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CNN Live At Daybreak
Debate Over Whether November Elections Could be Canceled Because of Terrorist Attack; Latest Developments on Filipino Being Held Hostage
Aired July 12, 2004 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Could terrorists cause a delay in the elections? The government works to prevent a disruption in democracy.
It is Monday, July 12, and this is DAYBREAK.
Well, good morning to you.
From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Betty Nguyen in for Carol Costello.
Now in the news, President Bush heads south this morning. He's speaking at a government nuclear facility in Tennessee, where nuclear material from Libya is being stored. He's expected to credit the Iraq war for convincing Libya to give up its potential nuclear threat.
A little less than five hours from now, a memorial to the Massachusetts victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack is being dedicated in Boston public garden. One hundred seventy-seven families in Massachusetts lost loved ones during those attacks.
In the U.S. Senate today, the debate resumes on a constitutional amendment effectively banning same-sex marriages. President Bush spoke in favor of that amendment during his Saturday radio address. A Senate vote could come as early as Wednesday.
And Lea Fastow has just about nine more hours of freedom. The wife of former Enron finance chief Andrew Fastow is due to surrender in Houston at 3:00 Eastern, to begin serving a one year prison sentence. She pleaded guilty to helping her husband hide money.
Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
Right now, we want to turn to the trusted Chad Myers with a look at the forecast -- good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Betty.
I'll do my best here.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: Well, if a terrorist attack came in the final days of the campaign or on election day itself, could the voting be postponed? That question is being discussed at the White House and elsewhere.
CNN's Skip Loescher is live in Washington with more on that and a look at the week ahead -- good morning, Skip.
SKIP LOESCHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty.
The prospect of another terrorist attack inside the United States has homeland security chief Tom Ridge on the road again and people here talking about something they may never have considered before.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LOESCHER (voice-over): Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge heads to Boston Wednesday to observe security arrangements for the upcoming Democratic National Convention. He'll likely tour the Secret Service operations center and the Fleet Center, where the convention will be held. Ridge's trip comes in the wake of another warning.
TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Credible reporting now indicates that al Qaeda is moving forward with its plans to carry out a large scale attack in the United States in an effort to disrupt our democratic process.
LOESCHER: The Bush administration is so concerned about that happening that officials say the possibility of delaying the November elections in case of an attack has been discussed.
Senator Jay Rockefeller.
SEN. JAY ROCKEFELLER (D-WV), VICE CHAIRMAN, INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: That would be a terrible mistake, a terrible mistake.
LOESCHER: The Justice Department says postponing the elections would require amending the U.S. constitution and possibly changing all 50 state constitutions, as well, which officials say would be all put impossible.
Officials say the commission investigating the 9/11 attacks may finish its work by week's end.
President Bush back on the campaign trail this week, with stops planned in Tennessee, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. In Tennessee today, Mr. Bush will deliver remarks on the war on terror at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LOESCHER: And that's a quick look at the week ahead.
I'm Skip Loescher live in Washington -- Betty, back to you.
NGUYEN: Skip, back to delaying the election. I mean it seems, as you mentioned in your piece, almost impossible.
How feasible is it? I mean we're talking about a constitutional amendment.
LOESCHER: Yes, and that's the big hang-up. And Justice has pointed that out. The fact of the matter is to enact a constitutional amendment would take a long time in Congress. Then it would have to be ratified by the states. There's no way that's going to happen between now and November.
NGUYEN: A good point.
Skip LOESCHER, thank you very much.
Well, the White House is being urged to name a new CIA director and quickly. Sunday was George Tenet's last day on the job. Tenet's departure came two days after a Senate Intelligence Committee report. It concluded that the CIA provided unfounded assessments of the threat posed by Iraq.
The Bush administration relied on that information to justify going to war.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID KAY, FORMER U.S. WEAPONS INSPECTOR: For me, the most damning thing in the report is the statement of an agency manager to an analyst, who wanted to inform the secretary of state of questions about one of the sources, Kirkwall (ph). And he said, "Don't bother. The big guys have already decided to go to war."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: And we will hear more about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq from David Kay, the former United Nations weapons inspector. He'll be a guest in the 8:00 a.m. hour of CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."
Angelo de la Cruz is still alive. That is the word from a high level Philippine diplomat in Iraq, a diplomat involved in the negotiations to free de la Cruz. The Filipino truck driver is being held hostage by captors, who have threatened to kill him.
CNN's Maria Ressa is covering this story and she joins us live from Manila with some new information -- good morning, Maria.
MARIA RESSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty.
At this point, just a short while ago, the Philippine government released a formal statement. It was given by the secretary of foreign affairs. She confirmed that Angelo de la Cruz is alive. She said: "We are thankful that Mr. Angelo de la Cruz remains alive and as we understand it, will be treated under existing civilized rules."
She also said that through the efforts of our close friends and contacts, "We hope to resolve this matter with no loss of life. Additional time has been obtained within which discussions can continue."
At this point, the statement is very carefully worded. There have been a lot of confusing and conflicting information that's been released earlier in the day. And as you know, over the weekend, some information actually led the family to believe that he had been released. That obviously is not the case, but good news in the sense that he is alive. At least the Philippine government says so -- Betty.
NGUYEN: You're right, a lot of confusing information. But at the heart of this is basically releasing or letting these humanitarian workers leave the country a month ahead of schedule. We're talking just a month.
How is the government reacting to that? Obviously they're standing firm. But the demands, just a month, Maria. It just seems unreasonable.
RESSA: Which is part of the reason, also, the pressure has increased on the Philippine government and part of the reason that the government now has asked all its cabinet members not to speak to the press, not to add to the confusion that's going -- that's resulted over this.
It is a small time period and in effect what we're seeing is the demand and the counter demand really aims to show that the kidnappers want to make it clear that the Philippine government is following their demand. The Philippine government has remained steadfast in saying that they will pull out the small humanitarian contingent from Iraq on August 20, as planned, and not as the kidnappers wish.
However, in the process, they're still trying to make sure that they can negotiate for the safe release of Angelo de la Cruz -- Betty.
NGUYEN: It seems like a power play.
Maria Ressa, thank you very much.
Senator John Kerry, shown here that you're about to see, on Sunday with a boy's two best friends. We're talking about a bike and a dog, which you'll soon see, as well.
Well, he will stay close to home today. Kerry has a reception in Boston shortly after noon and a rally tonight in Beantown's Fleet Boston Pavilion.
Republicans have attacked the choice of John Edwards for vice president, saying he isn't ready to be president if it became necessary. John Kerry defended his choice during an interview on CBS' "60 Minutes." Kerry said: "I've seen people be president. I've worked with presidents. I understand talent and ability. I also know that this man is eight years older than Jack Kennedy was when he became president of the United States. He is more qualified, more prepared in national affairs and national issues than George Bush was when he became president. He is ready and I chose him because he's ready."
Ron Reagan is among the scheduled speakers at this month's Democratic National Convention. President Reagan's youngest son will speak about the importance of stem cell research. Both Ron and Nancy Reagan have called on President Bush to change his stance on stem cell research. The Democratic convention gets under way July 26.
Still more criticism of President Bush, this time from the NAACP. The group is upset that Mr. Bush will not attend the 95th Annual Convention. He is the first president since the 1930s to skip the convention. President Bush says he's not on good terms with the organization's leadership. He described that relationship as, quoting here, "basically non-existent," adding, "You've heard the rhetoric and the names they've called me."
Still, though, the group's president says he hopes Mr. Bush will change his mind.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KWESI MFUME, NAACP PRESIDENT: There are too many issues facing this country where we need every American to be a part of the larger debate. And so I'm hoping the president might change his mind. I've left time available on the schedule Thursday.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Sunday evening, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond criticized administration policies on education, the economy and the war in Iraq in his keynote address.
An epidemic of global proportions -- Dr. Sanjay Gupta will join me live from the AIDS Conference in Bangkok, where world leaders are working together to save lives.
Then, does your teenager have a budget? Teaching kids about money before they leave the nest.
And a little bit later, a group of moms who not only know who Tony Hawke is, they're mastering some of his moves.
This is DAYBREAK for July 11.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Well, maybe if we had learned more about money when we were growing up, we wouldn't be facing such financial problems. Now, though, there is a program designed to teach teens how to handle money. It's sponsored by the Charles Schwab Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Joining us from New York this morning are Barcco Goodwin and Quentin Breedon of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Paterson, New Jersey.
Good morning to you both.
BARCCO GOODWIN, TEEN CENTER DIRECTOR: Good morning.
QUENTIN BREEDEN, BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA: Hello.
NGUYEN: Barcco, let's start with you.
A lot of the problem in teaching teenagers how to save has to be dealing with making it interesting for them.
How does this program do that?
GOODWIN: Well, this program does that by motivating them, by, one, with different techniques that they have illustrated within the book itself. So it's...
NGUYEN: Give me some examples.
How do you motivate them?
GOODWIN: First, I start off with ice breakers early in the morning, you know, just to break the ice with them, for one thing.
NGUYEN: OK. And studies show that girls are less interested in learning how to save than boys.
So how are you trying to make this a little gender equal when it comes to sparking some interest?
GOODWIN: By one thing I do, I have another female within the room that can also help me run the program. So that tends to help out a lot.
NGUYEN: Quentin, let's talk to you.
Tell us a little bit about what you've learned in the role of managing your money.
Is that interesting to you at all? I mean you're just a teenager.
BREEDEN: Yes, it's interesting. I learned how to budget my money and I also learned how to dress appropriately for like an interview.
NGUYEN: And learning to save your money, what's the first thing that you do?
BREEDEN: Well, I save my money by, I'd say, after school, I spend a little and then I save a dime.
NGUYEN: You set aside.
BREEDEN: Yes.
NGUYEN: Barcco, what are some of the biggest misconceptions for teenagers when it comes to saving money?
GOODWIN: Spending on impulse. The misconception that they have is that they don't have nothing to look forward to. They just see the hot sneakers that are out right now and they want them. So they just go spend it instead of, you know, thinking about the next day or the day after.
NGUYEN: Exactly.
Quentin, that's got to be hard. You see those sneakers or, you know, those jeans or whatever out there and you want to buy it.
How do you kind of stop yourself and say you know what, I've got save my money?
BREEDEN: Well, I just don't think about them things sometimes.
NGUYEN: Don't go shopping. That's the key, right?
BREEDEN: Yes.
NGUYEN: All right, well, let's -- talk to us a little bit about the program, Barcco. It's set up -- it started as a pilot program, but now you're reaching thousands of children.
GOODWIN: Yes. Money managing is a program to promote financial literacy among teens from disadvantaged circumstances. And they deal with many aspects of life, especially with checking accounts, protecting your credit, continuously teaching them how to dress and have punctuality for a job interview, as well as filling out applications, -- and also helping them start resumes.
NGUYEN: It also teaches them a little bit about the stock market. Realistically, though, I mean are teenagers interested in long-term savings?
GOODWIN: Not right now, but what the activities that money matters have within this book, it kind of opens their eyes toward the future.
NGUYEN: Quentin, have you made any long-term goals with your money?
BREEDEN: Yes. I planned on just saving my money, keep saving my money.
NGUYEN: For college? What are you going to buy with that money...
BREEDEN: Yes.
NGUYEN: Because part of saving is to eventually be able to spend that nest egg.
BREEDEN: Yes. I plan on saving it for college, buying books and stuff like that.
NGUYEN: And what's the biggest lesson you've learned in this program?
BREEDEN: Well, the biggest lesson I learned is just spend your money wisely.
NGUYEN: Absolutely.
And with this program you will learn to do that for sure.
All right, we want to thank Barcco Goodwin and Quentin Breeden for joining us this morning.
Best of luck to you both.
GOODWIN: Thank you for having us.
BREEDEN: Thank you.
NGUYEN: Sure.
Your news, money, weather and sports. The time right now is 6:17 Eastern and here is what's all this morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is reaching out to his opposition in an effort to build a powerful coalition in the government. Labor Party leader Shimon Peres says his party will meet tomorrow to discuss any possible deals.
The bulls of Pamplona may be winning. Six more people were gored during this morning's running of the bulls. A total of 13 people, including at least one American, have been gored over the first six days of the eight day festival.
In money, gas prices have again edged down slightly. The average price for a gallon of unleaded regular stands at $1.93. That's nearly $0.41 more than it was on this date one year ago.
In culture, the Norwegian Dawn cruise ship has shoved off on what's being billed as the first family friendly cruise for gay and lesbian travelers. The cruise is the brainchild of Rosie O'Donnell and her life partner.
In sports, another lackluster day for Lance Armstrong at the Tour de France. Armstrong finished 33rd in Sunday's stage and stands sixth overall, heading into today's off day. At this point last year, Armstrong was riding in first.
This morning, we want to get you up to speed on the weather.
And for that, we go to Chad Myers -- good morning, Chad.
MYERS: Good morning, Betty.
You know, he is getting a little old now so seventh...
NGUYEN: Do you think he can do it?
MYERS: You know, I...
NGUYEN: I mean they say there's a curse on the sixth time.
MYERS: Absolutely. He's absolutely going to do it. He's going into the Alps now in a couple of days and that's where his strength is.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: All right, opening statements begin today in a landmark sex discrimination case against a major brokerage house.
Carrie Lee is at the Nasdaq market site in New York with the story -- good morning, Carrie.
CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Betty.
A jury of eight women, four men have been chosen to determine whether Wall Street powerhouse Morgan Stanley denied hundreds of women promotions and raises and also condoned lewd behavior in the workplace.
Now, opening statements are set to get under way today in Manhattan federal court. And this is a landmark discrimination case, marking the first gender bias trial of a brokerage based on claims brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The case was brought on by over 300 women who have worked in the company's institutional equities division since 1995. And Morgan could face tens of millions of dollars in damages if the company is found liable.
Now, for its part, Morgan Stanley denies wrongdoing, says it's committed to creating a bias-free workplace, but could very well set a precedent for other brokerages down the road -- Betty.
NGUYEN: All right, Carrie Lee at the Nasdaq market site.
Thank you.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, it's definitely not sewing, baking or the
PTA.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It just makes you feel so good for the rest of the day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: See how one group of moms is going to the extremes.
And our DAYBREAK Photo of the Day -- what is it? Take a guess. We'll share the answer right after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Time now for our DAYBREAK "Eye Opener."
And when you think of skateboarders, you mostly think of teenage boys and their sometimes reckless behavior. Well, the statistics say 90 percent of skateboarders are under 18 and 76 percent are male. But what about the smaller piece of the pie chart?
Well, CNN's Donna Tetreault spins their story. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DONNA TETRAULT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The look of skateboarding isn't what it used to be, girls are carving and doing ollies just like the boys. But these are, well, mature girls.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've always been kind of obsessed with skateboarding.
TETRAULT: This woman is leading a revolution: skateboarding moms. She's written a book, she's set up a Web site, and now women as far away as New Zealand are visiting it, and rolling into her world.
BARBARA ODANAKA, SKATEBOARDING MOM: When we step on these planks of wood, it's like total freedom. And I'm just ten all over again.
TETRAULT (on camera): When Barbara Odanaka is climbing the walls at home she says she would rather be crawling the walls at a skate park. And she's not alone.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Each trick, each thing that you accomplish just makes you feel so good for the rest of the day.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Skateboarding is absolutely my favorite sport.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's usually a 12-year-old boy who's trying to show me how to do it, just do this.
TETRAULT (voice-over): And while some women shop for shoes, Odanaka and her friends spend thousands on skateboarding equipment.
ODANAKA: This is my latest toy. It's great finding a big long hill. And you carve it just like you would be carving snow.
TETRAULT: They show off their moves, bringing the next generation along.
ODANAKA: I'm no Tony Hawk. I'm a mom. So I do have to be a little careful. But ultimately I'd like to be a mom who can do things that Tony Hawk does on a skateboard.
TETRAULT: It's off to try the gymbo and avoid the asphalt hankie. Donna Tetrault for CNN, Laguna.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: It looks like a lot of fun, Chad.
MYERS: It does.
NGUYEN: Do you skateboard?
MYERS: I used to.
NGUYEN: Oh, you've got a little trick up your sleeve. MYERS: Well, before I turned 40. Then things started breaking much easier.
NGUYEN: It's all downhill from there.
MYERS: Yes, you just don't do that anymore.
NGUYEN: OK.
MYERS: Photo of the Day. You know what this looks like? Men losing teeth. Why? Why, you ask? Because if you zoom out, Betty, it is part of the triathlon.
NGUYEN: I see.
MYERS: Now, there has to be guys getting kicked like this -- I just couldn't...
NGUYEN: Left and right in that photo.
MYERS: Oh my gosh.
And I say guys. There were a few women that also did the triathlon in Germany, as well. Your Photo of the Day -- arms and legs flying there in the Germany triathlon near Frankfurt, Germany yesterday.
NGUYEN: That's all you see in that picture.
All right, thank you, Chad.
MYERS: You bet.
NGUYEN: Well, here's what's all new in the next half hour.
First, it was the CIA, now the British government braces for what could be a damaging report on its prewar intelligence and weapons of mass destruction.
The political conventions are about to begin. We'll see if things have really changed in 200 years of democracy.
And it's the killer destroying helpless families around the globe. Sanjay Gupta reports live from the AIDS Conference in Bangkok.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired July 12, 2004 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Could terrorists cause a delay in the elections? The government works to prevent a disruption in democracy.
It is Monday, July 12, and this is DAYBREAK.
Well, good morning to you.
From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Betty Nguyen in for Carol Costello.
Now in the news, President Bush heads south this morning. He's speaking at a government nuclear facility in Tennessee, where nuclear material from Libya is being stored. He's expected to credit the Iraq war for convincing Libya to give up its potential nuclear threat.
A little less than five hours from now, a memorial to the Massachusetts victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack is being dedicated in Boston public garden. One hundred seventy-seven families in Massachusetts lost loved ones during those attacks.
In the U.S. Senate today, the debate resumes on a constitutional amendment effectively banning same-sex marriages. President Bush spoke in favor of that amendment during his Saturday radio address. A Senate vote could come as early as Wednesday.
And Lea Fastow has just about nine more hours of freedom. The wife of former Enron finance chief Andrew Fastow is due to surrender in Houston at 3:00 Eastern, to begin serving a one year prison sentence. She pleaded guilty to helping her husband hide money.
Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
Right now, we want to turn to the trusted Chad Myers with a look at the forecast -- good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Betty.
I'll do my best here.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: Well, if a terrorist attack came in the final days of the campaign or on election day itself, could the voting be postponed? That question is being discussed at the White House and elsewhere.
CNN's Skip Loescher is live in Washington with more on that and a look at the week ahead -- good morning, Skip.
SKIP LOESCHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty.
The prospect of another terrorist attack inside the United States has homeland security chief Tom Ridge on the road again and people here talking about something they may never have considered before.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LOESCHER (voice-over): Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge heads to Boston Wednesday to observe security arrangements for the upcoming Democratic National Convention. He'll likely tour the Secret Service operations center and the Fleet Center, where the convention will be held. Ridge's trip comes in the wake of another warning.
TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Credible reporting now indicates that al Qaeda is moving forward with its plans to carry out a large scale attack in the United States in an effort to disrupt our democratic process.
LOESCHER: The Bush administration is so concerned about that happening that officials say the possibility of delaying the November elections in case of an attack has been discussed.
Senator Jay Rockefeller.
SEN. JAY ROCKEFELLER (D-WV), VICE CHAIRMAN, INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: That would be a terrible mistake, a terrible mistake.
LOESCHER: The Justice Department says postponing the elections would require amending the U.S. constitution and possibly changing all 50 state constitutions, as well, which officials say would be all put impossible.
Officials say the commission investigating the 9/11 attacks may finish its work by week's end.
President Bush back on the campaign trail this week, with stops planned in Tennessee, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. In Tennessee today, Mr. Bush will deliver remarks on the war on terror at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LOESCHER: And that's a quick look at the week ahead.
I'm Skip Loescher live in Washington -- Betty, back to you.
NGUYEN: Skip, back to delaying the election. I mean it seems, as you mentioned in your piece, almost impossible.
How feasible is it? I mean we're talking about a constitutional amendment.
LOESCHER: Yes, and that's the big hang-up. And Justice has pointed that out. The fact of the matter is to enact a constitutional amendment would take a long time in Congress. Then it would have to be ratified by the states. There's no way that's going to happen between now and November.
NGUYEN: A good point.
Skip LOESCHER, thank you very much.
Well, the White House is being urged to name a new CIA director and quickly. Sunday was George Tenet's last day on the job. Tenet's departure came two days after a Senate Intelligence Committee report. It concluded that the CIA provided unfounded assessments of the threat posed by Iraq.
The Bush administration relied on that information to justify going to war.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID KAY, FORMER U.S. WEAPONS INSPECTOR: For me, the most damning thing in the report is the statement of an agency manager to an analyst, who wanted to inform the secretary of state of questions about one of the sources, Kirkwall (ph). And he said, "Don't bother. The big guys have already decided to go to war."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: And we will hear more about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq from David Kay, the former United Nations weapons inspector. He'll be a guest in the 8:00 a.m. hour of CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."
Angelo de la Cruz is still alive. That is the word from a high level Philippine diplomat in Iraq, a diplomat involved in the negotiations to free de la Cruz. The Filipino truck driver is being held hostage by captors, who have threatened to kill him.
CNN's Maria Ressa is covering this story and she joins us live from Manila with some new information -- good morning, Maria.
MARIA RESSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty.
At this point, just a short while ago, the Philippine government released a formal statement. It was given by the secretary of foreign affairs. She confirmed that Angelo de la Cruz is alive. She said: "We are thankful that Mr. Angelo de la Cruz remains alive and as we understand it, will be treated under existing civilized rules."
She also said that through the efforts of our close friends and contacts, "We hope to resolve this matter with no loss of life. Additional time has been obtained within which discussions can continue."
At this point, the statement is very carefully worded. There have been a lot of confusing and conflicting information that's been released earlier in the day. And as you know, over the weekend, some information actually led the family to believe that he had been released. That obviously is not the case, but good news in the sense that he is alive. At least the Philippine government says so -- Betty.
NGUYEN: You're right, a lot of confusing information. But at the heart of this is basically releasing or letting these humanitarian workers leave the country a month ahead of schedule. We're talking just a month.
How is the government reacting to that? Obviously they're standing firm. But the demands, just a month, Maria. It just seems unreasonable.
RESSA: Which is part of the reason, also, the pressure has increased on the Philippine government and part of the reason that the government now has asked all its cabinet members not to speak to the press, not to add to the confusion that's going -- that's resulted over this.
It is a small time period and in effect what we're seeing is the demand and the counter demand really aims to show that the kidnappers want to make it clear that the Philippine government is following their demand. The Philippine government has remained steadfast in saying that they will pull out the small humanitarian contingent from Iraq on August 20, as planned, and not as the kidnappers wish.
However, in the process, they're still trying to make sure that they can negotiate for the safe release of Angelo de la Cruz -- Betty.
NGUYEN: It seems like a power play.
Maria Ressa, thank you very much.
Senator John Kerry, shown here that you're about to see, on Sunday with a boy's two best friends. We're talking about a bike and a dog, which you'll soon see, as well.
Well, he will stay close to home today. Kerry has a reception in Boston shortly after noon and a rally tonight in Beantown's Fleet Boston Pavilion.
Republicans have attacked the choice of John Edwards for vice president, saying he isn't ready to be president if it became necessary. John Kerry defended his choice during an interview on CBS' "60 Minutes." Kerry said: "I've seen people be president. I've worked with presidents. I understand talent and ability. I also know that this man is eight years older than Jack Kennedy was when he became president of the United States. He is more qualified, more prepared in national affairs and national issues than George Bush was when he became president. He is ready and I chose him because he's ready."
Ron Reagan is among the scheduled speakers at this month's Democratic National Convention. President Reagan's youngest son will speak about the importance of stem cell research. Both Ron and Nancy Reagan have called on President Bush to change his stance on stem cell research. The Democratic convention gets under way July 26.
Still more criticism of President Bush, this time from the NAACP. The group is upset that Mr. Bush will not attend the 95th Annual Convention. He is the first president since the 1930s to skip the convention. President Bush says he's not on good terms with the organization's leadership. He described that relationship as, quoting here, "basically non-existent," adding, "You've heard the rhetoric and the names they've called me."
Still, though, the group's president says he hopes Mr. Bush will change his mind.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KWESI MFUME, NAACP PRESIDENT: There are too many issues facing this country where we need every American to be a part of the larger debate. And so I'm hoping the president might change his mind. I've left time available on the schedule Thursday.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Sunday evening, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond criticized administration policies on education, the economy and the war in Iraq in his keynote address.
An epidemic of global proportions -- Dr. Sanjay Gupta will join me live from the AIDS Conference in Bangkok, where world leaders are working together to save lives.
Then, does your teenager have a budget? Teaching kids about money before they leave the nest.
And a little bit later, a group of moms who not only know who Tony Hawke is, they're mastering some of his moves.
This is DAYBREAK for July 11.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Well, maybe if we had learned more about money when we were growing up, we wouldn't be facing such financial problems. Now, though, there is a program designed to teach teens how to handle money. It's sponsored by the Charles Schwab Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Joining us from New York this morning are Barcco Goodwin and Quentin Breedon of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Paterson, New Jersey.
Good morning to you both.
BARCCO GOODWIN, TEEN CENTER DIRECTOR: Good morning.
QUENTIN BREEDEN, BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA: Hello.
NGUYEN: Barcco, let's start with you.
A lot of the problem in teaching teenagers how to save has to be dealing with making it interesting for them.
How does this program do that?
GOODWIN: Well, this program does that by motivating them, by, one, with different techniques that they have illustrated within the book itself. So it's...
NGUYEN: Give me some examples.
How do you motivate them?
GOODWIN: First, I start off with ice breakers early in the morning, you know, just to break the ice with them, for one thing.
NGUYEN: OK. And studies show that girls are less interested in learning how to save than boys.
So how are you trying to make this a little gender equal when it comes to sparking some interest?
GOODWIN: By one thing I do, I have another female within the room that can also help me run the program. So that tends to help out a lot.
NGUYEN: Quentin, let's talk to you.
Tell us a little bit about what you've learned in the role of managing your money.
Is that interesting to you at all? I mean you're just a teenager.
BREEDEN: Yes, it's interesting. I learned how to budget my money and I also learned how to dress appropriately for like an interview.
NGUYEN: And learning to save your money, what's the first thing that you do?
BREEDEN: Well, I save my money by, I'd say, after school, I spend a little and then I save a dime.
NGUYEN: You set aside.
BREEDEN: Yes.
NGUYEN: Barcco, what are some of the biggest misconceptions for teenagers when it comes to saving money?
GOODWIN: Spending on impulse. The misconception that they have is that they don't have nothing to look forward to. They just see the hot sneakers that are out right now and they want them. So they just go spend it instead of, you know, thinking about the next day or the day after.
NGUYEN: Exactly.
Quentin, that's got to be hard. You see those sneakers or, you know, those jeans or whatever out there and you want to buy it.
How do you kind of stop yourself and say you know what, I've got save my money?
BREEDEN: Well, I just don't think about them things sometimes.
NGUYEN: Don't go shopping. That's the key, right?
BREEDEN: Yes.
NGUYEN: All right, well, let's -- talk to us a little bit about the program, Barcco. It's set up -- it started as a pilot program, but now you're reaching thousands of children.
GOODWIN: Yes. Money managing is a program to promote financial literacy among teens from disadvantaged circumstances. And they deal with many aspects of life, especially with checking accounts, protecting your credit, continuously teaching them how to dress and have punctuality for a job interview, as well as filling out applications, -- and also helping them start resumes.
NGUYEN: It also teaches them a little bit about the stock market. Realistically, though, I mean are teenagers interested in long-term savings?
GOODWIN: Not right now, but what the activities that money matters have within this book, it kind of opens their eyes toward the future.
NGUYEN: Quentin, have you made any long-term goals with your money?
BREEDEN: Yes. I planned on just saving my money, keep saving my money.
NGUYEN: For college? What are you going to buy with that money...
BREEDEN: Yes.
NGUYEN: Because part of saving is to eventually be able to spend that nest egg.
BREEDEN: Yes. I plan on saving it for college, buying books and stuff like that.
NGUYEN: And what's the biggest lesson you've learned in this program?
BREEDEN: Well, the biggest lesson I learned is just spend your money wisely.
NGUYEN: Absolutely.
And with this program you will learn to do that for sure.
All right, we want to thank Barcco Goodwin and Quentin Breeden for joining us this morning.
Best of luck to you both.
GOODWIN: Thank you for having us.
BREEDEN: Thank you.
NGUYEN: Sure.
Your news, money, weather and sports. The time right now is 6:17 Eastern and here is what's all this morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is reaching out to his opposition in an effort to build a powerful coalition in the government. Labor Party leader Shimon Peres says his party will meet tomorrow to discuss any possible deals.
The bulls of Pamplona may be winning. Six more people were gored during this morning's running of the bulls. A total of 13 people, including at least one American, have been gored over the first six days of the eight day festival.
In money, gas prices have again edged down slightly. The average price for a gallon of unleaded regular stands at $1.93. That's nearly $0.41 more than it was on this date one year ago.
In culture, the Norwegian Dawn cruise ship has shoved off on what's being billed as the first family friendly cruise for gay and lesbian travelers. The cruise is the brainchild of Rosie O'Donnell and her life partner.
In sports, another lackluster day for Lance Armstrong at the Tour de France. Armstrong finished 33rd in Sunday's stage and stands sixth overall, heading into today's off day. At this point last year, Armstrong was riding in first.
This morning, we want to get you up to speed on the weather.
And for that, we go to Chad Myers -- good morning, Chad.
MYERS: Good morning, Betty.
You know, he is getting a little old now so seventh...
NGUYEN: Do you think he can do it?
MYERS: You know, I...
NGUYEN: I mean they say there's a curse on the sixth time.
MYERS: Absolutely. He's absolutely going to do it. He's going into the Alps now in a couple of days and that's where his strength is.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: All right, opening statements begin today in a landmark sex discrimination case against a major brokerage house.
Carrie Lee is at the Nasdaq market site in New York with the story -- good morning, Carrie.
CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Betty.
A jury of eight women, four men have been chosen to determine whether Wall Street powerhouse Morgan Stanley denied hundreds of women promotions and raises and also condoned lewd behavior in the workplace.
Now, opening statements are set to get under way today in Manhattan federal court. And this is a landmark discrimination case, marking the first gender bias trial of a brokerage based on claims brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The case was brought on by over 300 women who have worked in the company's institutional equities division since 1995. And Morgan could face tens of millions of dollars in damages if the company is found liable.
Now, for its part, Morgan Stanley denies wrongdoing, says it's committed to creating a bias-free workplace, but could very well set a precedent for other brokerages down the road -- Betty.
NGUYEN: All right, Carrie Lee at the Nasdaq market site.
Thank you.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, it's definitely not sewing, baking or the
PTA.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It just makes you feel so good for the rest of the day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: See how one group of moms is going to the extremes.
And our DAYBREAK Photo of the Day -- what is it? Take a guess. We'll share the answer right after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Time now for our DAYBREAK "Eye Opener."
And when you think of skateboarders, you mostly think of teenage boys and their sometimes reckless behavior. Well, the statistics say 90 percent of skateboarders are under 18 and 76 percent are male. But what about the smaller piece of the pie chart?
Well, CNN's Donna Tetreault spins their story. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DONNA TETRAULT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The look of skateboarding isn't what it used to be, girls are carving and doing ollies just like the boys. But these are, well, mature girls.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've always been kind of obsessed with skateboarding.
TETRAULT: This woman is leading a revolution: skateboarding moms. She's written a book, she's set up a Web site, and now women as far away as New Zealand are visiting it, and rolling into her world.
BARBARA ODANAKA, SKATEBOARDING MOM: When we step on these planks of wood, it's like total freedom. And I'm just ten all over again.
TETRAULT (on camera): When Barbara Odanaka is climbing the walls at home she says she would rather be crawling the walls at a skate park. And she's not alone.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Each trick, each thing that you accomplish just makes you feel so good for the rest of the day.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Skateboarding is absolutely my favorite sport.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's usually a 12-year-old boy who's trying to show me how to do it, just do this.
TETRAULT (voice-over): And while some women shop for shoes, Odanaka and her friends spend thousands on skateboarding equipment.
ODANAKA: This is my latest toy. It's great finding a big long hill. And you carve it just like you would be carving snow.
TETRAULT: They show off their moves, bringing the next generation along.
ODANAKA: I'm no Tony Hawk. I'm a mom. So I do have to be a little careful. But ultimately I'd like to be a mom who can do things that Tony Hawk does on a skateboard.
TETRAULT: It's off to try the gymbo and avoid the asphalt hankie. Donna Tetrault for CNN, Laguna.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: It looks like a lot of fun, Chad.
MYERS: It does.
NGUYEN: Do you skateboard?
MYERS: I used to.
NGUYEN: Oh, you've got a little trick up your sleeve. MYERS: Well, before I turned 40. Then things started breaking much easier.
NGUYEN: It's all downhill from there.
MYERS: Yes, you just don't do that anymore.
NGUYEN: OK.
MYERS: Photo of the Day. You know what this looks like? Men losing teeth. Why? Why, you ask? Because if you zoom out, Betty, it is part of the triathlon.
NGUYEN: I see.
MYERS: Now, there has to be guys getting kicked like this -- I just couldn't...
NGUYEN: Left and right in that photo.
MYERS: Oh my gosh.
And I say guys. There were a few women that also did the triathlon in Germany, as well. Your Photo of the Day -- arms and legs flying there in the Germany triathlon near Frankfurt, Germany yesterday.
NGUYEN: That's all you see in that picture.
All right, thank you, Chad.
MYERS: You bet.
NGUYEN: Well, here's what's all new in the next half hour.
First, it was the CIA, now the British government braces for what could be a damaging report on its prewar intelligence and weapons of mass destruction.
The political conventions are about to begin. We'll see if things have really changed in 200 years of democracy.
And it's the killer destroying helpless families around the globe. Sanjay Gupta reports live from the AIDS Conference in Bangkok.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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