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American Morning

Terror Link?; Convention Countdown; Celebrity & Politics

Aired August 27, 2004 - 9:00 ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Has President Bush pulled ahead of John Kerry nationally in some of the key battleground states? Analyzing the trends today in two new polls.
Did terrorists find a hole in Russian air security? Investigators trying to find clues, and now finding at least one to what brought down one of the jets that crashed on Tuesday.

And 500 citizens, 82 questions. The critical process of jury selection in the Kobe Bryant case on this AMERICAN MORNING.

ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.

HEMMER: Welcome to Friday. I'm Bill Hemmer. And good morning.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Heidi Collins, in for Soledad. And some of the other stories that we're following this morning...

Now, it's hard enough being homeless in New York. But being a homeless kid is beyond most of our imaginations. In a few minutes, we're going to look at a recent meeting on the problem organized with the help of a young man and his own remarkable story.

HEMMER: Also, part five in our series on politics and entertainment. It's not always enough for politicians to be themselves. Sometimes they have to be -- or they have to do as actors and create a character. How do they do it? We'll have that for you.

COLLINS: On a bike and a cowboy hat.

HEMMER: How to read, how to write.

(LAUGHTER)

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: I wasn't going to bring it up.

HEMMER: Things like that.

COLLINS: Oh, sure.

CAFFERTY: No, no, no.

HEMMER: Yes.

CAFFERTY: I wasn't going to say a word. Far be it from me. I have my own problems over here at this end of the table. How tough should cops be on the demonstrators and protesters that are pouring into New York in advance of the convention? Things got off to a rough start yesterday when a police officer was injured, a wound requiring 40 stitches to close after he was called to the Plaza Hotel to get four protesters off the roof.

This is private property, the Plaza Hotel. And now those four clowns have been charged with first-degree assault. It's a felony that could land them in prison for 25 years.

Am@cnn.com if you have some thoughts. And, boy, a lot of you do.

HEMMER: Yes. A big reaction so far.

CAFFERTY: Including the guy who wrote from Utah, saying he tunes in every morning hoping to see that I've had some sort of a seizure.

COLLINS: Still pretty awful, though.

CAFFERTY: I love it. It's great.

HEMMER: And you're still healthy.

CAFFERTY: Well, so far.

HEMMER: Here's Carol Costello, watching other news.

Carol, good morning to you.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Bill. Thank you.

In the next half-hour, another suspected enemy combatant is expected to face a military tribunal in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. But it's not clear whether the hearing will actually take place. The man's lawyer is apparently quitting, and a replacement has not yet been appointed.

The White House is poised to implement some of the recommendations by the 9/11 Commission. They include giving the CIA director greater powers and creating the office of a national intelligence director. President Bush could sign executive orders implementing those changes -- implementing those changes, rather, as early as today.

The Imam Ali mosque is locked, and people have now left the shrine compound. Iraqi police appear to be taking over positions previously held by U.S. forces in and around that city. It's part of an agreement brokered by the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to end three weeks of fighting in the city.

And in just a few hours, authorities in Eagle, Colorado, will start jury selection in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case. Authorities in Eagle, Colorado, will bring in about 500 prospective jurors today. Attorneys will begin questioning the possible jurors one by one during closed hearings on Monday.

Bill.

HEMMER: All right. Carol, thanks for that.

Russia's top security service now confirming that it believes terrorism is to blame for at least one of the two Russian air crashes this week. The Russian agency says traces of explosives were found in the wreckage of one of the planes. The planes went down within minutes of each other, killing 89 people. Paula Hancocks again live in Moscow -- Paula.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, the investigation will be taking a very different turn now after the security services did admit that terror was a likely cause of at least one of the two planes that went down. They did find traces of explosives at the one plane that was on its way to the Black Sea resort of Sochi, where Vladimir Putin, the president, was holidaying at the time. They say they're still combing through the wreckage of the other plane to find out if there's a similar case over there.

They also say that on that plane on its way to the Black Sea resort they have one body of a Chechen woman who has not yet been collected. No one has come to identify the body, either. The relatives of all the victims are either at the sites or on their way to the sites to collect their loved ones.

Now, also, the Interfax news agency is saying that on the other plane there was a second Chechen woman who bought a ticket for that plane just one hour before it took off. Investigators say they're very interested to find out why that was, and they're obviously trying to find her relatives as well.

And then Interfax also saying that the one plane, before it went down, did give an SOS signal, and it did give a hijacking signal. But when air control people tried to get back in touch with them, they disappeared from the radar screen, and that's when they crashed.

That's the latest from Moscow -- Bill.

HEMMER: Paula, thanks. Hopefully more later today -- Heidi.

COLLINS: And now new poll numbers from the "Los Angeles Times" show President Bush pulling ahead of Democratic challenger John Kerry in some battleground states, beginning with Missouri. Among registered voters, 46 -- percent, that is -- support the president, 44 percent are for Kerry.

To Ohio, the majority of registered voters there also back Bush, 49 percent to 44 percent for Kerry. And on to Wisconsin, where registered voters are for President Bush 48 percent to 44 percent for Kerry. But with a margin of error, a plus or minus four percent still looks like it's pretty much all up for grabs.

Meanwhile, as the president continues his eight-state tour on his way to next week's Republican convention here in New York City, delegates and protesters from all around the country are already making their way to the East Coast. All eyes now on New York and Madison Square Garden. And that is where we find Kelly Wallace with more.

All right, Kelly. How are you?

KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning again to you, Heidi.

Well, Democrats have partied here before -- five times, in fact. But this will be a Big Apple debut for the GOP.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE (voice-over): Workers prepare for what will be a GOP first, the first Republican convention to be held in New York City. Some New Yorkers are not exactly rolling out the welcome wagon.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Sunday! Drop the debt now!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Sunday! Drop the debt now!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Sunday! Drop the debt now!

WALLACE: Some even stripped to make their point. This is a city where registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans 5-1.

(on camera): Isn't this enemy territory for Republicans?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's no question that it's enemy territory for Republicans. But the fact of the matter is, is that you're speaking to America from New York City.

WALLACE (voice-over): Speaking to the nation at a crucial time with this race neck and neck. The latest CNN-"USA Today"-Gallup poll shows the president leading Senator John Kerry 50 to 47 percent among likely voters. Unchanged from two weeks ago.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (voice-over): Crimes committed on a day-to-day basis...

WALLACE: There are signs, though, the Swift Boat controversy could be having an impact; namely, on Senator Kerry. A month ago, 41 percent said that Kerry's military service made it more likely they would vote for him. That number has dropped to 22 percent. As for the president, Republican strategist Kieran Mahoney says he must accomplish two things next week.

KIERAN MAHONEY, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: He's got to establish that he's an effective war leader who has led the country appropriately through a time of crisis, and he's got to establish that the economy is in fact back and vibrant, and that he's the one responsible for it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The president of the United states, George W. Bush!

WALLACE: And it is no coincidence the president started his eight-state pre-convention swing with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: A man who brought calm to the citizens of New York City during a tragic day.

WALLACE: Another convention challenge, reminding voters of what he did in the days after September 11...

BUSH: I can hear you.

WALLACE: ... without appearing to be playing politics with the tragedy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: Now, there will be some Democrats in New York City. In fact, Democrats are setting up what they're calling a war room, just about seven blocks from here where we are at Madison Square Garden. And leading the counter-spin for the Democrats will be Iowa's governor, Tom Vilsack, as well as New York senators Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Kelly, you know, we've heard an awful lot about Republicans wanting to talk about the issues coming up this next week. So how much do you think John Kerry's name is actually going to be part of those discussions?

WALLACE: Well, Heidi, Republican strategists think John Kerry's name will be coming up quite a bit, saying speakers will want to draw distinctions between President Bush and John Kerry by focusing on the senator's record. In the Senate, there is, though, a fine line here, though, for the GOP. Because they don't want to be seen as doing too much Kerry bashing after a Democratic convention that was perceived to be trying to put a limit on the bashing of President Bush -- Heidi.

COLLINS: All right. Kelly Wallace, thanks so much for that -- Bill.

HEMMER: Heidi, let's break down the numbers now. CNN senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, in the studio this morning here in New York.

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST: Happy to be here.

HEMMER: Welcome to the Big Apple, my friend. Kelly just talked about those numbers, about the military record and the service, back on the screen for our viewers.

When asked if the military service makes you more likely or less likely to vote for John Kerry, the interesting numbers on the top line, now at 22 percent, down 19 points from just a few weeks ago. Is this an indication the Swift Boat ads are taking effect?

SCHNEIDER: Yes. I mean, he presented himself as a candidate who was a war hero. That was the entirety of the message at the Democratic convention. And that message got stepped on by the controversy driven by the Swift Boat ad. People didn't believe the ad. They don't think he lied about his service. President Bush said he doesn't think that Kerry lied about his service.

But they created doubts -- we just saw in the poll -- created a controversy. And number two, it gave -- it meant a lost opportunity. It really hijacked the entire campaign. The press was complicit sin this. Half a million dollars spent on that Swift Boat ad, and it became the news for three entire weeks.

HEMMER: That was the results of CNN-"USA Today"-Gallup. Here are the results from the "L.A. Times": three battleground states, Missouri, Wisconsin, Ohio, George Bush up two on John Kerry, up four in Wisconsin, up five in Ohio. How significant 67 days out?

SCHNEIDER: Well, both Missouri and Ohio, the Bill Hemmer state, both went for Bush last time. And they look like they're still inclined to like Bush. Kerry is stuck at 44 percent in every one of these polls.

Is there any good news here for Democrats? Just this: none of the polls show Bush or Kerry over 50 percent. Nobody has the majority in these polls. And if a majority are not voting for the incumbent president, he's still got some problems.

HEMMER: Back to our numbers, though, on the question about terrorism and leadership, George Bush a clear leader, 54 percent to 37 percent over John Kerry. Are people voting on 9/11 or are they voting on a war from 35 years ago?

SCHNEIDER: They're voting on lots of things, but not the Vietnam War. That's one of the reasons why this entire Swift Boat debate was such a distraction.

That poll result, by the way, indicates why the Republicans are going to talk a lot about how these are dangerous times, and President Bush and his administration will keep you safe. Terrorism, not Iraq, not the economy, terrorism is George Bush's best issue. It's one of his only issues.

HEMMER: And we're going to see an awful lot of you in the coming weeks.

SCHNEIDER: Oh, yes.

HEMMER: Good to have you here, Bill.

SCHNEIDER: Pleasure.

HEMMER: Bill Schneider here in New York.

Also, on Monday morning, AMERICAN MORNING is live from Madison Square Garden. In fact, we will canvas the entire town 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Hope to see you on Monday. Coverage beings then throughout the entire week -- Heidi. COLLINS: Earlier this morning, we reported on what President Bush is expected to do about some of the 9/11 Commission recommendations. And we just learned the president could sign executive orders implementing the changes as early as today.

Suzanne Malveaux at the White House with the very latest on all of this -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Heidi, we just learned from senior administration officials that the president will, in fact, sign those executive orders. Now, these are some of the recommendations from the 9/11 Commission.

Essentially, what this would do is implement or put in motion some of the steps that the president endorsed back on August 2, including creating a powerful new position, a national intelligence director. Also, creating a national counterterrorism center that would be run by that director, as well as enhancing the power of the current director of the CIA. That, of course, to -- to actually carry out the duties before the NID is approved by Congress. And finally, to encourage greater sharing of intelligence among spy agencies.

Now, Heidi, you know, there's been a lot of criticism of the White House, just how quickly they're going to move forward on the 9/11 recommendations, and whether or not this new national intelligence director would have any real type of power if he or she doesn't have budget authority. This is something that is still being debated in Congress, debated within the White House.

It is something that the president, of course, cannot sign off on during (ph) an executive order. It is something that requires lawmakers to actually do, and that is something that is very much in debate -- Heidi.

COLLINS: All right. Suzanne Malveaux, thanks so much for the update on all of that from the White House this morning.

We want to take a moment to check on the weather once again. Chad Myers at the CNN Center to do just that. He's there, almost -- there he is.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COLLINS: Chad, thanks a lot.

HEMMER: In a moment here, the latest on New Jersey and the governor, Jim McGreevey. The man accusing him of sexual harassment might be willing to settle. He says it will not cost McGreevey a dime. We'll explain that in a moment.

COLLINS: Also, a "New You" checkup today. Our parents who were struggling to find time for themselves with a new baby in the house, they started off strong but there was a bump on the road for one of them. We're going to tell you about that.

HEMMER: Also, if you want to get elected you've got to play the part. Politicians-turned-actors part five of our weeklong series, "Poli-Wood," ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey's accuser wants an apology. Golan Cipel, who says he was sexually harassed by the governor, now says he might drop his threat to sue if the governor says he's sorry. A spokesman says McGreevey has no reason to do that.

Earlier this month, McGreevey announcing that he will resign his position over a gay affair reportedly with Cipel. But McGreevey apparently doesn't want others to lose their job over the same matter. That's why he asked a Minor League Baseball team to rehire its announcer and scorekeeper.

The pair lost their jobs after dedicating the YMCA song to McGreevey during the game. The announcer apologized, got his job back. The scorekeeper says he's considering the offer -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Now to the conclusion of our weeklong series, "Poli- Wood," the mix of politics and entertainment. Today, the importance of a candidate's image in our media-driven world where a premium is placed on image. Are Hollywood directors playing a bigger role in politics?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROBERT DENIRO, "WAG THE DOG": We can distract the press for 11 days until the election and I think we've got a chance.

COLLINS (voice-over): "Wag the Dog" was a movie that showed how a little Hollywood magic could help politicians deceive the public. Could it happen in real life? The film's Academy Award-winning director, Barry Levinson, says yes.

BARRY LEVINSON, DIRECTOR: I think you see that -- you're seeing the connection more and more. I mean -- and it's a natural one, because everything is played out through, you know, a video source.

COLLINS (on camera): The candidates, you know, they're told to do this one day and this another day. I mean, I would -- I would think, with all of that image-building, or image consulting, do they lose themselves? I mean, who are we looking at?

LEVINSON: If you take Bush -- and Bush's image is that he's this real Texan, he's out on his ranch, and whatever -- but, you know, it was a person who was born in New England, who's part of that -- another place. The very thing that they speak out against, he is really part of. But he's cultivated the image of being this American, this Texan, and that whole thing.

COLLINS (voice-over): Republicans aren't the only ones cultivating their image. John Kerry blowing in the wind, or riding a bike, helps to convince voters he's more than just a politician.

CARTER ESKEW, POLITICAL STRATEGIST: It's not just what comes out of your mouth. It's also the whole backdrop, the whole scene. As long as, you know, networks are going to give candidates 30 to 60 seconds, they're going to have to make every second count. And part of that is packing it with meaningful visuals.

COLLINS: Which Levinson says may drive away some candidates away from running.

LEVINSON: All of the, you know, manipulation, what it does in the end, it eliminates probably the most capable people. Because, from what I've read, Thomas Jefferson could no more be president of the United States, you know, than the man in the moon nowadays. He wasn't a great community indicator. And he wasn't a great speaker. And he was a great president. And there -- and Lincoln would never be president because he certainly wouldn't look telegenic.

COLLINS: Could this mean more of a political future for experienced Hollywood directors? That possibility troubles Levinson.

LEVINSON: One of the things I heard, I thought, gee, look how we've changed. Kerry made his speech at the convention.

KERRY: I will restore trust and credibility to the White House.

LEVINSON: And one of the first, you know, talking heads said, "Well, I thought he spoke too quickly, he didn't wait long enough for the applause."

(LAUGHTER)

COLLINS (on camera): Clearly, that was not CNN.

LEVINSON: So you say, "You didn't wait long enough for the applause." What does that have to do with anything about the man or whatever he may be saying?

We're now literally talking about, you know, directing an actor. It scares me in terms of what we're capable of doing, and it scares me in terms of what the results may in fact be.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: With the presidential election only 67 days away now, we're likely in store for lots of Hollywood-like drama between now and November.

HEMMER: We're talking a lot today about the Republican convention starting on Monday. Another convention here in New York already wrapping up. Tiny in comparison.

Many of the stories to come out of it, though, nothing short of inspiration. We'll have one of them for you.

Also, Olympics trivia. Since the start of the modern summer games in 1896, and the winter games in 1924 -- listen up now -- only three countries have competed in every possible Olympiad. Which three countries hold that distinction? The answer in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: All right. Which three countries have competed every summer and winter games, going back to 1896, 1924, all that there? The answer is Switzerland, France and Great Britain. Great question. Australia and Greece have also competed in every summer Olympics, but not every winter Olympiad.

CAFFERTY: These are so good, I think we should keep doing them even after the Olympics are over.

COLLINS: OK. Will you write them?

CAFFERTY: Yes.

The "Question of the Day" is, how tough should the cops in New York get on the protesters who are pouring into the city ahead of next week's Republican National Convention? Had a couple of incidents yesterday, one harmless, two that were inconvenient. One cop got hurt, so -- and it could get more serious.

So we're thinking, you know, maybe you've got some ideas on this. And, boy, you do.

Fenton says, "I think the protesters who are responsible for the cops' injuries should be held accountable for those injuries. I don't think the maximum sentence is right."

But they could face 25 years. This cop had to have 40 stitches to close a wound in his leg.

"Some time should be served. A large monetary fine should be imposed."

Debra writes: "Jack, I would rather see naked protesters in New York than naked prisoners at Abu Ghraib any day. Get some perspective."

They picked up seven people with no clothes on down by the garden. But you can see that like, you know, any day here in New York.

John, in Lexington, New York, "New York police should protect the protester's right to dissent. This is what America is founded on. The Boston Tea Party was not a Republican social."

And Jim in Cambridge, New York, says, "I guess I'm getting two old for this crap of people dropping their drawers and invading private property all in the name of protest. The vote is still the more powerful form of protest. It doesn't harm or inconvenience anyone, except those who are voted out of office. Then again, I'm so damp grumpy and crotchety I make Cafferty look warm and fuzzy."

You must be a beauty, Jim.

(LAUGHTER)

COLLINS: You had warm and fuzzy e-mail just last week, too, about you. That's two now.

CAFFERTY: Well, and I've -- and I've been here three years. It's a start. You know what I'm saying?

HEMMER: That was Jim Cafferty there right now.

COLLINS: Right. All right. Thanks so much, Jack.

HEMMER: Thanks, Jack.

CAFFERTY: Yes.

COLLINS: In the week ahead, delegates to the Republican National Convention will take to the streets of New York. They'll probably see the theaters, the restaurants and the skyscrapers. But one thing they might not notice is the sight of homeless children. This morning, Jason Carroll has the story of one young man making the "Extra Effort" to get help for homeless kids.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As final preparations get under way for the Republican National Convention, not far away from that site another convention has just wrapped up.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Welcome to the first ever National Homeless Children's convention.

CARROLL: Much smaller than the one at Madison Square Garden, it lasted for just a day.

JR BENNETT, HOMELESS: To rebuild shelters is just -- you're just adding to the problem.

CARROLL: This convention, sponsored by an organization called Coalition for the Homeless, is designed to help homeless children. JR Bennett is one of the driving forces behind the idea.

BENNETT: There's a war right here called homelessness.

CARROLL: JR is just a teenager, although it might not be obvious from the maturity of his poetry.

BENNETT: But on the dark side of the flag, what you do not see is this country is not yet free. Around the time I wrote it, like around last summer, like I was -- I was -- I had just moved into another shelter.

CARROLL: JR is 16 years old, and looks like many teenagers you might see on the street. But unlike most, he has been homeless for as long as he can remember.

BENNETT Everybody like is -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) myself, and it forced me to push my -- I pushed myself in kind of like an isolation.

CARROLL: While JR was a baby, his father lost his job after staying home to care for JR's ailing mother. She later died from her illness.

JR and his father spent years living in and out of shelters. He grew tired of the system and turned from being inward to helping others like him. And JR says his age works for him.

BENNETT: I haven't necessarily, say, picked a side. Like, to everything there's a side. Like say when we have the Democrats, Republicans. I haven't necessarily said that I'm on a side. It's just I'm speaking out, saying, you know, enough is enough.

CARROLL: During a typical year, 1.4 million children like JR are homeless. He hopes the convention will help raise awareness. He says he'll keep putting his face out there to speak to Republicans, Democrats, anyone who will listen.

Jason Carroll, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Excellent self-motivation on his part.

HEMMER: Yes. Very good.

Get a break here in a moment. A big day in the Kobe Bryant matter. Lawyers starting to pick the men and women who will hold the NBA star's fate and future in their hands in that case.

Also, the latest from Russia, that deadly plane crash, two of them, in fact, on Tuesday. Is there new evidence that now points to a cause?

We'll get to that after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired August 27, 2004 - 9:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Has President Bush pulled ahead of John Kerry nationally in some of the key battleground states? Analyzing the trends today in two new polls.
Did terrorists find a hole in Russian air security? Investigators trying to find clues, and now finding at least one to what brought down one of the jets that crashed on Tuesday.

And 500 citizens, 82 questions. The critical process of jury selection in the Kobe Bryant case on this AMERICAN MORNING.

ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.

HEMMER: Welcome to Friday. I'm Bill Hemmer. And good morning.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Heidi Collins, in for Soledad. And some of the other stories that we're following this morning...

Now, it's hard enough being homeless in New York. But being a homeless kid is beyond most of our imaginations. In a few minutes, we're going to look at a recent meeting on the problem organized with the help of a young man and his own remarkable story.

HEMMER: Also, part five in our series on politics and entertainment. It's not always enough for politicians to be themselves. Sometimes they have to be -- or they have to do as actors and create a character. How do they do it? We'll have that for you.

COLLINS: On a bike and a cowboy hat.

HEMMER: How to read, how to write.

(LAUGHTER)

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: I wasn't going to bring it up.

HEMMER: Things like that.

COLLINS: Oh, sure.

CAFFERTY: No, no, no.

HEMMER: Yes.

CAFFERTY: I wasn't going to say a word. Far be it from me. I have my own problems over here at this end of the table. How tough should cops be on the demonstrators and protesters that are pouring into New York in advance of the convention? Things got off to a rough start yesterday when a police officer was injured, a wound requiring 40 stitches to close after he was called to the Plaza Hotel to get four protesters off the roof.

This is private property, the Plaza Hotel. And now those four clowns have been charged with first-degree assault. It's a felony that could land them in prison for 25 years.

Am@cnn.com if you have some thoughts. And, boy, a lot of you do.

HEMMER: Yes. A big reaction so far.

CAFFERTY: Including the guy who wrote from Utah, saying he tunes in every morning hoping to see that I've had some sort of a seizure.

COLLINS: Still pretty awful, though.

CAFFERTY: I love it. It's great.

HEMMER: And you're still healthy.

CAFFERTY: Well, so far.

HEMMER: Here's Carol Costello, watching other news.

Carol, good morning to you.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Bill. Thank you.

In the next half-hour, another suspected enemy combatant is expected to face a military tribunal in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. But it's not clear whether the hearing will actually take place. The man's lawyer is apparently quitting, and a replacement has not yet been appointed.

The White House is poised to implement some of the recommendations by the 9/11 Commission. They include giving the CIA director greater powers and creating the office of a national intelligence director. President Bush could sign executive orders implementing those changes -- implementing those changes, rather, as early as today.

The Imam Ali mosque is locked, and people have now left the shrine compound. Iraqi police appear to be taking over positions previously held by U.S. forces in and around that city. It's part of an agreement brokered by the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to end three weeks of fighting in the city.

And in just a few hours, authorities in Eagle, Colorado, will start jury selection in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case. Authorities in Eagle, Colorado, will bring in about 500 prospective jurors today. Attorneys will begin questioning the possible jurors one by one during closed hearings on Monday.

Bill.

HEMMER: All right. Carol, thanks for that.

Russia's top security service now confirming that it believes terrorism is to blame for at least one of the two Russian air crashes this week. The Russian agency says traces of explosives were found in the wreckage of one of the planes. The planes went down within minutes of each other, killing 89 people. Paula Hancocks again live in Moscow -- Paula.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, the investigation will be taking a very different turn now after the security services did admit that terror was a likely cause of at least one of the two planes that went down. They did find traces of explosives at the one plane that was on its way to the Black Sea resort of Sochi, where Vladimir Putin, the president, was holidaying at the time. They say they're still combing through the wreckage of the other plane to find out if there's a similar case over there.

They also say that on that plane on its way to the Black Sea resort they have one body of a Chechen woman who has not yet been collected. No one has come to identify the body, either. The relatives of all the victims are either at the sites or on their way to the sites to collect their loved ones.

Now, also, the Interfax news agency is saying that on the other plane there was a second Chechen woman who bought a ticket for that plane just one hour before it took off. Investigators say they're very interested to find out why that was, and they're obviously trying to find her relatives as well.

And then Interfax also saying that the one plane, before it went down, did give an SOS signal, and it did give a hijacking signal. But when air control people tried to get back in touch with them, they disappeared from the radar screen, and that's when they crashed.

That's the latest from Moscow -- Bill.

HEMMER: Paula, thanks. Hopefully more later today -- Heidi.

COLLINS: And now new poll numbers from the "Los Angeles Times" show President Bush pulling ahead of Democratic challenger John Kerry in some battleground states, beginning with Missouri. Among registered voters, 46 -- percent, that is -- support the president, 44 percent are for Kerry.

To Ohio, the majority of registered voters there also back Bush, 49 percent to 44 percent for Kerry. And on to Wisconsin, where registered voters are for President Bush 48 percent to 44 percent for Kerry. But with a margin of error, a plus or minus four percent still looks like it's pretty much all up for grabs.

Meanwhile, as the president continues his eight-state tour on his way to next week's Republican convention here in New York City, delegates and protesters from all around the country are already making their way to the East Coast. All eyes now on New York and Madison Square Garden. And that is where we find Kelly Wallace with more.

All right, Kelly. How are you?

KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning again to you, Heidi.

Well, Democrats have partied here before -- five times, in fact. But this will be a Big Apple debut for the GOP.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE (voice-over): Workers prepare for what will be a GOP first, the first Republican convention to be held in New York City. Some New Yorkers are not exactly rolling out the welcome wagon.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Sunday! Drop the debt now!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Sunday! Drop the debt now!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Sunday! Drop the debt now!

WALLACE: Some even stripped to make their point. This is a city where registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans 5-1.

(on camera): Isn't this enemy territory for Republicans?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's no question that it's enemy territory for Republicans. But the fact of the matter is, is that you're speaking to America from New York City.

WALLACE (voice-over): Speaking to the nation at a crucial time with this race neck and neck. The latest CNN-"USA Today"-Gallup poll shows the president leading Senator John Kerry 50 to 47 percent among likely voters. Unchanged from two weeks ago.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (voice-over): Crimes committed on a day-to-day basis...

WALLACE: There are signs, though, the Swift Boat controversy could be having an impact; namely, on Senator Kerry. A month ago, 41 percent said that Kerry's military service made it more likely they would vote for him. That number has dropped to 22 percent. As for the president, Republican strategist Kieran Mahoney says he must accomplish two things next week.

KIERAN MAHONEY, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: He's got to establish that he's an effective war leader who has led the country appropriately through a time of crisis, and he's got to establish that the economy is in fact back and vibrant, and that he's the one responsible for it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The president of the United states, George W. Bush!

WALLACE: And it is no coincidence the president started his eight-state pre-convention swing with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: A man who brought calm to the citizens of New York City during a tragic day.

WALLACE: Another convention challenge, reminding voters of what he did in the days after September 11...

BUSH: I can hear you.

WALLACE: ... without appearing to be playing politics with the tragedy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: Now, there will be some Democrats in New York City. In fact, Democrats are setting up what they're calling a war room, just about seven blocks from here where we are at Madison Square Garden. And leading the counter-spin for the Democrats will be Iowa's governor, Tom Vilsack, as well as New York senators Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Kelly, you know, we've heard an awful lot about Republicans wanting to talk about the issues coming up this next week. So how much do you think John Kerry's name is actually going to be part of those discussions?

WALLACE: Well, Heidi, Republican strategists think John Kerry's name will be coming up quite a bit, saying speakers will want to draw distinctions between President Bush and John Kerry by focusing on the senator's record. In the Senate, there is, though, a fine line here, though, for the GOP. Because they don't want to be seen as doing too much Kerry bashing after a Democratic convention that was perceived to be trying to put a limit on the bashing of President Bush -- Heidi.

COLLINS: All right. Kelly Wallace, thanks so much for that -- Bill.

HEMMER: Heidi, let's break down the numbers now. CNN senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, in the studio this morning here in New York.

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST: Happy to be here.

HEMMER: Welcome to the Big Apple, my friend. Kelly just talked about those numbers, about the military record and the service, back on the screen for our viewers.

When asked if the military service makes you more likely or less likely to vote for John Kerry, the interesting numbers on the top line, now at 22 percent, down 19 points from just a few weeks ago. Is this an indication the Swift Boat ads are taking effect?

SCHNEIDER: Yes. I mean, he presented himself as a candidate who was a war hero. That was the entirety of the message at the Democratic convention. And that message got stepped on by the controversy driven by the Swift Boat ad. People didn't believe the ad. They don't think he lied about his service. President Bush said he doesn't think that Kerry lied about his service.

But they created doubts -- we just saw in the poll -- created a controversy. And number two, it gave -- it meant a lost opportunity. It really hijacked the entire campaign. The press was complicit sin this. Half a million dollars spent on that Swift Boat ad, and it became the news for three entire weeks.

HEMMER: That was the results of CNN-"USA Today"-Gallup. Here are the results from the "L.A. Times": three battleground states, Missouri, Wisconsin, Ohio, George Bush up two on John Kerry, up four in Wisconsin, up five in Ohio. How significant 67 days out?

SCHNEIDER: Well, both Missouri and Ohio, the Bill Hemmer state, both went for Bush last time. And they look like they're still inclined to like Bush. Kerry is stuck at 44 percent in every one of these polls.

Is there any good news here for Democrats? Just this: none of the polls show Bush or Kerry over 50 percent. Nobody has the majority in these polls. And if a majority are not voting for the incumbent president, he's still got some problems.

HEMMER: Back to our numbers, though, on the question about terrorism and leadership, George Bush a clear leader, 54 percent to 37 percent over John Kerry. Are people voting on 9/11 or are they voting on a war from 35 years ago?

SCHNEIDER: They're voting on lots of things, but not the Vietnam War. That's one of the reasons why this entire Swift Boat debate was such a distraction.

That poll result, by the way, indicates why the Republicans are going to talk a lot about how these are dangerous times, and President Bush and his administration will keep you safe. Terrorism, not Iraq, not the economy, terrorism is George Bush's best issue. It's one of his only issues.

HEMMER: And we're going to see an awful lot of you in the coming weeks.

SCHNEIDER: Oh, yes.

HEMMER: Good to have you here, Bill.

SCHNEIDER: Pleasure.

HEMMER: Bill Schneider here in New York.

Also, on Monday morning, AMERICAN MORNING is live from Madison Square Garden. In fact, we will canvas the entire town 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Hope to see you on Monday. Coverage beings then throughout the entire week -- Heidi. COLLINS: Earlier this morning, we reported on what President Bush is expected to do about some of the 9/11 Commission recommendations. And we just learned the president could sign executive orders implementing the changes as early as today.

Suzanne Malveaux at the White House with the very latest on all of this -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Heidi, we just learned from senior administration officials that the president will, in fact, sign those executive orders. Now, these are some of the recommendations from the 9/11 Commission.

Essentially, what this would do is implement or put in motion some of the steps that the president endorsed back on August 2, including creating a powerful new position, a national intelligence director. Also, creating a national counterterrorism center that would be run by that director, as well as enhancing the power of the current director of the CIA. That, of course, to -- to actually carry out the duties before the NID is approved by Congress. And finally, to encourage greater sharing of intelligence among spy agencies.

Now, Heidi, you know, there's been a lot of criticism of the White House, just how quickly they're going to move forward on the 9/11 recommendations, and whether or not this new national intelligence director would have any real type of power if he or she doesn't have budget authority. This is something that is still being debated in Congress, debated within the White House.

It is something that the president, of course, cannot sign off on during (ph) an executive order. It is something that requires lawmakers to actually do, and that is something that is very much in debate -- Heidi.

COLLINS: All right. Suzanne Malveaux, thanks so much for the update on all of that from the White House this morning.

We want to take a moment to check on the weather once again. Chad Myers at the CNN Center to do just that. He's there, almost -- there he is.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COLLINS: Chad, thanks a lot.

HEMMER: In a moment here, the latest on New Jersey and the governor, Jim McGreevey. The man accusing him of sexual harassment might be willing to settle. He says it will not cost McGreevey a dime. We'll explain that in a moment.

COLLINS: Also, a "New You" checkup today. Our parents who were struggling to find time for themselves with a new baby in the house, they started off strong but there was a bump on the road for one of them. We're going to tell you about that.

HEMMER: Also, if you want to get elected you've got to play the part. Politicians-turned-actors part five of our weeklong series, "Poli-Wood," ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey's accuser wants an apology. Golan Cipel, who says he was sexually harassed by the governor, now says he might drop his threat to sue if the governor says he's sorry. A spokesman says McGreevey has no reason to do that.

Earlier this month, McGreevey announcing that he will resign his position over a gay affair reportedly with Cipel. But McGreevey apparently doesn't want others to lose their job over the same matter. That's why he asked a Minor League Baseball team to rehire its announcer and scorekeeper.

The pair lost their jobs after dedicating the YMCA song to McGreevey during the game. The announcer apologized, got his job back. The scorekeeper says he's considering the offer -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Now to the conclusion of our weeklong series, "Poli- Wood," the mix of politics and entertainment. Today, the importance of a candidate's image in our media-driven world where a premium is placed on image. Are Hollywood directors playing a bigger role in politics?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROBERT DENIRO, "WAG THE DOG": We can distract the press for 11 days until the election and I think we've got a chance.

COLLINS (voice-over): "Wag the Dog" was a movie that showed how a little Hollywood magic could help politicians deceive the public. Could it happen in real life? The film's Academy Award-winning director, Barry Levinson, says yes.

BARRY LEVINSON, DIRECTOR: I think you see that -- you're seeing the connection more and more. I mean -- and it's a natural one, because everything is played out through, you know, a video source.

COLLINS (on camera): The candidates, you know, they're told to do this one day and this another day. I mean, I would -- I would think, with all of that image-building, or image consulting, do they lose themselves? I mean, who are we looking at?

LEVINSON: If you take Bush -- and Bush's image is that he's this real Texan, he's out on his ranch, and whatever -- but, you know, it was a person who was born in New England, who's part of that -- another place. The very thing that they speak out against, he is really part of. But he's cultivated the image of being this American, this Texan, and that whole thing.

COLLINS (voice-over): Republicans aren't the only ones cultivating their image. John Kerry blowing in the wind, or riding a bike, helps to convince voters he's more than just a politician.

CARTER ESKEW, POLITICAL STRATEGIST: It's not just what comes out of your mouth. It's also the whole backdrop, the whole scene. As long as, you know, networks are going to give candidates 30 to 60 seconds, they're going to have to make every second count. And part of that is packing it with meaningful visuals.

COLLINS: Which Levinson says may drive away some candidates away from running.

LEVINSON: All of the, you know, manipulation, what it does in the end, it eliminates probably the most capable people. Because, from what I've read, Thomas Jefferson could no more be president of the United States, you know, than the man in the moon nowadays. He wasn't a great community indicator. And he wasn't a great speaker. And he was a great president. And there -- and Lincoln would never be president because he certainly wouldn't look telegenic.

COLLINS: Could this mean more of a political future for experienced Hollywood directors? That possibility troubles Levinson.

LEVINSON: One of the things I heard, I thought, gee, look how we've changed. Kerry made his speech at the convention.

KERRY: I will restore trust and credibility to the White House.

LEVINSON: And one of the first, you know, talking heads said, "Well, I thought he spoke too quickly, he didn't wait long enough for the applause."

(LAUGHTER)

COLLINS (on camera): Clearly, that was not CNN.

LEVINSON: So you say, "You didn't wait long enough for the applause." What does that have to do with anything about the man or whatever he may be saying?

We're now literally talking about, you know, directing an actor. It scares me in terms of what we're capable of doing, and it scares me in terms of what the results may in fact be.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: With the presidential election only 67 days away now, we're likely in store for lots of Hollywood-like drama between now and November.

HEMMER: We're talking a lot today about the Republican convention starting on Monday. Another convention here in New York already wrapping up. Tiny in comparison.

Many of the stories to come out of it, though, nothing short of inspiration. We'll have one of them for you.

Also, Olympics trivia. Since the start of the modern summer games in 1896, and the winter games in 1924 -- listen up now -- only three countries have competed in every possible Olympiad. Which three countries hold that distinction? The answer in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: All right. Which three countries have competed every summer and winter games, going back to 1896, 1924, all that there? The answer is Switzerland, France and Great Britain. Great question. Australia and Greece have also competed in every summer Olympics, but not every winter Olympiad.

CAFFERTY: These are so good, I think we should keep doing them even after the Olympics are over.

COLLINS: OK. Will you write them?

CAFFERTY: Yes.

The "Question of the Day" is, how tough should the cops in New York get on the protesters who are pouring into the city ahead of next week's Republican National Convention? Had a couple of incidents yesterday, one harmless, two that were inconvenient. One cop got hurt, so -- and it could get more serious.

So we're thinking, you know, maybe you've got some ideas on this. And, boy, you do.

Fenton says, "I think the protesters who are responsible for the cops' injuries should be held accountable for those injuries. I don't think the maximum sentence is right."

But they could face 25 years. This cop had to have 40 stitches to close a wound in his leg.

"Some time should be served. A large monetary fine should be imposed."

Debra writes: "Jack, I would rather see naked protesters in New York than naked prisoners at Abu Ghraib any day. Get some perspective."

They picked up seven people with no clothes on down by the garden. But you can see that like, you know, any day here in New York.

John, in Lexington, New York, "New York police should protect the protester's right to dissent. This is what America is founded on. The Boston Tea Party was not a Republican social."

And Jim in Cambridge, New York, says, "I guess I'm getting two old for this crap of people dropping their drawers and invading private property all in the name of protest. The vote is still the more powerful form of protest. It doesn't harm or inconvenience anyone, except those who are voted out of office. Then again, I'm so damp grumpy and crotchety I make Cafferty look warm and fuzzy."

You must be a beauty, Jim.

(LAUGHTER)

COLLINS: You had warm and fuzzy e-mail just last week, too, about you. That's two now.

CAFFERTY: Well, and I've -- and I've been here three years. It's a start. You know what I'm saying?

HEMMER: That was Jim Cafferty there right now.

COLLINS: Right. All right. Thanks so much, Jack.

HEMMER: Thanks, Jack.

CAFFERTY: Yes.

COLLINS: In the week ahead, delegates to the Republican National Convention will take to the streets of New York. They'll probably see the theaters, the restaurants and the skyscrapers. But one thing they might not notice is the sight of homeless children. This morning, Jason Carroll has the story of one young man making the "Extra Effort" to get help for homeless kids.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As final preparations get under way for the Republican National Convention, not far away from that site another convention has just wrapped up.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Welcome to the first ever National Homeless Children's convention.

CARROLL: Much smaller than the one at Madison Square Garden, it lasted for just a day.

JR BENNETT, HOMELESS: To rebuild shelters is just -- you're just adding to the problem.

CARROLL: This convention, sponsored by an organization called Coalition for the Homeless, is designed to help homeless children. JR Bennett is one of the driving forces behind the idea.

BENNETT: There's a war right here called homelessness.

CARROLL: JR is just a teenager, although it might not be obvious from the maturity of his poetry.

BENNETT: But on the dark side of the flag, what you do not see is this country is not yet free. Around the time I wrote it, like around last summer, like I was -- I was -- I had just moved into another shelter.

CARROLL: JR is 16 years old, and looks like many teenagers you might see on the street. But unlike most, he has been homeless for as long as he can remember.

BENNETT Everybody like is -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) myself, and it forced me to push my -- I pushed myself in kind of like an isolation.

CARROLL: While JR was a baby, his father lost his job after staying home to care for JR's ailing mother. She later died from her illness.

JR and his father spent years living in and out of shelters. He grew tired of the system and turned from being inward to helping others like him. And JR says his age works for him.

BENNETT: I haven't necessarily, say, picked a side. Like, to everything there's a side. Like say when we have the Democrats, Republicans. I haven't necessarily said that I'm on a side. It's just I'm speaking out, saying, you know, enough is enough.

CARROLL: During a typical year, 1.4 million children like JR are homeless. He hopes the convention will help raise awareness. He says he'll keep putting his face out there to speak to Republicans, Democrats, anyone who will listen.

Jason Carroll, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Excellent self-motivation on his part.

HEMMER: Yes. Very good.

Get a break here in a moment. A big day in the Kobe Bryant matter. Lawyers starting to pick the men and women who will hold the NBA star's fate and future in their hands in that case.

Also, the latest from Russia, that deadly plane crash, two of them, in fact, on Tuesday. Is there new evidence that now points to a cause?

We'll get to that after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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