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CNN Live Today

Bush to Visit Battleground State Michigan

Aired May 03, 2004 - 10:30   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: I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's take a look at the top stories "At This Hour."
Listening to the sound of a U.S. Army base coming under attack in Najaf, Iraq. And American troops returning fire there. There are no reports of American casualties in the barrage of mortars, Rocket- Propelled Grenades and small arms fire. U.S. forces responded by mobilizing tanks and roof-top snipers.

The U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia is advising American employees of a Swiss energy company to leave the country after Saturday's shooting rampage. Gunmen stormed an oil refinery compound and open fire. The victims included two Americans, two Brits and an Australian. All four attackers were killed in a shootout with police.

Officials is Chile say that a strong earthquake rocked much of central and the southern part of that country. It register a preliminary magnitude of 6.6. Power was knocked out in some areas but there no reports of injuries or serious damage.

Defense attorneys for Oklahoma bombing conspirator opened their case this week in a state murder trial that could send Terry Nichols to death row. Lawyers for Nichols are to begin questioning some 200 defense witnesses on Thursday. They'll try to counter 29 days of tearful testimony and graphic descriptions.

Now the campaign trail leading to the presidential elections in November. President Bush leaves next hour on a visit to the battleground state of Michigan. That's where he will embark on a bus tour. Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joins us with a preview of that day. Good morning.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Certainly not to be outdone by his opponent, John Kerry who was in Michigan and Ohio last week, President Bush is going to be boarding his own bus with the first lady. They are going to be crisscrossing Michigan, Ohio the next couple of days. They're going to be leading a caravan of eight buses, red, white and blue. They're painted with the slogan "Yes, America can."

Now the president is going to start by flying to South Bend, Indiana. That's where he's going to board the bus and then his first stop in going to Niles, Michigan today. That's where he's going to be holding an "Ask President Bush" event at Niles High School.

Following that, he's going to be bussing to Kalamazoo for a speech at a hockey arena. And then after that, off to a suburb outside Detroit, Sterling Heights. That's where he's going to be holding a rally. All of this, of course, as you know, to win those coveted 17 electoral votes.

The latest statewide polls shows that really President Bush and Kerry are neck and neck. Here the latest poll showing Kerry at 44 percent of the vote, Bush at 43 percent of the vote.

Now, Daryn, President Bush is going to do this all over again tomorrow in Ohio. He's going to have a pancake breakfast, rallies, round tables, the whole bit. The strategy here, of course, is to put the president out there, to talk to the people, to pitch his economic plan. And, of course, to win those two very important states -- Daryn.

KAGAN: This is his 13th visit to Michigan as a president, but this is a state that is led by Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm. Probably not going to be there with a big welcome wagon for the president.

MALVEAUX: Well, you know, it certainly is going to be a tough battle to get this state. The Bush folks believe that they are confident that perhaps they can squeak out the votes that are necessary.

But it is really going to be a tough battle for both of these states. They realize the president is going to have to, A, say, look, I recognize that there are look at of people who have lost their jobs. Particularly in the manufacturing sector. But my economic plan is working. Things will get better.

That is the message that is he going to bring to the voters. We'll see how it sells -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House, thank you.

And as Mr. Bush hops on the bus, John Kerry travels to Minnesota for an evening fund raiser in Minneapolis. Senator Kerry may be glad to be away from his home state. The Democratic presidential contender took a little spill yesterday while riding his bike in Massachusetts.

Aides say he's OK. He has no injuries. He's an avid rider and Senator Kerry often takes his bike along the road for a little ride during campaign stops.

John Kerry's Vietnam War service and his subsequent anti-war activities have been in the news. And now a veteran of the Iraq War is making headlines, speaking against the current war and mounting a fight for a different cause. Alina Cho has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Why speak out now about this?

PAUL RIECKHOFF, IRAQI WAR VETERAN: Because it's absolutely pivotal. Guy's lives are still in danger. CHO (voice-over): And he should know, Lieutenant Paul Rieckhoff served for 10 months in Iraq, a platoon leader who is now leading a different fight.

RIECKHOFF: I want my fellow soldiers to come home safely.

CHO: Rieckhoff delivered the Democratic response to the president's weekly radio address Saturday, a rare example of a soldier speaking out publicly against the war.

(on camera): Why did you do it?

RIECKHOFF: It's a motivation to tell the truth. I don't feel like an accurate picture is being displayed.

CHO (voice-over): Rieckhoff was among the first soldiers to arrive after the fall of Baghdad, a 1st lieutenant in the 3rd Infantry Division in charge of 38 troops. He came home to New York in January.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: My fellow Americans, major combat operations in Iraq have ended.

CHO: One year later, Rieckhoff accuses the Bush administration of not having a clear exit strategy less than two months before Iraqis are to retake control of their government.

RIECKHOFF: To assume we can get a functioning democracy to work in a year is preposterous.

CHO: Some have likened him to John Kerry post Vietnam.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We learned that this administration could turn its back on the men sent off to fight.

RIECKHOFF: I'm a private citizen expressing my own views. They happen to coincide, at times, with what the Democrats are saying as well.

CHO: Republicans say there is no place for that in politics.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: I think it's important for us not to try to involve our men and women of the -- who are serving in the military no matter how strong their views are.

CHO: To that, Rieckhoff has a simple response.

RIECKHOFF: I'm an honest guy telling -- trying to tell the truth and I hope people see that.

CHO: Rieckhoff is now searching for other soldiers who share his views and says he wants to see how loud their voice can be.

Alina Cho, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE) KAGAN: In California later today people will pause to remember Pat Tillman. he is the Army Ranger who died in a firefight in Afghanistan 11 days ago. The 27-year-old Tillman played football for the Arizona Cardinals. In 2002, he gave up his $3 million NFL contract to join the military. President Bush has praised Tillman's service to his country and to his ultimate sacrifice.

Many America's senior citizens will soon be getting carded. The government is launching its historic discount drug card program today that's already coming under fire. We'll explain why in a live report from Washington.

Plus, a real man of mystery. I'll have a chance to talk with best-selling author Michael Connelly. He has a new book out. It's called "The Narrows."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's take a look at some stories across America. Bottoms up at the only public nude beach in Texas. Authorities say there was no serious injuries when a party barge flipped on Lake Travis yesterday and dumped 60 people into the water. Apparently it capsized when all the people onboard rushed to one side as it neared Hippie (ph) Hollow.

New Yorkers, buckle up for higher taxi fares. Beginning today, a cab ride beginning today will cost you 26 percent more. The first hike in eight years. The increase revenue is to offset a cost of living for drivers and conveniences like allowing credit card payment.

And how about some real horsepower, courtesy of the Kentucky Derby. Smarty Jones won Saturday's run for the Roses, and becomes the derby's first unbeaten derby winner since Seattle Slew back in 1977. Seattle Slew, by the way, went on to win the Triple Crown.

Today is the day, older Americans can begin signing up for Medicare cards that entitle them to discounted prescriptions. Next hour, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson formally launches the program, which is already stirring criticism.

Sean Callebs is in Washington with a preview.

Sean, good morning.

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Exactly, Daryn.

Beginning today, seniors can sign up for Medicare-approved prescription drug discount cards. The Department of Health and Human Services say the program will save card holders between 10 and 25 percent off the retail price of most prescription medications.

It will certainly be a sign of welcome relief for senior citizens, but figuring out exactly which card to get to prove to be confusing. It's all part of a new Medicare law approved around six months ago. And even though senior citizens can being signing up for the cards today, they will not actually begin receiving benefits until June 1st.

The head of Health and Human Services says at least 7.3 million senior citizens right now do not have access to any kind of prescription drug coverage. That's the good news. those whop have some kind of prescription medication coverage could find the new cards will not help them at all, then people will have to decide if they want cheaper, generic drugs. Right now, there are at least 40 different cards being offered. People who qualify for Medicaid are ineligible for benefit cards.

And some cards will be free. Others can cost up to $30. HHS officials are trying to educate senior citizens through commercials, or information or -- there as you see -- on their Web site. The ads are currently running on TV, and the HHS Web site has a drug price comparison area on the Web site. Now those in the low income bracket, 4.7 million people, to be exact, can also receive a 600 credit to help pay for medication -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right, I bet you had to read all that more than once to understand it?

CALLEBS: Exactly, I just think you just hit on one of the concerns.

KAGAN: So what do you do? Where do you go if you're confused?

CALLEBS: Well, you can go to that HHS Web site, they can walk you through it, but let's also be frank, that a lot of these cards don't even have the exact benefits that they are going to offer, so some of that information isn't out there as well.

AARP says it's been -- the organization's experience whenever Medicare is involved, it does gets confusing, so there are a lot of phone numbers to call. HHS is taking phone calls at 1-800-MEDICARE. And this program is supposed to be in effect 2004, 2005 and 2006. A new prescription benefit plan kicks in then that will do away with all of this.

KAGAN: So just when you figure it out, they're going to change the rules. So much fun.

Sean Callebs, thank you.

KAGAN: Ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY, the return of the poet, Michael Connelly's latest novel. It's called "The Narrows," and we have the author on as our special guest.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL CONNELLY, AUTHOR, "THE NARROWS": The truth does not salvage you or make you whole again. It does not let you rise above the burdens of lies, and secrets to the wounds of the heart. The truths I have learned holds me down like chains in a dark room, an underworld of ghosts and victims that slither around me like snakes. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: A few opening lines from "The Narrows." For you Michael Connelly fans out there, the wait is over. "The Narrows," his latest thriller, is now available. It marks the return of private eye Harry Bosch and the serial killer known as "The Poet." The book is on store shelves today, and Michael Connelly is on our shelf in New York City joining us.

Good morning. Good to have you herewith us.

CONNELLY: Good morning. Thanks for having me.

KAGAN: The book not only comes with a book. In a lot of places, it comes with a CD that features, I was interested to see, my hometown, Los Angeles, which you say is a good place to live, and even better place to write about, a sunny place for shady people.

CONNELLY: Right. By virtue of what I do, I write about the dark places, about people who are lost. But I love Los Angeles, and so I try to infuse the books with moments of grace, the good places, and what we do if this DVD has really put them on display, so it's a way of, hopefully, delivering a love letter to Los Angeles.

KAGAN: It was really neat. And you Showed different places, not just from "The Narrows," but different novels you've written, that this is where this crime took place and this is where you were inspired, and this is the road where the character was driving down.

There is a lot of good versus evil, dark versus light, as you were saying, in your book, and that brings of course your main detective. It's alter ego Harry Bosch?

CONNELLY: A bit so. I mean when I first started writing him ten books ago, he was completely different from me. I thought that would be fun to spend a year writing about someone totally unlike me.

But I've been very fortunate and been able to write several stories about him. And you can't help but get closer to a character. I couldn't keep that distance over so many books, so many words.

KAGAN: Have you gotten more like Harry Bosch or has Harry Bosch become more like you?

CONNELLY: Maybe a little bit of both. But I would guess Harry is a little bit more like me. He's recently become a father, as I have. So I'm finding about things of my own life to put into Harry's.

KAGAN: It's not the good guys back, but a very, very bad guy is back in the Poet?

CONNELLY: Yes. I wrote the Poet, I think it was eight years ago, with the intention of letting him slip away into the darkness at the end and just leaving him out there.

For years, I've been saying I wouldn't write a sequel, I wasn't interested in and things have changed in the last few years. Becoming a father is part of that and the events of 9/11 and how the world is tilting toward uncertainty made me feel almost guilty about leaving this guy loose in my fictional world. My fictional world is the one place I can control and I felt guilty that I didn't control it, that I let this guy loose.

KAGAN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) you have an interesting background as a crime reporter in Florida and also in Los Angeles. How much of that influenced what you do now?

CONNELLY: I'm sure I would not be talking to you if I had not done that. I saw journalism as a hopeful means to an end. The first thing I wanted to do is write these crime novels. And I went into journalism to learn how to write, the craft of writing.

But also to get into the world I wanted to write about. To meet detectives and see how crimes are solved and so on and so forth. And so it's definitely influenced me.

KAGAN: You make an interesting point on the DVD in talking about detectives that there are people who can travel and be comfortable around all different levels of society. That is part of the journey of getting to go to different worlds that you wouldn't otherwise.

CONNELLY: Yes. I think crime fiction, mystery novels are the most popular form of fiction. And if you turn on TV at night, it's all detective stories.

And I think that's -- one of the reasons is that people want to ride with these people who can pierce all levels of society, go through all strata. And do it comfortably and it's expected of them because they carry a badger or maybe a press pass.

KAGAN: You know there are a lot of reporters out there, a lot of not just reporters but wannabe journalists. You had your break, you sold your first novel. What would you say to the folks who are trying to take it to the next step?

CONNELLY: I'd just say it can be done. I'm an example of it. You have to keep your head down and write everyday.

KAGAN: How many rejection slips did you get before you finally sold?

CONNELLY: I didn't keep track because that would have depressed me. But there was some. And actually the first book got published was the third one I wrote. So it took a while but I enjoyed the whole process -- even the rejections.

KAGAN: Did you bring back the other two? Or are they in a drawer somewhere?

CONNELLY: They're in a drawer and I think they need to stay there. That was a learning process and I think I was actually smart in not sending them out. KAGAN: For the Michael Connelly fans out there, are we going to see you break out into a romantic comedy, something? Or you're in the world you're meant to be in?

CONNELLY: I think I'm there. I think that's what is one of the great things about this genre of crime fiction is whatever you want to write about any social issue, romantic issue anything you can name, can you do it in the construction of a crime novel. So I've been pretty satisfied and I'm not looking to at least at the moment, break out into a romantic comedy.

KAGAN: It seems like you're doing just fine where you are. I know your fans will be happy to see the new book out. It's called "The Narrows." It comes with an interesting CD, shows you around Los Angeles, the sunny place for shady people.

Michael Connelly, thanks for joining us. Appreciate it.

CONNELLY: Thank you.

KAGAN: From best sellers to box office bombs, you can keep an eye on entertainment by pointing your Internet browser to cnn.com/entertainment. We are back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER BREAK)

KAGAN: Coming up in the next hour of CNN LIVE TODAY great "GetAways" that won't cost you an arm and a leg.

And my interview with "Man of Fire," Denzel Washington.

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Aired May 3, 2004 - 10:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's take a look at the top stories "At This Hour."
Listening to the sound of a U.S. Army base coming under attack in Najaf, Iraq. And American troops returning fire there. There are no reports of American casualties in the barrage of mortars, Rocket- Propelled Grenades and small arms fire. U.S. forces responded by mobilizing tanks and roof-top snipers.

The U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia is advising American employees of a Swiss energy company to leave the country after Saturday's shooting rampage. Gunmen stormed an oil refinery compound and open fire. The victims included two Americans, two Brits and an Australian. All four attackers were killed in a shootout with police.

Officials is Chile say that a strong earthquake rocked much of central and the southern part of that country. It register a preliminary magnitude of 6.6. Power was knocked out in some areas but there no reports of injuries or serious damage.

Defense attorneys for Oklahoma bombing conspirator opened their case this week in a state murder trial that could send Terry Nichols to death row. Lawyers for Nichols are to begin questioning some 200 defense witnesses on Thursday. They'll try to counter 29 days of tearful testimony and graphic descriptions.

Now the campaign trail leading to the presidential elections in November. President Bush leaves next hour on a visit to the battleground state of Michigan. That's where he will embark on a bus tour. Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joins us with a preview of that day. Good morning.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Certainly not to be outdone by his opponent, John Kerry who was in Michigan and Ohio last week, President Bush is going to be boarding his own bus with the first lady. They are going to be crisscrossing Michigan, Ohio the next couple of days. They're going to be leading a caravan of eight buses, red, white and blue. They're painted with the slogan "Yes, America can."

Now the president is going to start by flying to South Bend, Indiana. That's where he's going to board the bus and then his first stop in going to Niles, Michigan today. That's where he's going to be holding an "Ask President Bush" event at Niles High School.

Following that, he's going to be bussing to Kalamazoo for a speech at a hockey arena. And then after that, off to a suburb outside Detroit, Sterling Heights. That's where he's going to be holding a rally. All of this, of course, as you know, to win those coveted 17 electoral votes.

The latest statewide polls shows that really President Bush and Kerry are neck and neck. Here the latest poll showing Kerry at 44 percent of the vote, Bush at 43 percent of the vote.

Now, Daryn, President Bush is going to do this all over again tomorrow in Ohio. He's going to have a pancake breakfast, rallies, round tables, the whole bit. The strategy here, of course, is to put the president out there, to talk to the people, to pitch his economic plan. And, of course, to win those two very important states -- Daryn.

KAGAN: This is his 13th visit to Michigan as a president, but this is a state that is led by Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm. Probably not going to be there with a big welcome wagon for the president.

MALVEAUX: Well, you know, it certainly is going to be a tough battle to get this state. The Bush folks believe that they are confident that perhaps they can squeak out the votes that are necessary.

But it is really going to be a tough battle for both of these states. They realize the president is going to have to, A, say, look, I recognize that there are look at of people who have lost their jobs. Particularly in the manufacturing sector. But my economic plan is working. Things will get better.

That is the message that is he going to bring to the voters. We'll see how it sells -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House, thank you.

And as Mr. Bush hops on the bus, John Kerry travels to Minnesota for an evening fund raiser in Minneapolis. Senator Kerry may be glad to be away from his home state. The Democratic presidential contender took a little spill yesterday while riding his bike in Massachusetts.

Aides say he's OK. He has no injuries. He's an avid rider and Senator Kerry often takes his bike along the road for a little ride during campaign stops.

John Kerry's Vietnam War service and his subsequent anti-war activities have been in the news. And now a veteran of the Iraq War is making headlines, speaking against the current war and mounting a fight for a different cause. Alina Cho has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Why speak out now about this?

PAUL RIECKHOFF, IRAQI WAR VETERAN: Because it's absolutely pivotal. Guy's lives are still in danger. CHO (voice-over): And he should know, Lieutenant Paul Rieckhoff served for 10 months in Iraq, a platoon leader who is now leading a different fight.

RIECKHOFF: I want my fellow soldiers to come home safely.

CHO: Rieckhoff delivered the Democratic response to the president's weekly radio address Saturday, a rare example of a soldier speaking out publicly against the war.

(on camera): Why did you do it?

RIECKHOFF: It's a motivation to tell the truth. I don't feel like an accurate picture is being displayed.

CHO (voice-over): Rieckhoff was among the first soldiers to arrive after the fall of Baghdad, a 1st lieutenant in the 3rd Infantry Division in charge of 38 troops. He came home to New York in January.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: My fellow Americans, major combat operations in Iraq have ended.

CHO: One year later, Rieckhoff accuses the Bush administration of not having a clear exit strategy less than two months before Iraqis are to retake control of their government.

RIECKHOFF: To assume we can get a functioning democracy to work in a year is preposterous.

CHO: Some have likened him to John Kerry post Vietnam.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We learned that this administration could turn its back on the men sent off to fight.

RIECKHOFF: I'm a private citizen expressing my own views. They happen to coincide, at times, with what the Democrats are saying as well.

CHO: Republicans say there is no place for that in politics.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: I think it's important for us not to try to involve our men and women of the -- who are serving in the military no matter how strong their views are.

CHO: To that, Rieckhoff has a simple response.

RIECKHOFF: I'm an honest guy telling -- trying to tell the truth and I hope people see that.

CHO: Rieckhoff is now searching for other soldiers who share his views and says he wants to see how loud their voice can be.

Alina Cho, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE) KAGAN: In California later today people will pause to remember Pat Tillman. he is the Army Ranger who died in a firefight in Afghanistan 11 days ago. The 27-year-old Tillman played football for the Arizona Cardinals. In 2002, he gave up his $3 million NFL contract to join the military. President Bush has praised Tillman's service to his country and to his ultimate sacrifice.

Many America's senior citizens will soon be getting carded. The government is launching its historic discount drug card program today that's already coming under fire. We'll explain why in a live report from Washington.

Plus, a real man of mystery. I'll have a chance to talk with best-selling author Michael Connelly. He has a new book out. It's called "The Narrows."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's take a look at some stories across America. Bottoms up at the only public nude beach in Texas. Authorities say there was no serious injuries when a party barge flipped on Lake Travis yesterday and dumped 60 people into the water. Apparently it capsized when all the people onboard rushed to one side as it neared Hippie (ph) Hollow.

New Yorkers, buckle up for higher taxi fares. Beginning today, a cab ride beginning today will cost you 26 percent more. The first hike in eight years. The increase revenue is to offset a cost of living for drivers and conveniences like allowing credit card payment.

And how about some real horsepower, courtesy of the Kentucky Derby. Smarty Jones won Saturday's run for the Roses, and becomes the derby's first unbeaten derby winner since Seattle Slew back in 1977. Seattle Slew, by the way, went on to win the Triple Crown.

Today is the day, older Americans can begin signing up for Medicare cards that entitle them to discounted prescriptions. Next hour, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson formally launches the program, which is already stirring criticism.

Sean Callebs is in Washington with a preview.

Sean, good morning.

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Exactly, Daryn.

Beginning today, seniors can sign up for Medicare-approved prescription drug discount cards. The Department of Health and Human Services say the program will save card holders between 10 and 25 percent off the retail price of most prescription medications.

It will certainly be a sign of welcome relief for senior citizens, but figuring out exactly which card to get to prove to be confusing. It's all part of a new Medicare law approved around six months ago. And even though senior citizens can being signing up for the cards today, they will not actually begin receiving benefits until June 1st.

The head of Health and Human Services says at least 7.3 million senior citizens right now do not have access to any kind of prescription drug coverage. That's the good news. those whop have some kind of prescription medication coverage could find the new cards will not help them at all, then people will have to decide if they want cheaper, generic drugs. Right now, there are at least 40 different cards being offered. People who qualify for Medicaid are ineligible for benefit cards.

And some cards will be free. Others can cost up to $30. HHS officials are trying to educate senior citizens through commercials, or information or -- there as you see -- on their Web site. The ads are currently running on TV, and the HHS Web site has a drug price comparison area on the Web site. Now those in the low income bracket, 4.7 million people, to be exact, can also receive a 600 credit to help pay for medication -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right, I bet you had to read all that more than once to understand it?

CALLEBS: Exactly, I just think you just hit on one of the concerns.

KAGAN: So what do you do? Where do you go if you're confused?

CALLEBS: Well, you can go to that HHS Web site, they can walk you through it, but let's also be frank, that a lot of these cards don't even have the exact benefits that they are going to offer, so some of that information isn't out there as well.

AARP says it's been -- the organization's experience whenever Medicare is involved, it does gets confusing, so there are a lot of phone numbers to call. HHS is taking phone calls at 1-800-MEDICARE. And this program is supposed to be in effect 2004, 2005 and 2006. A new prescription benefit plan kicks in then that will do away with all of this.

KAGAN: So just when you figure it out, they're going to change the rules. So much fun.

Sean Callebs, thank you.

KAGAN: Ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY, the return of the poet, Michael Connelly's latest novel. It's called "The Narrows," and we have the author on as our special guest.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL CONNELLY, AUTHOR, "THE NARROWS": The truth does not salvage you or make you whole again. It does not let you rise above the burdens of lies, and secrets to the wounds of the heart. The truths I have learned holds me down like chains in a dark room, an underworld of ghosts and victims that slither around me like snakes. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: A few opening lines from "The Narrows." For you Michael Connelly fans out there, the wait is over. "The Narrows," his latest thriller, is now available. It marks the return of private eye Harry Bosch and the serial killer known as "The Poet." The book is on store shelves today, and Michael Connelly is on our shelf in New York City joining us.

Good morning. Good to have you herewith us.

CONNELLY: Good morning. Thanks for having me.

KAGAN: The book not only comes with a book. In a lot of places, it comes with a CD that features, I was interested to see, my hometown, Los Angeles, which you say is a good place to live, and even better place to write about, a sunny place for shady people.

CONNELLY: Right. By virtue of what I do, I write about the dark places, about people who are lost. But I love Los Angeles, and so I try to infuse the books with moments of grace, the good places, and what we do if this DVD has really put them on display, so it's a way of, hopefully, delivering a love letter to Los Angeles.

KAGAN: It was really neat. And you Showed different places, not just from "The Narrows," but different novels you've written, that this is where this crime took place and this is where you were inspired, and this is the road where the character was driving down.

There is a lot of good versus evil, dark versus light, as you were saying, in your book, and that brings of course your main detective. It's alter ego Harry Bosch?

CONNELLY: A bit so. I mean when I first started writing him ten books ago, he was completely different from me. I thought that would be fun to spend a year writing about someone totally unlike me.

But I've been very fortunate and been able to write several stories about him. And you can't help but get closer to a character. I couldn't keep that distance over so many books, so many words.

KAGAN: Have you gotten more like Harry Bosch or has Harry Bosch become more like you?

CONNELLY: Maybe a little bit of both. But I would guess Harry is a little bit more like me. He's recently become a father, as I have. So I'm finding about things of my own life to put into Harry's.

KAGAN: It's not the good guys back, but a very, very bad guy is back in the Poet?

CONNELLY: Yes. I wrote the Poet, I think it was eight years ago, with the intention of letting him slip away into the darkness at the end and just leaving him out there.

For years, I've been saying I wouldn't write a sequel, I wasn't interested in and things have changed in the last few years. Becoming a father is part of that and the events of 9/11 and how the world is tilting toward uncertainty made me feel almost guilty about leaving this guy loose in my fictional world. My fictional world is the one place I can control and I felt guilty that I didn't control it, that I let this guy loose.

KAGAN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) you have an interesting background as a crime reporter in Florida and also in Los Angeles. How much of that influenced what you do now?

CONNELLY: I'm sure I would not be talking to you if I had not done that. I saw journalism as a hopeful means to an end. The first thing I wanted to do is write these crime novels. And I went into journalism to learn how to write, the craft of writing.

But also to get into the world I wanted to write about. To meet detectives and see how crimes are solved and so on and so forth. And so it's definitely influenced me.

KAGAN: You make an interesting point on the DVD in talking about detectives that there are people who can travel and be comfortable around all different levels of society. That is part of the journey of getting to go to different worlds that you wouldn't otherwise.

CONNELLY: Yes. I think crime fiction, mystery novels are the most popular form of fiction. And if you turn on TV at night, it's all detective stories.

And I think that's -- one of the reasons is that people want to ride with these people who can pierce all levels of society, go through all strata. And do it comfortably and it's expected of them because they carry a badger or maybe a press pass.

KAGAN: You know there are a lot of reporters out there, a lot of not just reporters but wannabe journalists. You had your break, you sold your first novel. What would you say to the folks who are trying to take it to the next step?

CONNELLY: I'd just say it can be done. I'm an example of it. You have to keep your head down and write everyday.

KAGAN: How many rejection slips did you get before you finally sold?

CONNELLY: I didn't keep track because that would have depressed me. But there was some. And actually the first book got published was the third one I wrote. So it took a while but I enjoyed the whole process -- even the rejections.

KAGAN: Did you bring back the other two? Or are they in a drawer somewhere?

CONNELLY: They're in a drawer and I think they need to stay there. That was a learning process and I think I was actually smart in not sending them out. KAGAN: For the Michael Connelly fans out there, are we going to see you break out into a romantic comedy, something? Or you're in the world you're meant to be in?

CONNELLY: I think I'm there. I think that's what is one of the great things about this genre of crime fiction is whatever you want to write about any social issue, romantic issue anything you can name, can you do it in the construction of a crime novel. So I've been pretty satisfied and I'm not looking to at least at the moment, break out into a romantic comedy.

KAGAN: It seems like you're doing just fine where you are. I know your fans will be happy to see the new book out. It's called "The Narrows." It comes with an interesting CD, shows you around Los Angeles, the sunny place for shady people.

Michael Connelly, thanks for joining us. Appreciate it.

CONNELLY: Thank you.

KAGAN: From best sellers to box office bombs, you can keep an eye on entertainment by pointing your Internet browser to cnn.com/entertainment. We are back in a moment.

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And my interview with "Man of Fire," Denzel Washington.

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