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CNN Live At Daybreak
Spotlight on John Edwards; John Kerry Takes Center Stage Tonight
Aired July 29, 2004 - 05:00 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: From middle of the pack candidate a few months ago to nominee -- tonight John Kerry takes center stage.
It is Thursday, July 29.
This is DAYBREAK.
And good morning to you.
From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.
Now in the news, no drama, but plenty of enthusiasm. Six months after a win in Iowa energized his campaign, Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts gets the Democratic nomination for president. Tonight, Kerry's acceptance speech.
Another kidnapping in Iraq today. This time it's a Somali driver who's been captured. The Arab television station Al Jazeera reports militants are vowing to kill the man in 48 hours if his Kuwaiti company does not leave Iraq.
In Saudi Arabia, Secretary of State Colin Powell has just wrapped up a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. This is a live picture you're looking at now. The two discussed a Saudi proposal to send Muslim troops into Iraq.
The United Nations is about to launch a desperate appeal for aid for Bangladesh. After a month of flooding there, more than 450 people have been killed. And listen to this. The flooding has displaced up to 30 million people.
In five hours, a hearing into motions by the attorneys for convicted D.C. area sniper John Muhammad. His attorney wants Fairfax County, Virginia prosecutors removed from Muhammad's second murder trial.
Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
Good morning -- Rob Marciano.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Carol.
How are you doing today?
MYERS: I was just going to call you Marciano.
MARCIANO: That's fine. You know, that's a term of endearment, Costello. I like it.
COSTELLO: Yes.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: It is official, Senator John Kerry is nominated as the Democratic Party's candidate for president of the United States. The delegates give Kerry the votes he needs to clinch the nomination in his state by state roll call at the convention. It's one of the most time honored rituals in American politics.
Tonight, John Kerry will accept his party's nomination. But last night, the spotlight was on vice presidential running mate John Edwards.
Our Keith Oppenheim has more for you on that.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a night where the candidates who were once competitors took the stage.
REV. AL SHARPTON (D), FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I am convinced that there are men who say what they mean and mean what they say.
OPPENHEIM: Al Sharpton, Bob Graham and Dennis Kucinich, once presidential primary opponents, were now in sync, pitching for Kerry's candidacy. Indeed, another former opponent, John Edwards, is now John Kerry's running mate.
KATE EDWARDS: My mother, Elizabeth Edwards.
OPPENHEIM: John Edwards' daughter Kate began the introductions. And his wife Elizabeth spoke of his ideals as a lawyer and senator.
ELIZABETH EDWARDS, WIFE OF SEN. JOHN EDWARDS: He knew that he could outwork and out tough any battalion of lawyers to find justice and he continued that fight in Washington.
OPPENHEIM: Edwards' role, in part, has been to bring excitement to the ticket.
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I am so humbled to be your candidate for vice president of the United States.
OPPENHEIM: And his role has been to promote John Kerry, as well. Edwards did so by speaking in broad, patriotic themes, describing John Kerry's qualities as a leader.
EDWARDS: John is a man who knows the difference between right and wrong. He wants to serve you. Your cause is his cause. And that is why we must and we will elect him the next president.
OPPENHEIM: Keith Oppenheim, CNN, Boston.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: And here's a look at tonight's convention speakers -- former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former NATO commander and ex-Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark; Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, also a former rival of Kerry; and, of course, Senator John Kerry himself.
Our prime time lineup for you includes "ANDERSON COOPER 360" at 7:00 p.m. Wolf Blitzer follows at 8:00. At 9:00, Larry King is live from the floor of the Fleet Center. All times Eastern Standard Times.
We'll bring you Senator Kerry's acceptance speech live at 10:00 p.m. Eastern. Aaron Brown wraps up the night at 11:00. He's followed at midnight by Larry King again. He'll have some commentary from the convention floor.
President Bush heads back to Washington later today. He faces pressure to act on the 9/11 panel's recommendations. While at his Texas ranch, he had a teleconference with a panel of advisers who have been studying the commission's final report. He hasn't endorsed any of the panel's recommendations yet, but aides are drafting executive orders based on that report. The Senate holds its first committee hearings on the recommendations tomorrow.
The president is taking a break from campaigning, but his vice president is on the trail. Dick Cheney was in Utah to stump for a Republican congressional candidate. He used the opportunity to defend the president's record and take a shot at John Kerry.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm not sure I should put that on. I might look like John Kerry did yesterday in that suit down at Cape Canaveral.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: There's the photo he was referring to. The Republicans poking fun at Kerry. This photo was released by NASA. Kerry was required to wear a sterile suit while getting a tour of the space shuttle.
Just ahead at 15 past the hour, Republican strategist Cheri Jacobus will join us. She'll give us the GOP take on the Democratic convention at Boston. They promise to keep things positive, but there's been plenty of Bush bashing. We'll get some response to that and look at how Republicans might handle the post-convention bounce.
A woman stopped at the border in Texas is getting the FBI's attention. She's being investigated for possible ties to terrorism. Her name is on an FBI watch list in connection with an overseas terrorist incident. Border Patrol agents held her after discovering her South African passport had six pages torn out. The U.S. government has warned that al Qaeda could be recruiting women as operatives. Ghana Airways has been deemed unsafe. The Transportation Department has barred the state run airline from flying in and out of the United States. The airline is accused of using planes that failed safety inspections and flying without a license. Now, 200 passengers on a planned flight have been stuck in Baltimore since Monday.
Jars of baby food are being taken off grocery store shelves in southern California following a tampering scare. Evidence of crushed castor beans along with a note were found in jars of Gerber's banana yogurt, purchased at a store in Irvine, California. Now, ground castor beans are a key component in the poison ricin. The FBI says they have someone they want to talk to in the case, but they're not calling him a suspect.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF DAVID MAGGARD, IRVINE, CALIFORNIA POLICE: Two incidents involving the tampering of jars of baby food occurred in Irvine earlier this year. The first occurred May 31, when the parents of a 9-month-old infant found a note in a jar of Gerber banana yogurt dessert that made reference to an Irvine police officer. The note stated that the food had been contaminated and that the person who ingested it would die in a short time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: No one actually got sick in the incidents. Coming up later this hour, we'll have more details on the case and Gerber's response in a report from our own Miguel Marquez.
The convention is not just the place for the Democratic faithful. It is also the must be place for Hollywood's A-list celebs. We'll check in on the party's parties.
If John Kerry does take over the White House, who's likely to be his top money advisers? We'll look at some possible candidates.
And a major relief agency calls it quits in Afghanistan. We'll talk to one of its leaders about the decision.
This is DAYBREAK for Thursday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Today's Wall Street is black and red, you might say. A blue chip rally late in the trading day boosted the Dow and helped the Nasdaq cut its losses. The Dow jumped almost 32 points, to 10117. The Nasdaq recovered from steeper losses earlier, to finish down almost 11 points, to 1858.
Crude oil prices have hit their highest level in 21 years. Ooh, so let's see what's happening in the overseas markets.
Todd Benjamin live in London.
What does this mean for us -- Todd. TODD BENJAMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, obviously prices at the pump remain very high. If there is some good news, oil prices remain very high. But they're off their highest levels. You know, we hit $43.05 a barrel, to be exact, at the high point yesterday. We closed just below $43 a barrel and in electronic trading this morning, we're down about $0.35, at $42.65 a barrel. Still very high, but off the peak. If there is good news, that's it.
And the reason that oil just soared yesterday above $43 briefly is because there were fears that production from Russia's biggest oil producer, a company called Yukos, which is in political trouble with the government and has trouble over back taxes, there were fears that the Russian government was halting its production. The Russian government says that is a misinterpretation. They came out today and said that once again. And that's helped oil ease off those high levels.
Now, that's helping the markets slightly. But we've also had better than expected earnings out of Europe this morning, including a company called Siemens, a big industrial company out of Germany. So the DAX in Frankfurt is up 1.7 percent. That's a very strong gain.
The CAC in Paris is up better than 1 percent, at 1.3 percent.
And the FTSE is up 1 percent.
And part of those gains are also being fueled by that late turnaround you talked about on Wall Street. That helped sentiment here.
And finally, what to look for in the U.S. today, we're going to get the latest jobless claims numbers. That will be a close watch for the market, of course. We're going to get more earnings. We're in the earnings season.
And after the bell closes tonight, of course, later in the evening you're going to get John Kerry's speech and Wall Street will be watching that very carefully, as well.
So a lot on the plate.
In terms of what the futures markets are showing right now, a slightly higher open on Wall Street -- Carol, have a great morning.
COSTELLO: You, too.
Thank you, Todd.
Todd Benjamin live from London.
Your news, money, weather and sports.
It is 5:13 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning. In Jetta, Saudi Arabia, Secretary of State Colin Powell has just finished meeting with the Iraqi prime minister. Powell and Allawi discussed a Saudi plan to send Muslim troops to help fight insurgents in Iraq. Their meeting occurred as militants in Iraq abducted a Somali truck driver.
There's been another foul-up by the court in the Kobe Bryant case. A judge's order on DNA evidence from Bryant's police physical, as well as the accuser's last name, were posted on the court Web site. It is the third time sealed information has been accidentally released.
In money news, you're making less of it than you used to. The "New York Times" reports that IRS documents show reported income has fallen for the past two years. It's the first such drop since the current tax system was adopted during World War 2.
In culture, Jap Road has a new name. The people of Jefferson County, Texas agreed to change the name after numerous complaints. The new name? Boondocks Road.
In sports, netting has been put up around historic Wrigley Field in Chicago to keep concrete from falling on fans. Three chunks have fallen off the 90-year-old stadium since June. So far, no one has been injured.
That would hurt -- Rob.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The best seats in the house continue to be the bleachers, I think. Out there with Sammy.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you this morning.
Democrats in Boston are gearing up for the final day of their national convention. Today's the day John Kerry will officially accept his party's nomination.
CNN's Kareen Wynter joins us live from Boston with a preview -- good morning.
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
What a colorful night it was. Senator John Edwards fired up the crowd in a captivating 30 minute long speech here in Boston.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
WYNTER (voice-over): This night belonged to John Edwards. The Democratic vice presidential candidate introduced by wife Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH EDWARDS, WIFE OF SEN. JOHN EDWARDS: I married the smartest, toughest, sweetest man I know.
WYNTER: Edwards brought the convention hall to its feet, touting his hope for one America.
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We will ensure that the image of America, the image all of us love, America, this bright shining light, this beacon of freedom, democracy and human rights that the world looks up to, is always lit.
WYNTER: He chose not to mention President Bush by name, but took aim at the Republican Party.
EDWARDS: What did we say? Relentlessness negative attacks against John. So in the weeks ahead, we know what's coming, don't we? More negative attacks. Aren't you sick of it?
WYNTER: Edwards praised John Kerry as decisive and strong. And, of course, the main order of business...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ohio takes great pride tonight in being the state to put this voting over the top.
WYNTER: The roll call of the states. As delegates officially nominated John Kerry as the Democratic candidate for president of the United States.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
WYNTER: And tonight is John Kerry's night. He'll take center stage here at the Fleet Center, Carol, to accept, to make his acceptance speech.
COSTELLO: And it's going to be a long speech, as well. What, 55 minutes?
WYNTER: We haven't received much details on that. But you can be sure that, you know, it's going to be quite worded in terms of his vision, his plans. He's been working away at it on his off time, writing it out by longhand. So we're really excited and waiting to see what exactly he has to say when he takes the stage here.
COSTELLO: Kareen Wynter reporting live from Boston.
Kerry has been reaching out to some well known names in the business community to help him if he moves to Pennsylvania Avenue.
Our Louise Schiavone looks at some of the people being mentioned as possible help mates.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
LOUISE SCHIAVONE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The next president confronts staggering fiscal challenges -- a projected half trillion dollar federal deficit, a $7.3 trillion national debt, the spiraling cost of health care and the imperative to create and sustain good jobs. If elected, John Kerry is expected to name an economic team made up of some of the top economists and party insiders who have been advising the campaign. PETER ORSTAG, BROOKINGS INSTITUTION: We want a team of knowledgeable and pragmatic advisers, which unfortunately we don't have under this administration.
SCHIAVONE: From the outset, there's been a core team of advisers, Clinton administration veterans Jason Furman and Sarah Bianci, along with higher profile names.
LISA CAPUTO, FORMER CLINTON AIDE: We have people like Roger Allman, Gene Sperling, former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin.
SCHIAVONE: Indeed, former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, now chairman of Citigroup's executive committee and a trusted Wall Street veteran, seems to be at the top of every Democrat's wish list. Roger Allman is also a favorite, an old friend of President Clinton's and a veteran of his administration. He has Wall Street experience at Lehman Brothers and founded his own private investment group.
ROBERT BIXBY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CONCORD COALITION: I think anybody that comes from Wall Street is going to be worried about the budget deficit. They don't want them to get, the deficits, to get out of control. So that's going to be an issue for them. And they would tend to be less populist than some others.
SCHIAVONE: Clinton administration economic adviser Gene Sperling is part of the Kerry team. He helped negotiate the 1997 balanced budget agreement and coordinated the Clinton Social Security reform efforts. Laura D'Andrea Tyson of the London Business School and Princeton's Alan Blinder have also advised Kerry.
(on camera): Regardless of who wins, a White House job is a lot of work for not a lot of money, especially for people who have done well in the private sector. But when a job offer comes from the president, it's hard to say no.
Lisa Schiavone, CNN Financial News, Washington.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: For a schedule of tonight's key events and a special report on the convention, as well as plenty of analysis, yes, you guessed it, it's all right there for you on our Web site, cnn.com.
Coming up on DAYBREAK, Michael Moore's film goes to Crawford, but he doesn't. We'll see how "Fahrenheit 911" was received at the Bush ranch. Can you say manure?
Then, how far would you go to save a pet? A dog lover, a best friend and a ransom note.
And later, find out why two Hollywood actors were arrested on a movie set.
We'll be back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COSTELLO: Here are some stories making news across America this Thursday.
Police in Salt Lake City are spending a third straight early morning searching an area landfill. These pictures just in from Salt Lake City. In fact, they're live. So far, police have turned up no clues in the disappearance of Lori Hacking. The 27-year-old woman was last seen July 19. Husband Mark Hacking is listed by police as the only person of interest in the case.
The threat level is at yellow in Alaska, but it's not part of homeland security. Police -- or people around Mount Spur are on alert for a possible eruption of the volcano in the next few weeks. After 12 years of interactivity, several small earthquakes have been felt around the volcano.
Michael Jackson surprised shoppers with a trip to a downtown Houston mall. The embattled singer bought toys and stuffed animals and he even signed autographs. The woman on his arm introduced herself only as Monique.
MARCIANO: Hi, Monique.
COSTELLO: Yes. Jackson's child molestation trial was originally scheduled to begin in September, but it has now been delayed until late January.
MARCIANO: She's kind of like Sting or Prince...
COSTELLO: Or Cher.
MARCIANO: Or maybe she just doesn't want anybody to know her last name.
COSTELLO: Monique. I don't know. It's a strange story.
MARCIANO: I'm wondering if Monique is even her real name, you know?
COSTELLO: I know. But we have to talk about hogzilla now.
Oh, we're talking about Fahrenheit -- hogzilla is one of my favorite stories. That's why I'm stuck on it. But we're going to talk...
MARCIANO: It's a very impressive picture. We'll show you that (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
COSTELLO: We're going to show you that in a second.
We're going to talk about "Fahrenheit 911," because in Crawford, Texas, Michael Moore has brought his documentary to George Bush territory. Of course, Michael Moore didn't turn up. He was supposed to, but he didn't. But look at all the people who turned out to see the film. Don't know if these are -- these people are all from Crawford, Texas, but they... MARCIANO: Probably not.
COSTELLO: They're in a field at a football stadium at a high school watching the documentary. And, of course, there were protesters there, as well.
MARCIANO: So Michael Moore didn't show up and he, of course, invited President Bush, and he didn't show up, as well.
COSTELLO: Exactly.
MARCIANO: I guess not.
COSTELLO: But look, there were bags of manure left there by these -- by the protesters.
MARCIANO: Let's get to the picture of the other hog. I mean the -- this...
COSTELLO: I don't think we're going to talk about hogzilla now, are we?
MARCIANO: Oh, no? OK.
COSTELLO: OK.
MARCIANO: OK.
COSTELLO: We're moving on, Rob.
MARCIANO: Sorry.
COSTELLO: OK.
The Democratic national convention is all about party politics, right? Well, maybe not. Then again, maybe so.
MARCIANO: Maybe.
COSTELLO: Frances Rivera of CNN affiliate WHDH in Boston covers the party part of the convention.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
FRANCES RIVERA, WHDH CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With A-listers lining the red carpet, this could easily be mistaken for an Oscar party. But it's the Louis party.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Partying and politicking are hand in hand.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm getting very tired but it's, I'll tell you, every party gives me more energy.
RIVERA: The bash is thrown by the Creative Coalition and the Recording Industry Artists Association, bringing some of the biggest names in entertainment to Boston. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You become a celebrity, when you get to a certain point, if you don't utilize your voice to affect change in the world, you're not really doing it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It makes simple common sense to put this guy in the office and get the other guy out.
RIVERA: They're here to push for change in social and political issues during the DNC and to do their share of schmoozing and partying.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're going to have fun, but we're going to help really get you thinking about this stuff.
RIVERA: It's just one of the star-studded parties where eye and ear candy are about, celebrities to look at and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to listen to.
(VIDEO CLIP FROM RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS PERFORMANCE)
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: I was just commenting he's, what, 41 now, Anthony Kiedis from the Chili Peppers?
MARCIANO: Yes.
COSTELLO: It makes me feel really old.
MARCIANO: No.
COSTELLO: Again, that was Kiedis. Sorry, I pronounced his name wrong.
MARCIANO: He's at least starting to dress a little older.
COSTELLO: Yes.
MARCIANO: He's wearing a shirt now.
COSTELLO: It happens to the best of us.
Again, that was Frances Rivera of CNN affiliate WHDH in Boston.
She had that report for us.
Thank you.
Conventioneers in Boston will finally get to see John Kerry tonight. But first they'll get to know his past a bit better through a nine minute retrospective film. It's titled "A Remarkable Promise" and was created with the help of Steven Spielberg. In it, Kerry is portrayed as a war hero, loving father and devoted husband. The film is full of old home movies and pictures. It barely mentions his 19 year Senate career. You can hear a different perspective on John Kerry from his children and his stepchildren. Alexandra and Vanessa Kerry will appear along with Chris Heinz and Andre Heinz on "AMERICAN MORNING." That comes your way, of course, at 7:00 Eastern.
Time now for our DAYBREAK "Eye Opener."
Watch this video very closely. It's taken from the dashboard of a police cruiser in Sante Fe, New Mexico. What you see is two officers getting hit by lightning.
MARCIANO: No way.
COSTELLO: Yes. They were working at an accident scene when this happened. The officers continued their work and waited two hours before finally heading to the hospital. Now, that is going beyond the call of duty.
MARCIANO: Exactly. Wow!
COSTELLO: Frank Compton has his dog back, but at a heft price. It cost the California man a $10,000 ransom to get his terrier back from dognappers. Police haven't put a collar on the thieves, but say they'll face several charges, including elderly abuse. Compton, in the meantime, says it was a small price to pay to get back his best friend.
MARCIANO: That's right.
COSTELLO: Oh.
The granddaddy of all Star Trek conventions gets under way today in Las Vegas. Thousands of Trekkies are expected to descend on Sin City to see their heroes and villains. Among the highlights will be appearances by William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. That's Kirk and Spock to the Trek challenged. Also on hand will be our producer's favorite, Kate Mulgrew, as Captain Janeway.
MARCIANO: And Chad Myers is on vacation. He's probably going to make a little swing by.
COSTELLO: You know, I bet he's there.
MARCIANO: No.
COSTELLO: It's a scary thought.
MARCIANO: No, I don't think so.
COSTELLO: OK, now it's time for hogzilla.
MARCIANO: Check it out.
COSTELLO: Check it out. In one southern Georgia town, they don't have time for Star Trek conventions because they're obsessed with hogzilla. Take a look at that thing. MARCIANO: Wow! That...
COSTELLO: That's...
MARCIANO: It's a wild pig? A wild -- a feral hog? What do they call this thing?
COSTELLO: Exactly. It's a mysterious animal and it is supposedly a 12 foot long wild feral hog. The man who killed the beast say it weighed 1,000 pounds and had nine inch tusks. But the only evidence anyone has seen is this photo of hogzilla hanging from a tree, because he was like somewhere out in rural Georgia. This hog was traveling and it kind of became like the Bigfoot of rural Georgia. Like did it really exist? But now we know because this hunter has found hogzilla and shot him dead.
MARCIANO: But all we have is a picture. No?
COSTELLO: Well, but this is proof.
MARCIANO: Or did he feed the rest of the town with that thing?
COSTELLO: No, they buried it because I guess feral hogs don't make for good meat.
But he was destroying the land around there and it's very dangerous to people, as well.
MARCIANO: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
COSTELLO: Exactly.
We're back after a quick break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired July 29, 2004 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: From middle of the pack candidate a few months ago to nominee -- tonight John Kerry takes center stage.
It is Thursday, July 29.
This is DAYBREAK.
And good morning to you.
From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.
Now in the news, no drama, but plenty of enthusiasm. Six months after a win in Iowa energized his campaign, Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts gets the Democratic nomination for president. Tonight, Kerry's acceptance speech.
Another kidnapping in Iraq today. This time it's a Somali driver who's been captured. The Arab television station Al Jazeera reports militants are vowing to kill the man in 48 hours if his Kuwaiti company does not leave Iraq.
In Saudi Arabia, Secretary of State Colin Powell has just wrapped up a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. This is a live picture you're looking at now. The two discussed a Saudi proposal to send Muslim troops into Iraq.
The United Nations is about to launch a desperate appeal for aid for Bangladesh. After a month of flooding there, more than 450 people have been killed. And listen to this. The flooding has displaced up to 30 million people.
In five hours, a hearing into motions by the attorneys for convicted D.C. area sniper John Muhammad. His attorney wants Fairfax County, Virginia prosecutors removed from Muhammad's second murder trial.
Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
Good morning -- Rob Marciano.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Carol.
How are you doing today?
MYERS: I was just going to call you Marciano.
MARCIANO: That's fine. You know, that's a term of endearment, Costello. I like it.
COSTELLO: Yes.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: It is official, Senator John Kerry is nominated as the Democratic Party's candidate for president of the United States. The delegates give Kerry the votes he needs to clinch the nomination in his state by state roll call at the convention. It's one of the most time honored rituals in American politics.
Tonight, John Kerry will accept his party's nomination. But last night, the spotlight was on vice presidential running mate John Edwards.
Our Keith Oppenheim has more for you on that.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a night where the candidates who were once competitors took the stage.
REV. AL SHARPTON (D), FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I am convinced that there are men who say what they mean and mean what they say.
OPPENHEIM: Al Sharpton, Bob Graham and Dennis Kucinich, once presidential primary opponents, were now in sync, pitching for Kerry's candidacy. Indeed, another former opponent, John Edwards, is now John Kerry's running mate.
KATE EDWARDS: My mother, Elizabeth Edwards.
OPPENHEIM: John Edwards' daughter Kate began the introductions. And his wife Elizabeth spoke of his ideals as a lawyer and senator.
ELIZABETH EDWARDS, WIFE OF SEN. JOHN EDWARDS: He knew that he could outwork and out tough any battalion of lawyers to find justice and he continued that fight in Washington.
OPPENHEIM: Edwards' role, in part, has been to bring excitement to the ticket.
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I am so humbled to be your candidate for vice president of the United States.
OPPENHEIM: And his role has been to promote John Kerry, as well. Edwards did so by speaking in broad, patriotic themes, describing John Kerry's qualities as a leader.
EDWARDS: John is a man who knows the difference between right and wrong. He wants to serve you. Your cause is his cause. And that is why we must and we will elect him the next president.
OPPENHEIM: Keith Oppenheim, CNN, Boston.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: And here's a look at tonight's convention speakers -- former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former NATO commander and ex-Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark; Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, also a former rival of Kerry; and, of course, Senator John Kerry himself.
Our prime time lineup for you includes "ANDERSON COOPER 360" at 7:00 p.m. Wolf Blitzer follows at 8:00. At 9:00, Larry King is live from the floor of the Fleet Center. All times Eastern Standard Times.
We'll bring you Senator Kerry's acceptance speech live at 10:00 p.m. Eastern. Aaron Brown wraps up the night at 11:00. He's followed at midnight by Larry King again. He'll have some commentary from the convention floor.
President Bush heads back to Washington later today. He faces pressure to act on the 9/11 panel's recommendations. While at his Texas ranch, he had a teleconference with a panel of advisers who have been studying the commission's final report. He hasn't endorsed any of the panel's recommendations yet, but aides are drafting executive orders based on that report. The Senate holds its first committee hearings on the recommendations tomorrow.
The president is taking a break from campaigning, but his vice president is on the trail. Dick Cheney was in Utah to stump for a Republican congressional candidate. He used the opportunity to defend the president's record and take a shot at John Kerry.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm not sure I should put that on. I might look like John Kerry did yesterday in that suit down at Cape Canaveral.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: There's the photo he was referring to. The Republicans poking fun at Kerry. This photo was released by NASA. Kerry was required to wear a sterile suit while getting a tour of the space shuttle.
Just ahead at 15 past the hour, Republican strategist Cheri Jacobus will join us. She'll give us the GOP take on the Democratic convention at Boston. They promise to keep things positive, but there's been plenty of Bush bashing. We'll get some response to that and look at how Republicans might handle the post-convention bounce.
A woman stopped at the border in Texas is getting the FBI's attention. She's being investigated for possible ties to terrorism. Her name is on an FBI watch list in connection with an overseas terrorist incident. Border Patrol agents held her after discovering her South African passport had six pages torn out. The U.S. government has warned that al Qaeda could be recruiting women as operatives. Ghana Airways has been deemed unsafe. The Transportation Department has barred the state run airline from flying in and out of the United States. The airline is accused of using planes that failed safety inspections and flying without a license. Now, 200 passengers on a planned flight have been stuck in Baltimore since Monday.
Jars of baby food are being taken off grocery store shelves in southern California following a tampering scare. Evidence of crushed castor beans along with a note were found in jars of Gerber's banana yogurt, purchased at a store in Irvine, California. Now, ground castor beans are a key component in the poison ricin. The FBI says they have someone they want to talk to in the case, but they're not calling him a suspect.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF DAVID MAGGARD, IRVINE, CALIFORNIA POLICE: Two incidents involving the tampering of jars of baby food occurred in Irvine earlier this year. The first occurred May 31, when the parents of a 9-month-old infant found a note in a jar of Gerber banana yogurt dessert that made reference to an Irvine police officer. The note stated that the food had been contaminated and that the person who ingested it would die in a short time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: No one actually got sick in the incidents. Coming up later this hour, we'll have more details on the case and Gerber's response in a report from our own Miguel Marquez.
The convention is not just the place for the Democratic faithful. It is also the must be place for Hollywood's A-list celebs. We'll check in on the party's parties.
If John Kerry does take over the White House, who's likely to be his top money advisers? We'll look at some possible candidates.
And a major relief agency calls it quits in Afghanistan. We'll talk to one of its leaders about the decision.
This is DAYBREAK for Thursday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Today's Wall Street is black and red, you might say. A blue chip rally late in the trading day boosted the Dow and helped the Nasdaq cut its losses. The Dow jumped almost 32 points, to 10117. The Nasdaq recovered from steeper losses earlier, to finish down almost 11 points, to 1858.
Crude oil prices have hit their highest level in 21 years. Ooh, so let's see what's happening in the overseas markets.
Todd Benjamin live in London.
What does this mean for us -- Todd. TODD BENJAMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, obviously prices at the pump remain very high. If there is some good news, oil prices remain very high. But they're off their highest levels. You know, we hit $43.05 a barrel, to be exact, at the high point yesterday. We closed just below $43 a barrel and in electronic trading this morning, we're down about $0.35, at $42.65 a barrel. Still very high, but off the peak. If there is good news, that's it.
And the reason that oil just soared yesterday above $43 briefly is because there were fears that production from Russia's biggest oil producer, a company called Yukos, which is in political trouble with the government and has trouble over back taxes, there were fears that the Russian government was halting its production. The Russian government says that is a misinterpretation. They came out today and said that once again. And that's helped oil ease off those high levels.
Now, that's helping the markets slightly. But we've also had better than expected earnings out of Europe this morning, including a company called Siemens, a big industrial company out of Germany. So the DAX in Frankfurt is up 1.7 percent. That's a very strong gain.
The CAC in Paris is up better than 1 percent, at 1.3 percent.
And the FTSE is up 1 percent.
And part of those gains are also being fueled by that late turnaround you talked about on Wall Street. That helped sentiment here.
And finally, what to look for in the U.S. today, we're going to get the latest jobless claims numbers. That will be a close watch for the market, of course. We're going to get more earnings. We're in the earnings season.
And after the bell closes tonight, of course, later in the evening you're going to get John Kerry's speech and Wall Street will be watching that very carefully, as well.
So a lot on the plate.
In terms of what the futures markets are showing right now, a slightly higher open on Wall Street -- Carol, have a great morning.
COSTELLO: You, too.
Thank you, Todd.
Todd Benjamin live from London.
Your news, money, weather and sports.
It is 5:13 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning. In Jetta, Saudi Arabia, Secretary of State Colin Powell has just finished meeting with the Iraqi prime minister. Powell and Allawi discussed a Saudi plan to send Muslim troops to help fight insurgents in Iraq. Their meeting occurred as militants in Iraq abducted a Somali truck driver.
There's been another foul-up by the court in the Kobe Bryant case. A judge's order on DNA evidence from Bryant's police physical, as well as the accuser's last name, were posted on the court Web site. It is the third time sealed information has been accidentally released.
In money news, you're making less of it than you used to. The "New York Times" reports that IRS documents show reported income has fallen for the past two years. It's the first such drop since the current tax system was adopted during World War 2.
In culture, Jap Road has a new name. The people of Jefferson County, Texas agreed to change the name after numerous complaints. The new name? Boondocks Road.
In sports, netting has been put up around historic Wrigley Field in Chicago to keep concrete from falling on fans. Three chunks have fallen off the 90-year-old stadium since June. So far, no one has been injured.
That would hurt -- Rob.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The best seats in the house continue to be the bleachers, I think. Out there with Sammy.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you this morning.
Democrats in Boston are gearing up for the final day of their national convention. Today's the day John Kerry will officially accept his party's nomination.
CNN's Kareen Wynter joins us live from Boston with a preview -- good morning.
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
What a colorful night it was. Senator John Edwards fired up the crowd in a captivating 30 minute long speech here in Boston.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
WYNTER (voice-over): This night belonged to John Edwards. The Democratic vice presidential candidate introduced by wife Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH EDWARDS, WIFE OF SEN. JOHN EDWARDS: I married the smartest, toughest, sweetest man I know.
WYNTER: Edwards brought the convention hall to its feet, touting his hope for one America.
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We will ensure that the image of America, the image all of us love, America, this bright shining light, this beacon of freedom, democracy and human rights that the world looks up to, is always lit.
WYNTER: He chose not to mention President Bush by name, but took aim at the Republican Party.
EDWARDS: What did we say? Relentlessness negative attacks against John. So in the weeks ahead, we know what's coming, don't we? More negative attacks. Aren't you sick of it?
WYNTER: Edwards praised John Kerry as decisive and strong. And, of course, the main order of business...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ohio takes great pride tonight in being the state to put this voting over the top.
WYNTER: The roll call of the states. As delegates officially nominated John Kerry as the Democratic candidate for president of the United States.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
WYNTER: And tonight is John Kerry's night. He'll take center stage here at the Fleet Center, Carol, to accept, to make his acceptance speech.
COSTELLO: And it's going to be a long speech, as well. What, 55 minutes?
WYNTER: We haven't received much details on that. But you can be sure that, you know, it's going to be quite worded in terms of his vision, his plans. He's been working away at it on his off time, writing it out by longhand. So we're really excited and waiting to see what exactly he has to say when he takes the stage here.
COSTELLO: Kareen Wynter reporting live from Boston.
Kerry has been reaching out to some well known names in the business community to help him if he moves to Pennsylvania Avenue.
Our Louise Schiavone looks at some of the people being mentioned as possible help mates.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
LOUISE SCHIAVONE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The next president confronts staggering fiscal challenges -- a projected half trillion dollar federal deficit, a $7.3 trillion national debt, the spiraling cost of health care and the imperative to create and sustain good jobs. If elected, John Kerry is expected to name an economic team made up of some of the top economists and party insiders who have been advising the campaign. PETER ORSTAG, BROOKINGS INSTITUTION: We want a team of knowledgeable and pragmatic advisers, which unfortunately we don't have under this administration.
SCHIAVONE: From the outset, there's been a core team of advisers, Clinton administration veterans Jason Furman and Sarah Bianci, along with higher profile names.
LISA CAPUTO, FORMER CLINTON AIDE: We have people like Roger Allman, Gene Sperling, former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin.
SCHIAVONE: Indeed, former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, now chairman of Citigroup's executive committee and a trusted Wall Street veteran, seems to be at the top of every Democrat's wish list. Roger Allman is also a favorite, an old friend of President Clinton's and a veteran of his administration. He has Wall Street experience at Lehman Brothers and founded his own private investment group.
ROBERT BIXBY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CONCORD COALITION: I think anybody that comes from Wall Street is going to be worried about the budget deficit. They don't want them to get, the deficits, to get out of control. So that's going to be an issue for them. And they would tend to be less populist than some others.
SCHIAVONE: Clinton administration economic adviser Gene Sperling is part of the Kerry team. He helped negotiate the 1997 balanced budget agreement and coordinated the Clinton Social Security reform efforts. Laura D'Andrea Tyson of the London Business School and Princeton's Alan Blinder have also advised Kerry.
(on camera): Regardless of who wins, a White House job is a lot of work for not a lot of money, especially for people who have done well in the private sector. But when a job offer comes from the president, it's hard to say no.
Lisa Schiavone, CNN Financial News, Washington.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: For a schedule of tonight's key events and a special report on the convention, as well as plenty of analysis, yes, you guessed it, it's all right there for you on our Web site, cnn.com.
Coming up on DAYBREAK, Michael Moore's film goes to Crawford, but he doesn't. We'll see how "Fahrenheit 911" was received at the Bush ranch. Can you say manure?
Then, how far would you go to save a pet? A dog lover, a best friend and a ransom note.
And later, find out why two Hollywood actors were arrested on a movie set.
We'll be back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COSTELLO: Here are some stories making news across America this Thursday.
Police in Salt Lake City are spending a third straight early morning searching an area landfill. These pictures just in from Salt Lake City. In fact, they're live. So far, police have turned up no clues in the disappearance of Lori Hacking. The 27-year-old woman was last seen July 19. Husband Mark Hacking is listed by police as the only person of interest in the case.
The threat level is at yellow in Alaska, but it's not part of homeland security. Police -- or people around Mount Spur are on alert for a possible eruption of the volcano in the next few weeks. After 12 years of interactivity, several small earthquakes have been felt around the volcano.
Michael Jackson surprised shoppers with a trip to a downtown Houston mall. The embattled singer bought toys and stuffed animals and he even signed autographs. The woman on his arm introduced herself only as Monique.
MARCIANO: Hi, Monique.
COSTELLO: Yes. Jackson's child molestation trial was originally scheduled to begin in September, but it has now been delayed until late January.
MARCIANO: She's kind of like Sting or Prince...
COSTELLO: Or Cher.
MARCIANO: Or maybe she just doesn't want anybody to know her last name.
COSTELLO: Monique. I don't know. It's a strange story.
MARCIANO: I'm wondering if Monique is even her real name, you know?
COSTELLO: I know. But we have to talk about hogzilla now.
Oh, we're talking about Fahrenheit -- hogzilla is one of my favorite stories. That's why I'm stuck on it. But we're going to talk...
MARCIANO: It's a very impressive picture. We'll show you that (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
COSTELLO: We're going to show you that in a second.
We're going to talk about "Fahrenheit 911," because in Crawford, Texas, Michael Moore has brought his documentary to George Bush territory. Of course, Michael Moore didn't turn up. He was supposed to, but he didn't. But look at all the people who turned out to see the film. Don't know if these are -- these people are all from Crawford, Texas, but they... MARCIANO: Probably not.
COSTELLO: They're in a field at a football stadium at a high school watching the documentary. And, of course, there were protesters there, as well.
MARCIANO: So Michael Moore didn't show up and he, of course, invited President Bush, and he didn't show up, as well.
COSTELLO: Exactly.
MARCIANO: I guess not.
COSTELLO: But look, there were bags of manure left there by these -- by the protesters.
MARCIANO: Let's get to the picture of the other hog. I mean the -- this...
COSTELLO: I don't think we're going to talk about hogzilla now, are we?
MARCIANO: Oh, no? OK.
COSTELLO: OK.
MARCIANO: OK.
COSTELLO: We're moving on, Rob.
MARCIANO: Sorry.
COSTELLO: OK.
The Democratic national convention is all about party politics, right? Well, maybe not. Then again, maybe so.
MARCIANO: Maybe.
COSTELLO: Frances Rivera of CNN affiliate WHDH in Boston covers the party part of the convention.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
FRANCES RIVERA, WHDH CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With A-listers lining the red carpet, this could easily be mistaken for an Oscar party. But it's the Louis party.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Partying and politicking are hand in hand.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm getting very tired but it's, I'll tell you, every party gives me more energy.
RIVERA: The bash is thrown by the Creative Coalition and the Recording Industry Artists Association, bringing some of the biggest names in entertainment to Boston. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You become a celebrity, when you get to a certain point, if you don't utilize your voice to affect change in the world, you're not really doing it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It makes simple common sense to put this guy in the office and get the other guy out.
RIVERA: They're here to push for change in social and political issues during the DNC and to do their share of schmoozing and partying.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're going to have fun, but we're going to help really get you thinking about this stuff.
RIVERA: It's just one of the star-studded parties where eye and ear candy are about, celebrities to look at and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to listen to.
(VIDEO CLIP FROM RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS PERFORMANCE)
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: I was just commenting he's, what, 41 now, Anthony Kiedis from the Chili Peppers?
MARCIANO: Yes.
COSTELLO: It makes me feel really old.
MARCIANO: No.
COSTELLO: Again, that was Kiedis. Sorry, I pronounced his name wrong.
MARCIANO: He's at least starting to dress a little older.
COSTELLO: Yes.
MARCIANO: He's wearing a shirt now.
COSTELLO: It happens to the best of us.
Again, that was Frances Rivera of CNN affiliate WHDH in Boston.
She had that report for us.
Thank you.
Conventioneers in Boston will finally get to see John Kerry tonight. But first they'll get to know his past a bit better through a nine minute retrospective film. It's titled "A Remarkable Promise" and was created with the help of Steven Spielberg. In it, Kerry is portrayed as a war hero, loving father and devoted husband. The film is full of old home movies and pictures. It barely mentions his 19 year Senate career. You can hear a different perspective on John Kerry from his children and his stepchildren. Alexandra and Vanessa Kerry will appear along with Chris Heinz and Andre Heinz on "AMERICAN MORNING." That comes your way, of course, at 7:00 Eastern.
Time now for our DAYBREAK "Eye Opener."
Watch this video very closely. It's taken from the dashboard of a police cruiser in Sante Fe, New Mexico. What you see is two officers getting hit by lightning.
MARCIANO: No way.
COSTELLO: Yes. They were working at an accident scene when this happened. The officers continued their work and waited two hours before finally heading to the hospital. Now, that is going beyond the call of duty.
MARCIANO: Exactly. Wow!
COSTELLO: Frank Compton has his dog back, but at a heft price. It cost the California man a $10,000 ransom to get his terrier back from dognappers. Police haven't put a collar on the thieves, but say they'll face several charges, including elderly abuse. Compton, in the meantime, says it was a small price to pay to get back his best friend.
MARCIANO: That's right.
COSTELLO: Oh.
The granddaddy of all Star Trek conventions gets under way today in Las Vegas. Thousands of Trekkies are expected to descend on Sin City to see their heroes and villains. Among the highlights will be appearances by William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. That's Kirk and Spock to the Trek challenged. Also on hand will be our producer's favorite, Kate Mulgrew, as Captain Janeway.
MARCIANO: And Chad Myers is on vacation. He's probably going to make a little swing by.
COSTELLO: You know, I bet he's there.
MARCIANO: No.
COSTELLO: It's a scary thought.
MARCIANO: No, I don't think so.
COSTELLO: OK, now it's time for hogzilla.
MARCIANO: Check it out.
COSTELLO: Check it out. In one southern Georgia town, they don't have time for Star Trek conventions because they're obsessed with hogzilla. Take a look at that thing. MARCIANO: Wow! That...
COSTELLO: That's...
MARCIANO: It's a wild pig? A wild -- a feral hog? What do they call this thing?
COSTELLO: Exactly. It's a mysterious animal and it is supposedly a 12 foot long wild feral hog. The man who killed the beast say it weighed 1,000 pounds and had nine inch tusks. But the only evidence anyone has seen is this photo of hogzilla hanging from a tree, because he was like somewhere out in rural Georgia. This hog was traveling and it kind of became like the Bigfoot of rural Georgia. Like did it really exist? But now we know because this hunter has found hogzilla and shot him dead.
MARCIANO: But all we have is a picture. No?
COSTELLO: Well, but this is proof.
MARCIANO: Or did he feed the rest of the town with that thing?
COSTELLO: No, they buried it because I guess feral hogs don't make for good meat.
But he was destroying the land around there and it's very dangerous to people, as well.
MARCIANO: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
COSTELLO: Exactly.
We're back after a quick break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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