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American Morning
Padilla Allowed to Meet with Attorney; "Sopranos" Will Return Saunday
Aired March 04, 2004 - 09:30 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.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back everybody. It is just half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Looking at the case this half hour. Jose Padilla, the New York man who's been held by federal authorities for almost two years on suspicion of plotting to blow a dirty bomb. He saw his lawyer...
O'BRIEN: Easy for you to say.
HEMMER: I'm telling you -- for the first time yesterday. We'll hear him talk about the client, what's keeping them apart so long. So stay tuned for that.
O'BRIEN: Also on a much lighter note, "90 Second Pop" is just ahead. The gang looking at the season premiere of "The Sopranos." We're going to talk about a plot twist bringing some new, pretty big stars into the family. Also we'll take a look at the weekend movies as well.
HEMMER: All right. At the half hour now, top stories. The only person convicted in the 9/11 attacks will get a new trial. A German court today overturned the conviction of Mounir el Motassadeq, the Moroccan man found guilty last year of aiding the 9/11 hijackers and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
A top al Qaeda operative linked to the USS Cole bombing has been arrested in Yemen. That's according to officials in that country. Abdul Nassib, one of seven suspects connected to the October 2000 bombing that left 17 U.S. sailors dead. Officials say Nassib surrender surrendered after a shootout with Yemeni security forces yesterday. Another suspect was also arrested.
Here in the U.S., broadcasters who air indecent material could soon face fines of about half million dollars. The plan to raise fines fueled by heavy complaints after Janet Jackson and an incident involving Howard Stern's radio show. A House subcommittee voted 49-1 yesterday to impose larger fines. The measure now goes to the full House on Capitol Hill.
From sports, tough day at Duke. Georgia Tech ending the long- winning streak of the Blue Devils. Snapped a 41-game home winning streak. That's the longest in the country. Georgia Tech's man to man defense shut down the Blue Devils 76-68, the final this win. Also ending Georgia Tech's 15-game losing streak to Duke, also. Here in New York City, dozens of same-sex couples have been turned away after seeking marriage licenses. A big demonstration took place earlier today outside city hall. The group asking the mayor, Michael Bloomberg, to instruct city clerks to start issuing same-sex marriage licenses. Couples were turned away with a letter explaining gay marriages are illegal in the state of New York.
(WEATHER REPORT)
O'BRIEN: The president's political team has its candidate on the road and its ads on the air. Today the Bush/Cheney team is launching the first wave in its 2004 media campaign with TV ads running in 17 states and nationally on cable.
Seeking to characterize President Bush as a leader in difficult times, some of the ads use images related to the September 11 attacks. And that has angered some of the families of the 9/11 victims. Earlier on AMERICAN MORNING, we were joined by Karen Hughes, an adviser to the Bush campaign. And I asked her if she thought using such 9/11 imagery on the campaign spots was a mistake.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAREN HUGHES, ADVISER TO BUSH CAMPAIGN: September 11 is not just some distant tragedy from the past. It really defined our future.
I was at the White House when it happened, and it changed forever our national public policy. And it's important that the next president knows that and realizes we are still at war today. Because of that day, we are at war against terror.
So, you know, it impacted our nation in so many ways, not only the lives lost -- and many of us lost friends in that terrible tragedy -- not only the lives lost, however, also in terms of jobs. It was a blow to our economy, and it forever changed the international security landscape.
I remember my friend, Condoleezza Rice, the national security advisor, calling it an earthquake across the international security environment. So, I think it's very important that the next president recognize the lessons of that day and be prepared to wage and win the war against terror.
O'BRIEN: There are some who have been advising the administration apparently who said that -- are quoted as saying that these ads are set up to frame the debate. Explain to me what exactly is being framed this early on? They're positive ads as opposed to moving into negative ads.
HUGHES: Well, I think that's an important contrast. Senator Kerry started his campaign with a negative attack ad against President Bush. We've seen a lot of anger and invective throughout the course of the Democratic primary process. These are optimistic ads, because President Bush is an optimistic leader.
You know, these ads are a reminder of the extraordinary three years that we've had. We've been through a lot. I tell friends that it's often hard to recognize history when you are living in the midst of it. We've been living in amazing times. The world is changing very dramatically. Our economy is changing. We've been through the tragedy of September 11. We've been through a recession that President Bush inherited. We saw the corporate scandals and the stock market decline and the dot-com boom gone bust.
And so, we've been through an extraordinary time together, and these ads recognize that, and also talk about the incredible resiliency of the American people and how despite all we've been through, we're coming back. President Bush has pursued the right policies, which have led our economy back to growth. We're once again creating jobs. And I think this can be an incredibly optimistic time for our country and for the cause of human freedom in the world.
I've just returned from Afghanistan, where everyone there is -- the people I met were so grateful to the United States of America for what we've done to help them live in freedom.
O'BRIEN: We only have a few seconds left, and I want to get a final question to you. The DNC chairman is not quite as optimistic as you paint your picture. He says these ads are expected to reference the president's steady leadership as president, but they would be remiss to leave out some steady facts when it comes to his leadership, a steady loss of jobs, a steady increase in the uninsured Americans, a state of decline in education funding. How do you respond to that?
HUGHES: Well, I suspect that the Democratic chairman is not for President Bush, and it's an interesting reflection that what we've seen throughout the Democratic nomination process is anger and invective directed at President Bush. But anger is not an optimistic vision for the future of this country. Anger doesn't create jobs. Anger doesn't wage and win the war against terror. Anger does improve, extend freedom in the world or peace in the world.
And so, I think you're going to see a big contrast in this campaign between the optimistic vision of President George W. Bush, and sort of the negative partisan anger of the Democratic Party.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: Bush adviser Karen Hughes this morning.
HEMMER: A similar topic, "Question of the Day" -- Jack.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks, Bill. Talking about those TV ads. Some of the images included are the World Trade Center devastation, an American flag flying over the wreckage and a one- second shot of fire fighters removing the remains of a victim from the debris. The question we're asking this morning, is it appropriate to use images of September 11 in political ads?
And before I read this last batch of answers, just a couple things. We've gotten well over 1,000 letters, which is a big response. And probably four out of five of you or roughly 80 percent have some issue with using these images to advertise a political campaign. It's not scientific. Doesn't mean anything. It just means that out of 1,000 that wrote this morning, about 800 of you don't like it.
These are some of the ones that we picked out. Sara in Atlanta, Georgia. "I roll out of bed, turn on the news and already I'm angry. When I hear about September 11, I'm OK, I can stay calm. When I see the images of September 11, I'm brought straight back to that painful day. To play on my emotions like this is sick and just goes to show how truly unfeeling and inhuman the political machine really is."
Shirley in Pensacola has a different view. "George Bush was America's rock during that horrible time. It's frightening to think what Al Gore would have done. The same as Bill Clinton so many times -- nothing."
Eleanor in Georgia. "I'm a middle of the road person and I have never voted in my life because I always felt it wouldn't matter. Bush's use of September 11 for political reasons is so vile that I'm going to register just so I can vote against him."
April writes, "I believe it's OK. I have been asking which Democrat do I trust to protect my country? And sadly, I cannot feel comfortable with any other president but Bush since September 11 is so fresh in my mind. His administration makes me feel safe."
Finally Ed in Verona Beach, New York says, "Why not? He was the leader of the country during that terrible event. It's still a raw nerve as it will be for awhile, but it's also something we should not forget. By the way, didn't I see ads for John Kerry in Vietnam? I think we lost some Americans there as well."
O'BRIEN: It will be interesting to see if the impact as you say in your very unofficial poll is similar across the country. If those ads will be pulled, if people think they're just too emotional and stirring so much debate that it actually takes away from the ad itself.
CAFFERTY: This is unofficial, but that kind of lopsided response id indicative of something. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) been at this for awhile.
HEMMER: Good e-mails on both sides. Good topic.
O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, the Pentagon relents about letting an enemy combatant see his attorneys.
HEMMER: We'll get to that. Also, "90 Second Pop" today taking a shot at the new "Starsky and Hutch film." It's out this weekend. Break out the leisure suit. And fire up that red and white-striped care. Back in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: The justice minister of France is vowing to quickly capture a group that is threatening to blow up railway tracks unless it receives millions in ransom. The government has faced criticism for keeping the threats secret while it investigate. The threats, first made public yesterday, were sent starting back in december to the offices of French President Jacques Chirac and also the interior minister -- Bill.
HEMMER: Soledad, about 17 minutes now before the hour. A terror suspect that's been in prison for almost two years, not charged with a crime, has been allowed to meet with his attorneys for the first time. Jose Padilla, declared an enemy combatant, suspected of planning to set off a dirty bomb here in the U.S. He's an American citizen.
From shortly after his arrest until yesterday, he had not been given permission to meet with his attorneys. One of them, though, Donna Newman, did yesterday. She's with us here now on AMERICAN MORNING. Nice to see you, good morning.
DONNA NEWMAN, PADILLA ATTORNEY: Good morning.
HEMMER: First of all, there are limitations and restrictions...
(CROSSTALK)
NEWMAN: It really was not an attorney-client meeting because there were so many restrictions. We were restricted in the topics that we could discuss. The materials that we sent out to him which were only the things filed publicly, actually were sent in advance, reviewed by the Department of Defense.
In addition, during our conversation, in the room with us, was a member from the Department of Defense reviewing us was another member from the Department of Defense. And we were videotaped.
So, there could be no private conversations between myself and my client.
HEMMER: If that's the case then, were you able to move the ball at all in terms of how you may set up a defense for Jose Padilla?
NEWMAN: Well, no. Obviously not. But we were able to tell him what's happening. And when you say a defense it's interesting because remember he's not charged with a crime.
But we were at least able to inform him of what everybody else in the world knows has been happening, and that was a good thing.
HEMMER: Are you saying that he's unaware of the media reports, of the stories out there about him?
NEWMAN: Absolutely. He's been held incommunicado so that he knew nothing about our efforts before the dristrict court and the court of appeals and now that we're going to the Supreme Court.
HEMMER: Conditions for him what are what?
NEWMAN: Well they're incommunicado. As far as I know they have not changed. He's still being held in isolation. And so we still have concerns for his well being.
HEMMER: This is what I don't understand. As an attorney, what did you get done?
NEWMAN: What I did get done is at least inform my client. I know it's elementary and seems well, of course it's your client, he should know what's going on. But he hasn't. So, yes, that's what I was able to accomplish.
HEMMER: The way I understand this, the Supreme Court may have a look at this, possibly a ruling by the end of April. Where does that stand at this point?
NEWMAN: Well actually the end of April we argue the case, then maybe this summer we'll get a ruling. But where it stands is we are still fighting with the government for the purpose of saying if you want to detain my client, charge him. Give us a day in court.
HEMMER: Donna Newman, thanks for talking with us.
NEWMAN: Thank you. Thank you.
HEMMER: Here's Soledad now.
O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, they certainly kept us waiting long enough. Tony Soprano and his posse are back. Our "90 Second Pop" panel got a sneak peek at the premiere episode and have lived to tell the tale. They're going to tell us what they thought ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMES GANDOLFINI, ACTOR: Lorraine, you're looking good.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: All right, "90-Second Pop" back today. Say hello this morning to our esteemed panel. Jessica Shaw, "Entertainment Weekly."
Nice to see you back here, Jessica.
JESSICA SHAW, "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY": Thank you.
HEMMER: B.J. Sigesmund, staff editor for "US Weekly."
Good morning.
B.J. SIGESMUND, "US WEEKLY": Good morning.
HEMMER: Sarah Bernard, contributing editor for "New York" magazine.
Nice to see you, Sarah.
SARAH BERNARD, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: You, too. HEMMER: How do you like the tunes?
SIGESMUND: Love them.
SHAW: Love them.
HEMMER: Yeah?
SHAW: Eminem.
HEMMER: They waking you up?
SIGESMUND: I like the mix, too, with Starsky up there, also "The Sopranos."
HEMMER: Putting it all together.
SHAW: You're all about Snoop here at AMERICAN MORNING.
HEMMER: Very true.
Let's see, Sunday night's "Sopranos." You've seen at least, what, the first episode?
BERNARD: Yes. Yes, I have.
HEMMER: What did you think?
BERNARD: You know, it's really, really good. Last season, it was getting dark. It was really mired in Tony's and Carmela's breakup. And I was feeling like it had lost something about the first couple of years, some of the humor, some of the unexpected perkiness. And it's really all back. David Chase is back on his game. And the most interesting development is that there are a whole bunch of mobsters who were jailed in the '80s that are now coming out, and...
HEMMER: Yes. Retribution?
BERNARD: That's right. Well, they are some of Tony's relatives -- one of them is played by Steve Buscemi, who actually directed one of the best episodes called the "Pine Barrens." You remember the one where Steve -- Christopher and Pauly were kind of wandering around in the woods. So, now he's actually become a character, and he wants, you know, back in on the action.
HEMMER: So...
SHAW: I just want Carmela to get in on the action.
(CROSSTALK)
BERNARD: She's starting to have some action.
SHAW: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) out on people.
BERNARD: She's going to have some of her own action this season. SIGESMUND: I'm most into the Tony-Dr. Melfi burgeoning romance. Supposedly, he asks her to go to the Bahamas or Bermuda with him, and she has like this weird sex dream about him. I can't wait for that.
SHAW: He's such a dog.
BERNARD: Yes, he is.
SIGESMUND: He's a dog in a good way.
HEMMER: Oh, the complexities in Tony's head, though.
SHAW: That's so true.
HEMMER: You know, Jeff Toobin saw the first two episodes.
BERNARD: And he liked it.
HEMMER: I don't know how he got them, by the way. We'll have to ask him about that. He liked both of them, too.
(CROSSTALK)
HEMMER: A lot of dark humor, but he said it worked.
Let's talk about the box office this weekend. "Starsky and Hutch" is back.
SIGESMUND: Yes, this is going to be...
HEMMER: What do you got? Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson? How did they do?
SIGESMUND: Right. This is going to be the big movie of this weekend. This is a spoof directed by the same guy who did "Old School" and "Road Trip." So, you kind of know what to expect. It basically exploits all of the unintentional humor in the 1970s series, you know, the era of bad perms and leisure suits. Plus, it's got Snoop Dog in there as an informant.
SHAW: But it's actually supposed to be really good.
SIGESMUND: Yes, he's...
SHAW: Like, people are saying he's a serious actor now. Like, this movie is going to do it for him.
BERNARD: Yes, and...
HEMMER: Isn't that amazing how he remakes himself? I love it.
BERNARD: He says he wants an Academy Award. That's his goal. And I think he might (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
SIGESMUND: Him and Michael Jackson.
SHAW: He will, of course, get it, absolutely.
HEMMER: How did they do on screen chemistry? They've made a number of films together.
SIGESMUND: This is actually their fifth movie together. Remember, they were in "Meet the Parents."
HEMMER: "Zoolander."
SIGESMUND: And they were in "Zoolander," of course. They're like this great new team, and they have a schtick. You know, Stiller plays the nevishe (ph) guy, and Owen Wilson is like the cook dude, relaxed and laid back. And it works for them, and they're very bankable.
HEMMER: One critic said it's a predictable rut that they're falling into.
SIGESMUND: Yes.
HEMMER: But based on what you're saying, you didn't buy into it.
SIGESMUND: This movie is pretty predictable. Well, when you go to a movie like this and it's directed by the guy who did "Old School," you sort of know what to expect, which is not much.
SHAW: And also, what else is there out there? Like, a horse movie, you know?
BERNARD: Yes.
SHAW: There's not so much -- I mean...
(CROSSTALK)
SIGESMUND: That should be our segue to "Hidalgo."
HEMMER: Go ahead, quickly.
SIGESMUND: Yes, "Hidalgo," it stars Viggo Mortensen, the guy, of course, from "Lord of the Rings." He plays -- it's set in 1890, and he plays a Pony Express messenger who takes his aging horse to the Middle East for this 3,000 mile race across over the Arabian Desert.
HEMMER: I like it.
SHAW: The poorest movie, totally over...
HEMMER: But did you see it?
SHAW: ... "Seabiscuit" backlash...
HEMMER: You didn't like it? I loved "Seabisuit."
SHAW: Did it win any awards?
HEMMER: No, it didn't, but I thought it should have, though.
SIGESMUND: You know...
BERNARD: This looks like an "Indiana Jones" movie. I mean...
(CROSSTALK)
SIGESMUND: Well, the good reviews -- and it's gotten both good and bad. The good reviews say that parts of it are very much like "Raiders of the Lost Ark." This is a real-guy movie. You know, it's a race.
(CROSSTALK)
HEMMER: It's like "Lawrence of Arabia" a little bit, too.
SIGESMUND: The horse actually...
SHAW: Omar Sharif is in it, also.
SIGESMUND: Omar Sharif is in it.
HEMMER: Yes, there you go.
SIGESMUND: It's more about the horse than it is Hidalgo. I'm sorry -- more about the horse than it is about Viggo.
BERNARD: I don't think anything can overshadow Viggo.
HEMMER: We've got to leave it there. Thanks, Jessica. Good to see you. B.J., Sarah, have a good day, all right?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: All right, Bill, thanks a lot. And here's Anderson Cooper with a preview of what's coming up tonight on "NEWSNIGHT."
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Tonight, on NEWSNIGHT, the often deadly practice of human smuggling. We'll take a look at Operation Icestorm, a program designed to crackdown on the crime, plus all the days news, and maybe a surprise or two as well. That's tonight on NEWSNIGHT at 10:00 p.m. Eastern.
O'BRIEN: And coming up on CNN this morning, five years after the death of the Supreme Court justice who wrote the Roe versus Wade decision, we get an inside look at the workings of the high court. That's coming up in our next hour with Daryn Kagan on "CNN LIVE TODAY."
AMERICAN MORNING is back in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: It's a big weekend on "IN THE MONEY." One of the characters from "Seinfeld" is going to take on the Middle East peace process. George Castanza is the character. Jason Alexander is the real guy. And he's got a new role, Middle East peacemaker. He will talk about what he is asking of every day Israelis and Palestinians on "IN THE MONEY," Saturday at 1:00, Sunday at 3:00, a bit of a unique event on TV. We have a program where a character from a sitcom is going to resolve the problems in the Middle East. I mean, I'm going to watch that show.
HEMMER: You have Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt went over to the Middle East, too.
CAFFERTY: That's helpful.
O'BRIEN: You know what, it needs a lot of help. Maybe they can do something in a positive way.
HEMMER: I think that's excellent. One thing, Jack, the last batch of e-mails I thought you had were terrific.
CAFFERTY: We did, just because we read the one that you wrote under a phony name.
HEMMER: That was not the case. We got to run. Tomorrow's Friday. And we'll see you then.
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Return Saunday>
Aired March 4, 2004 - 09:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back everybody. It is just half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Looking at the case this half hour. Jose Padilla, the New York man who's been held by federal authorities for almost two years on suspicion of plotting to blow a dirty bomb. He saw his lawyer...
O'BRIEN: Easy for you to say.
HEMMER: I'm telling you -- for the first time yesterday. We'll hear him talk about the client, what's keeping them apart so long. So stay tuned for that.
O'BRIEN: Also on a much lighter note, "90 Second Pop" is just ahead. The gang looking at the season premiere of "The Sopranos." We're going to talk about a plot twist bringing some new, pretty big stars into the family. Also we'll take a look at the weekend movies as well.
HEMMER: All right. At the half hour now, top stories. The only person convicted in the 9/11 attacks will get a new trial. A German court today overturned the conviction of Mounir el Motassadeq, the Moroccan man found guilty last year of aiding the 9/11 hijackers and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
A top al Qaeda operative linked to the USS Cole bombing has been arrested in Yemen. That's according to officials in that country. Abdul Nassib, one of seven suspects connected to the October 2000 bombing that left 17 U.S. sailors dead. Officials say Nassib surrender surrendered after a shootout with Yemeni security forces yesterday. Another suspect was also arrested.
Here in the U.S., broadcasters who air indecent material could soon face fines of about half million dollars. The plan to raise fines fueled by heavy complaints after Janet Jackson and an incident involving Howard Stern's radio show. A House subcommittee voted 49-1 yesterday to impose larger fines. The measure now goes to the full House on Capitol Hill.
From sports, tough day at Duke. Georgia Tech ending the long- winning streak of the Blue Devils. Snapped a 41-game home winning streak. That's the longest in the country. Georgia Tech's man to man defense shut down the Blue Devils 76-68, the final this win. Also ending Georgia Tech's 15-game losing streak to Duke, also. Here in New York City, dozens of same-sex couples have been turned away after seeking marriage licenses. A big demonstration took place earlier today outside city hall. The group asking the mayor, Michael Bloomberg, to instruct city clerks to start issuing same-sex marriage licenses. Couples were turned away with a letter explaining gay marriages are illegal in the state of New York.
(WEATHER REPORT)
O'BRIEN: The president's political team has its candidate on the road and its ads on the air. Today the Bush/Cheney team is launching the first wave in its 2004 media campaign with TV ads running in 17 states and nationally on cable.
Seeking to characterize President Bush as a leader in difficult times, some of the ads use images related to the September 11 attacks. And that has angered some of the families of the 9/11 victims. Earlier on AMERICAN MORNING, we were joined by Karen Hughes, an adviser to the Bush campaign. And I asked her if she thought using such 9/11 imagery on the campaign spots was a mistake.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAREN HUGHES, ADVISER TO BUSH CAMPAIGN: September 11 is not just some distant tragedy from the past. It really defined our future.
I was at the White House when it happened, and it changed forever our national public policy. And it's important that the next president knows that and realizes we are still at war today. Because of that day, we are at war against terror.
So, you know, it impacted our nation in so many ways, not only the lives lost -- and many of us lost friends in that terrible tragedy -- not only the lives lost, however, also in terms of jobs. It was a blow to our economy, and it forever changed the international security landscape.
I remember my friend, Condoleezza Rice, the national security advisor, calling it an earthquake across the international security environment. So, I think it's very important that the next president recognize the lessons of that day and be prepared to wage and win the war against terror.
O'BRIEN: There are some who have been advising the administration apparently who said that -- are quoted as saying that these ads are set up to frame the debate. Explain to me what exactly is being framed this early on? They're positive ads as opposed to moving into negative ads.
HUGHES: Well, I think that's an important contrast. Senator Kerry started his campaign with a negative attack ad against President Bush. We've seen a lot of anger and invective throughout the course of the Democratic primary process. These are optimistic ads, because President Bush is an optimistic leader.
You know, these ads are a reminder of the extraordinary three years that we've had. We've been through a lot. I tell friends that it's often hard to recognize history when you are living in the midst of it. We've been living in amazing times. The world is changing very dramatically. Our economy is changing. We've been through the tragedy of September 11. We've been through a recession that President Bush inherited. We saw the corporate scandals and the stock market decline and the dot-com boom gone bust.
And so, we've been through an extraordinary time together, and these ads recognize that, and also talk about the incredible resiliency of the American people and how despite all we've been through, we're coming back. President Bush has pursued the right policies, which have led our economy back to growth. We're once again creating jobs. And I think this can be an incredibly optimistic time for our country and for the cause of human freedom in the world.
I've just returned from Afghanistan, where everyone there is -- the people I met were so grateful to the United States of America for what we've done to help them live in freedom.
O'BRIEN: We only have a few seconds left, and I want to get a final question to you. The DNC chairman is not quite as optimistic as you paint your picture. He says these ads are expected to reference the president's steady leadership as president, but they would be remiss to leave out some steady facts when it comes to his leadership, a steady loss of jobs, a steady increase in the uninsured Americans, a state of decline in education funding. How do you respond to that?
HUGHES: Well, I suspect that the Democratic chairman is not for President Bush, and it's an interesting reflection that what we've seen throughout the Democratic nomination process is anger and invective directed at President Bush. But anger is not an optimistic vision for the future of this country. Anger doesn't create jobs. Anger doesn't wage and win the war against terror. Anger does improve, extend freedom in the world or peace in the world.
And so, I think you're going to see a big contrast in this campaign between the optimistic vision of President George W. Bush, and sort of the negative partisan anger of the Democratic Party.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: Bush adviser Karen Hughes this morning.
HEMMER: A similar topic, "Question of the Day" -- Jack.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks, Bill. Talking about those TV ads. Some of the images included are the World Trade Center devastation, an American flag flying over the wreckage and a one- second shot of fire fighters removing the remains of a victim from the debris. The question we're asking this morning, is it appropriate to use images of September 11 in political ads?
And before I read this last batch of answers, just a couple things. We've gotten well over 1,000 letters, which is a big response. And probably four out of five of you or roughly 80 percent have some issue with using these images to advertise a political campaign. It's not scientific. Doesn't mean anything. It just means that out of 1,000 that wrote this morning, about 800 of you don't like it.
These are some of the ones that we picked out. Sara in Atlanta, Georgia. "I roll out of bed, turn on the news and already I'm angry. When I hear about September 11, I'm OK, I can stay calm. When I see the images of September 11, I'm brought straight back to that painful day. To play on my emotions like this is sick and just goes to show how truly unfeeling and inhuman the political machine really is."
Shirley in Pensacola has a different view. "George Bush was America's rock during that horrible time. It's frightening to think what Al Gore would have done. The same as Bill Clinton so many times -- nothing."
Eleanor in Georgia. "I'm a middle of the road person and I have never voted in my life because I always felt it wouldn't matter. Bush's use of September 11 for political reasons is so vile that I'm going to register just so I can vote against him."
April writes, "I believe it's OK. I have been asking which Democrat do I trust to protect my country? And sadly, I cannot feel comfortable with any other president but Bush since September 11 is so fresh in my mind. His administration makes me feel safe."
Finally Ed in Verona Beach, New York says, "Why not? He was the leader of the country during that terrible event. It's still a raw nerve as it will be for awhile, but it's also something we should not forget. By the way, didn't I see ads for John Kerry in Vietnam? I think we lost some Americans there as well."
O'BRIEN: It will be interesting to see if the impact as you say in your very unofficial poll is similar across the country. If those ads will be pulled, if people think they're just too emotional and stirring so much debate that it actually takes away from the ad itself.
CAFFERTY: This is unofficial, but that kind of lopsided response id indicative of something. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) been at this for awhile.
HEMMER: Good e-mails on both sides. Good topic.
O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, the Pentagon relents about letting an enemy combatant see his attorneys.
HEMMER: We'll get to that. Also, "90 Second Pop" today taking a shot at the new "Starsky and Hutch film." It's out this weekend. Break out the leisure suit. And fire up that red and white-striped care. Back in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: The justice minister of France is vowing to quickly capture a group that is threatening to blow up railway tracks unless it receives millions in ransom. The government has faced criticism for keeping the threats secret while it investigate. The threats, first made public yesterday, were sent starting back in december to the offices of French President Jacques Chirac and also the interior minister -- Bill.
HEMMER: Soledad, about 17 minutes now before the hour. A terror suspect that's been in prison for almost two years, not charged with a crime, has been allowed to meet with his attorneys for the first time. Jose Padilla, declared an enemy combatant, suspected of planning to set off a dirty bomb here in the U.S. He's an American citizen.
From shortly after his arrest until yesterday, he had not been given permission to meet with his attorneys. One of them, though, Donna Newman, did yesterday. She's with us here now on AMERICAN MORNING. Nice to see you, good morning.
DONNA NEWMAN, PADILLA ATTORNEY: Good morning.
HEMMER: First of all, there are limitations and restrictions...
(CROSSTALK)
NEWMAN: It really was not an attorney-client meeting because there were so many restrictions. We were restricted in the topics that we could discuss. The materials that we sent out to him which were only the things filed publicly, actually were sent in advance, reviewed by the Department of Defense.
In addition, during our conversation, in the room with us, was a member from the Department of Defense reviewing us was another member from the Department of Defense. And we were videotaped.
So, there could be no private conversations between myself and my client.
HEMMER: If that's the case then, were you able to move the ball at all in terms of how you may set up a defense for Jose Padilla?
NEWMAN: Well, no. Obviously not. But we were able to tell him what's happening. And when you say a defense it's interesting because remember he's not charged with a crime.
But we were at least able to inform him of what everybody else in the world knows has been happening, and that was a good thing.
HEMMER: Are you saying that he's unaware of the media reports, of the stories out there about him?
NEWMAN: Absolutely. He's been held incommunicado so that he knew nothing about our efforts before the dristrict court and the court of appeals and now that we're going to the Supreme Court.
HEMMER: Conditions for him what are what?
NEWMAN: Well they're incommunicado. As far as I know they have not changed. He's still being held in isolation. And so we still have concerns for his well being.
HEMMER: This is what I don't understand. As an attorney, what did you get done?
NEWMAN: What I did get done is at least inform my client. I know it's elementary and seems well, of course it's your client, he should know what's going on. But he hasn't. So, yes, that's what I was able to accomplish.
HEMMER: The way I understand this, the Supreme Court may have a look at this, possibly a ruling by the end of April. Where does that stand at this point?
NEWMAN: Well actually the end of April we argue the case, then maybe this summer we'll get a ruling. But where it stands is we are still fighting with the government for the purpose of saying if you want to detain my client, charge him. Give us a day in court.
HEMMER: Donna Newman, thanks for talking with us.
NEWMAN: Thank you. Thank you.
HEMMER: Here's Soledad now.
O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, they certainly kept us waiting long enough. Tony Soprano and his posse are back. Our "90 Second Pop" panel got a sneak peek at the premiere episode and have lived to tell the tale. They're going to tell us what they thought ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMES GANDOLFINI, ACTOR: Lorraine, you're looking good.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: All right, "90-Second Pop" back today. Say hello this morning to our esteemed panel. Jessica Shaw, "Entertainment Weekly."
Nice to see you back here, Jessica.
JESSICA SHAW, "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY": Thank you.
HEMMER: B.J. Sigesmund, staff editor for "US Weekly."
Good morning.
B.J. SIGESMUND, "US WEEKLY": Good morning.
HEMMER: Sarah Bernard, contributing editor for "New York" magazine.
Nice to see you, Sarah.
SARAH BERNARD, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: You, too. HEMMER: How do you like the tunes?
SIGESMUND: Love them.
SHAW: Love them.
HEMMER: Yeah?
SHAW: Eminem.
HEMMER: They waking you up?
SIGESMUND: I like the mix, too, with Starsky up there, also "The Sopranos."
HEMMER: Putting it all together.
SHAW: You're all about Snoop here at AMERICAN MORNING.
HEMMER: Very true.
Let's see, Sunday night's "Sopranos." You've seen at least, what, the first episode?
BERNARD: Yes. Yes, I have.
HEMMER: What did you think?
BERNARD: You know, it's really, really good. Last season, it was getting dark. It was really mired in Tony's and Carmela's breakup. And I was feeling like it had lost something about the first couple of years, some of the humor, some of the unexpected perkiness. And it's really all back. David Chase is back on his game. And the most interesting development is that there are a whole bunch of mobsters who were jailed in the '80s that are now coming out, and...
HEMMER: Yes. Retribution?
BERNARD: That's right. Well, they are some of Tony's relatives -- one of them is played by Steve Buscemi, who actually directed one of the best episodes called the "Pine Barrens." You remember the one where Steve -- Christopher and Pauly were kind of wandering around in the woods. So, now he's actually become a character, and he wants, you know, back in on the action.
HEMMER: So...
SHAW: I just want Carmela to get in on the action.
(CROSSTALK)
BERNARD: She's starting to have some action.
SHAW: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) out on people.
BERNARD: She's going to have some of her own action this season. SIGESMUND: I'm most into the Tony-Dr. Melfi burgeoning romance. Supposedly, he asks her to go to the Bahamas or Bermuda with him, and she has like this weird sex dream about him. I can't wait for that.
SHAW: He's such a dog.
BERNARD: Yes, he is.
SIGESMUND: He's a dog in a good way.
HEMMER: Oh, the complexities in Tony's head, though.
SHAW: That's so true.
HEMMER: You know, Jeff Toobin saw the first two episodes.
BERNARD: And he liked it.
HEMMER: I don't know how he got them, by the way. We'll have to ask him about that. He liked both of them, too.
(CROSSTALK)
HEMMER: A lot of dark humor, but he said it worked.
Let's talk about the box office this weekend. "Starsky and Hutch" is back.
SIGESMUND: Yes, this is going to be...
HEMMER: What do you got? Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson? How did they do?
SIGESMUND: Right. This is going to be the big movie of this weekend. This is a spoof directed by the same guy who did "Old School" and "Road Trip." So, you kind of know what to expect. It basically exploits all of the unintentional humor in the 1970s series, you know, the era of bad perms and leisure suits. Plus, it's got Snoop Dog in there as an informant.
SHAW: But it's actually supposed to be really good.
SIGESMUND: Yes, he's...
SHAW: Like, people are saying he's a serious actor now. Like, this movie is going to do it for him.
BERNARD: Yes, and...
HEMMER: Isn't that amazing how he remakes himself? I love it.
BERNARD: He says he wants an Academy Award. That's his goal. And I think he might (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
SIGESMUND: Him and Michael Jackson.
SHAW: He will, of course, get it, absolutely.
HEMMER: How did they do on screen chemistry? They've made a number of films together.
SIGESMUND: This is actually their fifth movie together. Remember, they were in "Meet the Parents."
HEMMER: "Zoolander."
SIGESMUND: And they were in "Zoolander," of course. They're like this great new team, and they have a schtick. You know, Stiller plays the nevishe (ph) guy, and Owen Wilson is like the cook dude, relaxed and laid back. And it works for them, and they're very bankable.
HEMMER: One critic said it's a predictable rut that they're falling into.
SIGESMUND: Yes.
HEMMER: But based on what you're saying, you didn't buy into it.
SIGESMUND: This movie is pretty predictable. Well, when you go to a movie like this and it's directed by the guy who did "Old School," you sort of know what to expect, which is not much.
SHAW: And also, what else is there out there? Like, a horse movie, you know?
BERNARD: Yes.
SHAW: There's not so much -- I mean...
(CROSSTALK)
SIGESMUND: That should be our segue to "Hidalgo."
HEMMER: Go ahead, quickly.
SIGESMUND: Yes, "Hidalgo," it stars Viggo Mortensen, the guy, of course, from "Lord of the Rings." He plays -- it's set in 1890, and he plays a Pony Express messenger who takes his aging horse to the Middle East for this 3,000 mile race across over the Arabian Desert.
HEMMER: I like it.
SHAW: The poorest movie, totally over...
HEMMER: But did you see it?
SHAW: ... "Seabiscuit" backlash...
HEMMER: You didn't like it? I loved "Seabisuit."
SHAW: Did it win any awards?
HEMMER: No, it didn't, but I thought it should have, though.
SIGESMUND: You know...
BERNARD: This looks like an "Indiana Jones" movie. I mean...
(CROSSTALK)
SIGESMUND: Well, the good reviews -- and it's gotten both good and bad. The good reviews say that parts of it are very much like "Raiders of the Lost Ark." This is a real-guy movie. You know, it's a race.
(CROSSTALK)
HEMMER: It's like "Lawrence of Arabia" a little bit, too.
SIGESMUND: The horse actually...
SHAW: Omar Sharif is in it, also.
SIGESMUND: Omar Sharif is in it.
HEMMER: Yes, there you go.
SIGESMUND: It's more about the horse than it is Hidalgo. I'm sorry -- more about the horse than it is about Viggo.
BERNARD: I don't think anything can overshadow Viggo.
HEMMER: We've got to leave it there. Thanks, Jessica. Good to see you. B.J., Sarah, have a good day, all right?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: All right, Bill, thanks a lot. And here's Anderson Cooper with a preview of what's coming up tonight on "NEWSNIGHT."
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Tonight, on NEWSNIGHT, the often deadly practice of human smuggling. We'll take a look at Operation Icestorm, a program designed to crackdown on the crime, plus all the days news, and maybe a surprise or two as well. That's tonight on NEWSNIGHT at 10:00 p.m. Eastern.
O'BRIEN: And coming up on CNN this morning, five years after the death of the Supreme Court justice who wrote the Roe versus Wade decision, we get an inside look at the workings of the high court. That's coming up in our next hour with Daryn Kagan on "CNN LIVE TODAY."
AMERICAN MORNING is back in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: It's a big weekend on "IN THE MONEY." One of the characters from "Seinfeld" is going to take on the Middle East peace process. George Castanza is the character. Jason Alexander is the real guy. And he's got a new role, Middle East peacemaker. He will talk about what he is asking of every day Israelis and Palestinians on "IN THE MONEY," Saturday at 1:00, Sunday at 3:00, a bit of a unique event on TV. We have a program where a character from a sitcom is going to resolve the problems in the Middle East. I mean, I'm going to watch that show.
HEMMER: You have Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt went over to the Middle East, too.
CAFFERTY: That's helpful.
O'BRIEN: You know what, it needs a lot of help. Maybe they can do something in a positive way.
HEMMER: I think that's excellent. One thing, Jack, the last batch of e-mails I thought you had were terrific.
CAFFERTY: We did, just because we read the one that you wrote under a phony name.
HEMMER: That was not the case. We got to run. Tomorrow's Friday. And we'll see you then.
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