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American Morning
Bombings in Israel; RNC Day One Recap; Chocolates Prevent Heart Disease?; Athletic Candidates
Aired August 31, 2004 - 08:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Want to quickly get you back to Israel now, updating you on a story we're learning about.
According to Israeli media now, 12 people are dead in the explosions we've been talking about. Two explosions involving buses.
Want to get straight to Guy Raz; he's live in Jerusalem now with the very latest on all of this -- Guy.
GUY RAZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Heidi, we understand now that there were two explosions in the southern Israeli city of Beer Sheva within the last hour. Now as you mentioned, according to Israeli media reports, there have been 12 fatalities, 12 people have been killed in two explosions.
It's not clear whether they were suicide attacks yet and we have had no word on that. No word on responsibility for what took place.
We also understand that at least 35 people have been seriously wounded in those twin bomb blasts in the southern city of Beer Sheva.
Now we have also been told right now that from the Palestinian Authority -- we have received a statement condemning this explosion.
The Palestinian Authority tells CNN that it condemns all attacks against civilians whether they are Israeli or Palestinians, but again I should reiterate we haven't been able to confirm whether these have in fact been suicide attacks.
Now if indeed they have, Heidi, it would be the first time in many months that a suicide blast has taken place inside Israel -- the last time any kind of explosion occurred was earlier this month in the West Bank near a checkpoint into Jerusalem, the Qalandiya checkpoint.
That attack killed two Palestinians waiting to get into Jerusalem. Now this -- these explosions come on the day when Israel's prime minister has announced that he will attempt to accelerate a plan to withdraw Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip so also political developments, and I'm sure we will have more information as the developments from these explosions begins to come in -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right, some pretty upsetting pictures there to look at, too. Guy Raz, thanks so much for that.
Again, 12 people dead in these explosions now in Beer Sheva. Thanks so much, Guy. Other stories making news now this morning. Lawyers for the man accused in Fresno, California's worst mass murder will return to court in two weeks seeking a change of venue.
Marcus Wesson is charged with killing nine of his children. He also faces more than a dozen counts of sexual abuse. Wesson's attorney's claim he won't get a fair trial in Fresno County because of publicity.
Within the half hour, the fight over a woman with brain damage goes to the Florida Supreme Court. Terri Schiavo is at the center of one of the most bitter right-to-die disputes in the country. Her husband is battling her parents who want to keep her alive. Schiavo has been on life support for 14 years.
And a welcome home for the Iraqi Soccer Team. These images just in to CNN. The soccer team arriving back in Baghdad just hours ago. A fourth place finish at the Olympics after an impressive run including victories against Portugal, Costa Rica, and Australia.
Heading back over to Bill now at Madison Square Garden -- Bill.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Heidi. Republicans making President Bush's response to the attacks of 9/11 a central theme last night -- was heard repeatedly last evening. The opening of the convention here featuring addresses from Arizona Senator John McCain and from the former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani both praising the president before a very receptive audience of delegates.
How will those speeches, though, resonate outside of New York with the undecided voters? Our senior analyst Bill Schneider with us this morning, and good morning to you.
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POL. ANALYST: Good morning.
HEMMER: 9/11 a central theme last night. I mention we heard it repeatedly. Here with Senator McCain at one point last night talking about that event three years ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: In that moment we were not different races; we were not poor or rich; we were not Democrat or Republican; liberal or conservative. We were not two countries. We were Americans.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: I hear two things in that, not just 9/11, but also the message that he talked about last night, the politics today getting nasty.
SCHNEIDER: Well, exactly. Notice the tense -- we were not two countries, we were Americans, we were united. The country is not united any more. He was trying to evoke the moment after 9/11, which lasted actually about a year when the whole country was united behind George Bush.
In fact, for a year, a majority of Democrats supported Bush and the whole world supported the United States in Afghanistan. That moment was lost.
Why? Iraq. He was trying to recover it.
HEMMER: John McCain did not mention John Kerry's name. Rudy Giuliani did, apparently 11 times. Listen to Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor, right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUDY GIULIANI (R), FMR. NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: But it's important and critical to see the contrast and approach between these two men. President Bush, a leader who is willing to stick with difficult decisions, even as public opinion shifts and goes back and forth.
And John Kerry, whose record in elected office suggests a man who changes his position even on important issues.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Just about 30 minutes ago, he told me they coordinated their speeches. They wanted to make sure they were on message with McCain and later with the former mayor here in New York.
SCHNEIDER: That's right. It was a good cop, bad cop. And in his speech he really gave two speeches. One was stirring and one was slashing.
He stirred and he slashed. He tried to take 9/11, which was a great memory of unity, and translate it into a partisan issue. You could argue that was inappropriate. I thought the two speeches were totally different, but he was trying to say George Bush is the kind of steadfast strong leader that we needed after 9/11, could John Kerry have done that? He's too wavering a figure.
HEMMER: On John Kerry also there's a new ad out today from the Swift Boat Veterans. I have not seen it yet. For the first time we will watch it. It runs 30 seconds in length and I'll get your reaction. Here now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Symbols. They represent the best things about America.
Freedom, valor, sacrifice.
Symbols, like the heroes they represent, are meant to be respected. Some didn't share that respect and turned their backs on their brothers.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I renounce the symbols, which this country gives and that was the medals themselves. I gave back -- I counted them -- there were six, seven, eight, nine.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How can the man who renounced his country's symbols now be trusted?
Swift Boat Veterans For Truth is responsible for the content of this advertisement.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Every political analyst you talk to say those ads have an effect so far.
SCHNEIDER: Yes.
HEMMER: You just saw it, as well.
SCHNEIDER: That's right. His -- remember John Kerry was both a war hero and an anti-war hero. I think his anti-war activities remain controversial; they offended a lot of veterans at the time even though a lot of the atrocities he talked about have been documented.
A lot of veterans were offended that he brought them up, that he made those charges. They felt personally maligned by the charges. And this ad, I think, would have been more effective had they not run the earlier ad about his war record, which was by and large discredited. So, the credibility of the swift boat veterans may limit the impact of this ad.
HEMMER: And if the voters out there wondering if this issue is going to go away, we were told over the weekend it's not going to happen -- the swift boat veterans will continue to buy airtime, they say, right up until November 2nd.
SCHNEIDER: This will last quite a long time. It wasn't a brief controversy.
HEMMER: Thank you, Bill.
SCHNEIDER: Sure.
HEMMER: Talk to you later. Bill Schneider here at Madison Square Garden.
It is almost a right of presidential passage these days -- the candidate displaying his athletic ability. These two men, however, President Bush turning 58 in July -- Senator Kerry turning 61 in December may be taking that to a whole new level in 2004.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): When his knees cooperate, the president runs a seven-minute mile. Senator Kerry a long time windsurfer prefers water over pavement.
And that's how windsurfer John Chao first met Kerry seven years ago, as a writer for a magazine. JOHN CHAO, WINDSURFER: Wind surfing is hard and I've seen him being slapped around by the wind quite a bit and he has this kind of a humility yet determination.
HEMMER: In Texas, Mr. Bush has always been a baseball fan. He helped run the Rangers. Now he runs and for more than just office.
Paul Carrozza knows that better than most. He owns several running stores in Texas.
Two years ago at a race in Virginia, Carrozza was the president's official running mate.
PAUL CARROZZA, RAN WITH BUSH: He's an extremely competitive, determined person and I was so impressed by his ability, which is incredible.
HEMMER: But sports psychologist Joel Fish has seen these types of athletes for 20 years.
JOEL FISH, SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST: I think it's just like politicians picking up babies. Politicians want to put out to the average person I'm like you -- you can identify with me. You like NASCAR, I like NASCAR. You like baseball, I like baseball.
HEMMER: But this says physical activity supports the stamina and mental health of both men. In fact, Bush and Kerry may just be examples of an aging population that's pushing the boundaries of fitness.
FISH: One of the things that can hurt a man's self confidence and self-esteem the most is their physical prowess and when they have to come to terms with physically they used to be able to run three miles but now they huff and puff after 100 yards for men that can be very devastating to their ego, their self-confidence and self-esteem.
HEMMER: Aging athletes, sure. Competitive, without question. And the campaign for fitness -- polls show both candidates are winning.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Age 58 and age 60. Not bad.
Our coverage starts later tonight. Prime time 7:00 here on CNN. East Coast time here, 4:00 on the West Coast we'll have it for you then.
Back to Heidi now across town -- Heidi.
COLLINS: How long does it take you to run a mile?
HEMMER: You don't want to know, girl, let me tell you. Longer than I'd like -- or would ever admit, as a matter of fact.
COLLINS: All right, Bill, thanks so much. Some federal air marshals have been caught sleeping on the job. Some also tested positive for alcohol and drugs or lost their weapons.
Homeland Security Inspector General Clark Kent Ervin reports there were hundreds of disciplinary actions for misconduct in 2002.
It says, quote, "Many federal air marshals were granted access to classified information after displaying questionable judgment, irresponsibility and emotionally unstable behavior."
Chief of Border and Transportation Security Asa Hutchison says the incidents occurred over a much longer period of time and that many were as simple as rude behavior during check ins.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: Still to come; now you see it, now you don't. Why is one restaurant chain pulling nutritional info from its menus? Andy Serwer is "Minding Your Business."
Plus, we're "Paging Dr. Gupta" -- there might be a health benefit to having a sweet tooth. That's what I want to hear. Stay with us right here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Calling all chocoholics, and you know who you are. A new study suggests eating dark chocolates can help prevent heart disease. But alas, the news is only semi-sweet.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta joining us from the CNN Center now with details on all of this. I thought this was going to be really good news for those of us who eat lots and lots of candy, Sanjay.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: I knew you were looking for another reason to eat chocolate, Heidi. And you may yet sort of have a reason to eat some more chocolate.
Interesting study coming out of Greece, actually. I guess they needed something else to do after the Olympics.
Talking about the effects of dark chocolate specifically. Trying to figure out whether or not dark chocolate or some of the ingredients in it specifically, as you can see here various samples of that -- dark chocolate might actually have some ingredients that could improve the flexibility of blood vessels.
That's what they were trying to find out so they found healthy volunteers -- tough study to volunteer for. They found these healthy volunteers and actually gave them dark chocolate, 3.5 ounces and then measured the flexibility of the blood vessels afterwards and for three hours afterwards they found that the flexibility of blood vessels actually improved.
That's what the study showed. It was a small study but we've known for a while now that the flavanoids specifically in dark chocolate might have some beneficial benefits, Heidi.
COLLINS: So, there's nothing to do with anticoagulation of the blood. It's actually the vessel itself.
GUPTA: Yes, you know that's a good question. It's actually not anticoagulation which is what something like aspirin would do. Rather this actually counters something known as oxidation in the blood vessels.
Chocolate, especially the flavanoids in chocolate, are full of antioxidants, and that's why it might actually benefit in terms of preventing arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.
A couple of caveats about this study I think are worth pointing out. First of all, there was only done in young, healthy volunteers. So, it's unclear whether this would actually apply to the population at large.
Also, obviously, you're going to get a lot of calories and saturated fat in chocolate. What you really want is the stuff that probably doesn't taste as good. The flavanoids. And still this was a short-term. You know you get about three hours of benefit from the chocolate -- long-term effects really not known from that, Heidi.
COLLINS: All right, Sanjay let's go ahead and change topics for a moment now. We're hearing about this new study that's come out about these whole body CT scans.
Some potentially alarming news here about an increased risk of cancer. What's this about?
GUPTA: Yes, you know we've talked a lot about these whole body CT scanners in the past, a lot of people getting these whole body scans. Even though they don't have any medical problems specifically to sort of look for any other problems.
What they're finding is that while they occasionally may find an abnormality, there may be some real risks to them. First of all, here's putting them in context.
A radiation of one of these full body scanners is about 100 mammograms -- that's a number that will -- women especially can relate to.
This one is a little bit disturbing -- it's -- they studied the survivors of Hiroshima in Nagasaki and they found that you get about the same radiation as if you were 1.5 miles away from a nuclear explosion. Pretty significant amount of radiation.
And to put it in context, it produces tumors in about one in 1200 people. The risk of getting a single scan is not going to be that great, Heidi, to be candid, but if you're someone who gets these scans every year because you're very concerned about something, then about one in 50 people will develop some sort of tumors.
So, it's just something to be cautious about. There's a lot of legitimate purposes to get CT scans and if your doctor is recommending it, the risks -- the benefits are going to outweigh the risks but if you're doing it just to do it, you may want to think twice, Heidi.
COLLINS: Wow, all right. Sanjay thanks so much for that. We'll be thinking about it.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta thanks again -- Bill, back to you.
HEMMER: All right, Heidi. Back to Jack at the diner in a moment here. Seems sex sells in "The New York Times" bestseller list. "The Cafferty File" has a look at that.
Plus Andy is hanging out, too. We'll mind your business back at the diner after this here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: All right, welcome back everyone. Live at Madison Square Garden. Want to head back to the diner. One thing about Cafferty and Serwer. If it's free, look for them in line. You'll usually find them there.
Hey Jack, what's happening?
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Bill, nice to see you, too. Buddy, everything all right? Yes, good.
A restaurant chain pulls its menus listing calories and the maker of Twinkies in big trouble. Andy Serwer is here "Minding Your Business."
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Yes, and business food source. What did you have for breakfast, by the way?
CAFFERTY: Blueberry pancakes and bacon and orange juice and coffee, and it was terrific.
SERWER: I had steak and eggs, actually. Not like a bowl of Special K, but did the trick.
CAFFERTY: Yes, works.
SERWER: Anyway, these low-carb diets continue to wreak havoc on American's diets and the business world, as well. Let's check on the markets first of all and see what happened yesterday. The Dow was down about 72 points as you can see here.
Nasdaq followed suit very, very, very light trading. Couple of food stocks in news. Tyson we talked about yesterday getting beaten up but how about this one, Jack. Interstate Bakeries falling 42 percent. What do they make? Twinkies and Wonder Bread.
This company is having a really, really tough time making hay these days. Not exactly rolling in the dough, ha, ha, because people are just not eating this stuff any more. CAFFERTY: We had a story on a school teacher a week or two ago that took one of these Twinkies and stuck it up on this blackboard 25 years ago and its still there and I know -- I guess its not edible but I mean it didn't disappear, it didn't decay, it's still there.
SERWER: Not that there are any preservatives in there.
CAFFERTY: No. Not at all.
SERWER: OK. This company hasn't filed its annual reports -- delayed it twice -- and their real concerns they're saying now about it being a growing concern and you can see here the stock is getting creamed. You know this might not be around any more. I mean, good old Wonder Bread. Can you imagine that?
CAFFERTY: All right. The other story is these menus that have the content of the stuff you're eating actually printed on them.
SERWER: Yes.
CAFFERTY: I mean if you're watching that stuff, do you really want to be reminded...
SERWER: Yes. I don't want to know this stuff, right? Ruby Tuesday -- goodbye Ruby Tuesday. How often do you get to say that?
Because the menu -- they're getting rid of the menus there that used to have the food itemized in terms of calorie content and apparently people just didn't want to look at this stuff any more because this is your colossal burger -- 1,677 calories, 114 grams of fat.
The buffalo tenders as you can see here, again, not exactly a light choice. And then of course your bacon cheeseburger.
CAFFERTY: Why would you advertise that stuff?
SERWER: No, well they're deciding not to do that any more, right?
CAFFERTY: Yes, eat one of these and we hope you make it to your car.
SERWER: So, it's goodbye Ruby Tuesday.
CAFFERTY: What about the markets?
SERWER: The markets right now futures are mixed and again ain't no one coming to Wall Street except people who have to so very, very light trading indeed.
CAFFERTY: All right, thanks Andy. Well, second day in a row we've managed to work pornography into these little live remotes from the CNN Diner.
SERWER: Indeed. CAFFERTY: We're going to tell you about "The New York Times" bestseller list which come Sunday will have a pornographic book -- well, maybe it's not a pornographic -- it's how to link -- "How To Make Love Like A Porn Star." A cautionary tale.
It's the name of the book written by a real life porn actress Jenna Jameson and it's set to debut at number nine on the New York Times non-fiction bestseller list on September the 5th which is a development that speaks to two things: either Jenna Jameson has some extraordinary literary ability or the standards to get on "The New York Times" bestseller list have deteriorated considerably of late.
SERWER: Author, author.
CAFFERTY: You want to take out your political frustrations and satisfy some violent urges, here's a solution possibly. Game company called Sorrent has created Bush versus Kerry boxing. It allows players to step into the ring as either candidate and try out signature boxing moves like the right wing book or the far left jab.
Ten percent of the money goes to rock the vote to try and encourage young people to get out and cast their vote come Election Day.
Turning to the scorecard which we will not do one of these broadcasts without, number of days since the 9/11 Commission has made recommendations for protecting the country against terrorism, Andy: 40.
SERWER: Forty, four-oh.
CAFFERTY: Number of recommendations adopted by your Congress and mine: nothing.
SERWER: Zero.
CAFFERTY: Nothing. Congress is still on vacation. I hope they're having a wonderful time.
SERWER: Yes.
CAFFERTY: All right, as promised, a quick look around the CNN Diner which 48 hours before the start of the convention was the Tick- Tock Diner. Our guys got in here, transformed the whole place and believe me I've been in the Tick-Tock Diner. This is a dramatic improvement.
They are feeding press, delegates, even CNN employees can come down here and get a free meal on the bus, which, I mean they don't pick up the tab too often so you ought to probably get down this way. They lead in 500 dozen eggs, 350 pounds of coffee, H&H bagels which are the best in New York, come from the Upper West Side deli.
They get pickles from Gus's down on Orchard Street. They said the joint was going till 2:00 in the morning last night. They had a D.J. here and there are some of the hardworking staff this morning -- the food's pretty good, actually.
SERWER: Oh, yes.
CAFFERTY: So...
SERWER: Chris Huntington was there even.
CAFFERTY: Chris Huntington was there -- actually there was some famous people. I mean, Bill Schneider was here. Who's the guy with the beard that works for CNN?
SERWER: Wolf.
CAFFERTY: Wolf Blitzer. I saw Wolf Blitzer.
SERWER: Wolf Blitzer was here.
CAFFERTY: Yes. So, anyway. That's where we're located for the duration.
SERWER: Lot of notables.
CAFFERTY: Bill, back to you.
SERWER: Yes.
HEMMER: Good deal. I got two more names for you guys, by the way. How about Charlie and Jackson? Charlie and Jackson. We told you, you know, we'd let our viewers know when there is news and there is news to talk about today. Soledad and her husband and Brad are now the proud mama and papa of two brand new baby boys born yesterday.
Good sized, too -- 7.1 ounces -- seven pound, two ounces for the second one. Charlie and Jackson doing well today, we are told. So, Soledad, if you're watching, congrats, and well done.
Get a break here. Following the story developing this hour the twin bus explosions in one southern Israeli city we'll get the latest on that and what's happening overseas and Republicans with a show of unity in New York.
No one may have sounded that theme more than John McCain last night. Part two of my conversation with Senator McCain top of the hour here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired August 31, 2004 - 08:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Want to quickly get you back to Israel now, updating you on a story we're learning about.
According to Israeli media now, 12 people are dead in the explosions we've been talking about. Two explosions involving buses.
Want to get straight to Guy Raz; he's live in Jerusalem now with the very latest on all of this -- Guy.
GUY RAZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Heidi, we understand now that there were two explosions in the southern Israeli city of Beer Sheva within the last hour. Now as you mentioned, according to Israeli media reports, there have been 12 fatalities, 12 people have been killed in two explosions.
It's not clear whether they were suicide attacks yet and we have had no word on that. No word on responsibility for what took place.
We also understand that at least 35 people have been seriously wounded in those twin bomb blasts in the southern city of Beer Sheva.
Now we have also been told right now that from the Palestinian Authority -- we have received a statement condemning this explosion.
The Palestinian Authority tells CNN that it condemns all attacks against civilians whether they are Israeli or Palestinians, but again I should reiterate we haven't been able to confirm whether these have in fact been suicide attacks.
Now if indeed they have, Heidi, it would be the first time in many months that a suicide blast has taken place inside Israel -- the last time any kind of explosion occurred was earlier this month in the West Bank near a checkpoint into Jerusalem, the Qalandiya checkpoint.
That attack killed two Palestinians waiting to get into Jerusalem. Now this -- these explosions come on the day when Israel's prime minister has announced that he will attempt to accelerate a plan to withdraw Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip so also political developments, and I'm sure we will have more information as the developments from these explosions begins to come in -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right, some pretty upsetting pictures there to look at, too. Guy Raz, thanks so much for that.
Again, 12 people dead in these explosions now in Beer Sheva. Thanks so much, Guy. Other stories making news now this morning. Lawyers for the man accused in Fresno, California's worst mass murder will return to court in two weeks seeking a change of venue.
Marcus Wesson is charged with killing nine of his children. He also faces more than a dozen counts of sexual abuse. Wesson's attorney's claim he won't get a fair trial in Fresno County because of publicity.
Within the half hour, the fight over a woman with brain damage goes to the Florida Supreme Court. Terri Schiavo is at the center of one of the most bitter right-to-die disputes in the country. Her husband is battling her parents who want to keep her alive. Schiavo has been on life support for 14 years.
And a welcome home for the Iraqi Soccer Team. These images just in to CNN. The soccer team arriving back in Baghdad just hours ago. A fourth place finish at the Olympics after an impressive run including victories against Portugal, Costa Rica, and Australia.
Heading back over to Bill now at Madison Square Garden -- Bill.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Heidi. Republicans making President Bush's response to the attacks of 9/11 a central theme last night -- was heard repeatedly last evening. The opening of the convention here featuring addresses from Arizona Senator John McCain and from the former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani both praising the president before a very receptive audience of delegates.
How will those speeches, though, resonate outside of New York with the undecided voters? Our senior analyst Bill Schneider with us this morning, and good morning to you.
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POL. ANALYST: Good morning.
HEMMER: 9/11 a central theme last night. I mention we heard it repeatedly. Here with Senator McCain at one point last night talking about that event three years ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: In that moment we were not different races; we were not poor or rich; we were not Democrat or Republican; liberal or conservative. We were not two countries. We were Americans.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: I hear two things in that, not just 9/11, but also the message that he talked about last night, the politics today getting nasty.
SCHNEIDER: Well, exactly. Notice the tense -- we were not two countries, we were Americans, we were united. The country is not united any more. He was trying to evoke the moment after 9/11, which lasted actually about a year when the whole country was united behind George Bush.
In fact, for a year, a majority of Democrats supported Bush and the whole world supported the United States in Afghanistan. That moment was lost.
Why? Iraq. He was trying to recover it.
HEMMER: John McCain did not mention John Kerry's name. Rudy Giuliani did, apparently 11 times. Listen to Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor, right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUDY GIULIANI (R), FMR. NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: But it's important and critical to see the contrast and approach between these two men. President Bush, a leader who is willing to stick with difficult decisions, even as public opinion shifts and goes back and forth.
And John Kerry, whose record in elected office suggests a man who changes his position even on important issues.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Just about 30 minutes ago, he told me they coordinated their speeches. They wanted to make sure they were on message with McCain and later with the former mayor here in New York.
SCHNEIDER: That's right. It was a good cop, bad cop. And in his speech he really gave two speeches. One was stirring and one was slashing.
He stirred and he slashed. He tried to take 9/11, which was a great memory of unity, and translate it into a partisan issue. You could argue that was inappropriate. I thought the two speeches were totally different, but he was trying to say George Bush is the kind of steadfast strong leader that we needed after 9/11, could John Kerry have done that? He's too wavering a figure.
HEMMER: On John Kerry also there's a new ad out today from the Swift Boat Veterans. I have not seen it yet. For the first time we will watch it. It runs 30 seconds in length and I'll get your reaction. Here now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Symbols. They represent the best things about America.
Freedom, valor, sacrifice.
Symbols, like the heroes they represent, are meant to be respected. Some didn't share that respect and turned their backs on their brothers.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I renounce the symbols, which this country gives and that was the medals themselves. I gave back -- I counted them -- there were six, seven, eight, nine.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How can the man who renounced his country's symbols now be trusted?
Swift Boat Veterans For Truth is responsible for the content of this advertisement.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Every political analyst you talk to say those ads have an effect so far.
SCHNEIDER: Yes.
HEMMER: You just saw it, as well.
SCHNEIDER: That's right. His -- remember John Kerry was both a war hero and an anti-war hero. I think his anti-war activities remain controversial; they offended a lot of veterans at the time even though a lot of the atrocities he talked about have been documented.
A lot of veterans were offended that he brought them up, that he made those charges. They felt personally maligned by the charges. And this ad, I think, would have been more effective had they not run the earlier ad about his war record, which was by and large discredited. So, the credibility of the swift boat veterans may limit the impact of this ad.
HEMMER: And if the voters out there wondering if this issue is going to go away, we were told over the weekend it's not going to happen -- the swift boat veterans will continue to buy airtime, they say, right up until November 2nd.
SCHNEIDER: This will last quite a long time. It wasn't a brief controversy.
HEMMER: Thank you, Bill.
SCHNEIDER: Sure.
HEMMER: Talk to you later. Bill Schneider here at Madison Square Garden.
It is almost a right of presidential passage these days -- the candidate displaying his athletic ability. These two men, however, President Bush turning 58 in July -- Senator Kerry turning 61 in December may be taking that to a whole new level in 2004.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): When his knees cooperate, the president runs a seven-minute mile. Senator Kerry a long time windsurfer prefers water over pavement.
And that's how windsurfer John Chao first met Kerry seven years ago, as a writer for a magazine. JOHN CHAO, WINDSURFER: Wind surfing is hard and I've seen him being slapped around by the wind quite a bit and he has this kind of a humility yet determination.
HEMMER: In Texas, Mr. Bush has always been a baseball fan. He helped run the Rangers. Now he runs and for more than just office.
Paul Carrozza knows that better than most. He owns several running stores in Texas.
Two years ago at a race in Virginia, Carrozza was the president's official running mate.
PAUL CARROZZA, RAN WITH BUSH: He's an extremely competitive, determined person and I was so impressed by his ability, which is incredible.
HEMMER: But sports psychologist Joel Fish has seen these types of athletes for 20 years.
JOEL FISH, SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST: I think it's just like politicians picking up babies. Politicians want to put out to the average person I'm like you -- you can identify with me. You like NASCAR, I like NASCAR. You like baseball, I like baseball.
HEMMER: But this says physical activity supports the stamina and mental health of both men. In fact, Bush and Kerry may just be examples of an aging population that's pushing the boundaries of fitness.
FISH: One of the things that can hurt a man's self confidence and self-esteem the most is their physical prowess and when they have to come to terms with physically they used to be able to run three miles but now they huff and puff after 100 yards for men that can be very devastating to their ego, their self-confidence and self-esteem.
HEMMER: Aging athletes, sure. Competitive, without question. And the campaign for fitness -- polls show both candidates are winning.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Age 58 and age 60. Not bad.
Our coverage starts later tonight. Prime time 7:00 here on CNN. East Coast time here, 4:00 on the West Coast we'll have it for you then.
Back to Heidi now across town -- Heidi.
COLLINS: How long does it take you to run a mile?
HEMMER: You don't want to know, girl, let me tell you. Longer than I'd like -- or would ever admit, as a matter of fact.
COLLINS: All right, Bill, thanks so much. Some federal air marshals have been caught sleeping on the job. Some also tested positive for alcohol and drugs or lost their weapons.
Homeland Security Inspector General Clark Kent Ervin reports there were hundreds of disciplinary actions for misconduct in 2002.
It says, quote, "Many federal air marshals were granted access to classified information after displaying questionable judgment, irresponsibility and emotionally unstable behavior."
Chief of Border and Transportation Security Asa Hutchison says the incidents occurred over a much longer period of time and that many were as simple as rude behavior during check ins.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: Still to come; now you see it, now you don't. Why is one restaurant chain pulling nutritional info from its menus? Andy Serwer is "Minding Your Business."
Plus, we're "Paging Dr. Gupta" -- there might be a health benefit to having a sweet tooth. That's what I want to hear. Stay with us right here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Calling all chocoholics, and you know who you are. A new study suggests eating dark chocolates can help prevent heart disease. But alas, the news is only semi-sweet.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta joining us from the CNN Center now with details on all of this. I thought this was going to be really good news for those of us who eat lots and lots of candy, Sanjay.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: I knew you were looking for another reason to eat chocolate, Heidi. And you may yet sort of have a reason to eat some more chocolate.
Interesting study coming out of Greece, actually. I guess they needed something else to do after the Olympics.
Talking about the effects of dark chocolate specifically. Trying to figure out whether or not dark chocolate or some of the ingredients in it specifically, as you can see here various samples of that -- dark chocolate might actually have some ingredients that could improve the flexibility of blood vessels.
That's what they were trying to find out so they found healthy volunteers -- tough study to volunteer for. They found these healthy volunteers and actually gave them dark chocolate, 3.5 ounces and then measured the flexibility of the blood vessels afterwards and for three hours afterwards they found that the flexibility of blood vessels actually improved.
That's what the study showed. It was a small study but we've known for a while now that the flavanoids specifically in dark chocolate might have some beneficial benefits, Heidi.
COLLINS: So, there's nothing to do with anticoagulation of the blood. It's actually the vessel itself.
GUPTA: Yes, you know that's a good question. It's actually not anticoagulation which is what something like aspirin would do. Rather this actually counters something known as oxidation in the blood vessels.
Chocolate, especially the flavanoids in chocolate, are full of antioxidants, and that's why it might actually benefit in terms of preventing arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.
A couple of caveats about this study I think are worth pointing out. First of all, there was only done in young, healthy volunteers. So, it's unclear whether this would actually apply to the population at large.
Also, obviously, you're going to get a lot of calories and saturated fat in chocolate. What you really want is the stuff that probably doesn't taste as good. The flavanoids. And still this was a short-term. You know you get about three hours of benefit from the chocolate -- long-term effects really not known from that, Heidi.
COLLINS: All right, Sanjay let's go ahead and change topics for a moment now. We're hearing about this new study that's come out about these whole body CT scans.
Some potentially alarming news here about an increased risk of cancer. What's this about?
GUPTA: Yes, you know we've talked a lot about these whole body CT scanners in the past, a lot of people getting these whole body scans. Even though they don't have any medical problems specifically to sort of look for any other problems.
What they're finding is that while they occasionally may find an abnormality, there may be some real risks to them. First of all, here's putting them in context.
A radiation of one of these full body scanners is about 100 mammograms -- that's a number that will -- women especially can relate to.
This one is a little bit disturbing -- it's -- they studied the survivors of Hiroshima in Nagasaki and they found that you get about the same radiation as if you were 1.5 miles away from a nuclear explosion. Pretty significant amount of radiation.
And to put it in context, it produces tumors in about one in 1200 people. The risk of getting a single scan is not going to be that great, Heidi, to be candid, but if you're someone who gets these scans every year because you're very concerned about something, then about one in 50 people will develop some sort of tumors.
So, it's just something to be cautious about. There's a lot of legitimate purposes to get CT scans and if your doctor is recommending it, the risks -- the benefits are going to outweigh the risks but if you're doing it just to do it, you may want to think twice, Heidi.
COLLINS: Wow, all right. Sanjay thanks so much for that. We'll be thinking about it.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta thanks again -- Bill, back to you.
HEMMER: All right, Heidi. Back to Jack at the diner in a moment here. Seems sex sells in "The New York Times" bestseller list. "The Cafferty File" has a look at that.
Plus Andy is hanging out, too. We'll mind your business back at the diner after this here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: All right, welcome back everyone. Live at Madison Square Garden. Want to head back to the diner. One thing about Cafferty and Serwer. If it's free, look for them in line. You'll usually find them there.
Hey Jack, what's happening?
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Bill, nice to see you, too. Buddy, everything all right? Yes, good.
A restaurant chain pulls its menus listing calories and the maker of Twinkies in big trouble. Andy Serwer is here "Minding Your Business."
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Yes, and business food source. What did you have for breakfast, by the way?
CAFFERTY: Blueberry pancakes and bacon and orange juice and coffee, and it was terrific.
SERWER: I had steak and eggs, actually. Not like a bowl of Special K, but did the trick.
CAFFERTY: Yes, works.
SERWER: Anyway, these low-carb diets continue to wreak havoc on American's diets and the business world, as well. Let's check on the markets first of all and see what happened yesterday. The Dow was down about 72 points as you can see here.
Nasdaq followed suit very, very, very light trading. Couple of food stocks in news. Tyson we talked about yesterday getting beaten up but how about this one, Jack. Interstate Bakeries falling 42 percent. What do they make? Twinkies and Wonder Bread.
This company is having a really, really tough time making hay these days. Not exactly rolling in the dough, ha, ha, because people are just not eating this stuff any more. CAFFERTY: We had a story on a school teacher a week or two ago that took one of these Twinkies and stuck it up on this blackboard 25 years ago and its still there and I know -- I guess its not edible but I mean it didn't disappear, it didn't decay, it's still there.
SERWER: Not that there are any preservatives in there.
CAFFERTY: No. Not at all.
SERWER: OK. This company hasn't filed its annual reports -- delayed it twice -- and their real concerns they're saying now about it being a growing concern and you can see here the stock is getting creamed. You know this might not be around any more. I mean, good old Wonder Bread. Can you imagine that?
CAFFERTY: All right. The other story is these menus that have the content of the stuff you're eating actually printed on them.
SERWER: Yes.
CAFFERTY: I mean if you're watching that stuff, do you really want to be reminded...
SERWER: Yes. I don't want to know this stuff, right? Ruby Tuesday -- goodbye Ruby Tuesday. How often do you get to say that?
Because the menu -- they're getting rid of the menus there that used to have the food itemized in terms of calorie content and apparently people just didn't want to look at this stuff any more because this is your colossal burger -- 1,677 calories, 114 grams of fat.
The buffalo tenders as you can see here, again, not exactly a light choice. And then of course your bacon cheeseburger.
CAFFERTY: Why would you advertise that stuff?
SERWER: No, well they're deciding not to do that any more, right?
CAFFERTY: Yes, eat one of these and we hope you make it to your car.
SERWER: So, it's goodbye Ruby Tuesday.
CAFFERTY: What about the markets?
SERWER: The markets right now futures are mixed and again ain't no one coming to Wall Street except people who have to so very, very light trading indeed.
CAFFERTY: All right, thanks Andy. Well, second day in a row we've managed to work pornography into these little live remotes from the CNN Diner.
SERWER: Indeed. CAFFERTY: We're going to tell you about "The New York Times" bestseller list which come Sunday will have a pornographic book -- well, maybe it's not a pornographic -- it's how to link -- "How To Make Love Like A Porn Star." A cautionary tale.
It's the name of the book written by a real life porn actress Jenna Jameson and it's set to debut at number nine on the New York Times non-fiction bestseller list on September the 5th which is a development that speaks to two things: either Jenna Jameson has some extraordinary literary ability or the standards to get on "The New York Times" bestseller list have deteriorated considerably of late.
SERWER: Author, author.
CAFFERTY: You want to take out your political frustrations and satisfy some violent urges, here's a solution possibly. Game company called Sorrent has created Bush versus Kerry boxing. It allows players to step into the ring as either candidate and try out signature boxing moves like the right wing book or the far left jab.
Ten percent of the money goes to rock the vote to try and encourage young people to get out and cast their vote come Election Day.
Turning to the scorecard which we will not do one of these broadcasts without, number of days since the 9/11 Commission has made recommendations for protecting the country against terrorism, Andy: 40.
SERWER: Forty, four-oh.
CAFFERTY: Number of recommendations adopted by your Congress and mine: nothing.
SERWER: Zero.
CAFFERTY: Nothing. Congress is still on vacation. I hope they're having a wonderful time.
SERWER: Yes.
CAFFERTY: All right, as promised, a quick look around the CNN Diner which 48 hours before the start of the convention was the Tick- Tock Diner. Our guys got in here, transformed the whole place and believe me I've been in the Tick-Tock Diner. This is a dramatic improvement.
They are feeding press, delegates, even CNN employees can come down here and get a free meal on the bus, which, I mean they don't pick up the tab too often so you ought to probably get down this way. They lead in 500 dozen eggs, 350 pounds of coffee, H&H bagels which are the best in New York, come from the Upper West Side deli.
They get pickles from Gus's down on Orchard Street. They said the joint was going till 2:00 in the morning last night. They had a D.J. here and there are some of the hardworking staff this morning -- the food's pretty good, actually.
SERWER: Oh, yes.
CAFFERTY: So...
SERWER: Chris Huntington was there even.
CAFFERTY: Chris Huntington was there -- actually there was some famous people. I mean, Bill Schneider was here. Who's the guy with the beard that works for CNN?
SERWER: Wolf.
CAFFERTY: Wolf Blitzer. I saw Wolf Blitzer.
SERWER: Wolf Blitzer was here.
CAFFERTY: Yes. So, anyway. That's where we're located for the duration.
SERWER: Lot of notables.
CAFFERTY: Bill, back to you.
SERWER: Yes.
HEMMER: Good deal. I got two more names for you guys, by the way. How about Charlie and Jackson? Charlie and Jackson. We told you, you know, we'd let our viewers know when there is news and there is news to talk about today. Soledad and her husband and Brad are now the proud mama and papa of two brand new baby boys born yesterday.
Good sized, too -- 7.1 ounces -- seven pound, two ounces for the second one. Charlie and Jackson doing well today, we are told. So, Soledad, if you're watching, congrats, and well done.
Get a break here. Following the story developing this hour the twin bus explosions in one southern Israeli city we'll get the latest on that and what's happening overseas and Republicans with a show of unity in New York.
No one may have sounded that theme more than John McCain last night. Part two of my conversation with Senator McCain top of the hour here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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