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American Morning

Campaign Countdown; Mapping it Out; Explosive Pictures

Aired October 29, 2004 - 8:59   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.


SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Bruce Springsteen helping John Kerry join tens of thousands in Wisconsin. So now The Boss is going to Florida.
George Bush gets help from a World Series star. Curt Schilling trying to help deliver a swing state in New England.

Yasser Arafat arrives in France by helicopter and stretcher for badly-needed medical treatment.

And everything is back to normal now for Fox anchor Bill O'Reilly. Both sides in his harassment suit now say there was no wrongdoing on this AMERICAN MORNING.

ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.

O'BRIEN: Lots to talk about on the campaign trail this morning. We're going to show you videotape likely to be discussed really for the rest of the day, probably till the election actually happens. This videotape reportedly showing U.S. troops inspecting explosives that later are believed to have gone missing at that Iraqi explosive site.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: And this timeline continues to be a question, the timeline about when the explosives appeared. A hotly- debated topic on the campaign trail. So a big part of our discussion today again today.

Also in a moment, a check of the electoral map today. Carlos Watson is back with us, looking at who holds the edge and where, and which states could make the difference come Tuesday. So buckle up.

O'BRIEN: And we check it every day. Because it changes every single day.

HEMMER: That's right.

O'BRIEN: Who knows, Jack?

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Who knows, Jack?

A growing number of schools across the country, Soledad, are banning Halloween parties for the kids. No costumes, no candy, no fun. Nada.

Good idea or no? AM@CNN.com. We'll read some of the letters later in the hour.

HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.

O'BRIEN: Time to check in with the top stories. Heidi Collins at the news desk.

Good morning again.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning to you guys. And good morning to you, everyone.

"Now in the News" this morning, the first of a series of medical tests will begin shortly on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Arafat arrived at a French military hospital within the last half-hour. He was carried in to the facility on a stretcher, as you see here.

It's not clear, though, what is ailing the 75-year-old leader. But one of his personal doctors says he is suffering from a blood platelet deficiency.

CIA officials say they are not able to confirm whether an apparently new al Qaeda tape is real. It aired on ABC News last night. The tape shows a masked man who calls himself Azzam the American.

He threatens terror attacks on the U.S. at "any moment." With the election days away, intelligence officials warn the tape could be a trick by impostors.

President Bush getting the support of some friends and family of victims of 9/11. About 240 people calling themselves the 9/11 Families for a Safe and Strong America signed an open letter yesterday asking America to re-elect President Bush. The letter, available on their Web site, does not mention Senator John Kerry.

The NAACP reportedly facing an investigation now for playing partisan politics. According to reports, the IRS is reviewing the tax-exempt status of the civil rights group due to claims that the chairman criticized President Bush during a speech at the group's national convention back in July. Under tax laws, charities are not allowed to take sides in campaigns.

Back now to Bill and Soledad.

HEMMER: All right, Heidi.

Looking at the calendar. Four days and counting now. The race to the finish line well under way now.

On Tuesday is the day it should be decided. Both candidates spending the final weekend crisscrossing the swing states that will decide who wins on Tuesday. Our White House correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux, is with the Bush team in Manchester, New Hampshire. Kelly Wallace is with the Kerry team in Orlando, Florida, this hour.

We'll start with Suzanne there in Manchester. Good morning.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Bill.

This is really only the seventh visit by the president this year in New Hampshire, and it is a late-date visit, of course, because this is really shaping up to be a very competitive race for those four electoral votes. Now, we are told by Bush aides the president is going to wrap up his final week of campaigning really with a very personal message to the voters, talking about the shared experiences that he and the American people have had dealing with 9/11 and those last four years. We're also told by his senior adviser, Karl Rove, who says essentially he believes that this campaign, the winner is going to be determined by character, not by the headlines.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX (voice-over): A new theme song, confetti, fireworks. All images of a man who's already won. But also signs of worry in the Bush camp. The president adding some sting to his rhetoric against Senator John Kerry for blaming him for the missing explosives in Iraq.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Senator Kerry will say anything to get elected. The senator's willingness to trade principle for political convenience makes it clear that John Kerry is the wrong man for the wrong job, at the wrong time.

(APPLAUSE)

MALVEAUX: The Bush campaign used retired U.S. forces commander Tommy Franks and a new TV ad to emphasize the point.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just when you thought there was a limit on what John Kerry would say...

MALVEAUX: But later in the day, the Bush campaign was forced to acknowledge a misrepresentation in its closing ad titled "Whatever It Takes." The ad had been doctored. Soldiers depicted listening to the president's speech were electronically copied to fill the audience. Campaign officials said it was not intended to deceive.

Now in the final days of the campaign, both camps are enlisting their biggest stars to attract voters and help portray their guy as the winner.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Boston Red Sox are world champions!

MALVEAUX: The president got a surprise endorsement from the World Series winner, Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling. Ironically, a Republican from Kerry's hometown. He will now campaign with the president Friday.

Then later, Mr. Bush will kick off the weekend with the man some consider the Republicans' biggest rock star, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The two will appear together at a rally in Columbus, Ohio.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: Now, as you may recall, it was back in 1992 that Schwarzenegger was appearing, fronting for President Bush's father in Columbus, Ohio. A great deal of support there.

I should also let you know we are getting late word this morning that Curt Schilling will not be able to actually introduce the president this morning. His doctor has ordered him that he's not allowed to travel.

As you know, he was playing on a bad tendon. He's going to have surgery on his ankle fairly shortly. And they expect that he's unfortunately not going to be able to attend this morning. But, of course, he gave his word of support and endorsement yesterday after the game -- Bill.

HEMMER: Suzanne, thanks.

Let's get to Kelly Wallace now in Orlando -- Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Bill.

Well, we have learned that Bruce Springsteen will make another appearance with Senator Kerry later today in Miami. Kerry advisers say it was Springsteen's idea. That he was so energized by yesterday, he said, "Let's keep it going."

The Kerry campaign is thrilled about this. One aide saying it was the campaign's biggest crowd day yesterday by far.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE (voice-over): Politics 101, big names draw big crowds, and big crowds could energize supporters in a campaign's final days. So enter Bruce Springsteen, before tens of thousands, first in Wisconsin, later Ohio, singing his "No Surrender," which just so happens to be camp Kerry's theme song. Senator Kerry, fired up by Bruce and the Boston Red Sox, now trying to seal the deal with those undecided voters, who despite all they have heard, still haven't gotten behind him.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We can do better than we're doing today in America.

WALLACE: The campaign believing daily attacks over those missing explosives in Iraq are working.

KERRY: Now George Bush's shifting explanations, an effort to blame everybody except themselves, is evidence that he believes the buck stops anywhere but with the president.

WALLACE: In one of his final television ads now running across Florida, according to the Kerry campaign...

KERRY: If you believe we need a fresh start in Iraq...

WALLACE: ... Senator Kerry trying to make the election a referendum on the president's record, with President Bush trying to make it all about his opponent. The senator starts today in swing vote-rich Orlando, before making his way to West Palm Beach and Miami to rally the Democratic base, with Florida and the other battleground likely to be decided by the campaign that does a better job turning out the vote. And so, in these final days, a specific plea.

KERRY: I want you to give me a chance, please.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: And Senator Kerry getting some help getting out the vote. Former President Clinton will be in Nevada today, New Mexico and Arkansas this weekend, and the senator's daughter, Alexandra, in Hawaii today. That's right, Hawaii, which has suddenly become a new battleground. Vice President Cheney headed there, as well. And Bill, the Kerry press corps hoping Senator Kerry decides to make a stop in Hawaii before Election Day.

HEMMER: I bet they do. The time's growing a little thin on that, don't you think, Kelly? Thanks for that. Kelly Wallace down in Florida.

WALLACE: Yes. Yes, long, long time.

O'BRIEN: Hope springs eternal, though, as they say.

Time to turn now to our resident electoral college professor, political analyst Carlos Watson. He's in Columbus, Ohio, this morning to tell us how the map is shaping up in the campaigns' final days.

Hey, Carlos. Good morning to you. Let's take a look at the map, in fact.

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Good morning.

O'BRIEN: Bush in red, if you show us the map here, 227 electoral votes. Kerry in blue, 207 electoral votes. Eight states -- those are the ones that are in yellow. A tossup; they account for a total of 104 votes.

Read into this for me. What does this say?

WATSON: Well, it says that with every passing day we see more states come onto the tossup list. So you'll recall just yesterday we focused on three states, primarily, Florida, Minnesota, Ohio. We added several just since then, including Iowa, as well as New Hampshire, as well as New Mexico. So a close race, where every day you can see some movement in the polls and, consequently, an expanded battleground list.

O'BRIEN: And, in fact, it was only yesterday that we were talking about the ones that were too close to call, Minnesota, Ohio, Florida. And then, since then, 24 hours later, we're calling, as you just mentioned, some of them, Iowa, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, New Mexico, also too close to call. What happened in the last 24 hours that's shifted us that way?

WATSON: Literally the polls and the varying in the polls, as well as some of the ads and some of the other things we see, allowed our CNN political unit to say that there are additional states now in the battleground list. And Soledad, as we talked about earlier in the week, the reality is, between now and Tuesday we might see another couple states jump on that list.

You just talked about John Kerry's daughter going out to Hawaii. You see some activity in Michigan and New Jersey. So this will be a fluid list, and people shouldn't be surprised to see the map change from day to day.

O'BRIEN: It looks like a lot of that fluidity is in the Midwest. What exactly are our voters looking for there? What are the big issues?

WATSON: You know what's so interesting about the Midwest? Is that there are different issues and different key swing groups in each state. So in a state like Wisconsin, rural voters may ultimately be the swing group. And one of the key issues there could be gun rights. Whereas in Iowa, oddly enough, Catholics, particularly in the eastern part of the state, may ultimately be the swing group.

And there are a couple of competing issues. You hear a lot about stem cell research. You also are hearing about abortion. You're seeing it through flyers and radio ads and other things.

And then if you go up to Minnesota, for example, we'll hear a lot from technology and service workers that those folks are often the swing groups. So in different states in the Midwest, oddly enough, it's not just security moms, you've got a whole wide range of swing groups that are potentially in play.

O'BRIEN: Wisconsin, Iowa and New Mexico were all states that Al Gore took. So you would think that John Kerry would get a little leverage from that. Why is that not the case yet? Why isn't it a strong sense there?

WATSON: Well, in part because all three of those states were very closely contested. All of them were decided by 1 percent or less. So these weren't big Gore states, like Delaware or Rhode Island, or even California. These were narrow states that could have gone either way.

The interesting thing, though, with all three states, and a feather in John Kerry's cap, is that all three of them have Democratic governors. And that's helpful, particularly as you get towards the final days in terms of turnout organizations, and also for John Kerry to have a key surrogate. So people like Bill Richardson in New Mexico can be extraordinarily helpful, even if John Kerry can't get to New Mexico each one of those days himself.

O'BRIEN: We basically have today, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and then the election. What could happen between now and then, I mean, to break this open? Or do you think it's sort of buttoned up?

WATSON: No. I think there's still certainly time.

So it could be a major event that we don't know about yet. There could be an issue. Will there be backlash, for example, to some of the voter suppression charges, and will you get even higher African- American turnout in places like Florida? That's always a possibility.

Will some of the questions around the missing Iraqi explosives, will that become an issue? Or, interestingly enough, Soledad will be a new issue uncovered not by the traditional media, but maybe by these Internet blogs, or maybe one of these foreign media sites? For example, one of the BBC sites.

This election has captured so much interest. There's so much intense scrutiny by new forms of the media that we might hear from different people what the key issue in the final days.

O'BRIEN: Four days and counting. Carlos Watson, thanks. We'll check in with you again.

WATSON: We'll see you.

O'BRIEN: CNN is, of course -- election team -- going to be right here in New York broadcasting live from the Nasdaq MarketSite in the heart of Times Square. Our prime-time coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. Eastern -- Bill.

HEMMER: About 13 minutes past the hour now.

The Pentagon has been suggesting that missing explosives in Iraq may have been moved before U.S. troops got there in April of 2003. Now there is new footage from an American TV station that casts doubt on that theory. From the Pentagon today, here's our senior correspondent there, Jamie McIntyre.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Pentagon's argument that the stockpile of powerful HMX explosive was likely long gone from the Al Qaqaa facility when U.S. troops arrived in April of 2003 was seriously undercut by this video shot by Minneapolis television station KSTP. Reporter Dean Staley was embedded with soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division when they entered a locked bunker at the Al Qaqaa facility on April 18, 2003, nearly a month into the war. But to get in, they cut what now appears to be an International Atomic Energy Agency seal.

DEAN STALEY, FMR. KSTF-TV REPORTER: We thought it might have been some sort of booby trap because it was such a thin wire. But we broke the lock and broke that wire to get in.

MCINTYRE: That IAEA sale, arms experts tell CNN, is the strongest evidence yet that at least some of the missing explosives were inside. Because HMX was the only material placed under seal at Al Qaqaa. And the reporter says the troops he was with were on an unofficial mission, just looking around. They were not searching for, or securing any material. There was, he said, nothing to stop anyone from looting.

STALEY: And some of the bunkers weren't even locked. I mean, we had to break a couple padlocks to get into some of them. Others we did not. They were wide open.

We also saw Iraqis at the time driving around in a pickup truck, an old beat-up pickup truck, clearly scavenging. I mean, clearly sort of looking around. We kept an eye on them because this was sort of no-man's-land.

MCINTYRE: The revelation came on a day when the Pentagon released this satellite photograph taken on March 17, 2003, a few days before the war began. It shows a truck and heavy equipment transporter outside one bunker that is not believed to have contained HMX.

But the Pentagon admits the photograph is inconclusive, showing only there was activity at the site and not that any explosives were moved. Still, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, in a series of radio interviews, repeated the Pentagon's contention that it's unlikely the stockpile could have been looted after the U.S. got there.

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: We total control of the air. We would have seen anything like that. And so the idea that it was suddenly looted and moved out all of these tons of equipment is, I think, at least debatable. And it's very likely that, just as the United States would do, that Saddam Hussein moved munitions when he knew the war was coming.

MCINTYRE (on camera): The Pentagon says the video is just another piece in the puzzle, as it tries to reconstruct to what happened to what the IAEA now says is more than 360 tons, not 380 tons of missing high explosives. Still unclear is whether any was stolen or successfully destroyed by U.S. troops.

Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: A bit earlier today here on CNN's AMERICAN MORNING, Soledad talked with a former weapons inspector, David Kay. He says he believes the new footage suggests the material was kept sealed until the Americans arrived there. He also said he believes that site appears to have been looted since then.

Now Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Weather now, and Rob Marciano in for Chad Myers at the CNN Center.

Hello. What you looking at? ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, we've got a storm, Soledad. Pretty strong, actually, now that we're heading almost into November. They tend to get a little bit stronger as you head into the winter months.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: All right, Rob. Thanks.

HEMMER: In a moment, Hollywood pros make the "Extra Effort" to help appearing young filmmakers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They really cared and treated my movie like it was some big production. And I was really surprised by that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: Yes. From one of the people who brought you "Spider- Man," "Jurassic Park" and "Mission Impossible," a short student film for you.

O'BRIEN: Also, when you buy organic food what exactly does that mean? We've got some tips from "Consumer Reports."

HEMMER: And Bill O'Reilly settles up. The issue is over, we are told. Publicly, anyway. Where do the talk show host now and his former accuser go from here?

Back in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING when we continue.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Well, just like that, the sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly is now over. O'Reilly, in turn, dropped a multimillion dollar counterclaim of extortion against his former producer. And all of it done in a top-secret settlement.

CNN's Adora Udoji has more today on this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ADORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bill O'Reilly talked about the settlement at the top of his show.

BILL O'REILLY, FOX ANCHOR: You guys looked out for me, and I will never forget it. This brutal ordeal is now officially over, and I will never speak of it again.

UDOJI: He didn't discuss the terms. It does mean his associate producer, Andrea Mackris, will stop making sexual harassment accusations against him, and he'll stop accusing her of launching a politically-motivated plot to extort $60 million.

Despite the bitter charges, O'Reilly's lawyers now say, "All parties have agreed there was no wrongdoing whatsoever by anyone." Mackris was also pleased.

ANDREA MACKRIS, FOX PRODUCER: It's over and I'm happy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you satisfied with what the terms of the settlement?

MACKRIS: I can't say anything else. But I do appreciate everybody. Thank you.

UDOJI: "Court TV" anchor and attorney Lisa Bloom.

LISA BLOOM, "COURT TV": There are still unanswered questions. And of course the biggest one is what is the dollar amount of the settlement and who paid it? Was it Bill O'Reilly individually, Fox News, News Corp? We will probably never know the answer to that.

UDOJI: But the public's not likely to get any answers. The parties have agreed to keep all the details confidential.

Adora Udoji, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: And there is no word on Andrea Mackris' employment status at Fox News -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Another question still unanswered.

Still to come this morning, Bill Schneider gives us the blow by blow on those missing explosives in Iraq. Is it being blown out of proportion or is the president in trouble?

Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Happy Halloween, Jack.

CAFFERTY: Well, trick or treat your own self. Thanks, Soledad.

We're talking about how a growing number of schools around the country are banning Halloween festivities for the kids. No costumes, no parties, no candy, no trick or treat, no nothing. They claim it's because of safety concerns, it's a distraction from learning, discrimination of religious beliefs.

So we thought we'd ask you this morning, should Halloween festivities be limited or banned in the schools for the children? Here's some of what you've written thus far.

Robin in Charlottesville, Virginia, "Why can't uptight, narrow- minded, dogmatic, beyond stupidity adults and the insecure religious buzz killers just get the hell out of the way and let the kids have a little fun?"

All right, Robin. John in Hedgesville, West Virginia, "New York banning Halloween festivities is cruel. With the state of the school system, it's the only chance a lot of those kids will get to wear a cap and gown."

O'BRIEN: Oh! Oh! Cheap shot.

CAFFERTY: And Paul -- well, that's the kind we like best. And Paul in Standish, Maine, writes: "Do you have any idea of the cost of the O'Reilly suite at the hotel in Toronto with the velvet restraints?"

(LAUGHTER)

O'BRIEN: No, we don't. And we're not going to find out. We're moving on past that issue, aren't we?

CAFFERTY: Well, you might be.

O'BRIEN: Circling the drain yet again. Thank you, Jack.

CAFFERTY: That's where I'm most comfortable.

O'BRIEN: Still to come, TGIF. Jumpstart your weekend with some "90-Second Pop."

(MUSIC)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN (voice-over): Jamie Foxx channels Ray at the box office. But he might be getting even bigger vibes from Oscar.

Plus, "Billboard Magazine" dials up a new and unconventional top 20 list.

All ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Welcome back, everyone. Almost 9:30 here in New York.

Back to the campaign in a moment. Also, the candidates hitting hard and hitting often. We see that at every stop. Bill Schneider joins us in a moment here, going through what the president and John Kerry are saying and how they hope to score points with about four- and-a-half days to go. So we'll get to that.

O'BRIEN: Also, millions of Americans look for organic foods when they buy their groceries. But are the people who set the standards for what's organic on the same page as the folks who are buying the products? We're going to take a look at that.

HEMMER: Also, down to Wall Street right now on a Friday as we close out the week here, taking a look at stocks as we get ready for the opening bell. Yesterday, what, about two points to the positive side for the Dow 30; 10004 is the opening mark. So we're still a bit above that 10000 mark after being below that early in the week. Nasdaq marketsite, 1975 is your opening mark, up about five points in trading from yesterday.

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Aired October 29, 2004 - 8:59   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Bruce Springsteen helping John Kerry join tens of thousands in Wisconsin. So now The Boss is going to Florida.
George Bush gets help from a World Series star. Curt Schilling trying to help deliver a swing state in New England.

Yasser Arafat arrives in France by helicopter and stretcher for badly-needed medical treatment.

And everything is back to normal now for Fox anchor Bill O'Reilly. Both sides in his harassment suit now say there was no wrongdoing on this AMERICAN MORNING.

ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.

O'BRIEN: Lots to talk about on the campaign trail this morning. We're going to show you videotape likely to be discussed really for the rest of the day, probably till the election actually happens. This videotape reportedly showing U.S. troops inspecting explosives that later are believed to have gone missing at that Iraqi explosive site.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: And this timeline continues to be a question, the timeline about when the explosives appeared. A hotly- debated topic on the campaign trail. So a big part of our discussion today again today.

Also in a moment, a check of the electoral map today. Carlos Watson is back with us, looking at who holds the edge and where, and which states could make the difference come Tuesday. So buckle up.

O'BRIEN: And we check it every day. Because it changes every single day.

HEMMER: That's right.

O'BRIEN: Who knows, Jack?

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Who knows, Jack?

A growing number of schools across the country, Soledad, are banning Halloween parties for the kids. No costumes, no candy, no fun. Nada.

Good idea or no? AM@CNN.com. We'll read some of the letters later in the hour.

HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.

O'BRIEN: Time to check in with the top stories. Heidi Collins at the news desk.

Good morning again.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning to you guys. And good morning to you, everyone.

"Now in the News" this morning, the first of a series of medical tests will begin shortly on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Arafat arrived at a French military hospital within the last half-hour. He was carried in to the facility on a stretcher, as you see here.

It's not clear, though, what is ailing the 75-year-old leader. But one of his personal doctors says he is suffering from a blood platelet deficiency.

CIA officials say they are not able to confirm whether an apparently new al Qaeda tape is real. It aired on ABC News last night. The tape shows a masked man who calls himself Azzam the American.

He threatens terror attacks on the U.S. at "any moment." With the election days away, intelligence officials warn the tape could be a trick by impostors.

President Bush getting the support of some friends and family of victims of 9/11. About 240 people calling themselves the 9/11 Families for a Safe and Strong America signed an open letter yesterday asking America to re-elect President Bush. The letter, available on their Web site, does not mention Senator John Kerry.

The NAACP reportedly facing an investigation now for playing partisan politics. According to reports, the IRS is reviewing the tax-exempt status of the civil rights group due to claims that the chairman criticized President Bush during a speech at the group's national convention back in July. Under tax laws, charities are not allowed to take sides in campaigns.

Back now to Bill and Soledad.

HEMMER: All right, Heidi.

Looking at the calendar. Four days and counting now. The race to the finish line well under way now.

On Tuesday is the day it should be decided. Both candidates spending the final weekend crisscrossing the swing states that will decide who wins on Tuesday. Our White House correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux, is with the Bush team in Manchester, New Hampshire. Kelly Wallace is with the Kerry team in Orlando, Florida, this hour.

We'll start with Suzanne there in Manchester. Good morning.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Bill.

This is really only the seventh visit by the president this year in New Hampshire, and it is a late-date visit, of course, because this is really shaping up to be a very competitive race for those four electoral votes. Now, we are told by Bush aides the president is going to wrap up his final week of campaigning really with a very personal message to the voters, talking about the shared experiences that he and the American people have had dealing with 9/11 and those last four years. We're also told by his senior adviser, Karl Rove, who says essentially he believes that this campaign, the winner is going to be determined by character, not by the headlines.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX (voice-over): A new theme song, confetti, fireworks. All images of a man who's already won. But also signs of worry in the Bush camp. The president adding some sting to his rhetoric against Senator John Kerry for blaming him for the missing explosives in Iraq.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Senator Kerry will say anything to get elected. The senator's willingness to trade principle for political convenience makes it clear that John Kerry is the wrong man for the wrong job, at the wrong time.

(APPLAUSE)

MALVEAUX: The Bush campaign used retired U.S. forces commander Tommy Franks and a new TV ad to emphasize the point.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just when you thought there was a limit on what John Kerry would say...

MALVEAUX: But later in the day, the Bush campaign was forced to acknowledge a misrepresentation in its closing ad titled "Whatever It Takes." The ad had been doctored. Soldiers depicted listening to the president's speech were electronically copied to fill the audience. Campaign officials said it was not intended to deceive.

Now in the final days of the campaign, both camps are enlisting their biggest stars to attract voters and help portray their guy as the winner.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Boston Red Sox are world champions!

MALVEAUX: The president got a surprise endorsement from the World Series winner, Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling. Ironically, a Republican from Kerry's hometown. He will now campaign with the president Friday.

Then later, Mr. Bush will kick off the weekend with the man some consider the Republicans' biggest rock star, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The two will appear together at a rally in Columbus, Ohio.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: Now, as you may recall, it was back in 1992 that Schwarzenegger was appearing, fronting for President Bush's father in Columbus, Ohio. A great deal of support there.

I should also let you know we are getting late word this morning that Curt Schilling will not be able to actually introduce the president this morning. His doctor has ordered him that he's not allowed to travel.

As you know, he was playing on a bad tendon. He's going to have surgery on his ankle fairly shortly. And they expect that he's unfortunately not going to be able to attend this morning. But, of course, he gave his word of support and endorsement yesterday after the game -- Bill.

HEMMER: Suzanne, thanks.

Let's get to Kelly Wallace now in Orlando -- Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Bill.

Well, we have learned that Bruce Springsteen will make another appearance with Senator Kerry later today in Miami. Kerry advisers say it was Springsteen's idea. That he was so energized by yesterday, he said, "Let's keep it going."

The Kerry campaign is thrilled about this. One aide saying it was the campaign's biggest crowd day yesterday by far.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE (voice-over): Politics 101, big names draw big crowds, and big crowds could energize supporters in a campaign's final days. So enter Bruce Springsteen, before tens of thousands, first in Wisconsin, later Ohio, singing his "No Surrender," which just so happens to be camp Kerry's theme song. Senator Kerry, fired up by Bruce and the Boston Red Sox, now trying to seal the deal with those undecided voters, who despite all they have heard, still haven't gotten behind him.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We can do better than we're doing today in America.

WALLACE: The campaign believing daily attacks over those missing explosives in Iraq are working.

KERRY: Now George Bush's shifting explanations, an effort to blame everybody except themselves, is evidence that he believes the buck stops anywhere but with the president.

WALLACE: In one of his final television ads now running across Florida, according to the Kerry campaign...

KERRY: If you believe we need a fresh start in Iraq...

WALLACE: ... Senator Kerry trying to make the election a referendum on the president's record, with President Bush trying to make it all about his opponent. The senator starts today in swing vote-rich Orlando, before making his way to West Palm Beach and Miami to rally the Democratic base, with Florida and the other battleground likely to be decided by the campaign that does a better job turning out the vote. And so, in these final days, a specific plea.

KERRY: I want you to give me a chance, please.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: And Senator Kerry getting some help getting out the vote. Former President Clinton will be in Nevada today, New Mexico and Arkansas this weekend, and the senator's daughter, Alexandra, in Hawaii today. That's right, Hawaii, which has suddenly become a new battleground. Vice President Cheney headed there, as well. And Bill, the Kerry press corps hoping Senator Kerry decides to make a stop in Hawaii before Election Day.

HEMMER: I bet they do. The time's growing a little thin on that, don't you think, Kelly? Thanks for that. Kelly Wallace down in Florida.

WALLACE: Yes. Yes, long, long time.

O'BRIEN: Hope springs eternal, though, as they say.

Time to turn now to our resident electoral college professor, political analyst Carlos Watson. He's in Columbus, Ohio, this morning to tell us how the map is shaping up in the campaigns' final days.

Hey, Carlos. Good morning to you. Let's take a look at the map, in fact.

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Good morning.

O'BRIEN: Bush in red, if you show us the map here, 227 electoral votes. Kerry in blue, 207 electoral votes. Eight states -- those are the ones that are in yellow. A tossup; they account for a total of 104 votes.

Read into this for me. What does this say?

WATSON: Well, it says that with every passing day we see more states come onto the tossup list. So you'll recall just yesterday we focused on three states, primarily, Florida, Minnesota, Ohio. We added several just since then, including Iowa, as well as New Hampshire, as well as New Mexico. So a close race, where every day you can see some movement in the polls and, consequently, an expanded battleground list.

O'BRIEN: And, in fact, it was only yesterday that we were talking about the ones that were too close to call, Minnesota, Ohio, Florida. And then, since then, 24 hours later, we're calling, as you just mentioned, some of them, Iowa, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, New Mexico, also too close to call. What happened in the last 24 hours that's shifted us that way?

WATSON: Literally the polls and the varying in the polls, as well as some of the ads and some of the other things we see, allowed our CNN political unit to say that there are additional states now in the battleground list. And Soledad, as we talked about earlier in the week, the reality is, between now and Tuesday we might see another couple states jump on that list.

You just talked about John Kerry's daughter going out to Hawaii. You see some activity in Michigan and New Jersey. So this will be a fluid list, and people shouldn't be surprised to see the map change from day to day.

O'BRIEN: It looks like a lot of that fluidity is in the Midwest. What exactly are our voters looking for there? What are the big issues?

WATSON: You know what's so interesting about the Midwest? Is that there are different issues and different key swing groups in each state. So in a state like Wisconsin, rural voters may ultimately be the swing group. And one of the key issues there could be gun rights. Whereas in Iowa, oddly enough, Catholics, particularly in the eastern part of the state, may ultimately be the swing group.

And there are a couple of competing issues. You hear a lot about stem cell research. You also are hearing about abortion. You're seeing it through flyers and radio ads and other things.

And then if you go up to Minnesota, for example, we'll hear a lot from technology and service workers that those folks are often the swing groups. So in different states in the Midwest, oddly enough, it's not just security moms, you've got a whole wide range of swing groups that are potentially in play.

O'BRIEN: Wisconsin, Iowa and New Mexico were all states that Al Gore took. So you would think that John Kerry would get a little leverage from that. Why is that not the case yet? Why isn't it a strong sense there?

WATSON: Well, in part because all three of those states were very closely contested. All of them were decided by 1 percent or less. So these weren't big Gore states, like Delaware or Rhode Island, or even California. These were narrow states that could have gone either way.

The interesting thing, though, with all three states, and a feather in John Kerry's cap, is that all three of them have Democratic governors. And that's helpful, particularly as you get towards the final days in terms of turnout organizations, and also for John Kerry to have a key surrogate. So people like Bill Richardson in New Mexico can be extraordinarily helpful, even if John Kerry can't get to New Mexico each one of those days himself.

O'BRIEN: We basically have today, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and then the election. What could happen between now and then, I mean, to break this open? Or do you think it's sort of buttoned up?

WATSON: No. I think there's still certainly time.

So it could be a major event that we don't know about yet. There could be an issue. Will there be backlash, for example, to some of the voter suppression charges, and will you get even higher African- American turnout in places like Florida? That's always a possibility.

Will some of the questions around the missing Iraqi explosives, will that become an issue? Or, interestingly enough, Soledad will be a new issue uncovered not by the traditional media, but maybe by these Internet blogs, or maybe one of these foreign media sites? For example, one of the BBC sites.

This election has captured so much interest. There's so much intense scrutiny by new forms of the media that we might hear from different people what the key issue in the final days.

O'BRIEN: Four days and counting. Carlos Watson, thanks. We'll check in with you again.

WATSON: We'll see you.

O'BRIEN: CNN is, of course -- election team -- going to be right here in New York broadcasting live from the Nasdaq MarketSite in the heart of Times Square. Our prime-time coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. Eastern -- Bill.

HEMMER: About 13 minutes past the hour now.

The Pentagon has been suggesting that missing explosives in Iraq may have been moved before U.S. troops got there in April of 2003. Now there is new footage from an American TV station that casts doubt on that theory. From the Pentagon today, here's our senior correspondent there, Jamie McIntyre.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Pentagon's argument that the stockpile of powerful HMX explosive was likely long gone from the Al Qaqaa facility when U.S. troops arrived in April of 2003 was seriously undercut by this video shot by Minneapolis television station KSTP. Reporter Dean Staley was embedded with soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division when they entered a locked bunker at the Al Qaqaa facility on April 18, 2003, nearly a month into the war. But to get in, they cut what now appears to be an International Atomic Energy Agency seal.

DEAN STALEY, FMR. KSTF-TV REPORTER: We thought it might have been some sort of booby trap because it was such a thin wire. But we broke the lock and broke that wire to get in.

MCINTYRE: That IAEA sale, arms experts tell CNN, is the strongest evidence yet that at least some of the missing explosives were inside. Because HMX was the only material placed under seal at Al Qaqaa. And the reporter says the troops he was with were on an unofficial mission, just looking around. They were not searching for, or securing any material. There was, he said, nothing to stop anyone from looting.

STALEY: And some of the bunkers weren't even locked. I mean, we had to break a couple padlocks to get into some of them. Others we did not. They were wide open.

We also saw Iraqis at the time driving around in a pickup truck, an old beat-up pickup truck, clearly scavenging. I mean, clearly sort of looking around. We kept an eye on them because this was sort of no-man's-land.

MCINTYRE: The revelation came on a day when the Pentagon released this satellite photograph taken on March 17, 2003, a few days before the war began. It shows a truck and heavy equipment transporter outside one bunker that is not believed to have contained HMX.

But the Pentagon admits the photograph is inconclusive, showing only there was activity at the site and not that any explosives were moved. Still, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, in a series of radio interviews, repeated the Pentagon's contention that it's unlikely the stockpile could have been looted after the U.S. got there.

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: We total control of the air. We would have seen anything like that. And so the idea that it was suddenly looted and moved out all of these tons of equipment is, I think, at least debatable. And it's very likely that, just as the United States would do, that Saddam Hussein moved munitions when he knew the war was coming.

MCINTYRE (on camera): The Pentagon says the video is just another piece in the puzzle, as it tries to reconstruct to what happened to what the IAEA now says is more than 360 tons, not 380 tons of missing high explosives. Still unclear is whether any was stolen or successfully destroyed by U.S. troops.

Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: A bit earlier today here on CNN's AMERICAN MORNING, Soledad talked with a former weapons inspector, David Kay. He says he believes the new footage suggests the material was kept sealed until the Americans arrived there. He also said he believes that site appears to have been looted since then.

Now Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Weather now, and Rob Marciano in for Chad Myers at the CNN Center.

Hello. What you looking at? ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, we've got a storm, Soledad. Pretty strong, actually, now that we're heading almost into November. They tend to get a little bit stronger as you head into the winter months.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: All right, Rob. Thanks.

HEMMER: In a moment, Hollywood pros make the "Extra Effort" to help appearing young filmmakers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They really cared and treated my movie like it was some big production. And I was really surprised by that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: Yes. From one of the people who brought you "Spider- Man," "Jurassic Park" and "Mission Impossible," a short student film for you.

O'BRIEN: Also, when you buy organic food what exactly does that mean? We've got some tips from "Consumer Reports."

HEMMER: And Bill O'Reilly settles up. The issue is over, we are told. Publicly, anyway. Where do the talk show host now and his former accuser go from here?

Back in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING when we continue.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Well, just like that, the sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly is now over. O'Reilly, in turn, dropped a multimillion dollar counterclaim of extortion against his former producer. And all of it done in a top-secret settlement.

CNN's Adora Udoji has more today on this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ADORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bill O'Reilly talked about the settlement at the top of his show.

BILL O'REILLY, FOX ANCHOR: You guys looked out for me, and I will never forget it. This brutal ordeal is now officially over, and I will never speak of it again.

UDOJI: He didn't discuss the terms. It does mean his associate producer, Andrea Mackris, will stop making sexual harassment accusations against him, and he'll stop accusing her of launching a politically-motivated plot to extort $60 million.

Despite the bitter charges, O'Reilly's lawyers now say, "All parties have agreed there was no wrongdoing whatsoever by anyone." Mackris was also pleased.

ANDREA MACKRIS, FOX PRODUCER: It's over and I'm happy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you satisfied with what the terms of the settlement?

MACKRIS: I can't say anything else. But I do appreciate everybody. Thank you.

UDOJI: "Court TV" anchor and attorney Lisa Bloom.

LISA BLOOM, "COURT TV": There are still unanswered questions. And of course the biggest one is what is the dollar amount of the settlement and who paid it? Was it Bill O'Reilly individually, Fox News, News Corp? We will probably never know the answer to that.

UDOJI: But the public's not likely to get any answers. The parties have agreed to keep all the details confidential.

Adora Udoji, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: And there is no word on Andrea Mackris' employment status at Fox News -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Another question still unanswered.

Still to come this morning, Bill Schneider gives us the blow by blow on those missing explosives in Iraq. Is it being blown out of proportion or is the president in trouble?

Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Happy Halloween, Jack.

CAFFERTY: Well, trick or treat your own self. Thanks, Soledad.

We're talking about how a growing number of schools around the country are banning Halloween festivities for the kids. No costumes, no parties, no candy, no trick or treat, no nothing. They claim it's because of safety concerns, it's a distraction from learning, discrimination of religious beliefs.

So we thought we'd ask you this morning, should Halloween festivities be limited or banned in the schools for the children? Here's some of what you've written thus far.

Robin in Charlottesville, Virginia, "Why can't uptight, narrow- minded, dogmatic, beyond stupidity adults and the insecure religious buzz killers just get the hell out of the way and let the kids have a little fun?"

All right, Robin. John in Hedgesville, West Virginia, "New York banning Halloween festivities is cruel. With the state of the school system, it's the only chance a lot of those kids will get to wear a cap and gown."

O'BRIEN: Oh! Oh! Cheap shot.

CAFFERTY: And Paul -- well, that's the kind we like best. And Paul in Standish, Maine, writes: "Do you have any idea of the cost of the O'Reilly suite at the hotel in Toronto with the velvet restraints?"

(LAUGHTER)

O'BRIEN: No, we don't. And we're not going to find out. We're moving on past that issue, aren't we?

CAFFERTY: Well, you might be.

O'BRIEN: Circling the drain yet again. Thank you, Jack.

CAFFERTY: That's where I'm most comfortable.

O'BRIEN: Still to come, TGIF. Jumpstart your weekend with some "90-Second Pop."

(MUSIC)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN (voice-over): Jamie Foxx channels Ray at the box office. But he might be getting even bigger vibes from Oscar.

Plus, "Billboard Magazine" dials up a new and unconventional top 20 list.

All ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Welcome back, everyone. Almost 9:30 here in New York.

Back to the campaign in a moment. Also, the candidates hitting hard and hitting often. We see that at every stop. Bill Schneider joins us in a moment here, going through what the president and John Kerry are saying and how they hope to score points with about four- and-a-half days to go. So we'll get to that.

O'BRIEN: Also, millions of Americans look for organic foods when they buy their groceries. But are the people who set the standards for what's organic on the same page as the folks who are buying the products? We're going to take a look at that.

HEMMER: Also, down to Wall Street right now on a Friday as we close out the week here, taking a look at stocks as we get ready for the opening bell. Yesterday, what, about two points to the positive side for the Dow 30; 10004 is the opening mark. So we're still a bit above that 10000 mark after being below that early in the week. Nasdaq marketsite, 1975 is your opening mark, up about five points in trading from yesterday.

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