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CNN LIVE AT DAYBREAK

Democratic National Convention Floor Coverage; Supreme Court Will Get Involved in Bryant Case?; Weekend Box Office

Aired July 26, 2004 - 06:00   ET

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

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It is day one in Boston.
We are live inside of the FleetCenter and on the convention floor for a look at what the Democrats have planned.

It is Monday, July 26.

This is DAYBREAK, and good morning to you.

From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

Now in the news: A deadline extended. A militant Islamic group holding three Kenyans, three Indians, and an Egyptian in Iraq is pushing back the deadline for negotiations. The group wants their Kuwaiti employer to leave Iraq.

The last of the Philippine military members in Iraq returned to Manila today. Their earlier pullout from Iraq was ordered in exchange for the release of a Filipino truck driver kidnapped by insurgents.

A humanitarian relief flight leaves Great Britain for the Darfur region of Sudan. Arab militias are blamed for killing thousands of people there. And today the European Union joined Washington in threatening sanctions against Sudan.

The nation's nuclear labs are shut down today for an inventory of classified computer disks. The shutdown in inventory was ordered after 15 workers at Los Alamos Lab were suspended in the disappearance of classified disks there.

Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news. Good morning, Rob.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning again, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: The convention cometh. Sunrise in Boston this Monday morning. Democrats jump start their national convention today. So let's get right to it.

Our national correspondent, Bob Franken, joins us live from the FleetCenter.

And I understand, Bob, you had a little trouble getting there this morning. BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, yes. I think that everybody is going to have a lot of trouble moving around right now. This is security people with absolute authority. I think it's fair to call this Fortress Boston.

But let's really turn to the important stuff now. And I mean sports.

I've got to tell you, John Kerry better hope that he has a better political pitch than a baseball pitch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... the nomination. He is throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, Will Pumyea, a veteran, and a much decorated veteran, from Afghanistan, who is also a native of Woburn, just outside Boston. So John Kerry makes his first appearance here in Boston, not at the convention at the FleetCenter...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: So, as I said, the man probably does not have much of a major league career, at least not in baseball.

So, that was the case of John Kerry deciding at the last minute to change plans, come back to Boston, watch the game, watch his Red Sox win, head back to Florida.

Meanwhile, his wife was making some waves. It's going to take a moment to tell this story, but it's got a great punch line. I'm talking about Teresa Heinz Kerry. She made some remarks where she spoke of sometimes creeping un-Pennsylvanian and sometimes un-American traits that are coming into some of our politics.

She was questioned repeatedly by a reporter for the "Pittsburgh Tribune Review." And when she found out that the reporter worked for that paper, which is owned by a noted conservative, she had some choice remarks.

Let's give a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TERESA HEINZ KERRY: Are you with the "Tribune Review?"

COLIN MCNICKLE, EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR, "PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE- REVIEW" Yes, I am.

HEINZ KERRY: Of course. Understandable. You said something I didn't say. Now shove it.

MCNICKLE: No, you said...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: We would call that Cheney-lite, I suppose.

Let's get back to the business of the convention. The serious business outside is the heavy, heavy security we talked about a moment ago. There is going to be a road closure in the hours around the convention of that highway in back of me, Interstate 93. It's the main artery here. Bostonians are being asked to keep away.

Those who are inside the perimeter get there after only stringent checks. It's a coordinated effort by the Secret Service, but it involves just about every police agency and military agency you'll ever see. This is going to be a difficult convention, at least on the outside. The Democrats are hoping that it is a great jump start for their party as John Kerry and John Edwards accept the nomination on Thursday.

Tonight's headliner, former President Bill Clinton, kept several days away, you'll note, so he doesn't overshadow John Kerry -- Carol.

COSTELLO: You know, you were talking of the Secret Service. There's a funny story in the "Boston Globe" -- they're talking about the Secret Service -- that has been posted around John Kerry's house for the past five months. And it turns out the Secret Service members are getting so used to the neighbors that they're actually helping them with their groceries. The neighbors are baking cookies for them.

And one lady said, and I quote, she was, oh, I have to read this. The "Beacon Hill Times" on Friday, she called that newspaper to suggest that the paper run a story about the agents impeccable hygiene. She said, "Have you noticed how nice the after shave is worn by the Secret Service men? It just smells so nice."

FRANKEN: Well, those of us who have to stand next to them sometimes always feel a little bit frumpy, a little bit messed up because of how well kept they are.

One other thing, Carol, I don't know if you've mentioned it yet, let me be the first to tell you that there are 100 days until the election. I won't be the last to tell you, though.

COSTELLO: I'm sure you won't.

Bob Franken live in Boston this morning. Thank you.

About 5,000 delegates and alternates are in Boston for the convention. But they are outnumbered three to one by the media. And CNN is right in the thick of things on the convention floor.

CNN's Wolf Blitzer walks us through the CNN setup, where we will bring you our live coverage.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WOLF BLITZER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is the first time that we're anchoring our special convention coverage from down here on the convention floor. Normally we're upstairs, up in those skyboxes.

Let me take you for a little tour and show you where we are. There's Judy and Jeff. They're sitting here on our platform.

But if you walk down, we're right down -- we just walk a nice sized step and we're here on the convention floor. We could walk around and see what's going on on the convention floor, get a sense, with this new technology, of the flavor.

As I'm walking toward the podium over there, get a little sense of Washington State, Ohio. These are the delegations where so much is going to be happening over the course of this convention.

Normally, as I said, we'd be up there in those hermetically sealed, soundproof skyboxes where you have a beautiful view, but you really don't get the flavor, the excitement, the passion of what's going to be happening.

You can only imagine Thursday night when those balloons start crashing down on all of us what we're going to feel like, especially those of us sitting here on the convention floor. It will give our viewers a sense, something they don't normally see at any time.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Wolf.

CNN has your complete convention coverage in prime time. Former President Bill Clinton gives tonight's keynote speech at 10:00 Eastern. A special edition of "NEWSNIGHT WITH AARON BROWN" follows at 11:00 and Larry King wraps up CNN prime time coverage live from the FleetCenter at midnight.

Some numbers for you now. The presidential race is a neck and neck affair in some key battleground states. The latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll shows that in Florida, President Bush leads Senator Kerry by four percentage points, with Ralph Nader getting 1 percent of the support. It's dead even in Missouri, 47 percent for Bush, 47 percent for Kerry, three percent for Nader. And in Ohio it's Kerry at 48 percent, a five percentage point edge over Bush. Nader has five percent support there.

President Bush, by the way, is at his Texas ranch near Crawford, waiting out the four day Democratic convention, not even running any television campaign ads this week. But Vice President Dick Cheney is still on the campaign trail, barnstorming the West with stops in Washington State, Oregon, Utah, and California.

Members of the 9/11 Commission say they'll forego convention politics during this very political season. The commissioners plan to hit the road with the report they released last Thursday and they will push for the adoption of the recommendations they claim will make America safer.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THOMAS KEAN, 9/11 COMMISSION CHAIRMAN: All 10 of us, Republicans and Democrats, have said we're not going to take high positions in the coming presidential campaign. We're not going to get involved at all in the campaigns and the subject of terrorism because it's more important than politics.

All 10 of us are going out on the road, now not government funding or anything else. We're going out on our own, as private citizens, to talk, to argue, to lobby, to do whatever we have to do. And we're going to be joined by the families to try and get legislation enacted, to try and do whatever we can because we think our recommendations are so important and we don't think time is on our side.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: The commission recommended creating a new post of national intelligence director. And now the "New York Times" is reporting speculation that commission chairman, Thomas Kean, and vice chairman, Lee Hamilton, might share that position.

One critic of the 9/11 Commission report is Richard Clarke, the former counter-terrorism chief in the Clinton and Bush administrations. Writing in the "New York Times," Clarke called the report "toothless" and says, "Because the commission had a goal of creating a unanimous report from a bipartisan group, it softened the edges and left it to the public to draw many conclusions."

Clarke claims that the Bush administration did little on terrorism before 9/11 and that by invading Iraq, the administration has left us less safe as a nation.

Here are some stories making news across America this Monday.

Two New York congressmen are hoping September 11 can be more than a day of mourning. New York Senator Charles Schumer and Representative Peter King introduced resolutions asking President Bush to name September 11 a national day of service. They're hoping to gather two million volunteers to take part.

Salt Lake City police say an arrest warrant could be issued as early as this week in the case of a missing pregnant woman. Lori Hacking was last seen a week ago. Friends, family and search volunteers turned out for a candlelight vigil in her honor. Palacio (ph) has been marked as a person of interest but not a suspect.

In Pennsylvania, tragedy at a small airport during landing practice. A small plane crashes into a hangar, killing all four people on board. Two of the victims were children. The plane clipped the edge of the hangar during a touch and go landing maneuver.

Coming up: The Kobe Bryant case. What will the media be able to report? It's another layer in this complicated case.

Plus, we'll go back live to Boston, where the main event is about to get under way. But the man at the center of all the Democrats' attention has left town.

And the polarizing effect of the president -- for him, against him, everyone seems to have an opinion this campaign season. Why is that? This is DAYBREAK for July 26.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Will the Supreme Court get involved in the Kobe Bryant case? It is possible this morning.

For a look at that issue, that could force the high court's hand, it's time for some "Coffey Talk" with our legal analyst, Kendall Coffey.

He joins us live by phone from Miami -- good morning, Kendall.

KENDALL COFFEY, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Hey, good morning.

COSTELLO: This is a pretty serious mistake.

COFFEY: Well, it's just astonishing. And it's teed up the big collision between the right-wing of someone to a fair trial and the rights of the press, because the issue here isn't just what's sealed and what's unsealed, but prior restraint. In other words, the media already has this stuff.

COSTELLO: Well, before we go on, Kendall, let's explain to the audience exactly what happened. Apparently, a court reporter in a judge's courtroom mistakenly sent a transcript of some pretty sensitive information to seven news organizations. And now, the news organizations are sitting on it, but they want to report it. And the judge has tried to stop them.

What's in those transcripts?

COFFEY: Well, these include the critical days of the hearings and the testimony over whether or not the rape shield law would keep out certain evidence of the alleged victim's sexual history. So, the stuff is as sensitive and salacious as it gets. And in fact, there was a point in time when the alleged victim said -- was thinking about dropping the case when this stuff went out to media.

So, accidentally the court reporter e-mails out to seven media organizations the most intimate, confidential information imaginable in a very high profile case. She did not...

COSTELLO: How does this happen, Kendall?

COFFEY: Well, I've got to tell you, it's almost unimaginable, but it happened. And now, what do you do about it? Our system is very committed to the principle that you can't tell the press not to print something -- prior restraint. And yet the Supreme Court of Colorado, in a 4-3 decision, said in these unusual circumstances, we're going to confirm the fact that the media can't use it. Obviously, the dimensions of it are such that it's now on its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

COSTELLO: So, how quickly will it be heard there? COFFEY: Well, it's very, very hard to say because this is a momentous issue. You don't want to turn it around in a week or two. And yet if the case is not heard quickly, it could become moot. Trial is a month away.

Meanwhile, as we know, there has been another blockbuster development and that is the trial judge has determined that at least some critical elements of the victim's sexual activities in the 72 hours before her hospital exam, the day following the alleged rape, that that sexual activity can now be admissible. A big, big issue, and it could have a huge impact on how this case goes.

COSTELLO: Definitely so.

Kendall Coffey with some "Coffey Talk" this morning. Thank you.

Your news, money, weather and sports.

It is 6:16 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

The Democratic National Convention kicks off today with a return to the party's past. First day speakers include former Presidents Carter and Clinton. John Kerry is expected at the convention on Wednesday.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says he will go ahead with his plan to pull out of Gaza despite a massive protest. As many as 100,000 Israelis formed a human chain from Gaza to Jerusalem to protest the planned withdrawal.

In money news, Microsoft says it is hiring. The software giant is planning to add around 7,000 jobs, with nearly half of those for its headquarters in Washington State. Other hiring could take place in the company's new facilities in India.

In culture, "The 9/11 Commission Report" is a popular read even outside of Washington. The lengthy report hit number one on the online sales lists for both Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.

And in sports, Lance Armstrong has done what no man has done before. He's won the Tour de France for the sixth year in a row -- Rob.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Those are a look at the latest headlines for you.

Toyota's little SUV gets top ratings for safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the 2004 Toyota RAV4 top marks, but only with optional side air bags. It is the first vehicle to earn good ratings in best pick for front- and side-impact tests since the Institute began performing side impact crash tests last year. That's a mouthful. However, when tested without its side air bags, the RAV4 got the institute's lowest rating of poor in the side tests. Time for a little more business buzz now.

When you want to go wireless on the Internet, hot spots can be heard to find. But some new deals in the industry may soon stop you from saying can I reach it now? What about now?

Carrie Lee is in Atlanta this morning to tell us more about that.

CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: OK, Carol.

Well, the industry has resisted this for quite some time. But since wireless Internet access is becoming more important to consumers, the service providers are finally caving. Wireless Internet providers striking deals that make it easier to access a hot spot. They're basically joining forces.

"USA Today" reporting last week that SBC and Sprint cut a deal to share their wireless Internet access. Also, Sprint has other deals with AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile. And AT&T also has deals with T- Mobile. So the idea here basically good news for consumers who have found the service's biggest drawback, tons of wi-fi services and hot spots, but they've all been operating independently. So, now it's going to be easier to access these spots.

Basically, Carol, if you're a traveling worker, you're not going to need three different logins and get three different bills to be able to use this service.

COSTELLO: That will make our lives a lot easier, won't it?

LEE: Yes, it will.

COSTELLO: And we can work all the time.

LEE: That's right.

COSTELLO: A quick look at the futures?

LEE: Things looking pretty bright for this morning. And that's a relief to the bulls, because selling has certainly been the name of the game on Wall Street. Last week alone, the Dow, the Nasdaq down 1.8 percent. The Dow is now at its low point for the year. The Nasdaq low since October.

American Express, one of the Dow 30, Carol, reporting profits this morning.

COSTELLO: Carrie Lee, thank you.

You'll be back in New York tomorrow, right?

LEE: Yes.

COSTELLO: And you'll join us then from there?

LEE: Always working. COSTELLO: Always.

Thank you, Carrie Lee.

LEE: OK.

COSTELLO: We have a news item just in to tell you about. I'm just reading it on the wire right now. And we have confirmed it here at CNN.

An Iraqi interior minister, part of the Iraqi ministry, has been assassinated as he was coming out of his home this morning. Two bodyguards were also killed. We don't know much more than that. When we have more information, of course, we'll pass it along to you.

Coming up on DAYBREAK, Jason Bourne is a born winner. And Catwoman may need all nine lives to last at the box office. We'll see how the big blockbusters did over the weekend.

And our DAYBREAK Photo of the Day. Oh, come on. What is that? We'll tell you when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: We're going to talk a little bit about movies before we get to our DAYBREAK "Eye Openers."

And Rob informed me that he's as cheap as Chad. He does not see movies on first run. He waits until they come out on video.

MARCIANO: Yes, or better yet, free on HBO. Have you seen the Weather Center? I mean, it's bare bones. Besides the computers, it's -- you know, it's a bare bones operation.

COSTELLO: So, you kind of like to live your life that way?

MARCIANO: Yes, we do.

COSTELLO: It's a good thing.

MARCIANO: Cost cutting.

COSTELLO: Cost cutting.

Well, let's talk about "The Bourne Supremacy," because it did great at the box office this weekend. Did you see the first one? It's on video.

MARCIANO: I know. I haven't seen it. But I will tonight, because you asked.

COSTELLO: Thank you.

It took in $53 million over the weekend. And Matt Damon is supposed to be terrific in this movie, Rob.

MARCIANO: Then I'll see it.

COSTELLO: And he's cute.

"Catwoman," however, did not do well. She came in a distant third. Even...

MARCIANO: And she's cute.

COSTELLO: Oh, God. But I think -- how did you know that she doesn't appear in her Catwoman suit until 30 minutes into the movie?

MARCIANO: I heard somebody on CNN say it.

COSTELLO: You did?

MARCIANO: I'm just regurgitating something I heard.

COSTELLO: Rob says that is the reason the movie is not doing well. If she appeared in the first minute in the cat suit, it would have been fine. And then, you said something else I thought was quite perceptive.

MARCIANO: I don't even remember what I -- oh, Catwoman can't carry.

COSTELLO: Yes, Catwoman can't carry a movie. She's just not an interesting character.

Anyhow, "Fahrenheit..."

MARCIANO: But she is cute.

COSTELLO: She is cute.

MARCIANO: She's hot.

COSTELLO: There. We'll let that play so we can see her in her cat suit.

MARCIANO: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Now we go to Michael Moore.

MARCIANO: He's not so cute.

COSTELLO: Oh, God.

MARCIANO: But he's making a big buzz, isn't it?

COSTELLO: He really is. His "Fahrenheit 911," a documentary, took in $103.35 million since opening in late June, and that is a record for any documentary in history.

MARCIANO: Good for him.

COSTELLO: So, there you go. A little chat on movies this morning.

Time now for our DAYBREAK "Eye Openers."

Look out below for grandma. You're going to see Edna Grand. There she is.

MARCIANO: Wow!

COSTELLO: She celebrated her 90th birthday by jumping out of a plane.

MARCIANO: Nice.

COSTELLO: She had to get a note from her doctor before making her first ever leap of faith. But Granny Grand is still nine birthdays short of the world record for the oldest skydiver.

MARCIANO: Have you done that?

COSTELLO: No. I've bungee jumped, though.

MARCIANO: All right, don't tell me to rent movies until you've jumped out of an airplane.

COSTELLO: You've done that?

MARCIANO: Yes, it's great fun.

COSTELLO: There were plenty of double takes at Coney Island over the weekend. Hundreds gathered for the annual twins and multiples day at the Astroland Amusement Park. The highlight of the day was the twin talent show, which, of course, was twice as nice.

Papa would be proud. Or maybe he's spinning in his grave. A North Carolina man was named the year's top Ernest Hemingway look- alike during the annual Hemingway Days in Key West. There were 136 contestants, and some traveled from as far away as Kazakhstan.

MARCIANO: But is there a writing test? There should be, shouldn't there?

COSTELLO: Well, yes, you've got a good point there. No, I don't think so. There's a drinking test later, though. Just kidding.

MARCIANO: Key West.

COSTELLO: DAYBREAK Photo of the Day. Any guesses? That's a tough one, isn't it?

MARCIANO: No. That looks like an ink blob of some sort.

COSTELLO: It's a Rorschach test. Actually, its sailors standing on the yardarms of a ship at the New London Tall Ships Environmental Festival in New London, Connecticut.

MARCIANO: Wow! That looks dangerous. COSTELLO: It looks cool, though.

MARCIANO: Yes, very cool.

COSTELLO: That should be nothing to you. You've skydived.

MARCIANO: Well, you get a parachute. They look like they're just standing there.

COSTELLO: They are.

MARCIANO: Cool stuff.

COSTELLO: Here's what's all new in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.

We'll take you back to Boston, where the Democratic National Convention is just hours away.

Plus, they come around every four years, but what do they cost? We'll break down the dollars for you.

And all politics aside, the story of an American in Paris. Lance Armstrong's ride to the record books.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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