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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Kerry Chooses Edwards for V.P.; Iraqi Militants Warn Terrorist Leader to Leave; Kidnapped Marine's Family Member Says He's Free

Aired July 06, 2004 - 17:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


MILE O'BRIEN, HOST: Happening now. Waiting for his arrival. John Edwards in flight to meet his running mate.
Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN (voice-over): Kerry's choice.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: ... next vice president of the United States of America will be John Edwards from North Carolina.

O'BRIEN: What does he bring to the race?

SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: It's a ticket of strength. It's a ticket of hope. It's a ticket of opportunity. It's a ticket for victory.

O'BRIEN: The GOP is already bringing it on. We'll hear from the Bush campaign.

Target: Zarqawi. Masked Iraqis say they've had enough of this al Qaeda ally. Can they succeed where U.S. forces have failed?

Missing Marine. His family say a U.S. hostage is free. Do they know more than the Pentagon?

Star witness. Back in court in the Scott Peterson murder case. Will his former mistress take the stand?

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Tuesday, July 6, 2004.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Hello, I'm Miles O'Brien at CNN Center in Atlanta. Wolf is off today.

John Edwards is in. The gloves are off, and the race for the White House is starting a new phase.

We expect to see the new Democratic vice presidential candidate arriving in Pittsburgh in about 30 minutes' time. We'll bring it to you live, of course. Meantime, we have complete coverage of today's announcement, with Brian Todd standing by in Washington and CNN political analyst Carlos Watson in Mountain View, California.

First, the unveiling of a big political secret.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KERRY: I am pleased to announce that, with your help, the next vice president of the United States of America will be Senator John Edwards from North Carolina.

O'BRIEN (voice-over): Days of suspense and speculation, over. The Democratic ticket now set. The final player in place, John Edwards of North Carolina, John Kerry's rival in the primaries. He was among the last to bow out.

The choice was a closely guarded secret. The Kerry campaign apparently told the vendors making the new Kerry/Edwards campaign signs to sign a nondisclosure agreement.

And the air charter company, we're told, only last night got word to add Edwards' name to the campaign plane.

The secret eluded almost everyone, including the "New York Post," which had a "Dewey Defeats Truman" moment, proclaiming Richard Gephardt as Kerry's choice on page one.

A Kerry aide says even Edwards himself went to bed last night in the dark over the final decision.

The news came in a phone call this morning. It was followed by an Edwards statement saying, "I was honored this morning to receive a call from Senator Kerry asking me to join his ticket. I was humbled by his offer and thrilled to accept it."

It's the first ticket to feature two incumbent senators since Kennedy and Johnson in 1960. Edwards, his wife Elizabeth, and their three children are traveling to Pittsburgh to join the Kerry clan for dinner tonight. Their first joint campaign appearance is set for tomorrow.

The two men are not considered close, but their primary battles were relatively civil. Democrats hope Edwards' upbeat, downhome style, will complement the more staid Kerry.

KENNEDY: He's certainly one of the most gifted and talented communicators and that -- and campaigners that we have had. He is able to take complex, difficult issues, simplify them and identify where the interests are for middle-income families.

O'BRIEN: Edwards spent the morning fielding congratulatory phone calls. One of the first, from political mentor, Bill Clinton, and another from his rival.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The vice president called him early this morning to say, after the announcement was made -- to say that he welcomes him to the race, and as I do, and I look forward to a good-spirited contest.

O'BRIEN: No such niceties from the Bush/Cheney campaign, however, which calls Kerry/Edwards one of the most divisive and out of the mainstream tickets for president.

The Bush campaign suggests Edwards was selected to help Kerry close the charm gap with voters and says the new candidate "delivers his pessimism with a Southern drawl and a smile."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Now, taking aside the rhetoric of the Bush/Cheney campaign, every candidate brings strengths and weaknesses to a ticket. CNN's Brian Todd with more with that.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miles, it hasn't taken Republicans or outside observers very long to come up with some potential weaknesses where John Edwards may be targeted early.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TODD (voice-over): On the surface, not the image of a man with serious vulnerabilities, but just listen as John Kerry himself zeroed in on John Edwards' lack of experience back in January.

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

TODD: Then, perhaps in a moment of political expediency, Kerry backed off.

KERRY: That comment I made is not meant to be negative. I don't want to just -- I don't want to go that road. I think that what's appropriate to recognize is he's a very talented person. I like him a great deal.

TODD: But John Kerry had voiced what many observers believe is one of John Edwards' principal weaknesses as a national candidate.

STU ROTHENBERG, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: I think if he has a weakness, it's national security, defense, lack of a lot of experience. I think the Republicans will try to exploit that and say this is dangerous times. You can't have a V.P. who doesn't have extensive background in national security issues.

TODD: But analysts we spoke to do say there are other pitfalls out there that Edwards will have to counter, including one part of his resume that he promotes as positive: his reputation for fighting for the little guy in court.

HASTINGS WYMAN, "SOUTHERN POLITICAL REPORT": Edwards' biggest problem is probably his background as a trial lawyer. A lot of business people, a lot of doctors will find that offensive, that he made his millions essentially at their expense.

TODD: Did we mention how soon Edwards will have to play defense? Here's what the Republican National Committee hit on in a statement just hours after Kerry announced his choice.

Quote, "Who is John Edwards? A disingenuous, unaccomplished liberal and a friend to personal injury trial lawyers."

Then there's the man Edwards will be measured directly against. And while the boyish senator's optimism and exuberance may give him a cosmetic edge, observers say, watch out.

WYMAN: Edwards will know debating techniques. He will be smooth; he will be articulate. But Cheney is a man who knows facts.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TODD: Even in the South, political analysts tell us, Edwards is a mixed blessing, that he may give the campaign a broad boost in some states.

But in North Carolina, they point out, he declined to run for re- election to the Senate this year, partly because he was not polling well there. And they say he may not give Kerry the edge over President Bush in his own home state -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Any indication, Brian, as to why he's not polling well in his home state?

TODD: Well, the analysts tell that mostly it was because he -- they feel that -- the voters there felt that he didn't take care of them. He was concerned with his own national ambitions from the very start. He didn't pay attention to, quote, "bringing home the bacon," getting some of the pork projects that they want. And they just thought he was too ambitious from the start for his -- for his national ambitions.

O'BRIEN: Brian Todd in Washington, thank you. Later this hour, more reaction to the selection of John Edwards from the head of the Bush/Cheney campaign and from the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Now, in the background of all of this, the man some say was John Kerry's first choice for a running mate. That's Senator John McCain.

CNN political analyst Carlos Watson joining us now from Mountain View, California, with that part of the story. Carlos, John McCain is all over this campaign, both sides of the aisle, isn't he?

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: No two ways about it. No sooner had John Kerry announced that John Edwards would be his running mate than the Bush/Cheney campaign released a new ad that features John McCain and saying, in effect, your first choice, John Kerry, didn't join you, John McCain. Instead he's backing us, and he's playing a prominent role in the campaign.

And that ad was unveiled just today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: He has not wavered. He has not flinched from the hard choices. He was determined and remains determined to make this world a better, safer, freer place.

He deserves not only our support but our admiration. That's why I am honored to introduce to you the president of the United States, George W. Bush.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WATSON: Now, Miles, make no mistake about it, Democrats didn't sit on their hands. John Kerry's campaign immediately introduced an Internet ad where it repeated -- it profiled several charges that John McCain has made in the past against George Bush, taking him to task, if you will, on taxes, on pollution, even on mistakes in the war in Iraq.

So they responded right away.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MCCAIN: Bush wants to give 38 percent of his tax cuts to the wealthiest one percent of Americans. My friends, my friends, I don't think Bill Gates needs a tax cut.

Mistakes happen in war. That's why we try to avoid them. Mistakes have been made.

Governor Bush is one of the great polluters in history. The air quality in Texas has gone down.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WATSON: So what's significant is you -- as you hear this back and forth, is that McCain has not only had tough things to say about George Bush, but in fact, has had positive things, Miles, to say about John Edwards.

In fact, on the blurb on the back cover of John Edwards' book, "Four Trials," McCain had very positive things to say about John Edwards, including being very sympathetic about the death of John Edwards' son and how John Edwards handled that.

O'BRIEN: So I guess you can make a case that the McCain bet in this would be a push, that he's really all over both campaigns. And voters will react by doing nothing, as a result.

Let me ask you this: there's comments today from McCain, kind of coming in the wake of this Republican ad which came out there, where he once again tries to play the middle.

WATSON: He did. In many ways, Miles, almost mocking the president, saying, "I'm featured in both ads. And in fact, I'm a uniter, not a divider." You remember, that's a very famous phrase that George Bush used in 2000.

And so for Republicans who have hoped that John McCain would be a very vital and important part of their campaign, it seems every time he gives with the right hand, maybe he takes away with the left to some extent.

And Democrats certainly, I'm sure, hoping that that continues over the next several months.

O'BRIEN: And just a final thought here. McCain as a force to be reckoned with, nothing to trifle with there. Do you suspect that, win, lose or draw in November, he's going to have a role to play in either administration potentially?

WATSON: Well, you know, John Kerry's not going to stop talking about him, right, as a potential secretary of defense or certainly as someone who he'll lean on for advice. And to the extent he does that, you know that he's looking to woo voters in the middle, those so- called swing voters who may make up 21 percent, 22 percent, even 23 percent of the electorate today.

O'BRIEN: All right. Carlos Watson, appreciate your insights, as always. Thanks very much.

Now here's your turn to weigh in on this important story. Our Web question of the day is this: "Is John Edwards the best choice as Kerry's running mate?" You can vote right now at CNN.com/Wolf. We'll have the results a little bit later in the program.

We're standing by for John Edwards' arrival from Pittsburgh expected at the bottom of the hour. You'll see it here live, of course.

Also, turning the tables on an accused terror leader in Iraq. Who's making death threats against Abu Musab al-Zarqawi?

Placing blame for the WMD debacle. CNN has an inside preview of a harsh, upcoming report for you.

Plus a personal look at Edwards and his wife. Wolf Blitzer asks John and Elizabeth about their most personal trials.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Masked man, a taped statement, a chilling warning. But this time, the threat is directed against a terror leader. A key al Qaeda ally is told to get out of Iraq or else.

Our Baghdad bureau chief, Jane Arraf, has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A previously unknown group called the Rescue Group claims to have launched a threat, claims to be prepared to attack Abu Musab al Zarqawi and his followers, to drive them out of Iraq if they don't leave.

In a tape aired on Arabic language networks, this group says that it will hunt them down and it asks, "Who are we to follow Zarqawi?" It asks who this man is who professes to preach Islam when he is attacking holy places on holy days.

Now, the hope of Iraqi officials is that Iraqis will increasingly start to turn in those people behind the series of car bombs and other attacks that are still being launched in Baghdad and other places.

There are reports of at least six people killed and more than two dozen wounded when a suicide car bomb exploded at a funeral north of Baghdad. This was a funeral for two people who had been killed the previous day in an attack in Baqubah, about 60 kilometers, 40 miles north of Baghdad.

Among the wounded, according to reports, a senior police commander.

(on camera): Jane Arraf, CNN, reporting from Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: So where in the world is Wassef Hassoun? The missing U.S. Marine was taken hostage in Iraq last month, and for a time he was reported killed.

A brother in Lebanon now says Hassoun is free, and that's all he'll say. Other relatives at home in West Jordan, Utah.

CNN's Rusty Dornin is there. She joins us live with what is a difficult mystery to solve.

Hello, Rusty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, while the family in Lebanon seems very excited about this so-called sign that Corporal Hassoun has been released, on the other hand the family here is very cautious about any report that cannot be confirmed.

Too many times they've had their hopes raised, only to have them dashed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DORNIN (voice-over): Is he finally free? Corporate Wassef Ali Hassoun's brother in Lebanon thinks so.

Sami Hassoun claims someone came to the door at the family home in Tripoli with an assurance that left little doubt in his mind that his brother is alive. He spoke to CNN from Lebanon by telephone.

SAMI HASSOUN, WASSEF ALI HASSOUN'S BROTHER: We had a sign that he's alive and he's -- and he's released. We have no idea where he is, but he's alive and he's released. And we are assured of the sign.

BILL HEMMER, CO-HOST, "AMERICAN MORNING": Sami, you say you've gotten a sign. Can you tell us more about that? What sign?

HASSOUN: We have no comment about the sign now. That's all we can say. He's alive. We are sure of it. And he's released.

DORNIN: Corporal Hassoun's brother, Mohammed, here in West Jordan, Utah, told CNN family members here heard the news from Lebanon but still don't know who the messenger was in Tripoli and had no comment on the mysterious sign.

The Pentagon issued a statement. It can't confirm Hassoun's release.

The group that claims to have kidnapped Hassoun says he was sent to a safe place, after he announced his forgiveness and determination not to return to U.S. armed forces. The Pentagon has not commented on that, but says it is investigating the circumstances leading up to his capture.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DORNIN: Yet another twist that has wound this family, really, in knots. The latest, it's encouraging, but other unconfirmed reports have really burned this family before. The best confirmation for people here would be able to see for themselves that Corporal Wassef Hassoun was alive and safe -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Rusty Dornin, thank you very much.

Just ahead, the new V.P. candidate arrives in Pittsburgh. We'll carry it live. That picture is there. That's John Kerry's plane already on the tarmac there.

We'll also take a closer look inside the Edwards family: Wolf Blitzer's revealing interview with Senator and Mrs. John Edwards.

Plus, the Saddam Hussein fear factor. Protecting the prosecutors, witnesses and the judge at Iraq's trial of the century.

And getting ready for a star witness at the Scott Peterson murder trial.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: John Edwards expected to arrive momentarily in Pittsburgh, and we're standing by to bring it to you live.

But first, Wolf Blitzer sat down separately with John Edwards and Elizabeth earlier this year, getting some insights into the pair who may be the country's next second couple.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WOLF BLITZER, HOST, "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS": I guess that you're blessed that you look younger than 50. In any other profession, that would be great.

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D), NORTH CAROLINA: I got lots of scars on the inside, I promise you.

BLITZER: John and Elizabeth Edwards may have been in the habit of pinching themselves. Life couldn't have been much better. A 20- year-old love story, two beautiful kids, professional success, wealth beyond their dreams.

John had an especially close bond with their son, Wade. Together they climbed Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro. Even their experiences as litigators, helping other families deal with tragedy couldn't have prepared John and Elizabeth for what was to come.

April 4, 1996, 16-year-old Wade Edwards, on his way to meet his parents at their beach house, is killed when his vehicle flips off a North Carolina interstate.

ELIZABETH EDWARDS, JOHN EDWARDS' WIFE: We lost our oldest son, Wade, in 1996. And a lot of people around the country, way too many people around the country who have had exactly that same situation and events, that where I go, people come up to me all the time and say that they're sadly a member of the same sorority that I'm a member of.

BLITZER: Part of the rejuvenation for the Edwards family came later, when Elizabeth was in her late 40s and daughter Emma Claire was born, followed two years later by son Jack.

J. EDWARDS: Thank you. We're going to do this together.

BLITZER: Don't let the homespun Southern drawl fool you. This is a man driven from early on, the first member of his family to go to college, law school.

A star civil litigator who, from the start, dazzled his employers with his talent and ambition. Taking on manufacturers, hospitals, and other corporations, Edwards didn't just win. He won settlements and judgments that set records on behalf of the little guy.

Iowa proved what many in the Carolinas already knew: underestimate John Edwards at your peril.

J. EDWARDS: I will beat George Bush in my backyard, and you tell your friends that.

BLITZER: Edwards was praised for his positive campaign and his ability to connect with blue-collar voters.

KERRY: John Kerry, because...

BLITZER: But as it became more and more apparent Kerry would be the Democratic presidential candidate, there were suggestions the Massachusetts Senator would need a Southerner to balance the ticket.

(on camera): I think the last time I interviewed you, you said you were not interested in being vice president of the United States. Does that statement still hold?

EDWARDS: I'm interested in making sure John Kerry's president, and that's all I'm focused on right now.

BLITZER: What if he asks you to be his running mate?

EDWARDS: See, that's for him to decide. I'm not going to engage in...

BLITZER: You're open -- you're open to that?

EDWARDS: I'm open to making sure he's president, and I'm going to do whatever I can to make that happen.

BLITZER: If he comes to you and says, "Senator, I believe you could help me win this race," you would have to say yes?

EDWARDS: I will do anything I can to make John Kerry president.

BLITZER: That's a yes then?

EDWARDS: That means whatever it takes to him president.

BLITZER: Do you feel comfortable enough with him, you support him enough that you could balance the ticket? And you think that could be a winning ticket?

EDWARDS: I support him every way I know how, and I believe he will be president.

BLITZER: If for some reason he doesn't ask you, and everybody seems to think he will ask you. We saw that picture I referred to earlier, the two of you standing next to each other, with your hands up in the air. A lot of people looked at that and said, that's the ticket.

EDWARDS: Yes?

BLITZER: What did you think when you saw that? Was that a coincidence that you were standing in there positioned for that photo?

EDWARDS: No. I -- I was there to make sure that I, along with all of the other candidates, the American people saw that we completely supported John Kerry for president, as does Jimmy Carter, as does Bill Clinton, as does Al Gore.

BLITZER: If for some reason he doesn't ask you -- that's possible; he might not ask you -- you're not seeking re-election in the Senate. What's ahead for John Edwards?

EDWARDS: I'm going to worry about that after November.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: John Edwards arriving momentarily in Pittsburgh. You'll see it here live. That's live pictures right now. That might very well be the plane carrying Senator Edwards and his family. We'll keep you posted on that.

Also, evaluating Edwards. We'll hear from friends and foes of the new vice presidential candidate.

Who's to blame for the WMD goose chase in Iraq, meanwhile? We'll preview a still secret report for you.

And mending royal fences. The queen comes face to face with Princess Diana's family at the unveiling of her memorial.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Ahead on the program, they still fear Saddam Hussein. How to persuade witnesses to testify against him.

And the other woman, will she be the star witness at the Scott Peterson murder trial?

Live pictures, Pittsburgh International Airport. As you see, one of the planes carrying the entourage of Senator Edwards and his family. We'll live pictures for you as the newly anointed Democratic ticket is brought together for the first time after today's announcement.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back. We'll have reaction coming up to the new Democratic ticket and live coverage of John Edwards' arrival in Pittsburgh where he'll join John Kerry. But first, a quick check of the latest headlines we're watching for you elsewhere.

A pair of wildfires have burned thousand of acres on Arizona's Mount Graham. Firefighters battling to protect a University of Arizona observatory on top of the mountain as well as 74 nearby cabins.

The archdiocese of Portland, Oregon became the first Roman Catholic diocese in U.S. history to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The archdiocese and its insurers have spent more than $50 million to settle child sexual abuse claims against its priests. And other cases still pending could cost hundreds of millions more.

Secretary of State Colin Powell says Israel should be moving more quickly to dismantle Jewish settlements in Palestinian territory. Powell says he conveyed his disappointment to Israel's foreign minister today during what he called an open and candid discussion.

In Tel Aviv today, International Atomic Agency Chief Mohammed El Baradei urged Israel to be more forthcoming about its nuclear weapons program. Israel is believed to have nuclear weapons but it has never officially acknowledged that.

Some reaction now to John Edwards being named as running mate to John Kerry. We'll hear the Republican side in a moment. But first, Congressman Elijah Cummings, Democrat of Maryland will join us as we look at live pictures here from Pittsburgh's airport. He is chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, close adviser to Senator John Kerry. He joins us now from Baltimore. Good to have you with us, sir.

REP. ELIJAH CUMMINGS (D), MARYLAND: It's good to be with you.

O'BRIEN: All right. Awful lot of white males on both of these tickets. Don't you think it was high time that perhaps at least the Democratic ticket, as a vice presidential choice, had a person of color, or a woman?

CUMMINGS: I would love to see a person of color or a woman. But the fact is that we have John Edwards and I don't think anyone has to have any -- be upset about that. John Edwards is a very bright person. He's been tested time and time again in these debates. Five years on the intelligence committee. And just a man who believes in one America. And as divided as America is today we need that voice saying that we can do better and saying that he will -- I know he'll bring out the best in our country.

O'BRIEN: Congressman Cummings, by the way, we are told by our producer on the scene there that John Edwards is in fact on this Gulf Stream aircraft here. We're obviously going to keep that picture up as we continue our conversation. Surely though, you must be disappointed in 2004 that there hasn't been a person of color selected as part of the ticket for the Oval Office.

CUMMINGS: I would love to see that. I'm not sure that our country has gotten that far yet unfortunately. But I do see that day soon coming. I mean, with Senator Obama, candidate Obama, soon to be senator in Illinois, I think -- our hopes are high. I think that will happen very soon. But now this is a day to celebrate John Kerry and John Edwards as they move towards a progressive agenda for this country.

O'BRIEN: Let's talk a little by John McCain. We were talking with Carlos Watson a little while ago about it. John McCain was widely rumored to be the first choice for the Kerry campaign. Do you think he would have been a better choice for Senator Kerry and would that have been a stronger ticket?

CUMMINGS: No, I was never excited about John McCain because John McCain is a Republican. We have got so many wonderful Democrats that have worked so hard for so many years and given their blood, sweat and tears for this party and I think it would not have been a good move. As a matter of fact, I told the Kerry campaign that and that I told the senator that, too.

So, you know, there we had to agree to disagree with the senator. But I am elated that we have John Edwards as our vice presidential candidate because I think that John, being a young man, will bring young voters into the process more than they have ever been. And I think he will excite America. And the electorate have already shown that they like him. He's a likable person. And he's been through some difficult times but at the same time, he is that young man that every parent dreams kind of dreams of. They want their kid to grow up to be successful. He is that. But yet and still he still has the common touch. And that's very important.

O'BRIEN: Clearly, he has tremendous political talents. And you talk about his charm and the way he connects with blue collar voters. I wonder if, in making this selection Senator Kerry will suffer by comparison somewhat.

CUMMINGS: Not at all. As I said to Senator Kerry and to Johnson when he was talking to me about the vetting process. I said, you know, "if that is the case and you -- if you are really worried about that, don't worry about it. I'd rather see Kerry and Edwards in the White House and have that problem than to have them sitting on the sideline while we continue down this road that Bush has laid for us which is regressive."

And so I just believe that this is the winning ticket, we will win. I don't think it will be all that overshattering (ph) that you and the media talk about constantly. The fact is you've got two strong candidates on the Democratic side that will excite the electorate and that will bring our country where it needs to be. It will bring out the best in our country as opposed to the worst.

O'BRIEN: Edwards is a very successful trial lawyer, made many millions doing that. It you had to pick one profession that is always in the sights of Republicans, it is trial lawyers. Is this going to be a liability perhaps for this ticket, the fact that Edwards made his millions doing just that?

CUMMINGS: I don't think so. You've got to understand that there are a lot of people who have suffered from all kinds of medical mistakes. And a lot of people see Edwards as a champion, someone who has stood up for them over and over again with passion and fought for them. It just so happens that he's made his earnings doing what he believes in. I mean, that's the all-American dream.

So I think, again, I think the media's making a big deal out of this. But the fact is, is that people want people who understand their problems and who stand up for them over and over again. And John Edwards has proven himself over and over again. You can't beat him up for making a living.

O'BRIEN: Final thought here, the fact that we have two U.S. senators on the ticket, nothing -- that is as inside the beltway as you get. Isn't that going to be a problem as this campaign ventures out into the heartland of the United States?

CUMMINGS: I don't think so. It wasn't a problem with Kennedy and Johnson. It wasn't a problem in the primaries. We saw record numbers of Democrats come out and either vote for Kerry or vote for Edwards. The fact is, is that America wants a progressive agenda now. They're tired of what they have seen. They're tired of the untruths. They're tired of so much. And now they want to move forward and these are two men that can do it. It does not matter whether they're in the Senate, the governor, whatever. The fact is that they believe that they can do it and they will do it. O'BRIEN: All right. Congressman Cummings, thank you very much for being with us. We understand you have a flight to catch. We'd love to have you stick around and continue this discussion. Let's bring in our Republican counterpoint to all this. Ken Mehlman is the Bush-Cheney campaign manager. Ken, good to have you with us.

KEN MEHLMAN, BUSH-CHENEY CAMPAIGN MANAGER: Thanks for having me.

O'BRIEN: All right. That McCain ad, that was obviously locked and loaded. You were quite ready for that one. Give us the inside scoop on that decision to bring that ad out today.

MEHLMAN: Well, obviously we're very pleased that Senator McCain supports the president. We were pleased that he campaigned for us earlier. This ad reflects what he said when he introduced the president at that event and we look forward to campaigning with him going forward.

O'BRIEN: But it's interesting today though that the Kerry campaign, now Kerry/Edwards campaign put an ad out on the Internet which shows McCain criticizing the president. Does that sort of make your effort null and void?

MEHLMAN: I don't think that it does. I think that obviously, as we've all been told by you and by others, Senator Kerry had hoped that Senator McCain would be on the ticket. Instead Senator McCain supports the president's re-election and we look forward to working with Senator McCain going forward. I think you'll continue to see John McCain campaigning for the president and with the president. And we appreciate his support and look forward to working with him to make sure the Bush-Cheney has four more years.

O'BRIEN: Well, but can you use Senator McCain if he's sort of appearing on both sides. As he said today, "I'm kind of in the middle. I'm a uniter not a divider."

(CROSSTALK)

MEHLMAN: He made a joke today and he's got a great sense of humor. I think Senator McCain's position is pretty clear and it will be increasingly clear as you see him out there on the campaign trail stumping for President Bush and for Vice President Cheney.

O'BRIEN: All right. Ken, the fact that you have a trial lawyer on this ticket, that's just got to be a Republican dream.

MEHLMAN: Well, I think that with this ticket you have is -- frankly, the choice of John Edwards says a lot about both John Kerry and John Edwards. You've got a ticket that's out of the mainstream on the key issues the country faces. You've got a ticket who on issues is looking backwards. And you've got a ticket who has a very pessimistic view of things.

And so I think that's not where the American people are going to want to go. The American people want to keep the economic recovery going forward which doesn't mean you raise taxes which both Kerry and Edwards want to do. The American people want to make sure we support our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, both Kerry and Edwards voted against providing them the body armor and other support they need.

And the American people want leaders who respect and reflect their values. The Kerry and the Edwards are together in being way out of the mainstream on key issues that the American people care about.

O'BRIEN: What about your campaign? It has been stated repeatedly that it's going to be a Bush-Cheney ticket. Is there going to be any revisiting of that decision?

MEHLMAN: Not at all. I think that the vice president is an incredible leader. He's been an incredible leader for the past four years. He'll be a great leader for the next four years and I can tell you, as campaign manager, he's an incredibly important asset in this campaign to making sure we re-elect the president.

O'BRIEN: What's the nicest thing you can say about Senator Edwards?

MEHLMAN: Well, look, Senator Edwards is a good man. He's a good family man. I respect the fact that he had humble roots and worked his way up. This is not about him personally; this is about our vision for the future. And it's about whether America will go forward and defeat the terrorists, whether we'll go forward and continue to create jobs in the country and whether we'll go forward with the government that respects the people and the people's values.

Or are we going backwards and destroy jobs by raising taxes? Are we going to return to the pre-9/11 world view that we're not really in a war? And are we going to have leaders in Washington that don't reflect the values of the American people? That's the fundamental question. And the Kerry/Edwards ticket just reinforces that question and makes it more important.

O'BRIEN: Ken, as you speak, Senator John Edwards is on the tarmac now, having deplaned there in Pittsburgh. Standing out of frame, or nearby at least, is the airplane carrying John Kerry. The two are set to have dinner tonight -- the two families. The first joint campaign appearance is slated for tomorrow.

What's next in your strategy list, Ken? How are you going about attacking them? Why don't you share a few secrets with us? We won't tell anybody.

MEHLMAN: I think what we're going to do is what we've been doing, which is talking about the clear choice the American people have. With John Edwards on the ticket, the choice is even clearer. And we're going to talk about the clear choice on how we keep the economy going forward, how we continue to win the war on terror, and what kind of leaders do we have in Washington?

George Bush and Dick Cheney are leaders of principle. Unfortunately, in the case of John Edwards and John Kerry, you're got folks who say one thing one day and then something else to a different audience that wants to hear something different. Given the challenges our country faces, I don't think we need that kind of leadership. We need leadership that is strong, that is resolute, and that is focused on changing America for the future, which our president and our vice president are committed to doing.

O'BRIEN: Now, the campaign today has been out saying essentially that John Edwards delivers a word, a philosophy of pessimism with the drawl and a smile. Just watching him there with voters, literally kissing a baby there, he truly has great political gifts.

Can you make that pessimist label stick to John Edwards?

MEHLMAN: Well, I think what we're talking about is the fact that John Edwards -- and now John Kerry mimicking John Edwards, quite frankly -- talks often about class warfare and tries to divide Americans along class lines. And we think we need a rising tide to lift all votes.

But if there is a division in America, the division is between elites in Washington who disregard and disrespect values of the heartland, the values of folks like the folks in Pittsburgh today, and instead try to impose their will on the American people. That's where Edwards is and that's where Kerry is. And on President Bush and Vice President Cheney are with the American people on the important issues.

O'BRIEN: Ken Mehlman with the Bush campaign helping us greet John Edwards, ironically, in Pittsburgh. How's that for good planning...

MEHLMAN: I like that.

O'BRIEN: I know you would like that one.

MEHLMAN: We planned this perfectly.

O'BRIEN: I should say. All right, that's the way it fell down, folks. That's the way it fell down.

Ken Mehlman, thank you very much for being with us.

A long-awaited report on prewar intelligence. Will the CIA get a scolding? We'll hear what the insiders have to say.

Plus -- fighting the fear factor, detecting those who will testify against Saddam Hussein.

And later -- find out why it could be an explosive week in the trial of Scott Peterson.

But first, a quick look at some other news making headlines all around the world.

A U.N. report says more people became infected with the AIDS virus last year than in any other year since the disease was discovered. With almost five million people getting HIV during 2003, experts are calling for an expansion of AIDS prevention efforts. Trial interrupted. The war crimes trial of Slobodan Milosevic has been suspended so a cardiologist can determine whether the former Yugoslavian president is healthy enough to continue representing himself. The trial is scheduled to resume a week from tomorrow.

Mending fences. Britain's Queen Elizabeth dedicated a memorial to the late Princess Diana: a ring-shaped water sculpture in London's Hyde Park. With members of Diana's family standing by, the Queen conceded that the royal family's relationship with the princess was at times strained.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

QUEEN ELIZABETH II: Of course there were difficult times, but memories mellow with the passing of the years.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: And that's our look around the world.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: A Senate panel is wrapping up its review of the administration's handling of prewar intelligence on Iraq and the CIA's collection of that intelligence. It won't be pretty.

Our national security correspondent, David Ensor, standing by in Washington with that. Hello, David.

DAVID ENSOR, NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Miles. By all accounts, as you say, NEVILLE: is report, which is due out Thursday, will not be complimentary about the CIA's efforts and the CIA's reports on weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. They said there were some; next to nothing has been found.

So, we are starting to hear now a little bit more about what's likely to be in that report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): The report will criticize outgoing Director of Central Intelligence, George Tenet, according to knowledgeable sources, for relying too much on the work of this man, a CIA weapons expert who last year showed CNN gas centrifuge parts dug up from an Iraqi scientist's garden. Knowledgeable sources say the report says the man, who CIA officials asked CNN not to identify, was biased, that he was convinced that aluminum tubes imported by Iraq were for uranium enrichment, as opposed to conventional rockets as the Iraqis had claimed.

JOSEPH CIRINCIONE, CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT: The CIA seems to have picked an analyst who had the point of view that these tubes were for a nuclear weapons program.

ENSOR: Even the CIA's own former Iraq weapons chief is now a critic. DAVID KAY, FMR. CIA IRAQ WEAPONS INSPECTOR: I was shocked by the low level of technical analysis that was behind the claim. And the more I dug into it, the more I found people who I really did respect, their technical expertise in this area, had either not been consulted or their views had not been fully taken into account.

ENSOR: George Tenet and other CIA officials continue to insist it is still not clear what the aluminum tubes were really for.

GEORGE TENET, FMR. DIRECTOR: We have additional data to collect and more sources to question.

ENSOR: Another fault found by the Senate Intelligence Committee report, sources say, is that the CIA interviewed some family members of Iraqi scientists who said there were no longer any weapons of mass destruction programs, but that the CIA never told the president.

CIRINCIONE: It's perfectly understandable that the CIA wouldn't believe family members of scientists who told them there were no programs, but they should have included it in their report. They should have revealed all the evidence, not just the evidence that fit their position.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR: CIA officials respond to that that it was only a handful of scientists' relatives who were simply, in their view, repeating the party line from Iraq's leader, Saddam Hussein -- Miles?

O'BRIEN: David Ensor in Washington. Thanks much.

They still fear Saddam Hussein, or at least those who may act in his name, as the former Iraqi leader is brought to justice. Extraordinary efforts are being made to help protect people involved in this trial.

Let's turn it over now to CNN's Zain Verjee with more on that. Hello, Zain.

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Miles.

Well, the victims of and eyewitnesses to Saddam Hussein's brutal regime want to give evidence against him, but they're afraid that speaking up will get them killed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VERJEE (voice-over): Saddam Hussein may be put to death. But the judge trying him, the prosecutors unearthing evidence against him, and witnesses who will testify are in danger themselves of turning into targets. This fear factor kept cameras from capturing in full those present in this secret courtroom, especially the face of the judge. Yet, even this much seemed too much.

FAISAL ISTRABADI, IRAQI HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER: I was a bit surprised that there was as much leeway in showing as much of the judge's face.

VERJEE: To encourage witnesses to step forward, a dedicated team of 30 Iraqi officials are developing a protection program. So far, safe houses have been set up, witnesses can relocate if they want to.

Iraqi officials are considering using protection programs of other countries. Although the tribunal's administrator said Tuesday that he's ruled out using the U.S. program. Hundreds of Iraqis have reportedly already come forward with evidence against Saddam.

To balance exposing evidence protecting witnesses who will give it, Iraqi legal experts are looking to the trial of the former Yugoslavia leader, Slobodan Milosevic. Witnesses there can testify by video feed, distorting a witness' face or voice is also permissible. Prosecutors in that trial say closed hearings are possible, but only in extreme situations.

But nothing is foolproof. There are no guarantees.

WILLIAM STUEBNER, FRM. ADVISER TO U.N. TRIBUNAL: For the Hague tribunal, the only time we could really protect someone physically was while they were physically in the Hague. The rest of the time we had to rely on local authorities, and that really wasn't a very good option because local authorities didn't do much protection.

VERJEE: Witnesses even at the Hague have refused to testify because of threats.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VERJEE: Experts we've spoken to say the key is to eliminate Saddam Hussein's old secret police, the Mukhabarat, because these are the people who could hunt down potential witnesses and take revenge on them. But that's going to be tough -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: What advice can you give a witness in this case? What Iraqis are telling them? Is there a witness protection program, for example?

VERJEE: They're trying to develop a witness protection program. That's just in the process. But as far as advice goes, experts we've talked to said just don't lie to the witnesses. Tell them what the risks really are and let them know that they're only going to have limited protection for a limited period of time. Put it out on the table, let them decide.

O'BRIEN: All right, that's kind of scary when you think about the implications. Thank you very much, Zain Verjee.

Coming up, the Peterson case. We'll live to Redwood City for the latest in that double murder trial.

And happy birthday, Mr. President. An Oval Office overture to share with you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) O'BRIEN: There was dramatic testimony today at the Scott Peterson trial. Peterson is accused of murdering his wife Laci and her unborn baby. CNN's Ted Rowlands covering the trial for us. Redwood City, California the place. Hello, Ted.

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Miles.

The bulk of the testimony centered around recovery of Conner Peterson. This is the unborn child of Laci and Scott Peterson. And as soon as this testimony started this month, Laci Peterson's family, her mother, stepfather and brother left the courtroom so that they would not be subjected to any of this testimony.

The recovery was made initially by a married couple and their dog. The husband testified that he found the remains the day after a fierce storm just off the shoreline of the San Francisco Bay.

Of course, Peterson was fishing in the San Francisco Bay the day that he reported his wife missing. And this is a very important part of the prosecution's case, the fact that Peterson was there and then the remains of his wife and unborn son were later found there a few months later.

The other important part of this case, of course, is the testimony of his girlfriend, Amber Frey. Still no indication of when she will take the stand -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Ted, could it happen this week?

ROWLANDS: It could happen by the end of the week, most likely, according to sources familiar with both sides, sometimes next week or the next.

O'BRIEN: Ted Rowlands, thank you very much.

Today is President Bush's birthday. And he got something he didn't ask for. We'll tell you what just ahead.

That and the results of our "Web Question of the Day" when we come back. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Here's how your weighing in on our "Web Question of the Day." Remember, we've been asking you, is John Edwards the best choice as John Kerry's running mate? Seventy-five percent of you say yes, 25 percent of you say no. As always, not a scientific poll.

Today was a big day for John Kerry and John Edwards, to say the least. But it's also a special day for President Bush, his 58th birthday. And as our "Picture of the Day" shows, the White House press corps wouldn't let him forget it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Please do not break out in "Happy Birthday." It will embarrass me. Thank you.

(SINGING)

BUSH: I asked you not to break out in "Happy Birthday."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: All right, evidence you don't get what you want on your birthday, even when you're the president in the Oval Office.

A reminder, you can always catch WOLF BLITZER REPORTS weekdays at this time, 5 Eastern Until then, thanks for joining us. I'm Miles O'Brien. "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


Aired July 6, 2004 - 17:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILE O'BRIEN, HOST: Happening now. Waiting for his arrival. John Edwards in flight to meet his running mate.
Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN (voice-over): Kerry's choice.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: ... next vice president of the United States of America will be John Edwards from North Carolina.

O'BRIEN: What does he bring to the race?

SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: It's a ticket of strength. It's a ticket of hope. It's a ticket of opportunity. It's a ticket for victory.

O'BRIEN: The GOP is already bringing it on. We'll hear from the Bush campaign.

Target: Zarqawi. Masked Iraqis say they've had enough of this al Qaeda ally. Can they succeed where U.S. forces have failed?

Missing Marine. His family say a U.S. hostage is free. Do they know more than the Pentagon?

Star witness. Back in court in the Scott Peterson murder case. Will his former mistress take the stand?

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Tuesday, July 6, 2004.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Hello, I'm Miles O'Brien at CNN Center in Atlanta. Wolf is off today.

John Edwards is in. The gloves are off, and the race for the White House is starting a new phase.

We expect to see the new Democratic vice presidential candidate arriving in Pittsburgh in about 30 minutes' time. We'll bring it to you live, of course. Meantime, we have complete coverage of today's announcement, with Brian Todd standing by in Washington and CNN political analyst Carlos Watson in Mountain View, California.

First, the unveiling of a big political secret.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KERRY: I am pleased to announce that, with your help, the next vice president of the United States of America will be Senator John Edwards from North Carolina.

O'BRIEN (voice-over): Days of suspense and speculation, over. The Democratic ticket now set. The final player in place, John Edwards of North Carolina, John Kerry's rival in the primaries. He was among the last to bow out.

The choice was a closely guarded secret. The Kerry campaign apparently told the vendors making the new Kerry/Edwards campaign signs to sign a nondisclosure agreement.

And the air charter company, we're told, only last night got word to add Edwards' name to the campaign plane.

The secret eluded almost everyone, including the "New York Post," which had a "Dewey Defeats Truman" moment, proclaiming Richard Gephardt as Kerry's choice on page one.

A Kerry aide says even Edwards himself went to bed last night in the dark over the final decision.

The news came in a phone call this morning. It was followed by an Edwards statement saying, "I was honored this morning to receive a call from Senator Kerry asking me to join his ticket. I was humbled by his offer and thrilled to accept it."

It's the first ticket to feature two incumbent senators since Kennedy and Johnson in 1960. Edwards, his wife Elizabeth, and their three children are traveling to Pittsburgh to join the Kerry clan for dinner tonight. Their first joint campaign appearance is set for tomorrow.

The two men are not considered close, but their primary battles were relatively civil. Democrats hope Edwards' upbeat, downhome style, will complement the more staid Kerry.

KENNEDY: He's certainly one of the most gifted and talented communicators and that -- and campaigners that we have had. He is able to take complex, difficult issues, simplify them and identify where the interests are for middle-income families.

O'BRIEN: Edwards spent the morning fielding congratulatory phone calls. One of the first, from political mentor, Bill Clinton, and another from his rival.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The vice president called him early this morning to say, after the announcement was made -- to say that he welcomes him to the race, and as I do, and I look forward to a good-spirited contest.

O'BRIEN: No such niceties from the Bush/Cheney campaign, however, which calls Kerry/Edwards one of the most divisive and out of the mainstream tickets for president.

The Bush campaign suggests Edwards was selected to help Kerry close the charm gap with voters and says the new candidate "delivers his pessimism with a Southern drawl and a smile."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Now, taking aside the rhetoric of the Bush/Cheney campaign, every candidate brings strengths and weaknesses to a ticket. CNN's Brian Todd with more with that.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miles, it hasn't taken Republicans or outside observers very long to come up with some potential weaknesses where John Edwards may be targeted early.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TODD (voice-over): On the surface, not the image of a man with serious vulnerabilities, but just listen as John Kerry himself zeroed in on John Edwards' lack of experience back in January.

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

TODD: Then, perhaps in a moment of political expediency, Kerry backed off.

KERRY: That comment I made is not meant to be negative. I don't want to just -- I don't want to go that road. I think that what's appropriate to recognize is he's a very talented person. I like him a great deal.

TODD: But John Kerry had voiced what many observers believe is one of John Edwards' principal weaknesses as a national candidate.

STU ROTHENBERG, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: I think if he has a weakness, it's national security, defense, lack of a lot of experience. I think the Republicans will try to exploit that and say this is dangerous times. You can't have a V.P. who doesn't have extensive background in national security issues.

TODD: But analysts we spoke to do say there are other pitfalls out there that Edwards will have to counter, including one part of his resume that he promotes as positive: his reputation for fighting for the little guy in court.

HASTINGS WYMAN, "SOUTHERN POLITICAL REPORT": Edwards' biggest problem is probably his background as a trial lawyer. A lot of business people, a lot of doctors will find that offensive, that he made his millions essentially at their expense.

TODD: Did we mention how soon Edwards will have to play defense? Here's what the Republican National Committee hit on in a statement just hours after Kerry announced his choice.

Quote, "Who is John Edwards? A disingenuous, unaccomplished liberal and a friend to personal injury trial lawyers."

Then there's the man Edwards will be measured directly against. And while the boyish senator's optimism and exuberance may give him a cosmetic edge, observers say, watch out.

WYMAN: Edwards will know debating techniques. He will be smooth; he will be articulate. But Cheney is a man who knows facts.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TODD: Even in the South, political analysts tell us, Edwards is a mixed blessing, that he may give the campaign a broad boost in some states.

But in North Carolina, they point out, he declined to run for re- election to the Senate this year, partly because he was not polling well there. And they say he may not give Kerry the edge over President Bush in his own home state -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Any indication, Brian, as to why he's not polling well in his home state?

TODD: Well, the analysts tell that mostly it was because he -- they feel that -- the voters there felt that he didn't take care of them. He was concerned with his own national ambitions from the very start. He didn't pay attention to, quote, "bringing home the bacon," getting some of the pork projects that they want. And they just thought he was too ambitious from the start for his -- for his national ambitions.

O'BRIEN: Brian Todd in Washington, thank you. Later this hour, more reaction to the selection of John Edwards from the head of the Bush/Cheney campaign and from the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Now, in the background of all of this, the man some say was John Kerry's first choice for a running mate. That's Senator John McCain.

CNN political analyst Carlos Watson joining us now from Mountain View, California, with that part of the story. Carlos, John McCain is all over this campaign, both sides of the aisle, isn't he?

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: No two ways about it. No sooner had John Kerry announced that John Edwards would be his running mate than the Bush/Cheney campaign released a new ad that features John McCain and saying, in effect, your first choice, John Kerry, didn't join you, John McCain. Instead he's backing us, and he's playing a prominent role in the campaign.

And that ad was unveiled just today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: He has not wavered. He has not flinched from the hard choices. He was determined and remains determined to make this world a better, safer, freer place.

He deserves not only our support but our admiration. That's why I am honored to introduce to you the president of the United States, George W. Bush.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WATSON: Now, Miles, make no mistake about it, Democrats didn't sit on their hands. John Kerry's campaign immediately introduced an Internet ad where it repeated -- it profiled several charges that John McCain has made in the past against George Bush, taking him to task, if you will, on taxes, on pollution, even on mistakes in the war in Iraq.

So they responded right away.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MCCAIN: Bush wants to give 38 percent of his tax cuts to the wealthiest one percent of Americans. My friends, my friends, I don't think Bill Gates needs a tax cut.

Mistakes happen in war. That's why we try to avoid them. Mistakes have been made.

Governor Bush is one of the great polluters in history. The air quality in Texas has gone down.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WATSON: So what's significant is you -- as you hear this back and forth, is that McCain has not only had tough things to say about George Bush, but in fact, has had positive things, Miles, to say about John Edwards.

In fact, on the blurb on the back cover of John Edwards' book, "Four Trials," McCain had very positive things to say about John Edwards, including being very sympathetic about the death of John Edwards' son and how John Edwards handled that.

O'BRIEN: So I guess you can make a case that the McCain bet in this would be a push, that he's really all over both campaigns. And voters will react by doing nothing, as a result.

Let me ask you this: there's comments today from McCain, kind of coming in the wake of this Republican ad which came out there, where he once again tries to play the middle.

WATSON: He did. In many ways, Miles, almost mocking the president, saying, "I'm featured in both ads. And in fact, I'm a uniter, not a divider." You remember, that's a very famous phrase that George Bush used in 2000.

And so for Republicans who have hoped that John McCain would be a very vital and important part of their campaign, it seems every time he gives with the right hand, maybe he takes away with the left to some extent.

And Democrats certainly, I'm sure, hoping that that continues over the next several months.

O'BRIEN: And just a final thought here. McCain as a force to be reckoned with, nothing to trifle with there. Do you suspect that, win, lose or draw in November, he's going to have a role to play in either administration potentially?

WATSON: Well, you know, John Kerry's not going to stop talking about him, right, as a potential secretary of defense or certainly as someone who he'll lean on for advice. And to the extent he does that, you know that he's looking to woo voters in the middle, those so- called swing voters who may make up 21 percent, 22 percent, even 23 percent of the electorate today.

O'BRIEN: All right. Carlos Watson, appreciate your insights, as always. Thanks very much.

Now here's your turn to weigh in on this important story. Our Web question of the day is this: "Is John Edwards the best choice as Kerry's running mate?" You can vote right now at CNN.com/Wolf. We'll have the results a little bit later in the program.

We're standing by for John Edwards' arrival from Pittsburgh expected at the bottom of the hour. You'll see it here live, of course.

Also, turning the tables on an accused terror leader in Iraq. Who's making death threats against Abu Musab al-Zarqawi?

Placing blame for the WMD debacle. CNN has an inside preview of a harsh, upcoming report for you.

Plus a personal look at Edwards and his wife. Wolf Blitzer asks John and Elizabeth about their most personal trials.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Masked man, a taped statement, a chilling warning. But this time, the threat is directed against a terror leader. A key al Qaeda ally is told to get out of Iraq or else.

Our Baghdad bureau chief, Jane Arraf, has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A previously unknown group called the Rescue Group claims to have launched a threat, claims to be prepared to attack Abu Musab al Zarqawi and his followers, to drive them out of Iraq if they don't leave.

In a tape aired on Arabic language networks, this group says that it will hunt them down and it asks, "Who are we to follow Zarqawi?" It asks who this man is who professes to preach Islam when he is attacking holy places on holy days.

Now, the hope of Iraqi officials is that Iraqis will increasingly start to turn in those people behind the series of car bombs and other attacks that are still being launched in Baghdad and other places.

There are reports of at least six people killed and more than two dozen wounded when a suicide car bomb exploded at a funeral north of Baghdad. This was a funeral for two people who had been killed the previous day in an attack in Baqubah, about 60 kilometers, 40 miles north of Baghdad.

Among the wounded, according to reports, a senior police commander.

(on camera): Jane Arraf, CNN, reporting from Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: So where in the world is Wassef Hassoun? The missing U.S. Marine was taken hostage in Iraq last month, and for a time he was reported killed.

A brother in Lebanon now says Hassoun is free, and that's all he'll say. Other relatives at home in West Jordan, Utah.

CNN's Rusty Dornin is there. She joins us live with what is a difficult mystery to solve.

Hello, Rusty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, while the family in Lebanon seems very excited about this so-called sign that Corporal Hassoun has been released, on the other hand the family here is very cautious about any report that cannot be confirmed.

Too many times they've had their hopes raised, only to have them dashed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DORNIN (voice-over): Is he finally free? Corporate Wassef Ali Hassoun's brother in Lebanon thinks so.

Sami Hassoun claims someone came to the door at the family home in Tripoli with an assurance that left little doubt in his mind that his brother is alive. He spoke to CNN from Lebanon by telephone.

SAMI HASSOUN, WASSEF ALI HASSOUN'S BROTHER: We had a sign that he's alive and he's -- and he's released. We have no idea where he is, but he's alive and he's released. And we are assured of the sign.

BILL HEMMER, CO-HOST, "AMERICAN MORNING": Sami, you say you've gotten a sign. Can you tell us more about that? What sign?

HASSOUN: We have no comment about the sign now. That's all we can say. He's alive. We are sure of it. And he's released.

DORNIN: Corporal Hassoun's brother, Mohammed, here in West Jordan, Utah, told CNN family members here heard the news from Lebanon but still don't know who the messenger was in Tripoli and had no comment on the mysterious sign.

The Pentagon issued a statement. It can't confirm Hassoun's release.

The group that claims to have kidnapped Hassoun says he was sent to a safe place, after he announced his forgiveness and determination not to return to U.S. armed forces. The Pentagon has not commented on that, but says it is investigating the circumstances leading up to his capture.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DORNIN: Yet another twist that has wound this family, really, in knots. The latest, it's encouraging, but other unconfirmed reports have really burned this family before. The best confirmation for people here would be able to see for themselves that Corporal Wassef Hassoun was alive and safe -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Rusty Dornin, thank you very much.

Just ahead, the new V.P. candidate arrives in Pittsburgh. We'll carry it live. That picture is there. That's John Kerry's plane already on the tarmac there.

We'll also take a closer look inside the Edwards family: Wolf Blitzer's revealing interview with Senator and Mrs. John Edwards.

Plus, the Saddam Hussein fear factor. Protecting the prosecutors, witnesses and the judge at Iraq's trial of the century.

And getting ready for a star witness at the Scott Peterson murder trial.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: John Edwards expected to arrive momentarily in Pittsburgh, and we're standing by to bring it to you live.

But first, Wolf Blitzer sat down separately with John Edwards and Elizabeth earlier this year, getting some insights into the pair who may be the country's next second couple.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WOLF BLITZER, HOST, "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS": I guess that you're blessed that you look younger than 50. In any other profession, that would be great.

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D), NORTH CAROLINA: I got lots of scars on the inside, I promise you.

BLITZER: John and Elizabeth Edwards may have been in the habit of pinching themselves. Life couldn't have been much better. A 20- year-old love story, two beautiful kids, professional success, wealth beyond their dreams.

John had an especially close bond with their son, Wade. Together they climbed Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro. Even their experiences as litigators, helping other families deal with tragedy couldn't have prepared John and Elizabeth for what was to come.

April 4, 1996, 16-year-old Wade Edwards, on his way to meet his parents at their beach house, is killed when his vehicle flips off a North Carolina interstate.

ELIZABETH EDWARDS, JOHN EDWARDS' WIFE: We lost our oldest son, Wade, in 1996. And a lot of people around the country, way too many people around the country who have had exactly that same situation and events, that where I go, people come up to me all the time and say that they're sadly a member of the same sorority that I'm a member of.

BLITZER: Part of the rejuvenation for the Edwards family came later, when Elizabeth was in her late 40s and daughter Emma Claire was born, followed two years later by son Jack.

J. EDWARDS: Thank you. We're going to do this together.

BLITZER: Don't let the homespun Southern drawl fool you. This is a man driven from early on, the first member of his family to go to college, law school.

A star civil litigator who, from the start, dazzled his employers with his talent and ambition. Taking on manufacturers, hospitals, and other corporations, Edwards didn't just win. He won settlements and judgments that set records on behalf of the little guy.

Iowa proved what many in the Carolinas already knew: underestimate John Edwards at your peril.

J. EDWARDS: I will beat George Bush in my backyard, and you tell your friends that.

BLITZER: Edwards was praised for his positive campaign and his ability to connect with blue-collar voters.

KERRY: John Kerry, because...

BLITZER: But as it became more and more apparent Kerry would be the Democratic presidential candidate, there were suggestions the Massachusetts Senator would need a Southerner to balance the ticket.

(on camera): I think the last time I interviewed you, you said you were not interested in being vice president of the United States. Does that statement still hold?

EDWARDS: I'm interested in making sure John Kerry's president, and that's all I'm focused on right now.

BLITZER: What if he asks you to be his running mate?

EDWARDS: See, that's for him to decide. I'm not going to engage in...

BLITZER: You're open -- you're open to that?

EDWARDS: I'm open to making sure he's president, and I'm going to do whatever I can to make that happen.

BLITZER: If he comes to you and says, "Senator, I believe you could help me win this race," you would have to say yes?

EDWARDS: I will do anything I can to make John Kerry president.

BLITZER: That's a yes then?

EDWARDS: That means whatever it takes to him president.

BLITZER: Do you feel comfortable enough with him, you support him enough that you could balance the ticket? And you think that could be a winning ticket?

EDWARDS: I support him every way I know how, and I believe he will be president.

BLITZER: If for some reason he doesn't ask you, and everybody seems to think he will ask you. We saw that picture I referred to earlier, the two of you standing next to each other, with your hands up in the air. A lot of people looked at that and said, that's the ticket.

EDWARDS: Yes?

BLITZER: What did you think when you saw that? Was that a coincidence that you were standing in there positioned for that photo?

EDWARDS: No. I -- I was there to make sure that I, along with all of the other candidates, the American people saw that we completely supported John Kerry for president, as does Jimmy Carter, as does Bill Clinton, as does Al Gore.

BLITZER: If for some reason he doesn't ask you -- that's possible; he might not ask you -- you're not seeking re-election in the Senate. What's ahead for John Edwards?

EDWARDS: I'm going to worry about that after November.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: John Edwards arriving momentarily in Pittsburgh. You'll see it here live. That's live pictures right now. That might very well be the plane carrying Senator Edwards and his family. We'll keep you posted on that.

Also, evaluating Edwards. We'll hear from friends and foes of the new vice presidential candidate.

Who's to blame for the WMD goose chase in Iraq, meanwhile? We'll preview a still secret report for you.

And mending royal fences. The queen comes face to face with Princess Diana's family at the unveiling of her memorial.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Ahead on the program, they still fear Saddam Hussein. How to persuade witnesses to testify against him.

And the other woman, will she be the star witness at the Scott Peterson murder trial?

Live pictures, Pittsburgh International Airport. As you see, one of the planes carrying the entourage of Senator Edwards and his family. We'll live pictures for you as the newly anointed Democratic ticket is brought together for the first time after today's announcement.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back. We'll have reaction coming up to the new Democratic ticket and live coverage of John Edwards' arrival in Pittsburgh where he'll join John Kerry. But first, a quick check of the latest headlines we're watching for you elsewhere.

A pair of wildfires have burned thousand of acres on Arizona's Mount Graham. Firefighters battling to protect a University of Arizona observatory on top of the mountain as well as 74 nearby cabins.

The archdiocese of Portland, Oregon became the first Roman Catholic diocese in U.S. history to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The archdiocese and its insurers have spent more than $50 million to settle child sexual abuse claims against its priests. And other cases still pending could cost hundreds of millions more.

Secretary of State Colin Powell says Israel should be moving more quickly to dismantle Jewish settlements in Palestinian territory. Powell says he conveyed his disappointment to Israel's foreign minister today during what he called an open and candid discussion.

In Tel Aviv today, International Atomic Agency Chief Mohammed El Baradei urged Israel to be more forthcoming about its nuclear weapons program. Israel is believed to have nuclear weapons but it has never officially acknowledged that.

Some reaction now to John Edwards being named as running mate to John Kerry. We'll hear the Republican side in a moment. But first, Congressman Elijah Cummings, Democrat of Maryland will join us as we look at live pictures here from Pittsburgh's airport. He is chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, close adviser to Senator John Kerry. He joins us now from Baltimore. Good to have you with us, sir.

REP. ELIJAH CUMMINGS (D), MARYLAND: It's good to be with you.

O'BRIEN: All right. Awful lot of white males on both of these tickets. Don't you think it was high time that perhaps at least the Democratic ticket, as a vice presidential choice, had a person of color, or a woman?

CUMMINGS: I would love to see a person of color or a woman. But the fact is that we have John Edwards and I don't think anyone has to have any -- be upset about that. John Edwards is a very bright person. He's been tested time and time again in these debates. Five years on the intelligence committee. And just a man who believes in one America. And as divided as America is today we need that voice saying that we can do better and saying that he will -- I know he'll bring out the best in our country.

O'BRIEN: Congressman Cummings, by the way, we are told by our producer on the scene there that John Edwards is in fact on this Gulf Stream aircraft here. We're obviously going to keep that picture up as we continue our conversation. Surely though, you must be disappointed in 2004 that there hasn't been a person of color selected as part of the ticket for the Oval Office.

CUMMINGS: I would love to see that. I'm not sure that our country has gotten that far yet unfortunately. But I do see that day soon coming. I mean, with Senator Obama, candidate Obama, soon to be senator in Illinois, I think -- our hopes are high. I think that will happen very soon. But now this is a day to celebrate John Kerry and John Edwards as they move towards a progressive agenda for this country.

O'BRIEN: Let's talk a little by John McCain. We were talking with Carlos Watson a little while ago about it. John McCain was widely rumored to be the first choice for the Kerry campaign. Do you think he would have been a better choice for Senator Kerry and would that have been a stronger ticket?

CUMMINGS: No, I was never excited about John McCain because John McCain is a Republican. We have got so many wonderful Democrats that have worked so hard for so many years and given their blood, sweat and tears for this party and I think it would not have been a good move. As a matter of fact, I told the Kerry campaign that and that I told the senator that, too.

So, you know, there we had to agree to disagree with the senator. But I am elated that we have John Edwards as our vice presidential candidate because I think that John, being a young man, will bring young voters into the process more than they have ever been. And I think he will excite America. And the electorate have already shown that they like him. He's a likable person. And he's been through some difficult times but at the same time, he is that young man that every parent dreams kind of dreams of. They want their kid to grow up to be successful. He is that. But yet and still he still has the common touch. And that's very important.

O'BRIEN: Clearly, he has tremendous political talents. And you talk about his charm and the way he connects with blue collar voters. I wonder if, in making this selection Senator Kerry will suffer by comparison somewhat.

CUMMINGS: Not at all. As I said to Senator Kerry and to Johnson when he was talking to me about the vetting process. I said, you know, "if that is the case and you -- if you are really worried about that, don't worry about it. I'd rather see Kerry and Edwards in the White House and have that problem than to have them sitting on the sideline while we continue down this road that Bush has laid for us which is regressive."

And so I just believe that this is the winning ticket, we will win. I don't think it will be all that overshattering (ph) that you and the media talk about constantly. The fact is you've got two strong candidates on the Democratic side that will excite the electorate and that will bring our country where it needs to be. It will bring out the best in our country as opposed to the worst.

O'BRIEN: Edwards is a very successful trial lawyer, made many millions doing that. It you had to pick one profession that is always in the sights of Republicans, it is trial lawyers. Is this going to be a liability perhaps for this ticket, the fact that Edwards made his millions doing just that?

CUMMINGS: I don't think so. You've got to understand that there are a lot of people who have suffered from all kinds of medical mistakes. And a lot of people see Edwards as a champion, someone who has stood up for them over and over again with passion and fought for them. It just so happens that he's made his earnings doing what he believes in. I mean, that's the all-American dream.

So I think, again, I think the media's making a big deal out of this. But the fact is, is that people want people who understand their problems and who stand up for them over and over again. And John Edwards has proven himself over and over again. You can't beat him up for making a living.

O'BRIEN: Final thought here, the fact that we have two U.S. senators on the ticket, nothing -- that is as inside the beltway as you get. Isn't that going to be a problem as this campaign ventures out into the heartland of the United States?

CUMMINGS: I don't think so. It wasn't a problem with Kennedy and Johnson. It wasn't a problem in the primaries. We saw record numbers of Democrats come out and either vote for Kerry or vote for Edwards. The fact is, is that America wants a progressive agenda now. They're tired of what they have seen. They're tired of the untruths. They're tired of so much. And now they want to move forward and these are two men that can do it. It does not matter whether they're in the Senate, the governor, whatever. The fact is that they believe that they can do it and they will do it. O'BRIEN: All right. Congressman Cummings, thank you very much for being with us. We understand you have a flight to catch. We'd love to have you stick around and continue this discussion. Let's bring in our Republican counterpoint to all this. Ken Mehlman is the Bush-Cheney campaign manager. Ken, good to have you with us.

KEN MEHLMAN, BUSH-CHENEY CAMPAIGN MANAGER: Thanks for having me.

O'BRIEN: All right. That McCain ad, that was obviously locked and loaded. You were quite ready for that one. Give us the inside scoop on that decision to bring that ad out today.

MEHLMAN: Well, obviously we're very pleased that Senator McCain supports the president. We were pleased that he campaigned for us earlier. This ad reflects what he said when he introduced the president at that event and we look forward to campaigning with him going forward.

O'BRIEN: But it's interesting today though that the Kerry campaign, now Kerry/Edwards campaign put an ad out on the Internet which shows McCain criticizing the president. Does that sort of make your effort null and void?

MEHLMAN: I don't think that it does. I think that obviously, as we've all been told by you and by others, Senator Kerry had hoped that Senator McCain would be on the ticket. Instead Senator McCain supports the president's re-election and we look forward to working with Senator McCain going forward. I think you'll continue to see John McCain campaigning for the president and with the president. And we appreciate his support and look forward to working with him to make sure the Bush-Cheney has four more years.

O'BRIEN: Well, but can you use Senator McCain if he's sort of appearing on both sides. As he said today, "I'm kind of in the middle. I'm a uniter not a divider."

(CROSSTALK)

MEHLMAN: He made a joke today and he's got a great sense of humor. I think Senator McCain's position is pretty clear and it will be increasingly clear as you see him out there on the campaign trail stumping for President Bush and for Vice President Cheney.

O'BRIEN: All right. Ken, the fact that you have a trial lawyer on this ticket, that's just got to be a Republican dream.

MEHLMAN: Well, I think that with this ticket you have is -- frankly, the choice of John Edwards says a lot about both John Kerry and John Edwards. You've got a ticket that's out of the mainstream on the key issues the country faces. You've got a ticket who on issues is looking backwards. And you've got a ticket who has a very pessimistic view of things.

And so I think that's not where the American people are going to want to go. The American people want to keep the economic recovery going forward which doesn't mean you raise taxes which both Kerry and Edwards want to do. The American people want to make sure we support our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, both Kerry and Edwards voted against providing them the body armor and other support they need.

And the American people want leaders who respect and reflect their values. The Kerry and the Edwards are together in being way out of the mainstream on key issues that the American people care about.

O'BRIEN: What about your campaign? It has been stated repeatedly that it's going to be a Bush-Cheney ticket. Is there going to be any revisiting of that decision?

MEHLMAN: Not at all. I think that the vice president is an incredible leader. He's been an incredible leader for the past four years. He'll be a great leader for the next four years and I can tell you, as campaign manager, he's an incredibly important asset in this campaign to making sure we re-elect the president.

O'BRIEN: What's the nicest thing you can say about Senator Edwards?

MEHLMAN: Well, look, Senator Edwards is a good man. He's a good family man. I respect the fact that he had humble roots and worked his way up. This is not about him personally; this is about our vision for the future. And it's about whether America will go forward and defeat the terrorists, whether we'll go forward and continue to create jobs in the country and whether we'll go forward with the government that respects the people and the people's values.

Or are we going backwards and destroy jobs by raising taxes? Are we going to return to the pre-9/11 world view that we're not really in a war? And are we going to have leaders in Washington that don't reflect the values of the American people? That's the fundamental question. And the Kerry/Edwards ticket just reinforces that question and makes it more important.

O'BRIEN: Ken, as you speak, Senator John Edwards is on the tarmac now, having deplaned there in Pittsburgh. Standing out of frame, or nearby at least, is the airplane carrying John Kerry. The two are set to have dinner tonight -- the two families. The first joint campaign appearance is slated for tomorrow.

What's next in your strategy list, Ken? How are you going about attacking them? Why don't you share a few secrets with us? We won't tell anybody.

MEHLMAN: I think what we're going to do is what we've been doing, which is talking about the clear choice the American people have. With John Edwards on the ticket, the choice is even clearer. And we're going to talk about the clear choice on how we keep the economy going forward, how we continue to win the war on terror, and what kind of leaders do we have in Washington?

George Bush and Dick Cheney are leaders of principle. Unfortunately, in the case of John Edwards and John Kerry, you're got folks who say one thing one day and then something else to a different audience that wants to hear something different. Given the challenges our country faces, I don't think we need that kind of leadership. We need leadership that is strong, that is resolute, and that is focused on changing America for the future, which our president and our vice president are committed to doing.

O'BRIEN: Now, the campaign today has been out saying essentially that John Edwards delivers a word, a philosophy of pessimism with the drawl and a smile. Just watching him there with voters, literally kissing a baby there, he truly has great political gifts.

Can you make that pessimist label stick to John Edwards?

MEHLMAN: Well, I think what we're talking about is the fact that John Edwards -- and now John Kerry mimicking John Edwards, quite frankly -- talks often about class warfare and tries to divide Americans along class lines. And we think we need a rising tide to lift all votes.

But if there is a division in America, the division is between elites in Washington who disregard and disrespect values of the heartland, the values of folks like the folks in Pittsburgh today, and instead try to impose their will on the American people. That's where Edwards is and that's where Kerry is. And on President Bush and Vice President Cheney are with the American people on the important issues.

O'BRIEN: Ken Mehlman with the Bush campaign helping us greet John Edwards, ironically, in Pittsburgh. How's that for good planning...

MEHLMAN: I like that.

O'BRIEN: I know you would like that one.

MEHLMAN: We planned this perfectly.

O'BRIEN: I should say. All right, that's the way it fell down, folks. That's the way it fell down.

Ken Mehlman, thank you very much for being with us.

A long-awaited report on prewar intelligence. Will the CIA get a scolding? We'll hear what the insiders have to say.

Plus -- fighting the fear factor, detecting those who will testify against Saddam Hussein.

And later -- find out why it could be an explosive week in the trial of Scott Peterson.

But first, a quick look at some other news making headlines all around the world.

A U.N. report says more people became infected with the AIDS virus last year than in any other year since the disease was discovered. With almost five million people getting HIV during 2003, experts are calling for an expansion of AIDS prevention efforts. Trial interrupted. The war crimes trial of Slobodan Milosevic has been suspended so a cardiologist can determine whether the former Yugoslavian president is healthy enough to continue representing himself. The trial is scheduled to resume a week from tomorrow.

Mending fences. Britain's Queen Elizabeth dedicated a memorial to the late Princess Diana: a ring-shaped water sculpture in London's Hyde Park. With members of Diana's family standing by, the Queen conceded that the royal family's relationship with the princess was at times strained.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

QUEEN ELIZABETH II: Of course there were difficult times, but memories mellow with the passing of the years.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: And that's our look around the world.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: A Senate panel is wrapping up its review of the administration's handling of prewar intelligence on Iraq and the CIA's collection of that intelligence. It won't be pretty.

Our national security correspondent, David Ensor, standing by in Washington with that. Hello, David.

DAVID ENSOR, NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Miles. By all accounts, as you say, NEVILLE: is report, which is due out Thursday, will not be complimentary about the CIA's efforts and the CIA's reports on weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. They said there were some; next to nothing has been found.

So, we are starting to hear now a little bit more about what's likely to be in that report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): The report will criticize outgoing Director of Central Intelligence, George Tenet, according to knowledgeable sources, for relying too much on the work of this man, a CIA weapons expert who last year showed CNN gas centrifuge parts dug up from an Iraqi scientist's garden. Knowledgeable sources say the report says the man, who CIA officials asked CNN not to identify, was biased, that he was convinced that aluminum tubes imported by Iraq were for uranium enrichment, as opposed to conventional rockets as the Iraqis had claimed.

JOSEPH CIRINCIONE, CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT: The CIA seems to have picked an analyst who had the point of view that these tubes were for a nuclear weapons program.

ENSOR: Even the CIA's own former Iraq weapons chief is now a critic. DAVID KAY, FMR. CIA IRAQ WEAPONS INSPECTOR: I was shocked by the low level of technical analysis that was behind the claim. And the more I dug into it, the more I found people who I really did respect, their technical expertise in this area, had either not been consulted or their views had not been fully taken into account.

ENSOR: George Tenet and other CIA officials continue to insist it is still not clear what the aluminum tubes were really for.

GEORGE TENET, FMR. DIRECTOR: We have additional data to collect and more sources to question.

ENSOR: Another fault found by the Senate Intelligence Committee report, sources say, is that the CIA interviewed some family members of Iraqi scientists who said there were no longer any weapons of mass destruction programs, but that the CIA never told the president.

CIRINCIONE: It's perfectly understandable that the CIA wouldn't believe family members of scientists who told them there were no programs, but they should have included it in their report. They should have revealed all the evidence, not just the evidence that fit their position.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ENSOR: CIA officials respond to that that it was only a handful of scientists' relatives who were simply, in their view, repeating the party line from Iraq's leader, Saddam Hussein -- Miles?

O'BRIEN: David Ensor in Washington. Thanks much.

They still fear Saddam Hussein, or at least those who may act in his name, as the former Iraqi leader is brought to justice. Extraordinary efforts are being made to help protect people involved in this trial.

Let's turn it over now to CNN's Zain Verjee with more on that. Hello, Zain.

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Miles.

Well, the victims of and eyewitnesses to Saddam Hussein's brutal regime want to give evidence against him, but they're afraid that speaking up will get them killed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VERJEE (voice-over): Saddam Hussein may be put to death. But the judge trying him, the prosecutors unearthing evidence against him, and witnesses who will testify are in danger themselves of turning into targets. This fear factor kept cameras from capturing in full those present in this secret courtroom, especially the face of the judge. Yet, even this much seemed too much.

FAISAL ISTRABADI, IRAQI HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER: I was a bit surprised that there was as much leeway in showing as much of the judge's face.

VERJEE: To encourage witnesses to step forward, a dedicated team of 30 Iraqi officials are developing a protection program. So far, safe houses have been set up, witnesses can relocate if they want to.

Iraqi officials are considering using protection programs of other countries. Although the tribunal's administrator said Tuesday that he's ruled out using the U.S. program. Hundreds of Iraqis have reportedly already come forward with evidence against Saddam.

To balance exposing evidence protecting witnesses who will give it, Iraqi legal experts are looking to the trial of the former Yugoslavia leader, Slobodan Milosevic. Witnesses there can testify by video feed, distorting a witness' face or voice is also permissible. Prosecutors in that trial say closed hearings are possible, but only in extreme situations.

But nothing is foolproof. There are no guarantees.

WILLIAM STUEBNER, FRM. ADVISER TO U.N. TRIBUNAL: For the Hague tribunal, the only time we could really protect someone physically was while they were physically in the Hague. The rest of the time we had to rely on local authorities, and that really wasn't a very good option because local authorities didn't do much protection.

VERJEE: Witnesses even at the Hague have refused to testify because of threats.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VERJEE: Experts we've spoken to say the key is to eliminate Saddam Hussein's old secret police, the Mukhabarat, because these are the people who could hunt down potential witnesses and take revenge on them. But that's going to be tough -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: What advice can you give a witness in this case? What Iraqis are telling them? Is there a witness protection program, for example?

VERJEE: They're trying to develop a witness protection program. That's just in the process. But as far as advice goes, experts we've talked to said just don't lie to the witnesses. Tell them what the risks really are and let them know that they're only going to have limited protection for a limited period of time. Put it out on the table, let them decide.

O'BRIEN: All right, that's kind of scary when you think about the implications. Thank you very much, Zain Verjee.

Coming up, the Peterson case. We'll live to Redwood City for the latest in that double murder trial.

And happy birthday, Mr. President. An Oval Office overture to share with you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) O'BRIEN: There was dramatic testimony today at the Scott Peterson trial. Peterson is accused of murdering his wife Laci and her unborn baby. CNN's Ted Rowlands covering the trial for us. Redwood City, California the place. Hello, Ted.

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Miles.

The bulk of the testimony centered around recovery of Conner Peterson. This is the unborn child of Laci and Scott Peterson. And as soon as this testimony started this month, Laci Peterson's family, her mother, stepfather and brother left the courtroom so that they would not be subjected to any of this testimony.

The recovery was made initially by a married couple and their dog. The husband testified that he found the remains the day after a fierce storm just off the shoreline of the San Francisco Bay.

Of course, Peterson was fishing in the San Francisco Bay the day that he reported his wife missing. And this is a very important part of the prosecution's case, the fact that Peterson was there and then the remains of his wife and unborn son were later found there a few months later.

The other important part of this case, of course, is the testimony of his girlfriend, Amber Frey. Still no indication of when she will take the stand -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Ted, could it happen this week?

ROWLANDS: It could happen by the end of the week, most likely, according to sources familiar with both sides, sometimes next week or the next.

O'BRIEN: Ted Rowlands, thank you very much.

Today is President Bush's birthday. And he got something he didn't ask for. We'll tell you what just ahead.

That and the results of our "Web Question of the Day" when we come back. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Here's how your weighing in on our "Web Question of the Day." Remember, we've been asking you, is John Edwards the best choice as John Kerry's running mate? Seventy-five percent of you say yes, 25 percent of you say no. As always, not a scientific poll.

Today was a big day for John Kerry and John Edwards, to say the least. But it's also a special day for President Bush, his 58th birthday. And as our "Picture of the Day" shows, the White House press corps wouldn't let him forget it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Please do not break out in "Happy Birthday." It will embarrass me. Thank you.

(SINGING)

BUSH: I asked you not to break out in "Happy Birthday."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: All right, evidence you don't get what you want on your birthday, even when you're the president in the Oval Office.

A reminder, you can always catch WOLF BLITZER REPORTS weekdays at this time, 5 Eastern Until then, thanks for joining us. I'm Miles O'Brien. "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.

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