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American Morning
Update on Hurricane Frances; Russian Hostage Crisis; Final day of Republican National Convention
Aired September 02, 2004 - 9:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: They were waving arms, yelling "flip- flop" and "Four more years." Republicans open up on John Kerry on the third night of their convention in New York City. Leading the charge against Kerry, a fellow Democrat in the Senate.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. ZELL MILLER (D), GEORGIA: John Kerry has been more wrong, more weak and more wobbly than any other national figure.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Tonight, it's the president's turn to tell delegates and the country why he deserves four more years. It is a big day ahead starting on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: This is AMERICAN MORNING. From the Republican National Convention in New York, here's Bill Hemmer.
HEMMER: Good morning, once again, live from Madison Square Garden. You're looking right now live at a picture down on the floor, where the construction project begins again and continues throughout the morning here. They are reconfiguring the stage where the president will stand in the center of this arena later tonight for his primetime address.
On the calendar, meanwhile, it is September 2. Two months exactly before the presidential election here in the U.S.
Good morning, I'm Bill Hemmer.
Later tonight, the president will be on the floor here in the convention hall. And that stage being transformed for his address as we speak. We'll talk about that. Also talk about last night in a moment as well.
Dick Cheney accepting his party's nomination for vice president, delivering a speech focused on national security. Senator Zell Miller gave the keynote speech. We'll talk about that and what he said, and how tough he was with his remarks aimed at the Democratic nominee.
Also, a packed hour of guests, too, coming up in a moment. Commerce Secretary Don Evans will be with you, a close friend of the president. Senator Lindsey Graham will be our guest. The spokesperson from the White House, Scott McClellan, is here in New York also. And the Democratic vice presidential candidate, John Edwards, in a rare interview during this convention on the Republican side.
And for good measure, throw in P. Diddy. He's been working to get out the vote this year. We talked to him a month ago up in Boston. Still working the scene here in New York City. Sean Combs our guest later this hour.
Awful lot of other news to talk about, too. And for that, to Heidi Collins again across town.
Heidi, good morning again.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning once again, Bill.
There certainly is a lot of other news. In fact, this breaking news we've been following all morning long out of Russia.
I want to show you these brand-new pictures into us now. You're looking at three women and three infants who have been released from this school where the terrorists are holding hundreds more children and adults hostage. Brand-new pictures here.
You see a couple of these babies being brought out. Thankfully, look to be, appear to be OK there in the arms of security and police forces there in Russia. We will be, of course, following this story.
Ryan Chilcote is standing by for a live update on that situation. Very, very tense. A long way to go in those negotiations. Once again, not sure exactly how many hundreds of people are still inside.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Frances is simply an enormous storm. Look at this now. Threatening the Bahamas right now. We're going to show you where it may be headed after that.
Right now, we want to head over to Jack Cafferty, standing by at the CNN diner once again.
Good morning once again, Jack. Are we going to see that video anymore of the milk in the eye and all that? I only got a quick glimpse.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Did you see that?
COLLINS: Just barely. I looked up and almost missed it.
CAFFERTY: After a lot of thinking, I've decided I'm going to run it again tomorrow just because it's funny and I want to see it again.
COLLINS: Super.
CAFFERTY: But that's for tomorrow. This week, from the diner here on the Minnesota strip, we are doing something called "Voice of the Voter." And a little bit later, we're going to hear from some of the undecideds on what they're going to have to hear from President Bush tonight in order to get their vote. That will be coming up a later this hour.
COLLINS: OK, Jack. Thanks so much. We'll check in a little bit later on.
Stories "Now in the News," though, this morning.
Turkey is looking into reports that a militant group killed three Turkish hostages in Iraq. The Arabic language news network, Al Jazeera, said it received a video showing the deaths, but did not air that footage. And three Muslim clerics from France arrived in Baghdad to help gain the release of two French journalists there.
Here in the U.S., incoming flights from Moscow are under new security guidelines. Delta and Aeroflot Russian Airlines are ordered to check all passengers for possible bombs and to conduct more thorough screenings of the planes and the cargo put onboard. The new measures come one week after suspected terrorists crashed two Russian planes.
And just this morning, another 250,000 people apparently been told to evacuate in Florida as Frances looms toward the hurricane- battered state. That puts the total at 750,000 now out of their homes. And right now, the Category 4 storm is tearing through the Bahamas with 145-mile-per-hour winds. A state of emergency has been declared both in Georgia and in Florida.
Chad Myers watching it all for us, going to give us the latest.
Chad, it is just swirling out of control.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It truly is now, 145. You get to be 155, that's Category 5. That's as strong as you get there, Category 5. If this was in the western Pacific, it would be called a super typhoon.
Here it is right now moving over Atwood Cay in the Bahamas. Very strong storm.
We still don't have a great feel for where this thing is going. The computers are still arguing with themselves.
If this continues to move in its direct course, it moves into Miami in about 30 hours. If it turns to the right, as it's supposed to, it actually heads up on up toward the coast, a little bit farther up toward Melbourne. Don't think of it as a point or a line.
Here's the problem we've been having with this storm, and the hurricane center dealing with this as well. Here's Tuesday. Remember on Tuesday we said, "Now, don't let your guard down if you're in Key West, or all the way up to North Carolina?" That problem was that the models, the things that we use to actually find out where this thing is going, where the computers are thinking it's going, we're spread out way up from North Carolina all the way down to the Keys.
Typically, when you get closer to land, this thing kind of gets all together and we say, "OK, it's pretty close." This thing is still spread out like a shotgun.
Some storms, some of the models taking it east of Daytona Beach. Some right across south Florida. And others right across central Florida and then back up into Georgia.
So it's still a few hours away. But if you are in the hurricane watch zone -- and from Ed Rappaport at the Hurricane Center it's going to be hurricane warning in two hours, at 11:00 -- you need to be prepared for this thing.
COLLINS: All right. Chad, excellent advice. Thanks so much for that.
We are also continuing to follow another developing story out of Russia: the hostage situation at an elementary school there. We're now hearing three women and three infant children have been released. Ryan Chilcote is live on the scene now in Beslan.
Ryan, what do you know about this? Some amazing pictures we've just seen.
RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Sure. Well, we have some pictures of a -- and we were actually on site. We have some pictures of a soldier carrying out one infant from near this school. We understand from authorities here that three women and three infants have been released from the school.
It's interesting. A man came out to talk to reporters, and any time anyone -- any official moves through the square -- there are hundreds of people here -- they are immediately swarmed by reporters and hundreds of very concerned relatives.
So the camera has heard what this spokesman said, but the people didn't. And they started complaining.
This man does not have a loudspeaker. The representative doesn't have a loudspeaker. So very difficult for people to hear. And very, very anxious situation here on the ground.
A couple people in the crowd had signs. One said, "Mr. Putin, let our children go. Fulfill the demands." Another sign said, "Mr. Putin, there are 800 hostages in there."
That's, of course, not consistent with what the Russian government is saying. The Russian government is saying that there are just over 350 hostages, many of them children between the ages of seven and 17 still inside the school.
Now, about an hour ago, there was some firing. We understand that the hostage-takers inside the school opened fire on a car that was parked outside, setting it ablaze.
The latest is that Russian authorities hope to resume talks with the hostage-takers. There is a pediatrician who has served as negotiator before with hostage-takers, who was actually requested by these hostage-takers as a middleman, that is waiting to go in. He has been expected to go in for several hours, but he hasn't been allowed to go in to the school yet to talk to the hostage-takers -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Ryan, quickly, we know that the cell phones have been turned off from those inside. The attackers inside had not wanted to negotiate. They refused food and water. Now we're seeing a little bit of progress here. What's the word outside as you talk with authorities on the scene?
CHILCOTE: You know, it's difficult to say. This situation seems like it changes every couple of hours, without really any significant differences.
The hostage-takers initially welcomed Mr. -- Dr. Roshol (ph). He's the negotiator that was set to go inside. In fact, he was one of the three negotiators that they said they were willing to deal with.
He was flown here from Moscow on an emergency flight. He's been standing by to go inside. And for some reason, the hostage-takers are saying that they're not prepared to accept him yet. Nor, as you said, have they accepted water and food.
And remember that yesterday was the first day of school here. And there was no planned lunch inside that school. So the kids haven't eaten in about 36 hours since they had breakfast yesterday.
They don't have any supplies, any food supplies inside the school. So it's very important for Russian authorities not to just, of course, win the release of these children, as they just won the release of three women and three infants, but also to try and get some food and water, some basic conditions to those people inside.
COLLINS: We certainly hope that happens. Ryan Chilcote, thanks so very much for the update, coming to us from Beslan, Russia. We'll keep you updated on that story, of course.
Bill, back to you at Madison Square Garden now.
HEMMER: All right, Heidi.
Turning our attention back now to the Republican convention here, to the floor and Bob Franken here at Madison Square Garden.
Bob, good morning again to you.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
We're waiting for the big events this evening. This has been quite a bit of political theater. And tonight, we're going to have same arena, different platform.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN (voice-over): He'll speak from a special stage at the convention. But first...
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!
FRANKEN: ... President Bush was setting the stage for his speech with September 11th imagery by going to Queens for an endorsement by firefighters. His ticket mate was at his podium inside the convention hall. The president's warm-up act scorching the opponent who wasn't there.
RICHARD CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Senator Kerry says he sees two Americas. It makes the whole thing mutual. America -- America sees two John Kerrys.
FRANKEN: The crowd loved it. But not quite everyone.
Officials had to remove a protester, just one of the incidents where demonstrators had faked out all the security. But the Republicans were more than glad to let one outsider in, Democrat Zell Miller, keynote speaker for Bill Clinton 12 years ago, keynoter for George Bush this time around.
MILLER: Our nation is being torn apart and made weaker because of a Democrat's manic obsession to bring down our commander in chief.
(APPLAUSE)
MILLER: What has happened to the party I've spent my life working in?
FRANKEN: Tonight, this party's big finish with President Bush. But he'll quickly leave the roar of Madison Square Garden behind.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN: And what you can see in back of me is one of the bomb- sniffing dogs. There are a lot of these in town right now.
That's a sign that at some point they're going to do another sweep. He's going to make sure that, after all, the construction, this is a safe hall. And then we get ready for some political show this evening, which, Bill, is going to have an awful lot of bite to it.
HEMMER: Bob, thanks for that. Bob Franken there near the floor.
One of President Bush's closest friends and advisers is Don Evans, going back almost 30 years, in fact. The secretary of Commerce here now to talk about the personal relationship he has with the president.
Mr. Secretary, good morning to you.
DON EVANS, COMMERCE SECRETARY: Good morning to you, Bill.
HEMMER: The president arrived last night here in New York City. You had a conversation with him. And the content was what that you can share with us now?
EVANS: Well, he's thrilled to be here. He can't wait for tonight. He's anxious to talk to the American people, tell them about the results, certainly the last three and a half or four years, but also talk about the future, talk about the vision for America, talk about where he's going to continue to move this country -- how he will continue to move this country forward. HEMMER: Now, if you compare this election now to 2000, how is he approaching this differently than he did four years ago?
EVANS: Well, you know, he's got four years of serving the people as president of the United States now. And, of course, you know, we've faced some challenges, as you know, Bill, as this whole country knows, that nobody quite anticipated or expected.
And there is a seriousness of purpose, a seriousness of focus on this war against terrorism, and how important it is to the future of this country, the national security of this country, for the protection of our children and our grandchildren. And so, you know, he will be talking about this moment in time, this defining moment, how we must stay very steadfast, very patient, very persistent in this -- in the pursuit against the war on terrorism.
HEMMER: I mentioned that you've been friends for almost 30 years. Politically, you've worked with him since he really got into public office. His first big election that he won against arguably the most popular Texan of the time, 1994, then Governor Ann Richards, what did you do and what did he do in that campaign that launched him to victory when a lot of people didn't think it was possible?
EVANS: But, Bill, don't forget the 1978 campaign either. I mean, that was also, I think, a very important campaign, because it gave me an opportunity to see how natural this man is as a -- as a campaigner, but also as somebody that can connect with people, because -- because he loves the American people. And they feel it, and they see it.
And they have a chance to look him in the eye, they sense it. And that's what happened in the 1993-'94 campaign.
HEMMER: So you think it was just a -- just a personal connection that he made at that time?
EVANS: A lot of it was, but it was also the principles on which this man stands on. I mean, you know, a lot of people advise him.
Look, you can't beat the most popular governor in the history of the state of Texas, particularly when she has the backing of the trial lawyers. Because he was taking on the trial lawyers.
And so the people saw his principle. But they also, once they got to know him, the more they got to know him, the more they liked him. And that's been the history of this man. The people that know him the best like him the most.
HEMMER: Let's go forward now to 2004. The Democrats put out a statement from John Edwards last night while Zell Miller was speaking. It read in part, "There was a lot of hate coming from that podium tonight."
Your reaction to that? And did you mention that to the president last night? EVANS: Bill, let me tell you, it's just an incredible statement to hear coming out of that campaign. I've got to tell you, I've been in Washington, D.C., now for about four years to serve the American people.
I moved there as a citizen to serve all the Americans. And I love serving them. But one of the -- one of the lines in Senator Kerry's speech that hurt me the most, having known this man for 30 years, my wife known him for 54 years, is when he said that, "I am going to become the president and restore trust and credibility to the White House."
Let me tell you this. This Oval Office has total complete integrity, total complete trust, total complete truth, because George W. Bush is sitting in the Oval Office today. And so for him to suggest that somehow it needs to be restored is a direct attack on the president's integrity and his trust.
And I'm going to tell you that this is a man that you can trust 100 percent of the time. Not 88 percent of the time, not 92 percent of the time, not 80 percent of the time. You can trust him 100 percent of the time.
HEMMER: Don Evans, Commerce secretary, and long-time friend of the president.
EVANS: Indeed.
HEMMER: Thanks for your time.
EVANS: Sure, Bill. Thank you.
HEMMER: Nice to see you here in New York.
EVANS: You bet.
HEMMER: All right.
There is breaking news to get to. Let's get to it now. Heidi Collins again across town -- Heidi.
COLLINS: We are going to have that breaking news. The latest in the situation in Russia is that three women and three infants have been released from that school there. Still not sure how many hundreds of people, possibly hundreds of people still inside.
Of course, we've got our finger on that story. Ryan Chilcote is live from there in just a few moments.
But for now, still to come this morning, Democrat Zell Miller left no doubt last night who he was voting for. What is the White House's take on his impassioned speech? We'll talk to White House press secretary Scott McClellan about that.
Also ahead, one of the new players on the political scene. Rap and fashion mogul Sean P. Diddy Combs stops by to talk about his own personal campaign.
And Republicans are partying this week, but one GOP lawmaker says the scene will drastically change in 10 years if something doesn't give. Senator Lindsey Graham here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: In this week full of Republican leaders celebrating their party, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham made headlines with some very straight talk about his party's weaknesses. Senator Graham is joining us now this morning to talk more about it.
What is the main weakness of the Republican Party?
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: Well, right now, we are not doing well among minority voters. We're losing about 90 percent of the African-Americans vote nationwide. About 60 percent, 65 percent of the Hispanic vote. And over time, the demographic changes in this country, that becomes ominous for the Republican Party.
So what I would like to see my party do is not change their philosophy of government, because I believe Social Security reform, school choice, faith-based initiatives are good ideas for the country as a whole, but really make an effort to say you're welcome. We have to do a better job of attracting social moderates.
Giuliani and Schwarzenegger showed what can happen if people feel comfortable being part of the Republican Party even though you disagree. And our Democratic friends have the same challenge.
They need to understand and explain the best they can how Zell Miller went from being Bill Clinton's biggest political ally to last night. So both parties have challenges. And the one that overcomes their challenge the best will dominate this century.
COLLINS: Well, you know, in fact, lots of analysts are saying that Republicans are no longer concerned about the undecided voters. We've heard about the undecided voters for so long. Much more concerned about expanding their base. Your thoughts on that?
GRAHAM: Well, to be honest with you, demographic changes in this country, the Hispanic vote, the African-American vote is going to grow. Our base needs to be people who buy into the core principles of the party.
When you inventory what we believe among African-Americans, you get a lot of agreement about the concept. But when you say, "Would you vote Republican," a lot will bail out.
So the truth is, if you want to be relevant in the next decade as a party, if you want to be able to win the White House and maintain a Senate majority, we have to do better among minority voters. And if we'll make the effort, we'll become better people and a better party.
COLLINS: Why is it so difficult to attract the minority voters? GRAHAM: I think a lot of it is some of our own problems in the past. I'm a conservative, I believe in the 10th Amendment. But states' rights was used as a concept to deny a person a chance to get a drink of water when they were thirsty, to go to the school around the corner, or vote without fear. It was an ideology that had lost its way, lost its conscience.
So part of it is our fault. Part of it is our Democratic friends beat us up badly. But I see an opportunity for change by having a good healthy dialog about principles and concepts.
But People know if they feel welcomed or not. And my goal is to make sure that 31 percent of African-Americans in my state feel welcome, and to go out and sell the policies that I'm advocating as a senator to the whole state.
And the truth is, unless we tap into the entire pool of talent in South Carolina, we can never be a great state, or a great party. And that's the challenge of my generation.
COLLINS: You happy being a Republican?
GRAHAM: I love being a Republican. I love being in a democracy. I like my Democratic friends.
We kind of treat each other a little too mean. I think one of the reasons Zell Miller was where he was last night is he gets turned off by some of the national meanness about conservative judges and other things that our Democrat friends do. But we have our own problems, too.
COLLINS: Appreciate your time this morning.
GRAHAM: Thank you.
COLLINS: Senator Lindsey Graham, thanks so much.
GRAHAM: God bless.
COLLINS: Bill, back now to the Garden.
HEMMER: All right, Heidi.
In a moment here, Democrats rallied the Republicans last night, or a Democrat did that last night. But will Zell Miller's speech have some unintended consequences around the country? We'll go on the floor with our reporter roundtable still ahead this hour here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: All right. Back inside the diner, Jack's drinking milk this morning.
Aren't you, buddy? Good morning.
CAFFERTY: How you doing, William?
Yes, we start with what in my humble opinion is a bit of a national embarrassment. That's the scorecard.
The number of days since the 9/11 Commission made recommendations for protecting this country against terrorism is 42. The number of recommendations adopted by your Congress, absolutely none. Congress is on vacation. I do hope they're having a joyous time with themselves.
The special segment this week on the "File" called "Voice of the Voter." What we did yesterday is went out and talked to some undecided voters about what they say they want to hear from President Bush if he has a chance to get their vote.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If he would stop his minions from destroying our environment, it would certainly give me food for thought, yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't feel that Bush has done anything with domestic policies. He's worried a lot about foreign policy and going and taking care of rebuilding Iraq, when he should be focusing on health care issues back here in the U.S.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm a Democrat, and I cannot believe I'm saying this on television. But Bush has been incredibly supportive of Israel, and it's making me as a Democrat waiver.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think I'd vote Democratic, just because, like, growing up in a Democratic household, I always...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's not really Democratic. Daddy's a Republican. I'm a Democrat.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CAFFERTY: Well, it was probably an interesting conversation in that house around the dinner table last night. We'll have some more of this a little bit later in the program, Bill.
HEMMER: All right. Jack, thanks for that.
Let's get a break here in a moment. The opening bell live from Wall Street in a moment.
Also, President Bush telling the country tonight why he should be reelected. We'll get a preview. White House press secretary Scott McClellan my guest here at Madison Square Garden.
A stunner in the Kobe Bryant matter. Prosecutors dropped the case, Bryant says he's sorry. Jeff Toobin stops by to explain it all.
Back in a moment after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired September 2, 2004 - 9:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: They were waving arms, yelling "flip- flop" and "Four more years." Republicans open up on John Kerry on the third night of their convention in New York City. Leading the charge against Kerry, a fellow Democrat in the Senate.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. ZELL MILLER (D), GEORGIA: John Kerry has been more wrong, more weak and more wobbly than any other national figure.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Tonight, it's the president's turn to tell delegates and the country why he deserves four more years. It is a big day ahead starting on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: This is AMERICAN MORNING. From the Republican National Convention in New York, here's Bill Hemmer.
HEMMER: Good morning, once again, live from Madison Square Garden. You're looking right now live at a picture down on the floor, where the construction project begins again and continues throughout the morning here. They are reconfiguring the stage where the president will stand in the center of this arena later tonight for his primetime address.
On the calendar, meanwhile, it is September 2. Two months exactly before the presidential election here in the U.S.
Good morning, I'm Bill Hemmer.
Later tonight, the president will be on the floor here in the convention hall. And that stage being transformed for his address as we speak. We'll talk about that. Also talk about last night in a moment as well.
Dick Cheney accepting his party's nomination for vice president, delivering a speech focused on national security. Senator Zell Miller gave the keynote speech. We'll talk about that and what he said, and how tough he was with his remarks aimed at the Democratic nominee.
Also, a packed hour of guests, too, coming up in a moment. Commerce Secretary Don Evans will be with you, a close friend of the president. Senator Lindsey Graham will be our guest. The spokesperson from the White House, Scott McClellan, is here in New York also. And the Democratic vice presidential candidate, John Edwards, in a rare interview during this convention on the Republican side.
And for good measure, throw in P. Diddy. He's been working to get out the vote this year. We talked to him a month ago up in Boston. Still working the scene here in New York City. Sean Combs our guest later this hour.
Awful lot of other news to talk about, too. And for that, to Heidi Collins again across town.
Heidi, good morning again.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning once again, Bill.
There certainly is a lot of other news. In fact, this breaking news we've been following all morning long out of Russia.
I want to show you these brand-new pictures into us now. You're looking at three women and three infants who have been released from this school where the terrorists are holding hundreds more children and adults hostage. Brand-new pictures here.
You see a couple of these babies being brought out. Thankfully, look to be, appear to be OK there in the arms of security and police forces there in Russia. We will be, of course, following this story.
Ryan Chilcote is standing by for a live update on that situation. Very, very tense. A long way to go in those negotiations. Once again, not sure exactly how many hundreds of people are still inside.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Frances is simply an enormous storm. Look at this now. Threatening the Bahamas right now. We're going to show you where it may be headed after that.
Right now, we want to head over to Jack Cafferty, standing by at the CNN diner once again.
Good morning once again, Jack. Are we going to see that video anymore of the milk in the eye and all that? I only got a quick glimpse.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Did you see that?
COLLINS: Just barely. I looked up and almost missed it.
CAFFERTY: After a lot of thinking, I've decided I'm going to run it again tomorrow just because it's funny and I want to see it again.
COLLINS: Super.
CAFFERTY: But that's for tomorrow. This week, from the diner here on the Minnesota strip, we are doing something called "Voice of the Voter." And a little bit later, we're going to hear from some of the undecideds on what they're going to have to hear from President Bush tonight in order to get their vote. That will be coming up a later this hour.
COLLINS: OK, Jack. Thanks so much. We'll check in a little bit later on.
Stories "Now in the News," though, this morning.
Turkey is looking into reports that a militant group killed three Turkish hostages in Iraq. The Arabic language news network, Al Jazeera, said it received a video showing the deaths, but did not air that footage. And three Muslim clerics from France arrived in Baghdad to help gain the release of two French journalists there.
Here in the U.S., incoming flights from Moscow are under new security guidelines. Delta and Aeroflot Russian Airlines are ordered to check all passengers for possible bombs and to conduct more thorough screenings of the planes and the cargo put onboard. The new measures come one week after suspected terrorists crashed two Russian planes.
And just this morning, another 250,000 people apparently been told to evacuate in Florida as Frances looms toward the hurricane- battered state. That puts the total at 750,000 now out of their homes. And right now, the Category 4 storm is tearing through the Bahamas with 145-mile-per-hour winds. A state of emergency has been declared both in Georgia and in Florida.
Chad Myers watching it all for us, going to give us the latest.
Chad, it is just swirling out of control.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It truly is now, 145. You get to be 155, that's Category 5. That's as strong as you get there, Category 5. If this was in the western Pacific, it would be called a super typhoon.
Here it is right now moving over Atwood Cay in the Bahamas. Very strong storm.
We still don't have a great feel for where this thing is going. The computers are still arguing with themselves.
If this continues to move in its direct course, it moves into Miami in about 30 hours. If it turns to the right, as it's supposed to, it actually heads up on up toward the coast, a little bit farther up toward Melbourne. Don't think of it as a point or a line.
Here's the problem we've been having with this storm, and the hurricane center dealing with this as well. Here's Tuesday. Remember on Tuesday we said, "Now, don't let your guard down if you're in Key West, or all the way up to North Carolina?" That problem was that the models, the things that we use to actually find out where this thing is going, where the computers are thinking it's going, we're spread out way up from North Carolina all the way down to the Keys.
Typically, when you get closer to land, this thing kind of gets all together and we say, "OK, it's pretty close." This thing is still spread out like a shotgun.
Some storms, some of the models taking it east of Daytona Beach. Some right across south Florida. And others right across central Florida and then back up into Georgia.
So it's still a few hours away. But if you are in the hurricane watch zone -- and from Ed Rappaport at the Hurricane Center it's going to be hurricane warning in two hours, at 11:00 -- you need to be prepared for this thing.
COLLINS: All right. Chad, excellent advice. Thanks so much for that.
We are also continuing to follow another developing story out of Russia: the hostage situation at an elementary school there. We're now hearing three women and three infant children have been released. Ryan Chilcote is live on the scene now in Beslan.
Ryan, what do you know about this? Some amazing pictures we've just seen.
RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Sure. Well, we have some pictures of a -- and we were actually on site. We have some pictures of a soldier carrying out one infant from near this school. We understand from authorities here that three women and three infants have been released from the school.
It's interesting. A man came out to talk to reporters, and any time anyone -- any official moves through the square -- there are hundreds of people here -- they are immediately swarmed by reporters and hundreds of very concerned relatives.
So the camera has heard what this spokesman said, but the people didn't. And they started complaining.
This man does not have a loudspeaker. The representative doesn't have a loudspeaker. So very difficult for people to hear. And very, very anxious situation here on the ground.
A couple people in the crowd had signs. One said, "Mr. Putin, let our children go. Fulfill the demands." Another sign said, "Mr. Putin, there are 800 hostages in there."
That's, of course, not consistent with what the Russian government is saying. The Russian government is saying that there are just over 350 hostages, many of them children between the ages of seven and 17 still inside the school.
Now, about an hour ago, there was some firing. We understand that the hostage-takers inside the school opened fire on a car that was parked outside, setting it ablaze.
The latest is that Russian authorities hope to resume talks with the hostage-takers. There is a pediatrician who has served as negotiator before with hostage-takers, who was actually requested by these hostage-takers as a middleman, that is waiting to go in. He has been expected to go in for several hours, but he hasn't been allowed to go in to the school yet to talk to the hostage-takers -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Ryan, quickly, we know that the cell phones have been turned off from those inside. The attackers inside had not wanted to negotiate. They refused food and water. Now we're seeing a little bit of progress here. What's the word outside as you talk with authorities on the scene?
CHILCOTE: You know, it's difficult to say. This situation seems like it changes every couple of hours, without really any significant differences.
The hostage-takers initially welcomed Mr. -- Dr. Roshol (ph). He's the negotiator that was set to go inside. In fact, he was one of the three negotiators that they said they were willing to deal with.
He was flown here from Moscow on an emergency flight. He's been standing by to go inside. And for some reason, the hostage-takers are saying that they're not prepared to accept him yet. Nor, as you said, have they accepted water and food.
And remember that yesterday was the first day of school here. And there was no planned lunch inside that school. So the kids haven't eaten in about 36 hours since they had breakfast yesterday.
They don't have any supplies, any food supplies inside the school. So it's very important for Russian authorities not to just, of course, win the release of these children, as they just won the release of three women and three infants, but also to try and get some food and water, some basic conditions to those people inside.
COLLINS: We certainly hope that happens. Ryan Chilcote, thanks so very much for the update, coming to us from Beslan, Russia. We'll keep you updated on that story, of course.
Bill, back to you at Madison Square Garden now.
HEMMER: All right, Heidi.
Turning our attention back now to the Republican convention here, to the floor and Bob Franken here at Madison Square Garden.
Bob, good morning again to you.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
We're waiting for the big events this evening. This has been quite a bit of political theater. And tonight, we're going to have same arena, different platform.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN (voice-over): He'll speak from a special stage at the convention. But first...
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!
FRANKEN: ... President Bush was setting the stage for his speech with September 11th imagery by going to Queens for an endorsement by firefighters. His ticket mate was at his podium inside the convention hall. The president's warm-up act scorching the opponent who wasn't there.
RICHARD CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Senator Kerry says he sees two Americas. It makes the whole thing mutual. America -- America sees two John Kerrys.
FRANKEN: The crowd loved it. But not quite everyone.
Officials had to remove a protester, just one of the incidents where demonstrators had faked out all the security. But the Republicans were more than glad to let one outsider in, Democrat Zell Miller, keynote speaker for Bill Clinton 12 years ago, keynoter for George Bush this time around.
MILLER: Our nation is being torn apart and made weaker because of a Democrat's manic obsession to bring down our commander in chief.
(APPLAUSE)
MILLER: What has happened to the party I've spent my life working in?
FRANKEN: Tonight, this party's big finish with President Bush. But he'll quickly leave the roar of Madison Square Garden behind.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN: And what you can see in back of me is one of the bomb- sniffing dogs. There are a lot of these in town right now.
That's a sign that at some point they're going to do another sweep. He's going to make sure that, after all, the construction, this is a safe hall. And then we get ready for some political show this evening, which, Bill, is going to have an awful lot of bite to it.
HEMMER: Bob, thanks for that. Bob Franken there near the floor.
One of President Bush's closest friends and advisers is Don Evans, going back almost 30 years, in fact. The secretary of Commerce here now to talk about the personal relationship he has with the president.
Mr. Secretary, good morning to you.
DON EVANS, COMMERCE SECRETARY: Good morning to you, Bill.
HEMMER: The president arrived last night here in New York City. You had a conversation with him. And the content was what that you can share with us now?
EVANS: Well, he's thrilled to be here. He can't wait for tonight. He's anxious to talk to the American people, tell them about the results, certainly the last three and a half or four years, but also talk about the future, talk about the vision for America, talk about where he's going to continue to move this country -- how he will continue to move this country forward. HEMMER: Now, if you compare this election now to 2000, how is he approaching this differently than he did four years ago?
EVANS: Well, you know, he's got four years of serving the people as president of the United States now. And, of course, you know, we've faced some challenges, as you know, Bill, as this whole country knows, that nobody quite anticipated or expected.
And there is a seriousness of purpose, a seriousness of focus on this war against terrorism, and how important it is to the future of this country, the national security of this country, for the protection of our children and our grandchildren. And so, you know, he will be talking about this moment in time, this defining moment, how we must stay very steadfast, very patient, very persistent in this -- in the pursuit against the war on terrorism.
HEMMER: I mentioned that you've been friends for almost 30 years. Politically, you've worked with him since he really got into public office. His first big election that he won against arguably the most popular Texan of the time, 1994, then Governor Ann Richards, what did you do and what did he do in that campaign that launched him to victory when a lot of people didn't think it was possible?
EVANS: But, Bill, don't forget the 1978 campaign either. I mean, that was also, I think, a very important campaign, because it gave me an opportunity to see how natural this man is as a -- as a campaigner, but also as somebody that can connect with people, because -- because he loves the American people. And they feel it, and they see it.
And they have a chance to look him in the eye, they sense it. And that's what happened in the 1993-'94 campaign.
HEMMER: So you think it was just a -- just a personal connection that he made at that time?
EVANS: A lot of it was, but it was also the principles on which this man stands on. I mean, you know, a lot of people advise him.
Look, you can't beat the most popular governor in the history of the state of Texas, particularly when she has the backing of the trial lawyers. Because he was taking on the trial lawyers.
And so the people saw his principle. But they also, once they got to know him, the more they got to know him, the more they liked him. And that's been the history of this man. The people that know him the best like him the most.
HEMMER: Let's go forward now to 2004. The Democrats put out a statement from John Edwards last night while Zell Miller was speaking. It read in part, "There was a lot of hate coming from that podium tonight."
Your reaction to that? And did you mention that to the president last night? EVANS: Bill, let me tell you, it's just an incredible statement to hear coming out of that campaign. I've got to tell you, I've been in Washington, D.C., now for about four years to serve the American people.
I moved there as a citizen to serve all the Americans. And I love serving them. But one of the -- one of the lines in Senator Kerry's speech that hurt me the most, having known this man for 30 years, my wife known him for 54 years, is when he said that, "I am going to become the president and restore trust and credibility to the White House."
Let me tell you this. This Oval Office has total complete integrity, total complete trust, total complete truth, because George W. Bush is sitting in the Oval Office today. And so for him to suggest that somehow it needs to be restored is a direct attack on the president's integrity and his trust.
And I'm going to tell you that this is a man that you can trust 100 percent of the time. Not 88 percent of the time, not 92 percent of the time, not 80 percent of the time. You can trust him 100 percent of the time.
HEMMER: Don Evans, Commerce secretary, and long-time friend of the president.
EVANS: Indeed.
HEMMER: Thanks for your time.
EVANS: Sure, Bill. Thank you.
HEMMER: Nice to see you here in New York.
EVANS: You bet.
HEMMER: All right.
There is breaking news to get to. Let's get to it now. Heidi Collins again across town -- Heidi.
COLLINS: We are going to have that breaking news. The latest in the situation in Russia is that three women and three infants have been released from that school there. Still not sure how many hundreds of people, possibly hundreds of people still inside.
Of course, we've got our finger on that story. Ryan Chilcote is live from there in just a few moments.
But for now, still to come this morning, Democrat Zell Miller left no doubt last night who he was voting for. What is the White House's take on his impassioned speech? We'll talk to White House press secretary Scott McClellan about that.
Also ahead, one of the new players on the political scene. Rap and fashion mogul Sean P. Diddy Combs stops by to talk about his own personal campaign.
And Republicans are partying this week, but one GOP lawmaker says the scene will drastically change in 10 years if something doesn't give. Senator Lindsey Graham here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: In this week full of Republican leaders celebrating their party, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham made headlines with some very straight talk about his party's weaknesses. Senator Graham is joining us now this morning to talk more about it.
What is the main weakness of the Republican Party?
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: Well, right now, we are not doing well among minority voters. We're losing about 90 percent of the African-Americans vote nationwide. About 60 percent, 65 percent of the Hispanic vote. And over time, the demographic changes in this country, that becomes ominous for the Republican Party.
So what I would like to see my party do is not change their philosophy of government, because I believe Social Security reform, school choice, faith-based initiatives are good ideas for the country as a whole, but really make an effort to say you're welcome. We have to do a better job of attracting social moderates.
Giuliani and Schwarzenegger showed what can happen if people feel comfortable being part of the Republican Party even though you disagree. And our Democratic friends have the same challenge.
They need to understand and explain the best they can how Zell Miller went from being Bill Clinton's biggest political ally to last night. So both parties have challenges. And the one that overcomes their challenge the best will dominate this century.
COLLINS: Well, you know, in fact, lots of analysts are saying that Republicans are no longer concerned about the undecided voters. We've heard about the undecided voters for so long. Much more concerned about expanding their base. Your thoughts on that?
GRAHAM: Well, to be honest with you, demographic changes in this country, the Hispanic vote, the African-American vote is going to grow. Our base needs to be people who buy into the core principles of the party.
When you inventory what we believe among African-Americans, you get a lot of agreement about the concept. But when you say, "Would you vote Republican," a lot will bail out.
So the truth is, if you want to be relevant in the next decade as a party, if you want to be able to win the White House and maintain a Senate majority, we have to do better among minority voters. And if we'll make the effort, we'll become better people and a better party.
COLLINS: Why is it so difficult to attract the minority voters? GRAHAM: I think a lot of it is some of our own problems in the past. I'm a conservative, I believe in the 10th Amendment. But states' rights was used as a concept to deny a person a chance to get a drink of water when they were thirsty, to go to the school around the corner, or vote without fear. It was an ideology that had lost its way, lost its conscience.
So part of it is our fault. Part of it is our Democratic friends beat us up badly. But I see an opportunity for change by having a good healthy dialog about principles and concepts.
But People know if they feel welcomed or not. And my goal is to make sure that 31 percent of African-Americans in my state feel welcome, and to go out and sell the policies that I'm advocating as a senator to the whole state.
And the truth is, unless we tap into the entire pool of talent in South Carolina, we can never be a great state, or a great party. And that's the challenge of my generation.
COLLINS: You happy being a Republican?
GRAHAM: I love being a Republican. I love being in a democracy. I like my Democratic friends.
We kind of treat each other a little too mean. I think one of the reasons Zell Miller was where he was last night is he gets turned off by some of the national meanness about conservative judges and other things that our Democrat friends do. But we have our own problems, too.
COLLINS: Appreciate your time this morning.
GRAHAM: Thank you.
COLLINS: Senator Lindsey Graham, thanks so much.
GRAHAM: God bless.
COLLINS: Bill, back now to the Garden.
HEMMER: All right, Heidi.
In a moment here, Democrats rallied the Republicans last night, or a Democrat did that last night. But will Zell Miller's speech have some unintended consequences around the country? We'll go on the floor with our reporter roundtable still ahead this hour here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: All right. Back inside the diner, Jack's drinking milk this morning.
Aren't you, buddy? Good morning.
CAFFERTY: How you doing, William?
Yes, we start with what in my humble opinion is a bit of a national embarrassment. That's the scorecard.
The number of days since the 9/11 Commission made recommendations for protecting this country against terrorism is 42. The number of recommendations adopted by your Congress, absolutely none. Congress is on vacation. I do hope they're having a joyous time with themselves.
The special segment this week on the "File" called "Voice of the Voter." What we did yesterday is went out and talked to some undecided voters about what they say they want to hear from President Bush if he has a chance to get their vote.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If he would stop his minions from destroying our environment, it would certainly give me food for thought, yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't feel that Bush has done anything with domestic policies. He's worried a lot about foreign policy and going and taking care of rebuilding Iraq, when he should be focusing on health care issues back here in the U.S.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm a Democrat, and I cannot believe I'm saying this on television. But Bush has been incredibly supportive of Israel, and it's making me as a Democrat waiver.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think I'd vote Democratic, just because, like, growing up in a Democratic household, I always...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's not really Democratic. Daddy's a Republican. I'm a Democrat.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CAFFERTY: Well, it was probably an interesting conversation in that house around the dinner table last night. We'll have some more of this a little bit later in the program, Bill.
HEMMER: All right. Jack, thanks for that.
Let's get a break here in a moment. The opening bell live from Wall Street in a moment.
Also, President Bush telling the country tonight why he should be reelected. We'll get a preview. White House press secretary Scott McClellan my guest here at Madison Square Garden.
A stunner in the Kobe Bryant matter. Prosecutors dropped the case, Bryant says he's sorry. Jeff Toobin stops by to explain it all.
Back in a moment after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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