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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports
Bush Picks Panel to Investigate Pre-War Intelligence; Dozens Dead in Moscow Subway Bombing; Carlie Brucia Found Dead
Aired February 06, 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, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Executive order. The president picks a panel to investigate intelligence failures after U.S. weapons hunters come up empty-handed.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're determined to figure out why.
BLITZER: Terror underground. Dozens are dead in a rush hour subway bombing. Can it happen here?
The cruelest outcome. A missing girl is found too late.
SUSAN SCHORPEN, CARLIE BRUCIA'S MOTHER: Carlie will always be my baby, you know.
BLITZER: I'll ask John Walsh of "America's Most Wanted" about the man in custody.
ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Friday, February 6, 2004.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: With his feet to the fire after a fruitless weapons hunt in Iraq so far, President Bush has named a high-profile panel to investigate U.S. intelligence failures. But Democrats are vowing to keep the heat on.
Let's go live to our CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, it really is an effort to the White House to restore credibility, the justification for going to war. The commission is going to look what the CIA knew before the war and compare that to what the Iraq Survey Group knows after the war.
They're also going to take a look at intelligence assessments with weapons programs dealing with North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan and Libya. But they're primarily going to focus on that claim that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BUSH: Last week, our form chief weapons inspector, David Kay, reported that Saddam Hussein's regime had weapons programs and activities in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and was a gathering threat to the world.
Dr. Kay also stated that some prewar intelligence assessments by America and other nations about Iraq's weapons stockpiles have not been confirmed. We're determined to figure out why.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Senator John McCain, a prominent Republican, as you may recall, running against the president for the Republican nomination in 200, considered a maverick, also often a critic of the Bush administration, is one of the members on the commission. He was appointed essentially to counter the criticism that this type of panel could not be objective.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: I agree with Dr. Kay. It's clear that there were failures and to assert otherwise lies in the face of the facts.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: There are four Democrats on the panel. President Bush announcing seven of the nine of those members of the commission. It will be very interesting, Wolf. The deadline for the report is March 31. That is two months after we elect a new president. It will be interesting to see whether or not some of that report is released to the public or at least leaked and how that plays with the voters -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Suzanne, as you know, there's lots of speculation that David Kay would be a member, possibly, of this panel. Any explanation why he was not named?
MALVEAUX: Well so far he has denied that he would be named on that panel. Whether or not he's is too close to the investigation already. He is somebody we've often seen at White House. He has had numerous conversations with the president as well as top officials briefing them of what he has found. We don't know who the two remaining panelists will be. So we'll have to see.
BLITZER: We'll wait and see. Thank you very much, Suzanne Malveaux at the White House.
The president pledged a bipartisan panel and certainly seems to have delivered it. One commission co-chairman is Democrat Chuck Robb who now practices law. Robb former United States senator from Virginia, former governor as well. He's also the son-in-law of the late president Lyndon Johnson.
The other co-chairman is Laurence Silberman. He's a Republican and a retired federal judge. Sliberman served as a deputy attorney general in the Nixon and Ford administrations. He was named to the appeals court in 1985 by President Reagan.
One key Democrat has his serious doubts about the intelligence inquiry. Senator Edward Kennedy issued a strongly worded statement which reads and I'm quoting now, "What we need is a full, fair and independent and vigorous investigation of the Iraq intelligence, and its use by the administration to justify its decision to go to war."
Kennedy says the commission's timetable shows that, quote, "the administration's highest priority is to avoid further debate about this issue before the election."
But Kennedy vows the debate will go on, he adds this sentence: "The protective fence around the White House must come down."
Diplomats too still have their doubts. Secretary of State Colin Powell was back at the place where he once made the case for war, trying to mend fences. Let's go live to CNN's Liz Neisloss. She's at the United Nations -- Liz.
LIZ NEISLOSS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Wolf. A very different scene today at the United Nations, Wolf. What we saw is diplomatic sparring partners trying to make nice.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NEISLOSS (voice-over): A hand of friendship extended by the United States to France, the picture of diplomatic unity. One year after his now infamous presentation, Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed no regrets.
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: I don't think any apologies are necessary.
NEISLOSS: The irony of the U.S. secretary of state's return to the United Nations did not go unnoticed in the hallways. But with France looking on Powell insisted diplomacy moves on.
POWELL: I think we're doing very well with the international community notwithstanding the premise of your question. Here in the U.N., over the last five or six months, we've passed resolution after resolution.
NEISLOSS: That was not the case one years ago.
POWELL: Saddam Hussein has not verifiably accounted for even one teaspoonful of this deadly material.
NEISLOSS: When the U.S. faced a skeptical Security Council, France led the charge against war. But Powell brushed aside concerns over long-term damage.
POWELL: We had a major disagreement last year, but you know disagreements come, disagreements go.
NEISLOSS: Publicly France expressing similar optimism.
DOMINIQUE DE VILLEPIN, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER: We are friends, we are allies, and we never forget that.
NEISLOSS: Are other opponents agreeing?
GUANGYA WANG, CHINESE AMB. TO U.N.: The best way is to look forward, to bridge our differences and work for the common goods of the Iraqi people.
NEISLOSS: But the U.N.'s top diplomat says the U.S. still has repair work to do.
KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: Of course there has been some damage, damage that will probably take some time to heal. People are going to be very suspicious when one talks to them about intelligence.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NEISLOSS: So, Wolf, the reality is that the U.S. and France have to work together. But many here at the United Nations say that the issue of Iraq leaves some static on the diplomatic line -- Wolf.
BLITZER: CNN's Liz Neisloss, at the U.N. Thanks, Liz.
In Florida, meanwhile, a tragic end to the abduction of 11-year- old Carlie Brucia. CNN's Kris Osborn is covering the case. He's in Sarasota -- Kris?
KRIS OSBORN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf. A lot of emotion today along with several pertinent investigative developments. Among them this: a probable cause affidavit, a court document from Sarasota County here which reads "On February 5, the defendant told a witness he abducted and murdered Carlie Brucia."
Now this same document also says the defendant, of course, Smith provided key information which led investigators to the body.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OSBORN (voice-over): A grim discovery. Eleven-year-old Carlie Brucia's body found near a church just a few miles away from that car wash where this video first captured her abduction.
Thirty-seven-year-old Joseph Smith, a man with a long criminal record, is charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping.
CARL WHITEHEAD, FBI: We will continue this effort to process the evidence to ensure that Mr. Smith is essentially prosecuted for this horrendous crime.
OSBORN: Investigators spent the day searching the area where the girl's body was found. Police discovered evidence linking Smith to the crime in a station wagon he used and in his home.
SHERIFF BILL BALKWILL, SARASOTA CO. SHERIFF'S DEPT.: We're still looking for some key pieces of evidence. Those key pieces are still in a pink knapsack that we're looking for. OSBORN: This afternoon Carlie's father struggled to face his loss.
JOEY BRUCIA, CARLIE BRUCIA'S FATHER: I only saw her twice a year, two weeks at a clip. But now she can see me always, she's in a better place. She got there in a horrific manner. But now she's watching me all the time.
OSBORN: Several of Carlie's sixth grade classmates dropped off flowers at the car wash in a makeshift memorial and chose to focus on what they loved about their lost friend.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She was very pretty. She was -- she loved to dance, sing, she liked to be around a lot of people. She liked hanging out with her friends and she doesn't like being alone or anything.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She was a loving and caring person. She never gave handshakes, she always gave hugs. And I'll always remember her because of her smile. She smiled beautifully and she was a beautiful girl.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
OSBORN: Also this afternoon investigators said Smith waived his rights to a probable cause hearing, which is scheduled for tomorrow. He will remain in custody until quite possibly he goes to trial -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Kris Osborn, with that. Thanks, Kris, very much.
Joining us now on the phone to talk more about this horrific case, John Walsh. He's an advocate for missing children. The host, of course, of "America's Most Wanted." John, thanks very much for joining us. Do you think this could have been prevented, this particular tragedy?
JOHN WALSH, HOST, "AMERICA'S MOST WANTED": Well, we can only speculate on that forever, Wolf. But I'll say one thing, here's a guy that's been arrested 13 times starting with his peeping Tom conviction way back when, he violated his parole a couple months ago, he's on parole for drug use and selling drugs. He tested positive for heroin in urine, parole officer goes before a judge and says look at this guy, 13 times arrested. He shouldn't be on the streets. The judge says no, let him continue his parole. And what does he do, he kills this little girl.
BLITZER: Someone with a long record like this and is out of jail. I guess the system usually works. Did the system not work this time?
WALSH: Absolutely. I think it's time to play hard ball. Since my son was murdered 22 years ago, I've been involved in thousands of cases of missing children, and half the time it's a guy with a long rap sheet. Look at this beautiful girl, Dru Sjodin, that's missing in Minnesota, there's a guy in jail who's a suspect, he won't talk, he won't tell what he did with her body, even though there's blood in his car. He was in prison 17 years for repeated kidnapping and molestation and he was let out. You know, it's time to play hard ball. We can put a lunar module on Mars and spend billions of dollars but we can't reform the criminal justice system and keep these damn guys off the street.
BLITZER: Did the Amber alert system work this time. I know there was a significant delay in issuing that Amber alert?
WALSH: Absolutely it worked. I wish they'd issued it sooner, that's hindsight. But it's the tip that came in that led police to Joseph Smith was because of the Amber alert. A neighbor saw the Amber alert, saw the video run in the Sarasota area and said this guy, I know exactly where he lives, he fits the description. Thank God for the passage of the Amber alert.
BLITZER: Also the surveillance video cameras, a lot of people hate the surveillance video cameras, but without that videotape of this particular incident, the outcome, we might never have known who kidnapped and killed this little girl.
WALSH: This is the first time in years we had actual evidence of a chilling kidnapping. You can see how he confronts her. She's only 11. She didn't make the mistake. She was scared, she went with him. These guys know how to do it. I'm not worried by videotape. I think only people that have things to fear, are afraid of video cameras. All over the world they use video cameras to reduce crimes. I think they're a good thing.
BLITZER: As you know Joseph Smith is innocent until he's proven guilty. He hasn't been proven guilty of anything so far. Is this a slam dunk case? Is there any question in your mind?
WALSH: No, no question at all. I've looked at the video. "America's Most Wanted" and NASA worked together to enhance the video. We showed it last week, and police are still asking us to show a new piece of video that hasn't been seen of his actual car pulling up. That will be on "America's Most Wanted" Saturday night because we're trying to help prosecutors build a case. But there's DNA evidence in the car, there's no question in my mind, and that's only my opinion, and he is innocent until proven guilty. But there's no question this is the right guy, and thank God for the video.
But I tell you what, Governor Jeb Bush said it the other day. I hope this family gets justice, I hope this guy is put where he's supposed to be put, we'll see how the trial plays out. It's never a slam dunk, Wolf. He was acquitted for kidnapping 2 1/2 years ago when a woman came into court and testified and said this guy grabbed me and told me he would slit my throat, and somehow a jury acquitted him. I call it the criminal injustice system, and it's time to take a long hard look at it.
BLITZER: One final question, John, before I let you go. You unfortunately, tragically lived through a similar kind of experience, all of us know with your son Adam when he was kidnapped and killed. What do you say to the parents of Carlie right now. What advice do you have for them?
WALSH: I talked to both of them. They're divorced as you know. I talked to Joe, that was his only child. I talked to Sue for about an hour today. She has a 6-year-old son and a 10-year-old stepson. I say one thing, that's your angel, she's in a better place, she'll always look out for you, and both of them said what can we do to make sure Carlie didn't die in vain. I said you can help me change these laws because they don't work. They're both loving parents, they're in the worst place today, they'll both survive because that beautiful girl will be their inspiration.
BLITZER: John Walsh, thank you for joining us. And here's your chance to weigh in on the story. Our web question of the day is this. "Do you pay close attention to Amber alerts?" You can vote right now. Go to CNN.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast.
Deadly blast -- a metro train attack during morning rush-hour traffic in Moscow. Are the subway systems in the United States just as vulnerable?
New endorsement. Ahead of a week of key contests, can any Democrat right now catch Senator John Kerry?
Plus this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AL GORE, FMR. VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: He abused the trust of the American people by exploiting the fears of the American people in order to take this nation on an adventure that had been preordained and designed before the attacks of September 11 ever took place.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Taking aim. Former Vice President Al Gore speaking out against President Bush again. Why his criticisms carry a greater risk to his own credibility right now. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER; In Russia, it was a normal rush hour until a powerful bomb ripped through a crowded subway train. Thirty-nine people are confirmed dead. 113 others are hospitalized. We get the story from our Moscow bureau chief, Jill Dougherty.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): A packed Moscow metrocar deep underground, morning commuters on their way to work, suddenly a blinding explosion. A bomb investigators believe carried in a suitcase detonates in the second car of a Moscow subway train, tearing apart the bodies of people closest to the device.
ALEXEI VLASOV, BOMBING SURVIVOR (through translator): I felt a heat wave, darkness and my face burning. I fell on the floor immediately. There was a lot of noise, only when they opened the doors could we walk away.
DOUGHERTY: As rescuers swarm into the metro, survivors climb or jump out of windows, pry open doors and run or walk through the pitch- black underground tunnels to safety. In Moscow hospitals, some of the injured fight for their lives, but doctors say the death toll could rise. Russian prosecutors launch their investigation, the immediate suspicion, a terrorist act by Chechen rebels. A charge rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov denies.
President Vladimir Putin condemns terrorism as the plague of the 21st century and has tough talk for the people who carry it out.
PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIA (through translator): Russia does not conduct talks with terrorists. Russia destroys them.
DOUGHERTY: As security officials gather evidence, Mr. Putin gets a call from U.S. president George W. Bush expressing his condolences and solidarity.
This bombing takes place just as Russia is preparing for presidential elections in March and President Putin says there could be a connection, a way of putting pressure on him and sowing fear. It's a serious test for the entire country he says, and here on the streets of the capital people know only too well how true that is. Jill Dougherty, CNN, Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Can it happen here? When it comes to terrorism, just how safe are America's subway systems. For that let's turn to CNN's Jennifer Coggiola -- Jennifer.
JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: More passengers are moved on mass transit in one month than airlines move in a year. But what's being done to protect them?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COGGIOLA (voice-over): For a country that relies on public transportation move millions every day, security is concern No. 1. The industry has been declared one of 13 critical infrastructures by the government and transit officials say measures are being taken to make the nation's subways safer.
GREG HULL, AMERICAN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ASSN: We are in direct communication with the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI and other sources of security information to be able to immediately disseminate information and as well acquire information from transit agencies across the country.
COGGIOLA: Security issues evident in the nation's busiest city. In Washington, D.C. with 700,000 passengers passing through the metro turnstiles every day, that means random station sweeps, specially trained police teams donning bulletproof vests, bomb-sniffing dogs and high-powered weapons looking for anything unusual or dangerous. But there are dangers that can't be seen. STEVEN KUHN, KROLL SECURITY SERVICES: Do they have chemical weapons? Biological weapons? The answer is maybe. Probably, and that causes us to want to be extra prepared.
COGGIOLA: Tokyo, 1995, a sarin chemical attack that killed a dozen riders and sickened 5,000 more. In response, D.C. adopted a metro center system, biochemical and hazard sensors in stations that work nonstop year around.
KROLL: It's a very progressive program they believe transportation agencies throughout the world actually will be able to learn lessons from.
COGGIOLA: San Francisco's BART has military-trained police units to protect their 1.3 million passengers a day and every operator has a two way radio to contact police immediately in the case of an emergency. After the September 11 attacks, New York put into effect extra precautions to protect their 5 million daily passengers and 656 miles of track.
In the event the national alert level rises, New York police randomly dispatch Hercules teams and dogs in an attempt to disrupt attacks or terrorist surveillance. Atlanta's MARTA has police barricades at their high-traffic station and passengers using their cell phones can be immediately connected to MARTA police. But is it enough?
KROLL: Can we secure an open transportation system? No. And I'm not sure we should try to. We don't want to give into fear.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COGGIOLA: Congressional investigators have found that funding is the most, quote, "pressing challenge to secure the nation's mass transportation system." Since 9/11, when $150 million in federal funds have been allocated specifically for subway system security no funding is expected to come in the coming year -- Wolf.
BLITZER: CNN's Jennifer Coggiola, good piece. Thank you very much for that.
Horrific outcome and a new difficult chapter.
We know that the community is grieving the loss of a very, very precious young lady. The search ends but the mourning for little Carlie Brucia has just begun. I'll speak live with the principal of her former school.
A new low. Unemployment rates drop. But what exactly does that mean to the people still looking for work? Why it's not necessarily so cut and dry.
And special celebration. Find out who former first lady Nancy Reagan is honoring today.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BLITZER: Now our daily look at what's happening on the presidential campaign trail. Senator John Kerry won the endorsement of a former rival, Congressman Richard Gephardt. Gephardt, who dropped out of the Democratic presidential race after the Iowa caucuses, offered his endorsement in Michigan, which holds its caucuses tomorrow. Kerry is expected to win.
After his victory this week in South Carolina, John Edwards is hoping to find additional support in other southern states. The North Carolina senator is campaigning in Virginia and Tennessee today. Both states hold primaries Tuesday. The other southerner in the Democratic race also is competing for southern votes in Nashville, Tennessee. Wesley Clark accused Edwards of voting against veterans programs programs. The Edwards campaign denied the allegation and accused Clark of dipping, quote, "into the gutter."
Howard Dean, who says the February 17 Wisconsin primary is a must win for him, continued to campaign in the Badger state today. Campaign aides say Dean's recent e-mail appeal for contributions has raised some $900,000 to fund campaign ads. And that's our look at what's happening on the trail right now.
CNN political analyst Carlos Watson is joining us with his take on the key contest this weekend and beyond. Carlos, thank you for joining us. Tomorrow, important contest in Michigan and Washington state. Sunday a caucus in Maine, Tuesday primaries in Tennessee and Virginia. What are the -- John Kerry's competitors have to do to stay alive?
CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: I think it's going to be extraordinarily tough for them, Wolf, because even if they're successful in the only two places they are seriously competing, namely Tennessee and Virginia, you still have the situation where John Kerry can enter the contests having won ten of the first 12 and not only that, having put together another additional $5 to $8 million. So if he were to lose in Tennessee or Virginia, he's still ready to compete in the rest of February and March in the ways that, frankly, they aren't. John Edwards and Wesley Clark are both having serious financial issues.
BLITZER: We heard from Howard Dean today. He's campaigning in Wisconsin saying that February 17 contest is a must win for him to continue. Listen to what he said, this is very interesting.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't know how much you know about me. I won't disturb your coffee by giving you the sales pitch. If you look on the web at "Dean for America," you'll can find out what we're doing in my state. We'll be glad to have your help.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Sounds almost like a desperate plea underway in Wisconsin. WATSON: He's unequivocally in an extraordinarily situation. I mean, the Kerry tsunami that we've seen over the last four weeks has literally taken Dean from a double digit lead in most polls to as you saw in one Wisconsin poll that we have. He's down by more than 30 points.
And, as you said, he staked everything on Wisconsin on February 17. Wisconsin, although 40-plus years ago gave John F. Kennedy a big win against an establishment candidate, Hubert Humphrey, doesn't have a great tradition in recent years of doing that. And so he's got a double-edged sword. He's both behind the eight ball and he's going into a state that Kerry right now has a substantial lead in.
BLITZER: What about the whole issue -- in Wisconsin, at a Milwaukee radio station, Howard Dean at least left open the possibility he might be willing to accept the vice presidential running mate slot. What do you make of that?
WATSON: I don't think that Howard Dean will be seriously considered. But I think he's opening the cover on a conversation that's happening within the Kerry campaign.
As we're speaking, Wolf, they're having conversations about their general election strategy. Do they focus on trying to win a couple of states in the South? And if you do, then you begin to look at vice presidential candidates like John Edwards, but also Sam Nunn, the former Georgia senator, and Bob Graham, the current Florida senator.
If they turn to the West and the Southwest and instead focus on places Arizona, then you begin to look at people like Bill Richardson. And let me offer an interesting and new one that not many people have heard about yet. In turning to the Midwest, we have heard the name Dick Gephardt. But we're just beginning to hear the name Evan Bayh, the former governor of Indiana and also the current senator and a critical member of the DLC, the centrist organization.
They believe that, with Evan Bayh's help, they might be able to pick up the 12 electoral votes in Indiana. And, again, with the 20 blue states Gore won in 2000 and Indiana, all of a sudden, you have surpassed the 270 electoral votes you need to win. It would be a significant pickup.
BLITZER: Carlos Watson, our political analyst, thanks, as usual, Carlos, for joining us.
WATSON: Good toe see you, Wolf.
BLITZER: Shock in Sarasota. A community deals with the murder of a little girl. How is the town coping with this horror? I'll speak with Carlie Brucia's school principal.
Plus this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AL GORE, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: He abused the trust of the American people by exploiting the fears of the American people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: A new man with a newfound political freedom, Al Gore speaking his mind with no holds barred.
Late-night mishap. A woman falls 25 feet in a stunt for CBS's "Late Show With David Letterman." What went wrong? We'll get to that.
First, though, a quick look at some other making headlines around the world.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN.
The worst ending. With the discovery of a body, the search ends and the mourning begins for 11-year-old Carlie Brucia. Hear from the young girl's father. That's coming up.
First, though, a quick check of the latest headlines.
BLITZER: Ronald Reagan is 93 years old today. Celebrations were planned in his birthplace in Tampico, Illinois, in boyhood town of Dixon and in California, where he served as governor before becoming president. A spokeswoman who says Reagan, who has Alzheimer's disease, was spending the day at home with his wife, Nancy, and daughter Patti Davis.
The office of Iraq's most influential Shiite leader is denying reports of assassination attempts against the Grand Ayatollah Ali al- Sistani. Reports yesterday said the cleric had been attacked in his home, Najaf. However, a Shiite member of Iraq's Governing Council says there was a security incident involving Sistani yesterday, but the cleric was not injured.
There will be no more trials for the former Inglewood California police officer who was videotaped slamming a suspect onto the trunk of a car and punching him in the face. After two hung juries, a judge today granted the request by prosecutors to drop an assault charge against Jeremy Morse. Morse is White House, the suspect an African- American teenager. The arrest in 2002 triggered accusations of police brutality.
As we told you at the top of this program, the body of 11-year- old Carlie Brucia was found today behind a church in Sarasota, Florida, five days after her abduction. Suspect Joseph Smith has been charged with Carlie's kidnapping and murder.
A short while ago, Carlie's father spoke of his deep love for his daughter and his anger about the fact that a convicted criminal is now charged with her murder.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) JOEY BRUCIA, FATHER OF CARLIE: And, as far as my daughter, I didn't see her often. I only saw her twice a year, two weeks at a clip. But now she can see me always. She's in a better place. She got there in a horrific manner. But now she's watching me all the time. So, there's only one thing I can do. And that's try to make her proud of me and be a better man.
And, as far as this individual being out on the street, I really find the decisions made by some of these judges very questionable. And I would ask the governor to look into this. In my opinion, he should have never been out on the street.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Carlie was a sixth grader at the McIntosh Middle School. And students there are receiving grief counseling.
Joining us now on the phone to talk more about this is Robert Hagemann, the principal of the school.
Sir, thanks very much for joining us. First of all, did you know little Carlie?
ROBERT HAGEMANN, MCINTOSH MIDDLE SCHOOL: Yes, I did.
I did not have a personal conversation with her, but I knew her, her brightness throughout the hallways, and the classroom, cafeteria, media, on campus, always a young lady that was upbeat, positive, great smile.
BLITZER: How are her friends and the other classmates, sixth- graders, 11-year-old kids? How are they coping?
HAGEMANN: They are deeply wounded this. This was a precious young girl to them. This was a friend. This was somebody that they lived side by side with in the classroom, that they enjoyed in the neighborhood, that they did activities with. They are deeply hurt. And they are on a very, very long healing journey.
BLITZER: So are you providing some counseling for them?
HAGEMANN: Oh, yes, sir.
The Sarasota County School Board responded with its crisis response team. They've been here on campus all day long in huddle groups, individual counseling, working with staff, making sure the children have opportunities to constructively express themselves in ways that honor this young lady and ways that speak to this young lady.
BLITZER: What kind of questions are they asking? What are they saying?
HAGEMANN: Well, at first, they had a deep curiosity how could this happen in our community, in our neighborhood, kind of the most basic and simple questions. But then they began to just celebrate who this person was in their life. They made a transition that was very, very impressive, one from grief, from very, very deep pain, to one of just recognizing her legacy.
BLITZER: But are you giving them specific recommendations now to take additional precautions to make sure, God forbid, this doesn't happen again?
HAGEMANN: Well, the precautions that we continue to place in front of them are very simple. And I could put it this way.
We constantly remind them to always let their parents or an adult know where they are, secondly, always be with a friend in a safe place. And if you notice anything unusual, a stranger, a situation that is unfamiliar, that needs to be reported to an adult as soon as possible. These simple, basic things can make a difference in a community for the safety of children.
BLITZER: Our heart goes out to the entire family, the entire community. Mr. Hagemann, thanks very much for spending a few moments with us.
HAGEMANN: Yes, sir. Thank you.
BLITZER: Accusations of assault, the Pentagon investigating allegations of sexual misconduct against female troops. Who's involved and what could it mean for U.S. servicemen?
Unemployment is down, and that has spirits up. But with still fewer jobs created than expect, is it enough?
Free and forthright, Al Gore outspoken against the Bush administration. What's behind the shift in his approach? We'll get to all of that.
First, though, a quick look at news from around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Shifting settlers. Israel may move Gaza settlers to the West Bank. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been talking about dismantling Jewish settlements in Gaza. And now a spokesman says one possibility is moving the residents of 17 Gaza settlements to the West Bank. Palestinian leaders say that, while they support dismantling the Gaza settlements, they consider the West Bank Palestinian land, too.
Fighting the flu. China is stepping up its fight against bird flu by shutting down live poultry markets within six miles of infected areas and banning all live poultry in Beijing; 13 of China's 31 provinces have been hit by the flu, which has killed at least 18 people in Asia.
Final bell. British prize fighter Lennox Lewis is getting out while he is still on top. After compiling a career record of 42-1-2, the heavyweight world champ is retiring at age 38 to take a job with his former management team.
Prickly situation. Texans like to brag that everything is bigger in their state. But they don't have the biggest cactus. This 72-foot monster in Southern India is said to be the record holder. It may look like something out of "Jack and the Beanstalk," but, with all the thorns, we wouldn't advise climbing it.
And that's our look around the world.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: New figures show the U.S. unemployment rate fell one- tenth of a point last month, but there were fewer new jobs than expected. The report came as delegates arrived in Florida for Group of Seven economic summit.
Kathleen Hays of CNN Financial News is joining us now live from Boca Raton -- Kathleen.
KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi. Hello there, Wolf.
President Bush, he has what he can, he thinks, to speed up the U.S. economy by cutting taxes on workers, on investors. Now he thinks countries overseas should take some steps.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAYS (voice-over): In Boca Raton, Florida, finance chiefs of the world's seven richest nations are taking stock of the world's economy, as the biggest economy of all produced another disappointing jobs report. U.S. payrolls rose by just 112,000 in January, the best gain in three years, but far less than traders expected.
But in Washington, President Bush said the labor market glass was half full, not half empty.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: One hundred twelve thousands new jobs were created last month -- a report that 112,000 new jobs were created last month. And that's good. Things are getting better. There is more to do, but this economy is growing in strength, and I'm obviously pleased with that.
HAYS: The unemployment rate edged down a bit to 5.6 percent, but no excitement there either. It fell because disheartened job-seekers left the labor force.
ANTHONY CHAN, CHIEF ECONOMIST, BANK ONE: That's really not a good sign. The decline in the unemployment rate was another fluke unfortunately.
HAYS: Jobs rose by 76,000 in the retail sector. But economists say these tend to be lower-paying jobs with skimpier benefits. Higher-paid factory jobs fell for the 42nd month in a row. Relief for U.S. manufacturing firms is believed to be a big part of the White House economic strategy. And a key part of that has been allowing a big drop in the U.S. dollar. Treasury Secretary John Snow was all smiles as the G7 meeting got under way, even though Europe and Japan are expected to complain that the weak dollar is holding their economies back.
In addition, some economists say that a fading dollar may not put unemployed workers back on the job.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAYS: Wall Street liked the jobs report not because it was strong, but because they think it was weak. And that means the Federal Reserve won't be in any hurry to hike interest rates -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Kathleen Hays in Boca Raton, Florida -- Kathleen, thanks very much.
Here in Washington, the Pentagon has opened an investigation into sexual assault accusations against U.S. serviceman in Iraq and Kuwait. There are claims dozens of female troops may have been attacked.
Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr is standing by. She has details -- Barbara.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld now ordering a 90-day review, an investigation, if you will, into the growing number of allegations of sexual misconduct and sexual assault against female troops serving in combat.
In a memo signed yesterday, the secretary made this statement -- quoting him -- "I am concerned about recent reports regarding allegations of sexual assault on service members deployed to Iraq and Kuwait."
Now, the review is going to look at how the Pentagon is handling all of this, including the following points: the treatment and care of the victims, combat theater issues. In other words, are there private channels to report abuse, while female troops are in the combat theater? Are there rape kits in Iraq? Are there enough female medical assistance personnel to help women when they have these allegations, even the kinds of specific medical and psychological care that is available.
There are a lot of issues here. Congress has been really focusing on this in recent weeks. The Pentagon now responding to it, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld getting very personally involved -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon -- thanks, Barbara.
Could Al Gore, of all people, be politically incorrect? Up next, the fallout from Al Gore's rant against President Bush and the Republicans. Plus, late-night stunt gone bad, how one of David Letterman's guests ended up in the hospital.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: What's going on with Al Gore? Has the former vice president shifted his more moderate voice of his Clinton years for the thunder of the left?
CNN's Brian Todd reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Al Gore has been known to get fired up.
GORE: Let's win this election! It's up to you!
TODD: But this may be something different entirely.
GORE: In many ways, George W. Bush reminds me more of Nixon than of any other president. Like Bush, Nixon subordinated virtually every principle to his hunger for reelection.
TODD: Gore wasn't finished.
GORE: He abused the trust of the American people by exploiting the fears of the American people.
TODD: This speech at New School University in New York Thursday night full of sharp rhetoric against the man and the party that beat Gore in 2000.
GORE: The Republican Party became, for the core group controlling it, merely the name plate for the radical right in this country. The radical right is, in fact, a coalition of those who fear other Americans as agents of treason, as agents of confiscatory government, as agents of immorality.
TODD: The response from White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan -- quote -- "The President realizes there is a lot of politics going on right now."
Some of the back-and-forth could legitimately be chalked up to election-year gamesmanship. But questions arise about the man who carried Bill Clinton's banner to within a hair of the presidency in 2000 by appealing in no small measure to centrist voters. Analysts say the signs are evident: Al Gore has moved to the left since his presidential bid.
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST: I think what we're seeing here is a split between the Gore-ites, who have cast their lot with Howard Dean on the left, and the Clintonites, who have supported Wesley Clark.
TODD: One observer told us, Gore's merely shifting within an entire party that has moved further left since Bill Clinton's departure, a party increasingly radicalized against President Bush. Whichever this is, a party's shift or its former leader moving left on his own, opinions seem divided on what Al Gore is risking.
STUART ROTHENBERG, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Oh, increasingly, Al Gore is becoming irrelevant. The Democrats are about to have a new standard bearer. They moved on past 2000. They've left him behind.
TODD: Still, many good campaigners are known for effectively shifting with the political winds. Al Gore's political future may well ride on voters' memories of a notable left-hand turn.
Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: A champion snowboarder was treated at a New York hospital after an accident while she was taping a stunt for David Letterman's TV show. Tara Dakides was performing outside Letterman's studio when she went off a ramp and landed on her back.
Because of the accident, Letterman stopped taping his show and a rerun aired instead. Dakides required several stitches, but she's all right.
So how much did you know when you were 14 years old? Probably not as much as this girl. We'll tell you all about her.
And the results of our hot "Web Question of the Day" -- all that coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Question of the Day." Remember, of course, this is not a scientific poll.
You don't have to be a physics scientist to understand that Alia Sabur is a very unusual 14-year-old. Alia is believed to be the nation's youngest Ph.D. candidate. Beside studying physics at Drexel University in Philadelphia, she trains in taekwondo is also an accomplished clarinetist. She is also our picture of the day. Congratulations. Taekwondo, that is.
You can always catch WOLF BLITZER REPORTS weekdays at this time, 5:00 p.m. Eastern. "LATE EDITION" Sunday, the last word in Sunday talk. Among my guests, Howard Dean.
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
Dozens Dead in Moscow Subway Bombing; Carlie Brucia Found Dead>
Aired February 6, 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, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Executive order. The president picks a panel to investigate intelligence failures after U.S. weapons hunters come up empty-handed.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're determined to figure out why.
BLITZER: Terror underground. Dozens are dead in a rush hour subway bombing. Can it happen here?
The cruelest outcome. A missing girl is found too late.
SUSAN SCHORPEN, CARLIE BRUCIA'S MOTHER: Carlie will always be my baby, you know.
BLITZER: I'll ask John Walsh of "America's Most Wanted" about the man in custody.
ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Friday, February 6, 2004.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: With his feet to the fire after a fruitless weapons hunt in Iraq so far, President Bush has named a high-profile panel to investigate U.S. intelligence failures. But Democrats are vowing to keep the heat on.
Let's go live to our CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, it really is an effort to the White House to restore credibility, the justification for going to war. The commission is going to look what the CIA knew before the war and compare that to what the Iraq Survey Group knows after the war.
They're also going to take a look at intelligence assessments with weapons programs dealing with North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan and Libya. But they're primarily going to focus on that claim that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BUSH: Last week, our form chief weapons inspector, David Kay, reported that Saddam Hussein's regime had weapons programs and activities in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and was a gathering threat to the world.
Dr. Kay also stated that some prewar intelligence assessments by America and other nations about Iraq's weapons stockpiles have not been confirmed. We're determined to figure out why.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Senator John McCain, a prominent Republican, as you may recall, running against the president for the Republican nomination in 200, considered a maverick, also often a critic of the Bush administration, is one of the members on the commission. He was appointed essentially to counter the criticism that this type of panel could not be objective.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: I agree with Dr. Kay. It's clear that there were failures and to assert otherwise lies in the face of the facts.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: There are four Democrats on the panel. President Bush announcing seven of the nine of those members of the commission. It will be very interesting, Wolf. The deadline for the report is March 31. That is two months after we elect a new president. It will be interesting to see whether or not some of that report is released to the public or at least leaked and how that plays with the voters -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Suzanne, as you know, there's lots of speculation that David Kay would be a member, possibly, of this panel. Any explanation why he was not named?
MALVEAUX: Well so far he has denied that he would be named on that panel. Whether or not he's is too close to the investigation already. He is somebody we've often seen at White House. He has had numerous conversations with the president as well as top officials briefing them of what he has found. We don't know who the two remaining panelists will be. So we'll have to see.
BLITZER: We'll wait and see. Thank you very much, Suzanne Malveaux at the White House.
The president pledged a bipartisan panel and certainly seems to have delivered it. One commission co-chairman is Democrat Chuck Robb who now practices law. Robb former United States senator from Virginia, former governor as well. He's also the son-in-law of the late president Lyndon Johnson.
The other co-chairman is Laurence Silberman. He's a Republican and a retired federal judge. Sliberman served as a deputy attorney general in the Nixon and Ford administrations. He was named to the appeals court in 1985 by President Reagan.
One key Democrat has his serious doubts about the intelligence inquiry. Senator Edward Kennedy issued a strongly worded statement which reads and I'm quoting now, "What we need is a full, fair and independent and vigorous investigation of the Iraq intelligence, and its use by the administration to justify its decision to go to war."
Kennedy says the commission's timetable shows that, quote, "the administration's highest priority is to avoid further debate about this issue before the election."
But Kennedy vows the debate will go on, he adds this sentence: "The protective fence around the White House must come down."
Diplomats too still have their doubts. Secretary of State Colin Powell was back at the place where he once made the case for war, trying to mend fences. Let's go live to CNN's Liz Neisloss. She's at the United Nations -- Liz.
LIZ NEISLOSS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Wolf. A very different scene today at the United Nations, Wolf. What we saw is diplomatic sparring partners trying to make nice.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NEISLOSS (voice-over): A hand of friendship extended by the United States to France, the picture of diplomatic unity. One year after his now infamous presentation, Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed no regrets.
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: I don't think any apologies are necessary.
NEISLOSS: The irony of the U.S. secretary of state's return to the United Nations did not go unnoticed in the hallways. But with France looking on Powell insisted diplomacy moves on.
POWELL: I think we're doing very well with the international community notwithstanding the premise of your question. Here in the U.N., over the last five or six months, we've passed resolution after resolution.
NEISLOSS: That was not the case one years ago.
POWELL: Saddam Hussein has not verifiably accounted for even one teaspoonful of this deadly material.
NEISLOSS: When the U.S. faced a skeptical Security Council, France led the charge against war. But Powell brushed aside concerns over long-term damage.
POWELL: We had a major disagreement last year, but you know disagreements come, disagreements go.
NEISLOSS: Publicly France expressing similar optimism.
DOMINIQUE DE VILLEPIN, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER: We are friends, we are allies, and we never forget that.
NEISLOSS: Are other opponents agreeing?
GUANGYA WANG, CHINESE AMB. TO U.N.: The best way is to look forward, to bridge our differences and work for the common goods of the Iraqi people.
NEISLOSS: But the U.N.'s top diplomat says the U.S. still has repair work to do.
KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: Of course there has been some damage, damage that will probably take some time to heal. People are going to be very suspicious when one talks to them about intelligence.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NEISLOSS: So, Wolf, the reality is that the U.S. and France have to work together. But many here at the United Nations say that the issue of Iraq leaves some static on the diplomatic line -- Wolf.
BLITZER: CNN's Liz Neisloss, at the U.N. Thanks, Liz.
In Florida, meanwhile, a tragic end to the abduction of 11-year- old Carlie Brucia. CNN's Kris Osborn is covering the case. He's in Sarasota -- Kris?
KRIS OSBORN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf. A lot of emotion today along with several pertinent investigative developments. Among them this: a probable cause affidavit, a court document from Sarasota County here which reads "On February 5, the defendant told a witness he abducted and murdered Carlie Brucia."
Now this same document also says the defendant, of course, Smith provided key information which led investigators to the body.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OSBORN (voice-over): A grim discovery. Eleven-year-old Carlie Brucia's body found near a church just a few miles away from that car wash where this video first captured her abduction.
Thirty-seven-year-old Joseph Smith, a man with a long criminal record, is charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping.
CARL WHITEHEAD, FBI: We will continue this effort to process the evidence to ensure that Mr. Smith is essentially prosecuted for this horrendous crime.
OSBORN: Investigators spent the day searching the area where the girl's body was found. Police discovered evidence linking Smith to the crime in a station wagon he used and in his home.
SHERIFF BILL BALKWILL, SARASOTA CO. SHERIFF'S DEPT.: We're still looking for some key pieces of evidence. Those key pieces are still in a pink knapsack that we're looking for. OSBORN: This afternoon Carlie's father struggled to face his loss.
JOEY BRUCIA, CARLIE BRUCIA'S FATHER: I only saw her twice a year, two weeks at a clip. But now she can see me always, she's in a better place. She got there in a horrific manner. But now she's watching me all the time.
OSBORN: Several of Carlie's sixth grade classmates dropped off flowers at the car wash in a makeshift memorial and chose to focus on what they loved about their lost friend.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She was very pretty. She was -- she loved to dance, sing, she liked to be around a lot of people. She liked hanging out with her friends and she doesn't like being alone or anything.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She was a loving and caring person. She never gave handshakes, she always gave hugs. And I'll always remember her because of her smile. She smiled beautifully and she was a beautiful girl.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
OSBORN: Also this afternoon investigators said Smith waived his rights to a probable cause hearing, which is scheduled for tomorrow. He will remain in custody until quite possibly he goes to trial -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Kris Osborn, with that. Thanks, Kris, very much.
Joining us now on the phone to talk more about this horrific case, John Walsh. He's an advocate for missing children. The host, of course, of "America's Most Wanted." John, thanks very much for joining us. Do you think this could have been prevented, this particular tragedy?
JOHN WALSH, HOST, "AMERICA'S MOST WANTED": Well, we can only speculate on that forever, Wolf. But I'll say one thing, here's a guy that's been arrested 13 times starting with his peeping Tom conviction way back when, he violated his parole a couple months ago, he's on parole for drug use and selling drugs. He tested positive for heroin in urine, parole officer goes before a judge and says look at this guy, 13 times arrested. He shouldn't be on the streets. The judge says no, let him continue his parole. And what does he do, he kills this little girl.
BLITZER: Someone with a long record like this and is out of jail. I guess the system usually works. Did the system not work this time?
WALSH: Absolutely. I think it's time to play hard ball. Since my son was murdered 22 years ago, I've been involved in thousands of cases of missing children, and half the time it's a guy with a long rap sheet. Look at this beautiful girl, Dru Sjodin, that's missing in Minnesota, there's a guy in jail who's a suspect, he won't talk, he won't tell what he did with her body, even though there's blood in his car. He was in prison 17 years for repeated kidnapping and molestation and he was let out. You know, it's time to play hard ball. We can put a lunar module on Mars and spend billions of dollars but we can't reform the criminal justice system and keep these damn guys off the street.
BLITZER: Did the Amber alert system work this time. I know there was a significant delay in issuing that Amber alert?
WALSH: Absolutely it worked. I wish they'd issued it sooner, that's hindsight. But it's the tip that came in that led police to Joseph Smith was because of the Amber alert. A neighbor saw the Amber alert, saw the video run in the Sarasota area and said this guy, I know exactly where he lives, he fits the description. Thank God for the passage of the Amber alert.
BLITZER: Also the surveillance video cameras, a lot of people hate the surveillance video cameras, but without that videotape of this particular incident, the outcome, we might never have known who kidnapped and killed this little girl.
WALSH: This is the first time in years we had actual evidence of a chilling kidnapping. You can see how he confronts her. She's only 11. She didn't make the mistake. She was scared, she went with him. These guys know how to do it. I'm not worried by videotape. I think only people that have things to fear, are afraid of video cameras. All over the world they use video cameras to reduce crimes. I think they're a good thing.
BLITZER: As you know Joseph Smith is innocent until he's proven guilty. He hasn't been proven guilty of anything so far. Is this a slam dunk case? Is there any question in your mind?
WALSH: No, no question at all. I've looked at the video. "America's Most Wanted" and NASA worked together to enhance the video. We showed it last week, and police are still asking us to show a new piece of video that hasn't been seen of his actual car pulling up. That will be on "America's Most Wanted" Saturday night because we're trying to help prosecutors build a case. But there's DNA evidence in the car, there's no question in my mind, and that's only my opinion, and he is innocent until proven guilty. But there's no question this is the right guy, and thank God for the video.
But I tell you what, Governor Jeb Bush said it the other day. I hope this family gets justice, I hope this guy is put where he's supposed to be put, we'll see how the trial plays out. It's never a slam dunk, Wolf. He was acquitted for kidnapping 2 1/2 years ago when a woman came into court and testified and said this guy grabbed me and told me he would slit my throat, and somehow a jury acquitted him. I call it the criminal injustice system, and it's time to take a long hard look at it.
BLITZER: One final question, John, before I let you go. You unfortunately, tragically lived through a similar kind of experience, all of us know with your son Adam when he was kidnapped and killed. What do you say to the parents of Carlie right now. What advice do you have for them?
WALSH: I talked to both of them. They're divorced as you know. I talked to Joe, that was his only child. I talked to Sue for about an hour today. She has a 6-year-old son and a 10-year-old stepson. I say one thing, that's your angel, she's in a better place, she'll always look out for you, and both of them said what can we do to make sure Carlie didn't die in vain. I said you can help me change these laws because they don't work. They're both loving parents, they're in the worst place today, they'll both survive because that beautiful girl will be their inspiration.
BLITZER: John Walsh, thank you for joining us. And here's your chance to weigh in on the story. Our web question of the day is this. "Do you pay close attention to Amber alerts?" You can vote right now. Go to CNN.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast.
Deadly blast -- a metro train attack during morning rush-hour traffic in Moscow. Are the subway systems in the United States just as vulnerable?
New endorsement. Ahead of a week of key contests, can any Democrat right now catch Senator John Kerry?
Plus this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AL GORE, FMR. VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: He abused the trust of the American people by exploiting the fears of the American people in order to take this nation on an adventure that had been preordained and designed before the attacks of September 11 ever took place.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Taking aim. Former Vice President Al Gore speaking out against President Bush again. Why his criticisms carry a greater risk to his own credibility right now. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER; In Russia, it was a normal rush hour until a powerful bomb ripped through a crowded subway train. Thirty-nine people are confirmed dead. 113 others are hospitalized. We get the story from our Moscow bureau chief, Jill Dougherty.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): A packed Moscow metrocar deep underground, morning commuters on their way to work, suddenly a blinding explosion. A bomb investigators believe carried in a suitcase detonates in the second car of a Moscow subway train, tearing apart the bodies of people closest to the device.
ALEXEI VLASOV, BOMBING SURVIVOR (through translator): I felt a heat wave, darkness and my face burning. I fell on the floor immediately. There was a lot of noise, only when they opened the doors could we walk away.
DOUGHERTY: As rescuers swarm into the metro, survivors climb or jump out of windows, pry open doors and run or walk through the pitch- black underground tunnels to safety. In Moscow hospitals, some of the injured fight for their lives, but doctors say the death toll could rise. Russian prosecutors launch their investigation, the immediate suspicion, a terrorist act by Chechen rebels. A charge rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov denies.
President Vladimir Putin condemns terrorism as the plague of the 21st century and has tough talk for the people who carry it out.
PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIA (through translator): Russia does not conduct talks with terrorists. Russia destroys them.
DOUGHERTY: As security officials gather evidence, Mr. Putin gets a call from U.S. president George W. Bush expressing his condolences and solidarity.
This bombing takes place just as Russia is preparing for presidential elections in March and President Putin says there could be a connection, a way of putting pressure on him and sowing fear. It's a serious test for the entire country he says, and here on the streets of the capital people know only too well how true that is. Jill Dougherty, CNN, Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Can it happen here? When it comes to terrorism, just how safe are America's subway systems. For that let's turn to CNN's Jennifer Coggiola -- Jennifer.
JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: More passengers are moved on mass transit in one month than airlines move in a year. But what's being done to protect them?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COGGIOLA (voice-over): For a country that relies on public transportation move millions every day, security is concern No. 1. The industry has been declared one of 13 critical infrastructures by the government and transit officials say measures are being taken to make the nation's subways safer.
GREG HULL, AMERICAN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ASSN: We are in direct communication with the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI and other sources of security information to be able to immediately disseminate information and as well acquire information from transit agencies across the country.
COGGIOLA: Security issues evident in the nation's busiest city. In Washington, D.C. with 700,000 passengers passing through the metro turnstiles every day, that means random station sweeps, specially trained police teams donning bulletproof vests, bomb-sniffing dogs and high-powered weapons looking for anything unusual or dangerous. But there are dangers that can't be seen. STEVEN KUHN, KROLL SECURITY SERVICES: Do they have chemical weapons? Biological weapons? The answer is maybe. Probably, and that causes us to want to be extra prepared.
COGGIOLA: Tokyo, 1995, a sarin chemical attack that killed a dozen riders and sickened 5,000 more. In response, D.C. adopted a metro center system, biochemical and hazard sensors in stations that work nonstop year around.
KROLL: It's a very progressive program they believe transportation agencies throughout the world actually will be able to learn lessons from.
COGGIOLA: San Francisco's BART has military-trained police units to protect their 1.3 million passengers a day and every operator has a two way radio to contact police immediately in the case of an emergency. After the September 11 attacks, New York put into effect extra precautions to protect their 5 million daily passengers and 656 miles of track.
In the event the national alert level rises, New York police randomly dispatch Hercules teams and dogs in an attempt to disrupt attacks or terrorist surveillance. Atlanta's MARTA has police barricades at their high-traffic station and passengers using their cell phones can be immediately connected to MARTA police. But is it enough?
KROLL: Can we secure an open transportation system? No. And I'm not sure we should try to. We don't want to give into fear.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COGGIOLA: Congressional investigators have found that funding is the most, quote, "pressing challenge to secure the nation's mass transportation system." Since 9/11, when $150 million in federal funds have been allocated specifically for subway system security no funding is expected to come in the coming year -- Wolf.
BLITZER: CNN's Jennifer Coggiola, good piece. Thank you very much for that.
Horrific outcome and a new difficult chapter.
We know that the community is grieving the loss of a very, very precious young lady. The search ends but the mourning for little Carlie Brucia has just begun. I'll speak live with the principal of her former school.
A new low. Unemployment rates drop. But what exactly does that mean to the people still looking for work? Why it's not necessarily so cut and dry.
And special celebration. Find out who former first lady Nancy Reagan is honoring today.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BLITZER: Now our daily look at what's happening on the presidential campaign trail. Senator John Kerry won the endorsement of a former rival, Congressman Richard Gephardt. Gephardt, who dropped out of the Democratic presidential race after the Iowa caucuses, offered his endorsement in Michigan, which holds its caucuses tomorrow. Kerry is expected to win.
After his victory this week in South Carolina, John Edwards is hoping to find additional support in other southern states. The North Carolina senator is campaigning in Virginia and Tennessee today. Both states hold primaries Tuesday. The other southerner in the Democratic race also is competing for southern votes in Nashville, Tennessee. Wesley Clark accused Edwards of voting against veterans programs programs. The Edwards campaign denied the allegation and accused Clark of dipping, quote, "into the gutter."
Howard Dean, who says the February 17 Wisconsin primary is a must win for him, continued to campaign in the Badger state today. Campaign aides say Dean's recent e-mail appeal for contributions has raised some $900,000 to fund campaign ads. And that's our look at what's happening on the trail right now.
CNN political analyst Carlos Watson is joining us with his take on the key contest this weekend and beyond. Carlos, thank you for joining us. Tomorrow, important contest in Michigan and Washington state. Sunday a caucus in Maine, Tuesday primaries in Tennessee and Virginia. What are the -- John Kerry's competitors have to do to stay alive?
CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: I think it's going to be extraordinarily tough for them, Wolf, because even if they're successful in the only two places they are seriously competing, namely Tennessee and Virginia, you still have the situation where John Kerry can enter the contests having won ten of the first 12 and not only that, having put together another additional $5 to $8 million. So if he were to lose in Tennessee or Virginia, he's still ready to compete in the rest of February and March in the ways that, frankly, they aren't. John Edwards and Wesley Clark are both having serious financial issues.
BLITZER: We heard from Howard Dean today. He's campaigning in Wisconsin saying that February 17 contest is a must win for him to continue. Listen to what he said, this is very interesting.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't know how much you know about me. I won't disturb your coffee by giving you the sales pitch. If you look on the web at "Dean for America," you'll can find out what we're doing in my state. We'll be glad to have your help.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Sounds almost like a desperate plea underway in Wisconsin. WATSON: He's unequivocally in an extraordinarily situation. I mean, the Kerry tsunami that we've seen over the last four weeks has literally taken Dean from a double digit lead in most polls to as you saw in one Wisconsin poll that we have. He's down by more than 30 points.
And, as you said, he staked everything on Wisconsin on February 17. Wisconsin, although 40-plus years ago gave John F. Kennedy a big win against an establishment candidate, Hubert Humphrey, doesn't have a great tradition in recent years of doing that. And so he's got a double-edged sword. He's both behind the eight ball and he's going into a state that Kerry right now has a substantial lead in.
BLITZER: What about the whole issue -- in Wisconsin, at a Milwaukee radio station, Howard Dean at least left open the possibility he might be willing to accept the vice presidential running mate slot. What do you make of that?
WATSON: I don't think that Howard Dean will be seriously considered. But I think he's opening the cover on a conversation that's happening within the Kerry campaign.
As we're speaking, Wolf, they're having conversations about their general election strategy. Do they focus on trying to win a couple of states in the South? And if you do, then you begin to look at vice presidential candidates like John Edwards, but also Sam Nunn, the former Georgia senator, and Bob Graham, the current Florida senator.
If they turn to the West and the Southwest and instead focus on places Arizona, then you begin to look at people like Bill Richardson. And let me offer an interesting and new one that not many people have heard about yet. In turning to the Midwest, we have heard the name Dick Gephardt. But we're just beginning to hear the name Evan Bayh, the former governor of Indiana and also the current senator and a critical member of the DLC, the centrist organization.
They believe that, with Evan Bayh's help, they might be able to pick up the 12 electoral votes in Indiana. And, again, with the 20 blue states Gore won in 2000 and Indiana, all of a sudden, you have surpassed the 270 electoral votes you need to win. It would be a significant pickup.
BLITZER: Carlos Watson, our political analyst, thanks, as usual, Carlos, for joining us.
WATSON: Good toe see you, Wolf.
BLITZER: Shock in Sarasota. A community deals with the murder of a little girl. How is the town coping with this horror? I'll speak with Carlie Brucia's school principal.
Plus this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AL GORE, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: He abused the trust of the American people by exploiting the fears of the American people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: A new man with a newfound political freedom, Al Gore speaking his mind with no holds barred.
Late-night mishap. A woman falls 25 feet in a stunt for CBS's "Late Show With David Letterman." What went wrong? We'll get to that.
First, though, a quick look at some other making headlines around the world.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN.
The worst ending. With the discovery of a body, the search ends and the mourning begins for 11-year-old Carlie Brucia. Hear from the young girl's father. That's coming up.
First, though, a quick check of the latest headlines.
BLITZER: Ronald Reagan is 93 years old today. Celebrations were planned in his birthplace in Tampico, Illinois, in boyhood town of Dixon and in California, where he served as governor before becoming president. A spokeswoman who says Reagan, who has Alzheimer's disease, was spending the day at home with his wife, Nancy, and daughter Patti Davis.
The office of Iraq's most influential Shiite leader is denying reports of assassination attempts against the Grand Ayatollah Ali al- Sistani. Reports yesterday said the cleric had been attacked in his home, Najaf. However, a Shiite member of Iraq's Governing Council says there was a security incident involving Sistani yesterday, but the cleric was not injured.
There will be no more trials for the former Inglewood California police officer who was videotaped slamming a suspect onto the trunk of a car and punching him in the face. After two hung juries, a judge today granted the request by prosecutors to drop an assault charge against Jeremy Morse. Morse is White House, the suspect an African- American teenager. The arrest in 2002 triggered accusations of police brutality.
As we told you at the top of this program, the body of 11-year- old Carlie Brucia was found today behind a church in Sarasota, Florida, five days after her abduction. Suspect Joseph Smith has been charged with Carlie's kidnapping and murder.
A short while ago, Carlie's father spoke of his deep love for his daughter and his anger about the fact that a convicted criminal is now charged with her murder.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) JOEY BRUCIA, FATHER OF CARLIE: And, as far as my daughter, I didn't see her often. I only saw her twice a year, two weeks at a clip. But now she can see me always. She's in a better place. She got there in a horrific manner. But now she's watching me all the time. So, there's only one thing I can do. And that's try to make her proud of me and be a better man.
And, as far as this individual being out on the street, I really find the decisions made by some of these judges very questionable. And I would ask the governor to look into this. In my opinion, he should have never been out on the street.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Carlie was a sixth grader at the McIntosh Middle School. And students there are receiving grief counseling.
Joining us now on the phone to talk more about this is Robert Hagemann, the principal of the school.
Sir, thanks very much for joining us. First of all, did you know little Carlie?
ROBERT HAGEMANN, MCINTOSH MIDDLE SCHOOL: Yes, I did.
I did not have a personal conversation with her, but I knew her, her brightness throughout the hallways, and the classroom, cafeteria, media, on campus, always a young lady that was upbeat, positive, great smile.
BLITZER: How are her friends and the other classmates, sixth- graders, 11-year-old kids? How are they coping?
HAGEMANN: They are deeply wounded this. This was a precious young girl to them. This was a friend. This was somebody that they lived side by side with in the classroom, that they enjoyed in the neighborhood, that they did activities with. They are deeply hurt. And they are on a very, very long healing journey.
BLITZER: So are you providing some counseling for them?
HAGEMANN: Oh, yes, sir.
The Sarasota County School Board responded with its crisis response team. They've been here on campus all day long in huddle groups, individual counseling, working with staff, making sure the children have opportunities to constructively express themselves in ways that honor this young lady and ways that speak to this young lady.
BLITZER: What kind of questions are they asking? What are they saying?
HAGEMANN: Well, at first, they had a deep curiosity how could this happen in our community, in our neighborhood, kind of the most basic and simple questions. But then they began to just celebrate who this person was in their life. They made a transition that was very, very impressive, one from grief, from very, very deep pain, to one of just recognizing her legacy.
BLITZER: But are you giving them specific recommendations now to take additional precautions to make sure, God forbid, this doesn't happen again?
HAGEMANN: Well, the precautions that we continue to place in front of them are very simple. And I could put it this way.
We constantly remind them to always let their parents or an adult know where they are, secondly, always be with a friend in a safe place. And if you notice anything unusual, a stranger, a situation that is unfamiliar, that needs to be reported to an adult as soon as possible. These simple, basic things can make a difference in a community for the safety of children.
BLITZER: Our heart goes out to the entire family, the entire community. Mr. Hagemann, thanks very much for spending a few moments with us.
HAGEMANN: Yes, sir. Thank you.
BLITZER: Accusations of assault, the Pentagon investigating allegations of sexual misconduct against female troops. Who's involved and what could it mean for U.S. servicemen?
Unemployment is down, and that has spirits up. But with still fewer jobs created than expect, is it enough?
Free and forthright, Al Gore outspoken against the Bush administration. What's behind the shift in his approach? We'll get to all of that.
First, though, a quick look at news from around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Shifting settlers. Israel may move Gaza settlers to the West Bank. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been talking about dismantling Jewish settlements in Gaza. And now a spokesman says one possibility is moving the residents of 17 Gaza settlements to the West Bank. Palestinian leaders say that, while they support dismantling the Gaza settlements, they consider the West Bank Palestinian land, too.
Fighting the flu. China is stepping up its fight against bird flu by shutting down live poultry markets within six miles of infected areas and banning all live poultry in Beijing; 13 of China's 31 provinces have been hit by the flu, which has killed at least 18 people in Asia.
Final bell. British prize fighter Lennox Lewis is getting out while he is still on top. After compiling a career record of 42-1-2, the heavyweight world champ is retiring at age 38 to take a job with his former management team.
Prickly situation. Texans like to brag that everything is bigger in their state. But they don't have the biggest cactus. This 72-foot monster in Southern India is said to be the record holder. It may look like something out of "Jack and the Beanstalk," but, with all the thorns, we wouldn't advise climbing it.
And that's our look around the world.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: New figures show the U.S. unemployment rate fell one- tenth of a point last month, but there were fewer new jobs than expected. The report came as delegates arrived in Florida for Group of Seven economic summit.
Kathleen Hays of CNN Financial News is joining us now live from Boca Raton -- Kathleen.
KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi. Hello there, Wolf.
President Bush, he has what he can, he thinks, to speed up the U.S. economy by cutting taxes on workers, on investors. Now he thinks countries overseas should take some steps.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAYS (voice-over): In Boca Raton, Florida, finance chiefs of the world's seven richest nations are taking stock of the world's economy, as the biggest economy of all produced another disappointing jobs report. U.S. payrolls rose by just 112,000 in January, the best gain in three years, but far less than traders expected.
But in Washington, President Bush said the labor market glass was half full, not half empty.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: One hundred twelve thousands new jobs were created last month -- a report that 112,000 new jobs were created last month. And that's good. Things are getting better. There is more to do, but this economy is growing in strength, and I'm obviously pleased with that.
HAYS: The unemployment rate edged down a bit to 5.6 percent, but no excitement there either. It fell because disheartened job-seekers left the labor force.
ANTHONY CHAN, CHIEF ECONOMIST, BANK ONE: That's really not a good sign. The decline in the unemployment rate was another fluke unfortunately.
HAYS: Jobs rose by 76,000 in the retail sector. But economists say these tend to be lower-paying jobs with skimpier benefits. Higher-paid factory jobs fell for the 42nd month in a row. Relief for U.S. manufacturing firms is believed to be a big part of the White House economic strategy. And a key part of that has been allowing a big drop in the U.S. dollar. Treasury Secretary John Snow was all smiles as the G7 meeting got under way, even though Europe and Japan are expected to complain that the weak dollar is holding their economies back.
In addition, some economists say that a fading dollar may not put unemployed workers back on the job.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAYS: Wall Street liked the jobs report not because it was strong, but because they think it was weak. And that means the Federal Reserve won't be in any hurry to hike interest rates -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Kathleen Hays in Boca Raton, Florida -- Kathleen, thanks very much.
Here in Washington, the Pentagon has opened an investigation into sexual assault accusations against U.S. serviceman in Iraq and Kuwait. There are claims dozens of female troops may have been attacked.
Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr is standing by. She has details -- Barbara.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld now ordering a 90-day review, an investigation, if you will, into the growing number of allegations of sexual misconduct and sexual assault against female troops serving in combat.
In a memo signed yesterday, the secretary made this statement -- quoting him -- "I am concerned about recent reports regarding allegations of sexual assault on service members deployed to Iraq and Kuwait."
Now, the review is going to look at how the Pentagon is handling all of this, including the following points: the treatment and care of the victims, combat theater issues. In other words, are there private channels to report abuse, while female troops are in the combat theater? Are there rape kits in Iraq? Are there enough female medical assistance personnel to help women when they have these allegations, even the kinds of specific medical and psychological care that is available.
There are a lot of issues here. Congress has been really focusing on this in recent weeks. The Pentagon now responding to it, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld getting very personally involved -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon -- thanks, Barbara.
Could Al Gore, of all people, be politically incorrect? Up next, the fallout from Al Gore's rant against President Bush and the Republicans. Plus, late-night stunt gone bad, how one of David Letterman's guests ended up in the hospital.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: What's going on with Al Gore? Has the former vice president shifted his more moderate voice of his Clinton years for the thunder of the left?
CNN's Brian Todd reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Al Gore has been known to get fired up.
GORE: Let's win this election! It's up to you!
TODD: But this may be something different entirely.
GORE: In many ways, George W. Bush reminds me more of Nixon than of any other president. Like Bush, Nixon subordinated virtually every principle to his hunger for reelection.
TODD: Gore wasn't finished.
GORE: He abused the trust of the American people by exploiting the fears of the American people.
TODD: This speech at New School University in New York Thursday night full of sharp rhetoric against the man and the party that beat Gore in 2000.
GORE: The Republican Party became, for the core group controlling it, merely the name plate for the radical right in this country. The radical right is, in fact, a coalition of those who fear other Americans as agents of treason, as agents of confiscatory government, as agents of immorality.
TODD: The response from White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan -- quote -- "The President realizes there is a lot of politics going on right now."
Some of the back-and-forth could legitimately be chalked up to election-year gamesmanship. But questions arise about the man who carried Bill Clinton's banner to within a hair of the presidency in 2000 by appealing in no small measure to centrist voters. Analysts say the signs are evident: Al Gore has moved to the left since his presidential bid.
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST: I think what we're seeing here is a split between the Gore-ites, who have cast their lot with Howard Dean on the left, and the Clintonites, who have supported Wesley Clark.
TODD: One observer told us, Gore's merely shifting within an entire party that has moved further left since Bill Clinton's departure, a party increasingly radicalized against President Bush. Whichever this is, a party's shift or its former leader moving left on his own, opinions seem divided on what Al Gore is risking.
STUART ROTHENBERG, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Oh, increasingly, Al Gore is becoming irrelevant. The Democrats are about to have a new standard bearer. They moved on past 2000. They've left him behind.
TODD: Still, many good campaigners are known for effectively shifting with the political winds. Al Gore's political future may well ride on voters' memories of a notable left-hand turn.
Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: A champion snowboarder was treated at a New York hospital after an accident while she was taping a stunt for David Letterman's TV show. Tara Dakides was performing outside Letterman's studio when she went off a ramp and landed on her back.
Because of the accident, Letterman stopped taping his show and a rerun aired instead. Dakides required several stitches, but she's all right.
So how much did you know when you were 14 years old? Probably not as much as this girl. We'll tell you all about her.
And the results of our hot "Web Question of the Day" -- all that coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Question of the Day." Remember, of course, this is not a scientific poll.
You don't have to be a physics scientist to understand that Alia Sabur is a very unusual 14-year-old. Alia is believed to be the nation's youngest Ph.D. candidate. Beside studying physics at Drexel University in Philadelphia, she trains in taekwondo is also an accomplished clarinetist. She is also our picture of the day. Congratulations. Taekwondo, that is.
You can always catch WOLF BLITZER REPORTS weekdays at this time, 5:00 p.m. Eastern. "LATE EDITION" Sunday, the last word in Sunday talk. Among my guests, Howard Dean.
Until then, thanks very much for joining us.
"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.
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Dozens Dead in Moscow Subway Bombing; Carlie Brucia Found Dead>
