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CNN Live At Daybreak

Missing Explosives in Iraq; 'Hot Topics'; Healthier Halloween Candy

Aired October 27, 2004 - 06:30   ET

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

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


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you. From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.
"Now in the News."

British troops on the move, redeploying closer to Baghdad. Until now, those troops have been assigned to a relatively calm base around Basra. The shift will free up U.S. Marines to move to Fallujah, where the fight against insurgents is now under way.

Amnesty International is reviewing its call for a full-scale investigation into prisoner abuse allegations. In a new report, the group accuses the U.S. of tolerating abuse at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay and in Afghanistan.

A former U.S. attorney will lead an independent commission into the death last week of a baseball fan shot by a pepper spray pellet fired by police. The police commissioner says she wants someone outside of the department to oversee the probe.

The question this morning: Is the curse of the Bambino about to be broken? The Boston Red Sox head into tonight's game four of the World Series up three games to none over the St. Louis Cardinals.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: The issue of those missing high explosives in Iraq is certainly playing into the presidential race. There are questions about how the 380 tons of explosives disappeared and whether U.S. troops actually did miss an opportunity.

We get more from CNN senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The Pentagon acknowledges there was a window of about six weeks after the invasion of Iraq when it's possible the stockpile of high explosives could have been stolen from the sprawling Al Qaqaa facility south of Baghdad.

But Pentagon officials argue it's more likely the explosives were moved as part of the pre-war dispersal ordered by Saddam Hussein. That would have come sometime after March 3, 2003, the last time the International Atomic Energy Agency checked that security seals placed on the bunkers were intact and before the war actually began March 20.

On April 10 of 2003, the day after the fall of Baghdad, troops from the 2nd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division reached the site. No weapons under IAEA seal were found, but the soldiers were advancing on Baghdad, and officials acknowledge they didn't conduct a thorough inspection.

Sometime in the next month, May 2003, the IAEA says it relayed concerns to the U.S. government about the stockpile falling into the wrong hands.

Finally, on May 27, more than six weeks after the April visit, a special U.S. team, looking for weapons of mass destruction, searched all 32 bunkers and 87 buildings. Again, the stockpile was not found.

While Pentagon officials admit the facility was not completely secured between April 10 and May 27, they say many U.S. troops remained in the general area. And although small-scale looting was certainly possible, officials scoff at the idea the large number of heavy trucks that would have been required to transport the 380 tons of missing explosives could have been moved into and out of the facility unnoticed during that time.

(on camera): What some critics have a hard time accepting is how the Pentagon would not have known if the stockpile was moved in advance of the invasion. After all, the U.S. was using all available technical means, including satellites and spy planes, to track Iraqi troop movements and watch for any effort to hide WMD.

The Pentagon says it did see a lot of things moving, but can't say that any of it was the high explosives.

Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Of course, all of this has become a contentious campaign issue. It is our "Hot Topic" this morning.

Chuck Todd of "The National Journal's" "Hotline" is in Montreal this morning.

Good morning, Chuck.

CHUCK TODD, "THE HOTLINE": Good morning.

COSTELLO: So, the facts surrounding this case are cloudy, but John Kerry has seized on it, citing it as an example of Bush's incompetence. Could this hurt Kerry in the end?

TODD: Well, look, you talk to a lot of pollsters and they would have told you that in the final week of the campaign the more Iraq is in the news, the better it is for John Kerry. And I think that that's what the campaign is seizing on, and that's what Kerry is seizing on, looking for any opening on Iraq. So that the closing statement of the -- the closing argument of the campaign is that somehow this becomes an election about Iraq, because the Kerry people have always felt if this election is about Iraq and not the war on terror, but Iraq specifically, then Bush loses.

COSTELLO: Well, does it so much matter then if the story proves untrue in the end?

TODD: That's right, it doesn't matter. What matters is it's the word "Iraq" in the news, is that on the front pages of the papers for the last three days, particularly in the battleground states, that there have been Iraq stories. It's just almost in some ways the utterance of the word "Iraq" more so than the actual story itself is really what the Kerry campaign was looking for, and they got that opening with that front-page story in "The New York Times" on Monday.

COSTELLO: Of course, the Republicans are fighting back, Vice President Dick Cheney calling Kerry an armchair general. Here's more of what Cheney had to say about this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: That it is not at all clear that those explosives were even at the weapons facility when our troops arrived in the eye of Baghdad. John Kerry doesn't mention that, nor does he mention the 400,000 tons of weapons and explosives that our troops have captured and are destroying.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: And, you know, Chuck, what's interesting about this, Cheney is talking about it, but Bush is not. CNN posed the question directly to him twice, got glares back in return. Why isn't the president coming out and saying what Cheney is saying?

TODD: Well, I think because his advisors have told him the same thing. You know, the reason he's vulnerable and the reason if he loses is going to be because of Iraq. So, he doesn't want to have to -- he doesn't want to be dealing with this at the end. I mean, I think it was interesting yesterday that he did completely change the subject.

And then today he's going to have to deal with this news about Allawi, the prime minister over there, having to sort of put some blame on the coalition forces on the massacre of Iraqi soldiers, and that's going to make for another awkward moment. And don't be surprised if the Kerry campaign jumps on that.

COSTELLO: And really fashions the campaign out of it. I wouldn't be surprised about that either. John Edwards, by the way, is also getting into the act on this weapons cache. Here's what he had to say about it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: These are exactly the kind of explosives that terrorists want. They are the dangerous weapons we wanted to keep from falling in the hands of terrorists. And now these explosives are out there, and we have no idea who has got them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: OK, so the candidates are saying this. We don't really know if the story is quite true yet. Are the voters buying it? Which story is sticking with which voters?

TODD: Well, I mean, with their partisans, it's always been the sort of, you know, Iraqi is part of the war on terror with Bush voters, and Iraq is not part of the war on terror for Kerry voters. But this is about this small string of voters that probably would be supporting the president but have doubts on this war, and the Kerry campaign is trying so hard to drive a wedge between those very few people.

COSTELLO: Chuck Todd, thanks for joining DAYBREAK this morning.

Let's head live to New York now to check in with Soledad O'Brien, who is going to tell us what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: We've got lots happening this morning, Carol. Good morning to you. Some of the headlines we're looking at, just six days, of course, until the election. Controversy in Ohio, some potential voters could be kept from casting their ballots. This morning, we talk with election officials.

Also, we'll chat with Carlos Watson, he's back, to talk about some surprise wildcard states. We'll tell you what they are.

In the Peterson trial, the defense has rested somewhat abruptly. Mark Geragos, of course, made some huge promises during that trial. Did he deliver, is the question this morning. We're back with legal analyst Dean Johnson.

And the total lunar eclipse tonight is supposed to be spectacular. It's the last one actually for a little while. So, we're going to tell you how you can get the very best view. We're going to talk to the director of New York's Hayden (ph) Planetarium.

Are you going to take a look at that tonight?

COSTELLO: I think I am, because it's supposed to glow red.

O'BRIEN: It should be fantastic.

COSTELLO: And Rob Marciano said it's just a sign that the Boston Red Sox are going to win the World Series.

O'BRIEN: Oh, you know, Red Sox fans are always going to say that. It's a sign from God.

COSTELLO: Actually, he's a Yankees fan, so he was like joking about it, you know, with the -- anyway, but thank you, Soledad. We'll catch you in about, oh, 20 minutes.

O'BRIEN: We'll see you in a few, yes. COSTELLO: Coming up on DAYBREAK, what should the U.S. do to bring gas prices back down? Wait until you hear what the head of OPEC is suggesting this morning.

Plus, cutting carbs, sugar and fat out of Halloween. But is it really worth the extra effort to buy that sugar-free candy?

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It's time now for a little business buzz. OPEC has a plan to curb rising oil prices. But will the U.S. agree, as in President Bush?

Sasha Salama has the story live from the Nasdaq Marketsite.

Good morning.

SASHA SALAMA, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS: Good morning, Carol.

OPEC is turning up the heat on the Bush administration, saying that Washington should release some oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserves to help bring down world oil prices.

Oil prices have been surging. They're holding above $55 a barrel this morning. And this year alone they're up about 70 percent because of strong demand.

In the past, Washington has said flat out no, we won't open the Strategic Petroleum Reserves; only in an emergency.

And actually, Washington did make a loan of about 5.5 million barrels of oil for an emergency. Their supplies were disrupted by Hurricane Ivan in the middle of September. So, they did open up the spigots then.

OPEC, meanwhile, has been pumping more than 30 million barrels a day, which is its fastest rate in 25 years. And many OPEC members are now throwing up their hands and saying you know what? High prices are out of our control.

The Strategic Reserves in the U.S., by the way, was set up by Congress in the mid-1970s after the oil embargo. And so far only emergencies like hurricanes which have disrupted oil supplies have prompted Washington to open up those reserves.

So, we'll see where this goes, Carol. But, meanwhile, oil prices are still holding up, and that's been pressuring the stock market, by the way.

COSTELLO: Understand. Sasha Salama live from the Nasdaq Marketsite, thank you.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 6:44 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

A historic decision in Israel. Lawmakers voted to back Ariel Sharon's plan to pull out of Gaza, but the prime minister's cabinet remains deeply divided over it.

A man already serving time in a California prison for rape has been charged with murdering 10 women. The murders go all the way back to the 1980s. Thirty-seven-year-old Chester D. Turner could be arraigned today or tomorrow.

In money news, as you heard Sasha say, oil prices are way up. The cost passed $55 a barrel in futures trading today. And later today, the U.S. government releases its petroleum inventories level.

Zsa Zsa Gabor -- Zsa Zsa Gabor -- yes, is heading to the Hall of Fame. The actress was chosen for the B-Movie Hall of Fame for her work in "The Queen of Outer Space." Remember that movie? Others inducted include Buster Crabbe, who played Flash Gordon, and actress Brink Stevens (ph), or is it Brinke Stevens, for the classic, "Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama." I'm sure you remember that movie as well.

In sports, Barry Bonds was named baseball player of the year by the "Sporting News" in voting by other players. Bonds finished ahead of the Dodgers Adrian Beltre. It's the third time Bonds has won this award.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: A couple of mysteries solved this morning, Rob. Here's the first mystery.

Was Kobe Bryant outwardly hostile to his teammates due to his troubles in Colorado? It's one of the charges being made by former Lakers' head coach Phil Jackson in his new book. Jackson also talks about the strained relationship between the superstars Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. He also says he offered management a "him or me" ultimatum in regards to Kobe Bryant staying with the Lakers.

Jackson sat down with CNN's Wolf Blitzer to talk about Kobe's noticeable change in attitude.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PHIL JACKSON, FORMER LAKERS HEAD COACH: There were some situations that arose in practices and in, you know, post-game situations, some timeouts, you know, things in which, you know, you felt the heat of his anger that was surprising.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: That he would get physical like that, that he would...

JACKSON: Well, not so much, but, you know, vitriolic kind of comments that could come. And I think that, you know, that was a surprise. And, you know, Kobe had, you know, had a few incidents with his teammates in which he demonstrated even physical, you know, intimidation at times.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: No date has been set for Kobe Bryant's civil trial.

OK, on to mystery No. 2, as in lighter political fare. There has been a lot of talk online and off about a mysterious bulge under the president's jacket during one of the debates. ABC's Charlie Gibson decided to ask President Bush about it. Here's the exchange.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHARLIE GIBSON, ABC NEWS: What the hell was that on your back in the first debate?

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, you know, Karen Hughes and Dan Bartlett had rigged up a sound system...

GIBSON: You're getting in trouble.

BUSH: I don't know what that is. I mean, it is -- it's -- I'm embarrassed to say it's a poorly-tailored shirt.

GIBSON: It was the shirt?

BUSH: Yes, absolutely.

GIBSON: There was no sound system that day.

BUSH: Of course not.

GIBSON: There was no electrical signal. There was no...

BUSH: How does an electrical -- please explain to me how it works, so maybe if I were to ever debate again I could figure it out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: So there you have it. Decide for yourself.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, trying to keep your kids away from having too much sugar this trick-or-treat season? You may not be doing them any favors. Our nutritionist, Lisa Drayer, will join us live coming up on DAYBREAK.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Scary. It's time to stock up on Halloween treats. You know, for the kids. But since it's so tempting to grab a couple for yourself, you might think you're doing your diet a favor by choosing the low-carb versions or sugar-free candy. But are they really the healthiest options?

Registered dietitian Lisa Drayer joins us live from New York with some answers.

Good morning, Lisa.

LISA DRAYER, REGISTERED DIETITIAN: Good morning, Carol.

And some not-so-sweet news, especially for the carb-conscious this Halloween. And the reason is many of the low-carb and sugar-free candies are not necessarily the healthiest options.

So, let's take a look now at some of the nutritional information on some of these new low-carb candies.

First, the Kit Kat carb alternative, six mini-bars contain 180 calories and 8 grams of saturated fat. This is the harmful fat that can raise LDL or bad cholesterol levels. But comparing this to a regular Kit Kat, the regular version contains 200 calories, that's only 20 more, and has 7 grams of saturated fat, or 1 less gram. So, the low-carb Kit Kat may have 50 percent less sugar, Carol, but this doesn't make a huge dent in calories, and the low-carb version has more harmful fat.

Next, moving on to the sugar-free Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, five pieces contain 170 calories and 5 grams of saturated fat. But the regular Reese's contain 210 calories and 4.5 grams.

COSTELLO: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

DRAYER: Yes. So, you see not much of a difference here. And actually the low-carb version contains more saturated fat.

And moving on to Hershey's Kisses, the carb alternative has 210 calories, 9 grams of saturated fat for nine kisses, but the regular version contains 230 calories and 8 grams of saturated fat. So, again...

COSTELLO: That is crazy.

DRAYER: Right, I know. Half the sugar, but the calories are pretty close, and also the low-carb versions have more saturated fat. And that is what helps to boost the calories in these low-carb candies. It is the fat that's present.

COSTELLO: You know, I'm just curious, how do they make them low- carb?

DRAYER: Right. Well, usually specific ingredients are added to the candy, which lowers the sugar content, which therefore lowers the net carbs. So, for example, sugar alcohols are added. These are chemically different from sugar. They go by names such as lactitol (ph), maltitol (ph), erythrytol (ph). Look for the OLs.

So these are added. They contain fewer calories than sugar. They're digested more slowly, but they can cause some gastrointestinal discomfort, and the label usually warns of this. So that's something to keep in mind.

Also, non-nutrient sweeteners like Splenda, also know as sucralose, and Sweet and Low are usually added to these candies. Much sweeter than sugar and don't contribute any calories. The FDA says that these are safe.

And interestingly, Carol, fiber is added to some of these candies. I was shocked when I saw this that Reese's and low-carb Kit Kats actually have fiber in the form of inulin (ph). This is a natural fiber found in fruits and vegetables, also added to yogurts like Stony Field (ph) yogurt. It has digestive benefits. So, this is added. This is one of the benefits of some of these low-carb candies, the fact that there is fiber added.

COSTELLO: OK. Well, let's just get to the bottom line. If you're going to buy candy for your kids or for yourselves, give us a good candy to buy.

DRAYER: Well, you want to watch the sugar content. I would say watch -- the most important thing is portion sizes. For example, like candy corn, only 5 calories per corn, but you do need to watch your portions there.

And also, Carol, I want to debunk a myth. Many parents think that sugar causes hyperactivity in children, but this is not necessarily the case. There is no scientific evidence to support such a link. So, I spoke to Dr. James Parron (ph). He's a professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. He says a sugar high is really different from being hyperactive. So that's something to keep in mind.

Just watch the calories, because as we know, too much sugar does lead to weight gain. Candy corn is pretty low if you're watching your portions. And also there are new Halloween peeps. You know, like those Easter peeps? Those are pretty good. They're fat-free and they're not too high in calories. So, those are my two top picks.

COSTELLO: So two peeps, five candy corns, and call it a day.

DRAYER: Right.

COSTELLO: Thank you, Lisa Drayer, live from New York this morning.

DRAYER: Thanks.

COSTELLO: Today's mug winner will be announced in two minutes, but first this is DAYBREAK for a Wednesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It is time to reveal the DAYBREAK coffee mug winner.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: On Tuesday, yesterday, we asked, what president nominated William Rehnquist to the U.S. Supreme Court? The answer is Richard Nixon, which may be confusing because President Reagan nominated him for the chief justice job. And the second question, in what year did Cuba make it legal to possess U.S. dollars? The answer to that question is 1993.

And the winner and the correct person to answer both of these questions is John Baker.

COSTELLO: Joe. Joe Baker.

MARCIANO: Joe Baker of Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

COSTELLO: Congratulations, Joe. The cup is in the mail, wrapped, of course, in lots of bubble wrap.

"AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now. Thank you for joining DAYBREAK today.

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


Aired October 27, 2004 - 06:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you. From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.
"Now in the News."

British troops on the move, redeploying closer to Baghdad. Until now, those troops have been assigned to a relatively calm base around Basra. The shift will free up U.S. Marines to move to Fallujah, where the fight against insurgents is now under way.

Amnesty International is reviewing its call for a full-scale investigation into prisoner abuse allegations. In a new report, the group accuses the U.S. of tolerating abuse at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay and in Afghanistan.

A former U.S. attorney will lead an independent commission into the death last week of a baseball fan shot by a pepper spray pellet fired by police. The police commissioner says she wants someone outside of the department to oversee the probe.

The question this morning: Is the curse of the Bambino about to be broken? The Boston Red Sox head into tonight's game four of the World Series up three games to none over the St. Louis Cardinals.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: The issue of those missing high explosives in Iraq is certainly playing into the presidential race. There are questions about how the 380 tons of explosives disappeared and whether U.S. troops actually did miss an opportunity.

We get more from CNN senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The Pentagon acknowledges there was a window of about six weeks after the invasion of Iraq when it's possible the stockpile of high explosives could have been stolen from the sprawling Al Qaqaa facility south of Baghdad.

But Pentagon officials argue it's more likely the explosives were moved as part of the pre-war dispersal ordered by Saddam Hussein. That would have come sometime after March 3, 2003, the last time the International Atomic Energy Agency checked that security seals placed on the bunkers were intact and before the war actually began March 20.

On April 10 of 2003, the day after the fall of Baghdad, troops from the 2nd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division reached the site. No weapons under IAEA seal were found, but the soldiers were advancing on Baghdad, and officials acknowledge they didn't conduct a thorough inspection.

Sometime in the next month, May 2003, the IAEA says it relayed concerns to the U.S. government about the stockpile falling into the wrong hands.

Finally, on May 27, more than six weeks after the April visit, a special U.S. team, looking for weapons of mass destruction, searched all 32 bunkers and 87 buildings. Again, the stockpile was not found.

While Pentagon officials admit the facility was not completely secured between April 10 and May 27, they say many U.S. troops remained in the general area. And although small-scale looting was certainly possible, officials scoff at the idea the large number of heavy trucks that would have been required to transport the 380 tons of missing explosives could have been moved into and out of the facility unnoticed during that time.

(on camera): What some critics have a hard time accepting is how the Pentagon would not have known if the stockpile was moved in advance of the invasion. After all, the U.S. was using all available technical means, including satellites and spy planes, to track Iraqi troop movements and watch for any effort to hide WMD.

The Pentagon says it did see a lot of things moving, but can't say that any of it was the high explosives.

Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Of course, all of this has become a contentious campaign issue. It is our "Hot Topic" this morning.

Chuck Todd of "The National Journal's" "Hotline" is in Montreal this morning.

Good morning, Chuck.

CHUCK TODD, "THE HOTLINE": Good morning.

COSTELLO: So, the facts surrounding this case are cloudy, but John Kerry has seized on it, citing it as an example of Bush's incompetence. Could this hurt Kerry in the end?

TODD: Well, look, you talk to a lot of pollsters and they would have told you that in the final week of the campaign the more Iraq is in the news, the better it is for John Kerry. And I think that that's what the campaign is seizing on, and that's what Kerry is seizing on, looking for any opening on Iraq. So that the closing statement of the -- the closing argument of the campaign is that somehow this becomes an election about Iraq, because the Kerry people have always felt if this election is about Iraq and not the war on terror, but Iraq specifically, then Bush loses.

COSTELLO: Well, does it so much matter then if the story proves untrue in the end?

TODD: That's right, it doesn't matter. What matters is it's the word "Iraq" in the news, is that on the front pages of the papers for the last three days, particularly in the battleground states, that there have been Iraq stories. It's just almost in some ways the utterance of the word "Iraq" more so than the actual story itself is really what the Kerry campaign was looking for, and they got that opening with that front-page story in "The New York Times" on Monday.

COSTELLO: Of course, the Republicans are fighting back, Vice President Dick Cheney calling Kerry an armchair general. Here's more of what Cheney had to say about this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: That it is not at all clear that those explosives were even at the weapons facility when our troops arrived in the eye of Baghdad. John Kerry doesn't mention that, nor does he mention the 400,000 tons of weapons and explosives that our troops have captured and are destroying.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: And, you know, Chuck, what's interesting about this, Cheney is talking about it, but Bush is not. CNN posed the question directly to him twice, got glares back in return. Why isn't the president coming out and saying what Cheney is saying?

TODD: Well, I think because his advisors have told him the same thing. You know, the reason he's vulnerable and the reason if he loses is going to be because of Iraq. So, he doesn't want to have to -- he doesn't want to be dealing with this at the end. I mean, I think it was interesting yesterday that he did completely change the subject.

And then today he's going to have to deal with this news about Allawi, the prime minister over there, having to sort of put some blame on the coalition forces on the massacre of Iraqi soldiers, and that's going to make for another awkward moment. And don't be surprised if the Kerry campaign jumps on that.

COSTELLO: And really fashions the campaign out of it. I wouldn't be surprised about that either. John Edwards, by the way, is also getting into the act on this weapons cache. Here's what he had to say about it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: These are exactly the kind of explosives that terrorists want. They are the dangerous weapons we wanted to keep from falling in the hands of terrorists. And now these explosives are out there, and we have no idea who has got them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: OK, so the candidates are saying this. We don't really know if the story is quite true yet. Are the voters buying it? Which story is sticking with which voters?

TODD: Well, I mean, with their partisans, it's always been the sort of, you know, Iraqi is part of the war on terror with Bush voters, and Iraq is not part of the war on terror for Kerry voters. But this is about this small string of voters that probably would be supporting the president but have doubts on this war, and the Kerry campaign is trying so hard to drive a wedge between those very few people.

COSTELLO: Chuck Todd, thanks for joining DAYBREAK this morning.

Let's head live to New York now to check in with Soledad O'Brien, who is going to tell us what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: We've got lots happening this morning, Carol. Good morning to you. Some of the headlines we're looking at, just six days, of course, until the election. Controversy in Ohio, some potential voters could be kept from casting their ballots. This morning, we talk with election officials.

Also, we'll chat with Carlos Watson, he's back, to talk about some surprise wildcard states. We'll tell you what they are.

In the Peterson trial, the defense has rested somewhat abruptly. Mark Geragos, of course, made some huge promises during that trial. Did he deliver, is the question this morning. We're back with legal analyst Dean Johnson.

And the total lunar eclipse tonight is supposed to be spectacular. It's the last one actually for a little while. So, we're going to tell you how you can get the very best view. We're going to talk to the director of New York's Hayden (ph) Planetarium.

Are you going to take a look at that tonight?

COSTELLO: I think I am, because it's supposed to glow red.

O'BRIEN: It should be fantastic.

COSTELLO: And Rob Marciano said it's just a sign that the Boston Red Sox are going to win the World Series.

O'BRIEN: Oh, you know, Red Sox fans are always going to say that. It's a sign from God.

COSTELLO: Actually, he's a Yankees fan, so he was like joking about it, you know, with the -- anyway, but thank you, Soledad. We'll catch you in about, oh, 20 minutes.

O'BRIEN: We'll see you in a few, yes. COSTELLO: Coming up on DAYBREAK, what should the U.S. do to bring gas prices back down? Wait until you hear what the head of OPEC is suggesting this morning.

Plus, cutting carbs, sugar and fat out of Halloween. But is it really worth the extra effort to buy that sugar-free candy?

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It's time now for a little business buzz. OPEC has a plan to curb rising oil prices. But will the U.S. agree, as in President Bush?

Sasha Salama has the story live from the Nasdaq Marketsite.

Good morning.

SASHA SALAMA, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS: Good morning, Carol.

OPEC is turning up the heat on the Bush administration, saying that Washington should release some oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserves to help bring down world oil prices.

Oil prices have been surging. They're holding above $55 a barrel this morning. And this year alone they're up about 70 percent because of strong demand.

In the past, Washington has said flat out no, we won't open the Strategic Petroleum Reserves; only in an emergency.

And actually, Washington did make a loan of about 5.5 million barrels of oil for an emergency. Their supplies were disrupted by Hurricane Ivan in the middle of September. So, they did open up the spigots then.

OPEC, meanwhile, has been pumping more than 30 million barrels a day, which is its fastest rate in 25 years. And many OPEC members are now throwing up their hands and saying you know what? High prices are out of our control.

The Strategic Reserves in the U.S., by the way, was set up by Congress in the mid-1970s after the oil embargo. And so far only emergencies like hurricanes which have disrupted oil supplies have prompted Washington to open up those reserves.

So, we'll see where this goes, Carol. But, meanwhile, oil prices are still holding up, and that's been pressuring the stock market, by the way.

COSTELLO: Understand. Sasha Salama live from the Nasdaq Marketsite, thank you.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 6:44 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

A historic decision in Israel. Lawmakers voted to back Ariel Sharon's plan to pull out of Gaza, but the prime minister's cabinet remains deeply divided over it.

A man already serving time in a California prison for rape has been charged with murdering 10 women. The murders go all the way back to the 1980s. Thirty-seven-year-old Chester D. Turner could be arraigned today or tomorrow.

In money news, as you heard Sasha say, oil prices are way up. The cost passed $55 a barrel in futures trading today. And later today, the U.S. government releases its petroleum inventories level.

Zsa Zsa Gabor -- Zsa Zsa Gabor -- yes, is heading to the Hall of Fame. The actress was chosen for the B-Movie Hall of Fame for her work in "The Queen of Outer Space." Remember that movie? Others inducted include Buster Crabbe, who played Flash Gordon, and actress Brink Stevens (ph), or is it Brinke Stevens, for the classic, "Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama." I'm sure you remember that movie as well.

In sports, Barry Bonds was named baseball player of the year by the "Sporting News" in voting by other players. Bonds finished ahead of the Dodgers Adrian Beltre. It's the third time Bonds has won this award.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: A couple of mysteries solved this morning, Rob. Here's the first mystery.

Was Kobe Bryant outwardly hostile to his teammates due to his troubles in Colorado? It's one of the charges being made by former Lakers' head coach Phil Jackson in his new book. Jackson also talks about the strained relationship between the superstars Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. He also says he offered management a "him or me" ultimatum in regards to Kobe Bryant staying with the Lakers.

Jackson sat down with CNN's Wolf Blitzer to talk about Kobe's noticeable change in attitude.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PHIL JACKSON, FORMER LAKERS HEAD COACH: There were some situations that arose in practices and in, you know, post-game situations, some timeouts, you know, things in which, you know, you felt the heat of his anger that was surprising.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: That he would get physical like that, that he would...

JACKSON: Well, not so much, but, you know, vitriolic kind of comments that could come. And I think that, you know, that was a surprise. And, you know, Kobe had, you know, had a few incidents with his teammates in which he demonstrated even physical, you know, intimidation at times.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: No date has been set for Kobe Bryant's civil trial.

OK, on to mystery No. 2, as in lighter political fare. There has been a lot of talk online and off about a mysterious bulge under the president's jacket during one of the debates. ABC's Charlie Gibson decided to ask President Bush about it. Here's the exchange.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHARLIE GIBSON, ABC NEWS: What the hell was that on your back in the first debate?

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, you know, Karen Hughes and Dan Bartlett had rigged up a sound system...

GIBSON: You're getting in trouble.

BUSH: I don't know what that is. I mean, it is -- it's -- I'm embarrassed to say it's a poorly-tailored shirt.

GIBSON: It was the shirt?

BUSH: Yes, absolutely.

GIBSON: There was no sound system that day.

BUSH: Of course not.

GIBSON: There was no electrical signal. There was no...

BUSH: How does an electrical -- please explain to me how it works, so maybe if I were to ever debate again I could figure it out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: So there you have it. Decide for yourself.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, trying to keep your kids away from having too much sugar this trick-or-treat season? You may not be doing them any favors. Our nutritionist, Lisa Drayer, will join us live coming up on DAYBREAK.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Scary. It's time to stock up on Halloween treats. You know, for the kids. But since it's so tempting to grab a couple for yourself, you might think you're doing your diet a favor by choosing the low-carb versions or sugar-free candy. But are they really the healthiest options?

Registered dietitian Lisa Drayer joins us live from New York with some answers.

Good morning, Lisa.

LISA DRAYER, REGISTERED DIETITIAN: Good morning, Carol.

And some not-so-sweet news, especially for the carb-conscious this Halloween. And the reason is many of the low-carb and sugar-free candies are not necessarily the healthiest options.

So, let's take a look now at some of the nutritional information on some of these new low-carb candies.

First, the Kit Kat carb alternative, six mini-bars contain 180 calories and 8 grams of saturated fat. This is the harmful fat that can raise LDL or bad cholesterol levels. But comparing this to a regular Kit Kat, the regular version contains 200 calories, that's only 20 more, and has 7 grams of saturated fat, or 1 less gram. So, the low-carb Kit Kat may have 50 percent less sugar, Carol, but this doesn't make a huge dent in calories, and the low-carb version has more harmful fat.

Next, moving on to the sugar-free Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, five pieces contain 170 calories and 5 grams of saturated fat. But the regular Reese's contain 210 calories and 4.5 grams.

COSTELLO: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

DRAYER: Yes. So, you see not much of a difference here. And actually the low-carb version contains more saturated fat.

And moving on to Hershey's Kisses, the carb alternative has 210 calories, 9 grams of saturated fat for nine kisses, but the regular version contains 230 calories and 8 grams of saturated fat. So, again...

COSTELLO: That is crazy.

DRAYER: Right, I know. Half the sugar, but the calories are pretty close, and also the low-carb versions have more saturated fat. And that is what helps to boost the calories in these low-carb candies. It is the fat that's present.

COSTELLO: You know, I'm just curious, how do they make them low- carb?

DRAYER: Right. Well, usually specific ingredients are added to the candy, which lowers the sugar content, which therefore lowers the net carbs. So, for example, sugar alcohols are added. These are chemically different from sugar. They go by names such as lactitol (ph), maltitol (ph), erythrytol (ph). Look for the OLs.

So these are added. They contain fewer calories than sugar. They're digested more slowly, but they can cause some gastrointestinal discomfort, and the label usually warns of this. So that's something to keep in mind.

Also, non-nutrient sweeteners like Splenda, also know as sucralose, and Sweet and Low are usually added to these candies. Much sweeter than sugar and don't contribute any calories. The FDA says that these are safe.

And interestingly, Carol, fiber is added to some of these candies. I was shocked when I saw this that Reese's and low-carb Kit Kats actually have fiber in the form of inulin (ph). This is a natural fiber found in fruits and vegetables, also added to yogurts like Stony Field (ph) yogurt. It has digestive benefits. So, this is added. This is one of the benefits of some of these low-carb candies, the fact that there is fiber added.

COSTELLO: OK. Well, let's just get to the bottom line. If you're going to buy candy for your kids or for yourselves, give us a good candy to buy.

DRAYER: Well, you want to watch the sugar content. I would say watch -- the most important thing is portion sizes. For example, like candy corn, only 5 calories per corn, but you do need to watch your portions there.

And also, Carol, I want to debunk a myth. Many parents think that sugar causes hyperactivity in children, but this is not necessarily the case. There is no scientific evidence to support such a link. So, I spoke to Dr. James Parron (ph). He's a professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. He says a sugar high is really different from being hyperactive. So that's something to keep in mind.

Just watch the calories, because as we know, too much sugar does lead to weight gain. Candy corn is pretty low if you're watching your portions. And also there are new Halloween peeps. You know, like those Easter peeps? Those are pretty good. They're fat-free and they're not too high in calories. So, those are my two top picks.

COSTELLO: So two peeps, five candy corns, and call it a day.

DRAYER: Right.

COSTELLO: Thank you, Lisa Drayer, live from New York this morning.

DRAYER: Thanks.

COSTELLO: Today's mug winner will be announced in two minutes, but first this is DAYBREAK for a Wednesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It is time to reveal the DAYBREAK coffee mug winner.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: On Tuesday, yesterday, we asked, what president nominated William Rehnquist to the U.S. Supreme Court? The answer is Richard Nixon, which may be confusing because President Reagan nominated him for the chief justice job. And the second question, in what year did Cuba make it legal to possess U.S. dollars? The answer to that question is 1993.

And the winner and the correct person to answer both of these questions is John Baker.

COSTELLO: Joe. Joe Baker.

MARCIANO: Joe Baker of Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

COSTELLO: Congratulations, Joe. The cup is in the mail, wrapped, of course, in lots of bubble wrap.

"AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now. Thank you for joining DAYBREAK today.

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