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CNN Live Today

Down to the Wire; Crowded Ballot; California Politics

Aired November 01, 2004 - 10:59   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.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Polls, polls, and more polls. Next, political analyst Bill Schneider brings us up to speed on that.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Also, a look at the West. California propositions making waves.

And the second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY begins right now.

Here is a look at what's happening right "Now in the News."

Senator John Kerry and President Bush are off and running on their final frenzied day of the campaign trail. Mr. Bush is on a six- day blitz from the Midwest to the Southwest. Senator Kerry is also campaigning in the Midwest after starting the day in Florida. Live updates from both camps expected. It's just ahead.

A radical Palestinian faction has claimed responsibility for the deadly suicide bombing in a Tel Aviv market this morning. Three people were killed, dozens more were wounded. The teenage bomber also died. The popular front for the Liberation of Palestine says it was behind this attack.

Shades of the Jessica McClure story this morning in Alabama. Remember that? Well, this time it was a toddler that had been rescued after falling down a well.

It took crews about 13 hours to get this cute little boy out. Look at him. He suffered a few scrapes but appears to be OK otherwise. It happened in Frisco City. It's about 60 miles from Mobile, Alabama. A job well done there.

Also, Chief Justice William Rehnquist says that his plan to return to work at the Supreme Court today was too optimistic. He is continuing radiation and chemotherapy treatments following surgery for thyroid cancer. The court denounced last week that Rehnquist would be back at work this week. But he's still recuperating at home.

The head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog agency made appeals today to Iran and North Korea. Mohammed ElBaradei urged Iran to suspend uranium enrichment. He called on North Korea to dismantle its weapons program or allow inspections to ensure that it is peaceful. Elbaradei made the remarks to the U.N. General Assembly.

And so here we go. It is 11:00 a.m. on the East Coast, 8:00 a.m. out West. From the CNN Center in Atlanta, we welcome you all. I'm Rick Sanchez.

KAGAN: And I'm Daryn Kagan. It is finally down to the wire.

Up first this hour on CNN, election eve. The presidential candidates have their final say before the voters have theirs. The long, bruising and extremely close race is down to one last day of campaigning.

President Bush's campaign blitz takes him to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Iowa and New Mexico. He finishes the day with the home state rally in Texas and spends the night at his ranch in Crawford.

Senator Kerry started the day in Florida. From there, he makes stops in Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio. Aides say he will fly home to Boston tomorrow to cast his vote.

SANCHEZ: The president, in fact, said today that he -- that the finish line is in sight when speaking to reporters. At an early morning rally in Ohio, Mr. Bush told supporters that he will never relent on defending America.

Our Suzanne Malveaux is covering the Bush campaign, and she's joining us from Wilmington, Ohio, this morning.

Hi, Suzanne.

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

Already, President Bush has been through two rallies. That is just the beginning of his day. He was in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. And earlier today, of course, in Wilmington, Ohio.

Now, as you imagine, this is going to be a grueling day for this president. We are talking about a 16-hour marathon. Seven cities, six states. All of this, when it is all said and done, the president bringing home his theme, saying he is making his closing case, his closing argument, "come stand with me," whether or not it's national security or education or health care. The president making that very clear.

I spoke with his top Bush advisers this morning, and he looked rather subdued, perhaps even a little tired this morning. But they say that the president is relaxed, that he is confident, and what is going to unfold in the next 48 hours.

In between those two stops, the president was asked how was he feeling, how was he doing. He said he felt it was going well. He even was feeling rather generous, thanking the press corps, saying that everybody seemed to look tired, but he wanted to thank all of his supporters there and let them know that he was confident, that he felt he was going to win, that he was going to capture this election.

And, of course, this is going to be a very, very busy day for the president. We are told by his aides that later today, in Iowa, that is when he is going to be met with his family, the first lady, as well as his two daughters. And then in a Texas rally, when he finishes the day, that is when aides say they expect it's going to be very emotional for the president. That his aides say that they are already nostalgic about the campaign even before the election is over. They believe that President Bush is going to thank them as well.

Just want to give you a quick snapshot here of what the president's sprint to the finish line looks like. As, of course, just two stops earlier, he made Wilmington, Ohio, and then Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. Next he moves on to Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Des Moines, Iowa; Sioux City, Iowa; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Dallas, Texas; and then, of course, the overnight at his Crawford ranch.

And then, Rick, we are told tomorrow, that's where he's going to cast his ballot. And he's going to make at least one stop to kind of get out the vote, the last-minute get-out-the-vote rally. And then he heads back to Washington. And that, of course, is where he's going to be watching those results -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Suzanne Malveaux following that for us. Thank you so much, Suzanne.

Now, Senator John Kerry is trying to drive home his message that President Bush hasn't gotten the job done. But he can, he says. Mr. Kerry started the day in Florida. National correspondent Kelly Wallace is with the Kerry camp. She's in Orlando.

Hi, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Rick.

Well, at this stage of the game, reporters, like ourselves, start liking for signs to see how the campaign is really feeling. We saw the senator earlier this morning, we asked how he was feeling. He said, "Ready to go, ready to win."

Our Candy Crowley, who is on the Kerry campaign plane, reports of a top Kerry adviser who is smiling and laughing and being oh, so friendly to the press corps. So the campaign says it is feeling confident, but at the same time acknowledging there are states where's it is still very, very close.

One of those states, Florida, the biggest prize when it comes to the battlegrounds and electoral votes. The senator in this state 27 times during this year. He joked during a short rally in Orlando about how much time he's been spending in the Sunshine State.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Let me tell you, I cannot tell you -- I've been coming to Florida enough that my brother, Cam, is thinking of running for governor. How's that?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And we should note that might have been one of the shortest stump speeches by Senator Kerry, probably just about six minutes in length. He said it was not a day for long speeches. He's moving on and trying to energize supporters.

Take a look, though, at where he's going. And it shows you that aides are still concerned about a number of states.

We already talked about Florida. He also then goes to Wisconsin. He goes to Michigan, a state where he had been leading in the polls, but in recent days it has become much closer.

He goes to Ohio, two stop there. One, a rally at midnight. Also, he will be meeting up once again with Bruce Springsteen in Cleveland.

And then he rounds up the day in Wisconsin. He will spend the night there and then do a rally tomorrow. Wisconsin is one of those states where you can register the same day as can you vote.

Wisconsin, though, a concern for the Kerry campaign. Al Gore won that state narrowly by just more than 5,000 votes. And Rick, as you know, in listening to Suzanne, this is a state President Bush is very much trying to steal away. So still some concerns, but at least outwardly, this campaign trying to say it is very confident on this day.

SANCHEZ: Kelly Wallace following the latest there with Senator Kerry. We thank you, Kelly -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Well, Kerry's running mate, John Edwards, is in the Midwest this morning. He is trying to woo undecided voters.

His first stop, a morning rally in St. Paul, Minnesota. Edwards will press on to Iowa and Ohio before wrapping up his day in Florida.

Vice President Dick Cheney journeys to Colorado and Nevada before settling down at home tonight in Wyoming. Over the weekend he went 3,200 miles out of its way to say aloha to Hawaii's voters. Polls show that the traditionally Democratic state's four electoral votes are now, in fact, up for grabs.

We're going to have a lot more on the presidential race at the bottom of the hour. And tune into prime-time politics on CNN's "PAULA ZAHN NOW." Tonight she hosts a town hall meeting with undecided voters live from Florida. That's 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 Pacific.

The races, the votes, the results. CNN's special election night coverage begins tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. Eastern from New York City. You'll see real-time election results on 96 television screens all at once only here on CNN.

SANCHEZ: Let's talk now about what's making news overseas. And there's plenty of it in this morning's "World Wrap."

We're going to begin in Iraq, where two government officials have been assassinated in separate attacks. Early today, a deputy governor of Baghdad was killed in a drive-by shooting while on his way to work. Later, gunmen shot and killed an interior ministry official in Baquba.

Now, three U.N. hostages kidnapped in Afghanistan. They are seen pleading for their lives on a new tape acquired by The Associated Press.

The elections monitors, two women and a man, were kidnapped in Kabul by Islamic militants. One of their captors could be heard encouraging the women to cry. The kidnappers are demanding the release of all prisoners in Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and want the U.N. to leave Afghanistan.

Palestinian officials say that Yasser Arafat is making marked improvements since arriving at a Paris hospital Friday. Arafat's aides say the Palestinian leader does not suffer from leukemia, cancer or any other type of poisoning. However, French physicians have not commented on Arafat's condition or his treatment thus yet.

KAGAN: In other world news this morning, analysts are asking if Osama bin Laden is trying to remake his image from terrorist leader to political leader. On the tape that was played on Friday, he is seen unarmed and seated at a desk. He made no direct threat, and some observers say that they think his statement may be aimed at a broad worldwide audience.

Los Angeles counter-terrorism chief John Miller has met bin Laden face-to-face and offers this analysis of the new tape.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN MILLER, LA COUNTER-TERRORISM CHIEF: The bin Laden that I sat down with is a guy who sits cross-legged on the floor, cradling an AK-47 and a camouflage jacket. This was the presidential bin Laden. This was sitting at the desk looking like Peter Jennings or Aaron Brown with a backdrop and a formal garb.

He was trying to speak from a position of power, as a statesman, not a military leader. And I would not rule out the possibility in either bin Laden's case, or Azzam the American, if you look at that tape closely, that there were not cue cards or even a teleprompter.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The tape is causing some in the intelligence business to change their view of Osama bin Laden from a man on the run and out of touch with his organization to one who feels secure and well informed.

SANCHEZ: And then there's the question of what affect it could have on this election, something we're going to be getting to with Bill Schneider in just a little bit.

Something else. They say you can't tell the players without a program. But in California, you can't keep track of the propositions without a program either. Will it lead to voter burnout? That's next.

KAGAN: Also, the Supreme Court returns to work, but Chief Justice William Rehnquist does not. Lingering questions over his health are coming up.

SANCHEZ: And then later one last chance to make their case. Lawyers in the Scott Peterson murder trial get their closing arguments.

We're coming right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Look at that, a beautiful house on a beautiful fall day. The symbol of our country. Question: who will be the next person to reside there? We at CNN will work hard throughout the day trying to bring you all the answers that you need to know as America votes tomorrow.

California's ballot is so crowded with propositions that voters may need a cheat sheet just to try and keep up. Sixteen of these things. Correspondent Donna Tetrault takes a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONNA TETRAULT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): California's governor isn't up for reelection, but he's spending plenty of time on the campaign trail. And not just with President Bush. He's also campaigning hard for and against a number of controversial ballot measures facing California.

Take Proposition 71. If passed, it would authorize $3 billion in state bond funds for human embryonic stem cell research.

RAPHAEL SONENSHEIN, CALIFORNIA POLITICAL HISTORIAN: When the governor announced that he endorsed this measure, this was taken very ecstatically by the Prop 71 supporters, because he can come in and say, "I'm an economic conservative. I really don't want to spend a whole lot of money, but I endorse this and I think it's responsible." My guess is that will carry it over the top.

TETRAULT: Another proposition swirling among technological advantages is Prop 69. If passed, it would expand the state's DNA database. All of California's convicted felons would have to submit a DNA sample. Beginning in 2009, anyone arrested on suspicion of a felony would be required to do so as well.

Prosecutors in L.A. just last week announced the arrest of Chester Duane Turner, the man they believe could be the most prolific serial killer in L.A. history. Investigators said Turner was implicated through DNA.

CAPT. AL MICHELENA, LOS ANGELES POLICE: You can only imagine, if our database is so much bigger, we're going to do quite well. Because we're doing a better job on crime scenes today than we ever did in the past of gathering potential DNA evidence. TETRAULT: But opponents say it may violate the privacy rights of suspects who have not been convicted of a crime. Proposition 66 is an amendment to the three strikes law which is aimed at putting away repeat felony offenders for 25 years to life.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Proposition 66 fixes the flaw in the law.

TETRAULT: If voters pass 66, a second or third strike offense will have to be a serious or violent offense instead of any felony offense, as the current law states. But Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, backed by four other former governors, is urging people to vote no on 66.

And finally, the big money Props, numbers 68 and 70. Both would increase legal casino gambling in California and raise revenues for the state. But both are failing to gain support according to recent polls.

(on camera): Over $198 million have gone into the 16 propositions on Tuesday's ballot here in California. It's the most money ever raised in the state's history to support and oppose propositions.

Donna Tetrault, for CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: All right. Well, we want to talk California politics. We call on Dick Rosengarten. He is the editor of the nonpartisan "California Political Week," joining us from L.A. this morning.

Dick, good morning. Always great to talk with you.

DICK ROSENGARTEN, "CALIFORNIA POLITICAL WEEK": Good morning, Daryn. How are you?

KAGAN: I'm doing great. You know, it's a good thing you have all these propositions on your ballot. It's not like you would know there's a presidential election in California, would you?

ROSENGARTEN: No. I'll tell you, it really is sort of a mess. I have to -- the latest on the amount of money being spent that I saw this morning on the Web was $205 million through October 16.

KAGAN: On all the different propositions?

ROSENGARTEN: Yes.

KAGAN: Amazing.

ROSENGARTEN: The total number, all 16. Of which I would say about half is going to 68 and 70, the two gaming propositions.

KAGAN: Yes. And I was looking over which ones I wanted to talk to you about today. And when I got to those, I thought, do people outside of California really care? ROSENGARTEN: No, I don't think so.

KAGAN: All right. Let's move on.

ROSENGARTEN: Except for -- well, you do because you've got family here.

KAGAN: Well, that's true. But they're not hanging out in the casinos. I'll tell that you that right now.

ROSENGARTEN: That's true.

KAGAN: Let's just get that on the record, Dick.

ROSENGARTEN: Yes, yes. Aside from 71, which is the stem cell research, which is sort of national because of Bush and Kerry and whatnot, that's the only one that I think people are really sort of paying attention to nationally. Otherwise, it's everything is in state.

KAGAN: Well, actually, let me ask you -- one that has not gotten a lot of publicity but might have some application elsewhere, this health care proposition, focusing on companies like Wal-Mart. The government saying...

ROSENGARTEN: OK.

KAGAN: ... look, you're paying these people, they're your employees, but you're not paying for their health care. The state is. We need you to pay for that. How is that one looking?

ROSENGARTEN: Well, I think it's going to be very, very close, nip and tuck. We're talking about Prop 72. It's not an initiative. It's a referendum.

It was passed -- this law was passed by the state legislature, signed by former Governor Gray Davis, and then the business community said, no, we don't like it, we're going to referendum it. And that's what it's all about right now.

The unions are putting millions of dollars into it, businesses putting millions to stop it. If it passes, the business community says that it's going to cost 150,000 jobs here in California. But nobody knows for sure if it's going to cost anything or not.

KAGAN: We'll be watching that. Governor Schwarzenegger was on "60 Minutes" last night. He was asked to rate himself on a scale of one to 10 how he's doing. He gave himself an eight.

As a nonpartisan political reporter, what would you say?

ROSENGARTEN: About seven or an eight. I wouldn't disagree with that. He stuck his neck out on a lot of these propositions. Some of them he's going to win, some of them he's going to lose.

Prop 66, the three strikes initiative, I think he may have come into it a little bit too late. If he had started maybe a week sooner with the television I would be very confident that "no" on 66 was going to win. But now it's nip and tuck. Nobody really knows one way or another.

KAGAN: Final question...

ROSENGARTEN: Bottom line about California, though...

KAGAN: Yes?

ROSENGARTEN: ... you know, it's an ATM. It's not a battleground state. Sorry.

KAGAN: Well, yes, 55 electoral votes, but lots of people coming there to raise money and campaign cash.

ROSENGARTEN: Oh, yes.

KAGAN: Absolutely. Dick, enjoy your Election Day. I know it's kind of like a high holy day for you.

ROSENGARTEN: Oh, my god, yes.

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: Dick Rosengarten from "California Political Week." Thank you.

You can follow all the election results tomorrow night at CNN.com. If you're away from your television, there will also be plenty of information on state races. Just log onto CNN.com/politics.

SANCHEZ: I've never heard it put that way, California is an ATM.

KAGAN: Well, yes, because the candidates not really making campaign appearances to raise votes. There are 55 electoral votes in the Democratic category, but there is a lot of cash. A lot of Republican cash as well.

SANCHEZ: A lot of cash. That's interesting.

Well, it's becoming a Halloween tradition that's a little too scary. What starts as a party ends as...

KAGAN: Oh, no.

SANCHEZ: ... a riot in Wisconsin. We're going to bring you the details. And we're going to bring you the pictures. More of them right here.

KAGAN: And later, the final sprint to the finish. Who will grab the coveted battleground states? Bill Schneider joins Rick to talk about that.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Welcome back. We do have some breaking news we'd like to share with you now.

We have just learned from the Iraqi Interior Ministry that there have been new abductions in Iraq. The word we're getting is that an American has been abducted in Iraq. Again, this work coming from Iraqi government officials.

As well as a Sri Lankan and someone of Arab descent. No more specification there.

So, once again, the new information we're getting now from the Interior Ministry of Iraq is that there have been three people abducted, an American, a Sri Lankan and a person of Arabian descent. I'm being told by our producer that number has grown to four.

Is that right, Chas (ph)? Four people?

Four people now abducted. Two Arabians, one American, one Sri Lankan. We'll follow that story and bring you the latest when it happens.

KAGAN: Meanwhile, news from here in the U.S. Where there is smoke, there is fire and a problem. A scene from Madison, Wisconsin.

City police defending their use of pepper spray to clear the rowdy crowd of college students celebrating Halloween over the weekend. Over 200 people were arrested.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Thank you.

SANCHEZ: They don't call them battleground states for nothing. Up next, the final fight to the finish. We're talking to our resident expert, Bill Schneider, about just who needs what to win where.

KAGAN: How? Why? When?

SANCHEZ: We'll be back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired November 1, 2004 - 10:59   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Polls, polls, and more polls. Next, political analyst Bill Schneider brings us up to speed on that.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Also, a look at the West. California propositions making waves.

And the second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY begins right now.

Here is a look at what's happening right "Now in the News."

Senator John Kerry and President Bush are off and running on their final frenzied day of the campaign trail. Mr. Bush is on a six- day blitz from the Midwest to the Southwest. Senator Kerry is also campaigning in the Midwest after starting the day in Florida. Live updates from both camps expected. It's just ahead.

A radical Palestinian faction has claimed responsibility for the deadly suicide bombing in a Tel Aviv market this morning. Three people were killed, dozens more were wounded. The teenage bomber also died. The popular front for the Liberation of Palestine says it was behind this attack.

Shades of the Jessica McClure story this morning in Alabama. Remember that? Well, this time it was a toddler that had been rescued after falling down a well.

It took crews about 13 hours to get this cute little boy out. Look at him. He suffered a few scrapes but appears to be OK otherwise. It happened in Frisco City. It's about 60 miles from Mobile, Alabama. A job well done there.

Also, Chief Justice William Rehnquist says that his plan to return to work at the Supreme Court today was too optimistic. He is continuing radiation and chemotherapy treatments following surgery for thyroid cancer. The court denounced last week that Rehnquist would be back at work this week. But he's still recuperating at home.

The head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog agency made appeals today to Iran and North Korea. Mohammed ElBaradei urged Iran to suspend uranium enrichment. He called on North Korea to dismantle its weapons program or allow inspections to ensure that it is peaceful. Elbaradei made the remarks to the U.N. General Assembly.

And so here we go. It is 11:00 a.m. on the East Coast, 8:00 a.m. out West. From the CNN Center in Atlanta, we welcome you all. I'm Rick Sanchez.

KAGAN: And I'm Daryn Kagan. It is finally down to the wire.

Up first this hour on CNN, election eve. The presidential candidates have their final say before the voters have theirs. The long, bruising and extremely close race is down to one last day of campaigning.

President Bush's campaign blitz takes him to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Iowa and New Mexico. He finishes the day with the home state rally in Texas and spends the night at his ranch in Crawford.

Senator Kerry started the day in Florida. From there, he makes stops in Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio. Aides say he will fly home to Boston tomorrow to cast his vote.

SANCHEZ: The president, in fact, said today that he -- that the finish line is in sight when speaking to reporters. At an early morning rally in Ohio, Mr. Bush told supporters that he will never relent on defending America.

Our Suzanne Malveaux is covering the Bush campaign, and she's joining us from Wilmington, Ohio, this morning.

Hi, Suzanne.

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

Already, President Bush has been through two rallies. That is just the beginning of his day. He was in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. And earlier today, of course, in Wilmington, Ohio.

Now, as you imagine, this is going to be a grueling day for this president. We are talking about a 16-hour marathon. Seven cities, six states. All of this, when it is all said and done, the president bringing home his theme, saying he is making his closing case, his closing argument, "come stand with me," whether or not it's national security or education or health care. The president making that very clear.

I spoke with his top Bush advisers this morning, and he looked rather subdued, perhaps even a little tired this morning. But they say that the president is relaxed, that he is confident, and what is going to unfold in the next 48 hours.

In between those two stops, the president was asked how was he feeling, how was he doing. He said he felt it was going well. He even was feeling rather generous, thanking the press corps, saying that everybody seemed to look tired, but he wanted to thank all of his supporters there and let them know that he was confident, that he felt he was going to win, that he was going to capture this election.

And, of course, this is going to be a very, very busy day for the president. We are told by his aides that later today, in Iowa, that is when he is going to be met with his family, the first lady, as well as his two daughters. And then in a Texas rally, when he finishes the day, that is when aides say they expect it's going to be very emotional for the president. That his aides say that they are already nostalgic about the campaign even before the election is over. They believe that President Bush is going to thank them as well.

Just want to give you a quick snapshot here of what the president's sprint to the finish line looks like. As, of course, just two stops earlier, he made Wilmington, Ohio, and then Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. Next he moves on to Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Des Moines, Iowa; Sioux City, Iowa; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Dallas, Texas; and then, of course, the overnight at his Crawford ranch.

And then, Rick, we are told tomorrow, that's where he's going to cast his ballot. And he's going to make at least one stop to kind of get out the vote, the last-minute get-out-the-vote rally. And then he heads back to Washington. And that, of course, is where he's going to be watching those results -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Suzanne Malveaux following that for us. Thank you so much, Suzanne.

Now, Senator John Kerry is trying to drive home his message that President Bush hasn't gotten the job done. But he can, he says. Mr. Kerry started the day in Florida. National correspondent Kelly Wallace is with the Kerry camp. She's in Orlando.

Hi, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Rick.

Well, at this stage of the game, reporters, like ourselves, start liking for signs to see how the campaign is really feeling. We saw the senator earlier this morning, we asked how he was feeling. He said, "Ready to go, ready to win."

Our Candy Crowley, who is on the Kerry campaign plane, reports of a top Kerry adviser who is smiling and laughing and being oh, so friendly to the press corps. So the campaign says it is feeling confident, but at the same time acknowledging there are states where's it is still very, very close.

One of those states, Florida, the biggest prize when it comes to the battlegrounds and electoral votes. The senator in this state 27 times during this year. He joked during a short rally in Orlando about how much time he's been spending in the Sunshine State.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Let me tell you, I cannot tell you -- I've been coming to Florida enough that my brother, Cam, is thinking of running for governor. How's that?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And we should note that might have been one of the shortest stump speeches by Senator Kerry, probably just about six minutes in length. He said it was not a day for long speeches. He's moving on and trying to energize supporters.

Take a look, though, at where he's going. And it shows you that aides are still concerned about a number of states.

We already talked about Florida. He also then goes to Wisconsin. He goes to Michigan, a state where he had been leading in the polls, but in recent days it has become much closer.

He goes to Ohio, two stop there. One, a rally at midnight. Also, he will be meeting up once again with Bruce Springsteen in Cleveland.

And then he rounds up the day in Wisconsin. He will spend the night there and then do a rally tomorrow. Wisconsin is one of those states where you can register the same day as can you vote.

Wisconsin, though, a concern for the Kerry campaign. Al Gore won that state narrowly by just more than 5,000 votes. And Rick, as you know, in listening to Suzanne, this is a state President Bush is very much trying to steal away. So still some concerns, but at least outwardly, this campaign trying to say it is very confident on this day.

SANCHEZ: Kelly Wallace following the latest there with Senator Kerry. We thank you, Kelly -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Well, Kerry's running mate, John Edwards, is in the Midwest this morning. He is trying to woo undecided voters.

His first stop, a morning rally in St. Paul, Minnesota. Edwards will press on to Iowa and Ohio before wrapping up his day in Florida.

Vice President Dick Cheney journeys to Colorado and Nevada before settling down at home tonight in Wyoming. Over the weekend he went 3,200 miles out of its way to say aloha to Hawaii's voters. Polls show that the traditionally Democratic state's four electoral votes are now, in fact, up for grabs.

We're going to have a lot more on the presidential race at the bottom of the hour. And tune into prime-time politics on CNN's "PAULA ZAHN NOW." Tonight she hosts a town hall meeting with undecided voters live from Florida. That's 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 Pacific.

The races, the votes, the results. CNN's special election night coverage begins tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. Eastern from New York City. You'll see real-time election results on 96 television screens all at once only here on CNN.

SANCHEZ: Let's talk now about what's making news overseas. And there's plenty of it in this morning's "World Wrap."

We're going to begin in Iraq, where two government officials have been assassinated in separate attacks. Early today, a deputy governor of Baghdad was killed in a drive-by shooting while on his way to work. Later, gunmen shot and killed an interior ministry official in Baquba.

Now, three U.N. hostages kidnapped in Afghanistan. They are seen pleading for their lives on a new tape acquired by The Associated Press.

The elections monitors, two women and a man, were kidnapped in Kabul by Islamic militants. One of their captors could be heard encouraging the women to cry. The kidnappers are demanding the release of all prisoners in Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and want the U.N. to leave Afghanistan.

Palestinian officials say that Yasser Arafat is making marked improvements since arriving at a Paris hospital Friday. Arafat's aides say the Palestinian leader does not suffer from leukemia, cancer or any other type of poisoning. However, French physicians have not commented on Arafat's condition or his treatment thus yet.

KAGAN: In other world news this morning, analysts are asking if Osama bin Laden is trying to remake his image from terrorist leader to political leader. On the tape that was played on Friday, he is seen unarmed and seated at a desk. He made no direct threat, and some observers say that they think his statement may be aimed at a broad worldwide audience.

Los Angeles counter-terrorism chief John Miller has met bin Laden face-to-face and offers this analysis of the new tape.

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JOHN MILLER, LA COUNTER-TERRORISM CHIEF: The bin Laden that I sat down with is a guy who sits cross-legged on the floor, cradling an AK-47 and a camouflage jacket. This was the presidential bin Laden. This was sitting at the desk looking like Peter Jennings or Aaron Brown with a backdrop and a formal garb.

He was trying to speak from a position of power, as a statesman, not a military leader. And I would not rule out the possibility in either bin Laden's case, or Azzam the American, if you look at that tape closely, that there were not cue cards or even a teleprompter.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The tape is causing some in the intelligence business to change their view of Osama bin Laden from a man on the run and out of touch with his organization to one who feels secure and well informed.

SANCHEZ: And then there's the question of what affect it could have on this election, something we're going to be getting to with Bill Schneider in just a little bit.

Something else. They say you can't tell the players without a program. But in California, you can't keep track of the propositions without a program either. Will it lead to voter burnout? That's next.

KAGAN: Also, the Supreme Court returns to work, but Chief Justice William Rehnquist does not. Lingering questions over his health are coming up.

SANCHEZ: And then later one last chance to make their case. Lawyers in the Scott Peterson murder trial get their closing arguments.

We're coming right back.

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SANCHEZ: Look at that, a beautiful house on a beautiful fall day. The symbol of our country. Question: who will be the next person to reside there? We at CNN will work hard throughout the day trying to bring you all the answers that you need to know as America votes tomorrow.

California's ballot is so crowded with propositions that voters may need a cheat sheet just to try and keep up. Sixteen of these things. Correspondent Donna Tetrault takes a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONNA TETRAULT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): California's governor isn't up for reelection, but he's spending plenty of time on the campaign trail. And not just with President Bush. He's also campaigning hard for and against a number of controversial ballot measures facing California.

Take Proposition 71. If passed, it would authorize $3 billion in state bond funds for human embryonic stem cell research.

RAPHAEL SONENSHEIN, CALIFORNIA POLITICAL HISTORIAN: When the governor announced that he endorsed this measure, this was taken very ecstatically by the Prop 71 supporters, because he can come in and say, "I'm an economic conservative. I really don't want to spend a whole lot of money, but I endorse this and I think it's responsible." My guess is that will carry it over the top.

TETRAULT: Another proposition swirling among technological advantages is Prop 69. If passed, it would expand the state's DNA database. All of California's convicted felons would have to submit a DNA sample. Beginning in 2009, anyone arrested on suspicion of a felony would be required to do so as well.

Prosecutors in L.A. just last week announced the arrest of Chester Duane Turner, the man they believe could be the most prolific serial killer in L.A. history. Investigators said Turner was implicated through DNA.

CAPT. AL MICHELENA, LOS ANGELES POLICE: You can only imagine, if our database is so much bigger, we're going to do quite well. Because we're doing a better job on crime scenes today than we ever did in the past of gathering potential DNA evidence. TETRAULT: But opponents say it may violate the privacy rights of suspects who have not been convicted of a crime. Proposition 66 is an amendment to the three strikes law which is aimed at putting away repeat felony offenders for 25 years to life.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Proposition 66 fixes the flaw in the law.

TETRAULT: If voters pass 66, a second or third strike offense will have to be a serious or violent offense instead of any felony offense, as the current law states. But Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, backed by four other former governors, is urging people to vote no on 66.

And finally, the big money Props, numbers 68 and 70. Both would increase legal casino gambling in California and raise revenues for the state. But both are failing to gain support according to recent polls.

(on camera): Over $198 million have gone into the 16 propositions on Tuesday's ballot here in California. It's the most money ever raised in the state's history to support and oppose propositions.

Donna Tetrault, for CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: All right. Well, we want to talk California politics. We call on Dick Rosengarten. He is the editor of the nonpartisan "California Political Week," joining us from L.A. this morning.

Dick, good morning. Always great to talk with you.

DICK ROSENGARTEN, "CALIFORNIA POLITICAL WEEK": Good morning, Daryn. How are you?

KAGAN: I'm doing great. You know, it's a good thing you have all these propositions on your ballot. It's not like you would know there's a presidential election in California, would you?

ROSENGARTEN: No. I'll tell you, it really is sort of a mess. I have to -- the latest on the amount of money being spent that I saw this morning on the Web was $205 million through October 16.

KAGAN: On all the different propositions?

ROSENGARTEN: Yes.

KAGAN: Amazing.

ROSENGARTEN: The total number, all 16. Of which I would say about half is going to 68 and 70, the two gaming propositions.

KAGAN: Yes. And I was looking over which ones I wanted to talk to you about today. And when I got to those, I thought, do people outside of California really care? ROSENGARTEN: No, I don't think so.

KAGAN: All right. Let's move on.

ROSENGARTEN: Except for -- well, you do because you've got family here.

KAGAN: Well, that's true. But they're not hanging out in the casinos. I'll tell that you that right now.

ROSENGARTEN: That's true.

KAGAN: Let's just get that on the record, Dick.

ROSENGARTEN: Yes, yes. Aside from 71, which is the stem cell research, which is sort of national because of Bush and Kerry and whatnot, that's the only one that I think people are really sort of paying attention to nationally. Otherwise, it's everything is in state.

KAGAN: Well, actually, let me ask you -- one that has not gotten a lot of publicity but might have some application elsewhere, this health care proposition, focusing on companies like Wal-Mart. The government saying...

ROSENGARTEN: OK.

KAGAN: ... look, you're paying these people, they're your employees, but you're not paying for their health care. The state is. We need you to pay for that. How is that one looking?

ROSENGARTEN: Well, I think it's going to be very, very close, nip and tuck. We're talking about Prop 72. It's not an initiative. It's a referendum.

It was passed -- this law was passed by the state legislature, signed by former Governor Gray Davis, and then the business community said, no, we don't like it, we're going to referendum it. And that's what it's all about right now.

The unions are putting millions of dollars into it, businesses putting millions to stop it. If it passes, the business community says that it's going to cost 150,000 jobs here in California. But nobody knows for sure if it's going to cost anything or not.

KAGAN: We'll be watching that. Governor Schwarzenegger was on "60 Minutes" last night. He was asked to rate himself on a scale of one to 10 how he's doing. He gave himself an eight.

As a nonpartisan political reporter, what would you say?

ROSENGARTEN: About seven or an eight. I wouldn't disagree with that. He stuck his neck out on a lot of these propositions. Some of them he's going to win, some of them he's going to lose.

Prop 66, the three strikes initiative, I think he may have come into it a little bit too late. If he had started maybe a week sooner with the television I would be very confident that "no" on 66 was going to win. But now it's nip and tuck. Nobody really knows one way or another.

KAGAN: Final question...

ROSENGARTEN: Bottom line about California, though...

KAGAN: Yes?

ROSENGARTEN: ... you know, it's an ATM. It's not a battleground state. Sorry.

KAGAN: Well, yes, 55 electoral votes, but lots of people coming there to raise money and campaign cash.

ROSENGARTEN: Oh, yes.

KAGAN: Absolutely. Dick, enjoy your Election Day. I know it's kind of like a high holy day for you.

ROSENGARTEN: Oh, my god, yes.

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: Dick Rosengarten from "California Political Week." Thank you.

You can follow all the election results tomorrow night at CNN.com. If you're away from your television, there will also be plenty of information on state races. Just log onto CNN.com/politics.

SANCHEZ: I've never heard it put that way, California is an ATM.

KAGAN: Well, yes, because the candidates not really making campaign appearances to raise votes. There are 55 electoral votes in the Democratic category, but there is a lot of cash. A lot of Republican cash as well.

SANCHEZ: A lot of cash. That's interesting.

Well, it's becoming a Halloween tradition that's a little too scary. What starts as a party ends as...

KAGAN: Oh, no.

SANCHEZ: ... a riot in Wisconsin. We're going to bring you the details. And we're going to bring you the pictures. More of them right here.

KAGAN: And later, the final sprint to the finish. Who will grab the coveted battleground states? Bill Schneider joins Rick to talk about that.

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SANCHEZ: Welcome back. We do have some breaking news we'd like to share with you now.

We have just learned from the Iraqi Interior Ministry that there have been new abductions in Iraq. The word we're getting is that an American has been abducted in Iraq. Again, this work coming from Iraqi government officials.

As well as a Sri Lankan and someone of Arab descent. No more specification there.

So, once again, the new information we're getting now from the Interior Ministry of Iraq is that there have been three people abducted, an American, a Sri Lankan and a person of Arabian descent. I'm being told by our producer that number has grown to four.

Is that right, Chas (ph)? Four people?

Four people now abducted. Two Arabians, one American, one Sri Lankan. We'll follow that story and bring you the latest when it happens.

KAGAN: Meanwhile, news from here in the U.S. Where there is smoke, there is fire and a problem. A scene from Madison, Wisconsin.

City police defending their use of pepper spray to clear the rowdy crowd of college students celebrating Halloween over the weekend. Over 200 people were arrested.

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KAGAN: Thank you.

SANCHEZ: They don't call them battleground states for nothing. Up next, the final fight to the finish. We're talking to our resident expert, Bill Schneider, about just who needs what to win where.

KAGAN: How? Why? When?

SANCHEZ: We'll be back.

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