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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Will Nader Run Again?; A Tough Few Months for the White House

Aired February 20, 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): The spoiler. Democrats are on a roll. But will their worst fears come true again?

TERRY MCAULIFFE, DNC CHAIRMAN: We can't afford to have Ralph Nader in the race.

BLITZER: White House woes -- from jobs to Iraq. Another embarrassing election year reversal.

Getting out -- as Haitian police flee their posts, Americans flee Haiti.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We decided that it would be best to go home right now.

BLITZER: No more "Sex."

SARAH JESSICA PARKER, ACTRESS: We have to show them a good time, it's our patriotic duty.

BLITZER: TV's hottest show is about to come to an end. Are there some final surprises in the city?

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Friday, February 20, 2004.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Caution flags are up in the presidential race today. President Bush suffered another policy setback, the White House conceded its transition plan for Iraq will now have to go back to the drawing board, canceling the caucuses it had hoped would lead to an interim government.

And Democrats fear the specter of a spoiler, specifically Ralph Nader, the man who may have put George Bush in the White House last time around is weighing another run himself.

His third-party run thwarted the Democrats four years ago and if this year's race is as close as everyone expects, Ralph Nader could again play the role of spoiler.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please welcome Ralph Nader!

BLITZER (voice-over): Democrats are nervously awaiting word from Ralph Nader who now says he will announce Sunday whether he'll run as an Independent third-party candidate for president.

We can't afford to have Ralph Nader in the race. This is about the future of our country...

BLITZER: For the Democrats, the stakes couldn't be higher. Despite Nader's offstated denials by almost all other accounts, Al Gore would be president of the United States right now if it weren't for Nader. Overall, he captured about 3 percent of the popular vote, but you have to look closer to fully appreciate what happened. Take a look at the math. In Florida alone, which Bush won by a mere 537 votes, Nader captured nearly 100,000 votes, most from people generally seen as much more likely to have voted for a Democrat had he not run. In New Hampshire, which Bush won by more than 7,000 votes, Nader captured some 22,000 votes. Had either of those states gone to Gore, the former vice president would be president right now.

MCAULIFFE: Well, I had talked to Ralph Nader several times myself, I went to lunch with Ralph Nader, spent several hours with Ralph Nader.

SCHNEIDER: Four years ago, Nader runs at Green Party candidate. He says he won't do so this time because that party won't nominate a candidate until June, and he says that's too late in the process to be effective.

RALPH NADER, CONSUMER ADVOCATE: If I do run, it will be as an Independent. One out of every three Americans calls themselves Independent, we want to give them the kind of candidacy, if I announce it, that will resonate there.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: So should Democrats be nervous? Can Ralph Nader do it again? Joining us from Mountainview, California, our political analyst, Carlos Watson. How nervous should they be, Carlos?

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: They should be very nervous. As you recall, the 3 percent that he won in 2000 wasn't only significant because of Florida and New Hampshire, but remember there are several states, Wolf, going into 2004, where Democrats hope to compete, states like Missouri, states like Arizona, states like Nevada, if you'd added Al Gore's vote and Ralph Nader's vote together last time, those would have been races that would have been decided by 2 percent. His involvement could be critical here in terms of the ultimate outcome, if he makes it to the general election.

BLITZER: The fact he won't be running as the Green Party candidate but would be running as an Independent if, in fact, he decides to run. What does that say to you?

WATSON: It says he wants to have an impact, not necessarily on the vote but the debate. He wants to raise issues like universal health care, like a higher minimum wage, like corporate construction and he thinks that if he waits until June, it may be too late to do it. Part of what's significant is that several months ago, Terry McAuliffe, the chair of the DNC and Senator Barbara Boxer of California sat down and had one of the lunches with Ralph Nader, and what Ralph Nader told them at the time was, look, you want me involved early. You want me to take hard shots at George Bush, and ultimately voters aren't going to vote for me. They did that last time. They're not going to take the risk again, I can only help you. We'll see whether or not that's true.

BLITZER: The fact that he's going to make his announcement Sunday on Tim Russert's "Meet the Press," and that he's already scheduled interviews Monday including with Judy Woodruff on "INSIDE POLITICS." That seems to suggest to me that his decision looks like he could be throwing his hat into the ring?

WATSON: : It looks like that indeed. Looks like a big hit. He's got a significant new tool to use that was introduced by a guy who exited the stage, Howard Dean. Remember, Howard Dean has shown with the Internet you cannot only organize voters but raise significant amounts of money in order to compete. Now when Howard Dean exited the stage, maybe the most important thing he said is not only am I not going to run as a third-party candidate, but I discourage anyone on the left from doing that, and, of course, Ralph Nader arguably is going to step into the vacuum and do the opposite what Howard Dean suggested.

BLITZER: Carlos Watson, our political analyst, Carlos, thank you very much for that.

Already jolted by an election year jobs prediction that didn't pan out, President Bush is now buffeted by another reversal on Iraq. The White House conceded today its transition plan there needs a lot of work. Let's go live to White House correspondent Kathleen Koch -- Kathleen?

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the White House basically today acknowledged what had become apparent for weeks that the caucus plan that it was supporting to help choose a new leadership, a new government in Iraq had failed the resistance on the part of the meeting cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and his followers had been growing for weeks. There have been protests in the streets He and his followers insisting they would accept nothing less than direct elections. The White House today then was forced to admit that their caucus plan, seen as many in Iraq as simply too foreign, not representative enough, that this plan had little appeal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY; I think that there's wide recognition that the caucus plan is something that has not received much support, and so there are a lot of ideas being suggested and discussed, and we will continue to work with leaders in Iraq on those ideas.

(END VIDEO CLIP) KOCH: Those ideas are coming first and foremost from the United Nations, the U.N., which on Thursday, agreed with the U.S. that direct elections are not possible in Iraq before the June 30 deadline's to turn over to power there. Though, the White House will not admit that the U.N. is taking the lead, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the next step is the U.N. will put out recommendations and the U.S. will look at them, discuss them with the Iraqis leader, lots of recommendations that have to satisfy a lot of stakeholders, back to you.

BLITZER: Kathleen Koch at the White House, thank you very much.

Now a move that could seriously impact America's war on terror. It comes at the hands of the United States Supreme Court justices. Our justice correspondent Kelli Arena is covering this story for us and joins us live.

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: It's been nearly two years since the president designated Jose Padilla as an enemy combatant? Now his fate will be decided by the nation's highest court.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ARENA (voice-over): Despite being a U.S. citizen Jose Padilla has been held indefinitely in a naval brig in South Carolina. He's never been charged and hasn't seen a lawyer.

Now the Supreme Court will decide whether the president can take away such constitutional rights during wartime, calling into question the key powers, the Bush administration says it needs to fight terrorism.

DONNA NEWMAN, PADILLA'S ATTORNEY: I am confident that they will likewise find the president does not have the authority he now claims is unbridled authority he claims he has.

ARENA: Padilla, designated an enemy combatant was initially picked up at Chicago's O'Hare Airport. He is accused of setting to plot a radio active dirty bomb inside the United States. The government says he, quote, "represents a grave danger to the national security."

NEWMAN: And whether military detention is to deprive the enemy of combatants that will go back and fight against our soldiers and fight with the enemy. And whether they're here or whether they are abroad, the war powers and international law command that those individuals who are attacking us can be detained.

ARENA: Just last month as it became clear that the Supreme Court would get involved. The Pentagon said it would allow Padilla to see his lawyers.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ARENA: Padilla's lawyers expect that within two weeks that the government will monitor the meeting, and certain topics are off-limits -- Wolf.

BLITZER: This story continuing. Thank you very much, Kelli Arena, for that.

Americans are fleeing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have to wait here. And we decided it's best to go home right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: A Caribbean country on edge. Now how the fear is spreading to Florida. We'll go live to Haiti and Miami.

A developing story happening this hour. A critical hearing that could reverse or strengthen gay marriage.

Plus this...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I mean it's so New York. I mean it makes me laugh and makes me cry. I mean It's amazing

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: And what's next for the girls of "Sex and the City?" I'll ask the show's creator Darren Star as the final episode of this six-year phenomenon approaches Sunday night.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: The city of San Francisco in court right now, asking a judge to declare California's ban on gay marriages unconstitutional. It's the latest maneuver in a fast moving culture battle that began last week when the city began issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. CNN's Rusty Dornin is outside the courthouse in San Francisco and is joining us now live -- Rusty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, actually the issues that are going to be -- are being discussed right now. One of them was postponed from a court hearing this morning. That's involving the city's request to consolidate two lawsuits against San Francisco that were filed by conservative groups that of course asking for the city to stop the issuance of marriage licenses.

Now, if the judge decides to consolidate those losses city officials believe he will postpone arguments on this, on the issue, until another time. I just spoke to city attorney Dennis Herrera, he believes the judge will consolidate it. But there is the possibility he could issue a temporary restraining order on the marriages in the mean time. But city officials say that will be very detrimental.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) THERESE STEWART, DEPUTY S.F. CITY ATTORNEY: Ultimately it will not have an impact whether or not we get a decision, but obviously it will affect human beings in a very real way, the people who've waiting across the street, standing in line all night in the rain to get married after that ruling would be stopped until the court decides.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORNIN: Earlier today, there were protesters inside city hall who staged a sitdown protest chanting at the same-sex couples. They were pushed out by the police department, out on the steps.

It's been really fluctuating between kind of a party atmosphere and things being tense. Right now you're seeing some folks who were brandishing a Nazi flag a little earlier and that got things a little be tense.

So, Wolf, we're just waiting to hear the what time the decision, whether things are going to be in limbo or whether a decision is going to be made.

BLITZER: Rusty Dornin. And we'll get back to you as soon as that decision has been made. We'll bring it to our viewers. Thank you, Rusty, very much.

San Francisco, by the way, isn't the only place where gay couples are getting marriage licenses today. One county in New Mexico began handing them out after the clerk concluded there is no law against it.

State law in New Mexico defines marriage as a civil contract between contracting parties, and does not mention gender. But so far no other counties have followed suit.

In Illinois, yesterday, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley said he has no problem with same-sex marriages. Daley, however, has no control over marriage licenses and Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich says it is prohibited by state law.

Suspended University of Colorado football coach Gary Barnett expects to be reinstated despite controversy over his football program also and over his own remarks about kicker Katie Hnida. CNN's Adrian Baschuk is joining us now live from Boulder with more -- Adrian.

ADRIAN BASCHUK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, good afternoon. Head coach Gary Barnett's paid administrative leave takes effect today and a new interim head coach will be appointed in his absence. So let's retrace Gary Barnett's steps throughout this scandal.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BASCHUK (voice-over): Gary Barnett coached prestigious Northwest University to the 1997 Rose Bowl. In '99 he arrived at the University of Colorado with high expectations, earning $1.6 million per year.

But last December, three female students filed federal civil lawsuit against the university, claiming they were raped by CU players and that the program encourages the use of sex and alcohol as recruiting tools.

The coach's fiery response...

GARY BARNETT, CU HEAD FOOTBALL COACH: My wife and my family are offended, those people who have worked with me and know me at any level and all levels are offended. And I am offended and hurt.

BASCHUK: The story made national headlines. And Tuesday, Katie Hnida a kicker with the Buffaloes in 1999 accused a former teammate of rape during her time in Colorado.

One reporter questioned Barnett on Hnida's ability.

QUESTION: Coach, just to clarify, you said most of your players did not want Katie on the team. and why was that?

BARNETT: Just new, different. you know it's just -- you know, it's a guys sport. And they felt like Katie was forced on her -- on them.

QUESTION: Did they question her ability?

BARNETT: Well, it was obvious Katie was not very good, she was awful. OK? And so -- you know what, guys -- do they respect your ability? I mean you can be 90 years old, but if you can go out News; Domestic play, they respect you.

Well Katie was -- Katie was a girl. Not only was she a girl, she was terrible. OK? And there's no other way to say it. She couldn't kick the ball through the uprights.

BASCHUK: The coach was placed on paid administrative leave. Last night he spoke to CNN's "LARRY KING LIVE" exclusively to restate his claims of innocence.

BARNETT: We've had numerous exercises and programs to enhance and improve and teach character. You know, right now in this culture that we're in, we get kids that come to us that have already been exposed to a wilder side of life than you and I ever saw.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BASCHUK: Today U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell came out to say that if CU and the NCAA does not clean up the recruiting process in six months to a year that Congress will be forced to take action -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Adrian Baschuk covering the story for us. Thanks, Adrian, very much.

The government rested its case today in the Martha Stewart trial. Earlier a critical witness for the prosecution backed off a bit from her damaging testimony when questioned by the defense. Stewart's lawyers are also asking that a charge of securities fraud be dismissed. The judge will rule on the motion Monday.

A child's worst fear.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was screaming like hysterically. I didn't know what to do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: A mother killed in combat -- or was she? A story that forced police in this country to take action.

Horror in Haiti. Could Florida feel the ripple effect?

And Democrats worry. Will Ralph Nader enter the presidential race? I'll ask Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein if the former Green Party candidate could spoil her party's chances at the White House -- again.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Turning now to the bloody revolt in Haiti. Americans start heading out of country as the U.S. and its allies try to head off a major disaster. Let's go live to CNN's Lucia Newman. She's in Port-Au-Prince -- Lucia.

LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Wolf. Indeed, this morning, the airport here in Port-Au-Prince was full of Americans trying to leave this country, heeding the warning by the State Department to get out of Haiti while they still can.

Let's listen to what some of them had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We had to wait here and we decided that it's best to go home right now because it looks like things aren't be going to be solved for a while.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Our organization has told us that it's safe -- it's safer for us and not to be here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWMAN: In the meantime, the relative calm that we have seen here in Port-Au-Prince was broken just a couple hours ago, Wolf. A group of students went to march towards downtown, calling for President Aristide to resign. They were attacked by pro-Aristide gangs armed with guns, machetes and rocks. In some cases even (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

According to the Red Cross, at least ten students were injured with gun wounds. And at least one Mexican camera man was hit with a machete.

In the meantime, the Pentagon assessment team that was being sent here to assess the security situation at the embassy and for American citizens in general here has arrived in Port-Au-Prince -- Wolf.

BLITZER: CNN's Lucia Newman in Port-Au-Prince where it's obviously very windy on that mountain from which she's reporting.

Haitians in this country have their eyes on the conflict in the Caribbean. And they don't all see it the same way. Let's go live to CNN's John Zarrella. He's in Miami -- John.

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN MIAMI BUREAU CHIEF: Wolf, there's been so much turmoil in Haiti since the fall of "Baby Doc" Duvalier back in 1986, that Haitians here in Miami don't want see another coup. But still they're fairly divided on whether Haiti's President Jean- Bertrand Aristide should stay or go.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ZARRELLA (voice-over): On the streets of Miami's so-called "Little Haiti" neighborhood, dozens gather to demonstrate their dislike for Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We want a change for Haiti right now. Everything is going wrong, Aristide has to go, we need a change.

ZARRELLA: Not far away, another gathering. This one in support of Haiti's president.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Democracy is flourishing slowly but surely and maybe.

ZARRELLA: Haitians living in the United States are divide over what's best for their island nation. A just released survey found 52 percent of the 600 U.S. Haitians polled want Aristide to finish out his term, 35 percent think he should resign, and 13 percent are not sure.

There is one thing everyone agrees they don't want to see, images like these. Sailboats overloaded with Haitians fleeing their country.

CAPT. WAYNE JUSTICE, U.S. COAST GUARD: If you open a dictionary, this would probably be the picture of a grossly overloaded boat in the dictionary.

ZARRELLA: U.S. Coast Guard officials say there is no indication of a mass exodus. But they warn even one overloaded boat can end in disaster.

This video shot through a night vision device shows an overloaded boat capsizing in May 2002. Thirteen of the 86 Haitians aboard drowned before the Coast Guard could get to them.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ZARRELLA: There is growing concern here in Miami that if the crisis in Haiti is not resolved soon, there will be a mass exodus. Today Miami's Community Relations Board sent a note to President Bush and the Bush administration asking that the repatriation of Haitians fleeing the island be halted until the current turmoil in Haiti ends -- Wolf.

BLITZER: John Zarrella, thanks very much. That video was really shocking.

And here's your chance to weigh in on this important story. Our "Web Question of the Day" is this -- should the United States get more involved in Haiti? You can vote right now. Go to cnn.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast.

Will Ralph Nader throw his hat into the race? For the Democrats, the stakes couldn't be higher. I'll speak live with Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Bird flu. The deadly Asian virus appears to be spreading to other species, one closer to home.

Plus this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KRISTIN DAVIS, ACTRESS: How about pomegranate patchouli?

PARKER: No, you need something classic called perfection.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: End of an era. It's one of the biggest hits ever. Now it's coming to an end, looking at the success and the influence of HBO's "Sex and the City." I'll speak with its creator Darren Star.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: A potential political bombshell tops our campaign headlines today. Will Ralph Nader join the presidential race? We'll all find out on Sunday. That's when Nader will announce whether he'll run again. He was the Green Party's candidate in 2000.

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards is pressing for more debates right now. He wrote to Senator John Kerry today, asking him to debate in New York, Ohio, and other locations. Edwards spent the day in Georgia and Maryland, and is meeting with voters in New York next hour. He has his work cut out for him in that state. A new Marist poll shows John Kerry leads Edwards 66 percent to 14 percent among Democrats likely to vote in New York's primary, which is on March 2.

And the Secret Service has begun providing protection to John Kerry. To qualify, a candidate must be actively campaigning on a national basis. He or she must have a prominent position in national media polls and must have received at least 10 percent of the vote in two consecutive primaries or caucuses.

Of all the Super Tuesday primaries coming up March 2, the biggest, of course, is California. Dianne Feinstein is the senior U.S. senator from California. She's joining us now live from our San Francisco bureau. Thanks very much, Senator, for joining us.

Let me read to you a statement the Democratic Committee, the national committee, has just put out on the possibility that this Sunday Ralph Nader will announce he's going to seek the presidency once again: "It would be a shame if what Americans remember after a lifetime fighting for working families is the fact that he did not fight on the side of the Democratic Party and its nominee when all of those issues he and us hold dear were at risk. We would hope that he does not run and have conveyed that message to him."

How big of a setback for the Democratic nominee would it be if Nader runs again?

SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D), CALIFORNIA: I think the role at this point that he plays is a similar role to what he played last time. And that's a spoiler.

I hate to say, but this primary, everybody in America knows it has been going on now for a substantial period of time. And the candidates have been subject to scrutiny, to debate, to campaigning in a multitude of states. John Kerry has won 15 states. He's well on his way to the required number of delegate votes. And to have somebody jump into it right now that can only command a small proportion of votes clearly indicates that he's willing to play that role. And I'm very sorry to see it.

BLITZER: If you could say something to him right now, what would you say to him?

FEINSTEIN: I would say, for most of us -- well, I can only speak for the Democratic Party, and sometimes not even that.

But I would say, look, for the first time we've come together and we are coming together. And we know what our values are. We're ready to go. We believe we have an opportunity to win this race. Democrats are united as never before. I see this in California. I've just been in San Diego, Los Angeles. I'm in San Francisco today.

And don't do it. Just -- you ruin it. You may take away a key percentage of votes, but no more than that.

BLITZER: What about California, March 2. That's the biggest prize, as all of us knows. You're supporting Senator Kerry, how much is Senator Edwards moving up? It doesn't look like he's going to campaign aggressively in California.

FEINSTEIN: Well, I think John Kerry can win the state. I think Californians have been watching these primaries very carefully. They've gotten very good play on all of the media.

And I think, when he comes here -- he's been here several times. He's met with a number of people. I was just speaking with the mayor of San Jose, who said, a year ago, John Kerry came into see him and about issues San Jose was facing, Silicon Valley was facing. And so I think he's in a very good position. Now, having said that, this is an expensive state to run in. Trust me. And therefore, he's got to raise money for a substantial media campaign. He has paved the road, I think there is a good coalition of support for him. I met in Los Angeles yesterday with African-American mayors, African-American members of the City Council, other leaders. They were solidly for him. So, you know, I think there's a very good base of support.

BLITZER: All right.

Senator, you're a former mayor of San Francisco. A lot of interest right now in what's happening, Mayor Gavin Newsom allowing these gay marriages to go forward. What is your reaction, what is your take on what's happening in San Francisco right now?

FEINSTEIN: Well, I'll tell what you my take is. I don't think the mayor has the right to stand up and say, we are going to defy this law.

I think the proper way to go is say, we'd like -- we're going to challenge the law, we're going to court to challenge the law. A mayor doesn't decide the constitutionality of any issue. I was mayor for nine years. I know that. The courts decide. And that's the proper place for this. Additionally, it adds a complicating factor.

There is a constitutional amendment floating about. I've had an opportunity to read it quickly. It clearly says that marriage is reserved for man and a woman. But my reading of it is that it also would wipe out civil unions as well. What this does is provide the basis for the conservative movement to come together for a constitutional amendment.

BLITZER: All right.

FEINSTEIN: And our position always has been in opposing that amendment, leave it to the states. The states have traditionally determined this kind of law. The states are equipped to do it. And that's the way it should be.

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: I was going it say that's a well thought-out position as usual from Senator Feinstein. Thanks very much for joining us.

FEINSTEIN: You're very welcome.

BLITZER: A not so funny hoax. A man fabricates his soldier wife's death in Iraq. Now the joke is on him.

Series send-off. After six years, one of television's biggest hits ever nears an end. Up next, I'll speak with the creator of "Sex and the City," Darren Star. We'll get to all of that.

First, though, a quick look at some other news making headlines around the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Extended elections. The Iranian government ordered polling places to extend voting hours today, so more people could cast ballots in parliamentary elections. Some reformists had called for a boycott after Islamic clerics disqualified 2,400 candidates.

Japan alert. Japan's national police agency has beefed up patrols around government facilities. Officials say there's no specific threat. They say it's just a precaution now that Japan has troops in Iraq.

Nuclear middle man. Investigators say they've identified a businessman who helped sell nuclear centrifuge parts to Iran. Malaysian police say BSA Tahir worked with Pakistani scientist A.Q. Khan, who recently admitted leaking nuclear technology.

Cold War encore? A Russian general claims his country is developing new ballistic missile technology that can maneuver around any anti-missile system. Observers say that kind of technology would be an obvious attempt to counter plans for a missile shield over the United States.

Birds to cats. Asian bird flu may be spreading to another species. Reports say it appears to have killed at least two house cats in Thailand. The virus has infected birds in 10 Asian nations and also has killed at least 22 humans.

And that's our look around the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: A Connecticut family recently got the terrible news about one soldier. Her children suffered true grief, only to find out later that the story was a lie.

Here's CNN's Brian Todd.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For so many American families, the heartbreak of losing a loved one in Iraq is overwhelming enough. Imagine how Betsy Valentin's family felt earlier this month, told that Betsy, with a U.S. Army maintenance division in Iraq, had died in an explosion, told by her husband.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I went crazy. I went berserk.

TODD: He also told their three children.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Screaming like hysterically. I didn't know what on do.

TODD: The family later finds it's a hoax. Betsy Valentin's very much alive and on her way back home to reassure her family. Who could have been so cruel?

Edward Valentin first claimed a U.S. military official called him on his cell phone to tell him the news.

EDWARD VALENTIN JR., HUSBAND OF BETSY VALENTIN: They knew a lot of information about my wife, so it could have came from the Pentagon. Who knows? They spoke to me professional, military-like, you know?

TODD: That raised the suspicions of Waterbury police.

NEIL O'LEARY, WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, POLICE CHIEF: We've learned clearly that the protocol is that they will -- the military will not call. They'll come to your house and they will deliver the message firsthand.

TODD: From that suspicion to this image earlier this week.

O'LEARY: We discovered that, in fact, the hoax call was actually all made up by Mr. Valentin.

TODD: Edward Valentin now facing four different charges, the most serious, falsely reporting to police an accident concerning serious injury or death. Waterbury police tell CNN, when they confronted Valentin, he initially told them he made it all up to get enough public sympathy that the military might bring his wife home early. But police say they were first alerted to this case by another woman.

O'LEARY: The other motive is, is that it seems as though, and we're developing information that he, in fact, might have been pursuing another relationship.

TODD: Not surprising to Betsy Valentin's sister.

MARY ANNE ECHEVERIA, SISTER OF BETSY VALENTIN: He's been running around with all sorts of women at this time.

TODD: We tried unsuccessfully to reach Edward Valentin. The state's attorney has not heard from anyone representing Valentin. And the public defender's office tells us he's not been assigned a lawyer.

The one person coming to Edward Valentin's defense, his father, who bailed him out of jail.

EDWARD VALENTIN SR., DEFENDANT'S FATHER: I really am shocked with this, because I know him. I don't know why -- if he would have been in his right mind, he would have never done this.

TODD: As for Betsy Valentin, she arrived home from Iraq Thursday night. We're told she's with her kids until she has to go back to Iraq. Police say Edward Valentin still has custody of their children.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Pretty sad story there, indeed. Thank you very much, Brian.

It's the end of an affair. What's next for "Sex and the City"? I'll speak with the show's creator, Darren Star.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: One of the most talked about series in television history will fade to black for the last time this weekend. The final episode of HBO's "Sex and the City" airs Sunday night.

CNN's Jennifer Coggiola is joining us now live with more on this groundbreaking show -- Jennifer.

JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, it was six years ago the world met these four young women who turned Sunday nights into a "Don't call me, I'm watching 'Sex and the City'" kind of night.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COGGIOLA (voice-over): You knew their names, their loves. You even knew their drinks. But who could have imagined the influence HBO's "Sex and the City" could have had on everything they touched? The women served as perhaps New York City's most fashionable P.R. agents ever.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "SEX AND THE CITY")

SARAH JESSICA PARKER, ACTRESS: Friday night at Chaos.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COGGIOLA: Promoting the glitz of Manhattan, even aspiring a tour of hot spots the girls frequented. As TV's very own fashion runway, the women's adventurous ensembles played their own role, from the Manolo Blahniks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "SEX AND THE CITY")

PARKER: Please, sir, they're my favorite pair.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COGGIOLA: To a necklace with sentimental value. "In Style" magazine's fashion director told us "Sex and the City" has had an enormous impact on the world of fashion and showed American women a new hip way of putting themselves together. That fashion now on eBay, an online auction for charity.

But aside from the Jimmy Choos and Diors, the show tackled a variety of life issues, everything from infidelity.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "SEX AND THE CITY")

PARKER: I'm having an affair with Big.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COGGIOLA: To impotence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "SEX AND THE CITY")

KRISTIN DAVIS, ACTRESS: My husband can't be impotent. He's gorgeous.

COGGIOLA: From marriage to divorce, from Botox to AIDS.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "SEX AND THE CITY")

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Have you had an HIV test before?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COGGIOLA: And in the end, breast cancer. The series, which walked away with four Emmys and eight Golden Globes, perhaps had its biggest impact on its viewers, like these real New Yorkers.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's my Sunday night event with my boyfriend. We watch it together.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's my favorite show.

COGGIOLA (on camera): It is? Why?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's so well written. It's so New York.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, "Sex and the City," it spices up our sex life.

COGGIOLA (voice-over): But the big question, how it will end?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want Carrie to be with Big.

COGGIOLA (on camera): Why?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because I like him better than the Russian. No offense to my Russian friends.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Carrie with Big. I like Big.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's going to be like a surprise ending.

COGGIOLA (voice-over): No surprise, though, it will be missed by many.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's sad. It's like losing one of your best friends.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COGGIOLA: Well, don't pull out the Kleenex yet. Although Sunday is the last episode, one Hollywood trade magazine is reporting that the show's writer and executive producer have movie plans in the works -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Thanks very much, Jennifer, for that.

The writer, the creator of the show, Darren Star, is also quoted as once having said, the idea was to do a small, under-the-radar show for HBO. Well, it quite hasn't worked out like that.

I spoke earlier today with Darren Star.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Darren Star, thanks so much for joining us. Congratulations. We're all looking forward to this final episode or, shall I say, we're all sad that there's going to be a final episode. Why stop now?

DARREN STAR, CREATOR, "SEX AND THE CITY": Well, I think the attitude was, let's leave while the party is still happening, and, I think it's been a long -- it's been a great ride, six seasons.

And I sort of say -- everybody thought that, you know, it was -- it was a good time just to say goodbye. And the characters had reached a point in their lives when there were -- the stories that were told felt like -- not that they were coming to an end, but they were coming to a nice resolution.

BLITZER: Did the writers sort of come up dry and say, what else can we do that we haven't done yet? Because you've done so many remarkable things during these years.

STAR: You know what? I think there are always -- with characters that are this rich, there are always stories to tell. I think that everybody felt that creatively we had sustained such a great run and that we would just quit while we were ahead.

BLITZER: It was on HBO. It was on cable. But there is no doubt that you were at the cutting edge of certain trends. What was perhaps, looking back, the one or two most sensitive things that you wanted to get on that show that really broke new ground?

STAR: You know, I think that what really broke new ground in this show was the attitude about -- the attitudes that we sort of presented about women and their sexuality and the idea that, you know, women were sort of these independent, sexual creatures that just weren't necessarily looking to get married and settle down.

And while that's not necessarily a revolutionary statement, it wasn't one that had been presented in sort of such a frank and outrageous kind of way.

BLITZER: There's no doubt that this could never have been done on broadcast networks, the kinds of statements, the kinds of things that we saw on HBO. Did you get complete authority from HBO to do what you really wanted to do? Did they ever say to you, you know, Darren, this is going too far? STAR: You know, there might have been one episode with Charlotte and a golden retriever. But then I think they thought, well, maybe that's sort of like going past the boundaries of good taste. But then I think they sort of like got into that on "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

But I think we really did what we wanted, and we had carte blanche to do what we wanted. And I think that our own sense of good or bad taste guided us. And I think part of the fun of doing the show was sometimes it was in comic bad taste. And we had the freedom to do that as well. And I know there were situations in the show that were shocking and they were meant to be shocking, but that even the characters on the show reacted to in a way that, in fact, they were shocked.

So I think that was part of the impetus for myself for creating "Sex and the City," was to do a show about sex from a female point of view, where we could do sort an adult show and laugh at sex and have fun with the idea of sex and relationships and not take it too seriously and basically do an R-rated comedy that you couldn't do on network television.

BLITZER: Are there four women sort of that you patterned these four women on? And we all know that there is a Carrie out there presumably that you patterned Carrie on. What about the three others?

STAR: I think there were more archetypes of women and what women are looking for. I think Charlotte was sort of more of this sort of romantic idealist. Miranda was more the sort of the workaholic who really didn't need men and focused on work to, you know, maybe the detriment of her personal life.

And Samantha was sort of the sexual adventurist who treated men the way men treat women. So, in a sense, there were all these archetypes of ways that women present themselves and way that women think of themselves. But I think, as the show continued, a lot of those archetypes or those ideas of even who these characters were got turned on their heads.

BLITZER: One final question, Darren. Will there be a movie?

STAR: I don't know. It's an interesting thought. I think that it's something that now that everyone is ready to say goodbye, I think everyone is sort of wondering like, should we say goodbye?

For me, it's -- I really created this show. The reason I brought the show to HBO was because I thought we could do a movie every week on HBO, and that was sort of the sensibility behind the show. So my feeling is that what's been done is pretty well self-contained and we've done something wonderful. If a movie comes in the future, you know, that could be great.

I think we would have to creatively have a great reason to do it that goes beyond what we could actually do on television. And on HBO, the wonderful thing was, we could do everything.

BLITZER: Darren Star, congratulations. You did one great work. STAR: Thank you. Thanks, Wolf.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: The final episode of "Sex and the City" airs this Sunday, 9:00 p.m. Eastern on HBO, which is also part of CNN's parent company, Time Warner.

You might think it's been raining cats and dogs in Phoenix, Arizona. Why else would there be dogs in this storm drain? That's our picture of the day and it's just ahead, as is the result 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": Should the United States get more involved in Haiti? Look at this: 25 percent say yes; 75 percent say no. This is not a scientific poll.

Our picture of the day takes us to Phoenix, Arizona, where two dogs somehow found themselves peering out at the city from this storm drain. There's no telling how they got in, but getting them out wasn't easy. After many tries, rescuers finally saved the wet, muddy pooches from their predicament and took them to the Humane Society. If no one claims them, they'll be put up for adoption.

A reminder, we're here weekdays 5:00 p.m. Eastern, also on noon Eastern. Join me this Sunday for "LATE EDITION," the last word in Sunday talk. Among my guests, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Until then, thanks very much for watching.

"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





House>


Aired February 20, 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): The spoiler. Democrats are on a roll. But will their worst fears come true again?

TERRY MCAULIFFE, DNC CHAIRMAN: We can't afford to have Ralph Nader in the race.

BLITZER: White House woes -- from jobs to Iraq. Another embarrassing election year reversal.

Getting out -- as Haitian police flee their posts, Americans flee Haiti.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We decided that it would be best to go home right now.

BLITZER: No more "Sex."

SARAH JESSICA PARKER, ACTRESS: We have to show them a good time, it's our patriotic duty.

BLITZER: TV's hottest show is about to come to an end. Are there some final surprises in the city?

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Friday, February 20, 2004.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Caution flags are up in the presidential race today. President Bush suffered another policy setback, the White House conceded its transition plan for Iraq will now have to go back to the drawing board, canceling the caucuses it had hoped would lead to an interim government.

And Democrats fear the specter of a spoiler, specifically Ralph Nader, the man who may have put George Bush in the White House last time around is weighing another run himself.

His third-party run thwarted the Democrats four years ago and if this year's race is as close as everyone expects, Ralph Nader could again play the role of spoiler.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please welcome Ralph Nader!

BLITZER (voice-over): Democrats are nervously awaiting word from Ralph Nader who now says he will announce Sunday whether he'll run as an Independent third-party candidate for president.

We can't afford to have Ralph Nader in the race. This is about the future of our country...

BLITZER: For the Democrats, the stakes couldn't be higher. Despite Nader's offstated denials by almost all other accounts, Al Gore would be president of the United States right now if it weren't for Nader. Overall, he captured about 3 percent of the popular vote, but you have to look closer to fully appreciate what happened. Take a look at the math. In Florida alone, which Bush won by a mere 537 votes, Nader captured nearly 100,000 votes, most from people generally seen as much more likely to have voted for a Democrat had he not run. In New Hampshire, which Bush won by more than 7,000 votes, Nader captured some 22,000 votes. Had either of those states gone to Gore, the former vice president would be president right now.

MCAULIFFE: Well, I had talked to Ralph Nader several times myself, I went to lunch with Ralph Nader, spent several hours with Ralph Nader.

SCHNEIDER: Four years ago, Nader runs at Green Party candidate. He says he won't do so this time because that party won't nominate a candidate until June, and he says that's too late in the process to be effective.

RALPH NADER, CONSUMER ADVOCATE: If I do run, it will be as an Independent. One out of every three Americans calls themselves Independent, we want to give them the kind of candidacy, if I announce it, that will resonate there.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: So should Democrats be nervous? Can Ralph Nader do it again? Joining us from Mountainview, California, our political analyst, Carlos Watson. How nervous should they be, Carlos?

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: They should be very nervous. As you recall, the 3 percent that he won in 2000 wasn't only significant because of Florida and New Hampshire, but remember there are several states, Wolf, going into 2004, where Democrats hope to compete, states like Missouri, states like Arizona, states like Nevada, if you'd added Al Gore's vote and Ralph Nader's vote together last time, those would have been races that would have been decided by 2 percent. His involvement could be critical here in terms of the ultimate outcome, if he makes it to the general election.

BLITZER: The fact he won't be running as the Green Party candidate but would be running as an Independent if, in fact, he decides to run. What does that say to you?

WATSON: It says he wants to have an impact, not necessarily on the vote but the debate. He wants to raise issues like universal health care, like a higher minimum wage, like corporate construction and he thinks that if he waits until June, it may be too late to do it. Part of what's significant is that several months ago, Terry McAuliffe, the chair of the DNC and Senator Barbara Boxer of California sat down and had one of the lunches with Ralph Nader, and what Ralph Nader told them at the time was, look, you want me involved early. You want me to take hard shots at George Bush, and ultimately voters aren't going to vote for me. They did that last time. They're not going to take the risk again, I can only help you. We'll see whether or not that's true.

BLITZER: The fact that he's going to make his announcement Sunday on Tim Russert's "Meet the Press," and that he's already scheduled interviews Monday including with Judy Woodruff on "INSIDE POLITICS." That seems to suggest to me that his decision looks like he could be throwing his hat into the ring?

WATSON: : It looks like that indeed. Looks like a big hit. He's got a significant new tool to use that was introduced by a guy who exited the stage, Howard Dean. Remember, Howard Dean has shown with the Internet you cannot only organize voters but raise significant amounts of money in order to compete. Now when Howard Dean exited the stage, maybe the most important thing he said is not only am I not going to run as a third-party candidate, but I discourage anyone on the left from doing that, and, of course, Ralph Nader arguably is going to step into the vacuum and do the opposite what Howard Dean suggested.

BLITZER: Carlos Watson, our political analyst, Carlos, thank you very much for that.

Already jolted by an election year jobs prediction that didn't pan out, President Bush is now buffeted by another reversal on Iraq. The White House conceded today its transition plan there needs a lot of work. Let's go live to White House correspondent Kathleen Koch -- Kathleen?

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the White House basically today acknowledged what had become apparent for weeks that the caucus plan that it was supporting to help choose a new leadership, a new government in Iraq had failed the resistance on the part of the meeting cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and his followers had been growing for weeks. There have been protests in the streets He and his followers insisting they would accept nothing less than direct elections. The White House today then was forced to admit that their caucus plan, seen as many in Iraq as simply too foreign, not representative enough, that this plan had little appeal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY; I think that there's wide recognition that the caucus plan is something that has not received much support, and so there are a lot of ideas being suggested and discussed, and we will continue to work with leaders in Iraq on those ideas.

(END VIDEO CLIP) KOCH: Those ideas are coming first and foremost from the United Nations, the U.N., which on Thursday, agreed with the U.S. that direct elections are not possible in Iraq before the June 30 deadline's to turn over to power there. Though, the White House will not admit that the U.N. is taking the lead, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the next step is the U.N. will put out recommendations and the U.S. will look at them, discuss them with the Iraqis leader, lots of recommendations that have to satisfy a lot of stakeholders, back to you.

BLITZER: Kathleen Koch at the White House, thank you very much.

Now a move that could seriously impact America's war on terror. It comes at the hands of the United States Supreme Court justices. Our justice correspondent Kelli Arena is covering this story for us and joins us live.

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: It's been nearly two years since the president designated Jose Padilla as an enemy combatant? Now his fate will be decided by the nation's highest court.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ARENA (voice-over): Despite being a U.S. citizen Jose Padilla has been held indefinitely in a naval brig in South Carolina. He's never been charged and hasn't seen a lawyer.

Now the Supreme Court will decide whether the president can take away such constitutional rights during wartime, calling into question the key powers, the Bush administration says it needs to fight terrorism.

DONNA NEWMAN, PADILLA'S ATTORNEY: I am confident that they will likewise find the president does not have the authority he now claims is unbridled authority he claims he has.

ARENA: Padilla, designated an enemy combatant was initially picked up at Chicago's O'Hare Airport. He is accused of setting to plot a radio active dirty bomb inside the United States. The government says he, quote, "represents a grave danger to the national security."

NEWMAN: And whether military detention is to deprive the enemy of combatants that will go back and fight against our soldiers and fight with the enemy. And whether they're here or whether they are abroad, the war powers and international law command that those individuals who are attacking us can be detained.

ARENA: Just last month as it became clear that the Supreme Court would get involved. The Pentagon said it would allow Padilla to see his lawyers.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ARENA: Padilla's lawyers expect that within two weeks that the government will monitor the meeting, and certain topics are off-limits -- Wolf.

BLITZER: This story continuing. Thank you very much, Kelli Arena, for that.

Americans are fleeing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have to wait here. And we decided it's best to go home right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: A Caribbean country on edge. Now how the fear is spreading to Florida. We'll go live to Haiti and Miami.

A developing story happening this hour. A critical hearing that could reverse or strengthen gay marriage.

Plus this...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I mean it's so New York. I mean it makes me laugh and makes me cry. I mean It's amazing

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: And what's next for the girls of "Sex and the City?" I'll ask the show's creator Darren Star as the final episode of this six-year phenomenon approaches Sunday night.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: The city of San Francisco in court right now, asking a judge to declare California's ban on gay marriages unconstitutional. It's the latest maneuver in a fast moving culture battle that began last week when the city began issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. CNN's Rusty Dornin is outside the courthouse in San Francisco and is joining us now live -- Rusty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, actually the issues that are going to be -- are being discussed right now. One of them was postponed from a court hearing this morning. That's involving the city's request to consolidate two lawsuits against San Francisco that were filed by conservative groups that of course asking for the city to stop the issuance of marriage licenses.

Now, if the judge decides to consolidate those losses city officials believe he will postpone arguments on this, on the issue, until another time. I just spoke to city attorney Dennis Herrera, he believes the judge will consolidate it. But there is the possibility he could issue a temporary restraining order on the marriages in the mean time. But city officials say that will be very detrimental.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) THERESE STEWART, DEPUTY S.F. CITY ATTORNEY: Ultimately it will not have an impact whether or not we get a decision, but obviously it will affect human beings in a very real way, the people who've waiting across the street, standing in line all night in the rain to get married after that ruling would be stopped until the court decides.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORNIN: Earlier today, there were protesters inside city hall who staged a sitdown protest chanting at the same-sex couples. They were pushed out by the police department, out on the steps.

It's been really fluctuating between kind of a party atmosphere and things being tense. Right now you're seeing some folks who were brandishing a Nazi flag a little earlier and that got things a little be tense.

So, Wolf, we're just waiting to hear the what time the decision, whether things are going to be in limbo or whether a decision is going to be made.

BLITZER: Rusty Dornin. And we'll get back to you as soon as that decision has been made. We'll bring it to our viewers. Thank you, Rusty, very much.

San Francisco, by the way, isn't the only place where gay couples are getting marriage licenses today. One county in New Mexico began handing them out after the clerk concluded there is no law against it.

State law in New Mexico defines marriage as a civil contract between contracting parties, and does not mention gender. But so far no other counties have followed suit.

In Illinois, yesterday, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley said he has no problem with same-sex marriages. Daley, however, has no control over marriage licenses and Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich says it is prohibited by state law.

Suspended University of Colorado football coach Gary Barnett expects to be reinstated despite controversy over his football program also and over his own remarks about kicker Katie Hnida. CNN's Adrian Baschuk is joining us now live from Boulder with more -- Adrian.

ADRIAN BASCHUK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, good afternoon. Head coach Gary Barnett's paid administrative leave takes effect today and a new interim head coach will be appointed in his absence. So let's retrace Gary Barnett's steps throughout this scandal.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BASCHUK (voice-over): Gary Barnett coached prestigious Northwest University to the 1997 Rose Bowl. In '99 he arrived at the University of Colorado with high expectations, earning $1.6 million per year.

But last December, three female students filed federal civil lawsuit against the university, claiming they were raped by CU players and that the program encourages the use of sex and alcohol as recruiting tools.

The coach's fiery response...

GARY BARNETT, CU HEAD FOOTBALL COACH: My wife and my family are offended, those people who have worked with me and know me at any level and all levels are offended. And I am offended and hurt.

BASCHUK: The story made national headlines. And Tuesday, Katie Hnida a kicker with the Buffaloes in 1999 accused a former teammate of rape during her time in Colorado.

One reporter questioned Barnett on Hnida's ability.

QUESTION: Coach, just to clarify, you said most of your players did not want Katie on the team. and why was that?

BARNETT: Just new, different. you know it's just -- you know, it's a guys sport. And they felt like Katie was forced on her -- on them.

QUESTION: Did they question her ability?

BARNETT: Well, it was obvious Katie was not very good, she was awful. OK? And so -- you know what, guys -- do they respect your ability? I mean you can be 90 years old, but if you can go out News; Domestic play, they respect you.

Well Katie was -- Katie was a girl. Not only was she a girl, she was terrible. OK? And there's no other way to say it. She couldn't kick the ball through the uprights.

BASCHUK: The coach was placed on paid administrative leave. Last night he spoke to CNN's "LARRY KING LIVE" exclusively to restate his claims of innocence.

BARNETT: We've had numerous exercises and programs to enhance and improve and teach character. You know, right now in this culture that we're in, we get kids that come to us that have already been exposed to a wilder side of life than you and I ever saw.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BASCHUK: Today U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell came out to say that if CU and the NCAA does not clean up the recruiting process in six months to a year that Congress will be forced to take action -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Adrian Baschuk covering the story for us. Thanks, Adrian, very much.

The government rested its case today in the Martha Stewart trial. Earlier a critical witness for the prosecution backed off a bit from her damaging testimony when questioned by the defense. Stewart's lawyers are also asking that a charge of securities fraud be dismissed. The judge will rule on the motion Monday.

A child's worst fear.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was screaming like hysterically. I didn't know what to do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: A mother killed in combat -- or was she? A story that forced police in this country to take action.

Horror in Haiti. Could Florida feel the ripple effect?

And Democrats worry. Will Ralph Nader enter the presidential race? I'll ask Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein if the former Green Party candidate could spoil her party's chances at the White House -- again.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Turning now to the bloody revolt in Haiti. Americans start heading out of country as the U.S. and its allies try to head off a major disaster. Let's go live to CNN's Lucia Newman. She's in Port-Au-Prince -- Lucia.

LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Wolf. Indeed, this morning, the airport here in Port-Au-Prince was full of Americans trying to leave this country, heeding the warning by the State Department to get out of Haiti while they still can.

Let's listen to what some of them had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We had to wait here and we decided that it's best to go home right now because it looks like things aren't be going to be solved for a while.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Our organization has told us that it's safe -- it's safer for us and not to be here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWMAN: In the meantime, the relative calm that we have seen here in Port-Au-Prince was broken just a couple hours ago, Wolf. A group of students went to march towards downtown, calling for President Aristide to resign. They were attacked by pro-Aristide gangs armed with guns, machetes and rocks. In some cases even (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

According to the Red Cross, at least ten students were injured with gun wounds. And at least one Mexican camera man was hit with a machete.

In the meantime, the Pentagon assessment team that was being sent here to assess the security situation at the embassy and for American citizens in general here has arrived in Port-Au-Prince -- Wolf.

BLITZER: CNN's Lucia Newman in Port-Au-Prince where it's obviously very windy on that mountain from which she's reporting.

Haitians in this country have their eyes on the conflict in the Caribbean. And they don't all see it the same way. Let's go live to CNN's John Zarrella. He's in Miami -- John.

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN MIAMI BUREAU CHIEF: Wolf, there's been so much turmoil in Haiti since the fall of "Baby Doc" Duvalier back in 1986, that Haitians here in Miami don't want see another coup. But still they're fairly divided on whether Haiti's President Jean- Bertrand Aristide should stay or go.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ZARRELLA (voice-over): On the streets of Miami's so-called "Little Haiti" neighborhood, dozens gather to demonstrate their dislike for Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We want a change for Haiti right now. Everything is going wrong, Aristide has to go, we need a change.

ZARRELLA: Not far away, another gathering. This one in support of Haiti's president.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Democracy is flourishing slowly but surely and maybe.

ZARRELLA: Haitians living in the United States are divide over what's best for their island nation. A just released survey found 52 percent of the 600 U.S. Haitians polled want Aristide to finish out his term, 35 percent think he should resign, and 13 percent are not sure.

There is one thing everyone agrees they don't want to see, images like these. Sailboats overloaded with Haitians fleeing their country.

CAPT. WAYNE JUSTICE, U.S. COAST GUARD: If you open a dictionary, this would probably be the picture of a grossly overloaded boat in the dictionary.

ZARRELLA: U.S. Coast Guard officials say there is no indication of a mass exodus. But they warn even one overloaded boat can end in disaster.

This video shot through a night vision device shows an overloaded boat capsizing in May 2002. Thirteen of the 86 Haitians aboard drowned before the Coast Guard could get to them.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ZARRELLA: There is growing concern here in Miami that if the crisis in Haiti is not resolved soon, there will be a mass exodus. Today Miami's Community Relations Board sent a note to President Bush and the Bush administration asking that the repatriation of Haitians fleeing the island be halted until the current turmoil in Haiti ends -- Wolf.

BLITZER: John Zarrella, thanks very much. That video was really shocking.

And here's your chance to weigh in on this important story. Our "Web Question of the Day" is this -- should the United States get more involved in Haiti? You can vote right now. Go to cnn.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast.

Will Ralph Nader throw his hat into the race? For the Democrats, the stakes couldn't be higher. I'll speak live with Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Bird flu. The deadly Asian virus appears to be spreading to other species, one closer to home.

Plus this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KRISTIN DAVIS, ACTRESS: How about pomegranate patchouli?

PARKER: No, you need something classic called perfection.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: End of an era. It's one of the biggest hits ever. Now it's coming to an end, looking at the success and the influence of HBO's "Sex and the City." I'll speak with its creator Darren Star.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: A potential political bombshell tops our campaign headlines today. Will Ralph Nader join the presidential race? We'll all find out on Sunday. That's when Nader will announce whether he'll run again. He was the Green Party's candidate in 2000.

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards is pressing for more debates right now. He wrote to Senator John Kerry today, asking him to debate in New York, Ohio, and other locations. Edwards spent the day in Georgia and Maryland, and is meeting with voters in New York next hour. He has his work cut out for him in that state. A new Marist poll shows John Kerry leads Edwards 66 percent to 14 percent among Democrats likely to vote in New York's primary, which is on March 2.

And the Secret Service has begun providing protection to John Kerry. To qualify, a candidate must be actively campaigning on a national basis. He or she must have a prominent position in national media polls and must have received at least 10 percent of the vote in two consecutive primaries or caucuses.

Of all the Super Tuesday primaries coming up March 2, the biggest, of course, is California. Dianne Feinstein is the senior U.S. senator from California. She's joining us now live from our San Francisco bureau. Thanks very much, Senator, for joining us.

Let me read to you a statement the Democratic Committee, the national committee, has just put out on the possibility that this Sunday Ralph Nader will announce he's going to seek the presidency once again: "It would be a shame if what Americans remember after a lifetime fighting for working families is the fact that he did not fight on the side of the Democratic Party and its nominee when all of those issues he and us hold dear were at risk. We would hope that he does not run and have conveyed that message to him."

How big of a setback for the Democratic nominee would it be if Nader runs again?

SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D), CALIFORNIA: I think the role at this point that he plays is a similar role to what he played last time. And that's a spoiler.

I hate to say, but this primary, everybody in America knows it has been going on now for a substantial period of time. And the candidates have been subject to scrutiny, to debate, to campaigning in a multitude of states. John Kerry has won 15 states. He's well on his way to the required number of delegate votes. And to have somebody jump into it right now that can only command a small proportion of votes clearly indicates that he's willing to play that role. And I'm very sorry to see it.

BLITZER: If you could say something to him right now, what would you say to him?

FEINSTEIN: I would say, for most of us -- well, I can only speak for the Democratic Party, and sometimes not even that.

But I would say, look, for the first time we've come together and we are coming together. And we know what our values are. We're ready to go. We believe we have an opportunity to win this race. Democrats are united as never before. I see this in California. I've just been in San Diego, Los Angeles. I'm in San Francisco today.

And don't do it. Just -- you ruin it. You may take away a key percentage of votes, but no more than that.

BLITZER: What about California, March 2. That's the biggest prize, as all of us knows. You're supporting Senator Kerry, how much is Senator Edwards moving up? It doesn't look like he's going to campaign aggressively in California.

FEINSTEIN: Well, I think John Kerry can win the state. I think Californians have been watching these primaries very carefully. They've gotten very good play on all of the media.

And I think, when he comes here -- he's been here several times. He's met with a number of people. I was just speaking with the mayor of San Jose, who said, a year ago, John Kerry came into see him and about issues San Jose was facing, Silicon Valley was facing. And so I think he's in a very good position. Now, having said that, this is an expensive state to run in. Trust me. And therefore, he's got to raise money for a substantial media campaign. He has paved the road, I think there is a good coalition of support for him. I met in Los Angeles yesterday with African-American mayors, African-American members of the City Council, other leaders. They were solidly for him. So, you know, I think there's a very good base of support.

BLITZER: All right.

Senator, you're a former mayor of San Francisco. A lot of interest right now in what's happening, Mayor Gavin Newsom allowing these gay marriages to go forward. What is your reaction, what is your take on what's happening in San Francisco right now?

FEINSTEIN: Well, I'll tell what you my take is. I don't think the mayor has the right to stand up and say, we are going to defy this law.

I think the proper way to go is say, we'd like -- we're going to challenge the law, we're going to court to challenge the law. A mayor doesn't decide the constitutionality of any issue. I was mayor for nine years. I know that. The courts decide. And that's the proper place for this. Additionally, it adds a complicating factor.

There is a constitutional amendment floating about. I've had an opportunity to read it quickly. It clearly says that marriage is reserved for man and a woman. But my reading of it is that it also would wipe out civil unions as well. What this does is provide the basis for the conservative movement to come together for a constitutional amendment.

BLITZER: All right.

FEINSTEIN: And our position always has been in opposing that amendment, leave it to the states. The states have traditionally determined this kind of law. The states are equipped to do it. And that's the way it should be.

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: I was going it say that's a well thought-out position as usual from Senator Feinstein. Thanks very much for joining us.

FEINSTEIN: You're very welcome.

BLITZER: A not so funny hoax. A man fabricates his soldier wife's death in Iraq. Now the joke is on him.

Series send-off. After six years, one of television's biggest hits ever nears an end. Up next, I'll speak with the creator of "Sex and the City," Darren Star. We'll get to all of that.

First, though, a quick look at some other news making headlines around the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Extended elections. The Iranian government ordered polling places to extend voting hours today, so more people could cast ballots in parliamentary elections. Some reformists had called for a boycott after Islamic clerics disqualified 2,400 candidates.

Japan alert. Japan's national police agency has beefed up patrols around government facilities. Officials say there's no specific threat. They say it's just a precaution now that Japan has troops in Iraq.

Nuclear middle man. Investigators say they've identified a businessman who helped sell nuclear centrifuge parts to Iran. Malaysian police say BSA Tahir worked with Pakistani scientist A.Q. Khan, who recently admitted leaking nuclear technology.

Cold War encore? A Russian general claims his country is developing new ballistic missile technology that can maneuver around any anti-missile system. Observers say that kind of technology would be an obvious attempt to counter plans for a missile shield over the United States.

Birds to cats. Asian bird flu may be spreading to another species. Reports say it appears to have killed at least two house cats in Thailand. The virus has infected birds in 10 Asian nations and also has killed at least 22 humans.

And that's our look around the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: A Connecticut family recently got the terrible news about one soldier. Her children suffered true grief, only to find out later that the story was a lie.

Here's CNN's Brian Todd.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For so many American families, the heartbreak of losing a loved one in Iraq is overwhelming enough. Imagine how Betsy Valentin's family felt earlier this month, told that Betsy, with a U.S. Army maintenance division in Iraq, had died in an explosion, told by her husband.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I went crazy. I went berserk.

TODD: He also told their three children.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Screaming like hysterically. I didn't know what on do.

TODD: The family later finds it's a hoax. Betsy Valentin's very much alive and on her way back home to reassure her family. Who could have been so cruel?

Edward Valentin first claimed a U.S. military official called him on his cell phone to tell him the news.

EDWARD VALENTIN JR., HUSBAND OF BETSY VALENTIN: They knew a lot of information about my wife, so it could have came from the Pentagon. Who knows? They spoke to me professional, military-like, you know?

TODD: That raised the suspicions of Waterbury police.

NEIL O'LEARY, WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, POLICE CHIEF: We've learned clearly that the protocol is that they will -- the military will not call. They'll come to your house and they will deliver the message firsthand.

TODD: From that suspicion to this image earlier this week.

O'LEARY: We discovered that, in fact, the hoax call was actually all made up by Mr. Valentin.

TODD: Edward Valentin now facing four different charges, the most serious, falsely reporting to police an accident concerning serious injury or death. Waterbury police tell CNN, when they confronted Valentin, he initially told them he made it all up to get enough public sympathy that the military might bring his wife home early. But police say they were first alerted to this case by another woman.

O'LEARY: The other motive is, is that it seems as though, and we're developing information that he, in fact, might have been pursuing another relationship.

TODD: Not surprising to Betsy Valentin's sister.

MARY ANNE ECHEVERIA, SISTER OF BETSY VALENTIN: He's been running around with all sorts of women at this time.

TODD: We tried unsuccessfully to reach Edward Valentin. The state's attorney has not heard from anyone representing Valentin. And the public defender's office tells us he's not been assigned a lawyer.

The one person coming to Edward Valentin's defense, his father, who bailed him out of jail.

EDWARD VALENTIN SR., DEFENDANT'S FATHER: I really am shocked with this, because I know him. I don't know why -- if he would have been in his right mind, he would have never done this.

TODD: As for Betsy Valentin, she arrived home from Iraq Thursday night. We're told she's with her kids until she has to go back to Iraq. Police say Edward Valentin still has custody of their children.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Pretty sad story there, indeed. Thank you very much, Brian.

It's the end of an affair. What's next for "Sex and the City"? I'll speak with the show's creator, Darren Star.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: One of the most talked about series in television history will fade to black for the last time this weekend. The final episode of HBO's "Sex and the City" airs Sunday night.

CNN's Jennifer Coggiola is joining us now live with more on this groundbreaking show -- Jennifer.

JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, it was six years ago the world met these four young women who turned Sunday nights into a "Don't call me, I'm watching 'Sex and the City'" kind of night.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COGGIOLA (voice-over): You knew their names, their loves. You even knew their drinks. But who could have imagined the influence HBO's "Sex and the City" could have had on everything they touched? The women served as perhaps New York City's most fashionable P.R. agents ever.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "SEX AND THE CITY")

SARAH JESSICA PARKER, ACTRESS: Friday night at Chaos.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COGGIOLA: Promoting the glitz of Manhattan, even aspiring a tour of hot spots the girls frequented. As TV's very own fashion runway, the women's adventurous ensembles played their own role, from the Manolo Blahniks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "SEX AND THE CITY")

PARKER: Please, sir, they're my favorite pair.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COGGIOLA: To a necklace with sentimental value. "In Style" magazine's fashion director told us "Sex and the City" has had an enormous impact on the world of fashion and showed American women a new hip way of putting themselves together. That fashion now on eBay, an online auction for charity.

But aside from the Jimmy Choos and Diors, the show tackled a variety of life issues, everything from infidelity.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "SEX AND THE CITY")

PARKER: I'm having an affair with Big.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COGGIOLA: To impotence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "SEX AND THE CITY")

KRISTIN DAVIS, ACTRESS: My husband can't be impotent. He's gorgeous.

COGGIOLA: From marriage to divorce, from Botox to AIDS.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "SEX AND THE CITY")

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Have you had an HIV test before?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COGGIOLA: And in the end, breast cancer. The series, which walked away with four Emmys and eight Golden Globes, perhaps had its biggest impact on its viewers, like these real New Yorkers.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's my Sunday night event with my boyfriend. We watch it together.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's my favorite show.

COGGIOLA (on camera): It is? Why?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's so well written. It's so New York.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, "Sex and the City," it spices up our sex life.

COGGIOLA (voice-over): But the big question, how it will end?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want Carrie to be with Big.

COGGIOLA (on camera): Why?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because I like him better than the Russian. No offense to my Russian friends.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Carrie with Big. I like Big.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's going to be like a surprise ending.

COGGIOLA (voice-over): No surprise, though, it will be missed by many.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's sad. It's like losing one of your best friends.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COGGIOLA: Well, don't pull out the Kleenex yet. Although Sunday is the last episode, one Hollywood trade magazine is reporting that the show's writer and executive producer have movie plans in the works -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Thanks very much, Jennifer, for that.

The writer, the creator of the show, Darren Star, is also quoted as once having said, the idea was to do a small, under-the-radar show for HBO. Well, it quite hasn't worked out like that.

I spoke earlier today with Darren Star.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Darren Star, thanks so much for joining us. Congratulations. We're all looking forward to this final episode or, shall I say, we're all sad that there's going to be a final episode. Why stop now?

DARREN STAR, CREATOR, "SEX AND THE CITY": Well, I think the attitude was, let's leave while the party is still happening, and, I think it's been a long -- it's been a great ride, six seasons.

And I sort of say -- everybody thought that, you know, it was -- it was a good time just to say goodbye. And the characters had reached a point in their lives when there were -- the stories that were told felt like -- not that they were coming to an end, but they were coming to a nice resolution.

BLITZER: Did the writers sort of come up dry and say, what else can we do that we haven't done yet? Because you've done so many remarkable things during these years.

STAR: You know what? I think there are always -- with characters that are this rich, there are always stories to tell. I think that everybody felt that creatively we had sustained such a great run and that we would just quit while we were ahead.

BLITZER: It was on HBO. It was on cable. But there is no doubt that you were at the cutting edge of certain trends. What was perhaps, looking back, the one or two most sensitive things that you wanted to get on that show that really broke new ground?

STAR: You know, I think that what really broke new ground in this show was the attitude about -- the attitudes that we sort of presented about women and their sexuality and the idea that, you know, women were sort of these independent, sexual creatures that just weren't necessarily looking to get married and settle down.

And while that's not necessarily a revolutionary statement, it wasn't one that had been presented in sort of such a frank and outrageous kind of way.

BLITZER: There's no doubt that this could never have been done on broadcast networks, the kinds of statements, the kinds of things that we saw on HBO. Did you get complete authority from HBO to do what you really wanted to do? Did they ever say to you, you know, Darren, this is going too far? STAR: You know, there might have been one episode with Charlotte and a golden retriever. But then I think they thought, well, maybe that's sort of like going past the boundaries of good taste. But then I think they sort of like got into that on "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

But I think we really did what we wanted, and we had carte blanche to do what we wanted. And I think that our own sense of good or bad taste guided us. And I think part of the fun of doing the show was sometimes it was in comic bad taste. And we had the freedom to do that as well. And I know there were situations in the show that were shocking and they were meant to be shocking, but that even the characters on the show reacted to in a way that, in fact, they were shocked.

So I think that was part of the impetus for myself for creating "Sex and the City," was to do a show about sex from a female point of view, where we could do sort an adult show and laugh at sex and have fun with the idea of sex and relationships and not take it too seriously and basically do an R-rated comedy that you couldn't do on network television.

BLITZER: Are there four women sort of that you patterned these four women on? And we all know that there is a Carrie out there presumably that you patterned Carrie on. What about the three others?

STAR: I think there were more archetypes of women and what women are looking for. I think Charlotte was sort of more of this sort of romantic idealist. Miranda was more the sort of the workaholic who really didn't need men and focused on work to, you know, maybe the detriment of her personal life.

And Samantha was sort of the sexual adventurist who treated men the way men treat women. So, in a sense, there were all these archetypes of ways that women present themselves and way that women think of themselves. But I think, as the show continued, a lot of those archetypes or those ideas of even who these characters were got turned on their heads.

BLITZER: One final question, Darren. Will there be a movie?

STAR: I don't know. It's an interesting thought. I think that it's something that now that everyone is ready to say goodbye, I think everyone is sort of wondering like, should we say goodbye?

For me, it's -- I really created this show. The reason I brought the show to HBO was because I thought we could do a movie every week on HBO, and that was sort of the sensibility behind the show. So my feeling is that what's been done is pretty well self-contained and we've done something wonderful. If a movie comes in the future, you know, that could be great.

I think we would have to creatively have a great reason to do it that goes beyond what we could actually do on television. And on HBO, the wonderful thing was, we could do everything.

BLITZER: Darren Star, congratulations. You did one great work. STAR: Thank you. Thanks, Wolf.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: The final episode of "Sex and the City" airs this Sunday, 9:00 p.m. Eastern on HBO, which is also part of CNN's parent company, Time Warner.

You might think it's been raining cats and dogs in Phoenix, Arizona. Why else would there be dogs in this storm drain? That's our picture of the day and it's just ahead, as is the result 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": Should the United States get more involved in Haiti? Look at this: 25 percent say yes; 75 percent say no. This is not a scientific poll.

Our picture of the day takes us to Phoenix, Arizona, where two dogs somehow found themselves peering out at the city from this storm drain. There's no telling how they got in, but getting them out wasn't easy. After many tries, rescuers finally saved the wet, muddy pooches from their predicament and took them to the Humane Society. If no one claims them, they'll be put up for adoption.

A reminder, we're here weekdays 5:00 p.m. Eastern, also on noon Eastern. Join me this Sunday for "LATE EDITION," the last word in Sunday talk. Among my guests, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Until then, thanks very much for watching.

"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.

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