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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Kerry to Take on Bush in November; Same-Sex Marriage Debate; Is al Qaeda Ally Behind Bombings in Iraq?

Aired March 03, 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): It's now one on one. The battle for the White House is joined.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Change is coming to America.

BLITZER: But the Bush campaign is ready and flush with cash.

AD ANNOUNCER: President Bush, steady leadership in times of change.

BLITZER: Same sex ceremonies are spreading. But are officials wrong to perform gay rites?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The statute repeatedly uses terms such as "husband" and "wife" and "bride" and "groom."

BLITZER: Day of mourning. Is an al Qaeda ally behind the bombings?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're developing that intelligence at this time.

BLITZER: Anarchy in Haiti. Rebels roam the streets. Should the Marines intervene? I'll ask U.S. Ambassador James Foley.

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Wednesday, March 3, 2004.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: The gloves are now off in what's surely to be a tough perhaps bitter eight-month battle for the White House. You're looking at a live picture where we'll see President Bush shortly in Los Angeles. His campaign offensive under way just a day after Senator John Kerry won the California primary and eight of the other ten Super Tuesday contests.

Kerry's huge victory all but wrapped up his nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate. But he's taking nothing for granted. He was on the stump today in the key state of Florida. And he knows he can't rest. President Bush is launching a $4.5 million television ad campaign tomorrow. CNN's Brian Todd reports. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The first clear sign of a one-on-one battle between two political heavyweights. The ad wars are under way.

AD ANNOUNCER: President Bush, steady leadership in times of change.

AD ANNOUNCER: You'll find out George Bush wants to eliminate overtime pay for evening workers.

TODD: An acknowledgment of an all but confirmed and worthy opponent. The Bush/Cheney campaign roll out its first reelection ads.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I know exactly where I want to lead this country.

TODD: Three spot, one in both English and Spanish, debuting Thursday in 15 to 17 states. Bush campaign sources say they'll target areas decided by relatively narrow margins in 2000, likely including Florida, Arizona, Michigan.

A striking feature in two of the ads, images of September 11.

AD ANNOUNCER: Some challenges we've seen before. And some were like no others. But America rose to the challenge.

TODD: On the one hand, it plays to the strength of leadership in crisis. On the other...

HOWARD KURTZ, HOST, "RELIABLE SOURCES": There are numerous images of the World Trade Center attacks in the ads. And that is already drawing questions about exploitation of 9/11.

TODD: The themes of leadership and faith are obvious. The unspoken message, the president is taking the high road for now.

BUSH: I'm optimistic about America because I believe in the people of America.

TODD: These first spots are all positive. Bush campaign sources don't rule out negative ads about John Kerry in the future. But a new disclaimer required when a candidate is doing his own ads may prevent them from getting too nasty.

BUSH: I'm President Bush, and I approve of this message.

TODD (on camera): From a war chest of more than $100 million, the Bush/Cheney campaign spends $4.5 million on this first ad blitz. Battle lines clearly drawn on liquidity and ideology. But experts say don't paint the Democratic challenger as the poor kid down the block.

STUART ROTHENBERG, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: You have a number of liberal left groups that are raising money and starting to run ads. I actually don't believe that Kerry will be so overwhelm over the spring and the summer that he won't be able to fight George Bush in this way. I think they're going to have enough resources.

TODD (voice-over): Almost on cue, the left leaning online group MoveOn.org rolls out two ads in 17 states. Cost, $1.9 million. Target, your president, your wallet.

AD ANNOUNCER: Two million jobs lost. Jobs going overseas. And now no overtime pay. When it comes to choosing between corporate values and family values, face it, George Bush is not on our side.

TODD: The Kerry campaign has no connection to MoveOn.org or these ads. A Kerry spokeswoman said they just finished one ad campaign and haven't made a final decision when to gear up again.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: President Bush lost California to Al Gore four years ago. That raises this question -- is he visiting the state right now because he thinks he can win it in November?

For that we turn to White House correspondent Dana Bash. She's traveling with the president in Los Angeles today, as we see the president being introduced in those live pictures.

Dana, how realistic do the White House officials you're talking to think California might be this time around?

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Certainly, they say they are hopeful that the state will be competitive, Wolf. But they understand the math, they understand what this state is, and they understand no that Republican has won here since the president's father won in 1988.

However, Arnold Schwarzenegger is something that they say they cannot ignore, that he won the state in a recall by 60 percent. And that since then, they have been able to register new voters, 245,000 new voters on the Republican side.

But they do understand that this date is very difficult to get, that some of the Republicans who are in this state don't necessarily agree with the president on many of the issues that he stands for. Take gay marriage, for example.

Even Arnold Schwarzenegger himself came out last night and seemed to distance himself from the president on that issue, saying that he would be up for gay marriage going through in this state. And that he opposes the ban on the constitutional amendment that the president is supporting.

So the campaign essentially says that they are going to compete here, they can't ignore the 55 electoral votes that the state would give them. But if you want to look at evidence of how really serious they're taking it look at where the ads they're putting up are running. California, Wolf, is not one of them. BLITZER: Dana Bash with the president in Los Angeles. Dana, thanks very much. We'll watch the president, we'll monitor what he's saying, bring our viewers, obviously, the news as it unfolds.

And while he's in California, Senator John Kerry spent part of the day at least in Florida, the state that all of us remember was at the center of the contested 2000 presidential election.

Not resting on his laurels from Super Tuesday victories, Kerry named Washington, D.C. businessman Jim Johnson to head his search for a running mate. And he's gearing up for next week's round of primaries in four southern states including Florida.

At a town hall meeting in Orlando earlier today, Kerry blasted several of President Bush's policies, including education.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KERRY: Here's my pledge to you. We will crisscross this country together over these next months, and we will hold this president accountable for making a mockery of the words "leave no child behind."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Moments ago Senator John Edwards, as we saw on CNN, officially withdrew from the presidential race. CNN's Jennifer Coggiola is joining looks at Edwards' stunning rise and fall in his quest for the White House -- Jennifer.

JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the man who brought positive politics and Southern gentility to this year's presidential race today ended what he called "the little campaign that could."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Today, I've decided to suspend my campaign for the presidency of the United States.

COGGIOLA: Before bowing out, the freshman senator from North Carolina, John Edwards, put up a fight few could have predicted. It's the story of the boy of modest means, growing up in rural South Carolina, first in his family to go college and law school, eventually becoming a successful trial lawyer and millionaire and family man.

To launch his campaign last year Edwards returned to his humble beginnings.

EDWARDS: I run for president to be champion, to be a champion for the same people I fought for all my life, regular folks.

COGGIOLA: Next on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show."

EDWARDS: I don't know if you've been following the polls. But I think it'll actually be news to most people that I'm running for president of the United States. COGGIOLA: And in front of his father's old North Carolina mill.

EDWARDS: One of my first jobs was at a trailer plant that's not too far from where we are today. And the men in that plant worked hard every single day so their children could get what they needed.

COGGIOLA: Edwards' appeal clear, from his boyish good looks winning him title of "Sexiest Politician" in "People" magazine, to his supporting role his attractive family played through the campaign.

And he kept reminding us of his own childhood.

EDWARDS: I believe in an America where the son of a mill worker could beat the son of a president for the White House.

My dad worked in a mill all his life.

My grandmother was a share cropper in South Carolina.

COGGIOLA: Support from voters attributed to his optimistic, articulate and inspirational stump speeches.

EDWARDS: It's about the politics of hope. It's about the politics of what's possible. And I am proud of the fact that you and I together have brought these issues back to the American debate.

COGGIOLA: But Edwards' opponents and critics focused on his campaign's financial backing from huge numbers of fellow trial lawyers and his lack of experience in government and politics.

KERRY: When I came back from Vietnam in 1969, ladies and gentlemen, I'm not sure if John Edwards was out of diapers then yet or not. I'm truly not sure. I don't know.

COGGIOLA: So Edwards emphasized domestic issues. Education, health care and the economy. And in the early state races, he did better than expected. First, in Iowa, finishing second to John Kerry in a still crowded field by a mere six percentage points, and New Hampshire again losing by a slim margin then finally a victory in his native state. Decisively beating the front-runner Kerry. But it wasn't enough, Edwards met his demise on Super Tuesday, losing every contest, keeping the race close in but one state, Georgia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COGGIOLA: But is it the end? According to a source familiar with both campaigns, Edwards told Kerry in a phone chat, Tuesday night that he'll do anything he can to help defeat George Bush. And that point was very clear at the end of his concession speech earlier today.

BLITZER: And Kerry later apologized to Senator Edwards for making that comment about being in diapers. They're only about 10 years apart. 60 years old versus 50 years old for John Edwards but clearly, they have a decent relationship. Jennifer Coggiola reporting for us, thank you very much. Senator Edwards is just one of many high-profile names being floated as a possible running mate for Kerry. But there are others you may not necessarily be so familiar with. CNN's Carlos Watson is joining us, our political analyst. You're familiar with these other names. Who do you have in mind?

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: There are several names. Remember the last three choices have been unconventional choices. Who would have guessed four months before Dick Cheney was chosen that Dick Cheney would ultimately have been the choice.

Who would have guessed that Bill Clinton would have chosen another southern moderate instead of balancing the ticket regionally. And, of course, Dan Quayle was a surprise to everyone. So we've got three choices and my third focuses on the strategy the Democrats are calling -- not their southern strategy but southwestern strategy -- the conventional choice would be Bill Richardson. Wolf, any guess as to who could be our third choice?

BLITZER: I see it right there. Janet Napolitano.

WATSON: Janet Napolitano. She's the new governor of Arizona. Just got elected in 2002, is in her first term, has emphasized education, has emphasized the budget there, but also is a former attorney general of the state and also U.S. attorney, and so law and order and crime issues might be brought. Ten critical electoral votes could be tossed into the column. But again, one of the things she would be hit on is not having a lot of experience.

BLITZER: Clearly a long shot.

WATSON: Clearly a long shot. But you know what, so was Dan Quayle, and when you tell one guy to be in charge of the process and ends up picking himself, he's kind of a long shot as well. So I think it's worse (UNINTELLIGIBLE). No. 2, everyone talks about foreign policy and security being something that the Democrats want to emphasize, and when you think about, that you think about Bob Graham of Florida, you also often hear General Wesley's name. An unusual name would be the former four-term senator from Georgia, Sam Nunn, currently CEO of something called The Nuclear Initiative, a charitable organization, sits on several boards, highly respected. Particularly in the south, particularly in military circles. Howard Dean floated his name you recall when Dean was a front-runner. Think that could balance him off here? He could be another unconventional choice.

BLITZER: He's someone that could clearly go head to had against Dick Cheney.

WATSON: No two ways about that. And maybe the most unusual choice of all, of course, we've saved it for No. 1. If the economy once again becomes an important issue, remember next week we'll hear the new unemployment, and again that will add further to the debate of where the economy is headed. People have talked about John Edwards and his economic populism theme but maybe they turn somewhere else. Maybe they turn to the person who they give as much credit as anyone for the Clinton economic success story. Maybe they turn to Bob Rubin, the former treasury secretary.

BLITZER: Barely thinking outside the box. Our Carlos Watson, maybe you got something going over there, we'll keep this track in mind.

WATSON: If it happens, you'll have heard it here first.

BLITZER: We'll see what happens. A lot of people still think despite all that that's been said and done and a lot already has.

WATSON: Got some great halo right now. We'll see whether or not that continues.

BLITZER: We'll all be watching, thank you very much, Carlos.

WATSON: Good to see you.

And here's your chance to weigh in on the story. Our web question of the day is this, "can John Kerry beat George Bush in the November election?" You can vote right now at CNN.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast.

A key battleground state, two Democratic senators. Will one of them be John Kerry's running mate?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think I'd consider such an offer were it to be made.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: I'll talk with Senator Bill Nelson of Florida.

The man behind -- the man the U.S. suspects is behind deadly attacks in Iraq. Who exactly is he and what is his link to Osama bin Laden?

Plus a new front in the battle over gay marriage. Hundreds of people line up as another major United States city starts sanctioning same-sex unions.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Iraq is in official mourning after yesterday's bloody bombings targeting Shiite worshipers in Baghdad and Karbala. It's still unclear how many died, although the toll may reach well into the hundreds. U.S. officials think they have a good idea who's responsible. Let's go live it our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre -- Jamie.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf. At this hour, in the wake of the bombings. The U.S. military believes it has a new public enemy No. 1 in Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) MCINTYRE (voice-over): While the evidence is far from conclusive. U.S. commanders are already blaming the deadly twin attacks in Iraq on the influence of this man, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian said to be a collaborator with Osama bin Laden.

GEN. JOHN ABIZAID, U.S. CENTRAL COMMANDER: The level of organization and the desire to cause casualties among innocent worshipers is a clear hallmark of the Zarqawi network, and we have intelligence that ties Zarqawi to this attack.

MCINTYRE: The holy day attacks against Shiite pilgrims in Baghdad and Karbala would seem follow Zarqawi's script as the coalition provisional authority website put it. A reference to a letter the U.S. says it intercepted from Zarqawi in January, which called for attacks against Shiite religious sites to spark a civil war between Shiite and Sunni Iraqis. The U.S. says leaflets planted explosion blamed Americans for the attack as did an e-mail purportedly from al Qaeda sent to an Arab newspaper in London. U.S. commanders labeled that claim ludicrous and also rejected criticism from Shiite leaders that U.S. troops should have provided more security.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think any Monday morning quarterbacking on there should have been more done, I think, is relatively unhelpful.

MCINTYRE: Nevertheless, convinced it's fighting a foreign foe, the U.S. is dispatching more Iraqi police to the borders with Iran and Syria.

PAUL BREMER, U.S. CIVILIAN ADMINISTRATOR IN IRAQ: There are 8,000 border police today and more are on the way. We are adding hundreds of vehicles and doubling border police staffing in selected areas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCINTYRE: At that same hearing on Capitol Hill today, Pentagon officials were disputing news accounts suggesting that they failed, they missed an opportunity to kill Zarqawi in 2002 and they failed to attack a terrorist camp inside Iraq today. A senior Pentagon official suggested they did not pull the trigger in that attack for other reasons. It had nothing to do with any fear about making the case of going to war -- Wolf.

BLITZER: CNN's Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon. Jamie, thank you very much.

A surprise change in policy by Haiti's rebel leader. Details of the sudden new development. Plus, I'll speak live with the United States ambassador in Haiti about the former president's controversial resignation and departure. Also this...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is my recommendation and my counsel that city and town clerks not issue licenses to same-sex couples.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Major new developments on both coasts in the battle over same-sex marriage.

And Martha Stewart's trial enters its final phases. What happens now?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: A hot button issue around America is getting hotter. Right now Oregon's biggest county is now issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. And on the East Coast, New York's attorney general is calling for a halt to same-sex marriages in the Empire state. CNN's Adaora Udoji is in New Paltz, New York where the mayor faces criminal charges over this issue. Tell us what's going on, Adaora.

ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Actually, Wolf, right now, as you can see, we have quite a gathering in support of mayor who does go to criminal court tonight. There have been major developments on the question of same-sex marriages from here to Oregon.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UDOJI (voice-over): At P&G, the New York small village of New Paltz, feelings about same-sex marriage mirror the big question sweeping the nation.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have no problem with same-sex relationships, marriages, unions, whatever you want to call it. I have no problem with it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I don't agree with it. From what I've heard it's against the state laws and so...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: By the power vested in me by the state of New York, I now declare you legally wed.

UDOJI: Right now Mayor Jason West faces criminal misdemeanor charges for marrying 25 gay and lesbian couples last week. 19 charges of solemnizing same-sex unions without marriage licenses. The state refused to issue them. New York's attorney general, though, personally in support of gay marriages reluctantly concluded they are not legal in the state.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The statute repeatedly uses terms such as husband and wife and bride and groom.

UDOJI: Undeterred, the mayor of Nyack, New York in an act of civil disobedience says he'll begin performing same-sex marriages as promised because it's the right thing to do. In Portland, Oregon, gay and lesbian couples started tying the knot officially after the county began issuing marriage licenses. Hundreds lined up. While debates rage in individual states, on Capitol Hill, legislatures debated President Bush's vow to push for a constitutional amendment, limiting marriage to a man and a woman.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The union of mother and father is the optimal most stable foundation for the family and for raising children.

UDOJI: But others in New Paltz are not sure it's that simple.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Look at how many heterosexual marriages end up in divorce? What union are they talking about exactly.

UDOJI: As it stands Mayor Jason West will be in court tonight. He told CNN earlier he plans to plead not guilty.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

UDOJI: And as for the 25 couples the mayor married last week. The New York attorney general said it will be up to the court to decide whether or not the marriages are legal or not -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Adaora Udoji reporting from New Paltz, New York. Thank you very much for that.

We've heard former President Aristide's version what happened when he left his country. What about those who were actually there? Up next, I'll speak live to someone who was, the United States ambassador to Haiti. James Foley, he'll join us live. Plus this...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Senator Kerry's got a lot of things to consider. Not the least of which is who is capable of taking over as president if the need arises.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Looking for a match. Could this man be in the running for second spot on John Kerry's ticket? I'll speak with Senator Bill Nelson of Florida.

And downsizing your options. Why one fast food giant will no longer ask if you want to supersize those fries. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer at the CNN Center here in Atlanta.

Rebels in Haiti do an about-face, saying they'll lay down their arms. We'll go live to the capital, Port-au-Prince, and I'll speak live with the United States ambassador to Haiti, James Foley. That's coming up.

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

For the first time in almost two years, terror suspect Jose Padilla has met with his attorneys. Padilla is held at a Navy brig in South Carolina. The Bush administration accuses him of being an al Qaeda operative, but no charges have been filed against him. Padilla, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, was arrested in May 2002 after returning to Chicago from Pakistan. A Texas woman's claim of self-defense in the death of her husband has failed to win over a jury. Susan Wright was convicted today of murdering her husband, who was stabbed 193 times. Wright had said she was the victim of a sadistic relationship. Prosecutors say she killed her husband for insurance money.

And by the end of the year, no more supersizing at McDonald's. The world's biggest fast-food chain is ditching its supersized French and soft drinks as part of a move to cut the fat and streamline its menu. Critics say McDonald's is partly to blame for an obesity crisis right here in the United States.

Just a day after declaring himself the man in charge, Haiti's rebel leader did an about-face and now says his forces will, in fact, disarm.

For the dramatic turn of developments and all the latest developments in fact in Port-au-Prince, let's turn to our Lucia Newman. She's joining us via video phone from the Haitian capital -- Lucia?

Lucia, I don't know if you can hear me. Can you hear me, Lucia Newman?

All right, we're having some trouble connecting with Lucia. We'll get back to her as soon as the situation gets improved amount, the technical situation with that videophone. Let's move on now.

Will the rebels actually go ahead and lay down their arms, and what really happened when President Aristide resigned and fled Haiti? The United States Ambassador James Foley, he was in the room. He's joining us now by phone from Port-au-Prince.

Mr. Ambassador, thanks very much for joining us. Give us your version. What exactly did happen Sunday morning in the minutes, indeed the hours before President Aristide decided to get on that plane and leave Haiti.

JAMES FOLEY, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO HAITI: I'd be glad to.

Actually, it began Saturday afternoon when our security personnel met with his security team and they quickly came to a common assessment that the president had basically two choices, either to get out of palace and out of Haiti immediately while there was time to do it safely, or to wait, maybe 24 hours when the rebel army would be in town, and we would have been faced with trying an attraction under very dire circumstances. And it might have been costly to our people and maybe to the president himself.

So, they reached that assessment. They presented it to him. He had a few questions and asked that I give him a call through them. And I did so, and I answered his questions. And he never objected or disagreed to the assessment that it was the thing to do, the necessary thing to do for his own safety to depart immediately. And it was a very cordial and courteous series of conversations. I was not actually in the room. I was by my telephone, and we spoke three or four times into the evening and into the night. And as a result, we saved his life. He saved his own life, and I think we saved perhaps thousands of lives, because I think you can see now with the rebel army here, although it's going to withdraw, that we would have had really some very bloody clashes between that army and the gangs that were supporting president Aristide here in Port-au-Prince.

BLITZER: You know the accusation, Mr. Ambassador, that he's made, that the U.S. was involved in a coup d'etat to remove him from power and effectively forced him -- forced him -- to give up power and leave Haiti. You can say categorically that's a lie?

FOLEY: Absolutely untrue. This was about saving his life. And I'll tell you, in the series of conversations we had, I think once he made the decision he was going to leave, he expressed repeatedly his desire to ensure that his departure led to calm and led to an end to violence, and he said so in his letter of resignation. There was absolutely no constraint.

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: And you didn't put a gun to his head or pressure him to sign that letter of resignation, which we've all now seen?

FOLEY: Absolutely untrue. Absolutely untrue. As I said, he never objected to the assessment. He quickly shifted to questions that he had, and that we were able to answer, and he was very concerned about the circumstances of the departure.

But I will tell you something, Wolf. He was prepared to go. I think he was very prepared to go. In fact, it's very obvious that the palace would have been in deep difficulty in a matter of hours or else days, and we would have been having the same conversation together if we could have, under some very difficult and violent circumstances.

I think he did the right thing, and, in departing, he indicated to me repeatedly that he wanted also to make sure that his act of departure led to calm and led to an end to violence.

BLITZER: Mr. Ambassador, Guy Philippe, I spoke with his on Sunday. He seemed to be saying all the right things, welcoming the introduction of U.S. Marines, welcoming the U.S. involvement. What can you tell us about this rebel leader now that he is in Port-au- Prince, and presumably controls a lot of forces?

FOLEY: Well, it's difficult to say. I think he's something of a shadowy figure with something of a checkered past. And some of the other people in the rebel movement have a very sinister past.

I don't know that you could paint a broad brush over all of them. I think that given the kind of criminality and misgovernance that existed here, there's a certain degree of support in at least parts of the country. But the fact of the matter is, they pledged to lay down their arms when President Aristide resigned. And so we are holding them to their pledge. It is true that we had very few forces on the ground from Sunday night onwards through about today.

But, as of today, we are in increasingly robust strength in Port- au-Prince, and we made it unmistakably clear what has to happen. The president of Haiti, President Alexandre, issued an appeal on the radio to the rebel forces and also to President Aristide's to lay down their arms and go home. And I think we'll have to wait and watch and see if that happens, given the back and forth over the last few days. But the result is inevitable. The space for them to operate is going to be small. It's going to shrink, and it's going to disappear, but it's a question of time as we flow in our forces.

BLITZER: James Foley, the United States ambassador in Haiti -- Mr. Ambassador, thanks very much for joining us. Good luck to you and good luck to the entire mission in Port-au-Prince.

Now that he has a lock on the nomination, everyone wants to know, who will be John Kerry's running mate? The name dropping has clearly begun. And this man -- you're looking at him -- Bill Nelson -- he may be on the list. Up next, my interview with the Florida senator.

And a waiting game under way right now and deliberations under way in the Martha Stewart trial, her fate now resting with a jury.

And the English prince in an African kingdom, Harry doing some manual labor for a good cause. 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): Protests have intensified following a ruling by Venezuelan authorities against holding a presidential recall election. Venezuela's elections council rejected petitions calling for an up-or-down vote on president Hugo Chavez, saying they did not have enough valid signatures.

Attack on Hamas. An Israeli helicopter attack in Gaza has killed three Palestinian militants. All three were in a car traveling along a Palestinian road not far from an Israeli settlement.

Couture controversy. An Israeli fashion house mixed commerce with politics when it held a photo shoot in front of Israel's controversial West Bank barrier. The fashion house says the photo shoot was a political statement against building walls to solve conflicts. Critics say it was in very bad taste.

Pure intentions? British regulators may force Dasani Water to change its advertising. Dasani bottles tap water that goes through a specialized filtration process. Officials say that may not be good enough to justify Dasani's slogan "pure, still water."

And that's our look around the world

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: As we mentioned, Senator John Kerry already very hard at work on the campaign trail today in Florida. With him were the state's two Democratic senators, former presidential candidate Bob Graham and Bill Nelson. Both are being mentioned as possible running mates.

Just a short while ago, I spoke with Senator Bill Nelson.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Senator Nelson, thanks very much for joining us.

Let's get right to the question at hand. Do you want to be vice president of the United States?

SEN. BILL NELSON (D), FLORIDA: Wolf, I'm flattered that my name is even being mentioned, but it's way too early. It's just way too early.

Senator Kerry's got a lot of things to consider, not the least of which is who is capable of taking over as president if the need arises, but who can best help him in the campaign. He can't make the decision right now.

BLITZER: Well, let me ask it another way. Do you think you would be capable of becoming president of the United States of taking over that job, if you were vice president and, God forbid, something happen to the president?

NELSON: Well, you know how to ask the hard questions. And I'll answer it this way, that I think I'd consider such an offer, were it to be made, but that's so far down line, I'm not even thinking about it now.

BLITZER: I don't know why you say it's so far down the line. He's got to come up with a potential nominee by the time of the convention this summer. That's only a few months away.

NELSON: Yes, but a few days is an eternity in our business, so we'll see just where it goes.

BLITZER: Has anyone in the Kerry campaign actually had a discussion with you informally or formally about such a possibility?

NELSON: No, they haven't, Wolf.

BLITZER: Is Florida, given what happened, 537 votes in the election in 2000, clearly, Florida is a critically important state, a lot of electoral votes in Florida. How important would it be for the Democratic nominee to have someone from Florida on the ticket?

NELSON: Well, that's one of the things Senator Kerry is going to look at is where does he need strength and an additional push in what states? Is it Ohio? Is it Pennsylvania? Is it Florida? Who gives him the most heft in the West, in the Midwest, as well as the South? These are questions I can't answer. Senator Kerry's going to answer those.

BLITZER: Well, forget about you for the time being.

Let's talk about the perfect vice presidential candidate to run with Senator Kerry, a lot of focus and attention on your colleague from North Carolina, Senator Edwards. He's now formally dropping out of the race. He presumably would bring some assets in the South. But many Democrats say you should really write off the South as far as the Democratic Party is concerned.

NELSON: Oh, no, the South's in play. Florida is clearly in play. Louisiana is probably in play, and you just watch how this develops. The Democratic Party is going to have a nominee who is an authentic war hero. That strikes a responsive cord in the South.

BLITZER: What about your colleague from Florida, Senator Graham, former governor of Florida? How good of a vice presidential running mate would he be?

NELSON: Well, he's the most distinguished public servant that this state has produced. So clearly, I think he'll be at top of the list, as I do Senator Edwards, who, I think, has earned the right to be considered.

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: Yes, I was going to say, Florida, given the fact that it was so important in 2000, looking back, mistakes made by Al Gore at the time, what do you recommend? What kind of mistakes should Kerry avoid this time around in focusing in specifically on Florida?

NELSON: Well, we already talked about this on the plane on the way down to Orlando today.

The candidate who carries the central part of Florida from the Atlantic to the Gulf across what is known as the I-4 Corridor is the candidate that is going to carry the entire state. And I think that the response that Senator Kerry here today in Orlando was just phenomenal. Remember, Al Gore did well here. And as you move further to west central Florida in the Tampa Bay region, Al Gore did very well there as well. So, I think Florida is clearly in play for Senator Kerry as the presidential candidate.

BLITZER: Senator Bill Nelson, the senator from Florida, at least one of two senators from Florida, thanks very much for joining us.

NELSON: Thanks, Wolf.

BLITZER: Good luck to you.

NELSON: Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And this very important programming note: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York will be a guest in the coming our on "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT." That starts right at the top of the hour, her name already being mentioned as a possible running mate as well. We'll see what she has to say. Hillary Rodham Clinton with Lou Dobbs coming up at the top of the hour.

Martha Stewart is awaiting her fate. The domestic diva's future now in the hand of a jury that could reach a verdict literally at any time. We're live from the courthouse.

Plus, Disney's chairman in need of some magic. Will shareholders oust Michael Eisner from their kingdom? Details on today's vote. All of that, that's coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Jury deliberations have now started in Martha Stewart's obstruction of justice trial.

CNN's Allan Chernoff is covering the case for us. He's joining us now live from New York.

What happened on this day, Allan?

ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the jury already is asking to see some of the key evidence. At 2:30 Eastern time, the jury asked to review the testimony of the government's star witness, Douglas Faneuil, regarding the events of December 27, 2001, the fateful day when Martha Stewart sold her ImClone stock.

For more than two hours, lawyers on both sides argued over exactly what testimony to give the jury. Finally, the judge said, we're going to have a verdict before we figure out exactly what the jury's going get before they get exactly what they have asked for. And then moments later, a note from the jury requesting more evidence, Peter Bacanovic's testimony before the Securities and Exchange Commission, also Martha Stewart's interview with the Securities and Exchange Commission and a worksheet of Martha Stewart's stock holding.

And the jury is going to use all of this evidence to try to determine whether Stewart and her broker, Bacanovic, lied about her sale of ImClone stock. Martha Stewart is facing four criminal counts, conspiracy, obstruction of justice and two counts of making false statements. So, tomorrow, the jury will get all that evidence, and it will begin deliberating once again -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right, that deliberation could continue for some time. Thanks, Allan, very much.

And we'd like to get some additional insight from now someone who's been inside the courtroom every single day.

Simon Crittle is a reporter from our sister publication, "TIME" magazine. He is joining us now live from outside the courthouse in Manhattan.

Simon, thank you very much for being with us.

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: Give us our sense of how long, given the complexity of these charges, this jury could deliberate?

SIMON CRITTLE, "TIME": They could be out there for, I don't know, at least a week. Some people think we might have a verdict by Friday afternoon. But they seem to be looking very hard at this evidence. They're asking for read-backs already about the crucial testimony. So I'm thinking over the weekend at least.

BLITZER: I know you've been looking in the faces of these members of the jury now for these past several weeks. The fact that Martha Stewart decide -- at least her attorneys decided and she went along with it -- not to personally testify, not to say, I'm innocent, I didn't do this, how frustrated, how disappointed did the jury members appear to be based on the body language that you might have observed?

CRITTLE: I think some of them were very frustrated. They were shocked at how short the defense case was.

Martha didn't go on. We only had a couple of witnesses. And some of them were visibly moved that it was as short as it was, only less than an hour, really.

BLITZER: How did the judge, in the final recommendations or admonitions to the jury, how did the judge go ahead and explain the fact that she didn't testify?

CRITTLE: She said that there was to have absolutely no bearing on what the deliberations should be. It was her choice, Martha Stewart's choice not to testify in the case. And there was to be no emphasis placed on that whatsoever.

BLITZER: Did the judge suggest, did she say, the judge, that you can't read into this one way or another? You simply have to forget about the fact you might have wanted to hear from her, especially given the fact that going into the trial she had given several interviews to the news media?

CRITTLE: Well, that's right, again, as I said, to show absolutely no bias.

But I think what was interesting was, she also said to show no sympathy, to only accept what evidence was presented in the trial. Look, there's eight women on the jury, a perfect jury for Martha Stewart, some of them obviously rooting for her. And they are to place no emphasis on the person who she is whatsoever.

BLITZER: Simon Crittle from "TIME" magazine -- Simon, thank you very much for spending a few moments with us.

CRITTLE: Thank you.

BLITZER: A tough day indeed for Walt Disney Chief Michael Eisner. More than 40 percent of the company's shareholders voted today to oppose his reelection as chairman and CEO. And that raises new doubts about how much longer Eisner can hold onto both jobs. Stockholders have grumbled that Eisner has mismanaged the company and presided over a slump in profits.

Our picture of the day is coming up next. What is this royal doing? Look at him. The answer may surprise you. We'll also have the results of our "Web Question of the Day" when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Britain's Prince Harry is far from the trappings of royalty this week, as we see in our picture of the day. Prince Charles' youngest son is on a two-month visit to a tiny kingdom in Africa. Right now, he's helping build fences and plant trees at an orphanage in Lesotho. Prince Harry is third in line to the British throne. Good for him.

Here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Question of the Day": Can John Kerry beat George Bush in the November election? Look at this; 57 percent of you say yes; 43 percent of you say no. Remember, this is not a scientific poll.

Let's get to some of your e-mail. We're getting lots of feedback on my interview yesterday with the vice president, Dick Cheney.

Sue writes this: "Your questions were good, but he never really answered them. The response on Social Security was particularly lame. It was a great question and us baby boomers want an answer."

Larry sends us this: "How can Cheney sit there with a straight face and tell the world that he doesn't have ties to Halliburton and at the same time say this is the last year they will pay him? Does he really think that the public is that naive?"

From Scott: "Thank you for your insightful interview with the vice president. On a day full of Democrats, it was good to hear from the administration on the issues."

A reminder, we're on weekdays 5:00 p.m. Eastern, as well as weekdays noon Eastern. I'll be back tomorrow. Until then, thanks very much for watching us.

"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.

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





Debate; Is al Qaeda Ally Behind Bombings in Iraq?>


Aired March 3, 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): It's now one on one. The battle for the White House is joined.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Change is coming to America.

BLITZER: But the Bush campaign is ready and flush with cash.

AD ANNOUNCER: President Bush, steady leadership in times of change.

BLITZER: Same sex ceremonies are spreading. But are officials wrong to perform gay rites?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The statute repeatedly uses terms such as "husband" and "wife" and "bride" and "groom."

BLITZER: Day of mourning. Is an al Qaeda ally behind the bombings?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're developing that intelligence at this time.

BLITZER: Anarchy in Haiti. Rebels roam the streets. Should the Marines intervene? I'll ask U.S. Ambassador James Foley.

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Wednesday, March 3, 2004.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: The gloves are now off in what's surely to be a tough perhaps bitter eight-month battle for the White House. You're looking at a live picture where we'll see President Bush shortly in Los Angeles. His campaign offensive under way just a day after Senator John Kerry won the California primary and eight of the other ten Super Tuesday contests.

Kerry's huge victory all but wrapped up his nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate. But he's taking nothing for granted. He was on the stump today in the key state of Florida. And he knows he can't rest. President Bush is launching a $4.5 million television ad campaign tomorrow. CNN's Brian Todd reports. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The first clear sign of a one-on-one battle between two political heavyweights. The ad wars are under way.

AD ANNOUNCER: President Bush, steady leadership in times of change.

AD ANNOUNCER: You'll find out George Bush wants to eliminate overtime pay for evening workers.

TODD: An acknowledgment of an all but confirmed and worthy opponent. The Bush/Cheney campaign roll out its first reelection ads.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I know exactly where I want to lead this country.

TODD: Three spot, one in both English and Spanish, debuting Thursday in 15 to 17 states. Bush campaign sources say they'll target areas decided by relatively narrow margins in 2000, likely including Florida, Arizona, Michigan.

A striking feature in two of the ads, images of September 11.

AD ANNOUNCER: Some challenges we've seen before. And some were like no others. But America rose to the challenge.

TODD: On the one hand, it plays to the strength of leadership in crisis. On the other...

HOWARD KURTZ, HOST, "RELIABLE SOURCES": There are numerous images of the World Trade Center attacks in the ads. And that is already drawing questions about exploitation of 9/11.

TODD: The themes of leadership and faith are obvious. The unspoken message, the president is taking the high road for now.

BUSH: I'm optimistic about America because I believe in the people of America.

TODD: These first spots are all positive. Bush campaign sources don't rule out negative ads about John Kerry in the future. But a new disclaimer required when a candidate is doing his own ads may prevent them from getting too nasty.

BUSH: I'm President Bush, and I approve of this message.

TODD (on camera): From a war chest of more than $100 million, the Bush/Cheney campaign spends $4.5 million on this first ad blitz. Battle lines clearly drawn on liquidity and ideology. But experts say don't paint the Democratic challenger as the poor kid down the block.

STUART ROTHENBERG, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: You have a number of liberal left groups that are raising money and starting to run ads. I actually don't believe that Kerry will be so overwhelm over the spring and the summer that he won't be able to fight George Bush in this way. I think they're going to have enough resources.

TODD (voice-over): Almost on cue, the left leaning online group MoveOn.org rolls out two ads in 17 states. Cost, $1.9 million. Target, your president, your wallet.

AD ANNOUNCER: Two million jobs lost. Jobs going overseas. And now no overtime pay. When it comes to choosing between corporate values and family values, face it, George Bush is not on our side.

TODD: The Kerry campaign has no connection to MoveOn.org or these ads. A Kerry spokeswoman said they just finished one ad campaign and haven't made a final decision when to gear up again.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: President Bush lost California to Al Gore four years ago. That raises this question -- is he visiting the state right now because he thinks he can win it in November?

For that we turn to White House correspondent Dana Bash. She's traveling with the president in Los Angeles today, as we see the president being introduced in those live pictures.

Dana, how realistic do the White House officials you're talking to think California might be this time around?

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Certainly, they say they are hopeful that the state will be competitive, Wolf. But they understand the math, they understand what this state is, and they understand no that Republican has won here since the president's father won in 1988.

However, Arnold Schwarzenegger is something that they say they cannot ignore, that he won the state in a recall by 60 percent. And that since then, they have been able to register new voters, 245,000 new voters on the Republican side.

But they do understand that this date is very difficult to get, that some of the Republicans who are in this state don't necessarily agree with the president on many of the issues that he stands for. Take gay marriage, for example.

Even Arnold Schwarzenegger himself came out last night and seemed to distance himself from the president on that issue, saying that he would be up for gay marriage going through in this state. And that he opposes the ban on the constitutional amendment that the president is supporting.

So the campaign essentially says that they are going to compete here, they can't ignore the 55 electoral votes that the state would give them. But if you want to look at evidence of how really serious they're taking it look at where the ads they're putting up are running. California, Wolf, is not one of them. BLITZER: Dana Bash with the president in Los Angeles. Dana, thanks very much. We'll watch the president, we'll monitor what he's saying, bring our viewers, obviously, the news as it unfolds.

And while he's in California, Senator John Kerry spent part of the day at least in Florida, the state that all of us remember was at the center of the contested 2000 presidential election.

Not resting on his laurels from Super Tuesday victories, Kerry named Washington, D.C. businessman Jim Johnson to head his search for a running mate. And he's gearing up for next week's round of primaries in four southern states including Florida.

At a town hall meeting in Orlando earlier today, Kerry blasted several of President Bush's policies, including education.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KERRY: Here's my pledge to you. We will crisscross this country together over these next months, and we will hold this president accountable for making a mockery of the words "leave no child behind."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Moments ago Senator John Edwards, as we saw on CNN, officially withdrew from the presidential race. CNN's Jennifer Coggiola is joining looks at Edwards' stunning rise and fall in his quest for the White House -- Jennifer.

JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the man who brought positive politics and Southern gentility to this year's presidential race today ended what he called "the little campaign that could."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Today, I've decided to suspend my campaign for the presidency of the United States.

COGGIOLA: Before bowing out, the freshman senator from North Carolina, John Edwards, put up a fight few could have predicted. It's the story of the boy of modest means, growing up in rural South Carolina, first in his family to go college and law school, eventually becoming a successful trial lawyer and millionaire and family man.

To launch his campaign last year Edwards returned to his humble beginnings.

EDWARDS: I run for president to be champion, to be a champion for the same people I fought for all my life, regular folks.

COGGIOLA: Next on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show."

EDWARDS: I don't know if you've been following the polls. But I think it'll actually be news to most people that I'm running for president of the United States. COGGIOLA: And in front of his father's old North Carolina mill.

EDWARDS: One of my first jobs was at a trailer plant that's not too far from where we are today. And the men in that plant worked hard every single day so their children could get what they needed.

COGGIOLA: Edwards' appeal clear, from his boyish good looks winning him title of "Sexiest Politician" in "People" magazine, to his supporting role his attractive family played through the campaign.

And he kept reminding us of his own childhood.

EDWARDS: I believe in an America where the son of a mill worker could beat the son of a president for the White House.

My dad worked in a mill all his life.

My grandmother was a share cropper in South Carolina.

COGGIOLA: Support from voters attributed to his optimistic, articulate and inspirational stump speeches.

EDWARDS: It's about the politics of hope. It's about the politics of what's possible. And I am proud of the fact that you and I together have brought these issues back to the American debate.

COGGIOLA: But Edwards' opponents and critics focused on his campaign's financial backing from huge numbers of fellow trial lawyers and his lack of experience in government and politics.

KERRY: When I came back from Vietnam in 1969, ladies and gentlemen, I'm not sure if John Edwards was out of diapers then yet or not. I'm truly not sure. I don't know.

COGGIOLA: So Edwards emphasized domestic issues. Education, health care and the economy. And in the early state races, he did better than expected. First, in Iowa, finishing second to John Kerry in a still crowded field by a mere six percentage points, and New Hampshire again losing by a slim margin then finally a victory in his native state. Decisively beating the front-runner Kerry. But it wasn't enough, Edwards met his demise on Super Tuesday, losing every contest, keeping the race close in but one state, Georgia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COGGIOLA: But is it the end? According to a source familiar with both campaigns, Edwards told Kerry in a phone chat, Tuesday night that he'll do anything he can to help defeat George Bush. And that point was very clear at the end of his concession speech earlier today.

BLITZER: And Kerry later apologized to Senator Edwards for making that comment about being in diapers. They're only about 10 years apart. 60 years old versus 50 years old for John Edwards but clearly, they have a decent relationship. Jennifer Coggiola reporting for us, thank you very much. Senator Edwards is just one of many high-profile names being floated as a possible running mate for Kerry. But there are others you may not necessarily be so familiar with. CNN's Carlos Watson is joining us, our political analyst. You're familiar with these other names. Who do you have in mind?

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: There are several names. Remember the last three choices have been unconventional choices. Who would have guessed four months before Dick Cheney was chosen that Dick Cheney would ultimately have been the choice.

Who would have guessed that Bill Clinton would have chosen another southern moderate instead of balancing the ticket regionally. And, of course, Dan Quayle was a surprise to everyone. So we've got three choices and my third focuses on the strategy the Democrats are calling -- not their southern strategy but southwestern strategy -- the conventional choice would be Bill Richardson. Wolf, any guess as to who could be our third choice?

BLITZER: I see it right there. Janet Napolitano.

WATSON: Janet Napolitano. She's the new governor of Arizona. Just got elected in 2002, is in her first term, has emphasized education, has emphasized the budget there, but also is a former attorney general of the state and also U.S. attorney, and so law and order and crime issues might be brought. Ten critical electoral votes could be tossed into the column. But again, one of the things she would be hit on is not having a lot of experience.

BLITZER: Clearly a long shot.

WATSON: Clearly a long shot. But you know what, so was Dan Quayle, and when you tell one guy to be in charge of the process and ends up picking himself, he's kind of a long shot as well. So I think it's worse (UNINTELLIGIBLE). No. 2, everyone talks about foreign policy and security being something that the Democrats want to emphasize, and when you think about, that you think about Bob Graham of Florida, you also often hear General Wesley's name. An unusual name would be the former four-term senator from Georgia, Sam Nunn, currently CEO of something called The Nuclear Initiative, a charitable organization, sits on several boards, highly respected. Particularly in the south, particularly in military circles. Howard Dean floated his name you recall when Dean was a front-runner. Think that could balance him off here? He could be another unconventional choice.

BLITZER: He's someone that could clearly go head to had against Dick Cheney.

WATSON: No two ways about that. And maybe the most unusual choice of all, of course, we've saved it for No. 1. If the economy once again becomes an important issue, remember next week we'll hear the new unemployment, and again that will add further to the debate of where the economy is headed. People have talked about John Edwards and his economic populism theme but maybe they turn somewhere else. Maybe they turn to the person who they give as much credit as anyone for the Clinton economic success story. Maybe they turn to Bob Rubin, the former treasury secretary.

BLITZER: Barely thinking outside the box. Our Carlos Watson, maybe you got something going over there, we'll keep this track in mind.

WATSON: If it happens, you'll have heard it here first.

BLITZER: We'll see what happens. A lot of people still think despite all that that's been said and done and a lot already has.

WATSON: Got some great halo right now. We'll see whether or not that continues.

BLITZER: We'll all be watching, thank you very much, Carlos.

WATSON: Good to see you.

And here's your chance to weigh in on the story. Our web question of the day is this, "can John Kerry beat George Bush in the November election?" You can vote right now at CNN.com/wolf. We'll have the results later in this broadcast.

A key battleground state, two Democratic senators. Will one of them be John Kerry's running mate?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think I'd consider such an offer were it to be made.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: I'll talk with Senator Bill Nelson of Florida.

The man behind -- the man the U.S. suspects is behind deadly attacks in Iraq. Who exactly is he and what is his link to Osama bin Laden?

Plus a new front in the battle over gay marriage. Hundreds of people line up as another major United States city starts sanctioning same-sex unions.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Iraq is in official mourning after yesterday's bloody bombings targeting Shiite worshipers in Baghdad and Karbala. It's still unclear how many died, although the toll may reach well into the hundreds. U.S. officials think they have a good idea who's responsible. Let's go live it our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre -- Jamie.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf. At this hour, in the wake of the bombings. The U.S. military believes it has a new public enemy No. 1 in Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) MCINTYRE (voice-over): While the evidence is far from conclusive. U.S. commanders are already blaming the deadly twin attacks in Iraq on the influence of this man, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian said to be a collaborator with Osama bin Laden.

GEN. JOHN ABIZAID, U.S. CENTRAL COMMANDER: The level of organization and the desire to cause casualties among innocent worshipers is a clear hallmark of the Zarqawi network, and we have intelligence that ties Zarqawi to this attack.

MCINTYRE: The holy day attacks against Shiite pilgrims in Baghdad and Karbala would seem follow Zarqawi's script as the coalition provisional authority website put it. A reference to a letter the U.S. says it intercepted from Zarqawi in January, which called for attacks against Shiite religious sites to spark a civil war between Shiite and Sunni Iraqis. The U.S. says leaflets planted explosion blamed Americans for the attack as did an e-mail purportedly from al Qaeda sent to an Arab newspaper in London. U.S. commanders labeled that claim ludicrous and also rejected criticism from Shiite leaders that U.S. troops should have provided more security.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think any Monday morning quarterbacking on there should have been more done, I think, is relatively unhelpful.

MCINTYRE: Nevertheless, convinced it's fighting a foreign foe, the U.S. is dispatching more Iraqi police to the borders with Iran and Syria.

PAUL BREMER, U.S. CIVILIAN ADMINISTRATOR IN IRAQ: There are 8,000 border police today and more are on the way. We are adding hundreds of vehicles and doubling border police staffing in selected areas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCINTYRE: At that same hearing on Capitol Hill today, Pentagon officials were disputing news accounts suggesting that they failed, they missed an opportunity to kill Zarqawi in 2002 and they failed to attack a terrorist camp inside Iraq today. A senior Pentagon official suggested they did not pull the trigger in that attack for other reasons. It had nothing to do with any fear about making the case of going to war -- Wolf.

BLITZER: CNN's Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon. Jamie, thank you very much.

A surprise change in policy by Haiti's rebel leader. Details of the sudden new development. Plus, I'll speak live with the United States ambassador in Haiti about the former president's controversial resignation and departure. Also this...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is my recommendation and my counsel that city and town clerks not issue licenses to same-sex couples.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Major new developments on both coasts in the battle over same-sex marriage.

And Martha Stewart's trial enters its final phases. What happens now?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: A hot button issue around America is getting hotter. Right now Oregon's biggest county is now issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. And on the East Coast, New York's attorney general is calling for a halt to same-sex marriages in the Empire state. CNN's Adaora Udoji is in New Paltz, New York where the mayor faces criminal charges over this issue. Tell us what's going on, Adaora.

ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Actually, Wolf, right now, as you can see, we have quite a gathering in support of mayor who does go to criminal court tonight. There have been major developments on the question of same-sex marriages from here to Oregon.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UDOJI (voice-over): At P&G, the New York small village of New Paltz, feelings about same-sex marriage mirror the big question sweeping the nation.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have no problem with same-sex relationships, marriages, unions, whatever you want to call it. I have no problem with it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I don't agree with it. From what I've heard it's against the state laws and so...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: By the power vested in me by the state of New York, I now declare you legally wed.

UDOJI: Right now Mayor Jason West faces criminal misdemeanor charges for marrying 25 gay and lesbian couples last week. 19 charges of solemnizing same-sex unions without marriage licenses. The state refused to issue them. New York's attorney general, though, personally in support of gay marriages reluctantly concluded they are not legal in the state.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The statute repeatedly uses terms such as husband and wife and bride and groom.

UDOJI: Undeterred, the mayor of Nyack, New York in an act of civil disobedience says he'll begin performing same-sex marriages as promised because it's the right thing to do. In Portland, Oregon, gay and lesbian couples started tying the knot officially after the county began issuing marriage licenses. Hundreds lined up. While debates rage in individual states, on Capitol Hill, legislatures debated President Bush's vow to push for a constitutional amendment, limiting marriage to a man and a woman.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The union of mother and father is the optimal most stable foundation for the family and for raising children.

UDOJI: But others in New Paltz are not sure it's that simple.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Look at how many heterosexual marriages end up in divorce? What union are they talking about exactly.

UDOJI: As it stands Mayor Jason West will be in court tonight. He told CNN earlier he plans to plead not guilty.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

UDOJI: And as for the 25 couples the mayor married last week. The New York attorney general said it will be up to the court to decide whether or not the marriages are legal or not -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Adaora Udoji reporting from New Paltz, New York. Thank you very much for that.

We've heard former President Aristide's version what happened when he left his country. What about those who were actually there? Up next, I'll speak live to someone who was, the United States ambassador to Haiti. James Foley, he'll join us live. Plus this...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Senator Kerry's got a lot of things to consider. Not the least of which is who is capable of taking over as president if the need arises.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Looking for a match. Could this man be in the running for second spot on John Kerry's ticket? I'll speak with Senator Bill Nelson of Florida.

And downsizing your options. Why one fast food giant will no longer ask if you want to supersize those fries. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN. I'm Wolf Blitzer at the CNN Center here in Atlanta.

Rebels in Haiti do an about-face, saying they'll lay down their arms. We'll go live to the capital, Port-au-Prince, and I'll speak live with the United States ambassador to Haiti, James Foley. That's coming up.

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

For the first time in almost two years, terror suspect Jose Padilla has met with his attorneys. Padilla is held at a Navy brig in South Carolina. The Bush administration accuses him of being an al Qaeda operative, but no charges have been filed against him. Padilla, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, was arrested in May 2002 after returning to Chicago from Pakistan. A Texas woman's claim of self-defense in the death of her husband has failed to win over a jury. Susan Wright was convicted today of murdering her husband, who was stabbed 193 times. Wright had said she was the victim of a sadistic relationship. Prosecutors say she killed her husband for insurance money.

And by the end of the year, no more supersizing at McDonald's. The world's biggest fast-food chain is ditching its supersized French and soft drinks as part of a move to cut the fat and streamline its menu. Critics say McDonald's is partly to blame for an obesity crisis right here in the United States.

Just a day after declaring himself the man in charge, Haiti's rebel leader did an about-face and now says his forces will, in fact, disarm.

For the dramatic turn of developments and all the latest developments in fact in Port-au-Prince, let's turn to our Lucia Newman. She's joining us via video phone from the Haitian capital -- Lucia?

Lucia, I don't know if you can hear me. Can you hear me, Lucia Newman?

All right, we're having some trouble connecting with Lucia. We'll get back to her as soon as the situation gets improved amount, the technical situation with that videophone. Let's move on now.

Will the rebels actually go ahead and lay down their arms, and what really happened when President Aristide resigned and fled Haiti? The United States Ambassador James Foley, he was in the room. He's joining us now by phone from Port-au-Prince.

Mr. Ambassador, thanks very much for joining us. Give us your version. What exactly did happen Sunday morning in the minutes, indeed the hours before President Aristide decided to get on that plane and leave Haiti.

JAMES FOLEY, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO HAITI: I'd be glad to.

Actually, it began Saturday afternoon when our security personnel met with his security team and they quickly came to a common assessment that the president had basically two choices, either to get out of palace and out of Haiti immediately while there was time to do it safely, or to wait, maybe 24 hours when the rebel army would be in town, and we would have been faced with trying an attraction under very dire circumstances. And it might have been costly to our people and maybe to the president himself.

So, they reached that assessment. They presented it to him. He had a few questions and asked that I give him a call through them. And I did so, and I answered his questions. And he never objected or disagreed to the assessment that it was the thing to do, the necessary thing to do for his own safety to depart immediately. And it was a very cordial and courteous series of conversations. I was not actually in the room. I was by my telephone, and we spoke three or four times into the evening and into the night. And as a result, we saved his life. He saved his own life, and I think we saved perhaps thousands of lives, because I think you can see now with the rebel army here, although it's going to withdraw, that we would have had really some very bloody clashes between that army and the gangs that were supporting president Aristide here in Port-au-Prince.

BLITZER: You know the accusation, Mr. Ambassador, that he's made, that the U.S. was involved in a coup d'etat to remove him from power and effectively forced him -- forced him -- to give up power and leave Haiti. You can say categorically that's a lie?

FOLEY: Absolutely untrue. This was about saving his life. And I'll tell you, in the series of conversations we had, I think once he made the decision he was going to leave, he expressed repeatedly his desire to ensure that his departure led to calm and led to an end to violence, and he said so in his letter of resignation. There was absolutely no constraint.

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: And you didn't put a gun to his head or pressure him to sign that letter of resignation, which we've all now seen?

FOLEY: Absolutely untrue. Absolutely untrue. As I said, he never objected to the assessment. He quickly shifted to questions that he had, and that we were able to answer, and he was very concerned about the circumstances of the departure.

But I will tell you something, Wolf. He was prepared to go. I think he was very prepared to go. In fact, it's very obvious that the palace would have been in deep difficulty in a matter of hours or else days, and we would have been having the same conversation together if we could have, under some very difficult and violent circumstances.

I think he did the right thing, and, in departing, he indicated to me repeatedly that he wanted also to make sure that his act of departure led to calm and led to an end to violence.

BLITZER: Mr. Ambassador, Guy Philippe, I spoke with his on Sunday. He seemed to be saying all the right things, welcoming the introduction of U.S. Marines, welcoming the U.S. involvement. What can you tell us about this rebel leader now that he is in Port-au- Prince, and presumably controls a lot of forces?

FOLEY: Well, it's difficult to say. I think he's something of a shadowy figure with something of a checkered past. And some of the other people in the rebel movement have a very sinister past.

I don't know that you could paint a broad brush over all of them. I think that given the kind of criminality and misgovernance that existed here, there's a certain degree of support in at least parts of the country. But the fact of the matter is, they pledged to lay down their arms when President Aristide resigned. And so we are holding them to their pledge. It is true that we had very few forces on the ground from Sunday night onwards through about today.

But, as of today, we are in increasingly robust strength in Port- au-Prince, and we made it unmistakably clear what has to happen. The president of Haiti, President Alexandre, issued an appeal on the radio to the rebel forces and also to President Aristide's to lay down their arms and go home. And I think we'll have to wait and watch and see if that happens, given the back and forth over the last few days. But the result is inevitable. The space for them to operate is going to be small. It's going to shrink, and it's going to disappear, but it's a question of time as we flow in our forces.

BLITZER: James Foley, the United States ambassador in Haiti -- Mr. Ambassador, thanks very much for joining us. Good luck to you and good luck to the entire mission in Port-au-Prince.

Now that he has a lock on the nomination, everyone wants to know, who will be John Kerry's running mate? The name dropping has clearly begun. And this man -- you're looking at him -- Bill Nelson -- he may be on the list. Up next, my interview with the Florida senator.

And a waiting game under way right now and deliberations under way in the Martha Stewart trial, her fate now resting with a jury.

And the English prince in an African kingdom, Harry doing some manual labor for a good cause. 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): Protests have intensified following a ruling by Venezuelan authorities against holding a presidential recall election. Venezuela's elections council rejected petitions calling for an up-or-down vote on president Hugo Chavez, saying they did not have enough valid signatures.

Attack on Hamas. An Israeli helicopter attack in Gaza has killed three Palestinian militants. All three were in a car traveling along a Palestinian road not far from an Israeli settlement.

Couture controversy. An Israeli fashion house mixed commerce with politics when it held a photo shoot in front of Israel's controversial West Bank barrier. The fashion house says the photo shoot was a political statement against building walls to solve conflicts. Critics say it was in very bad taste.

Pure intentions? British regulators may force Dasani Water to change its advertising. Dasani bottles tap water that goes through a specialized filtration process. Officials say that may not be good enough to justify Dasani's slogan "pure, still water."

And that's our look around the world

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: As we mentioned, Senator John Kerry already very hard at work on the campaign trail today in Florida. With him were the state's two Democratic senators, former presidential candidate Bob Graham and Bill Nelson. Both are being mentioned as possible running mates.

Just a short while ago, I spoke with Senator Bill Nelson.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Senator Nelson, thanks very much for joining us.

Let's get right to the question at hand. Do you want to be vice president of the United States?

SEN. BILL NELSON (D), FLORIDA: Wolf, I'm flattered that my name is even being mentioned, but it's way too early. It's just way too early.

Senator Kerry's got a lot of things to consider, not the least of which is who is capable of taking over as president if the need arises, but who can best help him in the campaign. He can't make the decision right now.

BLITZER: Well, let me ask it another way. Do you think you would be capable of becoming president of the United States of taking over that job, if you were vice president and, God forbid, something happen to the president?

NELSON: Well, you know how to ask the hard questions. And I'll answer it this way, that I think I'd consider such an offer, were it to be made, but that's so far down line, I'm not even thinking about it now.

BLITZER: I don't know why you say it's so far down the line. He's got to come up with a potential nominee by the time of the convention this summer. That's only a few months away.

NELSON: Yes, but a few days is an eternity in our business, so we'll see just where it goes.

BLITZER: Has anyone in the Kerry campaign actually had a discussion with you informally or formally about such a possibility?

NELSON: No, they haven't, Wolf.

BLITZER: Is Florida, given what happened, 537 votes in the election in 2000, clearly, Florida is a critically important state, a lot of electoral votes in Florida. How important would it be for the Democratic nominee to have someone from Florida on the ticket?

NELSON: Well, that's one of the things Senator Kerry is going to look at is where does he need strength and an additional push in what states? Is it Ohio? Is it Pennsylvania? Is it Florida? Who gives him the most heft in the West, in the Midwest, as well as the South? These are questions I can't answer. Senator Kerry's going to answer those.

BLITZER: Well, forget about you for the time being.

Let's talk about the perfect vice presidential candidate to run with Senator Kerry, a lot of focus and attention on your colleague from North Carolina, Senator Edwards. He's now formally dropping out of the race. He presumably would bring some assets in the South. But many Democrats say you should really write off the South as far as the Democratic Party is concerned.

NELSON: Oh, no, the South's in play. Florida is clearly in play. Louisiana is probably in play, and you just watch how this develops. The Democratic Party is going to have a nominee who is an authentic war hero. That strikes a responsive cord in the South.

BLITZER: What about your colleague from Florida, Senator Graham, former governor of Florida? How good of a vice presidential running mate would he be?

NELSON: Well, he's the most distinguished public servant that this state has produced. So clearly, I think he'll be at top of the list, as I do Senator Edwards, who, I think, has earned the right to be considered.

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: Yes, I was going to say, Florida, given the fact that it was so important in 2000, looking back, mistakes made by Al Gore at the time, what do you recommend? What kind of mistakes should Kerry avoid this time around in focusing in specifically on Florida?

NELSON: Well, we already talked about this on the plane on the way down to Orlando today.

The candidate who carries the central part of Florida from the Atlantic to the Gulf across what is known as the I-4 Corridor is the candidate that is going to carry the entire state. And I think that the response that Senator Kerry here today in Orlando was just phenomenal. Remember, Al Gore did well here. And as you move further to west central Florida in the Tampa Bay region, Al Gore did very well there as well. So, I think Florida is clearly in play for Senator Kerry as the presidential candidate.

BLITZER: Senator Bill Nelson, the senator from Florida, at least one of two senators from Florida, thanks very much for joining us.

NELSON: Thanks, Wolf.

BLITZER: Good luck to you.

NELSON: Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: And this very important programming note: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York will be a guest in the coming our on "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT." That starts right at the top of the hour, her name already being mentioned as a possible running mate as well. We'll see what she has to say. Hillary Rodham Clinton with Lou Dobbs coming up at the top of the hour.

Martha Stewart is awaiting her fate. The domestic diva's future now in the hand of a jury that could reach a verdict literally at any time. We're live from the courthouse.

Plus, Disney's chairman in need of some magic. Will shareholders oust Michael Eisner from their kingdom? Details on today's vote. All of that, that's coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Jury deliberations have now started in Martha Stewart's obstruction of justice trial.

CNN's Allan Chernoff is covering the case for us. He's joining us now live from New York.

What happened on this day, Allan?

ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the jury already is asking to see some of the key evidence. At 2:30 Eastern time, the jury asked to review the testimony of the government's star witness, Douglas Faneuil, regarding the events of December 27, 2001, the fateful day when Martha Stewart sold her ImClone stock.

For more than two hours, lawyers on both sides argued over exactly what testimony to give the jury. Finally, the judge said, we're going to have a verdict before we figure out exactly what the jury's going get before they get exactly what they have asked for. And then moments later, a note from the jury requesting more evidence, Peter Bacanovic's testimony before the Securities and Exchange Commission, also Martha Stewart's interview with the Securities and Exchange Commission and a worksheet of Martha Stewart's stock holding.

And the jury is going to use all of this evidence to try to determine whether Stewart and her broker, Bacanovic, lied about her sale of ImClone stock. Martha Stewart is facing four criminal counts, conspiracy, obstruction of justice and two counts of making false statements. So, tomorrow, the jury will get all that evidence, and it will begin deliberating once again -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right, that deliberation could continue for some time. Thanks, Allan, very much.

And we'd like to get some additional insight from now someone who's been inside the courtroom every single day.

Simon Crittle is a reporter from our sister publication, "TIME" magazine. He is joining us now live from outside the courthouse in Manhattan.

Simon, thank you very much for being with us.

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: Give us our sense of how long, given the complexity of these charges, this jury could deliberate?

SIMON CRITTLE, "TIME": They could be out there for, I don't know, at least a week. Some people think we might have a verdict by Friday afternoon. But they seem to be looking very hard at this evidence. They're asking for read-backs already about the crucial testimony. So I'm thinking over the weekend at least.

BLITZER: I know you've been looking in the faces of these members of the jury now for these past several weeks. The fact that Martha Stewart decide -- at least her attorneys decided and she went along with it -- not to personally testify, not to say, I'm innocent, I didn't do this, how frustrated, how disappointed did the jury members appear to be based on the body language that you might have observed?

CRITTLE: I think some of them were very frustrated. They were shocked at how short the defense case was.

Martha didn't go on. We only had a couple of witnesses. And some of them were visibly moved that it was as short as it was, only less than an hour, really.

BLITZER: How did the judge, in the final recommendations or admonitions to the jury, how did the judge go ahead and explain the fact that she didn't testify?

CRITTLE: She said that there was to have absolutely no bearing on what the deliberations should be. It was her choice, Martha Stewart's choice not to testify in the case. And there was to be no emphasis placed on that whatsoever.

BLITZER: Did the judge suggest, did she say, the judge, that you can't read into this one way or another? You simply have to forget about the fact you might have wanted to hear from her, especially given the fact that going into the trial she had given several interviews to the news media?

CRITTLE: Well, that's right, again, as I said, to show absolutely no bias.

But I think what was interesting was, she also said to show no sympathy, to only accept what evidence was presented in the trial. Look, there's eight women on the jury, a perfect jury for Martha Stewart, some of them obviously rooting for her. And they are to place no emphasis on the person who she is whatsoever.

BLITZER: Simon Crittle from "TIME" magazine -- Simon, thank you very much for spending a few moments with us.

CRITTLE: Thank you.

BLITZER: A tough day indeed for Walt Disney Chief Michael Eisner. More than 40 percent of the company's shareholders voted today to oppose his reelection as chairman and CEO. And that raises new doubts about how much longer Eisner can hold onto both jobs. Stockholders have grumbled that Eisner has mismanaged the company and presided over a slump in profits.

Our picture of the day is coming up next. What is this royal doing? Look at him. The answer may surprise you. We'll also have the results of our "Web Question of the Day" when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Britain's Prince Harry is far from the trappings of royalty this week, as we see in our picture of the day. Prince Charles' youngest son is on a two-month visit to a tiny kingdom in Africa. Right now, he's helping build fences and plant trees at an orphanage in Lesotho. Prince Harry is third in line to the British throne. Good for him.

Here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Question of the Day": Can John Kerry beat George Bush in the November election? Look at this; 57 percent of you say yes; 43 percent of you say no. Remember, this is not a scientific poll.

Let's get to some of your e-mail. We're getting lots of feedback on my interview yesterday with the vice president, Dick Cheney.

Sue writes this: "Your questions were good, but he never really answered them. The response on Social Security was particularly lame. It was a great question and us baby boomers want an answer."

Larry sends us this: "How can Cheney sit there with a straight face and tell the world that he doesn't have ties to Halliburton and at the same time say this is the last year they will pay him? Does he really think that the public is that naive?"

From Scott: "Thank you for your insightful interview with the vice president. On a day full of Democrats, it was good to hear from the administration on the issues."

A reminder, we're on weekdays 5:00 p.m. Eastern, as well as weekdays noon Eastern. I'll be back tomorrow. Until then, thanks very much for watching us.

"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.

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