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CNN Live Today

Haitian Rebels Have Arrived in Capital; Profound Breakthrough in Missing Family Case

Aired March 01, 2004 - 11:00 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.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's go ahead meanwhile and get started with the second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY which begins right now.
And here are the latest developments we're following "At This Hour." Trying to calm the chaos in Haiti. Haitian rebels have arrived in the capital following the departure of President Jean- Bertrand Aristide. U.S. Marines are also in Haiti. They'll form the vanguard of and international peacekeeping force. Troops will attempt to restore order following the bloody three and a half-week rebellion.

Taking another step towards self rule in Iraq. The Iraqi governing council today agreed on an interim constitution. The council is expected to sign the document on Wednesday at the end of the Shi'ite Muslim holiday. The agreement calls for a federal system of government and includes such Western hallmarks as a bill of rights.

The eve of Super Tuesday showdown. The Democrats are targeting key states ahead of tomorrow's election. Voters in 10 states hold contests with more than 1,100 delegates up for grabs. The front runner, Senator John Kerry, hopes to build on his string of victories. Senator John Edwards has gone on the offensive hoping to gain some ground against Kerry.

And a police spokesman says there has been a profound breakthrough in the case of a missing Mississippi family. He doesn't elaborate on the details, though. Suspect Earnest Lee Hargon was to appear in court this hour, facing unspecified felony charges, but that hearing has now been postponed. Michael and Rebecca Hargon and their 4-year-old son have been missing since February 14. A live report on that case just ahead in this hour.

It is 11:00 a.m. on the East Coast, 8:00 a.m. here in the West. Good morning from Los Angeles. I'm Daryn Kagan.

Up first this hour on CNN, rebels in the capital, a leader in exile, and a country in crisis. Haitian rebel arrived in the capital of Port-au-Prince today, following the departure of President Jean- Bertrand Aristide. U.S. Marines are also in Haiti, and they are part of an international effort to restore order following the bloody rebellion.

Our Lucia Newman joins us from Port-au-Prince -- Lucia.

LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, at this moment, yes, the Marines are here, and so are the rebels. And the only thing that separates them right now is an iron fence that's surrounding the presidential palace.

There are thousands of people out here -- I think you can see the pictures -- that are welcoming back these rebels that came into town, led by Guy Philippe, a former police chief of the north of the country, of Cape Haitien; also Louis Jodel Chamblain, a former death squad and paramilitary leader -- all here being hugged, being slapped and cheered by the crowds out here. One woman said to us this is liberation day for Haiti. Aristide is gone.

They are right now in the police headquarters -- the same police headquarters where they once were before they were sent into exile more than a decade ago.

In the palace itself, which is literally across the street, are the U.S. Marines, defending or standing guard at the entrance to the palace. When thousands and thousands of Haitians started surrounding the outskirts of the palace and cheering, one of the Marines looking very scared said, "Holy Moses!" You know what I want to say? There were rather tense moments there.

But right now, no one is trying to break into the palace. They are respecting the perimeter and waiting for the Guy Philippe, the rebel leader, to come out and perhaps say a few words to the people here -- Daryn.

KAGAN: So, Lucia, is Guy Philippe then considered the leader of the country right now?

NEWMAN: No, he's not considered the leader of the country. There is an interim president, the former president of the Supreme Court. But he is the one who's on the streets now. He's the one who's controlling the streets. The U.S. Marines have not yet set up patrols to try and restore order here. As I said, they are right now in the palace, and more and more are coming in today, we understand.

But out here on the street, the ordinary police, the Haitian police are standing back and letting these guys basically have a run of the city and a run of their police headquarters, too -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Lucia Newman from Haiti, thank you for that.

Well, the Bush administration is fending off criticism over its handling of the Haitian crisis. Secretary of State Colin Powell today defended the decision not to send U.S. Marines to Haiti until after President Aristide resigned.

On CNN's AMERICAN MORNING, Mr. Powell said the administration acted at the right time.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: We responded when there was something to respond to that we felt it was appropriate to respond to, and that was a change in the political situation -- in this case, the departure of President Aristide. All those who say we should have gone in earlier were advocating a position that we should go in on the side of a president who really was running a flawed government, a flawed presidency. And we were not prepared to do that, and find ourselves trapped once again for an indefinite period supporting an individual who may have been elected democratically but was not governing effectively or democratically.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: And as you can tell, we're going to keep that live picture up as we go on with our coverage from Haiti; those images coming from just outside the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince.

And now as we keep those pictures up, we want to tell you that Mr. Powell says he is pleased, in fact, by the quick response from the international community after Mr. Aristide's resignation.

And so, then there's the United Nations, the resolution paving the way for an international peacekeeping force in Haiti. The U.S. ambassador to the U.N. calls it a new page in the political life of the island nation.

Let's get more now on what the plans are from the U.N. with our senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth.

Richard -- good morning.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Well, these scenes outside the presidential palace are much more to the liking of diplomats here at the United Nations, because they feared in the last few days that there would be some massive scenes of violence and bloodshed. The Security Council was acting because of a threat to international peace and security in the region.

You know, Daryn, I stood at that presidential palace early April 1995 -- those scenes that you see out there. The crowds were out there at that time, and that was for the installation of Jean-Bertrand Aristide as president. President Bill Clinton was there, and there was a multinational force, which helped put Aristide back into office.

And now, there's another multinational force approved Sunday evening in New York by the Security Council in a unanimous vote. That was passed. It will be three months, the term so far, for that interim force.

China was the president of the council last night, as all hands were in the air. There was some concern by the U.N. that they would not take over until at least three months. They were worried about having to be two months in there, and they weren't ready necessarily to do that.

The U.S. ambassador to the U.N. preferred to look forward on Haiti.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN NEGROPONTE, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: This resolution approves the creation of this multilateral force. It also provides for the probability of follow-on of a U.N. peacekeeping force, not later than three months after the adoption of this resolution. I think we have to take these things step by step and watch developments as they unfold. But to my way of thinking, there is no question that we are much better off today than we were several days ago with regard to the situation in Haiti.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: And now, it's the U.N.'s job to start coming up with troops or police to do the job in three months, while the Pentagon and others deal with the military situation right now.

Secretary-General Annan meeting in a prior scheduled appointment with Canada's prime minister now about Haiti and other matters.

Daryn -- back to you.

KAGAN: Richard Roth with the latest from the United Nations, thank you for that.

So, they're following this not just at the U.N.; the Pentagon as well, of course, because of the military involvement. We are expecting the Pentagon briefing today, 1:30 p.m. Eastern. You'll see it live here on CNN, 1:30 Eastern, 10:30 Pacific.

Closing arguments today in the trial of Martha Stewart and her stockbroker, Peter Bacanovic. Stewart won a big victory on Friday when the judge tossed the most serious count against her out -- the securities fraud charge. But she still faces charges of obstruction and lying about her 2001 InClone stock sale. Jurors could get the case by midweek.

And then there's Kobe Bryant going face to face with his accuser at a closed hearing today as his lawyers try to convince a judge that the woman's sexual history is relevant evidence at the trial.

Our national correspondent, Gary Tuchman, filed a late report from Eagle, Colorado, earlier this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: If all goes as scheduled, Kobe Bryant and the woman he's accused of raping will be in the same room at the same time for the first time since the night of June 30, 2003 -- that night at The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera eight months ago. The accuser has been subpoenaed to testify about parts of her sexual history.

Bryant arrived in this courthouse in Eagle, Colorado, about 7:40 local time, 50 minutes before this two-day hearing began.

The woman has been subpoenaed by Bryant's attorneys. Bryant's attorneys are saying that she had sex at least two times in the days surrounding the incident with Kobe Bryant, and they're alleging that injuries she suffered could have come from somebody else.

The judge has agreed to hold the hearing to see if information about her sexual history could be used in a trial. The prosecution says it's irrelevant, her sexual history, and says the questioning should be severally limited. They say that Kobe Bryant's attorneys should not be on a humiliating fishing expedition.

Also on the agenda for today: Kobe Bryant's conversation with police. He talked for one hour with police the day after the incident. It was secretly recorded by a police officer. His attorneys do not want that secret recording used, saying he should have been read his rights. Prosecutors say he wasn't arrested, wasn't in custody, and therefore did not need to be read his rights.

As we said, this hearing is expected to last two days. We do expect the accuser will testify sometime tomorrow.

This is Gary Tuchman, CNN, in Eagle, Colorado.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: We have the latest on the search for a missing family in Mississippi. Authorities announce what they are calling a profound breakthrough in the case. We have the very latest in details and a live report coming up next.

Also, how about gearing up for Super Tuesday? They're doing it here in California. We're live in one of the key battleground states.

And later, Charlize dressed to impress. Uma dressed to depress, you might say. A look at the highs and lows on the red carpet is ahead in our complete Oscar wrap-up.

"CNN LIVE TODAY from Los Angeles is right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET UPDATE)

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KAGAN: There are new developments to tell you about this morning in the case of that missing family in Mississippi. Michael and Rebecca Hargon and their 4-year-old son haven't been seen since Valentine's Day.

Our Mike Brooks is in Yazoo City, Mississippi, with the latest -- Mike.

MIEK BROOKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Well, everything here in Yazoo County, Mississippi, has been put on hold right now. This morning, right now, there was to take place a hearing with -- Earnest Lee Hargon was supposed to face multiple felony counts. And what those felony counts are, they would not say. They said they were going to announce them at the hearing. A press conference was to follow.

But Warren Strain, the spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, said that everything has been put on hold because of -- quote -- "a major development in the case."

All of the key players in the investigation are being flown by helicopter back to Smith County, where a search has been taking place for the last two days. They ended the search yesterday. They did not find the Hargon family, but they said that they found enough evidence to go forward with the case.

But as of right now, Daryn, the family has not been found. But every place you go in Yazoo County, you see fliers like this with the Hargon family. Everyone's heart is reaching out to the Hargon family.

And just a short time ago, Rebecca's parents, the Hertz (ph) family, were here in court. They were going into court. They were asked if they heard about the latest developments. They were visibly shaken and would not have anything to say to the press.

But right now, everything has been put on hold because of what they say is a major development in the case -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And, Mike, this is what I don't understand, because I've been watching coverage of this throughout the weekend and here into Monday morning. The police there seem to keep coming out and saying, all right, a big thing's about to happen, and yet it doesn't feel like we really know anything more today than we did three days ago about what happened to this family.

BROOKS: No, we really don't. But they say they have made, starting on Friday night, into Saturday and into yesterday, they said they have made major developments. They have enough evidence, they say, to go ahead with these multiple felony counts.

They did say this morning that this information in this new development, as they're calling it, did come from interviews from late last night into early this morning. I asked specifically if it was interviews with Hargon, and he said that -- the spokesperson said that he did not know. But that's what sources close to the investigation are saying.

A source close to the investigation also told me that they were looking at right now four felony counts. Whether more felony counts will come out of this new development, we don't know -- Daryn.

KAGAN: But one basic thing we do know, this Earnest Lee Hargon, who is in custody on unrelated drug and gun charges, he's the cousin of the missing man.

BROOKS: Right. He's the adopted cousin of Michael Hargon, who is the father of the missing family of three. They talk about motive. They really don't know what any motive in their disappearance was. They're talking that an uncle who died recently had left Michael a plot of land in Madison County, Mississippi, and that Earnest Lee was totally left out of the will. They say that might be a motive but they still haven't said exactly what the reason for the disappearance, and they still don't know where the family is -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right, we'll be checking in with you from Mississippi. Mike Brooks, thank you for that.

Raleigh-Durham is one, so is Atlanta, West Palm Beach and Phoenix, Arizona. We are talking about boom town. What makes a boom town? I thought that was what you were going to ask. Well, coming up next, we're talking to one man who knows the answer.

And later, a handful of celebrities have the best kind of Hollywood hangover this morning. We have your complete Oscar night wrap-up coming up.

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KAGAN: Looking at a live picture from downtown Los Angeles, thanks to our friends at KTLA. That is a storm that is rolling into southern California. Can we just say, thank you, Mother Nature, for not dumping that on us when we had to be on the red carpet yesterday? We will take a little bit of rain today.

How about raining good fortune? Perhaps you're out there looking for a good job. You want a tip on where to look? The magazine "Business 2.0" from the Fortune Magazine Group ranked 20 boom towns in its March issue. These are metro areas that are projected at 850,000 jobs over the next four years. One of those could be your job.

Paul Kaihla has a job with the magazine. He is senior writer for "Business 2.0," and he is here to take a look at some of these boom towns.

Good morning.

PAUL KAIHLA, SENIOR WRITER, "BUSINESS 2.0": Good morning, to you.

KAGAN: Now, we'd like to help our folks out there who might be in between jobs, as some of us have been at times, but perhaps get to the right place and find employment. So, let's put up the top five as the magazine sees it -- the top five boom towns.

KAIHLA: OK.

KAGAN: We're going to go from the bottom up. A place where I allegedly live, Atlanta, Georgia, even though I'm never there in Georgia. Austin, Texas, Washington, D.C., San Jose, and Raleigh- Durham. There we go. There's our list right there. The top five.

Now, you do 20, but because of limited time, that's why we're going to do that. In fact, we're going skip to No. 3. Washington, D.C., what's happening in D.C.? KAIHLA: Well, it's really a microcosm of the best of the U.S. economy. It doesn't have much of the bad stuff, like manufacturing.

KAGAN: OK.

KAIHLA: Only 2 percent of the workforce is in manufacturing, and it has a lot of the good stuff, professional services. Washington's got the lowest unemployment rate of major metros in the United States. It didn't have a recession. It actually added jobs last year.

KAGAN: Wow!

KAIHLA: Now, in a presidential election year, no one wants to talk about that.

KAGAN: Exactly. Well, now I was interested to see San Jose, California. This is the heart of Silicon Valley. This place has been slammed with unemployment over the last couple of years. How is this a boom town?

KAIHLA: Think of it this way. It kind of exaggerates the peaks and troughs of the national economy, so when the labor market is tight, as it was in 1999/2000, it's even tighter there. When we have a recession it hits a deeper trough.

KAIHLA: Now, its unemployment rate has fallen faster than any other major metro. I mean, there's a sense that you can't keep those assets down. It's got the highest median income in the United States, and also there is no place in the world that can compete with the San Jose area in terms of how broad its technology base is -- hardware, software, biotech.

KAGAN: Best of times or worst of times, we're going to do the two extremes there. And then Raleigh-Durham, let's head the other way. Let's head to the southeast here.

KAIHLA: Well, Raleigh-Durham is quite remarkable. And whether you're a large company like Merck, which is building a $300 million vaccine plant there, or a biotech -- there's a company we highlighted called Bio-Ex (ph) -- they locate there because it reduces risk. And the reason it does is because the workforce there has such a multiplicity of skills and deeply layered skills.

KAGAN: Does your company -- does your magazine go as far as to suggest, you know, if you're out there looking for a job, you might not want to stay put, you might want to pick up and go where the jobs are?

KAIHLA: In a globalized economy, the distinction between have- metro-areas and have-nots is only going to increase.

KAGAN: Oh.

KAIHLA: If you want to get an elite job, follow the elite workers. KAGAN: Follow that yellow brick road. Very good. And you can read about the other boom towns in this month's -- it is March. It is this month's "Business 2.0."

KAIHLA: On the stands today.

KAGAN: Who knew? You wake up and it's March. Paul Kaihla, thank you very much. Appreciate that.

KAIHLA: Thank you.

KAGAN: Well, we saw those pictures before we talked to Paul about the clouds in downtown Los Angeles. Let's get another look at the weather.

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KAGAN: It could all come down to this: the final countdown is on to Super Tuesday. And when it's over, will there be only one Democratic candidate left standing? We'll have your preview next when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.

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KAGAN: I'm Daryn Kagan in Los Angeles. Let's check the headlines at this hour.

Rebels rolled into Port-au-Prince this morning as U.S. and French troops work to restore order in Haiti. President Jean-Bertrand Aristide fled to Africa this weekend, following a three-week rebellion. Haiti's Supreme Court chief justice took over as interim president.

The Coast Guard resumed its search today for any survivors from a weekend tanker explosion off the Virginia coast. Authorities say they doubt the 18 missing crewmembers could survive the cold water this long. Three crewmen are confirmed dead. The tanker carried about three and a half million gallons of ethanol.

A man is in custody today after driving his SUV into an open-air airport lobby on Maui and setting the vehicle on fire. Authorities say the man went into a rage over a personal dispute. The incident stranded dozens of passengers at the terminal for 10 hours on Sunday.

And Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" topped the box office this weekend. The controversial film about the crucifixion of Jesus had a five day take of $117 million. It's the first movie in 2004 to pass the $100 million mark.

The Super Tuesday showdown is just a day away, and the Democratic candidates are fanning out across 10 states holding elections tomorrow.

Our national correspondent, Bob Franken, is on the campaign trail as well. We find him in Baltimore, Maryland, this morning.

Bob -- good morning.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

And we're in Baltimore because that's where John Kerry was a while ago here on the campus of Morgan State University. John Kerry, of course, is in that position of being the front-runner. He has to win big if he's going to have a satisfactory Super Tuesday.

And in so many of the states, he is expected to win big. Of course, those polls can be treacherous, but there are four that are considered competitive, Ohio, Minnesota, and certainly here in Maryland. This one is considered competitive as well as Ohio where they're focusing a lot of attention. As a matter of fact, Kerry was going from here and heading to Georgia, which is another state that could be problematic, although it looks like at this moment it's pretty safely in the Kerry camp.

But Kerry, for the most part, has been ignoring his primary opponent John Edwards. He's been focusing on President Bush, and focusing on the president's economic numbers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KERRY: If he came here, I think he could straighten out his fuzzy math. Because the numbers don't add up. He's not multiplying the jobs. He's trying to divide America. And so I think our solution, we ought to subtract George Bush from the political equation of the United States.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: A variation on the theme he's been repeating now ever since Iowa. At least I've been aware of it since Iowa.

Now as far as John Edwards, Edwards is saying no matter what happens tomorrow he's in the race. And there are a couple reason for that. First of all, the next primaries after Super Tuesday are all in the Southern states. That includes Texas, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana. Kerry (sic) would run as, in effect, a regional favored son. So he would consider himself having a pretty decent chance there.

The other reason is is that Edwards is somebody who decided he would take federal money for his campaign, and he just got an infusion of new cash. So his campaign is not broke. He can continue to go forward.

But the Democratic National Chairman is saying that it's time for the party to get its act together. Terry McAuliffe has spreading the word this really needs to be over, if not this week, then next because the focus now has to be on President Bush. The Republicans are revving up their campaign. McAuliffe is saying it's time for the Democrats to be able to focus on the big prize which is the general election in the campaign against George W. Bush.

But first, there's that teeny tiny matter of a Super Tuesday primary, Daryn. Ten primaries which are going to be going tomorrow. Could be decisive. But Edwards is saying they won't be finally decisive -- Daryn.

KAGAN: That teeny matter of 1,151 delegates that just might be passed be passed out tomorrow. Also here in California. Bob Franken in Maryland, thank you for that.

Now we move over to the crisis in Haiti and reaction from the White House. About 200 U.S. Marines are on the ground in Haiti this morning. The Bush administration is defending the timing of its response. Our Kathleen Koch is at the White House with details on that story. Kathleen, good morning.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. The Bush administration is also giving a little more clarity to the Marines' mission there in Haiti. They're describing it more as a stability operation than a combat operation.

President Bush met this morning with his National Security Council, his National Security Team including Donald Rumsfeld, the defense secretary. Also Secretary of State Colin Powell among them. All discussing what will happen next in Haiti.

Several hundred U.S. Marines, as you've mentioned, have already arrived in the capital of Port-au-Prince. They began arriving last night, several more arriving today.

Spokesman Scott McClellan this morning told reporters that they should not be viewed as a large force. Implying that they will number only in the hundreds and certainly nowhere near the 20,000 that were deployed ten years ago under President Clinton's administration.

Now the United Nations Security Council did vote unanimously last night for this U.S.-led multinational peacekeeping force to be in Haiti for three months, but McClellan said this morning that it will be up to U.S. military leaders to determine whether or not U.S. forces remain in Haiti beyond that time.

And U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell also this morning on CNN insisted that stability will soon be restored in Haiti.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: I'm pleased that the Haitian national police have started to restore order. And I'm pleased that the Marines will soon be joined by other nations. And I'm pleased to hear that the French have start to arrive.

So this will be a multinational force now endorsed by a U.N. Security Council resolution to restore stability and help the new Haitian leader put in place a functioning government which is what we did not have under President Aristide.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOCH: There remains are several open questions. Among them whether or not all sides will cooperate with the U.S.-led peacekeeping force, both the rebels and then the pro-Aristide forces that remain in the nation's capital. McClellan said that they are, the U.S. that is, in touch with all sides in the conflict and they are urging everyone to reject violence.

McClellan also would not say whether or not the U.S. had found a treaty to find exile Aristide who right now is seeking haven in the Central African Republic. But the administration continues to describe what's going on in Haiti as a, quote, "peaceful, Democratic and constitutional solution." And they are praising Aristide for his decision to leave saying that it was in the best interest of the Haitian people -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Kathleen Koch at the White House. Thank you for that.

I want to encourage our viewers to stay with CNN for extensive prime time coverage of Super Tuesday's battle in 10 state. It gets under way 7:00 Eastern, 4:00 Pacific on right here CNN. And of course, we'll have coverage here in the morning as well.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And the Oscar goes to -- Peter Jackson. "Lord of the Rings."

SIR IAN MCKELLEN, ACTOR: "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King."

RENEE ZELWEGER, ACTRESS: "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King."

ANGELINA JOLIE, ACTRESS: "Lord of the Rings."

STEVEN SPIELBERG, DIRECTOR: It's a clean sweep -- "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Yes, the King rules at the Oscars. "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" took home a record-tying 11 Academy Awards last night. They went 11 for 11. And they partied like royalty, the director, the cast, the crew of all of "The Lord of the Rings" movies. "Return of the King" won best picture, Peter Jackson took best director honors. Jackson with cast and crew spent more than seven years making the three films in the "Rings" trilogy.

Peter Jackson next takes up "King Kong."

Well joining me more to talk about the Oscar winners, Tom O'Neil. He's the author of the book "Movie Awards: I Wrote the Book." He literally wrote the book. And he's the host of the awards prediction Web site, GoldDerby.com, senior editor at "In Touch Weekly." Such a busy guy, and yet some how always manages to make time for us. And we appreciate that.

TOM O'NEIL, AUTHOR: This is family right here. And good friends.

KAGAN: When you came and sat down, I said we didn't even need to watch the Oscars, we could have just read GoldDerby.com on Friday.

O'NEIL: There were no surprises, Daryn.

(CROSSTALK)

KAGAN: Yes. What is that? Is that because the Oscars got moved up do you think by four weeks?

O'NEIL: It was so close to the Golden Globes that they rubber stamped the Golden Globes. And that could be the danger from here on in.

When we used to have that additional month, that's when voters would get bored with Globe choices and we's see "The Pianist" just pull out that homestretch last year. The year before we saw Halle Berry in "Monster's Ball." But we may never see it again.

KAGAN: Especially now. I was telling you Joe Roth (ph), the producer of the show, told me there's talk in Hollywood of moving up an additional two weeks.

O'NEIL: It would be even worse.

KAGAN: So it could be more boring than last night.

(CROSSTALK)

KAGAN: Just a couple of the awards I wanted to talk about. Best actor, Sean Penn. Not that he won was a surprise, but he got a standing ovation. How about that for the bad boy?

O'NEIL: That was a big surprise right there. People keep saying this is the most despised man in Hollywood, but he's also the most admired man in Hollywood. But he's got this big mouth problem. We know your politics, Sean. Enough already. You're at the podium being honored for this movie.

He did slip in that little slam at the Bush administration. But other than that, it was tame.

KAGAN: Pretty well behaved. (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

And Charlize Theron, the most beautiful woman in Hollywood last night. And she the got the Oscar. Like I said, I could have told you on Friday she was going to get the Oscar.

O'NEIL: It fit the form of everything we've seen at the Oscars lately of the beautiful girls making themselves ugly and then taking the golden boy home.

KAGAN: And then finally the other big story out here in Hollywood of course is Mel Gibson's movie, "Passion of the Christ." He was not at the awards show last night. He's getting the last laugh, not that this is a laughing movie. But Hollywood did not want to make this movie.

O'NEIL: He had to pay for it himself, $30 million. And then they wouldn't distribute his movie and he had to go out and create enough buzz out there in America until Newmark agreed to distribute it. And then this non-studio picture ended up upstaging the studio Oscars.

KAGAN: The story out of the weekend isn't necessarily the Oscars, which was boring and predictable, but "Passion of the Christ" which comes close to setting records in box offices.

O'NEIL: It is now the fifth biggest earning movie, if you measure it's box office take over five days.

KAGAN: Incredible. So let me ask you this, how would this play into an Oscar race? Would this movie be eligible for next year's Oscars?

O'NEIL: Yes, it will be eligible. But I don't think it's going to carry over. It's more of a buzz film. And while it's a good picture, I don't think it has legs.

KAGAN: And so what does Hollywood take out of this Oscar season?

O'NEIL: Finally, let's hope, that from here on in, they will acknowledge fantasy movies. These people who are in the make-believe game of making movies and never, ever do this.

But there's another record that was broken last night. Not only was the record tied for the most Oscars ever, 11. As you mentioned, this went undefeated. Previous to this, the biggest undefeated champs were "Gigi" and "The Last Emperor" going nine for nine.

KAGAN: I loved "Gigi." I was the one person who loved that movie.

And finally, and just to look at what happened in Oscar for some trends perhaps ahead in the Oscar future, or Hollywood future. Sofia Coppola won for best original screenplay, but she was nominated for best director. Only the first American woman ever, only the third woman ever nominated. Are we going to see opportunities for woman behind the camera in Hollywood do you think?

O'NEIL: I think so. I think we're finally seeing change there. And I think also we're seeing more of an international presence for films at the Oscars. Let's hope these are two trends that continue forward.

KAGAN: All right, Tom O'Neil. Thanks so much. Safe back trip to New York City and back to the world of the Internet.

O'NEIL: And I want to know, how come you look so wide awake? Because I know neither one of us slept. We've been covering this thing for 48 hours. KAGAN: I have one word for you: spackle. There's a lot on this face this morning. They cleaned me up.

O'NEIL: I'm going to give you an Oscar for the best performance by a TV host.

KAGAN: With no sleep.

Tom, thank you for that.

Well, there's a new battleground in the gay marriage fight, about to get even bigger. A call is going out to the mayor of New York City to let gay couples wed there. We are hearing from the mayor of another New York town that is already doing that. The story is coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: The mayor of New Paltz, New York says it's his moral duty to marry same-sex couples. And he has been doing just that. Mayor Jason West says he now has a waiting list of some 500 couples who want to tie the knot. He says he won't hand out any more marriage certificates until the weekend.

Earlier today on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," the mayor talked about how people in his community are reacting.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MYR. JASON WEST, NEW PALTZ, NEW YORK: I have heard nothing but overwhelming support from the community. We've been flooded with e- mails and phone calls. Everywhere I go in New Paltz, people come up to congratulate me. I say -- I just had a few criticisms over e-mail and phone calls, but overwhelmingly, the response has been positive.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Mayor west is urging New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to start issuing same-sex marriage licenses. The New York City clerk's office indicates that would be illegal.

(STOCK MARKET UPDATE)

KAGAN: Spring isn't here just yet, and for folks across the country, the best they can do is think some warm thoughts. We have some really warm thoughts for your up next. Some of the best beach getaway deals. We're coming right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Spring is only a few weeks away, but maybe you can't wait until then to hit the beach. "Travel & Leisure" magazine is there for you, having some advice on enjoying the sun and sand while saving money. That's the key. The March issue features 50 affordable, underline affordable, beach resorts.

Nilou Motamed of "Travel & Leisure" joins us. She is in New York, where I bet she would just love to get out and hit a beach.

Nilou, Good morning.

NILOU MOTAMED, "TRAVEL & LEISURE": Good morning, Daryn.

You're absolutely right, I can't wait to get out of here and go somewhere warm.

KAGAN: It has been a rough winter in New York City. Let's start here in California, El Capitan, Canyon.

MOTAMED: This is right outside of Santa Barbara. And if you like the idea of great outdoors but don't like the idea of sleeping outdoors, this is the place for you. There are walled-in, tented facilities, there are 26 of them, and also, kind of rough-hewn cabins. If you're into the idea of going biking or hiking, but still not going inside to sleep, this is kind of the ideal situation.

KAGAN: How much?

MOTAMED: Cheap! It's $135 a night.

KAGAN: All right. For camping, though? I want room service.

MOTAMED: You can get in-room massages.

KAGAN: OK, OK, now we're talking. Now we're talking. Now we're going to go a little bit farther to Barbados. What do you have in Barbados?

MOTAMED: In Barbados, we have this great place called the Sea-U Guest House, which is kind of adorable. It's five rooms, and this travel writer went to Barbados, and fell in love with the place, and decided to open her own little B&B. And this is $95. And maybe it's a little bit more up your alley. And this is a place where you can hang out on hammocks and under a shade tree, and just go right down to the beach. It's on the east coast of Barbados, which that it's a little bit more rugged than the west coast and a little bit more in touch, so it's a little bit more natural.

KAGAN: All right, we'll take natural and the cheaper price. It includes a whole building, instead of just a tent for $135. What do you have in Australia for us?

MOTAMED: That is out in Ravesi's, and that's on Bondi Beach, and everyone knows about Bondi Beach being known for beautiful bodies and surf, and this is the place to be if you're in the mood to take advantage of that. It's a big celebrity hangout in Australia. People like to go and hang out in their cocktail lounge, is supposed to be very hip. And, of course, the views are incredible, and the people don't wear a lot of clothes.

KAGAN: Oh! So then you save on that too, because you don't have to do the pretrip shopping spree.

MOTAMED: Exactly, and only $95 again. KAGAN: There you go. Great deals, more of them in the magazine, thank you so much. Nilou, appreciate it. Nilou's getting out of New York City. She is heading to the beach. Nilou Motamed from "Travel & Leisure."

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

Breakthrough in Missing Family Case>

Aired March 1, 2004 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's go ahead meanwhile and get started with the second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY which begins right now.
And here are the latest developments we're following "At This Hour." Trying to calm the chaos in Haiti. Haitian rebels have arrived in the capital following the departure of President Jean- Bertrand Aristide. U.S. Marines are also in Haiti. They'll form the vanguard of and international peacekeeping force. Troops will attempt to restore order following the bloody three and a half-week rebellion.

Taking another step towards self rule in Iraq. The Iraqi governing council today agreed on an interim constitution. The council is expected to sign the document on Wednesday at the end of the Shi'ite Muslim holiday. The agreement calls for a federal system of government and includes such Western hallmarks as a bill of rights.

The eve of Super Tuesday showdown. The Democrats are targeting key states ahead of tomorrow's election. Voters in 10 states hold contests with more than 1,100 delegates up for grabs. The front runner, Senator John Kerry, hopes to build on his string of victories. Senator John Edwards has gone on the offensive hoping to gain some ground against Kerry.

And a police spokesman says there has been a profound breakthrough in the case of a missing Mississippi family. He doesn't elaborate on the details, though. Suspect Earnest Lee Hargon was to appear in court this hour, facing unspecified felony charges, but that hearing has now been postponed. Michael and Rebecca Hargon and their 4-year-old son have been missing since February 14. A live report on that case just ahead in this hour.

It is 11:00 a.m. on the East Coast, 8:00 a.m. here in the West. Good morning from Los Angeles. I'm Daryn Kagan.

Up first this hour on CNN, rebels in the capital, a leader in exile, and a country in crisis. Haitian rebel arrived in the capital of Port-au-Prince today, following the departure of President Jean- Bertrand Aristide. U.S. Marines are also in Haiti, and they are part of an international effort to restore order following the bloody rebellion.

Our Lucia Newman joins us from Port-au-Prince -- Lucia.

LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, at this moment, yes, the Marines are here, and so are the rebels. And the only thing that separates them right now is an iron fence that's surrounding the presidential palace.

There are thousands of people out here -- I think you can see the pictures -- that are welcoming back these rebels that came into town, led by Guy Philippe, a former police chief of the north of the country, of Cape Haitien; also Louis Jodel Chamblain, a former death squad and paramilitary leader -- all here being hugged, being slapped and cheered by the crowds out here. One woman said to us this is liberation day for Haiti. Aristide is gone.

They are right now in the police headquarters -- the same police headquarters where they once were before they were sent into exile more than a decade ago.

In the palace itself, which is literally across the street, are the U.S. Marines, defending or standing guard at the entrance to the palace. When thousands and thousands of Haitians started surrounding the outskirts of the palace and cheering, one of the Marines looking very scared said, "Holy Moses!" You know what I want to say? There were rather tense moments there.

But right now, no one is trying to break into the palace. They are respecting the perimeter and waiting for the Guy Philippe, the rebel leader, to come out and perhaps say a few words to the people here -- Daryn.

KAGAN: So, Lucia, is Guy Philippe then considered the leader of the country right now?

NEWMAN: No, he's not considered the leader of the country. There is an interim president, the former president of the Supreme Court. But he is the one who's on the streets now. He's the one who's controlling the streets. The U.S. Marines have not yet set up patrols to try and restore order here. As I said, they are right now in the palace, and more and more are coming in today, we understand.

But out here on the street, the ordinary police, the Haitian police are standing back and letting these guys basically have a run of the city and a run of their police headquarters, too -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Lucia Newman from Haiti, thank you for that.

Well, the Bush administration is fending off criticism over its handling of the Haitian crisis. Secretary of State Colin Powell today defended the decision not to send U.S. Marines to Haiti until after President Aristide resigned.

On CNN's AMERICAN MORNING, Mr. Powell said the administration acted at the right time.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: We responded when there was something to respond to that we felt it was appropriate to respond to, and that was a change in the political situation -- in this case, the departure of President Aristide. All those who say we should have gone in earlier were advocating a position that we should go in on the side of a president who really was running a flawed government, a flawed presidency. And we were not prepared to do that, and find ourselves trapped once again for an indefinite period supporting an individual who may have been elected democratically but was not governing effectively or democratically.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: And as you can tell, we're going to keep that live picture up as we go on with our coverage from Haiti; those images coming from just outside the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince.

And now as we keep those pictures up, we want to tell you that Mr. Powell says he is pleased, in fact, by the quick response from the international community after Mr. Aristide's resignation.

And so, then there's the United Nations, the resolution paving the way for an international peacekeeping force in Haiti. The U.S. ambassador to the U.N. calls it a new page in the political life of the island nation.

Let's get more now on what the plans are from the U.N. with our senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth.

Richard -- good morning.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Well, these scenes outside the presidential palace are much more to the liking of diplomats here at the United Nations, because they feared in the last few days that there would be some massive scenes of violence and bloodshed. The Security Council was acting because of a threat to international peace and security in the region.

You know, Daryn, I stood at that presidential palace early April 1995 -- those scenes that you see out there. The crowds were out there at that time, and that was for the installation of Jean-Bertrand Aristide as president. President Bill Clinton was there, and there was a multinational force, which helped put Aristide back into office.

And now, there's another multinational force approved Sunday evening in New York by the Security Council in a unanimous vote. That was passed. It will be three months, the term so far, for that interim force.

China was the president of the council last night, as all hands were in the air. There was some concern by the U.N. that they would not take over until at least three months. They were worried about having to be two months in there, and they weren't ready necessarily to do that.

The U.S. ambassador to the U.N. preferred to look forward on Haiti.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN NEGROPONTE, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: This resolution approves the creation of this multilateral force. It also provides for the probability of follow-on of a U.N. peacekeeping force, not later than three months after the adoption of this resolution. I think we have to take these things step by step and watch developments as they unfold. But to my way of thinking, there is no question that we are much better off today than we were several days ago with regard to the situation in Haiti.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: And now, it's the U.N.'s job to start coming up with troops or police to do the job in three months, while the Pentagon and others deal with the military situation right now.

Secretary-General Annan meeting in a prior scheduled appointment with Canada's prime minister now about Haiti and other matters.

Daryn -- back to you.

KAGAN: Richard Roth with the latest from the United Nations, thank you for that.

So, they're following this not just at the U.N.; the Pentagon as well, of course, because of the military involvement. We are expecting the Pentagon briefing today, 1:30 p.m. Eastern. You'll see it live here on CNN, 1:30 Eastern, 10:30 Pacific.

Closing arguments today in the trial of Martha Stewart and her stockbroker, Peter Bacanovic. Stewart won a big victory on Friday when the judge tossed the most serious count against her out -- the securities fraud charge. But she still faces charges of obstruction and lying about her 2001 InClone stock sale. Jurors could get the case by midweek.

And then there's Kobe Bryant going face to face with his accuser at a closed hearing today as his lawyers try to convince a judge that the woman's sexual history is relevant evidence at the trial.

Our national correspondent, Gary Tuchman, filed a late report from Eagle, Colorado, earlier this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: If all goes as scheduled, Kobe Bryant and the woman he's accused of raping will be in the same room at the same time for the first time since the night of June 30, 2003 -- that night at The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera eight months ago. The accuser has been subpoenaed to testify about parts of her sexual history.

Bryant arrived in this courthouse in Eagle, Colorado, about 7:40 local time, 50 minutes before this two-day hearing began.

The woman has been subpoenaed by Bryant's attorneys. Bryant's attorneys are saying that she had sex at least two times in the days surrounding the incident with Kobe Bryant, and they're alleging that injuries she suffered could have come from somebody else.

The judge has agreed to hold the hearing to see if information about her sexual history could be used in a trial. The prosecution says it's irrelevant, her sexual history, and says the questioning should be severally limited. They say that Kobe Bryant's attorneys should not be on a humiliating fishing expedition.

Also on the agenda for today: Kobe Bryant's conversation with police. He talked for one hour with police the day after the incident. It was secretly recorded by a police officer. His attorneys do not want that secret recording used, saying he should have been read his rights. Prosecutors say he wasn't arrested, wasn't in custody, and therefore did not need to be read his rights.

As we said, this hearing is expected to last two days. We do expect the accuser will testify sometime tomorrow.

This is Gary Tuchman, CNN, in Eagle, Colorado.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: We have the latest on the search for a missing family in Mississippi. Authorities announce what they are calling a profound breakthrough in the case. We have the very latest in details and a live report coming up next.

Also, how about gearing up for Super Tuesday? They're doing it here in California. We're live in one of the key battleground states.

And later, Charlize dressed to impress. Uma dressed to depress, you might say. A look at the highs and lows on the red carpet is ahead in our complete Oscar wrap-up.

"CNN LIVE TODAY from Los Angeles is right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET UPDATE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: There are new developments to tell you about this morning in the case of that missing family in Mississippi. Michael and Rebecca Hargon and their 4-year-old son haven't been seen since Valentine's Day.

Our Mike Brooks is in Yazoo City, Mississippi, with the latest -- Mike.

MIEK BROOKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Well, everything here in Yazoo County, Mississippi, has been put on hold right now. This morning, right now, there was to take place a hearing with -- Earnest Lee Hargon was supposed to face multiple felony counts. And what those felony counts are, they would not say. They said they were going to announce them at the hearing. A press conference was to follow.

But Warren Strain, the spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, said that everything has been put on hold because of -- quote -- "a major development in the case."

All of the key players in the investigation are being flown by helicopter back to Smith County, where a search has been taking place for the last two days. They ended the search yesterday. They did not find the Hargon family, but they said that they found enough evidence to go forward with the case.

But as of right now, Daryn, the family has not been found. But every place you go in Yazoo County, you see fliers like this with the Hargon family. Everyone's heart is reaching out to the Hargon family.

And just a short time ago, Rebecca's parents, the Hertz (ph) family, were here in court. They were going into court. They were asked if they heard about the latest developments. They were visibly shaken and would not have anything to say to the press.

But right now, everything has been put on hold because of what they say is a major development in the case -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And, Mike, this is what I don't understand, because I've been watching coverage of this throughout the weekend and here into Monday morning. The police there seem to keep coming out and saying, all right, a big thing's about to happen, and yet it doesn't feel like we really know anything more today than we did three days ago about what happened to this family.

BROOKS: No, we really don't. But they say they have made, starting on Friday night, into Saturday and into yesterday, they said they have made major developments. They have enough evidence, they say, to go ahead with these multiple felony counts.

They did say this morning that this information in this new development, as they're calling it, did come from interviews from late last night into early this morning. I asked specifically if it was interviews with Hargon, and he said that -- the spokesperson said that he did not know. But that's what sources close to the investigation are saying.

A source close to the investigation also told me that they were looking at right now four felony counts. Whether more felony counts will come out of this new development, we don't know -- Daryn.

KAGAN: But one basic thing we do know, this Earnest Lee Hargon, who is in custody on unrelated drug and gun charges, he's the cousin of the missing man.

BROOKS: Right. He's the adopted cousin of Michael Hargon, who is the father of the missing family of three. They talk about motive. They really don't know what any motive in their disappearance was. They're talking that an uncle who died recently had left Michael a plot of land in Madison County, Mississippi, and that Earnest Lee was totally left out of the will. They say that might be a motive but they still haven't said exactly what the reason for the disappearance, and they still don't know where the family is -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right, we'll be checking in with you from Mississippi. Mike Brooks, thank you for that.

Raleigh-Durham is one, so is Atlanta, West Palm Beach and Phoenix, Arizona. We are talking about boom town. What makes a boom town? I thought that was what you were going to ask. Well, coming up next, we're talking to one man who knows the answer.

And later, a handful of celebrities have the best kind of Hollywood hangover this morning. We have your complete Oscar night wrap-up coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Looking at a live picture from downtown Los Angeles, thanks to our friends at KTLA. That is a storm that is rolling into southern California. Can we just say, thank you, Mother Nature, for not dumping that on us when we had to be on the red carpet yesterday? We will take a little bit of rain today.

How about raining good fortune? Perhaps you're out there looking for a good job. You want a tip on where to look? The magazine "Business 2.0" from the Fortune Magazine Group ranked 20 boom towns in its March issue. These are metro areas that are projected at 850,000 jobs over the next four years. One of those could be your job.

Paul Kaihla has a job with the magazine. He is senior writer for "Business 2.0," and he is here to take a look at some of these boom towns.

Good morning.

PAUL KAIHLA, SENIOR WRITER, "BUSINESS 2.0": Good morning, to you.

KAGAN: Now, we'd like to help our folks out there who might be in between jobs, as some of us have been at times, but perhaps get to the right place and find employment. So, let's put up the top five as the magazine sees it -- the top five boom towns.

KAIHLA: OK.

KAGAN: We're going to go from the bottom up. A place where I allegedly live, Atlanta, Georgia, even though I'm never there in Georgia. Austin, Texas, Washington, D.C., San Jose, and Raleigh- Durham. There we go. There's our list right there. The top five.

Now, you do 20, but because of limited time, that's why we're going to do that. In fact, we're going skip to No. 3. Washington, D.C., what's happening in D.C.? KAIHLA: Well, it's really a microcosm of the best of the U.S. economy. It doesn't have much of the bad stuff, like manufacturing.

KAGAN: OK.

KAIHLA: Only 2 percent of the workforce is in manufacturing, and it has a lot of the good stuff, professional services. Washington's got the lowest unemployment rate of major metros in the United States. It didn't have a recession. It actually added jobs last year.

KAGAN: Wow!

KAIHLA: Now, in a presidential election year, no one wants to talk about that.

KAGAN: Exactly. Well, now I was interested to see San Jose, California. This is the heart of Silicon Valley. This place has been slammed with unemployment over the last couple of years. How is this a boom town?

KAIHLA: Think of it this way. It kind of exaggerates the peaks and troughs of the national economy, so when the labor market is tight, as it was in 1999/2000, it's even tighter there. When we have a recession it hits a deeper trough.

KAIHLA: Now, its unemployment rate has fallen faster than any other major metro. I mean, there's a sense that you can't keep those assets down. It's got the highest median income in the United States, and also there is no place in the world that can compete with the San Jose area in terms of how broad its technology base is -- hardware, software, biotech.

KAGAN: Best of times or worst of times, we're going to do the two extremes there. And then Raleigh-Durham, let's head the other way. Let's head to the southeast here.

KAIHLA: Well, Raleigh-Durham is quite remarkable. And whether you're a large company like Merck, which is building a $300 million vaccine plant there, or a biotech -- there's a company we highlighted called Bio-Ex (ph) -- they locate there because it reduces risk. And the reason it does is because the workforce there has such a multiplicity of skills and deeply layered skills.

KAGAN: Does your company -- does your magazine go as far as to suggest, you know, if you're out there looking for a job, you might not want to stay put, you might want to pick up and go where the jobs are?

KAIHLA: In a globalized economy, the distinction between have- metro-areas and have-nots is only going to increase.

KAGAN: Oh.

KAIHLA: If you want to get an elite job, follow the elite workers. KAGAN: Follow that yellow brick road. Very good. And you can read about the other boom towns in this month's -- it is March. It is this month's "Business 2.0."

KAIHLA: On the stands today.

KAGAN: Who knew? You wake up and it's March. Paul Kaihla, thank you very much. Appreciate that.

KAIHLA: Thank you.

KAGAN: Well, we saw those pictures before we talked to Paul about the clouds in downtown Los Angeles. Let's get another look at the weather.

(WEATHER BREAK)

KAGAN: It could all come down to this: the final countdown is on to Super Tuesday. And when it's over, will there be only one Democratic candidate left standing? We'll have your preview next when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: I'm Daryn Kagan in Los Angeles. Let's check the headlines at this hour.

Rebels rolled into Port-au-Prince this morning as U.S. and French troops work to restore order in Haiti. President Jean-Bertrand Aristide fled to Africa this weekend, following a three-week rebellion. Haiti's Supreme Court chief justice took over as interim president.

The Coast Guard resumed its search today for any survivors from a weekend tanker explosion off the Virginia coast. Authorities say they doubt the 18 missing crewmembers could survive the cold water this long. Three crewmen are confirmed dead. The tanker carried about three and a half million gallons of ethanol.

A man is in custody today after driving his SUV into an open-air airport lobby on Maui and setting the vehicle on fire. Authorities say the man went into a rage over a personal dispute. The incident stranded dozens of passengers at the terminal for 10 hours on Sunday.

And Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" topped the box office this weekend. The controversial film about the crucifixion of Jesus had a five day take of $117 million. It's the first movie in 2004 to pass the $100 million mark.

The Super Tuesday showdown is just a day away, and the Democratic candidates are fanning out across 10 states holding elections tomorrow.

Our national correspondent, Bob Franken, is on the campaign trail as well. We find him in Baltimore, Maryland, this morning.

Bob -- good morning.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

And we're in Baltimore because that's where John Kerry was a while ago here on the campus of Morgan State University. John Kerry, of course, is in that position of being the front-runner. He has to win big if he's going to have a satisfactory Super Tuesday.

And in so many of the states, he is expected to win big. Of course, those polls can be treacherous, but there are four that are considered competitive, Ohio, Minnesota, and certainly here in Maryland. This one is considered competitive as well as Ohio where they're focusing a lot of attention. As a matter of fact, Kerry was going from here and heading to Georgia, which is another state that could be problematic, although it looks like at this moment it's pretty safely in the Kerry camp.

But Kerry, for the most part, has been ignoring his primary opponent John Edwards. He's been focusing on President Bush, and focusing on the president's economic numbers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KERRY: If he came here, I think he could straighten out his fuzzy math. Because the numbers don't add up. He's not multiplying the jobs. He's trying to divide America. And so I think our solution, we ought to subtract George Bush from the political equation of the United States.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: A variation on the theme he's been repeating now ever since Iowa. At least I've been aware of it since Iowa.

Now as far as John Edwards, Edwards is saying no matter what happens tomorrow he's in the race. And there are a couple reason for that. First of all, the next primaries after Super Tuesday are all in the Southern states. That includes Texas, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana. Kerry (sic) would run as, in effect, a regional favored son. So he would consider himself having a pretty decent chance there.

The other reason is is that Edwards is somebody who decided he would take federal money for his campaign, and he just got an infusion of new cash. So his campaign is not broke. He can continue to go forward.

But the Democratic National Chairman is saying that it's time for the party to get its act together. Terry McAuliffe has spreading the word this really needs to be over, if not this week, then next because the focus now has to be on President Bush. The Republicans are revving up their campaign. McAuliffe is saying it's time for the Democrats to be able to focus on the big prize which is the general election in the campaign against George W. Bush.

But first, there's that teeny tiny matter of a Super Tuesday primary, Daryn. Ten primaries which are going to be going tomorrow. Could be decisive. But Edwards is saying they won't be finally decisive -- Daryn.

KAGAN: That teeny matter of 1,151 delegates that just might be passed be passed out tomorrow. Also here in California. Bob Franken in Maryland, thank you for that.

Now we move over to the crisis in Haiti and reaction from the White House. About 200 U.S. Marines are on the ground in Haiti this morning. The Bush administration is defending the timing of its response. Our Kathleen Koch is at the White House with details on that story. Kathleen, good morning.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. The Bush administration is also giving a little more clarity to the Marines' mission there in Haiti. They're describing it more as a stability operation than a combat operation.

President Bush met this morning with his National Security Council, his National Security Team including Donald Rumsfeld, the defense secretary. Also Secretary of State Colin Powell among them. All discussing what will happen next in Haiti.

Several hundred U.S. Marines, as you've mentioned, have already arrived in the capital of Port-au-Prince. They began arriving last night, several more arriving today.

Spokesman Scott McClellan this morning told reporters that they should not be viewed as a large force. Implying that they will number only in the hundreds and certainly nowhere near the 20,000 that were deployed ten years ago under President Clinton's administration.

Now the United Nations Security Council did vote unanimously last night for this U.S.-led multinational peacekeeping force to be in Haiti for three months, but McClellan said this morning that it will be up to U.S. military leaders to determine whether or not U.S. forces remain in Haiti beyond that time.

And U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell also this morning on CNN insisted that stability will soon be restored in Haiti.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: I'm pleased that the Haitian national police have started to restore order. And I'm pleased that the Marines will soon be joined by other nations. And I'm pleased to hear that the French have start to arrive.

So this will be a multinational force now endorsed by a U.N. Security Council resolution to restore stability and help the new Haitian leader put in place a functioning government which is what we did not have under President Aristide.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOCH: There remains are several open questions. Among them whether or not all sides will cooperate with the U.S.-led peacekeeping force, both the rebels and then the pro-Aristide forces that remain in the nation's capital. McClellan said that they are, the U.S. that is, in touch with all sides in the conflict and they are urging everyone to reject violence.

McClellan also would not say whether or not the U.S. had found a treaty to find exile Aristide who right now is seeking haven in the Central African Republic. But the administration continues to describe what's going on in Haiti as a, quote, "peaceful, Democratic and constitutional solution." And they are praising Aristide for his decision to leave saying that it was in the best interest of the Haitian people -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Kathleen Koch at the White House. Thank you for that.

I want to encourage our viewers to stay with CNN for extensive prime time coverage of Super Tuesday's battle in 10 state. It gets under way 7:00 Eastern, 4:00 Pacific on right here CNN. And of course, we'll have coverage here in the morning as well.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And the Oscar goes to -- Peter Jackson. "Lord of the Rings."

SIR IAN MCKELLEN, ACTOR: "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King."

RENEE ZELWEGER, ACTRESS: "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King."

ANGELINA JOLIE, ACTRESS: "Lord of the Rings."

STEVEN SPIELBERG, DIRECTOR: It's a clean sweep -- "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Yes, the King rules at the Oscars. "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" took home a record-tying 11 Academy Awards last night. They went 11 for 11. And they partied like royalty, the director, the cast, the crew of all of "The Lord of the Rings" movies. "Return of the King" won best picture, Peter Jackson took best director honors. Jackson with cast and crew spent more than seven years making the three films in the "Rings" trilogy.

Peter Jackson next takes up "King Kong."

Well joining me more to talk about the Oscar winners, Tom O'Neil. He's the author of the book "Movie Awards: I Wrote the Book." He literally wrote the book. And he's the host of the awards prediction Web site, GoldDerby.com, senior editor at "In Touch Weekly." Such a busy guy, and yet some how always manages to make time for us. And we appreciate that.

TOM O'NEIL, AUTHOR: This is family right here. And good friends.

KAGAN: When you came and sat down, I said we didn't even need to watch the Oscars, we could have just read GoldDerby.com on Friday.

O'NEIL: There were no surprises, Daryn.

(CROSSTALK)

KAGAN: Yes. What is that? Is that because the Oscars got moved up do you think by four weeks?

O'NEIL: It was so close to the Golden Globes that they rubber stamped the Golden Globes. And that could be the danger from here on in.

When we used to have that additional month, that's when voters would get bored with Globe choices and we's see "The Pianist" just pull out that homestretch last year. The year before we saw Halle Berry in "Monster's Ball." But we may never see it again.

KAGAN: Especially now. I was telling you Joe Roth (ph), the producer of the show, told me there's talk in Hollywood of moving up an additional two weeks.

O'NEIL: It would be even worse.

KAGAN: So it could be more boring than last night.

(CROSSTALK)

KAGAN: Just a couple of the awards I wanted to talk about. Best actor, Sean Penn. Not that he won was a surprise, but he got a standing ovation. How about that for the bad boy?

O'NEIL: That was a big surprise right there. People keep saying this is the most despised man in Hollywood, but he's also the most admired man in Hollywood. But he's got this big mouth problem. We know your politics, Sean. Enough already. You're at the podium being honored for this movie.

He did slip in that little slam at the Bush administration. But other than that, it was tame.

KAGAN: Pretty well behaved. (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

And Charlize Theron, the most beautiful woman in Hollywood last night. And she the got the Oscar. Like I said, I could have told you on Friday she was going to get the Oscar.

O'NEIL: It fit the form of everything we've seen at the Oscars lately of the beautiful girls making themselves ugly and then taking the golden boy home.

KAGAN: And then finally the other big story out here in Hollywood of course is Mel Gibson's movie, "Passion of the Christ." He was not at the awards show last night. He's getting the last laugh, not that this is a laughing movie. But Hollywood did not want to make this movie.

O'NEIL: He had to pay for it himself, $30 million. And then they wouldn't distribute his movie and he had to go out and create enough buzz out there in America until Newmark agreed to distribute it. And then this non-studio picture ended up upstaging the studio Oscars.

KAGAN: The story out of the weekend isn't necessarily the Oscars, which was boring and predictable, but "Passion of the Christ" which comes close to setting records in box offices.

O'NEIL: It is now the fifth biggest earning movie, if you measure it's box office take over five days.

KAGAN: Incredible. So let me ask you this, how would this play into an Oscar race? Would this movie be eligible for next year's Oscars?

O'NEIL: Yes, it will be eligible. But I don't think it's going to carry over. It's more of a buzz film. And while it's a good picture, I don't think it has legs.

KAGAN: And so what does Hollywood take out of this Oscar season?

O'NEIL: Finally, let's hope, that from here on in, they will acknowledge fantasy movies. These people who are in the make-believe game of making movies and never, ever do this.

But there's another record that was broken last night. Not only was the record tied for the most Oscars ever, 11. As you mentioned, this went undefeated. Previous to this, the biggest undefeated champs were "Gigi" and "The Last Emperor" going nine for nine.

KAGAN: I loved "Gigi." I was the one person who loved that movie.

And finally, and just to look at what happened in Oscar for some trends perhaps ahead in the Oscar future, or Hollywood future. Sofia Coppola won for best original screenplay, but she was nominated for best director. Only the first American woman ever, only the third woman ever nominated. Are we going to see opportunities for woman behind the camera in Hollywood do you think?

O'NEIL: I think so. I think we're finally seeing change there. And I think also we're seeing more of an international presence for films at the Oscars. Let's hope these are two trends that continue forward.

KAGAN: All right, Tom O'Neil. Thanks so much. Safe back trip to New York City and back to the world of the Internet.

O'NEIL: And I want to know, how come you look so wide awake? Because I know neither one of us slept. We've been covering this thing for 48 hours. KAGAN: I have one word for you: spackle. There's a lot on this face this morning. They cleaned me up.

O'NEIL: I'm going to give you an Oscar for the best performance by a TV host.

KAGAN: With no sleep.

Tom, thank you for that.

Well, there's a new battleground in the gay marriage fight, about to get even bigger. A call is going out to the mayor of New York City to let gay couples wed there. We are hearing from the mayor of another New York town that is already doing that. The story is coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: The mayor of New Paltz, New York says it's his moral duty to marry same-sex couples. And he has been doing just that. Mayor Jason West says he now has a waiting list of some 500 couples who want to tie the knot. He says he won't hand out any more marriage certificates until the weekend.

Earlier today on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," the mayor talked about how people in his community are reacting.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MYR. JASON WEST, NEW PALTZ, NEW YORK: I have heard nothing but overwhelming support from the community. We've been flooded with e- mails and phone calls. Everywhere I go in New Paltz, people come up to congratulate me. I say -- I just had a few criticisms over e-mail and phone calls, but overwhelmingly, the response has been positive.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Mayor west is urging New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to start issuing same-sex marriage licenses. The New York City clerk's office indicates that would be illegal.

(STOCK MARKET UPDATE)

KAGAN: Spring isn't here just yet, and for folks across the country, the best they can do is think some warm thoughts. We have some really warm thoughts for your up next. Some of the best beach getaway deals. We're coming right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Spring is only a few weeks away, but maybe you can't wait until then to hit the beach. "Travel & Leisure" magazine is there for you, having some advice on enjoying the sun and sand while saving money. That's the key. The March issue features 50 affordable, underline affordable, beach resorts.

Nilou Motamed of "Travel & Leisure" joins us. She is in New York, where I bet she would just love to get out and hit a beach.

Nilou, Good morning.

NILOU MOTAMED, "TRAVEL & LEISURE": Good morning, Daryn.

You're absolutely right, I can't wait to get out of here and go somewhere warm.

KAGAN: It has been a rough winter in New York City. Let's start here in California, El Capitan, Canyon.

MOTAMED: This is right outside of Santa Barbara. And if you like the idea of great outdoors but don't like the idea of sleeping outdoors, this is the place for you. There are walled-in, tented facilities, there are 26 of them, and also, kind of rough-hewn cabins. If you're into the idea of going biking or hiking, but still not going inside to sleep, this is kind of the ideal situation.

KAGAN: How much?

MOTAMED: Cheap! It's $135 a night.

KAGAN: All right. For camping, though? I want room service.

MOTAMED: You can get in-room massages.

KAGAN: OK, OK, now we're talking. Now we're talking. Now we're going to go a little bit farther to Barbados. What do you have in Barbados?

MOTAMED: In Barbados, we have this great place called the Sea-U Guest House, which is kind of adorable. It's five rooms, and this travel writer went to Barbados, and fell in love with the place, and decided to open her own little B&B. And this is $95. And maybe it's a little bit more up your alley. And this is a place where you can hang out on hammocks and under a shade tree, and just go right down to the beach. It's on the east coast of Barbados, which that it's a little bit more rugged than the west coast and a little bit more in touch, so it's a little bit more natural.

KAGAN: All right, we'll take natural and the cheaper price. It includes a whole building, instead of just a tent for $135. What do you have in Australia for us?

MOTAMED: That is out in Ravesi's, and that's on Bondi Beach, and everyone knows about Bondi Beach being known for beautiful bodies and surf, and this is the place to be if you're in the mood to take advantage of that. It's a big celebrity hangout in Australia. People like to go and hang out in their cocktail lounge, is supposed to be very hip. And, of course, the views are incredible, and the people don't wear a lot of clothes.

KAGAN: Oh! So then you save on that too, because you don't have to do the pretrip shopping spree.

MOTAMED: Exactly, and only $95 again. KAGAN: There you go. Great deals, more of them in the magazine, thank you so much. Nilou, appreciate it. Nilou's getting out of New York City. She is heading to the beach. Nilou Motamed from "Travel & Leisure."

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