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American Morning

Bush Bus Tour; Bear Running for Senate?

Aired July 14, 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: It is just half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING. Bill and Soledad are off. I'm Anderson Cooper.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Heidi Collins. We want to get to some of the headlines this morning.

President Bush is continuing his Midwest swing today, hitting the road in Wisconsin. He barely lost the state to Al Gore four years ago. But is the president poised to turn that around this time?

COOPER: Also, could former Chicago Bears' coach Mike Ditka be the secret weapon for Republicans in Illinois? They are looking for a Senate candidate. Is Ditka looking for a new challenge? We'll get a report on that.

COLLINS: I'd love to hear some of his speeches, no matter what. Also...

COOPER: Oh, yes? Well, I mean, people are saying they don't even know what his positions are. No one is -- he hasn't ever really said anything.

COLLINS: He may scream them at us and you'll know.

Also, Wednesday, of course, means "90-Second Pop." And this morning, we're talking about Paris Hilton and that infamous blue movie she made with her boyfriend. Is she ready to change her tune now about that video?

COOPER: Yes, I'm waiting with bated breath.

President Bush is on the road and on the attack. He's in Milwaukee this morning at the start of a three-city campaign bus tour of Wisconsin. Dana Bash is live in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Good morning -- Dana.

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Anderson.

And yesterday, it was Michigan and Minnesota. Today, it's Wisconsin, a three-state campaign swing. But one very clear message.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BASH (voice over): The president is reaching out to rural conservative voters in Great Lakes states he lost last time around by calling Senator Kerry and his running mate the 'L' word.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And he chose a fellow lawyer, who is the fourth most liberal member of the United States Senate. Back in Massachusetts, that's what they call balancing the ticket.

BASH: From same-sex marriage to abortion, Mr. Bush is trying to turn around his sagging whole numbers by telling the locals, Senators Kerry and Edwards don't stand for what they do, invoking a celebrity fund-raiser his opponents attended last week where he was called a thug and a liar.

BUSH: The other day my opponents said that a bunch of entertainers from Hollywood conveyed the heart and soul of America. I believe the heart and soul of America is found in places like Duluth, Minnesota.

BASH: Still smarting from a congressional report that he invaded Iraq on bad intelligence, the president whacked his rivals for their votes for before and after.

BUSH: The members of Congress should not vote to send troops into battle and then vote against funding them.

BASH: Some experts say the war is chipping away at Mr. Bush's credibility, undermining his appeal here.

ED SARPOLUS, MICHIGAN POLLSTER: Rural voters was the last bastion of a solid Republican belt, because the conservative values, anti-tax. And that's why they always respected the president because of his strength of his character. That's changing because of the tough times.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BASH: The other potential pitfall for the president in these parts is job loss, which polls show could turn away even voters who even agree with him on social issues. As for the Kerry campaign, they responded the president is out of touch and making the country less secure -- Anderson?

COOPER: Dana Bash, thanks very much this morning -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Mike Ditka is considering a run for Senate. Illinois Republicans have suddenly found themselves in need of a candidate. And as, Chris Lawrence reports, they're hoping the former Bears coach and player can fill that hole.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE DITKA, FORMER NFL COACH: There's no no and there's no yes.

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the last few days, Mike Ditka has become a coveted free agent, with some trying to coax the old coach into politics. TOM PENCE, DRAFTDITKA.COM: At this point, the Republican Party in the state of Illinois, we don't have a lot of options. You know, we've got to find somebody to run for Senate.

LAWRENCE: Tom Pence is part of a movement called DraftDitka.com, designed to promote Ditka for state party chairman, and now adapted to support him for the Senate.

DITKA: If I want the opportunity, I'll run. I'm not afraid to get beat at anything..

LAWRENCE: That alone would distinguish Ditka from other Republicans, who haven't exactly been rushing into this race.

DON ROSE, POLITICAL ANALYST: They are in a way clutching at straws.

LAWRENCE: Political analyst Don Rose says Democratic candidate Barack Obama was up 20 points on Republican Jack Ryan, and that was before the sexual details of Ryan's divorce became public. When Ryan dropped out, House Speaker Dennis Hastert called Illinois State Senator Steve Rauschenberger the best man to replace him. And then Rauschenberger refused to run.

Republicans are now considering about 10 people, but none with the name recognition of Mike Ditka.

PENCE: The more people I talk to, the more they tell me, he's our only chance to win at this point.

LAWRENCE: On the street, reaction to Ditka's potential candidacy ranges from outright shock...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is it a joke? Is this for real?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is it for real?

LAWRENCE: ... to genuine support.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't know how he's going to do in politics, but he'd surely would win the vote of the people, I think.

LAWRENCE: But some say a Ditka on the ticket has its own dangers.

ROSE: And if he's got a Republican banner and he makes some cockeyed statement that he would make and get a lot of laughs out of at his bar, you know, he could do some damage nationally.

LAWRENCE (on camera): On the other hand, Republicans wouldn't have to spend much money to tell people who Mike Ditka is, especially important with the election less than four months away. Party leaders expect to make a decision within the next week or so.

Chris Lawrence, CNN, Chicago.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Ditka met with the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee last night. And as you heard, the GOP would like him to make his decision within about a week.

COOPER: There is some controversial this morning over the shooting death of an escaped tiger in south Florida. An investigation is under way now after the animal's owner, who played Tarzan in some 1960s movies, accused the officers of murder.

Last night actually on my show, "360," a distraught Steve Sipek spoke with CNN's John Zarrella about what happened.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEVE SIPEK, TIGER OWNER: Bobo was sleeping under the brushes. Sleeping all day long, because it was a hot day. A girl that owned the place found him and went and told the officers that that's where Bobo is. They came upon him immediately and shot him five times. Bobo never left the place where he was laying.

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN MIAMI BUREAU CHIEF: You had said earlier in the day to reporters that you feared that your animal would be killed.

SIPEK: I did, because the way they were behaving, they were not in contact with me constantly like they promised. They carried their guns constantly. And instead of walking behind me, they were walking in front of me.

ZARRELLA: Did you believe that you could have coaxed your animal, had you been able to get out there, and brought him home safely?

SIPEK: I don't have to believe that. I know. I brought Bobo to the gate already, except the helicopter scared him, and Bobo ran away. Twice, not once, but twice. And you know something? As I was approaching my tiger, the sheriff officer in the car said to me, I'm going to give you 10 minutes, 10 minutes to put a chain on him, or I'll shoot him. That's what he said to me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: Well, Florida officials say they intended to tranquilize Bobo, but say they were forced to shoot the tiger because it lunged toward an officer.

COLLINS: The blood on his shirt.

COOPER: Yes, there you go.

COLLINS: All right...

COOPER: Still it come...

COLLINS: Still to come this morning, a suicide bombing in Baghdad proves deadly. We're going to get the very latest from there. COOPER: And the challenges facing firefighters in the West as a massive blaze burns on. Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER BREAK)

COOPER: Some good news now. Andy Borowitz is here with the " Question of the Day.

ANDY BOROWITZ, HUMORIST: What a question. What answers. Unbelievable.

Now, filmmaker Michael Moore's latest movie, "Fahrenheit 9/11," has grossed more than $80 million, set all sorts of box office records around the world. And in his film career, Moore has taken on the auto industry, gun control and even the president of the United States.

So, our question to you is: What would you like to see Michael Moore make a movie about? Now, this is amazing.

Tim says: "I'd like to see him make a movie about his eating habits and lifestyle. One glance at him and it looks like he's really enjoying the blanket of freedom which he questions."

I believe the expression is "pigs in the blanket," I think.

All right, Jean from New Hampshire. It's getting good, folks. "I'd like to see him explore the question of life on Mars with him actually going there to prove whether life could be sustained or not."

OK.

Deborah from Arizona helpfully writes: "I believe that if Michael Moore put his talents into a movie about gay marriage rights the USA's views would definitely change."

OK?

And then Peter from New York says: "I think it would be interesting to see Mr. Moore make a sort of behind-the-scenes movie that illustrates all of the contradictions and falsified facts that are present in his own films."

You know, I think he's going to get right on that one.

COLLINS: Yes.

COOPER: That's high on his list of things to correct.

BOROWITZ: And now Mame says: "I would like to see Michael Moore do a movie about the news industry. It would be helpful to see just who, if anyone, is reporting the truth."

Well, Mame, you're looking right at him. OK? So, don't worry about that. I would like to see Michael Moore make a movie to find out who actually killed Bobo the tiger. Was the Saudi royal family involved in that?

COLLINS: There's a movie.

BOROWITZ: Dick Cheney? Halliburton? I don't know.

COOPER: All right, we'll take a look.

COLLINS: Thank you, Andy.

COOPER: We'll check in with you, Andy, a little bit later on.

Still to come this morning is today's edition of "90-Second Pop." Sharon Stone gets ready for a "Basic Instinct" sequel. But, frankly, are we ready for that? And is her former costar too old for it? Oh, fascinating. Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: It is about 46 minutes past the hour. Time for a look at some of today's headlines with Daryn Kagan.

Hey -- Daryn.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Anderson, good morning.

We're going to start with a just-released report about the quality of British intelligence used to justify the invasion of Iraq, the so-called Butler Report, named after the lead investigator. And you see a live picture there from London. It finds that the intelligence was seriously flawed, but it also says there is no evidence of deliberate distortion by the government of Prime Minister Tony Blair. Blair, by the way, will make a statement about the report in the House of Commons later today.

Now to Baghdad. That is where a suicide bombing has killed at least eight people today. The blast took place near the entrance of the city's Green Zone. One U.S. soldier was among the dozens of people who were wounded. The explosion happened on the day that Iraqis commemorate the overthrow of the British-backed monarchy back in 1958.

More warnings about a possible terrorist attack before the November elections. The acting director of the CIA, John McLaughlin, stated yesterday that the threat of terrorism in the U.S. is as high now as at any point since the September 11th attacks. The Homeland Security Department announced last week that despite the threat, it is not planning to raise the national terror threat level.

Arizona Republican Senator John McCain is criticizing a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage. He was on the floor of the Senate yesterday. McCain calling the proposed amendment unnecessary and un-Republican. The legislation will likely die in the Senate today unless supporters can muster 60 votes to overcome some procedural hurdles.

And in Southern California, soaring temperatures are making it difficult to contain a major wildfire. This blaze has burned up more than 17,000 acres of brush and forest. No homes have been destroyed so far, but some 1,000 people were reportedly evacuated and have been that way since the weekend. Hopefully, Mother Nature will cooperate. More from Chad on that.

Right now, back to Heidi.

COLLINS: That's true. All right, Daryn, thanks so much.

Still to come, your morning dose of "90-Second Pop." If you can't beat them, join them. It looks like Paris Hilton is cashing in on her Internet infamy. That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: OK. So, I'm completely reliving a moment from Monday night. But needless to say, it is "90-Second Pop" for a Wednesday with our panel of pop stars. Toure, contributing editor for "Rolling Stone," "New York: magazine contributing Sarah Bernard, and B.J. Sigesmund, staff manager for "US Weekly."

OK, we're going to have to hold off on Prince for just a minute. We're not starting there. OK. B.J. I want to ask you first about Sharon Stone.

B.J. SIGESMUND, "US WEEKLY": Yes.

COLLINS: After a lot of litigation, we may see "Basic Instinct 2," but the lover for Sharon is going to be quite a bit younger? What's with that?

SIGESMUND: Yes. Well, I hear she likes Jude Law, Ewan McGregor and Viggo Mortensen for this part. And, you know, the whole older woman/younger guy thing is in vogue right now. Ashton, and Demi, Justin and Cameron...

COLLINS: I was going to say, what about Ashton for that?

SIGESMUND: Yes. Or maybe even Ashton, why not? Ashton, call your agent. You know, I mean, why wouldn't it happen? You know, also the funny thing is...

SARAH BERNARD, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: I am an older woman. I don't need to hear that.

SIGESMUND: Yes, I know. That's true. Well, you know what? A lot of people are surprised that she's going to do this role even though she's been involved in all of this litigation for a few years. But really, this is a role that defines Sharon Stone.

BERNARD: Right.

SIGESMUND: Name another Sharon Stone movie. You can't. So, that interrogation scene, where she flashes all of the guys...

COLLINS: And I forget about that. SIGESMUND: ... that made her a...

(CROSSTALK)

SIGESMUND: That made her a star, and you bet there is going to be a reference to this, if not a total repeat of this.

TOURE, "ROLLING STONE": It's not that it's her original flavor that she's bringing back. I mean, you know, this is the cash out period of her career. Like, she's got a kid now. Private schools in L.A. are very expensive. So, it's time to make the big budget, big films that she makes a lot of money.

COLLINS: So, that movie about -- remember when she was someone's...

(CROSSTALK)

BERNARD: Yes, this apparently is going to make her $14 million for one movie. I mean, that's...

COLLINS: Yes.

BERNARD: I don't think she...

TOURE: Private school, college, graduate school.

BERNARD: She hasn't been in that bracket for a really long time.

SIGESMUND: And she's 46 years old. I mean, there really aren't roles for women in Hollywood past 40. So, she's got a plumb one waiting for her.

TOURE: Yes.

SIGESMUND: I say go for it.

COLLINS: Yes, definitely.

TOURE: Especially not to be sexy at that age, like it's...

SIGESMUND: And she is still very sexy.

TOURE: Yes.

COLLINS: Oh, she is.

BERNARD: Although she was on "The Tonight Show" last night, and she was giving a little "Basic Instinct 2" preview, I think. She was sitting in this way that was very -- everyone was like, what's she going to do? What's she going to do?

COLLINS: Oh, scary.

TOURE: As long as she survives "Catwoman."

BERNARD: Yes.

COLLINS: True. All right, you know, you're talking about the sexiness here.

BERNARD: Right.

COLLINS: And we have heard quite a bit about Paris Hilton. Now there's kind of been a flip-flop, if you will.

BERNARD: That's right.

COLLINS: She is no longer, yes, is going to sue.

BERNARD: You know, she...

COLLINS: She just wants the profits. That's all.

BERNARD: Right. She's just like Sharon, and she should be in "Basic Instinct 2," by the way. I think we might want to recap that a little bit.

Well, so, now Paris and Rick Solomon, her ex-boyfriend...

SIGESMUND: Whatever he is, yes.

COLLINS: The guy in the video.

BERNARD: ... who was kind enough to put this video out there, have -- you know, have joined forces. And they decided that they're going to share in the profits, and she's going to get about $400,000 in royalties from this. But does she need more money? I mean, first of all, she has money. But second of all, when is the last time do you think Paris Hilton paid for anything?

SIGESMUND: Yes.

BERNARD: Clothes, you know, wherever she goes out at night...

SIGESMUND: Well, don't think she's going to -- she's going to donate some of the profits to charity. Some, though. Not all.

TOURE: And charities called Versace and Gucci and Prada.

BERNARD: And what charities? Yes.

SIGESMUND: Yes. You know, Paris Hilton, why should she develop shame now? You know, there is just no point in having any shame now. So, she might as well profit off this video like everyone else.

BERNARD: I just think it's...

COLLINS: It depends on which charity.

(CROSSTALK)

BERNARD: Yes. It's so funny that there is this trend, thought, that, you know, there are lawsuits, lawsuits, we hate each other, and then, oh, actually we're fine. We're going to share in all of the money.

(CROSSTALK)

TOURE: Her taking the video as if it's totally candid and she didn't tell the photographers...

COLLINS: Yes, right.

TOURE: ... I'm going to be here. I mean, like, come on!

COLLINS: OK. Now, we have to get to Prince before we run out of time.

TOURE: We have to get to Prince.

COLLINS: Toure, this is all you. You went last night, of course, a day after me. But it was incredible, yes? Can he still rock the house?

TOURE: It's awesome. I mean, he -- yes, he is absolutely one of the best performers, still a lot of showmanship, music, hits. The stage is in the middle instead of at the edge, so he's performing all the way around. And he's got an acoustic set in the middle.

COLLINS: Yes, amazing how long he sat there and he played.

TOURE: And there is a lounge -- there's a little lounge with couches off to the side.

COLLINS: Yes.

TOURE: So, in the middle of rocking the show, he goes and sits on the couch and just chills. And like the crowd is going crazy. He's like, oh, screw you all. I'm laid out. Nobody. There is no music going. He's like, I'm just chilling now.

SIGESMUND: What I love is that Prince has always done it his way. Even back in the day, the dude wore purple and makeup and high heels, and still everyone loved him. You know, he had that anti- sexual thing going on. And he was kind of skanky. And I always admired him.

COLLINS: OK, last question, very quickly. Is he back for good?

TOURE: Well, no, I think this will be the end. I don't think...

COLLINS: The end?

TOURE: I'm not sure we're going to see a big tour like this from him again.

COLLINS: OK.

TOURE: I'm not sure. COLLINS: All right, so, people if you missed it, you missed it.

All right, thanks, you guys, as always, Toure, Sarah and B.J.

Anderson -- back to you.

COOPER: Yes, skanky. There's a word you don't hear enough on morning television.

Still to come, the Kerry campaign was hoping John Edwards would give it a boost in the South, but in Edwards' home state of North Carolina, the outlook isn't so good for the Democrats. Why not? We'll talk live to the state's other senator, Republican Elizabeth Dole. Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.

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


Aired July 14, 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: It is just half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING. Bill and Soledad are off. I'm Anderson Cooper.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Heidi Collins. We want to get to some of the headlines this morning.

President Bush is continuing his Midwest swing today, hitting the road in Wisconsin. He barely lost the state to Al Gore four years ago. But is the president poised to turn that around this time?

COOPER: Also, could former Chicago Bears' coach Mike Ditka be the secret weapon for Republicans in Illinois? They are looking for a Senate candidate. Is Ditka looking for a new challenge? We'll get a report on that.

COLLINS: I'd love to hear some of his speeches, no matter what. Also...

COOPER: Oh, yes? Well, I mean, people are saying they don't even know what his positions are. No one is -- he hasn't ever really said anything.

COLLINS: He may scream them at us and you'll know.

Also, Wednesday, of course, means "90-Second Pop." And this morning, we're talking about Paris Hilton and that infamous blue movie she made with her boyfriend. Is she ready to change her tune now about that video?

COOPER: Yes, I'm waiting with bated breath.

President Bush is on the road and on the attack. He's in Milwaukee this morning at the start of a three-city campaign bus tour of Wisconsin. Dana Bash is live in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Good morning -- Dana.

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Anderson.

And yesterday, it was Michigan and Minnesota. Today, it's Wisconsin, a three-state campaign swing. But one very clear message.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BASH (voice over): The president is reaching out to rural conservative voters in Great Lakes states he lost last time around by calling Senator Kerry and his running mate the 'L' word.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And he chose a fellow lawyer, who is the fourth most liberal member of the United States Senate. Back in Massachusetts, that's what they call balancing the ticket.

BASH: From same-sex marriage to abortion, Mr. Bush is trying to turn around his sagging whole numbers by telling the locals, Senators Kerry and Edwards don't stand for what they do, invoking a celebrity fund-raiser his opponents attended last week where he was called a thug and a liar.

BUSH: The other day my opponents said that a bunch of entertainers from Hollywood conveyed the heart and soul of America. I believe the heart and soul of America is found in places like Duluth, Minnesota.

BASH: Still smarting from a congressional report that he invaded Iraq on bad intelligence, the president whacked his rivals for their votes for before and after.

BUSH: The members of Congress should not vote to send troops into battle and then vote against funding them.

BASH: Some experts say the war is chipping away at Mr. Bush's credibility, undermining his appeal here.

ED SARPOLUS, MICHIGAN POLLSTER: Rural voters was the last bastion of a solid Republican belt, because the conservative values, anti-tax. And that's why they always respected the president because of his strength of his character. That's changing because of the tough times.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BASH: The other potential pitfall for the president in these parts is job loss, which polls show could turn away even voters who even agree with him on social issues. As for the Kerry campaign, they responded the president is out of touch and making the country less secure -- Anderson?

COOPER: Dana Bash, thanks very much this morning -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Mike Ditka is considering a run for Senate. Illinois Republicans have suddenly found themselves in need of a candidate. And as, Chris Lawrence reports, they're hoping the former Bears coach and player can fill that hole.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE DITKA, FORMER NFL COACH: There's no no and there's no yes.

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the last few days, Mike Ditka has become a coveted free agent, with some trying to coax the old coach into politics. TOM PENCE, DRAFTDITKA.COM: At this point, the Republican Party in the state of Illinois, we don't have a lot of options. You know, we've got to find somebody to run for Senate.

LAWRENCE: Tom Pence is part of a movement called DraftDitka.com, designed to promote Ditka for state party chairman, and now adapted to support him for the Senate.

DITKA: If I want the opportunity, I'll run. I'm not afraid to get beat at anything..

LAWRENCE: That alone would distinguish Ditka from other Republicans, who haven't exactly been rushing into this race.

DON ROSE, POLITICAL ANALYST: They are in a way clutching at straws.

LAWRENCE: Political analyst Don Rose says Democratic candidate Barack Obama was up 20 points on Republican Jack Ryan, and that was before the sexual details of Ryan's divorce became public. When Ryan dropped out, House Speaker Dennis Hastert called Illinois State Senator Steve Rauschenberger the best man to replace him. And then Rauschenberger refused to run.

Republicans are now considering about 10 people, but none with the name recognition of Mike Ditka.

PENCE: The more people I talk to, the more they tell me, he's our only chance to win at this point.

LAWRENCE: On the street, reaction to Ditka's potential candidacy ranges from outright shock...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is it a joke? Is this for real?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is it for real?

LAWRENCE: ... to genuine support.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't know how he's going to do in politics, but he'd surely would win the vote of the people, I think.

LAWRENCE: But some say a Ditka on the ticket has its own dangers.

ROSE: And if he's got a Republican banner and he makes some cockeyed statement that he would make and get a lot of laughs out of at his bar, you know, he could do some damage nationally.

LAWRENCE (on camera): On the other hand, Republicans wouldn't have to spend much money to tell people who Mike Ditka is, especially important with the election less than four months away. Party leaders expect to make a decision within the next week or so.

Chris Lawrence, CNN, Chicago.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Ditka met with the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee last night. And as you heard, the GOP would like him to make his decision within about a week.

COOPER: There is some controversial this morning over the shooting death of an escaped tiger in south Florida. An investigation is under way now after the animal's owner, who played Tarzan in some 1960s movies, accused the officers of murder.

Last night actually on my show, "360," a distraught Steve Sipek spoke with CNN's John Zarrella about what happened.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEVE SIPEK, TIGER OWNER: Bobo was sleeping under the brushes. Sleeping all day long, because it was a hot day. A girl that owned the place found him and went and told the officers that that's where Bobo is. They came upon him immediately and shot him five times. Bobo never left the place where he was laying.

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN MIAMI BUREAU CHIEF: You had said earlier in the day to reporters that you feared that your animal would be killed.

SIPEK: I did, because the way they were behaving, they were not in contact with me constantly like they promised. They carried their guns constantly. And instead of walking behind me, they were walking in front of me.

ZARRELLA: Did you believe that you could have coaxed your animal, had you been able to get out there, and brought him home safely?

SIPEK: I don't have to believe that. I know. I brought Bobo to the gate already, except the helicopter scared him, and Bobo ran away. Twice, not once, but twice. And you know something? As I was approaching my tiger, the sheriff officer in the car said to me, I'm going to give you 10 minutes, 10 minutes to put a chain on him, or I'll shoot him. That's what he said to me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: Well, Florida officials say they intended to tranquilize Bobo, but say they were forced to shoot the tiger because it lunged toward an officer.

COLLINS: The blood on his shirt.

COOPER: Yes, there you go.

COLLINS: All right...

COOPER: Still it come...

COLLINS: Still to come this morning, a suicide bombing in Baghdad proves deadly. We're going to get the very latest from there. COOPER: And the challenges facing firefighters in the West as a massive blaze burns on. Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER BREAK)

COOPER: Some good news now. Andy Borowitz is here with the " Question of the Day.

ANDY BOROWITZ, HUMORIST: What a question. What answers. Unbelievable.

Now, filmmaker Michael Moore's latest movie, "Fahrenheit 9/11," has grossed more than $80 million, set all sorts of box office records around the world. And in his film career, Moore has taken on the auto industry, gun control and even the president of the United States.

So, our question to you is: What would you like to see Michael Moore make a movie about? Now, this is amazing.

Tim says: "I'd like to see him make a movie about his eating habits and lifestyle. One glance at him and it looks like he's really enjoying the blanket of freedom which he questions."

I believe the expression is "pigs in the blanket," I think.

All right, Jean from New Hampshire. It's getting good, folks. "I'd like to see him explore the question of life on Mars with him actually going there to prove whether life could be sustained or not."

OK.

Deborah from Arizona helpfully writes: "I believe that if Michael Moore put his talents into a movie about gay marriage rights the USA's views would definitely change."

OK?

And then Peter from New York says: "I think it would be interesting to see Mr. Moore make a sort of behind-the-scenes movie that illustrates all of the contradictions and falsified facts that are present in his own films."

You know, I think he's going to get right on that one.

COLLINS: Yes.

COOPER: That's high on his list of things to correct.

BOROWITZ: And now Mame says: "I would like to see Michael Moore do a movie about the news industry. It would be helpful to see just who, if anyone, is reporting the truth."

Well, Mame, you're looking right at him. OK? So, don't worry about that. I would like to see Michael Moore make a movie to find out who actually killed Bobo the tiger. Was the Saudi royal family involved in that?

COLLINS: There's a movie.

BOROWITZ: Dick Cheney? Halliburton? I don't know.

COOPER: All right, we'll take a look.

COLLINS: Thank you, Andy.

COOPER: We'll check in with you, Andy, a little bit later on.

Still to come this morning is today's edition of "90-Second Pop." Sharon Stone gets ready for a "Basic Instinct" sequel. But, frankly, are we ready for that? And is her former costar too old for it? Oh, fascinating. Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: It is about 46 minutes past the hour. Time for a look at some of today's headlines with Daryn Kagan.

Hey -- Daryn.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Anderson, good morning.

We're going to start with a just-released report about the quality of British intelligence used to justify the invasion of Iraq, the so-called Butler Report, named after the lead investigator. And you see a live picture there from London. It finds that the intelligence was seriously flawed, but it also says there is no evidence of deliberate distortion by the government of Prime Minister Tony Blair. Blair, by the way, will make a statement about the report in the House of Commons later today.

Now to Baghdad. That is where a suicide bombing has killed at least eight people today. The blast took place near the entrance of the city's Green Zone. One U.S. soldier was among the dozens of people who were wounded. The explosion happened on the day that Iraqis commemorate the overthrow of the British-backed monarchy back in 1958.

More warnings about a possible terrorist attack before the November elections. The acting director of the CIA, John McLaughlin, stated yesterday that the threat of terrorism in the U.S. is as high now as at any point since the September 11th attacks. The Homeland Security Department announced last week that despite the threat, it is not planning to raise the national terror threat level.

Arizona Republican Senator John McCain is criticizing a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage. He was on the floor of the Senate yesterday. McCain calling the proposed amendment unnecessary and un-Republican. The legislation will likely die in the Senate today unless supporters can muster 60 votes to overcome some procedural hurdles.

And in Southern California, soaring temperatures are making it difficult to contain a major wildfire. This blaze has burned up more than 17,000 acres of brush and forest. No homes have been destroyed so far, but some 1,000 people were reportedly evacuated and have been that way since the weekend. Hopefully, Mother Nature will cooperate. More from Chad on that.

Right now, back to Heidi.

COLLINS: That's true. All right, Daryn, thanks so much.

Still to come, your morning dose of "90-Second Pop." If you can't beat them, join them. It looks like Paris Hilton is cashing in on her Internet infamy. That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: OK. So, I'm completely reliving a moment from Monday night. But needless to say, it is "90-Second Pop" for a Wednesday with our panel of pop stars. Toure, contributing editor for "Rolling Stone," "New York: magazine contributing Sarah Bernard, and B.J. Sigesmund, staff manager for "US Weekly."

OK, we're going to have to hold off on Prince for just a minute. We're not starting there. OK. B.J. I want to ask you first about Sharon Stone.

B.J. SIGESMUND, "US WEEKLY": Yes.

COLLINS: After a lot of litigation, we may see "Basic Instinct 2," but the lover for Sharon is going to be quite a bit younger? What's with that?

SIGESMUND: Yes. Well, I hear she likes Jude Law, Ewan McGregor and Viggo Mortensen for this part. And, you know, the whole older woman/younger guy thing is in vogue right now. Ashton, and Demi, Justin and Cameron...

COLLINS: I was going to say, what about Ashton for that?

SIGESMUND: Yes. Or maybe even Ashton, why not? Ashton, call your agent. You know, I mean, why wouldn't it happen? You know, also the funny thing is...

SARAH BERNARD, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: I am an older woman. I don't need to hear that.

SIGESMUND: Yes, I know. That's true. Well, you know what? A lot of people are surprised that she's going to do this role even though she's been involved in all of this litigation for a few years. But really, this is a role that defines Sharon Stone.

BERNARD: Right.

SIGESMUND: Name another Sharon Stone movie. You can't. So, that interrogation scene, where she flashes all of the guys...

COLLINS: And I forget about that. SIGESMUND: ... that made her a...

(CROSSTALK)

SIGESMUND: That made her a star, and you bet there is going to be a reference to this, if not a total repeat of this.

TOURE, "ROLLING STONE": It's not that it's her original flavor that she's bringing back. I mean, you know, this is the cash out period of her career. Like, she's got a kid now. Private schools in L.A. are very expensive. So, it's time to make the big budget, big films that she makes a lot of money.

COLLINS: So, that movie about -- remember when she was someone's...

(CROSSTALK)

BERNARD: Yes, this apparently is going to make her $14 million for one movie. I mean, that's...

COLLINS: Yes.

BERNARD: I don't think she...

TOURE: Private school, college, graduate school.

BERNARD: She hasn't been in that bracket for a really long time.

SIGESMUND: And she's 46 years old. I mean, there really aren't roles for women in Hollywood past 40. So, she's got a plumb one waiting for her.

TOURE: Yes.

SIGESMUND: I say go for it.

COLLINS: Yes, definitely.

TOURE: Especially not to be sexy at that age, like it's...

SIGESMUND: And she is still very sexy.

TOURE: Yes.

COLLINS: Oh, she is.

BERNARD: Although she was on "The Tonight Show" last night, and she was giving a little "Basic Instinct 2" preview, I think. She was sitting in this way that was very -- everyone was like, what's she going to do? What's she going to do?

COLLINS: Oh, scary.

TOURE: As long as she survives "Catwoman."

BERNARD: Yes.

COLLINS: True. All right, you know, you're talking about the sexiness here.

BERNARD: Right.

COLLINS: And we have heard quite a bit about Paris Hilton. Now there's kind of been a flip-flop, if you will.

BERNARD: That's right.

COLLINS: She is no longer, yes, is going to sue.

BERNARD: You know, she...

COLLINS: She just wants the profits. That's all.

BERNARD: Right. She's just like Sharon, and she should be in "Basic Instinct 2," by the way. I think we might want to recap that a little bit.

Well, so, now Paris and Rick Solomon, her ex-boyfriend...

SIGESMUND: Whatever he is, yes.

COLLINS: The guy in the video.

BERNARD: ... who was kind enough to put this video out there, have -- you know, have joined forces. And they decided that they're going to share in the profits, and she's going to get about $400,000 in royalties from this. But does she need more money? I mean, first of all, she has money. But second of all, when is the last time do you think Paris Hilton paid for anything?

SIGESMUND: Yes.

BERNARD: Clothes, you know, wherever she goes out at night...

SIGESMUND: Well, don't think she's going to -- she's going to donate some of the profits to charity. Some, though. Not all.

TOURE: And charities called Versace and Gucci and Prada.

BERNARD: And what charities? Yes.

SIGESMUND: Yes. You know, Paris Hilton, why should she develop shame now? You know, there is just no point in having any shame now. So, she might as well profit off this video like everyone else.

BERNARD: I just think it's...

COLLINS: It depends on which charity.

(CROSSTALK)

BERNARD: Yes. It's so funny that there is this trend, thought, that, you know, there are lawsuits, lawsuits, we hate each other, and then, oh, actually we're fine. We're going to share in all of the money.

(CROSSTALK)

TOURE: Her taking the video as if it's totally candid and she didn't tell the photographers...

COLLINS: Yes, right.

TOURE: ... I'm going to be here. I mean, like, come on!

COLLINS: OK. Now, we have to get to Prince before we run out of time.

TOURE: We have to get to Prince.

COLLINS: Toure, this is all you. You went last night, of course, a day after me. But it was incredible, yes? Can he still rock the house?

TOURE: It's awesome. I mean, he -- yes, he is absolutely one of the best performers, still a lot of showmanship, music, hits. The stage is in the middle instead of at the edge, so he's performing all the way around. And he's got an acoustic set in the middle.

COLLINS: Yes, amazing how long he sat there and he played.

TOURE: And there is a lounge -- there's a little lounge with couches off to the side.

COLLINS: Yes.

TOURE: So, in the middle of rocking the show, he goes and sits on the couch and just chills. And like the crowd is going crazy. He's like, oh, screw you all. I'm laid out. Nobody. There is no music going. He's like, I'm just chilling now.

SIGESMUND: What I love is that Prince has always done it his way. Even back in the day, the dude wore purple and makeup and high heels, and still everyone loved him. You know, he had that anti- sexual thing going on. And he was kind of skanky. And I always admired him.

COLLINS: OK, last question, very quickly. Is he back for good?

TOURE: Well, no, I think this will be the end. I don't think...

COLLINS: The end?

TOURE: I'm not sure we're going to see a big tour like this from him again.

COLLINS: OK.

TOURE: I'm not sure. COLLINS: All right, so, people if you missed it, you missed it.

All right, thanks, you guys, as always, Toure, Sarah and B.J.

Anderson -- back to you.

COOPER: Yes, skanky. There's a word you don't hear enough on morning television.

Still to come, the Kerry campaign was hoping John Edwards would give it a boost in the South, but in Edwards' home state of North Carolina, the outlook isn't so good for the Democrats. Why not? We'll talk live to the state's other senator, Republican Elizabeth Dole. Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.

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