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CNN Live At Daybreak

Campaign Marketing; Weekend Elections

Aired October 11, 2004 - 05:30   ET

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


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


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Christopher Reeve is being remembered this morning as a very superman indeed.

It is Monday, October 11. This is DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you, welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

Now in the news -- actor Christopher Reeve, star of the "Superman" movies, has died at his New York home. He was 52 years old. He died of cardiac arrest while in a coma from an infection. Reeve was paralyzed nine years ago in a horseback riding accident, and he was an advocate for spinal cord research.

And baseball's Ken Caminiti, the National League Most Valuable Player in 1996, has also died. His agent says Caminiti suffered a heart attack. An autopsy has yet to be performed. Caminiti was an admitted steroid user. He was just 41 years old.

Militiamen of Muqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army are awaiting the cleric's order to begin turning in their heavy weapons in Baghdad's Sadr City slum. Actually, they've already started to do that.

Elsewhere in the Iraq capital, two American solders were killed, five wounded this morning in a rocket attack.

To the Forecast Center now and Chad.

Good morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

Christopher Reeve had been a superman in tireless campaigning for spinal cord research. He was paralyzed by a riding accident nine years ago that broke his neck, but he evolved into a worldwide advocate for spinal cord research. He gave so many people so much hope. The actor believed that stem cells held the key to someday reversing his paralysis.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) LARRY KING, HOST: What keeps you going?

CHRISTOPHER REEVE, ACTOR/ACTIVIST: What keeps me going is, well, the possibilities of the future, change, the fact that I am getting better, that the technology is improving that we do have. The really brilliant, dedicated people who want to help. And that also I have the opportunity to learn so much.

I mean take a trip like this. This is a once in a lifetime experience and to come here. And just today I, as I said before, saw a young man who was cured of a spinal cord injury with a surgical procedure. Something that would have been impossible when I was injured in 1995, and here it was. He was operated on in 2001 and he is walking. And I mean I've seen it, I've seen it and there's more to come. It's going to be difficult, but that's what keeps me going is knowing that it can be done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Senator John Kerry mentioned Reeve's name during the second presidential debate. President Bush placed restrictions on embryonic stem cell research in 2001. Last week, Kerry accused Bush of restricting the potentially life-saving research because of extreme right wing ideology.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Chris Reeve is a friend of mine. Chris Reeve exercises every single day to keep those muscles alive for the day when he believes he can walk again. And I want him to walk again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Polls show stem cell research had widespread support. Now the Reeve family is asking that donations be made to the Christopher Reeve Foundation. The address: 500 Morris Avenue, Springfield, New Jersey, 07081 or you can go to their Web site at christopherreeve.org.

Can you believe it, 22 days until Election Day? And George Bush and John Kerry give as good as they get in dueling campaign ads. President Bush's reelection campaign has released a new television ad that pounces on comments made by John Kerry in a "New York Times" magazine interview that just appeared yesterday. The Bush camp says it's proof the Democrat doesn't have what it takes to fight the war on terror.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kerry says we have to get back to the place where terrorists are a nuisance, like gambling and prostitution. We're never going to end them. Terrorism a nuisance. How can Kerry protect us when he doesn't understand the threat?

(END VIDEO CLIP) COSTELLO: And don't you know it, the Kerry camp fired back, calling the attack ridiculous. The campaign then responded with an ad of its own, questioning the president's leadership in the war on terror.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Medical plans, Bush says we can't afford it. And on the war on terror, Bush said I don't think you can win it.

GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I don't think you can win it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Not with his failed leadership. It's time for a new direction.

KERRY: I'm John Kerry.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Off the tube and on the streets, both candidates are turning their attention to New Mexico today and its five electoral votes.

And you can join Bill, Wolf, Judy, Candy, the rest of our CNN debate coverage team Wednesday, live from Tempe, Arizona. The third presidential debate starts at 9:00 Eastern. Our live coverage begins at 7:00.

Some say the presidential election hinges on undecided voters. Others ask how can voters be undecided when the candidates are polls apart.

As CNN's Alina Cho reports, the movers and shakers behind each campaign use marketing strategy to target potential voters.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The first parents on Dr. Phil.

DR. PHIL MCGRAW: Were you all spankers? Did you spank them?

G. BUSH: Not really.

LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY: Not very often.

G. BUSH: Not really. We were in your roomers. You know, get to your room.

CHO: Senator John Kerry on live with Regis & Kelly.

KERRY: We are going to create the Regis and Kelly global headquarters.

CHO: Presidential candidates have long used talk shows to reach the electorate. Now they're going one step further.

KIM RUBEY, KERRY-EDWARDS SPOKESWOMAN: We're learning more and more that voters really want to know more about the candidates as individuals and what makes them tick.

CHO: Political consultants are increasingly relying on micro- targeting, demographic data that allows campaigns to sell candidates like products.

JEFREY POLLOCK, DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL CONSULTANT: Both parties have huge databases of voters. And we now know a lot of information about each voter, such as their lifestyle choices, magazines they subscribe to.

CHO: Magazines like "Field & Stream," which targets outdoorsmen. The current issue offers a debate on gun rights and the future of hunting and fishing with President Bush and Senator Kerry.

"Ladies Home Journal" recently offered competing covers on the newsstand. Even "Runner's World" has interviewed both the president, and vice presidential candidate John Edwards.

It says to voters, we share the same interests. The presidential election is as much about popularity as it is about policy. And voters cast their ballot for the candidate they like.

DICK CHENEY (R), VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The president did exactly the right thing.

CHO: Core supporters will be there through thick and thin. Why you see Vice President Cheney talking to the conservative base.

REED DICKENS, BUSH-CHENEY SPOKESMAN: When the vice president goes out and speaks to Republicans anywhere in the country, he's always a huge hit.

CHO: And not on a talk show.

The opposite could be said for Senator Edwards. Democrats say his good looks and southern charm appeal to women.

Different approaches, the same goal: getting undecideds to vote on Election Day.

Alina Cho, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: He first caught our attention on the big screen and then later went on to be a larger-than-life champion for a great cause. Today, a nation mourns his loss.

And we're celebrating the life of this legend. We'd like to hear your thoughts about a man who was truly superman, Christopher Reeve. We'll read some of your e-mails a little later. That's daybreak@cnn.com is the address if you want to e-mail us right now, just your thoughts about the life and the career of Christopher Reeve.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Monday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: The man we all knew as "Superman" has died. His publicist says actor Christopher Reeve died Sunday in the hospital. He had suffered cardiac arrest and fell into a coma after a massive infection. He was 52. And as you know, Reeve was paralyzed from the neck down after a horse riding accident nine years ago. He became a worldwide advocate for spinal cord research.

We've been asking you to share your thoughts on Christopher Reeve's life and his career and we've gotten some terrific e-mail this morning.

This is from Lynn (ph). She says if there is a heaven, Christopher Reeve is walking and free. He was superman until the end. Lynn is from Oklahoma. Thank you.

This is from Zach (ph) from Harrisburg, Virginia -- Harrisonburg, Virginia. He says Reeve played "Superman" on the silver screen, but I never saw anyone so courageous as after his accident. His performance in real life out did, out performed any character he could have ever played in any movie or on television. He was a model of courage that more people should seek to follow.

This is from Dan (ph) in L.A. I'll honor Christopher Reeve today by simply standing up, taking a deep breath and a long walk down the street drinking in the sensations of an autumn day and the sensational joys of being alive. And vote for Kerry in support of stem cell research. I think he'd appreciate both the walk and the vote.

Thank you for your e-mails. Keep them coming, daybreak@cnn.com.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:43 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

An autopsy now being performed on baseball great Ken Caminiti. The former National League MVP died yesterday after suffering a heart attack. He was just 41.

A new book on convicted killer and Kennedy relative Michael Skakel goes on sale this week. The book describes Skakel as being covered in blood the night his neighbor, 15-year-old Martha Moxley was murdered in 1975. Skakel is now appealing his conviction.

In money news, things are back to pretty much normal, but FEMA has approved more than $21 million in hurricane aid for Miami-Dade County residents. This despite the fact that local officials admit storm damage was not that significant there.

In culture, there is more trouble brewing at Hogwarts. Author JK Rowling says one of her "Harry Potter" characters will not survive in the next book, but she won't say which one. "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is due out next year.

In sports, the St. Louis Cardinals advanced to the National League Championship Series with a 6 to 2 win over the L.A. Dodgers. The Cards took the series three games to one. They'll face the winner of today's game between the Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros. And boy, the Braves game was pretty darned exciting -- Chad.

MYERS: Yes, there was some very disappointed Twins fans out there. They really had it in the bag. It was 5-1, anyway.

Good morning, everybody.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: What a nice way to look at it.

MYERS: I guess.

COSTELLO: Thank you -- Chad.

MYERS: All right.

COSTELLO: Some global elections over the past weekend, at least two worth noting. In Afghanistan, the outcome of the country's first democratic presidential election is uncertain with opposition candidates charging voter fraud.

Let's go live to Christiane Amanpour. She's in Kabul.

And in Australia, staunch U.S. ally John Howard wins a fourth consecutive term as prime minister.

Mike Chinoy will shortly have a report for you from Sydney.

But we begin this morning with Christiane.

Good morning.

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

And it seems that now these opposition candidates, who had so rapidly banded together to cry foul, are having to reassess their position. The U.S. ambassador and other diplomats here have been shuttling between these candidates all weekend and basically suggesting to them that it would not be in their interest to thwart (ph) the will of the Afghan people.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

AMANPOUR (voice over): It was back to business as usual a day after their landmark election. Only now people were left mulling the great ink controversy that prompted the opposition to say it would boycott the results.

"I think they're thinking of their own interests," says this shopkeeper.

But in such a difficult situation for our country, they should not make such threats. He showed us his finger, ink still there. And so did this woman.

"They said the ink was faulty, but I even did my laundry and it hasn't come off. The election must be accepted."

The day before, millions had come out around the country, proud to cast their first ever vote. Men and women waited patiently in line for hours. But at some polling stations, police on hand to guarantee security, were caught up in the ink dispute. But after crying foul, some in the opposition are now moderating their anger.

HAJI MOHAMMED MOHAQIQ, OPPOSITION CANDIDATE (through translator): I'm in the middle position. I'm not too unhappy at the result of the election, but not as happy as Mr. Karzai is. I don't know what cheating went on.

AMANPOUR: Election organizers and observers say they will investigate the complaints but not cancel the vote.

ROBERT BARRY, DSCE: We concur with the Joint Election Management Board that the candidates' demand to nullify the election is unjustified.

AMANPOUR: As ballot boxes began coming in from around the country, teams of vote counters settle in for a long and arduous job.

(on camera): There are hundreds of ballot boxes in this one hall alone, and officials tell us even initial results won't be available for several days. And then it'll take a few more weeks before the final result is known.

(voice-over): But for many, the winner is a foregone conclusion.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a day we elect, select Mr. Karzai. Yes, you know we are happy with Mr. Karzai.

HAMID KARZAI, AFGHAN PRESIDENT: I hope that God was kind to me so that the Afghan people will vote for me. My government will be one that will be extremely clean and in tremendous respect and regard to the vote of the Afghan people.

AMANPOUR: People overwhelmingly say they were voting for peace and security, to end the decades of war and bloodshed and to earn a decent living.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know five programs of computer, but today I don't have any job.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All of the people of Afghanistan who are this (ph).

AMANPOUR: For the first time they dream of a future where that may be a possibility. (END VIDEOTAPE)

(on camera): So because the people were so enthusiastic and were so insistent that this first landmark election stand, it appears that these opposition candidates are now walking back from their threat to boycott the results. However, the election organizing body has said that a special investigative independent commission will be set up to look into their complaints -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Christiane Amanpour, live from Kabul, Afghanistan this morning, thank you.

No such confusion in Australia where the election results are cut and dry, but what will Prime Minister John Howard do with his fourth term?

Senior Asia correspondent Mike Chinoy live in Sydney this morning.

Good morning.

MIKE CHINOY, CNN SENIOR ASIA CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Well the old saying goes all politics are local. And even though there was a controversy during the campaign about whether Australia's troops should stay in Iraq or be pulled out, in the end, that proved to be the case in this weekend's election.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHINOY (voice-over): Baghdad is a long way from Sydney's famous Bondi Beach, and that may explain John Howard's stunning electoral triumph over (INAUDIBLE) Latham. The Australians enjoying the sun, sand and surf are also enjoying an economic boom, a boom they credit to John Howard, despite his decision to send Australian troops to Iraq and despite Latham's campaign pledge to bring them home.

(on camera): How much do people really feel, you know, life is good now and they owe a lot of that to John Howard?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think the majority of people feel that way, that's why they voted that way. It's a landslide.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When the economy is going strongly and smoothly, it's pretty hard for an opposition to force a change of government. And ultimately, I don't think a lot of the people are Howard fans, but while the economy is going well, there just wasn't enough mood for change.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Economic policy and most like him (ph) is untested.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People preferred the good economic management credentials of John Howard. I think also people didn't want to make change in a time of uncertainty, perhaps, you know security. Why risk a change. CHINOY (voice-over): With Howard, a key member of George Bush's so-called coalition of the willing, the election was watched closely in Washington and London where there were sighs of relief after Howard's victory.

BUSH: Australia is a great ally in the war on terror and John Howard is the right man to lead that country.

JOHN HOWARD, AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER: I spoke to both President Bush and the British Prime Minister Mr. Blair last night, they had to ring me and congratulate me. And I had a brief discussion with each.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHINOY (on camera): Although this was not a referendum on Iraq, the result is that Australian troops will stay there. That's something many Australians are troubled by, but clearly they weren't troubled by it enough to throw Prime Minister Howard out of office -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Mike Chinoy, live from Australia this morning, thank you.

Coming up on DAYBREAK, some animated sharks have been eating up the box office. We'll have more on the DreamWorks new hit "Shark Tales" featuring the voices of Will Smith and Jack Black you're watching.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MYERS: Happy birthday -- Carol Costello.

COSTELLO: And look, they are not putting my age. That's so thoughtful.

MYERS: Well why are there three question marks though?

COSTELLO: I'm 153.

MYERS: You're 101.

COSTELLO: I'm amazing, aren't I, for 101?

MYERS: And you know we just got a poll in, you know we do Gallup Polls all the time. The fans of Carol Costello Fan Club 100 percent think that you're the best anchor on TV. So, you know, you don't really get that from other people. You don't have any red and blue states, all your states are...

COSTELLO: That's right. There are such terrific people on that fan site, the kindest, most wonderful people. They like protect me if they get any strange e-mail. I mean they are just awesome people.

MYERS: Well.

COSTELLO: I'm lucky.

MYERS: Happy birthday.

COSTELLO: Thank you -- Chad.

MYERS: Have a cup of coffee, a bagel and Nancy's Hudson Valley Camembert Cream Cheese upstairs for you.

COSTELLO: Get out. I'll be up directly after the show.

MYERS: And if you're not from New York and you've never heard of this Camembert, don't try to buy any, because I want it all.

COSTELLO: But he's going to share some with me.

MYERS: Wow!

COSTELLO: I feel special.

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: Time for our DAYBREAK "Eye Opener" right now.

Rome has long been known as a place for romance, and now it comes with some extras. For a very small fee, you can hire that guy. He's a professional serenader, Chad. For just $100, he'll melt your sweetie's heart so you can come in for the kiss.

MYERS: I don't see him.

COSTELLO: I don't either. I thought it was that guy kissing that woman, but that's all too...

MYERS: There he is.

COSTELLO: There he is. You can hire him for Sally (ph) the next time you're in Rome.

Wedjat is a tough cat. The Ocicat won the prize for the best in show at the New York Cat Show. Wedjat beat out more than 325 other felines for the title. The first Ocicat was born in 1964 and was an accidental result of experimental breeding. This cat celebrated the win by coughing up a fur ball (ph).

MYERS: All right.

COSTELLO: It's two in a row for the shark. "Shark Tale" took in $31.7 million to top the weekend box office for the second straight week. The animated feature is fast approaching the $100 million mark since its opening. "Friday Night Lights" came in second with $20.6 million. I went to see that movie, and you can't sit too close because it's jerky movement, and I got sick, but it was a great movie.

We're going to take a break. We'll be right back.

MYERS: Bring your bovine (ph). COSTELLO: That's right.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired October 11, 2004 - 05:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Christopher Reeve is being remembered this morning as a very superman indeed.

It is Monday, October 11. This is DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you, welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

Now in the news -- actor Christopher Reeve, star of the "Superman" movies, has died at his New York home. He was 52 years old. He died of cardiac arrest while in a coma from an infection. Reeve was paralyzed nine years ago in a horseback riding accident, and he was an advocate for spinal cord research.

And baseball's Ken Caminiti, the National League Most Valuable Player in 1996, has also died. His agent says Caminiti suffered a heart attack. An autopsy has yet to be performed. Caminiti was an admitted steroid user. He was just 41 years old.

Militiamen of Muqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army are awaiting the cleric's order to begin turning in their heavy weapons in Baghdad's Sadr City slum. Actually, they've already started to do that.

Elsewhere in the Iraq capital, two American solders were killed, five wounded this morning in a rocket attack.

To the Forecast Center now and Chad.

Good morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

Christopher Reeve had been a superman in tireless campaigning for spinal cord research. He was paralyzed by a riding accident nine years ago that broke his neck, but he evolved into a worldwide advocate for spinal cord research. He gave so many people so much hope. The actor believed that stem cells held the key to someday reversing his paralysis.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) LARRY KING, HOST: What keeps you going?

CHRISTOPHER REEVE, ACTOR/ACTIVIST: What keeps me going is, well, the possibilities of the future, change, the fact that I am getting better, that the technology is improving that we do have. The really brilliant, dedicated people who want to help. And that also I have the opportunity to learn so much.

I mean take a trip like this. This is a once in a lifetime experience and to come here. And just today I, as I said before, saw a young man who was cured of a spinal cord injury with a surgical procedure. Something that would have been impossible when I was injured in 1995, and here it was. He was operated on in 2001 and he is walking. And I mean I've seen it, I've seen it and there's more to come. It's going to be difficult, but that's what keeps me going is knowing that it can be done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Senator John Kerry mentioned Reeve's name during the second presidential debate. President Bush placed restrictions on embryonic stem cell research in 2001. Last week, Kerry accused Bush of restricting the potentially life-saving research because of extreme right wing ideology.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Chris Reeve is a friend of mine. Chris Reeve exercises every single day to keep those muscles alive for the day when he believes he can walk again. And I want him to walk again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Polls show stem cell research had widespread support. Now the Reeve family is asking that donations be made to the Christopher Reeve Foundation. The address: 500 Morris Avenue, Springfield, New Jersey, 07081 or you can go to their Web site at christopherreeve.org.

Can you believe it, 22 days until Election Day? And George Bush and John Kerry give as good as they get in dueling campaign ads. President Bush's reelection campaign has released a new television ad that pounces on comments made by John Kerry in a "New York Times" magazine interview that just appeared yesterday. The Bush camp says it's proof the Democrat doesn't have what it takes to fight the war on terror.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kerry says we have to get back to the place where terrorists are a nuisance, like gambling and prostitution. We're never going to end them. Terrorism a nuisance. How can Kerry protect us when he doesn't understand the threat?

(END VIDEO CLIP) COSTELLO: And don't you know it, the Kerry camp fired back, calling the attack ridiculous. The campaign then responded with an ad of its own, questioning the president's leadership in the war on terror.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Medical plans, Bush says we can't afford it. And on the war on terror, Bush said I don't think you can win it.

GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I don't think you can win it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Not with his failed leadership. It's time for a new direction.

KERRY: I'm John Kerry.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Off the tube and on the streets, both candidates are turning their attention to New Mexico today and its five electoral votes.

And you can join Bill, Wolf, Judy, Candy, the rest of our CNN debate coverage team Wednesday, live from Tempe, Arizona. The third presidential debate starts at 9:00 Eastern. Our live coverage begins at 7:00.

Some say the presidential election hinges on undecided voters. Others ask how can voters be undecided when the candidates are polls apart.

As CNN's Alina Cho reports, the movers and shakers behind each campaign use marketing strategy to target potential voters.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The first parents on Dr. Phil.

DR. PHIL MCGRAW: Were you all spankers? Did you spank them?

G. BUSH: Not really.

LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY: Not very often.

G. BUSH: Not really. We were in your roomers. You know, get to your room.

CHO: Senator John Kerry on live with Regis & Kelly.

KERRY: We are going to create the Regis and Kelly global headquarters.

CHO: Presidential candidates have long used talk shows to reach the electorate. Now they're going one step further.

KIM RUBEY, KERRY-EDWARDS SPOKESWOMAN: We're learning more and more that voters really want to know more about the candidates as individuals and what makes them tick.

CHO: Political consultants are increasingly relying on micro- targeting, demographic data that allows campaigns to sell candidates like products.

JEFREY POLLOCK, DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL CONSULTANT: Both parties have huge databases of voters. And we now know a lot of information about each voter, such as their lifestyle choices, magazines they subscribe to.

CHO: Magazines like "Field & Stream," which targets outdoorsmen. The current issue offers a debate on gun rights and the future of hunting and fishing with President Bush and Senator Kerry.

"Ladies Home Journal" recently offered competing covers on the newsstand. Even "Runner's World" has interviewed both the president, and vice presidential candidate John Edwards.

It says to voters, we share the same interests. The presidential election is as much about popularity as it is about policy. And voters cast their ballot for the candidate they like.

DICK CHENEY (R), VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The president did exactly the right thing.

CHO: Core supporters will be there through thick and thin. Why you see Vice President Cheney talking to the conservative base.

REED DICKENS, BUSH-CHENEY SPOKESMAN: When the vice president goes out and speaks to Republicans anywhere in the country, he's always a huge hit.

CHO: And not on a talk show.

The opposite could be said for Senator Edwards. Democrats say his good looks and southern charm appeal to women.

Different approaches, the same goal: getting undecideds to vote on Election Day.

Alina Cho, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: He first caught our attention on the big screen and then later went on to be a larger-than-life champion for a great cause. Today, a nation mourns his loss.

And we're celebrating the life of this legend. We'd like to hear your thoughts about a man who was truly superman, Christopher Reeve. We'll read some of your e-mails a little later. That's daybreak@cnn.com is the address if you want to e-mail us right now, just your thoughts about the life and the career of Christopher Reeve.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Monday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: The man we all knew as "Superman" has died. His publicist says actor Christopher Reeve died Sunday in the hospital. He had suffered cardiac arrest and fell into a coma after a massive infection. He was 52. And as you know, Reeve was paralyzed from the neck down after a horse riding accident nine years ago. He became a worldwide advocate for spinal cord research.

We've been asking you to share your thoughts on Christopher Reeve's life and his career and we've gotten some terrific e-mail this morning.

This is from Lynn (ph). She says if there is a heaven, Christopher Reeve is walking and free. He was superman until the end. Lynn is from Oklahoma. Thank you.

This is from Zach (ph) from Harrisburg, Virginia -- Harrisonburg, Virginia. He says Reeve played "Superman" on the silver screen, but I never saw anyone so courageous as after his accident. His performance in real life out did, out performed any character he could have ever played in any movie or on television. He was a model of courage that more people should seek to follow.

This is from Dan (ph) in L.A. I'll honor Christopher Reeve today by simply standing up, taking a deep breath and a long walk down the street drinking in the sensations of an autumn day and the sensational joys of being alive. And vote for Kerry in support of stem cell research. I think he'd appreciate both the walk and the vote.

Thank you for your e-mails. Keep them coming, daybreak@cnn.com.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:43 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

An autopsy now being performed on baseball great Ken Caminiti. The former National League MVP died yesterday after suffering a heart attack. He was just 41.

A new book on convicted killer and Kennedy relative Michael Skakel goes on sale this week. The book describes Skakel as being covered in blood the night his neighbor, 15-year-old Martha Moxley was murdered in 1975. Skakel is now appealing his conviction.

In money news, things are back to pretty much normal, but FEMA has approved more than $21 million in hurricane aid for Miami-Dade County residents. This despite the fact that local officials admit storm damage was not that significant there.

In culture, there is more trouble brewing at Hogwarts. Author JK Rowling says one of her "Harry Potter" characters will not survive in the next book, but she won't say which one. "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is due out next year.

In sports, the St. Louis Cardinals advanced to the National League Championship Series with a 6 to 2 win over the L.A. Dodgers. The Cards took the series three games to one. They'll face the winner of today's game between the Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros. And boy, the Braves game was pretty darned exciting -- Chad.

MYERS: Yes, there was some very disappointed Twins fans out there. They really had it in the bag. It was 5-1, anyway.

Good morning, everybody.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: What a nice way to look at it.

MYERS: I guess.

COSTELLO: Thank you -- Chad.

MYERS: All right.

COSTELLO: Some global elections over the past weekend, at least two worth noting. In Afghanistan, the outcome of the country's first democratic presidential election is uncertain with opposition candidates charging voter fraud.

Let's go live to Christiane Amanpour. She's in Kabul.

And in Australia, staunch U.S. ally John Howard wins a fourth consecutive term as prime minister.

Mike Chinoy will shortly have a report for you from Sydney.

But we begin this morning with Christiane.

Good morning.

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

And it seems that now these opposition candidates, who had so rapidly banded together to cry foul, are having to reassess their position. The U.S. ambassador and other diplomats here have been shuttling between these candidates all weekend and basically suggesting to them that it would not be in their interest to thwart (ph) the will of the Afghan people.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

AMANPOUR (voice over): It was back to business as usual a day after their landmark election. Only now people were left mulling the great ink controversy that prompted the opposition to say it would boycott the results.

"I think they're thinking of their own interests," says this shopkeeper.

But in such a difficult situation for our country, they should not make such threats. He showed us his finger, ink still there. And so did this woman.

"They said the ink was faulty, but I even did my laundry and it hasn't come off. The election must be accepted."

The day before, millions had come out around the country, proud to cast their first ever vote. Men and women waited patiently in line for hours. But at some polling stations, police on hand to guarantee security, were caught up in the ink dispute. But after crying foul, some in the opposition are now moderating their anger.

HAJI MOHAMMED MOHAQIQ, OPPOSITION CANDIDATE (through translator): I'm in the middle position. I'm not too unhappy at the result of the election, but not as happy as Mr. Karzai is. I don't know what cheating went on.

AMANPOUR: Election organizers and observers say they will investigate the complaints but not cancel the vote.

ROBERT BARRY, DSCE: We concur with the Joint Election Management Board that the candidates' demand to nullify the election is unjustified.

AMANPOUR: As ballot boxes began coming in from around the country, teams of vote counters settle in for a long and arduous job.

(on camera): There are hundreds of ballot boxes in this one hall alone, and officials tell us even initial results won't be available for several days. And then it'll take a few more weeks before the final result is known.

(voice-over): But for many, the winner is a foregone conclusion.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a day we elect, select Mr. Karzai. Yes, you know we are happy with Mr. Karzai.

HAMID KARZAI, AFGHAN PRESIDENT: I hope that God was kind to me so that the Afghan people will vote for me. My government will be one that will be extremely clean and in tremendous respect and regard to the vote of the Afghan people.

AMANPOUR: People overwhelmingly say they were voting for peace and security, to end the decades of war and bloodshed and to earn a decent living.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know five programs of computer, but today I don't have any job.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All of the people of Afghanistan who are this (ph).

AMANPOUR: For the first time they dream of a future where that may be a possibility. (END VIDEOTAPE)

(on camera): So because the people were so enthusiastic and were so insistent that this first landmark election stand, it appears that these opposition candidates are now walking back from their threat to boycott the results. However, the election organizing body has said that a special investigative independent commission will be set up to look into their complaints -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Christiane Amanpour, live from Kabul, Afghanistan this morning, thank you.

No such confusion in Australia where the election results are cut and dry, but what will Prime Minister John Howard do with his fourth term?

Senior Asia correspondent Mike Chinoy live in Sydney this morning.

Good morning.

MIKE CHINOY, CNN SENIOR ASIA CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Well the old saying goes all politics are local. And even though there was a controversy during the campaign about whether Australia's troops should stay in Iraq or be pulled out, in the end, that proved to be the case in this weekend's election.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHINOY (voice-over): Baghdad is a long way from Sydney's famous Bondi Beach, and that may explain John Howard's stunning electoral triumph over (INAUDIBLE) Latham. The Australians enjoying the sun, sand and surf are also enjoying an economic boom, a boom they credit to John Howard, despite his decision to send Australian troops to Iraq and despite Latham's campaign pledge to bring them home.

(on camera): How much do people really feel, you know, life is good now and they owe a lot of that to John Howard?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think the majority of people feel that way, that's why they voted that way. It's a landslide.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When the economy is going strongly and smoothly, it's pretty hard for an opposition to force a change of government. And ultimately, I don't think a lot of the people are Howard fans, but while the economy is going well, there just wasn't enough mood for change.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Economic policy and most like him (ph) is untested.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People preferred the good economic management credentials of John Howard. I think also people didn't want to make change in a time of uncertainty, perhaps, you know security. Why risk a change. CHINOY (voice-over): With Howard, a key member of George Bush's so-called coalition of the willing, the election was watched closely in Washington and London where there were sighs of relief after Howard's victory.

BUSH: Australia is a great ally in the war on terror and John Howard is the right man to lead that country.

JOHN HOWARD, AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER: I spoke to both President Bush and the British Prime Minister Mr. Blair last night, they had to ring me and congratulate me. And I had a brief discussion with each.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHINOY (on camera): Although this was not a referendum on Iraq, the result is that Australian troops will stay there. That's something many Australians are troubled by, but clearly they weren't troubled by it enough to throw Prime Minister Howard out of office -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Mike Chinoy, live from Australia this morning, thank you.

Coming up on DAYBREAK, some animated sharks have been eating up the box office. We'll have more on the DreamWorks new hit "Shark Tales" featuring the voices of Will Smith and Jack Black you're watching.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MYERS: Happy birthday -- Carol Costello.

COSTELLO: And look, they are not putting my age. That's so thoughtful.

MYERS: Well why are there three question marks though?

COSTELLO: I'm 153.

MYERS: You're 101.

COSTELLO: I'm amazing, aren't I, for 101?

MYERS: And you know we just got a poll in, you know we do Gallup Polls all the time. The fans of Carol Costello Fan Club 100 percent think that you're the best anchor on TV. So, you know, you don't really get that from other people. You don't have any red and blue states, all your states are...

COSTELLO: That's right. There are such terrific people on that fan site, the kindest, most wonderful people. They like protect me if they get any strange e-mail. I mean they are just awesome people.

MYERS: Well.

COSTELLO: I'm lucky.

MYERS: Happy birthday.

COSTELLO: Thank you -- Chad.

MYERS: Have a cup of coffee, a bagel and Nancy's Hudson Valley Camembert Cream Cheese upstairs for you.

COSTELLO: Get out. I'll be up directly after the show.

MYERS: And if you're not from New York and you've never heard of this Camembert, don't try to buy any, because I want it all.

COSTELLO: But he's going to share some with me.

MYERS: Wow!

COSTELLO: I feel special.

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: Time for our DAYBREAK "Eye Opener" right now.

Rome has long been known as a place for romance, and now it comes with some extras. For a very small fee, you can hire that guy. He's a professional serenader, Chad. For just $100, he'll melt your sweetie's heart so you can come in for the kiss.

MYERS: I don't see him.

COSTELLO: I don't either. I thought it was that guy kissing that woman, but that's all too...

MYERS: There he is.

COSTELLO: There he is. You can hire him for Sally (ph) the next time you're in Rome.

Wedjat is a tough cat. The Ocicat won the prize for the best in show at the New York Cat Show. Wedjat beat out more than 325 other felines for the title. The first Ocicat was born in 1964 and was an accidental result of experimental breeding. This cat celebrated the win by coughing up a fur ball (ph).

MYERS: All right.

COSTELLO: It's two in a row for the shark. "Shark Tale" took in $31.7 million to top the weekend box office for the second straight week. The animated feature is fast approaching the $100 million mark since its opening. "Friday Night Lights" came in second with $20.6 million. I went to see that movie, and you can't sit too close because it's jerky movement, and I got sick, but it was a great movie.

We're going to take a break. We'll be right back.

MYERS: Bring your bovine (ph). COSTELLO: That's right.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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