Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Senator John Kerry Clarifies Comments; 'Daily Dose'

Aired March 11, 2004 - 11:30   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.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Dish viewers have CBS, MTV and Comedy Central back this morning. Echostar had dropped the Viacom channels Tuesday in a dispute over fees. Outrage from customers prompted the two companies to come to an agreement.
And authorities in British Columbia say that meat from a pig farm may be contaminated with human tissue. The farm was a site of more than a dozen murders. The owner is charged in the crimes, saying they processed meat for friend and acquaintances. None of the pork was sold at any retail outlets.

In politics, Senator John Kerry clarifying a few comments that he made yesterday, and he has crossed a key threshold en route to the Democratic presidential nomination.

Candy Crowley has all the details. She is sitting in for Judy Woodruff today in Washington.

Candy, good morning.

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was all a matter of time, and it looks like Senator Kerry's time has come. Based on his string of primary victories and an updated survey of party superdelegates, CNN has determined that John Kerry has collected enough delegates to claim the Democratic nomination. By our count, Kerry has 2,162. That's the exact number needed to clinch the nomination. He will continue adding to his total, of course, all the way to the party's convention.

This is a busy day for Senator Kerry on Capitol Hill. In one of a series of meetings focusing on campaign strategy. Kerry spoke privately with members of the Congressional Black Caucus this morning. He was also meeting with Hispanic lawmakers. And this afternoon, Kerry is scheduled to meet with formal rival, Senator John Edwards. Edwards is hosting a thank you event for his 100 biggest donors, and is expected to ask them to support Kerry.

Senator Kerry is clarifying some comments he made yesterday. First we want to play you the tape of what the senator said to a union worker after a speech in Chicago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Keep smiling.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Oh, yes, don't worry, man. Thank you. We're going to keep pounding, let me tell you. We're just beginning to fight here. These guys are the most crooked, you know, lying group of people I've ever seen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CROWLEY: Asked this morning if he regrets the comments, Senator Kerry replied -- quote -- "I didn't say it about the Republicans. I said it about attack dogs." No surprise that explanation is not good enough for Bush-Cheney campaign chairman Marc Racicot, who said Senator Kerry's statement was unbecoming of a candidate for the presidency of the United States. Racicot wants Kerry to apologize. We may hear more from Senator Kerry this afternoon when he's expected to go before cameras at 1:45 p.m. Eastern. CNN plans live coverage.

Sleepovers at the White House. Who made this administration's invite list? We'll take a look this afternoon and see how it compares to President Clinton's famous list. Plus, President Bush pays a visit to New York to attend the groundbreaking for a 9/11 memorial. Campaign officials defend the trip, but some are accusing the president of capitalizing on the tragedy for political gain. We'll hear from both sides when I go "INSIDE POLITICS" at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.

But right now, we want to go back to Daryn in Atlanta -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Thank you for all of that.

A group running attack ads against President Bush says it's not breaking the law. The Bush campaign says the ads by the Media Fund are illegal because they use soft money and mention the president by name. And Republican lawmakers and the director of the Media Fund Talked about the ad war on CNN's AMERICAN MORNING.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HAROLD ICKES, THE MEDIA FUND DIR.: We think that there's no basis involved for the FEC, the Federal Elections Commission, to restrict what we're doing. And if they do, we'll go into court and challenge it on the grounds that they have no basis involved for making any changes. The Congress had the full chance to debate this. We were doing this prior to the law, the enactment of the new law. They made no change in Congress with respect to the activities we're doing, and we're permitted to do it now.

REP. DAVID DREIER (R), CALIF.: What they're doing is they are going around the entire intent of the law. You know, I'm not an expert on the campaign law when it comes to this, but I know this. I know that those great proponents of greater disclosure, getting money out of politics, trying to diminish the kinds of attack ads we've seen, those are part of the goals behind campaign finance reform.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Another group with Democratic ties, called moveon, is also running anti-Bush ads. And the Bush campaign has itself launched a major ad blitz.

There is new hope for women in the fight against breast cancer, and it comes in a bottle. That story up next in your "Daily Dose" of health news.

And walking tall, how getting your feet moving can help you kickstart your weight loss.

First, though, today's best place for a summer vacation.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARION ASNES, SR. EDITOR, "MONEY": "Money" magazine chose Boston as one of its top vacation picks for this summer because airfares to Boston are lower than ever, because of discount air travel. And what better place to spend July 4th than in the birthplace of the American Revolution? On the Charles River, you can take a tour of Old Ironsides, America's first commissioned warship, dating back to 1797, formally known as the USS Constitution. and it actually does ride in the harbor once each summer. If you're lucky, you might be able to ride along.

Boston, of course, is the home of great seafood. Make sure you get some while you're there. And take a trip out on Cape Cod. Go to the beach, and have some fantastic New England clam chowder.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Still ahead, we're going under the sea. You'll meet one of the illustrators behind "Finding Nemo" and see how he and other artists are bringing the ocean to life.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Health news today about the fight against breast cancer. Researchers say a newer drug may be even more effective than Tamoxifen in preventing a recurrence of the disease. The study focused on women whose tumors were caught early and removed. Those who took Tamoxifen and then switched to the newer drug were only one-third less likely to suffer a recurrence.

Walking is one of the best ways to lose weight and get in shape, and "Prevention" magazine is offering a walk smart guide to get you up and moving. Amy O'Connor is back with us from "Prevention" magazine, and she's joining us once again from Washington.

Amy, good morning.

AMY O'CONNOR, "PREVENTION": Nice to be here.

KAGAN: You have your tips, not just to walk but how you're going to do it and do it smartly. Your first one, broadcast your goals.

O'CONNOR: Right, this is a great one. If you are starting a walking regime, it's a great idea to tell everyone around you what you're doing so you get reinforcement and support.

Tell your sister, tell your friends, even tell you boss. You know what? I'm going to be in half hour late, three times a week because I'm starting to walk and I'm going to get healthier. They tend to understand.

KAGAN: Hopefully they'll understand not to tell you to walk out the door if you are late for work. Create a backup plan.

O'CONNOR: People think, if I don't do my full walking regimen, just forget it, I shouldn't do anything. A better idea is to come up with a couple of different plans. One if you only have 10 minutes, one if you have 15 minutes, one if you 30 minutes, one if you have an hour. That way you get exercise every day.

KAGAN: Get something in. What about seeking out happy trails?

O'CONNOR: Studies show people who exercise in nature, green areas actually burn more calories, get a more efficient workout. So look for walking trails in parks or botanical gardens, along a winter front. You might get more out of your workout.

KAGAN: Forget about the main boulevard with all the bus exhaust fumes.

(CROSSTALK)

KAGAN: If you do do this, it seems like a simple small step, and that's what the secretary of health, Tommy Thompson's been pushing all week, take the small steps. What is this going to get you in terms of health benefits?

O'CONNOR: Tremendous health benefits. Walking is the best real positive step you can take against obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure. Actually, Friday, April 2, is national walk to work day. A lot of people are going to be walking to work. Some walking at work. A great way to start a walking regimen.

KAGAN: Amy O'Connor, good to see you again.

And for your "Daily Dose" you can log on to our Web site. You'll find the latest medical news. There's also head to toe health information from CNN and the Mayo Clinic. The address is cnn.com/health.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Land lubbers ahoy. America's premiere illustrators are showing their maritime drawings at Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut this weekend. Our guest is one of those artists. You might not know his face, but I bet you have seen his work.

Peter de Seve's drawings have appeared in "The Atlantic Monthly" and "The New Yorker." And he also worked on films such "Finding Nemo," "Mulan," "A Bug's Life." He joins us from New York this morning.

Peter, good morning.

PETER DE SEVE, ILLUSTRATOR: Good morning. How are you? KAGAN: I'm doing great. Tell me about all these artists coming together, whose work we will recognize from all different places and focusing on sea life, and putting together this exhibit.

DE SEVE: Well, it's -- the show is appearing at the Mystic Seaport Museum. It's a collection of about 40 different illustrators with widely varied points of view, techniques, very different imagery.

KAGAN: What will we see of your work?

DE SEVE: Of my work? There's two pieces. One is a portrait, a Rogue's Gallery of pirates that like most of my work has a humorous quality.

The other is cover of a novel called "The Suitor Kin" which is sort of a fable about a woman from Botney Bay (ph), 19th century who claims to have given birth to a baby seal.

It's sort of an odd picture, and little more serious than I usually get. But great to be able to do both.

KAGAN: Speaking of your usual humor and going under the sea, you worked on "Finding Nemo."

DE SEVE: I did.

KAGAN: Tell us what you did on that for that Academy Award winning movie.

DE SEVE: It's a great movie. I was -- I wish I could take credit for all the character design in that movie. But as is the case with a lot of films I've worked on, I was one of about a handful of designers who threw in designs for the character and the process is kind of a melting pot process.

KAGAN: What do you think it is about "Nemo" that worked?

DE SEVE: What is it -- well, it's beautifully done. There isn't a frame, a second in the film that isn't considered and that isn't well considered. It's a gorgeous movie.

KAGAN: Also, it's an interesting time in animation, in the evolution of animation. You have this big split between Pixar and Disney, as they break up, and see where they go in each different direction. You have 2-D animation that some people think is thing of the past and the computer coming in. What do you think is the future of animation? What kind of animated movies will we be watching in the future?

DE SEVE: I think near future is clearly 3-D animation. You know, the things you see from Pixar and Blue Sky Studios, which did "Ice Age."

But I'm -- you know, I'm here to predict that 2-D is not dead. It's a fabulous medium that is only taking a nap. I'm sure that some small upstart studio is going to come up with a beautiful 2-D film and the bigger studios are going to say, hey, 2-D, that's a good idea.

KAGAN: What could you do with 2-D you couldn't do with 3-D?

DE SEVE: Well, 2-D, it's just a different look; 3-D is almost like animated sculptures. You know, it has a virtual 3-D effect whereas 2-D is about drawing and thousands of drawings of the characters and the back grounds.

They're different and they're not mutually exclusive.

KAGAN: All right, a lot of animation fans out there. This particular exhibit, the Maritime Gallery in Connecticut -- remind us again where it is, the gallery.

DE SEVE: I'm sorry, I can't...

KAGAN: The exhibit that we were talking about, remind us again where people can see all these ocean-themed drawing and the collections of art.

DE SEVE: I couldn't hear the question, I'm sorry. The audio...

KAGAN: We'll get the information.

DE SEVE: Oh, I'm so sorry.

KAGAN: That's OK, that's OK. Mystic Seaport in Connecticut is where the exhibit is. Kind of a bug's life for us here at CNN Peter De Seve, an illustrator joining us there. Drawing the picture on Wall Street for us.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Orelon, I'm going to have to jump in here. Sorry to interrupt. But we have some tape that was just shot at the White House. President Bush leaving for a trip to New York City today, stopping to talk with reporters.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: ... the king of Spain, Jose Maria Aznar as well, about our country's deepest sympathies toward those who lost their life as a result of terrorist bombings in Spain. I told him we weep with the families. We stand strong with the people of Spain. I appreciate so very much the Spanish government's fight against terror, their resolute stand against terrorist organizations like the ETA. The United States stands with them. Today, we ask god's blessings on those who suffer in the great country of Spain.

Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Making some very brief remarks there. He is headed to Marine One and then on to New York State for later today. But of course, he's commenting on the bombing earlier today in Madrid, Spain, a series of bombings, killing at least 173 people and wounding over 600 others. The terrorist group, the Basque separatist terrorist group known as ETA, the Spanish government believes is responsible for those attacks. More on that just ahead at the top of the hour.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: I'm Daryn Kagan. That's going to do it for us here, at least here this morning. I will see you tomorrow morning right back here. For now, Wolf Blitzer takes over from Washington D.C.

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







Aired March 11, 2004 - 11:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Dish viewers have CBS, MTV and Comedy Central back this morning. Echostar had dropped the Viacom channels Tuesday in a dispute over fees. Outrage from customers prompted the two companies to come to an agreement.
And authorities in British Columbia say that meat from a pig farm may be contaminated with human tissue. The farm was a site of more than a dozen murders. The owner is charged in the crimes, saying they processed meat for friend and acquaintances. None of the pork was sold at any retail outlets.

In politics, Senator John Kerry clarifying a few comments that he made yesterday, and he has crossed a key threshold en route to the Democratic presidential nomination.

Candy Crowley has all the details. She is sitting in for Judy Woodruff today in Washington.

Candy, good morning.

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was all a matter of time, and it looks like Senator Kerry's time has come. Based on his string of primary victories and an updated survey of party superdelegates, CNN has determined that John Kerry has collected enough delegates to claim the Democratic nomination. By our count, Kerry has 2,162. That's the exact number needed to clinch the nomination. He will continue adding to his total, of course, all the way to the party's convention.

This is a busy day for Senator Kerry on Capitol Hill. In one of a series of meetings focusing on campaign strategy. Kerry spoke privately with members of the Congressional Black Caucus this morning. He was also meeting with Hispanic lawmakers. And this afternoon, Kerry is scheduled to meet with formal rival, Senator John Edwards. Edwards is hosting a thank you event for his 100 biggest donors, and is expected to ask them to support Kerry.

Senator Kerry is clarifying some comments he made yesterday. First we want to play you the tape of what the senator said to a union worker after a speech in Chicago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Keep smiling.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Oh, yes, don't worry, man. Thank you. We're going to keep pounding, let me tell you. We're just beginning to fight here. These guys are the most crooked, you know, lying group of people I've ever seen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CROWLEY: Asked this morning if he regrets the comments, Senator Kerry replied -- quote -- "I didn't say it about the Republicans. I said it about attack dogs." No surprise that explanation is not good enough for Bush-Cheney campaign chairman Marc Racicot, who said Senator Kerry's statement was unbecoming of a candidate for the presidency of the United States. Racicot wants Kerry to apologize. We may hear more from Senator Kerry this afternoon when he's expected to go before cameras at 1:45 p.m. Eastern. CNN plans live coverage.

Sleepovers at the White House. Who made this administration's invite list? We'll take a look this afternoon and see how it compares to President Clinton's famous list. Plus, President Bush pays a visit to New York to attend the groundbreaking for a 9/11 memorial. Campaign officials defend the trip, but some are accusing the president of capitalizing on the tragedy for political gain. We'll hear from both sides when I go "INSIDE POLITICS" at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.

But right now, we want to go back to Daryn in Atlanta -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Thank you for all of that.

A group running attack ads against President Bush says it's not breaking the law. The Bush campaign says the ads by the Media Fund are illegal because they use soft money and mention the president by name. And Republican lawmakers and the director of the Media Fund Talked about the ad war on CNN's AMERICAN MORNING.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HAROLD ICKES, THE MEDIA FUND DIR.: We think that there's no basis involved for the FEC, the Federal Elections Commission, to restrict what we're doing. And if they do, we'll go into court and challenge it on the grounds that they have no basis involved for making any changes. The Congress had the full chance to debate this. We were doing this prior to the law, the enactment of the new law. They made no change in Congress with respect to the activities we're doing, and we're permitted to do it now.

REP. DAVID DREIER (R), CALIF.: What they're doing is they are going around the entire intent of the law. You know, I'm not an expert on the campaign law when it comes to this, but I know this. I know that those great proponents of greater disclosure, getting money out of politics, trying to diminish the kinds of attack ads we've seen, those are part of the goals behind campaign finance reform.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Another group with Democratic ties, called moveon, is also running anti-Bush ads. And the Bush campaign has itself launched a major ad blitz.

There is new hope for women in the fight against breast cancer, and it comes in a bottle. That story up next in your "Daily Dose" of health news.

And walking tall, how getting your feet moving can help you kickstart your weight loss.

First, though, today's best place for a summer vacation.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARION ASNES, SR. EDITOR, "MONEY": "Money" magazine chose Boston as one of its top vacation picks for this summer because airfares to Boston are lower than ever, because of discount air travel. And what better place to spend July 4th than in the birthplace of the American Revolution? On the Charles River, you can take a tour of Old Ironsides, America's first commissioned warship, dating back to 1797, formally known as the USS Constitution. and it actually does ride in the harbor once each summer. If you're lucky, you might be able to ride along.

Boston, of course, is the home of great seafood. Make sure you get some while you're there. And take a trip out on Cape Cod. Go to the beach, and have some fantastic New England clam chowder.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Still ahead, we're going under the sea. You'll meet one of the illustrators behind "Finding Nemo" and see how he and other artists are bringing the ocean to life.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Health news today about the fight against breast cancer. Researchers say a newer drug may be even more effective than Tamoxifen in preventing a recurrence of the disease. The study focused on women whose tumors were caught early and removed. Those who took Tamoxifen and then switched to the newer drug were only one-third less likely to suffer a recurrence.

Walking is one of the best ways to lose weight and get in shape, and "Prevention" magazine is offering a walk smart guide to get you up and moving. Amy O'Connor is back with us from "Prevention" magazine, and she's joining us once again from Washington.

Amy, good morning.

AMY O'CONNOR, "PREVENTION": Nice to be here.

KAGAN: You have your tips, not just to walk but how you're going to do it and do it smartly. Your first one, broadcast your goals.

O'CONNOR: Right, this is a great one. If you are starting a walking regime, it's a great idea to tell everyone around you what you're doing so you get reinforcement and support.

Tell your sister, tell your friends, even tell you boss. You know what? I'm going to be in half hour late, three times a week because I'm starting to walk and I'm going to get healthier. They tend to understand.

KAGAN: Hopefully they'll understand not to tell you to walk out the door if you are late for work. Create a backup plan.

O'CONNOR: People think, if I don't do my full walking regimen, just forget it, I shouldn't do anything. A better idea is to come up with a couple of different plans. One if you only have 10 minutes, one if you have 15 minutes, one if you 30 minutes, one if you have an hour. That way you get exercise every day.

KAGAN: Get something in. What about seeking out happy trails?

O'CONNOR: Studies show people who exercise in nature, green areas actually burn more calories, get a more efficient workout. So look for walking trails in parks or botanical gardens, along a winter front. You might get more out of your workout.

KAGAN: Forget about the main boulevard with all the bus exhaust fumes.

(CROSSTALK)

KAGAN: If you do do this, it seems like a simple small step, and that's what the secretary of health, Tommy Thompson's been pushing all week, take the small steps. What is this going to get you in terms of health benefits?

O'CONNOR: Tremendous health benefits. Walking is the best real positive step you can take against obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure. Actually, Friday, April 2, is national walk to work day. A lot of people are going to be walking to work. Some walking at work. A great way to start a walking regimen.

KAGAN: Amy O'Connor, good to see you again.

And for your "Daily Dose" you can log on to our Web site. You'll find the latest medical news. There's also head to toe health information from CNN and the Mayo Clinic. The address is cnn.com/health.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Land lubbers ahoy. America's premiere illustrators are showing their maritime drawings at Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut this weekend. Our guest is one of those artists. You might not know his face, but I bet you have seen his work.

Peter de Seve's drawings have appeared in "The Atlantic Monthly" and "The New Yorker." And he also worked on films such "Finding Nemo," "Mulan," "A Bug's Life." He joins us from New York this morning.

Peter, good morning.

PETER DE SEVE, ILLUSTRATOR: Good morning. How are you? KAGAN: I'm doing great. Tell me about all these artists coming together, whose work we will recognize from all different places and focusing on sea life, and putting together this exhibit.

DE SEVE: Well, it's -- the show is appearing at the Mystic Seaport Museum. It's a collection of about 40 different illustrators with widely varied points of view, techniques, very different imagery.

KAGAN: What will we see of your work?

DE SEVE: Of my work? There's two pieces. One is a portrait, a Rogue's Gallery of pirates that like most of my work has a humorous quality.

The other is cover of a novel called "The Suitor Kin" which is sort of a fable about a woman from Botney Bay (ph), 19th century who claims to have given birth to a baby seal.

It's sort of an odd picture, and little more serious than I usually get. But great to be able to do both.

KAGAN: Speaking of your usual humor and going under the sea, you worked on "Finding Nemo."

DE SEVE: I did.

KAGAN: Tell us what you did on that for that Academy Award winning movie.

DE SEVE: It's a great movie. I was -- I wish I could take credit for all the character design in that movie. But as is the case with a lot of films I've worked on, I was one of about a handful of designers who threw in designs for the character and the process is kind of a melting pot process.

KAGAN: What do you think it is about "Nemo" that worked?

DE SEVE: What is it -- well, it's beautifully done. There isn't a frame, a second in the film that isn't considered and that isn't well considered. It's a gorgeous movie.

KAGAN: Also, it's an interesting time in animation, in the evolution of animation. You have this big split between Pixar and Disney, as they break up, and see where they go in each different direction. You have 2-D animation that some people think is thing of the past and the computer coming in. What do you think is the future of animation? What kind of animated movies will we be watching in the future?

DE SEVE: I think near future is clearly 3-D animation. You know, the things you see from Pixar and Blue Sky Studios, which did "Ice Age."

But I'm -- you know, I'm here to predict that 2-D is not dead. It's a fabulous medium that is only taking a nap. I'm sure that some small upstart studio is going to come up with a beautiful 2-D film and the bigger studios are going to say, hey, 2-D, that's a good idea.

KAGAN: What could you do with 2-D you couldn't do with 3-D?

DE SEVE: Well, 2-D, it's just a different look; 3-D is almost like animated sculptures. You know, it has a virtual 3-D effect whereas 2-D is about drawing and thousands of drawings of the characters and the back grounds.

They're different and they're not mutually exclusive.

KAGAN: All right, a lot of animation fans out there. This particular exhibit, the Maritime Gallery in Connecticut -- remind us again where it is, the gallery.

DE SEVE: I'm sorry, I can't...

KAGAN: The exhibit that we were talking about, remind us again where people can see all these ocean-themed drawing and the collections of art.

DE SEVE: I couldn't hear the question, I'm sorry. The audio...

KAGAN: We'll get the information.

DE SEVE: Oh, I'm so sorry.

KAGAN: That's OK, that's OK. Mystic Seaport in Connecticut is where the exhibit is. Kind of a bug's life for us here at CNN Peter De Seve, an illustrator joining us there. Drawing the picture on Wall Street for us.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Orelon, I'm going to have to jump in here. Sorry to interrupt. But we have some tape that was just shot at the White House. President Bush leaving for a trip to New York City today, stopping to talk with reporters.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: ... the king of Spain, Jose Maria Aznar as well, about our country's deepest sympathies toward those who lost their life as a result of terrorist bombings in Spain. I told him we weep with the families. We stand strong with the people of Spain. I appreciate so very much the Spanish government's fight against terror, their resolute stand against terrorist organizations like the ETA. The United States stands with them. Today, we ask god's blessings on those who suffer in the great country of Spain.

Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Making some very brief remarks there. He is headed to Marine One and then on to New York State for later today. But of course, he's commenting on the bombing earlier today in Madrid, Spain, a series of bombings, killing at least 173 people and wounding over 600 others. The terrorist group, the Basque separatist terrorist group known as ETA, the Spanish government believes is responsible for those attacks. More on that just ahead at the top of the hour.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: I'm Daryn Kagan. That's going to do it for us here, at least here this morning. I will see you tomorrow morning right back here. For now, Wolf Blitzer takes over from Washington D.C.

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