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CNN Live Today
Justice Rehnquist Undergoes Cancer Treatment; Candidates On Last Minute Campaign Blitz; Suicide Bombers Kill Three in Tel Aviv
Aired November 01, 2004 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: We've got trends. We've got polls. We got all kinds of things going on today.
KAGAN: Boy, do we ever have things going on. Let's take a look at what's happening right now in the news.
Just minutes ago, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that Chief Justice William Rehnquist will not go to work today, as many had been expecting. But instead, will continue treatment. The 80-year-old Rehnquist was released from the hospital on Friday after a week of treatment for thyroid cancer. We're going to get a full report from CNN's Bob Franken in just a minute or so.
President Bush began his day in Ohio, the kickoff of today's grueling blitz. He'll focus mostly on the Midwest, where he'll make seven stops in six states today. The most recent polls show Bush and Kerry in a statistical dead heat.
Democratic nominee, John Kerry also focusing on the heartland after spending the night in Florida. He has two stops planned in Wisconsin, one in Michigan and it lands in Ohio tonight. He will fly home to Boston to cast his vote there tomorrow.
In world news, Israeli officials say a suicide bomber in Tel Aviv has killed at least three people and wounded nearly three-dozen others in a market in Tel Aviv. Palestinian militants have claimed responsibility for the blast. Palestinian leaders quickly condemned the attack.
Rescuers in Frisco City, Alabama have pulled to safety a 22- month-old boy who had fallen into an abandoned well. He was stuck there for some 13 hours while rescuers dug a parallel shaft.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLIDE ANDERSON, RESCUER: It feels great. I can't imagine any other -- any greater feeling. But I didn't save a life. Everybody here, all of us saved a life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: That ordeal left the youngster with only scratches and bruises. No serious injuries.
Well, are you ready?
SANCHEZ: Here we go.
KAGAN: Here we go. Good morning, everyone. Election eve, I'm Daryn Kagan.
SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez. We're going to get to everything having to do with the election.
But first, something that perhaps indirectly does, as well. This is new information that we're getting out of Washington, D.C. regarding Chief Justice William Rehnquist. He was supposed to go back to work today. We're getting information now that he is not.
Our CNN's Bob Franken is standing by now with the very latest on this story.
What's going on -- Bob?
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the information comes from the chief justice himself from a statement he put out. "According to my doctors," reads the statement, "my plan to return to the office today was too optimistic."
Last week, when it was announced that the chief justice was suffering from thyroid cancer and had a tracheotomy, there was a repeated emphasis that he would be coming back and appearing on the bench today. But he left his home this morning in a wheelchair. Reporters and cameras were kept at bay. No indication of exactly where he was heading. He was accompanied by his nurse at about 20 minutes until the court was about to take the bench, it was announced that he would not be showing up.
He goes on to say, "I'm continuing to take radiation and chemotherapy treatments on an outpatient basis." Now the significance, of course, goes beyond the presence of the Supreme Court of the chief justice and it goes to the election. The election issue that has not gotten a huge amount of attention is the possible replacement of as many as four chief justices in the next term of the next president. Chief Justice Rehnquist is one of those who's been mentioned.
So, this development occurs on the day before the election, and will be part of the reverberation that leads in to tomorrow's vote. Chief Justice Rehnquist is not on the bench today, after announcing he would be. Continuing treatment, he goes on to say that, "While at home I am working on Court matters, including opinions for cases already argued."
Eight justices, of course, can hear a case. In all probability that would mean that you wouldn't have the automatic majority on one side or the other. These are cases, by the way, that are fairly arcane. One having to do with tax law and another one with product liability. So, it's not the cases themselves that are so universally important but the lack of an appearance by Chief Justice Rehnquist -- Rick. SANCHEZ: It really all depends on what happens tomorrow though. Right, Bob? Because let us suppose, of course, that the president of the United States is not re-elected tomorrow. Then there would be a window where the Republicans would, I suppose, try their best in a short period of time to get another conservative on the Supreme Court. Right?
FRANKEN: Well, there are any number of technical possibilities, including presumably the possibility of a recess appointment. But none of that under the scenario you describe would probably occur. What has happened in this election is that neither side has really seized on the issue of the composition of the Supreme Court. And what happens, today, of course, really brings that to the forefront today.
What happened today, of course, is what did not happen today. What did not happen was the reappearance as promised of the Chief Justice William Rehnquist.
SANCHEZ: It is a big issue. Bob Franken, thanks so much for getting to us with that, and we'll certainly get back to you if need be.
Daryn, over to you.
KAGAN: Can't miss this one by the calendar. Election Day is tomorrow. And here is how it breaks down on the eve of that big day.
Our final CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll shows it is extremely close. George Bush leading 49 to 47 percent over Senator John Kerry. That does fall within the sampling error, however. Three percent of those polled are still at this late date undecided. And when our pollsters tried to estimate who the undecideds will pick, a statistical tie winds up as an actual tie, 49 percent for the president, 49 percent for the senator.
Both candidates are focusing on toss-up states on their last day on the campaign trail. President Bush has rallies in seven cities in six states. Look at that itinerary. Senator Kerry has appearances in Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.
Our correspondents also have a long day, one long day ahead of them, traveling with them. Kelly Wallace is traveling with the Kerry campaign. Suzanne Malveaux with the president.
Ladies, I hope you have your running shoes on.
Suzanne, we will start with you in Wilmington, Ohio.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Daryn. Yes, we have our running shoes on. It is going to be a grueling day today. The president, you're looking at live pictures at Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. Earlier we caught up with the president. He was in Wilmington, Ohio; that being, of course, his second stop. And the president, of course, is going to go through seven cities, six states, 16 hours. The president earlier today was actually introduced by World Series pitcher Curt Schilling on the first stop. He looked rather subdued, rather tired. But I spoke with top Bush aides who say he is relaxed, that he is confident in what is going to unfold in the next 48 hours or so. The message, of course, it is the closer here. It is come stand by me if it's national security, education, whatever the policy.
Now, there were those who caught up with the president in between these two stops to ask him how he thought this was all going.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Coming down the stretch and I feel great. Thank you for asking.
(LAUGHTER)
BUSH: This is a seven-stop day, because I want to continue telling the people what I intend to do to protect them, and how I intend to put policies in place to make sure America's a hopeful place.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now, Daryn, perhaps even in a moment of generosity he was even thinking the press corps saying that we had all done a good job, that we had all been rather tired and worked rather hard.
I talked to Bush aides who said that he's going to be joined by the rest of his family at the Ohio -- the Iowa stop, rather, his daughters, as well as the first lady.
Texas is supposed to be a very emotional occasion for the president. Many campaigners saying they are already rather nostalgic about the whole experience even before the election. And of course, as you know, tomorrow is when the president votes at his Crawford ranch. Then he makes one stop, we are told, to kind of a get out the vote rally before he heads back to Washington and simply waits for those returns -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Well, no matter how it ends up, it is his last presidential campaign. We know that.
Suzanne Malveaux in Wilmington, Ohio, good luck with the sprint.
SANCHEZ: Now let's go over to Kelly Wallace, where John Kerry is holding the first of four big rallies today.
Hi, Kelly. How are things there in the state of Florida?
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Rick, we just happened to run into Senator Kerry in the lobby of the hotel here. So, we asked him how he was feeling? And he said, "Ready to go. Ready to win." And then he was off. His first stop, actually, was going to church. It is All Saints Day. Senator Kerry, a Catholic, a final effort you can say to court those Catholic voters. Any minute now, we're expecting him to be at the airport here for a rally. In all, he is making six stops in four states in what is expected to be an 18-hour kind of day.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE (voice-over): His two-year quest for the presidency down to just 24 hours. So, every stop designed to get the maximum punch, Tampa last night, home of highly coveted swing voters.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Two days from now, the mask is coming off, the treats are over and the tricks will end.
WALLACE: The final push includes visits to states his advisers are most concerned about: Florida, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan and New Hampshire, where the New England native was downright giddy yesterday. Saluting the Boston Red Sox, World Series champs for the first time in 86 years and receiving endorsement from the team's front office.
The senator hailing himself as a good closer, closing out his campaign, staying away from talk about the new Osama bin Laden tape. Focusing instead on domestic issues, his aides believe middle-class voters want to hear more about.
KERRY: You ready to put America back to work?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes!
KERRY: Are you ready for new leadership in the United States of America?
(CHEERING)
KERRY: Two more days and help is on the way.
WALLACE: Known to be a bit superstitious, he was all smiles on his campaign plane. Since 1936, if the Washington Redskins lose their pre-election home game, the incumbent's party loses. The Skins fell to the Green Bay Packers yesterday.
KERRY: I think it's a good tradition to follow. I think the country should stay with tradition, don't you?
WALLACE: And at the end of a costly and contentious campaign, efforts to show a relaxed, confident candidate, a regular guy. Pictures aimed at those voters who are not likely to make a decision until they get to the polls.
(END VIDEOTAPE) WALLACE: And now, of course, it all comes down to the ground game. Advisers on a conference call a short time ago saying they will have more than 1 million volunteers on Election Day getting out the vote. Two hundred fifty thousand trained, and in the words of these advisers, "proven volunteers" focusing on the key battleground states -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: And then there are the lawyers.
(LAUGHTER)
SANCHEZ: Thank you, Kelly. We'll be getting back to you -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Oh, we'll get to those lawyers, too.
Right now though, we're going to hit a lot of the battleground states that are still in play. Any combination of these could decide the race. Those states include: Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. We have reporters in three of those states this morning.
And we're going to start with Adaora Udoji, who is joining us from canton, Ohio.
Good morning.
ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. And the competition is certainly stiff here in Ohio. Both the Republicans and the Democrats are highly mobilizing. Of course, at stake are 20 electoral votes. Potentially critical votes, so important as we just heard, that even on this last day of campaigning both President Bush and Senator Kerry are making stops through Ohio.
Now, in 2000, Bush won Ohio. But right now the polls are showing the two candidates in a dead heat. And there are some differences this time around. There has been an unprecedented and record-breaking voter registration drive. All told, nearly 800,000 new voters on the rolls. Many arguing that the majority of those are leaning towards the Democrats.
Also, there have been unprecedented get out the vote efforts. Tens of thousands of people mobilized, according to the Republicans and the Democrats, here in Ohio working as we speak, making phone calls, knocking on doors.
There's also been a string of lawsuits, a flurry of legal today in the last week, already today -- and it's just 10:00 Eastern Time in the morning. Already today, two decisions from courts. They had to do with challengers. Because in the state of Ohio, Daryn, each party has the right on Election Day to post challengers inside the polling stations. And those challengers can challenge any voter's eligibility.
And the Democrats are saying that they were concerned that the Republicans plan to intimidate voters, had asked the court to bar each party from being able to put those challengers in the polling stations tomorrow. And so far, two judges have agreed, barring those challengers tomorrow. And Republicans denying any intimidation intent whatsoever, saying that they are concerned about voter fraud are going to -- have told us that they will be appealing those decisions.
Now, right now, we're in Ark County. Which is famous because the voters here have this uncanny knack in nine out of the last 10 presidential contests, they have gone for the winner. And that's a 40-year record. And of course we know in politics, things can be terribly unpredictable. So, that's very impressive. And we will be watching closely the goings-on today and tomorrow -- Daryn.
KAGAN: That we will. Adaora Udoji in Canton, Ohio, thanks -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Now to the state bordering Ohio to the east, that's Pennsylvania. That's where there are serious concerns about post- vote, legal challenges.
Our Jason Carroll has that part of the story from Lehigh County.
Jason, sounds like there are already being some -- there have already been some pre-vote legal challenges, as well, to go along with the post-legal challenges, huh?
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Have to tell you, Rick, they are gearing up for just about anything here in the state of Pennsylvania. We're standing by some of these voting machines that are ready for use. Poll watchers will be keeping an eye on these, as well as other problems that might arise. What you're about to see are a look at what some of those problems might be.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): There are several potential reasons why there could be post-election problems in Pennsylvania. Reason 1, provisional ballots.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: These are where our provisional ballots are ready and packed for the polls.
CARROLL: Now required by law, the ballots are used in part so registered voters, whose names aren't in the state system, can still vote.
JANE ERVIN, EXECUTIVE, LEHIGH COUNTY: It's going to be a challenge to make sure we do it accurately.
CARROLL: Reason 2, a record increase in voter registration, thanks to get out the vote efforts by both parties. But election workers say their new computer system, called SURE, isn't processing registrants fast enough.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sure has not helped us. Sure has hindered us. CARROLL: Reason 3, partisan challenges. Democrats accuse Republicans of voter intimidation tactics in urban areas. Not true say Republicans, like Senator Rick Santorum, who accused Democrats of padding registration rolls with ineligible voters.
SEN. RICK SANTORUM (R) PENNSYLVANIA: We just don't want fraud. We just want people who are eligible to vote to have their vote counted. And those who aren't, don't.
CARROLL: Democratic Governor Ed Rendell denied allegations of padding the rolls, while on a last-minute celebrity get out the vote campaign.
GOV. ED RENDELL (D), PENNSYLVANIA: People got to calm down, get a grip on themselves. As much as I want John Kerry to win, I wouldn't cheat and violate the process that I believe sets America apart from every other country in the world.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CARROLL (on camera): Republicans and Democrats will have poll watchers here at the site. We're told attorneys will be here, as well. Election workers gearing up, as I said, for just about anything -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Jason Carroll in Pennsylvania, we thank you.
Daryn over to you.
KAGAN: We are not done yet. We have another battleground state to check in this hour, Florida where no one wants a repeat of the 2000 voting problems.
Our Gary Tuchman is in West Palm Beach.
Gary, good morning.
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, good morning to you. Florida is not exactly a low profile electoral prize. And that is why behind me right now, we have hundreds of people in line to cast a vote. That's right. Cast a vote. It is not Election Day. That's tomorrow. But a very ambitious early vote voting program in this state, because of the chaos in the year 2000.
Right now, there are about 300 people waiting in line. It is a blazing hot November day here in Florida. Nevertheless, they have their umbrellas. They have their chairs. Yesterday, and yesterday was Sunday, early voting was available on the weekend, people waited up to four hours in line to cast their early vote.
Ten million registered voters in this state. It is estimated that about 2 million or 20 percent have already cast their ballot. Have already made their decision. If there's no surprise for the election, too late for those voters, they voted already.
Over here, this is not a quiet peaceful area. This is where the demonstrators are allowed to be. We have demonstrators from both sides, mostly Kerry's side. But yesterday it got very rowdy at times. And we have scores of police officers who are standing here right now, ready to stave off any trouble that might possibly happen.
Daryn, back to you.
KAGAN: All right, Gary Tuchman in Florida. Thank you, Gary.
Paula Zahn is also in Florida tonight to host a town hall meeting with undecided voters. If you have questions for the Bush or Kerry campaign, send them to cnn.com/paula. "PAULA ZAHN NOW" airs at 8 p.m. Eastern.
SANCHEZ: And then after you vote, be sure to stay with CNN all night long for your election results. We're going to have full coverage of the red states, the blue states and all the battlegrounds in between. All that gets under way tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Or as many have been calling them the purple states.
KAGAN: Purple states. And goes all through the night. Let's get our own promo in.
SANCHEZ: With you and me right here.
KAGAN: Two a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Eastern.
SANCHEZ: Bringing on the very latest.
KAGAN: The best coverage right here.
(LAUGHTER)
KAGAN: Stick with us. Stay up.
Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, an attack at a Tel Aviv market by a teenager. A look at the death and destruction and claims of responsibility.
SANCHEZ: Also, some concern about possible election mishaps and how they could impact tomorrow's day at the polls. We'll examine that; the legal part of it, as Daryn had said, right here. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: And welcome back to CNN LIVE TODAY. I'm Rick Sanchez.
A United Nations envoy to the Middle East has issued a sharp condemnation this morning of a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, pointedly calling upon the Palestinian Authority to rein in such attacks. Now, this rebuke comes as Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is out of the region for emergency medal treatment. And questions now loom over future Palestinian leadership.
CNN's Matthew Chance is in Tel Aviv. He filed this report for us just a short time ago. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, still scenes of chaos here at the Carmel open market in the south of the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, where that devastating suicide attack took place at 11:30 in the morning local time here, during a very busy shopping period on this Monday morning in Tel Aviv.
The latest casualty figures we have coming to us from police and hospital sources, saying at least four people, four bodies have been taken out of this crowded marketplace. One of those bodies believed to be the 18-year-old suicide bomber who belonged to one of the lesser-known Palestinian militant factions, the PFLP. A number -- a number of 35 people are said to have been injured. Some of them are in serious condition. So, there's a good chance that that death toll could rise in the hours ahead.
Matthew Chance, CNN, Tel Aviv.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: And now for the latest on Yasser Arafat. Palestinian officials say that Arafat is somewhat improved in his health on this his fourth day of emergency treatment at a Paris hospital. The 75- year-old Arafat is undergoing tests to determine the cause of his illness. Doctors have reportedly cast doubt on a preliminary diagnosis of leukemia. But reports of a decline in his mental facilities suggest that his status as a leader may be over.
SANCHEZ: Here's an interesting question, as we tease into the next block. Ready? If you were on your death bed what would your final wish be? This is a story about a man who had this situation. In fact, it's an unusual request. Proves that he's very loyal to the very end. We're going to explain this one coming up in a bit.
KAGAN: But first, Gerri Willis joins us live. She's loyal to us.
Hey, Ger.
(LAUGHTER)
GERRI WILLIS, CNNFN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Very loyal, indeed. Are you selling your house? We'll show you how to boost your home's curb appeal on the cheap when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Live picture there from Orlando, Florida. The back of the head, that's the side of the head of Senator John Kerry. A very busy day, indeed. He's starting this day in Florida. Then he's moving on to Wisconsin and Michigan and Ohio, and a number of states, trying to get the last minute campaigning in this race a dead heat across the country. Much more from the campaign just ahead.
SANCHEZ: Let's talk about something. This is something that certainly could affect you if you're selling your house in a crowded real estate market. You should know that your sale is often made or lost even before the prospective buyer arrives at your doorstep.
For more on the value of curb appeal, here's CNNfn personal finance editor Gerri Willis.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILLIS (voice-over): Real estate agent Blanche O'Connell is helping her client Linda prepare her home for what they hope will be a quick sale. Landscaping can boost a home's value by up to 15 percent. So, they're looking to turn up the home's curb appeal and dress it for success.
But there are a few issues to address. First, in an area where colonial style homes are more popular, Linda's is a contemporary, which may make it a little harder to sell.
BLANCHE O'CONNELL, WILLIAM PITT: Contemporaries in Connecticut are not the most sought-after type of home. But a contemporary that's really special, and beautiful, is also very desirable.
WILLIS: To make this contemporary house and property really shine, Blanche wants Linda to create a grander entryway, by adding pillars to the stonewall in front of the house. Then there's the center island in the driveway. There are large trees growing, but the ground is virtually bare. Blanche has suggested adding more green.
O'CONNELL: What I want to do is enhance the larger material by putting more stuff on the ground. So, that, you know, it really is a total picture. As opposed to just a little bit empty. It's a little empty right now.
WILLIS: The island isn't the only bare spot on the park-like property. There are a few other spots that need covering, like the flowerbeds on the sides of the house.
Blanche also suggests dressing up the home's attached garage with colorful flowers and removing the unsightly old doghouse. Finally, Blanche wants to draw more attention to the doorway of the home by planted sculpted trees in these black urns.
After three months and a $15,000 investment, Linda has transformed her property into a lush, green oasis. The pillars installed at the entrance to the property gave the home an air of increased sophistication. The center island now features swaths of green that boost the property's lush, park-like appeal. Bare flowerbeds on the sides of the house have been transformed into colorful gardens.
The area surrounding the homes attached garage looks organized and manicured. The old doghouse, gone. Remember those black urns in front of the doorway? Those bushy plants have been replaced by shapely, sculpted plantings. The property is expected to hit the market later this month.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera): So, if you don't want to spend $15,000, boosting your home's curb appeal you can do it on the cheap.
Tip No. 1: Take out the emotion. People who come to see your house are going to look at it with cold eyes. Eyes that have never seen the house before; start thinking of your house like a commodity like they do.
Tip No. 2: Tidy it up on the outside. Because if it's attractive on the outside potential buyers will think it's going to be tidy on the inside.
Tip. No. 3: Shake it up. If you haven't put bushes and other vegetation around your outdoor air-conditioners, do it now. Hide that ugly unsightly air-conditioner.
Tip No. 4: Neutralize your home on the interior. Make sure that the walls are painted a white, a cream color, something that nobody's going to take offense to.
And finally, tip No. 5: Depersonalize the space. If you have a ton of big pictures of the family, take them out. Potential buyers want to see a house where they can imagine their own sofas and chairs in it and they don't have to think about who you are and your things.
SANCHEZ: Gerri Wills with some important information for us. Thanks a lot, Gerri, appreciate it.
WILLIS: Thank you.
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Aired November 1, 2004 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: We've got trends. We've got polls. We got all kinds of things going on today.
KAGAN: Boy, do we ever have things going on. Let's take a look at what's happening right now in the news.
Just minutes ago, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that Chief Justice William Rehnquist will not go to work today, as many had been expecting. But instead, will continue treatment. The 80-year-old Rehnquist was released from the hospital on Friday after a week of treatment for thyroid cancer. We're going to get a full report from CNN's Bob Franken in just a minute or so.
President Bush began his day in Ohio, the kickoff of today's grueling blitz. He'll focus mostly on the Midwest, where he'll make seven stops in six states today. The most recent polls show Bush and Kerry in a statistical dead heat.
Democratic nominee, John Kerry also focusing on the heartland after spending the night in Florida. He has two stops planned in Wisconsin, one in Michigan and it lands in Ohio tonight. He will fly home to Boston to cast his vote there tomorrow.
In world news, Israeli officials say a suicide bomber in Tel Aviv has killed at least three people and wounded nearly three-dozen others in a market in Tel Aviv. Palestinian militants have claimed responsibility for the blast. Palestinian leaders quickly condemned the attack.
Rescuers in Frisco City, Alabama have pulled to safety a 22- month-old boy who had fallen into an abandoned well. He was stuck there for some 13 hours while rescuers dug a parallel shaft.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLIDE ANDERSON, RESCUER: It feels great. I can't imagine any other -- any greater feeling. But I didn't save a life. Everybody here, all of us saved a life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: That ordeal left the youngster with only scratches and bruises. No serious injuries.
Well, are you ready?
SANCHEZ: Here we go.
KAGAN: Here we go. Good morning, everyone. Election eve, I'm Daryn Kagan.
SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez. We're going to get to everything having to do with the election.
But first, something that perhaps indirectly does, as well. This is new information that we're getting out of Washington, D.C. regarding Chief Justice William Rehnquist. He was supposed to go back to work today. We're getting information now that he is not.
Our CNN's Bob Franken is standing by now with the very latest on this story.
What's going on -- Bob?
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the information comes from the chief justice himself from a statement he put out. "According to my doctors," reads the statement, "my plan to return to the office today was too optimistic."
Last week, when it was announced that the chief justice was suffering from thyroid cancer and had a tracheotomy, there was a repeated emphasis that he would be coming back and appearing on the bench today. But he left his home this morning in a wheelchair. Reporters and cameras were kept at bay. No indication of exactly where he was heading. He was accompanied by his nurse at about 20 minutes until the court was about to take the bench, it was announced that he would not be showing up.
He goes on to say, "I'm continuing to take radiation and chemotherapy treatments on an outpatient basis." Now the significance, of course, goes beyond the presence of the Supreme Court of the chief justice and it goes to the election. The election issue that has not gotten a huge amount of attention is the possible replacement of as many as four chief justices in the next term of the next president. Chief Justice Rehnquist is one of those who's been mentioned.
So, this development occurs on the day before the election, and will be part of the reverberation that leads in to tomorrow's vote. Chief Justice Rehnquist is not on the bench today, after announcing he would be. Continuing treatment, he goes on to say that, "While at home I am working on Court matters, including opinions for cases already argued."
Eight justices, of course, can hear a case. In all probability that would mean that you wouldn't have the automatic majority on one side or the other. These are cases, by the way, that are fairly arcane. One having to do with tax law and another one with product liability. So, it's not the cases themselves that are so universally important but the lack of an appearance by Chief Justice Rehnquist -- Rick. SANCHEZ: It really all depends on what happens tomorrow though. Right, Bob? Because let us suppose, of course, that the president of the United States is not re-elected tomorrow. Then there would be a window where the Republicans would, I suppose, try their best in a short period of time to get another conservative on the Supreme Court. Right?
FRANKEN: Well, there are any number of technical possibilities, including presumably the possibility of a recess appointment. But none of that under the scenario you describe would probably occur. What has happened in this election is that neither side has really seized on the issue of the composition of the Supreme Court. And what happens, today, of course, really brings that to the forefront today.
What happened today, of course, is what did not happen today. What did not happen was the reappearance as promised of the Chief Justice William Rehnquist.
SANCHEZ: It is a big issue. Bob Franken, thanks so much for getting to us with that, and we'll certainly get back to you if need be.
Daryn, over to you.
KAGAN: Can't miss this one by the calendar. Election Day is tomorrow. And here is how it breaks down on the eve of that big day.
Our final CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll shows it is extremely close. George Bush leading 49 to 47 percent over Senator John Kerry. That does fall within the sampling error, however. Three percent of those polled are still at this late date undecided. And when our pollsters tried to estimate who the undecideds will pick, a statistical tie winds up as an actual tie, 49 percent for the president, 49 percent for the senator.
Both candidates are focusing on toss-up states on their last day on the campaign trail. President Bush has rallies in seven cities in six states. Look at that itinerary. Senator Kerry has appearances in Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.
Our correspondents also have a long day, one long day ahead of them, traveling with them. Kelly Wallace is traveling with the Kerry campaign. Suzanne Malveaux with the president.
Ladies, I hope you have your running shoes on.
Suzanne, we will start with you in Wilmington, Ohio.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Daryn. Yes, we have our running shoes on. It is going to be a grueling day today. The president, you're looking at live pictures at Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. Earlier we caught up with the president. He was in Wilmington, Ohio; that being, of course, his second stop. And the president, of course, is going to go through seven cities, six states, 16 hours. The president earlier today was actually introduced by World Series pitcher Curt Schilling on the first stop. He looked rather subdued, rather tired. But I spoke with top Bush aides who say he is relaxed, that he is confident in what is going to unfold in the next 48 hours or so. The message, of course, it is the closer here. It is come stand by me if it's national security, education, whatever the policy.
Now, there were those who caught up with the president in between these two stops to ask him how he thought this was all going.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Coming down the stretch and I feel great. Thank you for asking.
(LAUGHTER)
BUSH: This is a seven-stop day, because I want to continue telling the people what I intend to do to protect them, and how I intend to put policies in place to make sure America's a hopeful place.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now, Daryn, perhaps even in a moment of generosity he was even thinking the press corps saying that we had all done a good job, that we had all been rather tired and worked rather hard.
I talked to Bush aides who said that he's going to be joined by the rest of his family at the Ohio -- the Iowa stop, rather, his daughters, as well as the first lady.
Texas is supposed to be a very emotional occasion for the president. Many campaigners saying they are already rather nostalgic about the whole experience even before the election. And of course, as you know, tomorrow is when the president votes at his Crawford ranch. Then he makes one stop, we are told, to kind of a get out the vote rally before he heads back to Washington and simply waits for those returns -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Well, no matter how it ends up, it is his last presidential campaign. We know that.
Suzanne Malveaux in Wilmington, Ohio, good luck with the sprint.
SANCHEZ: Now let's go over to Kelly Wallace, where John Kerry is holding the first of four big rallies today.
Hi, Kelly. How are things there in the state of Florida?
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Rick, we just happened to run into Senator Kerry in the lobby of the hotel here. So, we asked him how he was feeling? And he said, "Ready to go. Ready to win." And then he was off. His first stop, actually, was going to church. It is All Saints Day. Senator Kerry, a Catholic, a final effort you can say to court those Catholic voters. Any minute now, we're expecting him to be at the airport here for a rally. In all, he is making six stops in four states in what is expected to be an 18-hour kind of day.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE (voice-over): His two-year quest for the presidency down to just 24 hours. So, every stop designed to get the maximum punch, Tampa last night, home of highly coveted swing voters.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Two days from now, the mask is coming off, the treats are over and the tricks will end.
WALLACE: The final push includes visits to states his advisers are most concerned about: Florida, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan and New Hampshire, where the New England native was downright giddy yesterday. Saluting the Boston Red Sox, World Series champs for the first time in 86 years and receiving endorsement from the team's front office.
The senator hailing himself as a good closer, closing out his campaign, staying away from talk about the new Osama bin Laden tape. Focusing instead on domestic issues, his aides believe middle-class voters want to hear more about.
KERRY: You ready to put America back to work?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes!
KERRY: Are you ready for new leadership in the United States of America?
(CHEERING)
KERRY: Two more days and help is on the way.
WALLACE: Known to be a bit superstitious, he was all smiles on his campaign plane. Since 1936, if the Washington Redskins lose their pre-election home game, the incumbent's party loses. The Skins fell to the Green Bay Packers yesterday.
KERRY: I think it's a good tradition to follow. I think the country should stay with tradition, don't you?
WALLACE: And at the end of a costly and contentious campaign, efforts to show a relaxed, confident candidate, a regular guy. Pictures aimed at those voters who are not likely to make a decision until they get to the polls.
(END VIDEOTAPE) WALLACE: And now, of course, it all comes down to the ground game. Advisers on a conference call a short time ago saying they will have more than 1 million volunteers on Election Day getting out the vote. Two hundred fifty thousand trained, and in the words of these advisers, "proven volunteers" focusing on the key battleground states -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: And then there are the lawyers.
(LAUGHTER)
SANCHEZ: Thank you, Kelly. We'll be getting back to you -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Oh, we'll get to those lawyers, too.
Right now though, we're going to hit a lot of the battleground states that are still in play. Any combination of these could decide the race. Those states include: Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. We have reporters in three of those states this morning.
And we're going to start with Adaora Udoji, who is joining us from canton, Ohio.
Good morning.
ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. And the competition is certainly stiff here in Ohio. Both the Republicans and the Democrats are highly mobilizing. Of course, at stake are 20 electoral votes. Potentially critical votes, so important as we just heard, that even on this last day of campaigning both President Bush and Senator Kerry are making stops through Ohio.
Now, in 2000, Bush won Ohio. But right now the polls are showing the two candidates in a dead heat. And there are some differences this time around. There has been an unprecedented and record-breaking voter registration drive. All told, nearly 800,000 new voters on the rolls. Many arguing that the majority of those are leaning towards the Democrats.
Also, there have been unprecedented get out the vote efforts. Tens of thousands of people mobilized, according to the Republicans and the Democrats, here in Ohio working as we speak, making phone calls, knocking on doors.
There's also been a string of lawsuits, a flurry of legal today in the last week, already today -- and it's just 10:00 Eastern Time in the morning. Already today, two decisions from courts. They had to do with challengers. Because in the state of Ohio, Daryn, each party has the right on Election Day to post challengers inside the polling stations. And those challengers can challenge any voter's eligibility.
And the Democrats are saying that they were concerned that the Republicans plan to intimidate voters, had asked the court to bar each party from being able to put those challengers in the polling stations tomorrow. And so far, two judges have agreed, barring those challengers tomorrow. And Republicans denying any intimidation intent whatsoever, saying that they are concerned about voter fraud are going to -- have told us that they will be appealing those decisions.
Now, right now, we're in Ark County. Which is famous because the voters here have this uncanny knack in nine out of the last 10 presidential contests, they have gone for the winner. And that's a 40-year record. And of course we know in politics, things can be terribly unpredictable. So, that's very impressive. And we will be watching closely the goings-on today and tomorrow -- Daryn.
KAGAN: That we will. Adaora Udoji in Canton, Ohio, thanks -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Now to the state bordering Ohio to the east, that's Pennsylvania. That's where there are serious concerns about post- vote, legal challenges.
Our Jason Carroll has that part of the story from Lehigh County.
Jason, sounds like there are already being some -- there have already been some pre-vote legal challenges, as well, to go along with the post-legal challenges, huh?
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Have to tell you, Rick, they are gearing up for just about anything here in the state of Pennsylvania. We're standing by some of these voting machines that are ready for use. Poll watchers will be keeping an eye on these, as well as other problems that might arise. What you're about to see are a look at what some of those problems might be.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): There are several potential reasons why there could be post-election problems in Pennsylvania. Reason 1, provisional ballots.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: These are where our provisional ballots are ready and packed for the polls.
CARROLL: Now required by law, the ballots are used in part so registered voters, whose names aren't in the state system, can still vote.
JANE ERVIN, EXECUTIVE, LEHIGH COUNTY: It's going to be a challenge to make sure we do it accurately.
CARROLL: Reason 2, a record increase in voter registration, thanks to get out the vote efforts by both parties. But election workers say their new computer system, called SURE, isn't processing registrants fast enough.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sure has not helped us. Sure has hindered us. CARROLL: Reason 3, partisan challenges. Democrats accuse Republicans of voter intimidation tactics in urban areas. Not true say Republicans, like Senator Rick Santorum, who accused Democrats of padding registration rolls with ineligible voters.
SEN. RICK SANTORUM (R) PENNSYLVANIA: We just don't want fraud. We just want people who are eligible to vote to have their vote counted. And those who aren't, don't.
CARROLL: Democratic Governor Ed Rendell denied allegations of padding the rolls, while on a last-minute celebrity get out the vote campaign.
GOV. ED RENDELL (D), PENNSYLVANIA: People got to calm down, get a grip on themselves. As much as I want John Kerry to win, I wouldn't cheat and violate the process that I believe sets America apart from every other country in the world.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CARROLL (on camera): Republicans and Democrats will have poll watchers here at the site. We're told attorneys will be here, as well. Election workers gearing up, as I said, for just about anything -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Jason Carroll in Pennsylvania, we thank you.
Daryn over to you.
KAGAN: We are not done yet. We have another battleground state to check in this hour, Florida where no one wants a repeat of the 2000 voting problems.
Our Gary Tuchman is in West Palm Beach.
Gary, good morning.
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, good morning to you. Florida is not exactly a low profile electoral prize. And that is why behind me right now, we have hundreds of people in line to cast a vote. That's right. Cast a vote. It is not Election Day. That's tomorrow. But a very ambitious early vote voting program in this state, because of the chaos in the year 2000.
Right now, there are about 300 people waiting in line. It is a blazing hot November day here in Florida. Nevertheless, they have their umbrellas. They have their chairs. Yesterday, and yesterday was Sunday, early voting was available on the weekend, people waited up to four hours in line to cast their early vote.
Ten million registered voters in this state. It is estimated that about 2 million or 20 percent have already cast their ballot. Have already made their decision. If there's no surprise for the election, too late for those voters, they voted already.
Over here, this is not a quiet peaceful area. This is where the demonstrators are allowed to be. We have demonstrators from both sides, mostly Kerry's side. But yesterday it got very rowdy at times. And we have scores of police officers who are standing here right now, ready to stave off any trouble that might possibly happen.
Daryn, back to you.
KAGAN: All right, Gary Tuchman in Florida. Thank you, Gary.
Paula Zahn is also in Florida tonight to host a town hall meeting with undecided voters. If you have questions for the Bush or Kerry campaign, send them to cnn.com/paula. "PAULA ZAHN NOW" airs at 8 p.m. Eastern.
SANCHEZ: And then after you vote, be sure to stay with CNN all night long for your election results. We're going to have full coverage of the red states, the blue states and all the battlegrounds in between. All that gets under way tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Or as many have been calling them the purple states.
KAGAN: Purple states. And goes all through the night. Let's get our own promo in.
SANCHEZ: With you and me right here.
KAGAN: Two a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Eastern.
SANCHEZ: Bringing on the very latest.
KAGAN: The best coverage right here.
(LAUGHTER)
KAGAN: Stick with us. Stay up.
Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, an attack at a Tel Aviv market by a teenager. A look at the death and destruction and claims of responsibility.
SANCHEZ: Also, some concern about possible election mishaps and how they could impact tomorrow's day at the polls. We'll examine that; the legal part of it, as Daryn had said, right here. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: And welcome back to CNN LIVE TODAY. I'm Rick Sanchez.
A United Nations envoy to the Middle East has issued a sharp condemnation this morning of a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, pointedly calling upon the Palestinian Authority to rein in such attacks. Now, this rebuke comes as Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is out of the region for emergency medal treatment. And questions now loom over future Palestinian leadership.
CNN's Matthew Chance is in Tel Aviv. He filed this report for us just a short time ago. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, still scenes of chaos here at the Carmel open market in the south of the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, where that devastating suicide attack took place at 11:30 in the morning local time here, during a very busy shopping period on this Monday morning in Tel Aviv.
The latest casualty figures we have coming to us from police and hospital sources, saying at least four people, four bodies have been taken out of this crowded marketplace. One of those bodies believed to be the 18-year-old suicide bomber who belonged to one of the lesser-known Palestinian militant factions, the PFLP. A number -- a number of 35 people are said to have been injured. Some of them are in serious condition. So, there's a good chance that that death toll could rise in the hours ahead.
Matthew Chance, CNN, Tel Aviv.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: And now for the latest on Yasser Arafat. Palestinian officials say that Arafat is somewhat improved in his health on this his fourth day of emergency treatment at a Paris hospital. The 75- year-old Arafat is undergoing tests to determine the cause of his illness. Doctors have reportedly cast doubt on a preliminary diagnosis of leukemia. But reports of a decline in his mental facilities suggest that his status as a leader may be over.
SANCHEZ: Here's an interesting question, as we tease into the next block. Ready? If you were on your death bed what would your final wish be? This is a story about a man who had this situation. In fact, it's an unusual request. Proves that he's very loyal to the very end. We're going to explain this one coming up in a bit.
KAGAN: But first, Gerri Willis joins us live. She's loyal to us.
Hey, Ger.
(LAUGHTER)
GERRI WILLIS, CNNFN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Very loyal, indeed. Are you selling your house? We'll show you how to boost your home's curb appeal on the cheap when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Live picture there from Orlando, Florida. The back of the head, that's the side of the head of Senator John Kerry. A very busy day, indeed. He's starting this day in Florida. Then he's moving on to Wisconsin and Michigan and Ohio, and a number of states, trying to get the last minute campaigning in this race a dead heat across the country. Much more from the campaign just ahead.
SANCHEZ: Let's talk about something. This is something that certainly could affect you if you're selling your house in a crowded real estate market. You should know that your sale is often made or lost even before the prospective buyer arrives at your doorstep.
For more on the value of curb appeal, here's CNNfn personal finance editor Gerri Willis.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILLIS (voice-over): Real estate agent Blanche O'Connell is helping her client Linda prepare her home for what they hope will be a quick sale. Landscaping can boost a home's value by up to 15 percent. So, they're looking to turn up the home's curb appeal and dress it for success.
But there are a few issues to address. First, in an area where colonial style homes are more popular, Linda's is a contemporary, which may make it a little harder to sell.
BLANCHE O'CONNELL, WILLIAM PITT: Contemporaries in Connecticut are not the most sought-after type of home. But a contemporary that's really special, and beautiful, is also very desirable.
WILLIS: To make this contemporary house and property really shine, Blanche wants Linda to create a grander entryway, by adding pillars to the stonewall in front of the house. Then there's the center island in the driveway. There are large trees growing, but the ground is virtually bare. Blanche has suggested adding more green.
O'CONNELL: What I want to do is enhance the larger material by putting more stuff on the ground. So, that, you know, it really is a total picture. As opposed to just a little bit empty. It's a little empty right now.
WILLIS: The island isn't the only bare spot on the park-like property. There are a few other spots that need covering, like the flowerbeds on the sides of the house.
Blanche also suggests dressing up the home's attached garage with colorful flowers and removing the unsightly old doghouse. Finally, Blanche wants to draw more attention to the doorway of the home by planted sculpted trees in these black urns.
After three months and a $15,000 investment, Linda has transformed her property into a lush, green oasis. The pillars installed at the entrance to the property gave the home an air of increased sophistication. The center island now features swaths of green that boost the property's lush, park-like appeal. Bare flowerbeds on the sides of the house have been transformed into colorful gardens.
The area surrounding the homes attached garage looks organized and manicured. The old doghouse, gone. Remember those black urns in front of the doorway? Those bushy plants have been replaced by shapely, sculpted plantings. The property is expected to hit the market later this month.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera): So, if you don't want to spend $15,000, boosting your home's curb appeal you can do it on the cheap.
Tip No. 1: Take out the emotion. People who come to see your house are going to look at it with cold eyes. Eyes that have never seen the house before; start thinking of your house like a commodity like they do.
Tip No. 2: Tidy it up on the outside. Because if it's attractive on the outside potential buyers will think it's going to be tidy on the inside.
Tip. No. 3: Shake it up. If you haven't put bushes and other vegetation around your outdoor air-conditioners, do it now. Hide that ugly unsightly air-conditioner.
Tip No. 4: Neutralize your home on the interior. Make sure that the walls are painted a white, a cream color, something that nobody's going to take offense to.
And finally, tip No. 5: Depersonalize the space. If you have a ton of big pictures of the family, take them out. Potential buyers want to see a house where they can imagine their own sofas and chairs in it and they don't have to think about who you are and your things.
SANCHEZ: Gerri Wills with some important information for us. Thanks a lot, Gerri, appreciate it.
WILLIS: Thank you.
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