CNN Paul Zahn Now Transcript

October 20, 2003 Monday

HEADLINE: Kobe Bryant to Stand Trial; Interview With Senator Joseph Lieberman

GUESTS: Mohammed Al Rehaief, Joseph Lieberman, Billie Vincent, Trent Copeland, Angela Wilder, Elaine Lewis, Elizabeth Birch, Peter Sprigg, Donny Deutsch

BYLINE: Jeff Greenfield, Walter Rodgers, Jeffrey Toobin, Paula Zahn, Robert Jobson, Jane Arraf

HIGHLIGHT:
Democratic candidate Joe Lieberman opts to skip the Iowa caucuses. Kobe Bryant is ordered to stand trial on sexual assault charges. Did Princess Diana actually predict her own death? The Iraqi man who risked everything discusses the rescue of American POW Jessica Lynch.

BODY:
ZAHN: Two big-name Democrats are pulling out of the Iowa caucuses, the first nominating event of the 2004 race. Officials with the campaigns of General Wesley Clark and former vice presidential nominee Joe Lieberman made those announcement yesterday.

And joining us tonight, Senator Joe Lieberman.

Always good to see you, sir. Welcome.

SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D-CT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Good to be with you, Paula. Thank you.

ZAHN: So, Senator, are you pulling out of the Iowa caucuses because you can't win there?

LIEBERMAN: Well, we've decided not to compete in Iowa because the calendar has changed this time around. In the past, you had Iowa, then New Hampshire, and then a long gap. This time, a week after New Hampshire, there are seven more states holding primaries. So, in two weeks, you're going to have nine different states in which voting will occur. And I think each of us is going to have to decide where we can compete more effectively and where we could most effectively put our resources.

ZAHN: But, sir, isn't that a tacit acknowledgement that, if you could have won there, you would have kept your resources in the state?

LIEBERMAN: Yes, look, let me say two things directly in response to that.

One is that it sure looks like the race in Iowa is between Dick Gephardt, who comes from right next door and won the Iowa caucuses in 1988, and Howard Dean. We felt that if I was prepared to spend enough time and resources there, that I could finish respectably, but that we could better use that money in other states where I expect to win. And so this was a redeployment of resources for that purpose.

I don't think anyone thinks this nomination is going to be decided after Iowa or New Hampshire. It's probably going to go well into March.

ZAHN: How do you respond to Barbara Bush's comments that were aired on network television this morning, that you and your Democratic colleagues are a pretty sorry group?

LIEBERMAN: Obviously, I don't think we're a sorry group. I think we're a hearty group that wants to provide different leadership and give America a fresh start.

And I admire a mother's love for her son, but the fact is that George Bush has failed to give America leadership that's continued our prosperity, that protected people's jobs, done anything to improve health care or education or homeland security, and also made us a nation that today is despised around the world, which is not where we were when he became president.

ZAHN: And finally tonight, Senator, given the president's eroding poll numbers, is this the Democrats' race to lose?

LIEBERMAN: Well, that's an optimistic view.

The president is the president. And there's always authority that goes with that. But the president doesn't have a record to run on. And that's why I believe, if we nominate a candidate like myself, who can run from the center out, be strong on security and values, but be ready to take the president on, on his failed economic policies and on a social agenda that really is far to the right of most Americans, I think we're going to win.

And I think people are losing confidence in George Bush. They want a leader who they can trust to make their lives better and to know that their government will be there to help them, not fall below a floor, but help them up. And that's why I'm very optimistic and working as hard as I am.

ZAHN: Senator Lieberman, we're going to have to leave it there this evening. Again, thank you for dropping by. Appreciate your time this evening.

LIEBERMAN: Thank you, Paula. Take care.