Return to Transcripts main page
American Morning
Bush bus Tour; Marriage Amendment; Deadly car Bomb in Baghdad
Aired July 14, 2004 - 9:00 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.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: A devastating attack in Iraq. Terrorists on the offensive in Baghdad, while a member of the coalition says it is pulling back.
On the verge of an historic decision in the Senate on same-sex marriage. If Republicans are defeated, can they get the defeat they want?
And a grand debut on the national stage. The Bush twins coming out strong on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.
COOPER: Good morning. Bill and Soledad are off this morning. I'm Anderson Cooper. Thanks for joining us.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Heidi Collins. Good morning to you, everybody.
COOPER: We've got a lot to cover this morning. President Bush says that John Kerry is out of touch with Midwestern values. The president is campaigning in three Great Lakes states which he lost in 2000, Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. Dana Bash is traveling with the president for us. She's live in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Good morning, Dana.
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Anderson.
And this two-day campaign swing is taking the president through Democratic areas of these battleground states, the places he's hoping to beat John Kerry with the right message.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BASH (voice-over): The president is reaching out to rural conservative voters in great lake 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.
(BOOING) BASH: From same-sex marriage to abortion, Mr. Bush is trying to turn around his sagging poll 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 opponent said that a bunch of entertainers from Hollywood conveyed the heart and soul of America.
(BOOING)
BUSH: 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 before the war and after.
BUSH: But 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 vote because of conservative values, anti-tax. And that's why they always respected the president, because of his strength and character. That's changing because of tough times.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BASH: The other potential pitfall for the president still in these parts is job loss, which polls show could turn away even voters who support him on social issues. As for the Kerry campaign, they say the president is out of touch and that he's making America less secure -- Anderson.
COOPER: Dana Bash, thanks very much -- Heidi.
COLLINS: A constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage looks dead on arrival today, and Senate Republicans have some explaining to do. Ed Henry now with that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Republicans thought they could score political points by forcing Senator John Kerry to vote against a ban on gay marriage right on the eve of the Democratic national convention. But Democrats have turned the tables.
SEN. TOM DASCHLE (D-SD), MINORITY LEADER: The Republicans find themselves in an embarrassing position. They cannot agree among themselves as to what form the amendment relating to go gay marriage or the marriage amendment ought to take. HENRY: Republicans always knew they would not get the 67 votes needed to change the Constitution. But they were left red-faced when it became clear they would fall short of a simple majority which would have at least let them claim a partial victory. So now they're pushing to vote on a second version of the amendment.
SEN. BILL FRIST (R-TN), MAJORITY LEADER: We don't want to just have one vote. And the Democrats just want to have one vote and then skedaddle. And, no, we want to very thoughtfully debate a constitutional amendment, which is serious business.
HENRY: But Democrats are vowing to block other versions, and they're stepping up their attacks.
SEN. FRANK LAUTENBERG (D), NEW JERSEY: I've come to an unfortunate conclusion about why we're doing this amendment. Gay bashing, plain and simple that's what this is about.
SEN. RICK SANTORUM (R), PENNSYLVANIA: You can say I'm a hater. But I would argue I'm a lover. I'm a lover of traditional families and children who deserve the right to have a mother and a father.
HENRY: Ed Henry, CNN, Capitol Hill.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: And recently, President Bush did voice his support for the amendment -- Anderson.
COOPER: Well, there's been a deadly attack this morning in central Baghdad. A suicide car bomb exploded near an entrance to the so-called Green Zone. Michael Holmes is live in Baghdad with the latest -- Michael.
MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Anderson.
Yes, it was certainly a very large explosion that, by some estimates, a 1,000-pound bomb packed into an SUV. It drove up to one of the main entrances to the Green Zone, as you said, and got to just short of the first security zone where you get your vehicles checked, and it detonated. You can see the carnage that resulted.
The prime minister, Iyad Allawi, said seven Iraqi civilians were killed; three members of the Iraqi National Guard also killed. At least 40 people were injured, some of them seriously.
And, in addition, Colonel Mike Murray (ph) of the 1st Cav told us that one U.S. soldier was hurt, but it was a very minor injury. He will be back on post today, in fact.
The prime minister saying that people were just going to work to make a living for their families. This was an act of aggression against the Iraqi people. And he described the perpetrators as criminals.
A car was seen driving slowly up to that checkpoint, the first line of defense, if you like, before getting into this very busy checkpoint. This -- just inside there is the convention center, the Al Rashid Hotel. The U.S. embassy not far away, and also it's the home, of course, of the Iraqi interim administration.
Now, we were driving through there just a couple of days ago, and it is a very busy area. This is a national holiday here today, and so slightly fewer people than normal. But still very crowded with people lining up to go to work and those lining up to try to get work. Again, the victims, Iraqis -- Anderson.
COOPER: That, of course, is the whole point, hitting when people are out on the streets for maximum casualties. Michael, when I was there a couple of weeks ago, there was some talk about the new government taking away some of the barricades around the Green Zone. Are they still talking about that?
HOLMES: No. There was -- there was suggestion by the mayor of Baghdad that he wanted to see some of these blast walls. And you know, Anderson, their massive things that are about 14 feet high, and they're meant to stop or reduce the impact of a car bomb or bomb of any kind, really. And the mayor of Baghdad was going to try to get some of those taken down from public buildings around Baghdad.
I don't think you're going to see them coming down around the Green Zone anytime soon, however. It's a big area, as you know. It's a former palace grounds that covers acres and acres of land, and the wall that goes around it is continuous, except for these entry points.
Many people have called it the Bremer Wall after L. Paul Bremer, who was the civil administrator here until the U.S. handed over sovereignty. Green zone, I think, will remain very much on high alert -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. And that's where the new U.S. embassy is going to be as well. Michael Holmes, thanks very much. Stay safe -- Heidi.
COLLINS: British Prime Minister Tony Blair used seriously flawed intelligence in his decision to go to war in Iraq. That is the finding of a highly critical report just out this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LORD BUTLER, LED U.K. INTELLIGENCE INQUIRY: Language in the dossier, and used by the prime minister, may have left readers with the impression that there was fuller and firmer intelligence than was the case. It was a serious weakness, but the joint intelligence committee's warnings on the limitation of the intelligence were not made sufficiently clear in the dossier.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: But the inquiry does not find that the Blair government deliberately distorted any evidence. Peter Stothard of "The London Times" has written about Tony Blair's decision to go to war. He joins us now from London this morning. Thanks for being here. Let me ask you about that. Seriously flawed, but they're also saying, as we said, "deliberate distortion or culpable negligence is not the case." So, overall, what does this mean?
PETER STOTHARD, AUTHOR, "THIRTY DAYS": Well, it means that if you're a politician, you're much being judged by a British civil servant than you are by U.S. senators. You know, the British civil servant report, Lord Butler's report, is, in many ways, very critical.
It attacks the -- the -- the intelligence itself, it attacks the way the intelligence got to the politicians. It attacks very few people at the top who had anything to do with it. It attacks the way in which they made their decisions, and says it was all a lot better a long time ago. But it does it in such a gentle, internal sort of mandarin, pinstripe kind of way, that, you know, Tony Blair is under no real pressure now. He looked pretty good in the House of Commons a few minutes ago.
COLLINS: Hmm, interesting. Well, earlier this morning, as you're mentioning, Prime Minister Blair responded to the report. He we want to listen for just a moment to what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TONY BLAIR, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: This report, like the Hutton inquiry, like the report of the intelligence and security committee before it, and of the foreign affairs committee before that, has found the same thing: no one lied, no one made up the intelligence. No one inserted things into the dossier against the advice of the intelligence services.
Everyone genuinely tried to do their best in good faith to the country in circumstances of acute difficulty. That issue of good faith should now be at an end.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Mr. Stothard, Tony Blair's public approval rating, if you will, popularity rating not very good right now. How do you think the public will see this?
STOTHARD: Well, the public who didn't like the war will dislike it still, and the people who dislike Tony Blair will dislike him still. But you've really got to look at -- the politics here is very different from in the U.S. We don't have an immediate election, and the opposition, who are hamstrung, because they supported the war, if anything, more aggressively than the government did, you know, finding it very difficult to land any punches on Tony Blair.
And we've just watched Michael Howell (ph), the opposition leader, the guy who would like to be prime minister instead of Tony Blair, we've watched him, you know, really struggle. And a few minutes ago, the House of Commons was just dissolving in laughter as -- as Tony Blair was replying to the opposition and reading out all the -- the quotes from the senior conservatives backing the war more strongly, and even before he did. And so, Tony Blair politically isn't as bad as it looks, even though, of course, everybody involved in this war has taken a hit with the wider public.
COLLINS: Any concerns, though, that the intelligence community there could be being used as scapegoats?
STOTHARD: Well, the -- the intelligence community here has got off pretty lightly. John Scarlet, who was the famous spy, very distinguished British agent who became head of the JIC -- that's the prime minister's sort of chief adviser on intelligence and is now head of MI6 -- that's our sort of -- our CIA -- he -- with the specific mention that he should stay in his job. The -- there were talks -- there was a lot of talk about the way in which information got from the field to the people at the top, and the current head of MI6 has said that he's going to do something, you know, to improve that.
But, no, there's none of the kind of sense of scapegoating that you've had in America. This is really -- although it is a public report, it reads, frankly, to me, just like so many internal reports that you read years after the event. I don't think it's going to have -- it's going to have that real political grip that you've -- that you've seen on -- on your side of the Atlantic.
COLLINS: All right. Peter Stothard, we certainly appreciate your insight on that this morning. Thanks so much.
COOPER: So it's about 11 minutes past the hour right now. Time for a look at some of the other day's top stories with Daryn Kagan.
Hey, Daryn.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Anderson, good morning once again.
Let's begin with the Philippine government. It is reducing, in fact, the number of troops in Iraq. It's hoped that the action will help spare the life of a Filipino hostage by satisfying the demands of Iraqi militants who are holding him hostage.
Meanwhile, there is a chance that a Bulgarian hostage reportedly executed may actually still be alive. A Bulgarian government spokesman saying the only evidence of the execution is a report on an Arab language news network.
A suspected al Qaeda militant is in custody of Saudi Arabia. Khaled al-Harabi, paralyzed from the waist down, surrendered to Saudi authorities yesterday. It is part of the country's one-month offer of leniency to terrorist suspects. The former head of Saudi intelligence tells CNN that it's unlikely al-Harabi was directly involved in terror attacks.
A new poll shows President Bush is gaining support for his ability to deal with the threat of terrorism. The latest "Washington Post" poll finds 55 percent of Americans approve of the way the president is handling the war on terror. Three weeks ago, the paper's poll found the president and John Kerry tied on the issue. A prescription drug plan that would allow Americans to buy cheaper drugs has received the OK from the House. Lawmakers yesterday voted to allow Americans to buy prescription drugs from Canada and other countries at prices lower than those found here in the U.S. The future of the provision in the Senate is unclear.
And finally, in Illinois, some severe weather leaving a path of destruction. Violent winds ripped the roofs off several homes and other buildings in the community of Peoria. Trees and power lines in the area didn't stand a chance. There were reports of tornadoes and softball-sized hail throughout the area. No word of any injuries.
I'm sure Chad will have more to tell us about that just ahead. And now back to you.
COLLINS: All right, Daryn. Thanks so much.
The Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal exposed some of the means used to get information from captives, but how do interrogators know if they're getting the truth? This morning, in our series exploring "The Truth About Lying," we learn how the experts gather reliable intelligence.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS (voice-over): Imagine being an American interrogator at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. Your job? To gain intelligence about who's behind the violence there.
TORIN NELSON, FMR. MILITARY INTERROGATOR: One of the sections was known generally as the break team. And their main job was to key in and focus on breaking down the will, breaking down the resistance of these -- of these possibly difficult detainees.
COLLINS: Torin Nelson is a former military intelligence adviser. More recently, he worked as a civilian contractor, questioning prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison. Nelson says he never used torture because it just doesn't work.
NELSON: If you brutalize somebody long enough, you can get them to admit that they're Osama bin Laden or Saddam Hussein in disguise.
COLLINS: Experts who have advised law and military enforcement agencies agree. Dr. Paul Ekman is a former chief psychologist for the Army. He now does consulting work for the Department of Defense.
DR. PAUL EKMAN, PSYCHOLOGIST: It's not just to get information. Torture will get you information, but it may not be the truth.
COLLINS: The answer, Ekman says, is to make the prisoner feel he is talking to someone who will help.
EKMAN: You get nowhere unless that person thinks that you're interested and able to understand why they did what they did.
COLLINS: Sometimes, trust can lead to breakthroughs. NELSON: In the midst of a conversation, they inadvertently let something slip that is one key information. Then you know that you can use that information to save lives.
COLLINS: Nelson also uses repeat questions to find out if someone is able to keep their story straight.
NELSON: The sign of really good interrogator is somebody that can actually role play and become an actor and win this person over with friendship, with rapport. And sometimes you'll come out of the booth and you feel so dirty, you have to go take a shower. But I know the tactics that I used, because of the fact that I kept it professional, I kept it moral and ethical, that in the end, that information that I've -- that I've garnered will help end the conflict sooner, it will help save lives, and that's the important thing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Tomorrow, lying between the sexes. Who lies more?
And, answer this question: Your next-door neighbor offers to hook you up with free cable television. Do you take the offer? Well, take our ethics test on the Web at cnn.com/am, and see how your answers stack up on a number of ethical questions.
COOPER: And, talking about interesting ethical questions, Andy Borowitz.
COLLINS: Ta-da.
ANDY BOROWITZ, HUMORIST: Yes. Was it right to bring me here today? That's an ethical issue we're all still wrestling with.
COOPER: We know that. That was definitely the right choice.
COLLINS: Absolutely.
COOPER: What's the "Question of the Day?"
BOROWITZ: Well, we've got a big question. Michael Moore's new movie, "Fahrenheit 9/11," of course, has grossed $80 million here at home. It's been a big hit around the world. So we asked you guys, what would you like to see Michael Moore do a movie about?
And you said, John from Woodbridge, Virginia, "I would like to see Michael Moore make a reality show about himself being left on a deserted island in the Pacific."
OK. That's interesting.
James writes, "Michael Moore should make a documentary about the real reason behind the gasoline price spike."
Interesting.
And here's one from Kathy from Ann Arbor, Michigan. "Michael Moore's next movie should be about preserving and protecting our environment from industry, mining and overzealous foresting," as opposed to just the zealous foresting that goes on.
And this is from an unidentified viewer, who writes, "He should document the working conditions at Wal-Mart, Walgreen's and other sub- subsistence employers. He can emphasize the disparity between executive salaries and bonuses and very low hourly rates."
And finally, Joe from Baltimore, Maryland, writes, "A movie on the great job President Bush has done in the face of both foreign and domestic enemies of the USA."
You know, Joe, I think he's going to do that Pacific island one before he gets to that, something tells me.
COOPER: But you think that's on his list?
COLLINS: Likely.
BOROWITZ: Yes. It's -- yes, that's probably in development at Michael Moore productions.
COOPER: All right. It hasn't gun green-lighted. Not yet.
(LAUGHTER)
BOROWITZ: It hasn't been green-lighted. They're waiting for the right cast.
COLLINS: Sure is. All right. Andy, thanks so much.
BOROWITZ: Thanks.
COOPER: Let's check back in on the nation's weather. Chad Myers at the CNN Center with the latest weather -- Chad.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COOPER: Last night, Conan O'Brien took a shot at President Bush's comments on same-sex marriage. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONAN O'BRIEN, TALK SHOW HOST: Congress, of course, this week debating gay marriage. That is the big story. And in a speech just the other day, President Bush called marriage between a man and a woman, "the basis of an orderly society."
(LAUGHTER)
O'BRIEN: That's what he said, yeah. Yeah, then Bush said, unless the bride is Jennifer Lopez. All bets are off.
(LAUGHTER)
COOPER: Ba-da-bum. COLLINS: I didn't think that was very funny. I'm sorry.
COOPER: Well, there you go.
COLLINS: I love Conan, but anyway.
OK. Still to come this morning, roller coasters are meant to give you thrills and chills, but one ride in Ohio proved to be much more terrifying than it was supposed to be. A look at that coming up.
COOPER: Now, that's funny.
COLLINS: Yeah, that's hysterical.
COOPER: No, that's not funny.
Also ahead, the president's daughters step into the spotlight. We haven't heard much form them, until now, that is. We'll talk about that.
COLLINS: Plus, a tiger tale with an unfortunate ending. Now, controversy about the big cat that was on the loose. It's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: A thrill ride turned into a terrifying ordeal for people at an amusement park in Ohio. Monday night, four people were hurt after pieces of metal sheered off and hit them. It happened as the Top Thrill Dragster took off, accelerating to go 120 miles an hour.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We were all panicking, of course. We just want to get off the ride. We want to make sure everybody is OK.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm never getting on a roller coaster again, ever. Can't do it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: All four people that got hurt did get medical attention at the park. And later, two of them went to the hospital. None of the injuries were considered serious. But Cedar Point Park workers are investigating the cause. The roller coaster remains closed at this time.
COOPER: That's terrible.
There's controversy also this morning over the shooting death of an escaped tiger in south Florida. The tiger's owner, an actor who played Tarzan in the 1960s, called the shooting a murder and says that wildlife officials acted hastily. Here is CNN's John Zarrella.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Florida wildlife officers said they intended to tranquilize Bobo the tiger, but instead were forced to kill him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Unfortunately, there was some kind of -- of either a lunging toward the officer, and the officer felt threatened enough where he needed to use legal force.
STEVE SIPEK, TIGER'S OWNER: There is the blood of my Bobo.
ZARRELLA: The big cat's owner, Steve Sipek, distraught and covered in his animal's blood, said he could have walked Bobo back into his compound had he been given the chance.
SIPEK: He's still under the bushes where he slept all day. When they came, he raised his head. They shot him five times. Five times, not one! Five -- five times.
ZARRELLA: The encounter with Bobo by two wildlife officers who were tracking him came more than a day after the tiger escaped Sipek's residence in rural Palm Beach County. Sipek, who played Tarzan in 1960s B versions of the movie, raised Bobo from a cub. Earlier in the day, Sipek said he was concerned about his pet's fate.
SIPEK: I'm afraid they're going to kill him. I'm afraid they're going to kill him.
ZARRELLA: Bobo's escape had residents on edge. Wildlife officers cordoned off the area where they thought the animal was hiding, set up a command post, and warned resident.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you guys have any animals or anything like that, bring them inside.
ZARRELLA: One woman offered her pig as bate. The offer promptly rejected. It's not clear how Bobo got out of Sipek's compound, where he keeps another tiger, a couple of lions, and a panther. And the danger is clearly marked. Mail carrier Jan Mahoney was the first person to see Bobo on the loose.
JAN MAHONEY, MAIL CARRIER: I was close to delivering Steve's mail, and when I turned the corner at the driveway that's next to Steve's house, the tiger was laying right here behind the palm fronts (ph).
ZARRELLA: Wildlife officials say they will investigate why the officers felt it necessary to kill the animal.
(on camera): Several area residents came out to express their support for Sipek with lit candles. Wildlife officials say they are saddened, too. The last thing they wanted to do, they say, was to kill Bobo.
John Zarrella, CNN, Loxahatchee, Florida.
(END VIDEOTAPE) COOPER: Well, Sipek says he twice led Bobo to the gate of his compound, but says the animal got spooked by a helicopter and went back into the brush -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Still to come, Wednesday's edition of "90-Second Pop." From the looks of it, there's no midlife crisis for the artist current known as Prince. But does the man in purple still party like it's 1999?
Plus, Sharon Stone says it's time she had a younger lover. But it's not what you think.
That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: It is just about half past the hour. Heidi is a little bit cold here on this AMERICAN MORNING. Bill is off, Soledad is getting some rest. I'm Anderson Cooper. Thanks for joining us.
COLLINS: And you're freezing me out big time.
COOPER: I asked that the temperature be dropped, because it is -- it's nice and...
(CROSSTALK)
COLLINS: That's power.
All right. Some headlines this morning that we're going to get to this half-hour.
Senator John Edwards flying solo today, campaigning in Iowa and trying to bring rural voters to the Democrat side. He's not the only one that focused on small town America today. We'll have more on that in just a moment.
COOPER: Heidi started a small bonfire off camera for heat.
Also, in a few minutes, our conversation with "Vogue" magazine's Julia Reed. She got the first interview with the president's daughters, Jenna and Barbara Bush. They're stepping into the spotlight this summer. We'll find out what the two recent college grads are kind of like.
Also, the opening bell is ringing on Wall Street any moment now. The Dow Jones industrial average starts trading at 10,247. There it is, up more than nine points yesterday. At the Nasdaq market site, the Composite Index opens at 1,931, down more than five points.
There it is.
COLLINS: That interesting music again.
John Edwards this morning calling his rival, Dick Cheney, out of touch with most Americans. In an interview on NBC, the Democratic VP candidate said he didn't think his counterpart had any idea of the daily struggles faced by most people. And as Kelly Wallace reports, it's a theme the Kerry campaign plans to use to connect with rural voters.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As John Kerry's running mate, John Edwards mentions this...
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The values that I learned in a small town...
WALLACE: ... over and over and over again.
EDWARDS: I grew up in a small town in North Carolina.
WALLACE (on camera): It's no accident. Democratic strategists believe Edwards, with his small town roots, will be able to connect with rural voters better than Kerry.
(voice-over): And so that is why Edwards' first solo trip as vice presidential candidate includes stops in the heartland, Iowa and Illinois, as well as the South, Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina, even President Bush's home state of Texas. But Mr. Bush is not taking the small town vote for granted, wrapping up a bus tour today through three towns in the battleground state of Wisconsin, targeting his opponent John Kerry and using the "V" word.
BUSH: Recently campaigning in the Midwest, he even tried to claim he was the candidate with conservative values.
WALLACE: Some political observers believe the rural vote could decide the election.
RON BROWNSTEIN, POLITICAL ANALYST: The rural vote is important because it moved so sharply against the Democrats last time. It allowed Bush to win a number of Midwestern battlegrounds, in particular, and also to get very close in others that Democrats have to have.
WALLACE: Even with Edwards on the ticket, team Bush-Cheney holds a sizeable lead with small town voters, 55 to 42 percent in a recent CNN-"USA Today"-Gallup poll. Kerry right now is doing only slightly better than Al Gore did in 2000 when he lost the rural vote handily to George W. Bush, while Bill Clinton held his own in both elections with small town USA. Democrats now hope one John can make that happen for the other.
EDWARDS: There is no one better prepared to keep the American people safe than this man.
WALLACE: He's going solo in ads and on the stump. The question now, can he deliver?
Kelly Wallace, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: A recent poll by the nonpartisan Center for Rural Strategies showed Kerry making up some ground on President Bush in rural areas. In June, the Democrat trailed by eight points, but the president held a 15-point lead in January -- Anderson.
COOPER: Well, we haven't heard much from the president's daughters, Jenna and Barbara Bush. But now, with college behind and the campaign ahead, the 22-year-old twins are ready for their close- ups, apparently. The White House says both Jenna and Barbara will work on their father's reelection campaign.
They just did an interview and photo shoot with "Vogue" magazine -- that's them there -- which -- it will be out next month. "Vogue's" Julia Reed conducted the interview. I spoke earlier with her about the first daughters and the roles they might play in the campaign.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Let's talk about Jenna Bush. She recently graduated from the University of Texas, she joined hers father on the campaign trail last week for the first time. People usually think about her as sort of a party girl. That's the MO she has. What was your impression?
JULIA REED, "VOGUE" MAGAZINE: Well, you know, they were both -- Barbara and Jenna were incredibly gracious and actually poised. I mean, they've sort of been closeted up in college and away from the public eye for four years, as you know. And so it's unfortunate for them that the only little bits of news we've gotten, there is like the odd tabloid report here or there.
COOPER: Right, underage drinking, that sort of thing.
REED: Yes, which, you know -- and, you know, remarkably little of it when you think of a four-year, you know, sort of stretch. But as far as -- compared to my college career. But, anyway -- but, I mean, no. She was incredibly gracious, I think really enthusiastic.
I mean, they -- you know, they finally are of age and they think -- I mean, this is their father's last campaign. I think they're excited to go out and do this. And this is his last shot. It's his last shot.
COOPER: They talked a little about, too, about what they want to do after the campaign is over.
REED: Right. Barbara has graduated from Yale, and she -- she wants to work with children who have AIDS in eastern Europe and in Africa. She went with Mrs. Bush and President Bush to Africa a couple of years ago and visited an AIDS hospital, and I think it really affected her.
COOPER: Now, she previously had worked for designers.
REED: Yes. She's very artistic. And one of the things she wants to do with -- with these kids is do art therapy with them. I mean, it's a field that she's interested in.
And there is a program that you go off for like a year and do this. And I -- and Jenna wants to teach. She has worked -- she worked for one summer at a Charter School and she loved it. And her degree is in education. And so I know that she's already interviewed at one Charter School here in Harlem.
But I think that they're smart to not start any of that stuff until after the campaign. Because, no matter what they do, their decisions are going to be suspect. Oh, she wants to work with kids with AIDS because it will look good for her father. Oh, she wants to teach at a Charter School because it will look good for their father. So I think that they're wise, because, you know, it's -- it would not be about them, it wouldn't be about their personal choices if they did it now.
COOPER: What was their interaction like with their mom? Because she sort of popped her head in during the photo shoot.
REED: A couple of times, yes. And I've seen them together before.
They're adorable with their mother. I mean, it struck me what kind of easy, good relationship they had, not just because it's the first lady and two -- their daughters. But it's sort of like a mom and their two daughters.
And they're very funny with each other. I mean, the Bush family -- you know, like former President Bush said, oh, we're a big teasing family, you know. And that's their sort of...
COOPER: Right. And their big -- their big way of describing people positively is describing them as "hilarious." That's sort of their catch phrase.
REED: Yes. The girls say that, "Oh, she's so hilarious."
COOPER: They describe their grandmother as hilarious?
REED: Yes. That's like the high compliment to be hilarious.
COOPER: What surprised you most about them?
REED: What is surprising about their experience is that they did have such a normal kind of college experience. I mean, the press did give them some space, with the exception of some tabloid reporters.
But their father told me that, you know, his biggest fear was that they weren't going to be able to have a rich college experience. And they did. I mean, they -- you know, both apparently did really well in school, they studied what they wanted to, they had great summer jobs, they went off backpacking through Europe. I mean, they did all the kinds of things that were totally under the radar.
They had their 20th birthday party at Camp David. I mean, the Bushes made sure that they still had a sort of -- I mean, you know, treated them like you would -- you know, sort of involved parents treat their kids.
COOPER: What...
REED: But you forget, oh, my god, this is the president of the United States. And it was like right after 9/11 that their 20th birthday party...
COOPER: It's also remarkable when you consider they have grown up in this political family really from the time they were born. You know, their grandfather was in the White House. They've rally grown up their entire lives in this sort of spotlight, and yet not been in the spotlight.
REED: Right. I mean, they said to me, you know, "Politics never really encroached on our family lives," which I think says a lot about the family. Whatever you think about them politically, they've done, you know, a good job at keeping their children, you know, in a sort of private zone.
COOPER: Julia Reed, thanks very much.
REED: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Let's take another look at the weather now. Chad Myers at the CNN Center -- Chad.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COOPER: Chad, thanks very much.
Still to come this morning, hooked on reality TV? Things are about to get really, really real for you. We're "Minding Your Business" on that.
COLLINS: You're hooked on reality TV?
COOPER: I used to be. I'm kind of off it.
COLLINS: Yeah -- all right.
Also ahead, Paris Hilton, no stranger to reality TV herself, cashes in on a little blue movie you might have heard of. Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
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 editor, Sarah Bernard, and B.J. Sigesmund, staff editor 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, what's -- why wouldn't it happen? You know, also the funny thing is...
SARAH BERNARD, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: Ashton's like, I've got 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: 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.
COLLINS: OK. Now, we have to get to Prince before we run out of time.
SIGESMUND: 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, yeah? Can he still rock the house?
TOURE, "ROLLING STONE": I mean, he -- I mean, yeah, he's absolutely one of the best performances still on 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 all acoustic set in the middle. COLLINS: Yes. Amazing how long he sat there and just played.
TOURE: And there's 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 -- he's like, screw you all. I'm laying down. Nobody -- there's no music (UNINTELLIGIBLE). 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 due had -- wore purple and makeup and high heels, and still everyone loved him. You know, he had that ambisexual 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?
BERNARD: He never left.
TOURE: No, no. I think this will be the end.
BERNARD: The end?
TOURE: I'm not sure you're going to see a big tour like this from him again. I'm not sure.
COLLINS: OK. 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 TV.
Still to come, the debate over the proposed gay marriage ban in Congress and why some of the harshest criticism is coming from within the Republican Party.
Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: And it's 46 minutes past the hour. Time for a look at some of the other top stories today with Daryn Kagan -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Anderson, we're going to go ahead and start in Iraq at a scene of a massive suicide car bombing. At least eight people were killed in Baghdad when a vehicle packed with explosives blew up near the entrance to the city's Green Zone. More than three dozen others were wounded, including a U.S. soldier. That is the first large-scale attack since sovereignty was transferred back to Iraq last month. British Prime Minister Tony Blair says he accepts the conclusion of a probe into British intelligence of prewar Iraq. The so-called Butler report says that some intelligence sources were seriously flawed. The report goes on to say that Blair's government didn't deliberately distort intelligence to justify an invasion of Iraq. A live picture there from the House of Commons. It also adds that Saddam Hussein didn't possess any weapons of mass destruction.
U.S. Marine Corporal Wassef Ali Hassoun is heading to go a Virginia military base to continue his repatriation process. Hassoun has been undergoing debriefings and medical examinations in Germany, following what he claims was his abduction in Iraq. In a statement released this morning, Hassoun says, "I am in good health and spirits. I look forward to a return with my family and friends."
Arizona Republican Senator John McCain is criticizing a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage. On the Senate floor yesterday, Senator McCain called 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 a million-dollar milestone for a "Jeopardy" contestant. Ken Jennings won his 30th straight contest on the game show last night, bringing his month-long earnings to $1,004,060. He's only the second person in the history of the show to win past the seven--digit earnings mark.
We should know, however, he did not go up against our own celebrity "Jeopardy" champion, Mr. Anderson Cooper. So I think there's a little asterisk in the record book next to his achievement.
COOPER: A well there should be.
KAGAN: Absolutely.
COLLINS: That is the real competition right there.
COOPER: Exactly. Yeah. And Daryn, as you well know, I have challenged him publicly any time, anywhere, any subject.
COLLINS: I think he's afraid.
COOPER: But I think that he's a little bit afraid.
COLLINS: I think -- and intimidated as well.
COOPER: Thanks.
COLLINS: All right. Still to come this morning, sick of the long lines at the amusement park? Well, have they got a deal -- which camera -- for you. We're "Minding Your Business."
Stay with us right here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COLLINS: This news just in. Roller coaster lovers are skipping to go the front of the line. And what's this? Reality TV 24 hours a day? Oh, yeah. Christine Romans "Minding Your Business" now.
Let's start with the markets. And we're dying to hear about the roller coaster.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. And there's -- well, there's no roller coaster on Wall Street. The market is down 40 or 50 points -- 46 points right now, 10,201. That's because of Intel, which we told you about.
But you're a mom. I mean, how do you feel about this story about amusement parks selling access to the front of the line? I mean, the first thing you learn in kindergarten is don't cut in line. And now...
COOPER: I'm all for it. I want to go on record.
(LAUGHTER)
ROMANS: Well, some parents are outraged, because -- and parents are outraged, because they're standing in line for 90 minutes to get on a roller coaster.
COLLINS: Right.
ROMANS: Others are thrilled they don't have to wait 90 minutes in line and they can just scoot right in. You pay double and you can go in the back door, because some amusement parks have found that other children in line start to cry when they see children scooting to the front of the line. But basically...
COLLINS: What if they don't enough, you know, allowance to pay for that double?
ROMANS: Ah, well, you know, it's tough. You know, $100 to get in. Some of these -- OK, look it. Universal Studios, a regular ticket is about $45, just shy of $45. A VIP pass, $89.75. LEGOLAND, regular ticket, $43.95, a hundred bucks for a VIP pass at LEGOLAND. So...
COOPER: I went -- I went to Disney World. I was stunned at how expensive it is.
ROMANS: It is expensive.
COLLINS: Yes. And now it's double, if you...
COOPER: It's crazy.
ROMANS: Right.
COLLINS: More rides.
ROMANS: I mean, maybe there are other ways... (CROSSTALK)
COOPER: And there you go, the lines. But now, no longer. You cut right in front of them.
ROMANS: Well, if you can pay a hundred bucks.
COOPER: Right.
ROMANS: But if you can't -- OK. And, as if the world doesn't need -- doesn't need more Paris Hilton, Fox reality channel, the outtakes, reruns, you name it, the contestants' interviews, next year, Fox will have its own reality TV channel. All "Simple Life," all "American Idol," all of this stuff all of the time.
COLLINS: All the time.
COOPER: Wow.
ROMANS: And what I didn't know, there are already two reality TV channels.
COOPER: There are?
ROMANS: There are. There are, which I didn't know. So I don't know.
COLLINS: I can't believe you didn't know this.
ROMANS: What do you think?
COOPER: Is it like a satellite thing or something?
ROMANS: One is a European one and the other is called Reality Television -- or Reality Channel. But, I mean, I'm wondering, is it the end of the reality TV craze? By the time you have three reality television channels, is that a sign that maybe things are over?
COOPER: You know, their ratings are higher than ever. I was talking...
BOROWITZ: I think we're just at the dawn of this era. I really do.
(LAUGHTER)
BOROWITZ: I really do.
COOPER: Do you really?
BOROWITZ: Yes. In our lifetime, this will not end, I don't think.
(CROSSTALK)
COOPER: It's like the war on terror and reality TV. BOROWITZ: Exactly.
COOPER: Those are the two things we have for our lifetime.
BOROWITZ: We are living with them.
COOPER: I see.
BOROWITZ: We are living with them.
COOPER: Well, we'll see. I don't know. I don't know what to make of it.
Time for Andy Borowitz and the "Question of the Day."
BOROWITZ: Yes. Well, I asked this question, what would you like to see Michael Moore do his next movie about? Some people took that to be a sarcastic question. I did not.
But Brian of St. Charles, Illinois, said, "I would like to see Michael Moore make a movie examining the hostility of the left wing radicals in the United States. Oh, wait, he's already one of those."
OK.
Melody in Three Rivers, California, said, "Michael Moore should make a movie about truth. So far, he hasn't done it."
OK.
COLLINS: Ouch.
BOROWITZ: And Jim from Pontiac, Illinois, said, "Michael Moore should make a sequel to 'Fahrenheit 9/11.' He couldn't possibly expose all the Bush administration's lies in the time span of just one movie."
OK.
COOPER: Wow. A lot of opinions there.
BOROWITZ: A lot of ideas. They're all pitching. All pitching.
COLLINS: Yes.
COOPER: Andy, it's great to have you with us.
BOROWITZ: It's great to be here.
COOPER: All right.
BOROWITZ: This is the way AMERICAN MORNING looks on Earth 2, by the way.
(LAUGHTER) COOPER: Coming up on CNN, it is one of the biggest burdens out there for Americans paying for prescription drugs. Next hour, some tips on how you can save money on your medicine. That's coming up with Daryn Kagan on "CNN LIVE TODAY."
And AMERICAN MORNING will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Tonight on "360," we'll be looking at the business of hostage-taking in Baghdad. A lot of people making a lot of money by kidnapping foreigners and Iraqis. We'll look at that at 7:00 Eastern tonight.
And here is Aaron Brown with a preview of what is coming up tonight on "NEWSNIGHT.".
AARON BROWN, HOST, "NEWSNIGHT": Thank you, Anderson.
Tonight on "NEWSNIGHT," a family calls it an educational vacation. And a month in Iraq certainly qualifies as that. What they learned, what they saw, what they brought home with them. We'll have that, plus all the day's top news stories and everything else that makes "NEWSNIGHT" "NEWSNIGHT," CNN tonight, 10:00 p.m. Eastern -- Anderson.
COOPER: Aaron, thanks very much.
And Daryn Kagan is standing by at the CNN Center to take us through the next couple of hours. For Heidi and Anderson, thanks for watching.
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 - 9:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: A devastating attack in Iraq. Terrorists on the offensive in Baghdad, while a member of the coalition says it is pulling back.
On the verge of an historic decision in the Senate on same-sex marriage. If Republicans are defeated, can they get the defeat they want?
And a grand debut on the national stage. The Bush twins coming out strong on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.
COOPER: Good morning. Bill and Soledad are off this morning. I'm Anderson Cooper. Thanks for joining us.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Heidi Collins. Good morning to you, everybody.
COOPER: We've got a lot to cover this morning. President Bush says that John Kerry is out of touch with Midwestern values. The president is campaigning in three Great Lakes states which he lost in 2000, Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. Dana Bash is traveling with the president for us. She's live in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Good morning, Dana.
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Anderson.
And this two-day campaign swing is taking the president through Democratic areas of these battleground states, the places he's hoping to beat John Kerry with the right message.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BASH (voice-over): The president is reaching out to rural conservative voters in great lake 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.
(BOOING) BASH: From same-sex marriage to abortion, Mr. Bush is trying to turn around his sagging poll 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 opponent said that a bunch of entertainers from Hollywood conveyed the heart and soul of America.
(BOOING)
BUSH: 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 before the war and after.
BUSH: But 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 vote because of conservative values, anti-tax. And that's why they always respected the president, because of his strength and character. That's changing because of tough times.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BASH: The other potential pitfall for the president still in these parts is job loss, which polls show could turn away even voters who support him on social issues. As for the Kerry campaign, they say the president is out of touch and that he's making America less secure -- Anderson.
COOPER: Dana Bash, thanks very much -- Heidi.
COLLINS: A constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage looks dead on arrival today, and Senate Republicans have some explaining to do. Ed Henry now with that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Republicans thought they could score political points by forcing Senator John Kerry to vote against a ban on gay marriage right on the eve of the Democratic national convention. But Democrats have turned the tables.
SEN. TOM DASCHLE (D-SD), MINORITY LEADER: The Republicans find themselves in an embarrassing position. They cannot agree among themselves as to what form the amendment relating to go gay marriage or the marriage amendment ought to take. HENRY: Republicans always knew they would not get the 67 votes needed to change the Constitution. But they were left red-faced when it became clear they would fall short of a simple majority which would have at least let them claim a partial victory. So now they're pushing to vote on a second version of the amendment.
SEN. BILL FRIST (R-TN), MAJORITY LEADER: We don't want to just have one vote. And the Democrats just want to have one vote and then skedaddle. And, no, we want to very thoughtfully debate a constitutional amendment, which is serious business.
HENRY: But Democrats are vowing to block other versions, and they're stepping up their attacks.
SEN. FRANK LAUTENBERG (D), NEW JERSEY: I've come to an unfortunate conclusion about why we're doing this amendment. Gay bashing, plain and simple that's what this is about.
SEN. RICK SANTORUM (R), PENNSYLVANIA: You can say I'm a hater. But I would argue I'm a lover. I'm a lover of traditional families and children who deserve the right to have a mother and a father.
HENRY: Ed Henry, CNN, Capitol Hill.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: And recently, President Bush did voice his support for the amendment -- Anderson.
COOPER: Well, there's been a deadly attack this morning in central Baghdad. A suicide car bomb exploded near an entrance to the so-called Green Zone. Michael Holmes is live in Baghdad with the latest -- Michael.
MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Anderson.
Yes, it was certainly a very large explosion that, by some estimates, a 1,000-pound bomb packed into an SUV. It drove up to one of the main entrances to the Green Zone, as you said, and got to just short of the first security zone where you get your vehicles checked, and it detonated. You can see the carnage that resulted.
The prime minister, Iyad Allawi, said seven Iraqi civilians were killed; three members of the Iraqi National Guard also killed. At least 40 people were injured, some of them seriously.
And, in addition, Colonel Mike Murray (ph) of the 1st Cav told us that one U.S. soldier was hurt, but it was a very minor injury. He will be back on post today, in fact.
The prime minister saying that people were just going to work to make a living for their families. This was an act of aggression against the Iraqi people. And he described the perpetrators as criminals.
A car was seen driving slowly up to that checkpoint, the first line of defense, if you like, before getting into this very busy checkpoint. This -- just inside there is the convention center, the Al Rashid Hotel. The U.S. embassy not far away, and also it's the home, of course, of the Iraqi interim administration.
Now, we were driving through there just a couple of days ago, and it is a very busy area. This is a national holiday here today, and so slightly fewer people than normal. But still very crowded with people lining up to go to work and those lining up to try to get work. Again, the victims, Iraqis -- Anderson.
COOPER: That, of course, is the whole point, hitting when people are out on the streets for maximum casualties. Michael, when I was there a couple of weeks ago, there was some talk about the new government taking away some of the barricades around the Green Zone. Are they still talking about that?
HOLMES: No. There was -- there was suggestion by the mayor of Baghdad that he wanted to see some of these blast walls. And you know, Anderson, their massive things that are about 14 feet high, and they're meant to stop or reduce the impact of a car bomb or bomb of any kind, really. And the mayor of Baghdad was going to try to get some of those taken down from public buildings around Baghdad.
I don't think you're going to see them coming down around the Green Zone anytime soon, however. It's a big area, as you know. It's a former palace grounds that covers acres and acres of land, and the wall that goes around it is continuous, except for these entry points.
Many people have called it the Bremer Wall after L. Paul Bremer, who was the civil administrator here until the U.S. handed over sovereignty. Green zone, I think, will remain very much on high alert -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. And that's where the new U.S. embassy is going to be as well. Michael Holmes, thanks very much. Stay safe -- Heidi.
COLLINS: British Prime Minister Tony Blair used seriously flawed intelligence in his decision to go to war in Iraq. That is the finding of a highly critical report just out this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LORD BUTLER, LED U.K. INTELLIGENCE INQUIRY: Language in the dossier, and used by the prime minister, may have left readers with the impression that there was fuller and firmer intelligence than was the case. It was a serious weakness, but the joint intelligence committee's warnings on the limitation of the intelligence were not made sufficiently clear in the dossier.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: But the inquiry does not find that the Blair government deliberately distorted any evidence. Peter Stothard of "The London Times" has written about Tony Blair's decision to go to war. He joins us now from London this morning. Thanks for being here. Let me ask you about that. Seriously flawed, but they're also saying, as we said, "deliberate distortion or culpable negligence is not the case." So, overall, what does this mean?
PETER STOTHARD, AUTHOR, "THIRTY DAYS": Well, it means that if you're a politician, you're much being judged by a British civil servant than you are by U.S. senators. You know, the British civil servant report, Lord Butler's report, is, in many ways, very critical.
It attacks the -- the -- the intelligence itself, it attacks the way the intelligence got to the politicians. It attacks very few people at the top who had anything to do with it. It attacks the way in which they made their decisions, and says it was all a lot better a long time ago. But it does it in such a gentle, internal sort of mandarin, pinstripe kind of way, that, you know, Tony Blair is under no real pressure now. He looked pretty good in the House of Commons a few minutes ago.
COLLINS: Hmm, interesting. Well, earlier this morning, as you're mentioning, Prime Minister Blair responded to the report. He we want to listen for just a moment to what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TONY BLAIR, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: This report, like the Hutton inquiry, like the report of the intelligence and security committee before it, and of the foreign affairs committee before that, has found the same thing: no one lied, no one made up the intelligence. No one inserted things into the dossier against the advice of the intelligence services.
Everyone genuinely tried to do their best in good faith to the country in circumstances of acute difficulty. That issue of good faith should now be at an end.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Mr. Stothard, Tony Blair's public approval rating, if you will, popularity rating not very good right now. How do you think the public will see this?
STOTHARD: Well, the public who didn't like the war will dislike it still, and the people who dislike Tony Blair will dislike him still. But you've really got to look at -- the politics here is very different from in the U.S. We don't have an immediate election, and the opposition, who are hamstrung, because they supported the war, if anything, more aggressively than the government did, you know, finding it very difficult to land any punches on Tony Blair.
And we've just watched Michael Howell (ph), the opposition leader, the guy who would like to be prime minister instead of Tony Blair, we've watched him, you know, really struggle. And a few minutes ago, the House of Commons was just dissolving in laughter as -- as Tony Blair was replying to the opposition and reading out all the -- the quotes from the senior conservatives backing the war more strongly, and even before he did. And so, Tony Blair politically isn't as bad as it looks, even though, of course, everybody involved in this war has taken a hit with the wider public.
COLLINS: Any concerns, though, that the intelligence community there could be being used as scapegoats?
STOTHARD: Well, the -- the intelligence community here has got off pretty lightly. John Scarlet, who was the famous spy, very distinguished British agent who became head of the JIC -- that's the prime minister's sort of chief adviser on intelligence and is now head of MI6 -- that's our sort of -- our CIA -- he -- with the specific mention that he should stay in his job. The -- there were talks -- there was a lot of talk about the way in which information got from the field to the people at the top, and the current head of MI6 has said that he's going to do something, you know, to improve that.
But, no, there's none of the kind of sense of scapegoating that you've had in America. This is really -- although it is a public report, it reads, frankly, to me, just like so many internal reports that you read years after the event. I don't think it's going to have -- it's going to have that real political grip that you've -- that you've seen on -- on your side of the Atlantic.
COLLINS: All right. Peter Stothard, we certainly appreciate your insight on that this morning. Thanks so much.
COOPER: So it's about 11 minutes past the hour right now. Time for a look at some of the other day's top stories with Daryn Kagan.
Hey, Daryn.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Anderson, good morning once again.
Let's begin with the Philippine government. It is reducing, in fact, the number of troops in Iraq. It's hoped that the action will help spare the life of a Filipino hostage by satisfying the demands of Iraqi militants who are holding him hostage.
Meanwhile, there is a chance that a Bulgarian hostage reportedly executed may actually still be alive. A Bulgarian government spokesman saying the only evidence of the execution is a report on an Arab language news network.
A suspected al Qaeda militant is in custody of Saudi Arabia. Khaled al-Harabi, paralyzed from the waist down, surrendered to Saudi authorities yesterday. It is part of the country's one-month offer of leniency to terrorist suspects. The former head of Saudi intelligence tells CNN that it's unlikely al-Harabi was directly involved in terror attacks.
A new poll shows President Bush is gaining support for his ability to deal with the threat of terrorism. The latest "Washington Post" poll finds 55 percent of Americans approve of the way the president is handling the war on terror. Three weeks ago, the paper's poll found the president and John Kerry tied on the issue. A prescription drug plan that would allow Americans to buy cheaper drugs has received the OK from the House. Lawmakers yesterday voted to allow Americans to buy prescription drugs from Canada and other countries at prices lower than those found here in the U.S. The future of the provision in the Senate is unclear.
And finally, in Illinois, some severe weather leaving a path of destruction. Violent winds ripped the roofs off several homes and other buildings in the community of Peoria. Trees and power lines in the area didn't stand a chance. There were reports of tornadoes and softball-sized hail throughout the area. No word of any injuries.
I'm sure Chad will have more to tell us about that just ahead. And now back to you.
COLLINS: All right, Daryn. Thanks so much.
The Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal exposed some of the means used to get information from captives, but how do interrogators know if they're getting the truth? This morning, in our series exploring "The Truth About Lying," we learn how the experts gather reliable intelligence.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS (voice-over): Imagine being an American interrogator at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. Your job? To gain intelligence about who's behind the violence there.
TORIN NELSON, FMR. MILITARY INTERROGATOR: One of the sections was known generally as the break team. And their main job was to key in and focus on breaking down the will, breaking down the resistance of these -- of these possibly difficult detainees.
COLLINS: Torin Nelson is a former military intelligence adviser. More recently, he worked as a civilian contractor, questioning prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison. Nelson says he never used torture because it just doesn't work.
NELSON: If you brutalize somebody long enough, you can get them to admit that they're Osama bin Laden or Saddam Hussein in disguise.
COLLINS: Experts who have advised law and military enforcement agencies agree. Dr. Paul Ekman is a former chief psychologist for the Army. He now does consulting work for the Department of Defense.
DR. PAUL EKMAN, PSYCHOLOGIST: It's not just to get information. Torture will get you information, but it may not be the truth.
COLLINS: The answer, Ekman says, is to make the prisoner feel he is talking to someone who will help.
EKMAN: You get nowhere unless that person thinks that you're interested and able to understand why they did what they did.
COLLINS: Sometimes, trust can lead to breakthroughs. NELSON: In the midst of a conversation, they inadvertently let something slip that is one key information. Then you know that you can use that information to save lives.
COLLINS: Nelson also uses repeat questions to find out if someone is able to keep their story straight.
NELSON: The sign of really good interrogator is somebody that can actually role play and become an actor and win this person over with friendship, with rapport. And sometimes you'll come out of the booth and you feel so dirty, you have to go take a shower. But I know the tactics that I used, because of the fact that I kept it professional, I kept it moral and ethical, that in the end, that information that I've -- that I've garnered will help end the conflict sooner, it will help save lives, and that's the important thing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Tomorrow, lying between the sexes. Who lies more?
And, answer this question: Your next-door neighbor offers to hook you up with free cable television. Do you take the offer? Well, take our ethics test on the Web at cnn.com/am, and see how your answers stack up on a number of ethical questions.
COOPER: And, talking about interesting ethical questions, Andy Borowitz.
COLLINS: Ta-da.
ANDY BOROWITZ, HUMORIST: Yes. Was it right to bring me here today? That's an ethical issue we're all still wrestling with.
COOPER: We know that. That was definitely the right choice.
COLLINS: Absolutely.
COOPER: What's the "Question of the Day?"
BOROWITZ: Well, we've got a big question. Michael Moore's new movie, "Fahrenheit 9/11," of course, has grossed $80 million here at home. It's been a big hit around the world. So we asked you guys, what would you like to see Michael Moore do a movie about?
And you said, John from Woodbridge, Virginia, "I would like to see Michael Moore make a reality show about himself being left on a deserted island in the Pacific."
OK. That's interesting.
James writes, "Michael Moore should make a documentary about the real reason behind the gasoline price spike."
Interesting.
And here's one from Kathy from Ann Arbor, Michigan. "Michael Moore's next movie should be about preserving and protecting our environment from industry, mining and overzealous foresting," as opposed to just the zealous foresting that goes on.
And this is from an unidentified viewer, who writes, "He should document the working conditions at Wal-Mart, Walgreen's and other sub- subsistence employers. He can emphasize the disparity between executive salaries and bonuses and very low hourly rates."
And finally, Joe from Baltimore, Maryland, writes, "A movie on the great job President Bush has done in the face of both foreign and domestic enemies of the USA."
You know, Joe, I think he's going to do that Pacific island one before he gets to that, something tells me.
COOPER: But you think that's on his list?
COLLINS: Likely.
BOROWITZ: Yes. It's -- yes, that's probably in development at Michael Moore productions.
COOPER: All right. It hasn't gun green-lighted. Not yet.
(LAUGHTER)
BOROWITZ: It hasn't been green-lighted. They're waiting for the right cast.
COLLINS: Sure is. All right. Andy, thanks so much.
BOROWITZ: Thanks.
COOPER: Let's check back in on the nation's weather. Chad Myers at the CNN Center with the latest weather -- Chad.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COOPER: Last night, Conan O'Brien took a shot at President Bush's comments on same-sex marriage. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONAN O'BRIEN, TALK SHOW HOST: Congress, of course, this week debating gay marriage. That is the big story. And in a speech just the other day, President Bush called marriage between a man and a woman, "the basis of an orderly society."
(LAUGHTER)
O'BRIEN: That's what he said, yeah. Yeah, then Bush said, unless the bride is Jennifer Lopez. All bets are off.
(LAUGHTER)
COOPER: Ba-da-bum. COLLINS: I didn't think that was very funny. I'm sorry.
COOPER: Well, there you go.
COLLINS: I love Conan, but anyway.
OK. Still to come this morning, roller coasters are meant to give you thrills and chills, but one ride in Ohio proved to be much more terrifying than it was supposed to be. A look at that coming up.
COOPER: Now, that's funny.
COLLINS: Yeah, that's hysterical.
COOPER: No, that's not funny.
Also ahead, the president's daughters step into the spotlight. We haven't heard much form them, until now, that is. We'll talk about that.
COLLINS: Plus, a tiger tale with an unfortunate ending. Now, controversy about the big cat that was on the loose. It's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: A thrill ride turned into a terrifying ordeal for people at an amusement park in Ohio. Monday night, four people were hurt after pieces of metal sheered off and hit them. It happened as the Top Thrill Dragster took off, accelerating to go 120 miles an hour.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We were all panicking, of course. We just want to get off the ride. We want to make sure everybody is OK.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm never getting on a roller coaster again, ever. Can't do it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: All four people that got hurt did get medical attention at the park. And later, two of them went to the hospital. None of the injuries were considered serious. But Cedar Point Park workers are investigating the cause. The roller coaster remains closed at this time.
COOPER: That's terrible.
There's controversy also this morning over the shooting death of an escaped tiger in south Florida. The tiger's owner, an actor who played Tarzan in the 1960s, called the shooting a murder and says that wildlife officials acted hastily. Here is CNN's John Zarrella.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Florida wildlife officers said they intended to tranquilize Bobo the tiger, but instead were forced to kill him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Unfortunately, there was some kind of -- of either a lunging toward the officer, and the officer felt threatened enough where he needed to use legal force.
STEVE SIPEK, TIGER'S OWNER: There is the blood of my Bobo.
ZARRELLA: The big cat's owner, Steve Sipek, distraught and covered in his animal's blood, said he could have walked Bobo back into his compound had he been given the chance.
SIPEK: He's still under the bushes where he slept all day. When they came, he raised his head. They shot him five times. Five times, not one! Five -- five times.
ZARRELLA: The encounter with Bobo by two wildlife officers who were tracking him came more than a day after the tiger escaped Sipek's residence in rural Palm Beach County. Sipek, who played Tarzan in 1960s B versions of the movie, raised Bobo from a cub. Earlier in the day, Sipek said he was concerned about his pet's fate.
SIPEK: I'm afraid they're going to kill him. I'm afraid they're going to kill him.
ZARRELLA: Bobo's escape had residents on edge. Wildlife officers cordoned off the area where they thought the animal was hiding, set up a command post, and warned resident.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you guys have any animals or anything like that, bring them inside.
ZARRELLA: One woman offered her pig as bate. The offer promptly rejected. It's not clear how Bobo got out of Sipek's compound, where he keeps another tiger, a couple of lions, and a panther. And the danger is clearly marked. Mail carrier Jan Mahoney was the first person to see Bobo on the loose.
JAN MAHONEY, MAIL CARRIER: I was close to delivering Steve's mail, and when I turned the corner at the driveway that's next to Steve's house, the tiger was laying right here behind the palm fronts (ph).
ZARRELLA: Wildlife officials say they will investigate why the officers felt it necessary to kill the animal.
(on camera): Several area residents came out to express their support for Sipek with lit candles. Wildlife officials say they are saddened, too. The last thing they wanted to do, they say, was to kill Bobo.
John Zarrella, CNN, Loxahatchee, Florida.
(END VIDEOTAPE) COOPER: Well, Sipek says he twice led Bobo to the gate of his compound, but says the animal got spooked by a helicopter and went back into the brush -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Still to come, Wednesday's edition of "90-Second Pop." From the looks of it, there's no midlife crisis for the artist current known as Prince. But does the man in purple still party like it's 1999?
Plus, Sharon Stone says it's time she had a younger lover. But it's not what you think.
That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: It is just about half past the hour. Heidi is a little bit cold here on this AMERICAN MORNING. Bill is off, Soledad is getting some rest. I'm Anderson Cooper. Thanks for joining us.
COLLINS: And you're freezing me out big time.
COOPER: I asked that the temperature be dropped, because it is -- it's nice and...
(CROSSTALK)
COLLINS: That's power.
All right. Some headlines this morning that we're going to get to this half-hour.
Senator John Edwards flying solo today, campaigning in Iowa and trying to bring rural voters to the Democrat side. He's not the only one that focused on small town America today. We'll have more on that in just a moment.
COOPER: Heidi started a small bonfire off camera for heat.
Also, in a few minutes, our conversation with "Vogue" magazine's Julia Reed. She got the first interview with the president's daughters, Jenna and Barbara Bush. They're stepping into the spotlight this summer. We'll find out what the two recent college grads are kind of like.
Also, the opening bell is ringing on Wall Street any moment now. The Dow Jones industrial average starts trading at 10,247. There it is, up more than nine points yesterday. At the Nasdaq market site, the Composite Index opens at 1,931, down more than five points.
There it is.
COLLINS: That interesting music again.
John Edwards this morning calling his rival, Dick Cheney, out of touch with most Americans. In an interview on NBC, the Democratic VP candidate said he didn't think his counterpart had any idea of the daily struggles faced by most people. And as Kelly Wallace reports, it's a theme the Kerry campaign plans to use to connect with rural voters.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As John Kerry's running mate, John Edwards mentions this...
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The values that I learned in a small town...
WALLACE: ... over and over and over again.
EDWARDS: I grew up in a small town in North Carolina.
WALLACE (on camera): It's no accident. Democratic strategists believe Edwards, with his small town roots, will be able to connect with rural voters better than Kerry.
(voice-over): And so that is why Edwards' first solo trip as vice presidential candidate includes stops in the heartland, Iowa and Illinois, as well as the South, Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina, even President Bush's home state of Texas. But Mr. Bush is not taking the small town vote for granted, wrapping up a bus tour today through three towns in the battleground state of Wisconsin, targeting his opponent John Kerry and using the "V" word.
BUSH: Recently campaigning in the Midwest, he even tried to claim he was the candidate with conservative values.
WALLACE: Some political observers believe the rural vote could decide the election.
RON BROWNSTEIN, POLITICAL ANALYST: The rural vote is important because it moved so sharply against the Democrats last time. It allowed Bush to win a number of Midwestern battlegrounds, in particular, and also to get very close in others that Democrats have to have.
WALLACE: Even with Edwards on the ticket, team Bush-Cheney holds a sizeable lead with small town voters, 55 to 42 percent in a recent CNN-"USA Today"-Gallup poll. Kerry right now is doing only slightly better than Al Gore did in 2000 when he lost the rural vote handily to George W. Bush, while Bill Clinton held his own in both elections with small town USA. Democrats now hope one John can make that happen for the other.
EDWARDS: There is no one better prepared to keep the American people safe than this man.
WALLACE: He's going solo in ads and on the stump. The question now, can he deliver?
Kelly Wallace, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: A recent poll by the nonpartisan Center for Rural Strategies showed Kerry making up some ground on President Bush in rural areas. In June, the Democrat trailed by eight points, but the president held a 15-point lead in January -- Anderson.
COOPER: Well, we haven't heard much from the president's daughters, Jenna and Barbara Bush. But now, with college behind and the campaign ahead, the 22-year-old twins are ready for their close- ups, apparently. The White House says both Jenna and Barbara will work on their father's reelection campaign.
They just did an interview and photo shoot with "Vogue" magazine -- that's them there -- which -- it will be out next month. "Vogue's" Julia Reed conducted the interview. I spoke earlier with her about the first daughters and the roles they might play in the campaign.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Let's talk about Jenna Bush. She recently graduated from the University of Texas, she joined hers father on the campaign trail last week for the first time. People usually think about her as sort of a party girl. That's the MO she has. What was your impression?
JULIA REED, "VOGUE" MAGAZINE: Well, you know, they were both -- Barbara and Jenna were incredibly gracious and actually poised. I mean, they've sort of been closeted up in college and away from the public eye for four years, as you know. And so it's unfortunate for them that the only little bits of news we've gotten, there is like the odd tabloid report here or there.
COOPER: Right, underage drinking, that sort of thing.
REED: Yes, which, you know -- and, you know, remarkably little of it when you think of a four-year, you know, sort of stretch. But as far as -- compared to my college career. But, anyway -- but, I mean, no. She was incredibly gracious, I think really enthusiastic.
I mean, they -- you know, they finally are of age and they think -- I mean, this is their father's last campaign. I think they're excited to go out and do this. And this is his last shot. It's his last shot.
COOPER: They talked a little about, too, about what they want to do after the campaign is over.
REED: Right. Barbara has graduated from Yale, and she -- she wants to work with children who have AIDS in eastern Europe and in Africa. She went with Mrs. Bush and President Bush to Africa a couple of years ago and visited an AIDS hospital, and I think it really affected her.
COOPER: Now, she previously had worked for designers.
REED: Yes. She's very artistic. And one of the things she wants to do with -- with these kids is do art therapy with them. I mean, it's a field that she's interested in.
And there is a program that you go off for like a year and do this. And I -- and Jenna wants to teach. She has worked -- she worked for one summer at a Charter School and she loved it. And her degree is in education. And so I know that she's already interviewed at one Charter School here in Harlem.
But I think that they're smart to not start any of that stuff until after the campaign. Because, no matter what they do, their decisions are going to be suspect. Oh, she wants to work with kids with AIDS because it will look good for her father. Oh, she wants to teach at a Charter School because it will look good for their father. So I think that they're wise, because, you know, it's -- it would not be about them, it wouldn't be about their personal choices if they did it now.
COOPER: What was their interaction like with their mom? Because she sort of popped her head in during the photo shoot.
REED: A couple of times, yes. And I've seen them together before.
They're adorable with their mother. I mean, it struck me what kind of easy, good relationship they had, not just because it's the first lady and two -- their daughters. But it's sort of like a mom and their two daughters.
And they're very funny with each other. I mean, the Bush family -- you know, like former President Bush said, oh, we're a big teasing family, you know. And that's their sort of...
COOPER: Right. And their big -- their big way of describing people positively is describing them as "hilarious." That's sort of their catch phrase.
REED: Yes. The girls say that, "Oh, she's so hilarious."
COOPER: They describe their grandmother as hilarious?
REED: Yes. That's like the high compliment to be hilarious.
COOPER: What surprised you most about them?
REED: What is surprising about their experience is that they did have such a normal kind of college experience. I mean, the press did give them some space, with the exception of some tabloid reporters.
But their father told me that, you know, his biggest fear was that they weren't going to be able to have a rich college experience. And they did. I mean, they -- you know, both apparently did really well in school, they studied what they wanted to, they had great summer jobs, they went off backpacking through Europe. I mean, they did all the kinds of things that were totally under the radar.
They had their 20th birthday party at Camp David. I mean, the Bushes made sure that they still had a sort of -- I mean, you know, treated them like you would -- you know, sort of involved parents treat their kids.
COOPER: What...
REED: But you forget, oh, my god, this is the president of the United States. And it was like right after 9/11 that their 20th birthday party...
COOPER: It's also remarkable when you consider they have grown up in this political family really from the time they were born. You know, their grandfather was in the White House. They've rally grown up their entire lives in this sort of spotlight, and yet not been in the spotlight.
REED: Right. I mean, they said to me, you know, "Politics never really encroached on our family lives," which I think says a lot about the family. Whatever you think about them politically, they've done, you know, a good job at keeping their children, you know, in a sort of private zone.
COOPER: Julia Reed, thanks very much.
REED: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Let's take another look at the weather now. Chad Myers at the CNN Center -- Chad.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COOPER: Chad, thanks very much.
Still to come this morning, hooked on reality TV? Things are about to get really, really real for you. We're "Minding Your Business" on that.
COLLINS: You're hooked on reality TV?
COOPER: I used to be. I'm kind of off it.
COLLINS: Yeah -- all right.
Also ahead, Paris Hilton, no stranger to reality TV herself, cashes in on a little blue movie you might have heard of. Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
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 editor, Sarah Bernard, and B.J. Sigesmund, staff editor 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, what's -- why wouldn't it happen? You know, also the funny thing is...
SARAH BERNARD, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: Ashton's like, I've got 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: 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.
COLLINS: OK. Now, we have to get to Prince before we run out of time.
SIGESMUND: 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, yeah? Can he still rock the house?
TOURE, "ROLLING STONE": I mean, he -- I mean, yeah, he's absolutely one of the best performances still on 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 all acoustic set in the middle. COLLINS: Yes. Amazing how long he sat there and just played.
TOURE: And there's 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 -- he's like, screw you all. I'm laying down. Nobody -- there's no music (UNINTELLIGIBLE). 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 due had -- wore purple and makeup and high heels, and still everyone loved him. You know, he had that ambisexual 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?
BERNARD: He never left.
TOURE: No, no. I think this will be the end.
BERNARD: The end?
TOURE: I'm not sure you're going to see a big tour like this from him again. I'm not sure.
COLLINS: OK. 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 TV.
Still to come, the debate over the proposed gay marriage ban in Congress and why some of the harshest criticism is coming from within the Republican Party.
Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: And it's 46 minutes past the hour. Time for a look at some of the other top stories today with Daryn Kagan -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Anderson, we're going to go ahead and start in Iraq at a scene of a massive suicide car bombing. At least eight people were killed in Baghdad when a vehicle packed with explosives blew up near the entrance to the city's Green Zone. More than three dozen others were wounded, including a U.S. soldier. That is the first large-scale attack since sovereignty was transferred back to Iraq last month. British Prime Minister Tony Blair says he accepts the conclusion of a probe into British intelligence of prewar Iraq. The so-called Butler report says that some intelligence sources were seriously flawed. The report goes on to say that Blair's government didn't deliberately distort intelligence to justify an invasion of Iraq. A live picture there from the House of Commons. It also adds that Saddam Hussein didn't possess any weapons of mass destruction.
U.S. Marine Corporal Wassef Ali Hassoun is heading to go a Virginia military base to continue his repatriation process. Hassoun has been undergoing debriefings and medical examinations in Germany, following what he claims was his abduction in Iraq. In a statement released this morning, Hassoun says, "I am in good health and spirits. I look forward to a return with my family and friends."
Arizona Republican Senator John McCain is criticizing a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage. On the Senate floor yesterday, Senator McCain called 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 a million-dollar milestone for a "Jeopardy" contestant. Ken Jennings won his 30th straight contest on the game show last night, bringing his month-long earnings to $1,004,060. He's only the second person in the history of the show to win past the seven--digit earnings mark.
We should know, however, he did not go up against our own celebrity "Jeopardy" champion, Mr. Anderson Cooper. So I think there's a little asterisk in the record book next to his achievement.
COOPER: A well there should be.
KAGAN: Absolutely.
COLLINS: That is the real competition right there.
COOPER: Exactly. Yeah. And Daryn, as you well know, I have challenged him publicly any time, anywhere, any subject.
COLLINS: I think he's afraid.
COOPER: But I think that he's a little bit afraid.
COLLINS: I think -- and intimidated as well.
COOPER: Thanks.
COLLINS: All right. Still to come this morning, sick of the long lines at the amusement park? Well, have they got a deal -- which camera -- for you. We're "Minding Your Business."
Stay with us right here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COLLINS: This news just in. Roller coaster lovers are skipping to go the front of the line. And what's this? Reality TV 24 hours a day? Oh, yeah. Christine Romans "Minding Your Business" now.
Let's start with the markets. And we're dying to hear about the roller coaster.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. And there's -- well, there's no roller coaster on Wall Street. The market is down 40 or 50 points -- 46 points right now, 10,201. That's because of Intel, which we told you about.
But you're a mom. I mean, how do you feel about this story about amusement parks selling access to the front of the line? I mean, the first thing you learn in kindergarten is don't cut in line. And now...
COOPER: I'm all for it. I want to go on record.
(LAUGHTER)
ROMANS: Well, some parents are outraged, because -- and parents are outraged, because they're standing in line for 90 minutes to get on a roller coaster.
COLLINS: Right.
ROMANS: Others are thrilled they don't have to wait 90 minutes in line and they can just scoot right in. You pay double and you can go in the back door, because some amusement parks have found that other children in line start to cry when they see children scooting to the front of the line. But basically...
COLLINS: What if they don't enough, you know, allowance to pay for that double?
ROMANS: Ah, well, you know, it's tough. You know, $100 to get in. Some of these -- OK, look it. Universal Studios, a regular ticket is about $45, just shy of $45. A VIP pass, $89.75. LEGOLAND, regular ticket, $43.95, a hundred bucks for a VIP pass at LEGOLAND. So...
COOPER: I went -- I went to Disney World. I was stunned at how expensive it is.
ROMANS: It is expensive.
COLLINS: Yes. And now it's double, if you...
COOPER: It's crazy.
ROMANS: Right.
COLLINS: More rides.
ROMANS: I mean, maybe there are other ways... (CROSSTALK)
COOPER: And there you go, the lines. But now, no longer. You cut right in front of them.
ROMANS: Well, if you can pay a hundred bucks.
COOPER: Right.
ROMANS: But if you can't -- OK. And, as if the world doesn't need -- doesn't need more Paris Hilton, Fox reality channel, the outtakes, reruns, you name it, the contestants' interviews, next year, Fox will have its own reality TV channel. All "Simple Life," all "American Idol," all of this stuff all of the time.
COLLINS: All the time.
COOPER: Wow.
ROMANS: And what I didn't know, there are already two reality TV channels.
COOPER: There are?
ROMANS: There are. There are, which I didn't know. So I don't know.
COLLINS: I can't believe you didn't know this.
ROMANS: What do you think?
COOPER: Is it like a satellite thing or something?
ROMANS: One is a European one and the other is called Reality Television -- or Reality Channel. But, I mean, I'm wondering, is it the end of the reality TV craze? By the time you have three reality television channels, is that a sign that maybe things are over?
COOPER: You know, their ratings are higher than ever. I was talking...
BOROWITZ: I think we're just at the dawn of this era. I really do.
(LAUGHTER)
BOROWITZ: I really do.
COOPER: Do you really?
BOROWITZ: Yes. In our lifetime, this will not end, I don't think.
(CROSSTALK)
COOPER: It's like the war on terror and reality TV. BOROWITZ: Exactly.
COOPER: Those are the two things we have for our lifetime.
BOROWITZ: We are living with them.
COOPER: I see.
BOROWITZ: We are living with them.
COOPER: Well, we'll see. I don't know. I don't know what to make of it.
Time for Andy Borowitz and the "Question of the Day."
BOROWITZ: Yes. Well, I asked this question, what would you like to see Michael Moore do his next movie about? Some people took that to be a sarcastic question. I did not.
But Brian of St. Charles, Illinois, said, "I would like to see Michael Moore make a movie examining the hostility of the left wing radicals in the United States. Oh, wait, he's already one of those."
OK.
Melody in Three Rivers, California, said, "Michael Moore should make a movie about truth. So far, he hasn't done it."
OK.
COLLINS: Ouch.
BOROWITZ: And Jim from Pontiac, Illinois, said, "Michael Moore should make a sequel to 'Fahrenheit 9/11.' He couldn't possibly expose all the Bush administration's lies in the time span of just one movie."
OK.
COOPER: Wow. A lot of opinions there.
BOROWITZ: A lot of ideas. They're all pitching. All pitching.
COLLINS: Yes.
COOPER: Andy, it's great to have you with us.
BOROWITZ: It's great to be here.
COOPER: All right.
BOROWITZ: This is the way AMERICAN MORNING looks on Earth 2, by the way.
(LAUGHTER) COOPER: Coming up on CNN, it is one of the biggest burdens out there for Americans paying for prescription drugs. Next hour, some tips on how you can save money on your medicine. That's coming up with Daryn Kagan on "CNN LIVE TODAY."
And AMERICAN MORNING will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Tonight on "360," we'll be looking at the business of hostage-taking in Baghdad. A lot of people making a lot of money by kidnapping foreigners and Iraqis. We'll look at that at 7:00 Eastern tonight.
And here is Aaron Brown with a preview of what is coming up tonight on "NEWSNIGHT.".
AARON BROWN, HOST, "NEWSNIGHT": Thank you, Anderson.
Tonight on "NEWSNIGHT," a family calls it an educational vacation. And a month in Iraq certainly qualifies as that. What they learned, what they saw, what they brought home with them. We'll have that, plus all the day's top news stories and everything else that makes "NEWSNIGHT" "NEWSNIGHT," CNN tonight, 10:00 p.m. Eastern -- Anderson.
COOPER: Aaron, thanks very much.
And Daryn Kagan is standing by at the CNN Center to take us through the next couple of hours. For Heidi and Anderson, thanks for watching.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
