Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Sunday Morning

One Dead, 3 Missing in Baltimore Harbor Water Taxi Accident; Bush Makes no Apologies for 9/11 Ads; Will Bush or Kerry Win Latino Vote?

Aired March 07, 2004 - 08:00   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.


KELLI ARENA, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It's March 7. Good morning. I'm Kelli Arena.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Renay San Miguel. We do thank you for being with us this morning. Here's what is coming up this hour.

The NTSB takes the lead in investigating the capsizing of a water taxi in Baltimore harbor. A recovery operation is underway to find three people still missing.

The presidential contenders focus on a key demographic, Latino voters. We'll talk about the issues and the possible impact on the race.

And this is a team that dreams big. We've got your game, ahead this hour.

ARENA: Checking headlines at this hour, the Israeli military says it has pulled out of two Palestinian refugee camps in Gaza following a deadly battle early this morning.

Palestinian sources say at least 14 Palestinians were killed and scores were wounded in the Israeli raids. Israel says militant operations in the camps were the targets of those raids.

In Iraq, signing of an interim constitution will likely go ahead tomorrow. The signing was delayed Friday because Shiites objected to a clause that would have effectively given broad veto power to three Kurdish provinces. A spokesman says progress is being made on resolving that issue.

In Moscow the city's mayor says an apartment explosion was probably due to a gas leak. Charges are possible if prosecutors determine that criminal negligence was a factor. The blast hurt at least two people.

And in Washington, doctors should know today whether surgery will be necessary for Attorney General John Ashcroft. He's been in intensive care since Thursday with a severe case of gallstone pancreatitis. Ashcroft's treatment so far has been with antibiotics and painkillers.

SAN MIGUEL: Our top story for this hour, it was like a little toy boat getting blown out of control. That is how one witness described the sight of a water taxi, packed full with 25 people that capsized in Baltimore Harbor yesterday.

One person is dead and the focus now is on recovering the three people still missing and presumed dead.

Our Kathleen Koch is live at the scene. She joins us now with the latest -- Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Renay, that search resumed at 7 a.m. this morning. There are going to be helicopters in the air, both just at the mouth of Baltimore's inner harbor, looking for those bodies.

The accident occurred yesterday just after 4 p.m. as a seaport water taxi with 25 people on board was just headed out of the mouth of the Baltimore Harbor. At that point, they say that a microburst of wind struck it and flipped the boat over.

Now, the National Transportation Safety Board is on scene. They were on the scene yesterday, on scene again today. They have already begun interviewing both the captain, the assistant captain, some of the surviving passengers and also some of the eyewitnesses to this incident.

They're going to be looking at everything from the operation of the boat, the maintenance of it, and also to the weather, which again they believe was a serious factor in this accident.

Now, we spoke just a little while ago to the Baltimore city fire chief, Bill Goodwin, who gave us an update on just how today's search would be conducted.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF BILL GOODWIN, BALTIMORE FIRE DEPARTMENT: Really, we're looking for the bodies, specifically. We found debris as far as Fort Carol from here yesterday. So the current was moving rather swiftly, along with the winds right after that storm.

So we're going to center back on the area of where the boat first capsized and see if we have any additional luck there. We started there yesterday and continued downstream. Now we're going to come back and start over again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOCH: Now, that area that the chief mentioned where they found debris, Fort Carol, was some two miles away from here. So they have a very, very large water area to search.

They're also using cadaver dogs along the shoreline. And in the water they're using something called side scan sonar. It's a torpedo- like device that they drop into the water, and it makes a thermal imaging pattern some 70 feet around, both vertically and horizontally, searching that area for any possible bodies.

Again the three people still missing from this tragic accident -- Renay.

SAN MIGUEL: Kathleen, have investigators said anything about whether life jackets were available to those on the water taxi?

KOCH: Indeed, the people operating, the owner of Seaport Water Taxi yesterday said that there are life jackets required for every single person on these boats. And they even get a briefing before they leave on where the life jackets are, which is right underneath their seats, and how to put them on.

However, this storm came up so quickly yesterday, the rescuers say that they didn't really see anyone with those life jackets on. So apparently they didn't have time to wear them. And we're told that state law does not require people aboard such boats to actually wear their life jackets while they're out on the water, Renay.

SAN MIGUEL: It must indeed have been a fast moving storm. Kathleen Koch in Baltimore Harbor. Thanks so much, Kathleen.

ARENA: Well, turning now to politics and a major meeting of two minds. President Bush and Mexican President Vicente Fox have wrapped up their talks at Mr. Bush's Texas ranch.

And CNN's White House correspondent Dana Bash reports, the issue of 9/11 imagery is one Mr. Bush responded to.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Addressing for the first time controversial images of September 11 in his new campaign ads, the president brushed aside the criticism.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: First of all I will continue to speak about the effects of 9/11 on our country and my presidency.

BASH: Some firefighters, families of victims and Democrats say these ads politicize tragedy. Mr. Bush insisted the 9/11 attacks will be part of his campaign.

BUSH: How this administration handled that day as well as the war on terror is worthy of discussion, and I look forward to discussing that with the American people.

BASH: The president spoke at his Texas ranch after a summit with his invited guest, Mexican President Vicente Fox, and there was no escaping it's an election year.

After relations frayed over issues like the Iraq war, the public reconciliation between the two men is critical for the president, aggressively courting Hispanics in must-win states.

Mr. Bush made a concession that will no doubt appeal to those voters, committing to back off a U.S. security plan to photograph and fingerprint Mexicans who frequently come into the country. VICENTE FOX, PRESIDENT OF MEXICO (through translator): We welcome the news that was given today with regard to visitors to the U.S. from Mexico, but we recognize the value to those who come to the United States to work, to study, to contribute.

BASH: Both presidents praised free trade between their countries, Mr. Bush taking a not so subtle whack against his Democratic opponent who says NAFTA would be reviewed.

BUSH: This nation must reject economic isolationism. We need less regulation.

BASH: And the day after the president got a bad news job report he insisted the economy is recovering. Again, hitting Senator John Kerry and making sure the constituency he was trying to reach understood.

BUSH: Make sure you tell them don't raise taxes like some others want to do.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BASH: Meanwhile, Senator John Kerry was here in Texas yesterday criticizing the president's immigration proposal that would give illegal workers temporary legal status.

Mr. Bush for his part did talk up that plan with Mexico's president but conceded getting it through Congress, Kelli, in an election year isn't going to be easy.

ARENA: Well, that's an understatement. Thanks Dana. Dana Bash, live at the Crawford ranch.

SAN MIGUEL: Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has plenty of goodwill to offer in his praise of the president. As Dana Bash reported, the Bush campaign has come under fire for using images from the World Trade Center attacks in some of its commercials.

But Giuliani, a popular Republican who is remembered for his leadership during the tragedy, says using 9/11 images are appropriate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RUDY GIULIANI, FORMER NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: It was an extraordinarily tough time for America. He got us through in a very brave way and a very determined way. He made the country more united as a result of it. And it's part of his record and part of his history.

When people evaluate George W. Bush, even historians, I think they're going to feel he was a great president because of the way he brought us through September 11 and the attacks of September 11.

So it's part of his record and it's an appropriate part of his record.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAN MIGUEL: The many victims' families, though, are outraged over the use of Ground Zero as a backdrop for political ads. One woman whose husband was killed in the attacks calls it, quote, "deplorable."

We would like to know what you think about this issue. Should 9/11 images be used in campaign ads? Please e-mail us your thoughts at wam -- W-A-M -- at CNN.com, and we'll read some of those later on in the show.

ARENA: Well, the U.S. Justice Department is taking on a new case. Some 50 officials are headed to Iraq to look for evidence that could be used against Saddam Hussein once he goes on trial.

The team includes prosecutors and investigators, and an official has told CNN that national security adviser Condoleezza Rice authorized the team to be the lead U.S. agency in preparing for trial.

Be sure to stay tuned to CNN later today, when the U.S. administrator in Iraq, Paul Bremer, joins Wolf Blitzer on "LATE EDITION." That's at 12 p.m. Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific, right here on CNN.

Democratic candidate John Kerry challenges President Bush on his home turf.

SAN MIGUEL: Plus courting Latino voters. Which candidate has what it takes to appeal to this coveted group? That is when CNN SUNDAY MORNING continues. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PHIL MARTELLI, ST. JOSEPH'S HEAD COACH: It's been exhilarating. It's been humbling. It's been tiring, but for these players in that locker room it's a once in a lifetime, and I want them to enjoy it.

ARENA: High hopes for a small university. What St. Joe's is doing to make it big in the world of college basketball, just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ARENA: In this year's presidential race, Senator John Kerry has had much to say about the war in Iraq.

Now in an interview with "TIME" magazine the likely Democratic nominee says he will almost certainly send a fact-finding team to the country so he can formulate detailed answers to the Iraq questions that he'll face on the campaign trail.

Among the names mentioned for the trip is Delaware Senator Joseph Biden.

As the presidential race heats up it's looking a bit like a competitive chess game, which each player making some pretty bold moves. The latest political play: John Kerry battling for support in President Bush's own backyard.

Kerry campaigned in San Antonio, Texas, yesterday where he took on the president and the hot button issue of taxes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And once again, President Bush has told one of those tall Texas tales, because he's trying to suggest, he says to Americans, you elect John Kerry he's going to raise your taxes. That's the old scare tactic, isn't it?

And I just want to say back to the president, I hope this early in the campaign he's not running so scared that he feels he's got to already depart from the truth in this campaign.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ARENA: Senator Kerry continues his southern swing later today when he stumps in Jackson, Mississippi.

SAN MIGUEL: George Bush's one on one summit yesterday with Mexico's president, Vicente Fox, could prove significant among Latino voters.

It gave both men a chance to get reacquainted after a long period of strained relations. The likely upshot of the ranch diplomacy is a more lenient U.S. immigration policy toward Mexicans.

For more on the Latino view of President Bush, we are joined now from Washington by Gabriella Lemus, the policy director of the League of United Latin American Citizens, one of this country's oldest Latino civil rights groups.

Gabriella, thanks for being with us this morning.

GABRIELLA LEMUS, POLICY DIRECTOR, LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS: Thank you.

SAN MIGUEL: I have to ask you what you think about this -- what came out of this mini-summit from Crawford, Texas, the fact that Mexicans visiting the U.S. for less than three days will not have to be fingerprinted or photographed. Is this the kind of thing, the kind of bone that is thrown to Latino voters, that is liable to have an impact?

LEMUS: Well, it's something that's very regional and really particular and unique to the border region.

Because of the way the businesses are set up, many Mexican (ph) owners live on the U.S. side of the border, and they cross over on a daily basis. Or alternatively the kids go to school on either side of the border.

So that's really a local issue. That's not a national issue. SAN MIGUEL: But it could be seen as one of the battleground states that we're talking about like Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California.

LEMUS: Where that issues seems to have the most resonance is really in the El Paso-Quarez (ph) nexus and the Tijuana-San Diego nexus, where you see the most member of these assembly plants on the Mexican side of the border.

Even -- I think even in Arizona it would be less important and then, again, in New Mexico I also don't see it as being so critical.

SAN MIGUEL: You know, I can imagine that your group is very pleased to see both the Bush and Kerry campaigns putting together Spanish language ads.

But isn't there also a fear here of being patronized? Like the idea that if you use Spanish on the campaign trail or in a political ad, you know, that's going to be enough to get the vote?

LEMUS: That's not enough to get the vote. I mean, we're really pleased. It's always nice to be acknowledged and that in your language, your original tongue is looked upon as something valuable and important.

But really what is important to the Hispanic voter are the issues. We're incredibly issues oriented. And it's really critical that, you know, whoever is running for office, at whatever level, state local, national that those people understand that you have got to address the Hispanic community seriously and really look at things like education, health care, the state of the economy.

SAN MIGUEL: And those -- and national security and all of these issues are the same for pretty much any other ethnic group that's out there.

But there is one issue, of course, immigration, that has special significance for the Latino vote. The Bush immigration reform plan so far has received mixed reviews from groups like yours and Labasa (ph).

I'm wondering, is this going to be the deal breaker for Latinos in this country for 2004?

LEMUS: Well, I don't know if it will be the deal breaker, but it's definitely something that has a lot of resonance in the community.

And really. the Bush principles are based primarily, it looks, upon guest workers, allowing workers to come over for a period of three years and renewing their guest worker status for a period of time.

There is still a lot in play. There's -- As they say, the devil is in the details, and there's a lot of information we're missing. He has said that he would like to see an increase in the number of green cards, which is very critical, I think, to the community. But the question is how many and how will the people who are, let's say, in an undocumented status, whether or not they can transition from that guest worker process into one of a green card track.

And you know, the White House has been very clear with us. They look at it as two very different channels of documentation.

SAN MIGUEL: And I want to make it clear, I know that John Kerry has criticized Bush's immigration reform plan, but he hasn't come out with a detailed plan of his yet, have we -- has he?

LEMUS: No, he has not. But the Democratic Party has come out with a set of immigration principles that look at issues like family reunification, legal -- I'm sorry -- mechanisms for legalization, and those kinds of things.

SAN MIGUEL: Got you. We'll have to leave you there. Gabriella Lemus, with LULAC, the policy director of LULAC, thanks so much for your time this morning. We appreciate it.

LEMUS: Thank you.

SAN MIGUEL: Back with more news right after this. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ARENA: We are waiting for another press conference on the Baltimore water taxi that capsized yesterday. The search continues for three missing people. One person has already been confirmed dead.

We're told that we will be hearing from the NTSB chairman for the very latest on that search for those three missing people -- Renay.

SAN MIGUEL: We want to move on to some sports news for you now and a heartbreaker last night, NCAA men's basketball.

Washington State denied No. 1 Stanford an undefeated season, 75- 62 the final score. Many of Stanford's biggest wins have been come from behind last second saves. Just a couple of nights ago there was a last minute three-pointer that won it for Stanford, but last night in Seattle it was not to be.

So Stanford's loss is St. Joseph's gain. The little school outside of Philadelphia is No. 2 in the nation and now the only undefeated men's basketball team.

Steve Overmyer of CNN Sports has more on the soaring Hawks.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEVE OVERMYER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Phil Martelli, the sage of St. Joe's is leading an unknown Hawks team to unforeseeable heights. They are undefeated and have created unimaginable excitement. MARTELLI: It's been exhilarating. It's been humbling. It's been tiring, but for these players in that locker room, it's a once in a lifetime, and I want them to enjoy it.

OVERMYER: Martelli grew up outside Philadelphia making him a lifelong expert on the rough shots that local sports figures must endure, so he's made a habit of making fun of himself.

MARTELLI: Average, sloppy and saint.

That's always been my gripe about the bigger schools. I think they put their coach in a bubble and on a pedestal and then you have to be all the time coach. I want to be Phil Martelli.

MARTELLI: Who are the best Joes?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They are the best Joes, yes, sir.

MARTELLI: I'm sure that all of this isn't happening at Duke and all of this is not happening at Stanford.

OVERMYER: In the wake of Martelli being himself, he has built a team that refuses to be the butt of any jokes.

PAT CARROLL, ST. JOSEPH'S JUNIOR GUARD FORWARD: "I go to St. Joe's."

"Oh, where's St. Joe's at?"

"Philadelphia."

"OK."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have the confidence and we have the ability to think that every time we come on the court, we're going to win no matter who we're facing.

MARTELLI: You can come in here and look around and say they don't have. But I would dare to you find a place that has more passion, that has a better group of players to work with day in and day out. That's what we do have.

OVERMYER: St. Joseph's University has 3,800 students, one of whom flaps his arms for the entirety of every Hawks basketball game.

Before reaching number two in the college basketball polls, it was the ever-flapping mascot that received the most attention, not the unflappable team.

But with the Hawks' highest ranking in school history and senior point guard Jameer Nelson the favorite to win national player of the year, Martelli's magnificent team could get a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and be a favorite to win a national championship.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everyone is coming up dreaming of being number one, and you know, playing for a national championship and cutting down nets.

MARTELLI: I'm supposed to say this to you: "It wouldn't be a big deal." It would be enormous to open up a paper and see your name on that top line. It would be something that I couldn't describe or even fantasize about right now.

OVERMYER: And something no one could have predicted either.

Steve Overmyer, CNN Sports.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(WEATHER REPORT)

SAN MIGUEL: We're going to check our top stories now.

Authorities say they don't expect to find any more survivors of a water taxi accident in Baltimore Harbor. The search resumed this morning for three people still missing. One person is confirmed dead in yesterday's accident. Twenty-one people survived.

We are awaiting a press briefing from the National Transportation Safety Board and the latest into the investigation.

ARENA: And we've been asking you all morning whether 9/11 images should be used in campaign ads. We have some of your e-mails to read.

SAN MIGUEL: And we want to go ahead and start with Michael, who has written in, "If images of the Vietnam War can be used in campaign ads, the images of 9/11 should be fair game, as well. Maybe all such powerful images should be off limits, though, for political campaigns."

ARENA: And Molly in Northville, Michigan, writes: "No one should use September 11. The whole nation worked together. That was not just a Republican issue. It is reprehensible that Bush would use this for himself."

SAN MIGUEL: We want to hear more e-mails from you, so please write in: wam@CNN.com.

ARENA: Inside Iraq's hospitals and the state of Iraqi health care, up next on "WEEKEND HOUSE CALL." Dr. Sanjay Gupta travels back to Baghdad nearly one year after the war started.

At 9:15 a.m. Eastern, is the fight for same-sex marriage a civil rights issue? We'll debate it with two prominent African-American men, speaking out on the issue.

And at 9:45 a.m. Eastern, rumors of a sex scandal plaguing the University of Colorado. Are administrators turning a blind eye on bad behavior by college athletes?

It's all ahead when CNN SUNDAY MORNING continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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





Accident; Bush Makes no Apologies for 9/11 Ads; Will Bush or Kerry Win Latino Vote?>


Aired March 7, 2004 - 08:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KELLI ARENA, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It's March 7. Good morning. I'm Kelli Arena.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Renay San Miguel. We do thank you for being with us this morning. Here's what is coming up this hour.

The NTSB takes the lead in investigating the capsizing of a water taxi in Baltimore harbor. A recovery operation is underway to find three people still missing.

The presidential contenders focus on a key demographic, Latino voters. We'll talk about the issues and the possible impact on the race.

And this is a team that dreams big. We've got your game, ahead this hour.

ARENA: Checking headlines at this hour, the Israeli military says it has pulled out of two Palestinian refugee camps in Gaza following a deadly battle early this morning.

Palestinian sources say at least 14 Palestinians were killed and scores were wounded in the Israeli raids. Israel says militant operations in the camps were the targets of those raids.

In Iraq, signing of an interim constitution will likely go ahead tomorrow. The signing was delayed Friday because Shiites objected to a clause that would have effectively given broad veto power to three Kurdish provinces. A spokesman says progress is being made on resolving that issue.

In Moscow the city's mayor says an apartment explosion was probably due to a gas leak. Charges are possible if prosecutors determine that criminal negligence was a factor. The blast hurt at least two people.

And in Washington, doctors should know today whether surgery will be necessary for Attorney General John Ashcroft. He's been in intensive care since Thursday with a severe case of gallstone pancreatitis. Ashcroft's treatment so far has been with antibiotics and painkillers.

SAN MIGUEL: Our top story for this hour, it was like a little toy boat getting blown out of control. That is how one witness described the sight of a water taxi, packed full with 25 people that capsized in Baltimore Harbor yesterday.

One person is dead and the focus now is on recovering the three people still missing and presumed dead.

Our Kathleen Koch is live at the scene. She joins us now with the latest -- Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Renay, that search resumed at 7 a.m. this morning. There are going to be helicopters in the air, both just at the mouth of Baltimore's inner harbor, looking for those bodies.

The accident occurred yesterday just after 4 p.m. as a seaport water taxi with 25 people on board was just headed out of the mouth of the Baltimore Harbor. At that point, they say that a microburst of wind struck it and flipped the boat over.

Now, the National Transportation Safety Board is on scene. They were on the scene yesterday, on scene again today. They have already begun interviewing both the captain, the assistant captain, some of the surviving passengers and also some of the eyewitnesses to this incident.

They're going to be looking at everything from the operation of the boat, the maintenance of it, and also to the weather, which again they believe was a serious factor in this accident.

Now, we spoke just a little while ago to the Baltimore city fire chief, Bill Goodwin, who gave us an update on just how today's search would be conducted.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF BILL GOODWIN, BALTIMORE FIRE DEPARTMENT: Really, we're looking for the bodies, specifically. We found debris as far as Fort Carol from here yesterday. So the current was moving rather swiftly, along with the winds right after that storm.

So we're going to center back on the area of where the boat first capsized and see if we have any additional luck there. We started there yesterday and continued downstream. Now we're going to come back and start over again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOCH: Now, that area that the chief mentioned where they found debris, Fort Carol, was some two miles away from here. So they have a very, very large water area to search.

They're also using cadaver dogs along the shoreline. And in the water they're using something called side scan sonar. It's a torpedo- like device that they drop into the water, and it makes a thermal imaging pattern some 70 feet around, both vertically and horizontally, searching that area for any possible bodies.

Again the three people still missing from this tragic accident -- Renay.

SAN MIGUEL: Kathleen, have investigators said anything about whether life jackets were available to those on the water taxi?

KOCH: Indeed, the people operating, the owner of Seaport Water Taxi yesterday said that there are life jackets required for every single person on these boats. And they even get a briefing before they leave on where the life jackets are, which is right underneath their seats, and how to put them on.

However, this storm came up so quickly yesterday, the rescuers say that they didn't really see anyone with those life jackets on. So apparently they didn't have time to wear them. And we're told that state law does not require people aboard such boats to actually wear their life jackets while they're out on the water, Renay.

SAN MIGUEL: It must indeed have been a fast moving storm. Kathleen Koch in Baltimore Harbor. Thanks so much, Kathleen.

ARENA: Well, turning now to politics and a major meeting of two minds. President Bush and Mexican President Vicente Fox have wrapped up their talks at Mr. Bush's Texas ranch.

And CNN's White House correspondent Dana Bash reports, the issue of 9/11 imagery is one Mr. Bush responded to.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Addressing for the first time controversial images of September 11 in his new campaign ads, the president brushed aside the criticism.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: First of all I will continue to speak about the effects of 9/11 on our country and my presidency.

BASH: Some firefighters, families of victims and Democrats say these ads politicize tragedy. Mr. Bush insisted the 9/11 attacks will be part of his campaign.

BUSH: How this administration handled that day as well as the war on terror is worthy of discussion, and I look forward to discussing that with the American people.

BASH: The president spoke at his Texas ranch after a summit with his invited guest, Mexican President Vicente Fox, and there was no escaping it's an election year.

After relations frayed over issues like the Iraq war, the public reconciliation between the two men is critical for the president, aggressively courting Hispanics in must-win states.

Mr. Bush made a concession that will no doubt appeal to those voters, committing to back off a U.S. security plan to photograph and fingerprint Mexicans who frequently come into the country. VICENTE FOX, PRESIDENT OF MEXICO (through translator): We welcome the news that was given today with regard to visitors to the U.S. from Mexico, but we recognize the value to those who come to the United States to work, to study, to contribute.

BASH: Both presidents praised free trade between their countries, Mr. Bush taking a not so subtle whack against his Democratic opponent who says NAFTA would be reviewed.

BUSH: This nation must reject economic isolationism. We need less regulation.

BASH: And the day after the president got a bad news job report he insisted the economy is recovering. Again, hitting Senator John Kerry and making sure the constituency he was trying to reach understood.

BUSH: Make sure you tell them don't raise taxes like some others want to do.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BASH: Meanwhile, Senator John Kerry was here in Texas yesterday criticizing the president's immigration proposal that would give illegal workers temporary legal status.

Mr. Bush for his part did talk up that plan with Mexico's president but conceded getting it through Congress, Kelli, in an election year isn't going to be easy.

ARENA: Well, that's an understatement. Thanks Dana. Dana Bash, live at the Crawford ranch.

SAN MIGUEL: Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has plenty of goodwill to offer in his praise of the president. As Dana Bash reported, the Bush campaign has come under fire for using images from the World Trade Center attacks in some of its commercials.

But Giuliani, a popular Republican who is remembered for his leadership during the tragedy, says using 9/11 images are appropriate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RUDY GIULIANI, FORMER NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: It was an extraordinarily tough time for America. He got us through in a very brave way and a very determined way. He made the country more united as a result of it. And it's part of his record and part of his history.

When people evaluate George W. Bush, even historians, I think they're going to feel he was a great president because of the way he brought us through September 11 and the attacks of September 11.

So it's part of his record and it's an appropriate part of his record.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAN MIGUEL: The many victims' families, though, are outraged over the use of Ground Zero as a backdrop for political ads. One woman whose husband was killed in the attacks calls it, quote, "deplorable."

We would like to know what you think about this issue. Should 9/11 images be used in campaign ads? Please e-mail us your thoughts at wam -- W-A-M -- at CNN.com, and we'll read some of those later on in the show.

ARENA: Well, the U.S. Justice Department is taking on a new case. Some 50 officials are headed to Iraq to look for evidence that could be used against Saddam Hussein once he goes on trial.

The team includes prosecutors and investigators, and an official has told CNN that national security adviser Condoleezza Rice authorized the team to be the lead U.S. agency in preparing for trial.

Be sure to stay tuned to CNN later today, when the U.S. administrator in Iraq, Paul Bremer, joins Wolf Blitzer on "LATE EDITION." That's at 12 p.m. Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific, right here on CNN.

Democratic candidate John Kerry challenges President Bush on his home turf.

SAN MIGUEL: Plus courting Latino voters. Which candidate has what it takes to appeal to this coveted group? That is when CNN SUNDAY MORNING continues. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PHIL MARTELLI, ST. JOSEPH'S HEAD COACH: It's been exhilarating. It's been humbling. It's been tiring, but for these players in that locker room it's a once in a lifetime, and I want them to enjoy it.

ARENA: High hopes for a small university. What St. Joe's is doing to make it big in the world of college basketball, just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ARENA: In this year's presidential race, Senator John Kerry has had much to say about the war in Iraq.

Now in an interview with "TIME" magazine the likely Democratic nominee says he will almost certainly send a fact-finding team to the country so he can formulate detailed answers to the Iraq questions that he'll face on the campaign trail.

Among the names mentioned for the trip is Delaware Senator Joseph Biden.

As the presidential race heats up it's looking a bit like a competitive chess game, which each player making some pretty bold moves. The latest political play: John Kerry battling for support in President Bush's own backyard.

Kerry campaigned in San Antonio, Texas, yesterday where he took on the president and the hot button issue of taxes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And once again, President Bush has told one of those tall Texas tales, because he's trying to suggest, he says to Americans, you elect John Kerry he's going to raise your taxes. That's the old scare tactic, isn't it?

And I just want to say back to the president, I hope this early in the campaign he's not running so scared that he feels he's got to already depart from the truth in this campaign.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ARENA: Senator Kerry continues his southern swing later today when he stumps in Jackson, Mississippi.

SAN MIGUEL: George Bush's one on one summit yesterday with Mexico's president, Vicente Fox, could prove significant among Latino voters.

It gave both men a chance to get reacquainted after a long period of strained relations. The likely upshot of the ranch diplomacy is a more lenient U.S. immigration policy toward Mexicans.

For more on the Latino view of President Bush, we are joined now from Washington by Gabriella Lemus, the policy director of the League of United Latin American Citizens, one of this country's oldest Latino civil rights groups.

Gabriella, thanks for being with us this morning.

GABRIELLA LEMUS, POLICY DIRECTOR, LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS: Thank you.

SAN MIGUEL: I have to ask you what you think about this -- what came out of this mini-summit from Crawford, Texas, the fact that Mexicans visiting the U.S. for less than three days will not have to be fingerprinted or photographed. Is this the kind of thing, the kind of bone that is thrown to Latino voters, that is liable to have an impact?

LEMUS: Well, it's something that's very regional and really particular and unique to the border region.

Because of the way the businesses are set up, many Mexican (ph) owners live on the U.S. side of the border, and they cross over on a daily basis. Or alternatively the kids go to school on either side of the border.

So that's really a local issue. That's not a national issue. SAN MIGUEL: But it could be seen as one of the battleground states that we're talking about like Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California.

LEMUS: Where that issues seems to have the most resonance is really in the El Paso-Quarez (ph) nexus and the Tijuana-San Diego nexus, where you see the most member of these assembly plants on the Mexican side of the border.

Even -- I think even in Arizona it would be less important and then, again, in New Mexico I also don't see it as being so critical.

SAN MIGUEL: You know, I can imagine that your group is very pleased to see both the Bush and Kerry campaigns putting together Spanish language ads.

But isn't there also a fear here of being patronized? Like the idea that if you use Spanish on the campaign trail or in a political ad, you know, that's going to be enough to get the vote?

LEMUS: That's not enough to get the vote. I mean, we're really pleased. It's always nice to be acknowledged and that in your language, your original tongue is looked upon as something valuable and important.

But really what is important to the Hispanic voter are the issues. We're incredibly issues oriented. And it's really critical that, you know, whoever is running for office, at whatever level, state local, national that those people understand that you have got to address the Hispanic community seriously and really look at things like education, health care, the state of the economy.

SAN MIGUEL: And those -- and national security and all of these issues are the same for pretty much any other ethnic group that's out there.

But there is one issue, of course, immigration, that has special significance for the Latino vote. The Bush immigration reform plan so far has received mixed reviews from groups like yours and Labasa (ph).

I'm wondering, is this going to be the deal breaker for Latinos in this country for 2004?

LEMUS: Well, I don't know if it will be the deal breaker, but it's definitely something that has a lot of resonance in the community.

And really. the Bush principles are based primarily, it looks, upon guest workers, allowing workers to come over for a period of three years and renewing their guest worker status for a period of time.

There is still a lot in play. There's -- As they say, the devil is in the details, and there's a lot of information we're missing. He has said that he would like to see an increase in the number of green cards, which is very critical, I think, to the community. But the question is how many and how will the people who are, let's say, in an undocumented status, whether or not they can transition from that guest worker process into one of a green card track.

And you know, the White House has been very clear with us. They look at it as two very different channels of documentation.

SAN MIGUEL: And I want to make it clear, I know that John Kerry has criticized Bush's immigration reform plan, but he hasn't come out with a detailed plan of his yet, have we -- has he?

LEMUS: No, he has not. But the Democratic Party has come out with a set of immigration principles that look at issues like family reunification, legal -- I'm sorry -- mechanisms for legalization, and those kinds of things.

SAN MIGUEL: Got you. We'll have to leave you there. Gabriella Lemus, with LULAC, the policy director of LULAC, thanks so much for your time this morning. We appreciate it.

LEMUS: Thank you.

SAN MIGUEL: Back with more news right after this. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ARENA: We are waiting for another press conference on the Baltimore water taxi that capsized yesterday. The search continues for three missing people. One person has already been confirmed dead.

We're told that we will be hearing from the NTSB chairman for the very latest on that search for those three missing people -- Renay.

SAN MIGUEL: We want to move on to some sports news for you now and a heartbreaker last night, NCAA men's basketball.

Washington State denied No. 1 Stanford an undefeated season, 75- 62 the final score. Many of Stanford's biggest wins have been come from behind last second saves. Just a couple of nights ago there was a last minute three-pointer that won it for Stanford, but last night in Seattle it was not to be.

So Stanford's loss is St. Joseph's gain. The little school outside of Philadelphia is No. 2 in the nation and now the only undefeated men's basketball team.

Steve Overmyer of CNN Sports has more on the soaring Hawks.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEVE OVERMYER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Phil Martelli, the sage of St. Joe's is leading an unknown Hawks team to unforeseeable heights. They are undefeated and have created unimaginable excitement. MARTELLI: It's been exhilarating. It's been humbling. It's been tiring, but for these players in that locker room, it's a once in a lifetime, and I want them to enjoy it.

OVERMYER: Martelli grew up outside Philadelphia making him a lifelong expert on the rough shots that local sports figures must endure, so he's made a habit of making fun of himself.

MARTELLI: Average, sloppy and saint.

That's always been my gripe about the bigger schools. I think they put their coach in a bubble and on a pedestal and then you have to be all the time coach. I want to be Phil Martelli.

MARTELLI: Who are the best Joes?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They are the best Joes, yes, sir.

MARTELLI: I'm sure that all of this isn't happening at Duke and all of this is not happening at Stanford.

OVERMYER: In the wake of Martelli being himself, he has built a team that refuses to be the butt of any jokes.

PAT CARROLL, ST. JOSEPH'S JUNIOR GUARD FORWARD: "I go to St. Joe's."

"Oh, where's St. Joe's at?"

"Philadelphia."

"OK."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have the confidence and we have the ability to think that every time we come on the court, we're going to win no matter who we're facing.

MARTELLI: You can come in here and look around and say they don't have. But I would dare to you find a place that has more passion, that has a better group of players to work with day in and day out. That's what we do have.

OVERMYER: St. Joseph's University has 3,800 students, one of whom flaps his arms for the entirety of every Hawks basketball game.

Before reaching number two in the college basketball polls, it was the ever-flapping mascot that received the most attention, not the unflappable team.

But with the Hawks' highest ranking in school history and senior point guard Jameer Nelson the favorite to win national player of the year, Martelli's magnificent team could get a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and be a favorite to win a national championship.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everyone is coming up dreaming of being number one, and you know, playing for a national championship and cutting down nets.

MARTELLI: I'm supposed to say this to you: "It wouldn't be a big deal." It would be enormous to open up a paper and see your name on that top line. It would be something that I couldn't describe or even fantasize about right now.

OVERMYER: And something no one could have predicted either.

Steve Overmyer, CNN Sports.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(WEATHER REPORT)

SAN MIGUEL: We're going to check our top stories now.

Authorities say they don't expect to find any more survivors of a water taxi accident in Baltimore Harbor. The search resumed this morning for three people still missing. One person is confirmed dead in yesterday's accident. Twenty-one people survived.

We are awaiting a press briefing from the National Transportation Safety Board and the latest into the investigation.

ARENA: And we've been asking you all morning whether 9/11 images should be used in campaign ads. We have some of your e-mails to read.

SAN MIGUEL: And we want to go ahead and start with Michael, who has written in, "If images of the Vietnam War can be used in campaign ads, the images of 9/11 should be fair game, as well. Maybe all such powerful images should be off limits, though, for political campaigns."

ARENA: And Molly in Northville, Michigan, writes: "No one should use September 11. The whole nation worked together. That was not just a Republican issue. It is reprehensible that Bush would use this for himself."

SAN MIGUEL: We want to hear more e-mails from you, so please write in: wam@CNN.com.

ARENA: Inside Iraq's hospitals and the state of Iraqi health care, up next on "WEEKEND HOUSE CALL." Dr. Sanjay Gupta travels back to Baghdad nearly one year after the war started.

At 9:15 a.m. Eastern, is the fight for same-sex marriage a civil rights issue? We'll debate it with two prominent African-American men, speaking out on the issue.

And at 9:45 a.m. Eastern, rumors of a sex scandal plaguing the University of Colorado. Are administrators turning a blind eye on bad behavior by college athletes?

It's all ahead when CNN SUNDAY MORNING continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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





Accident; Bush Makes no Apologies for 9/11 Ads; Will Bush or Kerry Win Latino Vote?>