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American Morning

Iraq Intelligence; Interview With Senator John Vasconcellos, Assemblyman Ray Haynes; Interview With George Foreman

Aired March 10, 2004 - 9:30   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.


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: About half passed the hour, 9:30 now.
Young people are known for low-voter turnout. We talk about that every election cycle. We'll talk with two California lawmakers about a plan there to get young voters interested by give them partial votes. Pretty revolutionary idea from California. We'll talk and see if it has a chance of flying.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Yes. Many people think it doesn't have a chance at all to fly. But we'll discuss that ahead.

Also this morning, some new pages are being written into the George Foreman saga. At 55, he's got another product in the works, and he's also training for another comeback. George foreman will join us right here on AMERICAN MORNING in just a few moments.

HEMMER: He says he sells sincerity. We're going to find out.

Half passed the hour, top stories now.

About 30 minutes from now, formal sentencing set to take place for convicted teen sniper Lee Boyd Malvo. The judge is required to follow a jury's recommendation to sentence Malvo to life in prison without parole.

Malvo was convicted of capital murder in the shooting death of FBI analyst Linda Franklin. She was one of 10 killed during the October 2002 sniper attacks. Malvo has the option of making a statement in the courtroom today. We'll follow that for you.

Israeli and Palestinian leaders expected to meet next week. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his Palestinian counterpart, Ahmad Qurary, had planned to meet before, but talks were delayed due to violence. Israeli sources say the summit has been tentatively set for next Tuesday.

U.S. politics now. In this country, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry getting closer to clinching the Democratic nomination. Senator Kerry won yesterday's primaries in Florida, Texas, Mississippi and the state of Louisiana. He's expected to meet with his former rival Howard Dean today in D.C., and North Carolina Senator John Edwards tomorrow.

President Bush, meanwhile, promoting his economic policies today in Ohio. The state has been one of the hardest hit by job losses. The president set to meet with business leaders and deliver a speech, which is expected to focus on making his tax cuts permanent. CNN will carry that speech live, noon Eastern time today, 9:00 on the West Coast.

Also, a hearing on Capitol Hill this morning looks into the use of steroids by professional athletes. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig scheduled to go before a Senate committee today. Congress wants Major League Baseball and its players union to implement more rigorous drug testing. A story that we're going to hear a lot about for the upcoming baseball season.

You're up to date now, 9:32.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HEMMER: CIA Director George Tenet defending the credibility of the Bush administration's claims before the war in Iraq. Yesterday on Capitol Hill, he answered questions about prewar intelligence before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

David Ensor tracks that story for us today.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Under pointed questioning by Senate Democrats, George Tenet said he does not believe the Bush administration manipulated intelligence to justify the war in Iraq. But he conceded some statements by the vice president and others went beyond what the intelligence showed.

SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: And when you see this intelligence you provide being misrepresented, misstated by the highest authorities, when do you say no? You can't have it both ways, can you, Mr. Tenet?

GEORGE TENET, CIA DIRECTOR: Senator, I can tell you that I am not going to sit here today and tell you what my interaction was and what I did or what I didn't do, except that you have to have the confidence to know that when I believed that somebody was misconstruing intelligence, I said something about it.

ENSOR: Michigan's Carl Levin pressed further, concerning a classified intelligence document on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction compiled by Pentagon officials working for Under Secretary Douglas Feith a document Tenet said went too far and that the CIA convinced the Pentagon to withdraw. "Then why," Levin asked, "did Vice President Cheney recently cite it as the best source of information on the matter?"

TENET: I was unaware that he said that, and I will talk to him about that.

ENSOR: On the Republican side, Pat Roberts of Kansas complained that 14 probes into the use of intelligence are already under way, taking up CIA time answering questions.

SEN. PAT ROBERTS (R), KANSAS: Is there anybody left down at Langley doing their job?

TENET: Sir, I would say that we are spending a lot of time on it. I know it's important. This is a community that believes in oversight.

SEN. WAYNE ALLARD (R), COLORADO: No doubt we're in a political year, presidential election. You can tell that from some of the rhetoric.

ENSOR (on camera): The hearing underscored the sharp divisions on Iraq and intelligence, likely only to deepen in this political year.

David Ensor, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: One other note on the testimony. As for al Qaeda, Tenet says the terrorist group is damaged but not defeated. He says it's still interested in seriously hurting the U.S., particularly inside of national borders here at home -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: A California lawmakers wants to rock the vote in the Golden State. Senator John Vasconcellos has introduced an amendment to the state's constitution that would lower the voting age 14. His proposal would allow 14 and 15-year-olds to cast quarter votes in the state election, and 16 and 17-year-olds would have a half vote.

As you might imagine, not exactly everybody is on board. Joining us this morning to talk a little bit more about the plan is state Senator Vasconcellos.

Nice to see you, sir.

And also, California assemblyman, Ray Haynes.

Nice to see you as well, sir.

Senator, let's begin with you this morning. You were one of four lawmakers, I believe, who proposed this idea in Sacramento on Monday. Why do you think teenagers should have a quarter vote or a half vote?

JOHN VASCONCELLOS, CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE: Well, the American historic basis of our glory is self-determination and people being represented, being part of the system. And it's our belief that younger people today have far more exposure to information and to maturity. And to allow them to come in and vote would probably help them become better prepared and life-long voters, which certainly is not the case with adults today in American society.

O'BRIEN: There are certainly people, though, Senator, who would question whether a 14-year-old has the maturity or even, frankly, the interest to want to cast a vote in a state election.

VASCONCELLOS: Well, if no interest, they probably wouldn't bother. And maturity, I think at least a quarter (UNINTELLIGIBLE) within the legislature.

O'BRIEN: Assemblyman Haynes, explain to me what you think of this proposed amendment.

RAY HAYNES, CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLYMAN: Well, I think it's more a question of judgment. It's not information. I know John has said in the past that they get more information and there's a lot more information available. But in this case, it's more a question of judgment of a 14-year-olds.

There's a reason why we don't let 14-year-olds sign contracts. There's a reason why we don't let them drive cars. There's a reason why we don't let them drink or smoke cigarettes.

It's because it's a question of judgment. Most certainly, there are adults who don't have the judgment, but we do have arbitrary lines where we say, at this point in time, we've determined that you've got the ness judgment. Nobody, I don't think anyone who has thought about it thinks a 14 or 16-year-old has the judgment to discern between what's political truth and what's political charlatanism.

VASCONCELLOS: Well, I believe they do. I'm much more trusting of people in my approach to life and politics than Senator Haynes. I think you have a different sense about whether people are trustworthy basically in the first place. And I'm (UNINTELLIGIBLE) into my deliberations and give them respect.

And in my experience, I've got a 13-year-old granddaughter whose judgment is as good as anybody I know on the Capitol. She's remarkable. Maybe it's unusual, but young people today have a different exposure, different life experience. And I think bringing people inside rather than keeping them outside is a constructive way to build this democracy (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

O'BRIEN: With only 51 percent of the eligible public voting anyway, Assemblyman Haynes, isn't it a good argument to say, let's bring these young people in early and give them opportunities, and maybe we can raise those numbers so by the time they are actually of the official voting age that they might actually be more interested parties in the electoral process?

HAYNES: Well, actually, if you take a look at when they moved the vote, that was one of the arguments for the 18-year-olds, obviously, when it moved. And I know when I turned 18 I started voting right off the bat.

However, if you take a look at where the people who are not turning out to vote are, it's the 18 to 25-year-olds. Only about 20 percent of them vote. They hit 25 and they get up to about 40 percent, and when they hit 50, they are up around 60 or 70 percent.

That's not the issue. Just a second, John. The question in this case is not whether or not they are more likely to vote, it's whether or not they can process the information.

I'll give you one other thing. When I was an 18-year-old, I thought more like John. I got a little bit older, got a little bit more mature, and I started thinking, I'm on the wrong side of things. And I switched from a Democrat to Republican. So that's -- in the end, what you are looking for is a level of maturity and a level of discernment that you are not going to find in a 14-year-old.

O'BRIEN: Well, Assemblyman, it sounds like you've just said to me you think the younger voters that are going to vote Democrat, as they get older, they'll go to the other side, as you did, and vote Republican. Is that what you are trying to tell me?

HAYNES: Well, you know, the old saying is, if you don't have -- if you are not liberal when you're young, you don't have a heart. And if you are not conservative as you get older you, you have no brains. There is a level of that.

I'm only kidding, John.

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: All right. They say the election is going to get ugly. It's starting to get ugly right here.

Senator, I'm going to give you the final word this morning. What do you realistically think are your chances of passing this?

VASCONCELLOS: You know, I'm not a prophet, but I think we've unleashed a roll across the state and across the nation and across the world. People are hungry to take part in what decisions affect their lives. This will have come to pass sooner or later. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the day when people can have a full-fledged say and be prepared to vote well and for life here in the state and all over the rest of the world.

O'BRIEN: Senator Vasconcellos, and also Assemblyman Ron -- Ray Haynes -- sorry about that -- thank you, both of you, very much for being with us. We certainly appreciate it -- Bill.

HEMMER: And then there is this, Soledad. A Georgia woman tried to use her millions to buy $1,600 dollars worth of stuff at Wal-Mart. One small slight problem. Her millions were in the form of three $1 million bills.

U.S. Treasury has made bills as high as $100,000 before, but it's been 35 years since it made a bill worth more than $100. After the woman insisted on using the $1 million fake, Wal-Mart called police, of course, and she was jailed on forgery charges.

O'BRIEN: She didn't say, wait a minute I've got a check I can give you?

HEMMER: That would have been cute, too. They weren't buying it.

O'BRIEN: That is the weird story of the day, I believe that's fair to say.

Still to come this morning, remember the good old days? Today is the anniversary of a landmark event on Wall Street. Andy Serwer has a look back on that.

HEMMER: The mighty have fallen.

Plus, he already has a successful career at the age of 55. George Foreman says he's ready to box again. Is that so? We'll ask him ahead here live on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: All right. Say the name George Foreman and you might think king of the grill. But not long before he became famous for knocking the fat out of food, the pitchman packed a thunderous punch.

Now, the two-time former heavyweight champ might be planning a comeback. A return to the ring. George Foreman is our guest here on AMERICAN MORNING.

Great to see you.

GEORGE FOREMAN, FMR. HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION: Good to be here with you.

HEMMER: Well listen, it's great to see you. First things first. I have a long list of things I want to get to.

FOREMAN: Oh, come on with it.

HEMMER: OK. You want to box again?

FOREMAN: You know what? I need an adventure. I'm not going to spend the rest of my life watching Dow Jones go up and down.

HEMMER: You're 55 years young, though.

FOREMAN: You know, and that's what's happening to the whole country. Too many 55, 65, 75-year-old people are retiring, living in condominiums. We should be out there conquering. I need an adventure.

HEMMER: What kind of shape are you in?

FOREMAN: I'm in the best of shape. I get on that treadmill for like four or five hours, 10 miles of roadwork, hit on the punching bag, skip rope, punch the heavy bag. I'm in good shape.

HEMMER: Is it true that Don King tried to lure you out of retirement to celebrate 30 years and the rumble in the jungle, 1974...

FOREMAN: No. I said I was coming out of retirement, and Don King, wisely enough, tried to jump on the bandwagon. He offered me $20 million for my first boxing match. I think which was really nice of him.

HEMMER: You know, I tell you what, I have yet to meet a boxer who didn't know a good publicity campaign when he saw one. Is it about cash? Is this about PR? What is it? FOREMAN: It's about an adventure. I mean, I need to be the standard bearer for people who are 70, 80 even. We've just got to stop fading out away. We stop because we want to.

HEMMER: I don't see you fading away.

FOREMAN: Yes, but I've got to get on the scene. I'm an athlete. People walk up to me right now, kids, and say -- the parents show them, that's the heavyweight champion of the world, an Olympic gold medalist. The kid says, "No, that's the cooking man."

I want to show that I'm...

HEMMER: That bothers you, doesn't it?

FOREMAN: No, it doesn't bother me. I'm happy about it.

HEMMER: Yes it does.

FOREMAN: But a generation needs to know what a real heavyweight champion is all about.

HEMMER: Well, you are one of a kind. Is it true that you made more money in endorsements than boxing by three times?

FOREMAN: I've made three times as much money doing endorsements. But it's been a pleasure. I never sell anything that I'm not sold on myself.

HEMMER: You know, you once said, "People trust me. I sell sincerity."

FOREMAN: That's what I do.

HEMMER: You sell a lot of things.

FOREMAN: I let them see sincerity. These clothes I've got on, Casual Male. Hey, I'm wearing them. And don't they look nice?

HEMMER: They look really nice. Actually, that's what brings you here. Go ahead and put in a plug. What are you doing for Casual Male?

FOREMAN: But the idea there's a lot of mothers going out trying to find clothes for teenagers, big, tall guys who are going to be football players, NBA players, they don't have clothes to wear. I'm going to show them the George Foreman line of nice, comfortable clothing.

HEMMER: Let's show on the screen here some of the things you've put out there over the years. CDs, cookbooks, sausage, and of course the grill.

FOREMAN: Yes. Chicken sausage, of course.

HEMMER: I use a Webber grill, by the way. FOREMAN: Uh-oh. We're gong to have to knock you out after the show.

HEMMER: You're going to hold that against me?

FOREMAN: You know that grill, the George Foreman Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine is phenomenal. It's slanted. The grease goes away from your food. It helps you knock the fat out of your diet.

HEMMER: Can I ask you a quick question here?

FOREMAN: Sure.

HEMMER: I saw this documentary "When We Were Kings." Loved it, actually. You've seen it yourself.

FOREMAN: Yes. I call it "When I was a Fool."

HEMMER: When you were a fool? Because Ali went into the...

FOREMAN: Yes. And I'm the dope from the rope a dope. I'm the dope.

HEMMER: Why do you say that now?

FOREMAN: Because he tricked me. I thought I had him knocked out. I was certain I had him knocked out.

And I beat him until about the seventh round. And I hit him in the side. And he leaned on me. I thought, I got him.

He said, "That all you got, George?" That was a scary moment.

HEMMER: Is that right?

FOREMAN: That was all I had, by the way.

HEMMER: So in the eighth round is when he came back?

FOREMAN: Yes, he knocked me out in the eighth round.

HEMMER: Were you tired?

FOREMAN: I was tired. Not only tired, but I had been assisted with this right-hand punch so quick, the quickest punch I've ever been hit with by a heavyweight.

HEMMER: At the end of the first round, he went back to his corner and he said, "I've never been punched that hard in my life."

FOREMAN: And I wish he had sat on the stool and just let it slide like that. But this man had more determination than anyone I'd ever faced in my career. I had, at that point, about 36 knockouts. No one had even gone, five, six rounds with me.

He stood the test. He just stayed there. What a man.

HEMMER: Great to talk to you.

FOREMAN: Thank you.

HEMMER: Good luck to you, George Foreman. Keep plugging away. And I know you will.

FOREMAN: I'm coming back. Coming back.

HEMMER: Here's Soledad now.

O'BRIEN: Hey. I love it. I've got to tell you, get rid of your Webber. I love the grill, too. It's awesome, George.

All right. Here's Aaron Brown with a preview of what's coming up tonight on "NEWSNIGHT."

AARON BROWN, CNN "NEWSNIGHT": Tonight on "NEWSNIGHT," for 25 years, actor Jeff Bridges has carried a camera to work. What began as a hobby is now a book.

We'll take a behind-the-scenes look at life on a movie set in still photos. That, and all the day's top stories, morning papers and all the rest that makes "NEWSNIGHT" "NEWSNIGHT." CNN tonight, 10:00 p.m. Eastern.

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, remember when the Nasdaq hit 5,000 a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away? A look at that is up next on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

HEMMER: Hey, we've got to run. See you tomorrow morning on Thursday. Thanks for making us a part of your day. Jack, Soledad, we're out of here.

Thank you, buddy.

(CROSSTALK)

HEMMER: Yes it is.





Vasconcellos, Assemblyman Ray Haynes; Interview With George Foreman>


Aired March 10, 2004 - 9:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: About half passed the hour, 9:30 now.
Young people are known for low-voter turnout. We talk about that every election cycle. We'll talk with two California lawmakers about a plan there to get young voters interested by give them partial votes. Pretty revolutionary idea from California. We'll talk and see if it has a chance of flying.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Yes. Many people think it doesn't have a chance at all to fly. But we'll discuss that ahead.

Also this morning, some new pages are being written into the George Foreman saga. At 55, he's got another product in the works, and he's also training for another comeback. George foreman will join us right here on AMERICAN MORNING in just a few moments.

HEMMER: He says he sells sincerity. We're going to find out.

Half passed the hour, top stories now.

About 30 minutes from now, formal sentencing set to take place for convicted teen sniper Lee Boyd Malvo. The judge is required to follow a jury's recommendation to sentence Malvo to life in prison without parole.

Malvo was convicted of capital murder in the shooting death of FBI analyst Linda Franklin. She was one of 10 killed during the October 2002 sniper attacks. Malvo has the option of making a statement in the courtroom today. We'll follow that for you.

Israeli and Palestinian leaders expected to meet next week. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his Palestinian counterpart, Ahmad Qurary, had planned to meet before, but talks were delayed due to violence. Israeli sources say the summit has been tentatively set for next Tuesday.

U.S. politics now. In this country, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry getting closer to clinching the Democratic nomination. Senator Kerry won yesterday's primaries in Florida, Texas, Mississippi and the state of Louisiana. He's expected to meet with his former rival Howard Dean today in D.C., and North Carolina Senator John Edwards tomorrow.

President Bush, meanwhile, promoting his economic policies today in Ohio. The state has been one of the hardest hit by job losses. The president set to meet with business leaders and deliver a speech, which is expected to focus on making his tax cuts permanent. CNN will carry that speech live, noon Eastern time today, 9:00 on the West Coast.

Also, a hearing on Capitol Hill this morning looks into the use of steroids by professional athletes. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig scheduled to go before a Senate committee today. Congress wants Major League Baseball and its players union to implement more rigorous drug testing. A story that we're going to hear a lot about for the upcoming baseball season.

You're up to date now, 9:32.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HEMMER: CIA Director George Tenet defending the credibility of the Bush administration's claims before the war in Iraq. Yesterday on Capitol Hill, he answered questions about prewar intelligence before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

David Ensor tracks that story for us today.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Under pointed questioning by Senate Democrats, George Tenet said he does not believe the Bush administration manipulated intelligence to justify the war in Iraq. But he conceded some statements by the vice president and others went beyond what the intelligence showed.

SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: And when you see this intelligence you provide being misrepresented, misstated by the highest authorities, when do you say no? You can't have it both ways, can you, Mr. Tenet?

GEORGE TENET, CIA DIRECTOR: Senator, I can tell you that I am not going to sit here today and tell you what my interaction was and what I did or what I didn't do, except that you have to have the confidence to know that when I believed that somebody was misconstruing intelligence, I said something about it.

ENSOR: Michigan's Carl Levin pressed further, concerning a classified intelligence document on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction compiled by Pentagon officials working for Under Secretary Douglas Feith a document Tenet said went too far and that the CIA convinced the Pentagon to withdraw. "Then why," Levin asked, "did Vice President Cheney recently cite it as the best source of information on the matter?"

TENET: I was unaware that he said that, and I will talk to him about that.

ENSOR: On the Republican side, Pat Roberts of Kansas complained that 14 probes into the use of intelligence are already under way, taking up CIA time answering questions.

SEN. PAT ROBERTS (R), KANSAS: Is there anybody left down at Langley doing their job?

TENET: Sir, I would say that we are spending a lot of time on it. I know it's important. This is a community that believes in oversight.

SEN. WAYNE ALLARD (R), COLORADO: No doubt we're in a political year, presidential election. You can tell that from some of the rhetoric.

ENSOR (on camera): The hearing underscored the sharp divisions on Iraq and intelligence, likely only to deepen in this political year.

David Ensor, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: One other note on the testimony. As for al Qaeda, Tenet says the terrorist group is damaged but not defeated. He says it's still interested in seriously hurting the U.S., particularly inside of national borders here at home -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: A California lawmakers wants to rock the vote in the Golden State. Senator John Vasconcellos has introduced an amendment to the state's constitution that would lower the voting age 14. His proposal would allow 14 and 15-year-olds to cast quarter votes in the state election, and 16 and 17-year-olds would have a half vote.

As you might imagine, not exactly everybody is on board. Joining us this morning to talk a little bit more about the plan is state Senator Vasconcellos.

Nice to see you, sir.

And also, California assemblyman, Ray Haynes.

Nice to see you as well, sir.

Senator, let's begin with you this morning. You were one of four lawmakers, I believe, who proposed this idea in Sacramento on Monday. Why do you think teenagers should have a quarter vote or a half vote?

JOHN VASCONCELLOS, CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE: Well, the American historic basis of our glory is self-determination and people being represented, being part of the system. And it's our belief that younger people today have far more exposure to information and to maturity. And to allow them to come in and vote would probably help them become better prepared and life-long voters, which certainly is not the case with adults today in American society.

O'BRIEN: There are certainly people, though, Senator, who would question whether a 14-year-old has the maturity or even, frankly, the interest to want to cast a vote in a state election.

VASCONCELLOS: Well, if no interest, they probably wouldn't bother. And maturity, I think at least a quarter (UNINTELLIGIBLE) within the legislature.

O'BRIEN: Assemblyman Haynes, explain to me what you think of this proposed amendment.

RAY HAYNES, CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLYMAN: Well, I think it's more a question of judgment. It's not information. I know John has said in the past that they get more information and there's a lot more information available. But in this case, it's more a question of judgment of a 14-year-olds.

There's a reason why we don't let 14-year-olds sign contracts. There's a reason why we don't let them drive cars. There's a reason why we don't let them drink or smoke cigarettes.

It's because it's a question of judgment. Most certainly, there are adults who don't have the judgment, but we do have arbitrary lines where we say, at this point in time, we've determined that you've got the ness judgment. Nobody, I don't think anyone who has thought about it thinks a 14 or 16-year-old has the judgment to discern between what's political truth and what's political charlatanism.

VASCONCELLOS: Well, I believe they do. I'm much more trusting of people in my approach to life and politics than Senator Haynes. I think you have a different sense about whether people are trustworthy basically in the first place. And I'm (UNINTELLIGIBLE) into my deliberations and give them respect.

And in my experience, I've got a 13-year-old granddaughter whose judgment is as good as anybody I know on the Capitol. She's remarkable. Maybe it's unusual, but young people today have a different exposure, different life experience. And I think bringing people inside rather than keeping them outside is a constructive way to build this democracy (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

O'BRIEN: With only 51 percent of the eligible public voting anyway, Assemblyman Haynes, isn't it a good argument to say, let's bring these young people in early and give them opportunities, and maybe we can raise those numbers so by the time they are actually of the official voting age that they might actually be more interested parties in the electoral process?

HAYNES: Well, actually, if you take a look at when they moved the vote, that was one of the arguments for the 18-year-olds, obviously, when it moved. And I know when I turned 18 I started voting right off the bat.

However, if you take a look at where the people who are not turning out to vote are, it's the 18 to 25-year-olds. Only about 20 percent of them vote. They hit 25 and they get up to about 40 percent, and when they hit 50, they are up around 60 or 70 percent.

That's not the issue. Just a second, John. The question in this case is not whether or not they are more likely to vote, it's whether or not they can process the information.

I'll give you one other thing. When I was an 18-year-old, I thought more like John. I got a little bit older, got a little bit more mature, and I started thinking, I'm on the wrong side of things. And I switched from a Democrat to Republican. So that's -- in the end, what you are looking for is a level of maturity and a level of discernment that you are not going to find in a 14-year-old.

O'BRIEN: Well, Assemblyman, it sounds like you've just said to me you think the younger voters that are going to vote Democrat, as they get older, they'll go to the other side, as you did, and vote Republican. Is that what you are trying to tell me?

HAYNES: Well, you know, the old saying is, if you don't have -- if you are not liberal when you're young, you don't have a heart. And if you are not conservative as you get older you, you have no brains. There is a level of that.

I'm only kidding, John.

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: All right. They say the election is going to get ugly. It's starting to get ugly right here.

Senator, I'm going to give you the final word this morning. What do you realistically think are your chances of passing this?

VASCONCELLOS: You know, I'm not a prophet, but I think we've unleashed a roll across the state and across the nation and across the world. People are hungry to take part in what decisions affect their lives. This will have come to pass sooner or later. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the day when people can have a full-fledged say and be prepared to vote well and for life here in the state and all over the rest of the world.

O'BRIEN: Senator Vasconcellos, and also Assemblyman Ron -- Ray Haynes -- sorry about that -- thank you, both of you, very much for being with us. We certainly appreciate it -- Bill.

HEMMER: And then there is this, Soledad. A Georgia woman tried to use her millions to buy $1,600 dollars worth of stuff at Wal-Mart. One small slight problem. Her millions were in the form of three $1 million bills.

U.S. Treasury has made bills as high as $100,000 before, but it's been 35 years since it made a bill worth more than $100. After the woman insisted on using the $1 million fake, Wal-Mart called police, of course, and she was jailed on forgery charges.

O'BRIEN: She didn't say, wait a minute I've got a check I can give you?

HEMMER: That would have been cute, too. They weren't buying it.

O'BRIEN: That is the weird story of the day, I believe that's fair to say.

Still to come this morning, remember the good old days? Today is the anniversary of a landmark event on Wall Street. Andy Serwer has a look back on that.

HEMMER: The mighty have fallen.

Plus, he already has a successful career at the age of 55. George Foreman says he's ready to box again. Is that so? We'll ask him ahead here live on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: All right. Say the name George Foreman and you might think king of the grill. But not long before he became famous for knocking the fat out of food, the pitchman packed a thunderous punch.

Now, the two-time former heavyweight champ might be planning a comeback. A return to the ring. George Foreman is our guest here on AMERICAN MORNING.

Great to see you.

GEORGE FOREMAN, FMR. HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION: Good to be here with you.

HEMMER: Well listen, it's great to see you. First things first. I have a long list of things I want to get to.

FOREMAN: Oh, come on with it.

HEMMER: OK. You want to box again?

FOREMAN: You know what? I need an adventure. I'm not going to spend the rest of my life watching Dow Jones go up and down.

HEMMER: You're 55 years young, though.

FOREMAN: You know, and that's what's happening to the whole country. Too many 55, 65, 75-year-old people are retiring, living in condominiums. We should be out there conquering. I need an adventure.

HEMMER: What kind of shape are you in?

FOREMAN: I'm in the best of shape. I get on that treadmill for like four or five hours, 10 miles of roadwork, hit on the punching bag, skip rope, punch the heavy bag. I'm in good shape.

HEMMER: Is it true that Don King tried to lure you out of retirement to celebrate 30 years and the rumble in the jungle, 1974...

FOREMAN: No. I said I was coming out of retirement, and Don King, wisely enough, tried to jump on the bandwagon. He offered me $20 million for my first boxing match. I think which was really nice of him.

HEMMER: You know, I tell you what, I have yet to meet a boxer who didn't know a good publicity campaign when he saw one. Is it about cash? Is this about PR? What is it? FOREMAN: It's about an adventure. I mean, I need to be the standard bearer for people who are 70, 80 even. We've just got to stop fading out away. We stop because we want to.

HEMMER: I don't see you fading away.

FOREMAN: Yes, but I've got to get on the scene. I'm an athlete. People walk up to me right now, kids, and say -- the parents show them, that's the heavyweight champion of the world, an Olympic gold medalist. The kid says, "No, that's the cooking man."

I want to show that I'm...

HEMMER: That bothers you, doesn't it?

FOREMAN: No, it doesn't bother me. I'm happy about it.

HEMMER: Yes it does.

FOREMAN: But a generation needs to know what a real heavyweight champion is all about.

HEMMER: Well, you are one of a kind. Is it true that you made more money in endorsements than boxing by three times?

FOREMAN: I've made three times as much money doing endorsements. But it's been a pleasure. I never sell anything that I'm not sold on myself.

HEMMER: You know, you once said, "People trust me. I sell sincerity."

FOREMAN: That's what I do.

HEMMER: You sell a lot of things.

FOREMAN: I let them see sincerity. These clothes I've got on, Casual Male. Hey, I'm wearing them. And don't they look nice?

HEMMER: They look really nice. Actually, that's what brings you here. Go ahead and put in a plug. What are you doing for Casual Male?

FOREMAN: But the idea there's a lot of mothers going out trying to find clothes for teenagers, big, tall guys who are going to be football players, NBA players, they don't have clothes to wear. I'm going to show them the George Foreman line of nice, comfortable clothing.

HEMMER: Let's show on the screen here some of the things you've put out there over the years. CDs, cookbooks, sausage, and of course the grill.

FOREMAN: Yes. Chicken sausage, of course.

HEMMER: I use a Webber grill, by the way. FOREMAN: Uh-oh. We're gong to have to knock you out after the show.

HEMMER: You're going to hold that against me?

FOREMAN: You know that grill, the George Foreman Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine is phenomenal. It's slanted. The grease goes away from your food. It helps you knock the fat out of your diet.

HEMMER: Can I ask you a quick question here?

FOREMAN: Sure.

HEMMER: I saw this documentary "When We Were Kings." Loved it, actually. You've seen it yourself.

FOREMAN: Yes. I call it "When I was a Fool."

HEMMER: When you were a fool? Because Ali went into the...

FOREMAN: Yes. And I'm the dope from the rope a dope. I'm the dope.

HEMMER: Why do you say that now?

FOREMAN: Because he tricked me. I thought I had him knocked out. I was certain I had him knocked out.

And I beat him until about the seventh round. And I hit him in the side. And he leaned on me. I thought, I got him.

He said, "That all you got, George?" That was a scary moment.

HEMMER: Is that right?

FOREMAN: That was all I had, by the way.

HEMMER: So in the eighth round is when he came back?

FOREMAN: Yes, he knocked me out in the eighth round.

HEMMER: Were you tired?

FOREMAN: I was tired. Not only tired, but I had been assisted with this right-hand punch so quick, the quickest punch I've ever been hit with by a heavyweight.

HEMMER: At the end of the first round, he went back to his corner and he said, "I've never been punched that hard in my life."

FOREMAN: And I wish he had sat on the stool and just let it slide like that. But this man had more determination than anyone I'd ever faced in my career. I had, at that point, about 36 knockouts. No one had even gone, five, six rounds with me.

He stood the test. He just stayed there. What a man.

HEMMER: Great to talk to you.

FOREMAN: Thank you.

HEMMER: Good luck to you, George Foreman. Keep plugging away. And I know you will.

FOREMAN: I'm coming back. Coming back.

HEMMER: Here's Soledad now.

O'BRIEN: Hey. I love it. I've got to tell you, get rid of your Webber. I love the grill, too. It's awesome, George.

All right. Here's Aaron Brown with a preview of what's coming up tonight on "NEWSNIGHT."

AARON BROWN, CNN "NEWSNIGHT": Tonight on "NEWSNIGHT," for 25 years, actor Jeff Bridges has carried a camera to work. What began as a hobby is now a book.

We'll take a behind-the-scenes look at life on a movie set in still photos. That, and all the day's top stories, morning papers and all the rest that makes "NEWSNIGHT" "NEWSNIGHT." CNN tonight, 10:00 p.m. Eastern.

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, remember when the Nasdaq hit 5,000 a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away? A look at that is up next on AMERICAN MORNING.

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HEMMER: Hey, we've got to run. See you tomorrow morning on Thursday. Thanks for making us a part of your day. Jack, Soledad, we're out of here.

Thank you, buddy.

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HEMMER: Yes it is.





Vasconcellos, Assemblyman Ray Haynes; Interview With George Foreman>