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CNN Live Sunday

North Carolina Pummeled by Ivan; Looting, Price Gouging Problems in Florida; House Speaker Says Terrorists Have Election Agenda

Aired September 19, 2004 - 18:00   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.


CAROL LIN, ANCHOR: CNN LIVE SATURDAY (sic) is just ahead but first, a quick look at what's happening in the news right now.
Two Americans and a Brit remain in harm's way in Iraq. Militants are threatening to behead them unless all female Iraqi prisoners are released from two U.S.-run facilities. But the U.S. military says it is not holding any women, and its policy is to not negotiate with hostage-takers.

A Hamas field commander was killed in a car explosion in Gaza City today. Eight other people were wounded. Israel says its air force attacked the car because it was carrying the senior Hamas official.

And an Iraqi tribunal could begin weighing the fate of Saddam Hussein next month. An Iraqi tribunal is considered -- Iraq Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said the deposed dictator's case and those of his henchmen are expected to start in October.

Good evening. I'm Carol Lin, and welcome to CNN LIVE SUNDAY.

Ahead this hour, live from ground zero and the searching for people missing in North Carolina following devastating floods and mud slides.

Also, from the front lines in Iraq, go on patrol with U.S. troops facing the threat of deadly attacks from insurgents.

And later, a new front in the battle over taking private land for public use. The controversial issue of eminent domain. Why the U.S. Supreme Court may again rule on the issue.

But up first, the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan.

For the third time, President Bush was back in Florida touring storm damage. He also saw the devastation in Alabama and promised federal help fast.

Relief workers are handing out ice, water and meals to Ivan's victims. But tempers are flaring. People are spending hours in line for basic necessities like gasoline.

And New Jersey is getting pummeled by Ivan's remnants. Hundreds of people along the Delaware River evacuated after it overflowed its banks early today.

But one of the areas most devastated by Ivan is western North Carolina. And that's where we begin with CNN's Brian Todd.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, we are in the third full day of a massive recovery effort here from a mudslide that officials say wiped out at least 15 homes in the tiny neighborhood of Peeks Creek, just outside Franklin, North Carolina.

At this hour, four people are confirmed dead. A short time ago, here's what the director of emergency management services from Macon County, North Carolina, said about the search and recovery effort.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The search today is consisting still of a canine search of the area. We also have swift water teams in the area. As of the time of this press report, we still have four individuals unaccounted for that we're still continuing to try and verify the whereabouts of. The incident is still of massive proportions.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: And believe it or not, there have been security problems during this search and rescue effort. Listen to what the sheriff of Macon County said about how it's made this more difficult.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HOLLAND: We've had people come up there to take pictures, sight see. We've had a couple of individuals that have picked up items as souvenirs to take out. And we've had one family that actually had somebody open their door and take pictures of the inside of their house while they were standing in there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: So the search and rescue effort continues. The recovery effort continues. A lot of debris and wreckage to pick through. Right now there are 14,000 customers in this area without power -- Carol.

LIN: All right. Brian Todd, thank you very much.

Well, President Bush got a firsthand look at Hurricane Ivan's devastation in Florida. Some residents are standing in line for hours for just basic supplies, and looting and price gouging are also a big worry.

CNN's Chris Lawrence is in Pensacola.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, in just the last few days, power crews have repaired about 150 miles of power lines.

But the devastation was so complete that there was still a long way to go. Tens of thousands of people still without power, without running water. Very hard to get gasoline or even basic necessities, although slowly but surely, some of those services are coming back online now.

President George W. Bush toured some of the most heavily damaged areas earlier today. He saw some of the devastated areas for himself, buildings that were completely gutted. Many families have lost their entire home.

And now, FEMA says that comparing all three of the recent hurricanes, Charley, Frances and Ivan, the devastation caused by those, and the damage caused is comparable to what California experienced in 1994 in the earthquake outside of Los Angeles.

The Florida attorney general has been touring many of the areas here, and he's very concerned, first, about price gouging. He cited one example of a man who tried to hire someone to clear debris out of his yard. It should have been about a $300 job. The person was trying to charge him $1,200.

And the attorney general says they will aggressively prosecute anyone caught price gouging.

Another concern is looting. There have been about 72 complaints in this county alone. Police have arrested 15 people so far. And the attorney general says they will also aggressively go after looters, and he's going to urge the Florida state legislature to increase the punishment for anyone caught looting.

However, those are the exceptions rather than the rule. Most of the people here have been very helpful to their neighbors in this very big time of need.

Chris Lawrence, CNN, Pensacola, Florida.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Clearly there's been no letup today from the Iraqi insurgents.

In Samarra, north of Baghdad, a suicide bomber killed an Iraqi soldier and a civilian.

U.S. Marines attacked the militants' hot spot of Fallujah. The Marines said they opened fire on insurgents setting up a defensive position.

And followers of radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr say they are holding 15 Iraqi National Guardsmen hostage. And they're threatening to kill them unless an aide to al-Sadr is released. The Iraqi government says it has no reports of missing guardsmen.

Well, the U.S. military can't meet the demands of another group holding insurgents -- a group of insurgents holding two Americans and a Brit.

The hostage-takers asked the U.S. to release all female prisoners in Iraq. The U.S. says it isn't holding any women.

And the wife of the American hostage, Jack Hensley, tried to communicate with his captors on our air yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PATTY HENSLEY, WIFE OF HOSTAGE: Jack is a simple, generous man who loves the Iraqi people and has made many friends while in Iraq. Since Jack has been a guest in your country, he has been treated with honor and dignity. We ask for your mercy in freeing Jack and his co- workers so that they can continue -- continue to return home to their loving families. And it is your decision whether this happens.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: Well, Iraq's interim prime minister is en route to meetings with Congress and the United Nations. Ayad Allawi says increased militant attacks means they are getting desperate.

He visited London today and met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and he promised elections -- yes, elections in Iraq -- are still on track for January.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI INTERIM PRIME MINISTER: We definitely are going to stick to the timetable of the elections in January next year. We are doing our best to ensure that we'll meet the time of the elections. We are adamant that democracy is going to prevail. It's going to win in Iraq.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: Well, turning now to the U.S. presidential race.

There are just over six weeks to go until the election. And now the Republican speaker of the House is virtually saying that al Qaeda wants John Kerry elected.

CNN's Elaine Quijano joins us with more of those details. And a lot of criticism flying, Elaine.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Certainly is. Hello to you, Carol.

Illinois Republican Dennis Hastert is the latest to question how effective John Kerry would be in fighting terrorists, an issue that has fired up the Kerry campaign.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

QUIJANO (voice-over): In the battle to convince voters who would make a stronger leader, House Speaker Dennis Hastert fired another salvo against John Kerry.

Hastert said what many, including officials in the Bush administration, have said before, that he believes al Qaeda could try to influence the election. But then said of the terrorists...

REP. DENNIS HASTERT (R-IL), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: I would think that they would be more apt to go -- somebody who would file a -- you know, a lawsuit with a world court or something rather than respond with troops.

QUIJANO: Earlier a reporter asked him directly whether he believed al Qaeda could operate with a little more comfort with John Kerry as president rather than George Bush. Hastert's answer...

HASTERT: That's my opinion, yes.

QUIJANO: That provoked a sharp response from Senator Kerry's running mate John Edwards, campaigning in Pennsylvania. He accused Hastert of joining the, quote, "fear-mongering choir."

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Let me say this in the simplest possible terms. When John Kerry is president of the United States, we will find al Qaeda where they are, and crush them before they can do damage to the American people.

QUIJANO: Democrats point out Hastert's comments come on the heels of recent remarks by Vice President Dick Cheney, calling on voters to, in his words, make the right choice on election day.

DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's absolutely essential that eight weeks from today on November 2 we make the right choice. Because if we make the wrong choice, the danger is that -- that we'll get hit again.

QUIJANO: The vice president has since clarified his remarks, saying he meant President Bush will pursue a more effective anti- terrorism policy.

Still, Democrats say the latest comments by Hastert are outrageous.

TERRY MCAULIFFE, DNC CHAIRMAN: It is disgraceful. There should be no room for this in our political discourse.

QUIJANO: One Republican lawmaker also took aim at the idea...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think terrorists in the world sit around a fire camp gauging who's the easier president to deal with.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Two hundred billion dollars. That's what we're spending on Iraq.

QUIJANO: With just over six weeks until election day, the Kerry campaign is ratcheting up its rhetoric on Iraq, launching a new TV ad in battleground states. KERRY: As president, I'll stop at nothing to get the terrorists before they get us. But I'll also fight to build a stronger middle class.

QUIJANO: Their message? That President Bush has made wrong and costly choices on Iraq without properly funding domestic programs, including education and health care.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

QUIJANO: Now, the Bush campaign accuses the Kerry camp of flailing about, attacking, they say, because their candidate hasn't voiced clear positions on the issues, especially Iraq.

They continue to drive -- to try to drive home the message that Kerry is a flip-flopper, they say, who voted for the use of force in Iraq, but against funding the troops.

Now, the Kerry camp maintains the senator's position has not changed, that his first vote reflected a desire to do something about Saddam Hussein, and the second vote, his displeasure at the way President Bush went about it -- Carol.

LIN: Thanks very much, Elaine.

And coming up, I'll be talking with our senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, about some new polls that send some mixed messages about these different strategies.

Meantime, we're going to be also talking about the fight on the front lines. Iraq's insurgents make the plan for peace harder each day. Up next, what U.S. troops can do to make Iraqi streets safer.

Plus the duel over eminent domain. There is an ugly land battle brewing between homeowners and local governments. Now the Supreme Court steps in.

And later, hopeful TV stars already gracing the red carpet for tonight's Emmys. But last-minute drama might be lurking behind the scenes. We're going to have your preview.

But first, a look back at Ivan's deadly impact.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(MUSIC)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: Every weekend in this hour, we take you to a different part of the front lines in the war on terror.

Tonight, CNN's Diana Muriel shows you how poverty, history and desperation conspire against U.S. forces patrolling one of Iraq's most dangerous cities.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When the sun goes down, the shooting starts.

For the soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, it's a daily part of their routine at this base, an abandoned school building in the north of Sadr City.

(on camera) What you're hearing is like a warm up for what's to come. Rocket propelled grenades, small arms fire and mortars have been landing around this forward operating base here in Sadr City. It happens every night. And it will probably only get worse.

(voice-over) Waiting to go out on a mission, the tension building. A few try to snatch some sleep. Most are alert, watchful.

Finally, the night operation is under way: 20 armored vehicles on patrol with air support.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lance (ph), are you ready?

MURIEL: The tactic: drawing out the Mehdi militia who have been attacking with rockets and AK-47s. The helicopter is the bait.

Tonight the patrol has been successful. Two fighters killed in action, in all the day's tally, 18 militiamen killed, an unknown number wounded.

The commander considers it a quiet night.

LT. COL. GARY VOLESKY, 5TH CALVARY, U.S. ARMY: Maybe they just didn't want to come out and fight us tonight.

MURIEL: But these soldiers rarely get much of a break.

(on camera) This base to the northeast of Sadr City is where U.S. forces come back to regroup and reform. But even here, they're vulnerable to attack. The black smoke is rising from a mortar attack on a fuel truck within the walls of this compound.

(voice-over) Despite the problems, U.S. forces have been trying to improve the desperate living conditions for the people of this sprawling slum district. But work on most of the projects has had to stop. We found out why.

At a sewage pumping station, the U.S. military had helped to refurbish, we came under attack from militiamen firing AK-47s. We made a run for it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go, go, go, go, go!

MURIEL: The cavalry will be back, but only once they've finished fighting.

Diana Muriel, CNN, Sadr City, Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Just a taste of what's going on there.

Now, right now, we are waiting for any word at all about two Americans and a British citizen held hostage somewhere inside Iraq. And at this point, what should the United States do to save their lives?

Ken Robinson is our military intelligence analyst.

Ken, the deadline, sometime today. It's already the dark of night in Iraq. We haven't heard anything about what's happened to these men.

What are the options for the U.S., or the coalition to save their lives if the U.S. says it will not negotiate with hostage-takers?

KEN ROBINSON, CNN MILITARY INTELLIGENCE ANALYST: In situations like this, the United States military is normally faced with two choices: bad and worse.

They try as much as possible to negotiate with local leaders, to find out any tribal leaders who may be in the city where individuals they believe to be held, and try to negotiate for their release that way. Not to negotiate specifically with the terrorists, but to negotiate with local leaders to work as a third party.

LIN: But you don't actually believe that the demand that the hostage-takers made this time around, the release of female prisoners from two specific Iraqi prisons -- you don't really believe that is what they really wanted?

ROBINSON: Well, you know, they -- we always see this happen where they ask for something impossible, which they know that the -- either the military or the government can't comply with.

And in this case, impossible to comply with, according to the U.S. military, which says that they have no female -- women in their prisons in Iraq, specifically those two locations.

So, you know, this is theater. They are trying to get their message out, and their message is, don't come here to work, don't cooperate with the Americans, because they want instability.

LIN: So you're saying that basically the hostage-takers have already gotten what they wanted, the publicity?

ROBINSON: And more than that, by setting a timeline, they cause western media to beat the drum toward the end of the deadline so they actually get more bounce for taking the hostages.

They get an original bounce when they take them, and they get another bounce by establishing a deadline and creating the theater around the event. And they'll get another bounce if they actually kill them and then post the killings on their web sites.

LIN: Not good news for the family. In fact, I'm going to be talking with the brother of one of the American hostages tonight in our primetime show at 10. And we'll hear what he has to say about the situation, whether -- what the authorities are saying.

In the meantime, the strategy, the U.S. strategy inside of Iraq. You have confirmed that there is a major offensive, a take-back offensive planned for Fallujah that may already be under way to get control of the insurgents in that city. What do you know?

ROBINSON: There's an enormous effort ongoing right now in terms of preparing the Iraqi forces to be able to do for themselves in the city.

As well the United States military is always prepared to go on the offensive at any time that they find clear targets that enable them to do so.

What we've been seeing in the last 24 hours is them using technology -- technology to be able to identify who's not from their location and their formations, as is the case of this -- this roadside group that was attacked recently and killed, four individuals killed that were operating and trying to stop Iraqi citizens.

And this is the type of practice we've seen where they kidnap Iraqis and prevent them from supporting the coalition.

LIN: But you're expecting that the violence is going to be ratcheted up as the interim Iraqi government tries to move toward elections in January?

ROBINSON: Well, it appears that the interim prime minister is not going to change the date. And he's still pushing toward that.

But the net effect of that may likely be that we see the isolation of these Sunni dominated areas into what we would call city states, which will then be ostracized from the rest of the political process, which may set conditions for illegitimate elections, which might set conditions for civil war.

LIN: As you've been talking, Ken, bad to worse. Like you said in the very beginning. We'll see what happens. Thanks very much.

Ken Robinson, our military analyst.

And please be sure to catch an all-new "CNN PRESENTS" tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern: "The Impact of Terror," through the eyes of those who struggle with its legacy. That's at 8 p.m. Eastern.

And in other news, around the world right now, Iran rejects a resolution from the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency. It called for Iran to end its uranium enrichment program. Iran insists its nuclear program is focused on generating power, not weapons.

China's former president is making room for a younger generation of leaders. Seventy-eight-year-old Jiang Zemin turned over his last major post as chairman of the committee that runs China's military. Jiang's resignation is the country's first peaceful leadership transition in its communist history.

And Madonna calls for world peace. At an event gathering Israeli and Palestinian children, she said everyone she met on the five-day trip to the holy land wanted peace.

The pop star has been on a spiritual pilgrimage to Israel since Wednesday. She's there with five other students of Kabbala, a mystical form of Judaism.

Well, the U.S. quest to take the Ryder Cup. Tiger and company trying to claw out of a big hole. Up next, a live report from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where play has just wrapped up.

And later, polar polls. How can so many new polls on the presidential race be so conflicting? Our Bill Schneider tries to clear up the confusion.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: The Ryder Cup won't be collecting dust on any U.S. mantle this year. The Europeans are keeping it.

Our Larry Smith is in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Larry, what happened?

LARRY SMITH, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, not only a loss, but the most lopsided defeat for the U.S. in Ryder Cup history: Europe, 18 1/2, USA 9 1/2. A massive defeat that keeps the Americans in their biggest slump in the event's history.

Now Tiger Woods reported a wire-to-wire victory to get things going in today's singles matches, get the U.S. off on a positive note. But success was hard to come by as the Americans won only three of the other 11 singles matches.

Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood of the European side were among five Euros who notched their first ever victory in Ryder Cup singles play. They each earned 4 1/2 points in this tournament.

U.S. Ryder Cup rookie Chris DiMarco was the only American with a winning record, as the U.S. loses for the seventh time in the last 10 tries. Still wondering what has to happen. And why every time they come in as heavy favorites, only to come up short.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVIS LOVE III, U.S. TEAM: We know that on paper, you know, this should be a close match. And it really hasn't been close. You know, honestly, we've had a couple good days in this thing in the last four or five of them. And we need to come in next time with a new attitude.

STEWART CHIK, U.S. TEAM: We just really have to figure out why our team doesn't come together and show its potential. Because we have -- I think most people would agree our potential on our side is every bit as strong as theirs, if not stronger.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SMITH: And to a man, that was the feeling today. No one really knows why this always comes up short. But once again, the U.S. losing the Ryder Cup for the seventh time in the last 10 tries.

Let's go back to you, Carol.

LIN: All right. Thanks very much, Larry.

We're going to be talking about a different kind of co test. Some have been asking, where's John Edwards? He's making his presence known today on the campaign trail. Up next, what he's saying about the speaker of the House.

Plus, citizen versus city. What happens when local government wants your property? It's a fierce fight, and now the Supreme Court weighs in.

And later, all jazzed up in California. The Monterey Jazz Festival wraps up, but we've got a good look at it.

(MUSIC)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: Welcome back. I'm Carol Lin and here's a quick look at what's happening right now in the news.

In the northern Iraqi town of Samarra, a suicide bomber killed an Iraqi soldier and a civilian. The blast happened at a joint U.S.- Iraqi checkpoint. Seven Americans and Iraqi soldiers were wounded.

And President Bush gets a firsthand look at communities devastated by Hurricane Ivan. Mr. Bush visited Pensacola, Florida, and nearby Orange Beach, Alabama, today, and he promised to get help to storm victims as quickly as possible.

Thousands of hotel workers in D.C., San Francisco and Los Angeles threatened to walk off the job. They are in contract talks right now and plan to make a final decision about the strike tonight. The workers want a two-year contract with better pay and pensions.

Louisiana voters overwhelmingly approve a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages. But a gay rights group promises to challenge the ban in court. And the state attorney general is investigating why voting machines weren't in place in many parts of New Orleans when polls opened.

In the meantime, the battleground state of Pennsylvania got a visit from another politician today. Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards campaigned in Philadelphia and Phoenixville. But the focus quickly turned to comments made by House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who said al Qaeda would try to influence the race for the White House. John Edwards responded this way.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EDWARDS: Literally, in the last 24 hours, Denny Hastert, the speaker of the House, has joined the fear-mongering choir.

You know, he said, and I'm paraphrasing him now, he said last night something to the effect that al Qaeda wants John Kerry to be president of the United States.

Let me just say this in the simplest possible terms. When John Kerry is president of the United States, we will find al Qaeda where they are, and crush them before they can do damage to the American people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: All right. Well, polls always play an important part in an election. At least it gives us an idea of where the candidates stand. And here are a couple of interesting ones that came out yesterday.

Some neighboring Midwestern states differ in presidential preference. For example, in Illinois, a poll for the "St. Louis Post- Dispatch" shows John Kerry the choice over George Bush, 54 percent to 39 percent, with seven percent undecided.

But across the Mississippi River in Missouri, Bush is preferred over Kerry, 49 percent to 42 percent, with nine percent undecided.

Polls can be a curious thing. Ask the same question, get a very different result. We saw an example of that just within the past week.

CNN's senior political analyst Bill Schneider joins me now.

Good afternoon, Bill.

BILL SCHNEIDER, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Good afternoon, Carol.

LIN: Of course, we're talking about the Pew Research Poll and the Gallup poll, Gallup showing that President Bush is ahead with likely voters, I think it was, what, eight percent?

SCHNEIDER: Gallup, I think it was -- look at that. Among likely voters, it's a 13-point lead for Gallup. Among all registered voters, if every one of them turned out to vote, it would still be a Bush lead but a little closer. There would only be an eight-point lead.

This is very different from the result that showed up in the Pew Research Center poll, which showed something like a dead heat. Look at this. Among likely voters, one point for Bush and a dead heat, an absolute tie, among registered voters. And yet, there was a third poll that came out beyond these two. Just came out from "The New York Times" and CBS News that showed an eight-point lead for Bush among likely voters.

So you've got 13 points, you've got eight points and you've got one point. Take your poll, take your pick.

LIN: Really. Do the math for us, Bill, what does it mean?

SCHNEIDER: First of all, none of these polls show Kerry ahead. You've got to start with that. The race is either neck and neck or Bush has a lead.

My guess is the truth is probably somewhere in between the 13 points show by Gallup and the absolute tie show by Pew. Bush is probably a few points ahead, because the only way to read polls at a volatile time like this is to look at a bunch of them and see if they all tell the same story.

Here, they seem to vary, but they do seem to suggest that Bush is ahead, Kerry is not. So I think it's fair to call Bush the front- runner.

LIN: Well, there have been -- there's been some criticism of the Kerry campaign strategy. For example, haven't seen much of John Edwards. He was supposed to be such a great asset for John Kerry. While Dick Cheney has been heavily out on the campaign trail being highly critical of the Democrats.

John -- John Edwards makes an appearance today finally taking on some comments that Dennis Hastert made about al Qaeda and wanting John Kerry to become president.

What do you make of what's going on with the vice presidential Democratic candidate?

SCHNEIDER: Well, you know, the vice president's job traditionally has been the attack dog. And that is exactly what Dick Cheney is doing. He's bringing the attack onto John Kerry, making Kerry the issue in this campaign. And Democrats are intensely frustrated.

Why isn't John Edwards playing that role? Well, remember when John Edwards was running for president, he ran as the happy candidate, the positive candidate. People liked the fact that he did not engage in negative campaigning. And he still seems reluctant to do that.

Now, what we just heard John Edwards doing is what he's been doing for some time now. When the Republicans attack Kerry, Edwards strikes back and defends Kerry. And that's good. And that's admirable.

Except Democrats say, "Wait a minute. He should be attacking the Bush record. He should be attacking them, not just defending John Kerry." LIN: So what do you make of what Dennis Hastert said today? I mean, do you think he really meant to say that Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda want John Kerry as the president of the United States?

SCHNEIDER: Well, I can guarantee you, they don't like George Bush. Do they think there's a difference?

I think Osama bin Laden, the al Qaeda network, who I am certain follow American politics, look at the messages coming out on their tapes. They seem to follow politics very closely.

They would very much like to defeat President Bush. But the question is, can they pull off the same trick that they pulled off in Spain?

What Dennis Hastert said is, "They'd better not try that. It won't work here." And my guess is, he's right about that.

In Spain they staged an attack a few days before the election, and in the end the government got defeated because it mishandled the response to the attack.

My guess is, there would be two ways of reading this.

If there's an attack shortly before the election, the Democrats would argue it proves that America is more vulnerable as a result of the war in Iraq. And therefore, Bush should be defeated. We are not safer.

The Republicans will say, "There's fear out there. There's anger. Trust us. We'll be strong. We'll show resolve."

My feeling is, when Americans are fearful and angry, they're very likely to stick with President Bush. And if -- if al Qaeda were to try that, God forbid, I think it would not work.

LIN: The election just weeks away. Bill Schneider, always good to see you.

SCHNEIDER: Good to see you, Carol.

LIN: Well, forget the usual ways to support your presidential candidate. Now, you can express your politics with dog toys and hub cabs.

CNN's Jeanne Moos shows us the latest political merchandise.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): OK, they're a little hard to make out while you're moving, but why settle for old- fashioned bumper stickers when you can stick President Bush on your hubcaps?

Or Kerry condoms that say re-defeat Bush.

Or take a knockout punch at John Kerry or give President Bush the boot...

(on camera) I think you missed a spot.

(voice-over) ... with the Bush door mat.

God bless the Internet, it's opened up a whole new world of political merchandise.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Love it! Love it!

MOOS: So does the head of the Democratic National Committee. Terry McAuliffe has one outside his door.

(on camera) Now, is that nice to do to our president?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't like him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I wouldn't wipe my feet on George Bush.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Disrespectful.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're too young for that.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, she's not.

MOOS (voice-over): Or maybe you'd prefer to let your pet do the dirty work. That is, if your pet isn't petrified of politics. At PoliticalPetToys.com, you can choose to chew on Bush or Kerry, 13 bucks apiece.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get him, Ripley. Chew him up.

MOOS: Their slogan?

(on camera) You can't get even, but your pet can.

(voice-over) No wonder, they also sell Saddam and Osama.

(on camera) Finally, somebody who can catch Osama.

(voice-over) If you want a more compassionate canine, CafePress.com offers the John Kerry "that dog won't hunt T-shirt," as well as the "Anyone but Bush" T-shirt modeled by Julian.

You can even turn your baby into a political poster child.

(on camera) "Mommy, this mess is nothing compared to Bush's war in Iraq."

(voice-over) Though Nate modeled the bib, his dad is a Republican.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: His dad will let him spit up all over it.

MOOS: Which Nate did seconds after we removed the bib. You can count down to election day with timepieces from ElectionWatches.com. At WaffleWatch.com, you can get Senator Kerry flipping waffles. A Bush growing nose watch is in the works, similar to the Bush Pinocchio masks favored by protesters.

As for the hubcaps honoring President Bush, we tooled around in them but got very few comments.

(on camera) Would you put these hubcaps on your car?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure.

MOOS (voice-over): Try CleverCovers.com for 70 bucks.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do they have a toilet lid?

MOOS: Not that we know of.

Nader supporters might enjoy Julius gnawing on Kerry on a Bush doormat. These guys could teach even the candidates a thing or two about mud slinging.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: All right. On a more serious topic coming up, eminent domain, the complex government right to seize private property is at the heart of a legal battle that could be heading to the Supreme Court again.

The case centers on the city of New London, Connecticut, and several homeowners who tell our Alina Cho, they won't give up their property without a fight.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When Josette Quillo (ph) moved into her charming home in New London, Connecticut, seven years ago...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was like I'd been here all my life. It was just -- it was just a warming, inviting feeling.

CHO: A little slice of heaven on the water. The best house she could find for her money. Seven months after moving in, though, Quillo (ph) was told she had to move out.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was thinking I had a really big problem.

CHO: She learned the city of New London wanted to buy her home, tear it down and then redevelop the land.

Connecticut's highest court agreed with the city, citing a statute called eminent domain, which allows local governments to confiscate private property for public use. TOM LONDREGAN, CITY ATTORNEY: Whether it be an office park, whether it be retail, whether it be some housing, all these potential uses are there in the plans.

CHO: City attorney Tom Londregan says that kind of development would give New London a big economic boost.

That is not how Matt Derry (ph) sees it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The property went to my father, and now it's come full circle to me.

CHO: Derry's (ph) family has owned property here for more than a century. It is where he grew up, where he now shares a home with his wife. The Derrys (ph) call this a seven-year nightmare that has even affected decisions like painting their house.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We went, like, two years and we said, you know, to heck with this. We had the house painted. But we only put one coat on it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We never...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because we don't know if we're going to be here or not.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We've been living a life of not knowing.

CHO: Ninety other homeowners have taken the city's offer to sell their homes at market value. But seven, including the Derrys (ph) and Quillo (ph), say they won't walk away without a fight.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't think walk will be the word. They'll have to drag me.

CHO: The U.S. Supreme Court will decide next month whether to hear the case.

Alina Cho, CNN, New London, Connecticut.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: Still to come: red carpet drama, who's wearing who at tonight's Emmy Awards? And can we expect any last-minute surprises? Your sneak peek is next.

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Oh, yes, you know, the stars are coming down the red carpet and we'll give you all the scoop coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: The 56th annual Prime Time Emmy Awards begin this Los Angeles soon. But it looks like the party already started.

CNN entertainment reporter Sibila Vargas is live from the Shrine Auditorium with the first lady, or at least one who plays one on television -- Sibila.

VARGAS: That's right. I do have the first lady over here. And let me tell you, we're having a great time. But here, it's all about the stars.

Stockard Channing, so great to meet you. Congratulations on your nomination.

STOCKARD CHANNING, ACTRESS: Thank you so much.

VARGAS: What does it mean to you? Because I know you've got -- you've got two?

CHANNING: Yes, I have two Emmys.

VARGAS: What is it to get a nomination again?

CHANNING: It's very, very gratifying. I mean, I never -- I can't expect that I'm going to win. So I have the best of both worlds. I don't have the pressure, but I also have a chance to get really dressed up and have a really good time.

VARGAS: You look absolutely lovely. What are you wearing?

CHANNING: Zack Posen (ph) made -- designed and made this dress for me, and I think it's just spectacular.

VARGAS: Stunning.

Tell me a little bit about working on "The West Wing" and the fact that it's been nominated over and over again. What is it about it?

CHANNING: It's -- it's just one of the most extraordinary shows that's ever been on television. I mean, if you're going to be on television, this is the one to be on, because it's -- the caliber is so high. And the acting, the directing, the writing. So it's fabulous.

VARGAS: Multiple nominations, win after win. They're saying that "The Sopranos" may have it this year. What do you think about that?

CHANNING: I would be stunned if we won, really. It would be history making. But I don't think that should be the focus, because we have what we've done in the past and the caliber of the shows now.

VARGAS: Thank you so much.

CHANNING: Thanks.

VARGAS: And congratulations.

CHANNING: Thank you.

VARGAS: And I hope you get it again. Thank you very much. We're out here. We're having a great time. There's going to be more stars coming along. And I'm going to be out here having a great time.

LIN: All right. Looks like it. Thanks very much, Sibila.

VARGAS: Thank you.

LIN: Look forward to your coverage. It is still early in the afternoon there in Los Angeles.

All right. For a complete list of the Emmy nominations and profiles of the nominees, you can log onto CNN.com/entertainment.

Well, the Monterey Jazz fest approaches its finale, but not without one last look and listen.

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Maria Hinojosa at the Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, California. Things will be wrapping up this evening. We've got a live interview with the great jazz violinist, Regina Carter. Here's a taste of what's to come.

(MUSIC)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: California is acting like a very proud parent this weekend after hosting yet another successful Monterey Jazz Festival.

CNN's Maria Hinojosa joins me live from the sizzling festivities -- Maria.

HINOJOSA: Hey, Carol.

Well, it's been an extraordinary three days here at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Over 500 performers, over 45,000 people.

And right now, on stage, Chaka Khan taking a little bit of a breather. So it's not just about jazz here at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

But one jazz fab who is here is the great Regina Carter on violin.

Regina, you know, you don't often think of women, violins and jazz all in the same. You decided to break some boundaries here.

REGINA CARTER, MUSICIAN: Yes. When I was in high school, it was my first time hearing jazz, and I heard it by way of three violinists: Noel Pointer, Jean-Luc Ponty and Stephane Grappelli. And I was so taken by the freedom of the music, I decided I wanted to play jazz.

HINOJOSA: What about women as role models in jazz?

CARTER: I didn't have any, really, when I was growing up that were living. But now there are more of us. It's still not an equal playing field, but there are so many women that are doing great things in this music, like Geri Allen and Cassandra Wilson and Carla Cook and many, many more. And so now I have my peers to look to.

HINOJOSA: And you, in fact, have been the guest-invited Monterey Jazz Festival living artist. You have been working here for a year, working with the all-star high school band.

CARTER: Yes. Yes.

HINOJOSA: And so I think that you're trying to work with young men and women to say you can do it, too?

CARTER: Always. Yes. And these kids out here are great. They have such -- so much talent, and so much get up and go and so much drive. And it's really inspiring to me to see young people work that hard and really love the music.

And it's been a blast to work with the kids and to play with them. I was here at summer camp, and I did a couple clinics throughout the year. So -- and today to be able to play with them is wonderful.

HINOJOSA: Not a bad place to have to teach.

CARTER: No. No, it's beautiful.

HINOJOSA: You're going to play a little bit of music for us. What are you going to play?

CARTER: I'm going to play a tune called "Tiko Tiko Nocomba (ph)."

HINOJOSA: "Tiko Tiko Nocomba (ph)." Take it away Regina Carter.

(MUSIC)

HINOJOSA: Thank you, Regina Carter.

She'll be playing this evening here at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Not a bad place to be, Carol Lin, but some of us, well, you know, we've got to be here -- Carol.

LIN: Maria, every time you cover the jazz festival I always tease you and give you a hard time, because you're having such a great time, and you're such a big fan of jazz.

So being the journalist that you are, I mean, how do you personally -- do you ever separate yourself from the story that you're covering out there?

HINOJOSA: You know what? It is all about joy. Jazz has been a part of my life since I was in high school.

And when you come here and you see just such a diverse group of people coming here, young, old, all different races, ethnicities classes, backgrounds, and they're all coming and enjoying jazz, which here at this festival is really all encompassing.

Again, it's not just about jazz. You've got pop. You've got blues. You even have Savion Glover here tap dancing with his band.

And for me, the highlight, well, dancing and singing with the great Bobby McFerrin. Not a bad way to spend three days.

LIN: Get out of here. All right. We always like to live the story. I didn't know you literally did.

HINOJOSA: Did it. Did it. Did it.

LIN: Maria Hinojosa, great time. Thanks so much for bringing us a wonderful story, too.

That's all the time we have for this hour. Coming up next on "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS," get an in-depth look at the life and career of L.L. Cool J.

And at 8:00 Eastern, "CNN PRESENTS": "The Impact of Terror," the painful legacy of a suicide bombing.

At 9:00 Eastern, "LARRY KING WEEKEND." His guest tonight, a man jailed for the death of his girlfriend's baby and now cleared. He discusses his new freedom.

And I'll be back tonight at 10 p.m. Eastern. I'm going to be talking with the brother of American hostage Jack Hensley.

But first, the hour's headlines when I come back. And then "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS."

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 19, 2004 - 18:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, ANCHOR: CNN LIVE SATURDAY (sic) is just ahead but first, a quick look at what's happening in the news right now.
Two Americans and a Brit remain in harm's way in Iraq. Militants are threatening to behead them unless all female Iraqi prisoners are released from two U.S.-run facilities. But the U.S. military says it is not holding any women, and its policy is to not negotiate with hostage-takers.

A Hamas field commander was killed in a car explosion in Gaza City today. Eight other people were wounded. Israel says its air force attacked the car because it was carrying the senior Hamas official.

And an Iraqi tribunal could begin weighing the fate of Saddam Hussein next month. An Iraqi tribunal is considered -- Iraq Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said the deposed dictator's case and those of his henchmen are expected to start in October.

Good evening. I'm Carol Lin, and welcome to CNN LIVE SUNDAY.

Ahead this hour, live from ground zero and the searching for people missing in North Carolina following devastating floods and mud slides.

Also, from the front lines in Iraq, go on patrol with U.S. troops facing the threat of deadly attacks from insurgents.

And later, a new front in the battle over taking private land for public use. The controversial issue of eminent domain. Why the U.S. Supreme Court may again rule on the issue.

But up first, the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan.

For the third time, President Bush was back in Florida touring storm damage. He also saw the devastation in Alabama and promised federal help fast.

Relief workers are handing out ice, water and meals to Ivan's victims. But tempers are flaring. People are spending hours in line for basic necessities like gasoline.

And New Jersey is getting pummeled by Ivan's remnants. Hundreds of people along the Delaware River evacuated after it overflowed its banks early today.

But one of the areas most devastated by Ivan is western North Carolina. And that's where we begin with CNN's Brian Todd.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, we are in the third full day of a massive recovery effort here from a mudslide that officials say wiped out at least 15 homes in the tiny neighborhood of Peeks Creek, just outside Franklin, North Carolina.

At this hour, four people are confirmed dead. A short time ago, here's what the director of emergency management services from Macon County, North Carolina, said about the search and recovery effort.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The search today is consisting still of a canine search of the area. We also have swift water teams in the area. As of the time of this press report, we still have four individuals unaccounted for that we're still continuing to try and verify the whereabouts of. The incident is still of massive proportions.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: And believe it or not, there have been security problems during this search and rescue effort. Listen to what the sheriff of Macon County said about how it's made this more difficult.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HOLLAND: We've had people come up there to take pictures, sight see. We've had a couple of individuals that have picked up items as souvenirs to take out. And we've had one family that actually had somebody open their door and take pictures of the inside of their house while they were standing in there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: So the search and rescue effort continues. The recovery effort continues. A lot of debris and wreckage to pick through. Right now there are 14,000 customers in this area without power -- Carol.

LIN: All right. Brian Todd, thank you very much.

Well, President Bush got a firsthand look at Hurricane Ivan's devastation in Florida. Some residents are standing in line for hours for just basic supplies, and looting and price gouging are also a big worry.

CNN's Chris Lawrence is in Pensacola.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, in just the last few days, power crews have repaired about 150 miles of power lines.

But the devastation was so complete that there was still a long way to go. Tens of thousands of people still without power, without running water. Very hard to get gasoline or even basic necessities, although slowly but surely, some of those services are coming back online now.

President George W. Bush toured some of the most heavily damaged areas earlier today. He saw some of the devastated areas for himself, buildings that were completely gutted. Many families have lost their entire home.

And now, FEMA says that comparing all three of the recent hurricanes, Charley, Frances and Ivan, the devastation caused by those, and the damage caused is comparable to what California experienced in 1994 in the earthquake outside of Los Angeles.

The Florida attorney general has been touring many of the areas here, and he's very concerned, first, about price gouging. He cited one example of a man who tried to hire someone to clear debris out of his yard. It should have been about a $300 job. The person was trying to charge him $1,200.

And the attorney general says they will aggressively prosecute anyone caught price gouging.

Another concern is looting. There have been about 72 complaints in this county alone. Police have arrested 15 people so far. And the attorney general says they will also aggressively go after looters, and he's going to urge the Florida state legislature to increase the punishment for anyone caught looting.

However, those are the exceptions rather than the rule. Most of the people here have been very helpful to their neighbors in this very big time of need.

Chris Lawrence, CNN, Pensacola, Florida.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Clearly there's been no letup today from the Iraqi insurgents.

In Samarra, north of Baghdad, a suicide bomber killed an Iraqi soldier and a civilian.

U.S. Marines attacked the militants' hot spot of Fallujah. The Marines said they opened fire on insurgents setting up a defensive position.

And followers of radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr say they are holding 15 Iraqi National Guardsmen hostage. And they're threatening to kill them unless an aide to al-Sadr is released. The Iraqi government says it has no reports of missing guardsmen.

Well, the U.S. military can't meet the demands of another group holding insurgents -- a group of insurgents holding two Americans and a Brit.

The hostage-takers asked the U.S. to release all female prisoners in Iraq. The U.S. says it isn't holding any women.

And the wife of the American hostage, Jack Hensley, tried to communicate with his captors on our air yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PATTY HENSLEY, WIFE OF HOSTAGE: Jack is a simple, generous man who loves the Iraqi people and has made many friends while in Iraq. Since Jack has been a guest in your country, he has been treated with honor and dignity. We ask for your mercy in freeing Jack and his co- workers so that they can continue -- continue to return home to their loving families. And it is your decision whether this happens.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: Well, Iraq's interim prime minister is en route to meetings with Congress and the United Nations. Ayad Allawi says increased militant attacks means they are getting desperate.

He visited London today and met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and he promised elections -- yes, elections in Iraq -- are still on track for January.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI INTERIM PRIME MINISTER: We definitely are going to stick to the timetable of the elections in January next year. We are doing our best to ensure that we'll meet the time of the elections. We are adamant that democracy is going to prevail. It's going to win in Iraq.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: Well, turning now to the U.S. presidential race.

There are just over six weeks to go until the election. And now the Republican speaker of the House is virtually saying that al Qaeda wants John Kerry elected.

CNN's Elaine Quijano joins us with more of those details. And a lot of criticism flying, Elaine.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Certainly is. Hello to you, Carol.

Illinois Republican Dennis Hastert is the latest to question how effective John Kerry would be in fighting terrorists, an issue that has fired up the Kerry campaign.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

QUIJANO (voice-over): In the battle to convince voters who would make a stronger leader, House Speaker Dennis Hastert fired another salvo against John Kerry.

Hastert said what many, including officials in the Bush administration, have said before, that he believes al Qaeda could try to influence the election. But then said of the terrorists...

REP. DENNIS HASTERT (R-IL), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: I would think that they would be more apt to go -- somebody who would file a -- you know, a lawsuit with a world court or something rather than respond with troops.

QUIJANO: Earlier a reporter asked him directly whether he believed al Qaeda could operate with a little more comfort with John Kerry as president rather than George Bush. Hastert's answer...

HASTERT: That's my opinion, yes.

QUIJANO: That provoked a sharp response from Senator Kerry's running mate John Edwards, campaigning in Pennsylvania. He accused Hastert of joining the, quote, "fear-mongering choir."

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Let me say this in the simplest possible terms. When John Kerry is president of the United States, we will find al Qaeda where they are, and crush them before they can do damage to the American people.

QUIJANO: Democrats point out Hastert's comments come on the heels of recent remarks by Vice President Dick Cheney, calling on voters to, in his words, make the right choice on election day.

DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's absolutely essential that eight weeks from today on November 2 we make the right choice. Because if we make the wrong choice, the danger is that -- that we'll get hit again.

QUIJANO: The vice president has since clarified his remarks, saying he meant President Bush will pursue a more effective anti- terrorism policy.

Still, Democrats say the latest comments by Hastert are outrageous.

TERRY MCAULIFFE, DNC CHAIRMAN: It is disgraceful. There should be no room for this in our political discourse.

QUIJANO: One Republican lawmaker also took aim at the idea...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think terrorists in the world sit around a fire camp gauging who's the easier president to deal with.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Two hundred billion dollars. That's what we're spending on Iraq.

QUIJANO: With just over six weeks until election day, the Kerry campaign is ratcheting up its rhetoric on Iraq, launching a new TV ad in battleground states. KERRY: As president, I'll stop at nothing to get the terrorists before they get us. But I'll also fight to build a stronger middle class.

QUIJANO: Their message? That President Bush has made wrong and costly choices on Iraq without properly funding domestic programs, including education and health care.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

QUIJANO: Now, the Bush campaign accuses the Kerry camp of flailing about, attacking, they say, because their candidate hasn't voiced clear positions on the issues, especially Iraq.

They continue to drive -- to try to drive home the message that Kerry is a flip-flopper, they say, who voted for the use of force in Iraq, but against funding the troops.

Now, the Kerry camp maintains the senator's position has not changed, that his first vote reflected a desire to do something about Saddam Hussein, and the second vote, his displeasure at the way President Bush went about it -- Carol.

LIN: Thanks very much, Elaine.

And coming up, I'll be talking with our senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, about some new polls that send some mixed messages about these different strategies.

Meantime, we're going to be also talking about the fight on the front lines. Iraq's insurgents make the plan for peace harder each day. Up next, what U.S. troops can do to make Iraqi streets safer.

Plus the duel over eminent domain. There is an ugly land battle brewing between homeowners and local governments. Now the Supreme Court steps in.

And later, hopeful TV stars already gracing the red carpet for tonight's Emmys. But last-minute drama might be lurking behind the scenes. We're going to have your preview.

But first, a look back at Ivan's deadly impact.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(MUSIC)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: Every weekend in this hour, we take you to a different part of the front lines in the war on terror.

Tonight, CNN's Diana Muriel shows you how poverty, history and desperation conspire against U.S. forces patrolling one of Iraq's most dangerous cities.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When the sun goes down, the shooting starts.

For the soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, it's a daily part of their routine at this base, an abandoned school building in the north of Sadr City.

(on camera) What you're hearing is like a warm up for what's to come. Rocket propelled grenades, small arms fire and mortars have been landing around this forward operating base here in Sadr City. It happens every night. And it will probably only get worse.

(voice-over) Waiting to go out on a mission, the tension building. A few try to snatch some sleep. Most are alert, watchful.

Finally, the night operation is under way: 20 armored vehicles on patrol with air support.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lance (ph), are you ready?

MURIEL: The tactic: drawing out the Mehdi militia who have been attacking with rockets and AK-47s. The helicopter is the bait.

Tonight the patrol has been successful. Two fighters killed in action, in all the day's tally, 18 militiamen killed, an unknown number wounded.

The commander considers it a quiet night.

LT. COL. GARY VOLESKY, 5TH CALVARY, U.S. ARMY: Maybe they just didn't want to come out and fight us tonight.

MURIEL: But these soldiers rarely get much of a break.

(on camera) This base to the northeast of Sadr City is where U.S. forces come back to regroup and reform. But even here, they're vulnerable to attack. The black smoke is rising from a mortar attack on a fuel truck within the walls of this compound.

(voice-over) Despite the problems, U.S. forces have been trying to improve the desperate living conditions for the people of this sprawling slum district. But work on most of the projects has had to stop. We found out why.

At a sewage pumping station, the U.S. military had helped to refurbish, we came under attack from militiamen firing AK-47s. We made a run for it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go, go, go, go, go!

MURIEL: The cavalry will be back, but only once they've finished fighting.

Diana Muriel, CNN, Sadr City, Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Just a taste of what's going on there.

Now, right now, we are waiting for any word at all about two Americans and a British citizen held hostage somewhere inside Iraq. And at this point, what should the United States do to save their lives?

Ken Robinson is our military intelligence analyst.

Ken, the deadline, sometime today. It's already the dark of night in Iraq. We haven't heard anything about what's happened to these men.

What are the options for the U.S., or the coalition to save their lives if the U.S. says it will not negotiate with hostage-takers?

KEN ROBINSON, CNN MILITARY INTELLIGENCE ANALYST: In situations like this, the United States military is normally faced with two choices: bad and worse.

They try as much as possible to negotiate with local leaders, to find out any tribal leaders who may be in the city where individuals they believe to be held, and try to negotiate for their release that way. Not to negotiate specifically with the terrorists, but to negotiate with local leaders to work as a third party.

LIN: But you don't actually believe that the demand that the hostage-takers made this time around, the release of female prisoners from two specific Iraqi prisons -- you don't really believe that is what they really wanted?

ROBINSON: Well, you know, they -- we always see this happen where they ask for something impossible, which they know that the -- either the military or the government can't comply with.

And in this case, impossible to comply with, according to the U.S. military, which says that they have no female -- women in their prisons in Iraq, specifically those two locations.

So, you know, this is theater. They are trying to get their message out, and their message is, don't come here to work, don't cooperate with the Americans, because they want instability.

LIN: So you're saying that basically the hostage-takers have already gotten what they wanted, the publicity?

ROBINSON: And more than that, by setting a timeline, they cause western media to beat the drum toward the end of the deadline so they actually get more bounce for taking the hostages.

They get an original bounce when they take them, and they get another bounce by establishing a deadline and creating the theater around the event. And they'll get another bounce if they actually kill them and then post the killings on their web sites.

LIN: Not good news for the family. In fact, I'm going to be talking with the brother of one of the American hostages tonight in our primetime show at 10. And we'll hear what he has to say about the situation, whether -- what the authorities are saying.

In the meantime, the strategy, the U.S. strategy inside of Iraq. You have confirmed that there is a major offensive, a take-back offensive planned for Fallujah that may already be under way to get control of the insurgents in that city. What do you know?

ROBINSON: There's an enormous effort ongoing right now in terms of preparing the Iraqi forces to be able to do for themselves in the city.

As well the United States military is always prepared to go on the offensive at any time that they find clear targets that enable them to do so.

What we've been seeing in the last 24 hours is them using technology -- technology to be able to identify who's not from their location and their formations, as is the case of this -- this roadside group that was attacked recently and killed, four individuals killed that were operating and trying to stop Iraqi citizens.

And this is the type of practice we've seen where they kidnap Iraqis and prevent them from supporting the coalition.

LIN: But you're expecting that the violence is going to be ratcheted up as the interim Iraqi government tries to move toward elections in January?

ROBINSON: Well, it appears that the interim prime minister is not going to change the date. And he's still pushing toward that.

But the net effect of that may likely be that we see the isolation of these Sunni dominated areas into what we would call city states, which will then be ostracized from the rest of the political process, which may set conditions for illegitimate elections, which might set conditions for civil war.

LIN: As you've been talking, Ken, bad to worse. Like you said in the very beginning. We'll see what happens. Thanks very much.

Ken Robinson, our military analyst.

And please be sure to catch an all-new "CNN PRESENTS" tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern: "The Impact of Terror," through the eyes of those who struggle with its legacy. That's at 8 p.m. Eastern.

And in other news, around the world right now, Iran rejects a resolution from the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency. It called for Iran to end its uranium enrichment program. Iran insists its nuclear program is focused on generating power, not weapons.

China's former president is making room for a younger generation of leaders. Seventy-eight-year-old Jiang Zemin turned over his last major post as chairman of the committee that runs China's military. Jiang's resignation is the country's first peaceful leadership transition in its communist history.

And Madonna calls for world peace. At an event gathering Israeli and Palestinian children, she said everyone she met on the five-day trip to the holy land wanted peace.

The pop star has been on a spiritual pilgrimage to Israel since Wednesday. She's there with five other students of Kabbala, a mystical form of Judaism.

Well, the U.S. quest to take the Ryder Cup. Tiger and company trying to claw out of a big hole. Up next, a live report from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where play has just wrapped up.

And later, polar polls. How can so many new polls on the presidential race be so conflicting? Our Bill Schneider tries to clear up the confusion.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: The Ryder Cup won't be collecting dust on any U.S. mantle this year. The Europeans are keeping it.

Our Larry Smith is in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Larry, what happened?

LARRY SMITH, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, not only a loss, but the most lopsided defeat for the U.S. in Ryder Cup history: Europe, 18 1/2, USA 9 1/2. A massive defeat that keeps the Americans in their biggest slump in the event's history.

Now Tiger Woods reported a wire-to-wire victory to get things going in today's singles matches, get the U.S. off on a positive note. But success was hard to come by as the Americans won only three of the other 11 singles matches.

Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood of the European side were among five Euros who notched their first ever victory in Ryder Cup singles play. They each earned 4 1/2 points in this tournament.

U.S. Ryder Cup rookie Chris DiMarco was the only American with a winning record, as the U.S. loses for the seventh time in the last 10 tries. Still wondering what has to happen. And why every time they come in as heavy favorites, only to come up short.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVIS LOVE III, U.S. TEAM: We know that on paper, you know, this should be a close match. And it really hasn't been close. You know, honestly, we've had a couple good days in this thing in the last four or five of them. And we need to come in next time with a new attitude.

STEWART CHIK, U.S. TEAM: We just really have to figure out why our team doesn't come together and show its potential. Because we have -- I think most people would agree our potential on our side is every bit as strong as theirs, if not stronger.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SMITH: And to a man, that was the feeling today. No one really knows why this always comes up short. But once again, the U.S. losing the Ryder Cup for the seventh time in the last 10 tries.

Let's go back to you, Carol.

LIN: All right. Thanks very much, Larry.

We're going to be talking about a different kind of co test. Some have been asking, where's John Edwards? He's making his presence known today on the campaign trail. Up next, what he's saying about the speaker of the House.

Plus, citizen versus city. What happens when local government wants your property? It's a fierce fight, and now the Supreme Court weighs in.

And later, all jazzed up in California. The Monterey Jazz Festival wraps up, but we've got a good look at it.

(MUSIC)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: Welcome back. I'm Carol Lin and here's a quick look at what's happening right now in the news.

In the northern Iraqi town of Samarra, a suicide bomber killed an Iraqi soldier and a civilian. The blast happened at a joint U.S.- Iraqi checkpoint. Seven Americans and Iraqi soldiers were wounded.

And President Bush gets a firsthand look at communities devastated by Hurricane Ivan. Mr. Bush visited Pensacola, Florida, and nearby Orange Beach, Alabama, today, and he promised to get help to storm victims as quickly as possible.

Thousands of hotel workers in D.C., San Francisco and Los Angeles threatened to walk off the job. They are in contract talks right now and plan to make a final decision about the strike tonight. The workers want a two-year contract with better pay and pensions.

Louisiana voters overwhelmingly approve a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages. But a gay rights group promises to challenge the ban in court. And the state attorney general is investigating why voting machines weren't in place in many parts of New Orleans when polls opened.

In the meantime, the battleground state of Pennsylvania got a visit from another politician today. Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards campaigned in Philadelphia and Phoenixville. But the focus quickly turned to comments made by House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who said al Qaeda would try to influence the race for the White House. John Edwards responded this way.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EDWARDS: Literally, in the last 24 hours, Denny Hastert, the speaker of the House, has joined the fear-mongering choir.

You know, he said, and I'm paraphrasing him now, he said last night something to the effect that al Qaeda wants John Kerry to be president of the United States.

Let me just say this in the simplest possible terms. When John Kerry is president of the United States, we will find al Qaeda where they are, and crush them before they can do damage to the American people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: All right. Well, polls always play an important part in an election. At least it gives us an idea of where the candidates stand. And here are a couple of interesting ones that came out yesterday.

Some neighboring Midwestern states differ in presidential preference. For example, in Illinois, a poll for the "St. Louis Post- Dispatch" shows John Kerry the choice over George Bush, 54 percent to 39 percent, with seven percent undecided.

But across the Mississippi River in Missouri, Bush is preferred over Kerry, 49 percent to 42 percent, with nine percent undecided.

Polls can be a curious thing. Ask the same question, get a very different result. We saw an example of that just within the past week.

CNN's senior political analyst Bill Schneider joins me now.

Good afternoon, Bill.

BILL SCHNEIDER, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Good afternoon, Carol.

LIN: Of course, we're talking about the Pew Research Poll and the Gallup poll, Gallup showing that President Bush is ahead with likely voters, I think it was, what, eight percent?

SCHNEIDER: Gallup, I think it was -- look at that. Among likely voters, it's a 13-point lead for Gallup. Among all registered voters, if every one of them turned out to vote, it would still be a Bush lead but a little closer. There would only be an eight-point lead.

This is very different from the result that showed up in the Pew Research Center poll, which showed something like a dead heat. Look at this. Among likely voters, one point for Bush and a dead heat, an absolute tie, among registered voters. And yet, there was a third poll that came out beyond these two. Just came out from "The New York Times" and CBS News that showed an eight-point lead for Bush among likely voters.

So you've got 13 points, you've got eight points and you've got one point. Take your poll, take your pick.

LIN: Really. Do the math for us, Bill, what does it mean?

SCHNEIDER: First of all, none of these polls show Kerry ahead. You've got to start with that. The race is either neck and neck or Bush has a lead.

My guess is the truth is probably somewhere in between the 13 points show by Gallup and the absolute tie show by Pew. Bush is probably a few points ahead, because the only way to read polls at a volatile time like this is to look at a bunch of them and see if they all tell the same story.

Here, they seem to vary, but they do seem to suggest that Bush is ahead, Kerry is not. So I think it's fair to call Bush the front- runner.

LIN: Well, there have been -- there's been some criticism of the Kerry campaign strategy. For example, haven't seen much of John Edwards. He was supposed to be such a great asset for John Kerry. While Dick Cheney has been heavily out on the campaign trail being highly critical of the Democrats.

John -- John Edwards makes an appearance today finally taking on some comments that Dennis Hastert made about al Qaeda and wanting John Kerry to become president.

What do you make of what's going on with the vice presidential Democratic candidate?

SCHNEIDER: Well, you know, the vice president's job traditionally has been the attack dog. And that is exactly what Dick Cheney is doing. He's bringing the attack onto John Kerry, making Kerry the issue in this campaign. And Democrats are intensely frustrated.

Why isn't John Edwards playing that role? Well, remember when John Edwards was running for president, he ran as the happy candidate, the positive candidate. People liked the fact that he did not engage in negative campaigning. And he still seems reluctant to do that.

Now, what we just heard John Edwards doing is what he's been doing for some time now. When the Republicans attack Kerry, Edwards strikes back and defends Kerry. And that's good. And that's admirable.

Except Democrats say, "Wait a minute. He should be attacking the Bush record. He should be attacking them, not just defending John Kerry." LIN: So what do you make of what Dennis Hastert said today? I mean, do you think he really meant to say that Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda want John Kerry as the president of the United States?

SCHNEIDER: Well, I can guarantee you, they don't like George Bush. Do they think there's a difference?

I think Osama bin Laden, the al Qaeda network, who I am certain follow American politics, look at the messages coming out on their tapes. They seem to follow politics very closely.

They would very much like to defeat President Bush. But the question is, can they pull off the same trick that they pulled off in Spain?

What Dennis Hastert said is, "They'd better not try that. It won't work here." And my guess is, he's right about that.

In Spain they staged an attack a few days before the election, and in the end the government got defeated because it mishandled the response to the attack.

My guess is, there would be two ways of reading this.

If there's an attack shortly before the election, the Democrats would argue it proves that America is more vulnerable as a result of the war in Iraq. And therefore, Bush should be defeated. We are not safer.

The Republicans will say, "There's fear out there. There's anger. Trust us. We'll be strong. We'll show resolve."

My feeling is, when Americans are fearful and angry, they're very likely to stick with President Bush. And if -- if al Qaeda were to try that, God forbid, I think it would not work.

LIN: The election just weeks away. Bill Schneider, always good to see you.

SCHNEIDER: Good to see you, Carol.

LIN: Well, forget the usual ways to support your presidential candidate. Now, you can express your politics with dog toys and hub cabs.

CNN's Jeanne Moos shows us the latest political merchandise.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): OK, they're a little hard to make out while you're moving, but why settle for old- fashioned bumper stickers when you can stick President Bush on your hubcaps?

Or Kerry condoms that say re-defeat Bush.

Or take a knockout punch at John Kerry or give President Bush the boot...

(on camera) I think you missed a spot.

(voice-over) ... with the Bush door mat.

God bless the Internet, it's opened up a whole new world of political merchandise.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Love it! Love it!

MOOS: So does the head of the Democratic National Committee. Terry McAuliffe has one outside his door.

(on camera) Now, is that nice to do to our president?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't like him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I wouldn't wipe my feet on George Bush.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Disrespectful.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're too young for that.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, she's not.

MOOS (voice-over): Or maybe you'd prefer to let your pet do the dirty work. That is, if your pet isn't petrified of politics. At PoliticalPetToys.com, you can choose to chew on Bush or Kerry, 13 bucks apiece.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get him, Ripley. Chew him up.

MOOS: Their slogan?

(on camera) You can't get even, but your pet can.

(voice-over) No wonder, they also sell Saddam and Osama.

(on camera) Finally, somebody who can catch Osama.

(voice-over) If you want a more compassionate canine, CafePress.com offers the John Kerry "that dog won't hunt T-shirt," as well as the "Anyone but Bush" T-shirt modeled by Julian.

You can even turn your baby into a political poster child.

(on camera) "Mommy, this mess is nothing compared to Bush's war in Iraq."

(voice-over) Though Nate modeled the bib, his dad is a Republican.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: His dad will let him spit up all over it.

MOOS: Which Nate did seconds after we removed the bib. You can count down to election day with timepieces from ElectionWatches.com. At WaffleWatch.com, you can get Senator Kerry flipping waffles. A Bush growing nose watch is in the works, similar to the Bush Pinocchio masks favored by protesters.

As for the hubcaps honoring President Bush, we tooled around in them but got very few comments.

(on camera) Would you put these hubcaps on your car?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure.

MOOS (voice-over): Try CleverCovers.com for 70 bucks.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do they have a toilet lid?

MOOS: Not that we know of.

Nader supporters might enjoy Julius gnawing on Kerry on a Bush doormat. These guys could teach even the candidates a thing or two about mud slinging.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: All right. On a more serious topic coming up, eminent domain, the complex government right to seize private property is at the heart of a legal battle that could be heading to the Supreme Court again.

The case centers on the city of New London, Connecticut, and several homeowners who tell our Alina Cho, they won't give up their property without a fight.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When Josette Quillo (ph) moved into her charming home in New London, Connecticut, seven years ago...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was like I'd been here all my life. It was just -- it was just a warming, inviting feeling.

CHO: A little slice of heaven on the water. The best house she could find for her money. Seven months after moving in, though, Quillo (ph) was told she had to move out.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was thinking I had a really big problem.

CHO: She learned the city of New London wanted to buy her home, tear it down and then redevelop the land.

Connecticut's highest court agreed with the city, citing a statute called eminent domain, which allows local governments to confiscate private property for public use. TOM LONDREGAN, CITY ATTORNEY: Whether it be an office park, whether it be retail, whether it be some housing, all these potential uses are there in the plans.

CHO: City attorney Tom Londregan says that kind of development would give New London a big economic boost.

That is not how Matt Derry (ph) sees it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The property went to my father, and now it's come full circle to me.

CHO: Derry's (ph) family has owned property here for more than a century. It is where he grew up, where he now shares a home with his wife. The Derrys (ph) call this a seven-year nightmare that has even affected decisions like painting their house.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We went, like, two years and we said, you know, to heck with this. We had the house painted. But we only put one coat on it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We never...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because we don't know if we're going to be here or not.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We've been living a life of not knowing.

CHO: Ninety other homeowners have taken the city's offer to sell their homes at market value. But seven, including the Derrys (ph) and Quillo (ph), say they won't walk away without a fight.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't think walk will be the word. They'll have to drag me.

CHO: The U.S. Supreme Court will decide next month whether to hear the case.

Alina Cho, CNN, New London, Connecticut.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: Still to come: red carpet drama, who's wearing who at tonight's Emmy Awards? And can we expect any last-minute surprises? Your sneak peek is next.

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Oh, yes, you know, the stars are coming down the red carpet and we'll give you all the scoop coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: The 56th annual Prime Time Emmy Awards begin this Los Angeles soon. But it looks like the party already started.

CNN entertainment reporter Sibila Vargas is live from the Shrine Auditorium with the first lady, or at least one who plays one on television -- Sibila.

VARGAS: That's right. I do have the first lady over here. And let me tell you, we're having a great time. But here, it's all about the stars.

Stockard Channing, so great to meet you. Congratulations on your nomination.

STOCKARD CHANNING, ACTRESS: Thank you so much.

VARGAS: What does it mean to you? Because I know you've got -- you've got two?

CHANNING: Yes, I have two Emmys.

VARGAS: What is it to get a nomination again?

CHANNING: It's very, very gratifying. I mean, I never -- I can't expect that I'm going to win. So I have the best of both worlds. I don't have the pressure, but I also have a chance to get really dressed up and have a really good time.

VARGAS: You look absolutely lovely. What are you wearing?

CHANNING: Zack Posen (ph) made -- designed and made this dress for me, and I think it's just spectacular.

VARGAS: Stunning.

Tell me a little bit about working on "The West Wing" and the fact that it's been nominated over and over again. What is it about it?

CHANNING: It's -- it's just one of the most extraordinary shows that's ever been on television. I mean, if you're going to be on television, this is the one to be on, because it's -- the caliber is so high. And the acting, the directing, the writing. So it's fabulous.

VARGAS: Multiple nominations, win after win. They're saying that "The Sopranos" may have it this year. What do you think about that?

CHANNING: I would be stunned if we won, really. It would be history making. But I don't think that should be the focus, because we have what we've done in the past and the caliber of the shows now.

VARGAS: Thank you so much.

CHANNING: Thanks.

VARGAS: And congratulations.

CHANNING: Thank you.

VARGAS: And I hope you get it again. Thank you very much. We're out here. We're having a great time. There's going to be more stars coming along. And I'm going to be out here having a great time.

LIN: All right. Looks like it. Thanks very much, Sibila.

VARGAS: Thank you.

LIN: Look forward to your coverage. It is still early in the afternoon there in Los Angeles.

All right. For a complete list of the Emmy nominations and profiles of the nominees, you can log onto CNN.com/entertainment.

Well, the Monterey Jazz fest approaches its finale, but not without one last look and listen.

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Maria Hinojosa at the Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, California. Things will be wrapping up this evening. We've got a live interview with the great jazz violinist, Regina Carter. Here's a taste of what's to come.

(MUSIC)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: California is acting like a very proud parent this weekend after hosting yet another successful Monterey Jazz Festival.

CNN's Maria Hinojosa joins me live from the sizzling festivities -- Maria.

HINOJOSA: Hey, Carol.

Well, it's been an extraordinary three days here at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Over 500 performers, over 45,000 people.

And right now, on stage, Chaka Khan taking a little bit of a breather. So it's not just about jazz here at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

But one jazz fab who is here is the great Regina Carter on violin.

Regina, you know, you don't often think of women, violins and jazz all in the same. You decided to break some boundaries here.

REGINA CARTER, MUSICIAN: Yes. When I was in high school, it was my first time hearing jazz, and I heard it by way of three violinists: Noel Pointer, Jean-Luc Ponty and Stephane Grappelli. And I was so taken by the freedom of the music, I decided I wanted to play jazz.

HINOJOSA: What about women as role models in jazz?

CARTER: I didn't have any, really, when I was growing up that were living. But now there are more of us. It's still not an equal playing field, but there are so many women that are doing great things in this music, like Geri Allen and Cassandra Wilson and Carla Cook and many, many more. And so now I have my peers to look to.

HINOJOSA: And you, in fact, have been the guest-invited Monterey Jazz Festival living artist. You have been working here for a year, working with the all-star high school band.

CARTER: Yes. Yes.

HINOJOSA: And so I think that you're trying to work with young men and women to say you can do it, too?

CARTER: Always. Yes. And these kids out here are great. They have such -- so much talent, and so much get up and go and so much drive. And it's really inspiring to me to see young people work that hard and really love the music.

And it's been a blast to work with the kids and to play with them. I was here at summer camp, and I did a couple clinics throughout the year. So -- and today to be able to play with them is wonderful.

HINOJOSA: Not a bad place to have to teach.

CARTER: No. No, it's beautiful.

HINOJOSA: You're going to play a little bit of music for us. What are you going to play?

CARTER: I'm going to play a tune called "Tiko Tiko Nocomba (ph)."

HINOJOSA: "Tiko Tiko Nocomba (ph)." Take it away Regina Carter.

(MUSIC)

HINOJOSA: Thank you, Regina Carter.

She'll be playing this evening here at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Not a bad place to be, Carol Lin, but some of us, well, you know, we've got to be here -- Carol.

LIN: Maria, every time you cover the jazz festival I always tease you and give you a hard time, because you're having such a great time, and you're such a big fan of jazz.

So being the journalist that you are, I mean, how do you personally -- do you ever separate yourself from the story that you're covering out there?

HINOJOSA: You know what? It is all about joy. Jazz has been a part of my life since I was in high school.

And when you come here and you see just such a diverse group of people coming here, young, old, all different races, ethnicities classes, backgrounds, and they're all coming and enjoying jazz, which here at this festival is really all encompassing.

Again, it's not just about jazz. You've got pop. You've got blues. You even have Savion Glover here tap dancing with his band.

And for me, the highlight, well, dancing and singing with the great Bobby McFerrin. Not a bad way to spend three days.

LIN: Get out of here. All right. We always like to live the story. I didn't know you literally did.

HINOJOSA: Did it. Did it. Did it.

LIN: Maria Hinojosa, great time. Thanks so much for bringing us a wonderful story, too.

That's all the time we have for this hour. Coming up next on "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS," get an in-depth look at the life and career of L.L. Cool J.

And at 8:00 Eastern, "CNN PRESENTS": "The Impact of Terror," the painful legacy of a suicide bombing.

At 9:00 Eastern, "LARRY KING WEEKEND." His guest tonight, a man jailed for the death of his girlfriend's baby and now cleared. He discusses his new freedom.

And I'll be back tonight at 10 p.m. Eastern. I'm going to be talking with the brother of American hostage Jack Hensley.

But first, the hour's headlines when I come back. And then "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS."

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