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CNN Live At Daybreak
Awaiting Ivan; Hot Button Political Issues; Violent Military Missions
Aired September 16, 2003 - 06:30 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: An airborne salute later today to the men and women of the U.S. Air Force. Warplanes will fly over as the Air Force breaks ground near the Pentagon on the memorial honoring its troops.
And along the Gulf Coast, a lot of people are not sticking around to see what Hurricane Ivan has in store for them. Roads are packed as coastal residents in Mississippi and Louisiana flee the coming storm.
(WEATHER BREAK)
COSTELLO: We've got the weather team all over the place, Chad. As you know, Rod Marciano is in Mobile, Alabama, this morning.
Ooh, wind gusts now, Rob?
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Oh, we're up to 60 miles an hour, Carol. But it won't be too long. As Chad mentioned, this is a large storm, and tropical-force winds extend out quite a bit over 200 miles. So, it won't be too long before these winds will be picking up.
Right now, they're out of the east/northeast, just to give you some orientation. We're pretty much looking due north here. Behind me is south. To the right of me is Mobile River. And then the bay, which is a large expanse of water, and when a storm surge comes up this way, that bay piles up with water.
We have seen a number of boats head for, in their case, higher ground, which would be up river. And some of the locals have said they have never seen such large vessels take shelter from a storm.
I came in last night. It was a beautiful evening. You see those corpuscular rays heading through the clouds. It looks just heavenly, doesn't it? Well, they're taking no chances around here, that's for sure.
Downtown businesses continue to board up last minute. The Bay Bridge is virtually empty. A lot of folks are just leaving town, including the ships. Large barges, naval vessels heading up river.
And generally speaking, everybody is just praying.
Gulfport, Mississippi, Biloxi, Pascagoula, Mobile, Pensacola and Panama City, all of those ports have been shut down, according to the Coast Guard. Any commercial vessel that's either out in the Gulf or looking for shelter, according to the Coast Guard, is on their own. And there will be limited rescue efforts, depending on the situation, from the Coast Guard. They are not taking any chances with this storm. As Chad mentioned, it still a major hurricane.
Is Chad still with us?
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I am, Rob. Go ahead.
MARCIANO: So, give me the latest track. Do you think this thing is nudging to the east of us? Or do you still think we're in the center of the eye wall here.
MYERS: You know, there was a product that really did a great job forecasting the right turn of Hurricane Charley, Rob. It was the Viper system, and we're able to use it here. It is now turning the storm very close to Pensacola rather than up Mobile Bay.
But here is, in fact, the Viper cast and very, very close to what would be Panama City, and not over Mobile Bay. The center of the storm is almost 40 miles east of there. Obviously, not an official forecast here.
Let me go back to the official forecast and show you why it's so difficult to figure where these things go. Winds, 140 miles per hour. Here's the Hurricane Center forecast. The line itself obviously right through Mobile. You never want to focus on the line, but there is the line. A right-hand hit for you, Rob.
And it couldn't be worse for Mobile with the current Hurricane Center forecast, you get the right side of the eye, you get a 16-foot storm surge, and where you're standing is under water.
MARCIANO: When you...
COSTELLO: You're going to need an extra coat. We've got to wrap it up now, guys. Chad Myers, Rob Marciano, thanks.
MARCIANO: OK.
MYERS: All right, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Rob.
COSTELLO: With Ivan expected to hit sometime early tomorrow morning, DAYBREAK's special coverage of this powerful hurricane begins an hour earlier than usual. It's 4:00 a.m. Eastern, 1:00 Pacific Time.
The clock is ticking on the 2004 election. There are just 48 days left until voters go to the polls on November 2.
Senator Kerry has several big stops on the campaign trail today. In Michigan, he'll address the Detroit Economic Club, and then he'll travel to Madison, Wisconsin, for a rally. Tonight, he'll be in Washington to speak to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
And guess what? President Bush will also talk to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus today. Yesterday, the president was in Las Vegas addressing National Guard members. Mr. Bush mentioned his own service with the Texas Air National Guard, but not the controversy over whether he fulfilled his duties.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Nineteen individuals have served both in the Guard and as president of the United States, and I'm proud to be one of them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: And that is all he said about the war; that is, the war 35 years ago. We'll let the special interest groups battle it out on the Vietnam service issue this morning. Out hot button issues this morning are the issue.
"Business Week's" Capitol correspondent Alexandra Starr live in Washington.
Good morning.
ALEXANDRA STARR, "BUSINESS WEEK": Good morning. Nice to see you, Carol.
COSTELLO: Nice to see you, too.
President Bush spoke to that group of National Guardsmen about his leadership. Let's hear what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: As we saw with such horror on September the 11th, as the people of Russia saw in the terrible massacre of innocent children there, we're up against people who show no shame, no remorse, no hint of humanity. And we must confront them clearly and consistently, not just some of the time but all of the time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: You know, Alexander, Colin Powell, and even the president himself, has said Saddam Hussein had no link to 9/11, yet here the president is again implying it.
STARR: And that's exactly right. But I think that's a strategy the administration has to use. You know, I think a growing majority of Americans over time, we already see a big chunk of them feeling that the war was not worth fighting. In order to keep those numbers low, the administration has to conflate what happened in Iraq with, you know, warding off the 9/11 al Qaeda threat.
So, you're going to see that. It will be done subtlety, but you're going to see it a lot over the next couple of weeks.
COSTELLO: Let's turn to Senator Kerry now. He was talking health care and Medicare. He says the president's Medicare bill only adds to the hardship. Let's listen. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The middle-class in America keeps getting squeezed, and George Bush's choices are always to take care of the wealthiest people who get the lion's share of the tax cut, the big breaks. Halliburton, Enron, these companies do great. Their executives walk away with great, big golden parachutes, while the average American is being squeezed harder and harder.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: The Bush people say that Kerry wants to repeal the prescription drug benefit that's helping senior citizens. Who has the more realistic plan?
STARR: Well, I think you'd have to say Senator Kerry does here. But he's willing to invest a lot more money in health care. And for that, he would raise taxes on -- he would peel back the tax cut that went through for people getting over $200,000 a year.
But this is actually a big opening for Senator Kerry. I think in particular you see that next year Medicare premiums are going to rise 17 percent. That's the biggest increase in 15 years. And it hits a really important demographic in elections: the elderly. They vote, and they pay attention.
And so, I think here, Senator Kerry has a real opening to talk to that group of people. And I think President Bush is actually on the defensive on this. He actually preemptively released an ad criticizing Senator Kerry on Medicare. I think it's because they realize that they have some vulnerability on that issue.
COSTELLO: Alexandra Starr joining us live from Washington, thank you so much.
STARR: My pleasure. Thanks.
COSTELLO: A CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup Poll says John Kerry has the edge in one key battleground state. That would be Michigan. Among likely voters surveyed, 50 percent back Kerry while 44 percent support Bush.
As for registered voters, half of them also back Kerry, 43 percent favor Bush. Ralph Nader gets 1 percent among both groups. The poll's margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.
What exactly is the U.S. military facing in Iraq? Has the situation there or is it becoming a civil war? We'll talk to one of our CNN military analysts next about the increasing violent.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COSTELLO: Rising oil prices and a lackluster retail sales report have the major markets opening only slightly higher this morning. The Dow is up 3 points, the Nasdaq up not much more, and the S&P 500 up 2 and a half points.
Let's talk about the situation in Iraq now. Growing violence. That's what the U.S. military is dealing with in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Joining us on the phone to talk about the twin campaigns is CNN's military analyst, Brigadier General David Grange.
Good morning.
BRIG. GEN. DAVID GRANGE (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: You know, Colin Powell, the secretary of state, came out with some strong comments. Let's listen to what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: We're not going to give up. We're not going to quit. We're not going to come home. The stakes are too high. The stakes are too important. The Iraqi people deserve a better future that rests on democracy and freedom and openness.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: So, General Grange, how long will we be there?
GRANGE: Well, it's going to be a long haul. Not only is there a counter-insurgency going on, but there's obviously the continuing battle against terrorist organizations that are involved with the insurgency at the same time. And those types of fights don't happen quickly. It takes a long time, a lot of resolve and a continuing plugging away until the mission is accomplished.
And I think Secretary Powell is right. It's one of those things that you just can't turn your back on now. There has been too much sacrifice, both by American people and Iraqis.
COSTELLO: Well, not many Americans would disagree with that. But aren't we facing the classic dilemma in fighting a guerrilla war? I mean, you ease up and the insurgency may grow. You fight more and you may lose the support of the people. What exactly is the U.S. strategy?
GRANGE: Well, there is always the concern about losing the support of the people. And, in fact, that's the most important part. If you don't have the will of the Iraqi people or the majority of the will of the American people to back the fight, then you might as well not even go to the fight. It will be lost.
But the thing is that's exactly what the insurgents and guerrillas want is for the U.S. and other coalition partners and the interim government of Iraq to back down and quit. COSTELLO: But in cities like Fallujah, hasn't that been what the U.S. military has done? They fight, and then they ease back, and now insurgents have control of the city. And what do they do now?
GRANGE: Well, good point. You can argue that maybe they should have backed down, that maybe the time to have handled Fallujah was early on before the power base was as strong as it is now.
You know, you can argue that the insurgents or fanatical religious leaders, like al-Janabi (ph) in Fallujah or al-Sadr now in central Baghdad, based on Najaf before, have a power base that's growing and do, in fact, control parts of Iraq. And that's unacceptable.
COSTELLO: You know, there was an interesting quote by Senator John McCain. He was actually quote on NCB last night as saying, if you allow an enemy sanctuary, you cannot win.
So, might it be better to go into Fallujah with guns and bombs blazing?
GRANGE: Well, here's the thing. I'll use al-Janabi (ph) as an example in Fallujah, where he's having the insurgents rally behind him, using religious excuse for violence. He does not want to negotiate. He does want to transition to some type of democratic governance with the Iraqi government.
So, the sorry thing about it is he has to be taken down, as well as the insurgents. They're not going to change.
COSTELLO: Brigadier General David Grange joining us on DAYBREAK this morning, thank you.
GRANGE: My pleasure.
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 6:46 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.
Jurors in the Scott Peterson trial are likely to hear many disturbing details today as testimony focuses on Laci Peterson's autopsy. The trial is in its 20th week.
A scheduled speech by disgraced journalist Jayson Blair is raising eyebrows at a school in North Carolina. Blair, who resigned from "The New York Times," speaks this morning at Winston-Salem State University.
In money news, as if Hurricane Ivan isn't creating enough anxiety, it's also causing a 60-percent cut in the production of oil for the Gulf of Mexico. More than half of the Gulf's 880 oil rigs and platforms have been evacuated.
In culture, the nominations are out for the American Music Awards. R&B singer Usher tops the list with four nominations, including best album in two different categories. The awards will be handed out in November. In the world of sports, the New Orleans Saints have left home as Hurricane Ivan moves closer to land. The team will hold their practices in San Antonio, Texas, for the next few days, but they will return to New Orleans in time to play the 49ers at the Superdome on Sunday.
(WEATHER BREAK)
COSTELLO: Let's head live to New York now to check in with Bill -- actually, Heidi is in New York. Bill Hemmer is in Mobile, Alabama.
Good morning to you both.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Carol.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Carol. Good morning.
We're just watching that radar and watching the satellite and listening to Chad talk about that, because we're waiting for Ivan yet again. We'll talk to the National Hurricane Center at the top of the hour; also, a number local officials here in Mobile and throughout the shoreline here in the northern Gulf Coast area, finding out how they're getting ready for this right here on the satellite, Ivan, knocking on the door as we speak.
Heidi -- good morning to you back in New York.
COLLINS: And good morning, Bill.
Obviously, quite a storm you got there. We're also going to be talking about President Bush and his National Guard service. Is it affecting the race? A lot of people are talking about it. So, we will talk with Ron Brownstein.
We're also going to be talking with Kitty Kelley. She's written a new controversial book about the Bush family. We're going to find out how much if fact and how much is fiction.
Then the new 9/11 legislation, details of what the first Senate bill may be. We're going to talk to lawmakers behind that bill, including Senator Joe Lieberman. So, we will have that and much, much more all ahead this "AMERICAN MORNING."
Bill, you stay safe there, OK?
HEMMER: We will. Thank you, Heidi, for that.
It's going to be several hours before we really feel the impact of Ivan, but this is something we're watching quite closely now, as you can imagine. See you at the top of the hour, Heidi.
Back to you now, Carol, in Atlanta.
COSTELLO: All right, see you both in 10 minutes. Thank you.
HEMMER: OK. COSTELLO: You know it's important to watch your cholesterol. But just how low should it be? Well, that number keeps changing. Our dietitian, Lisa Drayer, joins us next to explain how you may be in the high-risk category and not even know it.
This is DAYBREAK.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: We know we should keep our cholesterol low, but the definition of low keeps changing. This is National Cholesterol Education Month, in case you didn't know it.
And our registered dietitian, Lisa Drayer, joins us from New York with the latest on this controversy.
So, Lisa, how low should we go?
LISA DRAYER, REGISTERED DIETITIAN: Well, Carol, the consensus is the lower your LDL cholesterol, the better, especially if you're at high risk for heart disease.
Let's take a look now at some of the new recommendations from the National Cholesterol Education program. Previously, Carol, if you were in a high-risk category, it was recommend that you aim to get your LDL -- this is the bad cholesterol -- below 100.
Now, if you're at a very high risk of heart disease -- for example, if you've had a recent heart attack or poorly-controlled risk factors -- an LDL below 70 is a therapeutic option. The reason being is people seem to have additional protection at such low levels.
Also, for those who are in a moderately high-risk category - for example, if according to a risk calculation your chance of a heart attack in the next 10 years is 10 to 20 percent, you have poor-risk factors -- if you're in that category, you are now advised to get your LDL cholesterol below 100. That's compared to below 130 previously.
Now, medications are often prescribed for individuals in these categories. But for those who might find this news a bit frustrating, Carol, there are some points I want to mention. The new recommendations are therapeutic options. They're not absolute targets. And they pertain only to individuals in these high-risk categories.
So, someone in a low-risk category, there's no evidence to say that these individuals would achieve a greater benefit by getting LDL to such a low extent.
It's also important to note that HDL, also known as the good cholesterol, was not addressed in the report. And having a high HDL level, Carol, can actually counteract the negative effects of a high LDL level. In fact, a low HDL level -- a low HDL is a major risk factor for heart disease. That's an HDL below 40.
The good news is you can get your HDL up by losing weight and also increasing your physical activity.
COSTELLO: I like it. OK, let's talk about something simple after all of that.
DRAYER: A mouthful, I know.
COSTELLO: Chad is over here going, "What?"
MYERS: I'm taking notes.
COSTELLO: He's taking notes. But your diet probably could help you, too.
DRAYER: It can, Carol. Changes in diet can produce benefits, and this one is emphasized in the new report. But there is actually some really exciting research that came out of the University of Toronto. It's known as the portfolio diet, and individuals who are on this diet experienced almost the same drop in LDL cholesterol as those taking an LDL cholesterol-lowering drug.
Let's take a look at this now. Individuals followed a diet low in saturated fat, but they also added four food components to their diet: soy; soluble fibers, these are fibers found in foods like oats and eggplant; also foods containing sterols like those cholesterol- lowering margarines, also vegetable oils; and leafy greens and almonds.
Individuals who added these four components to their diet experienced a 28.6 percent drop in HDL cholesterol. That was compared to a 30 percent drop seen in individuals taking the cholesterol- lowering drug, Lovastatin. And that was only over a four-week period.
So, really exciting results here. We do need to see more studies on this before we would recommend this portfolio diet over a medication. But in the meantime, it's pretty promising news for the role of diet in our health.
COSTELLO: Well, thanks for filling us in, Lisa Drayer.
DRAYER: Thanks.
COSTELLO: DAYBREAK will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: OK, we have some fun to finish up our show, at least we think so.
MYERS: Finally.
COSTELLO: The Global Language Monitor has come up with the top TV phrases. Aren't you excited?
MYERS: Yes, the new ones.
COSTELLO: The new ones. The top TV phrase is? MYERS: "You're fired!"
COSTELLO: Yes, we all know where that comes from.
"Mess O Potamia." That's from "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," as he's referring to the situation in Iraq.
MYERS: I always watch that show one day late. It comes on at 7:00 on Comedy Central.
COSTELLO: Me too. Me too. It's very funny.
"Girlie men."
MYERS: "Wardrobe malfunction."
COSTELLO: Yes, we all know (UNINTELLIGIBLE) whatever.
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: And "God." I guess people say -- I don't know what that means. But that comes from "Joan of Arcadia" and "Angels in America."
MYERS: And you know what? Stumpy the big-headed weatherman didn't show up. We're surprised at that.
COSTELLO: Me too.
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: Gosh!
MYERS: Anyway.
COSTELLO: What a (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
MYERS: I thought maybe fishnet stockings -- that will show up next time.
COSTELLO: Are these too much?
MYERS: It just depends.
COSTELLO: I thought to myself, 'What the heck.' I said I drank beer on the air yesterday!
We'll see you again tomorrow. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.
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Aired September 16, 2003 - 06:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: An airborne salute later today to the men and women of the U.S. Air Force. Warplanes will fly over as the Air Force breaks ground near the Pentagon on the memorial honoring its troops.
And along the Gulf Coast, a lot of people are not sticking around to see what Hurricane Ivan has in store for them. Roads are packed as coastal residents in Mississippi and Louisiana flee the coming storm.
(WEATHER BREAK)
COSTELLO: We've got the weather team all over the place, Chad. As you know, Rod Marciano is in Mobile, Alabama, this morning.
Ooh, wind gusts now, Rob?
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Oh, we're up to 60 miles an hour, Carol. But it won't be too long. As Chad mentioned, this is a large storm, and tropical-force winds extend out quite a bit over 200 miles. So, it won't be too long before these winds will be picking up.
Right now, they're out of the east/northeast, just to give you some orientation. We're pretty much looking due north here. Behind me is south. To the right of me is Mobile River. And then the bay, which is a large expanse of water, and when a storm surge comes up this way, that bay piles up with water.
We have seen a number of boats head for, in their case, higher ground, which would be up river. And some of the locals have said they have never seen such large vessels take shelter from a storm.
I came in last night. It was a beautiful evening. You see those corpuscular rays heading through the clouds. It looks just heavenly, doesn't it? Well, they're taking no chances around here, that's for sure.
Downtown businesses continue to board up last minute. The Bay Bridge is virtually empty. A lot of folks are just leaving town, including the ships. Large barges, naval vessels heading up river.
And generally speaking, everybody is just praying.
Gulfport, Mississippi, Biloxi, Pascagoula, Mobile, Pensacola and Panama City, all of those ports have been shut down, according to the Coast Guard. Any commercial vessel that's either out in the Gulf or looking for shelter, according to the Coast Guard, is on their own. And there will be limited rescue efforts, depending on the situation, from the Coast Guard. They are not taking any chances with this storm. As Chad mentioned, it still a major hurricane.
Is Chad still with us?
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I am, Rob. Go ahead.
MARCIANO: So, give me the latest track. Do you think this thing is nudging to the east of us? Or do you still think we're in the center of the eye wall here.
MYERS: You know, there was a product that really did a great job forecasting the right turn of Hurricane Charley, Rob. It was the Viper system, and we're able to use it here. It is now turning the storm very close to Pensacola rather than up Mobile Bay.
But here is, in fact, the Viper cast and very, very close to what would be Panama City, and not over Mobile Bay. The center of the storm is almost 40 miles east of there. Obviously, not an official forecast here.
Let me go back to the official forecast and show you why it's so difficult to figure where these things go. Winds, 140 miles per hour. Here's the Hurricane Center forecast. The line itself obviously right through Mobile. You never want to focus on the line, but there is the line. A right-hand hit for you, Rob.
And it couldn't be worse for Mobile with the current Hurricane Center forecast, you get the right side of the eye, you get a 16-foot storm surge, and where you're standing is under water.
MARCIANO: When you...
COSTELLO: You're going to need an extra coat. We've got to wrap it up now, guys. Chad Myers, Rob Marciano, thanks.
MARCIANO: OK.
MYERS: All right, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Rob.
COSTELLO: With Ivan expected to hit sometime early tomorrow morning, DAYBREAK's special coverage of this powerful hurricane begins an hour earlier than usual. It's 4:00 a.m. Eastern, 1:00 Pacific Time.
The clock is ticking on the 2004 election. There are just 48 days left until voters go to the polls on November 2.
Senator Kerry has several big stops on the campaign trail today. In Michigan, he'll address the Detroit Economic Club, and then he'll travel to Madison, Wisconsin, for a rally. Tonight, he'll be in Washington to speak to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
And guess what? President Bush will also talk to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus today. Yesterday, the president was in Las Vegas addressing National Guard members. Mr. Bush mentioned his own service with the Texas Air National Guard, but not the controversy over whether he fulfilled his duties.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Nineteen individuals have served both in the Guard and as president of the United States, and I'm proud to be one of them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: And that is all he said about the war; that is, the war 35 years ago. We'll let the special interest groups battle it out on the Vietnam service issue this morning. Out hot button issues this morning are the issue.
"Business Week's" Capitol correspondent Alexandra Starr live in Washington.
Good morning.
ALEXANDRA STARR, "BUSINESS WEEK": Good morning. Nice to see you, Carol.
COSTELLO: Nice to see you, too.
President Bush spoke to that group of National Guardsmen about his leadership. Let's hear what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: As we saw with such horror on September the 11th, as the people of Russia saw in the terrible massacre of innocent children there, we're up against people who show no shame, no remorse, no hint of humanity. And we must confront them clearly and consistently, not just some of the time but all of the time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: You know, Alexander, Colin Powell, and even the president himself, has said Saddam Hussein had no link to 9/11, yet here the president is again implying it.
STARR: And that's exactly right. But I think that's a strategy the administration has to use. You know, I think a growing majority of Americans over time, we already see a big chunk of them feeling that the war was not worth fighting. In order to keep those numbers low, the administration has to conflate what happened in Iraq with, you know, warding off the 9/11 al Qaeda threat.
So, you're going to see that. It will be done subtlety, but you're going to see it a lot over the next couple of weeks.
COSTELLO: Let's turn to Senator Kerry now. He was talking health care and Medicare. He says the president's Medicare bill only adds to the hardship. Let's listen. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The middle-class in America keeps getting squeezed, and George Bush's choices are always to take care of the wealthiest people who get the lion's share of the tax cut, the big breaks. Halliburton, Enron, these companies do great. Their executives walk away with great, big golden parachutes, while the average American is being squeezed harder and harder.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: The Bush people say that Kerry wants to repeal the prescription drug benefit that's helping senior citizens. Who has the more realistic plan?
STARR: Well, I think you'd have to say Senator Kerry does here. But he's willing to invest a lot more money in health care. And for that, he would raise taxes on -- he would peel back the tax cut that went through for people getting over $200,000 a year.
But this is actually a big opening for Senator Kerry. I think in particular you see that next year Medicare premiums are going to rise 17 percent. That's the biggest increase in 15 years. And it hits a really important demographic in elections: the elderly. They vote, and they pay attention.
And so, I think here, Senator Kerry has a real opening to talk to that group of people. And I think President Bush is actually on the defensive on this. He actually preemptively released an ad criticizing Senator Kerry on Medicare. I think it's because they realize that they have some vulnerability on that issue.
COSTELLO: Alexandra Starr joining us live from Washington, thank you so much.
STARR: My pleasure. Thanks.
COSTELLO: A CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup Poll says John Kerry has the edge in one key battleground state. That would be Michigan. Among likely voters surveyed, 50 percent back Kerry while 44 percent support Bush.
As for registered voters, half of them also back Kerry, 43 percent favor Bush. Ralph Nader gets 1 percent among both groups. The poll's margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.
What exactly is the U.S. military facing in Iraq? Has the situation there or is it becoming a civil war? We'll talk to one of our CNN military analysts next about the increasing violent.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COSTELLO: Rising oil prices and a lackluster retail sales report have the major markets opening only slightly higher this morning. The Dow is up 3 points, the Nasdaq up not much more, and the S&P 500 up 2 and a half points.
Let's talk about the situation in Iraq now. Growing violence. That's what the U.S. military is dealing with in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Joining us on the phone to talk about the twin campaigns is CNN's military analyst, Brigadier General David Grange.
Good morning.
BRIG. GEN. DAVID GRANGE (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: You know, Colin Powell, the secretary of state, came out with some strong comments. Let's listen to what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: We're not going to give up. We're not going to quit. We're not going to come home. The stakes are too high. The stakes are too important. The Iraqi people deserve a better future that rests on democracy and freedom and openness.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: So, General Grange, how long will we be there?
GRANGE: Well, it's going to be a long haul. Not only is there a counter-insurgency going on, but there's obviously the continuing battle against terrorist organizations that are involved with the insurgency at the same time. And those types of fights don't happen quickly. It takes a long time, a lot of resolve and a continuing plugging away until the mission is accomplished.
And I think Secretary Powell is right. It's one of those things that you just can't turn your back on now. There has been too much sacrifice, both by American people and Iraqis.
COSTELLO: Well, not many Americans would disagree with that. But aren't we facing the classic dilemma in fighting a guerrilla war? I mean, you ease up and the insurgency may grow. You fight more and you may lose the support of the people. What exactly is the U.S. strategy?
GRANGE: Well, there is always the concern about losing the support of the people. And, in fact, that's the most important part. If you don't have the will of the Iraqi people or the majority of the will of the American people to back the fight, then you might as well not even go to the fight. It will be lost.
But the thing is that's exactly what the insurgents and guerrillas want is for the U.S. and other coalition partners and the interim government of Iraq to back down and quit. COSTELLO: But in cities like Fallujah, hasn't that been what the U.S. military has done? They fight, and then they ease back, and now insurgents have control of the city. And what do they do now?
GRANGE: Well, good point. You can argue that maybe they should have backed down, that maybe the time to have handled Fallujah was early on before the power base was as strong as it is now.
You know, you can argue that the insurgents or fanatical religious leaders, like al-Janabi (ph) in Fallujah or al-Sadr now in central Baghdad, based on Najaf before, have a power base that's growing and do, in fact, control parts of Iraq. And that's unacceptable.
COSTELLO: You know, there was an interesting quote by Senator John McCain. He was actually quote on NCB last night as saying, if you allow an enemy sanctuary, you cannot win.
So, might it be better to go into Fallujah with guns and bombs blazing?
GRANGE: Well, here's the thing. I'll use al-Janabi (ph) as an example in Fallujah, where he's having the insurgents rally behind him, using religious excuse for violence. He does not want to negotiate. He does want to transition to some type of democratic governance with the Iraqi government.
So, the sorry thing about it is he has to be taken down, as well as the insurgents. They're not going to change.
COSTELLO: Brigadier General David Grange joining us on DAYBREAK this morning, thank you.
GRANGE: My pleasure.
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 6:46 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.
Jurors in the Scott Peterson trial are likely to hear many disturbing details today as testimony focuses on Laci Peterson's autopsy. The trial is in its 20th week.
A scheduled speech by disgraced journalist Jayson Blair is raising eyebrows at a school in North Carolina. Blair, who resigned from "The New York Times," speaks this morning at Winston-Salem State University.
In money news, as if Hurricane Ivan isn't creating enough anxiety, it's also causing a 60-percent cut in the production of oil for the Gulf of Mexico. More than half of the Gulf's 880 oil rigs and platforms have been evacuated.
In culture, the nominations are out for the American Music Awards. R&B singer Usher tops the list with four nominations, including best album in two different categories. The awards will be handed out in November. In the world of sports, the New Orleans Saints have left home as Hurricane Ivan moves closer to land. The team will hold their practices in San Antonio, Texas, for the next few days, but they will return to New Orleans in time to play the 49ers at the Superdome on Sunday.
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COSTELLO: Let's head live to New York now to check in with Bill -- actually, Heidi is in New York. Bill Hemmer is in Mobile, Alabama.
Good morning to you both.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Carol.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Carol. Good morning.
We're just watching that radar and watching the satellite and listening to Chad talk about that, because we're waiting for Ivan yet again. We'll talk to the National Hurricane Center at the top of the hour; also, a number local officials here in Mobile and throughout the shoreline here in the northern Gulf Coast area, finding out how they're getting ready for this right here on the satellite, Ivan, knocking on the door as we speak.
Heidi -- good morning to you back in New York.
COLLINS: And good morning, Bill.
Obviously, quite a storm you got there. We're also going to be talking about President Bush and his National Guard service. Is it affecting the race? A lot of people are talking about it. So, we will talk with Ron Brownstein.
We're also going to be talking with Kitty Kelley. She's written a new controversial book about the Bush family. We're going to find out how much if fact and how much is fiction.
Then the new 9/11 legislation, details of what the first Senate bill may be. We're going to talk to lawmakers behind that bill, including Senator Joe Lieberman. So, we will have that and much, much more all ahead this "AMERICAN MORNING."
Bill, you stay safe there, OK?
HEMMER: We will. Thank you, Heidi, for that.
It's going to be several hours before we really feel the impact of Ivan, but this is something we're watching quite closely now, as you can imagine. See you at the top of the hour, Heidi.
Back to you now, Carol, in Atlanta.
COSTELLO: All right, see you both in 10 minutes. Thank you.
HEMMER: OK. COSTELLO: You know it's important to watch your cholesterol. But just how low should it be? Well, that number keeps changing. Our dietitian, Lisa Drayer, joins us next to explain how you may be in the high-risk category and not even know it.
This is DAYBREAK.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: We know we should keep our cholesterol low, but the definition of low keeps changing. This is National Cholesterol Education Month, in case you didn't know it.
And our registered dietitian, Lisa Drayer, joins us from New York with the latest on this controversy.
So, Lisa, how low should we go?
LISA DRAYER, REGISTERED DIETITIAN: Well, Carol, the consensus is the lower your LDL cholesterol, the better, especially if you're at high risk for heart disease.
Let's take a look now at some of the new recommendations from the National Cholesterol Education program. Previously, Carol, if you were in a high-risk category, it was recommend that you aim to get your LDL -- this is the bad cholesterol -- below 100.
Now, if you're at a very high risk of heart disease -- for example, if you've had a recent heart attack or poorly-controlled risk factors -- an LDL below 70 is a therapeutic option. The reason being is people seem to have additional protection at such low levels.
Also, for those who are in a moderately high-risk category - for example, if according to a risk calculation your chance of a heart attack in the next 10 years is 10 to 20 percent, you have poor-risk factors -- if you're in that category, you are now advised to get your LDL cholesterol below 100. That's compared to below 130 previously.
Now, medications are often prescribed for individuals in these categories. But for those who might find this news a bit frustrating, Carol, there are some points I want to mention. The new recommendations are therapeutic options. They're not absolute targets. And they pertain only to individuals in these high-risk categories.
So, someone in a low-risk category, there's no evidence to say that these individuals would achieve a greater benefit by getting LDL to such a low extent.
It's also important to note that HDL, also known as the good cholesterol, was not addressed in the report. And having a high HDL level, Carol, can actually counteract the negative effects of a high LDL level. In fact, a low HDL level -- a low HDL is a major risk factor for heart disease. That's an HDL below 40.
The good news is you can get your HDL up by losing weight and also increasing your physical activity.
COSTELLO: I like it. OK, let's talk about something simple after all of that.
DRAYER: A mouthful, I know.
COSTELLO: Chad is over here going, "What?"
MYERS: I'm taking notes.
COSTELLO: He's taking notes. But your diet probably could help you, too.
DRAYER: It can, Carol. Changes in diet can produce benefits, and this one is emphasized in the new report. But there is actually some really exciting research that came out of the University of Toronto. It's known as the portfolio diet, and individuals who are on this diet experienced almost the same drop in LDL cholesterol as those taking an LDL cholesterol-lowering drug.
Let's take a look at this now. Individuals followed a diet low in saturated fat, but they also added four food components to their diet: soy; soluble fibers, these are fibers found in foods like oats and eggplant; also foods containing sterols like those cholesterol- lowering margarines, also vegetable oils; and leafy greens and almonds.
Individuals who added these four components to their diet experienced a 28.6 percent drop in HDL cholesterol. That was compared to a 30 percent drop seen in individuals taking the cholesterol- lowering drug, Lovastatin. And that was only over a four-week period.
So, really exciting results here. We do need to see more studies on this before we would recommend this portfolio diet over a medication. But in the meantime, it's pretty promising news for the role of diet in our health.
COSTELLO: Well, thanks for filling us in, Lisa Drayer.
DRAYER: Thanks.
COSTELLO: DAYBREAK will be right back.
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COSTELLO: OK, we have some fun to finish up our show, at least we think so.
MYERS: Finally.
COSTELLO: The Global Language Monitor has come up with the top TV phrases. Aren't you excited?
MYERS: Yes, the new ones.
COSTELLO: The new ones. The top TV phrase is? MYERS: "You're fired!"
COSTELLO: Yes, we all know where that comes from.
"Mess O Potamia." That's from "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," as he's referring to the situation in Iraq.
MYERS: I always watch that show one day late. It comes on at 7:00 on Comedy Central.
COSTELLO: Me too. Me too. It's very funny.
"Girlie men."
MYERS: "Wardrobe malfunction."
COSTELLO: Yes, we all know (UNINTELLIGIBLE) whatever.
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: And "God." I guess people say -- I don't know what that means. But that comes from "Joan of Arcadia" and "Angels in America."
MYERS: And you know what? Stumpy the big-headed weatherman didn't show up. We're surprised at that.
COSTELLO: Me too.
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: Gosh!
MYERS: Anyway.
COSTELLO: What a (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
MYERS: I thought maybe fishnet stockings -- that will show up next time.
COSTELLO: Are these too much?
MYERS: It just depends.
COSTELLO: I thought to myself, 'What the heck.' I said I drank beer on the air yesterday!
We'll see you again tomorrow. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.
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