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American Morning
Porter Goss Picked for CIA Director; Interview With Senator Charles Schumer; Scott Peterson
Aired August 10, 2004 - 9:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Meet the man President Bush picked to be America's new top spy, Republican Congressman Porter Goss.
Purported home movies from al Qaeda. Terrorists allegedly casing the Vegas strip. But did authorities decide tourism trumped warning the public in that city?
And a star turned for Amber Frey. What will she say on the stand that could painted Scott Peterson as a murderer?
Those stories ahead this hour here on AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
HEMMER: All right. Good morning, everyone. Nine o'clock here in New York. A busy Tuesday morning, huh, Heidi?
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Indeed.
HEMMER: How are you doing?
COLLINS: I'm doing all right.
HEMMER: Good morning to you. Soledad is resting yet again. So waiting on the arrivals there.
Just about 30 minutes ago, we were live in the Rose Garden. President Bush introducing Florida Congressman Porter Goss, his pick to take over the CIA. We'll go live to Capitol Hill.
Also, live from the White House, and learn a bit more about Porter Goss in this position as well in a moment.
COLLINS: Also, three U.S. cities remain under orange alert now. Meanwhile, there are worries that a big source of intelligence has dried up because of a leak. New York Senator Charles Schumer wants some answers from the White House. We are going to talk with him.
HEMMER: Also this hour, there's some controversy surrounding the election already. International observers will be brought in to watch the vote in this country. We'll talk to one of the lawmakers who pushed for that and get some thoughts on that as well.
Jack's out on vacation all week. Andy Borowitz is helping us out today.
COLLINS: Yes.
HEMMER: So we'll talk to Andy again in a matter of moments here.
First off, the White House this morning and President Bush announcing his choice to be Porter Goss. Complete live coverage now. Ed Henry is on the Hill. Jill Dougherty is live on the front lawn.
Let's start there, Jill. Good morning.
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
Well, President Bush introduced Porter Goss just a few minutes ago this past hour, his new choice for -- to head the CIA. He said that he was well prepared for the post. He, after all, was the head of the House Intelligence Committee, Republican from Florida. And the president calling him a reformer who will help to implement recommendations from that 9/11 committee.
Here's what the president said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Porter Goss is a leader with strong experience in intelligence and in the fight against terrorism. He knows the CIA inside and out. He's the right man to lead this important agency at this critical moment in our nation's history.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DOUGHERTY: Porter Goss began his career in Army intelligence. He moved on to the CIA's clandestine service, and also headed up the field office, CIA field office for 12 years. He replaces George Tenet, who, as you remember, stepped down after criticism of how the CIA had handled pre-war, pre-Iraqi war intelligence.
The job has changed somewhat, because, after all, as President Bush is accepting the recommendations of that 9/11 committee, the position of CIA director is now underneath that national intelligence director who will be overseeing it. And, by the way, Bill, this post has to be approved by the Senate.
HEMMER: Jill, thanks for that.
To Capitol Hill, as you mentioned, and to Ed Henry watching things from there.
Ed, good morning. How's the reaction where you are?
ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
You heard the president say that this is the right man for the job. He knows it inside and out. But, in fact, a much different reaction from Democrats. They think Porter Goss is too close to the intelligence committee -- community in general.
And, in fact, I can tell you, I just spoke to the staff of Senator Jay Rockefeller. As Jill mentioned, the Senate has to confirm Porter Goss. Jay Rockefeller, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, and his staff, saying that he will oppose this nomination. He thinks Porter Goss is too political.
About a month ago, when Goss's name first floated, both Senator Rockefeller and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi raised serious questions. They think he's too partisan at a time when Democrats believe there needs to be bipartisanship in order to reform the intelligence community.
In fact, there was a major dispute last week involving Porter Goss within his House Intelligence Committee. You'll remember there was a hearing where Tom Kean and Lee Hamilton were supposed to show up. There was a dispute about that, and also a dustup over the fact that Porter Goss said at that committee hearing that he believes that the 9/11 Commission's recommendations, there should be a go-slow approach, Congress should not rush into it.
The Democratic congresswoman who's the ranking member there, Jane Harman, attacked Porter Goss, said he's moving too slow. You can expect this morning more of the same.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is going to be meeting with the full House Democratic Caucus, as well as Tom Kean and Lee Hamilton this morning, before they head to a House Armed Services Committee hearing. There's going to be a press conference with the House Democratic leadership. And we're expecting them to hit Porter Goss hard.
The bottom line is the general line of attack from Democrats is they think the White House and congressional Republicans are moving too slow on the 9/11 recommendations. And, in fact, now that Porter Goss is being named to head the CIA, they're going to single out Goss and say he is the wrong man for the job -- Bill.
HEMMER: Ed Henry, thanks for that on Capitol Hill. More reaction in a moment. Charles Schumer, the senator from New York, our guest here on AMERICAN MORNING.
Now Heidi.
COLLINS: Two newly released surveillance tapes seized after 9/11 reportedly show al Qaeda terrorists may have been casing three Las Vegas casinos. According to The Associated Press, federal officials say they made local officials aware of the tapes but the public was not alerted. Some contend no action was taken out of fears that it might hurt tourism and increase casino liability.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICHARD CONVERTINO, FMR. FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: The agent asked for a meeting of the relevant people so he could brief everyone in the Las -- Las Vegas law enforcement community, and only two people showed up for the meeting. The reason that he was given for the low turnout was because of liability, that if they heard this information, they would have to act on it. It was extraordinary, unacceptable and absolutely outrageous.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: But the mayor of Las Vegas contends he was never told about the tapes.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR OSCAR GOODMAN, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: I was never asked by anybody with the federal authorities to look at any tapes. As a matter of fact, I never even saw the tape on TV the people are talking about. I never heard the tape being discussed by anybody. No one's ever asked for a meeting with me that had to do with our security in this community where I didn't drop everything and meet with them and then tell the public exactly what the meeting was about.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: The tapes in question were uncovered in Detroit and Spain in 2002. Both contained footage of the MGM Grand, Excalibur, and as you see there, New York, New York casinos.
HEMMER: Heidi, as the White House trumpeted the arrest of al Qaeda suspect Muhammad Naeem Noor Khan, critics complain that outing the computer engineer was a tip-off to terrorists. New York Senator Chuck Schumer wrote a letter to the White House asking who leaked Khan's name. The senator from New York my guest here in the studio on AMERICAN MORNING.
Good morning to you.
SEN. CHARLES SCHUMER (D), NEW YORK: Good morning.
HEMMER: Before we get to this issue and the letter you wrote to the White House, Porter Goss, reaction, CIA director is what?
SCHUMER: Well, you know, I served with him in the House. He's a fine guy. He cares about intelligence services. I like him. But I think there are going to be some real questions here.
Many of us were very troubled when the president sort of gave a lukewarm endorsement to the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the director of national intelligence have full budgetary and hiring authority. If you don't have that, you're a toothless tiger.
Now, Goss has taken this job. Has he taken the job with the assurance that he will retain the budgetary and hiring authority, that the director of national intelligence will get it? So I think this is going to -- you know, this question is not only going to involve Porter Goss himself -- I don't have an objection to the fact that he's a Republican. If Democrats chose Jay Rockefeller, a man of great intelligence and integrity, we would all be for it. But I think it comes at a time when we know our intelligence agencies have to be restructured. And the question is, is Porter Goss going to go along with that program?
HEMMER: You served with him in the House as a colleague. You supported him at the time. You had a good working relationship from my understanding, right?
SCHUMER: Yes, we did.
HEMMER: When Jay Rockefeller says what Ed Henry just reported, saying this is not a slam dunk in any way, and Rockefeller, the senator from West Virginia, will oppose his nomination, where does this leave Porter Goss early on?
SCHUMER: Well, I think it leaves him in some state of limbo. I think what Goss has to do, and more importantly the president has to do, is assure the American people that they really want to adopt the 9/11 Commission recommendations
HEMMER: But your issue is whether or not you have budget control over this new position...
SCHUMER: When the president talked earlier this -- this week, or last week about it, he was not willing to say that the director would have either budgetary or hiring authority. If he has neither, it's a toothless tiger, and you may as well put the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission on this issue on the shelf.
HEMMER: Now let's talk about this letter you wrote to the White House. On our screen for the viewers, "I respectfully request an explanation of who leaked this Mr. Khan's name, for what reason it was leaked, and whether the British and Pakistani reports that this leak compromised future intelligence activity are accurate."
You wrote that letter why?
SCHUMER: Oh, I was just -- when I read in the newspaper that they -- the name of this fellow, I said to myself, "Isn't that a little soon?" If this man is at the center of al Qaeda's computer nexus, he knows everything. And why are we alerting people all around the world that we got him?
Then it comes out -- two things come out. One, that -- and this is in news reports. I don't know how accurate they are, but I think they are -- that they were trying to set up a sting where he would continue to communicate with other agents, and they would find them.
And then when you read that both the Pakistani interior minister and the British home secretary were furious at this leak, you say, "What the heck is going on here?" In fact, the Pakistani interior minister said, had we kept his name quiet, maybe we would have been able to find bin Laden.
HEMMER: Condoleezza Rice addressed this over the weekend on "LATE EDITION." Here's how she talked about it on Sunday. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: The problem is that when you're trying to strike a balance between giving enough information to the public so that they know that you're dealing with a specific, credible, different kind of threat than you've dealt with in the past, you're always weighing that against kind of operational considerations. We've tried to strike a balance. We think for the most part we think we've struck a balance. But it's indeed...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: And as we go through this whole matter, are you going to talk about Las Vegas and the mayor, and how he responded or did not respond two years ago.
SCHUMER: Right.
HEMMER: Did the White House strike the right balance?
SCHUMER: Well, you know, the bottom line is, I tend to believe in openness. That's the way our society is, and it's always better to be open. But there's one very important exception, and that is national security.
If leaking this name impaired national security, that is a very bad thing to do. Whether it was done for any purpose, to help bolster the raising of the alert orange, maybe by accident, maybe by somebody within the CIA or elsewhere who shouldn't have done it and had their own ax to grind, I don't know what the reasons were. But we ought to find out why. Because it seems, at least on the face of it -- and I'm still waiting for the White House's briefing and explanation to me -- but it seems that on the face of it, this was a very bad thing to do.
And you can even see Ms. Rice on Wolf Blitzer show, where I was on a few minutes after that. She seems a little bit concerned about it, reading between the lines.
HEMMER: Charles Schumer is the senator from New York. Thank you for your time.
SCHUMER: Thank you.
HEMMER: All right -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Just about 13 minutes past the hour now. Time for a look at some of today's other news and Carol Costello.
Good morning, Carol.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Heidi. Thank you.
Two people were killed in Turkey today in what authorities say was an apparent terrorist attack. Near simultaneous explosions rocked two hotels in Istanbul, injuring at least seven people. Attackers also targeted a fuel storage plant on the city's outskirts. The explosions caused damage but no reported injuries there.
In Utah, the man suspected of killing his wife and dumping her body is now facing murder charges. Mark Hacking was charged with first-degree felony murder. The charge carries a penalty of five years to life in prison. Despite a confession by Hacking, and numerous searches of a landfill, authorities have been unable to find Lori Hacking's body.
There is now more research confirming a possible link between antidepressant medications and suicide among children. According to "The Washington Post," the unpublished FDA study is renewing complaints that the agency is moving far too slowly to address suicide concerns. It comes six months after the FDA withheld an internal finding showing a similar link between antidepressants and increased risk of suicide among children.
Football is back, and it has Destiny's Child, Elton John and Lenny Kravitz. They're warming up for the NFL pre-game show at the season opener September 9, when the Super Bowl champion, New England Patriots, take on the Indianapolis Colts. The entertainment show will be taped in an attempt to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions.
Back to New York.
COLLINS: Yes. We also had the Redskins over the Broncos, huh? Joe Gibbs, first time back with the team there.
COSTELLO: That's right. A hall of famer coaching at the football of fame in Canton, Ohio.
COLLINS: Yes. We like it. Especially for Skins fans, huh? All right, Carol. Thanks so much for that.
Going to check back on the weather now. Chad Myers at the CNN Center with the very latest forecast.
You a Skins fan, Chad?
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You know, I was born in Buffalo. Got to go with the Bills, even though they never won the Super Bowl.
COLLINS: Right. So is that no? I guess that's a no.
MYERS: That's a no.
(WEATHER REPORT)
MYERS: Heidi, back to you.
COLLINS: All right, Chad. Thanks a lot.
Still to come now, for the first time ever, an international team of observers will monitor the U.S. presidential election. We'll talk with the congresswoman who led the effort to make it happen.
HEMMER: Also, is time running out for hundreds of thousands in Sudan? We'll go there live to Christiane Amanpour again on that story today.
COLLINS: And in the Scott Peterson trial, Peterson's ex-mistress expected to take the stand.
It's all ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Scott Peterson's double murder trial resumes today, and the state's star witness, Peterson's former mistress, Amber Frey, expected to take the stand. KFBK radio reporter Chris Filippi is covering the trial for us. He joins us now from Redwood City, California.
Hello to you, as always, Chris.
CHRIS FILIPPI, REPORTER, KFBK RADIO: Good to see you.
COLLINS: Quickly, I want to ask you about this new evidence first. The trial has been put on hold, a delay, if you will, since Friday in order to find out more about this evidence, which this morning we're learning is that plastic tarp. Talk to us about the significance there.
FILIPPI: You know, what's surprising is apparently this evidence was not tested earlier on. A park official says that it smelled like a body might have been wrapped in that plastic bag. So that's interesting. But the testing was not done until the defense asked for it in the last few days.
What they're trying to do is prove a possible connection here that this bag could be tied to Laci Peterson's killing, that in fact this bag matches those that are used on a nearby construction site on the Richmond Bridge (ph), which is about 10 miles from where Laci's body was found. If they prove that, it opens the door to a whole new scenario for how Laci's body could have ended up in San Francisco Bay.
COLLINS: All right. So we'll hear more about that as the days go on, for sure.
Now, today, possibly the most anticipated testimony in the trial so far. Amber Frey taking the stand. I understand hordes and hordes of media on hand there. Tell us what it looks like from where you are.
FILIPPI: Oh, absolutely. Everybody is here bright and early, expecting Amber Frey to testify later this morning. There's certainly a lot of interest in this. Those of us who have been reporting on this case, reporting on this trial, have been waiting more than a year for this.
Frey, of course, hasn't really said that much to the public. She's only hold -- held two press conferences previously. So this is going to be her first chance to be under the scrutiny, if you will, of the media, answering questions in a -- in an extemporaneous way. It's going to be a very interesting day. Of course there are reporters everywhere at this point. There's a whole row of live trucks just steps from where I'm standing. So there's a lot of widespread interest.
COLLINS: Yes. We heard earlier that she might even go in the back so that nobody even gets a chance to talk to her. So we'll have to see about that.
Also, wondering about your sense of this testimony that she will give. Do you think it's actually a make or break for the prosecution here?
FILIPPI: It could be. I don't know if I would put quite that much weight on it, because a lot of the information she is going to present is already common knowledge.
We know she was having an affair with Scott Peterson, or Peterson was having an affair with her. So that's not going to be a surprise.
What she's going to be able to do is put a human face on that. She's going to be able to describe Scott Peterson, what he was like with her, was this a guy who was actually grieving for his pregnant wife who was missing, or was this a guy much more interested in maintaining this affair. It could be very powerful testimony. Whether it's make or break, I'm not sure, but it is important.
COLLINS: All right. Chris, what are you hearing about the defense, though, and their cross-examination?
FILIPPI: They have to be careful here, because if they go over the top and really hammer Amber Frey on her background, who she's been with previously, what her ulterior motives might have been, they may go a bit too far, and that could reflect poorly with the jury. The prosecution wants to present Amber Frey as a victim. They want her to be as sympathetic as possible to the jurors. If the defense counters that, and comes off being especially harsh, that could be very damaging, and it might backfire on Scott Peterson.
COLLINS: All right. That's all happening in court today. Chris Filippi from KFBK, a radio reporter. Thank you so much, Chris.
FILIPPI: Sure.
HEMMER: About 22 minutes past the hour. A break here.
Much more on President Bush's choice of Porter Goss to be director of the CIA. And the 9/11 countdown as well.
Back in a moment after this on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Former President bill Clinton was on "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart last evening, talking about the role of the media in politics, and how it's affected the country. Listen here. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON, FMR. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: One of the problems we had after Watergate when President Nixon resigned and there were all these clear violations of the law, is that it really -- the press brought that on. They started it and they hammered it.
And I think that it gave them a sense of their own power, and maybe a sense of responsibility. But after that, a lot of people in public life felt that the media thought they had to get somebody at every election cycle. That was bad.
Then after 9/11, we went probably too far in the other direction, where nobody criticized anybody for anything. And a lot of people looked the other way. That's part of what you were complaining about a minute ago. And I think now it's beginning to balance out again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Bill Clinton, a bit of retrospective last night with Jon Stewart. He's touting his book sales yet again as that book tour does continue. "Daily Show" with Jon Stewart last night.
COLLINS: And now Andy Borowitz is here.
ANDY BOROWITZ, BOROWITZREPORT.COM: "Question of the Day." "Question of the Day."
Well, actor Will Smith says that he could be president if he wanted to be. And of course we've had a lot of celebrities jump into politics. So we asked you what celebrity would you like to see run for president.
And Heather from Fredericksburg, Virginia, writes: "The one celebrity that would make the best president would have to be Jack Nicholson. He's experienced in life and has seen many presidents fail or succeed."
Mitt from Billings, Montana, writes: "I thought Martin Sheen was already president. Where have I been?"
Brad from Pennsylvania writes: "James Gandolfini for president. We can tell the rest of the world it's one thing to mess with the USA, it's quite another to mess with the family."
And finally, Joe from Orlando, Florida, writes: "None of them. I'm disgusted by the use of celebrities in politics to play out the agendas of either party."
HEMMER: Well, Joe's not going to like this election then.
(CROSSTALK)
COLLINS: Yes. We're going to be doing a series on this coming up, "Politics in Hollywood." So... BOROWITZ: It's big. It's big.
COLLINS: Yes, it is a big issue right now.
HEMMER: Jack's on vacation.
BOROWITZ: He is.
HEMMER: Did we mention that yet? We're keeping track, though, while Jack's out of the 9/11 Commission report scorecard. Jack started this about three weeks ago.
Number of days since the commission made recommendations protecting the country against terrorism?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HEMMER: Number of recommendations adopted by Congress?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Zero.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Zero.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Zero.
HEMMER: You guys are weak. You guys were weak yesterday, you're weak again today. Give me something. The House and Senate committees holding more hearings today on how to implement the recommendations. We'll watch that with Lee Hamilton and Thomas Kean out there.
Get a break here in a moment. Crisis in Sudan. Is time running out for the people of Darfur? Back to Christiane Amanpour live in a moment after this on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Watching stocks today. And boy, an important day, too, with the Federal Reserve meeting. Expect an announcement later this afternoon at 2:15 Eastern Time.
Stocks barely budged yesterday. The Dow finished off about less than half a point, actually. So we start where we left off, 9814 for the blue chips down on Wall Street. Again, the Fed meets later.
Also, the Nasdaq market site, 1774, off about two points from trading yesterday. We do expect stocks to move later today when the announcement comes out.
So good morning again. Welcome back. Stocks open for business here in New York City.
COLLINS: And it is just about half past the hour, as you say, on this AMERICAN MORNING.
We're going to take you live to Sudan in just a moment and the crisis there. With so many problems to deal with, a big issue is what you do to -- what you tackle first. Chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour is standing by for more on that.
HEMMER: Also in a moment here, the State Department bringing in reinforcements to keep an eye on this year's election, just about 85 days and counting now. A bit of controversy, too. We'll talk to a lawmaker who pushed for this move in a moment. November 2 it goes down in this country.
COLLINS: Plus, use it or lose it. News today that the kind of job you have could help lower your risk for Alzheimer's. Dr. Sanjay Gupta is going to tell us a little bit more about that.
HEMMER: Also, first off, though, this half-hour, as we start from Sudan, millions of people living on the edge between life and death. In the wake of a violent conflict that's claimed 50,000 lives, and driven more than a million people from their homes, now time may be running out as the rainy season adds to only more misery there. And Christiane Amanpour is live there on the scene in west Darfur in Sudan with more today.
Christiane, good afternoon there.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Bill.
And, indeed, still two million people in urgent need, despite high-profile visits by diplomats and world leaders here, delegations. The pipeline is still not fully opened for humanitarian assistance.
We were just at an emergency feeding center for children today, malnourished children. And we really saw the most appalling sight. Children, for instance, of two years old, or a year and a half that weighed as little as a 3-month-old that simply weren't getting enough food and were really frankly on the verge of death unless something happens very quickly.
To be honest, at the camps that we've been at right now, despite all the words, despite the pressure that the Sudanese government is under, still inadequate amount of humanitarian aid. Particularly food aid has not reached these needy people.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
AMANPOUR (voice-over): This is the first delivery of aid to the Riyadh camp in western Darfur. It's not the desperately needed food, but it is plastic sheeting, blankets and jerry cans.
ADEEL JAFFERI, ISLAMIC RELIEF: And the were all saying the same thing, "We want food and we want shelter." When the rains come it's a nightmare. I've been here when the rains have started, and it's like sheets of glass hitting your face.
AMANPOUR: Sarah Saneen (ph) and one of her five children take this treasure back to their hut made of twigs. The sheeting will be some protection against the rains. But what they need most is food. Sarah (ph), who is expecting her sixth child soon, hasn't even seen milk in five months. These elderly women tell us they're hungry, and no one in this camp has received any food aid since they arrived. There is meat at the camp's rancid little markets. Fly-infested cuts await those who did manage to earn some money doing odd jobs in the nearby town.
(on camera): Aid is still only reaching about a third of the more than two million people across this vast province who are in desperate need. And then they're only getting basic food stacks (ph). There still isn't any proper sanitation or medical treatment.
(voice-over): As Darfur hovers between starvation and survival, there is another fear, too... safety. As she lashes her plastic sheeting roof, Sarah (ph) tells us that she's still afraid of the janjuid (ph) militias who burned down her home and killed 51 villagers earlier this year. She tells us that some of the janjuid (ph) are now among the police and the army who are here guarding the camp.
The Sudanese government, which has deployed forces to guard this camp, denies that. Although aid workers say there is a militia base not far from here. Caught between fear, hunger and disease, these people wonder just how they're going to survive.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
AMANPOUR: Now, the Sudanese government is under a tight time pressure to create safe havens and to disarm all the militias and to stop the violence. And especially create areas for people to be able to go back and try to get their lives back again. But what we're hearing now from the U.N. relief agency are reports of people in these camps being forced back in some instances to their villages.
This is basically prohibited under international law. There can't be any forced return for these people, and they're very afraid of being forced back. The Sudanese government is denying that. But nonetheless, this is something that the U.N. is certainly keeping an eye on.
And, in addition, another truly horrendous fact here is that women have reported being raped in quite large numbers. Rape being used as a tool of war.
There has been a hospital here in Janina, where we are, where over the last few weeks there have been reports of rape. But we're told now that those have decreased, and they think it's because with the pressure on the Sudanese government, the police are no longer referring rape victims to this hospital. So these two are very, very serious issues that have to be kept an eye on -- Bill.
HEMMER: And the problems are enormous, as you point out so well. Thanks, Christiane. Christiane Amanpour in Sudan -- Heidi.
COLLINS: In our presidential campaign watch, 85 days until Election Day. Both President Bush and John Kerry are on the road. President Bush just left Washington for Florida.
Yesterday, President Bush held a town meeting in Annandale, Virginia. He answered questions and stressed how he wants Americans to be able to own their own home. Today, Florida, before heading out West. He'll campaign across nine states.
John Kerry and Teresa Heinz Kerry walked along the rim at the Grand Canyon. The Massachusetts senator says he'll reduce the number of forces in Iraq within six months if he's elected. John Kerry will continue the final leg of his cross-country trip out West.
And Ralph Nader enters a make-or-break period. He must get on the ballot in 36 states with deadlines in August and September. A lawyer is planning to challenge Ralph Nader's ballot petitions in Pennsylvania, saying many are falsified.
In November, for the first time ever, an international team of observers will monitor the presidential election. The State Department invited foreign observers in response to congressional calls for U.N. monitors. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, a Texas Democrat, spearheaded that effort. She joins us now live from Washington.
Good morning to you. Thanks so much for being with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
REP. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (D), TEXAS: Good morning.
COLLINS: I want to ask you, why did you push for the election observers? Is there a question in your mind that elections are not free and fair in this country?
JOHNSON: It's not just in my mind. I had thousands of requests from around the country. So it's not just me. But I'm responding, because I'm a party of representative government.
There is no trust in our system right now. And we must restore that trust.
COLLINS: Why do you think there's no trust in our system right now?
JOHNSON: It's based upon what I'm hearing, and what many members of Congress are hearing.
COLLINS: What is that?
JOHNSON: That they don't believe that machines are going to be so that they'll report honestly, that they do not believe that they will allow people to vote without intimidation.
There's already been a list that was brought up in Florida. Now it's discarded. We just think it's discarded. It might not be. But there are many questions in practically every state in this union that we have gotten inquiries about.
COLLINS: Well, tell us a little bit more about how this will work then. Will there be monitors in every state? JOHNSON: I don't know that. I do intend -- I have asked for an audience with some person, an appropriate person in the secretary of state's office. And I invite Republican members and any other member who would like to go to this dialogue.
This is not partisan. This is American. It is the crux of our democracy.
We will -- many people have told me about various hidden techniques around the country as related to people being barred from voting in year 2000. We do not want that to happen. We are supposed to be the democracy of the world. And here we are being questioned around the world as to whether we're going to follow our own mandates.
COLLINS: You say, Representative Johnson, this is not a partisan effort. Can you expand on that?
JOHNSON: It is not intended to be anything partisan. It is intended to be American, to support our first amendment rights, and to also support our democracy.
Without the freedom to express one's opinion about who they'd like in office, there is no democracy. And we are all accustomed to losing, most especially minorities, and most especially women. We just want the vote to be counted accurately.
We might lose again. But we want the vote to be counted accurately. And we want every eligible citizen who is registered to vote without intimidation.
COLLINS: Are you at all concerned, though, that some voters might actually find this process insulting?
JOHNSON: The voters are the ones who are asking to have some protection. So maybe some will. But if they look at it as a way to restore the confidence in our government -- because many, many people still feel that we have a president that was never elected.
That's just not my opinion. It is the opinion of thousands of people around this country. We don't want that to happen again.
COLLINS: Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, thanks so much for your time this morning.
JOHNSON: Thank you very much, Heidi.
COLLINS: Bill.
HEMMER: Twenty minutes before the hour. Back to Carol Costello, watching the news that first broke out of D.C.
Carol, good morning.
COSTELLO: Good morning, Bill. Thank you.
In the past hour, President Bush has nominated Congressman Porter Goss to be the new CIA director. The president announced the new appointment in the Rose Garden at the White House. Goss, a Republican from Florida, has been chairman of the House Intelligence Committee since 1997.
A U.S. military convoy has been attacked in central Baghdad. American troops and Iraqi police cordoned off an area where an explosion detonated earlier today. No reports of casualties.
In North Carolina, a teenager is expected to face charges for possession of pipe bombs. The car of 17-year-old Jared Williams Brown (ph) was originally sought in a hit-and-run accident. Authorities say they later found six pipe bombs in the vehicle and recovered another dozen bombs and explosive-making chemicals from Brown's home. The teenager is now in police custody.
And Fay Ray, the actress best known for her role in the 1933 classic "King Kong," has died. She began her film career way back in 1923. Spencer Tracey, Carey Grant, Gary Cooper and, of course, King Kong, were among her co-stars in a career that spanned nearly 100 films.
Fay Ray was 96 years old. And, by the way, the lights of the Empire State Building will be dimmed tonight in her memory.
Back to New York.
HEMMER: What a full life, too, 96.
COLLINS: Yes. She was awesome.
HEMMER: We'll be looking up tonight. Thank you, Carol.
Check another look at the most incredible video we have seen all day today. A landslide in Japan caught on videotape. It happened in Japan's central Nar (ph) region after heavy rains hit that area. Recorded as it happened by staff in the Japanese ministry of land who, by the way, were there on the scene inspecting the region for instability. They saw a lot, too.
Here's Chad Myers now watching the weather outside.
You know, Chad, if that happens, just go back to bed. If you're working for that ministry in Japan, just turn around and go back to bed.
MYERS: Clearly, that camera was really close to where that slide was.
HEMMER: Very true.
MYERS: Really. I mean, wow.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HEMMER: All right, Chad. Thanks for that.
COLLINS: Chad, thanks.
Still to come this morning, think your job is tough? Well, that may be good news. A new study suggests that mentally demanding jobs are linked to lower risk of Alzheimer's. Dr. Sanjay Gupta has the story on that.
Stay with us here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: There is a new study that suggests people with mentally demanding jobs are less likely candidates for Alzheimer's. Sanjay's been looking into this, and Dr. Gupta joins us from the CNN Center.
What gives, Sanjay? Good morning.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
Yes, mentally stimulating jobs, such as television anchor, for example. This is an interesting study coming out of the "Journal of Neurology."
Actually, what they're trying to figure out is how likely the stresses and demands mentally of your job are in terms of relating to the development of Alzheimer's later in life. And what they found is the less mentally demanding your job was, the more likely you' are going to develop Alzheimer's. That sounds like a pretty simple premise, but let me explain a little bit further.
There was a study done. About 122 people who had Alzheimer's, 235 people without the disease, all of them were over 60 years old. What they did was they went back and looked at the types of jobs that they had to try and figure out how likely they were to develop Alzheimer's.
Specifically, the jobs they had when they were in their 20s, when they were in their 30s, and when they were in their 50s. All sorts of different jobs.
What they found was that you were more likely to develop Alzheimer's if you had lower mental demands in your job and more physical demands. And I should point out they controlled for all types of social classes of jobs. So this wasn't a social class type issue, but just type of job instead.
You were less likely to develop Alzheimer's if you had high mental demand, a variety of activities, a very creative job, your own ability to control, direct and plan the functions of your job, and lots of verbals, numbers and spatial relationships.
So, Bill, stimulation, variety and opportunity to be creative. Those are good facets to less likely developing Alzheimer's.
HEMMER: You should put that on your resume, too, for what you're looking for in a good job. You described it pretty well. Listen, how conclusive are these findings? And also, you talked many times about how you decrease your chances of becoming a victim of Alzheimer's.
GUPTA: In terms of how conclusive these findings are, that's a good question, because this was a sort of what they call a retrospective study, going back and looking at the types of jobs had -- people had and trying to relate that to the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's. It's probably a little bit simplistic, but it's fair to say that if you have jobs that are more mentally demanding, overall you are challenging your mind more. And as you mentioned, the "use it or lose it" phenomenon is more than an adage when it comes to Alzheimer's.
As far as decreasing your risk, that's more concrete. People know the answers to that in terms of diet, in terms of activity. Take a look at the list of some of the things you can do.
Certainly controlling your cholesterol, controlling your blood pressure, avoiding high-fat diets. Those are things you should do for lots of different reasons, including Alzheimer's. Also, if you're into the berries and the vitamins, Vitamin C, Gingko, Vitamin E, berries and fish all seem to help as well -- Bill.
HEMMER: And I know you like blueberries, too. You said it a long time...
GUPTA: Great food. Yes.
HEMMER: Hey, thank you, Sanjay.
GUPTA: Thank you, Bill.
HEMMER: Nice tie, by the way.
GUPTA: I appreciate that. Thank you. It's new.
(LAUGHTER)
HEMMER: That's all you're going to get out of me. Nice to see you. Bye-bye.
GUPTA: See you.
HEMMER: Heidi.
COLLINS: I like that tie.
Still to come this morning, new grades are out on SUVs. So which are the worst for rollovers? We'll explain that. We're "Minding Your Business" ahead here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Waiting now to see what the Federal Reserve will do today. And the most dangerous SUV, which ones are the worst for rollovers? Well, Christine Romans is in for Andy today. She's "Minding Your Business."
Let's start first with the market today. Everybody is watching the Fed.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Everyone's watching the Fed. And that -- that decision comes out at 2:15 Eastern Time.
In the meantime, the Dow is up 36 points, which is something, because the Dow barely moved yesterday and had a really rough week last week -- 9851 is the level there, and the Nasdaq is up a little bit.
As for the Fed, almost everyone is expect thing the Fed to raise interest rates by 25 basis points. That's a quarter of a percentage point. Still, very low interest rates. But a lot of people think the Fed, despite the weak jobs report, will raise rates today.
COLLINS: Locked in on Friday. Pretty proud of myself on that.
ROMANS: Good for you. Good for you.
COLLINS: All right. Christine, I want to ask you about the rollover now. SUVs, there's a list out.
ROMANS: There is a list. There's new government data, a new way of sort of ranking how dangerous SUVs and cars are.
This is really important for all of you people out there with SUVs and trucks. Obviously a car is always more stable than a truck, or a sport utility vehicle, because they're closer to the ground. And rollovers are very deadly. They account for a third of all traffic deaths are because of rollovers.
So these are the best rollover rankings. For a car, the Mazda RX-8. Only an eight percent chance of a rollover in a single vehicle accident. Pickup, Chevy Silverado, the SUV Chrysler Pacifica. And for the minivan, the Nissan Quest.
Now, here are the worst rollover rankings. According to the government, the Subaru Outback Wagon, that's in the car category, a 15 percent chance of rolling over in a single vehicle test crash. Pickup, Toyota Tacoma, four by four. The Ford Explorer Sport Track was the worst, 34 percent chance. Toyota Sienna, on the minivan front, 16 percent chance of rolling over.
So keep in mind that these are -- these are the dangerous kinds of accidents. And, you know, the government wants to really keep a very close eye on which vehicles are best and worst.
COLLINS: Glad we got rid of our Ford Explorer Sport.
ROMANS: Oh, you had that?
COLLINS: Yes. A long time ago, though.
ROMANS: The closer to the ground, the more stable always.
COLLINS: Yes. Makes sense. All right. Christine, thanks so much.
ROMANS: All right.
HEMMER: We know where this guy's going to be at 2:15 today. He's going to be waiting on the word from Alan Greenspan.
COLLINS: Absolutely.
BOROWITZ: Absolutely not.
(CROSSTALK)
BOROWITZ: I'm losing sleep over that.
(LAUGHTER)
HEMMER: To the "Question of the Day."
BOROWITZ: The "Question of the Day." Well, actor Will Smith has said that he could be president if he wanted to be. And we know a lot of celebrities have made that leap into politics. So our question was, which celebrity would you like to see run for president?
Here we go, final three answers. John from Windsor, Wisconsin, "Bruce Springsteen. The guy's been talking about politics without talking about politics for years. He understands working America and what the average guy is going through."
OK.
Christopher said -- and this is really interesting -- "I would like to see Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones as president. That way we could have our first state funeral for a president while he was still alive."
OK. Kind of rough.
And this is, I think, my favorite from Anonymous. "Stealing a quip from 'Wayne's World,' if Heidi was president, she would be Babe- raham Lincoln."
COLLINS: Oh, no.
BOROWITZ: There you go. Ending on a nice note.
HEMMER: You're on the ticket?
COLLINS: No.
(LAUGHTER)
BOROWITZ: But our viewers have the priorities right. And that's what I like to see. COLLINS: Oh. Well, that's very sweet. Thank you, Andy.
BOROWITZ: Thank you.
COLLINS: And coming up a little bit later on CNN, much more on President Bush's choice of Porter Goss to head the CIA, with live reports from both the White House and Capitol Hill. That's coming up in the next hour with Daryn Kagan on "CNN LIVE TODAY."
For now, though, AMERICAN MORNING will be back after a break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Before we get out of here, I want to check up on "NEWSNIGHT." Aaron Brown comes your way about 12 hours from now. A preview now with Aaron.
AARON BROWN, HOST, "NEWSNIGHT": Thank you, Bill. Tonight on (UNINTELLIGIBLE) billions of viewers, and repelling one or two, but fascinating almost (UNINTELLIGIBLE). We'll give you the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) top news, morning papers, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) makes "NEWSNIGHT" "NEWSNIGHT," CNN (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Eastern -- Bill
HEMMER: All right. Good deal. Thank you, Aaron, for that.
We'll see you tomorrow right?
BOROWITZ: Yes.
HEMMER: We'll see you tomorrow.
COLLINS: Absolutely.
HEMMER: And for sure we'll see you.
COLLINS: Yes.
HEMMER: All is right in the world, right?
COLLINS: Yes.
HEMMER: Whether you like it or not.
COLLINS: That's right.
HEMMER: Here's Daryn Kagan now at the CNN Center, taking you through the next hour.
Good morning, Daryn.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. I hope you like that, and I hope you guys like the day ahead in New York City.
HEMMER: OK. Thank you.
KAGAN: You guys have a great day. Good morning from CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's take a look at the stories "Now in the News."
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired August 10, 2004 - 9:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Meet the man President Bush picked to be America's new top spy, Republican Congressman Porter Goss.
Purported home movies from al Qaeda. Terrorists allegedly casing the Vegas strip. But did authorities decide tourism trumped warning the public in that city?
And a star turned for Amber Frey. What will she say on the stand that could painted Scott Peterson as a murderer?
Those stories ahead this hour here on AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
HEMMER: All right. Good morning, everyone. Nine o'clock here in New York. A busy Tuesday morning, huh, Heidi?
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Indeed.
HEMMER: How are you doing?
COLLINS: I'm doing all right.
HEMMER: Good morning to you. Soledad is resting yet again. So waiting on the arrivals there.
Just about 30 minutes ago, we were live in the Rose Garden. President Bush introducing Florida Congressman Porter Goss, his pick to take over the CIA. We'll go live to Capitol Hill.
Also, live from the White House, and learn a bit more about Porter Goss in this position as well in a moment.
COLLINS: Also, three U.S. cities remain under orange alert now. Meanwhile, there are worries that a big source of intelligence has dried up because of a leak. New York Senator Charles Schumer wants some answers from the White House. We are going to talk with him.
HEMMER: Also this hour, there's some controversy surrounding the election already. International observers will be brought in to watch the vote in this country. We'll talk to one of the lawmakers who pushed for that and get some thoughts on that as well.
Jack's out on vacation all week. Andy Borowitz is helping us out today.
COLLINS: Yes.
HEMMER: So we'll talk to Andy again in a matter of moments here.
First off, the White House this morning and President Bush announcing his choice to be Porter Goss. Complete live coverage now. Ed Henry is on the Hill. Jill Dougherty is live on the front lawn.
Let's start there, Jill. Good morning.
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
Well, President Bush introduced Porter Goss just a few minutes ago this past hour, his new choice for -- to head the CIA. He said that he was well prepared for the post. He, after all, was the head of the House Intelligence Committee, Republican from Florida. And the president calling him a reformer who will help to implement recommendations from that 9/11 committee.
Here's what the president said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Porter Goss is a leader with strong experience in intelligence and in the fight against terrorism. He knows the CIA inside and out. He's the right man to lead this important agency at this critical moment in our nation's history.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DOUGHERTY: Porter Goss began his career in Army intelligence. He moved on to the CIA's clandestine service, and also headed up the field office, CIA field office for 12 years. He replaces George Tenet, who, as you remember, stepped down after criticism of how the CIA had handled pre-war, pre-Iraqi war intelligence.
The job has changed somewhat, because, after all, as President Bush is accepting the recommendations of that 9/11 committee, the position of CIA director is now underneath that national intelligence director who will be overseeing it. And, by the way, Bill, this post has to be approved by the Senate.
HEMMER: Jill, thanks for that.
To Capitol Hill, as you mentioned, and to Ed Henry watching things from there.
Ed, good morning. How's the reaction where you are?
ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
You heard the president say that this is the right man for the job. He knows it inside and out. But, in fact, a much different reaction from Democrats. They think Porter Goss is too close to the intelligence committee -- community in general.
And, in fact, I can tell you, I just spoke to the staff of Senator Jay Rockefeller. As Jill mentioned, the Senate has to confirm Porter Goss. Jay Rockefeller, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, and his staff, saying that he will oppose this nomination. He thinks Porter Goss is too political.
About a month ago, when Goss's name first floated, both Senator Rockefeller and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi raised serious questions. They think he's too partisan at a time when Democrats believe there needs to be bipartisanship in order to reform the intelligence community.
In fact, there was a major dispute last week involving Porter Goss within his House Intelligence Committee. You'll remember there was a hearing where Tom Kean and Lee Hamilton were supposed to show up. There was a dispute about that, and also a dustup over the fact that Porter Goss said at that committee hearing that he believes that the 9/11 Commission's recommendations, there should be a go-slow approach, Congress should not rush into it.
The Democratic congresswoman who's the ranking member there, Jane Harman, attacked Porter Goss, said he's moving too slow. You can expect this morning more of the same.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is going to be meeting with the full House Democratic Caucus, as well as Tom Kean and Lee Hamilton this morning, before they head to a House Armed Services Committee hearing. There's going to be a press conference with the House Democratic leadership. And we're expecting them to hit Porter Goss hard.
The bottom line is the general line of attack from Democrats is they think the White House and congressional Republicans are moving too slow on the 9/11 recommendations. And, in fact, now that Porter Goss is being named to head the CIA, they're going to single out Goss and say he is the wrong man for the job -- Bill.
HEMMER: Ed Henry, thanks for that on Capitol Hill. More reaction in a moment. Charles Schumer, the senator from New York, our guest here on AMERICAN MORNING.
Now Heidi.
COLLINS: Two newly released surveillance tapes seized after 9/11 reportedly show al Qaeda terrorists may have been casing three Las Vegas casinos. According to The Associated Press, federal officials say they made local officials aware of the tapes but the public was not alerted. Some contend no action was taken out of fears that it might hurt tourism and increase casino liability.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICHARD CONVERTINO, FMR. FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: The agent asked for a meeting of the relevant people so he could brief everyone in the Las -- Las Vegas law enforcement community, and only two people showed up for the meeting. The reason that he was given for the low turnout was because of liability, that if they heard this information, they would have to act on it. It was extraordinary, unacceptable and absolutely outrageous.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: But the mayor of Las Vegas contends he was never told about the tapes.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR OSCAR GOODMAN, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: I was never asked by anybody with the federal authorities to look at any tapes. As a matter of fact, I never even saw the tape on TV the people are talking about. I never heard the tape being discussed by anybody. No one's ever asked for a meeting with me that had to do with our security in this community where I didn't drop everything and meet with them and then tell the public exactly what the meeting was about.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: The tapes in question were uncovered in Detroit and Spain in 2002. Both contained footage of the MGM Grand, Excalibur, and as you see there, New York, New York casinos.
HEMMER: Heidi, as the White House trumpeted the arrest of al Qaeda suspect Muhammad Naeem Noor Khan, critics complain that outing the computer engineer was a tip-off to terrorists. New York Senator Chuck Schumer wrote a letter to the White House asking who leaked Khan's name. The senator from New York my guest here in the studio on AMERICAN MORNING.
Good morning to you.
SEN. CHARLES SCHUMER (D), NEW YORK: Good morning.
HEMMER: Before we get to this issue and the letter you wrote to the White House, Porter Goss, reaction, CIA director is what?
SCHUMER: Well, you know, I served with him in the House. He's a fine guy. He cares about intelligence services. I like him. But I think there are going to be some real questions here.
Many of us were very troubled when the president sort of gave a lukewarm endorsement to the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the director of national intelligence have full budgetary and hiring authority. If you don't have that, you're a toothless tiger.
Now, Goss has taken this job. Has he taken the job with the assurance that he will retain the budgetary and hiring authority, that the director of national intelligence will get it? So I think this is going to -- you know, this question is not only going to involve Porter Goss himself -- I don't have an objection to the fact that he's a Republican. If Democrats chose Jay Rockefeller, a man of great intelligence and integrity, we would all be for it. But I think it comes at a time when we know our intelligence agencies have to be restructured. And the question is, is Porter Goss going to go along with that program?
HEMMER: You served with him in the House as a colleague. You supported him at the time. You had a good working relationship from my understanding, right?
SCHUMER: Yes, we did.
HEMMER: When Jay Rockefeller says what Ed Henry just reported, saying this is not a slam dunk in any way, and Rockefeller, the senator from West Virginia, will oppose his nomination, where does this leave Porter Goss early on?
SCHUMER: Well, I think it leaves him in some state of limbo. I think what Goss has to do, and more importantly the president has to do, is assure the American people that they really want to adopt the 9/11 Commission recommendations
HEMMER: But your issue is whether or not you have budget control over this new position...
SCHUMER: When the president talked earlier this -- this week, or last week about it, he was not willing to say that the director would have either budgetary or hiring authority. If he has neither, it's a toothless tiger, and you may as well put the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission on this issue on the shelf.
HEMMER: Now let's talk about this letter you wrote to the White House. On our screen for the viewers, "I respectfully request an explanation of who leaked this Mr. Khan's name, for what reason it was leaked, and whether the British and Pakistani reports that this leak compromised future intelligence activity are accurate."
You wrote that letter why?
SCHUMER: Oh, I was just -- when I read in the newspaper that they -- the name of this fellow, I said to myself, "Isn't that a little soon?" If this man is at the center of al Qaeda's computer nexus, he knows everything. And why are we alerting people all around the world that we got him?
Then it comes out -- two things come out. One, that -- and this is in news reports. I don't know how accurate they are, but I think they are -- that they were trying to set up a sting where he would continue to communicate with other agents, and they would find them.
And then when you read that both the Pakistani interior minister and the British home secretary were furious at this leak, you say, "What the heck is going on here?" In fact, the Pakistani interior minister said, had we kept his name quiet, maybe we would have been able to find bin Laden.
HEMMER: Condoleezza Rice addressed this over the weekend on "LATE EDITION." Here's how she talked about it on Sunday. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: The problem is that when you're trying to strike a balance between giving enough information to the public so that they know that you're dealing with a specific, credible, different kind of threat than you've dealt with in the past, you're always weighing that against kind of operational considerations. We've tried to strike a balance. We think for the most part we think we've struck a balance. But it's indeed...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: And as we go through this whole matter, are you going to talk about Las Vegas and the mayor, and how he responded or did not respond two years ago.
SCHUMER: Right.
HEMMER: Did the White House strike the right balance?
SCHUMER: Well, you know, the bottom line is, I tend to believe in openness. That's the way our society is, and it's always better to be open. But there's one very important exception, and that is national security.
If leaking this name impaired national security, that is a very bad thing to do. Whether it was done for any purpose, to help bolster the raising of the alert orange, maybe by accident, maybe by somebody within the CIA or elsewhere who shouldn't have done it and had their own ax to grind, I don't know what the reasons were. But we ought to find out why. Because it seems, at least on the face of it -- and I'm still waiting for the White House's briefing and explanation to me -- but it seems that on the face of it, this was a very bad thing to do.
And you can even see Ms. Rice on Wolf Blitzer show, where I was on a few minutes after that. She seems a little bit concerned about it, reading between the lines.
HEMMER: Charles Schumer is the senator from New York. Thank you for your time.
SCHUMER: Thank you.
HEMMER: All right -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Just about 13 minutes past the hour now. Time for a look at some of today's other news and Carol Costello.
Good morning, Carol.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Heidi. Thank you.
Two people were killed in Turkey today in what authorities say was an apparent terrorist attack. Near simultaneous explosions rocked two hotels in Istanbul, injuring at least seven people. Attackers also targeted a fuel storage plant on the city's outskirts. The explosions caused damage but no reported injuries there.
In Utah, the man suspected of killing his wife and dumping her body is now facing murder charges. Mark Hacking was charged with first-degree felony murder. The charge carries a penalty of five years to life in prison. Despite a confession by Hacking, and numerous searches of a landfill, authorities have been unable to find Lori Hacking's body.
There is now more research confirming a possible link between antidepressant medications and suicide among children. According to "The Washington Post," the unpublished FDA study is renewing complaints that the agency is moving far too slowly to address suicide concerns. It comes six months after the FDA withheld an internal finding showing a similar link between antidepressants and increased risk of suicide among children.
Football is back, and it has Destiny's Child, Elton John and Lenny Kravitz. They're warming up for the NFL pre-game show at the season opener September 9, when the Super Bowl champion, New England Patriots, take on the Indianapolis Colts. The entertainment show will be taped in an attempt to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions.
Back to New York.
COLLINS: Yes. We also had the Redskins over the Broncos, huh? Joe Gibbs, first time back with the team there.
COSTELLO: That's right. A hall of famer coaching at the football of fame in Canton, Ohio.
COLLINS: Yes. We like it. Especially for Skins fans, huh? All right, Carol. Thanks so much for that.
Going to check back on the weather now. Chad Myers at the CNN Center with the very latest forecast.
You a Skins fan, Chad?
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You know, I was born in Buffalo. Got to go with the Bills, even though they never won the Super Bowl.
COLLINS: Right. So is that no? I guess that's a no.
MYERS: That's a no.
(WEATHER REPORT)
MYERS: Heidi, back to you.
COLLINS: All right, Chad. Thanks a lot.
Still to come now, for the first time ever, an international team of observers will monitor the U.S. presidential election. We'll talk with the congresswoman who led the effort to make it happen.
HEMMER: Also, is time running out for hundreds of thousands in Sudan? We'll go there live to Christiane Amanpour again on that story today.
COLLINS: And in the Scott Peterson trial, Peterson's ex-mistress expected to take the stand.
It's all ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Scott Peterson's double murder trial resumes today, and the state's star witness, Peterson's former mistress, Amber Frey, expected to take the stand. KFBK radio reporter Chris Filippi is covering the trial for us. He joins us now from Redwood City, California.
Hello to you, as always, Chris.
CHRIS FILIPPI, REPORTER, KFBK RADIO: Good to see you.
COLLINS: Quickly, I want to ask you about this new evidence first. The trial has been put on hold, a delay, if you will, since Friday in order to find out more about this evidence, which this morning we're learning is that plastic tarp. Talk to us about the significance there.
FILIPPI: You know, what's surprising is apparently this evidence was not tested earlier on. A park official says that it smelled like a body might have been wrapped in that plastic bag. So that's interesting. But the testing was not done until the defense asked for it in the last few days.
What they're trying to do is prove a possible connection here that this bag could be tied to Laci Peterson's killing, that in fact this bag matches those that are used on a nearby construction site on the Richmond Bridge (ph), which is about 10 miles from where Laci's body was found. If they prove that, it opens the door to a whole new scenario for how Laci's body could have ended up in San Francisco Bay.
COLLINS: All right. So we'll hear more about that as the days go on, for sure.
Now, today, possibly the most anticipated testimony in the trial so far. Amber Frey taking the stand. I understand hordes and hordes of media on hand there. Tell us what it looks like from where you are.
FILIPPI: Oh, absolutely. Everybody is here bright and early, expecting Amber Frey to testify later this morning. There's certainly a lot of interest in this. Those of us who have been reporting on this case, reporting on this trial, have been waiting more than a year for this.
Frey, of course, hasn't really said that much to the public. She's only hold -- held two press conferences previously. So this is going to be her first chance to be under the scrutiny, if you will, of the media, answering questions in a -- in an extemporaneous way. It's going to be a very interesting day. Of course there are reporters everywhere at this point. There's a whole row of live trucks just steps from where I'm standing. So there's a lot of widespread interest.
COLLINS: Yes. We heard earlier that she might even go in the back so that nobody even gets a chance to talk to her. So we'll have to see about that.
Also, wondering about your sense of this testimony that she will give. Do you think it's actually a make or break for the prosecution here?
FILIPPI: It could be. I don't know if I would put quite that much weight on it, because a lot of the information she is going to present is already common knowledge.
We know she was having an affair with Scott Peterson, or Peterson was having an affair with her. So that's not going to be a surprise.
What she's going to be able to do is put a human face on that. She's going to be able to describe Scott Peterson, what he was like with her, was this a guy who was actually grieving for his pregnant wife who was missing, or was this a guy much more interested in maintaining this affair. It could be very powerful testimony. Whether it's make or break, I'm not sure, but it is important.
COLLINS: All right. Chris, what are you hearing about the defense, though, and their cross-examination?
FILIPPI: They have to be careful here, because if they go over the top and really hammer Amber Frey on her background, who she's been with previously, what her ulterior motives might have been, they may go a bit too far, and that could reflect poorly with the jury. The prosecution wants to present Amber Frey as a victim. They want her to be as sympathetic as possible to the jurors. If the defense counters that, and comes off being especially harsh, that could be very damaging, and it might backfire on Scott Peterson.
COLLINS: All right. That's all happening in court today. Chris Filippi from KFBK, a radio reporter. Thank you so much, Chris.
FILIPPI: Sure.
HEMMER: About 22 minutes past the hour. A break here.
Much more on President Bush's choice of Porter Goss to be director of the CIA. And the 9/11 countdown as well.
Back in a moment after this on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Former President bill Clinton was on "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart last evening, talking about the role of the media in politics, and how it's affected the country. Listen here. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON, FMR. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: One of the problems we had after Watergate when President Nixon resigned and there were all these clear violations of the law, is that it really -- the press brought that on. They started it and they hammered it.
And I think that it gave them a sense of their own power, and maybe a sense of responsibility. But after that, a lot of people in public life felt that the media thought they had to get somebody at every election cycle. That was bad.
Then after 9/11, we went probably too far in the other direction, where nobody criticized anybody for anything. And a lot of people looked the other way. That's part of what you were complaining about a minute ago. And I think now it's beginning to balance out again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Bill Clinton, a bit of retrospective last night with Jon Stewart. He's touting his book sales yet again as that book tour does continue. "Daily Show" with Jon Stewart last night.
COLLINS: And now Andy Borowitz is here.
ANDY BOROWITZ, BOROWITZREPORT.COM: "Question of the Day." "Question of the Day."
Well, actor Will Smith says that he could be president if he wanted to be. And of course we've had a lot of celebrities jump into politics. So we asked you what celebrity would you like to see run for president.
And Heather from Fredericksburg, Virginia, writes: "The one celebrity that would make the best president would have to be Jack Nicholson. He's experienced in life and has seen many presidents fail or succeed."
Mitt from Billings, Montana, writes: "I thought Martin Sheen was already president. Where have I been?"
Brad from Pennsylvania writes: "James Gandolfini for president. We can tell the rest of the world it's one thing to mess with the USA, it's quite another to mess with the family."
And finally, Joe from Orlando, Florida, writes: "None of them. I'm disgusted by the use of celebrities in politics to play out the agendas of either party."
HEMMER: Well, Joe's not going to like this election then.
(CROSSTALK)
COLLINS: Yes. We're going to be doing a series on this coming up, "Politics in Hollywood." So... BOROWITZ: It's big. It's big.
COLLINS: Yes, it is a big issue right now.
HEMMER: Jack's on vacation.
BOROWITZ: He is.
HEMMER: Did we mention that yet? We're keeping track, though, while Jack's out of the 9/11 Commission report scorecard. Jack started this about three weeks ago.
Number of days since the commission made recommendations protecting the country against terrorism?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HEMMER: Number of recommendations adopted by Congress?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Zero.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Zero.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Zero.
HEMMER: You guys are weak. You guys were weak yesterday, you're weak again today. Give me something. The House and Senate committees holding more hearings today on how to implement the recommendations. We'll watch that with Lee Hamilton and Thomas Kean out there.
Get a break here in a moment. Crisis in Sudan. Is time running out for the people of Darfur? Back to Christiane Amanpour live in a moment after this on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Watching stocks today. And boy, an important day, too, with the Federal Reserve meeting. Expect an announcement later this afternoon at 2:15 Eastern Time.
Stocks barely budged yesterday. The Dow finished off about less than half a point, actually. So we start where we left off, 9814 for the blue chips down on Wall Street. Again, the Fed meets later.
Also, the Nasdaq market site, 1774, off about two points from trading yesterday. We do expect stocks to move later today when the announcement comes out.
So good morning again. Welcome back. Stocks open for business here in New York City.
COLLINS: And it is just about half past the hour, as you say, on this AMERICAN MORNING.
We're going to take you live to Sudan in just a moment and the crisis there. With so many problems to deal with, a big issue is what you do to -- what you tackle first. Chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour is standing by for more on that.
HEMMER: Also in a moment here, the State Department bringing in reinforcements to keep an eye on this year's election, just about 85 days and counting now. A bit of controversy, too. We'll talk to a lawmaker who pushed for this move in a moment. November 2 it goes down in this country.
COLLINS: Plus, use it or lose it. News today that the kind of job you have could help lower your risk for Alzheimer's. Dr. Sanjay Gupta is going to tell us a little bit more about that.
HEMMER: Also, first off, though, this half-hour, as we start from Sudan, millions of people living on the edge between life and death. In the wake of a violent conflict that's claimed 50,000 lives, and driven more than a million people from their homes, now time may be running out as the rainy season adds to only more misery there. And Christiane Amanpour is live there on the scene in west Darfur in Sudan with more today.
Christiane, good afternoon there.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Bill.
And, indeed, still two million people in urgent need, despite high-profile visits by diplomats and world leaders here, delegations. The pipeline is still not fully opened for humanitarian assistance.
We were just at an emergency feeding center for children today, malnourished children. And we really saw the most appalling sight. Children, for instance, of two years old, or a year and a half that weighed as little as a 3-month-old that simply weren't getting enough food and were really frankly on the verge of death unless something happens very quickly.
To be honest, at the camps that we've been at right now, despite all the words, despite the pressure that the Sudanese government is under, still inadequate amount of humanitarian aid. Particularly food aid has not reached these needy people.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
AMANPOUR (voice-over): This is the first delivery of aid to the Riyadh camp in western Darfur. It's not the desperately needed food, but it is plastic sheeting, blankets and jerry cans.
ADEEL JAFFERI, ISLAMIC RELIEF: And the were all saying the same thing, "We want food and we want shelter." When the rains come it's a nightmare. I've been here when the rains have started, and it's like sheets of glass hitting your face.
AMANPOUR: Sarah Saneen (ph) and one of her five children take this treasure back to their hut made of twigs. The sheeting will be some protection against the rains. But what they need most is food. Sarah (ph), who is expecting her sixth child soon, hasn't even seen milk in five months. These elderly women tell us they're hungry, and no one in this camp has received any food aid since they arrived. There is meat at the camp's rancid little markets. Fly-infested cuts await those who did manage to earn some money doing odd jobs in the nearby town.
(on camera): Aid is still only reaching about a third of the more than two million people across this vast province who are in desperate need. And then they're only getting basic food stacks (ph). There still isn't any proper sanitation or medical treatment.
(voice-over): As Darfur hovers between starvation and survival, there is another fear, too... safety. As she lashes her plastic sheeting roof, Sarah (ph) tells us that she's still afraid of the janjuid (ph) militias who burned down her home and killed 51 villagers earlier this year. She tells us that some of the janjuid (ph) are now among the police and the army who are here guarding the camp.
The Sudanese government, which has deployed forces to guard this camp, denies that. Although aid workers say there is a militia base not far from here. Caught between fear, hunger and disease, these people wonder just how they're going to survive.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
AMANPOUR: Now, the Sudanese government is under a tight time pressure to create safe havens and to disarm all the militias and to stop the violence. And especially create areas for people to be able to go back and try to get their lives back again. But what we're hearing now from the U.N. relief agency are reports of people in these camps being forced back in some instances to their villages.
This is basically prohibited under international law. There can't be any forced return for these people, and they're very afraid of being forced back. The Sudanese government is denying that. But nonetheless, this is something that the U.N. is certainly keeping an eye on.
And, in addition, another truly horrendous fact here is that women have reported being raped in quite large numbers. Rape being used as a tool of war.
There has been a hospital here in Janina, where we are, where over the last few weeks there have been reports of rape. But we're told now that those have decreased, and they think it's because with the pressure on the Sudanese government, the police are no longer referring rape victims to this hospital. So these two are very, very serious issues that have to be kept an eye on -- Bill.
HEMMER: And the problems are enormous, as you point out so well. Thanks, Christiane. Christiane Amanpour in Sudan -- Heidi.
COLLINS: In our presidential campaign watch, 85 days until Election Day. Both President Bush and John Kerry are on the road. President Bush just left Washington for Florida.
Yesterday, President Bush held a town meeting in Annandale, Virginia. He answered questions and stressed how he wants Americans to be able to own their own home. Today, Florida, before heading out West. He'll campaign across nine states.
John Kerry and Teresa Heinz Kerry walked along the rim at the Grand Canyon. The Massachusetts senator says he'll reduce the number of forces in Iraq within six months if he's elected. John Kerry will continue the final leg of his cross-country trip out West.
And Ralph Nader enters a make-or-break period. He must get on the ballot in 36 states with deadlines in August and September. A lawyer is planning to challenge Ralph Nader's ballot petitions in Pennsylvania, saying many are falsified.
In November, for the first time ever, an international team of observers will monitor the presidential election. The State Department invited foreign observers in response to congressional calls for U.N. monitors. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, a Texas Democrat, spearheaded that effort. She joins us now live from Washington.
Good morning to you. Thanks so much for being with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
REP. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (D), TEXAS: Good morning.
COLLINS: I want to ask you, why did you push for the election observers? Is there a question in your mind that elections are not free and fair in this country?
JOHNSON: It's not just in my mind. I had thousands of requests from around the country. So it's not just me. But I'm responding, because I'm a party of representative government.
There is no trust in our system right now. And we must restore that trust.
COLLINS: Why do you think there's no trust in our system right now?
JOHNSON: It's based upon what I'm hearing, and what many members of Congress are hearing.
COLLINS: What is that?
JOHNSON: That they don't believe that machines are going to be so that they'll report honestly, that they do not believe that they will allow people to vote without intimidation.
There's already been a list that was brought up in Florida. Now it's discarded. We just think it's discarded. It might not be. But there are many questions in practically every state in this union that we have gotten inquiries about.
COLLINS: Well, tell us a little bit more about how this will work then. Will there be monitors in every state? JOHNSON: I don't know that. I do intend -- I have asked for an audience with some person, an appropriate person in the secretary of state's office. And I invite Republican members and any other member who would like to go to this dialogue.
This is not partisan. This is American. It is the crux of our democracy.
We will -- many people have told me about various hidden techniques around the country as related to people being barred from voting in year 2000. We do not want that to happen. We are supposed to be the democracy of the world. And here we are being questioned around the world as to whether we're going to follow our own mandates.
COLLINS: You say, Representative Johnson, this is not a partisan effort. Can you expand on that?
JOHNSON: It is not intended to be anything partisan. It is intended to be American, to support our first amendment rights, and to also support our democracy.
Without the freedom to express one's opinion about who they'd like in office, there is no democracy. And we are all accustomed to losing, most especially minorities, and most especially women. We just want the vote to be counted accurately.
We might lose again. But we want the vote to be counted accurately. And we want every eligible citizen who is registered to vote without intimidation.
COLLINS: Are you at all concerned, though, that some voters might actually find this process insulting?
JOHNSON: The voters are the ones who are asking to have some protection. So maybe some will. But if they look at it as a way to restore the confidence in our government -- because many, many people still feel that we have a president that was never elected.
That's just not my opinion. It is the opinion of thousands of people around this country. We don't want that to happen again.
COLLINS: Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, thanks so much for your time this morning.
JOHNSON: Thank you very much, Heidi.
COLLINS: Bill.
HEMMER: Twenty minutes before the hour. Back to Carol Costello, watching the news that first broke out of D.C.
Carol, good morning.
COSTELLO: Good morning, Bill. Thank you.
In the past hour, President Bush has nominated Congressman Porter Goss to be the new CIA director. The president announced the new appointment in the Rose Garden at the White House. Goss, a Republican from Florida, has been chairman of the House Intelligence Committee since 1997.
A U.S. military convoy has been attacked in central Baghdad. American troops and Iraqi police cordoned off an area where an explosion detonated earlier today. No reports of casualties.
In North Carolina, a teenager is expected to face charges for possession of pipe bombs. The car of 17-year-old Jared Williams Brown (ph) was originally sought in a hit-and-run accident. Authorities say they later found six pipe bombs in the vehicle and recovered another dozen bombs and explosive-making chemicals from Brown's home. The teenager is now in police custody.
And Fay Ray, the actress best known for her role in the 1933 classic "King Kong," has died. She began her film career way back in 1923. Spencer Tracey, Carey Grant, Gary Cooper and, of course, King Kong, were among her co-stars in a career that spanned nearly 100 films.
Fay Ray was 96 years old. And, by the way, the lights of the Empire State Building will be dimmed tonight in her memory.
Back to New York.
HEMMER: What a full life, too, 96.
COLLINS: Yes. She was awesome.
HEMMER: We'll be looking up tonight. Thank you, Carol.
Check another look at the most incredible video we have seen all day today. A landslide in Japan caught on videotape. It happened in Japan's central Nar (ph) region after heavy rains hit that area. Recorded as it happened by staff in the Japanese ministry of land who, by the way, were there on the scene inspecting the region for instability. They saw a lot, too.
Here's Chad Myers now watching the weather outside.
You know, Chad, if that happens, just go back to bed. If you're working for that ministry in Japan, just turn around and go back to bed.
MYERS: Clearly, that camera was really close to where that slide was.
HEMMER: Very true.
MYERS: Really. I mean, wow.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HEMMER: All right, Chad. Thanks for that.
COLLINS: Chad, thanks.
Still to come this morning, think your job is tough? Well, that may be good news. A new study suggests that mentally demanding jobs are linked to lower risk of Alzheimer's. Dr. Sanjay Gupta has the story on that.
Stay with us here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: There is a new study that suggests people with mentally demanding jobs are less likely candidates for Alzheimer's. Sanjay's been looking into this, and Dr. Gupta joins us from the CNN Center.
What gives, Sanjay? Good morning.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
Yes, mentally stimulating jobs, such as television anchor, for example. This is an interesting study coming out of the "Journal of Neurology."
Actually, what they're trying to figure out is how likely the stresses and demands mentally of your job are in terms of relating to the development of Alzheimer's later in life. And what they found is the less mentally demanding your job was, the more likely you' are going to develop Alzheimer's. That sounds like a pretty simple premise, but let me explain a little bit further.
There was a study done. About 122 people who had Alzheimer's, 235 people without the disease, all of them were over 60 years old. What they did was they went back and looked at the types of jobs that they had to try and figure out how likely they were to develop Alzheimer's.
Specifically, the jobs they had when they were in their 20s, when they were in their 30s, and when they were in their 50s. All sorts of different jobs.
What they found was that you were more likely to develop Alzheimer's if you had lower mental demands in your job and more physical demands. And I should point out they controlled for all types of social classes of jobs. So this wasn't a social class type issue, but just type of job instead.
You were less likely to develop Alzheimer's if you had high mental demand, a variety of activities, a very creative job, your own ability to control, direct and plan the functions of your job, and lots of verbals, numbers and spatial relationships.
So, Bill, stimulation, variety and opportunity to be creative. Those are good facets to less likely developing Alzheimer's.
HEMMER: You should put that on your resume, too, for what you're looking for in a good job. You described it pretty well. Listen, how conclusive are these findings? And also, you talked many times about how you decrease your chances of becoming a victim of Alzheimer's.
GUPTA: In terms of how conclusive these findings are, that's a good question, because this was a sort of what they call a retrospective study, going back and looking at the types of jobs had -- people had and trying to relate that to the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's. It's probably a little bit simplistic, but it's fair to say that if you have jobs that are more mentally demanding, overall you are challenging your mind more. And as you mentioned, the "use it or lose it" phenomenon is more than an adage when it comes to Alzheimer's.
As far as decreasing your risk, that's more concrete. People know the answers to that in terms of diet, in terms of activity. Take a look at the list of some of the things you can do.
Certainly controlling your cholesterol, controlling your blood pressure, avoiding high-fat diets. Those are things you should do for lots of different reasons, including Alzheimer's. Also, if you're into the berries and the vitamins, Vitamin C, Gingko, Vitamin E, berries and fish all seem to help as well -- Bill.
HEMMER: And I know you like blueberries, too. You said it a long time...
GUPTA: Great food. Yes.
HEMMER: Hey, thank you, Sanjay.
GUPTA: Thank you, Bill.
HEMMER: Nice tie, by the way.
GUPTA: I appreciate that. Thank you. It's new.
(LAUGHTER)
HEMMER: That's all you're going to get out of me. Nice to see you. Bye-bye.
GUPTA: See you.
HEMMER: Heidi.
COLLINS: I like that tie.
Still to come this morning, new grades are out on SUVs. So which are the worst for rollovers? We'll explain that. We're "Minding Your Business" ahead here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Waiting now to see what the Federal Reserve will do today. And the most dangerous SUV, which ones are the worst for rollovers? Well, Christine Romans is in for Andy today. She's "Minding Your Business."
Let's start first with the market today. Everybody is watching the Fed.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Everyone's watching the Fed. And that -- that decision comes out at 2:15 Eastern Time.
In the meantime, the Dow is up 36 points, which is something, because the Dow barely moved yesterday and had a really rough week last week -- 9851 is the level there, and the Nasdaq is up a little bit.
As for the Fed, almost everyone is expect thing the Fed to raise interest rates by 25 basis points. That's a quarter of a percentage point. Still, very low interest rates. But a lot of people think the Fed, despite the weak jobs report, will raise rates today.
COLLINS: Locked in on Friday. Pretty proud of myself on that.
ROMANS: Good for you. Good for you.
COLLINS: All right. Christine, I want to ask you about the rollover now. SUVs, there's a list out.
ROMANS: There is a list. There's new government data, a new way of sort of ranking how dangerous SUVs and cars are.
This is really important for all of you people out there with SUVs and trucks. Obviously a car is always more stable than a truck, or a sport utility vehicle, because they're closer to the ground. And rollovers are very deadly. They account for a third of all traffic deaths are because of rollovers.
So these are the best rollover rankings. For a car, the Mazda RX-8. Only an eight percent chance of a rollover in a single vehicle accident. Pickup, Chevy Silverado, the SUV Chrysler Pacifica. And for the minivan, the Nissan Quest.
Now, here are the worst rollover rankings. According to the government, the Subaru Outback Wagon, that's in the car category, a 15 percent chance of rolling over in a single vehicle test crash. Pickup, Toyota Tacoma, four by four. The Ford Explorer Sport Track was the worst, 34 percent chance. Toyota Sienna, on the minivan front, 16 percent chance of rolling over.
So keep in mind that these are -- these are the dangerous kinds of accidents. And, you know, the government wants to really keep a very close eye on which vehicles are best and worst.
COLLINS: Glad we got rid of our Ford Explorer Sport.
ROMANS: Oh, you had that?
COLLINS: Yes. A long time ago, though.
ROMANS: The closer to the ground, the more stable always.
COLLINS: Yes. Makes sense. All right. Christine, thanks so much.
ROMANS: All right.
HEMMER: We know where this guy's going to be at 2:15 today. He's going to be waiting on the word from Alan Greenspan.
COLLINS: Absolutely.
BOROWITZ: Absolutely not.
(CROSSTALK)
BOROWITZ: I'm losing sleep over that.
(LAUGHTER)
HEMMER: To the "Question of the Day."
BOROWITZ: The "Question of the Day." Well, actor Will Smith has said that he could be president if he wanted to be. And we know a lot of celebrities have made that leap into politics. So our question was, which celebrity would you like to see run for president?
Here we go, final three answers. John from Windsor, Wisconsin, "Bruce Springsteen. The guy's been talking about politics without talking about politics for years. He understands working America and what the average guy is going through."
OK.
Christopher said -- and this is really interesting -- "I would like to see Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones as president. That way we could have our first state funeral for a president while he was still alive."
OK. Kind of rough.
And this is, I think, my favorite from Anonymous. "Stealing a quip from 'Wayne's World,' if Heidi was president, she would be Babe- raham Lincoln."
COLLINS: Oh, no.
BOROWITZ: There you go. Ending on a nice note.
HEMMER: You're on the ticket?
COLLINS: No.
(LAUGHTER)
BOROWITZ: But our viewers have the priorities right. And that's what I like to see. COLLINS: Oh. Well, that's very sweet. Thank you, Andy.
BOROWITZ: Thank you.
COLLINS: And coming up a little bit later on CNN, much more on President Bush's choice of Porter Goss to head the CIA, with live reports from both the White House and Capitol Hill. That's coming up in the next hour with Daryn Kagan on "CNN LIVE TODAY."
For now, though, AMERICAN MORNING will be back after a break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Before we get out of here, I want to check up on "NEWSNIGHT." Aaron Brown comes your way about 12 hours from now. A preview now with Aaron.
AARON BROWN, HOST, "NEWSNIGHT": Thank you, Bill. Tonight on (UNINTELLIGIBLE) billions of viewers, and repelling one or two, but fascinating almost (UNINTELLIGIBLE). We'll give you the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) top news, morning papers, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) makes "NEWSNIGHT" "NEWSNIGHT," CNN (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Eastern -- Bill
HEMMER: All right. Good deal. Thank you, Aaron, for that.
We'll see you tomorrow right?
BOROWITZ: Yes.
HEMMER: We'll see you tomorrow.
COLLINS: Absolutely.
HEMMER: And for sure we'll see you.
COLLINS: Yes.
HEMMER: All is right in the world, right?
COLLINS: Yes.
HEMMER: Whether you like it or not.
COLLINS: That's right.
HEMMER: Here's Daryn Kagan now at the CNN Center, taking you through the next hour.
Good morning, Daryn.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. I hope you like that, and I hope you guys like the day ahead in New York City.
HEMMER: OK. Thank you.
KAGAN: You guys have a great day. Good morning from CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's take a look at the stories "Now in the News."
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