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CNN Live At Daybreak
Actor/Activist Christopher Reeve Dies of Heart Failure at 52; Dueling Campaign Ads on the War on Terror; Weapons Handover in Iraq
Aired October 11, 2004 - 06:00 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 COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning to you. From the CNN Center in Atlanta I'm Carol Costello.
Now in the news -- Christopher Reeve's publisher tells us the actor died of heart failure on Sunday. He was 52 years old. As you know, Reeve stared in the Superman movies before a horse riding accident left him paralyzed.
And then he became a worldwide activist for spinal cord research. Coming up, we'll have a live report on his career and the medical research he helped highlight after his accident.
And former baseball star Ken Caminiti has died of a heart attack. He was just 41 years old. Caminiti was the 1996 National League MVP. He later admitted to using steroids and used faced arrests for cocaine use.
In Iraq this morning insurgents targeted U.S. troops in the northern city of Mosul. This happened just a few hours ago. A roadside bomb went off as a military patrol went by. Witnesses say there were casualties but there has been no official confirmation.
And in Baghdad, fewer weapons on the streets this morning. Members of a militia have started turning over their weapons to Iraqi police under a brand new peace deal. Coming up we'll have a live report for you on that from Baghdad.
Elsewhere in the Iraqi more violence, a rocket attack has killed two U.S. soldiers.
On Capitol Hill, the Senate could vote today on a bill giving corporations some big tax breaks. Opponents of the bill have threatened an all-night filibuster to stall the vote, but the two sides ended up reaching a deal.
And in Louisiana water-logged sand bags are everywhere this morning. Tropical Depression Matthew caused a good bit of flooding with up to a foot of rain falling in some parts of the state. Let's see if that storm has weakened.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Now, to our top story, the unexpected death of actor turned activist Christopher Reeve. Reeve fell into a coma on Saturday after going into cardiac arrest. He died a day later of heart failure. Let's head to Los Angeles and CNN's Sibila Vargas. Good morning, Sibila.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
You know actor Christopher Reeve will always be remembered as a fighter, an inspiration for anyone who has been stricken by unexpected tragedy or illness.
His stardom began in 1978 with the blockbuster, "Superman." He was known for his chiseled good looks. Reeves stared in a total of four "Superman" movies. He also sought other challenging roles on stage and on film.
He co-stared with Jane Seymour in the fantasy romance, "Somewhere in Time," a film that attracted a cult audience. He did comedy in "Switching Channels" and dramatic work in "The Remains of the Day." One of his final roles before his injury came in the remake of the "Village of the Damned."
Life took a dramatic turn on May 27, 1995 when he took part in an equestrian tournament in Culpepper, Virginia. Reeves struck a rail headfirst when he was thrown from his horse. The impact crushed two vertebrae in his neck, damaging his spinal cord.
His wife Dana was always by his side. He credited her with rallying his spirits and giving him the will to live. He worked tirelessly on rehabilitation, readying his body for the cure that he was convinced would definitely come.
And despite his physical limitations Reeve directed the HBO film, "In the Gloaming." Reeve also starred in the TV remake of "Rear Window," hoping to demonstrate the capacities of people with conditions like his own.
And he wrote an autobiography, "Still Me." In 1997, he got a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In that ceremony Reeve reflected on a life that took an unexpected turn.
VARGAS: OK.
COSTELLO: Sibila Vargas, reporting live from Los Angeles. I thought we were going to hear from Christopher Reeve, there.
But you talk about the hope that he gave others, I was just reading some of our e-mails from our viewers.
I'm going to bend over here and lift one off the printer. This one is from Tommy. He says, "I was recently paralyzed in a car accident. And Mr. Reeve has been nothing but an inspiration to my life. He has opened the eyes of the world to spinal cord injuries. I thank him and his family, for it will be because of his research and dedication that I will one day get up and walk again."
Because, yes, Christopher Reeve didn't let the near fatal accident destroy his life. Let's head live to Christy Feig now, for more on how he fought to walk again. Good morning.
CHRISTY FEIG, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
Yes, it certainly is sad news that we are waking up to this morning. We grew up with him as Superman. And as your viewer just mentioned there, millions of Americans who also have disabilities and diseases, to them he was even more of a super hero.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTOPHER REEVE, ACTOR/ACTIVIST: Easy, Miss, I've got you.
FEIG (voice over): He was America's Superman. In the 1978 movie and three sequels. But after a 1995 riding accident in Virginia left him paralyzed from the neck down, he became a champion for spinal cord injuries and the science that might cure them.
Constantly pushing Congress for more funding, including controversial stem-cell research.
REEVE: If we keep giving our scientists the funding they need to do the research, then very soon I will take my family by the hand and I will stand here in front of this star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
FEIG: Just days ago he was in the crossfire of the stem-cell debate in the tight race for president.
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.
FEIG: But he never will. He developed a severe infection and Saturday evening went into cardiac arrest at his home in New York City. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he went into a comma and died at 5:30 Sunday evening.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera): Now, using his fame for science paid off. His foundation alone raised more than $42 million for research -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Christy Feig reporting live this morning. Thank you.
Reeve's wife Dana issued a statement thanking his millions of fans for their support. She also asked that donations be made to the Christopher Reeve Foundation.
The address: 500 Morris Avenue, Springfield, New Jersey, 07081.
I know that is difficult to remember, you can just go to the Web site, christopherreeve.org. It will accomplish the same thing.
On the campaign trail, now -- George Bush and John Kerry released dueling campaign ads that question each other's ability to handle the war on terror.
Bush seized and opportunity to blast Kerry for comments he made in a "New York Times Magazine" interview.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: First, Kerry said defeating terrorism was really more about law enforcement and intelligence than a strong military operation.
More about law enforcement than a strong military?
Now 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 the Kerry camp, as you might expect, fired back. Calling that attack ridiculous. Saying, it is just another example of the Bush campaign taking his statements out of context.
And then the Kerry camp released its own ad, undermining the president's leadership in the war on terror.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: Ninety-five percent of containers coming into America go uninspected. But in the first debate George Bush said we can afford to fix it.
Bush gives $7 billion in no-bid contracts, $200 billion for Iraq, but to inspect containers, secure bridges, tunnels and chemical plants, Bush says we can't afford it. And the war on terror, Bush said, I don't think you can win it.
BUSH: I don't think you can win it.
ANNOUNCER: Not with is failed leadership. It is time for a new direction.
KERRY: I'm John Kerry...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Federal authorities reportedly believe Washington State's ferry system has been under surveillance by terrorists. "The Seattle Times" reports that at least 157 suspicious incidents since 9/11. Reports include individuals asking questions about ferry operations, or taking pictures of stairwells, car decks, and workers.
The FBI says the same Middle Eastern-looking man showed up three times. He was seen video taping ferry operations and oil refinery and naval air station flight operations.
A change in tactics, the U.S. military reportedly will not push to take major Iraqi insurgents strongholds until later. Specifically, after the U.S. presidential election. "The Los Angeles Times" reports the military will hold off in retaking cities like Fallujah and Ramadi, where the insurgents are the strongest.
It quotes unidentified administration sources who say the casualty count would be too high and that would likely have ramifications on the U.S. election.
In the meantime, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told troops in Iraq they can expect more violence leading up to that country's January election. Rumsfeld made a surprise visit to the war zone yesterday.
And today, this morning, violent insurgents in Iraq are to hand over their rocket propelled grenades and semi-automatic weapons. Radical Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has made a deal, but will he keep his word in the end? Let's head live to Baghdad to find out and Brent Sadler.
Hello, Brent.
BRENT SADLER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.
Well, the situation from Sadr City, according to latest reports, so far, so good.
Not a flood of weapons being hand over but militants loyal to Muqtada al-Sadr but certainly a trickle of weapons. Not in the thousands, but in the scores. We're hearing that rocket propelled grenades, medium caliber heavy machine guns, as well as explosives and hand grenades have been handed in to three collection points in Sadr City. That is a slum district of some two million Iraqi Shiites on the outskirts of the capital.
This area, to give you an idea of the scale, is home to about 1/10th of entire population of Iraq. So, bringing and armed Shia revolt within Sadr City to an end without the overwhelming use of force is a big deal as far as the Iraq government is concerned.
Now, in exchange for this handover of weapons, over the next five days, assuming it goes ahead according to the accord, then in exchange a cessation to hostilities in Sadr City, the release of militants in jail, followers or Muqtada al-Sadr, and then reconstruction might be able to get underway once Sadr City is under the control of central government forces.
Reconstruction in embattled Sadr City, that could be worth half a billion dollars. So, a big financial incentive to get peace in that city, sooner rather than later -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Brent Sadler, reporting live from Baghdad this morning. Thank you. Coming up this hour, it is crunch time, the presidential race heading into the home stretch, we'll get some insights from "TIME" magazine, at 26 minutes past.
And he was Superman to his movie fans and he was also a hero to the disabled. We'll have more on the death of Christopher Reeve. That is at 19 minutes past.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: You news, money, weather and sports at 6:14 Eastern. Here is what is all new this morning.
Actor and activist Christopher Reeve has died of heart failure. The 52-year-old Reeve had fallen into a coma on Saturday after going into cardiac arrest. Reeve had become a leader in the support for stem-cell research after he was left paralyzed by a horse riding accident.
Militants of the Baghdad suburb of Sadr City are beginning to lay down their arms as part of a ceasefire agreement. The insurgents will receive a coupon for cash for every weapon they turn over to Iraqi police.
In money news, the price of gas is just a penny short of 2 bucks. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded has reached $1.99, which is an 8 cent jump in just two weeks, in case you are counting.
In culture, Celine Dion gets a new honor. She is the winner of the 13th Annual Ella Award for her contributions to music and the world community. Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra are former winners of this award.
In sports, the Washington Redskins fell to 1 in 4 on the season after a dismal performance against Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens, in the meantime, raised their record to 3 in 2, with a 17/10 victory. We'll have more on Sunday's games coming up later in the show.
Oh, what do you think Coach Gibbs is saying this morning?
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: You know, Chad, I've been looking at our e-mail inbox. A lot of people are writing in about Christopher Reeve's death this morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes.
COSTELLO: And some of them are just so touching.
Have you gotten a chance to read any?
MYERS: You know I haven't because we've been busy up here with a computer issue, but I'll tell you what, he was an inspiration to a lot of people who have issues, health issues. And, you know, the spinal cord issue obviously going to be a 2004 election, campaign thing. COSTELLO: Yes, we're going to talk a lot more about that politically. But I want to read some of the e-mails coming into DAYBREAK this morning.
This is from Nancy, from Pennsylvania. She says: "I'm a person whose life has also been altered by disability. I keep one of Christopher Reeve's quotes hanging over my computer monitor. 'A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. He wasn't just Superman. He was a super man."
Really nice.
This is from Miguel from Washington, D.C. He says, "Christopher Reeve was truly an inspirational person. This man has such an unwavering spirit to overcome adversity that it demanded my respect and admiration. Right now, he has been given the awesome opportunity to take his request for a cure personally to God. Let's all pray that he succeeds. God bless his wife for showing some strength and love. My condolences. "
And boy, his wife really has stood by him. She is something else, too.
MYERS: My prediction, Carol, in 10 years is that if someone is injured in the spinal cord there will be immediate treatment and things like this just won't happen anymore.
COSTELLO: I hope so. You know, through his foundation he has raised $10s of millions to go toward a cure for disabilities like his. He managed to move his index finger. He got some feeling back and they was some strengthening in his arms and legs. So he made some amazing progress.
MYERS: He sure did.
COSTELLO: One more, this is from Carolyn. She says, "I only hope in some way Mr. Reeve's death will serve to remind people that there are real people behind the issue of stem-cell research."
And this is where the politics is coming into play, because it has been a campaign issue.
MYERS: You bet.
COSTELLO: It has become a campaign issue, Chad. And we're going to talk to a political analyst about that and how Christopher Reeve's death might effect the issue of stem-cell research.
And just this note, for all of our viewers, the Reeve family has asked that donations be made to his memory, to the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation. The address: 500 Morris Avenue, Springfield, New Jersey, 07081. I know that is difficult to remember, so just go to the Web site, christopherreeve.org.
MYERS: Yes, O-R-G, not C-O-M, on the end of that. COSTELLO: That's right, dot-org. We're going to be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: It is 6:22 Eastern. We have been talking a lot about Christopher Reeve this morning. He died on Sunday at a hospital. We want to find out more about how he died. Because he just seemed to be getting better and better every day.
Let's go live to New York and Kimberly Richardson from New York affiliate WABC. She's standing by live in front of the hospital where Christopher Reeve died.
What more can you tell us?
KIMBERLY RICHARDSON, REPORTER, WABC: Well, Carol, this is one of the places Christopher Reeve had been carrying out his rehabilitation. And so, he spent many hours working here with the staff. Northern Westchester Hospital is not far from his family's home.
Now, in the last couple of days Christopher Reeve had been dealing with and trying to fight a serious infection that had spread to his body. It is very common with people who are suffering from paralysis. That did not happen. He slipped into a coma on Saturday. And yesterday evening he died of heart failure here at the hospital.
This morning things have been quiet here. We expect that, of course, to change throughout the day as word of his death spreads throughout the world. And again, no word yet on funeral arrangements.
COSTELLO: You know, did anyone even know he was sick and battling this infection?
RICHARDSON: You know, we didn't hear locally. We're here. We're only about forty minutes south of the hospital and we hadn't heard anything. So, it came as a complete surprise to us as well.
COSTELLO: Yes, surprise to our viewers. Surprise to us as well.
RICHARDSON: Yes.
COSTELLO: Kimberly Richardson, live from New York this morning. Thank you.
Let's talk politics now. Every day, every hour counts as candidates Bush and Kerry head for the big finish. It is just 22 days until America votes. So, as our friends from "TIME" magazine put it, it is crunch time!
Let's head to Washington and Perry Bacon, Jr., correspondent from "TIME" magazine.
Good morning.
PERRY BACON, JR., CORRESPONDENT, "TIME" MAGAZINE: Good morning. Good to be here.
COSTELLO: Thanks for being here. Let's talk about this article coming out in this week's edition of "TIME," titled, "Crunch Time." Let's start with the courtship. John Kerry has been flirting, if you will excuse me for the term, with women voters and it is working. Why?
BACON: He's really been appealing to them well. He's been, you noticed in the debate the other day, he kept referring to each person, especially each who asked a question, he would sort of respond with her name and then answer her question.
Senator Edwards has actually done really well among women voters and he's been appearing on programs like "The View." Kerry on "Regis and Kathy Lee" (sic) and those things seem to be appealing to women voters. They have a message working with women voters right now. (INAUDIBLE) economy and health care as well.
COSTELLO: You know, this is an interesting quote in this article about President Bush' performance in the first debate, as it applies to those uncommitted female voters.
This is the quote: "These are the ones, the Republican operative admits, who hated Bush's first performance, said that the president reminded them of the husbands they have or the ones they left, who don't listen and won't talk and don't like to be criticized."
But President Bush didn't change his tune in the second debate?
BACON: He didn't change it too much. He was a little less - I thought in the second half of the debate he was a little less defensive seeming. In the first half he seemed very defensive in the debate, both like he seemed in the first debate.
But the second half of the second debate I thought he seemed a little less defensive and tried to make a few more humorous remarks and I think that sort of softened him a little bit from the first debate.
COSTELLO: Kerry's demeanor still seems to be an issue, another quote from this article, as it applies to Friday night's debate: "At one point, when the camera caught Kerry leaning back, his head rolling back with his body, Bush/Cheney communications director Nicolle Devenish and much of the senior campaign staff were watching in the holding room, started shouting, 'Haughty! Haughty! Haughty!'"
BACON: That was...
COSTELLO: Oh, go ahead.
BACON: They seemed to make an issue of that. I don't think it actually became a big issue among people who saw the debate. I didn't think that was a huge issue. They made a mention of it for sure.
COSTELLO: But having said all of this, what should Kerry do. And then you are going to answer what should Bush do? Let's start with Kerry.
BACON: Kerry has made some gains in the debates in terms of, number one, likability. People seemed to have responded to him and like him better now. Surprisingly in our "TIME" poll this week, people actually ranked Kerry ahead Bush in terms of likability, and immediately liked him personally more.
And, two, he's made some gains as far as people don't find he is as much of a flip-flopper, indecisive, and they seem to understand his views better. So in the third debate he needs to reinforce those two things. He needs to, I thought, at the end of the second debate he started giving sort of long-winded answers on abortion, and stem-cell research, the kind of talking on every side of the issue that people don't like about him. So, I think he needs to sort of seem clear and concise again in the third debate.
COSTELLO: OK, now for President Bush.
BACON: President Bush, I thought, did much stronger, like I said, talking about domestic issues so he needs to remind people about his record on domestic issues. He has accomplishments, the Medicare reform, the education reform, the middle-class tax cuts he has passed. I think he needs to remind people of those things and also seem a little less defensive about Iraq, which he seemed very defensive about, and a little too aggressive in both, the two debates, I think.
COSTELLO: Perry Bacon, Jr. from "TIME" magazine. Thanks for joining DAYBREAK this morning.
BACON: Thank you very much.
COSTELLO: We appreciate it.
We're going to take a short break, we'll be back with much more. This is DAYBREAK.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired October 11, 2004 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning to you. From the CNN Center in Atlanta I'm Carol Costello.
Now in the news -- Christopher Reeve's publisher tells us the actor died of heart failure on Sunday. He was 52 years old. As you know, Reeve stared in the Superman movies before a horse riding accident left him paralyzed.
And then he became a worldwide activist for spinal cord research. Coming up, we'll have a live report on his career and the medical research he helped highlight after his accident.
And former baseball star Ken Caminiti has died of a heart attack. He was just 41 years old. Caminiti was the 1996 National League MVP. He later admitted to using steroids and used faced arrests for cocaine use.
In Iraq this morning insurgents targeted U.S. troops in the northern city of Mosul. This happened just a few hours ago. A roadside bomb went off as a military patrol went by. Witnesses say there were casualties but there has been no official confirmation.
And in Baghdad, fewer weapons on the streets this morning. Members of a militia have started turning over their weapons to Iraqi police under a brand new peace deal. Coming up we'll have a live report for you on that from Baghdad.
Elsewhere in the Iraqi more violence, a rocket attack has killed two U.S. soldiers.
On Capitol Hill, the Senate could vote today on a bill giving corporations some big tax breaks. Opponents of the bill have threatened an all-night filibuster to stall the vote, but the two sides ended up reaching a deal.
And in Louisiana water-logged sand bags are everywhere this morning. Tropical Depression Matthew caused a good bit of flooding with up to a foot of rain falling in some parts of the state. Let's see if that storm has weakened.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Now, to our top story, the unexpected death of actor turned activist Christopher Reeve. Reeve fell into a coma on Saturday after going into cardiac arrest. He died a day later of heart failure. Let's head to Los Angeles and CNN's Sibila Vargas. Good morning, Sibila.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
You know actor Christopher Reeve will always be remembered as a fighter, an inspiration for anyone who has been stricken by unexpected tragedy or illness.
His stardom began in 1978 with the blockbuster, "Superman." He was known for his chiseled good looks. Reeves stared in a total of four "Superman" movies. He also sought other challenging roles on stage and on film.
He co-stared with Jane Seymour in the fantasy romance, "Somewhere in Time," a film that attracted a cult audience. He did comedy in "Switching Channels" and dramatic work in "The Remains of the Day." One of his final roles before his injury came in the remake of the "Village of the Damned."
Life took a dramatic turn on May 27, 1995 when he took part in an equestrian tournament in Culpepper, Virginia. Reeves struck a rail headfirst when he was thrown from his horse. The impact crushed two vertebrae in his neck, damaging his spinal cord.
His wife Dana was always by his side. He credited her with rallying his spirits and giving him the will to live. He worked tirelessly on rehabilitation, readying his body for the cure that he was convinced would definitely come.
And despite his physical limitations Reeve directed the HBO film, "In the Gloaming." Reeve also starred in the TV remake of "Rear Window," hoping to demonstrate the capacities of people with conditions like his own.
And he wrote an autobiography, "Still Me." In 1997, he got a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In that ceremony Reeve reflected on a life that took an unexpected turn.
VARGAS: OK.
COSTELLO: Sibila Vargas, reporting live from Los Angeles. I thought we were going to hear from Christopher Reeve, there.
But you talk about the hope that he gave others, I was just reading some of our e-mails from our viewers.
I'm going to bend over here and lift one off the printer. This one is from Tommy. He says, "I was recently paralyzed in a car accident. And Mr. Reeve has been nothing but an inspiration to my life. He has opened the eyes of the world to spinal cord injuries. I thank him and his family, for it will be because of his research and dedication that I will one day get up and walk again."
Because, yes, Christopher Reeve didn't let the near fatal accident destroy his life. Let's head live to Christy Feig now, for more on how he fought to walk again. Good morning.
CHRISTY FEIG, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
Yes, it certainly is sad news that we are waking up to this morning. We grew up with him as Superman. And as your viewer just mentioned there, millions of Americans who also have disabilities and diseases, to them he was even more of a super hero.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTOPHER REEVE, ACTOR/ACTIVIST: Easy, Miss, I've got you.
FEIG (voice over): He was America's Superman. In the 1978 movie and three sequels. But after a 1995 riding accident in Virginia left him paralyzed from the neck down, he became a champion for spinal cord injuries and the science that might cure them.
Constantly pushing Congress for more funding, including controversial stem-cell research.
REEVE: If we keep giving our scientists the funding they need to do the research, then very soon I will take my family by the hand and I will stand here in front of this star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
FEIG: Just days ago he was in the crossfire of the stem-cell debate in the tight race for president.
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.
FEIG: But he never will. He developed a severe infection and Saturday evening went into cardiac arrest at his home in New York City. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he went into a comma and died at 5:30 Sunday evening.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera): Now, using his fame for science paid off. His foundation alone raised more than $42 million for research -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Christy Feig reporting live this morning. Thank you.
Reeve's wife Dana issued a statement thanking his millions of fans for their support. She also asked that donations be made to the Christopher Reeve Foundation.
The address: 500 Morris Avenue, Springfield, New Jersey, 07081.
I know that is difficult to remember, you can just go to the Web site, christopherreeve.org. It will accomplish the same thing.
On the campaign trail, now -- George Bush and John Kerry released dueling campaign ads that question each other's ability to handle the war on terror.
Bush seized and opportunity to blast Kerry for comments he made in a "New York Times Magazine" interview.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: First, Kerry said defeating terrorism was really more about law enforcement and intelligence than a strong military operation.
More about law enforcement than a strong military?
Now 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 the Kerry camp, as you might expect, fired back. Calling that attack ridiculous. Saying, it is just another example of the Bush campaign taking his statements out of context.
And then the Kerry camp released its own ad, undermining the president's leadership in the war on terror.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: Ninety-five percent of containers coming into America go uninspected. But in the first debate George Bush said we can afford to fix it.
Bush gives $7 billion in no-bid contracts, $200 billion for Iraq, but to inspect containers, secure bridges, tunnels and chemical plants, Bush says we can't afford it. And the war on terror, Bush said, I don't think you can win it.
BUSH: I don't think you can win it.
ANNOUNCER: Not with is failed leadership. It is time for a new direction.
KERRY: I'm John Kerry...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Federal authorities reportedly believe Washington State's ferry system has been under surveillance by terrorists. "The Seattle Times" reports that at least 157 suspicious incidents since 9/11. Reports include individuals asking questions about ferry operations, or taking pictures of stairwells, car decks, and workers.
The FBI says the same Middle Eastern-looking man showed up three times. He was seen video taping ferry operations and oil refinery and naval air station flight operations.
A change in tactics, the U.S. military reportedly will not push to take major Iraqi insurgents strongholds until later. Specifically, after the U.S. presidential election. "The Los Angeles Times" reports the military will hold off in retaking cities like Fallujah and Ramadi, where the insurgents are the strongest.
It quotes unidentified administration sources who say the casualty count would be too high and that would likely have ramifications on the U.S. election.
In the meantime, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told troops in Iraq they can expect more violence leading up to that country's January election. Rumsfeld made a surprise visit to the war zone yesterday.
And today, this morning, violent insurgents in Iraq are to hand over their rocket propelled grenades and semi-automatic weapons. Radical Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has made a deal, but will he keep his word in the end? Let's head live to Baghdad to find out and Brent Sadler.
Hello, Brent.
BRENT SADLER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.
Well, the situation from Sadr City, according to latest reports, so far, so good.
Not a flood of weapons being hand over but militants loyal to Muqtada al-Sadr but certainly a trickle of weapons. Not in the thousands, but in the scores. We're hearing that rocket propelled grenades, medium caliber heavy machine guns, as well as explosives and hand grenades have been handed in to three collection points in Sadr City. That is a slum district of some two million Iraqi Shiites on the outskirts of the capital.
This area, to give you an idea of the scale, is home to about 1/10th of entire population of Iraq. So, bringing and armed Shia revolt within Sadr City to an end without the overwhelming use of force is a big deal as far as the Iraq government is concerned.
Now, in exchange for this handover of weapons, over the next five days, assuming it goes ahead according to the accord, then in exchange a cessation to hostilities in Sadr City, the release of militants in jail, followers or Muqtada al-Sadr, and then reconstruction might be able to get underway once Sadr City is under the control of central government forces.
Reconstruction in embattled Sadr City, that could be worth half a billion dollars. So, a big financial incentive to get peace in that city, sooner rather than later -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Brent Sadler, reporting live from Baghdad this morning. Thank you. Coming up this hour, it is crunch time, the presidential race heading into the home stretch, we'll get some insights from "TIME" magazine, at 26 minutes past.
And he was Superman to his movie fans and he was also a hero to the disabled. We'll have more on the death of Christopher Reeve. That is at 19 minutes past.
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COSTELLO: You news, money, weather and sports at 6:14 Eastern. Here is what is all new this morning.
Actor and activist Christopher Reeve has died of heart failure. The 52-year-old Reeve had fallen into a coma on Saturday after going into cardiac arrest. Reeve had become a leader in the support for stem-cell research after he was left paralyzed by a horse riding accident.
Militants of the Baghdad suburb of Sadr City are beginning to lay down their arms as part of a ceasefire agreement. The insurgents will receive a coupon for cash for every weapon they turn over to Iraqi police.
In money news, the price of gas is just a penny short of 2 bucks. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded has reached $1.99, which is an 8 cent jump in just two weeks, in case you are counting.
In culture, Celine Dion gets a new honor. She is the winner of the 13th Annual Ella Award for her contributions to music and the world community. Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra are former winners of this award.
In sports, the Washington Redskins fell to 1 in 4 on the season after a dismal performance against Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens, in the meantime, raised their record to 3 in 2, with a 17/10 victory. We'll have more on Sunday's games coming up later in the show.
Oh, what do you think Coach Gibbs is saying this morning?
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: You know, Chad, I've been looking at our e-mail inbox. A lot of people are writing in about Christopher Reeve's death this morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes.
COSTELLO: And some of them are just so touching.
Have you gotten a chance to read any?
MYERS: You know I haven't because we've been busy up here with a computer issue, but I'll tell you what, he was an inspiration to a lot of people who have issues, health issues. And, you know, the spinal cord issue obviously going to be a 2004 election, campaign thing. COSTELLO: Yes, we're going to talk a lot more about that politically. But I want to read some of the e-mails coming into DAYBREAK this morning.
This is from Nancy, from Pennsylvania. She says: "I'm a person whose life has also been altered by disability. I keep one of Christopher Reeve's quotes hanging over my computer monitor. 'A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. He wasn't just Superman. He was a super man."
Really nice.
This is from Miguel from Washington, D.C. He says, "Christopher Reeve was truly an inspirational person. This man has such an unwavering spirit to overcome adversity that it demanded my respect and admiration. Right now, he has been given the awesome opportunity to take his request for a cure personally to God. Let's all pray that he succeeds. God bless his wife for showing some strength and love. My condolences. "
And boy, his wife really has stood by him. She is something else, too.
MYERS: My prediction, Carol, in 10 years is that if someone is injured in the spinal cord there will be immediate treatment and things like this just won't happen anymore.
COSTELLO: I hope so. You know, through his foundation he has raised $10s of millions to go toward a cure for disabilities like his. He managed to move his index finger. He got some feeling back and they was some strengthening in his arms and legs. So he made some amazing progress.
MYERS: He sure did.
COSTELLO: One more, this is from Carolyn. She says, "I only hope in some way Mr. Reeve's death will serve to remind people that there are real people behind the issue of stem-cell research."
And this is where the politics is coming into play, because it has been a campaign issue.
MYERS: You bet.
COSTELLO: It has become a campaign issue, Chad. And we're going to talk to a political analyst about that and how Christopher Reeve's death might effect the issue of stem-cell research.
And just this note, for all of our viewers, the Reeve family has asked that donations be made to his memory, to the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation. The address: 500 Morris Avenue, Springfield, New Jersey, 07081. I know that is difficult to remember, so just go to the Web site, christopherreeve.org.
MYERS: Yes, O-R-G, not C-O-M, on the end of that. COSTELLO: That's right, dot-org. We're going to be right back.
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COSTELLO: It is 6:22 Eastern. We have been talking a lot about Christopher Reeve this morning. He died on Sunday at a hospital. We want to find out more about how he died. Because he just seemed to be getting better and better every day.
Let's go live to New York and Kimberly Richardson from New York affiliate WABC. She's standing by live in front of the hospital where Christopher Reeve died.
What more can you tell us?
KIMBERLY RICHARDSON, REPORTER, WABC: Well, Carol, this is one of the places Christopher Reeve had been carrying out his rehabilitation. And so, he spent many hours working here with the staff. Northern Westchester Hospital is not far from his family's home.
Now, in the last couple of days Christopher Reeve had been dealing with and trying to fight a serious infection that had spread to his body. It is very common with people who are suffering from paralysis. That did not happen. He slipped into a coma on Saturday. And yesterday evening he died of heart failure here at the hospital.
This morning things have been quiet here. We expect that, of course, to change throughout the day as word of his death spreads throughout the world. And again, no word yet on funeral arrangements.
COSTELLO: You know, did anyone even know he was sick and battling this infection?
RICHARDSON: You know, we didn't hear locally. We're here. We're only about forty minutes south of the hospital and we hadn't heard anything. So, it came as a complete surprise to us as well.
COSTELLO: Yes, surprise to our viewers. Surprise to us as well.
RICHARDSON: Yes.
COSTELLO: Kimberly Richardson, live from New York this morning. Thank you.
Let's talk politics now. Every day, every hour counts as candidates Bush and Kerry head for the big finish. It is just 22 days until America votes. So, as our friends from "TIME" magazine put it, it is crunch time!
Let's head to Washington and Perry Bacon, Jr., correspondent from "TIME" magazine.
Good morning.
PERRY BACON, JR., CORRESPONDENT, "TIME" MAGAZINE: Good morning. Good to be here.
COSTELLO: Thanks for being here. Let's talk about this article coming out in this week's edition of "TIME," titled, "Crunch Time." Let's start with the courtship. John Kerry has been flirting, if you will excuse me for the term, with women voters and it is working. Why?
BACON: He's really been appealing to them well. He's been, you noticed in the debate the other day, he kept referring to each person, especially each who asked a question, he would sort of respond with her name and then answer her question.
Senator Edwards has actually done really well among women voters and he's been appearing on programs like "The View." Kerry on "Regis and Kathy Lee" (sic) and those things seem to be appealing to women voters. They have a message working with women voters right now. (INAUDIBLE) economy and health care as well.
COSTELLO: You know, this is an interesting quote in this article about President Bush' performance in the first debate, as it applies to those uncommitted female voters.
This is the quote: "These are the ones, the Republican operative admits, who hated Bush's first performance, said that the president reminded them of the husbands they have or the ones they left, who don't listen and won't talk and don't like to be criticized."
But President Bush didn't change his tune in the second debate?
BACON: He didn't change it too much. He was a little less - I thought in the second half of the debate he was a little less defensive seeming. In the first half he seemed very defensive in the debate, both like he seemed in the first debate.
But the second half of the second debate I thought he seemed a little less defensive and tried to make a few more humorous remarks and I think that sort of softened him a little bit from the first debate.
COSTELLO: Kerry's demeanor still seems to be an issue, another quote from this article, as it applies to Friday night's debate: "At one point, when the camera caught Kerry leaning back, his head rolling back with his body, Bush/Cheney communications director Nicolle Devenish and much of the senior campaign staff were watching in the holding room, started shouting, 'Haughty! Haughty! Haughty!'"
BACON: That was...
COSTELLO: Oh, go ahead.
BACON: They seemed to make an issue of that. I don't think it actually became a big issue among people who saw the debate. I didn't think that was a huge issue. They made a mention of it for sure.
COSTELLO: But having said all of this, what should Kerry do. And then you are going to answer what should Bush do? Let's start with Kerry.
BACON: Kerry has made some gains in the debates in terms of, number one, likability. People seemed to have responded to him and like him better now. Surprisingly in our "TIME" poll this week, people actually ranked Kerry ahead Bush in terms of likability, and immediately liked him personally more.
And, two, he's made some gains as far as people don't find he is as much of a flip-flopper, indecisive, and they seem to understand his views better. So in the third debate he needs to reinforce those two things. He needs to, I thought, at the end of the second debate he started giving sort of long-winded answers on abortion, and stem-cell research, the kind of talking on every side of the issue that people don't like about him. So, I think he needs to sort of seem clear and concise again in the third debate.
COSTELLO: OK, now for President Bush.
BACON: President Bush, I thought, did much stronger, like I said, talking about domestic issues so he needs to remind people about his record on domestic issues. He has accomplishments, the Medicare reform, the education reform, the middle-class tax cuts he has passed. I think he needs to remind people of those things and also seem a little less defensive about Iraq, which he seemed very defensive about, and a little too aggressive in both, the two debates, I think.
COSTELLO: Perry Bacon, Jr. from "TIME" magazine. Thanks for joining DAYBREAK this morning.
BACON: Thank you very much.
COSTELLO: We appreciate it.
We're going to take a short break, we'll be back with much more. This is DAYBREAK.
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