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What's In Store At The Democratic Convention; American Sikhs Wearing Turbans Experience Bias, Violence

Aired July 26, 2004 - 10:30   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.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's take a look at the stories now in the news. The countdown is underway at the FleetCenter in Boston, the site of the Democratic National Convention. A live picture from there. It begins this afternoon, and it culminates with the party's formal nomination of its presidential candidate, presumably John Kerry.
Meanwhile, Kerry is taking the long way home. Here's a live picture from Florida. He is hosting a town hall meeting at the Kennedy Space Center. Kerry is expected to arrive at the convention on Wednesday, just hours before the party bestows its endorsement.

Police in Salt Lake City say they could issue an arrest warrant within a few days if forensic tests confirm some suspicions in the disappearance of Lori Hacking. Authorities are investigating a clump of hair found in a Dumpster near the store where her husband allegedly bought a mattress just before reporting her missing. Police describe Mark Hacking as a person of interest at this point, though, he is not a suspect.

"Entertainment Tonight" is reporting that Mary-Kate Olsen has been released from the facility where she was reportedly treated for an eating disorder. "ET" quotes a spokesman for the twins as saying, "She returned home Friday after completing a six-week program." 18- year-old Mary-Kate and Ashley are the stars in pre-teen media, an empire of TV videos and books.

That's another note. Keeping you informed on CNN, the most trusted name in news.

Democrats from around the country are converging on Boston for this afternoon's start of the party's national convention. But the planning and the strategy have been in the making for months.

For a closer look, we turn to Senior Kerry Advisor Tad Devine, who is joining us from the FleetCenter. Tad, good morning. Good to have you here with us.

TAD DEVINE, SENIOR KERRY ADVISOR: Nice to be with you.

KAGAN: Here is the good news for the Democrats, you know who your nominee is going to be, you know who your vice presidential nominee is going to be, the party is more unified than years -- but here is the twist: Why should anybody watch this television coverage?

DEVINE: Well, I think they're going to learn a lot. I think voters this year are particularly interested in knowing about John Kerry and John Edwards, that neither one of them have run for president before. John Kerry has a fascinating life. It's been a lifetime of service and of strength, dedication to this nation.

He's someone who has fought for issues that people care deeply about. The kind of issues President Bush is not talking about, like the economy and making a stronger for middle-class families. A real plan for healthcare, to make it affordable and available. Talking about energy independence for our nation, so we're no longer relying on oil from the Middle East. And making sure that Americans understand that John Kerry and John Edwards are dedicated to protecting this nation, to its security.

So, I think people want to know about these issues. And I think that's why they're going to tune in.

KAGAN: What do you think about these latest poll numbers that are out, basically saying that the presidential race is a dead heat at this point. Critics of John Kerry saying with everything that has gone wrong for President Bush -- and so much has gone wrong at this point -- where is that 10- to 20-point lead he should have at this point in the race?

DEVINE: Well, Daryn, if you look at history and you see where challengers to incumbent presidents are at this point before the convention, by every historical measure, they're 17 points behind the incumbent president. So, we're two or three points ahead, that's where the 20 points are.

We've actually made up all that ground before our convention. And I think we're going to have an outstanding opportunity not to consolidate the support for John Kerry. A lot of people are voting for John Kerry because they don't like George Bush. After this convention, I think most of them are going to be supporting John Kerry, because they're going to hear about his service to this nation. They're going to understand his deep commitment to making America stronger at home and respected in the world.

KAGAN: Here's one thing we do know, Tad: If this presidential race doesn't work out for Senator Kerry, he probably is not going to get a job with the Boston Red Sox.

What about...

DEVINE: Well, actually, he was throwing a sinker last night.

KAGAN: Yes, it was...

DEVINE: ... pitching, so...

KAGAN: What about the pitch? This was -- was this kind of a photo op gone bad? This was a surprise? He just shows up at Fenway. Was this practiced, Tad?

DEVINE: No, no. Listen, the guy's got a good arm, let me tell you. And you know, I have to admit, he's more of a hockey player than anything else.

KAGAN: OK.

DEVINE: But listen, I thought it was a good pitch. And I thought, in light of a sinker ball pitch -- pitching last night, it was just the right thing. I'll give him some credit.

KAGAN: Speaking of pitches, that's about the best spin I've ever heard on anything. Very good; points to you.

Also want to ask you about Mrs. Kerry, Teresa Heinz Kerry. A lot of video floating out there of this tit-a-tat that she had with a reporter backstage after addressing the Pennsylvania delegates yesterday. Basically, she told the reporter, in frustration, to go shove it.

Is that the kind of behavior we want to see from a future first lady?

DEVINE: You know, I'll tell you, she is such an enormous asset to our campaign. And she's someone who tells it like it is. And I think -- and I've seen this, for example, in Iowa, New Hampshire, where she campaigned so much for John Kerry. She's someone who connects with voters, who cares deeply about issues. And the fact that she speaks what's on her mind, I think it's enormously refreshing and something the American people want to hear more of.

So, we're looking forward -- Tuesday night she's going to speak in prime time. I'm sure the nation wants to hear from her, because she can lend so much valuable insight as to who John Kerry is, where he comes from, and what he believes.

KAGAN: And one more person I have to ask you about -- John Edwards. You had a big role in the vice presidential search, in picking a running mate. What do you hope he comes out of this convention with?

DEVINE: Well, that people know him better. John Edwards' story is remarkable. He's the son of a mill worker who made it all the way. He rose up to the ranks of -- the highest ranks of representing people and victims of families and children all across North Carolina. He made a remarkable race for the United States Senate in 1998, never having run for office before, defeating an incumbent Republican.

And I think his presidential campaign earlier this year was also nothing short of remarkable. John Edwards is someone who shares in the priorities and values of John Kerry. And I think, together, the two of them have a plan for the future of this nation that will take this country in a new direction.

So, we hope people will get to know his story, his wife Elizabeth, his family. They're remarkable people. And we think they add so much to our ticket.

KAGAN: A big week ahead for you and for the Democratic party. Tad Devine, thanks for your time this morning. DEVINE: Thanks. Nice to be with you.

KAGAN: Appreciate it. Thank you so much.

Let's talk about the Republicans for a bit now. GOP leaders saying that it's no accident, they believe, that George W. Bush and Dick Cheney will be a key focus of the Democrats' gathering. They say Democrats want to distract attention from their own presumptive nominees, saying that he's out of touch with his own party.

Earlier on CNN' "AMERICAN MORNING," we heard from the communications director of the Bush-Cheney campaign.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NICOLLE DEVENISH: Something that you won't hear there in the FleetCenter is John Kerry talking too much about his record in the Senate. He has a 19-year record that earned him the distinction of being the body's most out-of-the-mainstream member.

He's voted for higher taxes on everything from a gallon of gas to the family farm. He has a vote that's caused him a lot of problems on the campaign trail, a vote against our troops on the front lines in Afghanistan and Iraq. And you know, really a career made up of votes that, you know, we didn't designate him as the Senate's most out-of- the-mainstream member, it's a record that earned him that distinction.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Well, we have plenty of coverage for you. Actually, we'll be doing this for both the conventions. But of course, the Democrats are up first. So, let's look at the first night.

At approximately 10:00 Eastern, 7:00 Pacific, we will be having -- President Clinton will be the featured DNC speaker. Then, you can join Aaron Brown as "NEWSNIGHT" brings you in-depth analysis. Then midnight Eastern, 9:00 Pacific, a special edition of "LARRY KING LIVE."

Now, to our situation report from Iraq. Another official in the Iraqi interim government has been shot and killed. Brigadier General Musab al-Awadi was in charge of the recently established Department of Tribal Affairs. He and two of his bodyguards were killed in the drive-by shooting.

Meanwhile, kidnappers have extended their deadline for seven truck drivers being held hostage. The Arabic-language network Al- Jazeera broadcast a videotape today of kidnappers demanding the truckers' employer cease operations in Iraq. It's not clear how long captors will allow negotiations to continue.

A U.S. military spokesman says that a suicide car bombing has killed three people at Mosul Airfield. Two Iraqi civilians and a guard were killed, and three U.S. soldiers were among the five people who were wounded. Rallying voters is anything but cheap. We're going to see how much of the bill the Democrats are racking up in our check of business headlines. A live picture from Boston.

And John Kerry takes his message to Florida, ahead of his appearance at the Democratic National Convention. We are standing by for live coverage.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: In today's legal briefs, lawyers in the Scott Peterson case will continue splitting hairs over evidence today. At issue: Detectives first said that they found a single strand of Laci's hair on pliers in his boat. Months later, though, they said they found another. Prosecutors say the hair simply split in two, but one of their own witnesses testified that there are two separate strands. Peterson's lawyers say that it shows the evidence is contaminated.

Starting in Colorado today, a court martial for a male airman accused of raping a female peer at the Air Force Academy. If convicted, the airman faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. It's the second court martial on rape charges since last year's sexual assault scandal at the Air Force Academy.

And media attorneys are asking the Supreme Court to weigh in on the Kobe Bryant case. The lawyers want the right to publish transcripts of a closed-court hearing in which the sex life of Bryant's accuser was discussed. A court reporter had mistakenly sent the transcript to seven news organizations, prompting the judge to bar its publication, arguing it would violate the privacy of Bryant's accuser.

Let's check in on Wall Street. Mary Snow is there to look at the day in business. Good morning to you, Ms. Snow.

MARY SNOW, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS: Good morning, Daryn.

And you know, right now we're seeing stocks a bit higher. This after that rough ride on wall street last week. Blue chips and tech stocks bounce higher out of the gate. And the Dow is holding steady right now, but it is below that 10,000 mark. It's the fifth straight weekly loss. Slowing economic growth, lackluster corporate earnings and upcoming elections all bringing uncertainty to Wall Street.

Taking a look at the numbers: the Dow right now up 22; the Nasdaq is a quarter of one percent higher. And Daryn, here on Wall Street, just like the rest of America, all eyes are on Boston for the Democratic National Convention. And there is a pretty penny to pay for those conventions, both in Boston and New York.

Let's take a look at the numbers. $63 million right now the total bill for the Republican convention starting at the end of August here in New York. That's according to the host committee in New York and the "Boston Globe." The Democratic convention, estimates there, costing only $39 million. That partly because it found a cheaper venue. The FleetCenter costing about $3.5 million compared to Madison Square Garden here in New York will cost Republicans $5 million.

Also, if money is any indicator of a good party, let's take a look at the numbers there. The tab for parties and receptions, $8 million. Democrats -- that's for the Republicans. Democrats are only dishing out $2.1 million for celebrations.

And that is the latest on those tabs and from Wall Street. Daryn, back to you.

KAGAN: It makes you wonder, though, Democrats not sporting for an open bar?

SNOW: Those are the early estimates.

KAGAN: That's the early estimates. We'll see what the tab is after all the partying's done in Boston. Mary, thank you for that.

SNOW: Sure.

KAGAN: Well, we're waiting to hear from John Kerry. He will be making his way to Boston for the convention. He'll be there Wednesday. Right now, he's supposed to be arriving at Kennedy Space Center in the battleground state of Florida. There was a glitch, though, an accident, not involving the senator, but we're going to tell you a little bit more about that just ahead.

And you can count on filmmaker Michael Moore to say something controversial. You'll hear his comments this morning from the Democratic convention. That's coming up in just a few minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's take a look at other stories making news coast to coast.

An 11-year-old Texas boy is hospitalized in guarded condition this morning after being attacked by a shark. Witnesses say the boy had been fishing at Bryan Beach and carrying a bag of fish when a shark lunged at him. He was bitten three times on an arm and a leg.

Trial gets underway today in the case of a 14-year-old Massachusetts boy who is seeking divorce from his father. That father is serving a life sentence for murdering the boy's mother but is still trying to intervene in her estate. He says that filings underestimate the value of the estate and would short-change the teen. The son's filing asks that all ties with his father be severed.

And here is proof that while age and gravity are inevitable, they need not be feared. Edna Grand (ph) took to the skies. This woman is celebrating her 90th birthday and then says she always wanted to skydive and decided, you know what, now was the time to do it. No word on what she plans to do when she turns 91.

Well, ever since 9/11, Arabs and Muslims in this country say they have increasingly been singled out and sometimes mistreated. Much the same, one religious group that has nothing to do with Islam says that it faces growing bias and violence because the members wear turbans.

More now from CNN's Jason Carroll.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL: Rajinder Singh Khalsa can't read the Sikh's holy book when he prays. His eyes still too damaged from a brutal beating he suffered two weeks ago.

RAJINDER SINGH KHALSA, BIAS ATTACK VICTIM: My eye was closed, and I have fractures around here and fracture in the nose. And I could not open the eyes the first day.

CARROLL: A group of men attacked Khalsa on a street near his home in New York, after associating his turban with Osama bin Laden. They called it a dirty curtain.

KHALSA: I was explaining them about the turban and our religion that we trust in one God.

CARROLL: Khalsa does not share Osama's Muslim faith, nor is he Arabic. He's Sikh, an Indian religion. A half million Sikhs live in the United States. Their turban, a symbol of saintliness. It's also a symbol that has received unwanted attention since September 11.

AMARDEEP SINGH, SIKH COALITION: Our organization has logged over 300 different incidents of bias against Sikhs since 9/11. And they've occurred in urban centers where Sikhs have a substantial presence, and they've occurred in rural areas where nobody has seen a Sikh before.

CARROLL: Some Sikhs are facing resistance on the job. For 20 years, Kevin Harrington didn't have a problem with his turban while being a subway operator in New York. Now he says his buses won't let him wear it while he's working with passengers.

They offered to transfer him to a rail yard job if he insists on wearing it. Harrington says that violates his civil rights.

KEVIN HARRINGTON, SUBWAY OPERATOR: Because I'm not going to accept the transit's version of apartheid. I mean, they have one set of rules for non-Sikhs and another set of rules for Sikhs, and that Sikhs can only work where they can't be seen.

CARROLL: The Transit Authority set up a committee to review Harrington's case.

In another case, the city's Human Rights Commission ordered the New York City Police Department to reinstate a Sikh traffic officer who refused to remove his turban. The NYPD may appeal.

Khalsa says this country is the last place he expected intolerance.

KHALSA: What happened to me should not happen to any other. This is America. CARROLL: Khalsa and other Sikhs we spoke to said overcoming ignorance has been a slow process in this post-9/11 world. Even as we conducted one of the interviews for our story, a group of boys on bikes rode by shouting Osama.

Jason Carroll, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: One more note here in our legal briefs. A convicted sex offender is under arrest, and four children are safe and sound in Ohio. This after a motorist responded to an Amber Alert. Police had put out the alert on convicted sex offender Wayne McMurtrey. He had taken off with his step-grandchildren.

The controversial documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" hits a money- making milestone. Michael Moore hits the Democratic convention. See if he's heating things up once again. Live picture there from Boston.

And this is what we're working on for next hour.

ANNOUNCER: The stories CNN is following today, July 26th.

Live from the Democratic national convention in Boston.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: I think that the Bush-Cheney presidency has been bad for America and bad for the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: At 11:00, find out what else Senator Hillary Clinton had to say.

Then, CNN's coverage from our exclusive location on the convention floor continues at noon. What does John Kerry need to do to define himself to America?

Stay with CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Want to show you a large -- large -- a live picture from Florida. That is Bob Graham, part of the team introducing Senator John Kerry.

This event was actually -- the town hall at Kennedy Space Center was supposed to start at the top of the hour -- the last hour. However, there was a police officer involved in a traffic accident during the motorcade. Senator Kerry insisted on going back and checking on the condition of the officer. He was taken to the hospital.

Senator Kerry finally arriving at Kennedy Space Center, this town hall about an hour behind schedule. When Senator Kerry starts speaking, we will go live there to Florida.

Meanwhile, the Democratic convention is largely expected to be drama-free. One celebrity's appearance, though, could heat things up a bit. Michael Moore -- he is the director of the controversial film "Fahrenheit 9/11." He is in Beantown.

Moore is not an official guest of the Democrats. You see him there. He has been invited to a number of events surrounding the convention. Over the weekend, "Fahrenheit 9/11" broke the $100 million mark at the box office. By the way, that's the first documentary to do so.

Earlier this morning, he was on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING" to talk about the movie's appeal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL MOORE, DIRECTOR, "FAHRENHEIT 9/11": The American people, for the last four years, feel like they haven't been told the whole truth and -- both from the White House and the media not doing its job, especially with this war in the early days before the war and when the war started. Too much of the media was a cheerleader instead of doing the real job of asking the hard questions, demanding the evidence. And so, people have come to this movie to see the things that they haven't seen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: And with that, we are back in a moment. Have a look at your forecast for you, right after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's check in with Jacqui Jeras to see what the weather looks like in Boston and the -- looks like you're starting with our friends on west coast, however.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I am. We hit Boston last time, so I didn't want to neglect our friends in the west.

KAGAN: Good morning, west coast.

JERAS: Good morning. They get a little touchy about that now and then if we forget them. Don't want to do that.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Speaking of the next hour, the second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY begins right now.

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Aired July 26, 2004 - 10:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's take a look at the stories now in the news. The countdown is underway at the FleetCenter in Boston, the site of the Democratic National Convention. A live picture from there. It begins this afternoon, and it culminates with the party's formal nomination of its presidential candidate, presumably John Kerry.
Meanwhile, Kerry is taking the long way home. Here's a live picture from Florida. He is hosting a town hall meeting at the Kennedy Space Center. Kerry is expected to arrive at the convention on Wednesday, just hours before the party bestows its endorsement.

Police in Salt Lake City say they could issue an arrest warrant within a few days if forensic tests confirm some suspicions in the disappearance of Lori Hacking. Authorities are investigating a clump of hair found in a Dumpster near the store where her husband allegedly bought a mattress just before reporting her missing. Police describe Mark Hacking as a person of interest at this point, though, he is not a suspect.

"Entertainment Tonight" is reporting that Mary-Kate Olsen has been released from the facility where she was reportedly treated for an eating disorder. "ET" quotes a spokesman for the twins as saying, "She returned home Friday after completing a six-week program." 18- year-old Mary-Kate and Ashley are the stars in pre-teen media, an empire of TV videos and books.

That's another note. Keeping you informed on CNN, the most trusted name in news.

Democrats from around the country are converging on Boston for this afternoon's start of the party's national convention. But the planning and the strategy have been in the making for months.

For a closer look, we turn to Senior Kerry Advisor Tad Devine, who is joining us from the FleetCenter. Tad, good morning. Good to have you here with us.

TAD DEVINE, SENIOR KERRY ADVISOR: Nice to be with you.

KAGAN: Here is the good news for the Democrats, you know who your nominee is going to be, you know who your vice presidential nominee is going to be, the party is more unified than years -- but here is the twist: Why should anybody watch this television coverage?

DEVINE: Well, I think they're going to learn a lot. I think voters this year are particularly interested in knowing about John Kerry and John Edwards, that neither one of them have run for president before. John Kerry has a fascinating life. It's been a lifetime of service and of strength, dedication to this nation.

He's someone who has fought for issues that people care deeply about. The kind of issues President Bush is not talking about, like the economy and making a stronger for middle-class families. A real plan for healthcare, to make it affordable and available. Talking about energy independence for our nation, so we're no longer relying on oil from the Middle East. And making sure that Americans understand that John Kerry and John Edwards are dedicated to protecting this nation, to its security.

So, I think people want to know about these issues. And I think that's why they're going to tune in.

KAGAN: What do you think about these latest poll numbers that are out, basically saying that the presidential race is a dead heat at this point. Critics of John Kerry saying with everything that has gone wrong for President Bush -- and so much has gone wrong at this point -- where is that 10- to 20-point lead he should have at this point in the race?

DEVINE: Well, Daryn, if you look at history and you see where challengers to incumbent presidents are at this point before the convention, by every historical measure, they're 17 points behind the incumbent president. So, we're two or three points ahead, that's where the 20 points are.

We've actually made up all that ground before our convention. And I think we're going to have an outstanding opportunity not to consolidate the support for John Kerry. A lot of people are voting for John Kerry because they don't like George Bush. After this convention, I think most of them are going to be supporting John Kerry, because they're going to hear about his service to this nation. They're going to understand his deep commitment to making America stronger at home and respected in the world.

KAGAN: Here's one thing we do know, Tad: If this presidential race doesn't work out for Senator Kerry, he probably is not going to get a job with the Boston Red Sox.

What about...

DEVINE: Well, actually, he was throwing a sinker last night.

KAGAN: Yes, it was...

DEVINE: ... pitching, so...

KAGAN: What about the pitch? This was -- was this kind of a photo op gone bad? This was a surprise? He just shows up at Fenway. Was this practiced, Tad?

DEVINE: No, no. Listen, the guy's got a good arm, let me tell you. And you know, I have to admit, he's more of a hockey player than anything else.

KAGAN: OK.

DEVINE: But listen, I thought it was a good pitch. And I thought, in light of a sinker ball pitch -- pitching last night, it was just the right thing. I'll give him some credit.

KAGAN: Speaking of pitches, that's about the best spin I've ever heard on anything. Very good; points to you.

Also want to ask you about Mrs. Kerry, Teresa Heinz Kerry. A lot of video floating out there of this tit-a-tat that she had with a reporter backstage after addressing the Pennsylvania delegates yesterday. Basically, she told the reporter, in frustration, to go shove it.

Is that the kind of behavior we want to see from a future first lady?

DEVINE: You know, I'll tell you, she is such an enormous asset to our campaign. And she's someone who tells it like it is. And I think -- and I've seen this, for example, in Iowa, New Hampshire, where she campaigned so much for John Kerry. She's someone who connects with voters, who cares deeply about issues. And the fact that she speaks what's on her mind, I think it's enormously refreshing and something the American people want to hear more of.

So, we're looking forward -- Tuesday night she's going to speak in prime time. I'm sure the nation wants to hear from her, because she can lend so much valuable insight as to who John Kerry is, where he comes from, and what he believes.

KAGAN: And one more person I have to ask you about -- John Edwards. You had a big role in the vice presidential search, in picking a running mate. What do you hope he comes out of this convention with?

DEVINE: Well, that people know him better. John Edwards' story is remarkable. He's the son of a mill worker who made it all the way. He rose up to the ranks of -- the highest ranks of representing people and victims of families and children all across North Carolina. He made a remarkable race for the United States Senate in 1998, never having run for office before, defeating an incumbent Republican.

And I think his presidential campaign earlier this year was also nothing short of remarkable. John Edwards is someone who shares in the priorities and values of John Kerry. And I think, together, the two of them have a plan for the future of this nation that will take this country in a new direction.

So, we hope people will get to know his story, his wife Elizabeth, his family. They're remarkable people. And we think they add so much to our ticket.

KAGAN: A big week ahead for you and for the Democratic party. Tad Devine, thanks for your time this morning. DEVINE: Thanks. Nice to be with you.

KAGAN: Appreciate it. Thank you so much.

Let's talk about the Republicans for a bit now. GOP leaders saying that it's no accident, they believe, that George W. Bush and Dick Cheney will be a key focus of the Democrats' gathering. They say Democrats want to distract attention from their own presumptive nominees, saying that he's out of touch with his own party.

Earlier on CNN' "AMERICAN MORNING," we heard from the communications director of the Bush-Cheney campaign.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NICOLLE DEVENISH: Something that you won't hear there in the FleetCenter is John Kerry talking too much about his record in the Senate. He has a 19-year record that earned him the distinction of being the body's most out-of-the-mainstream member.

He's voted for higher taxes on everything from a gallon of gas to the family farm. He has a vote that's caused him a lot of problems on the campaign trail, a vote against our troops on the front lines in Afghanistan and Iraq. And you know, really a career made up of votes that, you know, we didn't designate him as the Senate's most out-of- the-mainstream member, it's a record that earned him that distinction.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Well, we have plenty of coverage for you. Actually, we'll be doing this for both the conventions. But of course, the Democrats are up first. So, let's look at the first night.

At approximately 10:00 Eastern, 7:00 Pacific, we will be having -- President Clinton will be the featured DNC speaker. Then, you can join Aaron Brown as "NEWSNIGHT" brings you in-depth analysis. Then midnight Eastern, 9:00 Pacific, a special edition of "LARRY KING LIVE."

Now, to our situation report from Iraq. Another official in the Iraqi interim government has been shot and killed. Brigadier General Musab al-Awadi was in charge of the recently established Department of Tribal Affairs. He and two of his bodyguards were killed in the drive-by shooting.

Meanwhile, kidnappers have extended their deadline for seven truck drivers being held hostage. The Arabic-language network Al- Jazeera broadcast a videotape today of kidnappers demanding the truckers' employer cease operations in Iraq. It's not clear how long captors will allow negotiations to continue.

A U.S. military spokesman says that a suicide car bombing has killed three people at Mosul Airfield. Two Iraqi civilians and a guard were killed, and three U.S. soldiers were among the five people who were wounded. Rallying voters is anything but cheap. We're going to see how much of the bill the Democrats are racking up in our check of business headlines. A live picture from Boston.

And John Kerry takes his message to Florida, ahead of his appearance at the Democratic National Convention. We are standing by for live coverage.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: In today's legal briefs, lawyers in the Scott Peterson case will continue splitting hairs over evidence today. At issue: Detectives first said that they found a single strand of Laci's hair on pliers in his boat. Months later, though, they said they found another. Prosecutors say the hair simply split in two, but one of their own witnesses testified that there are two separate strands. Peterson's lawyers say that it shows the evidence is contaminated.

Starting in Colorado today, a court martial for a male airman accused of raping a female peer at the Air Force Academy. If convicted, the airman faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. It's the second court martial on rape charges since last year's sexual assault scandal at the Air Force Academy.

And media attorneys are asking the Supreme Court to weigh in on the Kobe Bryant case. The lawyers want the right to publish transcripts of a closed-court hearing in which the sex life of Bryant's accuser was discussed. A court reporter had mistakenly sent the transcript to seven news organizations, prompting the judge to bar its publication, arguing it would violate the privacy of Bryant's accuser.

Let's check in on Wall Street. Mary Snow is there to look at the day in business. Good morning to you, Ms. Snow.

MARY SNOW, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS: Good morning, Daryn.

And you know, right now we're seeing stocks a bit higher. This after that rough ride on wall street last week. Blue chips and tech stocks bounce higher out of the gate. And the Dow is holding steady right now, but it is below that 10,000 mark. It's the fifth straight weekly loss. Slowing economic growth, lackluster corporate earnings and upcoming elections all bringing uncertainty to Wall Street.

Taking a look at the numbers: the Dow right now up 22; the Nasdaq is a quarter of one percent higher. And Daryn, here on Wall Street, just like the rest of America, all eyes are on Boston for the Democratic National Convention. And there is a pretty penny to pay for those conventions, both in Boston and New York.

Let's take a look at the numbers. $63 million right now the total bill for the Republican convention starting at the end of August here in New York. That's according to the host committee in New York and the "Boston Globe." The Democratic convention, estimates there, costing only $39 million. That partly because it found a cheaper venue. The FleetCenter costing about $3.5 million compared to Madison Square Garden here in New York will cost Republicans $5 million.

Also, if money is any indicator of a good party, let's take a look at the numbers there. The tab for parties and receptions, $8 million. Democrats -- that's for the Republicans. Democrats are only dishing out $2.1 million for celebrations.

And that is the latest on those tabs and from Wall Street. Daryn, back to you.

KAGAN: It makes you wonder, though, Democrats not sporting for an open bar?

SNOW: Those are the early estimates.

KAGAN: That's the early estimates. We'll see what the tab is after all the partying's done in Boston. Mary, thank you for that.

SNOW: Sure.

KAGAN: Well, we're waiting to hear from John Kerry. He will be making his way to Boston for the convention. He'll be there Wednesday. Right now, he's supposed to be arriving at Kennedy Space Center in the battleground state of Florida. There was a glitch, though, an accident, not involving the senator, but we're going to tell you a little bit more about that just ahead.

And you can count on filmmaker Michael Moore to say something controversial. You'll hear his comments this morning from the Democratic convention. That's coming up in just a few minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's take a look at other stories making news coast to coast.

An 11-year-old Texas boy is hospitalized in guarded condition this morning after being attacked by a shark. Witnesses say the boy had been fishing at Bryan Beach and carrying a bag of fish when a shark lunged at him. He was bitten three times on an arm and a leg.

Trial gets underway today in the case of a 14-year-old Massachusetts boy who is seeking divorce from his father. That father is serving a life sentence for murdering the boy's mother but is still trying to intervene in her estate. He says that filings underestimate the value of the estate and would short-change the teen. The son's filing asks that all ties with his father be severed.

And here is proof that while age and gravity are inevitable, they need not be feared. Edna Grand (ph) took to the skies. This woman is celebrating her 90th birthday and then says she always wanted to skydive and decided, you know what, now was the time to do it. No word on what she plans to do when she turns 91.

Well, ever since 9/11, Arabs and Muslims in this country say they have increasingly been singled out and sometimes mistreated. Much the same, one religious group that has nothing to do with Islam says that it faces growing bias and violence because the members wear turbans.

More now from CNN's Jason Carroll.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL: Rajinder Singh Khalsa can't read the Sikh's holy book when he prays. His eyes still too damaged from a brutal beating he suffered two weeks ago.

RAJINDER SINGH KHALSA, BIAS ATTACK VICTIM: My eye was closed, and I have fractures around here and fracture in the nose. And I could not open the eyes the first day.

CARROLL: A group of men attacked Khalsa on a street near his home in New York, after associating his turban with Osama bin Laden. They called it a dirty curtain.

KHALSA: I was explaining them about the turban and our religion that we trust in one God.

CARROLL: Khalsa does not share Osama's Muslim faith, nor is he Arabic. He's Sikh, an Indian religion. A half million Sikhs live in the United States. Their turban, a symbol of saintliness. It's also a symbol that has received unwanted attention since September 11.

AMARDEEP SINGH, SIKH COALITION: Our organization has logged over 300 different incidents of bias against Sikhs since 9/11. And they've occurred in urban centers where Sikhs have a substantial presence, and they've occurred in rural areas where nobody has seen a Sikh before.

CARROLL: Some Sikhs are facing resistance on the job. For 20 years, Kevin Harrington didn't have a problem with his turban while being a subway operator in New York. Now he says his buses won't let him wear it while he's working with passengers.

They offered to transfer him to a rail yard job if he insists on wearing it. Harrington says that violates his civil rights.

KEVIN HARRINGTON, SUBWAY OPERATOR: Because I'm not going to accept the transit's version of apartheid. I mean, they have one set of rules for non-Sikhs and another set of rules for Sikhs, and that Sikhs can only work where they can't be seen.

CARROLL: The Transit Authority set up a committee to review Harrington's case.

In another case, the city's Human Rights Commission ordered the New York City Police Department to reinstate a Sikh traffic officer who refused to remove his turban. The NYPD may appeal.

Khalsa says this country is the last place he expected intolerance.

KHALSA: What happened to me should not happen to any other. This is America. CARROLL: Khalsa and other Sikhs we spoke to said overcoming ignorance has been a slow process in this post-9/11 world. Even as we conducted one of the interviews for our story, a group of boys on bikes rode by shouting Osama.

Jason Carroll, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: One more note here in our legal briefs. A convicted sex offender is under arrest, and four children are safe and sound in Ohio. This after a motorist responded to an Amber Alert. Police had put out the alert on convicted sex offender Wayne McMurtrey. He had taken off with his step-grandchildren.

The controversial documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" hits a money- making milestone. Michael Moore hits the Democratic convention. See if he's heating things up once again. Live picture there from Boston.

And this is what we're working on for next hour.

ANNOUNCER: The stories CNN is following today, July 26th.

Live from the Democratic national convention in Boston.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: I think that the Bush-Cheney presidency has been bad for America and bad for the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: At 11:00, find out what else Senator Hillary Clinton had to say.

Then, CNN's coverage from our exclusive location on the convention floor continues at noon. What does John Kerry need to do to define himself to America?

Stay with CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Want to show you a large -- large -- a live picture from Florida. That is Bob Graham, part of the team introducing Senator John Kerry.

This event was actually -- the town hall at Kennedy Space Center was supposed to start at the top of the hour -- the last hour. However, there was a police officer involved in a traffic accident during the motorcade. Senator Kerry insisted on going back and checking on the condition of the officer. He was taken to the hospital.

Senator Kerry finally arriving at Kennedy Space Center, this town hall about an hour behind schedule. When Senator Kerry starts speaking, we will go live there to Florida.

Meanwhile, the Democratic convention is largely expected to be drama-free. One celebrity's appearance, though, could heat things up a bit. Michael Moore -- he is the director of the controversial film "Fahrenheit 9/11." He is in Beantown.

Moore is not an official guest of the Democrats. You see him there. He has been invited to a number of events surrounding the convention. Over the weekend, "Fahrenheit 9/11" broke the $100 million mark at the box office. By the way, that's the first documentary to do so.

Earlier this morning, he was on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING" to talk about the movie's appeal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL MOORE, DIRECTOR, "FAHRENHEIT 9/11": The American people, for the last four years, feel like they haven't been told the whole truth and -- both from the White House and the media not doing its job, especially with this war in the early days before the war and when the war started. Too much of the media was a cheerleader instead of doing the real job of asking the hard questions, demanding the evidence. And so, people have come to this movie to see the things that they haven't seen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: And with that, we are back in a moment. Have a look at your forecast for you, right after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's check in with Jacqui Jeras to see what the weather looks like in Boston and the -- looks like you're starting with our friends on west coast, however.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I am. We hit Boston last time, so I didn't want to neglect our friends in the west.

KAGAN: Good morning, west coast.

JERAS: Good morning. They get a little touchy about that now and then if we forget them. Don't want to do that.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Speaking of the next hour, the second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY begins right now.

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