Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Remnants of Hurricane Ivan Bring Floods to Appalachians; Kerry Takes on Cheney; Suicide Attack Rocks Iraqi Capital

Aired September 17, 2004 - 17:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hello. I'm Miles O'Brien at the CNN Center in Atlanta. Fresh pictures coming in, the remnants of Hurricane Ivan bring rain and floods to the Appalachians and cause extensive damage along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. We'll bring you up to date. Stand by for hard news.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): After Ivan gulf coast residents come to terms.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Some of us don't have a home to go to it looks like.

O'BRIEN: While the storm makes a devastating march north.

Challenging Cheney in the face of an ongoing assault.

DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: What worries me about John Kerry when I look at his track record over the years not only recently with respect to these issues centering on Iraq but also 20 years of voting in the United States Senate, I don't see that kind of fundamental core capability to make decisions.

O'BRIEN: Candidate Kerry takes on the vice president.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: While Halliburton has been engaging in massive overcharging and wasteful practices under this no-bid contract, Dick Cheney has continued to receive compensation from his former company.

O'BRIEN: The candidates debate. New details out on the face-to- face showdowns between Bush and Kerry.

Baghdad car bomb...

A deadly suicide attack rocks the Iraqi capital.

Courtroom confrontation. Michael Jackson and the judge. Hear from the mother of the boy who says Jackson molested him.

This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Friday, September 17, 2004.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Hello, I'm Miles O'Brien, at the CNN Center in Atlanta. Wolf is off today. Thanks for being with us. We appreciate it.

We begin with a sobering sight along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and it appears we may have only seen the tip of the destruction of that killer storm Ivan. These pictures are just in to CNN shot as the governor of Alabama flew with emergency management officials and toured the full length of the Alabama coast. The view from the air and on the ground is grim. In Gulf Shores and in particular Orange Beach ten miles to the east, particularly hard hit. Cars covered by sand, roofs ripped off condominiums. Large boats, approaching 30 feet in length left on roadsides high and dry. Catastrophic devastation.

Joining us now on the phone, Steve Russo, the mayor of Orange Beach, Alabama. Mayor, have you had a chance to really assess how much damage has occurred there?

MAYOR STEVE RUSSO, ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA: Yes, sir, we have been out for the last two days doing that. We were very fortunate. Our single family homes over off the beach fared very well. But as you know on the beach things weren't so well. A lot of destruction

O'BRIEN: How bad is it? Just looking at these pictures, it looks like really no place was untouched along the beach.

RUSSO: Actually that's not quite right. Wooden structures and stuff like that took a big hit. Our concrete structures are virtually untouched. You could never tell there was a hurricane there.

O'BRIEN: Really? Have you been able to get a sense of the percentage then of how many structures were damaged?

RUSSO: I would say 50 to 60 percent of the total condominiums are devastated.

O'BRIEN: Fifty percent to 60 percent. What about the property owners, are they allowed back on that barrier island in order to assess the damage?

RUSSO: No, sir. Currently, nobody is allowed on. It is really impassable and a lot of folks can't get back to their homes. Hopefully by Sunday morning they'll be allowed.

O'BRIEN: And Mayor Russo, how does this compare just historically, say, to Frederick 25 years ago? How does this damage compare?

We've lost Mayor Steve Russo, the mayor of Orange Beach, Alabama, who -- giving us a sense of how much damage there. Sixty percent of those wooden structures severely damaged. Many of the concrete structures, as he said, might have fared a little better. You're seeing pictures there of Pensacola, Escambia Bay, portion of the bridge there washed out. We've been telling you about that.

Additional pictures coming now from the governor's helicopter tour of this stretch. There you see shots from Orange Beach. Obviously that convertible a total loss. More from the ground as Governor Rob Riley and his team of emergency management officials got this -- their first assessment here. Looks like a bomb was dropped in some portions of this.

As you see, boats were tossed aside virtually like toys. And that's no small boat there. That was left high and dry. Some of this damage just becoming known to us now. These pictures are just coming in. We are assessing it. We'll bring you these pictures and this information as it becomes available.

Now Ivan is not a hurricane anymore but it remains a deadly, and destructive force as it turns north. As of this hour, 19 deaths are blamed on Ivan, including six people who died as a result of torrential rain in North Carolina. 1.8 million people without power as we speak. That number could grow as the storm continues to move north.

Now Ivan's now loosely defined center is over the mid-Atlantic states. But the effects are being felt all the way into New England. We turn now for a more exclusive look at the damage from the air.

Hurricane Ivan was so powerful it redrew the map of the Alabama coast. Officials in Gulf Shores say the water swallowed as much as a mile of coastline. Locations chosen for their ocean views ended up too close to the water for comfort. And the heavy surf showed no respect for property values. Waves threatened large high-rises and smaller beach houses alike.

It was difficult to tell from the air where the sea was supposed to end and the land was supposed to begin. Surrounded by water this building resembled a luxury liner beginning an ocean cruise. Ivan left his calling cards in many places. Windows were shattered. Foundations crumbled. There were piles of debris. Roads simply disappeared.

The name of this amusement park is Waterville, USA. And as ironic as that name may sound right now it is a reminder that while the waters of the Gulf are a continuing attraction they can also be a continuing threat.

Ivan's remnants posing a deadly threat as it moves north. Dan West of our CNN affiliate WSET joins us now from Stewartsville, Virginia outside of Roanoke. What's the latest from there, Dan?

DAN WEST, WSET CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, it's been a very strange day of weather in central and southwest Virginia. We were expecting some severe weather and in some areas it wasn't nearly as bad as we were expecting. However here in western Bedford County it did turn very extreme early this afternoon. Now it's not been confirmed whether it was a tornado or not. But whatever it was it certainly left a lot of damage throughout this area. Trees have been snapped off like they were tooth picks. A family in the home just behind me was outside when the storm did come up. They were able to scurry inside and get into an interior closet. They were not hurt. But a number of homes in this area have been damaged.

We've talked to a number of law enforcement officials as well. And they confirm that same kind of thing that there have been no injuries or no deaths luckily. However there has been a lot of damage to homes and vehicles. We're set up right beside in the parking lot of Goodview Elementary School. The school kids were in school at the time the storm did come through here. But the storm, just skipped right over the school. And no damage to the school or no injuries at the school as well. So it's been quite an eventful day here in Bedford County, Virginia -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Dan, it occurs to me as you talk, folks along the coast prepared for Ivan, for many, many days, folks in that part of the world didn't have that benefit, did they?

WEST: No, they didn't. With this kind of storm we were really expecting quite a bit of rain and some flooding. This area is very prone to flooding. But these kinds of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) storms or tornadoes, there were tornado warnings posted throughout the day all throughout this region and they came up very quickly. And did catch some people by surprise as I was saying. The family just behind me. They were outside and just had to scurry inside. Barely did make it in. And a lot of their property did suffer damage. But again luckily they were not injured.

O'BRIEN: All right. Dan West with WSET, our affiliate. We thank you for your time. As we just saw, Ivan is still very much a threat to millions of people as it moves north. CNN meteorologist Jacqui Jeras has been keeping tabs on Ivan from the very beginning and she gives us the latest as Ivan now, what, a tropical depression, correct?

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, tropical depression. 20- mile-an-hour maximum sustained winds. But tornadoes and flooding have been the big problem today. Just heard about the tornadoes around the Roanoke area and now that line is pushing farther off to the east into parts of Virginia. And we've had numerous tornado reports for today. These are all the warnings in effect. We have nine different areas of rotation at this time. Possible tornadoes moving around the Richmond area right now. Getting up along the I-95 corridor and also along I- 66. These are likely going to be moving into the Washington, D.C. Area as this whole line pushes off to the east.

Individual storms are moving on up to the north. This is a very dangerous situation. Tornado watches remain in effect all across parts of Maryland, including Washington, D.C., extending down through the Carolinas, and across much of Virginia at this hour.

Preliminary reports are showing we have had maybe up to 20 tornadoes so far today. All of these cities that you see listed here where we have reports of damage. But thankfully thus far we have no reports of fatalities or injuries at this time. Now the biggest flooding problem that we have been having have been across eastern parts of Ohio into West Virginia also into western parts of Pennsylvania at this time where rainfall amounts are really starting to add up.

We have flood warnings in the dark green. We have watches into the light green. And additional two to four inches on top of what you already have can be expected. More than a foot of rain in Ellamore, West Virginia. Nine inches in Bear Creek, North Carolina. More than nine also in Alpharetta, Georgia. Atlanta coming in in the next last 24 hours with more than five inches of rainfall.

Good news to tell you right now. Jean is now a tropical depression, rather than a tropical storm. Forecast has changed very significantly. We may still see some changes on this. But Miles, take a look at this. This is the best news I can give you all day. Staying out to sea. Let's hope this holds. We'll keep you up to date.

O'BRIEN: All right. The most uplifting news, Jean is depressing. Thank you very much. It's your turn to weigh in on this story. Our web question of the day is this :has this hurricane season raised your awareness of the danger of hurricanes?" You can vote at CNN.com/wolf. Right now. We'll have the results a little later in the broadcast.

New poll numbers, new tactics. A change in the presidential race and change in strategy for one candidate.

A deadly suicide attack in the Iraqi capital. We'll have the latest on escalating violence there.

Plus, Michael Jackson in court along with his accuser's mother. We'll have details of her testimony ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Back to our top story. Hurricane Ivan, remnants of it and picking up the pieces in the wake of it. Let's turn it over right now to CNN's Gary Tuchman who rode out the storm in Gulf Shores, Alabama. He's now ten miles down the coast in Orange Beach where there is a significant amount of damage -- Gary.

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, we're in a part of Orange Beach where they haven't allowed the public to come back, they haven't allowed any members of the news media until we got here to this particular section of the beach. And that's why right now we are using this video phone to get into this area very quickly.

But the damage as you heard from the mayor a short time ago in the city is devastating particularly among the wooden condominiums. Almost every wooden condominium has some damage or extensive damage. The cement buildings appear to have done very well. But this road that we are standing on -- we're just a few blocks away from the Florida border which is behind us. And this road just comes to an end a couple of blocks off the way.

The road has buckled away because of the hurricane. Extensive damage along the beach front. The amazing thing here in this part of Alabama, they've had no casualties, nobody killed, nobody seriously injured. But there is an immense amount of damage. And they are not sure not only when they're going to let people come back to see their homes but when people will be able to come back here and live. It may be a long time. Miles, back to you.

O'BRIEN: All right. Gary Tuchman, this story obviously developing as we get an assessment of the damage there in Orange Beach, Alabama. The farthest eastern beach in Alabama.

Now to the campaign trail, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry is stumping in Aurora, Colorado talking about health care this hour. Earlier he held a town meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our national correspondent Frank Buckley has details from New Mexico.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Senator John Kerry today criticized Vice President Dick Cheney for his relationship with his former employer Halliburton. At the same time his campaign released an ad on the subject. Senator Kerry was here in Albuquerque, New Mexico today. He said that Vice President Dick Cheney, while claiming he had no financial interest in his former employer Halliburton, in fact, received $2 million in deferred compensation.

Kerry said Cheney and President Bush have not provided adequate oversight on the no-bid contracts that went to Halliburton to help rebuild Iraq.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I will make absolutely sure that all of our government funds are accounted for and I tell you what, as commander-in-chief, I've got two words for companies like Halliburton that abuse the American taxpayer and the trust, you're fired.

BUCKLEY: The Bush campaign officials said this was a tired, old, baseless attack.

Separately, the day after Senator Kerry spoke to the National Guard Association in Las Vegas, he suggested here in Albuquerque, that President Bush was quietly planning additional call-ups of Guardsmen and reservists. Here's what he said about that.

KERRY: He won't tell us what congressional leaders are now saying, that this administration is planning yet another substantial call-up of reservists and Guard units immediately after the election. Hide it from people through the election. Then make the move.

BUCKLEY: Bush campaign officials said about that, that it was a Kerry conspiracy theory and irresponsible. Still, this bundling of the Halliburton issue with the Iraq issue by the Kerry campaign is part of its ongoing effort to portray President Bush as out of touch with average Americans, and dishonest about the war in Iraq, themes we will hear repeatedly over the next 46 days.

Frank Buckley, CNN, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: President Bush meanwhile spoke to a Republican fundraiser in the nation's capital today. He then flew to North Carolina to campaign. CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joining us now from Charlotte with the latest -- Suzanne. SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Miles, it was just moments ago that the president shared the stage with a woman who once shared his ambition to capture the White House, Republican Senator Elizabeth dole. This is all a part of the Bush campaign's "W is for Women." Trying to win that coveted voting bloc of women.

The president as well as his campaign emphasizing those themes that target the women vote including health care, education and job training. There are three groups essentially that they are targeting. The 10 million female-owned businesses being one of them. Another voting bloc, very important: single women. That made up -- it was actually 22 million single women who did not vote in the last election back in 2000. And of course, also what they are calling the security mom. That is the woman with small children who does not necessarily embrace the president's war rhetoric, but does take into account the argument and perhaps even embrace the argument that the war on terror could make her family safer, that it could make women in Afghanistan and Iraq better off.

Now here what the latest polls show in terms of how the president performs with women, the latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup polls showing that likely voters' choice for president. For men, 57 percent for Mr. Bush, 42 percent for Kerry. For women, 48 percent for Bush, 49 percent for Mr. Kerry. That is really split right down the middle. Miles, of course, the Bush campaign taking nothing for granted. They want to make sure that they close that gap -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Suzanne Malveaux who is traveling with the president. Meanwhile the other person on that ticket, the Vice President Dick Cheney is in Oregon. And he was at an event about 20 minutes ago. Watch what happened.

A pro-Kerry heckler was drowned out by a resounding cheer of four more years as you can hear and then one of the people, pro-Bush supporters took it upon themselves to try to wrestle him down. That's the scene from Oregon as the campaign heats up in many ways. A controversial arrest of an unlikely protester meanwhile.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What are you charging me with? Excuse me!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: The mother of a dead American soldier takes on the first lady.

Baghdad bombing. The latest deadly attack in Iraq. Details of the targets and the victims.

Plus dramatic rescues as Ivan sends flood waters surging across the south.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: In Iraq, another day married with fighting and a deadly car bombing. CNN senior international correspondent Walter Rodgers has details from Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALTER RODGERS, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These Iraqi police vehicles bore the brunt of the latest suicide car bomb that killed three policemen and five civilians in central Baghdad.

This witness said a car first approached the temporary Iraqi checkpoint, but was turned away. Then, he said, the suicide bomber drove back to the checkpoint and blew himself up.

Earlier in the morning, two other suicide bombers tried to attack a U.S. Army checkpoint further up the same street. But soldiers opened fire, and the suicide bombers were killed before they could hurt others.

In between these two checkpoints, Iraqi children fled continuing gun battles between the U.S. military and the insurgents. This is as Americans try to weed out stubborn urban resistance here in Baghdad, but they get no credit from the Iraqis.

A woman complained, "the Americans have been here for 24 hours and there are so many wounded." The Iraqi Health Ministry estimated 10 wounded.

At Friday prayers, the hostility again bubbled into sermons. In the Shiite mosque, the faithful vowed to spill their blood for Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of the rebellious militia.

This Muslim sheik denounced what he called the criminal acts perpetrated against the Iraqi people in Fallujah and in the Baghdad slum of Sadr City by why what he called, quote, "the arrogant occupiers."

The Americans were also denounced amid the rubble of another U.S. air strike in Fallujah. This Iraqi calling President Bush a criminal who should stop boasting about freedom.

U.S. warplanes targeted another Abu Musab Zarqawi meeting site in Fallujah. U.S. military sources claimed 60 of his supporters were killed, but Iraqi police say 20 civilians died in the air strike.

(on camera): No matter which death toll you choose to believe, the numbers continue to jump upward for both Iraqis and Americans, challenging, at least in the eyes of many Iraqis, the premise this war has been a success story.

Walter Rodgers, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Back in this country, deep division over the war in Iraq is just one of the deep divisions in this country, making these elections so volatile. CNN national correspondent Bob Franken has more for us. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): What could be a more personal example of the bitter feelings in this country than the painful confrontation between mothers, one with two daughters campaigning for her husband, President Bush. The other dealing with the loss of her son in a war she blames on the president.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don't take my arm!

(CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Go ahead. Come on. Arrest me, right here in front of everybody, go ahead.

FRANKEN: Sue Niederer (ph), whose U.S. Army son was killed in Iraq, was removed from the rally. Not visibly aware of the circumstances, the first lady continued to speak. The small protest drowned out by shouts of "four more years."

CROWD: Four more years! Four more years!

FRANKEN: This year's campaign is marked by opposing passions that have often turned to outright hostility.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And the people who knocked these buildings down...

FRANKEN: The nation came together in the shock of 9/11, but now the political battle is revealing the many differences that have been pulling it apart. It hasn't reached the level of the anti- establishment violence of the '60s, but many of the resentments from that era continue to simmer under today's intensely heated disagreements.

KERRY: They renounced the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) which this country gives, and that was the medals themselves...

FRANKEN: The swift boat controversy over John Kerry is an obvious one. So are the questions about the president's Air National Guard record. Both in reality dealing with the residue of antagonisms over the Vietnam War so many decades later.

Now, it's another war. But not just the war.

(on camera): There is abortion, gay rights, civil rights, economic rights, and wrongs, controversy over the last election, suspicions about this one. All threatening to unravel the fabric of a country whose strength has been reflected in its name, the United States.

(voice-over): The growing political divisions drowning out the agony of a mother who lost her child.

Bob Franken, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Even though Ivan is just a tropical depression now, it is still very dangerous. We have an update on the storm and its remnants, coming up.

Planning is under way for this year's presidential debates. What can we learn from debates of the past?

And Michael Jackson back in court. He hears the mother of his accuser.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) * O'BRIEN: Welcome back.

Ivan is now a tropical depression, but the problems the storm created go on and on. More on the flooding in the South a moment.

But, first, a check of the stories now in the news.

Hospital workers reporting at least two dead from the latest in a string of U.S. airstrikes in and around the rest the Iraqi city of Fallujah, the strike said to be targeting the terror network of suspected terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

Russia's president says preemptive actions against terrorists are being planned. Vladimir Putin pledged that he would adhere to Russia's constitution and international law. In the past month, more than 400 have been killed in a string of terror attacks in Russia.

Electricity outages being reported across the Southeast in the wake of Hurricane Ivan. More than 1.8 million people in seven states without power at this hour. Crews from neighboring states being called in to get help to get customers back on line. Alabama Governor Bob Riley toured the state's hurricane-devastated Gulf Coast today, including Orange Beach, one of the hardest-hit communities. He spoke with reporters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. BOB RILEY (R), ALABAMA: Everything that you see here from the taller building all the way down, all of these beach houses, are going to have to be totally demolished, because the foundations has been eroded. They're beginning to lean one way or the other. So everything that you see here has got to be destroyed.

You think water is not powerful? Oh, look at that. Yes, I don't -- yes, looks like a pretty nice convertible at one time. You just wonder how long -- how far it floated. It looks like everything here is going to be totally ruined. So Alabama doesn't have -- no state has the resources, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, any one, to be able to compensate for all this damage. When it comes to infrastructure, like this road, like these bridges, I-10, that we're going to fly over in just a minute, no, we have to have federal help.

Stay and we'll let him do it. It's the guy from the boat. This is the first time in my lifetime we have had anything like this occur. So there is no question we not only need to build back. We need to build back as soon as we can.

This is the most beautiful beach in America, if not in the world. We're going to build it back better, more beautiful than it's ever been. The beach is still here, still one of the most beautiful places in the word. What we have got to do is come back and put it back together.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Alabama Governor Bob Riley.

As Ivan moved inland after coming ashore early yesterday, it continued to wreak havoc. In central Alabama, floodwaters stranded drivers in their vehicles. In some areas, emergency workers patrolled the streets in boats. Still, local officials say their worst fears were not realized because the storm moved through the area relatively quickly. That's not the case in North Carolina, however. Heavy rains drenched much of the western portion of the state, inundating whole towns, downing power lines, washing away roads -- six deaths blamed on Ivan in North Carolina.

Three more deaths being reported in northern Georgia. And the Atlanta Fire Department, officials there say at least 50 people were evacuated from their homes as rivers overflowed their banks.

Aungelique Proctor of CNN affiliate WAGA with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

AUNGELIQUE PROCTOR, WAGA REPORTER (voice-over): Power lines are swirled like string here on Woodward Way. Daylight reveals snapped trees and collapsed carports. As Peace Tree Creek crested this morning, sending sewage water into several homes here in northwest Atlanta.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is the worst we have seen ever. We've been here 14 years. It's the worst we've seen.

PROCTOR: The Pryors' (ph) play room and basement are a mess. But they are not alone.

Bill Donovan (ph) is spending his day pumping water out of his basement.

(on camera): Bill said he heard the water just gushing into his basement. It almost sounded look a waterfall. About 1:00 this morning, he came to the basement door and opened it. He saw his basement at least seven feet underwater.

(voice-over): Firefighters used boats to rescue at least 50 people stuck in their homes overnight, including this man who was trapped on top of his car.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now I know we have probably rescued over 50 folk Tuesday.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Aungelique Proctor with our affiliate WAGA, thank you very much.

Let's send it up right now to Jacqui Jeras in the Weather Center on Ivan and its aftermath -- Jacqui.

JERAS: Miles, we have two reports of tornadoes on the ground right now in Virginia, Stafford County right now. A tornado was spotted near Garrisonville, moving on up to the north at 20 miles per hour. It is forecast to be moving up towards the I-66 Corridor here within the next 20 minutes or so.

Here are some of the towns in the line of fire. We also have a report of a tornado on the ground in Orange County. This one was spotted four miles east of Lahore, moving north at 30 miles an hour. So two tornadoes on the ground at this time, a very dangerous situation. And one other thing to keep in mind when these tornado warnings come is that you might not be able to see them. Very often with tropical systems they're hidden in the rain -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Jacqui Jeras, thank you very much.

Some news just coming to us right now from the Pentagon, reports that more documents relating to George W. Bush's service in the Air National Guard are being released.

CNN's Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon, he has more for us from there -- Jamie.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN MILITARY AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, we're expecting that shortly some additional records relating to President Bush's service during his time in the Texas Air National Guard will be released by the White House.

And we're told that copies will be provided to reporters here at the Pentagon as well. We have not yet seen those documents. We're told that the way they came about was that the White House directed the Pentagon to go beyond President Bush's personnel records and take a look at other documents, anything that we would either have Bush's name in it or in any way relate to the time that he served in the unit he served him.

So it is expected they may include some of the unit histories of his unit. The Associated Press, which has filed a lawsuit under the Freedom of Information Act against the Pentagon, has apparently already received some of the documents. It reports that included is a letter that President Bush's commander at the time wrote to his father, the first President Bush, praising his son. And, in return, George Bush's father, the first President Bush, 41 apparently wrote back to the commander and said that he appreciated that a major general in the Air Force would take such an interest in a brand new Air Force trainee. He promised that his son would be a -- quote -- "gung-ho" member of the unit. And he said he thought the Air Force instructors had helped awaken the very best instincts in his son, that a letter from then-Congressman George Bush to the commander of now-President Bush's unit.

But, again, we're expecting the release of these documents some time soon. Again, the Pentagon explains that the reason these documents have been released, even though they said before they have pretty much released everything they had, is that they have expanded the criteria in an effort to try to get everything out that could possibly relate to this case -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon, thank you very much.

The mother of Michael Jackson's alleged victim testified at a pretrial hearing today. Michael Jackson was there to hear it. We'll have details coming up.

Also ahead, the presidential campaign. Is Kerry beginning to get some traction? Our Carlos Watson will have "The Inside Edge" for us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: All the makings of a legal drama in a California courtroom where Michael Jackson came face to face today with the mother of the boy who says Jackson molested him.

CNN's Miguel Marquez outside the courtroom in Santa Maria, California -- Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's a hearing that's been going for several weeks now. And the hearing has just ended for the day. And we expect that a ruling from the judge on this matter will be coming at some point before too long. Michael Jackson came to court with all of his siblings in tow, sort of the Jackson six today, Michael, LaToya, Janet, Jackie, Jermaine, and Randy, all dressed in white for the affair. Also, their mother, Katherine, was also here.

The mother of the victim was the person they came to see testify. She made -- this woman was fairly dramatic during her testimony today. She made the sign of the cross before she sat done to testify. She was evasive and hostile at some points on the question of whether or not Bradley Miller, the Beverly Hills detective, whether she knew that he worked for Mark Geragos or whether she passed that information on, then, to investigators at some point along the way.

If she did, then defense lawyers may have a chance to have all of that evidence seized from Miller's office, tossed out. Tom Mesereau Jr., Michael Jackson's attorney, came out at one point to make a statement regarding his client to say that all of these lawsuits that Michael Jackson has faced, as he has faced many lawsuits over the years, and Michael Jackson is innocent.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) THOMAS MESEREAU, ATTORNEY FOR MICHAEL JACKSON: Michael Jackson would never harm a child. Mr. Jackson has been a target of frivolous lawsuits throughout his career. To date, well over 1,000 ridiculous lawsuits have been filed or threatened against Mr. Jackson for all kinds of reasons by those who sought to obtain money by exploiting his achievements and love for people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUEZ: Now, the hearing is over for today. The judge has ruled that he will not rule today. He is taking both parts of the suppression of evidence hearing under submission and he will issue a written ruling some time later. Next hearing, October 14 -- back to you.

O'BRIEN: All right. Mr. Mesereau didn't get the memo on the dress code today. Miguel Marquez, thank you very much.

Debating the debates. Aides to Bush and Kerry are haggling over details. But who is more likely to benefit from the contest? Still ahead, a look at the debate records of the two candidates. And "The Inside Edge." We'll fill you in on John Kerry's new, more aggressive campaign strategy.

And then, when it rains it pours. Nature is adding insult to injury in storm-ravaged Florida, even after the skies had cleared.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: We're less than two weeks away from the first scheduled presidential debate. And both camps are still in disagreement on details.

CNN's Brian Todd looks at past critical moments and how influential these face-offs really are.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a year when a percentage point separates front-runner from second in many polls, when surveys show public attention paid to the presidential race at historic levels, the upcoming debates are seen as nothing short of crucial.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Let's meet every week from now until the election.

TODD: Debates are widely seen as turning points, the only time the candidates square off directly and unscripted. How to handicap President Bush vs. John Kerry? High-profile debates of years past send mixed signals.

In 2000, analysts believed Al Gore was strong on the issues, but Gore's facial expressions and pointed rebukes betrayed him, and viewers forgave Bush's generalities.

BUSH: But the best thing to do is to reform Medicare.

AL GORE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: All right. Here we go again. Now, look...

TODD: Bush came across as more likable. Gore came out on the short end of late-night TV parodies.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE")

WILL FERRELL, ACTOR: Compassionate.

DARRELL HAMMOND, ACTOR: That was not a sigh.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: Nineteen Ninety-six, Kerry was in a tight Senate reelection race with Republican William Weld. Analysts say he inoculated himself from vulnerability over the death penalty in this exchange.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Could you look into the camera perhaps and at Ann Scavina (ph), who is here, whose son was a Springfield police officer cut down by a murderer, tell her why the life of the man that murdered her son is worth more than the life of her son, the police officer?

KERRY: I would say to her and I would say to every citizen in this country, it's not worth more. Yes, I have been opposed to the death penalty. I know something about killing. I don't like killing. And I don't think a state honors life by turning around and sanctioning killing.

TODD: But Kerry was the incumbent in a heavily Democratic state. And observers believe that performance had little impact on his victory.

But other debate moments have turned the tide and they sometimes had more to do with personality, timing or delivery than with a mastery of the facts; 1980, many voters have serious doubts about Ronald Reagan until about a week before the election. He convinces people he is not as scary as they thought and turns their attention to a vulnerable incumbent with a short simple phrase.

RONALD REAGAN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Are you better off than you were four years ago?

TODD: This year, analysts say, debates are double-edged. Polls are close enough to make them pivotal. But the tiny number of undecided voters may mean that they won't change many minds.

Brian Todd, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: All right, Democrat John Kerry is getting more aggressive on the campaign trail. Is it working for him?

CNN political analyst Carlos Watson joins us from Mountain View, California, with more on that and some other matters.

Let's talk polls for just a minute, Carlos. All kinds of numbers all over the place. One of them today, Gallup, with like a 13-point gap, Mr. Bush on top. The Pew is -- the Pew Research Council is out with one that puts it at a dead heat. How do you make them out? Do you average them? what do you do?

(LAUGHTER)

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, first of all, we know that polls, all kinds of polls, can be wrong. But, for the most part, at the moment, the Gallup poll, while a widely respected poll -- the poll has been around a long time -- seems to be an outlier.

Almost every major poll suggests that a race that was close in early August, where President Bush took a lead, Miles, after his convention, is now close once again. So I tend to think of it as a close race again. And again the national polls may not be nearly as important as some of these individual state polls in some of the swing states. And there again we see some very tight races that still haven't moved dramatically in most cases, especially in the Midwest.

O'BRIEN: Lest we forget, this whole thing is being fought over really a dozen states. That's all we're seeing the candidates visit. That really does raise the stakes, however, for these debates, does it not?

WATSON: It does. And I think that whereas in recent times, we have seen maybe 46 million, 47 million people actually tune in to the very first debate and then it tend to drops off, and you see about 34, 35 million people watch following debates, Miles, I would watch for this to be the most watched debate since 1980.

Meaning what? Meaning we may get some 80 million people watching this debate. I certainly expect more than 60 million people to watch the very first debate. And to the extent that we end up with only two, I think both could be very highly rated.

O'BRIEN: Well, those are certainly the kind of ratings our bosses would kill for.

Give us a sense. Handicap it a little bit for us based on what you know about these two men and their ability to debate.

WATSON: Well, despite the fact that the president often says he is not a very good debater, the reality is, he has been very successful across a number of races, including winning for governor.

I think, for the president, it is going to be important that he take on some of the criticism, particularly with regard to Iraq, and is able to address it in a way that seems forthright, but also to move the conversation forward and suggest, here's what I am going to do in the road ahead. I think people fundamentally will want to know that he is not going to be rash in his decision-making.

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: Oh, go ahead. Finish up.

WATSON: On the other hand, I think what John Kerry is going to need to do is really keep the focus on the president's four-year record, as opposed to having the focus turned on him, and open it into a broader foreign policy conversation where you talk about Iran, North Korea, Syria and other places and say that the president's decision- making in the past suggests he will have trouble with these hot spots in the future.

O'BRIEN: So, for John Kerry, it really isn't the economy, stupid. It is actually about Iraq and his role as commander in chief. Is he really going to be able to succeed if that is the issue?

WATSON: You know, I think he has to. I think there is clearly no other choice.

Some 40 percent of voters say that national security issues are most important issues to them in this election. That's up from some 5 percent to 10 percent in the last election. It's the highest we have seen since 1972. So, although a lot of folks have said that he has got to focus on domestic issues, which he does, there is no way around the fact that, in a post-9/11 world, all Americans are thinking about security, including about the question of preemption. And he is going to have to be able to address that and address it well.

O'BRIEN: So when Americans say in polls the economy is No. 1, perhaps they really don't mean it then.

Let me ask you this. John Kerry is trying to be a little more aggressive as he hits the campaign trail. Some of the Clintonistas in the campaign obviously putting their imprints on what he has to say. Will it work?

WATSON: So far, it does seem to be working.

Clearly, you see -- what's interesting about is his attacks on the president is that he is not just focused on one or two issues. You see him hitting on several, including the assault weapons ban, health care, jobs and Iraq.

O'BRIEN: All right, that's "The Inside Edge." And that's Carlos Watson. Have a great weekend. Good to see you.

WATSON: You too. Take care.

O'BRIEN: Surveying the damage after Ivan. For so many who have lost property, it brings that sinking feeling, none more than the owner of that vehicle.

But, first, a look at some news making headlines around the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN (voice-over): A Chechen warlord says he was behind the school siege that led to the deaths of at least 335 people. In a message posted on a Chechen rebel Web site, he also claimed responsibility for a metro bombing in Moscow and the downing of two Russian passenger jets last month.

Nuclear diplomacy. Iran says it may extend a partial freeze on uranium enrichment. The U.S. calls the move a ploy to fend off tough U.N. action and follows an International Atomic Energy Agency call for Iran to suspend all enrichment activities.

European paramilitary. E.U. ministers say they'll set up a security force to help restore order in war-torn countries. The unit will not be deployed when conflict is ongoing.

Smoldering volcano. A volcano northwest of Tokyo spewed smoke and ash for the fourth straight day. But experts say it seems to be quieting slightly.

And that's our look around the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Well, here's how you're weighing in our Web question of the day: Has this hurricane season raised your awareness of the dangers of hurricanes? Sixty-nine percent of you say yes; 31 percent of you say no. As always, it's not a scientific poll.

Our picture of the day was a terrifying sight for a Florida family, a mother and her two young children riding down the street in the minivan when the road gave way beneath them. Their van plunged into a five-foot sinkhole. Officials think a broken water main weakened the ground beneath, a moment of horror, but, as it turns out, no one hurt.

A reminder, you can always catch WOLF BLITZER REPORTS weekdays at this time, 5:00 Eastern. And don't forget to watch Wolf on "LATE EDITION," the last word in Sunday talk. That's noon Eastern Sunday.

Thanks for joining us. I'm Miles O'Brien.

"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.

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 17, 2004 - 17:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hello. I'm Miles O'Brien at the CNN Center in Atlanta. Fresh pictures coming in, the remnants of Hurricane Ivan bring rain and floods to the Appalachians and cause extensive damage along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. We'll bring you up to date. Stand by for hard news.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): After Ivan gulf coast residents come to terms.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Some of us don't have a home to go to it looks like.

O'BRIEN: While the storm makes a devastating march north.

Challenging Cheney in the face of an ongoing assault.

DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: What worries me about John Kerry when I look at his track record over the years not only recently with respect to these issues centering on Iraq but also 20 years of voting in the United States Senate, I don't see that kind of fundamental core capability to make decisions.

O'BRIEN: Candidate Kerry takes on the vice president.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: While Halliburton has been engaging in massive overcharging and wasteful practices under this no-bid contract, Dick Cheney has continued to receive compensation from his former company.

O'BRIEN: The candidates debate. New details out on the face-to- face showdowns between Bush and Kerry.

Baghdad car bomb...

A deadly suicide attack rocks the Iraqi capital.

Courtroom confrontation. Michael Jackson and the judge. Hear from the mother of the boy who says Jackson molested him.

This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Friday, September 17, 2004.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Hello, I'm Miles O'Brien, at the CNN Center in Atlanta. Wolf is off today. Thanks for being with us. We appreciate it.

We begin with a sobering sight along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and it appears we may have only seen the tip of the destruction of that killer storm Ivan. These pictures are just in to CNN shot as the governor of Alabama flew with emergency management officials and toured the full length of the Alabama coast. The view from the air and on the ground is grim. In Gulf Shores and in particular Orange Beach ten miles to the east, particularly hard hit. Cars covered by sand, roofs ripped off condominiums. Large boats, approaching 30 feet in length left on roadsides high and dry. Catastrophic devastation.

Joining us now on the phone, Steve Russo, the mayor of Orange Beach, Alabama. Mayor, have you had a chance to really assess how much damage has occurred there?

MAYOR STEVE RUSSO, ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA: Yes, sir, we have been out for the last two days doing that. We were very fortunate. Our single family homes over off the beach fared very well. But as you know on the beach things weren't so well. A lot of destruction

O'BRIEN: How bad is it? Just looking at these pictures, it looks like really no place was untouched along the beach.

RUSSO: Actually that's not quite right. Wooden structures and stuff like that took a big hit. Our concrete structures are virtually untouched. You could never tell there was a hurricane there.

O'BRIEN: Really? Have you been able to get a sense of the percentage then of how many structures were damaged?

RUSSO: I would say 50 to 60 percent of the total condominiums are devastated.

O'BRIEN: Fifty percent to 60 percent. What about the property owners, are they allowed back on that barrier island in order to assess the damage?

RUSSO: No, sir. Currently, nobody is allowed on. It is really impassable and a lot of folks can't get back to their homes. Hopefully by Sunday morning they'll be allowed.

O'BRIEN: And Mayor Russo, how does this compare just historically, say, to Frederick 25 years ago? How does this damage compare?

We've lost Mayor Steve Russo, the mayor of Orange Beach, Alabama, who -- giving us a sense of how much damage there. Sixty percent of those wooden structures severely damaged. Many of the concrete structures, as he said, might have fared a little better. You're seeing pictures there of Pensacola, Escambia Bay, portion of the bridge there washed out. We've been telling you about that.

Additional pictures coming now from the governor's helicopter tour of this stretch. There you see shots from Orange Beach. Obviously that convertible a total loss. More from the ground as Governor Rob Riley and his team of emergency management officials got this -- their first assessment here. Looks like a bomb was dropped in some portions of this.

As you see, boats were tossed aside virtually like toys. And that's no small boat there. That was left high and dry. Some of this damage just becoming known to us now. These pictures are just coming in. We are assessing it. We'll bring you these pictures and this information as it becomes available.

Now Ivan is not a hurricane anymore but it remains a deadly, and destructive force as it turns north. As of this hour, 19 deaths are blamed on Ivan, including six people who died as a result of torrential rain in North Carolina. 1.8 million people without power as we speak. That number could grow as the storm continues to move north.

Now Ivan's now loosely defined center is over the mid-Atlantic states. But the effects are being felt all the way into New England. We turn now for a more exclusive look at the damage from the air.

Hurricane Ivan was so powerful it redrew the map of the Alabama coast. Officials in Gulf Shores say the water swallowed as much as a mile of coastline. Locations chosen for their ocean views ended up too close to the water for comfort. And the heavy surf showed no respect for property values. Waves threatened large high-rises and smaller beach houses alike.

It was difficult to tell from the air where the sea was supposed to end and the land was supposed to begin. Surrounded by water this building resembled a luxury liner beginning an ocean cruise. Ivan left his calling cards in many places. Windows were shattered. Foundations crumbled. There were piles of debris. Roads simply disappeared.

The name of this amusement park is Waterville, USA. And as ironic as that name may sound right now it is a reminder that while the waters of the Gulf are a continuing attraction they can also be a continuing threat.

Ivan's remnants posing a deadly threat as it moves north. Dan West of our CNN affiliate WSET joins us now from Stewartsville, Virginia outside of Roanoke. What's the latest from there, Dan?

DAN WEST, WSET CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, it's been a very strange day of weather in central and southwest Virginia. We were expecting some severe weather and in some areas it wasn't nearly as bad as we were expecting. However here in western Bedford County it did turn very extreme early this afternoon. Now it's not been confirmed whether it was a tornado or not. But whatever it was it certainly left a lot of damage throughout this area. Trees have been snapped off like they were tooth picks. A family in the home just behind me was outside when the storm did come up. They were able to scurry inside and get into an interior closet. They were not hurt. But a number of homes in this area have been damaged.

We've talked to a number of law enforcement officials as well. And they confirm that same kind of thing that there have been no injuries or no deaths luckily. However there has been a lot of damage to homes and vehicles. We're set up right beside in the parking lot of Goodview Elementary School. The school kids were in school at the time the storm did come through here. But the storm, just skipped right over the school. And no damage to the school or no injuries at the school as well. So it's been quite an eventful day here in Bedford County, Virginia -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Dan, it occurs to me as you talk, folks along the coast prepared for Ivan, for many, many days, folks in that part of the world didn't have that benefit, did they?

WEST: No, they didn't. With this kind of storm we were really expecting quite a bit of rain and some flooding. This area is very prone to flooding. But these kinds of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) storms or tornadoes, there were tornado warnings posted throughout the day all throughout this region and they came up very quickly. And did catch some people by surprise as I was saying. The family just behind me. They were outside and just had to scurry inside. Barely did make it in. And a lot of their property did suffer damage. But again luckily they were not injured.

O'BRIEN: All right. Dan West with WSET, our affiliate. We thank you for your time. As we just saw, Ivan is still very much a threat to millions of people as it moves north. CNN meteorologist Jacqui Jeras has been keeping tabs on Ivan from the very beginning and she gives us the latest as Ivan now, what, a tropical depression, correct?

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, tropical depression. 20- mile-an-hour maximum sustained winds. But tornadoes and flooding have been the big problem today. Just heard about the tornadoes around the Roanoke area and now that line is pushing farther off to the east into parts of Virginia. And we've had numerous tornado reports for today. These are all the warnings in effect. We have nine different areas of rotation at this time. Possible tornadoes moving around the Richmond area right now. Getting up along the I-95 corridor and also along I- 66. These are likely going to be moving into the Washington, D.C. Area as this whole line pushes off to the east.

Individual storms are moving on up to the north. This is a very dangerous situation. Tornado watches remain in effect all across parts of Maryland, including Washington, D.C., extending down through the Carolinas, and across much of Virginia at this hour.

Preliminary reports are showing we have had maybe up to 20 tornadoes so far today. All of these cities that you see listed here where we have reports of damage. But thankfully thus far we have no reports of fatalities or injuries at this time. Now the biggest flooding problem that we have been having have been across eastern parts of Ohio into West Virginia also into western parts of Pennsylvania at this time where rainfall amounts are really starting to add up.

We have flood warnings in the dark green. We have watches into the light green. And additional two to four inches on top of what you already have can be expected. More than a foot of rain in Ellamore, West Virginia. Nine inches in Bear Creek, North Carolina. More than nine also in Alpharetta, Georgia. Atlanta coming in in the next last 24 hours with more than five inches of rainfall.

Good news to tell you right now. Jean is now a tropical depression, rather than a tropical storm. Forecast has changed very significantly. We may still see some changes on this. But Miles, take a look at this. This is the best news I can give you all day. Staying out to sea. Let's hope this holds. We'll keep you up to date.

O'BRIEN: All right. The most uplifting news, Jean is depressing. Thank you very much. It's your turn to weigh in on this story. Our web question of the day is this :has this hurricane season raised your awareness of the danger of hurricanes?" You can vote at CNN.com/wolf. Right now. We'll have the results a little later in the broadcast.

New poll numbers, new tactics. A change in the presidential race and change in strategy for one candidate.

A deadly suicide attack in the Iraqi capital. We'll have the latest on escalating violence there.

Plus, Michael Jackson in court along with his accuser's mother. We'll have details of her testimony ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Back to our top story. Hurricane Ivan, remnants of it and picking up the pieces in the wake of it. Let's turn it over right now to CNN's Gary Tuchman who rode out the storm in Gulf Shores, Alabama. He's now ten miles down the coast in Orange Beach where there is a significant amount of damage -- Gary.

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, we're in a part of Orange Beach where they haven't allowed the public to come back, they haven't allowed any members of the news media until we got here to this particular section of the beach. And that's why right now we are using this video phone to get into this area very quickly.

But the damage as you heard from the mayor a short time ago in the city is devastating particularly among the wooden condominiums. Almost every wooden condominium has some damage or extensive damage. The cement buildings appear to have done very well. But this road that we are standing on -- we're just a few blocks away from the Florida border which is behind us. And this road just comes to an end a couple of blocks off the way.

The road has buckled away because of the hurricane. Extensive damage along the beach front. The amazing thing here in this part of Alabama, they've had no casualties, nobody killed, nobody seriously injured. But there is an immense amount of damage. And they are not sure not only when they're going to let people come back to see their homes but when people will be able to come back here and live. It may be a long time. Miles, back to you.

O'BRIEN: All right. Gary Tuchman, this story obviously developing as we get an assessment of the damage there in Orange Beach, Alabama. The farthest eastern beach in Alabama.

Now to the campaign trail, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry is stumping in Aurora, Colorado talking about health care this hour. Earlier he held a town meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our national correspondent Frank Buckley has details from New Mexico.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Senator John Kerry today criticized Vice President Dick Cheney for his relationship with his former employer Halliburton. At the same time his campaign released an ad on the subject. Senator Kerry was here in Albuquerque, New Mexico today. He said that Vice President Dick Cheney, while claiming he had no financial interest in his former employer Halliburton, in fact, received $2 million in deferred compensation.

Kerry said Cheney and President Bush have not provided adequate oversight on the no-bid contracts that went to Halliburton to help rebuild Iraq.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I will make absolutely sure that all of our government funds are accounted for and I tell you what, as commander-in-chief, I've got two words for companies like Halliburton that abuse the American taxpayer and the trust, you're fired.

BUCKLEY: The Bush campaign officials said this was a tired, old, baseless attack.

Separately, the day after Senator Kerry spoke to the National Guard Association in Las Vegas, he suggested here in Albuquerque, that President Bush was quietly planning additional call-ups of Guardsmen and reservists. Here's what he said about that.

KERRY: He won't tell us what congressional leaders are now saying, that this administration is planning yet another substantial call-up of reservists and Guard units immediately after the election. Hide it from people through the election. Then make the move.

BUCKLEY: Bush campaign officials said about that, that it was a Kerry conspiracy theory and irresponsible. Still, this bundling of the Halliburton issue with the Iraq issue by the Kerry campaign is part of its ongoing effort to portray President Bush as out of touch with average Americans, and dishonest about the war in Iraq, themes we will hear repeatedly over the next 46 days.

Frank Buckley, CNN, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: President Bush meanwhile spoke to a Republican fundraiser in the nation's capital today. He then flew to North Carolina to campaign. CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joining us now from Charlotte with the latest -- Suzanne. SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Miles, it was just moments ago that the president shared the stage with a woman who once shared his ambition to capture the White House, Republican Senator Elizabeth dole. This is all a part of the Bush campaign's "W is for Women." Trying to win that coveted voting bloc of women.

The president as well as his campaign emphasizing those themes that target the women vote including health care, education and job training. There are three groups essentially that they are targeting. The 10 million female-owned businesses being one of them. Another voting bloc, very important: single women. That made up -- it was actually 22 million single women who did not vote in the last election back in 2000. And of course, also what they are calling the security mom. That is the woman with small children who does not necessarily embrace the president's war rhetoric, but does take into account the argument and perhaps even embrace the argument that the war on terror could make her family safer, that it could make women in Afghanistan and Iraq better off.

Now here what the latest polls show in terms of how the president performs with women, the latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup polls showing that likely voters' choice for president. For men, 57 percent for Mr. Bush, 42 percent for Kerry. For women, 48 percent for Bush, 49 percent for Mr. Kerry. That is really split right down the middle. Miles, of course, the Bush campaign taking nothing for granted. They want to make sure that they close that gap -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Suzanne Malveaux who is traveling with the president. Meanwhile the other person on that ticket, the Vice President Dick Cheney is in Oregon. And he was at an event about 20 minutes ago. Watch what happened.

A pro-Kerry heckler was drowned out by a resounding cheer of four more years as you can hear and then one of the people, pro-Bush supporters took it upon themselves to try to wrestle him down. That's the scene from Oregon as the campaign heats up in many ways. A controversial arrest of an unlikely protester meanwhile.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What are you charging me with? Excuse me!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: The mother of a dead American soldier takes on the first lady.

Baghdad bombing. The latest deadly attack in Iraq. Details of the targets and the victims.

Plus dramatic rescues as Ivan sends flood waters surging across the south.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: In Iraq, another day married with fighting and a deadly car bombing. CNN senior international correspondent Walter Rodgers has details from Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALTER RODGERS, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These Iraqi police vehicles bore the brunt of the latest suicide car bomb that killed three policemen and five civilians in central Baghdad.

This witness said a car first approached the temporary Iraqi checkpoint, but was turned away. Then, he said, the suicide bomber drove back to the checkpoint and blew himself up.

Earlier in the morning, two other suicide bombers tried to attack a U.S. Army checkpoint further up the same street. But soldiers opened fire, and the suicide bombers were killed before they could hurt others.

In between these two checkpoints, Iraqi children fled continuing gun battles between the U.S. military and the insurgents. This is as Americans try to weed out stubborn urban resistance here in Baghdad, but they get no credit from the Iraqis.

A woman complained, "the Americans have been here for 24 hours and there are so many wounded." The Iraqi Health Ministry estimated 10 wounded.

At Friday prayers, the hostility again bubbled into sermons. In the Shiite mosque, the faithful vowed to spill their blood for Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of the rebellious militia.

This Muslim sheik denounced what he called the criminal acts perpetrated against the Iraqi people in Fallujah and in the Baghdad slum of Sadr City by why what he called, quote, "the arrogant occupiers."

The Americans were also denounced amid the rubble of another U.S. air strike in Fallujah. This Iraqi calling President Bush a criminal who should stop boasting about freedom.

U.S. warplanes targeted another Abu Musab Zarqawi meeting site in Fallujah. U.S. military sources claimed 60 of his supporters were killed, but Iraqi police say 20 civilians died in the air strike.

(on camera): No matter which death toll you choose to believe, the numbers continue to jump upward for both Iraqis and Americans, challenging, at least in the eyes of many Iraqis, the premise this war has been a success story.

Walter Rodgers, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Back in this country, deep division over the war in Iraq is just one of the deep divisions in this country, making these elections so volatile. CNN national correspondent Bob Franken has more for us. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): What could be a more personal example of the bitter feelings in this country than the painful confrontation between mothers, one with two daughters campaigning for her husband, President Bush. The other dealing with the loss of her son in a war she blames on the president.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don't take my arm!

(CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Go ahead. Come on. Arrest me, right here in front of everybody, go ahead.

FRANKEN: Sue Niederer (ph), whose U.S. Army son was killed in Iraq, was removed from the rally. Not visibly aware of the circumstances, the first lady continued to speak. The small protest drowned out by shouts of "four more years."

CROWD: Four more years! Four more years!

FRANKEN: This year's campaign is marked by opposing passions that have often turned to outright hostility.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And the people who knocked these buildings down...

FRANKEN: The nation came together in the shock of 9/11, but now the political battle is revealing the many differences that have been pulling it apart. It hasn't reached the level of the anti- establishment violence of the '60s, but many of the resentments from that era continue to simmer under today's intensely heated disagreements.

KERRY: They renounced the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) which this country gives, and that was the medals themselves...

FRANKEN: The swift boat controversy over John Kerry is an obvious one. So are the questions about the president's Air National Guard record. Both in reality dealing with the residue of antagonisms over the Vietnam War so many decades later.

Now, it's another war. But not just the war.

(on camera): There is abortion, gay rights, civil rights, economic rights, and wrongs, controversy over the last election, suspicions about this one. All threatening to unravel the fabric of a country whose strength has been reflected in its name, the United States.

(voice-over): The growing political divisions drowning out the agony of a mother who lost her child.

Bob Franken, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Even though Ivan is just a tropical depression now, it is still very dangerous. We have an update on the storm and its remnants, coming up.

Planning is under way for this year's presidential debates. What can we learn from debates of the past?

And Michael Jackson back in court. He hears the mother of his accuser.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) * O'BRIEN: Welcome back.

Ivan is now a tropical depression, but the problems the storm created go on and on. More on the flooding in the South a moment.

But, first, a check of the stories now in the news.

Hospital workers reporting at least two dead from the latest in a string of U.S. airstrikes in and around the rest the Iraqi city of Fallujah, the strike said to be targeting the terror network of suspected terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

Russia's president says preemptive actions against terrorists are being planned. Vladimir Putin pledged that he would adhere to Russia's constitution and international law. In the past month, more than 400 have been killed in a string of terror attacks in Russia.

Electricity outages being reported across the Southeast in the wake of Hurricane Ivan. More than 1.8 million people in seven states without power at this hour. Crews from neighboring states being called in to get help to get customers back on line. Alabama Governor Bob Riley toured the state's hurricane-devastated Gulf Coast today, including Orange Beach, one of the hardest-hit communities. He spoke with reporters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. BOB RILEY (R), ALABAMA: Everything that you see here from the taller building all the way down, all of these beach houses, are going to have to be totally demolished, because the foundations has been eroded. They're beginning to lean one way or the other. So everything that you see here has got to be destroyed.

You think water is not powerful? Oh, look at that. Yes, I don't -- yes, looks like a pretty nice convertible at one time. You just wonder how long -- how far it floated. It looks like everything here is going to be totally ruined. So Alabama doesn't have -- no state has the resources, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, any one, to be able to compensate for all this damage. When it comes to infrastructure, like this road, like these bridges, I-10, that we're going to fly over in just a minute, no, we have to have federal help.

Stay and we'll let him do it. It's the guy from the boat. This is the first time in my lifetime we have had anything like this occur. So there is no question we not only need to build back. We need to build back as soon as we can.

This is the most beautiful beach in America, if not in the world. We're going to build it back better, more beautiful than it's ever been. The beach is still here, still one of the most beautiful places in the word. What we have got to do is come back and put it back together.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Alabama Governor Bob Riley.

As Ivan moved inland after coming ashore early yesterday, it continued to wreak havoc. In central Alabama, floodwaters stranded drivers in their vehicles. In some areas, emergency workers patrolled the streets in boats. Still, local officials say their worst fears were not realized because the storm moved through the area relatively quickly. That's not the case in North Carolina, however. Heavy rains drenched much of the western portion of the state, inundating whole towns, downing power lines, washing away roads -- six deaths blamed on Ivan in North Carolina.

Three more deaths being reported in northern Georgia. And the Atlanta Fire Department, officials there say at least 50 people were evacuated from their homes as rivers overflowed their banks.

Aungelique Proctor of CNN affiliate WAGA with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

AUNGELIQUE PROCTOR, WAGA REPORTER (voice-over): Power lines are swirled like string here on Woodward Way. Daylight reveals snapped trees and collapsed carports. As Peace Tree Creek crested this morning, sending sewage water into several homes here in northwest Atlanta.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is the worst we have seen ever. We've been here 14 years. It's the worst we've seen.

PROCTOR: The Pryors' (ph) play room and basement are a mess. But they are not alone.

Bill Donovan (ph) is spending his day pumping water out of his basement.

(on camera): Bill said he heard the water just gushing into his basement. It almost sounded look a waterfall. About 1:00 this morning, he came to the basement door and opened it. He saw his basement at least seven feet underwater.

(voice-over): Firefighters used boats to rescue at least 50 people stuck in their homes overnight, including this man who was trapped on top of his car.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now I know we have probably rescued over 50 folk Tuesday.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Aungelique Proctor with our affiliate WAGA, thank you very much.

Let's send it up right now to Jacqui Jeras in the Weather Center on Ivan and its aftermath -- Jacqui.

JERAS: Miles, we have two reports of tornadoes on the ground right now in Virginia, Stafford County right now. A tornado was spotted near Garrisonville, moving on up to the north at 20 miles per hour. It is forecast to be moving up towards the I-66 Corridor here within the next 20 minutes or so.

Here are some of the towns in the line of fire. We also have a report of a tornado on the ground in Orange County. This one was spotted four miles east of Lahore, moving north at 30 miles an hour. So two tornadoes on the ground at this time, a very dangerous situation. And one other thing to keep in mind when these tornado warnings come is that you might not be able to see them. Very often with tropical systems they're hidden in the rain -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Jacqui Jeras, thank you very much.

Some news just coming to us right now from the Pentagon, reports that more documents relating to George W. Bush's service in the Air National Guard are being released.

CNN's Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon, he has more for us from there -- Jamie.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN MILITARY AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, we're expecting that shortly some additional records relating to President Bush's service during his time in the Texas Air National Guard will be released by the White House.

And we're told that copies will be provided to reporters here at the Pentagon as well. We have not yet seen those documents. We're told that the way they came about was that the White House directed the Pentagon to go beyond President Bush's personnel records and take a look at other documents, anything that we would either have Bush's name in it or in any way relate to the time that he served in the unit he served him.

So it is expected they may include some of the unit histories of his unit. The Associated Press, which has filed a lawsuit under the Freedom of Information Act against the Pentagon, has apparently already received some of the documents. It reports that included is a letter that President Bush's commander at the time wrote to his father, the first President Bush, praising his son. And, in return, George Bush's father, the first President Bush, 41 apparently wrote back to the commander and said that he appreciated that a major general in the Air Force would take such an interest in a brand new Air Force trainee. He promised that his son would be a -- quote -- "gung-ho" member of the unit. And he said he thought the Air Force instructors had helped awaken the very best instincts in his son, that a letter from then-Congressman George Bush to the commander of now-President Bush's unit.

But, again, we're expecting the release of these documents some time soon. Again, the Pentagon explains that the reason these documents have been released, even though they said before they have pretty much released everything they had, is that they have expanded the criteria in an effort to try to get everything out that could possibly relate to this case -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon, thank you very much.

The mother of Michael Jackson's alleged victim testified at a pretrial hearing today. Michael Jackson was there to hear it. We'll have details coming up.

Also ahead, the presidential campaign. Is Kerry beginning to get some traction? Our Carlos Watson will have "The Inside Edge" for us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: All the makings of a legal drama in a California courtroom where Michael Jackson came face to face today with the mother of the boy who says Jackson molested him.

CNN's Miguel Marquez outside the courtroom in Santa Maria, California -- Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's a hearing that's been going for several weeks now. And the hearing has just ended for the day. And we expect that a ruling from the judge on this matter will be coming at some point before too long. Michael Jackson came to court with all of his siblings in tow, sort of the Jackson six today, Michael, LaToya, Janet, Jackie, Jermaine, and Randy, all dressed in white for the affair. Also, their mother, Katherine, was also here.

The mother of the victim was the person they came to see testify. She made -- this woman was fairly dramatic during her testimony today. She made the sign of the cross before she sat done to testify. She was evasive and hostile at some points on the question of whether or not Bradley Miller, the Beverly Hills detective, whether she knew that he worked for Mark Geragos or whether she passed that information on, then, to investigators at some point along the way.

If she did, then defense lawyers may have a chance to have all of that evidence seized from Miller's office, tossed out. Tom Mesereau Jr., Michael Jackson's attorney, came out at one point to make a statement regarding his client to say that all of these lawsuits that Michael Jackson has faced, as he has faced many lawsuits over the years, and Michael Jackson is innocent.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) THOMAS MESEREAU, ATTORNEY FOR MICHAEL JACKSON: Michael Jackson would never harm a child. Mr. Jackson has been a target of frivolous lawsuits throughout his career. To date, well over 1,000 ridiculous lawsuits have been filed or threatened against Mr. Jackson for all kinds of reasons by those who sought to obtain money by exploiting his achievements and love for people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUEZ: Now, the hearing is over for today. The judge has ruled that he will not rule today. He is taking both parts of the suppression of evidence hearing under submission and he will issue a written ruling some time later. Next hearing, October 14 -- back to you.

O'BRIEN: All right. Mr. Mesereau didn't get the memo on the dress code today. Miguel Marquez, thank you very much.

Debating the debates. Aides to Bush and Kerry are haggling over details. But who is more likely to benefit from the contest? Still ahead, a look at the debate records of the two candidates. And "The Inside Edge." We'll fill you in on John Kerry's new, more aggressive campaign strategy.

And then, when it rains it pours. Nature is adding insult to injury in storm-ravaged Florida, even after the skies had cleared.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: We're less than two weeks away from the first scheduled presidential debate. And both camps are still in disagreement on details.

CNN's Brian Todd looks at past critical moments and how influential these face-offs really are.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a year when a percentage point separates front-runner from second in many polls, when surveys show public attention paid to the presidential race at historic levels, the upcoming debates are seen as nothing short of crucial.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Let's meet every week from now until the election.

TODD: Debates are widely seen as turning points, the only time the candidates square off directly and unscripted. How to handicap President Bush vs. John Kerry? High-profile debates of years past send mixed signals.

In 2000, analysts believed Al Gore was strong on the issues, but Gore's facial expressions and pointed rebukes betrayed him, and viewers forgave Bush's generalities.

BUSH: But the best thing to do is to reform Medicare.

AL GORE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: All right. Here we go again. Now, look...

TODD: Bush came across as more likable. Gore came out on the short end of late-night TV parodies.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE")

WILL FERRELL, ACTOR: Compassionate.

DARRELL HAMMOND, ACTOR: That was not a sigh.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: Nineteen Ninety-six, Kerry was in a tight Senate reelection race with Republican William Weld. Analysts say he inoculated himself from vulnerability over the death penalty in this exchange.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Could you look into the camera perhaps and at Ann Scavina (ph), who is here, whose son was a Springfield police officer cut down by a murderer, tell her why the life of the man that murdered her son is worth more than the life of her son, the police officer?

KERRY: I would say to her and I would say to every citizen in this country, it's not worth more. Yes, I have been opposed to the death penalty. I know something about killing. I don't like killing. And I don't think a state honors life by turning around and sanctioning killing.

TODD: But Kerry was the incumbent in a heavily Democratic state. And observers believe that performance had little impact on his victory.

But other debate moments have turned the tide and they sometimes had more to do with personality, timing or delivery than with a mastery of the facts; 1980, many voters have serious doubts about Ronald Reagan until about a week before the election. He convinces people he is not as scary as they thought and turns their attention to a vulnerable incumbent with a short simple phrase.

RONALD REAGAN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Are you better off than you were four years ago?

TODD: This year, analysts say, debates are double-edged. Polls are close enough to make them pivotal. But the tiny number of undecided voters may mean that they won't change many minds.

Brian Todd, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: All right, Democrat John Kerry is getting more aggressive on the campaign trail. Is it working for him?

CNN political analyst Carlos Watson joins us from Mountain View, California, with more on that and some other matters.

Let's talk polls for just a minute, Carlos. All kinds of numbers all over the place. One of them today, Gallup, with like a 13-point gap, Mr. Bush on top. The Pew is -- the Pew Research Council is out with one that puts it at a dead heat. How do you make them out? Do you average them? what do you do?

(LAUGHTER)

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, first of all, we know that polls, all kinds of polls, can be wrong. But, for the most part, at the moment, the Gallup poll, while a widely respected poll -- the poll has been around a long time -- seems to be an outlier.

Almost every major poll suggests that a race that was close in early August, where President Bush took a lead, Miles, after his convention, is now close once again. So I tend to think of it as a close race again. And again the national polls may not be nearly as important as some of these individual state polls in some of the swing states. And there again we see some very tight races that still haven't moved dramatically in most cases, especially in the Midwest.

O'BRIEN: Lest we forget, this whole thing is being fought over really a dozen states. That's all we're seeing the candidates visit. That really does raise the stakes, however, for these debates, does it not?

WATSON: It does. And I think that whereas in recent times, we have seen maybe 46 million, 47 million people actually tune in to the very first debate and then it tend to drops off, and you see about 34, 35 million people watch following debates, Miles, I would watch for this to be the most watched debate since 1980.

Meaning what? Meaning we may get some 80 million people watching this debate. I certainly expect more than 60 million people to watch the very first debate. And to the extent that we end up with only two, I think both could be very highly rated.

O'BRIEN: Well, those are certainly the kind of ratings our bosses would kill for.

Give us a sense. Handicap it a little bit for us based on what you know about these two men and their ability to debate.

WATSON: Well, despite the fact that the president often says he is not a very good debater, the reality is, he has been very successful across a number of races, including winning for governor.

I think, for the president, it is going to be important that he take on some of the criticism, particularly with regard to Iraq, and is able to address it in a way that seems forthright, but also to move the conversation forward and suggest, here's what I am going to do in the road ahead. I think people fundamentally will want to know that he is not going to be rash in his decision-making.

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: Oh, go ahead. Finish up.

WATSON: On the other hand, I think what John Kerry is going to need to do is really keep the focus on the president's four-year record, as opposed to having the focus turned on him, and open it into a broader foreign policy conversation where you talk about Iran, North Korea, Syria and other places and say that the president's decision- making in the past suggests he will have trouble with these hot spots in the future.

O'BRIEN: So, for John Kerry, it really isn't the economy, stupid. It is actually about Iraq and his role as commander in chief. Is he really going to be able to succeed if that is the issue?

WATSON: You know, I think he has to. I think there is clearly no other choice.

Some 40 percent of voters say that national security issues are most important issues to them in this election. That's up from some 5 percent to 10 percent in the last election. It's the highest we have seen since 1972. So, although a lot of folks have said that he has got to focus on domestic issues, which he does, there is no way around the fact that, in a post-9/11 world, all Americans are thinking about security, including about the question of preemption. And he is going to have to be able to address that and address it well.

O'BRIEN: So when Americans say in polls the economy is No. 1, perhaps they really don't mean it then.

Let me ask you this. John Kerry is trying to be a little more aggressive as he hits the campaign trail. Some of the Clintonistas in the campaign obviously putting their imprints on what he has to say. Will it work?

WATSON: So far, it does seem to be working.

Clearly, you see -- what's interesting about is his attacks on the president is that he is not just focused on one or two issues. You see him hitting on several, including the assault weapons ban, health care, jobs and Iraq.

O'BRIEN: All right, that's "The Inside Edge." And that's Carlos Watson. Have a great weekend. Good to see you.

WATSON: You too. Take care.

O'BRIEN: Surveying the damage after Ivan. For so many who have lost property, it brings that sinking feeling, none more than the owner of that vehicle.

But, first, a look at some news making headlines around the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN (voice-over): A Chechen warlord says he was behind the school siege that led to the deaths of at least 335 people. In a message posted on a Chechen rebel Web site, he also claimed responsibility for a metro bombing in Moscow and the downing of two Russian passenger jets last month.

Nuclear diplomacy. Iran says it may extend a partial freeze on uranium enrichment. The U.S. calls the move a ploy to fend off tough U.N. action and follows an International Atomic Energy Agency call for Iran to suspend all enrichment activities.

European paramilitary. E.U. ministers say they'll set up a security force to help restore order in war-torn countries. The unit will not be deployed when conflict is ongoing.

Smoldering volcano. A volcano northwest of Tokyo spewed smoke and ash for the fourth straight day. But experts say it seems to be quieting slightly.

And that's our look around the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Well, here's how you're weighing in our Web question of the day: Has this hurricane season raised your awareness of the dangers of hurricanes? Sixty-nine percent of you say yes; 31 percent of you say no. As always, it's not a scientific poll.

Our picture of the day was a terrifying sight for a Florida family, a mother and her two young children riding down the street in the minivan when the road gave way beneath them. Their van plunged into a five-foot sinkhole. Officials think a broken water main weakened the ground beneath, a moment of horror, but, as it turns out, no one hurt.

A reminder, you can always catch WOLF BLITZER REPORTS weekdays at this time, 5:00 Eastern. And don't forget to watch Wolf on "LATE EDITION," the last word in Sunday talk. That's noon Eastern Sunday.

Thanks for joining us. I'm Miles O'Brien.

"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com