Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Today
Bush, Kerry Clash Over Missing Iraqi Explosives; Pentagon Admits Iraqi Weapons Facility Not Thoroughly Searched; Iraq to Investigate the Murders of 50 New Guardsmen; Japanese Toddler Rescued from Mudslide
Aired October 27, 2004 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: And we'll get started with what's happening now in the news.
Our headlines, Japan says that its troops will stay in Iraq despite a terror group's pledge to behead a Japanese man unless they withdraw. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's group had given the Japanese government a 48-hour deadline. The hostage was apparently a tourist in the wrong place at the wrong time in Iraq.
T-minus six days and counting until the election. President Bush seeks to rally his base and appeal to moderate Democrats next hour in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The president is expected to put up the names --to bring up names of Roosevelt and Kennedy, suggesting their fellow Democrat, John Kerry wouldn't be as strong a leader.
Senator Kerry meanwhile, has two rallies in Iowa and one in Minnesota today. The candidate plans to talk about how the middle class has lost its earning power during the Bush term. Kerry is also expected to attack the president again over those missing explosives in Iraq.
And could it be a sweep in Saint Louis? There will be champagne on ice in the Boston Red Sox clubhouse tonight. But will the team get to pop the corks after a 4-1 win last night on this, the 18- anniversary of their last World Series loss? The Sox could run the tables tonight.
And good morning. I'm Daryn Kagan.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR: And I'm Rick Sanchez. And the race continues to be, according to the latest polls, as tight as a drum, folks.
There is not a lot of ground between them in the polls, but there is a lot of ground that both will cover between now and Tuesday. Senator John Kerry begins his day with a morning rally at a high school in Sioux City, Iowa. He then travels to Rochester, Minnesota before returning to Iowa for an evening event in Cedar Rapids.
CNN's national correspondent Kelly Wallace is in Sioux City to set the stage for us.
Hi, Kelly. How are you? KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Rick. Well, Sioux City in a county that George W. Bush won by a little more than 1,000 votes four years ago. We're told here Senator Kerry will talk about middle class issues, but he's also expected to keep hammering away at the president over the situation in Iraq. This as Senator Kerry is clearly trying to make the race as much a referendum about the situation in Iraq as anything else.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(CHEERING)
WALLACE (voice-over): At a raucous rally last night in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the state where Al Gore won by 366 votes, Senator John Kerry for the second straight day, ripping into the president over those missing explosives in Iraq.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: George Bush couldn't offer a word of explanation to America. His silence confirms what I have been saying for months! That this president rushed to war without a plan to win the peace. And we deserve a better commander in chief.
WALLACE: The senator clearly thinks it is a winning issue for him, pouncing on it at every stop yesterday.
KERRY: Somehow you're safer with him. Safer with them?
WALLACE: With a follow-up punch in a new television ad.
KERRY: In Iraq, George Bush has overextended our troops and now failed to secure 380 tons of deadly explosives.
WALLACE: The ad running in five states soon to be visited by President Bush, according to the Kerry campaign.
KERRY: (Speaking in Spanish).
WALLACE: Another goal, trying to win over Hispanic voters in Nevada, where Hispanics make up nearly 20 percent of the population, and in New Mexico, where more than 40 percent of residents are Hispanic. A recent CNN/"USA Today/Gallup poll showing Senator Kerry with a strong lead among Hispanics, 56 to Mr. Bush's 36 percent.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera): And as for the mood inside the Kerry campaign, aides say they're feeling confident. They like what they see in terms of momentum but they're also expressing caution, saying this race remains very, very tight.
From here in Iowa, the senator heading to Minnesota. Iowa and Minnesota, Rick, of course two states that is went for Al Gore in 2000; two states that John Kerry is very much trying to keep in the Democratic column in this election -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: All right. Kelly Wallace following that story for us. We'll be checking back with you, Kelly, throughout the morning.
Iowa offers seven electoral votes to the candidate who captures the state. And the latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll shows that could be either man. The survey shows Mr. Bush with a slight lead among likely voters. Kerry with a narrower edge with registered voters; but figures remain really a statistical dead heat.
KAGAN: Well, let's check on President Bush. He is hitting three states today. He begins with a rally next hour in Pennsylvania, and then travels on to Ohio, and then finishes the day in Michigan.
Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux packing and unpacking her suitcase, traveling with the president, she joins us from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Good morning, Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. As you mentioned, of course, the president starting here in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This is a place in which he won by 35 percentage points back in 2000, but he lost the state of Pennsylvania by 4 percent.
Now, the strategy for the Bush campaign now is for to try to rally the supporters, but at the same time, to try to appeal to Democrats. Now, That is something that the campaign has already done in the last 24 hours to give forth some new lines. But they have also had a problem with competing with some of those headlines that have been controversial.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I am determined to win this war on terror. And I will always support the men and women of the United States military.
(CHEERING)
MALVEAUX (voice-over): For the second day, President Bush's campaign message was overshadowed by the controversy over who was to blame for the nearly 400 tons of missing explosives in Iraq.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President, who's responsible for the missing explosives in Iraq?
MALVEAUX: At first Mr. Bush was visiting a dairy farm on his bus tour through southwestern Wisconsin, chose to stay on message, ignoring a reporter's shouted question about the explosives. But Senator Kerry throw down the gauntlet.
KERRY: Mr. President, what else are you being silent about? What else are you keeping from the American people?
MALVEAUX: By midday, aides alerted reporters to a new line in Mr. Bush's next stump speech.
BUSH: My opponent has no plan, no vision, just a long list of complaints.
MALVEAUX: Vice President Dick Cheney campaigning in Pensacola, Florida, accused Kerry of unfairly jumping to conclusions about when they went missing and who was to blame.
DICK CHENEY (R), UNITED STATES VICE PRESIDENT: It is not at all clear that those explosives were even at the weapons facility when our troops arrived in the area of Baghdad.
MALVEAUX: Perceiving a possible vulnerability in the Bush camp, the Kerry campaign released a new ad on the controversy.
KERRY: And now failed to secure 380 tons of deadly explosives, the kind used for attacks in Iraq and for terrorists' bombings.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX (on camera): Now, Daryn, of course the focus for the president today is to appeal to those Democrats. He is going to make the case that his healthcare plans, as well as his plans for national security and education, are superior to that of Kerry's.
He is also going to actually recognize the contributions of some former Democratic Presidents Truman, Roosevelt, even mentioning Kennedy; saying these were men of resolve during times of national crisis, contrasting that with what they say is the character of Senator Kerry.
And finally, of course, very interesting, they're going to deliver that message with Georgia's Senator Zell Miller. He is a Democrat. As you know, he was very popular when he delivered his message before the Republican convention. And it is expected that he's going to give that kind of red meat that the crowd is looking for -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Suzanne Malveaux in Lancaster Pennsylvania. Thank you.
The discovery of missing explosives in Iraq has provided the Kerry campaign with new ammunition. You heard Suzanne talking about that in her piece. The Bush campaign has the challenge of diffusing that. But beneath the political bluster are the unanswered questions.
Our senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre explains that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAIME MCINTYRE, CNN SR. 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 is 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, 2003, the day after the fall of Baghdad, troops from the Second Brigade of the 101 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. exploitation team, looking for weapons of mass destruction, searched all 32 bunkers and 87 buildings. Again, the stockpile was not found.
(on camera): Pentagon officials admit the facility was not completely secured between April 10 and May 27 and that during that time insurgents could have looted the explosives. But officials scoff at the idea the large number of heavy trucks, that would be required to transport the 380 tons of missing explosives, could have been moved into and out of the facility unnoticed.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
But Daryn, what some critics have a hard time accepting is that if the explosives were moved before U.S. troops got there, why didn't the Pentagon see it? After all, the U.S. was using spy satellites, unmanned spy planes and all kinds of technical means to monitor Iraqi troop movements and a watch for any attempts to hide WMDs. So wouldn't they have seen it?
The Pentagon says that simply that Saddam Hussein was moving a lot of things during the time before the U.S. invaded, dispersing troops and equipment. And they just can't say if any of it was this cache of high explosives -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And Jaime, there seems to be this big debate, especially going on between the two campaigns, about when the stuff might have been moved. But the point is it did exist at some point. And today, nobody really knows where it is. So the big problem is still out there?
MCINTYRE: Right. And of course, this is just one instance. Iraq is awash in weapons and explosives. And really, there's no debate about the fact that the United States did not have the ability, especially initially after the invasion, to go and secure and guard all of these weapons sites.
And there isn't really any doubt that large amounts of weapons and explosives were looted from various sites around Iraq and are no doubt, being used by insurgents who are fighting the U.S. military. That point is probably something that people could -- reasonable people could agree on.
KAGAN: Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon. Thank you.
SANCHEZ: And now, let's turn to the actual fight in Iraq. A change of assignment for U.S. and British forces there. Some 800 British troops are rolling north toward Baghdad where they're going to replace American forces. Those U.S. troops are then expected to join the fight against insurgents.
Let us get the latest from the capital and CNN Baghdad Bureau chief Jane Arraf.
Hi, Jane.
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Hi, Rick. It is a controversial mission for these British troops. Now, they are among the most battle hardened, they are part of the Black Watch Armored Infantry Regiment. And they rolled out with their tanks very early this morning towards Babylon, much closer to Baghdad and much closer to a lot of the fighting than anything they will have seen in the past year.
And they have been in Basra, which is relatively peaceful. But their presence around Babylon is expected to help out the Marines who are moving to Falluja, west of Baghdad, in what threatens to be a major offensive possibly coming soon.
Now, a major hostage drama unfolding as well, the Japanese government says it will not pull out its troops. It has about 500 non-combat troops, most of them doing humanitarian work. And at stake is the life of a 24-year-old Japanese man. The kidnappers have threatened to behead him 48 hours from yesterday, if the Japanese do not pull those troops out. The Japanese government says they don't know what the man was doing in Iraq and suggest he may have been a tourist on a trip gone badly wrong.
Finally, Rick, accusations being traded between the Iraqi prime minister and coalition forces here, as to who is responsible for a massacre of more than 45 Iraqi army graduates and drivers. They were ambushed and killed, shot at point blank range. The prime minister says it was gross negligence by coalition forces. The coalition says the insurgents are wholly to blame for this -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: The prime minister's comments were addressed to whom and who there in Iraq has been reacting to them thus far? The critical comments of the coalition, I'm referring to, Jane.
ARRAF: Well, his comments were addressed to the entire country through the form of a speech to parliament. He was speaking in parliament and clearly this is as political as anything. This was a terrible tragedy, obviously. Something went very badly wrong when you have Iraqi army graduates put on a bus with almost no security. No one is addressing publicly how that happened.
The Iraqis say that they are launching an investigation. But clearly, something went wrong. They seem to believe that by not saying anything no questions will be raised. But clearly, Iraqis themselves have an awful lot of questions about how this could have happened -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Jane Arraf following that story for us -- several stories, I should say, out of Baghdad on this morning. Thanks, Jane.
KAGAN: We are going to check in on Japan just ahead. Trapped under tons of mud and food without -- actually, let's try that one again. Trapped under tons of mud without food and water for days. Still to come, a Japanese family buried in their car. It is all caught on tape.
SANCHEZ: Also, can't get your hands on a flu shot? Find out what else some people are using to try and fight off the germs.
KAGAN: And later, it is worth more than pocket change. How much money would you get if you left this one under your pillow?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: And welcome back to CNN LIVE TODAY. I'm Rick Sanchez.
An amazing rescue mixed with a tragedy. CNN's Atika Shubert has the very latest now from Japan days after a series of earthquakes shook that nation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ATIKA SCHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Japan is still reeling from a series of earthquakes this morning, a powerful aftershock registering a magnitude of 6.0 and felt as far away as Tokyo.
In the meantime, many here were glued to their TV screen watching a rescue drama unfold live before their eyes. Emergency crews tried to rescue a mother and her two children who had been trapped in a car that was apparently caught in a landslide. And they were trapped under tons of mud and stones. Now, rescue crews were able to pull out from the wreckage the two-year-old boy. He is now recovering in the hospital and reunited with his father. His three-year-old sister remains trapped in the car.
Rescue workers say they have suspended the efforts to try and free her because it is simply too dark and too dangerous to operate now with aftershocks still rocking the region. Their mother, Takako Minagawa was pulled from the wreckage. Unfortunately, she was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
So a story of hope and survival, but ultimately a sad ending.
Atika Shubert, CNN, Tokyo.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: We have other news for you in this morning's "World Wrap."
In Israel, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has reportedly fired two of his top ministers; a day after the Israeli parliament passed a plan to pull Israeli troops and settlements out of Gaza and parts of the West Bank. "The Jerusalem Post" says that Sharon fired the two officials for voting against the plan. Meanwhile, other ministers are threatening to resign unless the plan is put to a referendum.
European negotiators are offering Iran a last chance to stop enriching uranium or possibly face sanctions. Diplomatic talks resume with Iran today. Britain, France and Germany are offering incentives for Iran to halt its nuclear program. Iran has hinted that it might be willing to compromise. Iran's defiance could lead to U.N. sanctions following a November 25 meeting of the IAEA.
SANCHEZ: We have heard of birthday parties.
KAGAN: Yes.
SANCHEZ: We have certainly heard of Halloween parties.
KAGAN: Yes.
SANCHEZ: We're big on those I know. Never quite...
KAGAN: Did you get the invitation?
SANCHEZ: I did, as a matter of fact.
KAGAN: No party at my house. OK.
SANCHEZ: One of the political masks is what I'll wear. But tell them about this because there's not quite one like this one.
KAGAN: Well, this took place in the courthouse. Still to come, why one judge brought cake and balloons for on special guest.
SANCHEZ: Also, still waiting for your flu shot? You may want to check out plan B.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Let's move on to some health news. Who is to blame for this year's shortage of flu vaccines? According to a new poll, it is not President Bush. The results of a CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll shows just 17 percent blame President Bush for the shortage. Eighteen percent say the president is somewhat responsible. While over 60 percent say he should not be held accountable.
So who should be then? Well, almost 80 percent say the drug companies should bear at least some of the blame for the shortage of flu vaccines.
SANCHEZ: Well, a lot of people are concerned about catching the flu. Not everybody is worried about getting a flu shot. Some shoppers swear by all types of alternative remedies that they have used that are sold in even local health stores.
Here is Tonya Papanikolas with CNN's affiliate KSL.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TONYA PAPANIKOLAS, KSL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You may have heard of Vitamin C or Echinacea for a cold. But did you know you can also buy all-natural flu products?
KIRK ELLIS, WILD OATS HOLISTIC HEALTH: No. 1 selling remedy is the oscillococcinum. Everybody has to say that before we sell it to them.
PAPANIKOLAS: Other products include a black elderberry extract that comes in a liquid syrup, joint cold and flu remedies that stimulate the immune system, and a nasal spray called Flu Release.
ELLIS: Reduces body aches, congestion, fever, headaches.
PAPANIKOLAS: Whatever their choice, customers seem to love them.
ROSIE BANCHERO, CUSTOMER: I haven't gotten a flu shot in 11 years. I've only had the flu once and used them all as prevention.
PAPANIKOLAS: Jan Rogerson takes zinc, calcium and magnesium to build up his system.
JAN ROGERSON, CUSTOMER: Since I've been taking them on a regular basis and doubling it up when I'm sick, my colds and flus are much shorter. I swear by them. And I don't swear much.
PAPANIKOLAS: These products have always been popular. But since the flu shortage, national numbers suggest people are buying these alternative treatments more. Wild Oats says their flu-related products have gone up 35 percent since this time last year. And October sales have jumped 30 percent compared with last month. Kirk Ellis says he sells up to 10 packets a day of oscillococcinum.
ELLIS: We stock up on them. Generally some of our customers will buy three or four at a time.
PAPANIKOLAS (on camera): This homeopathic remedy comes in a vial. Now, they are basically sugar crystals impregnated with the homeopathic medicine and they just dissolve under your tongue.
BANCHERO: I stay right on top of it. And I try to take something, like every three to four hours. And within 24 hours I feel OK.
ELLIS: They do work. I think we could do a money back guarantee if -- I don't think we'd be in business if they weren't working.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: Again, that was Tonya Papanikolas of CNN affiliate KSL
KAGAN: Some heated words on live radio.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOWARD STERN, HOST, "THE HOWARD STERN RADIO SHOW": Real quick, the only thing I want to say about this announcement is...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: What a surprise, eh?
KAGAN: Hopefully he has some better words than that.
SANCHEZ: Wouldn't think it was Howard Stern involved in something like that?
KAGAN: No, no, no, no.
SANCHEZ: He talks to...
KAGAN: Did you hear what he did?
SANCHEZ: He takes a jab at the FCC chairman. The FCC chairman argues back. We're going to show it to you.
KAGAN: Calls in live when Michael Powell is on the radio.
SANCHEZ: Wow.
KAGAN: Interesting exchange. We'll play some of it for you just ahead.
SANCHEZ: First though, holy molar! Tooth thieves on the prowl.
KAGAN: Holy molar, Batman.
(LAUGHTER)
KAGAN: And later, helping grandma and grandpa cast their vote. One of our own reporters lends a hand.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: And we'll get started with what's happening now in the news.
Our headlines, Japan says that its troops will stay in Iraq despite a terror group's pledge to behead a Japanese man unless they withdraw. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's group had given the Japanese government a 48-hour deadline. The hostage was apparently a tourist in the wrong place at the wrong time in Iraq.
T-minus six days and counting until the election. President Bush seeks to rally his base and appeal to moderate Democrats next hour in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The president is expected to put up the names --to bring up names of Roosevelt and Kennedy, suggesting their fellow Democrat, John Kerry wouldn't be as strong a leader.
Senator Kerry meanwhile, has two rallies in Iowa and one in Minnesota today. The candidate plans to talk about how the middle class has lost its earning power during the Bush term. Kerry is also expected to attack the president again over those missing explosives in Iraq.
And could it be a sweep in Saint Louis? There will be champagne on ice in the Boston Red Sox clubhouse tonight. But will the team get to pop the corks after a 4-1 win last night on this, the 18- anniversary of their last World Series loss? The Sox could run the tables tonight.
And good morning. I'm Daryn Kagan.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR: And I'm Rick Sanchez. And the race continues to be, according to the latest polls, as tight as a drum, folks.
There is not a lot of ground between them in the polls, but there is a lot of ground that both will cover between now and Tuesday. Senator John Kerry begins his day with a morning rally at a high school in Sioux City, Iowa. He then travels to Rochester, Minnesota before returning to Iowa for an evening event in Cedar Rapids.
CNN's national correspondent Kelly Wallace is in Sioux City to set the stage for us.
Hi, Kelly. How are you? KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Rick. Well, Sioux City in a county that George W. Bush won by a little more than 1,000 votes four years ago. We're told here Senator Kerry will talk about middle class issues, but he's also expected to keep hammering away at the president over the situation in Iraq. This as Senator Kerry is clearly trying to make the race as much a referendum about the situation in Iraq as anything else.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(CHEERING)
WALLACE (voice-over): At a raucous rally last night in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the state where Al Gore won by 366 votes, Senator John Kerry for the second straight day, ripping into the president over those missing explosives in Iraq.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: George Bush couldn't offer a word of explanation to America. His silence confirms what I have been saying for months! That this president rushed to war without a plan to win the peace. And we deserve a better commander in chief.
WALLACE: The senator clearly thinks it is a winning issue for him, pouncing on it at every stop yesterday.
KERRY: Somehow you're safer with him. Safer with them?
WALLACE: With a follow-up punch in a new television ad.
KERRY: In Iraq, George Bush has overextended our troops and now failed to secure 380 tons of deadly explosives.
WALLACE: The ad running in five states soon to be visited by President Bush, according to the Kerry campaign.
KERRY: (Speaking in Spanish).
WALLACE: Another goal, trying to win over Hispanic voters in Nevada, where Hispanics make up nearly 20 percent of the population, and in New Mexico, where more than 40 percent of residents are Hispanic. A recent CNN/"USA Today/Gallup poll showing Senator Kerry with a strong lead among Hispanics, 56 to Mr. Bush's 36 percent.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera): And as for the mood inside the Kerry campaign, aides say they're feeling confident. They like what they see in terms of momentum but they're also expressing caution, saying this race remains very, very tight.
From here in Iowa, the senator heading to Minnesota. Iowa and Minnesota, Rick, of course two states that is went for Al Gore in 2000; two states that John Kerry is very much trying to keep in the Democratic column in this election -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: All right. Kelly Wallace following that story for us. We'll be checking back with you, Kelly, throughout the morning.
Iowa offers seven electoral votes to the candidate who captures the state. And the latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll shows that could be either man. The survey shows Mr. Bush with a slight lead among likely voters. Kerry with a narrower edge with registered voters; but figures remain really a statistical dead heat.
KAGAN: Well, let's check on President Bush. He is hitting three states today. He begins with a rally next hour in Pennsylvania, and then travels on to Ohio, and then finishes the day in Michigan.
Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux packing and unpacking her suitcase, traveling with the president, she joins us from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Good morning, Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. As you mentioned, of course, the president starting here in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This is a place in which he won by 35 percentage points back in 2000, but he lost the state of Pennsylvania by 4 percent.
Now, the strategy for the Bush campaign now is for to try to rally the supporters, but at the same time, to try to appeal to Democrats. Now, That is something that the campaign has already done in the last 24 hours to give forth some new lines. But they have also had a problem with competing with some of those headlines that have been controversial.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I am determined to win this war on terror. And I will always support the men and women of the United States military.
(CHEERING)
MALVEAUX (voice-over): For the second day, President Bush's campaign message was overshadowed by the controversy over who was to blame for the nearly 400 tons of missing explosives in Iraq.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President, who's responsible for the missing explosives in Iraq?
MALVEAUX: At first Mr. Bush was visiting a dairy farm on his bus tour through southwestern Wisconsin, chose to stay on message, ignoring a reporter's shouted question about the explosives. But Senator Kerry throw down the gauntlet.
KERRY: Mr. President, what else are you being silent about? What else are you keeping from the American people?
MALVEAUX: By midday, aides alerted reporters to a new line in Mr. Bush's next stump speech.
BUSH: My opponent has no plan, no vision, just a long list of complaints.
MALVEAUX: Vice President Dick Cheney campaigning in Pensacola, Florida, accused Kerry of unfairly jumping to conclusions about when they went missing and who was to blame.
DICK CHENEY (R), UNITED STATES VICE PRESIDENT: It is not at all clear that those explosives were even at the weapons facility when our troops arrived in the area of Baghdad.
MALVEAUX: Perceiving a possible vulnerability in the Bush camp, the Kerry campaign released a new ad on the controversy.
KERRY: And now failed to secure 380 tons of deadly explosives, the kind used for attacks in Iraq and for terrorists' bombings.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX (on camera): Now, Daryn, of course the focus for the president today is to appeal to those Democrats. He is going to make the case that his healthcare plans, as well as his plans for national security and education, are superior to that of Kerry's.
He is also going to actually recognize the contributions of some former Democratic Presidents Truman, Roosevelt, even mentioning Kennedy; saying these were men of resolve during times of national crisis, contrasting that with what they say is the character of Senator Kerry.
And finally, of course, very interesting, they're going to deliver that message with Georgia's Senator Zell Miller. He is a Democrat. As you know, he was very popular when he delivered his message before the Republican convention. And it is expected that he's going to give that kind of red meat that the crowd is looking for -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Suzanne Malveaux in Lancaster Pennsylvania. Thank you.
The discovery of missing explosives in Iraq has provided the Kerry campaign with new ammunition. You heard Suzanne talking about that in her piece. The Bush campaign has the challenge of diffusing that. But beneath the political bluster are the unanswered questions.
Our senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre explains that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAIME MCINTYRE, CNN SR. 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 is 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, 2003, the day after the fall of Baghdad, troops from the Second Brigade of the 101 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. exploitation team, looking for weapons of mass destruction, searched all 32 bunkers and 87 buildings. Again, the stockpile was not found.
(on camera): Pentagon officials admit the facility was not completely secured between April 10 and May 27 and that during that time insurgents could have looted the explosives. But officials scoff at the idea the large number of heavy trucks, that would be required to transport the 380 tons of missing explosives, could have been moved into and out of the facility unnoticed.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
But Daryn, what some critics have a hard time accepting is that if the explosives were moved before U.S. troops got there, why didn't the Pentagon see it? After all, the U.S. was using spy satellites, unmanned spy planes and all kinds of technical means to monitor Iraqi troop movements and a watch for any attempts to hide WMDs. So wouldn't they have seen it?
The Pentagon says that simply that Saddam Hussein was moving a lot of things during the time before the U.S. invaded, dispersing troops and equipment. And they just can't say if any of it was this cache of high explosives -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And Jaime, there seems to be this big debate, especially going on between the two campaigns, about when the stuff might have been moved. But the point is it did exist at some point. And today, nobody really knows where it is. So the big problem is still out there?
MCINTYRE: Right. And of course, this is just one instance. Iraq is awash in weapons and explosives. And really, there's no debate about the fact that the United States did not have the ability, especially initially after the invasion, to go and secure and guard all of these weapons sites.
And there isn't really any doubt that large amounts of weapons and explosives were looted from various sites around Iraq and are no doubt, being used by insurgents who are fighting the U.S. military. That point is probably something that people could -- reasonable people could agree on.
KAGAN: Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon. Thank you.
SANCHEZ: And now, let's turn to the actual fight in Iraq. A change of assignment for U.S. and British forces there. Some 800 British troops are rolling north toward Baghdad where they're going to replace American forces. Those U.S. troops are then expected to join the fight against insurgents.
Let us get the latest from the capital and CNN Baghdad Bureau chief Jane Arraf.
Hi, Jane.
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Hi, Rick. It is a controversial mission for these British troops. Now, they are among the most battle hardened, they are part of the Black Watch Armored Infantry Regiment. And they rolled out with their tanks very early this morning towards Babylon, much closer to Baghdad and much closer to a lot of the fighting than anything they will have seen in the past year.
And they have been in Basra, which is relatively peaceful. But their presence around Babylon is expected to help out the Marines who are moving to Falluja, west of Baghdad, in what threatens to be a major offensive possibly coming soon.
Now, a major hostage drama unfolding as well, the Japanese government says it will not pull out its troops. It has about 500 non-combat troops, most of them doing humanitarian work. And at stake is the life of a 24-year-old Japanese man. The kidnappers have threatened to behead him 48 hours from yesterday, if the Japanese do not pull those troops out. The Japanese government says they don't know what the man was doing in Iraq and suggest he may have been a tourist on a trip gone badly wrong.
Finally, Rick, accusations being traded between the Iraqi prime minister and coalition forces here, as to who is responsible for a massacre of more than 45 Iraqi army graduates and drivers. They were ambushed and killed, shot at point blank range. The prime minister says it was gross negligence by coalition forces. The coalition says the insurgents are wholly to blame for this -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: The prime minister's comments were addressed to whom and who there in Iraq has been reacting to them thus far? The critical comments of the coalition, I'm referring to, Jane.
ARRAF: Well, his comments were addressed to the entire country through the form of a speech to parliament. He was speaking in parliament and clearly this is as political as anything. This was a terrible tragedy, obviously. Something went very badly wrong when you have Iraqi army graduates put on a bus with almost no security. No one is addressing publicly how that happened.
The Iraqis say that they are launching an investigation. But clearly, something went wrong. They seem to believe that by not saying anything no questions will be raised. But clearly, Iraqis themselves have an awful lot of questions about how this could have happened -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Jane Arraf following that story for us -- several stories, I should say, out of Baghdad on this morning. Thanks, Jane.
KAGAN: We are going to check in on Japan just ahead. Trapped under tons of mud and food without -- actually, let's try that one again. Trapped under tons of mud without food and water for days. Still to come, a Japanese family buried in their car. It is all caught on tape.
SANCHEZ: Also, can't get your hands on a flu shot? Find out what else some people are using to try and fight off the germs.
KAGAN: And later, it is worth more than pocket change. How much money would you get if you left this one under your pillow?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: And welcome back to CNN LIVE TODAY. I'm Rick Sanchez.
An amazing rescue mixed with a tragedy. CNN's Atika Shubert has the very latest now from Japan days after a series of earthquakes shook that nation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ATIKA SCHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Japan is still reeling from a series of earthquakes this morning, a powerful aftershock registering a magnitude of 6.0 and felt as far away as Tokyo.
In the meantime, many here were glued to their TV screen watching a rescue drama unfold live before their eyes. Emergency crews tried to rescue a mother and her two children who had been trapped in a car that was apparently caught in a landslide. And they were trapped under tons of mud and stones. Now, rescue crews were able to pull out from the wreckage the two-year-old boy. He is now recovering in the hospital and reunited with his father. His three-year-old sister remains trapped in the car.
Rescue workers say they have suspended the efforts to try and free her because it is simply too dark and too dangerous to operate now with aftershocks still rocking the region. Their mother, Takako Minagawa was pulled from the wreckage. Unfortunately, she was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
So a story of hope and survival, but ultimately a sad ending.
Atika Shubert, CNN, Tokyo.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: We have other news for you in this morning's "World Wrap."
In Israel, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has reportedly fired two of his top ministers; a day after the Israeli parliament passed a plan to pull Israeli troops and settlements out of Gaza and parts of the West Bank. "The Jerusalem Post" says that Sharon fired the two officials for voting against the plan. Meanwhile, other ministers are threatening to resign unless the plan is put to a referendum.
European negotiators are offering Iran a last chance to stop enriching uranium or possibly face sanctions. Diplomatic talks resume with Iran today. Britain, France and Germany are offering incentives for Iran to halt its nuclear program. Iran has hinted that it might be willing to compromise. Iran's defiance could lead to U.N. sanctions following a November 25 meeting of the IAEA.
SANCHEZ: We have heard of birthday parties.
KAGAN: Yes.
SANCHEZ: We have certainly heard of Halloween parties.
KAGAN: Yes.
SANCHEZ: We're big on those I know. Never quite...
KAGAN: Did you get the invitation?
SANCHEZ: I did, as a matter of fact.
KAGAN: No party at my house. OK.
SANCHEZ: One of the political masks is what I'll wear. But tell them about this because there's not quite one like this one.
KAGAN: Well, this took place in the courthouse. Still to come, why one judge brought cake and balloons for on special guest.
SANCHEZ: Also, still waiting for your flu shot? You may want to check out plan B.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Let's move on to some health news. Who is to blame for this year's shortage of flu vaccines? According to a new poll, it is not President Bush. The results of a CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll shows just 17 percent blame President Bush for the shortage. Eighteen percent say the president is somewhat responsible. While over 60 percent say he should not be held accountable.
So who should be then? Well, almost 80 percent say the drug companies should bear at least some of the blame for the shortage of flu vaccines.
SANCHEZ: Well, a lot of people are concerned about catching the flu. Not everybody is worried about getting a flu shot. Some shoppers swear by all types of alternative remedies that they have used that are sold in even local health stores.
Here is Tonya Papanikolas with CNN's affiliate KSL.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TONYA PAPANIKOLAS, KSL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You may have heard of Vitamin C or Echinacea for a cold. But did you know you can also buy all-natural flu products?
KIRK ELLIS, WILD OATS HOLISTIC HEALTH: No. 1 selling remedy is the oscillococcinum. Everybody has to say that before we sell it to them.
PAPANIKOLAS: Other products include a black elderberry extract that comes in a liquid syrup, joint cold and flu remedies that stimulate the immune system, and a nasal spray called Flu Release.
ELLIS: Reduces body aches, congestion, fever, headaches.
PAPANIKOLAS: Whatever their choice, customers seem to love them.
ROSIE BANCHERO, CUSTOMER: I haven't gotten a flu shot in 11 years. I've only had the flu once and used them all as prevention.
PAPANIKOLAS: Jan Rogerson takes zinc, calcium and magnesium to build up his system.
JAN ROGERSON, CUSTOMER: Since I've been taking them on a regular basis and doubling it up when I'm sick, my colds and flus are much shorter. I swear by them. And I don't swear much.
PAPANIKOLAS: These products have always been popular. But since the flu shortage, national numbers suggest people are buying these alternative treatments more. Wild Oats says their flu-related products have gone up 35 percent since this time last year. And October sales have jumped 30 percent compared with last month. Kirk Ellis says he sells up to 10 packets a day of oscillococcinum.
ELLIS: We stock up on them. Generally some of our customers will buy three or four at a time.
PAPANIKOLAS (on camera): This homeopathic remedy comes in a vial. Now, they are basically sugar crystals impregnated with the homeopathic medicine and they just dissolve under your tongue.
BANCHERO: I stay right on top of it. And I try to take something, like every three to four hours. And within 24 hours I feel OK.
ELLIS: They do work. I think we could do a money back guarantee if -- I don't think we'd be in business if they weren't working.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: Again, that was Tonya Papanikolas of CNN affiliate KSL
KAGAN: Some heated words on live radio.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOWARD STERN, HOST, "THE HOWARD STERN RADIO SHOW": Real quick, the only thing I want to say about this announcement is...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: What a surprise, eh?
KAGAN: Hopefully he has some better words than that.
SANCHEZ: Wouldn't think it was Howard Stern involved in something like that?
KAGAN: No, no, no, no.
SANCHEZ: He talks to...
KAGAN: Did you hear what he did?
SANCHEZ: He takes a jab at the FCC chairman. The FCC chairman argues back. We're going to show it to you.
KAGAN: Calls in live when Michael Powell is on the radio.
SANCHEZ: Wow.
KAGAN: Interesting exchange. We'll play some of it for you just ahead.
SANCHEZ: First though, holy molar! Tooth thieves on the prowl.
KAGAN: Holy molar, Batman.
(LAUGHTER)
KAGAN: And later, helping grandma and grandpa cast their vote. One of our own reporters lends a hand.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
