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American Morning
President Bush Will Do His Campaigning from Washington Today, as Senator Kerry Starts Day in Michigan; 'House Call'
Aired September 15, 2004 - 09:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: 9:30 here in Mobile, Alabama, 8:30 actually local time, 9:30 back in New York City. It's going to rain today and through the night, and pretty much all day on Thursday as well. Hurricane Ivan headed toward the coast now, a powerful category-four storm, winds still clocking at 140 miles an hour, and that's sustained winds. You're going to get some gusts much higher than that, expected to make landfall somewhere along the Gulf Coast between Grand Island, Louisiana and Apalachicola, in Florida, south of Tallahassee. A complete forecast in a moment, here live in Mobile.
At the end of last week, Florida Governor Jeb Bush was wearing a button. The button said "I survived damn near everything." When you consider Ivan, you consider Charley, you consider Frances, the governor wearing that button with a bit of pride.
Here is Heidi Collins, also in New York.
Heidi, good morning there.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: All right, good morning to you once again, Bill.
We are also going to look at how the controversy over the president's military service is playing in both campaigns this morning. We'll get to that in a moment. But first, we want to check on the stories now in the news this morning.
New details now about the March 11th train bombing in Madrid. Pictures of the actual blast, taken from security cameras, were published in a Spanish newspaper yesterday. Officials now say former Prime Minister Jose Marine Aznar will testify to a commission investigating the attacks. The bombings took place just before national elections May have cost him his job.
Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry criticizing President Bush's economic record. Kerry is now speaking before the Detroit Economic Club in Michigan. He says the president offered more excuses than ideas to stem job losses.
The Bush administration could be in for another defeat of its overtime rules today. With the election looming, Democratic Senator Tom Harkin says he will force the Appropriations Committee to vote on the pay plan this morning. Last week, the House voted against funding the rules that critics say would cost six million people their overtime pay. A day of gruesome testimony expected in the Scott Peterson murder trial. The jurors will hear details of autopsies performed on the remains of Laci Peterson and the couple's unborn child, Conner. The hearing is set to resume in just a couple of hours from now.
Bill, I want to send it back to you now with the latest on Hurricane Ivan.
HEMMER: All right, Heidi, we crawl ever so closer hour by hour to the impact. Ivan now a four-letter word, up and down the Gulf Coast here.
(WEATHER UPDATE)
HEMMER: Already Ivan has been an absolute killer in the Caribbean. Places like Cuba, the Grand Caymans, Jamaica, Grenada. Sixty-eight dead and counting, as Ivan works its way now toward here in the U.S.
Much more in a moment. Back to Heidi now in New York.
COLLINS: OK, Bill, thanks.
President Bush will do his campaigning from Washington today, as Senator John Kerry starts the day in Michigan. Well, much of their agenda their agenda these days, though, seems to include direct criticism of each other.
We have two campaign reports now, Dana Bash at the White House and Frank Buckley in Detroit.
Good morning, guys. I want to begin at the White House, and you, Dana -- Hello.
DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Heidi.
You know, there's been so much talk about John Kerry's military service in Vietnam versus the president's service at that time in the National Guard, and the president started a speech to the National Guard Convention yesterday, trying to make a point that was hard to miss. He ticked off some names, an impressive lists, lists Jefferson, Lincoln, Madison, Truman, all what he called famous names of people who were in the Guard just like he has.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Nineteen individuals have served both in the Guard and as president of the United States, and I'm proud to be one of them, I'm proud to be their commander in chief, and I respect and all honor of those who serve in the United States armed forces, active, Guard and Reserve.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP) BASH: Now that was the extent of the president's remarks about his personal time in the National Guard, no allusion at all to controversies surrounding his service, like gaps in his service at the time. Also, no talk about the spike in violence right now in Iraq, where 50,000 National Guard members are actually serving. The president did stick to his formula of attacking John Kerry on what he calls flip-flopping on Iraq, and questioning whether he was fit to be commander in chief.
Now the president today, Heidi, has a rare day in Washington, but, of course, with 48 days out, the campaign is still front and center. He is going to have a post here, the Hispanic Heritage Month, a reception for Hispanic Heritage Month that is, a constituency that he has been courting since 2000, since that campaign -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Only 48 days, huh?
BASH: That's all.
COLLINS: All right, Dana, thanks so much for that.
I want to turn it over to Frank Buckley now, standing by in Detroit.
Frank, good morning to you.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Heidi.
Here, Senator Kerry is speaking to the Detroit Economic Club in what a senior strategist calls an indictment of Bush economic policies. With Hurricane Ivan bearing down on the Gulf Coast, it's really the last opportunity for Senator Kerry to get significant news coverage during the upcoming 24-hour news cycle. The Kerry campaign officials believe that they have set the news agenda, getting the free media over the past few days and setting the agenda in this presidential campaign. They're very happy about that, as they continue to try to eat away at President Bush's lead in the national polls.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BUCKLEY (voice-over): Senator John Kerry was in Toledo, Ohio to talk about rising health care costs. But first, he went after President Bush on Iraq, following the president's speech to the National Guard Association.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The president stood up, down and you know, talked to the National Guard, and just glosses over Iraq as if everything is just fine.
But you know and I know, Americans know and the world knows, because all you have to do is see it on the evening news or read the newspapers, that the situation in Iraq is worse, not better.
BUCKLEY: Iraq out of the way, Kerry got back to his message of the day. KERRY: They had a choice of allowing Medicare to bulk purchase drugs to lower the cost to the American taxpayer and the seniors. Did they choose that? No. They chose to put $139 billion windfall profit in the drug companies, and they stiffed the American taxpayer and the seniors of this country.
BUCKLEY: Earlier in Milwaukee, Kerry used a series of charts to show how in each year the Bush administration, according to its own figures, Medicare costs are eating into more of the Social Security benefits of the average senior.
KERRY: The out-of-pocket expenses of Medicare have now gone up to 37.2 percent by 2006.
BUCKLEY: Today Kerry is in another Midwestern battleground state, Michigan, where he began his visit with a trip to Steve's Soul Food Restaurant, and where a new CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll shows him with a six-point lead over President Bush among likely voters, and a seven-point lead among registered voters here.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BUCKLEY: And Senator Kerry speaking now before the Detroit Economic Club. He is calling President Bush the "excuses president," saying that President Bush has made more excuses than he has created jobs. Job losses considered by the campaign to be an issue with great resonance here, especially in the Midwestern battleground states -- Heidi.
COLLINS: And a battle it is. All right, Frank Buckley, thanks so much for that, live from Detroit this morning.
A panel of FDA advisers say antidepressants can trigger a suicidal reaction in children and teens. And they're calling for the strongest possible warning labels.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta joining us now with details.
Seen some really unbelievable reports over the last couple of days.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Unbelievable reports. Very contentious issue. Lots of people talking about it.
More than a million children take anti-depressant medications. A lot of these medications originally designed to treat depression in adults. A lot of people taking a closer look at this; finding a couple of things. One, that the medications may not work that well for children, first of all. And two, it may increase their likelihood of suicidal behavior.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. THOMAS LAUGHREN, FDA: Out of 100 patients treated -- this is short-term now, short-term treatment -- you can expect that two or three out of that 100 will have some excess of suicidality.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA: So, an FDA advisory committee now talking about specific recommendations. Again, this is an advisory committee. The FDA will have to make the final decision.
What they're talking about specifically, though, black warning labels -- these are called black box warning labels. You'll see these on boxes of anti-depressant medication -- also a pamphlet with warning signs. This is an unusual step, Heidi. Only about 30 to 40 medications out there that actually have one of these pamphlets that come in with the warning sign, as well. They're also talking about a parental consent form.
Basically, a higher standard by which...
COLLINS: ... this pamphlet will come once you get the drugs from the pharmacy -- they'll be in the bag, right?
GUPTA: That's right. I mean, it's more stuff to read, but it's going to talk specifically about the studies, specifically about the increased likelihood of suicidal behavior.
COLLINS: So, how do these drugs end up going from depression to suicide? Quickly.
GUPTA: You know, it's interesting, because the disease itself, depression, can be linked to suicide. So, it's been a real battle for people to try and distinguish between the two.
The way they think it works is that if you are severely depressed, you take the medication, it may make you feel well enough to feel suicidal -- you know, where you have enough energy to actually commit -- carry out a suicide. No one has committed suicide on these drugs, children-wise, but they think about it a lot.
COLLINS: All right. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thanks so much for that.
GUPTA: Thank you.
COLLINS: Still to come this morning, we will go back to Bill in Alabama as he keeps a close eye on Ivan and its move toward the U.S.
Plus, some lighter news in "90-Second Pop." Find out why "American Idol's" Simon Cowell -- this guy here -- may have to face a judge tougher than even himself.
Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC -- BILLY IDOL - "REBEL YELL")
COLLINS: You got to love him, I guess. Billy Idol, right? "90-Second Pop" now for a Wednesday. The gang's all here once again: Andy Borowitz, ambassador of comedy, of -- that may be my favorite one right there...
ANDY BOROWITZ, BOROWITZREPORT.COM: Excellent.
COLLINS: ... borowitzreport.com; Sarah Bernard, contributing editor for "New York Magazine"; and B.J. Sigesmund, staff editor for "Us Weekly." Hey, guys. Thanks so much for being here.
Andy, let's start with you, because I think you are the Jessica Simpson sort of expert, if you will.
BOROWITZ: ... Jessica Simpson bureau.
COLLINS: Yes, yes. She fought very hard for this role of Daisy Duke coming up here on a movie called "Dukes of Hazzard" obviously.
BOROWITZ: Of course.
COLLINS: In fact, the competitors were people like Britney Spears, Mandy Moore, Christina Aguilera. Do you think the...
BOROWITZ: And Meryl Streep...
COLLINS: Oh, really? Acting experience.
BOROWITZ: Yes.
COLLINS: What do you think about the cast? I mean, did they do this correctly?
BOROWITZ: Yes, I think it's all right. You know, the role of Daisy Duke is not exactly Lady Macbeth. I mean, I think that all she has to do is say her lines and jump in the car. So, as long as they don't ask her to do both at the same time.
COLLINS: And she has to do like this, or something, doesn't she -- with her hair?
BOROWITZ: Yes, she has to do that. She can handle it. Yes, she's up to it. But I mean, I guess it's quite a coup, because every starlet in Hollywood wanted this part.
SARAH BERNARD, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "NEW YORK MAGAZINE": But you know, when she did her variety show a couple months ago, I have to say -- you're going to disagree -- but I was impressed with her. She had pretty good comic timing, she has a real presence, and I think that she could actually make this work and not be like her "Crossroads" -- that really bad movie that Britney did.
COLLINS: Sarah, let's talk a little bit about Simon Cowell now. He, of course, the creator of "American Idol."
BERNARD: That's right.
COLLINS: Actually, that's the other Simon.
BERNARD: There are two Simons.
COLLINS: I know, it's very confusing.
BERNARD: I know.
COLLINS: Now suing Simon Cowell, saying that he ripped off his idea for the "X-Factor." What's this all about?
BERNARD: It's a battle of the Simons.
COLLINS: Yes.
BERNARD: Well, our Simon Cowell -- the Simon we know from "American Idol" -- has a new show that just started last week. This is actually airing only in England. So, that's why we haven't seen it yet.
It's called the "X-Factor," and it's very similar to "American Idol." It's a talent show, but it actually has older contestants and also groups. So, that's the difference.
What happens is Sharon Osbourne is a judge, as well, and you kind of, in the end, mentor your favorite contestants. So, it's got a slight tweak from "American Idol."
COLLINS: Is it enough of a tweak, though, or is it a rip-off?
BERNARD: That's the thing. So, Simon Fuller -- who's actually a music manager; he was the guy behind the Spice Girls and a bunch of other acts like that -- is claiming that Simon Cowell is ripping him off.
Now...
BOROWITZ: My head -- my head is official hurting, I just want to say.
BERNARD: All the Simon news?
BOROWITZ: Yes, I can't really digest it.
COLLINS: I was going to do the mention of the Spice Girls.
BERNARD: Yes, right. Copying other TV shows -- I mean, that's how it works, except it's usually American shows copying British shows.
B.J. SIGESMUND, STAFF EDITOR, "US WEEKLY": It wasn't a problem when they created "American Idol," which was a rip-off of "Pop Idol," because Simon Fuller has a piece of the pie. Now that Simon Cowell is creating his own show, Simon Fuller is saying no way, how did this happen?
BOROWITZ: I think there should be a reality show where the viewers get to vote on what other show it's been ripped off of.
COLLINS: There you go. That may be an idea.
SIGESMUND: The one thing, though, for viewers that this will -- this will affect viewers in that Simon Cowell may no longer be a host on -- or a judge on "American Idol's" fourth season.
BERNARD: No, but he has -- he signed...
SIGESMUND: He has a contract, but maybe they'll take him out of it now that they're so angry with him.
COLLINS: All right, B.J. and Sarah and Andy, thanks so much this morning.
Bill, back to you now, in Mobile.
HEMMER: All right, Heidi. Watching the skies here, feeling the wind. Gusts come and go. But nothing right now -- nothing to compare to what we anticipate of the next 24 to 36 hours.
Back live in Mobile in a moment here. We're waiting on Ivan. Back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Coming up on 9:00 local time here in Mobile, Alabama, live picture now of the river, the Mobile River running northward, and yesterday, this is where the Coast Guard and so many other ships and boats went north, trying to get out of the way of Ivan. We're just off Mobile Bay, and one of the major concerns up and down the Gulf Coast, depending on where Ivan goes over the next, let's say, 18 to 24 hours, this storm surge, again, is the most critical factor, we're told, up and down the coast. That's the wall of water that is often formed out in the Gulf, and then brought over on shore.
Nine years ago, Hurricane Opal, that's where the majority of the damage came. And so much of it only happens some times within a 100 yard area up and down the coast. A major concern today, again, as we await, Ivan here in Mobile.
Back in a moment. Here's New York again, and Heidi with more there.
COLLINS: All right, Bill, thanks so much.
The markets are open, as we said a little bit earlier, and The Gap tries to close the gap with aging customers.
Andy Serwer "Minding Your Business" now. OK, so the market is first, waiting on Ivan, of course.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: That's right, and a lot of worries there on Wall Street, being reflected in the stocks trading this morning. Let's check out the Big Board. Dow's down 37 points. What's moving? Well, Coca-Cola, we talked about that earlier today, warning about its earnings. That's down 2.40 to 40 and change. That's a big hit.
That's a picture of Coke boxes.
COLLINS: Yes, it is. It's a good one.
SERWER: We talked -- here's an interesting thing, just crossed the wire also. Martha Stewart is holding a press conference this morning at 11:30 in her offices, and we don't know what it's about. It could be something interesting.
COLLINS: Maybe she's going shopping at The Gap.
SERWER: And we'll talk about the gap. The Gap, the company that owns The Gap, and Banana Republic and Old Navy is going to be rolling out a new retail store in the second half of next year. It's for women 35 and older, 40 million American women there. Here's some names, possible, "Older Navy," "Overripe Banana Republic."
COLLINS: Oh, man!
SERWER: And how about "Boomingdale's."
COLLINS: That is harsh.
SERWER: Because they didn't give a name, so I'm just giving them some help now.
COLLINS: Sarah Jessica Parker is also a person who's been their, like, model in their advertising business for the gap.
SERWER: Yes, that's right. She can do the job.
COLLINS: All right, Jack now, Question of the Day.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: No young spring chicken herself.
COLLINS: No, apparently not. Beautiful, though.
SERWER: She appreciated you pointing that out.
CAFFERTY: You think Sarah Jessica Parker's beautiful?
COLLINS: Yes, I do.
CAFFERTY: OK, I just want to confirm that. Unlike CBS News, I'm trying to confirm my sources here.
Do you believe the CBS report about President Bush's National Guard Service? That was a cheap shot. I'm sorry, Dan.
Doug writes, going after CBS and Rather, "Standard procedure for the administration; anyone critical of the president better be ready for the attack dogs. Speaking of rottweilers, why not try to arrange a deal that would see Dan Rather produce his sources and Robert Novak reveal his source for the CIA agent he outed?"
And Joan in Kentucky writes, "The memos are fake." This will not end the Guard issue to bed, but it has cast doubts on any other charges that might surface." And she writes, "The media has been hurt more by this than Bush has."
And John in Madison, Wisconsin, "CBS has as much credibility on the Texas Guard story as they did on that story about the albino dwarf that robbed the bank and then escaped with Elvis in the UFO.
SERWER: A lot of stuff there.
CAFFERTY: The implication being that there isn't much credibility there.
SERWER: My favorite line, though, speaking of rottweilers -- I like using that from now on, right?
COLLINS: All right, and on that note, back to Bill now on hurricane watch, standing by in Mobile, once again.
Hey, Bill.
HEMMER: I miss you guys, all that fun you're having.
Hey, Heidi, thanks. And say hello to Jack and Andy, too, for us, from all of us down here in Mobile, waiting on Ivan, not quite sure where this path is going to go. People here up and down the coast, though, waiting on that storm, category four, 140 miles an hour, a monster out there lurking in the Gulf. Live coverage next hour with Daryn Kagan. I'll be along with Daryn as well here, live in Mobile We'll have it for you as we continue in a moment.
AMERICAN MORNING's back in a moment, in New York and Mobile, after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Gentlemen, it's been a pleasure.
SERWER: Thank you.
COLLINS: Jack Cafferty, Andy Serwer, another Wednesday down the drain.
SERWER: Yes. Yes.
CAFFERTY: In a manner of speaking, yes, it is.
COLLINS: We're going to send it back to Bill now, watching Hurricane Ivan as the day continues, for sure.
Hey, Bill.
HEMMER: I think we're going to feel like we're standing in the drain this time tomorrow, Heidi. It's going to be a much different picture when Ivan comes on shore. We'll be here waiting and watching, live in Mobile.
See you again tomorrow. Daryn Kagan's next, next hour on "CNN LIVE TODAY."
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired September 15, 2004 - 09:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: 9:30 here in Mobile, Alabama, 8:30 actually local time, 9:30 back in New York City. It's going to rain today and through the night, and pretty much all day on Thursday as well. Hurricane Ivan headed toward the coast now, a powerful category-four storm, winds still clocking at 140 miles an hour, and that's sustained winds. You're going to get some gusts much higher than that, expected to make landfall somewhere along the Gulf Coast between Grand Island, Louisiana and Apalachicola, in Florida, south of Tallahassee. A complete forecast in a moment, here live in Mobile.
At the end of last week, Florida Governor Jeb Bush was wearing a button. The button said "I survived damn near everything." When you consider Ivan, you consider Charley, you consider Frances, the governor wearing that button with a bit of pride.
Here is Heidi Collins, also in New York.
Heidi, good morning there.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: All right, good morning to you once again, Bill.
We are also going to look at how the controversy over the president's military service is playing in both campaigns this morning. We'll get to that in a moment. But first, we want to check on the stories now in the news this morning.
New details now about the March 11th train bombing in Madrid. Pictures of the actual blast, taken from security cameras, were published in a Spanish newspaper yesterday. Officials now say former Prime Minister Jose Marine Aznar will testify to a commission investigating the attacks. The bombings took place just before national elections May have cost him his job.
Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry criticizing President Bush's economic record. Kerry is now speaking before the Detroit Economic Club in Michigan. He says the president offered more excuses than ideas to stem job losses.
The Bush administration could be in for another defeat of its overtime rules today. With the election looming, Democratic Senator Tom Harkin says he will force the Appropriations Committee to vote on the pay plan this morning. Last week, the House voted against funding the rules that critics say would cost six million people their overtime pay. A day of gruesome testimony expected in the Scott Peterson murder trial. The jurors will hear details of autopsies performed on the remains of Laci Peterson and the couple's unborn child, Conner. The hearing is set to resume in just a couple of hours from now.
Bill, I want to send it back to you now with the latest on Hurricane Ivan.
HEMMER: All right, Heidi, we crawl ever so closer hour by hour to the impact. Ivan now a four-letter word, up and down the Gulf Coast here.
(WEATHER UPDATE)
HEMMER: Already Ivan has been an absolute killer in the Caribbean. Places like Cuba, the Grand Caymans, Jamaica, Grenada. Sixty-eight dead and counting, as Ivan works its way now toward here in the U.S.
Much more in a moment. Back to Heidi now in New York.
COLLINS: OK, Bill, thanks.
President Bush will do his campaigning from Washington today, as Senator John Kerry starts the day in Michigan. Well, much of their agenda their agenda these days, though, seems to include direct criticism of each other.
We have two campaign reports now, Dana Bash at the White House and Frank Buckley in Detroit.
Good morning, guys. I want to begin at the White House, and you, Dana -- Hello.
DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Heidi.
You know, there's been so much talk about John Kerry's military service in Vietnam versus the president's service at that time in the National Guard, and the president started a speech to the National Guard Convention yesterday, trying to make a point that was hard to miss. He ticked off some names, an impressive lists, lists Jefferson, Lincoln, Madison, Truman, all what he called famous names of people who were in the Guard just like he has.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Nineteen individuals have served both in the Guard and as president of the United States, and I'm proud to be one of them, I'm proud to be their commander in chief, and I respect and all honor of those who serve in the United States armed forces, active, Guard and Reserve.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP) BASH: Now that was the extent of the president's remarks about his personal time in the National Guard, no allusion at all to controversies surrounding his service, like gaps in his service at the time. Also, no talk about the spike in violence right now in Iraq, where 50,000 National Guard members are actually serving. The president did stick to his formula of attacking John Kerry on what he calls flip-flopping on Iraq, and questioning whether he was fit to be commander in chief.
Now the president today, Heidi, has a rare day in Washington, but, of course, with 48 days out, the campaign is still front and center. He is going to have a post here, the Hispanic Heritage Month, a reception for Hispanic Heritage Month that is, a constituency that he has been courting since 2000, since that campaign -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Only 48 days, huh?
BASH: That's all.
COLLINS: All right, Dana, thanks so much for that.
I want to turn it over to Frank Buckley now, standing by in Detroit.
Frank, good morning to you.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Heidi.
Here, Senator Kerry is speaking to the Detroit Economic Club in what a senior strategist calls an indictment of Bush economic policies. With Hurricane Ivan bearing down on the Gulf Coast, it's really the last opportunity for Senator Kerry to get significant news coverage during the upcoming 24-hour news cycle. The Kerry campaign officials believe that they have set the news agenda, getting the free media over the past few days and setting the agenda in this presidential campaign. They're very happy about that, as they continue to try to eat away at President Bush's lead in the national polls.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BUCKLEY (voice-over): Senator John Kerry was in Toledo, Ohio to talk about rising health care costs. But first, he went after President Bush on Iraq, following the president's speech to the National Guard Association.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The president stood up, down and you know, talked to the National Guard, and just glosses over Iraq as if everything is just fine.
But you know and I know, Americans know and the world knows, because all you have to do is see it on the evening news or read the newspapers, that the situation in Iraq is worse, not better.
BUCKLEY: Iraq out of the way, Kerry got back to his message of the day. KERRY: They had a choice of allowing Medicare to bulk purchase drugs to lower the cost to the American taxpayer and the seniors. Did they choose that? No. They chose to put $139 billion windfall profit in the drug companies, and they stiffed the American taxpayer and the seniors of this country.
BUCKLEY: Earlier in Milwaukee, Kerry used a series of charts to show how in each year the Bush administration, according to its own figures, Medicare costs are eating into more of the Social Security benefits of the average senior.
KERRY: The out-of-pocket expenses of Medicare have now gone up to 37.2 percent by 2006.
BUCKLEY: Today Kerry is in another Midwestern battleground state, Michigan, where he began his visit with a trip to Steve's Soul Food Restaurant, and where a new CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll shows him with a six-point lead over President Bush among likely voters, and a seven-point lead among registered voters here.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BUCKLEY: And Senator Kerry speaking now before the Detroit Economic Club. He is calling President Bush the "excuses president," saying that President Bush has made more excuses than he has created jobs. Job losses considered by the campaign to be an issue with great resonance here, especially in the Midwestern battleground states -- Heidi.
COLLINS: And a battle it is. All right, Frank Buckley, thanks so much for that, live from Detroit this morning.
A panel of FDA advisers say antidepressants can trigger a suicidal reaction in children and teens. And they're calling for the strongest possible warning labels.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta joining us now with details.
Seen some really unbelievable reports over the last couple of days.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Unbelievable reports. Very contentious issue. Lots of people talking about it.
More than a million children take anti-depressant medications. A lot of these medications originally designed to treat depression in adults. A lot of people taking a closer look at this; finding a couple of things. One, that the medications may not work that well for children, first of all. And two, it may increase their likelihood of suicidal behavior.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. THOMAS LAUGHREN, FDA: Out of 100 patients treated -- this is short-term now, short-term treatment -- you can expect that two or three out of that 100 will have some excess of suicidality.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA: So, an FDA advisory committee now talking about specific recommendations. Again, this is an advisory committee. The FDA will have to make the final decision.
What they're talking about specifically, though, black warning labels -- these are called black box warning labels. You'll see these on boxes of anti-depressant medication -- also a pamphlet with warning signs. This is an unusual step, Heidi. Only about 30 to 40 medications out there that actually have one of these pamphlets that come in with the warning sign, as well. They're also talking about a parental consent form.
Basically, a higher standard by which...
COLLINS: ... this pamphlet will come once you get the drugs from the pharmacy -- they'll be in the bag, right?
GUPTA: That's right. I mean, it's more stuff to read, but it's going to talk specifically about the studies, specifically about the increased likelihood of suicidal behavior.
COLLINS: So, how do these drugs end up going from depression to suicide? Quickly.
GUPTA: You know, it's interesting, because the disease itself, depression, can be linked to suicide. So, it's been a real battle for people to try and distinguish between the two.
The way they think it works is that if you are severely depressed, you take the medication, it may make you feel well enough to feel suicidal -- you know, where you have enough energy to actually commit -- carry out a suicide. No one has committed suicide on these drugs, children-wise, but they think about it a lot.
COLLINS: All right. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thanks so much for that.
GUPTA: Thank you.
COLLINS: Still to come this morning, we will go back to Bill in Alabama as he keeps a close eye on Ivan and its move toward the U.S.
Plus, some lighter news in "90-Second Pop." Find out why "American Idol's" Simon Cowell -- this guy here -- may have to face a judge tougher than even himself.
Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
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(MUSIC -- BILLY IDOL - "REBEL YELL")
COLLINS: You got to love him, I guess. Billy Idol, right? "90-Second Pop" now for a Wednesday. The gang's all here once again: Andy Borowitz, ambassador of comedy, of -- that may be my favorite one right there...
ANDY BOROWITZ, BOROWITZREPORT.COM: Excellent.
COLLINS: ... borowitzreport.com; Sarah Bernard, contributing editor for "New York Magazine"; and B.J. Sigesmund, staff editor for "Us Weekly." Hey, guys. Thanks so much for being here.
Andy, let's start with you, because I think you are the Jessica Simpson sort of expert, if you will.
BOROWITZ: ... Jessica Simpson bureau.
COLLINS: Yes, yes. She fought very hard for this role of Daisy Duke coming up here on a movie called "Dukes of Hazzard" obviously.
BOROWITZ: Of course.
COLLINS: In fact, the competitors were people like Britney Spears, Mandy Moore, Christina Aguilera. Do you think the...
BOROWITZ: And Meryl Streep...
COLLINS: Oh, really? Acting experience.
BOROWITZ: Yes.
COLLINS: What do you think about the cast? I mean, did they do this correctly?
BOROWITZ: Yes, I think it's all right. You know, the role of Daisy Duke is not exactly Lady Macbeth. I mean, I think that all she has to do is say her lines and jump in the car. So, as long as they don't ask her to do both at the same time.
COLLINS: And she has to do like this, or something, doesn't she -- with her hair?
BOROWITZ: Yes, she has to do that. She can handle it. Yes, she's up to it. But I mean, I guess it's quite a coup, because every starlet in Hollywood wanted this part.
SARAH BERNARD, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "NEW YORK MAGAZINE": But you know, when she did her variety show a couple months ago, I have to say -- you're going to disagree -- but I was impressed with her. She had pretty good comic timing, she has a real presence, and I think that she could actually make this work and not be like her "Crossroads" -- that really bad movie that Britney did.
COLLINS: Sarah, let's talk a little bit about Simon Cowell now. He, of course, the creator of "American Idol."
BERNARD: That's right.
COLLINS: Actually, that's the other Simon.
BERNARD: There are two Simons.
COLLINS: I know, it's very confusing.
BERNARD: I know.
COLLINS: Now suing Simon Cowell, saying that he ripped off his idea for the "X-Factor." What's this all about?
BERNARD: It's a battle of the Simons.
COLLINS: Yes.
BERNARD: Well, our Simon Cowell -- the Simon we know from "American Idol" -- has a new show that just started last week. This is actually airing only in England. So, that's why we haven't seen it yet.
It's called the "X-Factor," and it's very similar to "American Idol." It's a talent show, but it actually has older contestants and also groups. So, that's the difference.
What happens is Sharon Osbourne is a judge, as well, and you kind of, in the end, mentor your favorite contestants. So, it's got a slight tweak from "American Idol."
COLLINS: Is it enough of a tweak, though, or is it a rip-off?
BERNARD: That's the thing. So, Simon Fuller -- who's actually a music manager; he was the guy behind the Spice Girls and a bunch of other acts like that -- is claiming that Simon Cowell is ripping him off.
Now...
BOROWITZ: My head -- my head is official hurting, I just want to say.
BERNARD: All the Simon news?
BOROWITZ: Yes, I can't really digest it.
COLLINS: I was going to do the mention of the Spice Girls.
BERNARD: Yes, right. Copying other TV shows -- I mean, that's how it works, except it's usually American shows copying British shows.
B.J. SIGESMUND, STAFF EDITOR, "US WEEKLY": It wasn't a problem when they created "American Idol," which was a rip-off of "Pop Idol," because Simon Fuller has a piece of the pie. Now that Simon Cowell is creating his own show, Simon Fuller is saying no way, how did this happen?
BOROWITZ: I think there should be a reality show where the viewers get to vote on what other show it's been ripped off of.
COLLINS: There you go. That may be an idea.
SIGESMUND: The one thing, though, for viewers that this will -- this will affect viewers in that Simon Cowell may no longer be a host on -- or a judge on "American Idol's" fourth season.
BERNARD: No, but he has -- he signed...
SIGESMUND: He has a contract, but maybe they'll take him out of it now that they're so angry with him.
COLLINS: All right, B.J. and Sarah and Andy, thanks so much this morning.
Bill, back to you now, in Mobile.
HEMMER: All right, Heidi. Watching the skies here, feeling the wind. Gusts come and go. But nothing right now -- nothing to compare to what we anticipate of the next 24 to 36 hours.
Back live in Mobile in a moment here. We're waiting on Ivan. Back after this.
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HEMMER: Coming up on 9:00 local time here in Mobile, Alabama, live picture now of the river, the Mobile River running northward, and yesterday, this is where the Coast Guard and so many other ships and boats went north, trying to get out of the way of Ivan. We're just off Mobile Bay, and one of the major concerns up and down the Gulf Coast, depending on where Ivan goes over the next, let's say, 18 to 24 hours, this storm surge, again, is the most critical factor, we're told, up and down the coast. That's the wall of water that is often formed out in the Gulf, and then brought over on shore.
Nine years ago, Hurricane Opal, that's where the majority of the damage came. And so much of it only happens some times within a 100 yard area up and down the coast. A major concern today, again, as we await, Ivan here in Mobile.
Back in a moment. Here's New York again, and Heidi with more there.
COLLINS: All right, Bill, thanks so much.
The markets are open, as we said a little bit earlier, and The Gap tries to close the gap with aging customers.
Andy Serwer "Minding Your Business" now. OK, so the market is first, waiting on Ivan, of course.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: That's right, and a lot of worries there on Wall Street, being reflected in the stocks trading this morning. Let's check out the Big Board. Dow's down 37 points. What's moving? Well, Coca-Cola, we talked about that earlier today, warning about its earnings. That's down 2.40 to 40 and change. That's a big hit.
That's a picture of Coke boxes.
COLLINS: Yes, it is. It's a good one.
SERWER: We talked -- here's an interesting thing, just crossed the wire also. Martha Stewart is holding a press conference this morning at 11:30 in her offices, and we don't know what it's about. It could be something interesting.
COLLINS: Maybe she's going shopping at The Gap.
SERWER: And we'll talk about the gap. The Gap, the company that owns The Gap, and Banana Republic and Old Navy is going to be rolling out a new retail store in the second half of next year. It's for women 35 and older, 40 million American women there. Here's some names, possible, "Older Navy," "Overripe Banana Republic."
COLLINS: Oh, man!
SERWER: And how about "Boomingdale's."
COLLINS: That is harsh.
SERWER: Because they didn't give a name, so I'm just giving them some help now.
COLLINS: Sarah Jessica Parker is also a person who's been their, like, model in their advertising business for the gap.
SERWER: Yes, that's right. She can do the job.
COLLINS: All right, Jack now, Question of the Day.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: No young spring chicken herself.
COLLINS: No, apparently not. Beautiful, though.
SERWER: She appreciated you pointing that out.
CAFFERTY: You think Sarah Jessica Parker's beautiful?
COLLINS: Yes, I do.
CAFFERTY: OK, I just want to confirm that. Unlike CBS News, I'm trying to confirm my sources here.
Do you believe the CBS report about President Bush's National Guard Service? That was a cheap shot. I'm sorry, Dan.
Doug writes, going after CBS and Rather, "Standard procedure for the administration; anyone critical of the president better be ready for the attack dogs. Speaking of rottweilers, why not try to arrange a deal that would see Dan Rather produce his sources and Robert Novak reveal his source for the CIA agent he outed?"
And Joan in Kentucky writes, "The memos are fake." This will not end the Guard issue to bed, but it has cast doubts on any other charges that might surface." And she writes, "The media has been hurt more by this than Bush has."
And John in Madison, Wisconsin, "CBS has as much credibility on the Texas Guard story as they did on that story about the albino dwarf that robbed the bank and then escaped with Elvis in the UFO.
SERWER: A lot of stuff there.
CAFFERTY: The implication being that there isn't much credibility there.
SERWER: My favorite line, though, speaking of rottweilers -- I like using that from now on, right?
COLLINS: All right, and on that note, back to Bill now on hurricane watch, standing by in Mobile, once again.
Hey, Bill.
HEMMER: I miss you guys, all that fun you're having.
Hey, Heidi, thanks. And say hello to Jack and Andy, too, for us, from all of us down here in Mobile, waiting on Ivan, not quite sure where this path is going to go. People here up and down the coast, though, waiting on that storm, category four, 140 miles an hour, a monster out there lurking in the Gulf. Live coverage next hour with Daryn Kagan. I'll be along with Daryn as well here, live in Mobile We'll have it for you as we continue in a moment.
AMERICAN MORNING's back in a moment, in New York and Mobile, after this.
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COLLINS: Gentlemen, it's been a pleasure.
SERWER: Thank you.
COLLINS: Jack Cafferty, Andy Serwer, another Wednesday down the drain.
SERWER: Yes. Yes.
CAFFERTY: In a manner of speaking, yes, it is.
COLLINS: We're going to send it back to Bill now, watching Hurricane Ivan as the day continues, for sure.
Hey, Bill.
HEMMER: I think we're going to feel like we're standing in the drain this time tomorrow, Heidi. It's going to be a much different picture when Ivan comes on shore. We'll be here waiting and watching, live in Mobile.
See you again tomorrow. Daryn Kagan's next, next hour on "CNN LIVE TODAY."
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