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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Major Shakeup in Dean Campaign; NYC Prepares for 9/11 Repeat; Priest Sex Abuse Scandal Widens

Aired February 16, 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): Battleground Wisconsin and a major shakeup in the Dean campaign just hours before the next Democratic showdown.

STEVE GROSSMAN, FRM. DEAN CAMPAIGN CHRM.: I can tell you that Howard Dean is in this race to stay.

BLITZER: Thinking about the unthinkable. New York City prepares for a possible repeat of 9/11.

Sex abuse scandal. Thousands of cases cited in a new church report. Critics say it's even worse.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's still not -- not what we think is out there.

BLITZER: Victory turned tragedy. A bizarre accident leaves a star high school athlete critically injured.

Conan O'Brien controversy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I find it completely unacceptable.

BLITZER: What the late night show says that has French Canadians seething.

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Monday, February 16, 2004.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: With one day left to go before the Democratic Wisconsin presidential primary, John Kerry continues to lead in the polls, John Edwards got a big endorsement, and Howard Dean's campaign is in turmoil. Our national correspondent Bob Franken is in Milwaukee to bring us up to speed -- Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, Howard Dean since he's been in Wisconsin has been keeping people guessing about his campaign. But now we find out that certain elements of his campaign have been keeping him guessing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) FRANKEN (voice-over): For Howard Dean, the job is to campaign hard, as the saying goes, like there's no tomorrow, when many of his top advisers are saying after the Wisconsin primary, there may not be.

In fact, Dean has had to say good-bye to one of those top advisers, the national campaign chairman, Steve Grossman, who left the campaign for the greener political pastures in the land of Kerry.

No hard feelings, says Dean.

HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I consider him to be a friend. I consider him to have worked very, very hard for this campaign. Including at times when we were not on the map.

FRANKEN: John Kerry is mapping his strategy for a presumed general election race against President Bush, who is just back from a NASCAR race.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We don't need a president who just says, "Gentlemen, start your engines." We need a president who says, "America, let's start our economy, and put people back to work."

FRANKEN: John Edwards makes it clear every chance he gets that no matter how he finishes in Wisconsin, he has not reached the finish line.

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think that the race is narrowing to two people. It will be clear what the differences are between us. I will myself point out substantive policy differences.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN: While Kerry and Edwards plan the next campaign moves, Wolf, Dean is struggling to prevent his Dean from disintegrating -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Bob Franken, reporting from Wisconsin. Bob, thank you very much.

On Friday Senator John Kerry categorically denied rumors of an affair with a young woman. Today, the woman who is the subject of the Internet and talk radio circuit gossip came forward to deny it completely as well. In a statement issue to the Associated Press, her former employer, the woman says this, "I have never had a relationship with Senator Kerry. And the rumors in the press are completely false."

She goes on to say, "Whoever is spreading these rumors and allegations does not know me, but should know the pain they have caused me and my family." She adds, "It seems that efforts to peddle these lies continue, so I feel compelled to address them."

Today, of course, is President's Day, and this being an election year, President Bush made the most of it. He used the visit to a Florida plant that makes windows and doors to talk up his economic program. The president later returned here to Washington, D.C.

That's where our White House correspondent Dana Bash is standing by -- Dana.

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, this was the president's 19th visit to Florida. And few can forget that of course was the sight of that five-week recount in the year 2000.

Now just as he has over the past couple of weeks, traveling around the country, the president focused today on the economy. He talked with a small group of hand-picked small business owners who said that they believe the president's tax cuts have helped them in their businesses. And the president said that is one reason why Democrats -- suggested the Democrats should not repeal them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: You hear people in Washington saying, oh, let's not make the tax cuts permanent. When you hear somebody say, that they're saying we're going to tax you. We're going to raise taxes. You'll hear some discussion about what that means for a family when taxes go up. But from an economic perspective, I'm telling you, now is not the time to raise the taxes on the American people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: Now, Wolf, the president's political advisers are well aware that job loss is going to be a key issue for him in this campaign. No talk of that today, he very optimistic, gave an upbeat assessment of how the economy is -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Dana Bash at the White House. Thanks, Dana, very much.

A retired U.S. Air National Guard officer continues to back President Bush's assertion he drilled with the Alabama Guard in 1972. "Bill" Calhoun appear earlier today on "CNN'S AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN "BILL" CALHOUN, FMR. ALABAMA AIR NATIONAL GUARDSMEN: I can say I saw him there, I know he was there. I talked to him, occasionally we'd eat lunch together. That people that -- I've heard no one say he wasn't there. They just said they didn't see him, which was not unusual with 200 or 300 people on base.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Critics had earlier said there was no evidence the president drilled with the Alabama Guard back in the '70s.

More from the campaign trail coming up later this hour. I'll speak live with onetime Democratic presidential candidate Jesse Jackson. He's got some interesting thoughts on what's going on right now. Let's move onto Iraq, though. There was more death and injury earlier today, intentional and accidental. Police in Baghdad say children were killed in an accidental blast. And roadside bombings prove deadly to a pair of United States soldiers.

CNN's Brent Sadler is joining us on the phone from Baghdad with details -- Brent.

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Wolf, two young Iraqi children were killed when an explosive device thought to be a hand grenade detonated in the school yard of their elementary school in the suburb of Baghdad.

Now it does seem to have been a tragic accident, but residents I spoke to there suspect the device may have been planted to destabilize their neighborhood.

In further violence two more U.S. soldiers were killed this day in fierce roadside bombings. One in Ba'Qubah, north of Baghdad, a renowned area of insurgent activity. And also in the capital itself.

As U.S. forces reorganize in the run-up period to be expected handover of sovereignty to the Iraqis by the end of June, more responsibility is now being put on Iraq's own security forces. They are growing in numbers, but still weak as an all-out attack on Saturday against Fallujah by Iraqi insurgents, not foreign fighters, as first reported, clearly demonstrated.

Iraqi officials in Baghdad complained that the U.S. military in the vicinity of those Fallujah battles stayed out of the fight.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AHMED AL-BARRAK, IRAQI GOVERNING COUNCIL MEMBER: In the last attack on Fallujah, they played very bad role for that because they were very close for the place of the attack. And they didn't interfere even when they saw a huge number of attackers shooting the Iraqi police office. And that's what makes the disaster happened.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SADLER: U.S. coalition officials say they were not called into the fight, and therefore, did not render assistance. But they did praise the courage of the Iraqi counterparts during those very heavy battles.

Meanwhile, Iraqi security officials, Wolf, tell CNN their men and women in the field urgently need more equipment, especially armored vehicles and heavier firepower to deter against a growing number of attacks against them -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Brent Sadler in Baghdad. Brent, thank you.

In Haiti, meanwhile, increasing violence is pushing the country closer toward complete chaos. Insurgents want President Jean-Bertrand Aristide out of power. Today rebels in the Caribbean nation took over a police station and killed the chief.

Our national security correspondent David Ensor is joining us with more on the story that could have serious implications on what's happening here in the U.S.

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well that's right, Wolf. Haiti is not strategically important, but it is close by. And that is why U.S. officials are monitoring the situation very closely indeed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR (voice-over): The rebel forces are growing in size, observers say, as exile paramilitary troops return to Haiti to join the fighting. The rebels accuse security forces of indiscriminate shooting.

BUTERR METAYAH, HAITI REBEL LEADER: We try to get ourselves out of power, because if he killed some people. And then, what now? He don't want to go.

ENSOR: The rebellion started ten days ago in tandem with large peaceful demonstrations against President Jean-Bertrand Aristide which continued in Port au Prince. U.S. military intelligence officials are watching closely for their nightmare scenario, watching to see if desperate Haitians begin to build boats, as they have in the past, to make the dangerous journey to U.S. shores.

In the '90s, troops from the U.S. and other nations helped to ease out a military government and oversee elections in the Caribbean nation of about eight million people. After being ousted once before, Aristide, a former priest, was elected president again most recently in 2000. U.S. officials regard his government as a failure but they do not want another coup d'etat.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: We will accept no outcome that in any way illegally attempts to removes the elected president of Haiti.

WILLIAM JONES, FMR. U.S. AMBASSADOR TO HAITI: We should certainly take the lead in forming a coalition and working through international organizations, and I do not think that the American taxpayer should be saddled with a bill for once again coming in and trying to solve the problem in Haiti.

ENSOR: Some experts say the paramilitaries in Gonev (ph) include drug profiteers who want chaos so they can increase drug shipments through Haiti.

HENRY CAREY, HAITI DEMOCRACY PROJECT: Something like 20 percent or more of cocaine transshipped from Colombia comes through Haiti to the United States.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR: U.S. officials are watching events closely concerned about the chaos, hunger and boatloads of refugees could follow if the instability goes on for much longer -- Wolf.

BLITZER: David Ensor watching this important story for us. Thank you very much.

Church abuse. A shocking new survey of church records. CNN sees an advance copy. We'll share the details with you.

Terror protection plans. New York City preparing for the possibility of a nuclear, biological or other attack. I'll speak live with the New York City police commissioner Ray Kelly (ph).

Tramples player, a winning high school basketball team celebration turns tragic when its star player is trampled on the court.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONAN O'BRIEN, HOST, THE CONAN O'BRIEN SHOW: There is one Canadian province that people here have issues with and vice versa, and that's Quebec.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Controversy in Canada. Late night television host Conan O'Brien touches a nerve, why many French Canadians say the comedian simply crossed the line.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: The Catholic church was shaken to its core by the scandal of abusive priests. A report due at the end of the month looks at a half century of allegations of abuse against the church's young people. CNN has seen a draft of the report which points to a church trying to avoid scandal, and sometimes all too willing to forgive. CNN's Maria Hinojosa is joining us live from New York with more -- Maria.

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, once again, the Catholic church is front and center over allegations of abuse.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HINOJOSA (voice-over): David Cerulli says that sexual abuse by a Pennsylvania priest began when he was just 14 years old but he never said a word until ten years later.

DAVID CERULLI, SURVIVORS NETWORK OF THOSE ABUSED BY PRIESTS: It was difficult for us to come forward, for me to come forward, and I was led to believe I was the only one. So many of us believe that. And now we know we're not the only ones.

HINOJOSA: A draft report by John Jay College of Criminal Justice confirms that there were, in fact, thousands of victims. Based on a nationwide survey of the Catholic church's own records, 11,000 children alleged they were sexually abused by priests between 1950 and the year 2002. 78 percent of those were children 11 to 17 years old. CERULLI: It's a staggering number. One is too many as we know. It's -- it's not surprising. However, we have to remember this is a survey, a self-survey by the bishops. So even this number we're skeptical of.

HINOJOSA: Of the 11,000 allegations, the church confirmed 6,700 of them. The report commissioned by the Conference of Catholic Bishops and seen by CNN before its official publication on February 27 shows that more than half of the 4,450 accused priests had a single allegation against them. 25 percent had two or three allegations. 13 percent had four to nine allegations. A total of 147 priests were accused of abusing nearly 3,000 minors.

REV. THOMAS REESE, EDTIOR, "AMERCA MAGAZINE": There are 11,000 victims out there that we know of that are in need of help, and I think that it shows that the church needs a program to reach out to them to do whatever we can to help them in the healing process.

HINOJOSA: But victims say this is only the tip of the iceberg.

CERULLI: We will never know the true extent of what has happened, unless survivors come forward.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HINOJOSA: This is a draft of a final report that's to be released on February 27. And today, Bishop Wilton Gregory, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said, quote, "these reports will be a very sobering and important milestone. My heart goes out to all who have suffered." -- Wolf.

BLITZER: CNN's Maria Hinojosa, on a very important story as well. Thanks very much.

To our viewers, here's your chance to weigh in on this story. Our web question of the day is this. "Are you surprised by the scope of abuse detailed in a draft report on the Catholic church?" You can vote right now, go to CNN.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast. While you're there, I'd love to hear directly from you, send me your comments any time. I'll try to get them on the air each day on the program, some of them, that's also where you can read my daily online column, CNN.com/wolf.

Preparing for the worst. New York City officials taking action to protect citizens in the event of another terror attack. I'll speak live with the city's police commissioner, Ray Kelly.

Jesse Jackson, the former presidential candidate weighs in on which candidates should say good-bye to the campaign trail. He'll join me live.

Plus this...

Another apology. Why CBS is now apologizing for a Grammy awards performance by the popular rap group, Outkast. We'll tell you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: The attack on 9/11 changed the way everyone thinks about protection. That, of course, includes New York City, where the police commissioner says they're thinking about the unthinkable and trying to prepare for the worst.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): More than any other U.S. city, New York knows the close-up horror of a terrorist attack. Ever since the World Trade Center collapsed into the ground officials have tried to reassure New Yorkers.

MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, NEW YORK: We have the safest large city in the country here, if there's anybody that can take care of the people of this city. It's the N.Y.P.D.

BLITZER: Over the weekend, the "New York Times" detailed just how far the city is going to prepare for the possibility of another act of terror, including the possibility of a nuclear, biological or chemical weapons attack. The newspaper account confirmed to CNN by the city's police department, reports there are plans for more than 200 neighborhood point-of-distribution centers, PODs for short. In case of an emergency, each POD would be capable of distributing medications or vaccinations to 40,000 people over a five to ten-day period.

Police have practiced boarding cruise ships from helicopters or piers. They're getting biological and chemical training to prepare for the upcoming Republican National Convention in Madison Square Garden. And mindful of a takeover of a Moscow theater two years ago, officials have been reviewing the floor plans of New York theaters and conducting exercises inside.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And joining us to talk about the unprecedented planning going on in New York City. The police commissioner Ray Kelly. Commissioner, thank you for joining us. People read the story in yesterday's "New York Times." Clearly they got very concerned, especially as you look forward to the big Republican Convention at the end of August in New York. How concerned should residents in New York City be?

RAY KELLY, NEW YORK POLICE COMMISSIONER: This is in response to no specific threat. Obviously our world has changed dramatically as a result of 9/11. These are things we have to think of. As the article said we're thinking about that was hereto for the unthinkable. We're doing a lot of training, exercises, tabletop exercises, on the street exercises. We're just being prudent about the world we live in.

BLITZER: Are you doing this largely with New York City law enforcement authorities, first responders, or is it in conjunction with the federal government?

KELLY: Mostly it's with our own people. We are using some federal funds to do what we call cohort training, that's the training that was referred to in the article, the 10,000 officers that will be trained from now until the Republican National Convention. But we're doing it on our own dime for the most part.

BLITZER: Let's go through some of the specific fears that you have. For example, the subway system, how vulnerable is it at all. We saw what happened in Moscow not that long ago in the past few days?

KELLY: We have to be concerned about an event in the subway. We do a lot of, I think, very proactive things in the subway, we have officers that inspect cars on a random basis. We have what we call train order maintenance drills. You'll see a lot of police officers in the subway system. We have special protection for subway tunnels that go under the rivers between Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan. These are common and competent exercises we engage in, so I think we are certainly better prepared than ever before.

BLITZER: I know you say you are thinking the unthinkable. You're going through various contingencies, I assume, trying to get into the minds of these terrorists. The reference to the theaters, there was a theater explosion, as you remember, in Moscow, as well. Tell our viewers what you're doing, looking down that road.

KELLY: Well, we've looked at the plans of the major theaters in New York City. We've had exercises with our specially trained officers to enter those theaters, and we're doing other things as well that we don't necessarily want to publicize. But we're cognizant, I think the event in Moscow certainly was an eye open for law enforcement. That's what we're paid to do, to think about these things and we're taking care of business.

BLITZER: And the point-of-distribution centers, as far as vaccines, God forbid there were some sort of chemical or biological attack, how's that progressing?

KELLY: I think its progressing well. We do that in conjunction with our office of emergency management and the Department of Health. Our charge would be to secure those locations. Also to help in the transport of vaccines to those locations. We have over 200 sites that have been identified as points of distribution. So there is a plan. I think it's a good plan, and it's something that is exercised.

BLITZER: Let me ask you an unrelated question to put on one of your previous hats when you worked in the federal government. We're getting a report in from our producer Kevin Bond (ph) and Terry Frieden (ph), our justice department producers, they're getting information that a small amount of explosives was found in a car earlier today on the Canadian side of the U.S./Canada border according to a customs spokeswoman.

The border crossing -- a major border crossing in Blaine in Washington state was closed at around 1:00 Pacific time, 4:00 p.m. Eastern. Reopened about an hour later, the investigation is ongoing, they couldn't give us any more details. You're pretty familiar with this border crossing, aren't you? KELLY: Yes, I am. I was a customs commissioner. It's a very busy border crossing, it's a main route that leads down into the state of Washington all the way down through California. It's a very busy one, and if it's closed for any period of time, it can cause major traffic congestion.

BLITZER: When you hear a report like that, what goes through your mind?

KELLY: Well, we have so many reports like that throughout the country. Again, we have generalized information, our threat information lacks specificity, it's part of the frustrations and the challenges that law enforcement has to live with these days.

BLITZER: I guess we'll have to live with it for some time to come. Commissioner Kelly, thank you for joining us. Good luck to you. I'll be in New York at the end of New York for the Republican Convention.

Thanks, commissioner.

No warning why British officials are warning against travel to Saudi Arabia right now. And this. Waiting for Wisconsin as the state's crucial primary nears, questions arising for Howard Dean. Should he stay or go?

I'll speak live with the political activist, the onetime presidential candidate himself, the Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Triumph turned tragedy. A freak post game celebration leaves a high school athlete critically injured. This is a horrible story.

And striking a nerve, why Conan O'Brien's late night show has some Canadian charging racism.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN.

After Wisconsin, which Democratic candidates should stay and which should go? I'll ask the former presidential candidate the Reverend Jesse Jackson. We'll speak with him live.

First, though, a quick check of the latest headlines.

Britain says terrorist attacks could be in the final stages of preparation in Saudi Arabia. It's warning all U.K. citizens to avoid the country for all what is calls essential travel. At the same time, British Airways canceled a flight today from London to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, citing security concerns.

Three people are now confirmed dead in a crane collapse in Toledo, Ohio. Police say part of the crane fell between a bridge on Interstate 280 and the structure being built next to it. At least five people were hurt, no word yet on the cause. No letup in the flood of same-sex couples from all over the United States rushing to San Francisco's City Hall for a marriage license. The city starred distributing them to gays and lesbians on Thursday, and, by day's end, expects to have issued 2,000 licenses. That could be cut off tomorrow, when a judge considers requests by conservative groups to order the city to stop.

And it's official. Alex Rodriguez is a Yankee. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig has signed off on the deal, which calls for the Texas Rangers to get all-star second baseman Alfonso Soriano and a player later to be named in exchange. Texas also is paying part of the $179 million left on Rodriguez's $252 million contract.

Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean continued to campaign today, despite the departure of his campaign chairman, Steve Grossman. Dean would not discuss the reasons for Grossman's departure, but it came after Grossman suggested he might jump ship if Dean loses tomorrow's Wisconsin primary.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEVE GROSSMAN, FORMER DEAN CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN: I continue to believe deeply in Howard, and believe that, no matter whether he wins this election or not, he has made an enormous contribution to participatory politics in America and really has created something of a movement.

By the same token, I think, should Howard not win the Wisconsin primary, it is time to coalesce around a -- our nominee, our presumptive nominee. And I want to do everything I can to build bridges.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Howard Dean insists he plans to stay in the race, regardless of whether he wins tomorrow's primary in Wisconsin.

The odds-on favorite to win the primary, of course, is the front- runner, John Kerry.

Our national correspondent Kelly Wallace is covering the Kerry campaign.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Big question for the Kerry campaign today, has there been any contact with the Dean camp, in light of reports that the former Vermont governor could possibly decide to get out of race if he is not victorious tomorrow?

Kerry's aides say that there have been some casual conversation between aides in both campaigns and that Dean and John Kerry have not spoken today. Kerry told reporters he chatted briefly with the governor last night during the debate, and he described Dean as being -- quote -- "very warm and open." At last night's debate, Dean was given opportunity after opportunity to attack the front-runner and he refused to do it. A senior Kerry adviser describes Dean's very successful grassroots organization as a -- quote -- "important constituency" and that, should Dean decide to get out of race, Kerry's advisers would try to do everything they possibly can to get Dean and his thousands of supporters on board as quickly as possible.

Kelly Wallace, CNN, reporting from Green Bay, Wisconsin.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: John Edwards got a big boost from Wisconsin's biggest newspaper. "The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel" endorsed Edwards, but he still faces stiff odds in tomorrow's primary.

CNN's Dan Lothian is covering the Edwards campaign.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN BOSTON BUREAU CHIEF: Senator John Edwards is looking to slow down Senator John Kerry's momentum. He's flying around the state of Wisconsin, a state that's lost some 80,000 manufacturing jobs since 2000. Senator Edwards is pushing his $3 billion jobs creation program. Speaking to supporters at the South Milwaukee Community Center, he told them he will fight to stop the export of American jobs.

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We can strengthen and lift up working middle class families if we have a president of the United States who understands what's happening, understands what's happening in their lives, who will wake up every morning, fighting for them, fighting for their jobs, which is what this campaign is about for me.

LOTHIAN: Senator Edwards says, no matter what happens in Tuesday's primary, he will stay in the race. In fact, he says he's looking forward to a two-man race with Senator Kerry.

Dan Lothian, CNN, South Milwaukee.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And joining us now from Boston is a former presidential candidate, the Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Reverend Jackson, thanks very much for joining us.

REV. JESSE JACKSON, FOUNDER, RAINBOW/PUSH COALITION: Wolf, how do you do?

BLITZER: You have watched this closely. You ran twice for office. You knew when to hold them, when to fold them. Is it time for Howard Dean to get out?

JACKSON: Well, to be sure, if he loses tomorrow, his funds will stop. And the unfunded cannot remain in the race, unless they're driven by some cause.

And so, if he loses tomorrow, it will be in many ways the final statement for him. I hope that he will honor and I think he will honor his promise to support the nominee. And the softening tone at the debate last night suggests that he has that much of a reality check. So chances are, Kerry will roll on.

BLITZER: What I'm hearing from some sources close to Howard Dean -- and I'll run it by you, Reverend Jackson -- is this, that he won't formally drop out. He'll continue through Super Tuesday, March 2, when there are 10 contests, a lot of delegates at stake, but trying to create a new movement to raise funds to help other Democrats in elections around the country.

What do you make of that strategy? He'll be a formal presidential candidate, because he needs that platform?

JACKSON: Well, he does have a cause. And that has driven him. He has set the pace for the entire campaign.

He has raised money. More delegates will be his leverage. And so I can see him running until that time. It gives him more leverage. But if he is temperamentally fit for the transition -- and I think he is -- if Kerry wins tomorrow, it's a matter of when he will come in and under what conditions.

BLITZER: So the bottom line is, you think it's good for the party for Howard Dean to simply face reality and get out of race? Is that what I'm hearing?

JACKSON: Well, at the time he chooses.

The good news about Howard Dean is that he's expanding the base of the party. He's run a rather untraditional campaign. He's tapped into a new source of money and voters. And so they should be negotiated out and not, as it were, kicked out. You do not want people who are driven by a cause to be bruised and go on down the road even when their leader leaves.

And so it's a delicate transition, because Howard Dean does have power. He has a tremendous credibility now within the party. He has a source of money and a significant number of delegates.

BLITZER: I assume you'll support John Kerry if he becomes the Democratic nominee, is that right?

JACKSON: Of course I will and will want to -- right now, the Rainbow Coalition is meeting in Harvard here in Boston today. We intend to have an operation in the campaign mode in about 32 states. We're gearing that up now.

There's a lot of focus on voter registration and get out the vote and issue formation. We have the numbers and the need to win in 2004, a net loss of jobs in every state, an horrendous tax bill, people dying in Iraq every day, and a war that did not have to be. We have reason and motivation to fight back, and, indeed, we will. BLITZER: Reverend Jackson, what do you think Al Sharpton and Dennis Kucinich should do for the good of the Democratic Party?

JACKSON: Well, they'll have to make the determination for themselves. Both of them are driven by a cause. They have a point of view to make. And the point at which they decide to stay on, they have still avowed to support the nominee. And that's the good news.

And, again, if they leave, they should be negotiated out, respectfully, and not kicked out in some way that is humiliating.

BLITZER: Reverend Jackson, as usual, thanks very much for spending a few moments with us.

JACKSON: Thank you very much.

BLITZER: Let's update you now on that developing story we've been reporting. The U.S./Canadian border was closed for a short period today near the town of Blaine in Washington state, after Canadian officials found a grenade in a car. Canadian customs officials say the border was reopened about an hour after it was closed.

Officials say a single grenade was discovered in the glove compartment. They say the driver, a woman, was heading from Canada to Vancouver, Washington, when she was stopped.

We have on the phone Paula Shore with the Canadian border service agency.

Thanks so much for joining us. What can you tell our viewers right now about the status of the border? How much concern is there?

PAULA SHORE, CANADIAN BORDER GUARD AGENCY: Well, it was one grenade that was found in the glove compartment of this vehicle.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police explosives disposal unit has attended the port and removed the device. So it has been secure. And the port has now been reopened and we're pretty much back to business as usual.

BLITZER: Is there some sort of explanation why a hand grenade was in the glove compartment?

SHORE: Well, the RCMP are certainly investigating this. But I understand the female occupant of the car, her husband is a member of the military.

BLITZER: So there may be some sort of, I guess, normal reason or some sort of good reason, not necessarily a sinister reason, for that to have been there? Is that right?

SHORE: Yes. After speaking to my colleagues at the RCMP, yes, they are quite satisfied that this was just something that was a mistake.

BLITZER: How often has this happened, that you have actually shut down the border as a result of some sort of suspicious activity?

SHORE: Well, we don't take chances at the border. So, in my recent memory, a couple of months ago, I can remember us doing the same thing, when, again, we found something that just appeared to be suspicious.

And we do as a matter of routine. If we're not convinced that everyone is safe and secure, we will close down the border. We have the advantage out here in B.C. of having two border crossings that are very close to each other. So we can shut one down and divert traffic to the other. And it's not too much of an inconvenience for our travelers, but it allows us to certainly secure the situation and make sure that everyone's safe.

BLITZER: All's well that ends well, apparently.

Thank you very much, Paula Shore, for joining us, updating our viewers on that.

Star athlete. A postgame celebration turns tragic. And a high school basketball player is left fighting to walk again, an update on his courageous story.

Harmless humor or crass comedy, why late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien is stealing the headlines over in Canada.

And another shooting. The Ohio sniper strikes again. This time, someone saw him.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: It's a scene that happens all over the country throughout the year, fans rushing the court or field after a victory by their school team. But for one Arizona high school athlete, the victory celebration turned into a tragedy.

CNN's Jennifer Coggiola is here with this really horrible story -- Jennifer.

JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Horrible, indeed, Wolf.

Well, at a February 6 home basketball game -- this was in Tucson, Arizona -- an overzealous celebration went horribly wrong.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COGGIOLA (voice-over): A glory moment every high school basketball player dreams of, a last second slam-dunk and a big win for the team.

But, as 18-year-old Joe Kay ran off the court, an elated celebration turned tragic. The crowd of about 200 rushing the court to congratulate Kay trampled the high school senior, severely torquing his neck and severing his carotid artery. According to Joe's dad, Fred Kay, his son was helped off the court, but by the time he reached the locker room, couldn't talk or move the right half of his body. FRED KAY, FATHER OF JOE: One of the paramedics picked up his right arm and then let go and it just, just dropped.

COGGIOLA: Joe had suffered a stroke. At a news conference this past Saturday, Joe's parents updated reporters.

KAY: He doesn't have use of his right arm or his right leg, and his speech is limited. He can say some words and he can say some short sentences. And then he looks better every day, so we're very hopeful.

COGGIOLA: Hopeful, but recognize the severity of the injury.

KAY: Apparently, brain injuries are a type of injury that you just don't know what's going to happen next. And they keep telling us, because he's so young and he's so strong, that the prognosis will probably be good.

COGGIOLA: The 6'6'' senior, who is to attend Stanford University in the fall with a volleyball scholarship, honored at next home game.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I hope for the best for Joe.

COGGIOLA: For his parents, Joe's jersey framed, small gestures by players and fans, as the school rooted for the missing player.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Joe, get better. We all miss you and we need you back.

COGGIOLA: And, at the end of the night, the team honored Joe with an important gesture, a W., beating their opponent 68-55.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COGGIOLA: The school district is currently investigating what happened that night, and, in the meantime, told me they plan to talk to athletic directors, coaches and students about game conduct and security measures -- Wolf.

BLITZER: These authorities at all these stadiums, high school, college, professional, they have to learn to keep these fans off the court after a game like that.

COGGIOLA: Absolutely.

BLITZER: That's really a horrible, horrible story.

Thanks very much, Jennifer, for that story.

Canada takes on Conan O'Brien.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEXA MCDONOUGH, CANADIAN PARLIAMENT MEMBER: We don't invest public dollars in hate-mongering and vile kinds of entertainment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: What has the country's leaders so upset? We'll show you. that's coming up.

And the hip-hop group OutKast won several Grammys, so why is CBS apologizing over its performance on the awards show? We'll get to all of that.

First, though, some stories you may have missed this past weekend.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Another highway shooting near Columbus, Ohio, the 24th in a series that includes one fatal incident. But this time, there were witnesses who gave investigators a description of the shooter and his car.

Residents of some parts of Tennessee spent the weekend shoveling snow. Up to a foot fell in parts of the state. But Knoxville and Memphis saw only an inch, while Nashville saw nothing and Chattanooga had rain.

A storybook ending to the Daytona 500. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the race yesterday, following in the footsteps of his champion father. Dale Earnhardt Sr. won his one and only Daytona victory six years ago to the day, only to die in the last lap of the same race in 2001.

And West beat East in the NBA All-Star Game, with something extra for Lakers fans. Beside playing the game on the home court, Shaquille O'Neal was named MVP, while Kobe Bryant played the most minutes. Among the fans on hand, "The View" co-host Star Jones, whose boyfriend, Al Reynolds, used the occasion to propose on nationwide TV.

And that's our weekend snapshot.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Late-night TV host Conan O'Brien is persona non grata in Quebec right now, where some residents are outraged and insulted by one of his skits.

CNN's Brian Todd explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If you had a dollar for every time someone is insulted on late-night TV, well, you know the punchline.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN")

CONAN O'BRIEN, HOST: And that's Quebec.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: But for many French Canadians, this is over the line.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN")

TRIUMPH, THE INSULT COMIC DOG: Quebec is a great, great place -- for me to poop on.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: Thursday night, NBC's "late Night With Conan O'Brien," a well-known skit featuring the character Triumph the Insult Comic Dog visiting the Winter Carnival in Quebec City, living up to his name.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN")

TRIUMPH: You're in North America. Learn the language.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: It goes on and on.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN")

TRIUMPH: You're French and Canadian, yes? You're obnoxious and dumb.

(LAUGHTER)

TRIUMPH: I can tell you're French. You have that proud expression, that superior look, and I can smell your crotch from here.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: The audience in Toronto eats it up. But for many, the skit strikes raw nerves between French Canadians and the country's English-speaking majority, tensions that have existed for decades and included a 1995 Quebec referendum, which narrowly defeated a plan to separate from Canada.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN")

TRIUMPH: Are you separatists?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. Yes.

TRIUMPH: Listen closely. Hear that? It's the sound of nobody giving a (EXPLETIVE DELETED)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) (END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: "It's revolting," she says. "Why would anyone laugh at that?"

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it indicated that there is this sort of deep streak of mean-spiritedness.

TODD: The show was brought to Toronto for a week as part of a campaign to promote tourism following the SARS scare, sponsored by the Ottawa provincial and federal governments, paid for by Canadian taxpayers. Some Canadian lawmakers want the show to return the money.

MCDONOUGH: We don't invest public dollars in hate-mongering and vile kinds of entertainment.

TODD: The local company which produced the show in Toronto has edited out the scenes for its rebroadcast and apologized. Ottawa's premier is unapologetic.

DALTON MCGUINTY, ONTARIO PREMIER: Absolutely, it was a good idea. And I think it remains a good idea.

TODD (on camera): Do Conan O'Brien or NBC still think it's a good idea? Good question. We tried repeatedly to get comment from O'Brien and his publicist. They didn't get back to us. A spokeswoman for NBC wouldn't comment, except to say, there's not much more to say about it.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And more broadcast controversy leading to another apology from CBS. Some Native Americans were upset by the costumes worn during OutKast's performance of the Grammy-winning song "Hey Ya" on the Grammys eight days ago. They call the fringe, feathers and paint racist. Friday, CBS said it was sorry if anyone was offended.

The results of our "Web Question of the Day," that's coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Here's how you're weighing in our "Web Question of the Day." Remember, this is not a scientific poll.

"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





Repeat; Priest Sex Abuse Scandal Widens>


Aired February 16, 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): Battleground Wisconsin and a major shakeup in the Dean campaign just hours before the next Democratic showdown.

STEVE GROSSMAN, FRM. DEAN CAMPAIGN CHRM.: I can tell you that Howard Dean is in this race to stay.

BLITZER: Thinking about the unthinkable. New York City prepares for a possible repeat of 9/11.

Sex abuse scandal. Thousands of cases cited in a new church report. Critics say it's even worse.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's still not -- not what we think is out there.

BLITZER: Victory turned tragedy. A bizarre accident leaves a star high school athlete critically injured.

Conan O'Brien controversy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I find it completely unacceptable.

BLITZER: What the late night show says that has French Canadians seething.

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Monday, February 16, 2004.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: With one day left to go before the Democratic Wisconsin presidential primary, John Kerry continues to lead in the polls, John Edwards got a big endorsement, and Howard Dean's campaign is in turmoil. Our national correspondent Bob Franken is in Milwaukee to bring us up to speed -- Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, Howard Dean since he's been in Wisconsin has been keeping people guessing about his campaign. But now we find out that certain elements of his campaign have been keeping him guessing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) FRANKEN (voice-over): For Howard Dean, the job is to campaign hard, as the saying goes, like there's no tomorrow, when many of his top advisers are saying after the Wisconsin primary, there may not be.

In fact, Dean has had to say good-bye to one of those top advisers, the national campaign chairman, Steve Grossman, who left the campaign for the greener political pastures in the land of Kerry.

No hard feelings, says Dean.

HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I consider him to be a friend. I consider him to have worked very, very hard for this campaign. Including at times when we were not on the map.

FRANKEN: John Kerry is mapping his strategy for a presumed general election race against President Bush, who is just back from a NASCAR race.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We don't need a president who just says, "Gentlemen, start your engines." We need a president who says, "America, let's start our economy, and put people back to work."

FRANKEN: John Edwards makes it clear every chance he gets that no matter how he finishes in Wisconsin, he has not reached the finish line.

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think that the race is narrowing to two people. It will be clear what the differences are between us. I will myself point out substantive policy differences.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN: While Kerry and Edwards plan the next campaign moves, Wolf, Dean is struggling to prevent his Dean from disintegrating -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Bob Franken, reporting from Wisconsin. Bob, thank you very much.

On Friday Senator John Kerry categorically denied rumors of an affair with a young woman. Today, the woman who is the subject of the Internet and talk radio circuit gossip came forward to deny it completely as well. In a statement issue to the Associated Press, her former employer, the woman says this, "I have never had a relationship with Senator Kerry. And the rumors in the press are completely false."

She goes on to say, "Whoever is spreading these rumors and allegations does not know me, but should know the pain they have caused me and my family." She adds, "It seems that efforts to peddle these lies continue, so I feel compelled to address them."

Today, of course, is President's Day, and this being an election year, President Bush made the most of it. He used the visit to a Florida plant that makes windows and doors to talk up his economic program. The president later returned here to Washington, D.C.

That's where our White House correspondent Dana Bash is standing by -- Dana.

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, this was the president's 19th visit to Florida. And few can forget that of course was the sight of that five-week recount in the year 2000.

Now just as he has over the past couple of weeks, traveling around the country, the president focused today on the economy. He talked with a small group of hand-picked small business owners who said that they believe the president's tax cuts have helped them in their businesses. And the president said that is one reason why Democrats -- suggested the Democrats should not repeal them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: You hear people in Washington saying, oh, let's not make the tax cuts permanent. When you hear somebody say, that they're saying we're going to tax you. We're going to raise taxes. You'll hear some discussion about what that means for a family when taxes go up. But from an economic perspective, I'm telling you, now is not the time to raise the taxes on the American people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: Now, Wolf, the president's political advisers are well aware that job loss is going to be a key issue for him in this campaign. No talk of that today, he very optimistic, gave an upbeat assessment of how the economy is -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Dana Bash at the White House. Thanks, Dana, very much.

A retired U.S. Air National Guard officer continues to back President Bush's assertion he drilled with the Alabama Guard in 1972. "Bill" Calhoun appear earlier today on "CNN'S AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN "BILL" CALHOUN, FMR. ALABAMA AIR NATIONAL GUARDSMEN: I can say I saw him there, I know he was there. I talked to him, occasionally we'd eat lunch together. That people that -- I've heard no one say he wasn't there. They just said they didn't see him, which was not unusual with 200 or 300 people on base.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Critics had earlier said there was no evidence the president drilled with the Alabama Guard back in the '70s.

More from the campaign trail coming up later this hour. I'll speak live with onetime Democratic presidential candidate Jesse Jackson. He's got some interesting thoughts on what's going on right now. Let's move onto Iraq, though. There was more death and injury earlier today, intentional and accidental. Police in Baghdad say children were killed in an accidental blast. And roadside bombings prove deadly to a pair of United States soldiers.

CNN's Brent Sadler is joining us on the phone from Baghdad with details -- Brent.

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Wolf, two young Iraqi children were killed when an explosive device thought to be a hand grenade detonated in the school yard of their elementary school in the suburb of Baghdad.

Now it does seem to have been a tragic accident, but residents I spoke to there suspect the device may have been planted to destabilize their neighborhood.

In further violence two more U.S. soldiers were killed this day in fierce roadside bombings. One in Ba'Qubah, north of Baghdad, a renowned area of insurgent activity. And also in the capital itself.

As U.S. forces reorganize in the run-up period to be expected handover of sovereignty to the Iraqis by the end of June, more responsibility is now being put on Iraq's own security forces. They are growing in numbers, but still weak as an all-out attack on Saturday against Fallujah by Iraqi insurgents, not foreign fighters, as first reported, clearly demonstrated.

Iraqi officials in Baghdad complained that the U.S. military in the vicinity of those Fallujah battles stayed out of the fight.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AHMED AL-BARRAK, IRAQI GOVERNING COUNCIL MEMBER: In the last attack on Fallujah, they played very bad role for that because they were very close for the place of the attack. And they didn't interfere even when they saw a huge number of attackers shooting the Iraqi police office. And that's what makes the disaster happened.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SADLER: U.S. coalition officials say they were not called into the fight, and therefore, did not render assistance. But they did praise the courage of the Iraqi counterparts during those very heavy battles.

Meanwhile, Iraqi security officials, Wolf, tell CNN their men and women in the field urgently need more equipment, especially armored vehicles and heavier firepower to deter against a growing number of attacks against them -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Brent Sadler in Baghdad. Brent, thank you.

In Haiti, meanwhile, increasing violence is pushing the country closer toward complete chaos. Insurgents want President Jean-Bertrand Aristide out of power. Today rebels in the Caribbean nation took over a police station and killed the chief.

Our national security correspondent David Ensor is joining us with more on the story that could have serious implications on what's happening here in the U.S.

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well that's right, Wolf. Haiti is not strategically important, but it is close by. And that is why U.S. officials are monitoring the situation very closely indeed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR (voice-over): The rebel forces are growing in size, observers say, as exile paramilitary troops return to Haiti to join the fighting. The rebels accuse security forces of indiscriminate shooting.

BUTERR METAYAH, HAITI REBEL LEADER: We try to get ourselves out of power, because if he killed some people. And then, what now? He don't want to go.

ENSOR: The rebellion started ten days ago in tandem with large peaceful demonstrations against President Jean-Bertrand Aristide which continued in Port au Prince. U.S. military intelligence officials are watching closely for their nightmare scenario, watching to see if desperate Haitians begin to build boats, as they have in the past, to make the dangerous journey to U.S. shores.

In the '90s, troops from the U.S. and other nations helped to ease out a military government and oversee elections in the Caribbean nation of about eight million people. After being ousted once before, Aristide, a former priest, was elected president again most recently in 2000. U.S. officials regard his government as a failure but they do not want another coup d'etat.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: We will accept no outcome that in any way illegally attempts to removes the elected president of Haiti.

WILLIAM JONES, FMR. U.S. AMBASSADOR TO HAITI: We should certainly take the lead in forming a coalition and working through international organizations, and I do not think that the American taxpayer should be saddled with a bill for once again coming in and trying to solve the problem in Haiti.

ENSOR: Some experts say the paramilitaries in Gonev (ph) include drug profiteers who want chaos so they can increase drug shipments through Haiti.

HENRY CAREY, HAITI DEMOCRACY PROJECT: Something like 20 percent or more of cocaine transshipped from Colombia comes through Haiti to the United States.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR: U.S. officials are watching events closely concerned about the chaos, hunger and boatloads of refugees could follow if the instability goes on for much longer -- Wolf.

BLITZER: David Ensor watching this important story for us. Thank you very much.

Church abuse. A shocking new survey of church records. CNN sees an advance copy. We'll share the details with you.

Terror protection plans. New York City preparing for the possibility of a nuclear, biological or other attack. I'll speak live with the New York City police commissioner Ray Kelly (ph).

Tramples player, a winning high school basketball team celebration turns tragic when its star player is trampled on the court.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONAN O'BRIEN, HOST, THE CONAN O'BRIEN SHOW: There is one Canadian province that people here have issues with and vice versa, and that's Quebec.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Controversy in Canada. Late night television host Conan O'Brien touches a nerve, why many French Canadians say the comedian simply crossed the line.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: The Catholic church was shaken to its core by the scandal of abusive priests. A report due at the end of the month looks at a half century of allegations of abuse against the church's young people. CNN has seen a draft of the report which points to a church trying to avoid scandal, and sometimes all too willing to forgive. CNN's Maria Hinojosa is joining us live from New York with more -- Maria.

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, once again, the Catholic church is front and center over allegations of abuse.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HINOJOSA (voice-over): David Cerulli says that sexual abuse by a Pennsylvania priest began when he was just 14 years old but he never said a word until ten years later.

DAVID CERULLI, SURVIVORS NETWORK OF THOSE ABUSED BY PRIESTS: It was difficult for us to come forward, for me to come forward, and I was led to believe I was the only one. So many of us believe that. And now we know we're not the only ones.

HINOJOSA: A draft report by John Jay College of Criminal Justice confirms that there were, in fact, thousands of victims. Based on a nationwide survey of the Catholic church's own records, 11,000 children alleged they were sexually abused by priests between 1950 and the year 2002. 78 percent of those were children 11 to 17 years old. CERULLI: It's a staggering number. One is too many as we know. It's -- it's not surprising. However, we have to remember this is a survey, a self-survey by the bishops. So even this number we're skeptical of.

HINOJOSA: Of the 11,000 allegations, the church confirmed 6,700 of them. The report commissioned by the Conference of Catholic Bishops and seen by CNN before its official publication on February 27 shows that more than half of the 4,450 accused priests had a single allegation against them. 25 percent had two or three allegations. 13 percent had four to nine allegations. A total of 147 priests were accused of abusing nearly 3,000 minors.

REV. THOMAS REESE, EDTIOR, "AMERCA MAGAZINE": There are 11,000 victims out there that we know of that are in need of help, and I think that it shows that the church needs a program to reach out to them to do whatever we can to help them in the healing process.

HINOJOSA: But victims say this is only the tip of the iceberg.

CERULLI: We will never know the true extent of what has happened, unless survivors come forward.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HINOJOSA: This is a draft of a final report that's to be released on February 27. And today, Bishop Wilton Gregory, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said, quote, "these reports will be a very sobering and important milestone. My heart goes out to all who have suffered." -- Wolf.

BLITZER: CNN's Maria Hinojosa, on a very important story as well. Thanks very much.

To our viewers, here's your chance to weigh in on this story. Our web question of the day is this. "Are you surprised by the scope of abuse detailed in a draft report on the Catholic church?" You can vote right now, go to CNN.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast. While you're there, I'd love to hear directly from you, send me your comments any time. I'll try to get them on the air each day on the program, some of them, that's also where you can read my daily online column, CNN.com/wolf.

Preparing for the worst. New York City officials taking action to protect citizens in the event of another terror attack. I'll speak live with the city's police commissioner, Ray Kelly.

Jesse Jackson, the former presidential candidate weighs in on which candidates should say good-bye to the campaign trail. He'll join me live.

Plus this...

Another apology. Why CBS is now apologizing for a Grammy awards performance by the popular rap group, Outkast. We'll tell you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: The attack on 9/11 changed the way everyone thinks about protection. That, of course, includes New York City, where the police commissioner says they're thinking about the unthinkable and trying to prepare for the worst.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): More than any other U.S. city, New York knows the close-up horror of a terrorist attack. Ever since the World Trade Center collapsed into the ground officials have tried to reassure New Yorkers.

MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, NEW YORK: We have the safest large city in the country here, if there's anybody that can take care of the people of this city. It's the N.Y.P.D.

BLITZER: Over the weekend, the "New York Times" detailed just how far the city is going to prepare for the possibility of another act of terror, including the possibility of a nuclear, biological or chemical weapons attack. The newspaper account confirmed to CNN by the city's police department, reports there are plans for more than 200 neighborhood point-of-distribution centers, PODs for short. In case of an emergency, each POD would be capable of distributing medications or vaccinations to 40,000 people over a five to ten-day period.

Police have practiced boarding cruise ships from helicopters or piers. They're getting biological and chemical training to prepare for the upcoming Republican National Convention in Madison Square Garden. And mindful of a takeover of a Moscow theater two years ago, officials have been reviewing the floor plans of New York theaters and conducting exercises inside.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And joining us to talk about the unprecedented planning going on in New York City. The police commissioner Ray Kelly. Commissioner, thank you for joining us. People read the story in yesterday's "New York Times." Clearly they got very concerned, especially as you look forward to the big Republican Convention at the end of August in New York. How concerned should residents in New York City be?

RAY KELLY, NEW YORK POLICE COMMISSIONER: This is in response to no specific threat. Obviously our world has changed dramatically as a result of 9/11. These are things we have to think of. As the article said we're thinking about that was hereto for the unthinkable. We're doing a lot of training, exercises, tabletop exercises, on the street exercises. We're just being prudent about the world we live in.

BLITZER: Are you doing this largely with New York City law enforcement authorities, first responders, or is it in conjunction with the federal government?

KELLY: Mostly it's with our own people. We are using some federal funds to do what we call cohort training, that's the training that was referred to in the article, the 10,000 officers that will be trained from now until the Republican National Convention. But we're doing it on our own dime for the most part.

BLITZER: Let's go through some of the specific fears that you have. For example, the subway system, how vulnerable is it at all. We saw what happened in Moscow not that long ago in the past few days?

KELLY: We have to be concerned about an event in the subway. We do a lot of, I think, very proactive things in the subway, we have officers that inspect cars on a random basis. We have what we call train order maintenance drills. You'll see a lot of police officers in the subway system. We have special protection for subway tunnels that go under the rivers between Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan. These are common and competent exercises we engage in, so I think we are certainly better prepared than ever before.

BLITZER: I know you say you are thinking the unthinkable. You're going through various contingencies, I assume, trying to get into the minds of these terrorists. The reference to the theaters, there was a theater explosion, as you remember, in Moscow, as well. Tell our viewers what you're doing, looking down that road.

KELLY: Well, we've looked at the plans of the major theaters in New York City. We've had exercises with our specially trained officers to enter those theaters, and we're doing other things as well that we don't necessarily want to publicize. But we're cognizant, I think the event in Moscow certainly was an eye open for law enforcement. That's what we're paid to do, to think about these things and we're taking care of business.

BLITZER: And the point-of-distribution centers, as far as vaccines, God forbid there were some sort of chemical or biological attack, how's that progressing?

KELLY: I think its progressing well. We do that in conjunction with our office of emergency management and the Department of Health. Our charge would be to secure those locations. Also to help in the transport of vaccines to those locations. We have over 200 sites that have been identified as points of distribution. So there is a plan. I think it's a good plan, and it's something that is exercised.

BLITZER: Let me ask you an unrelated question to put on one of your previous hats when you worked in the federal government. We're getting a report in from our producer Kevin Bond (ph) and Terry Frieden (ph), our justice department producers, they're getting information that a small amount of explosives was found in a car earlier today on the Canadian side of the U.S./Canada border according to a customs spokeswoman.

The border crossing -- a major border crossing in Blaine in Washington state was closed at around 1:00 Pacific time, 4:00 p.m. Eastern. Reopened about an hour later, the investigation is ongoing, they couldn't give us any more details. You're pretty familiar with this border crossing, aren't you? KELLY: Yes, I am. I was a customs commissioner. It's a very busy border crossing, it's a main route that leads down into the state of Washington all the way down through California. It's a very busy one, and if it's closed for any period of time, it can cause major traffic congestion.

BLITZER: When you hear a report like that, what goes through your mind?

KELLY: Well, we have so many reports like that throughout the country. Again, we have generalized information, our threat information lacks specificity, it's part of the frustrations and the challenges that law enforcement has to live with these days.

BLITZER: I guess we'll have to live with it for some time to come. Commissioner Kelly, thank you for joining us. Good luck to you. I'll be in New York at the end of New York for the Republican Convention.

Thanks, commissioner.

No warning why British officials are warning against travel to Saudi Arabia right now. And this. Waiting for Wisconsin as the state's crucial primary nears, questions arising for Howard Dean. Should he stay or go?

I'll speak live with the political activist, the onetime presidential candidate himself, the Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Triumph turned tragedy. A freak post game celebration leaves a high school athlete critically injured. This is a horrible story.

And striking a nerve, why Conan O'Brien's late night show has some Canadian charging racism.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN.

After Wisconsin, which Democratic candidates should stay and which should go? I'll ask the former presidential candidate the Reverend Jesse Jackson. We'll speak with him live.

First, though, a quick check of the latest headlines.

Britain says terrorist attacks could be in the final stages of preparation in Saudi Arabia. It's warning all U.K. citizens to avoid the country for all what is calls essential travel. At the same time, British Airways canceled a flight today from London to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, citing security concerns.

Three people are now confirmed dead in a crane collapse in Toledo, Ohio. Police say part of the crane fell between a bridge on Interstate 280 and the structure being built next to it. At least five people were hurt, no word yet on the cause. No letup in the flood of same-sex couples from all over the United States rushing to San Francisco's City Hall for a marriage license. The city starred distributing them to gays and lesbians on Thursday, and, by day's end, expects to have issued 2,000 licenses. That could be cut off tomorrow, when a judge considers requests by conservative groups to order the city to stop.

And it's official. Alex Rodriguez is a Yankee. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig has signed off on the deal, which calls for the Texas Rangers to get all-star second baseman Alfonso Soriano and a player later to be named in exchange. Texas also is paying part of the $179 million left on Rodriguez's $252 million contract.

Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean continued to campaign today, despite the departure of his campaign chairman, Steve Grossman. Dean would not discuss the reasons for Grossman's departure, but it came after Grossman suggested he might jump ship if Dean loses tomorrow's Wisconsin primary.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEVE GROSSMAN, FORMER DEAN CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN: I continue to believe deeply in Howard, and believe that, no matter whether he wins this election or not, he has made an enormous contribution to participatory politics in America and really has created something of a movement.

By the same token, I think, should Howard not win the Wisconsin primary, it is time to coalesce around a -- our nominee, our presumptive nominee. And I want to do everything I can to build bridges.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Howard Dean insists he plans to stay in the race, regardless of whether he wins tomorrow's primary in Wisconsin.

The odds-on favorite to win the primary, of course, is the front- runner, John Kerry.

Our national correspondent Kelly Wallace is covering the Kerry campaign.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Big question for the Kerry campaign today, has there been any contact with the Dean camp, in light of reports that the former Vermont governor could possibly decide to get out of race if he is not victorious tomorrow?

Kerry's aides say that there have been some casual conversation between aides in both campaigns and that Dean and John Kerry have not spoken today. Kerry told reporters he chatted briefly with the governor last night during the debate, and he described Dean as being -- quote -- "very warm and open." At last night's debate, Dean was given opportunity after opportunity to attack the front-runner and he refused to do it. A senior Kerry adviser describes Dean's very successful grassroots organization as a -- quote -- "important constituency" and that, should Dean decide to get out of race, Kerry's advisers would try to do everything they possibly can to get Dean and his thousands of supporters on board as quickly as possible.

Kelly Wallace, CNN, reporting from Green Bay, Wisconsin.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: John Edwards got a big boost from Wisconsin's biggest newspaper. "The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel" endorsed Edwards, but he still faces stiff odds in tomorrow's primary.

CNN's Dan Lothian is covering the Edwards campaign.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN BOSTON BUREAU CHIEF: Senator John Edwards is looking to slow down Senator John Kerry's momentum. He's flying around the state of Wisconsin, a state that's lost some 80,000 manufacturing jobs since 2000. Senator Edwards is pushing his $3 billion jobs creation program. Speaking to supporters at the South Milwaukee Community Center, he told them he will fight to stop the export of American jobs.

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We can strengthen and lift up working middle class families if we have a president of the United States who understands what's happening, understands what's happening in their lives, who will wake up every morning, fighting for them, fighting for their jobs, which is what this campaign is about for me.

LOTHIAN: Senator Edwards says, no matter what happens in Tuesday's primary, he will stay in the race. In fact, he says he's looking forward to a two-man race with Senator Kerry.

Dan Lothian, CNN, South Milwaukee.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And joining us now from Boston is a former presidential candidate, the Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Reverend Jackson, thanks very much for joining us.

REV. JESSE JACKSON, FOUNDER, RAINBOW/PUSH COALITION: Wolf, how do you do?

BLITZER: You have watched this closely. You ran twice for office. You knew when to hold them, when to fold them. Is it time for Howard Dean to get out?

JACKSON: Well, to be sure, if he loses tomorrow, his funds will stop. And the unfunded cannot remain in the race, unless they're driven by some cause.

And so, if he loses tomorrow, it will be in many ways the final statement for him. I hope that he will honor and I think he will honor his promise to support the nominee. And the softening tone at the debate last night suggests that he has that much of a reality check. So chances are, Kerry will roll on.

BLITZER: What I'm hearing from some sources close to Howard Dean -- and I'll run it by you, Reverend Jackson -- is this, that he won't formally drop out. He'll continue through Super Tuesday, March 2, when there are 10 contests, a lot of delegates at stake, but trying to create a new movement to raise funds to help other Democrats in elections around the country.

What do you make of that strategy? He'll be a formal presidential candidate, because he needs that platform?

JACKSON: Well, he does have a cause. And that has driven him. He has set the pace for the entire campaign.

He has raised money. More delegates will be his leverage. And so I can see him running until that time. It gives him more leverage. But if he is temperamentally fit for the transition -- and I think he is -- if Kerry wins tomorrow, it's a matter of when he will come in and under what conditions.

BLITZER: So the bottom line is, you think it's good for the party for Howard Dean to simply face reality and get out of race? Is that what I'm hearing?

JACKSON: Well, at the time he chooses.

The good news about Howard Dean is that he's expanding the base of the party. He's run a rather untraditional campaign. He's tapped into a new source of money and voters. And so they should be negotiated out and not, as it were, kicked out. You do not want people who are driven by a cause to be bruised and go on down the road even when their leader leaves.

And so it's a delicate transition, because Howard Dean does have power. He has a tremendous credibility now within the party. He has a source of money and a significant number of delegates.

BLITZER: I assume you'll support John Kerry if he becomes the Democratic nominee, is that right?

JACKSON: Of course I will and will want to -- right now, the Rainbow Coalition is meeting in Harvard here in Boston today. We intend to have an operation in the campaign mode in about 32 states. We're gearing that up now.

There's a lot of focus on voter registration and get out the vote and issue formation. We have the numbers and the need to win in 2004, a net loss of jobs in every state, an horrendous tax bill, people dying in Iraq every day, and a war that did not have to be. We have reason and motivation to fight back, and, indeed, we will. BLITZER: Reverend Jackson, what do you think Al Sharpton and Dennis Kucinich should do for the good of the Democratic Party?

JACKSON: Well, they'll have to make the determination for themselves. Both of them are driven by a cause. They have a point of view to make. And the point at which they decide to stay on, they have still avowed to support the nominee. And that's the good news.

And, again, if they leave, they should be negotiated out, respectfully, and not kicked out in some way that is humiliating.

BLITZER: Reverend Jackson, as usual, thanks very much for spending a few moments with us.

JACKSON: Thank you very much.

BLITZER: Let's update you now on that developing story we've been reporting. The U.S./Canadian border was closed for a short period today near the town of Blaine in Washington state, after Canadian officials found a grenade in a car. Canadian customs officials say the border was reopened about an hour after it was closed.

Officials say a single grenade was discovered in the glove compartment. They say the driver, a woman, was heading from Canada to Vancouver, Washington, when she was stopped.

We have on the phone Paula Shore with the Canadian border service agency.

Thanks so much for joining us. What can you tell our viewers right now about the status of the border? How much concern is there?

PAULA SHORE, CANADIAN BORDER GUARD AGENCY: Well, it was one grenade that was found in the glove compartment of this vehicle.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police explosives disposal unit has attended the port and removed the device. So it has been secure. And the port has now been reopened and we're pretty much back to business as usual.

BLITZER: Is there some sort of explanation why a hand grenade was in the glove compartment?

SHORE: Well, the RCMP are certainly investigating this. But I understand the female occupant of the car, her husband is a member of the military.

BLITZER: So there may be some sort of, I guess, normal reason or some sort of good reason, not necessarily a sinister reason, for that to have been there? Is that right?

SHORE: Yes. After speaking to my colleagues at the RCMP, yes, they are quite satisfied that this was just something that was a mistake.

BLITZER: How often has this happened, that you have actually shut down the border as a result of some sort of suspicious activity?

SHORE: Well, we don't take chances at the border. So, in my recent memory, a couple of months ago, I can remember us doing the same thing, when, again, we found something that just appeared to be suspicious.

And we do as a matter of routine. If we're not convinced that everyone is safe and secure, we will close down the border. We have the advantage out here in B.C. of having two border crossings that are very close to each other. So we can shut one down and divert traffic to the other. And it's not too much of an inconvenience for our travelers, but it allows us to certainly secure the situation and make sure that everyone's safe.

BLITZER: All's well that ends well, apparently.

Thank you very much, Paula Shore, for joining us, updating our viewers on that.

Star athlete. A postgame celebration turns tragic. And a high school basketball player is left fighting to walk again, an update on his courageous story.

Harmless humor or crass comedy, why late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien is stealing the headlines over in Canada.

And another shooting. The Ohio sniper strikes again. This time, someone saw him.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: It's a scene that happens all over the country throughout the year, fans rushing the court or field after a victory by their school team. But for one Arizona high school athlete, the victory celebration turned into a tragedy.

CNN's Jennifer Coggiola is here with this really horrible story -- Jennifer.

JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Horrible, indeed, Wolf.

Well, at a February 6 home basketball game -- this was in Tucson, Arizona -- an overzealous celebration went horribly wrong.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COGGIOLA (voice-over): A glory moment every high school basketball player dreams of, a last second slam-dunk and a big win for the team.

But, as 18-year-old Joe Kay ran off the court, an elated celebration turned tragic. The crowd of about 200 rushing the court to congratulate Kay trampled the high school senior, severely torquing his neck and severing his carotid artery. According to Joe's dad, Fred Kay, his son was helped off the court, but by the time he reached the locker room, couldn't talk or move the right half of his body. FRED KAY, FATHER OF JOE: One of the paramedics picked up his right arm and then let go and it just, just dropped.

COGGIOLA: Joe had suffered a stroke. At a news conference this past Saturday, Joe's parents updated reporters.

KAY: He doesn't have use of his right arm or his right leg, and his speech is limited. He can say some words and he can say some short sentences. And then he looks better every day, so we're very hopeful.

COGGIOLA: Hopeful, but recognize the severity of the injury.

KAY: Apparently, brain injuries are a type of injury that you just don't know what's going to happen next. And they keep telling us, because he's so young and he's so strong, that the prognosis will probably be good.

COGGIOLA: The 6'6'' senior, who is to attend Stanford University in the fall with a volleyball scholarship, honored at next home game.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I hope for the best for Joe.

COGGIOLA: For his parents, Joe's jersey framed, small gestures by players and fans, as the school rooted for the missing player.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Joe, get better. We all miss you and we need you back.

COGGIOLA: And, at the end of the night, the team honored Joe with an important gesture, a W., beating their opponent 68-55.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COGGIOLA: The school district is currently investigating what happened that night, and, in the meantime, told me they plan to talk to athletic directors, coaches and students about game conduct and security measures -- Wolf.

BLITZER: These authorities at all these stadiums, high school, college, professional, they have to learn to keep these fans off the court after a game like that.

COGGIOLA: Absolutely.

BLITZER: That's really a horrible, horrible story.

Thanks very much, Jennifer, for that story.

Canada takes on Conan O'Brien.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEXA MCDONOUGH, CANADIAN PARLIAMENT MEMBER: We don't invest public dollars in hate-mongering and vile kinds of entertainment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: What has the country's leaders so upset? We'll show you. that's coming up.

And the hip-hop group OutKast won several Grammys, so why is CBS apologizing over its performance on the awards show? We'll get to all of that.

First, though, some stories you may have missed this past weekend.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Another highway shooting near Columbus, Ohio, the 24th in a series that includes one fatal incident. But this time, there were witnesses who gave investigators a description of the shooter and his car.

Residents of some parts of Tennessee spent the weekend shoveling snow. Up to a foot fell in parts of the state. But Knoxville and Memphis saw only an inch, while Nashville saw nothing and Chattanooga had rain.

A storybook ending to the Daytona 500. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the race yesterday, following in the footsteps of his champion father. Dale Earnhardt Sr. won his one and only Daytona victory six years ago to the day, only to die in the last lap of the same race in 2001.

And West beat East in the NBA All-Star Game, with something extra for Lakers fans. Beside playing the game on the home court, Shaquille O'Neal was named MVP, while Kobe Bryant played the most minutes. Among the fans on hand, "The View" co-host Star Jones, whose boyfriend, Al Reynolds, used the occasion to propose on nationwide TV.

And that's our weekend snapshot.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Late-night TV host Conan O'Brien is persona non grata in Quebec right now, where some residents are outraged and insulted by one of his skits.

CNN's Brian Todd explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If you had a dollar for every time someone is insulted on late-night TV, well, you know the punchline.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN")

CONAN O'BRIEN, HOST: And that's Quebec.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: But for many French Canadians, this is over the line.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN")

TRIUMPH, THE INSULT COMIC DOG: Quebec is a great, great place -- for me to poop on.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: Thursday night, NBC's "late Night With Conan O'Brien," a well-known skit featuring the character Triumph the Insult Comic Dog visiting the Winter Carnival in Quebec City, living up to his name.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN")

TRIUMPH: You're in North America. Learn the language.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: It goes on and on.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN")

TRIUMPH: You're French and Canadian, yes? You're obnoxious and dumb.

(LAUGHTER)

TRIUMPH: I can tell you're French. You have that proud expression, that superior look, and I can smell your crotch from here.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: The audience in Toronto eats it up. But for many, the skit strikes raw nerves between French Canadians and the country's English-speaking majority, tensions that have existed for decades and included a 1995 Quebec referendum, which narrowly defeated a plan to separate from Canada.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O'BRIEN")

TRIUMPH: Are you separatists?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. Yes.

TRIUMPH: Listen closely. Hear that? It's the sound of nobody giving a (EXPLETIVE DELETED)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) (END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: "It's revolting," she says. "Why would anyone laugh at that?"

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it indicated that there is this sort of deep streak of mean-spiritedness.

TODD: The show was brought to Toronto for a week as part of a campaign to promote tourism following the SARS scare, sponsored by the Ottawa provincial and federal governments, paid for by Canadian taxpayers. Some Canadian lawmakers want the show to return the money.

MCDONOUGH: We don't invest public dollars in hate-mongering and vile kinds of entertainment.

TODD: The local company which produced the show in Toronto has edited out the scenes for its rebroadcast and apologized. Ottawa's premier is unapologetic.

DALTON MCGUINTY, ONTARIO PREMIER: Absolutely, it was a good idea. And I think it remains a good idea.

TODD (on camera): Do Conan O'Brien or NBC still think it's a good idea? Good question. We tried repeatedly to get comment from O'Brien and his publicist. They didn't get back to us. A spokeswoman for NBC wouldn't comment, except to say, there's not much more to say about it.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And more broadcast controversy leading to another apology from CBS. Some Native Americans were upset by the costumes worn during OutKast's performance of the Grammy-winning song "Hey Ya" on the Grammys eight days ago. They call the fringe, feathers and paint racist. Friday, CBS said it was sorry if anyone was offended.

The results of our "Web Question of the Day," that's coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Here's how you're weighing in our "Web Question of the Day." Remember, this is not a scientific poll.

"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.

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