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American Morning
Scott Peterson Trial; Delay the Vote?; 'Political Pop'
Aired July 13, 2004 - 07:30 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.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Also, "Political Pop" is coming up this morning. We're looking at how running for president has become a sport of millionaires. All four presidential and vice presidential candidates are worth seven figures and up. Should Americans care about that? We'll talk about it.
COLLINS: For now, though, police found blood stains when they searched Scott and Laci Peterson's home. The prosecution began this week of Scott Peterson's murder trial with the focus on the search of the home and the San Francisco Bay.
KFBK's Chris Filippi is covering the trial in Redwood City, California. He joins us now this morning.
Chris, can you just update us. Tell us exactly what happened in the courtroom yesterday. You're one of the few people inside.
CHRIS FILIPPI, KFBK RADIO: Yes, it was really a busy day in court. You mentioned the stains that were found in a comforter. This is in Scott and Laci Peterson's bedroom. And really, it's another case where the prosecution throws an interesting fact out of there, but doesn't really give us the full payoff of what the information is and what it means; specifically, some spots found on this comforter in the bedroom. It was testified about by a Modesto police detective, saying that they found it on December 26 when they were searching Scott and Laci home.
But the problem is they never told us who the blood belongs to, if, in fact, it really is blood. What sort of tests were done? And what specifically were the results? So, it's interesting, but it's not entirely clear how it fits into this case.
COLLINS: Or damaging it would be to the defense, at this point, if there's not that many details, right?
FILIPPI: Well, that's exactly right, because, again, we don't know exactly who that blood belongs to, if it is, in fact, blood, or how it got there. It could end up being Scott's blood, for example. And he's already said that he works a lot with farm equipment, that sort of thing, so he has cuts on his hands. Perhaps that was it. It's really unclear.
COLLINS: Talk, Chris, if you would, about the search of the Peterson home and how thorough the cops really were when they went inside.
FILIPPI: Well, certainly the prosecution is trying to put forward the idea that they were very thorough as they conducted this search. In fact, they showed a 45-minute video to the jury yesterday, showing the exterior of the home the night of December 26.
What was interesting about the video beyond showing that there was no proof of any sort of forced entry is what you could hear on the video. You hear the dog, McKenzie, barking constantly as Modesto cops come near. And what's interesting about that is the dog was always barking whenever someone it didn't recognize was around the house.
So, what the prosecution, I believe, is trying to show is that McKenzie is sort of an alarm system, if you will. And that if someone had tried to break into the house, McKenzie would have barked. That would have alerted the neighbors. Somebody would have seen something suspicious.
COLLINS: All right, Chris, talk about Amber Frey just a little bit, if you would. Does it seem surprising to you she has not been called to testify yet?
FILIPPI: There has been a lot of anticipation as far as when Amber Frey is going to take the stand. At this point, we still don't know when that's going to happen.
It's not necessarily surprising, because, one, the prosecution has been jumping all over the board in presenting its case. So, it's not entirely clear when they're going to get to Amber Frey. And the second issue of course, is there a lot of credibility issues that the prosecution has to be aware of.
The defense has already tipped its hat, suggesting through some earlier questioning that they're really going to talk to Amber about her past with married men. It's going to be a direct attack on her credibility. It's something the prosecution has to be aware of.
COLLINS: On that same note, her credibility, what about this visit to a police officer just a few days before Laci disappeared? Did she have some kind of strange relationship with a Fresno police officer?
FILIPPI: There is something there. Of course, Amber Frey lives in Fresno, just to give you some geographic perspective. That's about a 90-minute drive from Modesto.
Some cell phone records indicate that Amber Frey was talking with this Fresno police detective, a homicide detective by the way, three days before Laci Peterson vanished. The timing is very strange. At this point, we don't know specifically what the relationship is between Frey and this detective, but you can bet it's something that's going to come up in court.
COLLINS: All right, KFBK's Chris Filippi this morning. Chris, thanks so much.
FILIPPI: Sure.
COOPER: The president's national security adviser is trying to end the controversy about whether November's elections could be postponed because of a terror attack. Condoleezza Rice yesterday told CNN -- and I quote -- "This administration believes the elections will go forward on schedule."
Still, some questions do remain as Tom Foreman reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Through all the suffering, terror, and turmoil in New York on 9/11, something else was supposed to be happening. An election. The city's mayoral primary wound up being postponed.
But now, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission is asking the Department of Homeland Security, what if something like that happened on the presidential Election Day and voting had to be delayed?
GRACIA HILLMAN, ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION: We're not advocating postponement. That is not how we approached the scenario.
PAUL DEGREGORIO, ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION: We don't want it to happen, but, if it does, I think we want to be prepared.
FOREMAN: The bipartisan commission was created by Congress and appointed by President Bush to restore voter confidence after the controversial last election. But their questions have created a storm.
REP. JANE HARMAN (D), CALIFORNIA: I think it's excessive, based on what we know.
FOREMAN: Some Democrats are suspicious that the White House is pulling the strings. A former official from the Clinton administration, Morris Reid, issued a statement, saying: "The idea blatantly smells of unfair political self-protection, that President Bush is desperately trying to keep his job."
(on camera): You're being accused of being shills for the Bush administration. That this is all about protecting George Bush if the election goes against him. What do you say?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, we're not.
FOREMAN (voice-over): The commission says many things could disrupt the elections: a hurricane in Florida, an earthquake in California, a massive power outage in almost any city.
(on camera): Still, even the commissioners say delaying a presidential election falls somewhere between very difficult and impossible. No one person in the federal government appears to have the authority to do it. And it would undoubtedly face legal challenges.
(voice-over): So, the debate begs another question: If such rancor can erupt over just the idea of a terrorist attack and its aftermath, have the terrorists already upset the democratic process? Tom Foreman, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Of course, all this is based on fears that al Qaeda terrorists may try to replicate the success they had in March when commuter trains in Madrid were attacked just days before a parliamentary election there. The incumbent government was defeated, and Spanish troops were pulled out of Iraq shortly thereafter.
COLLINS: Still to come on AMERICAN MORNING today, another shot fired in the burger wars. But in this battle everyone seems to want to be No. 2. We're "Minding Your Business" this morning.
COOPER: Also ahead, America's best-known track star gets one last shot at getting to Athens. But was it enough? We'll tell you that ahead.
COLLINS: Plus, don't know who to vote for? Well, maybe you should be taking a look at the candidates' kids. "Political Pop" is ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER BREAK)
COLLINS: As the fast food fight heats up, one chain hires a new chief, but these burger wars are throwing a little more into the mix.
Christine Romans is now "Minding Your Business" this morning. She is in for Andy Serwer, who is on assignment.
So, what's the scoop? Everybody is fighting for the No. 2 spot.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS: They're fighting for the No. 2 spot. And forget the burger wars. This is the low-carb war. It's the salad war. And Burger King has crowned a new CEO to save its spot at No. 2, Heidi. Wendy's is breathing down Burger King's neck and many say will overtake it this year in sales. It has nothing to do with hamburgers. Wendy's strategy of salads and marketing to adults is eating away at Burger King's spot.
So, BK has hired a turnaround specialist, Greg Brenneman, and he'll be Burger King's ninth executive in 15 years. And he's got a tough job holding Wendy's at bay.
Wendy's is opening stores. Burking King has been closing them. And, of course, McDonald's -- I almost said Microsoft -- McDonald's still rules the fast food nation. And this is interesting. Domino's, an initial public offering today.
COLLINS: Yes, and I think you have a great line. You can now own a slice.
ROMANS: You can own a slice of Domino's. DPZ is the ticker symbol of the big boy. You'll also own a slice of a little bit of debt. I mean, the company has got some issues. It's got some heavy debt on the books, and it's actually pricing lower than people had thought it would. But shares are priced at $14 each. Previously they had hoped for 15 to 17. That will be about 24.1 million shares.
And the markets today, yesterday a mixed day, but Intel reports after the closing bell. And as you know, on Wall Street sometimes a day like today people will just be speculating and waiting for Intel after the close.
COLLINS: Right.
ROMANS: So, we'll see what happens in terms of stocks today. But it's all about Domino's today, a slice of pizza.
COLLINS: I like that. And if you get in early when it's low, I mean, you never know. If things turn around, then you can get a big payoff, right?
ROMANS: You never know. Sure. And everyone knows what DPZ is. Everyone knows what Domino's is, you know?
COLLINS: That's right.
COOPER: I invested all of my money in gummi bears.
COLLINS: Oh, I love gummi bears. Which kind?
COOPER: Oh, you know, the red kind.
Still to come this morning, firefighters run into a problem while trying to stop a massive blaze. Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: It is 45 minutes past the hour. Time for a quick look at some of today's other news with Daryn Kagan.
Good morning -- Daryn.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Anderson, good morning to you once again.
In Florida is where we begin. Authorities are looking today for a mentally-retarded teenager who disappeared from a shopping center. Take a look at this video surveillance camera. It shows the girl leaving the center with four young men. She is described as 5 foot 6 with blonde hair -- excuse me -- and blue eyes. Investigators say the 17-year-old girl has the mental capacity, though, of only a 7 or 8- year-old.
To politics. President Bush is kicking off a two-day campaign sweep through the Midwest. The president rallying in Michigan and Minnesota today, then riding with his campaign bus through Wisconsin tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Democratic front-runner John Kerry is in Boston today. He's wrapping up a four-state campaign tour. His running mate, Senator John Edwards, heads to the Midwest tomorrow.
A new CNN/Gallup poll is showing Senator Kerry gaining popularity with American voters. Out of more than 1,000 likely voters, about half now support the senator. And some 46 percent surveyed said that they would vote for President Bush. The poll shows Kerry gaining 2 percentage points since last month.
A groundbreaking American actress passes away: Isabel Sanford. You know her as she played "Weezie" Louise Jefferson. She has died at the age of 86. Sanford made history as the first black woman to win an Emmy for best actress in a comedy series. She won it for her star- making role in the '70s sitcom, "The Jeffersons." The spinoff from "All in the Family" aired for 10 years.
To weather now. Blistering heat across California is not helping firefighters battle several fires in the Lake Hughes area, this is just north of Los Angeles. This fire has grown to some 1,900 acres. Thick, black smoke prompting the voluntary evacuation of about a dozen homes.
And from sports. Olympic hopeful Marion Jones has qualified in the long jump finals at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials. Jones, though, finished a disappointing seventh last night in Sacramento. Her top leap, 20 feet, 11 and three-quarters inches. She fell a quarter-inch short of the automatic qualifying mark. Still, Jones, an Olympic bronze medalist, did advance to Thursday's final. She is one of 12 finalists.
But, Anderson, to put this in perspective, that jump, that is a foot shorter than she jumped in high school 10 years ago. Of course, she's under the intense glare of the investigation by the U.S. Anti- Doping Agency.
COOPER: All right, Daryn, thanks very much.
KAGAN: Sure.
COOPER: Let's check in with Jack and the "Question of the Day."
What is the "Question of the Day?"
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: The "Question of the Day" is as follows, Mr. Cooper. I'm going to explain it to you right now.
COOPER: Teach me, Jack.
CAFFERTY: Teach me, Jack.
CAFFERTY: I'm going to learn you something here.
Morgan Stanley agreed to pay out $54 million yesterday to settle several sex bias claims, including a discrepancy between what they pay men and what they pay women. In the Bush White House, all of the top- paying jobs are held by men who earn about 78 percent more than -- or 24, 20 -- what's the math? Twenty-two -- 32 percent -- 22 percent more than what women do. They make 78 percent, women do, of what the men make in the White House.
Are you learning anything yet? I'm not doing so well here.
That's almost exactly the same as the national average between what men make and what women make, despite the fact that they passed something called Equal Pay Act in 1963. We're a long way from equality.
Why are men still making more money than women?
Judy in Houston writes: "It really is a man's world. Just look at the Congress, the Senate, presidential candidates, corporate CEOs, et cetera. Men rule and are not about to relinquish the power."
Dave in Japan, where this program is seen in primetime: "Jack, today's question is going to confuse your Japanese audience. As far as equality of the sexist goes, it's like the late '50s over here. That's why my mom thinks I won't ever be able to leave the country. But, hey, she's just a chick. What does she know?"
Ian in Providence, Rhode Island: "Why are men still making more money than women? The same reason Hooters keeps packing them in and "Baywatch" will continue to make David Hasselhoff's great- grandchildren richer than astronauts. Men are un-evolved Neanderthals."
And as if to echo that though, Jim in Framingham, Massachusetts, writes: "Because we deserve it, that's why."
And Rex in Toronto writes: "We don't live as long as women. Our brains shrink at a faster rate. And we have a lower tolerance for pain. All things considered, Jack, I'd say even with a higher pay, we're still getting screwed."
COOPER: There you go.
CAFFERTY: See? There's today's lesson.
COOPER: All right, thanks, Jack.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
COOPER: Still to come this morning, a disagreement between the vice president's wife and the president becomes public. Will it be an issue come election time? "Political Pop" is next. Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: It's time now for a segment we call "Political Pop." So, panelists, assume your positions.
On the left, Democratic strategist Karen Finney. Holding the middle is John DeVore, political satirist for "Maxim" magazine. And on the right, Jay Nordlinger, managing editor of "National Review."
Thanks for being with us this morning.
KAREN FINNEY, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Thank you.
JOHN DEVORE, "MAXIM" MAGAZINE: Good morning.
JAY NORDLINGER, "NATIONAL REVIEW": Good morning.
COOPER: All right, Karen, let's start off with you. Put on your boxing gloves.
Last week you had the Edwards' kids kind of stealing the limelight. Now, the Bush twins are going out on the campaign trail for their dad. How much do the candidates' kids actually affect people's votes?
FINNEY: I think they do to a degree. I mean, people like to see the pictures. We all saw those pictures last week of Kerry and Edwards and their beautiful families, you know, walking over the hills in Pennsylvania. But I think -- and obviously the consultants, we like to see the kids out there because it reminds people, hey, this guy is warm and fuzzy and he's like you, he's got a family.
But I think you've got to also be careful to make sure that the kids are able to handle that attention, because sometimes, you know, once they're out there, kind of the gloves are off and they're kind of fair game. And certainly the Bush daughters, there have been a few controversies.
(CROSSTALK)
FINNEY: Of course not.
DEVORE: I will say, Jenna Bush is the one first daughter I'd most like to go on a margarita bender with.
COOPER: Oh, yikes!
DEVORE: I don't know if that gets my vote, but...
COOPER: All right, Jay, what about you? What do you think? Do the kids matter?
NORDLINGER: I guess so. It depends on the kid. Some parents aren't so lucky. But the Bush daughters are now out of school. They're adults. They can make their own decisions. They should probably be an asset, or at least not a harm.
DEVORE: They seem very willful, too. That's what I like about the Bush daughters. You know, they seem...
NORDLINGER: No, they're not patsies.
DEVORE: Right, right.
COOPER: And I guess they're going to be used to kind of talk to young people. I guess that's sort of often how these kids are used. FINNEY: Absolutely. And, you know, there's always a curiosity about, you know, the children of, you know, politicians. You know, so, they'll be out there talking to young people and sort of talking about what their father has done. And, you know, it's a good way to use them.
COOPER: Let's talk about the gay marriage debate. Jay, do you think it's going to be really a lightning rod, this issue? I mean, is it a wedge issue?
NORDLINGER: Sure, sure it is. I think it will be important. A lot of people don't want to think about it. Others do. But the candidates are going to have to grapple with it. It's a very, very sticky issue.
COOPER: Why are they going to have to grapple with it, though? I mean, it's basically the Republicans who are bringing it up? Why are they bringing it up now?
NORDLINGER: Well, there's an amendment on table, and a lot of Republicans and others think it's a very, very big issue -- the radical definition of a very human institution. It's a tough subject, but it's big. And a lot of people think it ought to be handled in the political realm rather than merely the judicial realm.
COOPER: There's an amendment on the table. But why?
FINNEY: But you know what?
COOPER: Why is there an amendment on the table?
FINNEY: Well, but given the fact that the Republicans know that they don't have the votes to pass it. The only reason that it's on the table, this is an absolutely pander to the far right, which recently...
(CROSSTALK)
FINNEY: Absolutely. And they recently voiced their disappointment with President Bush, particularly because they're going to be, as it were, in the closet during the convention. They're not going to really have any of the primetime speaking roles. So, this is kind of a pander to them to say, hey, we're going to take care of some of your issues.
DEVORE: Polls show that a majority of Americans are against gay marriage, but that same majority is against anti-gay bigotry. In the case of, like, Lynne Cheney's recent statements about it being a state's right issue, I think it's the Republicans trying to reposition the conflict, so they don't come looking like bigots...
FINNEY: But I also...
DEVORE: ... which is what I think the Democrats are trying to make the issue about.
FINNEY: Well, but I think the other...
COOPER: Well, Jay, you disagree with Karen, that this is...
NORDLINGER: I don't think it's pander. I think they believe in this.
FINNEY: It's...
NORDLINGER: I think they find gay marriage alarming.
FINNEY: But it's the timing. It's the timing.
(CROSSTALK)
COOPER: But all of the reports were that the president -- that the president sort of had backed off it and then was sort of pressured into it of late. I mean, these are the reports.
NORDLINGER: Those are the reports. I'm not sure that's true. I heard the president talk about this last year. I don't think he wanted to go to an amendment. I think he felt he had to in light of what the Massachusetts court did and so on.
COOPER: So, you think his pressure came from the Massachusetts court, not from the conservative wing of his party.
NORDLINGER: He says -- and I believe him -- that he is responding to judicial actions that he wished hadn't taken place.
COOPER: All right, Karen, last word on this.
FINNEY: But, you know, I'm sorry. You can't disagree with the timing of it, though. It is a little bit suspicious. And certainly, the campaign has tried to cast, you know, Kerry as a Massachusetts liberal, sort of out of step with American values. When actually what Americans really care about is the war in Iraq and the economy. So, why isn't the president talking more about that? This is not the issue that's top of mind for American voters, and I think polls are showing that.
NORDLINGER: Rest easy. It will backfire on the Republicans if you're right.
FINNEY: Absolutely.
COOPER: All right, let's go on to the next topic. John, Republicans are kind of talking about pointing to the Democrats saying that they're all millionaires.
DEVORE: Right.
COOPER: Is this the pot calling the kettle black?
DEVORE: It is in a way. I mean, in a way, it's also kind of relative. I mean, none of the four -- all of the four candidates are millionaire rich white guys, but it is relative because they don't -- you know, they don't know what it's like it be broke for the next paycheck and not pay phone bills. But I don't know what it's like when my Jacuzzi breaks down.
COOPER: But some of them are only single-digit millionaires and some are double-digit millionaires. I guess that's the big discrepancy there.
NORDLINGER: One is a billionaire.
FINNEY: We probably should just call it a day on the issue, because they're kind of all even.
NORDLINGER: I think that's...
FINNEY: But, you know, what's interesting is John Edwards' story is a compelling story. He's a millionaire, but he didn't start out that way.
DEVORE: He's the one, I think, that understands the hearts of the working class.
(CROSSTALK)
COOPER: Well, more so. Jay says, oh, please.
NORDLINGER: I didn't mean to physically hurt you.
FINNEY: He started out...
COOPER: All right, we're going to have to leave it there. Karen Finney, John DeVore and Jay Nordlinger, thanks very much.
NORDLINGER: Thank you.
FINNEY: Good to be here.
COOPER: All right -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Next hour, John Kerry's campaign has plenty of publicity in the last couple weeks. And now we're expecting big news today about the Democratic Convention. We're going to talk about the convention chairman. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is going to be speaking with us next on AMERICAN MORNING.
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Aired July 13, 2004 - 07:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Also, "Political Pop" is coming up this morning. We're looking at how running for president has become a sport of millionaires. All four presidential and vice presidential candidates are worth seven figures and up. Should Americans care about that? We'll talk about it.
COLLINS: For now, though, police found blood stains when they searched Scott and Laci Peterson's home. The prosecution began this week of Scott Peterson's murder trial with the focus on the search of the home and the San Francisco Bay.
KFBK's Chris Filippi is covering the trial in Redwood City, California. He joins us now this morning.
Chris, can you just update us. Tell us exactly what happened in the courtroom yesterday. You're one of the few people inside.
CHRIS FILIPPI, KFBK RADIO: Yes, it was really a busy day in court. You mentioned the stains that were found in a comforter. This is in Scott and Laci Peterson's bedroom. And really, it's another case where the prosecution throws an interesting fact out of there, but doesn't really give us the full payoff of what the information is and what it means; specifically, some spots found on this comforter in the bedroom. It was testified about by a Modesto police detective, saying that they found it on December 26 when they were searching Scott and Laci home.
But the problem is they never told us who the blood belongs to, if, in fact, it really is blood. What sort of tests were done? And what specifically were the results? So, it's interesting, but it's not entirely clear how it fits into this case.
COLLINS: Or damaging it would be to the defense, at this point, if there's not that many details, right?
FILIPPI: Well, that's exactly right, because, again, we don't know exactly who that blood belongs to, if it is, in fact, blood, or how it got there. It could end up being Scott's blood, for example. And he's already said that he works a lot with farm equipment, that sort of thing, so he has cuts on his hands. Perhaps that was it. It's really unclear.
COLLINS: Talk, Chris, if you would, about the search of the Peterson home and how thorough the cops really were when they went inside.
FILIPPI: Well, certainly the prosecution is trying to put forward the idea that they were very thorough as they conducted this search. In fact, they showed a 45-minute video to the jury yesterday, showing the exterior of the home the night of December 26.
What was interesting about the video beyond showing that there was no proof of any sort of forced entry is what you could hear on the video. You hear the dog, McKenzie, barking constantly as Modesto cops come near. And what's interesting about that is the dog was always barking whenever someone it didn't recognize was around the house.
So, what the prosecution, I believe, is trying to show is that McKenzie is sort of an alarm system, if you will. And that if someone had tried to break into the house, McKenzie would have barked. That would have alerted the neighbors. Somebody would have seen something suspicious.
COLLINS: All right, Chris, talk about Amber Frey just a little bit, if you would. Does it seem surprising to you she has not been called to testify yet?
FILIPPI: There has been a lot of anticipation as far as when Amber Frey is going to take the stand. At this point, we still don't know when that's going to happen.
It's not necessarily surprising, because, one, the prosecution has been jumping all over the board in presenting its case. So, it's not entirely clear when they're going to get to Amber Frey. And the second issue of course, is there a lot of credibility issues that the prosecution has to be aware of.
The defense has already tipped its hat, suggesting through some earlier questioning that they're really going to talk to Amber about her past with married men. It's going to be a direct attack on her credibility. It's something the prosecution has to be aware of.
COLLINS: On that same note, her credibility, what about this visit to a police officer just a few days before Laci disappeared? Did she have some kind of strange relationship with a Fresno police officer?
FILIPPI: There is something there. Of course, Amber Frey lives in Fresno, just to give you some geographic perspective. That's about a 90-minute drive from Modesto.
Some cell phone records indicate that Amber Frey was talking with this Fresno police detective, a homicide detective by the way, three days before Laci Peterson vanished. The timing is very strange. At this point, we don't know specifically what the relationship is between Frey and this detective, but you can bet it's something that's going to come up in court.
COLLINS: All right, KFBK's Chris Filippi this morning. Chris, thanks so much.
FILIPPI: Sure.
COOPER: The president's national security adviser is trying to end the controversy about whether November's elections could be postponed because of a terror attack. Condoleezza Rice yesterday told CNN -- and I quote -- "This administration believes the elections will go forward on schedule."
Still, some questions do remain as Tom Foreman reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Through all the suffering, terror, and turmoil in New York on 9/11, something else was supposed to be happening. An election. The city's mayoral primary wound up being postponed.
But now, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission is asking the Department of Homeland Security, what if something like that happened on the presidential Election Day and voting had to be delayed?
GRACIA HILLMAN, ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION: We're not advocating postponement. That is not how we approached the scenario.
PAUL DEGREGORIO, ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION: We don't want it to happen, but, if it does, I think we want to be prepared.
FOREMAN: The bipartisan commission was created by Congress and appointed by President Bush to restore voter confidence after the controversial last election. But their questions have created a storm.
REP. JANE HARMAN (D), CALIFORNIA: I think it's excessive, based on what we know.
FOREMAN: Some Democrats are suspicious that the White House is pulling the strings. A former official from the Clinton administration, Morris Reid, issued a statement, saying: "The idea blatantly smells of unfair political self-protection, that President Bush is desperately trying to keep his job."
(on camera): You're being accused of being shills for the Bush administration. That this is all about protecting George Bush if the election goes against him. What do you say?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, we're not.
FOREMAN (voice-over): The commission says many things could disrupt the elections: a hurricane in Florida, an earthquake in California, a massive power outage in almost any city.
(on camera): Still, even the commissioners say delaying a presidential election falls somewhere between very difficult and impossible. No one person in the federal government appears to have the authority to do it. And it would undoubtedly face legal challenges.
(voice-over): So, the debate begs another question: If such rancor can erupt over just the idea of a terrorist attack and its aftermath, have the terrorists already upset the democratic process? Tom Foreman, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Of course, all this is based on fears that al Qaeda terrorists may try to replicate the success they had in March when commuter trains in Madrid were attacked just days before a parliamentary election there. The incumbent government was defeated, and Spanish troops were pulled out of Iraq shortly thereafter.
COLLINS: Still to come on AMERICAN MORNING today, another shot fired in the burger wars. But in this battle everyone seems to want to be No. 2. We're "Minding Your Business" this morning.
COOPER: Also ahead, America's best-known track star gets one last shot at getting to Athens. But was it enough? We'll tell you that ahead.
COLLINS: Plus, don't know who to vote for? Well, maybe you should be taking a look at the candidates' kids. "Political Pop" is ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER BREAK)
COLLINS: As the fast food fight heats up, one chain hires a new chief, but these burger wars are throwing a little more into the mix.
Christine Romans is now "Minding Your Business" this morning. She is in for Andy Serwer, who is on assignment.
So, what's the scoop? Everybody is fighting for the No. 2 spot.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS: They're fighting for the No. 2 spot. And forget the burger wars. This is the low-carb war. It's the salad war. And Burger King has crowned a new CEO to save its spot at No. 2, Heidi. Wendy's is breathing down Burger King's neck and many say will overtake it this year in sales. It has nothing to do with hamburgers. Wendy's strategy of salads and marketing to adults is eating away at Burger King's spot.
So, BK has hired a turnaround specialist, Greg Brenneman, and he'll be Burger King's ninth executive in 15 years. And he's got a tough job holding Wendy's at bay.
Wendy's is opening stores. Burking King has been closing them. And, of course, McDonald's -- I almost said Microsoft -- McDonald's still rules the fast food nation. And this is interesting. Domino's, an initial public offering today.
COLLINS: Yes, and I think you have a great line. You can now own a slice.
ROMANS: You can own a slice of Domino's. DPZ is the ticker symbol of the big boy. You'll also own a slice of a little bit of debt. I mean, the company has got some issues. It's got some heavy debt on the books, and it's actually pricing lower than people had thought it would. But shares are priced at $14 each. Previously they had hoped for 15 to 17. That will be about 24.1 million shares.
And the markets today, yesterday a mixed day, but Intel reports after the closing bell. And as you know, on Wall Street sometimes a day like today people will just be speculating and waiting for Intel after the close.
COLLINS: Right.
ROMANS: So, we'll see what happens in terms of stocks today. But it's all about Domino's today, a slice of pizza.
COLLINS: I like that. And if you get in early when it's low, I mean, you never know. If things turn around, then you can get a big payoff, right?
ROMANS: You never know. Sure. And everyone knows what DPZ is. Everyone knows what Domino's is, you know?
COLLINS: That's right.
COOPER: I invested all of my money in gummi bears.
COLLINS: Oh, I love gummi bears. Which kind?
COOPER: Oh, you know, the red kind.
Still to come this morning, firefighters run into a problem while trying to stop a massive blaze. Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: It is 45 minutes past the hour. Time for a quick look at some of today's other news with Daryn Kagan.
Good morning -- Daryn.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Anderson, good morning to you once again.
In Florida is where we begin. Authorities are looking today for a mentally-retarded teenager who disappeared from a shopping center. Take a look at this video surveillance camera. It shows the girl leaving the center with four young men. She is described as 5 foot 6 with blonde hair -- excuse me -- and blue eyes. Investigators say the 17-year-old girl has the mental capacity, though, of only a 7 or 8- year-old.
To politics. President Bush is kicking off a two-day campaign sweep through the Midwest. The president rallying in Michigan and Minnesota today, then riding with his campaign bus through Wisconsin tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Democratic front-runner John Kerry is in Boston today. He's wrapping up a four-state campaign tour. His running mate, Senator John Edwards, heads to the Midwest tomorrow.
A new CNN/Gallup poll is showing Senator Kerry gaining popularity with American voters. Out of more than 1,000 likely voters, about half now support the senator. And some 46 percent surveyed said that they would vote for President Bush. The poll shows Kerry gaining 2 percentage points since last month.
A groundbreaking American actress passes away: Isabel Sanford. You know her as she played "Weezie" Louise Jefferson. She has died at the age of 86. Sanford made history as the first black woman to win an Emmy for best actress in a comedy series. She won it for her star- making role in the '70s sitcom, "The Jeffersons." The spinoff from "All in the Family" aired for 10 years.
To weather now. Blistering heat across California is not helping firefighters battle several fires in the Lake Hughes area, this is just north of Los Angeles. This fire has grown to some 1,900 acres. Thick, black smoke prompting the voluntary evacuation of about a dozen homes.
And from sports. Olympic hopeful Marion Jones has qualified in the long jump finals at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials. Jones, though, finished a disappointing seventh last night in Sacramento. Her top leap, 20 feet, 11 and three-quarters inches. She fell a quarter-inch short of the automatic qualifying mark. Still, Jones, an Olympic bronze medalist, did advance to Thursday's final. She is one of 12 finalists.
But, Anderson, to put this in perspective, that jump, that is a foot shorter than she jumped in high school 10 years ago. Of course, she's under the intense glare of the investigation by the U.S. Anti- Doping Agency.
COOPER: All right, Daryn, thanks very much.
KAGAN: Sure.
COOPER: Let's check in with Jack and the "Question of the Day."
What is the "Question of the Day?"
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: The "Question of the Day" is as follows, Mr. Cooper. I'm going to explain it to you right now.
COOPER: Teach me, Jack.
CAFFERTY: Teach me, Jack.
CAFFERTY: I'm going to learn you something here.
Morgan Stanley agreed to pay out $54 million yesterday to settle several sex bias claims, including a discrepancy between what they pay men and what they pay women. In the Bush White House, all of the top- paying jobs are held by men who earn about 78 percent more than -- or 24, 20 -- what's the math? Twenty-two -- 32 percent -- 22 percent more than what women do. They make 78 percent, women do, of what the men make in the White House.
Are you learning anything yet? I'm not doing so well here.
That's almost exactly the same as the national average between what men make and what women make, despite the fact that they passed something called Equal Pay Act in 1963. We're a long way from equality.
Why are men still making more money than women?
Judy in Houston writes: "It really is a man's world. Just look at the Congress, the Senate, presidential candidates, corporate CEOs, et cetera. Men rule and are not about to relinquish the power."
Dave in Japan, where this program is seen in primetime: "Jack, today's question is going to confuse your Japanese audience. As far as equality of the sexist goes, it's like the late '50s over here. That's why my mom thinks I won't ever be able to leave the country. But, hey, she's just a chick. What does she know?"
Ian in Providence, Rhode Island: "Why are men still making more money than women? The same reason Hooters keeps packing them in and "Baywatch" will continue to make David Hasselhoff's great- grandchildren richer than astronauts. Men are un-evolved Neanderthals."
And as if to echo that though, Jim in Framingham, Massachusetts, writes: "Because we deserve it, that's why."
And Rex in Toronto writes: "We don't live as long as women. Our brains shrink at a faster rate. And we have a lower tolerance for pain. All things considered, Jack, I'd say even with a higher pay, we're still getting screwed."
COOPER: There you go.
CAFFERTY: See? There's today's lesson.
COOPER: All right, thanks, Jack.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
COOPER: Still to come this morning, a disagreement between the vice president's wife and the president becomes public. Will it be an issue come election time? "Political Pop" is next. Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: It's time now for a segment we call "Political Pop." So, panelists, assume your positions.
On the left, Democratic strategist Karen Finney. Holding the middle is John DeVore, political satirist for "Maxim" magazine. And on the right, Jay Nordlinger, managing editor of "National Review."
Thanks for being with us this morning.
KAREN FINNEY, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Thank you.
JOHN DEVORE, "MAXIM" MAGAZINE: Good morning.
JAY NORDLINGER, "NATIONAL REVIEW": Good morning.
COOPER: All right, Karen, let's start off with you. Put on your boxing gloves.
Last week you had the Edwards' kids kind of stealing the limelight. Now, the Bush twins are going out on the campaign trail for their dad. How much do the candidates' kids actually affect people's votes?
FINNEY: I think they do to a degree. I mean, people like to see the pictures. We all saw those pictures last week of Kerry and Edwards and their beautiful families, you know, walking over the hills in Pennsylvania. But I think -- and obviously the consultants, we like to see the kids out there because it reminds people, hey, this guy is warm and fuzzy and he's like you, he's got a family.
But I think you've got to also be careful to make sure that the kids are able to handle that attention, because sometimes, you know, once they're out there, kind of the gloves are off and they're kind of fair game. And certainly the Bush daughters, there have been a few controversies.
(CROSSTALK)
FINNEY: Of course not.
DEVORE: I will say, Jenna Bush is the one first daughter I'd most like to go on a margarita bender with.
COOPER: Oh, yikes!
DEVORE: I don't know if that gets my vote, but...
COOPER: All right, Jay, what about you? What do you think? Do the kids matter?
NORDLINGER: I guess so. It depends on the kid. Some parents aren't so lucky. But the Bush daughters are now out of school. They're adults. They can make their own decisions. They should probably be an asset, or at least not a harm.
DEVORE: They seem very willful, too. That's what I like about the Bush daughters. You know, they seem...
NORDLINGER: No, they're not patsies.
DEVORE: Right, right.
COOPER: And I guess they're going to be used to kind of talk to young people. I guess that's sort of often how these kids are used. FINNEY: Absolutely. And, you know, there's always a curiosity about, you know, the children of, you know, politicians. You know, so, they'll be out there talking to young people and sort of talking about what their father has done. And, you know, it's a good way to use them.
COOPER: Let's talk about the gay marriage debate. Jay, do you think it's going to be really a lightning rod, this issue? I mean, is it a wedge issue?
NORDLINGER: Sure, sure it is. I think it will be important. A lot of people don't want to think about it. Others do. But the candidates are going to have to grapple with it. It's a very, very sticky issue.
COOPER: Why are they going to have to grapple with it, though? I mean, it's basically the Republicans who are bringing it up? Why are they bringing it up now?
NORDLINGER: Well, there's an amendment on table, and a lot of Republicans and others think it's a very, very big issue -- the radical definition of a very human institution. It's a tough subject, but it's big. And a lot of people think it ought to be handled in the political realm rather than merely the judicial realm.
COOPER: There's an amendment on the table. But why?
FINNEY: But you know what?
COOPER: Why is there an amendment on the table?
FINNEY: Well, but given the fact that the Republicans know that they don't have the votes to pass it. The only reason that it's on the table, this is an absolutely pander to the far right, which recently...
(CROSSTALK)
FINNEY: Absolutely. And they recently voiced their disappointment with President Bush, particularly because they're going to be, as it were, in the closet during the convention. They're not going to really have any of the primetime speaking roles. So, this is kind of a pander to them to say, hey, we're going to take care of some of your issues.
DEVORE: Polls show that a majority of Americans are against gay marriage, but that same majority is against anti-gay bigotry. In the case of, like, Lynne Cheney's recent statements about it being a state's right issue, I think it's the Republicans trying to reposition the conflict, so they don't come looking like bigots...
FINNEY: But I also...
DEVORE: ... which is what I think the Democrats are trying to make the issue about.
FINNEY: Well, but I think the other...
COOPER: Well, Jay, you disagree with Karen, that this is...
NORDLINGER: I don't think it's pander. I think they believe in this.
FINNEY: It's...
NORDLINGER: I think they find gay marriage alarming.
FINNEY: But it's the timing. It's the timing.
(CROSSTALK)
COOPER: But all of the reports were that the president -- that the president sort of had backed off it and then was sort of pressured into it of late. I mean, these are the reports.
NORDLINGER: Those are the reports. I'm not sure that's true. I heard the president talk about this last year. I don't think he wanted to go to an amendment. I think he felt he had to in light of what the Massachusetts court did and so on.
COOPER: So, you think his pressure came from the Massachusetts court, not from the conservative wing of his party.
NORDLINGER: He says -- and I believe him -- that he is responding to judicial actions that he wished hadn't taken place.
COOPER: All right, Karen, last word on this.
FINNEY: But, you know, I'm sorry. You can't disagree with the timing of it, though. It is a little bit suspicious. And certainly, the campaign has tried to cast, you know, Kerry as a Massachusetts liberal, sort of out of step with American values. When actually what Americans really care about is the war in Iraq and the economy. So, why isn't the president talking more about that? This is not the issue that's top of mind for American voters, and I think polls are showing that.
NORDLINGER: Rest easy. It will backfire on the Republicans if you're right.
FINNEY: Absolutely.
COOPER: All right, let's go on to the next topic. John, Republicans are kind of talking about pointing to the Democrats saying that they're all millionaires.
DEVORE: Right.
COOPER: Is this the pot calling the kettle black?
DEVORE: It is in a way. I mean, in a way, it's also kind of relative. I mean, none of the four -- all of the four candidates are millionaire rich white guys, but it is relative because they don't -- you know, they don't know what it's like it be broke for the next paycheck and not pay phone bills. But I don't know what it's like when my Jacuzzi breaks down.
COOPER: But some of them are only single-digit millionaires and some are double-digit millionaires. I guess that's the big discrepancy there.
NORDLINGER: One is a billionaire.
FINNEY: We probably should just call it a day on the issue, because they're kind of all even.
NORDLINGER: I think that's...
FINNEY: But, you know, what's interesting is John Edwards' story is a compelling story. He's a millionaire, but he didn't start out that way.
DEVORE: He's the one, I think, that understands the hearts of the working class.
(CROSSTALK)
COOPER: Well, more so. Jay says, oh, please.
NORDLINGER: I didn't mean to physically hurt you.
FINNEY: He started out...
COOPER: All right, we're going to have to leave it there. Karen Finney, John DeVore and Jay Nordlinger, thanks very much.
NORDLINGER: Thank you.
FINNEY: Good to be here.
COOPER: All right -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Next hour, John Kerry's campaign has plenty of publicity in the last couple weeks. And now we're expecting big news today about the Democratic Convention. We're going to talk about the convention chairman. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is going to be speaking with us next on AMERICAN MORNING.
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