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CNN Live At Daybreak
Americans Head to Polls; In Baghdad, Car Bomb Explodes Near Iraq's Ministry of Education
Aired November 02, 2004 - 05:00 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you.
From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.
Now in the news, today you get to speak. Americans head to the polls today, finally, at the top of the ballot from Maine to California, the race for the White House, George Bush versus John Kerry. Both candidates campaigned well into the night.
In Ohio, controversy over the Republican Party plans to put 3,600 challengers inside voting precincts. Overnight, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of the Republicans. The challengers are concerned about voter fraud. There's already been an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In Baghdad, a car bomb explodes today near Iraq's Ministry of Education. One report says at least five people were killed. Several more are reported injured.
And this morning we expect to get an update on the health of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. A PLO representative will give a briefing, but it probably won't be until tomorrow before we learn what's made the Palestinian leader so sick.
To the forecast center and Chad.
Can you believe it's finally Election Day?
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It is? I hadn't heard about that.
COSTELLO: You have to go vote today, Chad.
MYERS: That's what the breaking news sign is on the bottom. It's Election Day. Boy, finally, isn't it? I will. I know my wife and I are going out today and she's like, she's way out to here now, so she'll be like excuse me, pregnant...
COSTELLO: Yes, she's like nine and a half months pregnant now.
MYERS: Pregnant woman coming here. Excuse me. Excuse me. Pardon me.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: You know, I think no matter how nasty the weather is, I don't think that'll keep voters from voting this election season.
MYERS: You know, I was thinking the same thing. But if the people are actually outside in a driving rain like Detroit and they look at a three hour line, it's 54 degrees, the wind chill is 28 and you're going to stand in the rain? Let's hope that there's some place for those folks to stand inside.
COSTELLO: Hey, they do for concert tickets.
MYERS: Well, Bruce Springsteen isn't there.
COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.
MYERS: You're welcome.
COSTELLO: The first votes in the presidential race actually are already in. They come from New Hampshire, Hart's Location and Dixville Notch. Residents of the two small communities began voting just after midnight, the first of the nation to do so. The results? Bush 35 votes, Kerry 21. Ralph Nader got one vote in Hart's Location.
President Bush wakes up today at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. He plans to vote in a little more than two hours at a precinct in Crawford. From Texas, he'll head to Cincinnati, Ohio, a state considered critical for him. From Ohio, it's back to the White House. And he'll be back there by early afternoon.
The president wrapped up his last full day of campaigning with a rally last night in Dallas.
Our senior White House correspondent, John King, has been traveling with the Bush campaign. He brings us a look at the president's final full day of campaigning.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In Ohio to begin the final day of his final campaign. The outcome uncertain, the appeal as urgent as it gets.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If you're a voter who believes that the president of the United States should say what he means and does what he says and keeps his word, I ask you to come stand with me.
KING: Marine One still at his disposal, Air Force One, too. At issue, whether his lease expires in just 79 days or in four more years. A mix of confidence and nostalgia in this rare tarmac visit with reporters in Pittsburgh.
BUSH: The finish line is in sight and I just want to assure you, I've got the energy and the optimism and the enthusiasm to cross the line.
KING: Ohio and Pennsylvania, then Wisconsin and Iowa, west to New Mexico, and a homecoming rally in Texas. KARL ROVE, SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISER: We're going to win. We will win Florida and Ohio. We will take at least two or three or four states that were won by Gore in the last election.
KING: Democrats call it wishful thinking and history suggests those deciding late tend to choose change. So Mr. Bush warned one last time that change would be for the worse, in more ways than one.
BUSH: Hard working people of western Pennsylvania, we are not going to let him tax you for 20 years on the largest national security issues. He has been consistently wrong.
KING: In Iowa and at every stop, a reflection on September 11 and how he sees his mission since.
BUSH: I've gotten up every morning thinking about how to better protect our country. I will never relent in defending America, whatever it takes.
KING: The vice president hit eight states in just 36 hours, including faraway Hawaii.
DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop by and say aloha.
KING: The first lady's last speech was in Michigan, and while predicting victory, she took a moment to say thank you just in case.
LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: Our lives have been enriched by meeting so many of our fellow Americans.
KING (on camera): On Election Day, Mr. Bush will vote near his ranch in Crawford, Texas, head to Ohio for one last get out the vote rally and then back to the White House to await the results. Aides describe Mr. Bush as relaxed and confident, and most of all, content that in his final campaign, he gave it his best shot.
John King, CNN, Dallas.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: John Kerry's Election Day rounds out like this. He wakes up in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, makes one final campaign stop on his way to the airport. And then Kerry will head back home to Massachusetts, to Boston, to vote. He'll spend the rest of the day in his home state. Running mate John Edwards joins him tonight in Boston.
Last night, Kerry finished a whirlwind tour of battleground states with two stops in Ohio. A pretty good crowd came out for this Toledo rally around midnight. Before Toledo, there was one final appearance at Cleveland with Bruce Springsteen.
The final flurry of Kerry's campaign centered on a plea for people to get out and vote.
CNN's senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley, takes a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is cold and nasty in Milwaukee, but there they were in an outdoor plaza, the people he needs tomorrow.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'll tell you, it may be one more day, but I promise you this, I will never forget this rally in the rain here in Milwaukee.
CROWLEY: After a two year blur of small towns and big, rallies and speeches, planes and trains and automobiles, there is no moment more urgent, more electric than election eve.
Listen.
KERRY: If you believe, as I do, that America's best days are ahead of us, then join me tomorrow and change the direction of America.
CROWLEY: It is the longest of long shots that anything John Kerry says today in Wisconsin or Florida, Michigan or Ohio, will affect tomorrow. So this is about atmospherics, about creating or keeping the sense of momentum. It has to be in your voice, in your body language. There must be confidence with a capital C.
KERRY: I've been coming to Florida enough that my brother Cam is thinking of running for governor. How's that?
CROWLEY: Kerry aides say they really do feel confident. They call their get out the vote operation the biggest Democratic effort in history and they like what they see in the polls. They claim early voting they've been able to track in battleground states favor Kerry. The truth is they wouldn't tell us if they were not confident. The truth is, they aren't any more sure than anybody else.
KERRY: I need you in these hours to go out and do the hard work. Knock on those doors, make those phone calls, talk to friends, take people to the polls, help us change the direction of this great nation for the better.
CROWLEY: He is campaigning now on a wing, a prayer and a little bit of superstition. When Kerry returns to Boston Tuesday, he will go to a local restaurant for a lucky bowl of clam chowder, something this candidate has done every election day of his political career.
Candy Crowley, CNN, Detroit.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: Voter turnout is expected to be, oh, it's expected to be big this presidential election. There will be challengers at the polls, there will be monitors at the polls, there will be lawyers at the polls. So our e-mail question this morning, do you think your vote will count? When you go to the ballots today, to the poll places and case your ballot, do you think your paper ballot, your computer ballot, don't you think it will count? We want to know. Send your thoughts to daybreak@cnn.com, daybreak@cnn.com. But, of course, we'll read some of your responses later on in our program. and be sure to tune in to CNN tonight for all the vote counts. We'll track voters across the country and in your neighbor. Our full court coverage begins with Wolf Blitzer tonight at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.
Still ahead on DAYBREAK, Iraqis weigh in. They're closely watching the U.S. presidential election, but does it really matter to them who wins? We'll have a live report for you at 19 minutes past the hour.
And challenging voters -- is it designed to sniff out fraud or intimidate you, the voter? A court takes a stand in this Ohio controversy. We'll have that report at the half hour.
And we have a political pop quiz for you this morning. Here's the question. Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan tied for most states won by a single candidate in a presidential election. How many? We'll have the answer for you after the break.
You're watching DAYBREAK for a Tuesday, November 2, Election Day.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Now, back to our political pop quiz. Before the break, we asked you this question. Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan tied for the most states won by a single candidate in a presidential election. How many? The answer is 49 states. George McGovern won only Massachusetts in 1972. Walter Mondale won Minnesota and the District of Columbia in 1984, and think how depressed they were.
Your news, money, weather and sports.
It's 5:13 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning.
The Israeli Army has destroyed the house of yesterday's Tel Aviv suicide bomber. The 16-year-old Palestinian boy killed three people and wounded more than 30 others.
The amber alert for a missing Georgia teen has been canceled because the girl is now charged in a home invasion. Sixteen-year-old Jesseca Renee Williamson (ph) was charged with armed robbery and burglary. Police believe Williamson and a 16-year-old murder suspect are heading for California.
In money news, Philadelphia is the best city for waiters and waitresses. A national survey by Zagat's says diners in Philly are the top tippers. Their tips averaged 19.1 percent. Out of 12 major cities surveyed, Seattle has the most cheapskates. So I guess that would be the customers.
In culture, could Colin Farrell be the next James Bond? Outgoing 007 Pierce Brosnan says he thinks fellow Irishman Farrell would be a perfect choice for the 21st Bond film. "X-Men" star Hugh Jackman has also expressed interest in being the next spy.
In sports, the new NBA season starts tonight with many of the game's major stars in action. Kobe Bryant leads his Lakers against the Denver Nuggets and the defending champion Detroit Pistons face Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets.
To the forecast center now and Chad.
MYERS: How about those jets last night, too? Man, they put a whipping on them.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Despite the distance, Americans in the military overseas also have a say on this Election Day. These soldiers, you're going to see them here, cast ballots yesterday in Mosul. Our international desk tells us the votes by troops overseas are sent via computer hookup back to the United States.
Today's U.S. presidential election also has the interest of other nations, especially Iraq.
CNN's Baghdad bureau chief Jane Arraf visited the teahouses and shops of some middle class and working class neighborhoods to see what people there think about the American election.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At this juice shop in Baghdad, the television in the background blares the latest U.S. election news. The staff, packing grape and pomegranate juice in takeaway bags for Ramadan customers, have predicted the results.
"I expect Bush will win the presidency, but to me there's no difference between Bush or Kerry," Amar Haidi (ph) tells us. "What Iraqis really need," he says, "is security to improve."
During the interview, the sound of bullets ring out and sirens blare. Iraqis barely flinch.
In this middle class neighborhood of Mansour, people are out shopping for new clothes for the coming feast, undeterred by a car bomb here on Sunday that killed five people.
(on camera): People in this neighborhood are closely watching the election results. But a lot of Iraqis believe, for better or worse, this war has set in motion something that can't be stopped, that whichever candidate wins, it won't make any difference here.
(voice-over): Mahda Sharkawi (ph) is buying clothes for her daughter Yasmina (ph).
MAHDA SHARKAWI: I think the Iraqi doesn't care anymore about the American elections because they are fed up.
ARRAF: Fed up with no security and no jobs. A business journalist, she's been unemployed for a year, she says.
Shop owner Akram Mahmoud Halife (ph) misses the days before the war, when business was better.
AKRAM MAHMOUD HALIFE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): As an Iraqi, I hope Kerry will win, because Bush brought the war against Iraq.
ARRAF: In the streets of Baghdad, on this day, anyway, nobody we spoke with had a good word to say about George Bush. Even some who didn't know his name said they were siding with the other guy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I hope the other one wins because Bush has already destroyed our country.
ARRAF: "What is this Bush?" says this woman. "I hate Saddam Hussein, but Saddam's time was better than now."
Outside a teahouse in a working class neighborhood, Kamal Mahdi (ph) and his friends are waiting for the day's fast to end. "We're unemployed, we're hungry," he says. "What does it matter if it's Bush or Kerry? He liberated us," he says, "now leave us alone."
(END VIDEO TAPE)
ARRAF: Now Iraqis are starting to focus on another election, their own. They're set for January and voter registration started on Monday. But a lot of Iraqis are betting that with the security situation what it is, they're not going to take place on time in January -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Well, Jane, as far as their own election, do they have a name in mind?
ARRAF: Well, they've got a lot of names in mind. It's going to be a complicated process. And they've started to register political parties. You have to understand, they've never had these kind of elections here before. So you talk to voters out there, potential voters, they haven't been told who the candidates are, they don't know how to register. It's going to be a very interesting process -- Carol.
COSTELLO: I'll bet.
Jane Arraf reporting live from Baghdad this morning.
Thank you.
A nation on pins and needles. The campaigning comes to an end finally, in a race that's just too close to call. This morning, the people pick the next president of the United States. We take you live to Kentucky just ahead.
And our Question of the Morning -- do you think your vote will count? With all of the legal challenges ahead -- and you know there will be legal challenges -- do you think your vote will count today? E-mail us, daybreak@cnn.com. That's daybreak@cnn.com. And now, another political pop quiz for you. Are you ready, because I know you're up and spunky now at, what, 5:19 Eastern. Here's the question. If elected, John Kerry would be -- John Kerry would tie whom as the tallest president in U.S. history? John Kerry is 6'4." Who does he tie in height? Who is the tallest president other -- well, John Kerry hasn't won yet, has he?
The answer just ahead. I think it's too early for me, too.
You're watching DAYBREAK for a Tuesday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Polls are set to open all across the eastern part of the country over the next couple of hours. In Kentucky, voters begin making their choices, oh, in just about 40 minutes.
Chris Parente of CNN affiliate WAVE joins us with more from Louisville, Kentucky -- good morning.
CHRIS PARENTE, WAVE CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, Carol.
I'll have to ask your help in telling me whether rain at the polls is good or bad for Democrats or Republicans. We've got our first raindrops.
COSTELLO: Well, wait a second. Wait a second. Let's ask Chad. Our meteorologist is right here to answer that question -- Chad.
MYERS: It will rain all day. No, that doesn't help one particular party. What that sometimes will do, it will keep numbers down. If you actually stand outside, you drive to the poll and go oh, look at that line outside and then it's raining, I'm not going to do that.
But if you get a lot of places like we have now that are inside in schools, then we don't have to worry about it.
COSTELLO: Yes, Chris, the traditional view is that the more people who turn out to vote, the better it is for the Democratic candidate. But we'll just have to see. So take it away.
Are there lines there?
PARENTE: Well, at this point there are not. Hopefully the voters are smarter than I am and they will bring umbrellas. There doesn't look to be a lot of problems here in Kentucky in terms of turnout at the polls or any sort of serious voter challenges. Kentucky is one of those solidly red states. But there are two issues with some national importance this morning in Kentucky, one of them being our senate race.
You Miami have heard about incumbent Republican Jim Bunning, who's facing a Democratic challenger, Dr. Daniel Mongiardo. This was supposed to be a blowout, two months ago, the incumbent enjoying a 17 point lead. But a number of verbal gaffes have now led to a tightening. It's a 6 point race. Kentucky could pick up one Democratic seat in the Senate.
And the other measure here in Kentucky, voters will be deciding on an amendment to the Kentucky state constitution making marriage between one woman and one man, essential banning any kind of gay marriage here in the Commonwealth.
So those are the two real issues that might have some importance tonight for those of you in Atlanta and Washington.
Beyond that, it looks to be a pretty smooth day here at the polling place.
COSTELLO: That's nice to hear, that it's going to be smooth sailing at some polling place in this country.
PARENTE: It's nice to know there's at least one state where there shouldn't be any big problems.
COSTELLO: Chris Parente from WAVE in Louisville, thanks for joining DAYBREAK this morning.
Isn't that funny, no lines there at all?
MYERS: Well, that's...
COSTELLO: But in other places there are going to be huge lines.
MYERS: Well, it just depends on if the phone lines go down. You know, remember you had all these little burps in Florida in the pre- election or the early elections? Now it's all going to have to just take its time. We may not know at this time tonight morning, actually.
COSTELLO: No, I'm hoping we know. Please don't even say that. We'll knock on wood. Let's knock on wood.
MYERS: All right.
COSTELLO: Let's get back to our political pop quiz.
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: And we asked this question, Chad. If elected, John Kerry would tie whom as the tallest president in U.S. history?
What do you think the answer is?
MYERS: You know, I remember the guy being really tall, but I think this guy was taller than 6'4."
COSTELLO: Who, the guy -- the answer.
MYERS: President Abraham Lincoln.
COSTELLO: Yes, he was the tallest president. They tie. John Kerry is 6'4," Abraham Lincoln 6'4." MYERS: When you're a kid, you think of Abraham Lincoln like as 7'2," you know? Because he's like the tallest person in the whole world.
COSTELLO: That's because he wore the big, tall hat.
MYERS: Maybe that's it.
COSTELLO: Exactly.
Over the past few days, it has been hard to turn on the TV without seeing some sort of presidential poll. So to keep you from going through withdrawals, here are some you probably won't see anywhere else.
A CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll broke down the vote by the car you drive. So, Chad, I know you love these. So take it away.
MYERS: I'm thinking soccer moms, soccer dads driving minivans voting for Bush. I'm not getting that.
COSTELLO: I don't know. Those who drive minivans, 60 percent will vote for Bush, 35 percent for Kerry.
MYERS: And so I've got a pickup and a sedan. So what am I supposed to do?
COSTELLO: You're confused.
SUVs, 57 percent will vote for Bush, 41 percent will vote for Kerry.
MYERS: These are a little tongue in cheek because look at the top, the sampling error, plus or minus 8 percent folks. So everybody within the margin of error.
COSTELLO: Yes.
Trucks, 56 percent for Bush, 40 percent for Kerry. Let's go -- move on to music now, shall we?
MYERS: I believe this one, though. Obviously, I mean this is like the NASCAR, this is the country folks. When Bush is on tour, he always plays country music at his little stops, so I believe the top one for sure.
COSTELLO: Yes, country, 64 percent will vote for Bush, 31 percent Kerry. Classical music, 45 percent for Bush, 49 percent for Kerry.
MYERS: But that goes against the rock and roll. You think, OK, the refined will go for Kerry. Nope. The rock and roll people will, too.
COSTELLO: That's right, because rock and roll listeners, 46 percent for Bush, 50 percent for Kerry. And finally, we have to look at the condiments and see who will vote for whom based on which condiment you like best. For ketchup, 47 percent picked Bush, 49 percent picked Kerry. I thought this would be a wider margin, you know, Teresa Heinz Kerry and all this.
MYERS: Well, yes, but it's Heinz 57. So they make ketchup and mustard, so you can't really tell.
COSTELLO: I get it now. So, mustard, 52 percent will vote for Bush, 43 percent will vote for Kerry.
That was kind of fun. We have to keep you laughing...
MYERS: That's right.
COSTELLO: Because it's going to be a stressful election. We know it.
Here's what's all new in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.
Americans are watching and waiting for today's election results and so is the rest of the world. We will take you live to London, to Cairo and to Hong Kong next.
Our Election Night coverage originates live from New York. From real time election results to a live town hall meeting, Wolf Blitzer and CNN's full election team kick off prime time coverage tonight at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired November 2, 2004 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you.
From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.
Now in the news, today you get to speak. Americans head to the polls today, finally, at the top of the ballot from Maine to California, the race for the White House, George Bush versus John Kerry. Both candidates campaigned well into the night.
In Ohio, controversy over the Republican Party plans to put 3,600 challengers inside voting precincts. Overnight, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of the Republicans. The challengers are concerned about voter fraud. There's already been an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In Baghdad, a car bomb explodes today near Iraq's Ministry of Education. One report says at least five people were killed. Several more are reported injured.
And this morning we expect to get an update on the health of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. A PLO representative will give a briefing, but it probably won't be until tomorrow before we learn what's made the Palestinian leader so sick.
To the forecast center and Chad.
Can you believe it's finally Election Day?
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It is? I hadn't heard about that.
COSTELLO: You have to go vote today, Chad.
MYERS: That's what the breaking news sign is on the bottom. It's Election Day. Boy, finally, isn't it? I will. I know my wife and I are going out today and she's like, she's way out to here now, so she'll be like excuse me, pregnant...
COSTELLO: Yes, she's like nine and a half months pregnant now.
MYERS: Pregnant woman coming here. Excuse me. Excuse me. Pardon me.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: You know, I think no matter how nasty the weather is, I don't think that'll keep voters from voting this election season.
MYERS: You know, I was thinking the same thing. But if the people are actually outside in a driving rain like Detroit and they look at a three hour line, it's 54 degrees, the wind chill is 28 and you're going to stand in the rain? Let's hope that there's some place for those folks to stand inside.
COSTELLO: Hey, they do for concert tickets.
MYERS: Well, Bruce Springsteen isn't there.
COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.
MYERS: You're welcome.
COSTELLO: The first votes in the presidential race actually are already in. They come from New Hampshire, Hart's Location and Dixville Notch. Residents of the two small communities began voting just after midnight, the first of the nation to do so. The results? Bush 35 votes, Kerry 21. Ralph Nader got one vote in Hart's Location.
President Bush wakes up today at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. He plans to vote in a little more than two hours at a precinct in Crawford. From Texas, he'll head to Cincinnati, Ohio, a state considered critical for him. From Ohio, it's back to the White House. And he'll be back there by early afternoon.
The president wrapped up his last full day of campaigning with a rally last night in Dallas.
Our senior White House correspondent, John King, has been traveling with the Bush campaign. He brings us a look at the president's final full day of campaigning.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In Ohio to begin the final day of his final campaign. The outcome uncertain, the appeal as urgent as it gets.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If you're a voter who believes that the president of the United States should say what he means and does what he says and keeps his word, I ask you to come stand with me.
KING: Marine One still at his disposal, Air Force One, too. At issue, whether his lease expires in just 79 days or in four more years. A mix of confidence and nostalgia in this rare tarmac visit with reporters in Pittsburgh.
BUSH: The finish line is in sight and I just want to assure you, I've got the energy and the optimism and the enthusiasm to cross the line.
KING: Ohio and Pennsylvania, then Wisconsin and Iowa, west to New Mexico, and a homecoming rally in Texas. KARL ROVE, SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISER: We're going to win. We will win Florida and Ohio. We will take at least two or three or four states that were won by Gore in the last election.
KING: Democrats call it wishful thinking and history suggests those deciding late tend to choose change. So Mr. Bush warned one last time that change would be for the worse, in more ways than one.
BUSH: Hard working people of western Pennsylvania, we are not going to let him tax you for 20 years on the largest national security issues. He has been consistently wrong.
KING: In Iowa and at every stop, a reflection on September 11 and how he sees his mission since.
BUSH: I've gotten up every morning thinking about how to better protect our country. I will never relent in defending America, whatever it takes.
KING: The vice president hit eight states in just 36 hours, including faraway Hawaii.
DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop by and say aloha.
KING: The first lady's last speech was in Michigan, and while predicting victory, she took a moment to say thank you just in case.
LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: Our lives have been enriched by meeting so many of our fellow Americans.
KING (on camera): On Election Day, Mr. Bush will vote near his ranch in Crawford, Texas, head to Ohio for one last get out the vote rally and then back to the White House to await the results. Aides describe Mr. Bush as relaxed and confident, and most of all, content that in his final campaign, he gave it his best shot.
John King, CNN, Dallas.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: John Kerry's Election Day rounds out like this. He wakes up in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, makes one final campaign stop on his way to the airport. And then Kerry will head back home to Massachusetts, to Boston, to vote. He'll spend the rest of the day in his home state. Running mate John Edwards joins him tonight in Boston.
Last night, Kerry finished a whirlwind tour of battleground states with two stops in Ohio. A pretty good crowd came out for this Toledo rally around midnight. Before Toledo, there was one final appearance at Cleveland with Bruce Springsteen.
The final flurry of Kerry's campaign centered on a plea for people to get out and vote.
CNN's senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley, takes a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is cold and nasty in Milwaukee, but there they were in an outdoor plaza, the people he needs tomorrow.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'll tell you, it may be one more day, but I promise you this, I will never forget this rally in the rain here in Milwaukee.
CROWLEY: After a two year blur of small towns and big, rallies and speeches, planes and trains and automobiles, there is no moment more urgent, more electric than election eve.
Listen.
KERRY: If you believe, as I do, that America's best days are ahead of us, then join me tomorrow and change the direction of America.
CROWLEY: It is the longest of long shots that anything John Kerry says today in Wisconsin or Florida, Michigan or Ohio, will affect tomorrow. So this is about atmospherics, about creating or keeping the sense of momentum. It has to be in your voice, in your body language. There must be confidence with a capital C.
KERRY: I've been coming to Florida enough that my brother Cam is thinking of running for governor. How's that?
CROWLEY: Kerry aides say they really do feel confident. They call their get out the vote operation the biggest Democratic effort in history and they like what they see in the polls. They claim early voting they've been able to track in battleground states favor Kerry. The truth is they wouldn't tell us if they were not confident. The truth is, they aren't any more sure than anybody else.
KERRY: I need you in these hours to go out and do the hard work. Knock on those doors, make those phone calls, talk to friends, take people to the polls, help us change the direction of this great nation for the better.
CROWLEY: He is campaigning now on a wing, a prayer and a little bit of superstition. When Kerry returns to Boston Tuesday, he will go to a local restaurant for a lucky bowl of clam chowder, something this candidate has done every election day of his political career.
Candy Crowley, CNN, Detroit.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: Voter turnout is expected to be, oh, it's expected to be big this presidential election. There will be challengers at the polls, there will be monitors at the polls, there will be lawyers at the polls. So our e-mail question this morning, do you think your vote will count? When you go to the ballots today, to the poll places and case your ballot, do you think your paper ballot, your computer ballot, don't you think it will count? We want to know. Send your thoughts to daybreak@cnn.com, daybreak@cnn.com. But, of course, we'll read some of your responses later on in our program. and be sure to tune in to CNN tonight for all the vote counts. We'll track voters across the country and in your neighbor. Our full court coverage begins with Wolf Blitzer tonight at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.
Still ahead on DAYBREAK, Iraqis weigh in. They're closely watching the U.S. presidential election, but does it really matter to them who wins? We'll have a live report for you at 19 minutes past the hour.
And challenging voters -- is it designed to sniff out fraud or intimidate you, the voter? A court takes a stand in this Ohio controversy. We'll have that report at the half hour.
And we have a political pop quiz for you this morning. Here's the question. Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan tied for most states won by a single candidate in a presidential election. How many? We'll have the answer for you after the break.
You're watching DAYBREAK for a Tuesday, November 2, Election Day.
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COSTELLO: Now, back to our political pop quiz. Before the break, we asked you this question. Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan tied for the most states won by a single candidate in a presidential election. How many? The answer is 49 states. George McGovern won only Massachusetts in 1972. Walter Mondale won Minnesota and the District of Columbia in 1984, and think how depressed they were.
Your news, money, weather and sports.
It's 5:13 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning.
The Israeli Army has destroyed the house of yesterday's Tel Aviv suicide bomber. The 16-year-old Palestinian boy killed three people and wounded more than 30 others.
The amber alert for a missing Georgia teen has been canceled because the girl is now charged in a home invasion. Sixteen-year-old Jesseca Renee Williamson (ph) was charged with armed robbery and burglary. Police believe Williamson and a 16-year-old murder suspect are heading for California.
In money news, Philadelphia is the best city for waiters and waitresses. A national survey by Zagat's says diners in Philly are the top tippers. Their tips averaged 19.1 percent. Out of 12 major cities surveyed, Seattle has the most cheapskates. So I guess that would be the customers.
In culture, could Colin Farrell be the next James Bond? Outgoing 007 Pierce Brosnan says he thinks fellow Irishman Farrell would be a perfect choice for the 21st Bond film. "X-Men" star Hugh Jackman has also expressed interest in being the next spy.
In sports, the new NBA season starts tonight with many of the game's major stars in action. Kobe Bryant leads his Lakers against the Denver Nuggets and the defending champion Detroit Pistons face Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets.
To the forecast center now and Chad.
MYERS: How about those jets last night, too? Man, they put a whipping on them.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Despite the distance, Americans in the military overseas also have a say on this Election Day. These soldiers, you're going to see them here, cast ballots yesterday in Mosul. Our international desk tells us the votes by troops overseas are sent via computer hookup back to the United States.
Today's U.S. presidential election also has the interest of other nations, especially Iraq.
CNN's Baghdad bureau chief Jane Arraf visited the teahouses and shops of some middle class and working class neighborhoods to see what people there think about the American election.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At this juice shop in Baghdad, the television in the background blares the latest U.S. election news. The staff, packing grape and pomegranate juice in takeaway bags for Ramadan customers, have predicted the results.
"I expect Bush will win the presidency, but to me there's no difference between Bush or Kerry," Amar Haidi (ph) tells us. "What Iraqis really need," he says, "is security to improve."
During the interview, the sound of bullets ring out and sirens blare. Iraqis barely flinch.
In this middle class neighborhood of Mansour, people are out shopping for new clothes for the coming feast, undeterred by a car bomb here on Sunday that killed five people.
(on camera): People in this neighborhood are closely watching the election results. But a lot of Iraqis believe, for better or worse, this war has set in motion something that can't be stopped, that whichever candidate wins, it won't make any difference here.
(voice-over): Mahda Sharkawi (ph) is buying clothes for her daughter Yasmina (ph).
MAHDA SHARKAWI: I think the Iraqi doesn't care anymore about the American elections because they are fed up.
ARRAF: Fed up with no security and no jobs. A business journalist, she's been unemployed for a year, she says.
Shop owner Akram Mahmoud Halife (ph) misses the days before the war, when business was better.
AKRAM MAHMOUD HALIFE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): As an Iraqi, I hope Kerry will win, because Bush brought the war against Iraq.
ARRAF: In the streets of Baghdad, on this day, anyway, nobody we spoke with had a good word to say about George Bush. Even some who didn't know his name said they were siding with the other guy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I hope the other one wins because Bush has already destroyed our country.
ARRAF: "What is this Bush?" says this woman. "I hate Saddam Hussein, but Saddam's time was better than now."
Outside a teahouse in a working class neighborhood, Kamal Mahdi (ph) and his friends are waiting for the day's fast to end. "We're unemployed, we're hungry," he says. "What does it matter if it's Bush or Kerry? He liberated us," he says, "now leave us alone."
(END VIDEO TAPE)
ARRAF: Now Iraqis are starting to focus on another election, their own. They're set for January and voter registration started on Monday. But a lot of Iraqis are betting that with the security situation what it is, they're not going to take place on time in January -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Well, Jane, as far as their own election, do they have a name in mind?
ARRAF: Well, they've got a lot of names in mind. It's going to be a complicated process. And they've started to register political parties. You have to understand, they've never had these kind of elections here before. So you talk to voters out there, potential voters, they haven't been told who the candidates are, they don't know how to register. It's going to be a very interesting process -- Carol.
COSTELLO: I'll bet.
Jane Arraf reporting live from Baghdad this morning.
Thank you.
A nation on pins and needles. The campaigning comes to an end finally, in a race that's just too close to call. This morning, the people pick the next president of the United States. We take you live to Kentucky just ahead.
And our Question of the Morning -- do you think your vote will count? With all of the legal challenges ahead -- and you know there will be legal challenges -- do you think your vote will count today? E-mail us, daybreak@cnn.com. That's daybreak@cnn.com. And now, another political pop quiz for you. Are you ready, because I know you're up and spunky now at, what, 5:19 Eastern. Here's the question. If elected, John Kerry would be -- John Kerry would tie whom as the tallest president in U.S. history? John Kerry is 6'4." Who does he tie in height? Who is the tallest president other -- well, John Kerry hasn't won yet, has he?
The answer just ahead. I think it's too early for me, too.
You're watching DAYBREAK for a Tuesday.
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COSTELLO: Polls are set to open all across the eastern part of the country over the next couple of hours. In Kentucky, voters begin making their choices, oh, in just about 40 minutes.
Chris Parente of CNN affiliate WAVE joins us with more from Louisville, Kentucky -- good morning.
CHRIS PARENTE, WAVE CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, Carol.
I'll have to ask your help in telling me whether rain at the polls is good or bad for Democrats or Republicans. We've got our first raindrops.
COSTELLO: Well, wait a second. Wait a second. Let's ask Chad. Our meteorologist is right here to answer that question -- Chad.
MYERS: It will rain all day. No, that doesn't help one particular party. What that sometimes will do, it will keep numbers down. If you actually stand outside, you drive to the poll and go oh, look at that line outside and then it's raining, I'm not going to do that.
But if you get a lot of places like we have now that are inside in schools, then we don't have to worry about it.
COSTELLO: Yes, Chris, the traditional view is that the more people who turn out to vote, the better it is for the Democratic candidate. But we'll just have to see. So take it away.
Are there lines there?
PARENTE: Well, at this point there are not. Hopefully the voters are smarter than I am and they will bring umbrellas. There doesn't look to be a lot of problems here in Kentucky in terms of turnout at the polls or any sort of serious voter challenges. Kentucky is one of those solidly red states. But there are two issues with some national importance this morning in Kentucky, one of them being our senate race.
You Miami have heard about incumbent Republican Jim Bunning, who's facing a Democratic challenger, Dr. Daniel Mongiardo. This was supposed to be a blowout, two months ago, the incumbent enjoying a 17 point lead. But a number of verbal gaffes have now led to a tightening. It's a 6 point race. Kentucky could pick up one Democratic seat in the Senate.
And the other measure here in Kentucky, voters will be deciding on an amendment to the Kentucky state constitution making marriage between one woman and one man, essential banning any kind of gay marriage here in the Commonwealth.
So those are the two real issues that might have some importance tonight for those of you in Atlanta and Washington.
Beyond that, it looks to be a pretty smooth day here at the polling place.
COSTELLO: That's nice to hear, that it's going to be smooth sailing at some polling place in this country.
PARENTE: It's nice to know there's at least one state where there shouldn't be any big problems.
COSTELLO: Chris Parente from WAVE in Louisville, thanks for joining DAYBREAK this morning.
Isn't that funny, no lines there at all?
MYERS: Well, that's...
COSTELLO: But in other places there are going to be huge lines.
MYERS: Well, it just depends on if the phone lines go down. You know, remember you had all these little burps in Florida in the pre- election or the early elections? Now it's all going to have to just take its time. We may not know at this time tonight morning, actually.
COSTELLO: No, I'm hoping we know. Please don't even say that. We'll knock on wood. Let's knock on wood.
MYERS: All right.
COSTELLO: Let's get back to our political pop quiz.
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: And we asked this question, Chad. If elected, John Kerry would tie whom as the tallest president in U.S. history?
What do you think the answer is?
MYERS: You know, I remember the guy being really tall, but I think this guy was taller than 6'4."
COSTELLO: Who, the guy -- the answer.
MYERS: President Abraham Lincoln.
COSTELLO: Yes, he was the tallest president. They tie. John Kerry is 6'4," Abraham Lincoln 6'4." MYERS: When you're a kid, you think of Abraham Lincoln like as 7'2," you know? Because he's like the tallest person in the whole world.
COSTELLO: That's because he wore the big, tall hat.
MYERS: Maybe that's it.
COSTELLO: Exactly.
Over the past few days, it has been hard to turn on the TV without seeing some sort of presidential poll. So to keep you from going through withdrawals, here are some you probably won't see anywhere else.
A CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll broke down the vote by the car you drive. So, Chad, I know you love these. So take it away.
MYERS: I'm thinking soccer moms, soccer dads driving minivans voting for Bush. I'm not getting that.
COSTELLO: I don't know. Those who drive minivans, 60 percent will vote for Bush, 35 percent for Kerry.
MYERS: And so I've got a pickup and a sedan. So what am I supposed to do?
COSTELLO: You're confused.
SUVs, 57 percent will vote for Bush, 41 percent will vote for Kerry.
MYERS: These are a little tongue in cheek because look at the top, the sampling error, plus or minus 8 percent folks. So everybody within the margin of error.
COSTELLO: Yes.
Trucks, 56 percent for Bush, 40 percent for Kerry. Let's go -- move on to music now, shall we?
MYERS: I believe this one, though. Obviously, I mean this is like the NASCAR, this is the country folks. When Bush is on tour, he always plays country music at his little stops, so I believe the top one for sure.
COSTELLO: Yes, country, 64 percent will vote for Bush, 31 percent Kerry. Classical music, 45 percent for Bush, 49 percent for Kerry.
MYERS: But that goes against the rock and roll. You think, OK, the refined will go for Kerry. Nope. The rock and roll people will, too.
COSTELLO: That's right, because rock and roll listeners, 46 percent for Bush, 50 percent for Kerry. And finally, we have to look at the condiments and see who will vote for whom based on which condiment you like best. For ketchup, 47 percent picked Bush, 49 percent picked Kerry. I thought this would be a wider margin, you know, Teresa Heinz Kerry and all this.
MYERS: Well, yes, but it's Heinz 57. So they make ketchup and mustard, so you can't really tell.
COSTELLO: I get it now. So, mustard, 52 percent will vote for Bush, 43 percent will vote for Kerry.
That was kind of fun. We have to keep you laughing...
MYERS: That's right.
COSTELLO: Because it's going to be a stressful election. We know it.
Here's what's all new in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.
Americans are watching and waiting for today's election results and so is the rest of the world. We will take you live to London, to Cairo and to Hong Kong next.
Our Election Night coverage originates live from New York. From real time election results to a live town hall meeting, Wolf Blitzer and CNN's full election team kick off prime time coverage tonight at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.
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