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CNN Live At Daybreak
Final Preparations for Democratic Convention in Boston; Documenting the Vote
Aired July 23, 2004 - 06:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: It's Friday, July 23, and this is DAYBREAK.
Well, good morning on this Friday from the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Betty Nguyen in for Carol Costello.
Now in the news, suspected Iraqi insurgents have been targeted in Fallujah. A coalition spokesman says today's airstrike was against a dozen insurgents with ties to terror suspect Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. In just minutes we'll take you live to Baghdad.
A car bomb exploded today as a U.S. military convoy was passing in Kandahar in southern Afghanistan. Witnesses at the scene said four American soldiers were hurt, but the U.S. military can only confirm that one soldier was wounded.
Congress is under pressure to put the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission on a fast track. Senator Joe Lieberman and others say the reforms are so important that a special session should be called if necessary.
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge huddles with sports leaders, college and professional, today in Herndon, Virginia. It's a seminar on security at special events.
Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(WEATHER BREAK)
NGUYEN: Well, with less than four months until Americans go to the polls, it appears that most of you voters out there are divided into two nearly equal camps. In a new CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup Poll, 49 percent of likely voters named John Kerry as their choice for president, while 47 percent say President Bush is their man.
When asked about their voting intentions, 83 percent of those polled say they've made up their minds about the presidential pick, and 17 percent say they could change their minds.
The poll has a sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
The Boston police pay dispute may or may not be settled, and now there is a threat to media vehicles. But security preparations are being completed, and delegates will be swarming into Boston for the Democratic National Convention that opens on Monday. CNN's national correspondent Bob Franken is there and he joins us this morning by telephone.
Good morning to you -- Bob.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty.
And the city is swarming with security people. As far as the Boston police situation is concerned, an arbitrator has mandated an increase, a big one, for Boston police. They've been involved in a bitter labor dispute with the Boston city administration.
Nevertheless, the patrolmen's group says they don't have a contract yet. They're still planning to picket, at least on Sunday, about 29 different welcoming events for Democrats, causing a dilemma for Democrats, who have traditionally had such strong union ties. The question is: Will the various delegates cross picket lines? So, that is still unresolved.
Now, there is something that has been resolved for the Democrats, and that has been the one remaining candidate. The left-leaning Dennis Kucinich held an event with John Kerry, Kucinich announcing that he would throw his support to John Kerry. And while that support may not really have an awful lot of numerical value to it, it has an awful lot of value to people who are worried about somebody who is running against the Democrats.
Here's Kucinich.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. DENNIS KUCINICH (D), OHIO: With the same passion and commitment I dedicated to my own campaign for president, I intend to reach out on behalf of the Kerry-Edwards ticket to unite our party with all of those who may have felt left out. I will let them know that the time has come to unite in a common effort for change.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FRANKEN: And what he is suggesting there is he's suggesting that perhaps those people who would think of supporting Ralph Nader might do better to turn their support, the support that had been aimed at Kucinich instead of Nader, make it John Kerry.
So, while all of that is going on, the convention is still evolving. There's going to be a story that will be developing that is still being covered.
And there's now a threat to the media who are covering them. Of course, there's a massive media group here, lots of media trailers. And CNN's chief justice correspondent, Kelli Arena, says that the law enforcement sources are telling her there's credible information there may be some people attempting attacks against some of the media vehicles here, not international terrorist groups, but either groups or individuals who might decide to take on the media. So, you see, Betty, that a political campaign usually has enough of its own ferment, but there's a lot more than that here as the Boston Democratic Convention moves into the weekend before it actually officially begins.
NGUYEN: Definitely, Bob. Quickly, what's being done to protect the media coverage then?
FRANKEN: Well, as I said, the town is swarming with security people. There are an awful lot of them around. Let us not forget that people always are angry at the media.
NGUYEN: All right, CNN's Bob Franken, thank you very much.
President Bush heads for Detroit this morning to address the National Urban League's annual meeting. Last week, Mr. Bush declined to speak to another civil rights group, the NAACP, partly because of what an aide called harsh political rhetoric from that group's leaders. The Urban League speech is set for 10:00 a.m. Eastern, 7:00 Pacific, and CNN will carry it live.
Plus, you can talk politics with the Bush twins today. Jenna and Barbara Bush will host an online chat on President Bush's official campaign Web site this evening. They plan to focus on the importance of young voters in the November election. The twins are scheduled to be online for one hour, just one hour, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Eastern. The address is GeorgeWBush.com.
Senator John Kerry is in Denver. He'll leave there a few hours from now on a campaign road trip to Boston and the Democratic National Convention. A kickoff event was scheduled Aurora, Colorado, the town where Kerry was born. But with rain in the forecast, the event was moved to Fillmore Stadium in Denver.
And you can follow CNN's election coverage on board the CNN election express. The bus will be at the Fenway Park in Boston, where the Yankees play the Red Sox at 7:00 p.m. You can also follow the bus online. All you have to do is go to CNN.com/bus.
This year's race for the White House includes more than politicians kissing babies and stumping for votes. As "Fahrenheit 9/11" has proved, there is quite an audience out there for politically-themed documentaries. Movie makers on both the left and the right are busy trying to get their message out to the public.
And joining us to discuss this latest trend and its political impact is Kerry Haynie from Duke University.
Kerry, we appreciate you joining us this morning.
KERRY HAYNIE, DUKE UNIVERSITY: Good morning.
NGUYEN: "Fahrenheit 9/11," it has really reached the record books. It's the largest-grossing documentary ever. How is this spilling over into voters? And is it really changing their mind? HAYNIE: The best evidence suggests that these types of entertainment events don't change the minds of voters, that they may have an impact in terms of mobilizing the already converted, but it's very good evidence that someone goes in to see a movie like "Fahrenheit 9/11" and comes out with a changed mind.
NGUYEN: But wouldn't you agree that it is sparking curiosity? And for those who are undecided who go see these types of documentaries, it has to have some kind of an effect.
HAYNIE: I think it might. I think it might. Again, I think there are very few people who are undecided. But in this current context in which the electorate is split about 50-50, it appears that these types of events may be important in turning out the supporters of one side or the other.
NGUYEN: It can also cause some confusion, because I have spoken with a lot of people who have seen these types of films and they're wondering how much of it is true. So, is it causing confusion for those who come to see the movie when they head into the poll booths?
HAYNIE: I think that's a possibility, especially when we call something like "Fahrenheit 9/11" a documentary. We tend to associate documentaries with the PBS types of productions, and now we have an entertainment event called the documentary, and it could be confusing to voters and viewers.
Now, these films, documentaries, whatever you want to call them, tend to be left-leaning. Is it the left's way to respond to conservative radio, talk radio, which is so successful?
HAYNIE: I don't know if that's the intent, but it's certainly, I think, an effect of these is to respond to what you find out on the networks and the radio airwaves that you have the left responding to some of the attacks on Democratic candidates or left-leaning ideologies.
NGUYEN: Now, we must be fair and point out that there are some right-leaning movies, documentaries that are coming out.
HAYNIE: Absolutely.
NGUYEN: In fact, on September 11 there's one coming out in Dallas at a film festival, correct?
HAYNIE: Yes.
NGUYEN: And how is this becoming the new battleground for politicians, these documentaries, these movies?
HAYNIE: You know, it wouldn't surprise me to see some attempt to regulate these as efforts to aid candidates as we see in campaign contributions. Because it appears you see the election being played out now in the movie theaters and in book sales, that here you have the electoral arena moving into the entertainment arena and the two are being merged. NGUYEN: Very interesting. Kerry Haynie of Duke University, thank you.
HAYNIE: Thank you.
NGUYEN: Secrets, spies and high-speed chases. It's all on the big screen this weekend. And coming up at 6:50 Eastern, our movie critic gives us his two cents' worth on the latest round of movie offerings.
But first, at 40 past, we'll go live to Baghdad, where the latest hostage deadline is drawing closer.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: We are now getting confirmation of a tragic accident in Iraq. A U.S. tank has collided with a passenger bus, killing several Iraqis.
We want to go live now to Baghdad for details on that and other developments. Our Michael Holmes is standing by.
Devastating news out of Iraq this morning.
MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Betty. When many or most of the deaths seem to be coming from bombs and other sorts of violent things, this is a traffic accident it would appear. It happened earlier today here in Baghdad in the northern suburbs.
What we're told by the U.S. military is that a van carrying a large number of people tried to overtake another car. As it did so it went on the other side of the road and struck a U.S. tank. What we're hearing is 9 people were killed, 10 were injured, a dreadful, terrible traffic accident involving a van and a U.S. tank.
Now, elsewhere, Fallujah, again trouble there. We've heard of the seventh U.S. airstrike in the last month or so against targets linked, according to the U.S., to the wanted Jordanian terrorist, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
What happened on this occasion was U.S. forces attacked from the air, dropping bombs on a courtyard of a house in Fallujah. They say that they got intelligence that there were people linked to al-Zarqawi in that courtyard. They dropped the bomb.
They said that there were 10 to 12 people in the courtyard. However, they have given no details of casualties. Other sources have told news agencies here in Iraq from the hospital that, in fact, five Iraqis were wounded, but say that it was two women and three children.
So, very murky details there at this stage. We'll try to get more on that.
Meanwhile, in Baghdad, another roadside bomb. And again, the targeting was very, very bad. In this occasion, one of our people on the field was told that residents saw this IED, or roadside bomb, being planted. Police blocked off the road, but a bus driver drove right by the roadblock, and the device was detonated. The driver was killed. Also a 5-year-old girl was killed -- Betty.
NGUYEN: The bus driver drove past the roadblock. What was the reason for that? I mean, the roadblocks are there to stop traffic.
HOLMES: Indeed. According to our cameraman on the scene, he spoke to several Iraqis and police there, and they said they had set up the roadblock. They knew the bomb was there, because they had been told by locals that it had been planted at about 1:00 in the morning. This bus driver wouldn't listen to police, drove right by them and into an area of road which was deserted, because no other traffic was there, and the device was detonated.
So, pretty bad judgment there, that's for sure. And the victim was the bus driver and a 5-year-old girl who was a passenger on the bus -- Betty.
NGUYEN: A violent night there. Michael Holmes, thank you.
We have your news, money, weather and sports. The time right now is 6:45 Eastern. And here's what's new this morning.
The government says there is no specific intelligence suggesting terrorists plan an attack at the Democratic National Convention in Boston next week, but the FBI warns Boston authorities there is information media vans may be targeted.
On Capitol Hill, the House votes to strip federal court jurisdiction over cases dealing with same-sex marriage. The House approved the Marriage Protection Act with backing from the Bush administration. You can expect a fight in the Senate.
In money, Greyhound buses just aren't getting enough riders. As a result, it's cutting 260 stops between Chicago and Seattle on August 18. Service along North Dakota's eastern border beyond Fargo is among those affected.
In culture, Bob Edwards, the popular host of NPR's "Morning Edition," may not be returning to National Public Radio. In a New Hampshire interview, Edwards declined to say what his plans are after his current book tour ends. He was recently re-assigned as an NPR correspondent.
In sports, Lance Armstrong is on course to become the only six- time winner of the Tour de France when it ends in Paris on Sunday. A team spokesman says Armstrong may not be in next year's race.
Boy, wouldn't that be nice to see him win, Chad, six times? They say there's a six-time curse. I don't know. It looks like Lance might be able to do it.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, the six-time curse is because the guy that was going to win it the sixth time got socked in the stomach when he was going to the finish line.
NGUYEN: Well, hopefully that won't happen this time.
MYERS: Yes, it better not.
NGUYEN: No.
MYERS: I'm sure they have better plans than that.
(WEATHER BREAK)
NGUYEN: Let's check in now with Bill and Heidi in New York for a look at what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."
Good morning.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Betty.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Betty. Nice to see you. Happy Friday to you. We want to talk about some headlines that we're going to have on the show this morning.
We're going to give you a convention preview. Democrats are in Boston, as you know, all next week. We're going to have a look at some new polls out there, really showing some more of President Bush and John Kerry neck and neck. So, we're going to talk about that and hear from Bill Schneider on those numbers.
HEMMER: Yes, it is tight. We'll see if it changes starting on Monday.
The 9/11 report, we've seen some of the recommendations. Where do we go from here? Bob Kerrey, one of the 10 commissioners, is our guest today. We'll talk to the assistant to the president for homeland security. And Jack has got a little something up his sleeve, too, on this today as well.
So, we'll get to all of that this morning.
COLLINS: Then also an update on that missing jogger story in Utah. A little bit of deception on the part of her husband, Lori's husband, Mark. We're going to talk to one of Lori Hacking's friends, as well also to Chris Smart. You may remember him as the uncle of Elizabeth Smart. He's helping with the search for her.
So that and more all ahead on this "AMERICAN MORNING" this Friday morning. So happy it's here.
HEMMER: You got it -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Absolutely. It sounds like a great show. Thank you.
It's time now for a little business buzz. Your local AMC cineplex is going private, but don't worry. It can still mean that you can catch your films there.
Carrie Lee has the story at the Nasdaq Marketsite in New York.
Good morning -- Carrie.
CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS: Hi, Betty.
AMC Entertainment is planning to sell itself for about $2 billion. The buying company is called Marquee Holdings, and this is a joint venture between AMC's current owner and JP Morgan. So, the plan is to pay shareholders $19.50 a share, quite a premium to where the stock is trading now. And, in fact, this news did send the stock higher by 11 percent yesterday. Shares were halted during the session, so we'll see what happens with AMC stock today.
Meanwhile, we did see a little bit of buying across the board at the close yesterday. The Dow higher by 4 points, the Nasdaq up 14. It looks like, though, we are going to see some selling, particularly for technology stocks today on weaker-than-expected profit reports from Microsoft and Amazon.com.
Microsoft saw profits up 81 percent, sales up 15 percent, but they're warning on profits going forward, lowering their outlook, because in part of that big cash distribution we talked about earlier this week that they're planning, $75 billion over four years. So, that stock was down 2 percent after hours.
And Amazon.com actually missed the Wall Street profit estimate by a penny, sending that stock down 5 percent last night.
And that is the latest business news. DAYBREAK will return.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Well, if you're headed to the movies in the next couple of days, you can count on another action-packed weekend.
And joining us with his reviews on some of the new movies is Tom O'Neil of "In Touch Weekly."
Good morning to you.
TOM O'NEIL, "IN TOUCH" MAGAZINE: Good morning, Betty.
NGUYEN: Well, let's talk about "The Bourne Supremacy." Is this going to be better than the first one?
O'NEIL: It's very different than the first one. I liked the first one as well. And this we can highly recommend as a good action picture, because what makes this thing good is Matt Damon has taken on the whole CIA here.
NGUYEN: Yikes!
O'NEIL: Here is a former CIA killer who is being blamed for two murders, and the hunted turns into the hunter in this case. And this whole movie is one long chase scene that ends in a demolition derby type ride through Moscow at the end. But you'll be glad you went along for the ride, because what makes the "Supremacy" so supreme is Matt. He's just great in this movie. NGUYEN: Oh, the first one was fantastic. Now, in this one, as we get closer to the ending, does it lead us to believe there's going to be a third installment in this series?
O'NEIL: Of course. Yes. And, of course, we know that, too, because the Robert Ludlum books are in a three-part installment. So, you know where this is headed from here.
NGUYEN: That's the way it goes. Well, "Catwoman," let's talk about that. Boy, Halle Berry looks great in that suit. But is it enough to get people to watch the movie?
O'NEIL: Not at all. This is a big fur ball, Betty. Horrible! Well, you remember the original Catwoman, why we loved her so much? She was so cattie. It was like you didn't know whether to love her or hate her. She was evil but good. And she was always wooing Batman. They, unfortunately, threw out the old Catwoman and reinvented her as really Spider-Man is what they're trying to do here. She's this gal who works in a cosmetic company and...
NGUYEN: And she can use some scissors. Check that out. My goodness.
O'NEIL: Yes.
NGUYEN: Now, I have to put you on the spot. How does she rank with the other Catwomen?
O'NEIL: Well, she certainly looks good, you know, in that outfit and cracking that whip. But she should have cracked the whip over these screenwriters, because there is no movie here.
NGUYEN: Ouch! And really (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
O'NEIL: And they really could have done something terrific with the character.
NGUYEN: OK. We have to get to this movie, "A Home at the End of the World." What is it all about?
O'NEIL: This is the latest movie from Michael Cunningham, the author of the book, "The Hours." And it's a relationship drama really about, it's a Bohemian love story is probably the best way to describe it. It's two guys who grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and become roommates years later in New York. One is gay, one is straight. Throw in a woman here and all kinds of sexual shenanigans between the three of them. Throw in a lot of drugs. A baby results. They all move upstate, and you can pretty much see where this is going.
This movie you get to see Colin Farrell swing both ways, but that's not what everyone has been talking about with this movie. It's what you don't get to see swinging here.
NGUYEN: Exactly. Tell us what is not going to be in the movie that fell on the editing room floor.
O'NEIL: Well, there was a nude scene here. And the producer said it was too distracting that they had...
NGUYEN: Distracting.
O'NEIL: Way to go, Colin, huh?
NGUYEN: You know what? We're going to leave that right there, Tom O'Neil. Enough of that.
O'NEIL: OK, Betty.
NGUYEN: Thank you.
O'NEIL: Thanks.
NGUYEN: Well, Chad joins me for "The Lightning Round" that is coming up, but first here's a look at headlines.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: It's that time of the day.
MYERS: Yes. We were just discussing all of the hits that Jimmy Buffet has.
NGUYEN: Oh, yes.
MYERS: And you know what? The answer to yesterday's question is Jimmy Buffet. He finally, finally has a No. 1 album.
NGUYEN: Finally.
MYERS: What performer just achieved his first-ever No. 1 album? Jimmy Buffet, finally.
NGUYEN: I can't believe it. I mean, he was (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
MYERS: "License to Chill." It's a collaboration here, a lot of duets on this with an awful lot of other country and western stars as well. Obviously it came right out of the box and did really well.
And according to a recent survey, what country consumes the most beer in Europe? And that would be Germany.
NGUYEN: Germany.
MYERS: And the answer is actually they drink to get drunk!
NGUYEN: Really? Is that what people do?
MYERS: That's what they said yesterday.
And Cyril Lachel from Olympia, Washington, wins. I'm not sure why you guys are still awake or maybe you're already awake. But congratulations. You get a DAYBREAK coffee mug, so now you can drink some coffee and stay awake longer. And, OK, now here are the questions for today. According to Louise Schiavone's report on spending in Boston for the DNC, approximately how much money has been spent on infrastructure and security? In a recent study on movies and mood, what film boosted viewers' hormone levels by more than 10 percent?
Daybreak@CNN.com. I need both answers. Give me your name and address and e-mail them, and we'll show you the winner on Monday.
NGUYEN: Get the big old mug. Well, from CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Betty Nguyen in for Carol Costello. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.
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Aired July 23, 2004 - 06:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: It's Friday, July 23, and this is DAYBREAK.
Well, good morning on this Friday from the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Betty Nguyen in for Carol Costello.
Now in the news, suspected Iraqi insurgents have been targeted in Fallujah. A coalition spokesman says today's airstrike was against a dozen insurgents with ties to terror suspect Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. In just minutes we'll take you live to Baghdad.
A car bomb exploded today as a U.S. military convoy was passing in Kandahar in southern Afghanistan. Witnesses at the scene said four American soldiers were hurt, but the U.S. military can only confirm that one soldier was wounded.
Congress is under pressure to put the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission on a fast track. Senator Joe Lieberman and others say the reforms are so important that a special session should be called if necessary.
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge huddles with sports leaders, college and professional, today in Herndon, Virginia. It's a seminar on security at special events.
Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(WEATHER BREAK)
NGUYEN: Well, with less than four months until Americans go to the polls, it appears that most of you voters out there are divided into two nearly equal camps. In a new CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup Poll, 49 percent of likely voters named John Kerry as their choice for president, while 47 percent say President Bush is their man.
When asked about their voting intentions, 83 percent of those polled say they've made up their minds about the presidential pick, and 17 percent say they could change their minds.
The poll has a sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
The Boston police pay dispute may or may not be settled, and now there is a threat to media vehicles. But security preparations are being completed, and delegates will be swarming into Boston for the Democratic National Convention that opens on Monday. CNN's national correspondent Bob Franken is there and he joins us this morning by telephone.
Good morning to you -- Bob.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty.
And the city is swarming with security people. As far as the Boston police situation is concerned, an arbitrator has mandated an increase, a big one, for Boston police. They've been involved in a bitter labor dispute with the Boston city administration.
Nevertheless, the patrolmen's group says they don't have a contract yet. They're still planning to picket, at least on Sunday, about 29 different welcoming events for Democrats, causing a dilemma for Democrats, who have traditionally had such strong union ties. The question is: Will the various delegates cross picket lines? So, that is still unresolved.
Now, there is something that has been resolved for the Democrats, and that has been the one remaining candidate. The left-leaning Dennis Kucinich held an event with John Kerry, Kucinich announcing that he would throw his support to John Kerry. And while that support may not really have an awful lot of numerical value to it, it has an awful lot of value to people who are worried about somebody who is running against the Democrats.
Here's Kucinich.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. DENNIS KUCINICH (D), OHIO: With the same passion and commitment I dedicated to my own campaign for president, I intend to reach out on behalf of the Kerry-Edwards ticket to unite our party with all of those who may have felt left out. I will let them know that the time has come to unite in a common effort for change.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FRANKEN: And what he is suggesting there is he's suggesting that perhaps those people who would think of supporting Ralph Nader might do better to turn their support, the support that had been aimed at Kucinich instead of Nader, make it John Kerry.
So, while all of that is going on, the convention is still evolving. There's going to be a story that will be developing that is still being covered.
And there's now a threat to the media who are covering them. Of course, there's a massive media group here, lots of media trailers. And CNN's chief justice correspondent, Kelli Arena, says that the law enforcement sources are telling her there's credible information there may be some people attempting attacks against some of the media vehicles here, not international terrorist groups, but either groups or individuals who might decide to take on the media. So, you see, Betty, that a political campaign usually has enough of its own ferment, but there's a lot more than that here as the Boston Democratic Convention moves into the weekend before it actually officially begins.
NGUYEN: Definitely, Bob. Quickly, what's being done to protect the media coverage then?
FRANKEN: Well, as I said, the town is swarming with security people. There are an awful lot of them around. Let us not forget that people always are angry at the media.
NGUYEN: All right, CNN's Bob Franken, thank you very much.
President Bush heads for Detroit this morning to address the National Urban League's annual meeting. Last week, Mr. Bush declined to speak to another civil rights group, the NAACP, partly because of what an aide called harsh political rhetoric from that group's leaders. The Urban League speech is set for 10:00 a.m. Eastern, 7:00 Pacific, and CNN will carry it live.
Plus, you can talk politics with the Bush twins today. Jenna and Barbara Bush will host an online chat on President Bush's official campaign Web site this evening. They plan to focus on the importance of young voters in the November election. The twins are scheduled to be online for one hour, just one hour, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Eastern. The address is GeorgeWBush.com.
Senator John Kerry is in Denver. He'll leave there a few hours from now on a campaign road trip to Boston and the Democratic National Convention. A kickoff event was scheduled Aurora, Colorado, the town where Kerry was born. But with rain in the forecast, the event was moved to Fillmore Stadium in Denver.
And you can follow CNN's election coverage on board the CNN election express. The bus will be at the Fenway Park in Boston, where the Yankees play the Red Sox at 7:00 p.m. You can also follow the bus online. All you have to do is go to CNN.com/bus.
This year's race for the White House includes more than politicians kissing babies and stumping for votes. As "Fahrenheit 9/11" has proved, there is quite an audience out there for politically-themed documentaries. Movie makers on both the left and the right are busy trying to get their message out to the public.
And joining us to discuss this latest trend and its political impact is Kerry Haynie from Duke University.
Kerry, we appreciate you joining us this morning.
KERRY HAYNIE, DUKE UNIVERSITY: Good morning.
NGUYEN: "Fahrenheit 9/11," it has really reached the record books. It's the largest-grossing documentary ever. How is this spilling over into voters? And is it really changing their mind? HAYNIE: The best evidence suggests that these types of entertainment events don't change the minds of voters, that they may have an impact in terms of mobilizing the already converted, but it's very good evidence that someone goes in to see a movie like "Fahrenheit 9/11" and comes out with a changed mind.
NGUYEN: But wouldn't you agree that it is sparking curiosity? And for those who are undecided who go see these types of documentaries, it has to have some kind of an effect.
HAYNIE: I think it might. I think it might. Again, I think there are very few people who are undecided. But in this current context in which the electorate is split about 50-50, it appears that these types of events may be important in turning out the supporters of one side or the other.
NGUYEN: It can also cause some confusion, because I have spoken with a lot of people who have seen these types of films and they're wondering how much of it is true. So, is it causing confusion for those who come to see the movie when they head into the poll booths?
HAYNIE: I think that's a possibility, especially when we call something like "Fahrenheit 9/11" a documentary. We tend to associate documentaries with the PBS types of productions, and now we have an entertainment event called the documentary, and it could be confusing to voters and viewers.
Now, these films, documentaries, whatever you want to call them, tend to be left-leaning. Is it the left's way to respond to conservative radio, talk radio, which is so successful?
HAYNIE: I don't know if that's the intent, but it's certainly, I think, an effect of these is to respond to what you find out on the networks and the radio airwaves that you have the left responding to some of the attacks on Democratic candidates or left-leaning ideologies.
NGUYEN: Now, we must be fair and point out that there are some right-leaning movies, documentaries that are coming out.
HAYNIE: Absolutely.
NGUYEN: In fact, on September 11 there's one coming out in Dallas at a film festival, correct?
HAYNIE: Yes.
NGUYEN: And how is this becoming the new battleground for politicians, these documentaries, these movies?
HAYNIE: You know, it wouldn't surprise me to see some attempt to regulate these as efforts to aid candidates as we see in campaign contributions. Because it appears you see the election being played out now in the movie theaters and in book sales, that here you have the electoral arena moving into the entertainment arena and the two are being merged. NGUYEN: Very interesting. Kerry Haynie of Duke University, thank you.
HAYNIE: Thank you.
NGUYEN: Secrets, spies and high-speed chases. It's all on the big screen this weekend. And coming up at 6:50 Eastern, our movie critic gives us his two cents' worth on the latest round of movie offerings.
But first, at 40 past, we'll go live to Baghdad, where the latest hostage deadline is drawing closer.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: We are now getting confirmation of a tragic accident in Iraq. A U.S. tank has collided with a passenger bus, killing several Iraqis.
We want to go live now to Baghdad for details on that and other developments. Our Michael Holmes is standing by.
Devastating news out of Iraq this morning.
MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Betty. When many or most of the deaths seem to be coming from bombs and other sorts of violent things, this is a traffic accident it would appear. It happened earlier today here in Baghdad in the northern suburbs.
What we're told by the U.S. military is that a van carrying a large number of people tried to overtake another car. As it did so it went on the other side of the road and struck a U.S. tank. What we're hearing is 9 people were killed, 10 were injured, a dreadful, terrible traffic accident involving a van and a U.S. tank.
Now, elsewhere, Fallujah, again trouble there. We've heard of the seventh U.S. airstrike in the last month or so against targets linked, according to the U.S., to the wanted Jordanian terrorist, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
What happened on this occasion was U.S. forces attacked from the air, dropping bombs on a courtyard of a house in Fallujah. They say that they got intelligence that there were people linked to al-Zarqawi in that courtyard. They dropped the bomb.
They said that there were 10 to 12 people in the courtyard. However, they have given no details of casualties. Other sources have told news agencies here in Iraq from the hospital that, in fact, five Iraqis were wounded, but say that it was two women and three children.
So, very murky details there at this stage. We'll try to get more on that.
Meanwhile, in Baghdad, another roadside bomb. And again, the targeting was very, very bad. In this occasion, one of our people on the field was told that residents saw this IED, or roadside bomb, being planted. Police blocked off the road, but a bus driver drove right by the roadblock, and the device was detonated. The driver was killed. Also a 5-year-old girl was killed -- Betty.
NGUYEN: The bus driver drove past the roadblock. What was the reason for that? I mean, the roadblocks are there to stop traffic.
HOLMES: Indeed. According to our cameraman on the scene, he spoke to several Iraqis and police there, and they said they had set up the roadblock. They knew the bomb was there, because they had been told by locals that it had been planted at about 1:00 in the morning. This bus driver wouldn't listen to police, drove right by them and into an area of road which was deserted, because no other traffic was there, and the device was detonated.
So, pretty bad judgment there, that's for sure. And the victim was the bus driver and a 5-year-old girl who was a passenger on the bus -- Betty.
NGUYEN: A violent night there. Michael Holmes, thank you.
We have your news, money, weather and sports. The time right now is 6:45 Eastern. And here's what's new this morning.
The government says there is no specific intelligence suggesting terrorists plan an attack at the Democratic National Convention in Boston next week, but the FBI warns Boston authorities there is information media vans may be targeted.
On Capitol Hill, the House votes to strip federal court jurisdiction over cases dealing with same-sex marriage. The House approved the Marriage Protection Act with backing from the Bush administration. You can expect a fight in the Senate.
In money, Greyhound buses just aren't getting enough riders. As a result, it's cutting 260 stops between Chicago and Seattle on August 18. Service along North Dakota's eastern border beyond Fargo is among those affected.
In culture, Bob Edwards, the popular host of NPR's "Morning Edition," may not be returning to National Public Radio. In a New Hampshire interview, Edwards declined to say what his plans are after his current book tour ends. He was recently re-assigned as an NPR correspondent.
In sports, Lance Armstrong is on course to become the only six- time winner of the Tour de France when it ends in Paris on Sunday. A team spokesman says Armstrong may not be in next year's race.
Boy, wouldn't that be nice to see him win, Chad, six times? They say there's a six-time curse. I don't know. It looks like Lance might be able to do it.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, the six-time curse is because the guy that was going to win it the sixth time got socked in the stomach when he was going to the finish line.
NGUYEN: Well, hopefully that won't happen this time.
MYERS: Yes, it better not.
NGUYEN: No.
MYERS: I'm sure they have better plans than that.
(WEATHER BREAK)
NGUYEN: Let's check in now with Bill and Heidi in New York for a look at what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."
Good morning.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Betty.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Betty. Nice to see you. Happy Friday to you. We want to talk about some headlines that we're going to have on the show this morning.
We're going to give you a convention preview. Democrats are in Boston, as you know, all next week. We're going to have a look at some new polls out there, really showing some more of President Bush and John Kerry neck and neck. So, we're going to talk about that and hear from Bill Schneider on those numbers.
HEMMER: Yes, it is tight. We'll see if it changes starting on Monday.
The 9/11 report, we've seen some of the recommendations. Where do we go from here? Bob Kerrey, one of the 10 commissioners, is our guest today. We'll talk to the assistant to the president for homeland security. And Jack has got a little something up his sleeve, too, on this today as well.
So, we'll get to all of that this morning.
COLLINS: Then also an update on that missing jogger story in Utah. A little bit of deception on the part of her husband, Lori's husband, Mark. We're going to talk to one of Lori Hacking's friends, as well also to Chris Smart. You may remember him as the uncle of Elizabeth Smart. He's helping with the search for her.
So that and more all ahead on this "AMERICAN MORNING" this Friday morning. So happy it's here.
HEMMER: You got it -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Absolutely. It sounds like a great show. Thank you.
It's time now for a little business buzz. Your local AMC cineplex is going private, but don't worry. It can still mean that you can catch your films there.
Carrie Lee has the story at the Nasdaq Marketsite in New York.
Good morning -- Carrie.
CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS: Hi, Betty.
AMC Entertainment is planning to sell itself for about $2 billion. The buying company is called Marquee Holdings, and this is a joint venture between AMC's current owner and JP Morgan. So, the plan is to pay shareholders $19.50 a share, quite a premium to where the stock is trading now. And, in fact, this news did send the stock higher by 11 percent yesterday. Shares were halted during the session, so we'll see what happens with AMC stock today.
Meanwhile, we did see a little bit of buying across the board at the close yesterday. The Dow higher by 4 points, the Nasdaq up 14. It looks like, though, we are going to see some selling, particularly for technology stocks today on weaker-than-expected profit reports from Microsoft and Amazon.com.
Microsoft saw profits up 81 percent, sales up 15 percent, but they're warning on profits going forward, lowering their outlook, because in part of that big cash distribution we talked about earlier this week that they're planning, $75 billion over four years. So, that stock was down 2 percent after hours.
And Amazon.com actually missed the Wall Street profit estimate by a penny, sending that stock down 5 percent last night.
And that is the latest business news. DAYBREAK will return.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Well, if you're headed to the movies in the next couple of days, you can count on another action-packed weekend.
And joining us with his reviews on some of the new movies is Tom O'Neil of "In Touch Weekly."
Good morning to you.
TOM O'NEIL, "IN TOUCH" MAGAZINE: Good morning, Betty.
NGUYEN: Well, let's talk about "The Bourne Supremacy." Is this going to be better than the first one?
O'NEIL: It's very different than the first one. I liked the first one as well. And this we can highly recommend as a good action picture, because what makes this thing good is Matt Damon has taken on the whole CIA here.
NGUYEN: Yikes!
O'NEIL: Here is a former CIA killer who is being blamed for two murders, and the hunted turns into the hunter in this case. And this whole movie is one long chase scene that ends in a demolition derby type ride through Moscow at the end. But you'll be glad you went along for the ride, because what makes the "Supremacy" so supreme is Matt. He's just great in this movie. NGUYEN: Oh, the first one was fantastic. Now, in this one, as we get closer to the ending, does it lead us to believe there's going to be a third installment in this series?
O'NEIL: Of course. Yes. And, of course, we know that, too, because the Robert Ludlum books are in a three-part installment. So, you know where this is headed from here.
NGUYEN: That's the way it goes. Well, "Catwoman," let's talk about that. Boy, Halle Berry looks great in that suit. But is it enough to get people to watch the movie?
O'NEIL: Not at all. This is a big fur ball, Betty. Horrible! Well, you remember the original Catwoman, why we loved her so much? She was so cattie. It was like you didn't know whether to love her or hate her. She was evil but good. And she was always wooing Batman. They, unfortunately, threw out the old Catwoman and reinvented her as really Spider-Man is what they're trying to do here. She's this gal who works in a cosmetic company and...
NGUYEN: And she can use some scissors. Check that out. My goodness.
O'NEIL: Yes.
NGUYEN: Now, I have to put you on the spot. How does she rank with the other Catwomen?
O'NEIL: Well, she certainly looks good, you know, in that outfit and cracking that whip. But she should have cracked the whip over these screenwriters, because there is no movie here.
NGUYEN: Ouch! And really (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
O'NEIL: And they really could have done something terrific with the character.
NGUYEN: OK. We have to get to this movie, "A Home at the End of the World." What is it all about?
O'NEIL: This is the latest movie from Michael Cunningham, the author of the book, "The Hours." And it's a relationship drama really about, it's a Bohemian love story is probably the best way to describe it. It's two guys who grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and become roommates years later in New York. One is gay, one is straight. Throw in a woman here and all kinds of sexual shenanigans between the three of them. Throw in a lot of drugs. A baby results. They all move upstate, and you can pretty much see where this is going.
This movie you get to see Colin Farrell swing both ways, but that's not what everyone has been talking about with this movie. It's what you don't get to see swinging here.
NGUYEN: Exactly. Tell us what is not going to be in the movie that fell on the editing room floor.
O'NEIL: Well, there was a nude scene here. And the producer said it was too distracting that they had...
NGUYEN: Distracting.
O'NEIL: Way to go, Colin, huh?
NGUYEN: You know what? We're going to leave that right there, Tom O'Neil. Enough of that.
O'NEIL: OK, Betty.
NGUYEN: Thank you.
O'NEIL: Thanks.
NGUYEN: Well, Chad joins me for "The Lightning Round" that is coming up, but first here's a look at headlines.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: It's that time of the day.
MYERS: Yes. We were just discussing all of the hits that Jimmy Buffet has.
NGUYEN: Oh, yes.
MYERS: And you know what? The answer to yesterday's question is Jimmy Buffet. He finally, finally has a No. 1 album.
NGUYEN: Finally.
MYERS: What performer just achieved his first-ever No. 1 album? Jimmy Buffet, finally.
NGUYEN: I can't believe it. I mean, he was (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
MYERS: "License to Chill." It's a collaboration here, a lot of duets on this with an awful lot of other country and western stars as well. Obviously it came right out of the box and did really well.
And according to a recent survey, what country consumes the most beer in Europe? And that would be Germany.
NGUYEN: Germany.
MYERS: And the answer is actually they drink to get drunk!
NGUYEN: Really? Is that what people do?
MYERS: That's what they said yesterday.
And Cyril Lachel from Olympia, Washington, wins. I'm not sure why you guys are still awake or maybe you're already awake. But congratulations. You get a DAYBREAK coffee mug, so now you can drink some coffee and stay awake longer. And, OK, now here are the questions for today. According to Louise Schiavone's report on spending in Boston for the DNC, approximately how much money has been spent on infrastructure and security? In a recent study on movies and mood, what film boosted viewers' hormone levels by more than 10 percent?
Daybreak@CNN.com. I need both answers. Give me your name and address and e-mail them, and we'll show you the winner on Monday.
NGUYEN: Get the big old mug. Well, from CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Betty Nguyen in for Carol Costello. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.
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