to ask Americans to sacrifice, because we need that money back to help deal with health care and education problems. What we've gone
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: How much are you going to increase those taxes on the people who make $200,000 and up?
CLARK: They're going to go back to the tax rate that was in place before the Bush tax cut.
BLITZER: Just eliminate what they got, the tax cut from the...
CLARK: We're going to help and take -- that's about $1 trillion. And we're going to ask them to help us help America by providing the kinds of health services and the kind of education we need to keep all America strong and together.
BLITZER: You don't want to use that just to eliminate or cut the deficit?
CLARK: Some of it will cut the deficit.
BLITZER: How much?
CLARK: We're going to take $2.33 trillion through eliminating some corporate subsidies, through greater efficiencies in government, and through taking back the Bush tax cuts for families making $200,000 or above. That's $2.33 trillion. And we're going to use half of that to meet our education and health needs.
BLITZER: Let's go through some of the statements that you have made, because they've caused some controversy.
You referred, some say dismissively, to John Kerry as merely a junior officer, a lieutenant. And that seemed to suggest, at least to his supporters, that you were belittling his contribution to the U.S.
CLARK: Well, I think John Kerry did a fine job in Vietnam. I was there about the same time. I also was a junior officer in Vietnam. I was a company commander.
I led my company. I was shot four times. I got a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. I came home on a stretcher. And when I stayed in the military, what I did, rising through the ranks and eventually becoming a general, was to learn to make the kinds of decisions that the American people expect presidents to be able to make.
I dealt with issues of life and death and sending soldiers and airmen into battle. I worried about whether the bombs would strike the targets or hit enemy -- or hit civilians that were innocent. And I was concerned about what was good for the country as a whole. So, I think, when Americans look at a presidency, they're looking for someone who's a decider and a doer, not a talker and a debater. And that's what I've done.
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: Do you owe John Kerry a little bit of an apology for sort of that tone of what you said?
CLARK: I think that John Kerry and I have already had that discussion.
And it's very clear that -- my son was a lieutenant and I was a lieutenant. And no Democrat and no Republican will ever drive a wedge between me and our nation's veterans. It's just that simple.
BLITZER: What about the whole Michael Moore flap? For once and for all, can you flatly say, you don't believe that President Bush was a deserter?
CLARK: Yes. I've said that.
I don't agree with what Michael Moore said. But I will say this, that, in this country, we do have to protect the right to dissent. And I don't approve of what people say in advance when they're coming to support me. And he's saying what he believes.
Here's what I believe in this country. I believe the presidency is a very high office and must be treated with respect and the people who hold it must be true patriots and they must protect this country. And my view of patriotism for a president is to do everything you can to keep the country safe.
What we know, Wolf, is that, before 9/11, President Bush did not do everything he could to keep this country safe. And we can increasingly see that, after 9/11, he's taken us to a war that we didn't have to fight.
BLITZER: Well, you could argue that President Clinton also for eight years didn't do everything he could to keep the country safe.
CLARK: This is an election about how President Bush's performance in office has been. And it's an election about who has a better vision for the future of America.
I believe that we have an administration in office right now that thinks that America's best days are behind us. We've redone the war with Saddam Hussein, Ronald Reagan's tax cuts. And now we're talking about putting a man on the moon again, which was the Kennedy space program in the 1960s. I think America's best day are in the future.
BLITZER: On the abortion issue, let's just clarify one issue. When do you believe life begins?
CLARK: Well, I believe that that's a decision that a woman and her doctor, with her faith and her family, will agree on.
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: But you're a man of faith. What do you believe?
CLARK: What I believe is that it's important to prevent unwanted pregnancies. And so what I'm doing is supporting all of the means to help people plan their families. And I will enforce the law of the land. And that's Roe v. Wade and choice. And that's the law.
BLITZER: Some people say, life begins at conception. Others say when the fetus is viable. And others say at the time of birth. What do you say?
CLARK: Well, I think that's a very personal decision for each and every person. And, especially, that's a choice and a decision that a woman must make.
BLITZER: I understand that. So what's your personal view?
CLARK: My personal view is that, as president of the United States, I will support the law of the land, which is Roe v. Wade.
BLITZER: You don't want to say when you personally believe life begins?
CLARK: I think that this is an issue that every woman must confront herself.
BLITZER: What about the inconsistency, supposedly, in your position on Iraq, going up to the war, during the war, after the war?
Right now, David Kay, as you know, who was the chief U.S. weapons hunter, has come up and said, you know what? There probably weren't any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq on the eve of the war. You, going into the war, believed, like all of us did, that there were.
CLARK: Wolf, as you and I talked many times on camera and off, of course, we always believed that there were the possibility of weapons in Iraq.
And, as a military guy, I had to take a conservative view and say that..
BLITZER: You were briefed by people in the government.
CLARK: I was told by Don Rumsfeld he knew where 30 percent of the weapons of mass destruction were. And I think that the United States Congress needs to investigate this and ask these questions. Why is it that we chose to go to war in Iraq?
BLITZER: Looking back, though -- final question -- are the Iraqi people better off today than they were under Saddam Hussein?
CLARK: I think it's an unfolding story. And I think that all the world is safer with Saddam Hussein gone.
But had I been president, I would not have attacked Saddam Hussein and Iraq. I would have finished the job against al Qaeda, because the real question is here, are the American people safer? And have we done everything we could do to make the American people safe? And I think the answer is no, because, if we had really wanted to worry about the safety of the American people, we would have focused on Osama bin Laden. And we would have stayed in Pakistan and Afghanistan and we would have gotten Osama bin Laden.
This administration took us on a strategic distraction to Iraq. And now it's in a mess and it has got -- us and our men and women in service, whom I love and support, are in a mess over there.
BLITZER: General, good luck to you.
CLARK: Thanks, Wolf.
BLITZER: Thanks very much.
CLARK: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: We're already getting lots of e-mail on my interview with Wesley Clark.
Here's what some of you are saying. Skylark writes this: "I was reassured by Wesley Clark's response to your question on when life begins. He believes any decisions regarding the abortion issue are the woman's choice. His answer was relevant and clearly stated. To badger him in hopes of an inflammatory response was cheap."
But Bob sends this: "I cannot vote for someone who cannot give a straight answer to a question on an important issue like abortion."
A domestic diva at the center of a court battle. Coming up, Martha Stewart's trial gets under way. Is she a liar or an innocent businesswoman? We'll hear what both sides had to say in today's opening statements.
And from the Midwest to New England, it's a good day to stay indoors. More brutal weather is on the way. The latest just ahead.
And here in New Hampshire, the Democrats aren't -- repeat, aren't -- the only game in town. We'll tell you why the Republicans want some of the limelight. We'll get to all of that.
First, though, a quick look at some other news making headlines around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Bird flu spreads. International health organizations are calling for a worldwide response to deadly bird flu which has spread to 10 Asian countries. China and Laos are the latest countries reporting cases. The outbreak has killed at least eight people and triggered the slaughter of tens of millions of chickens and other birds.
Nuclear rivals to talk. India and Pakistan will hold peace talks next month, after a hiatus of almost two years. India says one main focus of the talks will be the long-running dispute over Kashmir, which has caused two wars between the neighbors.
Mending fences. Vice President Dick Cheney met Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in a bid to repair relations strained by the Iraq war. John Paul was a staunch opponent of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The Vatican says the pope urged the United States to work for the growth of international cooperation.
And that's our look around the world.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Let's check some stories making headlines at this hour.
Friends and colleagues say Jack Paar will be greatly missed. The radio and TV talk show pioneer died today in his home in Greenwich, Connecticut, after a long illness. He was 85. Paar hosted "The Tonight Show" before successor Johnny Carson. A new judge has been assigned to preside over the Modesto, California, murder trial of Scott Peterson. Judge Alfred Delucchi was named in the wake of a disqualification motion filed by the defense against his predecessor. A hearing on that motion is scheduled for Monday.
In New York today, prosecutors began making their case against Martha Stewart. They say Stewart committed -- and I'm quoting now -- serious federal crimes.
CNN's Mary Snow has the story. She's joining us now live from New York -- Mary.
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the court session has ended for the day.
But with family members, including Martha Stewart's mother, looking on, the government began making its case this morning against Martha Stewart and her former stockbroker, Peter Bacanovic, in the stock fraud trial, with Karen Patton Seymour, the lead prosecutor saying -- quote -- "This is a case about destruction and lying to federal agents, fabricating and cheating investors."
Stewart's attorney, Robert Morvillo, saying that there is no direct evidence against Stewart, that there's a lot of speculation, surmising and guessing in this case, and that, he said, the same government that leaked it, meaning the information, on one hand is prosecuting it on the other.
Two government witnesses were called, but, really, the key government witness is expected to come to the stand on Thursday. And that is Doug Faneuil. He is the former assistant to Peter Bacanovic. And he is supposed to dispute the notion that provided Stewart's alibi. Because of weather, there will be no court session tomorrow -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Mary Snow, thanks very much for that report.
Speaking of the weather, the East Coast is bracing for another beating today, as two winter storms are about to come together, one moving in from the Upper Midwest and another from coming up from the Southern coast. Federal government employees went home early today, as severe winter weather heads for the D.C. area. A coastal storm hammering North Carolina is headed for the Tidewater and D.C. area.
Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey can expect six to 12 inches of snow overnight. Snow accumulations may be as much 15 inches in Northeastern Pennsylvania. And the Boston area will also get hit. Meteorologists are predicting six inches-plus of snow for the Cape Cod and Hyannis areas, while areas further inland will see accumulations of more than a foot. The storms are blamed for at least 38 deaths across the country.
Republicans are voting in New Hampshire, too. You'll be surprised to hear that. Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney works to steal a little limelight from the Democrats. What's he doing to attract attention? The governor my guest. That is coming up next.
Plus, this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVE SQYURES, CORNELL UNIVERSITY, We are about to embark on what is arguably going to be the coolest geological field trip in human history.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Opportunity rocks. We have pictures new beamed in straight from Mars.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Earlier we asked: Which candidate has won the New Hampshire primary more times than any other candidate in history? The answer, Richard Nixon. Nixon finished first in 1960, 1968, and 1972.
Democratic presidential candidates have collectively shelled out millions of dollars on campaign ads, not only in New Hampshire, but throughout the United States. Is it worth it?
CNN's Jennifer Coggiola is joining us now from Washington with more on that -- Jennifer.
JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Wolf.
Well, last week alone, the candidates spent more than $7 million on campaign ads, but are they working?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, AD)
NARRATOR: Howard Dean spoke out to oppose the war and Bush's economic policies.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COGGIOLA (voice-over): Softer war droves and positive messages, a consistent theme in recent ads.
JENNIFER DONAHUE, POLITICAL ANALYST: So I think you see a kinder, softer Dean in this ad. Well, you've got Dean and Kerry both in barn jackets in their latest round of ads. And I think everyone is trying to look like a New Englander.
COGGIOLA: A casual look that political consultants believe could appeal to a key group all the campaigns are targeting.
VAUGHN VERVERS, EDITOR, "THE HOTLINE": Everybody is after the women's vote. John Kerry has been very successful in attracting the female vote.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, AD)
NARRATOR: What if we could have a president...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COGGIOLA: Unlike his previous black-and-white ads looking presidential and historical, General Clark is now changing focus.
DONAHUE: Children, education, family, family values, domestic policy. I think they're trying to flush out the domestic side of his resume and soften his tone with the sweaters vs. the suit.
COGGIOLA: In a recent John Edwards ad, simple snapshot showcasing his strength.
DONAHUE: They're going with his natural good packaging, his good looks and his youth.
COGGIOLA: Suffering from what some have called Gore fatigue, Lieberman no longer uses the vice president in his ads.
DONAHUE: The fact that Lieberman is associated so closely with Gore, having run with him last time, Lieberman has really suffered from that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, AD)
NARRATOR: One thousand independents just joined.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COGGIOLA: And now is more directly courting the independent vote, keeping the message positive.
DONAHUE: Negativity doesn't seem to be working this ad cycle. We found that in Iowa.
COGGIOLA: As Richard Gephardt proved, attacking fellow Democrats doesn't help.
VERVERS: What we saw was negative ads backfiring on both the person it was aimed at and the person running it. And I think that's one reason that we haven't seen more of them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, AD)
CLARK: I'm Wes Clark and I approve this message.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COGGIOLA: With the new campaign finance laws requiring each candidate to appear at the end of the commercial, many are avoiding being associated with negativity.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, AD)
HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And I approve this message.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COGGIOLA: A message that some analysts expect will turn more aggressive after Tuesday.
VERVERS: As the field shrinks from six candidates to five to four to three, you are going to see them draw much sharper distinctions between one another. You're going to see them attack one another a little bit more, at least on the policy side. And you're going to have a much more sharp-edged debate.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COGGIOLA: But until we hear tonight's results in New Hampshire, we really won't know what direction the ads will take in coming weeks or even if they've been successful up until now -- Wolf.
BLITZER: CNN's Jennifer Coggiola in Washington -- Jennifer, thank you very much.
While the Democrats are in the spotlight here in New Hampshire, the Republicans also have a presence in this state this week. Some prominent Republicans are here to try to boost support for President Bush. With me now, the Republican governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney.
A lot of our viewers are saying, how is it possible that Massachusetts, supposedly this liberal, Democratic state, has a Republican governor?
GOV. MITT ROMNEY (R), MASSACHUSETTS: Well, I think people care about their pocketbooks and they care about jobs. And people look to Republicans to build jobs and to make sure that our taxes don't get raised. And, particularly, the Republicans care also about education and health care and preserving the safety of our society.
So I was lucky enough to win on that kind of a platform. I think George W. Bush will win on that platform once again.
BLITZER: It's not a far drive from Boston here to Manchester. You made the drive. You are trying to generate some support for the president.
A lot of people don't realize, there's a Republican primary under way as well. You want to go out on a limb and predict who is going to win?
ROMNEY: I'm absolutely convinced the president will win his primary in New Hampshire tonight.
BLITZER: You have no doubt about that tonight?
ROMNEY: He's going to do very, very well.
BLITZER: All right, you heard it here first.
(LAUGHTER)
BLITZER: So what's the point? Why are you here now? What are you trying to do really?
ROMNEY: Well, America is listening and watching.
And we want to make sure people recognize that we know this is going to be a close race. And we need the support of Republicans and independents to go -- and like-minded Democrats -- to go to work to reelect the president. And, No. 2, that the message that we have all heard in these last several weeks of negativism and pessimism and divisiveness can be replaced by the president's message of optimism and hope and a strong future.
BLITZER: Some Democrats suggest Governor Mitt Romney coming to New Hampshire today a sign that the Republicans are nervous about what could happen in November?
ROMNEY: There's no question, Republicans across the country recognize that this is going to be a close race. The White House has been saying that from the beginning. Our nation is pretty evenly divided Republican and Democrat.
Republicans are going to have to work to keep the White House. This is a great president with a stronger economy and a stronger world position. Safety is once again on people's minds. But the president has brought home safety. That means we have to fight hard to ensure that our message gets out, a message of hope and optimism.
BLITZER: The junior senator from Massachusetts, John Kerry, is running, as obviously everyone knows. Does that -- what do you know about him? What do you want to tell our viewers about your colleague from Massachusetts, even though he's a Democrat and you're a Republican?
ROMNEY: Well, Massachusetts liberal Democrats haven't done real well on the national stage. We'll see how this one does.
He's a Ted Kennedy Democrat, and I think he's proud of that. He brings Senator Kennedy with him as he goes around. We know about his heroics in Vietnam. And he's lauded for that, appropriately. But what we don't know about as a nation is, what's he been doing in Washington for the last couple of decades? His record is not distinguished there. He's been on both sides of many issues. And I believe that the people in America who get a close look at John Kerry will say, good man, but not the man that we want to have lead our country.
BLITZER: Do you see any significant differences in this Democratic field?
ROMNEY: Well, I don't think people are looking at the message now.
I think they've gone beyond looking for differences between the candidates and now they're looking to see who can possibly beat George Bush. And they think that could be John Kerry. I think, as they take a closer look, they'll conclude that he can't do it either.
BLITZER: So, electability, you think, here in New Hampshire -- you can put your political analytical hat on right now -- is that the big issue for the Democrats?
ROMNEY: Well, I'm certainly no political pundit, but I do believe that they're looking for someone who they think can beat George Bush. I don't think they're going find that person, not among the candidates they've got.
And I believe that he is going to be handily reelected. When I say handily, that is going to be by that narrow margin that it takes in our country today for a president to win.
BLITZER: Are we expecting, in the election in November, as close a contest as four years ago?
ROMNEY: I can't imagine.
If we have that kind of a nail-biter, I don't know that the nation could live through it again. But I do expect it will be very, very close. And that party that really energizes the team, the grassroots, is the party that is going to win.
BLITZER: Governor Mitt Romney, get ready for some snow up here in New England.
ROMNEY: It's going to be deep.
BLITZER: All right, we'll watch. Thanks very much for joining us.
ROMNEY: Thank you. Good to be with you.
BLITZER: They have traveled millions of miles through space to reach us. When we return, we'll show you the latest pictures from Mars sent back by the Opportunity rover.
And our hot "Web Question of the Day" is this: Will a candidate's performance in New Hampshire impact whether you vote for him? You can vote right now. Go to CNN.com/Wolf. That's the place. The results for you when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: In our picture of the day, an image to make Earthlings ooh and ahh.
For the first time, we're seeing pictures of bedrock on Mars. And to the experts, they're quite extraordinary. The new pictures were beamed back from our neighboring planet by NASA's Opportunity rover. Scientists say the bedrock could contain evidence that Opportunity's landing spot was once a far different landing place perhaps, perhaps, wet enough to support life. They'll continue to study that.
Here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Question of the Day." We've been asking you this question: Will a candidate's performance in New Hampshire impact whether you vote for him? Look at this: 15 percent of you say yes; 85 percent of you say no. As always, we remind you, this is not a scientific poll.
And a reminder, we're here every weekday, both at 5:00 p.m., as well as noon Eastern. I'll be back later tonight, in fact, throughout the night, for continuing live prime-time coverage of the New Hampshire primary. Our special coverage will resume, continue with Anderson Cooper at 7:00 p.m. I'll be back at 8:00 p.m., Larry King.
And we will be there throughout the night. Stay with CNN. Until then, thanks very much for joining us.
"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Audiotape Released>
Aired January 27, 2004 - 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, HOST: Happening now -- only three hours from now, all the polls here in New Hampshire will be closed. We're already getting first indications of the most important issues and factors on the minds of these voters.
Plus this just in, incredible newly released audiotape, transmissions from one of the hijacked planes on 9/11. Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.
New Hampshire primary voters speak at the ballot box. What are they saying?
The candidates on the stump to the bitter end, we'll gauge the move at campaign headquarters.
WESLEY CLARK (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is an election about how President Bush's performance in office has been and it's an election about who has a better vision for the future of America.
BLITZER: Wesley Clark says he does. This hour, my conversation with the Democratic presidential hopeful.
He's stumping for President Bush. This man's job, reminding voters, the Republicans are in New Hampshire, too.
And in New York, accusations of shady stock deals and bald-faced lies. The trial begins for domestic diva Martha Stewart.
ANNOUNCER: This is a special edition of WOLF BLITZER REPORTS live from Manchester, New Hampshire.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Finally, it's decision time here in the Granite state. The polls shortly will be closed in the New Hampshire primary, the first primary of this presidential election year. Just 22 delegates are at stake, but eve more important is the potential momentum for the candidate with the strongest showing. The early lead goes to Wesley Clark, thanks to a small number of voters who actually went to the polls shortly after midnight in the tiny village of Dixville Notch.
Clark picked up eight votes followed by Kerry with three. Edwards, one, too, and Lieberman and Dean each got one. From Merrimack to Manchester to Bedford. We have reporters keeping a close watch on the candidates. We'll take you live to the headquarters of John Kerry, Howard Dean, Wesley Clark, John Edwards and Joe Lieberman, in just a moment.
First, though, who are these voters and what are their positions right now on some of the key issues? We got to Manchester when we spoke to voters coming out of the polls this morning. Here to talk to us is senior political analyst Bill Schneider. What are we learning so far, Bill?
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: These are very liberal voters. The majority of them call themselves and look how liberal they actually are. Two-thirds of them said they would favor civil unions for homosexual couples who wish they had the same rights as married couples a man and a woman by three to one. They favor gay civil unions.
But the mood among these liberal voters is worried, it's angry, it's pessimistic. 76 percent of them say they are worried about another terrorist attack on the United States. What do they think about the state of economy? Over 70 percent say the economy is not in good shape. It's in very bad shape. These are not happy liberals, they're unhappy, they're angry and facing a difficult choice here, Wolf.
The choice is do they want a candidate who will vent, or do they want a candidate who will vanquish George Bush? For a lot of these voters they're not sure that's the same candidate.
BLITZER: Bill Schneider studying the early exit poll numbers. We'll be checking back with him here clearly throughout the night. Thank you very much. Bill, thanks very much.
Both Kerry and Dean kept the heat on each other even as voters headed for the polls. National correspondent Kelly Wallace is over at the Kerry campaign headquarters -- Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, John Kerry accusing Howard Dean of engaging in negative campaigning by criticizing Kerry's position on war with Iraq, but going into the day, Kerry's advisers have been saying they fully expect a tight race and that is why they say they're taking nothing for granted. In fact, the senator himself described as getting a bit antsy went out a short time ago to greet some voters after he was working the phones, sitting alongside veterans at his campaign headquarters trying to get out the vote.
The Kerry campaign saying the so-called "Veterans Brigade" was very successful in Iowa and they hope it will be successful here in New Hampshire. Kerry faces the challenge of not only winning in New Hampshire but also meeting expectations after leading by a wide margin in the polls all week. He was asked about that today, and he said he would be happy with a one-point win, saying three weeks ago, pundits were writing off his campaign. We're also told this campaign will start running ads in all seven states tomorrow. The senator's first stop will be Missouri, a state now up for grabs with Dick Gephardt out of race -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Kelly Wallace, thank you very much.
Let's move over to Howard Dean, the former front-runner fighting to regain the top spot. Our senior political correspondent Candy Crowley is joining us from Dean campaign headquarters -- Candy.
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, as you know, the candidate did some rounds on morning television this morning, including one on CNN where, he said that John Kerry ought to quit whining. Other than that, there have been a lot of interviews, local radio, local television, about 20, I'm told by the campaign, but only very brief cameo appearances by the candidate in public. He did go to several polling places handing out coffee, even to those who might not be for him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You guys want some coffee? Are you freezing? We're all friendly here. I used to do what you're doing right now when I first started out. You're very welcome.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CROWLEY: As you know, Wolf, tonight's results are going to play into tomorrow's strategy. The Dean campaign will head from here tonight back home to Burlington, where the campaign wants to take a look at results tonight to decide exactly what states they want to go to next. They're not sure, they're going to play heavily in all seven. They want to decide where they want to spend most of their time and money -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Candy Crowley, thank you, very much.
If the polls over the past few days are right, Wesley Clark is expected to be right in the thick of the battle for third place here in New Hampshire. CNN's Dan Lothian is joining us now from Clark's headquarters in Bedford -- Dan.
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, as you know, just a few weeks ago, General Clark was a strong second in the polls, perhaps given that chance of even pulling out a win here in New Hampshire. But then he did start sliding, made some missteps during the campaign, had to clarify a number of statements. Today he is not focusing on that, focusing on trying to win over the uncommitted, the independent voters.
He was out on the sidewalks here in Manchester meeting and greeting voters. The campaign says today he's spending time doing satellite TV interviews in some of the local markets in those states for the February 3rd and February 10th states. Those are states they're focusing on. After they leave here, they'll begin the "True values" tour taking off from here, heading to South Carolina for a rally concert tonight. The campaign saying that no matter what happens here in New Hampshire they will continue on message, they will continue focusing on Clark as being the outsider who can beat President Bush -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Dan Lothian with the Clark campaign. My interview coming up this hour with Wesley Clark, along with Clark, Senator John Edwards is hoping for a strong finish here in New Hampshire. CNN's Suzanne Malveaux is over at the Edwards campaign headquarters in Merrimack -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, Senator Edwards is with his family anxiously awaiting the results. But his camp says they do not believe the poll numbers. They don't believe it reflects what's happening on the ground. Just take a look at the hundreds and hundreds of people who have come out to support Edwards. We're talking about growing crowds.
We saw Edwards this morning at a polling station yesterday in Concord where he had a town hall meeting, just one of a hundred town hall meetings that he's held. Really, his "close the deal" strategy is about using his personal appeal as well as his strong communication skills to talk about a vision of hope for America. He also talked about the danger points that are critical to voters, health care, education, a lot of domestic issues. He has been dogged by some criticism that his one term in Senate does not give him the political as well as the foreign experience but he says he believes he can pull this out. They want and hope for a third place finish -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Suzanne Malveaux. Thank you very much.
Senator Joe Lieberman also wrapping up his campaign in New Hampshire on a positive note. And he too certainly hoping to pull off a surprise. CNN's Jeanne Meserve is over at Lieberman's headquarters here in Manchester -- Jeanne.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, Joe Lieberman says something good is happening in New Hampshire today. He believes he could come in third here but will continue even if he does not. A stop at a polling place, just one of the many stops he made today as he continued to try to persuade voters to come into his camp. Lieberman passed on Iowa as you know and literally moved here into New Hampshire to show commitment here.
His staff says that he spent as much money here as he possibly could and that they made extraordinary efforts to identify their voters. The efforts in the last couple of days have been to keep those voters. As you know, there's been a lot of last-minute mind changes made by New Hampshire voters.
Also today, to get the voters out to get them to the polls. The official line from the Lieberman campaign is that he will continue on no matter what. He is slated to travel from New Hampshire on to Delaware and New Hampshire, those are the two states where the campaign believes he has the best chance of pulling off a win on February 3 and they do say he needs a win on that night. As for New Hampshire, one of his aides says one of the benefits of low expectation is exceeding low expectations. They certainly hope to do that -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jeanne Meserve, thank you very much.
All of our reporters will be joining us throughout this long night. And to our viewers, here's your turn to weigh in on this important story. Our web question of the day is this. Will a candidate's performance in New Hampshire impact whether you vote for him? You can vote right now. Go to CNN.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast.
Just ahead, we have some dramatic newly released audiotape from the cockpit of a hijacked plane on September 11. You'll want to hear this.
Also, President Bush responds for the first time to the former weapons hunter David Kay. Hear what the president has to say. All that. Plus this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLARK: We did not think the war in Iraq was a necessary war. It was an elective war.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: I go one on one with Wesley Clark. I'll ask him about abortion, the Bush administration, John Kerry and more. That's just ahead.
A day of bloodshed across Iraq. A series of attacks spells trouble for U.S. troops and for CNN's own staffers in Baghdad.
And opening statements in the Martha Stewart trial. Does Stewart's lawyer have the right ingredients to convince the jury? Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: More coverage of the New Hampshire primary. That's coming up. And let's check other important news developing today. President Bush spoke out for the first time on comments by the former chief U.S. weapons hunter that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction before the start of the war. Despite David Kay's blunt assessment, the president is standing firm in his decision to invade Iraq. Here's our White House correspondent Dana Bash with the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In his first comments since outgoing chief weapons inspector David Kay said Saddam Hussein did not have weapons of mass destruction, the president staunchly defended both the war and the pre-war intelligence.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Saddam Hussein was a grave and gathering threat to America and the world. There's no doubt in my mind. And I say that based upon intelligence that I saw prior to the decision to go in Iraq, and I say that based upon what I know today. BASH: As he made his case for war last year, the president was unequivocal about Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction.
BUSH: The Iraq regime continues to possess and conceal some of the most lethal weapons ever devised.
BASH: For months the weapons hunt progressed and none was found. The White House remained publicly confident illicit weapons would be unearthed. Now a retreat. No prediction from the president at all. Only a reminder that inspectors are still looking.
BUSH: Let the Iraq survey group do its work so we can find out the facts and compare the facts to what was thought.
BASH: Though Kay blames intelligence agencies, not the White House, Democrats say they're not so sure.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We need to find out what happened, why it happened? What went wrong?
BASH: The White House is eager to point out Dr. Kay has said weapons or not, Saddam Hussein violated U.N. resolutions, was a threat, and he believes the war in Iraq was justified. Dana Bash, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: This programming note -- the former weapons hunter David Kay will be my guest on this program tomorrow. He'll join me live at 5:00 p.m. Eastern, 2:00 p.m. Pacific.
It's been a deadly day for American forces in Iraq. A total of six American soldiers were killed in two separate attacks. In the latest, a bomb exploded south of Baghdad killing three U.S. soldiers and wounding three others. Earlier, a roadside blast west of Baghdad killed three soldiers and an Iraqi, another American and three Iraqis were wounded. The attacks occurred in the Sunni triangle, a hot bed of insurgent activity.
And CNN suffered casualties today in Iraq. Two CNN employees were killed and a third slightly wounded when the cars they were traveling in came under fire. Those killed were translator/producer Duraid Isa Mohammed (ph) and driver Yasser Khatab (ph). Cameraman Scott McWhiny (ph) was grazed in the head by a bullet. Traveling in the same car with McWhiny were correspondent Michael Holmes, producer Shirley Hwang (ph) and a security adviser and their driver. They were not hurt.
In another development, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan says he'd be willing to send the team to Iraq to determine if early elections should be held as long as the U.S.-led coalition can guarantee the mission safety. The daily guerrilla attacks pose a serious obstacle to this summer's scheduled political handover to a sovereign Iraqi government. The Bush administration is pushing a caucus system to choose the assembly but a powerful cleric is calling for direct elections. Stay with us, we've got incredible new audiotapes just released from a hijacked plane on September 11.
Also, a one-two punch of ice and snow. Federal workers are sent home early in the nation's capital, but that's not the only trouble spot.
And still to come, rallying the Republicans. Massachusetts governor wants to make sure President Bush is not forgotten here in New Hampshire. I'll speak live with Mitt Romney.
Plus this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLARK: This administration focused on a strategic distraction to Iraq, and now it's in a mess.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: The man who wants to be president, Wesley Clark, speaks out about abortion, President Bush and its rivals. I'll go one on one with Wesley Clark. That's coming up.
First, though, today's news quiz. "Which candidate has won the New Hampshire more times than any other candidate in history?"
George H.W. Bush, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan." The answer coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back. A dramatic moment today on Capitol Hill, during a hearing on the 9/11 attacks. A tape was played of a phone conversation with American Airlines flight attendant Betty Ann Ong during the hijacking of American flight 11, one of the two planes that crashed into the World Trade Center. Joining us now with more, our congressional correspondent, Joe Johns.
Joe, I know you're going to play some of these audiotapes for our viewers. I want to just advise our viewers to listen very closely to what Betty Ann has to say. Go ahead, Joe.
JOE JOHNS, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's a very disturbing tape. A chilling telephone call from September 11 replayed today on Capitol Hill. It's the voice of a flight attendant calling an airline reservation center to report that her plane had been hijacked. Her name was Betty Ong and she was on American Airlines flight 11. It was the plane taken over by September 11 ringleader Mohammed Atta and four others, apparently using brutal force and mace or pepper spray. It was the first plane to crash into the World Trade Center. The tape was played in its entirety in the Senate hearing room with her family members seated in the audience. This is an excerpt from that recording.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BETTY ONG, AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT ATTENDANT: I remember one got stabbed. A person was stabbed. Nobody knows who stabbed who, and we can't even get up to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) because nobody can breathe. No. 1 is stabbed right now, and No. 5. A first-class passenger -- a first-class galley flight attendant and a person have been stabbed. We can't get in the cockpit, the door won't open. Hello?
911: Yes, I'm taking it down, all the information. We're also, you know, of course, recording this. At this point...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is operations, what flight number are we talking about?
911: Flight 12.
ONG: No, we're on flight 11 right now. This is flight 11.
911: Flight 11, I'm sorry, Nadia (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Boston to Los Angeles. Our No. 1 has been stabbed and five has been stabbed.
ONG: Can anybody get up to the cockpit? Can anybody get up to the cockpit? We can't even get into the cockpit. We don't know who's up there.
911: Well, if they were crews, they would keep the door closed.
ONG: I'm sorry?
911: Would they not maintain a sterile cockpit?
ONG: I think the guys are up there. They might have gotten up there or something. Nobody can call the cockpit, we can't even get inside.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNS: The woman whose voice you heard on part of that call, Nadia Gonzalez (ph) today praised Betty Ong for her courage and professional demeanor and for providing information to help the investigation. Betty Ong was 45. She was from Andover, Massachusetts -- Wolf.
BLITZER: And our heart goes out to her family who were there. Joe Johns, thank you very much. A chilling, chilling, audiotape.
Judgment day here in New Hampshire. Wesley Clark says he has a better vision for America. Will the voters agree? I'll talk with the Democratic presidential hopeful. That's straight ahead.
The case against Martha Stewart. Prosecutors come out swinging in the opening day of her trial, saying she did more than just lie.
Notable passing. The death of a television talk show pioneer, Jack Paar. Stay with us. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN, I'm Wolf Blitzer in Manchester, New Hampshire. Wesley Clark skipped the Iowa caucuses to concentrate on New Hampshire. I caught up with the former NATO commander today at Pappy's Diner (ph) here in Manchester. He talked about a number of issues including his decision to focus on this state.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: General, thank you for joining us. Let's talk about tonight. Give us your bottom line assessment. What do you believe will happen?
CLARK: I think we'll get votes in New Hampshire but I won't predict on where we'll finish. But I'm happy on what we've been able to do up here. We came into the race late, some of the people have been up here for years, working the issues and the people. We didn't, we came in late, and I think we've done really well up here. We've got a very strong message. I think we'll do very well across this country.
BLITZER: Lot of people think you made a strategic blunder not going to Iowa because you could have done well presumably. Was that a mistake looking back?
CLARK: Well, I think if I'd had time, I would have done extremely well in Iowa but it wasn't a mistake because it was never a real option. We just never had the money or the time, after I got into the campaign. I came into the campaign, I call it with before nose. I made the decision on the 15th of September, I had no political money, absolutely none. I had therefore, no staff, and therefore I had no strategy and no policy papers and I had never run for elective office and so it simply wasn't possible to go to Iowa. It took 30 days to get a communications team, 60 days to get a campaign manager. We didn't really have our team together until Thanksgiving.
BLITZER: How is the money situation now?
CLARK: Really good.
BLITZER: How good? Specifically, how much money do you have going into the next campaign.
CLARK: We have enough money to do everything we need to do for the week and the week after that and the week after that. We are very very strong across this country.
BLITZER: Where are you going to spend most of your time in the next week or two.
CLARK: In the states...
BLITZER: Which ones? CLARK: South Carolina, Missouri, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona. We'll be going all the way across and back, and forth, back and forth, we'll be meeting as many people as we can, and carrying a strong message. All of the signs are favorable, and we've got strong organizations there, and I feel very good about it.
BLITZER: Politics is new for you. were a general -- you were in the military for 34 years. You've made some mistakes. What are the most serious mistakes that you personally made campaigning, speaking out over these past few months?
CLARK: Well, I don't know what they are. But I think that when you look at where we've come, what we've got is a very strong message about helping Americans.
What I want to do is help our country get out of the mess in Iraq and I won't get us into another one. And we're going to help working families in this country. For 30 years, we've not done any better. 90 percent of the American people, despite the fact that the American income has more than doubled, 90 percent of us are no better off than we were 30 years ago, whereas a small minority have done very, very well.
We've got families across this country struggling, Wolf. And we're going to have the most impressive tax reform proposal in 30 years. We're going to help 31 million American families. If you're a family with kids and you're making $100,000 or less, you're going to get a $1,500-a-year tax reduction. And if you're making $50,000 with two kids, you will never pay federal income tax again. And that will help our families.
BLITZER: And if you're making more than $100,000 a year?
CLARK: Well, if you're making more than $100,000 a year, you will keep the Bush tax cut that has been given you.
If you're making more than $200,000 a year, we're going to ask Americans to sacrifice, because we need that money back to help deal with health care and education problems. What we've gone
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: How much are you going to increase those taxes on the people who make $200,000 and up?
CLARK: They're going to go back to the tax rate that was in place before the Bush tax cut.
BLITZER: Just eliminate what they got, the tax cut from the...
CLARK: We're going to help and take -- that's about $1 trillion. And we're going to ask them to help us help America by providing the kinds of health services and the kind of education we need to keep all America strong and together.
BLITZER: You don't want to use that just to eliminate or cut the deficit?
CLARK: Some of it will cut the deficit.
BLITZER: How much?
CLARK: We're going to take $2.33 trillion through eliminating some corporate subsidies, through greater efficiencies in government, and through taking back the Bush tax cuts for families making $200,000 or above. That's $2.33 trillion. And we're going to use half of that to meet our education and health needs.
BLITZER: Let's go through some of the statements that you have made, because they've caused some controversy.
You referred, some say dismissively, to John Kerry as merely a junior officer, a lieutenant. And that seemed to suggest, at least to his supporters, that you were belittling his contribution to the U.S.
CLARK: Well, I think John Kerry did a fine job in Vietnam. I was there about the same time. I also was a junior officer in Vietnam. I was a company commander.
I led my company. I was shot four times. I got a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. I came home on a stretcher. And when I stayed in the military, what I did, rising through the ranks and eventually becoming a general, was to learn to make the kinds of decisions that the American people expect presidents to be able to make.
I dealt with issues of life and death and sending soldiers and airmen into battle. I worried about whether the bombs would strike the targets or hit enemy -- or hit civilians that were innocent. And I was concerned about what was good for the country as a whole. So, I think, when Americans look at a presidency, they're looking for someone who's a decider and a doer, not a talker and a debater. And that's what I've done.
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: Do you owe John Kerry a little bit of an apology for sort of that tone of what you said?
CLARK: I think that John Kerry and I have already had that discussion.
And it's very clear that -- my son was a lieutenant and I was a lieutenant. And no Democrat and no Republican will ever drive a wedge between me and our nation's veterans. It's just that simple.
BLITZER: What about the whole Michael Moore flap? For once and for all, can you flatly say, you don't believe that President Bush was a deserter?
CLARK: Yes. I've said that.
I don't agree with what Michael Moore said. But I will say this, that, in this country, we do have to protect the right to dissent. And I don't approve of what people say in advance when they're coming to support me. And he's saying what he believes.
Here's what I believe in this country. I believe the presidency is a very high office and must be treated with respect and the people who hold it must be true patriots and they must protect this country. And my view of patriotism for a president is to do everything you can to keep the country safe.
What we know, Wolf, is that, before 9/11, President Bush did not do everything he could to keep this country safe. And we can increasingly see that, after 9/11, he's taken us to a war that we didn't have to fight.
BLITZER: Well, you could argue that President Clinton also for eight years didn't do everything he could to keep the country safe.
CLARK: This is an election about how President Bush's performance in office has been. And it's an election about who has a better vision for the future of America.
I believe that we have an administration in office right now that thinks that America's best days are behind us. We've redone the war with Saddam Hussein, Ronald Reagan's tax cuts. And now we're talking about putting a man on the moon again, which was the Kennedy space program in the 1960s. I think America's best day are in the future.
BLITZER: On the abortion issue, let's just clarify one issue. When do you believe life begins?
CLARK: Well, I believe that that's a decision that a woman and her doctor, with her faith and her family, will agree on.
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: But you're a man of faith. What do you believe?
CLARK: What I believe is that it's important to prevent unwanted pregnancies. And so what I'm doing is supporting all of the means to help people plan their families. And I will enforce the law of the land. And that's Roe v. Wade and choice. And that's the law.
BLITZER: Some people say, life begins at conception. Others say when the fetus is viable. And others say at the time of birth. What do you say?
CLARK: Well, I think that's a very personal decision for each and every person. And, especially, that's a choice and a decision that a woman must make.
BLITZER: I understand that. So what's your personal view?
CLARK: My personal view is that, as president of the United States, I will support the law of the land, which is Roe v. Wade.
BLITZER: You don't want to say when you personally believe life begins?
CLARK: I think that this is an issue that every woman must confront herself.
BLITZER: What about the inconsistency, supposedly, in your position on Iraq, going up to the war, during the war, after the war?
Right now, David Kay, as you know, who was the chief U.S. weapons hunter, has come up and said, you know what? There probably weren't any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq on the eve of the war. You, going into the war, believed, like all of us did, that there were.
CLARK: Wolf, as you and I talked many times on camera and off, of course, we always believed that there were the possibility of weapons in Iraq.
And, as a military guy, I had to take a conservative view and say that..
BLITZER: You were briefed by people in the government.
CLARK: I was told by Don Rumsfeld he knew where 30 percent of the weapons of mass destruction were. And I think that the United States Congress needs to investigate this and ask these questions. Why is it that we chose to go to war in Iraq?
BLITZER: Looking back, though -- final question -- are the Iraqi people better off today than they were under Saddam Hussein?
CLARK: I think it's an unfolding story. And I think that all the world is safer with Saddam Hussein gone.
But had I been president, I would not have attacked Saddam Hussein and Iraq. I would have finished the job against al Qaeda, because the real question is here, are the American people safer? And have we done everything we could do to make the American people safe? And I think the answer is no, because, if we had really wanted to worry about the safety of the American people, we would have focused on Osama bin Laden. And we would have stayed in Pakistan and Afghanistan and we would have gotten Osama bin Laden.
This administration took us on a strategic distraction to Iraq. And now it's in a mess and it has got -- us and our men and women in service, whom I love and support, are in a mess over there.
BLITZER: General, good luck to you.
CLARK: Thanks, Wolf.
BLITZER: Thanks very much.
CLARK: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: We're already getting lots of e-mail on my interview with Wesley Clark.
Here's what some of you are saying. Skylark writes this: "I was reassured by Wesley Clark's response to your question on when life begins. He believes any decisions regarding the abortion issue are the woman's choice. His answer was relevant and clearly stated. To badger him in hopes of an inflammatory response was cheap."
But Bob sends this: "I cannot vote for someone who cannot give a straight answer to a question on an important issue like abortion."
A domestic diva at the center of a court battle. Coming up, Martha Stewart's trial gets under way. Is she a liar or an innocent businesswoman? We'll hear what both sides had to say in today's opening statements.
And from the Midwest to New England, it's a good day to stay indoors. More brutal weather is on the way. The latest just ahead.
And here in New Hampshire, the Democrats aren't -- repeat, aren't -- the only game in town. We'll tell you why the Republicans want some of the limelight. We'll get to all of that.
First, though, a quick look at some other news making headlines around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Bird flu spreads. International health organizations are calling for a worldwide response to deadly bird flu which has spread to 10 Asian countries. China and Laos are the latest countries reporting cases. The outbreak has killed at least eight people and triggered the slaughter of tens of millions of chickens and other birds.
Nuclear rivals to talk. India and Pakistan will hold peace talks next month, after a hiatus of almost two years. India says one main focus of the talks will be the long-running dispute over Kashmir, which has caused two wars between the neighbors.
Mending fences. Vice President Dick Cheney met Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in a bid to repair relations strained by the Iraq war. John Paul was a staunch opponent of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The Vatican says the pope urged the United States to work for the growth of international cooperation.
And that's our look around the world.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Let's check some stories making headlines at this hour.
Friends and colleagues say Jack Paar will be greatly missed. The radio and TV talk show pioneer died today in his home in Greenwich, Connecticut, after a long illness. He was 85. Paar hosted "The Tonight Show" before successor Johnny Carson. A new judge has been assigned to preside over the Modesto, California, murder trial of Scott Peterson. Judge Alfred Delucchi was named in the wake of a disqualification motion filed by the defense against his predecessor. A hearing on that motion is scheduled for Monday.
In New York today, prosecutors began making their case against Martha Stewart. They say Stewart committed -- and I'm quoting now -- serious federal crimes.
CNN's Mary Snow has the story. She's joining us now live from New York -- Mary.
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the court session has ended for the day.
But with family members, including Martha Stewart's mother, looking on, the government began making its case this morning against Martha Stewart and her former stockbroker, Peter Bacanovic, in the stock fraud trial, with Karen Patton Seymour, the lead prosecutor saying -- quote -- "This is a case about destruction and lying to federal agents, fabricating and cheating investors."
Stewart's attorney, Robert Morvillo, saying that there is no direct evidence against Stewart, that there's a lot of speculation, surmising and guessing in this case, and that, he said, the same government that leaked it, meaning the information, on one hand is prosecuting it on the other.
Two government witnesses were called, but, really, the key government witness is expected to come to the stand on Thursday. And that is Doug Faneuil. He is the former assistant to Peter Bacanovic. And he is supposed to dispute the notion that provided Stewart's alibi. Because of weather, there will be no court session tomorrow -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Mary Snow, thanks very much for that report.
Speaking of the weather, the East Coast is bracing for another beating today, as two winter storms are about to come together, one moving in from the Upper Midwest and another from coming up from the Southern coast. Federal government employees went home early today, as severe winter weather heads for the D.C. area. A coastal storm hammering North Carolina is headed for the Tidewater and D.C. area.
Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey can expect six to 12 inches of snow overnight. Snow accumulations may be as much 15 inches in Northeastern Pennsylvania. And the Boston area will also get hit. Meteorologists are predicting six inches-plus of snow for the Cape Cod and Hyannis areas, while areas further inland will see accumulations of more than a foot. The storms are blamed for at least 38 deaths across the country.
Republicans are voting in New Hampshire, too. You'll be surprised to hear that. Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney works to steal a little limelight from the Democrats. What's he doing to attract attention? The governor my guest. That is coming up next.
Plus, this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVE SQYURES, CORNELL UNIVERSITY, We are about to embark on what is arguably going to be the coolest geological field trip in human history.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Opportunity rocks. We have pictures new beamed in straight from Mars.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Earlier we asked: Which candidate has won the New Hampshire primary more times than any other candidate in history? The answer, Richard Nixon. Nixon finished first in 1960, 1968, and 1972.
Democratic presidential candidates have collectively shelled out millions of dollars on campaign ads, not only in New Hampshire, but throughout the United States. Is it worth it?
CNN's Jennifer Coggiola is joining us now from Washington with more on that -- Jennifer.
JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Wolf.
Well, last week alone, the candidates spent more than $7 million on campaign ads, but are they working?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, AD)
NARRATOR: Howard Dean spoke out to oppose the war and Bush's economic policies.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COGGIOLA (voice-over): Softer war droves and positive messages, a consistent theme in recent ads.
JENNIFER DONAHUE, POLITICAL ANALYST: So I think you see a kinder, softer Dean in this ad. Well, you've got Dean and Kerry both in barn jackets in their latest round of ads. And I think everyone is trying to look like a New Englander.
COGGIOLA: A casual look that political consultants believe could appeal to a key group all the campaigns are targeting.
VAUGHN VERVERS, EDITOR, "THE HOTLINE": Everybody is after the women's vote. John Kerry has been very successful in attracting the female vote.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, AD)
NARRATOR: What if we could have a president...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COGGIOLA: Unlike his previous black-and-white ads looking presidential and historical, General Clark is now changing focus.
DONAHUE: Children, education, family, family values, domestic policy. I think they're trying to flush out the domestic side of his resume and soften his tone with the sweaters vs. the suit.
COGGIOLA: In a recent John Edwards ad, simple snapshot showcasing his strength.
DONAHUE: They're going with his natural good packaging, his good looks and his youth.
COGGIOLA: Suffering from what some have called Gore fatigue, Lieberman no longer uses the vice president in his ads.
DONAHUE: The fact that Lieberman is associated so closely with Gore, having run with him last time, Lieberman has really suffered from that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, AD)
NARRATOR: One thousand independents just joined.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COGGIOLA: And now is more directly courting the independent vote, keeping the message positive.
DONAHUE: Negativity doesn't seem to be working this ad cycle. We found that in Iowa.
COGGIOLA: As Richard Gephardt proved, attacking fellow Democrats doesn't help.
VERVERS: What we saw was negative ads backfiring on both the person it was aimed at and the person running it. And I think that's one reason that we haven't seen more of them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, AD)
CLARK: I'm Wes Clark and I approve this message.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COGGIOLA: With the new campaign finance laws requiring each candidate to appear at the end of the commercial, many are avoiding being associated with negativity.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, AD)
HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And I approve this message.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COGGIOLA: A message that some analysts expect will turn more aggressive after Tuesday.
VERVERS: As the field shrinks from six candidates to five to four to three, you are going to see them draw much sharper distinctions between one another. You're going to see them attack one another a little bit more, at least on the policy side. And you're going to have a much more sharp-edged debate.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COGGIOLA: But until we hear tonight's results in New Hampshire, we really won't know what direction the ads will take in coming weeks or even if they've been successful up until now -- Wolf.
BLITZER: CNN's Jennifer Coggiola in Washington -- Jennifer, thank you very much.
While the Democrats are in the spotlight here in New Hampshire, the Republicans also have a presence in this state this week. Some prominent Republicans are here to try to boost support for President Bush. With me now, the Republican governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney.
A lot of our viewers are saying, how is it possible that Massachusetts, supposedly this liberal, Democratic state, has a Republican governor?
GOV. MITT ROMNEY (R), MASSACHUSETTS: Well, I think people care about their pocketbooks and they care about jobs. And people look to Republicans to build jobs and to make sure that our taxes don't get raised. And, particularly, the Republicans care also about education and health care and preserving the safety of our society.
So I was lucky enough to win on that kind of a platform. I think George W. Bush will win on that platform once again.
BLITZER: It's not a far drive from Boston here to Manchester. You made the drive. You are trying to generate some support for the president.
A lot of people don't realize, there's a Republican primary under way as well. You want to go out on a limb and predict who is going to win?
ROMNEY: I'm absolutely convinced the president will win his primary in New Hampshire tonight.
BLITZER: You have no doubt about that tonight?
ROMNEY: He's going to do very, very well.
BLITZER: All right, you heard it here first.
(LAUGHTER)
BLITZER: So what's the point? Why are you here now? What are you trying to do really?
ROMNEY: Well, America is listening and watching.
And we want to make sure people recognize that we know this is going to be a close race. And we need the support of Republicans and independents to go -- and like-minded Democrats -- to go to work to reelect the president. And, No. 2, that the message that we have all heard in these last several weeks of negativism and pessimism and divisiveness can be replaced by the president's message of optimism and hope and a strong future.
BLITZER: Some Democrats suggest Governor Mitt Romney coming to New Hampshire today a sign that the Republicans are nervous about what could happen in November?
ROMNEY: There's no question, Republicans across the country recognize that this is going to be a close race. The White House has been saying that from the beginning. Our nation is pretty evenly divided Republican and Democrat.
Republicans are going to have to work to keep the White House. This is a great president with a stronger economy and a stronger world position. Safety is once again on people's minds. But the president has brought home safety. That means we have to fight hard to ensure that our message gets out, a message of hope and optimism.
BLITZER: The junior senator from Massachusetts, John Kerry, is running, as obviously everyone knows. Does that -- what do you know about him? What do you want to tell our viewers about your colleague from Massachusetts, even though he's a Democrat and you're a Republican?
ROMNEY: Well, Massachusetts liberal Democrats haven't done real well on the national stage. We'll see how this one does.
He's a Ted Kennedy Democrat, and I think he's proud of that. He brings Senator Kennedy with him as he goes around. We know about his heroics in Vietnam. And he's lauded for that, appropriately. But what we don't know about as a nation is, what's he been doing in Washington for the last couple of decades? His record is not distinguished there. He's been on both sides of many issues. And I believe that the people in America who get a close look at John Kerry will say, good man, but not the man that we want to have lead our country.
BLITZER: Do you see any significant differences in this Democratic field?
ROMNEY: Well, I don't think people are looking at the message now.
I think they've gone beyond looking for differences between the candidates and now they're looking to see who can possibly beat George Bush. And they think that could be John Kerry. I think, as they take a closer look, they'll conclude that he can't do it either.
BLITZER: So, electability, you think, here in New Hampshire -- you can put your political analytical hat on right now -- is that the big issue for the Democrats?
ROMNEY: Well, I'm certainly no political pundit, but I do believe that they're looking for someone who they think can beat George Bush. I don't think they're going find that person, not among the candidates they've got.
And I believe that he is going to be handily reelected. When I say handily, that is going to be by that narrow margin that it takes in our country today for a president to win.
BLITZER: Are we expecting, in the election in November, as close a contest as four years ago?
ROMNEY: I can't imagine.
If we have that kind of a nail-biter, I don't know that the nation could live through it again. But I do expect it will be very, very close. And that party that really energizes the team, the grassroots, is the party that is going to win.
BLITZER: Governor Mitt Romney, get ready for some snow up here in New England.
ROMNEY: It's going to be deep.
BLITZER: All right, we'll watch. Thanks very much for joining us.
ROMNEY: Thank you. Good to be with you.
BLITZER: They have traveled millions of miles through space to reach us. When we return, we'll show you the latest pictures from Mars sent back by the Opportunity rover.
And our hot "Web Question of the Day" is this: Will a candidate's performance in New Hampshire impact whether you vote for him? You can vote right now. Go to CNN.com/Wolf. That's the place. The results for you when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: In our picture of the day, an image to make Earthlings ooh and ahh.
For the first time, we're seeing pictures of bedrock on Mars. And to the experts, they're quite extraordinary. The new pictures were beamed back from our neighboring planet by NASA's Opportunity rover. Scientists say the bedrock could contain evidence that Opportunity's landing spot was once a far different landing place perhaps, perhaps, wet enough to support life. They'll continue to study that.
Here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Question of the Day." We've been asking you this question: Will a candidate's performance in New Hampshire impact whether you vote for him? Look at this: 15 percent of you say yes; 85 percent of you say no. As always, we remind you, this is not a scientific poll.
And a reminder, we're here every weekday, both at 5:00 p.m., as well as noon Eastern. I'll be back later tonight, in fact, throughout the night, for continuing live prime-time coverage of the New Hampshire primary. Our special coverage will resume, continue with Anderson Cooper at 7:00 p.m. I'll be back at 8:00 p.m., Larry King.
And we will be there throughout the night. Stay with CNN. Until then, thanks very much for joining us.
"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Audiotape Released>
