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American Morning
Republicans Have A 'Big Tent' at Republican National Convention
Aired September 01, 2004 - 08:00 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.
ANNOUNCER: This is AMERICAN MORNING from the Republican National Convention in New York, here's Bill Hemmer.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning. It is beautiful outside here in New York City, on a Wednesday morning, now with the sun up. And we are inside, yet again, in Madison Square Garden continuing our coverage throughout the week here, the Republican convention.
It is day three and night three later tonight. We'll talk about what happened here last night in a moment, but first there is news from Russia to talk about, important news, too.
The Russian news agency now reporting that more than a dozen armed gunmen stormed an elementary school in Southern Russia. They did it on the first day of school when many of the children's parents came to class. More than 100 are now said to be held hostage, many of them school children.
There's a report now, in the past 30 minutes, that 15 children may have been freed. We will go live to Moscow and try and update the very latest on what's happening there as we get it -- much more on that as we go forward through this hour.
Also, last night's convention here in New York, first lady, Laura Bush, the California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the featured speakers on the podium. We'll show you some of the highlights from what they said.
And joining us this hour, Republican senator, Chuck Hagel.
Also a bit later, we'll compare the fire power from the podium at this year's conventions when Kamber and May join us. That's coming up here at the half hour.
First, though, back across town, Heidi Collins outside our Time Life Studios. Good morning, Heidi, to you.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you, too, Bill.
A lot of other news going on this morning as well, amazing pictures coming to us today of the flooding this week in Richmond, Virginia -- you see it there --extensive damage as well in the city. We're going to tell you a little bit more about it.
Also this morning, the U.S. women's soccer team just back from Greece with gold medals around their necks. We're going to talk to three of the veterans on this winning team. Looking forward to that.
But right now, our own winning team member, Jack Cafferty, across the street from Madison Square Garden at the CNN diner once again on Eighth Avenue, pretty glitzy place. Isn't it, Jack?
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, right here on the Minnesota strip, Heidi.
You can relate to that. You're from Minnesota, right?
Coming up on the "Cafferty File," Alice Cooper weighs in on the mentality of rock stars. And we'll tell you why the TV series "The Simpson's" may run forever.
It has to do with alimony. That's in the file coming up in a little less than an hour, I think. Heidi, back to you.
COLLINS: All right, Jack, thank you so much for that.
As we've been telling you about all morning, a tense standoff in Southern Russia. Armed attackers are holding more than 100 people hostage, including school children in Beslan. It's near the Chechen border -- this is inside of a school -- on the first day of school for this area.
Up to 15 children have been freed. This is according to Russian news agencies. We do have Ryan Chilcote there. He's in Moscow keeping a very close eye on this story.
The video coming out of there, pretty incredible this morning -- we want to make sure we keep you up-to-date, and we'll do just that.
Meanwhile, other stories now in the news, in Nepal, a wave of angry protests sparked by the killings of Nepalese hostages in Iraq.
These images in to CNN within the last 15 minutes, thousands of protesters ransacked a mosque and clashed with police. The crowd also attacked airline offices -- a curfew now under affect in Katmandu.
Hurricane Frances is inching closer to Florida and it could strike as soon as Friday. Residents in Miami are bracing for it now by stocking up on wood. Frances is already a category four, but forecasters warn it could gain more strength.
In 10 minutes, we're going to talk with Chad Myers. He's going to trace the storm's path for us.
And fire investigators in Delaware are expected to head to the site of a major junkyard fire this morning. Four firefighters got hurt. At least 1,000 cars were destroyed in the massive blaze.
It took firefighters more than three hours to get it under control because of extra water had to be trucked in to them; the cause of the fire under investigation -- huge, huge plume of smoke there.
At the Kobe Bryant trial in Eagle, Colorado, jury selection is right on track. About three quarters of the potential jurors have been told whether or not they need to come back for more questioning.
There is a pool of about 1,000 people. The jury selection continues for a third day, starting at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time.
We'll send it back over to Bill now, once again, Madison Square Garden.
HEMMER: All right, Heidi, thanks for that.
Last night here in New York at the Republican convention, the governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, putting forth an optimistic message firing up the delegates here in Madison Square Garden.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA: Ladies and gentlemen, America is back: back from the attack on our homeland, back from the attack on our economy and back from the attack on our way of life.
We are back because of the perseverance, character and leadership of the 43rd president of the United States, George W. Bush.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Also in his speech last night enlisting ways people know whether or not they were Republican, Schwarzenegger used a sound bite that got him in a bit of trouble in the past.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCHWARZENEGGER: Now, there's another way you can tell you're a Republican: your faith in free enterprise, faith in the resourcefulness of the American people and faith in the U.S. economy. And to those critics who are so pessimistic about our economy, I say, don't be economic girlie men.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: After the governor, the Bush twins, Barbara and Jenna, usually shying away from the spotlight, made their appearance and made an introduction.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAUGHTER OF GEORGE W. BUSH: You know all those times when you're growing up and your parents embarrassed you? Well, this is payback time on live TV.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: And after that, a bit of a twist. They introduced their father, who was at a baseball field in Pennsylvania, who then, in turn, introduced his wife the first lady, Laura Bush, by way of remote television. Tonight, though, we look forward to the vice president, Dick Cheney, grabbing the convention spotlight on center stage. He will be introduced by his wife, Lynne.
For much more on what we expect to hear is our national correspondent on the floor. Here's Kelly Wallace this morning. Good morning, Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
Well Bush-Cheney campaign aides say we expect the vice president to talk about the importance of leadership at critical times in history, and also to talk about what one aide described as Senator Kerry's confusion of conviction during his 20 years in the Senate.
No doubt about it, the vice president is a controversial running mate. But both sides think he is an asset for their cause.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE (voice-over): Lost in a summer of sporadic speculation about whether he would stay or go is what Dick Cheney has done for the GOP. The vice president has spent '04 raising tons of cash and revving up the attacks on democratic senator, John Kerry.
DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: He said, and I quote, "I actually voted for the $87 billion before I voted against it."
That's certainly -- that certainly clears things up.
WALLACE: He might have the highest unfavorables of the four presidential campaign principals, might not have the most pizzazz.
CHENEY: I'm told that Senator Edwards got the job because he's sexy, charming, has great hair.
(LAUGHTER)
CHENEY: I said, how do you think I got the job?
WALLACE: But walk around Madison Square Garden, and you find delegates like Joan Terez Hudsen (ph) from Long Island.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE DELEGATE: His experience is invaluable.
WALLACE: And the Davies (ph) from Charlotte, North Carolina.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE DELEGATE: He brings stability. He brings confidence of the Republicans who really know him.
WALLACE: The social conservative helps the president sure-up his base, but he's also become a lightning rod for the Democrats.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Next January, America will be proud to have a champion of the middle class replace Dick Cheney.
WALLACE: Democrats fire away at Cheney's closed meetings with energy executives, his role in the war on Iraq and his use of the, can we say f-word, against a democratic Senator. And that all started the rumor mill, could Dick Cheney be dumped from the ticket?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was not any talk I ever heard in meetings with Republicans.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE: And campaign aides say a sign of the vice president's importance, the very public role he is already playing at this convention. He has appeared at every session so far.
Bill, as you know, traditionally the first time many delegates see the running mate, the night of the running mate's speech.
HEMMER: You're right there. Kelly, thanks. Kelly Wallace on the floor.
Back up here on our platform now, Republican senator, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska here now to share his thoughts in New York City with me, now.
Good morning, senator.
SEN. CHUCK HAGEL (R), NEBRASKA: Thank you, Bill.
HEMMER: Nice to have you here with me.
HAGEL: Thank you.
HEMMER: Terry McAuliffe, held of the DNC, last hour here on AMERICAN MORNING called this convention a masquerade ball. Republicans called the Democrats in Boston an extreme makeover.
Your comments to McAuliffe on the masquerade ball, is it true to form for the Republican Party?
HAGEL: I think this has been as good a convention as we've had in a long time. All these conventions have a little bit of show business to them, and that's the way is.
But they are important for the American people to get a snapshot of political party philosophy. It showcases our leaders. It talks in general terms about the standards and beliefs of a party.
So sure, there's always a bit of show business in this, and it's OK.
HEMMER: And within that packaging, did you have a problem with the moderates who have been put forward so far this week, McCain, Giuliani, Schwarzenegger?
HAGEL: Believe it or not, I've actually been called a moderate. What a terrible thing.
No, this is a big tent. This is a big party. It has an arc of philosophy about government that's important, that comes down to two or three basic principles. So, moderates, conservatives, maybe even a liberal slipped in. I don't know.
But this is the Republican Party, and we stand for, I think, a very clear definition of the role of government. And you can interpret variations of that, but it's all part of the political scene. It's unpredictable. It's kind of fun.
Unfortunately, it gets down too deep into debasing the process when we define down standards in how we behave on campaign TV commercials, both sides.
We should also always not ever veer away from understanding we have a responsibility to uplift, to inspire America.
HEMMER: Back to these commercials, though.
HAGEL: That's what political parties do.
HEMMER: What are you suggesting in that?
HAGEL: Well, the negative tone and texture of so many commercials that are out there today on the air, each campaign series, it seems, gets worse. It continues to define down who we are as a people.
Certainly taking the record of an opponent on is fair game. That's all part of the process, but when you -- when you seek to destroy the integrity and the character of your opponent versus just win the election, that crosses lines.
And part of that is, I think, the result of some bad decisions we made on campaign finance reform laws. These 527s that are outside the responsible, accountable process.
You've got the extremes on the left and the right now playing a huge part in controlling the airwaves in this country on what commercials are put on. And the parties are neutered to this.
HEMMER: Now, let me just try and be a little more specific because you know the Swift Boat ads are out there, and they're going to continue, we understand, for at least 63 more days.
HAGEL: Yes.
HEMMER: Up until the election of November 2nd. But based on what you're saying, though, are you saying that the service of John Kerry during that four-month period in Vietnam, where he collected the three purple hearts and the bronze and the silver star, is that right for discussion in this election? Is it right for debate?
HAGEL: Well, a candidate's record is always part of the debate. It must be. America must know where that candidate came from, what he did, what he believes because it all plays into the ultimate judgment of a candidate.
But to take the extremes, as we've seen on Kerry's record, for example -- I wasn't there. I don't know. I was in Vietnam in 1968. I wasn't there where Kerry was -- and try to use that as a central core issue to tear apart Kerry, when there are two versions of that, when, in fact, we've got all these great issues and challenges and threats that face this country and the world, and we are centered on that point is ridiculous and irresponsible.
And I think you pay a price for that. When do you that, the American people lose confidence in our system.
HEMMER: How much of this election, then, is deciding what's happening today in Iraq?
HAGEL: Oh, I think a good deal of it. I think this will be...
HEMMER: Is that the ultimate question for voters who have yet to make up their minds?
HAGEL: No. Re-election campaigns are always about the incumbent. They're not about the challenger. This campaign is going to be about whether the people of this country believe that George Bush deserves another four years, that he's done a good enough job.
I think he has. I think he does deserve another four years. Iraq is the centerpiece of that process that will be used to evaluate his record.
When a nation's at war and people are dying, that's a big part of a record. We've not seen this since '68.
HEMMER: Thank you, senator.
HAGEL: Thank you, Bill.
HEMMER: Chuck Hagel here in New York City, nice to see you.
A reminder to our viewers, later tonight, ringside seat all night long here: Anderson kicks off our coverage at 7:00; Wolf comes along at 8:00; then you'll have Larry at 9:00; the vice president, Dick Cheney, at 10:00; Aaron at 11:00; and Larry's back at midnight.
I think I got that right, Heidi. Back to you now, across town.
COLLINS: It is quite a lineup. That's for sure. Bill, thanks so much.
I want to take you now to Virginia, where at least five people are dead after tropical storm Gaston hit Richmond, Virginia. A 20- block area of downtown declared uninhabitable yesterday because of floodwaters like these.
In fact, look at this video now. It was captured by an amateur photographer. Streets were turned into raging rivers, cars swept away. Virginia's governor, Mark Warner, has declared a state of emergency. He says it's a miracle more people weren't killed.
Chad is tracking hurricane Frances. He's at the CNN Center with the very latest on all of this.
Those winds kicking up, what is it, about 140 miles per hour now?
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It's 140, now, yes. And obviously, Gaston was much less than that. The winds over Richmond were less than 45 miles per hour, but it was the rain, obviously, that was the problem here.
This is going to be a wind maker, not really a rainmaker. It's going to be moving pretty fast. Obviously, it will make rain, too. But, I'm telling you, now 140 mile per hour winds. That's what we're worried about. And it could even get stronger as it moves now into the Turks and the Caicos.
Here are the latest numbers from the Hurricane Center, 21.4 and 69.1. And it is still moving to the west-northwest at 16 miles per hour. Here's where it's been, and here's where it's going, right across the Bahamas, right through and into Nassau, into Freeport.
This now, obviously, into Friday, Friday morning, or maybe just after Thursday midnight the storm moves right through and into Florida, looks like somewhere between Miami, maybe as far north as South Carolina. And that looks like that happens either late Friday or maybe into Saturday depending on how far it turns to the right.
(WEATHER BREAK)
MYERS: Sunny all day for you, Bill, 82 in New York City.
HEMMER: Hey, we'll take it. It's beautiful outside. Thank you, Chad.
We know Republicans are up all week here in New York. What about the main opponent, though? News of a possible shake up in the Kerry campaign. We'll get to that.
And a special convention speaker's smack down edition of Kamber and May. Who wins, Laura Bush or Teresa Heinz Kerry, Arnold Schwarzenegger or Barack Obama?
We'll look at that at the half hour here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Eighty-two and sunny, take this and put it in a bottle. New York City, Brooklyn Bridge, looking at Lower Manhattan right there. And welcome back, everybody.
We're live inside Madison Square Garden. It is day three now for the Republican National Convention. Throughout the week, we're trying to monitor the activity on the streets of New York City. It has been electric going back to Friday night and the initial protest we saw here.
This morning, a New York City teenager is being charged with beating a police detective unconscious. The alleged attack happened Monday night near Madison Square Garden.
The 26-year-old detective was on a scooter patrolling a crowd of protesters outside the convention hall, that's when officials say the 19-year-old pushed the detective to the ground, punched him and kicked him in the head.
The detective listed now in stable condition. The teen is charged with felony assault of a police officer.
Now today, what's happening is being dubbed as a pink slip protest. Deborah Feyerick is live in downtown New York also on that. Deb, good morning.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill. Well, the demonstrators here are forming what they call the world's longest unemployment line. The goal is to call attention to the some eight million out of work Americans here in the country.
They're forming a single line, a silent line, from Wall Street all the way up to the convention site at Broadway. They're taking part, thousands of them, along five miles. They say that these pink slips are to highlight the problem of unemployment in America.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the first time in American history since the depression was over, since the war started, that we've actually lost jobs. We've lost over a million, two, jobs. And that's a bad situation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FEYERICK: Now, the organizers say this demonstration will be completely non-violent and completely non-confrontational. There are no plans to block any intersections, and they do have police permission.
That was a different scene from yesterday when protesters outside the convention last night refused to go to the free speech zone, dozens of them sitting down in the street, at one point blocking two buses carrying the delegates.
Now, 40 arrests were made in that particular protest. In another protest down at ground zero, 200 people were arrested during a march that began peacefully.
Witnesses say the police were pulling some of the people out of the line and arresting them. One man yelling what have I done? What have I done? We asked the police commissioner about it, and he said that they were disobeying orders to stay on the sidewalk.
Police clearly taking a zero tolerance approach to any demonstrations in what they say are incidents of violations, the people who have been arrested, some 1,500 of them, all being charged with disorderly conduct -- Bill?
HEMMER: And now, Deborah, since you're on that beat, let me ask you this. With the vice president speaking tonight, with the president coming out on Thursday, do police believe that the protests will become more intense starting today because of that?
FEYERICK: Well, it's -- they do expect the protests to become more intense; and they certainly expect certain groups to try to call as much attention as they can.
Many of the protesters, the ones that you are seeing either get arrested or become violent, they're the ones who are accusing police are creating a police state here in New York. But some of the delegates say that at least they feel comfortable having so much police around them.
HEMMER: All right. Follow it for us. Deb, thanks. Deborah Feyerick out on the sidewalks here in New York.
A new number, too, from police here, 1,187 arrests going back to Friday evening here in New York.
More from "the Garden" in a moment, here's Heidi again -- Heidi?
COLLINS: Bill, thanks for that.
And still to come this morning, the real American "Dream Team." After more than a decade together, some members of the U.S. women's soccer team are moving on, but not before claiming another title.
We'll talk to three of the Olympic champs ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: A beautiful shot this morning outside the Time Life building across from Radio City Music Hall, a look at all across New York, in fact, during this week of the Republican National Convention.
We have Jack standing by at the CNN diner and the "Question of the Day" now.
Jack, hello again.
CAFFERTY: Thanks, Heidi.
The president's first stop in New York for the convention will be tonight in Queens. He's going to sit with firefighters there, and they're all going to watch Vice President Dick Cheney's speech together. The event is designed to emphasize the war on terror and evoke memories of the day when the president visited ground zero after the September 11th attacks.
Some have said the Republicans are politicizing that event by having the convention in New York City. Others say the president has every right to recall the day when America was attacked under his watch.
The "Question of the Day" has to do with what you think about the president. Is he exploiting September 11th by meeting with the firefighters in New York tonight?
Nan in Dayton, Ohio writes, "Of course President Bush is going to capitalize on September 11th because the nation was the most united at that time. Since then, it has been the most divided. The Bush Administration has nothing else but September 11th."
JoAnna in Mount Dora, Florida, "The president is absolutely not exploiting 9/11. It would not make any difference who was president at the time. The incumbent has every right to put forth the good points to date on his performance in office."
Dan in Dubuque, Iowa writes how do you exploit September 11th? It's part of our history now. President Bush is not exploiting it, but those who use it as a political tool against the president are exploiting it for their political gain."
And Troy in Tampa offers this, "President Bush is exploiting the September 11th attacks for political gain every bit as much as John Kerry has been exploiting the Vietnam War for his own gains."
We may read some more of these a little bit later in the broadcast, am@cnn.com.
Here's the scorecard, number of days since the September 11th commission made recommendations on how to protect the country against terrorism, 41. The number of recommendations adopted by our Congress so far, none. Congress remains on vacation.
Heidi, back to you.
COLLINS: Jack, thanks for that.
We want to talk a little bit about the talk shows, in fact, the late-night ones. They're having a field day with the Republicans big party here in "the Big Apple."
Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAY LENO, NBC "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO": Isn't that amazing, 800,000 people leave town because of the Republican Convention. I mean, they raised the terror alert in New York, they elevate it, no New Yorkers leave. A threat by al Qaeda to destroy our financial institutions, New Yorkers stand firm.
(LAUGHTER)
Republicans come to town, let's get out of here!
(APPLAUSE)
LENO: 800,000.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Everybody running off to the Hamptons? I don't know. What do you think, Bill?
HEMMER: I think they're going just about everywhere. I'll tell you, last night in Lower Manhattan, Heidi, around 5:30 in the evening, normally a time when the cabs would be all over the place...
COLLINS: Right.
HEMMER: ... and it would bumper to bumper traffic, the streets were virtually empty.
COLLINS: Yes, I noticed that, too.
HEMMER: And so, too, were the sidewalks, so a lot of people have gotten out of town. I don't think they'll be back until after the...
COLLINS: But the people who did stay...
HEMMER: Sorry? What's that?
COLLINS: I was going to say the people who did stay are actually really enjoying it. They say the city is very quiet.
HEMMER: Well, it's easier in a lot of ways, too, just to get around, too.
COLLINS: That's right.
HEMMER: Thanks, Heidi.
In a moment here, we'll update you on the very latest on what's happening in Russia, the terrorists storming a school there -- more than 100 held hostage, including dozens of children.
Also, the latest on the Kerry campaign, Republicans taking the spotlight this week; it might be time for some changes, though, in the Kerry camp, we're told. What's the latest on those reports?
Back in a moment after this on AMERICAN MORNING.
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Aired September 1, 2004 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANNOUNCER: This is AMERICAN MORNING from the Republican National Convention in New York, here's Bill Hemmer.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning. It is beautiful outside here in New York City, on a Wednesday morning, now with the sun up. And we are inside, yet again, in Madison Square Garden continuing our coverage throughout the week here, the Republican convention.
It is day three and night three later tonight. We'll talk about what happened here last night in a moment, but first there is news from Russia to talk about, important news, too.
The Russian news agency now reporting that more than a dozen armed gunmen stormed an elementary school in Southern Russia. They did it on the first day of school when many of the children's parents came to class. More than 100 are now said to be held hostage, many of them school children.
There's a report now, in the past 30 minutes, that 15 children may have been freed. We will go live to Moscow and try and update the very latest on what's happening there as we get it -- much more on that as we go forward through this hour.
Also, last night's convention here in New York, first lady, Laura Bush, the California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the featured speakers on the podium. We'll show you some of the highlights from what they said.
And joining us this hour, Republican senator, Chuck Hagel.
Also a bit later, we'll compare the fire power from the podium at this year's conventions when Kamber and May join us. That's coming up here at the half hour.
First, though, back across town, Heidi Collins outside our Time Life Studios. Good morning, Heidi, to you.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you, too, Bill.
A lot of other news going on this morning as well, amazing pictures coming to us today of the flooding this week in Richmond, Virginia -- you see it there --extensive damage as well in the city. We're going to tell you a little bit more about it.
Also this morning, the U.S. women's soccer team just back from Greece with gold medals around their necks. We're going to talk to three of the veterans on this winning team. Looking forward to that.
But right now, our own winning team member, Jack Cafferty, across the street from Madison Square Garden at the CNN diner once again on Eighth Avenue, pretty glitzy place. Isn't it, Jack?
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, right here on the Minnesota strip, Heidi.
You can relate to that. You're from Minnesota, right?
Coming up on the "Cafferty File," Alice Cooper weighs in on the mentality of rock stars. And we'll tell you why the TV series "The Simpson's" may run forever.
It has to do with alimony. That's in the file coming up in a little less than an hour, I think. Heidi, back to you.
COLLINS: All right, Jack, thank you so much for that.
As we've been telling you about all morning, a tense standoff in Southern Russia. Armed attackers are holding more than 100 people hostage, including school children in Beslan. It's near the Chechen border -- this is inside of a school -- on the first day of school for this area.
Up to 15 children have been freed. This is according to Russian news agencies. We do have Ryan Chilcote there. He's in Moscow keeping a very close eye on this story.
The video coming out of there, pretty incredible this morning -- we want to make sure we keep you up-to-date, and we'll do just that.
Meanwhile, other stories now in the news, in Nepal, a wave of angry protests sparked by the killings of Nepalese hostages in Iraq.
These images in to CNN within the last 15 minutes, thousands of protesters ransacked a mosque and clashed with police. The crowd also attacked airline offices -- a curfew now under affect in Katmandu.
Hurricane Frances is inching closer to Florida and it could strike as soon as Friday. Residents in Miami are bracing for it now by stocking up on wood. Frances is already a category four, but forecasters warn it could gain more strength.
In 10 minutes, we're going to talk with Chad Myers. He's going to trace the storm's path for us.
And fire investigators in Delaware are expected to head to the site of a major junkyard fire this morning. Four firefighters got hurt. At least 1,000 cars were destroyed in the massive blaze.
It took firefighters more than three hours to get it under control because of extra water had to be trucked in to them; the cause of the fire under investigation -- huge, huge plume of smoke there.
At the Kobe Bryant trial in Eagle, Colorado, jury selection is right on track. About three quarters of the potential jurors have been told whether or not they need to come back for more questioning.
There is a pool of about 1,000 people. The jury selection continues for a third day, starting at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time.
We'll send it back over to Bill now, once again, Madison Square Garden.
HEMMER: All right, Heidi, thanks for that.
Last night here in New York at the Republican convention, the governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, putting forth an optimistic message firing up the delegates here in Madison Square Garden.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA: Ladies and gentlemen, America is back: back from the attack on our homeland, back from the attack on our economy and back from the attack on our way of life.
We are back because of the perseverance, character and leadership of the 43rd president of the United States, George W. Bush.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Also in his speech last night enlisting ways people know whether or not they were Republican, Schwarzenegger used a sound bite that got him in a bit of trouble in the past.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCHWARZENEGGER: Now, there's another way you can tell you're a Republican: your faith in free enterprise, faith in the resourcefulness of the American people and faith in the U.S. economy. And to those critics who are so pessimistic about our economy, I say, don't be economic girlie men.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: After the governor, the Bush twins, Barbara and Jenna, usually shying away from the spotlight, made their appearance and made an introduction.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAUGHTER OF GEORGE W. BUSH: You know all those times when you're growing up and your parents embarrassed you? Well, this is payback time on live TV.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: And after that, a bit of a twist. They introduced their father, who was at a baseball field in Pennsylvania, who then, in turn, introduced his wife the first lady, Laura Bush, by way of remote television. Tonight, though, we look forward to the vice president, Dick Cheney, grabbing the convention spotlight on center stage. He will be introduced by his wife, Lynne.
For much more on what we expect to hear is our national correspondent on the floor. Here's Kelly Wallace this morning. Good morning, Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
Well Bush-Cheney campaign aides say we expect the vice president to talk about the importance of leadership at critical times in history, and also to talk about what one aide described as Senator Kerry's confusion of conviction during his 20 years in the Senate.
No doubt about it, the vice president is a controversial running mate. But both sides think he is an asset for their cause.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE (voice-over): Lost in a summer of sporadic speculation about whether he would stay or go is what Dick Cheney has done for the GOP. The vice president has spent '04 raising tons of cash and revving up the attacks on democratic senator, John Kerry.
DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: He said, and I quote, "I actually voted for the $87 billion before I voted against it."
That's certainly -- that certainly clears things up.
WALLACE: He might have the highest unfavorables of the four presidential campaign principals, might not have the most pizzazz.
CHENEY: I'm told that Senator Edwards got the job because he's sexy, charming, has great hair.
(LAUGHTER)
CHENEY: I said, how do you think I got the job?
WALLACE: But walk around Madison Square Garden, and you find delegates like Joan Terez Hudsen (ph) from Long Island.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE DELEGATE: His experience is invaluable.
WALLACE: And the Davies (ph) from Charlotte, North Carolina.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE DELEGATE: He brings stability. He brings confidence of the Republicans who really know him.
WALLACE: The social conservative helps the president sure-up his base, but he's also become a lightning rod for the Democrats.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Next January, America will be proud to have a champion of the middle class replace Dick Cheney.
WALLACE: Democrats fire away at Cheney's closed meetings with energy executives, his role in the war on Iraq and his use of the, can we say f-word, against a democratic Senator. And that all started the rumor mill, could Dick Cheney be dumped from the ticket?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was not any talk I ever heard in meetings with Republicans.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE: And campaign aides say a sign of the vice president's importance, the very public role he is already playing at this convention. He has appeared at every session so far.
Bill, as you know, traditionally the first time many delegates see the running mate, the night of the running mate's speech.
HEMMER: You're right there. Kelly, thanks. Kelly Wallace on the floor.
Back up here on our platform now, Republican senator, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska here now to share his thoughts in New York City with me, now.
Good morning, senator.
SEN. CHUCK HAGEL (R), NEBRASKA: Thank you, Bill.
HEMMER: Nice to have you here with me.
HAGEL: Thank you.
HEMMER: Terry McAuliffe, held of the DNC, last hour here on AMERICAN MORNING called this convention a masquerade ball. Republicans called the Democrats in Boston an extreme makeover.
Your comments to McAuliffe on the masquerade ball, is it true to form for the Republican Party?
HAGEL: I think this has been as good a convention as we've had in a long time. All these conventions have a little bit of show business to them, and that's the way is.
But they are important for the American people to get a snapshot of political party philosophy. It showcases our leaders. It talks in general terms about the standards and beliefs of a party.
So sure, there's always a bit of show business in this, and it's OK.
HEMMER: And within that packaging, did you have a problem with the moderates who have been put forward so far this week, McCain, Giuliani, Schwarzenegger?
HAGEL: Believe it or not, I've actually been called a moderate. What a terrible thing.
No, this is a big tent. This is a big party. It has an arc of philosophy about government that's important, that comes down to two or three basic principles. So, moderates, conservatives, maybe even a liberal slipped in. I don't know.
But this is the Republican Party, and we stand for, I think, a very clear definition of the role of government. And you can interpret variations of that, but it's all part of the political scene. It's unpredictable. It's kind of fun.
Unfortunately, it gets down too deep into debasing the process when we define down standards in how we behave on campaign TV commercials, both sides.
We should also always not ever veer away from understanding we have a responsibility to uplift, to inspire America.
HEMMER: Back to these commercials, though.
HAGEL: That's what political parties do.
HEMMER: What are you suggesting in that?
HAGEL: Well, the negative tone and texture of so many commercials that are out there today on the air, each campaign series, it seems, gets worse. It continues to define down who we are as a people.
Certainly taking the record of an opponent on is fair game. That's all part of the process, but when you -- when you seek to destroy the integrity and the character of your opponent versus just win the election, that crosses lines.
And part of that is, I think, the result of some bad decisions we made on campaign finance reform laws. These 527s that are outside the responsible, accountable process.
You've got the extremes on the left and the right now playing a huge part in controlling the airwaves in this country on what commercials are put on. And the parties are neutered to this.
HEMMER: Now, let me just try and be a little more specific because you know the Swift Boat ads are out there, and they're going to continue, we understand, for at least 63 more days.
HAGEL: Yes.
HEMMER: Up until the election of November 2nd. But based on what you're saying, though, are you saying that the service of John Kerry during that four-month period in Vietnam, where he collected the three purple hearts and the bronze and the silver star, is that right for discussion in this election? Is it right for debate?
HAGEL: Well, a candidate's record is always part of the debate. It must be. America must know where that candidate came from, what he did, what he believes because it all plays into the ultimate judgment of a candidate.
But to take the extremes, as we've seen on Kerry's record, for example -- I wasn't there. I don't know. I was in Vietnam in 1968. I wasn't there where Kerry was -- and try to use that as a central core issue to tear apart Kerry, when there are two versions of that, when, in fact, we've got all these great issues and challenges and threats that face this country and the world, and we are centered on that point is ridiculous and irresponsible.
And I think you pay a price for that. When do you that, the American people lose confidence in our system.
HEMMER: How much of this election, then, is deciding what's happening today in Iraq?
HAGEL: Oh, I think a good deal of it. I think this will be...
HEMMER: Is that the ultimate question for voters who have yet to make up their minds?
HAGEL: No. Re-election campaigns are always about the incumbent. They're not about the challenger. This campaign is going to be about whether the people of this country believe that George Bush deserves another four years, that he's done a good enough job.
I think he has. I think he does deserve another four years. Iraq is the centerpiece of that process that will be used to evaluate his record.
When a nation's at war and people are dying, that's a big part of a record. We've not seen this since '68.
HEMMER: Thank you, senator.
HAGEL: Thank you, Bill.
HEMMER: Chuck Hagel here in New York City, nice to see you.
A reminder to our viewers, later tonight, ringside seat all night long here: Anderson kicks off our coverage at 7:00; Wolf comes along at 8:00; then you'll have Larry at 9:00; the vice president, Dick Cheney, at 10:00; Aaron at 11:00; and Larry's back at midnight.
I think I got that right, Heidi. Back to you now, across town.
COLLINS: It is quite a lineup. That's for sure. Bill, thanks so much.
I want to take you now to Virginia, where at least five people are dead after tropical storm Gaston hit Richmond, Virginia. A 20- block area of downtown declared uninhabitable yesterday because of floodwaters like these.
In fact, look at this video now. It was captured by an amateur photographer. Streets were turned into raging rivers, cars swept away. Virginia's governor, Mark Warner, has declared a state of emergency. He says it's a miracle more people weren't killed.
Chad is tracking hurricane Frances. He's at the CNN Center with the very latest on all of this.
Those winds kicking up, what is it, about 140 miles per hour now?
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It's 140, now, yes. And obviously, Gaston was much less than that. The winds over Richmond were less than 45 miles per hour, but it was the rain, obviously, that was the problem here.
This is going to be a wind maker, not really a rainmaker. It's going to be moving pretty fast. Obviously, it will make rain, too. But, I'm telling you, now 140 mile per hour winds. That's what we're worried about. And it could even get stronger as it moves now into the Turks and the Caicos.
Here are the latest numbers from the Hurricane Center, 21.4 and 69.1. And it is still moving to the west-northwest at 16 miles per hour. Here's where it's been, and here's where it's going, right across the Bahamas, right through and into Nassau, into Freeport.
This now, obviously, into Friday, Friday morning, or maybe just after Thursday midnight the storm moves right through and into Florida, looks like somewhere between Miami, maybe as far north as South Carolina. And that looks like that happens either late Friday or maybe into Saturday depending on how far it turns to the right.
(WEATHER BREAK)
MYERS: Sunny all day for you, Bill, 82 in New York City.
HEMMER: Hey, we'll take it. It's beautiful outside. Thank you, Chad.
We know Republicans are up all week here in New York. What about the main opponent, though? News of a possible shake up in the Kerry campaign. We'll get to that.
And a special convention speaker's smack down edition of Kamber and May. Who wins, Laura Bush or Teresa Heinz Kerry, Arnold Schwarzenegger or Barack Obama?
We'll look at that at the half hour here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Eighty-two and sunny, take this and put it in a bottle. New York City, Brooklyn Bridge, looking at Lower Manhattan right there. And welcome back, everybody.
We're live inside Madison Square Garden. It is day three now for the Republican National Convention. Throughout the week, we're trying to monitor the activity on the streets of New York City. It has been electric going back to Friday night and the initial protest we saw here.
This morning, a New York City teenager is being charged with beating a police detective unconscious. The alleged attack happened Monday night near Madison Square Garden.
The 26-year-old detective was on a scooter patrolling a crowd of protesters outside the convention hall, that's when officials say the 19-year-old pushed the detective to the ground, punched him and kicked him in the head.
The detective listed now in stable condition. The teen is charged with felony assault of a police officer.
Now today, what's happening is being dubbed as a pink slip protest. Deborah Feyerick is live in downtown New York also on that. Deb, good morning.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill. Well, the demonstrators here are forming what they call the world's longest unemployment line. The goal is to call attention to the some eight million out of work Americans here in the country.
They're forming a single line, a silent line, from Wall Street all the way up to the convention site at Broadway. They're taking part, thousands of them, along five miles. They say that these pink slips are to highlight the problem of unemployment in America.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the first time in American history since the depression was over, since the war started, that we've actually lost jobs. We've lost over a million, two, jobs. And that's a bad situation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FEYERICK: Now, the organizers say this demonstration will be completely non-violent and completely non-confrontational. There are no plans to block any intersections, and they do have police permission.
That was a different scene from yesterday when protesters outside the convention last night refused to go to the free speech zone, dozens of them sitting down in the street, at one point blocking two buses carrying the delegates.
Now, 40 arrests were made in that particular protest. In another protest down at ground zero, 200 people were arrested during a march that began peacefully.
Witnesses say the police were pulling some of the people out of the line and arresting them. One man yelling what have I done? What have I done? We asked the police commissioner about it, and he said that they were disobeying orders to stay on the sidewalk.
Police clearly taking a zero tolerance approach to any demonstrations in what they say are incidents of violations, the people who have been arrested, some 1,500 of them, all being charged with disorderly conduct -- Bill?
HEMMER: And now, Deborah, since you're on that beat, let me ask you this. With the vice president speaking tonight, with the president coming out on Thursday, do police believe that the protests will become more intense starting today because of that?
FEYERICK: Well, it's -- they do expect the protests to become more intense; and they certainly expect certain groups to try to call as much attention as they can.
Many of the protesters, the ones that you are seeing either get arrested or become violent, they're the ones who are accusing police are creating a police state here in New York. But some of the delegates say that at least they feel comfortable having so much police around them.
HEMMER: All right. Follow it for us. Deb, thanks. Deborah Feyerick out on the sidewalks here in New York.
A new number, too, from police here, 1,187 arrests going back to Friday evening here in New York.
More from "the Garden" in a moment, here's Heidi again -- Heidi?
COLLINS: Bill, thanks for that.
And still to come this morning, the real American "Dream Team." After more than a decade together, some members of the U.S. women's soccer team are moving on, but not before claiming another title.
We'll talk to three of the Olympic champs ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: A beautiful shot this morning outside the Time Life building across from Radio City Music Hall, a look at all across New York, in fact, during this week of the Republican National Convention.
We have Jack standing by at the CNN diner and the "Question of the Day" now.
Jack, hello again.
CAFFERTY: Thanks, Heidi.
The president's first stop in New York for the convention will be tonight in Queens. He's going to sit with firefighters there, and they're all going to watch Vice President Dick Cheney's speech together. The event is designed to emphasize the war on terror and evoke memories of the day when the president visited ground zero after the September 11th attacks.
Some have said the Republicans are politicizing that event by having the convention in New York City. Others say the president has every right to recall the day when America was attacked under his watch.
The "Question of the Day" has to do with what you think about the president. Is he exploiting September 11th by meeting with the firefighters in New York tonight?
Nan in Dayton, Ohio writes, "Of course President Bush is going to capitalize on September 11th because the nation was the most united at that time. Since then, it has been the most divided. The Bush Administration has nothing else but September 11th."
JoAnna in Mount Dora, Florida, "The president is absolutely not exploiting 9/11. It would not make any difference who was president at the time. The incumbent has every right to put forth the good points to date on his performance in office."
Dan in Dubuque, Iowa writes how do you exploit September 11th? It's part of our history now. President Bush is not exploiting it, but those who use it as a political tool against the president are exploiting it for their political gain."
And Troy in Tampa offers this, "President Bush is exploiting the September 11th attacks for political gain every bit as much as John Kerry has been exploiting the Vietnam War for his own gains."
We may read some more of these a little bit later in the broadcast, am@cnn.com.
Here's the scorecard, number of days since the September 11th commission made recommendations on how to protect the country against terrorism, 41. The number of recommendations adopted by our Congress so far, none. Congress remains on vacation.
Heidi, back to you.
COLLINS: Jack, thanks for that.
We want to talk a little bit about the talk shows, in fact, the late-night ones. They're having a field day with the Republicans big party here in "the Big Apple."
Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAY LENO, NBC "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO": Isn't that amazing, 800,000 people leave town because of the Republican Convention. I mean, they raised the terror alert in New York, they elevate it, no New Yorkers leave. A threat by al Qaeda to destroy our financial institutions, New Yorkers stand firm.
(LAUGHTER)
Republicans come to town, let's get out of here!
(APPLAUSE)
LENO: 800,000.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Everybody running off to the Hamptons? I don't know. What do you think, Bill?
HEMMER: I think they're going just about everywhere. I'll tell you, last night in Lower Manhattan, Heidi, around 5:30 in the evening, normally a time when the cabs would be all over the place...
COLLINS: Right.
HEMMER: ... and it would bumper to bumper traffic, the streets were virtually empty.
COLLINS: Yes, I noticed that, too.
HEMMER: And so, too, were the sidewalks, so a lot of people have gotten out of town. I don't think they'll be back until after the...
COLLINS: But the people who did stay...
HEMMER: Sorry? What's that?
COLLINS: I was going to say the people who did stay are actually really enjoying it. They say the city is very quiet.
HEMMER: Well, it's easier in a lot of ways, too, just to get around, too.
COLLINS: That's right.
HEMMER: Thanks, Heidi.
In a moment here, we'll update you on the very latest on what's happening in Russia, the terrorists storming a school there -- more than 100 held hostage, including dozens of children.
Also, the latest on the Kerry campaign, Republicans taking the spotlight this week; it might be time for some changes, though, in the Kerry camp, we're told. What's the latest on those reports?
Back in a moment after this on AMERICAN MORNING.
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