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American Morning
Kerry Tries to Appeal to Women Voters; Campaign 2004; Cinema Politics
Aired October 22, 2004 - 07:29 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.
ANNOUNCER: Welcome back to AMERICAN MORNING on the road in Chicago.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: An early morning look at the skyline of Chicago as we come to you from the Adler Planetarium this morning. It's just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
Coming up in just a moment, we're talking politics; in fact, John Kerry's pitch to female voters. We'll take a look at what the senator is doing on the campaign trail today. Also take a look at each side's strategy when we talk to Carol Marin, a columnist with the "Chicago Sun-Times."
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Also this half-hour, do have you a favorite political movie? If so, you might want to go old school, something like "The Manchurian Candidate," the first one...
O'BRIEN: Right.
HEMMER: ... or you might want to go new school, like "Fahrenheit 9/11." Or is it something else? Toure goes to school again today with the movie critics, Ebert and Roeper coming up, talking about their all-time favorite political movies. We'll get to Toure in a moment here in Chicago.
O'BRIEN: I've got to imagine that was hard to sort of go through the list of those movies.
HEMMER: Think so?
O'BRIEN: Yes, I would think so.
HEMMER: Some good ones out there.
O'BRIEN: Absolutely.
HEMMER: "All The President's Men," et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
O'BRIEN: Yes. Here back, though, we're going to get right to the headlines with Heidi Collins.
Good morning again.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning again, guys. I think this is like the least windy, nicest, calmest, location we've had. (CROSSTALK)
COLLINS: There is the lake right there. So I totally don't get it.
We want to get to the news, though, with all of that said.
The Boston Police Department says it is taking full responsibility for the death of a Boston Red Sox fan. Twenty-one- year-old Victoria Snelgrove was hit by a canister filled with pepper spray. Police said they were trying to break up rioting outside Fenway Park. Snelgrove's family says what happened should not happen to any American citizen. An investigation is now under way.
In the Middle East, the organization, Hamas, is vowing revenge for the killing of a senior commander. An Israeli air operation fired on the Palestinian's car overnight, killing him and a bodyguard. Palestinian officials are condemning the attack.
A possible breakthrough in efforts to pass intelligence reforms before the election. House Republicans have agreed to drop two controversial immigration provisions in a bill implementing some of the recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. The Senate is expected to respond a little bit later today.
And a filmmaker who chronicled John Kerry's Vietnam service is reportedly suing the Sinclair Broadcasting Group. George Butler claims Sinclair is using his photos without permission in its controversial anti-Kerry documentary. Sinclair is scheduled to air portions of his film on its stations tonight. A lot of talk about that, that's for sure.
HEMMER: I'm thinking if we walk 20 yards that way, we'll get blown away.
COLLINS: Yes, probably. But don't do it!
HEMMER: We have the wonderful planetarium blocking all of that wind off Lake Michigan this morning.
COLLINS: Yes. That's true.
HEMMER: Thank you, Heidi.
If you check the calendar today, you know there are only 11 days left until America chooses the next president. All eyes are now on about 10 battleground states that will determine who wins the White House in 2004.
Senator Kerry is visiting three of those states today.
And our national correspondent, Kelly Wallace, is with the Kerry campaign, live this morning in Milwaukee.
Kelly -- good morning.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Bill.
And Senator John Kerry trying to appeal to working women today with a message about equal pay. He will be joined by Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. This is all no accident. The Kerry campaign well aware that 6 of the 10 voters still undecided are women.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE (voice over): That is why before a crowd of thousands in Minneapolis last night, a fired-up John Kerry had this message.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We need a little less talk about family values and a little more valuing of families.
WALLACE: Why he was introduced yesterday by Dana Reeve, Christopher Reeve's widow, and why one of the most vocal of the September 11th widows stumped for him in Iowa and now appears in one of his television ads.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want to look in my daughter's eyes and know that she is safe.
WALLACE: According to the most recent CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll, Senator Kerry has a lead of just 6 points over President Bush with women voters, a danger sign for the senator since Democrats traditionally do better with women.
In 2000, Al Gore had an 11-point advantage with women voters, according to exit polls. George W. Bush had the exact same advantage with men.
Senator Kerry trying to make inroads, especially with married, suburban women concerned about security, who have been giving higher marks to President Bush.
KERRY: I want a world, as you do, where no American mother should ever have to lie awake at night worrying about what tomorrow will bring.
WALLACE: Despite the outreach, there are those unknowns, such as whether these comments by Teresa Heinz Kerry, for which she later apologized, will anger stay-at-home moms.
TERESA HEINZ KERRY, WIFE OF SENATOR JOHN KERRY: I don't know Laura, but she seems to be calm, and she seems to be -- she has a sparkle in her eye, which is good. But I don't know that she's ever had a real job, I mean, since she's been grown up.
WALLACE: Mrs. Bush, during her first-ever solo bus trip, said she was not offended.
LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: It didn't hurt my feelings. It was perfectly all right. She apologized.
(END VIDEOTAPE) WALLACE: And Laura Bush also happens to be in the Milwaukee area on this day, part of the Bush/Cheney effort to try and win the state of Wisconsin, which Al Gore narrowly won four years ago. And, Bill, speaking of Al Gore, he will be stumping for Senator Kerry in Florida on Sunday -- Bill.
HEMMER: Kelly Wallace in Milwaukee. Thanks, Kelly.
HEMMER: President Bush, meanwhile, starts his day in battleground Pennsylvania. It's his 41st trip there since becoming president.
Yesterday, the president mocking Senator Kerry's hunting trip that took place in Ohio saying Kerry will vote against gun owner's rights. He also touted his own health care reform package as the right one for America.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: America faces a clear choice. When it comes to health care, Senator Kerry's prescription is bigger government with higher costs.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Apologize for audio there. Our apologies to the viewers at home.
The president starts his day today in Pennsylvania before heading off to Ohio, then later in Florida, where he will also spend his day on Saturday -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Well, with 11 days to go in a race that's tight and getting even tighter, both campaigns are looking for any kind of an edge. This morning, Carol Marin, "Chicago Sun-Times" political columnist, joins us to talk about these final days.
I would sort of group these things into substantive issues and then what you could call other issues.
CAROL MARIN, "CHICAGO SUN-TIMES" POLITICAL COLUMNIST: Two different points.
O'BRIEN: Yes. The Teresa Heinz Kerry remark about Laura Bush, the vice president getting his flu shot. We just heard Bill talking a little bit about the photo-op of Senator Kerry hunting, things like that, Mary Cheney.
MARIN: Yes.
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: She's a lesbian, but we already knew that. How much are you surprised by these coming up in the last final days? I mean, it seems every day there is sort of a new controversy. MARIN: Not surprised. I mean, they're seizing and trying to seize on that filament of an issue that's going to tip it one way or another. And I think that's what we are really seeing as opposed to substantive issues.
O'BRIEN: You called it the tipping point. Do you think any of these issues really could be tipping point?
MARIN: You know, we don't know. And basically I don't think so. I'm still looking for the undecided people. I mean, I want to find those undecided voters we're talking about.
Four years ago, the Gallup poll, "USA Today", CNN, "Washington Post" all said that George Bush had it decidedly, about 49 to 43 percent, that he had a firm lead on Gore. Gore had, what, 500,000 votes ahead of Bush when it was said and done.
So the kind of polls we're seeing, the sorts of surveys we're seeing, I don't think we have a clue.
O'BRIEN: It kind of sums is up. And we won't know really for 11 days.
MARIN: Right.
O'BRIEN: Let's talk about the local race here. You have, of course, Senate seat open. Alan Keyes, who is the Republican Party's choice to run, left off the mailing. I mean, we're not talking about a guy who is running for dogcatcher. He's a Senate seat. Is this a snub? Is it a mistake? Or is this an indication of something bigger within the Illinois Republican Party?
MARIN: It's the acknowledgement by the Illinois Republican Party that Keyes is a mistake. It is a snub, you're quite right. Illinois is a very politically-engaged state, but we're sort of out of it this year. We have a former Republican governor under indictment. There are scandals. Barack Obama is the star of the Democratic Party right now. Alan Keyes is an import from Maryland, because ultimately the Illinois Republican Party couldn't find another candidate to do it. And so it's an embarrassment for the Illinois Republican Party right now.
O'BRIEN: We've heard both presidential candidates talk about their faith. What kind of a role is that going to play? And they don't necessarily always talk about it outwardly, but they make references to it, a second reference sort of. What kind of role will that play in the election, do you think?
MARIN: I think it's going to play a huge role. And we are a polarized society, not just politically, but along faith lines. Right now there are major fights in most of the Protestant religions between conservatives, evangelicals on one side, and progressives and liberals on the other.
And that dividing line, that discussion of faith, faith versus religion really is one of those places where I think it's going to be the underpinning of an awful lot of people's decisions. It's dividing the country. It's dividing religions. And it's a dividing line between Bush and Kerry.
O'BRIEN: And that's why it's appropriate that your "CNN PRESENTS," which is going to be shown on Sunday, is called "The Fight Over Faith." Tell us a little bit about that.
MARIN: It's an hour-long look, Soledad, at what's happening inside Protestantism. And who is an evangelical? We've seen that term now in play for four years more than any other time in our real discussion of religion. Evangelicals, in fact, are going to be a huge force in this election and feel that they are misunderstood, as a matter of fact.
And so we take a look at who evangelicals are, what kind of impact they will have on the vote in this presidential race.
O'BRIEN: We will see. Carol Marin, nice to have you, from the "Chicago Sun-Times." We should also reiterate "CNN PRESENTS," "The Fight Over Faith," airs Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. It's going to replay Sunday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern as well. Thanks for being with us.
MARIN: Thanks for having me.
O'BRIEN: A week in Chicago.
MARIN: A week in Chicago.
(CROSSTALK)
MARIN: Welcome to Chicago.
O'BRIEN: Well, we love it. Thank you very much -- Bill.
HEMMER: About 20 minutes before the hour.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HEMMER: The World Series is now set. The Red Sox face another of their long-time demons. The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Astros and Roger Clemens last night to win the NLCS. Like the Boston/New York match-up, the series came down to a seventh and deciding final game.
They're wasting no time, too, meanwhile in Boston at Fenway Park. The grounds crews up in Boston have already put the World Series logo on the field yesterday, getting ready for game one Saturday night in Boston. Game two will take place in Boston as well before they go back to St. Louis.
We all probably know it now. The Red Sox have not won the series since 1918. They faced the Cardinals and lost in 1946 and 1967, both seven-game series. So now we are set, Red Sox and Cardinals. A lot of red for the World Series this time. O'BRIEN: Well last late night on "The Late Show With David Letterman," Boston pitcher Curt Schilling offered up a top-10 list of secrets to beating the Yankees. Here are a couple of them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CURT SCHILLING, RED SOX PITCHER: Unlike the first three games, we didn't leave early to beat the traffic.
DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST, "THE LATE SHOW": That's right! No. 9.
SCHILLING: We put flu virus in Jeter's Gatorade.
LETTERMAN: Hey, wait a minute. That's illegal. No. 8.
SCHILLING: Let's just say Pete Rose made some phone calls for us.
LETTERMAN: What? Wait a minute! No. 6.
SCHILLING: It's not like we haven't won a big game before. It's just been 86 years.
LETTERMAN: Yes. No. 2.
SCHILLING: What did you expect? We have a guy who looks like Jesus.
LETTERMAN: That's right! It's got to be Damon. And the No. 1 secret of the Boston Red Sox comeback.
SCHILLING: We got Babe Ruth's ghost a hooker, and now everything is cool.
LETTERMAN: There you go. That's right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: That was very funny.
HEMMER: That's right.
O'BRIEN: Got a guy who looks like Jesus. What did you expect? That's pretty good.
Still to come on this AMERICAN MORNING, Donald Trump is used to saying "you're fired!" But is he going to keep his own job? Andy is "Minding Your Business" this morning.
HEMMER: Also, politics in the movies. What are the best political films of all time? We'll talk to Ebert and Roeper about that as AMERICAN MORNING continues on a Friday morning in Chicago.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Documentary films have played a surprisingly large role in this year's election. But Hollywood has never shied away from politics onscreen.
Our pop culture correspondent, Toure, sat down with two of America's leading film critics, who just happen to be right here in Chicago. And he asked Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper about some memorable cinematic moments.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOURE, CNN POPULAR CULTURE CORRESPONDENT: We're in a political year. What are some of the great quintessential political films that you think about?
RICHARD ROEPER, FILM CRITIC: I think maybe my favorite political movie of all time is "The Candidate," the Robert Redford movie, where he played Bill McKay, the son of a political legend who is put up to run for a Senate seat in California, mainly because he's really good looking and articulate. And this is a movie that's about 30 years ahead of its time. I mean, it rings true today. And Redford is working actually on a sequel on a follow-up to "The Candidate."
ROBERT REDFORD, ACTOR: Think of it. The biggest, the richest, the most powerful country cannot keep its full job force working.
ROGER EBERT, FILM CRITIC: Robert Altman made a series for television called "Tanner '88," where he actually fielded a candidate and many people came in and to the storefront offices. They used a set and...
(CROSSTALK)
ROEPER: I voted for him.
EBERT: You voted for him?
ROEPER: He could have been a good guy. Yes, so that was a good political movie.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michigan is a strong one for me. You know that, Jack.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'll say. I'll tell you, it made me glad to be a Democrat. I wouldn't want to be up against you.
TOURE: "The Manchurian Candidate" is one of the great political films of all time. It's been made twice now. For those of us who weren't around to experience the first "Manchurian Candidate," like, what made that so great?
EBERT: That movie is still great, and it's better than the remake and always will be. I think that it was fascinating because we were interested in the idea that somebody could be programmed to behave later in this insidious way.
And it came out just at the time of the Kennedy assassination. It came out a little before the Kennedy assassination. And many people then immediately made all kinds of assumptions about what happened to Lee Harvey Oswald when he was in Russia and so forth. But it was just well-made. It was well-acted.
ROEPER: Angela Lansbury was so great in the original.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What is it, mother?
ANGELA LANSBURY, ACTRESS: What sort of a greeting is that at 3:30 in the morning?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a quarter to 3:00, and what do you want?
LANSBURY: I want to talk to you, Raymond.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: About what?
LANSBURY: I want to talk to you about that communist tart.
TOURE: What about "Primary Colors?" I mean...
EBERT: A good movie, a good performance by John Travolta. I liked it. I felt that it really had a feeling for the Clinton-like character and kind of showed how he operated, how he...
ROEPER: Oh, I think it's an underrated film. I mean, it did OK at the box office and got generally decent reviews. But I think it's a great film.
EBERT: Yes.
ROEPER: And all of the performances there, including Kathy Bates as that political operative...
EBERT: Oh, yes.
ROEPER: ... and talk about somebody who says exactly what they mean. But I think Travolta really did capture everything that's charismatic and hopeful and uplifting about Clinton and everything about him that drove people nuts...
EBERT: Yes.
ROEPER: ... and sometimes had people just so disappointed in him.
JOHN TRAVOLTA, ACTOR: I'm going to do something really outrageous. I'm going to tell the truth.
TOURE: Now, you guys both gave two thumbs-up for "Fahrenheit 9/11." Is that just because of your political leanings, or is that on the merits of the film?
EBERT: Well, first of all, I don't believe that it's fair to the viewer to claim to be objective and to not have an opinion, if have you an opinion. My opinion is that I'm going to vote for John Kerry for president. OK?
But on the other hand, I thought "Fahrenheit 9/11" was a good movie. I would like people to believe that had it been a bad movie I would have said so. I think that it's a very entertaining movie, a very funny movie. And that's really Michael Moore's strength, not his logic, but his common man's humorous touch.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I call upon all nations to do everything they can to stop these terrorist killers. Thank you. Now watch this drive.
TOURE: Can "Fahrenheit" win best picture?
EBERT: If it's nominated, but I think it won't be nominated.
ROEPER: As a piece of filmmaking, it's very good, but I don't think it's not one of the five best movies I've seen. And we still have a lot more movies coming out.
EBERT: Yes.
ROEPER: No, I don't think it could win.
EBERT: Hollywood has millions and millions of dollars committed to feature films that they want to get nominations for.
BUSH: This is an impressive crowd, the haves and the have-mores. Some people call you the elite. I call you my base.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Thanks, Toure.
In a moment here, Donald Trump rolls the dice in a bid to keep his casinos afloat. Andy is "Minding Your Business," back in a moment live in Chicago on a Friday morning after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: I don't know how good the content of these shows has been all week, but I'll tell you something. I've seen pictures of Chicago that ought to be up for Emmys. These guys have done some job in bringing you the flavor of this great town. Look at that.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: That's beautiful.
CAFFERTY: Is that pretty? It reminds me of the shot from the Brooklyn Promenade looking across the East River at downtown Manhattan. But I mean, they really have come up with some terrific pictures. despite the fact that Shane, who runs our boom camera and is a degenerate Yankee fan, is living on one hour a sleep a night for the last five days because he stays up and watches those ballgames.
SERWER: That's...
CAFFERTY: Anyway, it's just great work. There is the Sears Tower.
Andy Serwer is here "Minding Your Business." Donald Trump having some problems with the hotels and the casinos.
SERWER: Yes, indeed. And, of course, this is the business genius behind "The Apprentice." Can you imagine that he's actually having some problems in his real-life business?
"The New York Times" is reporting that Trump Hotels and Casinos has reached an agreement to avert a possible -- possible, Donald, so don't send us letters...
CAFFERTY: Yes, don't call.
SERWER: ... bankruptcy. Two weeks from now he's got a big bond payment deal. And it looks like this deal is going to reduce his stake in the company from 56 percent down to 27 percent. Again, this is the guy who is teaching America about business, but that's another story.
Let's move on to football, shall we? Because it's that time of the week. Let's take a look at the qume (ph), the overall scores of your anchors here. And you can see here, Dr. Hemmer.
CAFFERTY: Can I withdraw?
SERWER: Dr. Hemmer. And you know what? Soledad is now back in the mix. So we're going to have to figure out a way to get her in. Soledad, we're going to need you to you start submitting your picks.
Let's talk about what's going on this week. First of all, Jets/Patriots. I have to go with the Jets, and I'll tell you why. Because at some point the Patriots are going to lose, and I'm going to look like a genius. Also, Belichick's 3 out of his 10 losses at home were against the Jets.
So let's move on to the Titans and the Vikings. It's a secret. Randy Moss might not play. I'm going with the Titans, that's why.
How about the Dallas Cowboys versus the Green Bay Packers? This is old-school football, Vinny versus Brett (UNINTELLIGIBLE) tundra of Landrieu Field. I'm going with the Packers. Get this. Dallas has never won in Green Bay, 1960, 1967.
CAFFERTY: And they won't this year.
SERWER: 1989, 1997, they won't.
And finally the Bears versus the Bucks. I'm not calling in this game, but, you know, there's this big scandal going on in Chicago. It's on the front pages of all of the papers, a trucking scandal. The guy at the center of it, a guy named Mr. Boyle (ph), he asked the judge if he could go travel to Tampa Bay to go to the Bears game. The judge said no, you can't go. You're in the middle of this scandal. And by the way, the Bears aren't playing that well anyway...
CAFFERTY: There you go.
SERWER: ... that according to a federal judge. CAFFERTY: That's funny. Thanks, Andy.
We're talking about ABC's "Desperate Housewives," with the "Question of the Day," a monster hit for ABC, 20 million viewers a week tuning in. Ad rates have doubled. And some sponsors are pulling out. The ad rates are up. Because of the content, though, the American Family Association and some sponsors are upset. The show includes a married woman having an affair with her gardener while dad is away at the office, and people having sex on the dining room table. It's kinky.
SERWER: Wow!
CAFFERTY: I may have to check this out.
The question is this: Is "Desperate Housewives" suitable for network primetime television? Some of are you taking this very seriously. We prefer to hear from desperate viewers about "Desperate Housewives."
Jay in Newbury Port, Massachusetts: "One of the best shows I've seen in quite sometime. It's actually tame compared to other stuff out there. But if offends you, don't watch it. And if parents are worried about their kids watching, here is a suggestion: Don't let them."
Jacqueline in Senecaville, Ohio: "If people eating insects on television is appropriate, then I see no problem with this. This new show is just a testament to how screwed up our minds really are."
Walter in Augusta, Georgia: "Yes, "Desperate Housewives" should be on primetime network TV. It's quirky, it's well-done and it's thought-provoking, as television shows go."
And Susan in Gualala, California, where it's very early: "Desperate Housewives," desperate kids, desperate Iraqis desperate Sudanese, it's a desperate world. One television show won't solve anything or make anything worse. It's a TV show, boys and girls."
Thanks for your e-mails. More later. Now back to Bill and Soledad.
HEMMER: Hey, Jack, look at what we have here.
CAFFERTY: What have you got?
O'BRIEN: Food.
HEMMER: Pot Belly's (ph) is one of the great restaurants here in Chicago. I say great, because they have some of the best sandwiches you're going to find.
CAFFERTY: They send sandwiches over?
HEMMER: They sure did.
O'BRIEN: They did. You didn't get any?
CAFFERTY: No, we got nothing.
O'BRIEN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) bring this out to Jack?
HEMMER: We're going to send it to you.
CAFFERTY: We got boockus (ph).
HEMMER: The problem is they're getting cold. They're getting cold, Jack.
O'BRIEN: We're sending some to you, Jack, right now.
CAFFERTY: Oh, that's good. Thank you.
HEMMER: They're on their way.
Let's get a break here. In a moment, you've heard this saying, "all politics is local." Jeff Greenfield tells us how a hot-button issue in Nevada could help decide the presidency this year. Back in a moment live in Chicago after this.
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Aired October 22, 2004 - 07:29 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANNOUNCER: Welcome back to AMERICAN MORNING on the road in Chicago.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: An early morning look at the skyline of Chicago as we come to you from the Adler Planetarium this morning. It's just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
Coming up in just a moment, we're talking politics; in fact, John Kerry's pitch to female voters. We'll take a look at what the senator is doing on the campaign trail today. Also take a look at each side's strategy when we talk to Carol Marin, a columnist with the "Chicago Sun-Times."
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Also this half-hour, do have you a favorite political movie? If so, you might want to go old school, something like "The Manchurian Candidate," the first one...
O'BRIEN: Right.
HEMMER: ... or you might want to go new school, like "Fahrenheit 9/11." Or is it something else? Toure goes to school again today with the movie critics, Ebert and Roeper coming up, talking about their all-time favorite political movies. We'll get to Toure in a moment here in Chicago.
O'BRIEN: I've got to imagine that was hard to sort of go through the list of those movies.
HEMMER: Think so?
O'BRIEN: Yes, I would think so.
HEMMER: Some good ones out there.
O'BRIEN: Absolutely.
HEMMER: "All The President's Men," et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
O'BRIEN: Yes. Here back, though, we're going to get right to the headlines with Heidi Collins.
Good morning again.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning again, guys. I think this is like the least windy, nicest, calmest, location we've had. (CROSSTALK)
COLLINS: There is the lake right there. So I totally don't get it.
We want to get to the news, though, with all of that said.
The Boston Police Department says it is taking full responsibility for the death of a Boston Red Sox fan. Twenty-one- year-old Victoria Snelgrove was hit by a canister filled with pepper spray. Police said they were trying to break up rioting outside Fenway Park. Snelgrove's family says what happened should not happen to any American citizen. An investigation is now under way.
In the Middle East, the organization, Hamas, is vowing revenge for the killing of a senior commander. An Israeli air operation fired on the Palestinian's car overnight, killing him and a bodyguard. Palestinian officials are condemning the attack.
A possible breakthrough in efforts to pass intelligence reforms before the election. House Republicans have agreed to drop two controversial immigration provisions in a bill implementing some of the recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. The Senate is expected to respond a little bit later today.
And a filmmaker who chronicled John Kerry's Vietnam service is reportedly suing the Sinclair Broadcasting Group. George Butler claims Sinclair is using his photos without permission in its controversial anti-Kerry documentary. Sinclair is scheduled to air portions of his film on its stations tonight. A lot of talk about that, that's for sure.
HEMMER: I'm thinking if we walk 20 yards that way, we'll get blown away.
COLLINS: Yes, probably. But don't do it!
HEMMER: We have the wonderful planetarium blocking all of that wind off Lake Michigan this morning.
COLLINS: Yes. That's true.
HEMMER: Thank you, Heidi.
If you check the calendar today, you know there are only 11 days left until America chooses the next president. All eyes are now on about 10 battleground states that will determine who wins the White House in 2004.
Senator Kerry is visiting three of those states today.
And our national correspondent, Kelly Wallace, is with the Kerry campaign, live this morning in Milwaukee.
Kelly -- good morning.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Bill.
And Senator John Kerry trying to appeal to working women today with a message about equal pay. He will be joined by Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. This is all no accident. The Kerry campaign well aware that 6 of the 10 voters still undecided are women.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE (voice over): That is why before a crowd of thousands in Minneapolis last night, a fired-up John Kerry had this message.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We need a little less talk about family values and a little more valuing of families.
WALLACE: Why he was introduced yesterday by Dana Reeve, Christopher Reeve's widow, and why one of the most vocal of the September 11th widows stumped for him in Iowa and now appears in one of his television ads.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want to look in my daughter's eyes and know that she is safe.
WALLACE: According to the most recent CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll, Senator Kerry has a lead of just 6 points over President Bush with women voters, a danger sign for the senator since Democrats traditionally do better with women.
In 2000, Al Gore had an 11-point advantage with women voters, according to exit polls. George W. Bush had the exact same advantage with men.
Senator Kerry trying to make inroads, especially with married, suburban women concerned about security, who have been giving higher marks to President Bush.
KERRY: I want a world, as you do, where no American mother should ever have to lie awake at night worrying about what tomorrow will bring.
WALLACE: Despite the outreach, there are those unknowns, such as whether these comments by Teresa Heinz Kerry, for which she later apologized, will anger stay-at-home moms.
TERESA HEINZ KERRY, WIFE OF SENATOR JOHN KERRY: I don't know Laura, but she seems to be calm, and she seems to be -- she has a sparkle in her eye, which is good. But I don't know that she's ever had a real job, I mean, since she's been grown up.
WALLACE: Mrs. Bush, during her first-ever solo bus trip, said she was not offended.
LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: It didn't hurt my feelings. It was perfectly all right. She apologized.
(END VIDEOTAPE) WALLACE: And Laura Bush also happens to be in the Milwaukee area on this day, part of the Bush/Cheney effort to try and win the state of Wisconsin, which Al Gore narrowly won four years ago. And, Bill, speaking of Al Gore, he will be stumping for Senator Kerry in Florida on Sunday -- Bill.
HEMMER: Kelly Wallace in Milwaukee. Thanks, Kelly.
HEMMER: President Bush, meanwhile, starts his day in battleground Pennsylvania. It's his 41st trip there since becoming president.
Yesterday, the president mocking Senator Kerry's hunting trip that took place in Ohio saying Kerry will vote against gun owner's rights. He also touted his own health care reform package as the right one for America.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: America faces a clear choice. When it comes to health care, Senator Kerry's prescription is bigger government with higher costs.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Apologize for audio there. Our apologies to the viewers at home.
The president starts his day today in Pennsylvania before heading off to Ohio, then later in Florida, where he will also spend his day on Saturday -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Well, with 11 days to go in a race that's tight and getting even tighter, both campaigns are looking for any kind of an edge. This morning, Carol Marin, "Chicago Sun-Times" political columnist, joins us to talk about these final days.
I would sort of group these things into substantive issues and then what you could call other issues.
CAROL MARIN, "CHICAGO SUN-TIMES" POLITICAL COLUMNIST: Two different points.
O'BRIEN: Yes. The Teresa Heinz Kerry remark about Laura Bush, the vice president getting his flu shot. We just heard Bill talking a little bit about the photo-op of Senator Kerry hunting, things like that, Mary Cheney.
MARIN: Yes.
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: She's a lesbian, but we already knew that. How much are you surprised by these coming up in the last final days? I mean, it seems every day there is sort of a new controversy. MARIN: Not surprised. I mean, they're seizing and trying to seize on that filament of an issue that's going to tip it one way or another. And I think that's what we are really seeing as opposed to substantive issues.
O'BRIEN: You called it the tipping point. Do you think any of these issues really could be tipping point?
MARIN: You know, we don't know. And basically I don't think so. I'm still looking for the undecided people. I mean, I want to find those undecided voters we're talking about.
Four years ago, the Gallup poll, "USA Today", CNN, "Washington Post" all said that George Bush had it decidedly, about 49 to 43 percent, that he had a firm lead on Gore. Gore had, what, 500,000 votes ahead of Bush when it was said and done.
So the kind of polls we're seeing, the sorts of surveys we're seeing, I don't think we have a clue.
O'BRIEN: It kind of sums is up. And we won't know really for 11 days.
MARIN: Right.
O'BRIEN: Let's talk about the local race here. You have, of course, Senate seat open. Alan Keyes, who is the Republican Party's choice to run, left off the mailing. I mean, we're not talking about a guy who is running for dogcatcher. He's a Senate seat. Is this a snub? Is it a mistake? Or is this an indication of something bigger within the Illinois Republican Party?
MARIN: It's the acknowledgement by the Illinois Republican Party that Keyes is a mistake. It is a snub, you're quite right. Illinois is a very politically-engaged state, but we're sort of out of it this year. We have a former Republican governor under indictment. There are scandals. Barack Obama is the star of the Democratic Party right now. Alan Keyes is an import from Maryland, because ultimately the Illinois Republican Party couldn't find another candidate to do it. And so it's an embarrassment for the Illinois Republican Party right now.
O'BRIEN: We've heard both presidential candidates talk about their faith. What kind of a role is that going to play? And they don't necessarily always talk about it outwardly, but they make references to it, a second reference sort of. What kind of role will that play in the election, do you think?
MARIN: I think it's going to play a huge role. And we are a polarized society, not just politically, but along faith lines. Right now there are major fights in most of the Protestant religions between conservatives, evangelicals on one side, and progressives and liberals on the other.
And that dividing line, that discussion of faith, faith versus religion really is one of those places where I think it's going to be the underpinning of an awful lot of people's decisions. It's dividing the country. It's dividing religions. And it's a dividing line between Bush and Kerry.
O'BRIEN: And that's why it's appropriate that your "CNN PRESENTS," which is going to be shown on Sunday, is called "The Fight Over Faith." Tell us a little bit about that.
MARIN: It's an hour-long look, Soledad, at what's happening inside Protestantism. And who is an evangelical? We've seen that term now in play for four years more than any other time in our real discussion of religion. Evangelicals, in fact, are going to be a huge force in this election and feel that they are misunderstood, as a matter of fact.
And so we take a look at who evangelicals are, what kind of impact they will have on the vote in this presidential race.
O'BRIEN: We will see. Carol Marin, nice to have you, from the "Chicago Sun-Times." We should also reiterate "CNN PRESENTS," "The Fight Over Faith," airs Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. It's going to replay Sunday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern as well. Thanks for being with us.
MARIN: Thanks for having me.
O'BRIEN: A week in Chicago.
MARIN: A week in Chicago.
(CROSSTALK)
MARIN: Welcome to Chicago.
O'BRIEN: Well, we love it. Thank you very much -- Bill.
HEMMER: About 20 minutes before the hour.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HEMMER: The World Series is now set. The Red Sox face another of their long-time demons. The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Astros and Roger Clemens last night to win the NLCS. Like the Boston/New York match-up, the series came down to a seventh and deciding final game.
They're wasting no time, too, meanwhile in Boston at Fenway Park. The grounds crews up in Boston have already put the World Series logo on the field yesterday, getting ready for game one Saturday night in Boston. Game two will take place in Boston as well before they go back to St. Louis.
We all probably know it now. The Red Sox have not won the series since 1918. They faced the Cardinals and lost in 1946 and 1967, both seven-game series. So now we are set, Red Sox and Cardinals. A lot of red for the World Series this time. O'BRIEN: Well last late night on "The Late Show With David Letterman," Boston pitcher Curt Schilling offered up a top-10 list of secrets to beating the Yankees. Here are a couple of them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CURT SCHILLING, RED SOX PITCHER: Unlike the first three games, we didn't leave early to beat the traffic.
DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST, "THE LATE SHOW": That's right! No. 9.
SCHILLING: We put flu virus in Jeter's Gatorade.
LETTERMAN: Hey, wait a minute. That's illegal. No. 8.
SCHILLING: Let's just say Pete Rose made some phone calls for us.
LETTERMAN: What? Wait a minute! No. 6.
SCHILLING: It's not like we haven't won a big game before. It's just been 86 years.
LETTERMAN: Yes. No. 2.
SCHILLING: What did you expect? We have a guy who looks like Jesus.
LETTERMAN: That's right! It's got to be Damon. And the No. 1 secret of the Boston Red Sox comeback.
SCHILLING: We got Babe Ruth's ghost a hooker, and now everything is cool.
LETTERMAN: There you go. That's right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: That was very funny.
HEMMER: That's right.
O'BRIEN: Got a guy who looks like Jesus. What did you expect? That's pretty good.
Still to come on this AMERICAN MORNING, Donald Trump is used to saying "you're fired!" But is he going to keep his own job? Andy is "Minding Your Business" this morning.
HEMMER: Also, politics in the movies. What are the best political films of all time? We'll talk to Ebert and Roeper about that as AMERICAN MORNING continues on a Friday morning in Chicago.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Documentary films have played a surprisingly large role in this year's election. But Hollywood has never shied away from politics onscreen.
Our pop culture correspondent, Toure, sat down with two of America's leading film critics, who just happen to be right here in Chicago. And he asked Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper about some memorable cinematic moments.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOURE, CNN POPULAR CULTURE CORRESPONDENT: We're in a political year. What are some of the great quintessential political films that you think about?
RICHARD ROEPER, FILM CRITIC: I think maybe my favorite political movie of all time is "The Candidate," the Robert Redford movie, where he played Bill McKay, the son of a political legend who is put up to run for a Senate seat in California, mainly because he's really good looking and articulate. And this is a movie that's about 30 years ahead of its time. I mean, it rings true today. And Redford is working actually on a sequel on a follow-up to "The Candidate."
ROBERT REDFORD, ACTOR: Think of it. The biggest, the richest, the most powerful country cannot keep its full job force working.
ROGER EBERT, FILM CRITIC: Robert Altman made a series for television called "Tanner '88," where he actually fielded a candidate and many people came in and to the storefront offices. They used a set and...
(CROSSTALK)
ROEPER: I voted for him.
EBERT: You voted for him?
ROEPER: He could have been a good guy. Yes, so that was a good political movie.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michigan is a strong one for me. You know that, Jack.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'll say. I'll tell you, it made me glad to be a Democrat. I wouldn't want to be up against you.
TOURE: "The Manchurian Candidate" is one of the great political films of all time. It's been made twice now. For those of us who weren't around to experience the first "Manchurian Candidate," like, what made that so great?
EBERT: That movie is still great, and it's better than the remake and always will be. I think that it was fascinating because we were interested in the idea that somebody could be programmed to behave later in this insidious way.
And it came out just at the time of the Kennedy assassination. It came out a little before the Kennedy assassination. And many people then immediately made all kinds of assumptions about what happened to Lee Harvey Oswald when he was in Russia and so forth. But it was just well-made. It was well-acted.
ROEPER: Angela Lansbury was so great in the original.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What is it, mother?
ANGELA LANSBURY, ACTRESS: What sort of a greeting is that at 3:30 in the morning?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a quarter to 3:00, and what do you want?
LANSBURY: I want to talk to you, Raymond.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: About what?
LANSBURY: I want to talk to you about that communist tart.
TOURE: What about "Primary Colors?" I mean...
EBERT: A good movie, a good performance by John Travolta. I liked it. I felt that it really had a feeling for the Clinton-like character and kind of showed how he operated, how he...
ROEPER: Oh, I think it's an underrated film. I mean, it did OK at the box office and got generally decent reviews. But I think it's a great film.
EBERT: Yes.
ROEPER: And all of the performances there, including Kathy Bates as that political operative...
EBERT: Oh, yes.
ROEPER: ... and talk about somebody who says exactly what they mean. But I think Travolta really did capture everything that's charismatic and hopeful and uplifting about Clinton and everything about him that drove people nuts...
EBERT: Yes.
ROEPER: ... and sometimes had people just so disappointed in him.
JOHN TRAVOLTA, ACTOR: I'm going to do something really outrageous. I'm going to tell the truth.
TOURE: Now, you guys both gave two thumbs-up for "Fahrenheit 9/11." Is that just because of your political leanings, or is that on the merits of the film?
EBERT: Well, first of all, I don't believe that it's fair to the viewer to claim to be objective and to not have an opinion, if have you an opinion. My opinion is that I'm going to vote for John Kerry for president. OK?
But on the other hand, I thought "Fahrenheit 9/11" was a good movie. I would like people to believe that had it been a bad movie I would have said so. I think that it's a very entertaining movie, a very funny movie. And that's really Michael Moore's strength, not his logic, but his common man's humorous touch.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I call upon all nations to do everything they can to stop these terrorist killers. Thank you. Now watch this drive.
TOURE: Can "Fahrenheit" win best picture?
EBERT: If it's nominated, but I think it won't be nominated.
ROEPER: As a piece of filmmaking, it's very good, but I don't think it's not one of the five best movies I've seen. And we still have a lot more movies coming out.
EBERT: Yes.
ROEPER: No, I don't think it could win.
EBERT: Hollywood has millions and millions of dollars committed to feature films that they want to get nominations for.
BUSH: This is an impressive crowd, the haves and the have-mores. Some people call you the elite. I call you my base.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Thanks, Toure.
In a moment here, Donald Trump rolls the dice in a bid to keep his casinos afloat. Andy is "Minding Your Business," back in a moment live in Chicago on a Friday morning after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: I don't know how good the content of these shows has been all week, but I'll tell you something. I've seen pictures of Chicago that ought to be up for Emmys. These guys have done some job in bringing you the flavor of this great town. Look at that.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: That's beautiful.
CAFFERTY: Is that pretty? It reminds me of the shot from the Brooklyn Promenade looking across the East River at downtown Manhattan. But I mean, they really have come up with some terrific pictures. despite the fact that Shane, who runs our boom camera and is a degenerate Yankee fan, is living on one hour a sleep a night for the last five days because he stays up and watches those ballgames.
SERWER: That's...
CAFFERTY: Anyway, it's just great work. There is the Sears Tower.
Andy Serwer is here "Minding Your Business." Donald Trump having some problems with the hotels and the casinos.
SERWER: Yes, indeed. And, of course, this is the business genius behind "The Apprentice." Can you imagine that he's actually having some problems in his real-life business?
"The New York Times" is reporting that Trump Hotels and Casinos has reached an agreement to avert a possible -- possible, Donald, so don't send us letters...
CAFFERTY: Yes, don't call.
SERWER: ... bankruptcy. Two weeks from now he's got a big bond payment deal. And it looks like this deal is going to reduce his stake in the company from 56 percent down to 27 percent. Again, this is the guy who is teaching America about business, but that's another story.
Let's move on to football, shall we? Because it's that time of the week. Let's take a look at the qume (ph), the overall scores of your anchors here. And you can see here, Dr. Hemmer.
CAFFERTY: Can I withdraw?
SERWER: Dr. Hemmer. And you know what? Soledad is now back in the mix. So we're going to have to figure out a way to get her in. Soledad, we're going to need you to you start submitting your picks.
Let's talk about what's going on this week. First of all, Jets/Patriots. I have to go with the Jets, and I'll tell you why. Because at some point the Patriots are going to lose, and I'm going to look like a genius. Also, Belichick's 3 out of his 10 losses at home were against the Jets.
So let's move on to the Titans and the Vikings. It's a secret. Randy Moss might not play. I'm going with the Titans, that's why.
How about the Dallas Cowboys versus the Green Bay Packers? This is old-school football, Vinny versus Brett (UNINTELLIGIBLE) tundra of Landrieu Field. I'm going with the Packers. Get this. Dallas has never won in Green Bay, 1960, 1967.
CAFFERTY: And they won't this year.
SERWER: 1989, 1997, they won't.
And finally the Bears versus the Bucks. I'm not calling in this game, but, you know, there's this big scandal going on in Chicago. It's on the front pages of all of the papers, a trucking scandal. The guy at the center of it, a guy named Mr. Boyle (ph), he asked the judge if he could go travel to Tampa Bay to go to the Bears game. The judge said no, you can't go. You're in the middle of this scandal. And by the way, the Bears aren't playing that well anyway...
CAFFERTY: There you go.
SERWER: ... that according to a federal judge. CAFFERTY: That's funny. Thanks, Andy.
We're talking about ABC's "Desperate Housewives," with the "Question of the Day," a monster hit for ABC, 20 million viewers a week tuning in. Ad rates have doubled. And some sponsors are pulling out. The ad rates are up. Because of the content, though, the American Family Association and some sponsors are upset. The show includes a married woman having an affair with her gardener while dad is away at the office, and people having sex on the dining room table. It's kinky.
SERWER: Wow!
CAFFERTY: I may have to check this out.
The question is this: Is "Desperate Housewives" suitable for network primetime television? Some of are you taking this very seriously. We prefer to hear from desperate viewers about "Desperate Housewives."
Jay in Newbury Port, Massachusetts: "One of the best shows I've seen in quite sometime. It's actually tame compared to other stuff out there. But if offends you, don't watch it. And if parents are worried about their kids watching, here is a suggestion: Don't let them."
Jacqueline in Senecaville, Ohio: "If people eating insects on television is appropriate, then I see no problem with this. This new show is just a testament to how screwed up our minds really are."
Walter in Augusta, Georgia: "Yes, "Desperate Housewives" should be on primetime network TV. It's quirky, it's well-done and it's thought-provoking, as television shows go."
And Susan in Gualala, California, where it's very early: "Desperate Housewives," desperate kids, desperate Iraqis desperate Sudanese, it's a desperate world. One television show won't solve anything or make anything worse. It's a TV show, boys and girls."
Thanks for your e-mails. More later. Now back to Bill and Soledad.
HEMMER: Hey, Jack, look at what we have here.
CAFFERTY: What have you got?
O'BRIEN: Food.
HEMMER: Pot Belly's (ph) is one of the great restaurants here in Chicago. I say great, because they have some of the best sandwiches you're going to find.
CAFFERTY: They send sandwiches over?
HEMMER: They sure did.
O'BRIEN: They did. You didn't get any?
CAFFERTY: No, we got nothing.
O'BRIEN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) bring this out to Jack?
HEMMER: We're going to send it to you.
CAFFERTY: We got boockus (ph).
HEMMER: The problem is they're getting cold. They're getting cold, Jack.
O'BRIEN: We're sending some to you, Jack, right now.
CAFFERTY: Oh, that's good. Thank you.
HEMMER: They're on their way.
Let's get a break here. In a moment, you've heard this saying, "all politics is local." Jeff Greenfield tells us how a hot-button issue in Nevada could help decide the presidency this year. Back in a moment live in Chicago after this.
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