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CNN Live Today
Tonight's Theme at Republican National Convention: People of Compassion; California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Appears Tonight
Aired August 31, 2004 - 10:00 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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: And we'll get started here. Good morning from CNN world headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's start with what's happening now in the news.
Police in southern Israel say they are not yet sure if suicide bombers are to blame for the simultaneous explosions aboard two buses in Beer Sheva. At least 14 people were killed and 86 others wounded. There have been only a few attacks in Israel since late winter.
An Islamic web site has shown gruesome images of what it said is the execution of 12 Nepalese held hostage. CNN is working to confirm the authenticity of the video, which shows 11 men shot at close range and one beheaded. The group calls itself Jaish Ansar al Sunna. It claims to have kidnapped the Nepali citizens just over a week ago.
Two very different stories are emerging from the military court hearing for Private First Class Lynndie England. A fellow soldier, who has entered a guilty plea in the case, testified that England seemed to enjoy the mistreatment of the Abu Ghraib prisoners. A witness in her defense testified that military intelligence operatives helped lead the abuse. The hearing will determine if England should face a court-martial.
At least three people are confirmed dead in Richmond, Virginia where Tropical Storm Gaston has unleashed devastating floods. Rains dumped as much as a foot of rain on the city and triggered floodwaters up to 10 feet deep. In just about 20 minutes, we'll go live to Richmond for a live report.
Live this hour, while fellow Republicans praise him in New York City, President Bush is speaking at another convention, this one in Nashville, Tennessee. The president addresses the American Legion. That is the country's largest veterans group. John Kerry addresses that group tomorrow.
Tonight's theme at the Republican National Convention in New York is People of Compassion. But that sentiment seemed to be missing for some last night.
Our Bob Franken is outside Madison Square Garden this morning.
Bob, good morning.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. And already on occasion, this convention has gotten what they call "off- message." And it's just gotten started. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN (voice-over): The Republicans' first night turned into a reminder of just how bitterly divided the nation is with help from their political enemies, like filmmaker Michael Moore, taunting inside the hall from the press section. And drawing a taunt right back from the night's headliner, who insisted the president made the right choice to fight the war in Iraq that Moore has so brutally criticized.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
(APPLAUSE)
(CHEERING)
MCCAIN: Not our political opponents, not -- and certainly not -- and certainly not a disingenuous filmmaker, who would have us believe...
(APPLAUSE)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF HE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Thank you for coming.
FRANKEN: Michael Moore wasn't the only distraction. From outside, Democrats pounced after President Bush said in a "Today Show" interview about the war on terror, "I don't think you can win it." That caused a White House clarification. The president was talking about winning in the conventional sense, a different kind of war.
But there was a much more direct statement at the convention from the night's other featured speaker.
RUDY GIULIANI (R), FMR. MAYOR, NEW YORK CITY: We'll see an end to global terrorism. I can see it, I believe it, I know it will happen.
FRANKEN: Happening tonight is an appearance by another Republican leading man, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who provided a preview of coming attractions by checking out the hall. He'll share top billing with First Lady Laura Bush.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN: And the way things are going, the script isn't going to exactly follow the script because events and people from outside the fold are being Republican Party party crashers -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And we'll have more on that.
Bob Franken, thank you, live from New York City.
The latest ad from the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth was released this morning, and it attacks John Kerry for his anti-Vietnam War stance after he came back from the war. The commercial is the latest from one of the independent political groups also known as 527s. That is for the tax code number that allows them to run these kinds of ads.
Appearing on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," First Lady Laura Bush joined her husband in calling for an end to all such ads.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY: Those 527 ads that aren't from either campaign have been against both candidates. A lot of them have been against my husband. And in fact, my husband and John McCain have both filed suit with the FEC to ask the FEC to rule on getting rid of 527s. And I'm wondering if Senator Kerry will join them in that suit to make sure that 527s aren't there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Mrs. Bush also says that she is flattered by poll numbers saying 63 percent of Americans have a favorable opinion of her.
As Republicans lay out their positions, some Democrats are in New York City to rapidly respond. Former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey, also a member of the 9/11 Commission appeared on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING." That is where he responded to a comment made by Senator John McCain at last night's convention. In his speech, Senator McCain called the mission in Iraq "necessary, achievable and noble."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOB KERREY (D), FMR. SENATOR, 9/11 COMMISSION MEMBER: I agree with the beginning of what John said. And so does John Kerry, in fact. I mean the problem, though, is that as a consequence of the way the president has done the diplomat and the political side. I mean even he secretly hopes that John Kerry wins, because he's -- John's got -- John Kerry's got the capacity to do the diplomatic side of his venture, to make certain that the victory that George Bush wants is secured.
Americans really ought to vote for John Kerry, because he's got the capacity to do those things diplomatically that the president right now simply cannot get done.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: A little more now about California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's appearance tonight at the GOP convention.
Let's check in with our political analyst Carlos Watson.
Hi, Carlos.
CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Daryn Kagan, good morning.
KAGAN: Let's look at these two men: President Bush and Governor Schwarzenegger, some issues, it's a wonder they are in the same party. When you look at where they stand on abortion, on gay rights and gun control. WATSON: Not surprising. But again, California's a much more liberal state, decidedly Democratic in the last several elections. And obviously, the president has won the presidency with greater support from the conservative parts of the country, including the south.
But with all that said, it's important for the president to show a more compassion, conservative face. And the immigrant turned actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger is an important part of tonight.
KAGAN: Now, what do you say to people who say you know? There are really two Republican Parties having a convention here. You have the moderate face that's being put out on television in people like: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rudy Giuliani, John McCain last night. But if you look in the party's platform, what's in there is meant to appeal to the very conservative end of the Republican Party. And it's two different issues.
WATSON: I think it's not unusual that Democrats and Republicans constantly are trying to serve multiple masters. You saw in Boston Democrats tried to put on a more centrist, a more new Democratic face. They had Bill Clinton among others as keynote speakers during primetime. And they were trying to move, if you will, from the left to the center.
And here you see Republicans doing the opposite, trying to move from the right to the center. It's not a surprise. And in a closely contested election where maybe one in five voters is still undecided at this point.
KAGAN: In the next hour, we're going to see President Bush make an appearance in Nashville. He is at the American Legion convention. Tomorrow Senator Kerry will address the same group. Usually that wouldn't be news worthy. But what happened to the old tradition of the opposite candidate stays dark during the convention for the other party?
WATSON: What happened was the election in 2000 that got decided by a half million votes. Both sides know that every vote counts. Obviously post-9/11, national security is extraordinarily important. Some 40 percent of voters say that's the single most important set of issues, which is up from roughly 5 percent to 10 percent last time. So a fairly significant focus on it.
It's not surprising that John Kerry would go and see those veterans and talk to them about national security issues. Even during the other party's convention.
KAGAN: And then real quickly, Carlos. In Florida today, we're seeing the Senate primary. Besides looking to see who comes out of that, what other indications will we be looking at?
WATSON: You know, I think I'd look at turnout. So we know that last time around there were severe voting problems in Florida. Will some of those get cleaned up? We may learn a little bit about that today. And also, how intense is this campaign. Will we see significant turnout here, which will ripple through and towards the fall?
I'm one of those who believe that we may have the highest turnout in percentage terms than we've had in the last 30 years. Maybe 56 or 57 percent of the voting age population may turn out in November.
KAGAN: All right. Carlos Watson at the diner. What's for breakfast this morning?
WATSON: We have a little muffin here and there, and some coffee and orange juice on the way.
KAGAN: All right. Well, you enjoy it. And tip well. People are watching.
WATSON: Wait. Hey, we've got some here for you, Daryn Kagan.
KAGAN: Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Carlos.
WATSON: Take care.
KAGAN: Let's show you a live picture from Tennessee. President Bush, Air Force 1 is landing there. Very soon he'll be addressing the American Legion, their national convention. This is the largest group of veterans that he will be addressing in the country.
Live picture, there you go. That's what happens. OK. We will get out of the way.
Anyhow, President Bush will be speaking later. Senator John Kerry will speak to the same group tomorrow. You'll see both comments live here on CNN.
Ten minutes after the hour, a New York City police detective is listed in stable condition, after he was beaten unconscious during a demonstration. It happened last night at the end of a march from the United States United Nations to Madison Square Garden. Police say the detective was in plain clothes and patrolling a crowd on a scooter, when he was pulled off the scooter, pushed to the ground, punched and kicked in the head. No arrests have been made.
Police are getting ready for more possible trouble as protesters mobilize for what activists are calling a Day of Civil Disobedience. That is today.
Our Deborah Feyerick is outside Madison Square Garden with more on that.
Deborah, good morning.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Well, they're calling it a day of action. The protest group, A-31 saying that they want to take to the streets and force change. On their web site, they quote the methods of Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement. The main action tonight at about 7:00 when they will come here to the convention site and stage what they call "sit-ins and die-ins." They're promising that it will all be nonviolent.
Now, the protest so far have been largely peaceful. The biggest one on Sunday drew a crowd of two miles, that's how big that one particular peaceful rally was. Yesterday, a little bit smaller, just a few thousand demonstrators who were out here. They were fighting against AIDS.
Police have made more than 550 arrests, the majority of those for disorderly conduct. Three police officers out of a total of 10,000 have been injured while covering this particular convention. Now, last night, as you mentioned, a plains clothes detective was pulled from his scooter. Police are not releasing the details of that incident, specifically what sparked it. As you mentioned, no arrests have been made.
Today the peaceful protests include: the Coalition of U.S. Postal Workers, The War Resistors League, People for the American Way, as well as an interfaith rally. And as for the other group, the one that's going to be staging those sit-ins and die-ins, they're expected to come here at about 7:00. But first, they're going to be stopping by different groups, different corporations that back President Bush -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Deborah Feyerick in New York City. Deborah, thank you.
You can get a clear view of the activities at the Republican convention right here on CNN. Our primetime coverage begins at 7:00 tonight with Anderson Cooper, Wolf Blitzer and Larry King. And at 10:00 Eastern, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger takes the stage. And stay with us for "NEWSNIGHT" with Aaron Brown. Larry King wraps up the evening at midnight. All those times are Eastern.
Simultaneous explosions rock the Mid East. We are live in Beer Sheva with the latest on the apparent attacks in Israel.
And the remnants of Gaston flood much of Virginia and a state of Virginia -- emergency has been declared. The latest on the devastation and your complete forecast is straight ahead.
And an Iraqi born American addresses the Republican convention. Hear what she says about Iraq now that Saddam Hussein is gone
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Live picture there from Nashville, Tennessee. See Air Force 1 and President Bush about to deplane. He is there to address the American Legion, the national convention of the largest veterans group in the United States.
At the base of the stairs, if you look real closely, they're about to -- well, focus in just a little past John McCain at the foot of the stairs there to greet the president. John McCain, the senator, one of the speakers last night at the Republican National Convention, supporting President Bush and his decision to lead the nation into war in Iraq.
We'll check back in Nashville, also have the president's comments for you just ahead.
Right now, we move on with the news and we go to the Middle East for more deadly violence. We are following a developing story from there. Simultaneous explosions have ripped apart two buses in the southern Israeli city of Beer Sheva. There are dozens of casualties.
Our Stan Grant is on the phone right now from Beer Sheva with the latest -- Stan.
STAN GRANT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Daryn. I'm actually standing right outside one of the buses that has been blown apart in this explosion. An absolutely devastating scene. Giving you an indication (UNINTELLIGIBLE)the force of this blast. I'm standing probably about 20 meters away. And one of the seats that's inside the bus, which has been completely damaged, one of the seats is standing directly in front of me. Again, I'd say about 20 meters away.
A look on the ground, I can just see the extraordinary power of this and how unexpected it must have been to people on the bus. There's a bloody box of cookies on the ground. There's a pen and what looks to be a child's school textbook on the ground here as well. It's a flurry of activities. Bodies are still being treated; the wounded are still being carried away to the local hospital.
There are people gathering nearby (UNINTELLIGIBLE)vantage points. The look on their faces, as far as you can expect, is absolute horror. They tried to take onboard exactly what has happened here.
Now, we've been on the phone to the official Israeli government spokesman, who is confirming the numbers for you. I'll run through them now. Fourteen at this stage confirmed dead. Eighty-four, that's 84 people have been injured and seven of them seriously.
It happened about 3:00 p.m. in the city, as you say, of Beer Sheva, which is a city of about 200,000 people. Israeli police believe that two suicide bombers entered two buses traveling down this main street near a shopping mall not far from the university, not far from the hospital, and detonated those bombs.
Now as I say an extraordinary scene here at the moment. There's people still moving around. And it is very difficult to try to actually get any closer than we are. But they're confirming that 14 people so far have been killed.
Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister vowing that he will continue to push ahead and crack down on terrorism wherever and whenever it occurs. He's convening a special cabinet meeting in a couple of hours from now to address the security situation.
Now, Hamas, we believe, is claiming responsibility for this attack. We heard that in the nearby Palestinian settlement of Hebron, Hamas has been driving through the streets there, and also in Gaza, announcing over loud speakers that indeed they are responsible for this suicide attack.
As far as the Palestinian Authority is concerned, we've been on the phone besides with Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian cabinet minister. And Daryn, he's saying That Palestinians condemn violence against people, whether they're Israelis or Palestinians -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And Stan, it does seem like there has been a significant amount of time since we've seen an attack like this take place.
GRANT: Fair, indeed. The last two (UNINTELLIGIBLE)it was another double suicide bombing. It happened in the town of Ashdod, it's actually not very far from here. It happened in March. Now, the Israeli security authorities say that that is because they have been extra vigilant. Very much of the security forces here, these bombing attacks, they say they took down to the security fence. The security wall, which has been erected around many of the Palestinian areas. Interestingly, there is a plan for a security fence around Hebron at the moment that has not been erected.
Now, as far as the Palestinians are concerned, we were in Hamas -- we were in Gaza only a week ago, speaking there to one of the official spokesman of Hamas. And he said despite the fact that Israel has thwarted attempted suicide bombings, that Hamas had not given up on their tactics. And he warned us then that Israel were in a panicked state for more of these attacks. It seems today that warning has come to fruition to cause the most devastating and deadly consequences -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Stan Grant, thank you for that report from Beer Sheva and the site of those two bus attacks.
A lot more news to look at right here in the U.S. including news from Virginia. Actually, news from Tennessee. Live picture -- is this a live picture or tape? This is tape just a few minutes ago. This is President Bush deplaning from Air Force 1 in Nashville, Tennessee. Taking place as we were taking that live report from Israel.
President Bush is in Nashville to address the American Legion National Convention, the largest gathering of veteran groups in the country. President Bush speaks there today. Senator John Kerry will speak there tomorrow. And speaking of senators, you see John McCain there at the foot of the stairs to personally greet the president in Nashville, Tennessee.
We do have lot of news from around the U.S., including a state of emergency being declared in Virginia. The latest on the devastating floods caused by the remnants of Gaston.
And tonight, strongman Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to address the RNC. Can his presence pump up the swing vote for the Republicans? Stay with us and see what you think.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Virginia Governor Mark Warner has declared a state of emergency in downtown Richmond. That is where 20 blocks have been roped off and are now being condemned. Tropical Storm Gaston has dumped as much as a foot of rain, submerging some streets in 10 feet of water and sweeping cars into buildings. At least three deaths are blamed on the flooding.
Did the current President Bush fighting his father's battle with Saddam Hussein? What George Bush Sr., or George H.W. Bush told our Paula Zahn when she asked that question.
And get ready, RNC, the governor is coming. But does Arnold Schwarzenegger have the power to grab the swing vote? Find out when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired August 31, 2004 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: And we'll get started here. Good morning from CNN world headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's start with what's happening now in the news.
Police in southern Israel say they are not yet sure if suicide bombers are to blame for the simultaneous explosions aboard two buses in Beer Sheva. At least 14 people were killed and 86 others wounded. There have been only a few attacks in Israel since late winter.
An Islamic web site has shown gruesome images of what it said is the execution of 12 Nepalese held hostage. CNN is working to confirm the authenticity of the video, which shows 11 men shot at close range and one beheaded. The group calls itself Jaish Ansar al Sunna. It claims to have kidnapped the Nepali citizens just over a week ago.
Two very different stories are emerging from the military court hearing for Private First Class Lynndie England. A fellow soldier, who has entered a guilty plea in the case, testified that England seemed to enjoy the mistreatment of the Abu Ghraib prisoners. A witness in her defense testified that military intelligence operatives helped lead the abuse. The hearing will determine if England should face a court-martial.
At least three people are confirmed dead in Richmond, Virginia where Tropical Storm Gaston has unleashed devastating floods. Rains dumped as much as a foot of rain on the city and triggered floodwaters up to 10 feet deep. In just about 20 minutes, we'll go live to Richmond for a live report.
Live this hour, while fellow Republicans praise him in New York City, President Bush is speaking at another convention, this one in Nashville, Tennessee. The president addresses the American Legion. That is the country's largest veterans group. John Kerry addresses that group tomorrow.
Tonight's theme at the Republican National Convention in New York is People of Compassion. But that sentiment seemed to be missing for some last night.
Our Bob Franken is outside Madison Square Garden this morning.
Bob, good morning.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. And already on occasion, this convention has gotten what they call "off- message." And it's just gotten started. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN (voice-over): The Republicans' first night turned into a reminder of just how bitterly divided the nation is with help from their political enemies, like filmmaker Michael Moore, taunting inside the hall from the press section. And drawing a taunt right back from the night's headliner, who insisted the president made the right choice to fight the war in Iraq that Moore has so brutally criticized.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
(APPLAUSE)
(CHEERING)
MCCAIN: Not our political opponents, not -- and certainly not -- and certainly not a disingenuous filmmaker, who would have us believe...
(APPLAUSE)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF HE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Thank you for coming.
FRANKEN: Michael Moore wasn't the only distraction. From outside, Democrats pounced after President Bush said in a "Today Show" interview about the war on terror, "I don't think you can win it." That caused a White House clarification. The president was talking about winning in the conventional sense, a different kind of war.
But there was a much more direct statement at the convention from the night's other featured speaker.
RUDY GIULIANI (R), FMR. MAYOR, NEW YORK CITY: We'll see an end to global terrorism. I can see it, I believe it, I know it will happen.
FRANKEN: Happening tonight is an appearance by another Republican leading man, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who provided a preview of coming attractions by checking out the hall. He'll share top billing with First Lady Laura Bush.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN: And the way things are going, the script isn't going to exactly follow the script because events and people from outside the fold are being Republican Party party crashers -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And we'll have more on that.
Bob Franken, thank you, live from New York City.
The latest ad from the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth was released this morning, and it attacks John Kerry for his anti-Vietnam War stance after he came back from the war. The commercial is the latest from one of the independent political groups also known as 527s. That is for the tax code number that allows them to run these kinds of ads.
Appearing on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," First Lady Laura Bush joined her husband in calling for an end to all such ads.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY: Those 527 ads that aren't from either campaign have been against both candidates. A lot of them have been against my husband. And in fact, my husband and John McCain have both filed suit with the FEC to ask the FEC to rule on getting rid of 527s. And I'm wondering if Senator Kerry will join them in that suit to make sure that 527s aren't there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Mrs. Bush also says that she is flattered by poll numbers saying 63 percent of Americans have a favorable opinion of her.
As Republicans lay out their positions, some Democrats are in New York City to rapidly respond. Former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey, also a member of the 9/11 Commission appeared on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING." That is where he responded to a comment made by Senator John McCain at last night's convention. In his speech, Senator McCain called the mission in Iraq "necessary, achievable and noble."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOB KERREY (D), FMR. SENATOR, 9/11 COMMISSION MEMBER: I agree with the beginning of what John said. And so does John Kerry, in fact. I mean the problem, though, is that as a consequence of the way the president has done the diplomat and the political side. I mean even he secretly hopes that John Kerry wins, because he's -- John's got -- John Kerry's got the capacity to do the diplomatic side of his venture, to make certain that the victory that George Bush wants is secured.
Americans really ought to vote for John Kerry, because he's got the capacity to do those things diplomatically that the president right now simply cannot get done.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: A little more now about California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's appearance tonight at the GOP convention.
Let's check in with our political analyst Carlos Watson.
Hi, Carlos.
CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Daryn Kagan, good morning.
KAGAN: Let's look at these two men: President Bush and Governor Schwarzenegger, some issues, it's a wonder they are in the same party. When you look at where they stand on abortion, on gay rights and gun control. WATSON: Not surprising. But again, California's a much more liberal state, decidedly Democratic in the last several elections. And obviously, the president has won the presidency with greater support from the conservative parts of the country, including the south.
But with all that said, it's important for the president to show a more compassion, conservative face. And the immigrant turned actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger is an important part of tonight.
KAGAN: Now, what do you say to people who say you know? There are really two Republican Parties having a convention here. You have the moderate face that's being put out on television in people like: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rudy Giuliani, John McCain last night. But if you look in the party's platform, what's in there is meant to appeal to the very conservative end of the Republican Party. And it's two different issues.
WATSON: I think it's not unusual that Democrats and Republicans constantly are trying to serve multiple masters. You saw in Boston Democrats tried to put on a more centrist, a more new Democratic face. They had Bill Clinton among others as keynote speakers during primetime. And they were trying to move, if you will, from the left to the center.
And here you see Republicans doing the opposite, trying to move from the right to the center. It's not a surprise. And in a closely contested election where maybe one in five voters is still undecided at this point.
KAGAN: In the next hour, we're going to see President Bush make an appearance in Nashville. He is at the American Legion convention. Tomorrow Senator Kerry will address the same group. Usually that wouldn't be news worthy. But what happened to the old tradition of the opposite candidate stays dark during the convention for the other party?
WATSON: What happened was the election in 2000 that got decided by a half million votes. Both sides know that every vote counts. Obviously post-9/11, national security is extraordinarily important. Some 40 percent of voters say that's the single most important set of issues, which is up from roughly 5 percent to 10 percent last time. So a fairly significant focus on it.
It's not surprising that John Kerry would go and see those veterans and talk to them about national security issues. Even during the other party's convention.
KAGAN: And then real quickly, Carlos. In Florida today, we're seeing the Senate primary. Besides looking to see who comes out of that, what other indications will we be looking at?
WATSON: You know, I think I'd look at turnout. So we know that last time around there were severe voting problems in Florida. Will some of those get cleaned up? We may learn a little bit about that today. And also, how intense is this campaign. Will we see significant turnout here, which will ripple through and towards the fall?
I'm one of those who believe that we may have the highest turnout in percentage terms than we've had in the last 30 years. Maybe 56 or 57 percent of the voting age population may turn out in November.
KAGAN: All right. Carlos Watson at the diner. What's for breakfast this morning?
WATSON: We have a little muffin here and there, and some coffee and orange juice on the way.
KAGAN: All right. Well, you enjoy it. And tip well. People are watching.
WATSON: Wait. Hey, we've got some here for you, Daryn Kagan.
KAGAN: Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Carlos.
WATSON: Take care.
KAGAN: Let's show you a live picture from Tennessee. President Bush, Air Force 1 is landing there. Very soon he'll be addressing the American Legion, their national convention. This is the largest group of veterans that he will be addressing in the country.
Live picture, there you go. That's what happens. OK. We will get out of the way.
Anyhow, President Bush will be speaking later. Senator John Kerry will speak to the same group tomorrow. You'll see both comments live here on CNN.
Ten minutes after the hour, a New York City police detective is listed in stable condition, after he was beaten unconscious during a demonstration. It happened last night at the end of a march from the United States United Nations to Madison Square Garden. Police say the detective was in plain clothes and patrolling a crowd on a scooter, when he was pulled off the scooter, pushed to the ground, punched and kicked in the head. No arrests have been made.
Police are getting ready for more possible trouble as protesters mobilize for what activists are calling a Day of Civil Disobedience. That is today.
Our Deborah Feyerick is outside Madison Square Garden with more on that.
Deborah, good morning.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Well, they're calling it a day of action. The protest group, A-31 saying that they want to take to the streets and force change. On their web site, they quote the methods of Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement. The main action tonight at about 7:00 when they will come here to the convention site and stage what they call "sit-ins and die-ins." They're promising that it will all be nonviolent.
Now, the protest so far have been largely peaceful. The biggest one on Sunday drew a crowd of two miles, that's how big that one particular peaceful rally was. Yesterday, a little bit smaller, just a few thousand demonstrators who were out here. They were fighting against AIDS.
Police have made more than 550 arrests, the majority of those for disorderly conduct. Three police officers out of a total of 10,000 have been injured while covering this particular convention. Now, last night, as you mentioned, a plains clothes detective was pulled from his scooter. Police are not releasing the details of that incident, specifically what sparked it. As you mentioned, no arrests have been made.
Today the peaceful protests include: the Coalition of U.S. Postal Workers, The War Resistors League, People for the American Way, as well as an interfaith rally. And as for the other group, the one that's going to be staging those sit-ins and die-ins, they're expected to come here at about 7:00. But first, they're going to be stopping by different groups, different corporations that back President Bush -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Deborah Feyerick in New York City. Deborah, thank you.
You can get a clear view of the activities at the Republican convention right here on CNN. Our primetime coverage begins at 7:00 tonight with Anderson Cooper, Wolf Blitzer and Larry King. And at 10:00 Eastern, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger takes the stage. And stay with us for "NEWSNIGHT" with Aaron Brown. Larry King wraps up the evening at midnight. All those times are Eastern.
Simultaneous explosions rock the Mid East. We are live in Beer Sheva with the latest on the apparent attacks in Israel.
And the remnants of Gaston flood much of Virginia and a state of Virginia -- emergency has been declared. The latest on the devastation and your complete forecast is straight ahead.
And an Iraqi born American addresses the Republican convention. Hear what she says about Iraq now that Saddam Hussein is gone
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KAGAN: Live picture there from Nashville, Tennessee. See Air Force 1 and President Bush about to deplane. He is there to address the American Legion, the national convention of the largest veterans group in the United States.
At the base of the stairs, if you look real closely, they're about to -- well, focus in just a little past John McCain at the foot of the stairs there to greet the president. John McCain, the senator, one of the speakers last night at the Republican National Convention, supporting President Bush and his decision to lead the nation into war in Iraq.
We'll check back in Nashville, also have the president's comments for you just ahead.
Right now, we move on with the news and we go to the Middle East for more deadly violence. We are following a developing story from there. Simultaneous explosions have ripped apart two buses in the southern Israeli city of Beer Sheva. There are dozens of casualties.
Our Stan Grant is on the phone right now from Beer Sheva with the latest -- Stan.
STAN GRANT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Daryn. I'm actually standing right outside one of the buses that has been blown apart in this explosion. An absolutely devastating scene. Giving you an indication (UNINTELLIGIBLE)the force of this blast. I'm standing probably about 20 meters away. And one of the seats that's inside the bus, which has been completely damaged, one of the seats is standing directly in front of me. Again, I'd say about 20 meters away.
A look on the ground, I can just see the extraordinary power of this and how unexpected it must have been to people on the bus. There's a bloody box of cookies on the ground. There's a pen and what looks to be a child's school textbook on the ground here as well. It's a flurry of activities. Bodies are still being treated; the wounded are still being carried away to the local hospital.
There are people gathering nearby (UNINTELLIGIBLE)vantage points. The look on their faces, as far as you can expect, is absolute horror. They tried to take onboard exactly what has happened here.
Now, we've been on the phone to the official Israeli government spokesman, who is confirming the numbers for you. I'll run through them now. Fourteen at this stage confirmed dead. Eighty-four, that's 84 people have been injured and seven of them seriously.
It happened about 3:00 p.m. in the city, as you say, of Beer Sheva, which is a city of about 200,000 people. Israeli police believe that two suicide bombers entered two buses traveling down this main street near a shopping mall not far from the university, not far from the hospital, and detonated those bombs.
Now as I say an extraordinary scene here at the moment. There's people still moving around. And it is very difficult to try to actually get any closer than we are. But they're confirming that 14 people so far have been killed.
Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister vowing that he will continue to push ahead and crack down on terrorism wherever and whenever it occurs. He's convening a special cabinet meeting in a couple of hours from now to address the security situation.
Now, Hamas, we believe, is claiming responsibility for this attack. We heard that in the nearby Palestinian settlement of Hebron, Hamas has been driving through the streets there, and also in Gaza, announcing over loud speakers that indeed they are responsible for this suicide attack.
As far as the Palestinian Authority is concerned, we've been on the phone besides with Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian cabinet minister. And Daryn, he's saying That Palestinians condemn violence against people, whether they're Israelis or Palestinians -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And Stan, it does seem like there has been a significant amount of time since we've seen an attack like this take place.
GRANT: Fair, indeed. The last two (UNINTELLIGIBLE)it was another double suicide bombing. It happened in the town of Ashdod, it's actually not very far from here. It happened in March. Now, the Israeli security authorities say that that is because they have been extra vigilant. Very much of the security forces here, these bombing attacks, they say they took down to the security fence. The security wall, which has been erected around many of the Palestinian areas. Interestingly, there is a plan for a security fence around Hebron at the moment that has not been erected.
Now, as far as the Palestinians are concerned, we were in Hamas -- we were in Gaza only a week ago, speaking there to one of the official spokesman of Hamas. And he said despite the fact that Israel has thwarted attempted suicide bombings, that Hamas had not given up on their tactics. And he warned us then that Israel were in a panicked state for more of these attacks. It seems today that warning has come to fruition to cause the most devastating and deadly consequences -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Stan Grant, thank you for that report from Beer Sheva and the site of those two bus attacks.
A lot more news to look at right here in the U.S. including news from Virginia. Actually, news from Tennessee. Live picture -- is this a live picture or tape? This is tape just a few minutes ago. This is President Bush deplaning from Air Force 1 in Nashville, Tennessee. Taking place as we were taking that live report from Israel.
President Bush is in Nashville to address the American Legion National Convention, the largest gathering of veteran groups in the country. President Bush speaks there today. Senator John Kerry will speak there tomorrow. And speaking of senators, you see John McCain there at the foot of the stairs to personally greet the president in Nashville, Tennessee.
We do have lot of news from around the U.S., including a state of emergency being declared in Virginia. The latest on the devastating floods caused by the remnants of Gaston.
And tonight, strongman Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to address the RNC. Can his presence pump up the swing vote for the Republicans? Stay with us and see what you think.
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KAGAN: Virginia Governor Mark Warner has declared a state of emergency in downtown Richmond. That is where 20 blocks have been roped off and are now being condemned. Tropical Storm Gaston has dumped as much as a foot of rain, submerging some streets in 10 feet of water and sweeping cars into buildings. At least three deaths are blamed on the flooding.
Did the current President Bush fighting his father's battle with Saddam Hussein? What George Bush Sr., or George H.W. Bush told our Paula Zahn when she asked that question.
And get ready, RNC, the governor is coming. But does Arnold Schwarzenegger have the power to grab the swing vote? Find out when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.
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