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American Morning
Interview With Senator Mitch McConnell; Foul Play Probable in Disappearance of Jogger; Scott Peterson Trial
Aired July 22, 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. The lessons from 9/11 that could change how America fights terrorism: the 9/11 Commission final report from the commission goes public today. As the commission looks forward, a new videotape from the morning of the attack surfaces. Hijackers walking through airport security the morning of 9/11.
And a twist in the case of a missing woman in Salt Lake City. The lie that her husband told on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
HEMMER: Welcome back, everybody. Good morning. Nine o'clock here in New York. Soledad resting. We wish her the best, as she stays home, getting ever so closer.
Good morning, Heidi?
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you.
HEMMER: How are you? You all right?
COLLINS: I'm doing great, thanks.
HEMMER: It's a busy day today.
COLLINS: Very busy day.
HEMMER: And this hour, too, is going to be busy, too. The co- chairman of the 9/11 Commission briefing the president at this hour at the White House on that final report. After that, the president will make remarks in the Rose Garden, sometime perhaps in the next hour, 30 minutes or so. We'll have it live when it happens there in D.C.
COLLINS: Also, to another story this morning, jurors in the Scott Peterson trial seeing graphic evidence now as autopsy pictures are introduced to trial. We'll talk about that.
Also, another twist in the case. A prostitute allegedly stealing from Peterson's mailbox. We'll get into all of it with a KFBK reporter Chris Filippi checks in with us.
HEMMER: All right. In the meantime, here's Jack again back with us.
Good morning.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Thank you.
The "Question of the Day" has a do with a couple of stories in the newspapers. Global war on terror going on for the last three years. "The Washington Post" says there's not enough money, "New York Times" says there's not enough soldiers. And our esteemed representatives in Washington, D.C. spend their time like constitutional amendments preventing gay marriage and flag burning.
I don't know which is worse, the fact that they do that kind of stuff, or that they are so shameless and have so much chutzpah that they stand up and do it with a straight face, thinking nobody's going to notice.
Am@cnn.com. Talk to me.
HEMMER: Done. Thank you, Jack.
Just two hours before they crashed Flight 77 into the Pentagon, some of the 9/11 hijackers can be seen on a surveillance videotape at the airport, being checked and rechecked by security there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER (voice-over): It looks like a routine day at airport security. But this was anything but that. Taken the morning of September 11, 2001, the video surveillance tape shows all five hijackers passing through the metal screening detectors at Dulles Airport.
The grainy images make individual faces difficult to identify. But you can clearly see an airport security officer passing his wand over one of the men. They dress normal; they do not stand out.
Four of the five hijackers bound for the American Airlines plane that would crash into the Pentagon were pulled aside for additional screening. This after apparently setting off the metal detectors.
There is no evidence screeners questioned them about utility knives, legal at the time and thought to be in their personal luggage. The only hijacker, incidentally, who did not require additional screening was the man believed to have been the pilot after Flight 77 was hijacked, Hani Hanjour. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the video from a law firm which represents survivor families. They are suing both the airlines and the security firms.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Again, two and a half hours from now, 11:30 Eastern, the commission investigating the attacks unveils its final report, going public.
Here is what we know, in part. The report, almost 600 pages long, 1,500 footnotes, expected to outline 10 operational opportunities missed by U.S. officials to detect or unravel the plot. It will recommend the creation of a cabinet-level intelligence chief, along with major changes of both the structure and the culture of the FBI. In addition, a source telling CNN that report concludes the main reason the U.S. was unprepared for the attacks was because intelligence responsibilities were spread too widely across the government.
Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell has been briefed on that report. He's with us now.
Senator, good morning to you.
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R), KENTUCKY: Good morning, Bill.
HEMMER: We want to roll this surveillance videotape again, the surveillance videotape at Dulles. Of those 10 missed opportunities that were described in this report, six under the Clinton years, four under the Bush years. Of those 10, how could this have been stopped?
MCCONNELL: Well, I think the commission, as you and others have reported, conclude that in all likelihood it could not have been stopped. But the fact that there were a lot of mistakes made is a statement of the obvious.
Over the eight years of the Clinton administration, and the eight months of the Bush administration, clearly we were not doing this process the way we ought to. And we've moved since then to correct a lot of the mistakes that were made, even before the 9/11 report by the passage of the Patriot Act, the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.
And now the 9/11 Commission is recommending structural changes, not only in the executive branch, but also here in Congress that will allow us to do this job a lot better. The fact that this report was unanimous means that it will be taken seriously. And I know here in the Senate we are already thinking about and talking about the structural changes that they recommend that we make in our committee system in order to fit in with a new and more improved effort to defend us here at home against attacks.
HEMMER: Senator, as you well know, a lot of this report is forward-looking, talking about a new cabinet-level intelligence secretary. Also talking about combining one committee between the House and the Senate instead of having separate committees in both chambers of Congress. Senator Pat Roberts addressed that here on this program two hours ago. Here is how he took that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SENATOR PAT ROBERTS (R), INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: Tom Ridge at the Homeland Security Agency has appeared before 80 different committees in the Congress. That's ridiculous. I had a Bill two or three years ago to solve that. It got nowhere. I won't say that it is probable, but it is definitely possible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: He says he'll consider it. Will you?
MCCONNELL: Absolutely. I think simplifying the -- the process up here on Capitol Hill to make it easier for the administration officials who are involved in this kind of activity is a smart thing to do. And as I said, we're going to take the report very seriously.
Either a joint Senate House committee or consolidating into two committees, one in the House and one in the Senate, all of the functions related to intelligence gathering, I think, makes a lot of sense. We're discussing it now and may well move on this soon.
HEMMER: Senator, let's talk about the Sandy Berger situation now. On the floor of the Senate yesterday, this is what you said there.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MCCONNELL: Well, I engage -- to engage in a little literary flair, I might say it seems Sandy walked out of the National Archives with some PBDs in his BVDs and some classified docs in his socks.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Some take that in good humor. Democrats are saying they're still suspicious of the timing. Do they have reason to be suspicious?
MCCONNELL: Well, the timing is irrelevant. I mean, the point here is, apparently, the former national security adviser of the Clinton administration seems to have, admits to have walked out of the Archives with classified documents. This is extraordinary. That's the reason there's an investigation going on.
I'm stunned that that would happen. And I think the Kerry campaign ought to not only distance itself from Berger, which they've done -- Berger has stepped aside -- but also Joe Wilson, who's now been proven by both the British review and the U.S. review to have been telling untrue things about the president of the United States, should be asked to leave the Kerry campaign as well.
HEMMER: There is also a report saying the Kerry campaign screaming. They're essentially saying that Ed Gillespie, the head of the RNC, the vice president, Dick Cheney, earlier in the week coaching senators on how to respond to this and how to stay on message. Did that happen? And if so, what was the message in that meeting?
MCCONNELL: Well, I don't think we need to be coached to react to the kinds of things that Sandy Berger and Joe Wilson, two advisers to John Kerry, have been doing, lying about the president's record and pilfering classified documents out of the Archives. I think those are serious matters, and I think Senator Kerry ought to separate himself not just from Sandy Berger, but from Joe Wilson as well.
HEMMER: Thank you, Senator. Mitch McConnell, Republican from Kentucky. Nice to have you here.
MCCONNELL: Thank you.
HEMMER: Thank you.
Waiting on comments from the White House any moment now from the president in the Rose Garden. We'll get you there when it happens.
Also, when that report comes out later today at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, complete live coverage then. Keep it here on CNN -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Utah police have been questioning a man about his missing wife. Mark Hacking reported his wife, Lori, missing on Monday. The couple was to move across the country while Mark attended medical school. But yesterday their families were shocked to learn that Mark lied to them. He was never accepted in the North Carolina medical school.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LANCE HACKING, BROTHER-IN-LAW OF MISSING JOGGER: I think the thing that caught both our families and friends off guard was that Mark, at some point, if he felt the need to start some kind of a deception like this, and that he just wasn't willing to come to those who loved him, that we could work it out and figure out what was going on. I think that's the part that's really left us heartbroken and worried about Mark.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: In Salt Lake City now, police Detective Dwayne Baird with the very latest on this.
Detective, good morning to you. As we just heard Lance, Mark's brother there, talking to us about the falsification on applying to medical school, does this change the course of your investigation in any way?
DET. DWAYNE BAIRD, SALT LAKE CITY POLICE: You know, it really doesn't change the course. It adds to that. A very difficult piece of the puzzle, but it doesn't change what we're doing in the course of our investigation.
COLLINS: Is Mark a suspect at this point?
BAIRD: Mark is not a suspect. He is a person of interest that we're looking at simply because here's a situation where this entire family -- and I mean his extended family -- but he and his wife were planning to move across the country for what now doesn't appear to be a truthful situation.
COLLINS: We also heard from Mark's brother, Lance, moments ago on this program that he is in the hospital now getting some sort of treatment. Can you tell us any more about that?
BAIRD: I really can't tell you about that. I know that according to family members he's up there because of stress. But he has been there for a little while.
So that's not surprising to us. We've been table to talk to him there. It hasn't been a difficult problem for us.
COLLINS: All right. We know that the home was searched yesterday. Two cars also seized. Are you looking for anything specific here, or is this general evidence collection possibly?
BAIRD: Mostly general evidence collection. What we're doing is just covering all the bases, if you will. This is an ongoing investigation. We have to find out exactly where his wife is. And if there are things in the home or things in the cars that will indicate where she may be, we want to gather those things, process them for evidence, and see what they may have to do with this case.
COLLINS: We have also heard there have been reports that the number of volunteers that have been helping with this case has dropped off. Are you concerned at all about manpower here, have enough people to look for Lori?
BAIRD: Certainly. We are very concerned. She still has not been returned here.
They've called for volunteers. The family is asking for volunteers. We hope to have more people out today that will go door to door in neighborhoods and around this valley to search for her. We still don't know where she is.
COLLINS: All right. How is the family, in your mind, dealing with this? Have you had a chance to talk with them personally?
BAIRD: I have. And it's been a difficult process since yesterday afternoon, as they learned about this problem with not going to medical school, and his situation with his education. It's been devastating for them. But they're holding up very well.
They still supportive. They care about him. They have expressed their love for him at that time.
COLLINS: All right. Detective Dwayne Baird, Salt Lake City Police this morning, thanks so much -- Bill.
BAIRD: Thank you, Heidi.
HEMMER: Almost 13 minutes now passed the hour. Back to Fredricka Whitfield looking at the other news this morning.
Fred, good morning to you.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning again, Bill.
We begin in Iraq, where security forces and U.S. troops clashed with insurgents in central Baghdad. Reports from there say as many as 270 people were detained and a large cache of weapons discovered during the operation. West of Baghdad yesterday, U.S. forces killed more than two dozen insurgents in a gun battle in Ramadi. Some 14 U.S. troops were wounded.
Also in Iraq, the countdown to a new deadline has begun for another group of hostages. Video shows seven men from Kenya, Egypt and India being detained. The captors are threatening to behead a hostage every 72 hours unless their countries and the employers leave Iraq.
A ruling in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case is being appealed in the U.S. Supreme Court. At issue is an opinion from Colorado's high court barring news organizations from using transcripts of closed-door hearings accidentally e-mailed to them last month. The Colorado Supreme Court had ruled that the right to privacy of Bryant's accuser outweighs the media's First Amendment right to publish the transcripts.
And finally, from last night's big Republican congressional fund- raiser in Washington, President Bush took a swipe that the Democratic presidential ticket, particularly the vice presidential half.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Some people say that Senator Edwards was chosen in part because of his boyish good looks. After all, "People" magazine once named John Edwards the sexiest politician. One of my administration's great goals for a new term is to get Dick Cheney on that list.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Mr. Bush went on to say he hoped to be back at the same dinner in the same position next year -- Bill.
HEMMER: Fredricka, thanks for that.
We're watching the camera there in the Rose Garden, when the president comes at. We are told at this hour the chairman of that commission, Lee Hamilton and Thomas Kean, are now briefing the president, delivering that page to him -- or that book, rather -- almost 600 pages in length. More when the president comes out for his comments -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Now to Scott Peterson's double murder trial, where the prosecution and defense continue their point, counterpoint. Yesterday, the focus once again was on the police investigation. And KFBK Radio reporter Chris Filippi is covering the trial and is with us now from Redwood City, California, this morning.
Hello to you once again, Chris.
Good morning.
COLLINS: Testimony about this mailbox now. It continued yesterday. But the defense sort of downplaying the testimony about the mailbox? Why is that?
CHRIS FILIPPI, KFBK RADIO REPORTER: Oh, very much so. The prosecution was inferring that Peterson set up this mailbox so he could have personal conversations, if you will, exchanges with Amber Frey. Kind of keeping it under the radar.
But the defense raised the point that, one, Peterson registered this mailbox under his company's name, Trade Corp (ph), and then, two, he was actually receiving letters and other mail related to his business. As far as we know, only one letter from Amber Frey was ever sent to this mailbox. So the point the prosecution was trying to make was pretty much muted by the defense.
COLLINS: What about the jury and their reaction to Geragos sort of mocking the whole mailbox issue?
FILIPPI: Yes. You know, not only the mailbox issue, but also the issue of evidence. Geragos was making some quips about the poor handling of evidence. It's not playing well with the jury at all.
There was no laughter at all when he was trying to make some quick comments about how Modesto police were mishandling evidence. It seems really clear that since autopsy photos were introduced in this case, this jury has taken this case very seriously. They're upset about what happened. They want answers, and they're not ready for jokes.
COLLINS: Now, what about the prosecution implying that this wedding album was thrown out in the trash? And then in the cross- examination, Detective Haus (ph) actually saying that it was kept in a locker. Why do you think the prosecution is making so many mistakes here?
FILIPPI: It's a real good question. The prosecution is presenting any sort of evidence it can lay its hands on, solid or not.
The thing is, the prosecution has to know what its hand is. With the wedding photos, they presented a picture showing that these pictures were in fact in a garbage can inside Peterson's warehouse. The implication was clear that Peterson was prepared to throw these wedding photos away, what a dirty guy he must be.
But the defense raised on cross-examination the point that it's in fact locked up in a storage locker. And the -- the detective from the Modesto police didn't even think that Peterson wanted to get rid of these photos. So, really, that line of questioning, again, blew up in the prosecution's face.
COLLINS: All right. Chris -- quickly, Chris, before we let you go, what can we expect in court today?
FILIPPI: More testimony about these autopsy photos. Some very graphic pictures have been shown to this jury. It's a very difficult thing for everybody in the courtroom to watch. And then, in fact, Laci's mom actually even had to leave the courtroom. So I don't know if we're going to even see Laci's family here today.
COLLINS: Always tough for them, I'm sure. Chris Filippi, thanks so much for that. HEMMER: Heidi, there is breaking news related to Iraq, out of Kenya, actually. The Kenyan government is now urging all of its citizens working in Iraq to leave the country immediately. This in light of seven foreigners now held captive.
They come from various countries. Kenya just one of them. India and Egypt and well.
None of these countries have any troops on the ground in Iraq, but they do have personnel, citizens working for companies right now in Iraq. The Kenyan government in Nairobi now urging all of its citizens to leave that country. Another development coming off the heels of the Philippine government's decision about a week ago. More when we get it.
Back to Jack now here and the "Question of the Day."
CAFFERTY: Thank you, Bill.
A couple of disturbing stories in the papers this morning. The General Accounting Office says that operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are running $12.5 billion overbudget this year. And because of this, "The Washington Post" is reporting that the military's delaying the refurbishment of equipment, grounding air force and maybe pilots, and canceling training exercises.
And, if that's not enough for you, there aren't enough troops. "The New York Times" says the Army is now being forced to call up next year's recruits this year. The question is, what should be done about this obscenity, the military manpower, money shortage, assuming we take the global war on terrorism seriously? A lot of responses.
Kathleen in Lakewood, Colorado, "It's about time America gets angry, very angry. I'm a veteran. And what this administration has done to our soldiers is an outright crime. We should vote out every single congressman and senator, clean out the administration and all of their crony department heads, and put people in there who care about us."
Tom in Rena, Minnesota, "If the manpower outlook for the Army is that bleak, I guess it's time to consider start dusting off the old draft. But this time, let's make it a bit more equitable, i.e. no silver spoon deferments."
Jim writes, "What appear the priorities you refer to here this morning have been largely misplaced in an administration legislative body more focused on politics and getting reelected than the nuts-and- bolts issues relative to the human condition here and abroad."
And Michael with tongue in cheek in Santa Fe, New Mexico, "We must make sure the tax breaks for the richest one percent are made permanent and then we should invade Iran. Don't worry about paying it for now. After all, that's our children's problem."
Am@cnn.com.
HEMMER: All right. Thank you, Jack.
A check of the weather again. Chad Myers looking outside.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: Chad, thanks so much for that.
Ahead this morning, the 9/11 Commission delivers its final report today. President Bush is being briefed on it now. We are expecting some remarks from him this hour. We'll have it for you live from the Rose Garden.
HEMMER: Also, medical news in a moment. Heart defibrillators save lives in airports and in shopping malls. Do you need to have one, though, at home? Sanjay talks about that controversy in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Welcome back, everyone.
Some say the only good debt is no debt. But our personal finance contributor, David Bach, says that's more like a debt wish. And our "Live Rich Today" series explains how good debt gets a bad rap. Or does it?
David Bach, author of the bestseller, "The Automatic Millionaire," back with us here on AMERICAN MORNING.
Nice to see you, David.
DAVID BACH, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE CONTRIBUTOR: Good to see you, Bill.
HEMMER: I have always been told you don't want debt.
BACH: I know.
HEMMER: You're saying it's not a bad thing?
BACH: Well, it's really a myth. Not all debt is bad. In fact, what rich people know is that good debt can make you rich.
So the key is to know the difference between bad debt and good debt. And the problem for most people who are poor and middle class is they that all debt is bad. And it's not.
HEMMER: So help me understand good debt. How do you define it? The characteristics are?
BACH: OK. Good debt can help you build your net worth, actually helps you attract wealth. Example, when you borrow money to buy a home, that's leverage, other people's money. So a mortgage is good debt.
Also, when you put money in, borrowing money to buy a business. Let's say you buy a franchise, you borrow $100,000. That franchise brings you positive cash flow. That's good debt.
Let's say you borrow money to go to school. It increases your income. Another great example of good debt. So the key to good debt is bringing positive cash flow into your pocket, helping you make money, even though you're borrowing it.
HEMMER: Flip it around. What's bad debt?
BACH: OK. Bad debt -- and this kind of goes back to my grandmother. She'd say, "David, when you borrow money, it better go up in value, whatever you buy." So, for instance, if you borrow money to buy a suit, the moment you walk out of that store, guess what, the suit's not worth anything, or it's worth about half. So that's bad debt.
Usually, it's consumer examples. So anything you can think of. A car is a great example of really bad debt. And this is what most Americans buy money for.
You drive a car off the lot, it goes down in value 40 percent. Guess what? That's bad debt. So all you have to think of when you're borrowing money, is it going to help me become richer, or is it making me poorer the moment I borrow it?
HEMMER: Take me back to your grandmother.
BACH: Well, my grandmother would always say, "David, listen, it's very simple. When you borrow money, if you can't afford to pay cash for it, don't borrow it unless you can say for certain it's going to go up in value."
And I'll just go back to real estate as an example. When you borrow money for real estate, if it brings you positive cash flow, that's good debt. And the person we know in New York who has done that is Donald Trump, and he's done it with brilliance.
HEMMER: Oh, so true. What age were you when your grandmother said that?
BACH: She started teaching me about -- it was about 15 when, you know, 15 years old when I'm trying to get her to buy me some things at the store. "No, that's bad debt. We're not buying that for you."
HEMMER: OK. Good to see you, as always. All right.
BACH: Good to see you, Bill. Thanks.
HEMMER: You can catch David every Thursday here on AMERICAN MORNING with tips on how to "Live Rich Today."
Thank you, David. Talk to you later.
Here's Heidi.
COLLINS: Still to come, we are expecting to hear from President Bush very soon. He's been briefed on the final 9/11 report. We will have his remarks coming to you live right here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Welcome back, everyone. Waiting on the opening bell, a few short ticks away. Also waiting on the president as well at the Rose Garden.
COLLINS: We certainly are getting ready to hear what he thinks of the 9/11 Commission report, final report that was due out today. Going to hear from him.
HEMMER: It's going to be public in about two hours, though. But the two chairman, Kean and Hamilton, went to the White House about an hour ago, we're told, to deliver publicly for the first time their presentation with -- with the work that they've been doing. And it is outstanding. Ten members in that commission, $15 million in the budget, two pages of documents. They've had their work cut out for them.
COLLINS: Yes, they certainly have. But, you know, they've been mostly been saying that they're very proud of the commission.
HEMMER: Opening bell on Wall Street now, as we await there. Off 103 yesterday for the Dow 30, 10,046 is where we start today. Nasdaq market site down as well, down 42 points yesterday, 1,874 is where we start today. Stocks open for business now here in New York City.
And welcome back. Good morning, again.
COLLINS: Kathleen Koch is standing by at the White House for us now to give us the very latest on President Bush coming out any moment now to give his thoughts on the 9/11 Commission report -- Kathleen.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Heidi, we're hearing now that the president will appear in the Rose Garden, along with the chairman and the vice chairman of the 9/11 Commission in roughly about two minutes. Now, this is a report, this 575-page report that this administration has been long anticipating.
There's been a lot of concern -- that some of its conclusions could prove harmful, could prove damaging to the administration. But the conclusion all in all from administration officials who have seen it is that it is indeed a good and thorough report, we're told, an extraordinary effort. They're saying that the commission should be commended for its work.
Earlier in the week, we had been pressing to see whether or not the president agreed with some of these early recommendations that leaked out, whether or not he is in favor of naming a national intelligence czar to oversee all of the intelligence agencies. But spokesman Scott McClellan says that's simply not somewhere the president wants to go right now, taking a firm position on that. He really wants a chance to read the report himself.
Now, we were given the impression that Kean and Hamilton would simply be handing over the report to the president this morning. But clearly, the men who have been in there now for nearly an hour have decided to have a more lengthy discussion. But, again, we should be seeing them very shortly in the Rose Garden.
Also interesting to point out that, initially, the Bush administration resisted appointing the commission, resisted supplying information, both documents, both public testimony from people like Condoleezza Rice. But in the end, the administration relented on every point. And the commission says it is indeed satisfied with the level of cooperation it's gotten from the Bush White House.
COLLINS: All right. Kathleen, thanks so much for that. And, as you said, we're waiting. Just moments now -- we've got the picture on the screen there -- waiting for President Bush to come out in the Rose Garden there to comment on this.
Three purposes to this 9/11 report. Some would say the most important certainly to provide recommendations designed to guard against future attacks. A lot of people are going to be looking into this to make sure that that doesn't happen once again.
HEMMER: Also, this coming on the heels of the news that everybody saw yesterday afternoon, that surveillance videotape at Dulles International in the morning of 9/11 around the 7:00 a.m. hour. All five hijackers seen passing through airport security, and at least four of the men given quite an inspection, but all allowed to board that plane, Flight 77, that later went into the Pentagon.
Here's the president.
BUSH: We just had a good discussion about the 9/11 Commission report. I want to thank these two gentlemen for serving their country so well and so admirably. They've done a really good job of learning about our country, learning about what went wrong prior to September the 11th, and making very solid, sound recommendations about how to move forward. I assured them that where government needs to act, we will.
I want to thank the commission members as well. These people worked really hard, long hours. They -- they took time out of their private lives to serve America and have left their mark in a very constructive and positive way.
I -- these two men bring a common sense approach to how to move forward. They recognized what I recognize, and America recognizes, that there's still a threat and that we in government have an obligation to do everything in our power to safeguard the American people.
And the report that they are about to present to me puts out some very constructive recommendations. And I look forward to studying their recommendations, and look forward to studying their recommendations and look forward to working with responsible parties within my administration to move forward on those recommendations.
As well, we look forward to working with the Congress on the implementation on -- of ways to do our duty. And the most important duty we have is the security of our fellow countrymen.
So thank you, men, for your service. Proud you're here.
LEE HAMILTON, VICE CHAIRMAN, 9/11 COMMISSION: Thank you, Mr. President.
BUSH: You -- you did a wonderful job.
THOMAS KEAN, CHAIRMAN, 9/11 COMMISSION: Mr. President, we'd like to present you a copy of -- of our report. I thank you very much for giving me the honor of serving. And I thank you also on behalf of the commission for unprecedented access to documents and cooperation from your administration.
We were able to see things that no commission or no member of Congress has ever seen in doing our work. And we thank you for allowing us to do that.
BUSH: Thank you, Tom. Good job.
Thanks, Lee. Appreciate it.
Thank you all.
HEMMER: The president's short comments there, but calling the recommendations very sound, in his words. A call to move forward, and a call also to work with Congress. And congratulating Lee Hamilton and Thomas Kean, the co-chairmen of that commission.
Ten members, again, 10 men and women doing incredible work over the past year and a half, trying to get this thing together. And indeed they have. Almost 600 pages in length.
The president has it now. We will hear it publicly later today when it's released about 11:30 Eastern Time -- Heidi.
COLLINS: And, Bill, Kelli Arena, our justice correspondent, also has that report. She is reviewing it now for us. We will get to her just as soon as she has a chance. As you know, it's a very long report and lengthy. And we will get to her as soon as possible.
In the meantime, Frank Buckley is standing by from Detroit. We have some reaction from Frank -- I should say reaction from John Kerry. Frank will have that for us.
Hi, Frank.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Heidi.
We're told that at some point today, Senator Kerry is expecting a briefing from the chairman of the 9/11 Commission because he is the presumptive nominee on the Democrat side. He hasn't received that briefing yet. They're expecting it to come at some point after this meeting with the president.
So, so far, no official reaction from Senator Kerry. But we do know, of course, that he supports the idea of a cabinet-level national intelligence chief. But beyond that, Senator Kerry has been careful not to comment, not to pre-judge anything coming out of the 9/11 Commission. And -- and again, no comment yet, but we are expecting one at some point later today -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. Frank Buckley live from Detroit this morning. Thanks so much for that -- Bill.
HEMMER: About 25 minutes before the hour. Going to get a time- out right now. Back in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING, right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Want to get to Sean Callebs right now, standing outside the Department of Commerce. He has a copy of that report -- Sean.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Bill. We can tell you that the commission members just broke their own embargo and released this report here. You can see the 9/11 Commission report, the final report of the national commission on the terrorist attacks upon the United States.
And as everybody had already heard by now, some 570 pages. And we've heard so much about the missed operational opportunities over the past 24 or so hours. Those are detailed in a chapter called "Foresight and Hindsight." And they talk about Khalid al-Midhar. He, of course, one of the hijackers we've heard about this morning who went through the Dulles Airport in that chilling, graphic video that we've seen.
Apparently, the CIA did not watch-list al-Midhar or notify the FBI even when it learned that he had possessed a valid U.S. passport. Just some of the concerns that are pointed out here.
It's going to take a while to pore through all this information. There's not one chapter spelled out on conclusions. We can tell you it begins with what happened early on that morning. It starts out with a quote, "We have some planes," just detailing the shock and disbelief that filtered out across this country as all that information began to come out, the very graphic images of those aircraft slamming first into the twin towers at the World Trade Center, later into the Pentagon -- Bill.
HEMMER: Sean, hang with me a second here. Just watching the wires here as it comes across.
They're ticking off some of the key findings in this -- in the book that you have in your hands there. One of them, the key failure was U.S. leaders did not understand the gravity of the threat. Apparently that is in the 575 pages. Another one, the 9/11 Commission says the 9/11 attacks should not have surprised the U.S. as well.
I'm not sure how it's broken down in that book, Sean. I know you just got it. Don't mean to put you on the spot. What do you have there? CALLEBS: That's OK. Exactly. I think some of that information came out from some sources over the past 24 or so hours.
I can tell you, it's broken down into 14 chapters. And this, of course, is how both the -- the conclusions of the 20 months of investigation by the commission, as well as those recommendations that we're going to be hearing more about in just a couple of hours. Let me briefly run through some of this.
You talked about how this information should not have snuck up on the U.S. There should have been a way that the various intelligence agencies should have been able to share that information.
There's a chapter called "The Foundation of the New Terrorism," and it goes back to how -- how al Qaeda really operated in Afghanistan for so many years, basically unchallenged by any outside entity, and really became quite a powerful entity at that point. It also goes on to say that for years, both members of the Clinton and Bush administrations also used diplomacy, when perhaps military muscle would have been called for.
And then there's a chapter on wartime immediate responses at home, planning for war, phase two, and the question of Iraq. That's something we've all heard about a great deal. And, of course, the commission says that despite what we have heard from the White House, they find no collaborative link between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein's Iraq -- Bill.
HEMMER: Sean, you live and work in Washington. The reaction we're getting is one of embrace. Everyone we've talked to in the Senate today, even the words from the president, embracing the recommendations in there. Is that the true feeling across the board in our nation's capital regarding this?
CALLEBS: You know, Bill, I think that is a -- that is a great point. And that's something we have heard a tremendous amount about. In fact, a source early today we talked to said that when these recommendations do come out from the commission, in a couple of hours, they are going to come out unanimously. And that is something this commission, five Democrats, five Republicans, really tried to do, take politics out of something like this.
At the same time, these commissioners don't want their 20 months of work to just filter out into some netherland. They planned immediately after their conference here today to spell out all of these recommendations, all of these conclusions to take a road show.
One Republican, one Democrat, they're going to travel to five different areas across the country. They're going to detail all the work they did, all the conclusions, and they are going to push for reform, and they are going to push for it rapidly.
You did talk about how this is embraced by the White House, by Congress. Congress, however, has made it clear that it will not be rushed into some kind of knee-jerk reaction. That even though there are overwhelming calls to do something to overhaul the way intelligence is gathered and disseminated, they will not be forced into doing it quickly.
HEMMER: Sean, thanks -- Sean, thanks for that. Sean Callebs in Washington. Stand by again.
The president -- quoting now -- "I assure them" -- members of the commission -- "that where the government needs to act, we will." But one of the claims, the highlights that Sean is reporting now, the commission is saying these attacks should not have survived -- surprised rather the U.S.
More on this story in a moment. Other news now with Heidi.
COLLINS: An Amtrak train stopped this morning on its way to New York City. The train was detained at Newark, New Jersey's, Penn Station, where police questioned passengers and checked their I.D.s. At least one police officer brought onboard the train.
Joining us this morning is Amtrak's Dan Stessel. He's her with us from Washington, D.C.
Mr. Stessel, tell us what happened this morning.
DAN STESSEL, AMTRAK SPOKESMAN: Well, Train 170 was stopped, as you said, at Newark Penn Station about 7:52 this morning as a passenger noticed something suspicious in one of the restrooms onboard the train. It was a note that was left.
We don't have any information yet as to what the content of that note was. But for whatever reason, the passenger was suspicious of it and handled the situation exactly as we've asked passengers to, brought it to the attention of an Amtrak employee, who notified police. And the train was appropriately searched.
COLLINS: Were passengers let on or off? I'm understanding that they were actually briefed as if they had any medical conditions. They were not necessarily let off. They had to go and speak with authorities first. Everybody was really kept on the train, correct?
STESSEL: Right. The passengers were kept on the train, and there was a check of passengers' I.D. Because so many passengers on that particular train use monthly passes, it was important that we understood exactly which passengers were on that train. And so when police conducted their investigation, they wrote down the names and I.D. information of everyone onboard.
COLLINS: Were these passengers in danger, Mr. Stessel?
STESSEL: No, no. There was no threat to the train. The police did conduct their investigation using canine units that swept the train, and there was no -- no reason to believe that there was any type of device or anything of the sort onboard. The train was just within the last 15 minutes released from Newark and given the all- clear to proceed into New York.
COLLINS: All right. Would you say everything is fine and back to normal? STESSEL: Yes.
COLLINS: You would. All right. We have just been told the train has just left the station once again, Washington to New York, at a train station in Penn Station there, Newark. Well, thanks so much for that, Mr. Stessel, from Amtrak. We appreciate it.
HEMMER: Back to the 9/11 report now. Kelli Arena on the scene there at the Commerce Department, you're looking at as well.
Kelli, what strikes you?
KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, I'll tell you, I've only had this thing for about 12 minutes, and so I've looked at the executive summary. And here's what I can tell you: a lot of what we expected.
Recommendations include the creation of a national counterterrorism center which will build on something that already exists, which is called the Terrorist Threat Integration Center. This is an institution that will collect and analyze information from both inside and outside the United States, this to address the problem of the -- that the commission has had all along, asking who is in charge.
Answering that question, national intelligence director. We've reported that that was also expected. This is a Senate-approved position. This person would be overseeing the 15 intelligence agencies, including the defense intelligence agencies. And this person would report to the president.
They would also have three deputies, one in charge of foreign intelligence, one in charge of defense intelligence, one in charge of homeland intelligence. This person would also have budget authority, considered to be very important by the experts, and the ability to hire and fire his or her deputies.
Next recommendation, a better sharing of information. The -- the commission focused on both technical improvements and cultural improvements on that front.
Congressional oversight, everybody takes a hit here for -- for things that could be done better, including Congress. And the commission raises the suggestion that there should be one permanent standing committee for homeland security in both the House and the Senate.
As for the FBI, as we expected as well, no recommendation for an MI-5-type domestic intelligence agency. Instead, the commission suggests that the FBI should establish a separate career track for those who want to pursue an intelligence career. This is something that Director Robert Mueller has said he supports.
Of course, we're looking at 575 pages here. I'm going to run back and go through it. Those are the highlights for you at this point.
HEMMER: Kelli, thanks. Stick with me just a second here. You cover the Justice beat for us there in Washington.
ARENA: You got it. Yes, sir.
HEMMER: How -- is it likely or not that between the CIA and the FBI that they're going to take these recommendations and really make hay with them, and do it in a way that will make the agencies better in the future? Or will there be, as we have seen so many times in the past, these turf wars in Washington?
ARENA: Well, I think there are always going to be turf wars, especially when you're talking about budget authority. The directors of both the -- well, the acting director of the CIA, the director of the FBI, have both said that they're open to any changes that are necessary, that they are eager to go very carefully through the report.
Of course, much of this will be left up to Congress and the White House, which is why we had seen the September 11 commissioners just pounding the pavement, making those visits to Congress, making those visits to the White House. And they say they're not going away.
They are not going to let this just languish, as so many other reports have done. They want to be sure that these -- these recommendations are taken seriously, that this remains on -- on the public agenda, as well as the political agenda.
HEMMER: One more thing, then. It's an election year. Starting on Monday in Boston, we're going to be knee deep in the election season. Is the expectation that any of this can be done before the first of the year, or is this mostly 2005?
ARENA: Well, you know, Bill, we've heard already yesterday from some lawmakers saying, there isn't a whole lot of time left this year. You know, they're heading on recess. We have only a few more weeks after that when they get back.
This is an election year, as you said. So it is very unlikely that we'll actually see any legislation put forward.
What has been suggested is that the -- the talking will start, that perhaps some committees will be set up, that some formal discussion about these recommendations will start. But as for action, we've already heard the hedging starting yesterday that there's not much that can be done before the end of this year.
HEMMER: Kelli, thanks for that. Kelli Arena, get to work there. I know you've got a lot of reading ahead of yourself. Thanks for hanging in there, and Sean Callebs as well.
All right. Let's get a break here. Back in a moment on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: The FDA will hear arguments next week from a company that wants to make heart defibrillators available over the counter. Dr. Sanjay Gupta joins us from Boston now with more details on this.
Hi, Sanjay.
Dr. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Heidi. Good morning.
Philips Medical Systems is going to be making their case before the FDA next week, talking about defibrillators, defibrillators that could potentially save lives. Already in shopping malls, already in large public spaces. But what about the home? That's the question they're going to be asking. After all, about 80 percent of heart attacks occur there.
The FDA did make some way for defibrillators to be in the homes a couple of years ago, but they put -- they said that a doctor's prescription is necessary for this, putting up a bit of a road block. The argument really breaks down like this: there are cons potentially to passing this amendment, to have the FDA -- have the defibrillators in the homes.
One is the cost. These are about $2,000 a pop. Another thing is that, will people be able to use these and use them safely. And finally, will they -- instead of calling 911, will they use these defibrillators, possibly wasting precious minutes?
The argument, of course, that Philips Medical Systems, a lot of other people are making as well, is that these can potentially save lives. They actually double the chance of surviving a cardiac arrest, at least in some of the studies in shopping malls and other public spaces -- Heidi.
COLLINS: But, Sanjay, is it possible some people might be a little intimidated, though, trying to use these things on their own at home? Is it difficult?
GUPTA: You know, they're not the standard sort of what people think of with the paddles and -- and trying to get everyone clear of a bed and all that sort of thing. We have an image of sort of what these defibrillators might look like.
Instead, they're sort of -- they're very sort of user friendly, if you will. There are little wires that go on the chest. And then there's sometimes voice instruction that tells you exactly what to do. Those wires will detect to see if there's a heart beat. If there isn't, it will administer a shock.
The dangers, though, the other side of that, if there's a metallic or wet surface, or if there's someone actually touching the body, it might actually administer a shock to that person as well.
The data is pretty clear, though Heidi. I've got to tell you, that every minute that someone waits to get a cardiac shock, a defibrillator shock, they have a 10 percent increased chance of dying. About 95 percent of people still die of a cardiac arrest if no defibrillator is made available to them -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Wow. Speaking of availability, aren't they pretty available on Web sites -- Web sites already?
GUPTA: You know, that's kind of an interesting point. A lot of people do go to Web sites, and you can probably can get one of these defibrillators if you really want one.
Typically, what happens is a lot of these Web sites have their doctors sort of on call that will essentially provide a prescription sort of at the time to get you a -- get you a defibrillator. So that can happen for sure.
We've talked to a lot of doctors about this. We've talked to a lot of experts about this. They're not sold on this idea.
Despite the data, they say, you know, it's probably better for you to call 911 first. It's probably a good idea for everyone out there to learn CPR. That's always a good idea as well. And it's a good idea to remember that men and women, the leading cause of death is in both of them is heart disease, and, you know, all the prevention stuff is probably where our money is better spent -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. Dr. Sanjay Gupta this morning. Thanks, Sanjay.
HEMMER: Want to squeeze in a check of the markets quickly. Carrie Lee is working for Andy Serwer today, "Minding Your Business."
Good morning.
CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill. Thanks a lot.
We have a mixed market right now. The Dow Jones industrials lower by 31 points on the heels of a weaker-than-expected profit report out of Caterpillar, retracing the big losses we saw this morning, though. The Dow was lower by over 50 points earlier on.
Meanwhile, the Nasdaq trying to retrace big losses yesterday. The composite up three points right now.
One stock that is losing ground, eBay, down nearly 4 percent after giving a weaker-than-expected outlook for this quarter and for 2004. Not good enough to satisfy Wall Street there.
And a merger to tell you about. Coors and Molson are combining forces. Together, this company will become the world's fifth largest brewer. The company's to be called Molson-Coors Brewing. Coors stock higher fractionally here this morning. Molson trades in Canada, where it is the leading brewer.
And that's a check of business news here. Bill, back to you.
HEMMER: All right, Carrie. Thanks.
Coming up next hour, the 9/11 report now is out. In about a half an hour -- about 90 minutes from now, actually, two of the panel's members will address the media. We'll have live coverage when that happens with Fredricka Whitfield next hour here on "LIVE TODAY."
Back in a moment on AMERICAN MORNING after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Jack's here now, and he's got the "Question of the Day."
CAFFERTY: Yes. I was just listening to Heidi -- not Heidi, I'm sorry -- the report from Washington about the 9/11 Commission report coming out today, Kelli Arena. And Congress says we can't do anything about this until next year.
There are five-and-a-half months left in this year. They have to go on vacation. They have to take a break. They have to run for reelection. But they don't have time to do anything about the recommendations in the September 11 report until next year?
Boy, oh boy. What a group they are.
Anyway, the stories this morning, what should be done about the military's manpower and money shortages?
Chris in St. Petersburg writes, "The only way to fix the problem is for citizens of this great land to take it back from these power and money hungry idiots that run this country. If we cannot shake it up with a viable third party, then every elected office should be for one term."
And Jack in Omaha writes, "Who is it that pisses on Cafferty's Cheerios every morning?"
HEMMER: Yes.
CAFFERTY: Actually, the guys in the building this morning. That would be Will (ph).
HEMMER: It's not me?
CAFFERTY: No. Where's Will? He's here today.
COLLINS: Oh.
HEMMER: Enjoy your Cheerios. We've got to run. We're way out of time.
Fredricka Whitfield again at the CNN Center.
Good morning, Fred.
COLLINS: Hi, Fred.
WHITFIELD: And to all of you, have a great day.
And good morning to all of you from the CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Fredricka Whitfield, in for Daryn...
Aired July 22, 2004 - 9:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. The lessons from 9/11 that could change how America fights terrorism: the 9/11 Commission final report from the commission goes public today. As the commission looks forward, a new videotape from the morning of the attack surfaces. Hijackers walking through airport security the morning of 9/11.
And a twist in the case of a missing woman in Salt Lake City. The lie that her husband told on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
HEMMER: Welcome back, everybody. Good morning. Nine o'clock here in New York. Soledad resting. We wish her the best, as she stays home, getting ever so closer.
Good morning, Heidi?
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you.
HEMMER: How are you? You all right?
COLLINS: I'm doing great, thanks.
HEMMER: It's a busy day today.
COLLINS: Very busy day.
HEMMER: And this hour, too, is going to be busy, too. The co- chairman of the 9/11 Commission briefing the president at this hour at the White House on that final report. After that, the president will make remarks in the Rose Garden, sometime perhaps in the next hour, 30 minutes or so. We'll have it live when it happens there in D.C.
COLLINS: Also, to another story this morning, jurors in the Scott Peterson trial seeing graphic evidence now as autopsy pictures are introduced to trial. We'll talk about that.
Also, another twist in the case. A prostitute allegedly stealing from Peterson's mailbox. We'll get into all of it with a KFBK reporter Chris Filippi checks in with us.
HEMMER: All right. In the meantime, here's Jack again back with us.
Good morning.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Thank you.
The "Question of the Day" has a do with a couple of stories in the newspapers. Global war on terror going on for the last three years. "The Washington Post" says there's not enough money, "New York Times" says there's not enough soldiers. And our esteemed representatives in Washington, D.C. spend their time like constitutional amendments preventing gay marriage and flag burning.
I don't know which is worse, the fact that they do that kind of stuff, or that they are so shameless and have so much chutzpah that they stand up and do it with a straight face, thinking nobody's going to notice.
Am@cnn.com. Talk to me.
HEMMER: Done. Thank you, Jack.
Just two hours before they crashed Flight 77 into the Pentagon, some of the 9/11 hijackers can be seen on a surveillance videotape at the airport, being checked and rechecked by security there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER (voice-over): It looks like a routine day at airport security. But this was anything but that. Taken the morning of September 11, 2001, the video surveillance tape shows all five hijackers passing through the metal screening detectors at Dulles Airport.
The grainy images make individual faces difficult to identify. But you can clearly see an airport security officer passing his wand over one of the men. They dress normal; they do not stand out.
Four of the five hijackers bound for the American Airlines plane that would crash into the Pentagon were pulled aside for additional screening. This after apparently setting off the metal detectors.
There is no evidence screeners questioned them about utility knives, legal at the time and thought to be in their personal luggage. The only hijacker, incidentally, who did not require additional screening was the man believed to have been the pilot after Flight 77 was hijacked, Hani Hanjour. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the video from a law firm which represents survivor families. They are suing both the airlines and the security firms.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Again, two and a half hours from now, 11:30 Eastern, the commission investigating the attacks unveils its final report, going public.
Here is what we know, in part. The report, almost 600 pages long, 1,500 footnotes, expected to outline 10 operational opportunities missed by U.S. officials to detect or unravel the plot. It will recommend the creation of a cabinet-level intelligence chief, along with major changes of both the structure and the culture of the FBI. In addition, a source telling CNN that report concludes the main reason the U.S. was unprepared for the attacks was because intelligence responsibilities were spread too widely across the government.
Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell has been briefed on that report. He's with us now.
Senator, good morning to you.
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R), KENTUCKY: Good morning, Bill.
HEMMER: We want to roll this surveillance videotape again, the surveillance videotape at Dulles. Of those 10 missed opportunities that were described in this report, six under the Clinton years, four under the Bush years. Of those 10, how could this have been stopped?
MCCONNELL: Well, I think the commission, as you and others have reported, conclude that in all likelihood it could not have been stopped. But the fact that there were a lot of mistakes made is a statement of the obvious.
Over the eight years of the Clinton administration, and the eight months of the Bush administration, clearly we were not doing this process the way we ought to. And we've moved since then to correct a lot of the mistakes that were made, even before the 9/11 report by the passage of the Patriot Act, the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.
And now the 9/11 Commission is recommending structural changes, not only in the executive branch, but also here in Congress that will allow us to do this job a lot better. The fact that this report was unanimous means that it will be taken seriously. And I know here in the Senate we are already thinking about and talking about the structural changes that they recommend that we make in our committee system in order to fit in with a new and more improved effort to defend us here at home against attacks.
HEMMER: Senator, as you well know, a lot of this report is forward-looking, talking about a new cabinet-level intelligence secretary. Also talking about combining one committee between the House and the Senate instead of having separate committees in both chambers of Congress. Senator Pat Roberts addressed that here on this program two hours ago. Here is how he took that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SENATOR PAT ROBERTS (R), INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: Tom Ridge at the Homeland Security Agency has appeared before 80 different committees in the Congress. That's ridiculous. I had a Bill two or three years ago to solve that. It got nowhere. I won't say that it is probable, but it is definitely possible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: He says he'll consider it. Will you?
MCCONNELL: Absolutely. I think simplifying the -- the process up here on Capitol Hill to make it easier for the administration officials who are involved in this kind of activity is a smart thing to do. And as I said, we're going to take the report very seriously.
Either a joint Senate House committee or consolidating into two committees, one in the House and one in the Senate, all of the functions related to intelligence gathering, I think, makes a lot of sense. We're discussing it now and may well move on this soon.
HEMMER: Senator, let's talk about the Sandy Berger situation now. On the floor of the Senate yesterday, this is what you said there.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MCCONNELL: Well, I engage -- to engage in a little literary flair, I might say it seems Sandy walked out of the National Archives with some PBDs in his BVDs and some classified docs in his socks.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Some take that in good humor. Democrats are saying they're still suspicious of the timing. Do they have reason to be suspicious?
MCCONNELL: Well, the timing is irrelevant. I mean, the point here is, apparently, the former national security adviser of the Clinton administration seems to have, admits to have walked out of the Archives with classified documents. This is extraordinary. That's the reason there's an investigation going on.
I'm stunned that that would happen. And I think the Kerry campaign ought to not only distance itself from Berger, which they've done -- Berger has stepped aside -- but also Joe Wilson, who's now been proven by both the British review and the U.S. review to have been telling untrue things about the president of the United States, should be asked to leave the Kerry campaign as well.
HEMMER: There is also a report saying the Kerry campaign screaming. They're essentially saying that Ed Gillespie, the head of the RNC, the vice president, Dick Cheney, earlier in the week coaching senators on how to respond to this and how to stay on message. Did that happen? And if so, what was the message in that meeting?
MCCONNELL: Well, I don't think we need to be coached to react to the kinds of things that Sandy Berger and Joe Wilson, two advisers to John Kerry, have been doing, lying about the president's record and pilfering classified documents out of the Archives. I think those are serious matters, and I think Senator Kerry ought to separate himself not just from Sandy Berger, but from Joe Wilson as well.
HEMMER: Thank you, Senator. Mitch McConnell, Republican from Kentucky. Nice to have you here.
MCCONNELL: Thank you.
HEMMER: Thank you.
Waiting on comments from the White House any moment now from the president in the Rose Garden. We'll get you there when it happens.
Also, when that report comes out later today at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, complete live coverage then. Keep it here on CNN -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Utah police have been questioning a man about his missing wife. Mark Hacking reported his wife, Lori, missing on Monday. The couple was to move across the country while Mark attended medical school. But yesterday their families were shocked to learn that Mark lied to them. He was never accepted in the North Carolina medical school.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LANCE HACKING, BROTHER-IN-LAW OF MISSING JOGGER: I think the thing that caught both our families and friends off guard was that Mark, at some point, if he felt the need to start some kind of a deception like this, and that he just wasn't willing to come to those who loved him, that we could work it out and figure out what was going on. I think that's the part that's really left us heartbroken and worried about Mark.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: In Salt Lake City now, police Detective Dwayne Baird with the very latest on this.
Detective, good morning to you. As we just heard Lance, Mark's brother there, talking to us about the falsification on applying to medical school, does this change the course of your investigation in any way?
DET. DWAYNE BAIRD, SALT LAKE CITY POLICE: You know, it really doesn't change the course. It adds to that. A very difficult piece of the puzzle, but it doesn't change what we're doing in the course of our investigation.
COLLINS: Is Mark a suspect at this point?
BAIRD: Mark is not a suspect. He is a person of interest that we're looking at simply because here's a situation where this entire family -- and I mean his extended family -- but he and his wife were planning to move across the country for what now doesn't appear to be a truthful situation.
COLLINS: We also heard from Mark's brother, Lance, moments ago on this program that he is in the hospital now getting some sort of treatment. Can you tell us any more about that?
BAIRD: I really can't tell you about that. I know that according to family members he's up there because of stress. But he has been there for a little while.
So that's not surprising to us. We've been table to talk to him there. It hasn't been a difficult problem for us.
COLLINS: All right. We know that the home was searched yesterday. Two cars also seized. Are you looking for anything specific here, or is this general evidence collection possibly?
BAIRD: Mostly general evidence collection. What we're doing is just covering all the bases, if you will. This is an ongoing investigation. We have to find out exactly where his wife is. And if there are things in the home or things in the cars that will indicate where she may be, we want to gather those things, process them for evidence, and see what they may have to do with this case.
COLLINS: We have also heard there have been reports that the number of volunteers that have been helping with this case has dropped off. Are you concerned at all about manpower here, have enough people to look for Lori?
BAIRD: Certainly. We are very concerned. She still has not been returned here.
They've called for volunteers. The family is asking for volunteers. We hope to have more people out today that will go door to door in neighborhoods and around this valley to search for her. We still don't know where she is.
COLLINS: All right. How is the family, in your mind, dealing with this? Have you had a chance to talk with them personally?
BAIRD: I have. And it's been a difficult process since yesterday afternoon, as they learned about this problem with not going to medical school, and his situation with his education. It's been devastating for them. But they're holding up very well.
They still supportive. They care about him. They have expressed their love for him at that time.
COLLINS: All right. Detective Dwayne Baird, Salt Lake City Police this morning, thanks so much -- Bill.
BAIRD: Thank you, Heidi.
HEMMER: Almost 13 minutes now passed the hour. Back to Fredricka Whitfield looking at the other news this morning.
Fred, good morning to you.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning again, Bill.
We begin in Iraq, where security forces and U.S. troops clashed with insurgents in central Baghdad. Reports from there say as many as 270 people were detained and a large cache of weapons discovered during the operation. West of Baghdad yesterday, U.S. forces killed more than two dozen insurgents in a gun battle in Ramadi. Some 14 U.S. troops were wounded.
Also in Iraq, the countdown to a new deadline has begun for another group of hostages. Video shows seven men from Kenya, Egypt and India being detained. The captors are threatening to behead a hostage every 72 hours unless their countries and the employers leave Iraq.
A ruling in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case is being appealed in the U.S. Supreme Court. At issue is an opinion from Colorado's high court barring news organizations from using transcripts of closed-door hearings accidentally e-mailed to them last month. The Colorado Supreme Court had ruled that the right to privacy of Bryant's accuser outweighs the media's First Amendment right to publish the transcripts.
And finally, from last night's big Republican congressional fund- raiser in Washington, President Bush took a swipe that the Democratic presidential ticket, particularly the vice presidential half.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Some people say that Senator Edwards was chosen in part because of his boyish good looks. After all, "People" magazine once named John Edwards the sexiest politician. One of my administration's great goals for a new term is to get Dick Cheney on that list.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Mr. Bush went on to say he hoped to be back at the same dinner in the same position next year -- Bill.
HEMMER: Fredricka, thanks for that.
We're watching the camera there in the Rose Garden, when the president comes at. We are told at this hour the chairman of that commission, Lee Hamilton and Thomas Kean, are now briefing the president, delivering that page to him -- or that book, rather -- almost 600 pages in length. More when the president comes out for his comments -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Now to Scott Peterson's double murder trial, where the prosecution and defense continue their point, counterpoint. Yesterday, the focus once again was on the police investigation. And KFBK Radio reporter Chris Filippi is covering the trial and is with us now from Redwood City, California, this morning.
Hello to you once again, Chris.
Good morning.
COLLINS: Testimony about this mailbox now. It continued yesterday. But the defense sort of downplaying the testimony about the mailbox? Why is that?
CHRIS FILIPPI, KFBK RADIO REPORTER: Oh, very much so. The prosecution was inferring that Peterson set up this mailbox so he could have personal conversations, if you will, exchanges with Amber Frey. Kind of keeping it under the radar.
But the defense raised the point that, one, Peterson registered this mailbox under his company's name, Trade Corp (ph), and then, two, he was actually receiving letters and other mail related to his business. As far as we know, only one letter from Amber Frey was ever sent to this mailbox. So the point the prosecution was trying to make was pretty much muted by the defense.
COLLINS: What about the jury and their reaction to Geragos sort of mocking the whole mailbox issue?
FILIPPI: Yes. You know, not only the mailbox issue, but also the issue of evidence. Geragos was making some quips about the poor handling of evidence. It's not playing well with the jury at all.
There was no laughter at all when he was trying to make some quick comments about how Modesto police were mishandling evidence. It seems really clear that since autopsy photos were introduced in this case, this jury has taken this case very seriously. They're upset about what happened. They want answers, and they're not ready for jokes.
COLLINS: Now, what about the prosecution implying that this wedding album was thrown out in the trash? And then in the cross- examination, Detective Haus (ph) actually saying that it was kept in a locker. Why do you think the prosecution is making so many mistakes here?
FILIPPI: It's a real good question. The prosecution is presenting any sort of evidence it can lay its hands on, solid or not.
The thing is, the prosecution has to know what its hand is. With the wedding photos, they presented a picture showing that these pictures were in fact in a garbage can inside Peterson's warehouse. The implication was clear that Peterson was prepared to throw these wedding photos away, what a dirty guy he must be.
But the defense raised on cross-examination the point that it's in fact locked up in a storage locker. And the -- the detective from the Modesto police didn't even think that Peterson wanted to get rid of these photos. So, really, that line of questioning, again, blew up in the prosecution's face.
COLLINS: All right. Chris -- quickly, Chris, before we let you go, what can we expect in court today?
FILIPPI: More testimony about these autopsy photos. Some very graphic pictures have been shown to this jury. It's a very difficult thing for everybody in the courtroom to watch. And then, in fact, Laci's mom actually even had to leave the courtroom. So I don't know if we're going to even see Laci's family here today.
COLLINS: Always tough for them, I'm sure. Chris Filippi, thanks so much for that. HEMMER: Heidi, there is breaking news related to Iraq, out of Kenya, actually. The Kenyan government is now urging all of its citizens working in Iraq to leave the country immediately. This in light of seven foreigners now held captive.
They come from various countries. Kenya just one of them. India and Egypt and well.
None of these countries have any troops on the ground in Iraq, but they do have personnel, citizens working for companies right now in Iraq. The Kenyan government in Nairobi now urging all of its citizens to leave that country. Another development coming off the heels of the Philippine government's decision about a week ago. More when we get it.
Back to Jack now here and the "Question of the Day."
CAFFERTY: Thank you, Bill.
A couple of disturbing stories in the papers this morning. The General Accounting Office says that operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are running $12.5 billion overbudget this year. And because of this, "The Washington Post" is reporting that the military's delaying the refurbishment of equipment, grounding air force and maybe pilots, and canceling training exercises.
And, if that's not enough for you, there aren't enough troops. "The New York Times" says the Army is now being forced to call up next year's recruits this year. The question is, what should be done about this obscenity, the military manpower, money shortage, assuming we take the global war on terrorism seriously? A lot of responses.
Kathleen in Lakewood, Colorado, "It's about time America gets angry, very angry. I'm a veteran. And what this administration has done to our soldiers is an outright crime. We should vote out every single congressman and senator, clean out the administration and all of their crony department heads, and put people in there who care about us."
Tom in Rena, Minnesota, "If the manpower outlook for the Army is that bleak, I guess it's time to consider start dusting off the old draft. But this time, let's make it a bit more equitable, i.e. no silver spoon deferments."
Jim writes, "What appear the priorities you refer to here this morning have been largely misplaced in an administration legislative body more focused on politics and getting reelected than the nuts-and- bolts issues relative to the human condition here and abroad."
And Michael with tongue in cheek in Santa Fe, New Mexico, "We must make sure the tax breaks for the richest one percent are made permanent and then we should invade Iran. Don't worry about paying it for now. After all, that's our children's problem."
Am@cnn.com.
HEMMER: All right. Thank you, Jack.
A check of the weather again. Chad Myers looking outside.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: Chad, thanks so much for that.
Ahead this morning, the 9/11 Commission delivers its final report today. President Bush is being briefed on it now. We are expecting some remarks from him this hour. We'll have it for you live from the Rose Garden.
HEMMER: Also, medical news in a moment. Heart defibrillators save lives in airports and in shopping malls. Do you need to have one, though, at home? Sanjay talks about that controversy in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Welcome back, everyone.
Some say the only good debt is no debt. But our personal finance contributor, David Bach, says that's more like a debt wish. And our "Live Rich Today" series explains how good debt gets a bad rap. Or does it?
David Bach, author of the bestseller, "The Automatic Millionaire," back with us here on AMERICAN MORNING.
Nice to see you, David.
DAVID BACH, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE CONTRIBUTOR: Good to see you, Bill.
HEMMER: I have always been told you don't want debt.
BACH: I know.
HEMMER: You're saying it's not a bad thing?
BACH: Well, it's really a myth. Not all debt is bad. In fact, what rich people know is that good debt can make you rich.
So the key is to know the difference between bad debt and good debt. And the problem for most people who are poor and middle class is they that all debt is bad. And it's not.
HEMMER: So help me understand good debt. How do you define it? The characteristics are?
BACH: OK. Good debt can help you build your net worth, actually helps you attract wealth. Example, when you borrow money to buy a home, that's leverage, other people's money. So a mortgage is good debt.
Also, when you put money in, borrowing money to buy a business. Let's say you buy a franchise, you borrow $100,000. That franchise brings you positive cash flow. That's good debt.
Let's say you borrow money to go to school. It increases your income. Another great example of good debt. So the key to good debt is bringing positive cash flow into your pocket, helping you make money, even though you're borrowing it.
HEMMER: Flip it around. What's bad debt?
BACH: OK. Bad debt -- and this kind of goes back to my grandmother. She'd say, "David, when you borrow money, it better go up in value, whatever you buy." So, for instance, if you borrow money to buy a suit, the moment you walk out of that store, guess what, the suit's not worth anything, or it's worth about half. So that's bad debt.
Usually, it's consumer examples. So anything you can think of. A car is a great example of really bad debt. And this is what most Americans buy money for.
You drive a car off the lot, it goes down in value 40 percent. Guess what? That's bad debt. So all you have to think of when you're borrowing money, is it going to help me become richer, or is it making me poorer the moment I borrow it?
HEMMER: Take me back to your grandmother.
BACH: Well, my grandmother would always say, "David, listen, it's very simple. When you borrow money, if you can't afford to pay cash for it, don't borrow it unless you can say for certain it's going to go up in value."
And I'll just go back to real estate as an example. When you borrow money for real estate, if it brings you positive cash flow, that's good debt. And the person we know in New York who has done that is Donald Trump, and he's done it with brilliance.
HEMMER: Oh, so true. What age were you when your grandmother said that?
BACH: She started teaching me about -- it was about 15 when, you know, 15 years old when I'm trying to get her to buy me some things at the store. "No, that's bad debt. We're not buying that for you."
HEMMER: OK. Good to see you, as always. All right.
BACH: Good to see you, Bill. Thanks.
HEMMER: You can catch David every Thursday here on AMERICAN MORNING with tips on how to "Live Rich Today."
Thank you, David. Talk to you later.
Here's Heidi.
COLLINS: Still to come, we are expecting to hear from President Bush very soon. He's been briefed on the final 9/11 report. We will have his remarks coming to you live right here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Welcome back, everyone. Waiting on the opening bell, a few short ticks away. Also waiting on the president as well at the Rose Garden.
COLLINS: We certainly are getting ready to hear what he thinks of the 9/11 Commission report, final report that was due out today. Going to hear from him.
HEMMER: It's going to be public in about two hours, though. But the two chairman, Kean and Hamilton, went to the White House about an hour ago, we're told, to deliver publicly for the first time their presentation with -- with the work that they've been doing. And it is outstanding. Ten members in that commission, $15 million in the budget, two pages of documents. They've had their work cut out for them.
COLLINS: Yes, they certainly have. But, you know, they've been mostly been saying that they're very proud of the commission.
HEMMER: Opening bell on Wall Street now, as we await there. Off 103 yesterday for the Dow 30, 10,046 is where we start today. Nasdaq market site down as well, down 42 points yesterday, 1,874 is where we start today. Stocks open for business now here in New York City.
And welcome back. Good morning, again.
COLLINS: Kathleen Koch is standing by at the White House for us now to give us the very latest on President Bush coming out any moment now to give his thoughts on the 9/11 Commission report -- Kathleen.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Heidi, we're hearing now that the president will appear in the Rose Garden, along with the chairman and the vice chairman of the 9/11 Commission in roughly about two minutes. Now, this is a report, this 575-page report that this administration has been long anticipating.
There's been a lot of concern -- that some of its conclusions could prove harmful, could prove damaging to the administration. But the conclusion all in all from administration officials who have seen it is that it is indeed a good and thorough report, we're told, an extraordinary effort. They're saying that the commission should be commended for its work.
Earlier in the week, we had been pressing to see whether or not the president agreed with some of these early recommendations that leaked out, whether or not he is in favor of naming a national intelligence czar to oversee all of the intelligence agencies. But spokesman Scott McClellan says that's simply not somewhere the president wants to go right now, taking a firm position on that. He really wants a chance to read the report himself.
Now, we were given the impression that Kean and Hamilton would simply be handing over the report to the president this morning. But clearly, the men who have been in there now for nearly an hour have decided to have a more lengthy discussion. But, again, we should be seeing them very shortly in the Rose Garden.
Also interesting to point out that, initially, the Bush administration resisted appointing the commission, resisted supplying information, both documents, both public testimony from people like Condoleezza Rice. But in the end, the administration relented on every point. And the commission says it is indeed satisfied with the level of cooperation it's gotten from the Bush White House.
COLLINS: All right. Kathleen, thanks so much for that. And, as you said, we're waiting. Just moments now -- we've got the picture on the screen there -- waiting for President Bush to come out in the Rose Garden there to comment on this.
Three purposes to this 9/11 report. Some would say the most important certainly to provide recommendations designed to guard against future attacks. A lot of people are going to be looking into this to make sure that that doesn't happen once again.
HEMMER: Also, this coming on the heels of the news that everybody saw yesterday afternoon, that surveillance videotape at Dulles International in the morning of 9/11 around the 7:00 a.m. hour. All five hijackers seen passing through airport security, and at least four of the men given quite an inspection, but all allowed to board that plane, Flight 77, that later went into the Pentagon.
Here's the president.
BUSH: We just had a good discussion about the 9/11 Commission report. I want to thank these two gentlemen for serving their country so well and so admirably. They've done a really good job of learning about our country, learning about what went wrong prior to September the 11th, and making very solid, sound recommendations about how to move forward. I assured them that where government needs to act, we will.
I want to thank the commission members as well. These people worked really hard, long hours. They -- they took time out of their private lives to serve America and have left their mark in a very constructive and positive way.
I -- these two men bring a common sense approach to how to move forward. They recognized what I recognize, and America recognizes, that there's still a threat and that we in government have an obligation to do everything in our power to safeguard the American people.
And the report that they are about to present to me puts out some very constructive recommendations. And I look forward to studying their recommendations, and look forward to studying their recommendations and look forward to working with responsible parties within my administration to move forward on those recommendations.
As well, we look forward to working with the Congress on the implementation on -- of ways to do our duty. And the most important duty we have is the security of our fellow countrymen.
So thank you, men, for your service. Proud you're here.
LEE HAMILTON, VICE CHAIRMAN, 9/11 COMMISSION: Thank you, Mr. President.
BUSH: You -- you did a wonderful job.
THOMAS KEAN, CHAIRMAN, 9/11 COMMISSION: Mr. President, we'd like to present you a copy of -- of our report. I thank you very much for giving me the honor of serving. And I thank you also on behalf of the commission for unprecedented access to documents and cooperation from your administration.
We were able to see things that no commission or no member of Congress has ever seen in doing our work. And we thank you for allowing us to do that.
BUSH: Thank you, Tom. Good job.
Thanks, Lee. Appreciate it.
Thank you all.
HEMMER: The president's short comments there, but calling the recommendations very sound, in his words. A call to move forward, and a call also to work with Congress. And congratulating Lee Hamilton and Thomas Kean, the co-chairmen of that commission.
Ten members, again, 10 men and women doing incredible work over the past year and a half, trying to get this thing together. And indeed they have. Almost 600 pages in length.
The president has it now. We will hear it publicly later today when it's released about 11:30 Eastern Time -- Heidi.
COLLINS: And, Bill, Kelli Arena, our justice correspondent, also has that report. She is reviewing it now for us. We will get to her just as soon as she has a chance. As you know, it's a very long report and lengthy. And we will get to her as soon as possible.
In the meantime, Frank Buckley is standing by from Detroit. We have some reaction from Frank -- I should say reaction from John Kerry. Frank will have that for us.
Hi, Frank.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Heidi.
We're told that at some point today, Senator Kerry is expecting a briefing from the chairman of the 9/11 Commission because he is the presumptive nominee on the Democrat side. He hasn't received that briefing yet. They're expecting it to come at some point after this meeting with the president.
So, so far, no official reaction from Senator Kerry. But we do know, of course, that he supports the idea of a cabinet-level national intelligence chief. But beyond that, Senator Kerry has been careful not to comment, not to pre-judge anything coming out of the 9/11 Commission. And -- and again, no comment yet, but we are expecting one at some point later today -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. Frank Buckley live from Detroit this morning. Thanks so much for that -- Bill.
HEMMER: About 25 minutes before the hour. Going to get a time- out right now. Back in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING, right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Want to get to Sean Callebs right now, standing outside the Department of Commerce. He has a copy of that report -- Sean.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Bill. We can tell you that the commission members just broke their own embargo and released this report here. You can see the 9/11 Commission report, the final report of the national commission on the terrorist attacks upon the United States.
And as everybody had already heard by now, some 570 pages. And we've heard so much about the missed operational opportunities over the past 24 or so hours. Those are detailed in a chapter called "Foresight and Hindsight." And they talk about Khalid al-Midhar. He, of course, one of the hijackers we've heard about this morning who went through the Dulles Airport in that chilling, graphic video that we've seen.
Apparently, the CIA did not watch-list al-Midhar or notify the FBI even when it learned that he had possessed a valid U.S. passport. Just some of the concerns that are pointed out here.
It's going to take a while to pore through all this information. There's not one chapter spelled out on conclusions. We can tell you it begins with what happened early on that morning. It starts out with a quote, "We have some planes," just detailing the shock and disbelief that filtered out across this country as all that information began to come out, the very graphic images of those aircraft slamming first into the twin towers at the World Trade Center, later into the Pentagon -- Bill.
HEMMER: Sean, hang with me a second here. Just watching the wires here as it comes across.
They're ticking off some of the key findings in this -- in the book that you have in your hands there. One of them, the key failure was U.S. leaders did not understand the gravity of the threat. Apparently that is in the 575 pages. Another one, the 9/11 Commission says the 9/11 attacks should not have surprised the U.S. as well.
I'm not sure how it's broken down in that book, Sean. I know you just got it. Don't mean to put you on the spot. What do you have there? CALLEBS: That's OK. Exactly. I think some of that information came out from some sources over the past 24 or so hours.
I can tell you, it's broken down into 14 chapters. And this, of course, is how both the -- the conclusions of the 20 months of investigation by the commission, as well as those recommendations that we're going to be hearing more about in just a couple of hours. Let me briefly run through some of this.
You talked about how this information should not have snuck up on the U.S. There should have been a way that the various intelligence agencies should have been able to share that information.
There's a chapter called "The Foundation of the New Terrorism," and it goes back to how -- how al Qaeda really operated in Afghanistan for so many years, basically unchallenged by any outside entity, and really became quite a powerful entity at that point. It also goes on to say that for years, both members of the Clinton and Bush administrations also used diplomacy, when perhaps military muscle would have been called for.
And then there's a chapter on wartime immediate responses at home, planning for war, phase two, and the question of Iraq. That's something we've all heard about a great deal. And, of course, the commission says that despite what we have heard from the White House, they find no collaborative link between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein's Iraq -- Bill.
HEMMER: Sean, you live and work in Washington. The reaction we're getting is one of embrace. Everyone we've talked to in the Senate today, even the words from the president, embracing the recommendations in there. Is that the true feeling across the board in our nation's capital regarding this?
CALLEBS: You know, Bill, I think that is a -- that is a great point. And that's something we have heard a tremendous amount about. In fact, a source early today we talked to said that when these recommendations do come out from the commission, in a couple of hours, they are going to come out unanimously. And that is something this commission, five Democrats, five Republicans, really tried to do, take politics out of something like this.
At the same time, these commissioners don't want their 20 months of work to just filter out into some netherland. They planned immediately after their conference here today to spell out all of these recommendations, all of these conclusions to take a road show.
One Republican, one Democrat, they're going to travel to five different areas across the country. They're going to detail all the work they did, all the conclusions, and they are going to push for reform, and they are going to push for it rapidly.
You did talk about how this is embraced by the White House, by Congress. Congress, however, has made it clear that it will not be rushed into some kind of knee-jerk reaction. That even though there are overwhelming calls to do something to overhaul the way intelligence is gathered and disseminated, they will not be forced into doing it quickly.
HEMMER: Sean, thanks -- Sean, thanks for that. Sean Callebs in Washington. Stand by again.
The president -- quoting now -- "I assure them" -- members of the commission -- "that where the government needs to act, we will." But one of the claims, the highlights that Sean is reporting now, the commission is saying these attacks should not have survived -- surprised rather the U.S.
More on this story in a moment. Other news now with Heidi.
COLLINS: An Amtrak train stopped this morning on its way to New York City. The train was detained at Newark, New Jersey's, Penn Station, where police questioned passengers and checked their I.D.s. At least one police officer brought onboard the train.
Joining us this morning is Amtrak's Dan Stessel. He's her with us from Washington, D.C.
Mr. Stessel, tell us what happened this morning.
DAN STESSEL, AMTRAK SPOKESMAN: Well, Train 170 was stopped, as you said, at Newark Penn Station about 7:52 this morning as a passenger noticed something suspicious in one of the restrooms onboard the train. It was a note that was left.
We don't have any information yet as to what the content of that note was. But for whatever reason, the passenger was suspicious of it and handled the situation exactly as we've asked passengers to, brought it to the attention of an Amtrak employee, who notified police. And the train was appropriately searched.
COLLINS: Were passengers let on or off? I'm understanding that they were actually briefed as if they had any medical conditions. They were not necessarily let off. They had to go and speak with authorities first. Everybody was really kept on the train, correct?
STESSEL: Right. The passengers were kept on the train, and there was a check of passengers' I.D. Because so many passengers on that particular train use monthly passes, it was important that we understood exactly which passengers were on that train. And so when police conducted their investigation, they wrote down the names and I.D. information of everyone onboard.
COLLINS: Were these passengers in danger, Mr. Stessel?
STESSEL: No, no. There was no threat to the train. The police did conduct their investigation using canine units that swept the train, and there was no -- no reason to believe that there was any type of device or anything of the sort onboard. The train was just within the last 15 minutes released from Newark and given the all- clear to proceed into New York.
COLLINS: All right. Would you say everything is fine and back to normal? STESSEL: Yes.
COLLINS: You would. All right. We have just been told the train has just left the station once again, Washington to New York, at a train station in Penn Station there, Newark. Well, thanks so much for that, Mr. Stessel, from Amtrak. We appreciate it.
HEMMER: Back to the 9/11 report now. Kelli Arena on the scene there at the Commerce Department, you're looking at as well.
Kelli, what strikes you?
KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, I'll tell you, I've only had this thing for about 12 minutes, and so I've looked at the executive summary. And here's what I can tell you: a lot of what we expected.
Recommendations include the creation of a national counterterrorism center which will build on something that already exists, which is called the Terrorist Threat Integration Center. This is an institution that will collect and analyze information from both inside and outside the United States, this to address the problem of the -- that the commission has had all along, asking who is in charge.
Answering that question, national intelligence director. We've reported that that was also expected. This is a Senate-approved position. This person would be overseeing the 15 intelligence agencies, including the defense intelligence agencies. And this person would report to the president.
They would also have three deputies, one in charge of foreign intelligence, one in charge of defense intelligence, one in charge of homeland intelligence. This person would also have budget authority, considered to be very important by the experts, and the ability to hire and fire his or her deputies.
Next recommendation, a better sharing of information. The -- the commission focused on both technical improvements and cultural improvements on that front.
Congressional oversight, everybody takes a hit here for -- for things that could be done better, including Congress. And the commission raises the suggestion that there should be one permanent standing committee for homeland security in both the House and the Senate.
As for the FBI, as we expected as well, no recommendation for an MI-5-type domestic intelligence agency. Instead, the commission suggests that the FBI should establish a separate career track for those who want to pursue an intelligence career. This is something that Director Robert Mueller has said he supports.
Of course, we're looking at 575 pages here. I'm going to run back and go through it. Those are the highlights for you at this point.
HEMMER: Kelli, thanks. Stick with me just a second here. You cover the Justice beat for us there in Washington.
ARENA: You got it. Yes, sir.
HEMMER: How -- is it likely or not that between the CIA and the FBI that they're going to take these recommendations and really make hay with them, and do it in a way that will make the agencies better in the future? Or will there be, as we have seen so many times in the past, these turf wars in Washington?
ARENA: Well, I think there are always going to be turf wars, especially when you're talking about budget authority. The directors of both the -- well, the acting director of the CIA, the director of the FBI, have both said that they're open to any changes that are necessary, that they are eager to go very carefully through the report.
Of course, much of this will be left up to Congress and the White House, which is why we had seen the September 11 commissioners just pounding the pavement, making those visits to Congress, making those visits to the White House. And they say they're not going away.
They are not going to let this just languish, as so many other reports have done. They want to be sure that these -- these recommendations are taken seriously, that this remains on -- on the public agenda, as well as the political agenda.
HEMMER: One more thing, then. It's an election year. Starting on Monday in Boston, we're going to be knee deep in the election season. Is the expectation that any of this can be done before the first of the year, or is this mostly 2005?
ARENA: Well, you know, Bill, we've heard already yesterday from some lawmakers saying, there isn't a whole lot of time left this year. You know, they're heading on recess. We have only a few more weeks after that when they get back.
This is an election year, as you said. So it is very unlikely that we'll actually see any legislation put forward.
What has been suggested is that the -- the talking will start, that perhaps some committees will be set up, that some formal discussion about these recommendations will start. But as for action, we've already heard the hedging starting yesterday that there's not much that can be done before the end of this year.
HEMMER: Kelli, thanks for that. Kelli Arena, get to work there. I know you've got a lot of reading ahead of yourself. Thanks for hanging in there, and Sean Callebs as well.
All right. Let's get a break here. Back in a moment on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: The FDA will hear arguments next week from a company that wants to make heart defibrillators available over the counter. Dr. Sanjay Gupta joins us from Boston now with more details on this.
Hi, Sanjay.
Dr. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Heidi. Good morning.
Philips Medical Systems is going to be making their case before the FDA next week, talking about defibrillators, defibrillators that could potentially save lives. Already in shopping malls, already in large public spaces. But what about the home? That's the question they're going to be asking. After all, about 80 percent of heart attacks occur there.
The FDA did make some way for defibrillators to be in the homes a couple of years ago, but they put -- they said that a doctor's prescription is necessary for this, putting up a bit of a road block. The argument really breaks down like this: there are cons potentially to passing this amendment, to have the FDA -- have the defibrillators in the homes.
One is the cost. These are about $2,000 a pop. Another thing is that, will people be able to use these and use them safely. And finally, will they -- instead of calling 911, will they use these defibrillators, possibly wasting precious minutes?
The argument, of course, that Philips Medical Systems, a lot of other people are making as well, is that these can potentially save lives. They actually double the chance of surviving a cardiac arrest, at least in some of the studies in shopping malls and other public spaces -- Heidi.
COLLINS: But, Sanjay, is it possible some people might be a little intimidated, though, trying to use these things on their own at home? Is it difficult?
GUPTA: You know, they're not the standard sort of what people think of with the paddles and -- and trying to get everyone clear of a bed and all that sort of thing. We have an image of sort of what these defibrillators might look like.
Instead, they're sort of -- they're very sort of user friendly, if you will. There are little wires that go on the chest. And then there's sometimes voice instruction that tells you exactly what to do. Those wires will detect to see if there's a heart beat. If there isn't, it will administer a shock.
The dangers, though, the other side of that, if there's a metallic or wet surface, or if there's someone actually touching the body, it might actually administer a shock to that person as well.
The data is pretty clear, though Heidi. I've got to tell you, that every minute that someone waits to get a cardiac shock, a defibrillator shock, they have a 10 percent increased chance of dying. About 95 percent of people still die of a cardiac arrest if no defibrillator is made available to them -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Wow. Speaking of availability, aren't they pretty available on Web sites -- Web sites already?
GUPTA: You know, that's kind of an interesting point. A lot of people do go to Web sites, and you can probably can get one of these defibrillators if you really want one.
Typically, what happens is a lot of these Web sites have their doctors sort of on call that will essentially provide a prescription sort of at the time to get you a -- get you a defibrillator. So that can happen for sure.
We've talked to a lot of doctors about this. We've talked to a lot of experts about this. They're not sold on this idea.
Despite the data, they say, you know, it's probably better for you to call 911 first. It's probably a good idea for everyone out there to learn CPR. That's always a good idea as well. And it's a good idea to remember that men and women, the leading cause of death is in both of them is heart disease, and, you know, all the prevention stuff is probably where our money is better spent -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. Dr. Sanjay Gupta this morning. Thanks, Sanjay.
HEMMER: Want to squeeze in a check of the markets quickly. Carrie Lee is working for Andy Serwer today, "Minding Your Business."
Good morning.
CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill. Thanks a lot.
We have a mixed market right now. The Dow Jones industrials lower by 31 points on the heels of a weaker-than-expected profit report out of Caterpillar, retracing the big losses we saw this morning, though. The Dow was lower by over 50 points earlier on.
Meanwhile, the Nasdaq trying to retrace big losses yesterday. The composite up three points right now.
One stock that is losing ground, eBay, down nearly 4 percent after giving a weaker-than-expected outlook for this quarter and for 2004. Not good enough to satisfy Wall Street there.
And a merger to tell you about. Coors and Molson are combining forces. Together, this company will become the world's fifth largest brewer. The company's to be called Molson-Coors Brewing. Coors stock higher fractionally here this morning. Molson trades in Canada, where it is the leading brewer.
And that's a check of business news here. Bill, back to you.
HEMMER: All right, Carrie. Thanks.
Coming up next hour, the 9/11 report now is out. In about a half an hour -- about 90 minutes from now, actually, two of the panel's members will address the media. We'll have live coverage when that happens with Fredricka Whitfield next hour here on "LIVE TODAY."
Back in a moment on AMERICAN MORNING after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Jack's here now, and he's got the "Question of the Day."
CAFFERTY: Yes. I was just listening to Heidi -- not Heidi, I'm sorry -- the report from Washington about the 9/11 Commission report coming out today, Kelli Arena. And Congress says we can't do anything about this until next year.
There are five-and-a-half months left in this year. They have to go on vacation. They have to take a break. They have to run for reelection. But they don't have time to do anything about the recommendations in the September 11 report until next year?
Boy, oh boy. What a group they are.
Anyway, the stories this morning, what should be done about the military's manpower and money shortages?
Chris in St. Petersburg writes, "The only way to fix the problem is for citizens of this great land to take it back from these power and money hungry idiots that run this country. If we cannot shake it up with a viable third party, then every elected office should be for one term."
And Jack in Omaha writes, "Who is it that pisses on Cafferty's Cheerios every morning?"
HEMMER: Yes.
CAFFERTY: Actually, the guys in the building this morning. That would be Will (ph).
HEMMER: It's not me?
CAFFERTY: No. Where's Will? He's here today.
COLLINS: Oh.
HEMMER: Enjoy your Cheerios. We've got to run. We're way out of time.
Fredricka Whitfield again at the CNN Center.
Good morning, Fred.
COLLINS: Hi, Fred.
WHITFIELD: And to all of you, have a great day.
And good morning to all of you from the CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Fredricka Whitfield, in for Daryn...
