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American Morning

Interview With Ohio Governor Bob Taft; Celebs for President?

Aired November 02, 2004 - 07:30   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.


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Another polling station, this in the state of Pennsylvania. Polls are open there as well. They're open here in the state of New York. In fact, they started about an hour and a half ago at 6:00 a.m. They'll go deep until the night, 9:00 Eastern Time. And the first polling station will finish things up in about, oh, 11 hours and 29 minutes from now. But who's counting, right?
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Not that we're counting, because it's going to be a long day. Did you see the length of that line? It's serious.

HEMMER: Yes. There, in Miami and in Brooklyn, New York already seeing there.

O'BRIEN: Great indication of just how motivated the voters are to turn out...

HEMMER: Very true.

O'BRIEN: ... and have their voices heard. I wonder -- at the end, it will be interesting to see what the final number is on the real turnout. Welcome back, everybody.

HEMMER: It's 7:31 here in New York City. Our extended coverage continues today, Election Day 2004. As we mentioned, polls open now in 24 states across the East. We're watching that for you today. We also already had a flurry of courtrooms regarding Ohio. We'll talk to the state's governor right now about how he is reacting to it and how voters in that state are reacting as well.

O'BRIEN: Also this morning, we will remember what happened four years ago. In just a few minutes, we're going to take a look at some of the changes that were made this year at CNN and other news organizations to make sure that the system works better this time around.

HEMMER: All right. Four years later, we'll see how we do.

Heidi Collins now with us as well. Developing news from overseas.

Good morning.

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

"Now in the News."

This just in. There is word this morning insurgents have captured a U.S. soldier in Iraq. Iraqi police say an American soldier was kidnapped in the city of Samarra. That's north of Baghdad. We will have more details, of course, just as they come in to us.

Meanwhile, U.S. fighter jets pounding suspected insurgent targets in the Iraqi city of Fallujah. Military sources say troops destroyed a weapon site in the southeastern part of that city yesterday. And in northern Iraq, blasts ripped through sections of pipeline in Kirkuk. It's not exactly clear how oil production will be affected.

And in New York now, the longest casino strike in Atlantic City history could be over soon. Union workers could be back to work soon after a tentative agreement was reached late yesterday. Ten thousand workers at seven casinos walked off the job on October 1. The five- year deal includes pay raises and increased benefits.

And more election news now. Filmmaker Michael Moore said he has organized 1,200 volunteers to watch for any attempts to intimidate voters in Ohio and Florida. The volunteers will be armed with cameras to document any problems at the polls.

Back now over to Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Heidi, thanks.

Early this morning in Ohio, a major ruling was issued that could affect the election in that swing state. A federal appeals court has said challengers can be allowed inside polling places throughout the state. It's hotly contested. It's gone back and forth for days.

From Columbus this morning, the governor is back with us, Bob Taft, the Republican governor.

Good morning, Governor, and welcome to Election Day, and welcome back to AMERICAN MORNING. Your reaction to the latest court ruling earlier today is what?

GOV. BOB TAFT (R), OHIO: Well, I think it's a correct ruling under Ohio law, which allows the challengers to be in there. My understanding is that the challengers, at least the Republican challengers, will only be witnessing. They will not be directly asking the election officials to challenge voters. But they will be witnessing the process, and then reporting any concerns thereafter to elections officials.

HEMMER: Democrats say Republicans are trying to suppress the vote. How do you respond to that?

TAFT: Absolutely not. We're going to have the highest turnout ever in the state of Ohio. We're working on turnout. The Democrats are working on turnout. But we've got a situation where there are more registered voters than people over 18 in about four counties. There has been a lot of fictitious registration. So I think it's important that observers be in the polling places to make sure that this election is an honest one...

HEMMER: What do you mean by...

TAFT: ... in the state of Ohio.

HEMMER: What do you mean, Governor, by fictitious registration?

TAFT: Well, how about Dick Tracy or Mary Poppins?

HEMMER: How often has that happened, do you believe?

TAFT: Well, they were paying a lot of the folks to go out and register by name, so we have had a fair amount of that around the state of Ohio.

HEMMER: Why did Republicans fight so hard against this?

TAFT: I'm not sure what you're referring to as "this."

HEMMER: Well, what I'm talking about is the back and forth court challenges to make sure that Republicans have partisans inside the polling stations. Why did they fight that battle so hard?

TAFT: Democrats have that right, too, of course. We're just trying to uphold Ohio law. It's the Democrats who have repeatedly gone into federal court to challenge long-standing Ohio law intended to uphold the accuracy and the integrity of our elections.

I think the concern is everyone should vote. Absolutely. A very important civil right. And we're working to assure that right. At the same time, nobody particularly wants their vote to be canceled out by a voter who is not properly registered to vote where they're voting.

HEMMER: Governor, how do you believe and what's your reaction or your sense about how Ohioans are feeling about the amount of attention they're getting in this election cycle?

TAFT: Well, I think a lot of them are sick of all of the telephone calls, the recorded phone calls from Bill Clinton or Arnold Schwarzenegger. We're ready, I think, to have the election in Ohio, and finally it's here. But I do think the intensity is absolutely unprecedented, and this will be a historic election, an all-time high number of voters at the polls.

HEMMER: If the election is outstanding later tonight and into tomorrow for the state of Ohio, does Ohio have a standard for a recount?

TAFT: We have a very clear standard for a recount, an automatic recount if it's within a quarter of a percent. And then either candidate can ask for recounts if it's greater than that. But we do have clear procedures. We've had recounts in the past in statewide races. So we'll be able to handle that.

The other issue, of course, a large number of provisional ballots will be cast, those that cannot be counted for 10 days. So it is possible that we won't know the outcome of the election for that long if it's a very close race in Ohio, and the polls are showing it's close.

HEMMER: And that goes to my question, if there is a challenge, would it go 36 days, do you believe, like it did four years ago?

TAFT: I don't -- no, I don't think so. I don't think we're going to have that kind of problem. Our law is very clear with regard to punch cards and chads and recounts. But it is possible that we won't know the outcome in Ohio for this period of 10 days if, as is likely, there is a large number of provisional ballots cast and if the margin is a close margin statewide.

HEMMER: Perhaps it all matters and perhaps it will not. We'll wait and see for the voter turnout there in your state. Bob Taft, thanks.

TAFT: Thank you.

HEMMER: Governor back in Columbus, Ohio.

Now to Soledad with more.

O'BRIEN: Let's talk a little bit more, in fact, about this Ohio ruling and what the two campaigns will be watching for today. James Carville is the co-host of CNN's "CROSSFIRE."

Nice to see you.

JAMES CARVILLE, CNN CO-HOST, "CROSSFIRE": Good morning.

O'BRIEN: Let's pick up on where the governor left off. The Supreme Court has ruled that the legitimacy of some voters can now be challenged.

CARVILLE: Yes, I think it was the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.

O'BRIEN: The -- I'm sorry. The governor said, well, basically what they did was they are upholding Ohio law.

CARVILLE: Right. Well, I'm 60 years old, and I grew up in the segregated South. And so African-Americans my age that grew up with me a lot of them couldn't vote. Every African-American knows that either at one time in their lives they couldn't vote or their parents couldn't vote. In some instances maybe their grandparents. They're a trifle testy about this. And if somebody comes in and challenges, say, some Gulf War vet, you know, and like you got this, like, you know, a Republican lawyer, excuse me, excuse me, sir, but may I see your driver's license? It might irritate somebody.

O'BRIEN: But...

CARVILLE: You know, I've voted all of my life. No one ever has challenged me.

O'BRIEN: The governor...

CARVILLE: No one has ever...

O'BRIEN: ... says we just want to keep Mary Poppins and Dick Tracy off the voter rolls.

CARVILLE: You know what? If the governor of Ohio knows a false registration, he is the chief law enforcement officer of that state, arrest the person, put him in jail. It's a felony. But I would tell the governor this: You sending all of those people out there, and I'm just saying African-Americans are very, very, very testy about the right to vote. It is in historical terms, it is a newly-acquired right.

And I know that all my life I've voted. I've never been challenged. I've never seen anybody challenged in any precinct that I vote in. And people are not going to take kindly. I mean, look, they have a right to be there. There shouldn't be any...

O'BRIEN: I mean...

CARVILLE: There shouldn't be any violence or anything. But why aren't they dispatching these people out to predominantly white precincts?

O'BRIEN: Apparently they can dispatch people out anywhere they want legally.

CARVILLE: I know. But the Republicans are targeting these. Again, legally...

O'BRIEN: But they...

CARVILLE: Legally, if they have a right to be there, they should be there. There shouldn't be anything -- I'm just saying African- Americans, more than any other kind of American, are a trifle testy about voting, because it is something that is ingrained in them in their history. They know of relatives that couldn't vote. They've heard stories...

O'BRIEN: So are you saying black people everywhere are going to be up in arms and angry...

CARVILLE: I didn't say...

O'BRIEN: ... because they could challenge their vote?

CARVILLE: I said a trifle -- yes, they will be testy. They're not going to like the idea of someone demanding that they see a driver's license or something before they vote. That is not going to go over very well.

O'BRIEN: Well, everyone has to show their driver's license. We've got show I.D., right?

CARVILLE: Again, they may be challenged. Each state has something different. They're going in there, I'm just saying, to a group of people who have historical grievances. They have a history of not being able to vote.

O'BRIEN: Right. Now you've said this three times. You said, I'm just saying, but are you predicting some kind of violence?

CARVILLE: No, I think that people -- I said testy. Testy. It is not going to...

O'BRIEN: I hear you. And testy is one of those words...

CARVILLE: I don't know. I mean, I can't tell you what's going to happen. I hope nothing happens. I hope everybody follows the law. But I tell you, this is not going to go over very big. And this is going to -- this is going to stick in people's minds, and particularly in African-American's minds, for a long time to come.

O'BRIEN: Does the governor not have a point when he says we have more people registered in four counties than there are people over the age of 18?

CARVILLE: Well you know what? People have falsely registered people. I'm sure that Ohio legislature has lost. Jail them. How about that, Governor? If you know...

O'BRIEN: Well, doesn't that require challenging?

CARVILLE: If you know of someone -- if you know someone that is falsely -- that was falsely registered, just jail them.

O'BRIEN: But these are people who are the challengers, that's what they're trying to determine, right?

CARVILLE: Look, you know, I'm...

O'BRIEN: They're trying to see if someone is falsely registered.

CARVILLE: I'm making a point here. They are targeting African- American precincts with people that historically had the right to vote denied to them. You know exactly what this is about. This is about trying to, as a Republican officer said in Michigan, suppressing voter turnout in Detroit.

O'BRIEN: As opposed to making sure that people who are legally allowed to vote can vote?

CARVILLE: Why has no one ever challenged me to vote? Why? In my entire life? I'm 60 years old. Why...

CARVILLE: It could just be your charming personality.

CARVILLE: Why have I never been challenged? So why is this great -- I've never seen a vote challenged at a white precinct in my life. So why are they targeting black precincts? It's something that you inherently say that -- and if there is fraud, jail them. If you know somebody out there collecting false people, put them in jail. O'BRIEN: But I guess what I'm trying to connect the dots here, as you say, if there is fraud, jail them.

CARVILLE: Right.

O'BRIEN: But aren't these -- the people who will be watching and monitoring, isn't that what they're trying to determine?

CARVILLE: No, they're not. They come on. What world you living in? They're trying to keep the vote -- they're trying to keep the vote low, you know?

O'BRIEN: The same world you're living in.

CARVILLE: And I want -- let me repeat again. This is in historic...

O'BRIEN: I know. I know...

(CROSSTALK)

CARVILLE: This is going to cause historical problems for the Republican Party, not that they don't have enough in the African- American community.

O'BRIEN: I hear you.

CARVILLE: My African-American friends are very...

O'BRIEN: Testy black people are what you're predicting.

CARVILLE: No, they're testy about the right to vote, because it is a newly-acquired right.

O'BRIEN: James Carville co-host of CNN's "CROSSFIRE." Nice to see you. Thanks for being with us.

You can catch "CROSSFIRE" today and every day, Paul Begala, Robert Novak, Tucker Carlson, join James everyday at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. And, of course, CNN's election night coverage begins tonight. That's happens at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Soledad, on this Election Day, back to the weather forecast and Chad Myers looking at things at the CNN center.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HEMMER: All right, Chad, thanks. Back with you in a moment.

O'BRIEN: Still to come on AMERICAN MORNING, how do they get the same toys they sell at Wal-Mart only cheaper?

Also, one actor has already made it to the White House. Is there another waiting in the wings? We'll look at that.

O'BRIEN: And don't forget, CNN's primetime election coverage begins tonight at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm John Kerry, and I'm reporting for duty.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Remember this moment?

HEMMER: I certainly do. As we go throughout the morning here, we're looking back at a number of moments from campaign 2004. That was in Boston at the conclusion of the DNC.

Heidi Collins back with us here, looking at the balance of power in Congress, how it may or may not change as the result of today.

Good morning.

COLLINS: Yes. And, boy, people are certainly talking about this, other than the presidential match-up, of course. That is the marquee race, if you will.

But today's election could change the balance of power in the Senate. With 34 seats on the line, Democrats are hoping to take control. Right now, Republicans rule 51 to 48 with one Independent who votes Democratic. So Democrats need to pick up two seats to take the majority.

More than two-thirds of the 34 Senate races are said to be safe for incumbents. About eight, though, are neck and neck, including two of note. Now listen to this. In South Dakota, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle is trying to fight off Republican challenger John Thune. In 2002, Thune came within 524 votes of defeating the state's other Democratic senator.

And now to Alaska, a state we haven't heard much about. Republican incumbent Lisa Murkowski is fighting for her political life against former Governor Tony Knowles. Murkowski is dodged by -- dogged, that is, by charges of nepotism. She was actually appointed by her father, Governor Frank Murkowski, to replace him. And, in fact, Alaska has not sent a Democrat to the Senate in more than two decades.

So it may be cold there.

HEMMER: Yes.

COLLINS: It may be dark there a lot before the light could be shining on Alaska.

HEMMER: A really good one, as you pointed out, the battle in South Dakota. A good one in Florida, too, with Betty Castor and Mel Martinez. And it's going to be a neck and neck run. COLLINS: We could go on and on.

HEMMER: Yes, we could. Yes, some really good races out there. Thanks, Heidi, for that -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: All right. Well, the polls have shown a divided America coming this campaign season. Half for Bush, the other half for Kerry, and thousands unsure. Well, could those opinions change if more celebrities were to run for the nation's highest office? CNN's pop culture correspondent Toure talks about that.

Hello. Good morning.

TOURE, CNN POPULAR CULTURE CORRESPONDENT: Thank you, Soledad. How are you?

O'BRIEN: Never better.

TOURE: Good, good. So, have you ever found yourself unhappy with your choices in the voting booth, but loving your options at the multiplex? Don't you ever wish you could vote for your favorite celeb instead? Well, I was wondering what star would have a real chance at presidential politics. The answer? None.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOURE (voice over): They say politics and showbiz is for ugly people. But politics is getting better-looking.

GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA: Those girlie men up there in Sacramento.

TOURE: Arnold wants to president. Ben Affleck won't rule it out.

BEN AFFLECK, ACTOR: It's great to see so many patriot Americans out here.

TOURE: But do any of today's celebrities have a real chance to become president?

JEFF GREENFIELD, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: I think a celebrity has to establish credentials beyond the fact that they are a celebrity.

SEAN "P. DIDDY" COMBS, RAP SINGER: People use fashion every day to make a statement, and their statement will be vote or die.

TOURE: "Puff Daddy," national face. He's getting more political.

(on camera): Any viability at all?

GREENFIELD: What does "Puff Daddy" stand for other than voting?

TOURE: Making money.

(voice over): Well, Michael Moore is a man of the people.

GREENFIELD: He is not ingratiating, except with people who are on the same side of him.

TOURE: What about Oprah? Everybody loves Oprah. Michael Moore think she could win.

GREENFIELD: People think of the president, particularly in this day and age, as somebody who also has to protect us from the bad guys.

TOURE (on camera): Yes.

GREENFIELD: And...

TOURE: And Oprah would reason with them?

GREENFIELD: Well, the question is whether or not -- I mean, Oprah does have a therapeutic approach to the world.

EMINEM, RAP SINGER (singing): Maybe we can reach...

TOURE: We know what President Eminem would do to the bad guys.

(on camera): He's going to attack the terrorists back.

GREENFIELD: Yes, but people might be afraid he'd also attack the postman, the meter reader, you know. I think we're pushing it here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not a political person.

TOURE (voice over): Jerry Springer wants to return to politics. But, as he said, my advantage is I'm well-known. My disadvantage is I'm well-known.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TOURE: Thanks. So this year, Kentucky is going to be a big race, right? Jim Bunning competing. It's just so close there.

O'BRIEN: Who do you pick? I mean, if you had to pick a celebrity, who would run for president?

TOURE: Well...

O'BRIEN: Most successful.

TOURE: Well, Jeff...

O'BRIEN: I mean, all right, let's say Eminem attacking the postman is not going to work.

TOURE: Well, no. But Jeff Greenfield made a good point that Bruce Springsteen is a guy, a man of the people. Everybody knows him. Everybody likes Bruce Springsteen. So that could be interesting.

HEMMER: I'll give you one. Nick Clooney is running for Congress in the state of Kentucky. His son is George Clooney.

TOURE: Right, right.

HEMMER: A former newscaster. He's appeared...

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: And a little bit of a celebrity. We love him. I'm in.

HEMMER: Thank you both.

O'BRIEN: Thanks, Toure.

HEMMER: How will the markets react today on this Election Day? A good question for Andy. He's back "Minding Your Business" on this.

Also, as we go to break, look at the lines in Atlanta, Georgia this morning. This is north of Atlanta in Roswell, courtesy of WAGA. The lines are long again there.

Back in a moment, Election Day 2004 on this AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Welcome back, everybody. It is my hunch the markets are lying low today. Andy Serwer is back "Minding Your Business." Hunch right or not?

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: A little bit. I mean, they're lying low, but they're perking up.

HEMMER: All right.

SERWER: Futures are actually to the upside pretty significantly this morning.

I want to talk a little bit about what's going on out there. The markets, of course, are open. Federal offices open, including your post offices. Otherwise, state by state, a lot of different regulations when it comes to schools, when it comes to banks. Liquor stores, liquor stores, in Pennsylvania will be closed today. Take note.

HEMMER: Huh.

SERWER: Also, a note here about those long lines we've been reporting this morning. I think it's worth pointing out that you should bring a book or a magazine.

HEMMER: Yes.

SERWER: Anticipate that you're going to be in line for maybe an hour.

HEMMER: A newspaper.

SERWER: Bring an iPod or something like that, because like you're going on a flight or something like that.

HEMMER: The other thing, people are going to get late to work today, and they may have to leave work early.

SERWER: That will be a shame, right.

HEMMER: Long lunch breaks.

SERWER: Yes.

HEMMER: Because some of these lines are going to be...

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: Just go vote. Just go vote.

SERWER: Right.

HEMMER: I can show you, this line right here, this is Fort Lauderdale right outside the polling station.

SERWER: Yes, bring a book. See, bring something to read.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: I just got an e-mail from a couple in Florida. They said they left home at 7:30. They were back home at 10 after 8:00. And they finished voting.

HEMMER: Wonderful.

O'BRIEN: Fantastic.

CAFFERTY: And it went just like that.

SERWER: Yes.

(CROSSTALK)

CAFFERTY: So let's don't overdo the long lines around the country.

SERWER: Yes.

CAFFERTY: Some places don't have any lines at all.

HEMMER: Do you want me to pipe down over here?

O'BRIEN: Yes.

CAFFERTY: Yes. Just chill, brother.

HEMMER: Hey, once we get past this election and start thinking about Christmas...

SERWER: Yes.

HEMMER: Toys R Us in the news today. What's up? SERWER: Yes, Toys R Us got beat up last year in this price war with Wal-Mart. And this year they decided to retaliate, preemptive if you will. And they've got toy that are cheaper than Wal-Mart in a news story this morning. You can see here, Toys R Us. The Barbie Princess Anneliese, Bill.

O'BRIEN: Have they...

SERWER: You got it. OK, let's try the Bratz Cloe Tokyo A Go Go, cheaper. OK. Also, the Pacman, a Gameboy Packman is about $5 cheaper. So interesting stuff t here.

HEMMER: Thank you, Andy.

SERWER: And, again, after E Day, do some shopping.

HEMMER: After E Day.

SERWER: That's right.

HEMMER: Thanks.

O'BRIEN: The "Question of the Day" is election-related, too?

CAFFERTY: Yes, it is. The most divided the country has been maybe since '68 when Nixon beat Humphrey. It's been partisan and nasty and very hard-fought and very, very expensive. But at the end of the day, neither side was able to gain a significant advantage. It is expected to be very, very close. But somebody has got to lose this thing eventually.

So the question is this: How will you react if your guy comes up a little short at the end of the vote counting?

Susan in Gualala, California: "If my guy loses, I'll take the Cubs' fan cure: beer and (EXPLETIVE DELETED)."

Loser in Monroe, Louisiana: "Probably the way I always do since I've seldom selected the winning candidate. I'll complain for four years, then go vote for another loser."

And David in Ames, Iowa: "If George Bush wins this election the same way he won the last one, I will pack up my wife and two dogs and move back to Germany."

I'm sure Helmut Schmidt is thrilled to hear that, David. He'll be waiting for you at the airport.

In honor of the election, we decided over the course of this telethon without a disease, AMERICAN MORNING is five hours long this morning, to look at some of the better political jokes of the campaign. During the debate, Bush was asked by a lady to name three mistakes that he's made. Bush responded, this debate, the last debate and the next debate. That was from Bill Maher.

And this one. John Kerry and Ralph Nader met face to face. It was an historic meeting. Astronomers said today their meeting actually created what is being called a charisma black hole. That was from Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show."

We've got a few of these, and we'll share them with you throughout you the rest of the morning.

O'BRIEN: We like to call it extended election coverage, not a telethon without a disease, Jack, just FYI.

CAFFERTY: Well, OK.

HEMMER: We can take donations.

SERWER: Maybe we come up with a disease.

O'BRIEN: Although if you want to send money, we're open to that, too.

CAFFERTY: It's about the same either way you look at it is all I'm saying.

SERWER: Jack's kids.

O'BRIEN: Jack's kids. I'm Soledad O'Brien, I'm one of Jack's kids. And we're keeping our on the polls. Right now here's a live look. These are voters -- one voter, at least, in Philadelphia just heading behind that curtain.

In just a moment, one last political face-off. We're going to hear from RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie, also the DNC chairman, Terry McAuliffe, and find out what they believe was the turning point in this campaign. Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.


Aired November 2, 2004 - 07:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Another polling station, this in the state of Pennsylvania. Polls are open there as well. They're open here in the state of New York. In fact, they started about an hour and a half ago at 6:00 a.m. They'll go deep until the night, 9:00 Eastern Time. And the first polling station will finish things up in about, oh, 11 hours and 29 minutes from now. But who's counting, right?
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Not that we're counting, because it's going to be a long day. Did you see the length of that line? It's serious.

HEMMER: Yes. There, in Miami and in Brooklyn, New York already seeing there.

O'BRIEN: Great indication of just how motivated the voters are to turn out...

HEMMER: Very true.

O'BRIEN: ... and have their voices heard. I wonder -- at the end, it will be interesting to see what the final number is on the real turnout. Welcome back, everybody.

HEMMER: It's 7:31 here in New York City. Our extended coverage continues today, Election Day 2004. As we mentioned, polls open now in 24 states across the East. We're watching that for you today. We also already had a flurry of courtrooms regarding Ohio. We'll talk to the state's governor right now about how he is reacting to it and how voters in that state are reacting as well.

O'BRIEN: Also this morning, we will remember what happened four years ago. In just a few minutes, we're going to take a look at some of the changes that were made this year at CNN and other news organizations to make sure that the system works better this time around.

HEMMER: All right. Four years later, we'll see how we do.

Heidi Collins now with us as well. Developing news from overseas.

Good morning.

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

"Now in the News."

This just in. There is word this morning insurgents have captured a U.S. soldier in Iraq. Iraqi police say an American soldier was kidnapped in the city of Samarra. That's north of Baghdad. We will have more details, of course, just as they come in to us.

Meanwhile, U.S. fighter jets pounding suspected insurgent targets in the Iraqi city of Fallujah. Military sources say troops destroyed a weapon site in the southeastern part of that city yesterday. And in northern Iraq, blasts ripped through sections of pipeline in Kirkuk. It's not exactly clear how oil production will be affected.

And in New York now, the longest casino strike in Atlantic City history could be over soon. Union workers could be back to work soon after a tentative agreement was reached late yesterday. Ten thousand workers at seven casinos walked off the job on October 1. The five- year deal includes pay raises and increased benefits.

And more election news now. Filmmaker Michael Moore said he has organized 1,200 volunteers to watch for any attempts to intimidate voters in Ohio and Florida. The volunteers will be armed with cameras to document any problems at the polls.

Back now over to Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Heidi, thanks.

Early this morning in Ohio, a major ruling was issued that could affect the election in that swing state. A federal appeals court has said challengers can be allowed inside polling places throughout the state. It's hotly contested. It's gone back and forth for days.

From Columbus this morning, the governor is back with us, Bob Taft, the Republican governor.

Good morning, Governor, and welcome to Election Day, and welcome back to AMERICAN MORNING. Your reaction to the latest court ruling earlier today is what?

GOV. BOB TAFT (R), OHIO: Well, I think it's a correct ruling under Ohio law, which allows the challengers to be in there. My understanding is that the challengers, at least the Republican challengers, will only be witnessing. They will not be directly asking the election officials to challenge voters. But they will be witnessing the process, and then reporting any concerns thereafter to elections officials.

HEMMER: Democrats say Republicans are trying to suppress the vote. How do you respond to that?

TAFT: Absolutely not. We're going to have the highest turnout ever in the state of Ohio. We're working on turnout. The Democrats are working on turnout. But we've got a situation where there are more registered voters than people over 18 in about four counties. There has been a lot of fictitious registration. So I think it's important that observers be in the polling places to make sure that this election is an honest one...

HEMMER: What do you mean by...

TAFT: ... in the state of Ohio.

HEMMER: What do you mean, Governor, by fictitious registration?

TAFT: Well, how about Dick Tracy or Mary Poppins?

HEMMER: How often has that happened, do you believe?

TAFT: Well, they were paying a lot of the folks to go out and register by name, so we have had a fair amount of that around the state of Ohio.

HEMMER: Why did Republicans fight so hard against this?

TAFT: I'm not sure what you're referring to as "this."

HEMMER: Well, what I'm talking about is the back and forth court challenges to make sure that Republicans have partisans inside the polling stations. Why did they fight that battle so hard?

TAFT: Democrats have that right, too, of course. We're just trying to uphold Ohio law. It's the Democrats who have repeatedly gone into federal court to challenge long-standing Ohio law intended to uphold the accuracy and the integrity of our elections.

I think the concern is everyone should vote. Absolutely. A very important civil right. And we're working to assure that right. At the same time, nobody particularly wants their vote to be canceled out by a voter who is not properly registered to vote where they're voting.

HEMMER: Governor, how do you believe and what's your reaction or your sense about how Ohioans are feeling about the amount of attention they're getting in this election cycle?

TAFT: Well, I think a lot of them are sick of all of the telephone calls, the recorded phone calls from Bill Clinton or Arnold Schwarzenegger. We're ready, I think, to have the election in Ohio, and finally it's here. But I do think the intensity is absolutely unprecedented, and this will be a historic election, an all-time high number of voters at the polls.

HEMMER: If the election is outstanding later tonight and into tomorrow for the state of Ohio, does Ohio have a standard for a recount?

TAFT: We have a very clear standard for a recount, an automatic recount if it's within a quarter of a percent. And then either candidate can ask for recounts if it's greater than that. But we do have clear procedures. We've had recounts in the past in statewide races. So we'll be able to handle that.

The other issue, of course, a large number of provisional ballots will be cast, those that cannot be counted for 10 days. So it is possible that we won't know the outcome of the election for that long if it's a very close race in Ohio, and the polls are showing it's close.

HEMMER: And that goes to my question, if there is a challenge, would it go 36 days, do you believe, like it did four years ago?

TAFT: I don't -- no, I don't think so. I don't think we're going to have that kind of problem. Our law is very clear with regard to punch cards and chads and recounts. But it is possible that we won't know the outcome in Ohio for this period of 10 days if, as is likely, there is a large number of provisional ballots cast and if the margin is a close margin statewide.

HEMMER: Perhaps it all matters and perhaps it will not. We'll wait and see for the voter turnout there in your state. Bob Taft, thanks.

TAFT: Thank you.

HEMMER: Governor back in Columbus, Ohio.

Now to Soledad with more.

O'BRIEN: Let's talk a little bit more, in fact, about this Ohio ruling and what the two campaigns will be watching for today. James Carville is the co-host of CNN's "CROSSFIRE."

Nice to see you.

JAMES CARVILLE, CNN CO-HOST, "CROSSFIRE": Good morning.

O'BRIEN: Let's pick up on where the governor left off. The Supreme Court has ruled that the legitimacy of some voters can now be challenged.

CARVILLE: Yes, I think it was the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.

O'BRIEN: The -- I'm sorry. The governor said, well, basically what they did was they are upholding Ohio law.

CARVILLE: Right. Well, I'm 60 years old, and I grew up in the segregated South. And so African-Americans my age that grew up with me a lot of them couldn't vote. Every African-American knows that either at one time in their lives they couldn't vote or their parents couldn't vote. In some instances maybe their grandparents. They're a trifle testy about this. And if somebody comes in and challenges, say, some Gulf War vet, you know, and like you got this, like, you know, a Republican lawyer, excuse me, excuse me, sir, but may I see your driver's license? It might irritate somebody.

O'BRIEN: But...

CARVILLE: You know, I've voted all of my life. No one ever has challenged me.

O'BRIEN: The governor...

CARVILLE: No one has ever...

O'BRIEN: ... says we just want to keep Mary Poppins and Dick Tracy off the voter rolls.

CARVILLE: You know what? If the governor of Ohio knows a false registration, he is the chief law enforcement officer of that state, arrest the person, put him in jail. It's a felony. But I would tell the governor this: You sending all of those people out there, and I'm just saying African-Americans are very, very, very testy about the right to vote. It is in historical terms, it is a newly-acquired right.

And I know that all my life I've voted. I've never been challenged. I've never seen anybody challenged in any precinct that I vote in. And people are not going to take kindly. I mean, look, they have a right to be there. There shouldn't be any...

O'BRIEN: I mean...

CARVILLE: There shouldn't be any violence or anything. But why aren't they dispatching these people out to predominantly white precincts?

O'BRIEN: Apparently they can dispatch people out anywhere they want legally.

CARVILLE: I know. But the Republicans are targeting these. Again, legally...

O'BRIEN: But they...

CARVILLE: Legally, if they have a right to be there, they should be there. There shouldn't be anything -- I'm just saying African- Americans, more than any other kind of American, are a trifle testy about voting, because it is something that is ingrained in them in their history. They know of relatives that couldn't vote. They've heard stories...

O'BRIEN: So are you saying black people everywhere are going to be up in arms and angry...

CARVILLE: I didn't say...

O'BRIEN: ... because they could challenge their vote?

CARVILLE: I said a trifle -- yes, they will be testy. They're not going to like the idea of someone demanding that they see a driver's license or something before they vote. That is not going to go over very well.

O'BRIEN: Well, everyone has to show their driver's license. We've got show I.D., right?

CARVILLE: Again, they may be challenged. Each state has something different. They're going in there, I'm just saying, to a group of people who have historical grievances. They have a history of not being able to vote.

O'BRIEN: Right. Now you've said this three times. You said, I'm just saying, but are you predicting some kind of violence?

CARVILLE: No, I think that people -- I said testy. Testy. It is not going to...

O'BRIEN: I hear you. And testy is one of those words...

CARVILLE: I don't know. I mean, I can't tell you what's going to happen. I hope nothing happens. I hope everybody follows the law. But I tell you, this is not going to go over very big. And this is going to -- this is going to stick in people's minds, and particularly in African-American's minds, for a long time to come.

O'BRIEN: Does the governor not have a point when he says we have more people registered in four counties than there are people over the age of 18?

CARVILLE: Well you know what? People have falsely registered people. I'm sure that Ohio legislature has lost. Jail them. How about that, Governor? If you know...

O'BRIEN: Well, doesn't that require challenging?

CARVILLE: If you know of someone -- if you know someone that is falsely -- that was falsely registered, just jail them.

O'BRIEN: But these are people who are the challengers, that's what they're trying to determine, right?

CARVILLE: Look, you know, I'm...

O'BRIEN: They're trying to see if someone is falsely registered.

CARVILLE: I'm making a point here. They are targeting African- American precincts with people that historically had the right to vote denied to them. You know exactly what this is about. This is about trying to, as a Republican officer said in Michigan, suppressing voter turnout in Detroit.

O'BRIEN: As opposed to making sure that people who are legally allowed to vote can vote?

CARVILLE: Why has no one ever challenged me to vote? Why? In my entire life? I'm 60 years old. Why...

CARVILLE: It could just be your charming personality.

CARVILLE: Why have I never been challenged? So why is this great -- I've never seen a vote challenged at a white precinct in my life. So why are they targeting black precincts? It's something that you inherently say that -- and if there is fraud, jail them. If you know somebody out there collecting false people, put them in jail. O'BRIEN: But I guess what I'm trying to connect the dots here, as you say, if there is fraud, jail them.

CARVILLE: Right.

O'BRIEN: But aren't these -- the people who will be watching and monitoring, isn't that what they're trying to determine?

CARVILLE: No, they're not. They come on. What world you living in? They're trying to keep the vote -- they're trying to keep the vote low, you know?

O'BRIEN: The same world you're living in.

CARVILLE: And I want -- let me repeat again. This is in historic...

O'BRIEN: I know. I know...

(CROSSTALK)

CARVILLE: This is going to cause historical problems for the Republican Party, not that they don't have enough in the African- American community.

O'BRIEN: I hear you.

CARVILLE: My African-American friends are very...

O'BRIEN: Testy black people are what you're predicting.

CARVILLE: No, they're testy about the right to vote, because it is a newly-acquired right.

O'BRIEN: James Carville co-host of CNN's "CROSSFIRE." Nice to see you. Thanks for being with us.

You can catch "CROSSFIRE" today and every day, Paul Begala, Robert Novak, Tucker Carlson, join James everyday at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. And, of course, CNN's election night coverage begins tonight. That's happens at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Soledad, on this Election Day, back to the weather forecast and Chad Myers looking at things at the CNN center.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HEMMER: All right, Chad, thanks. Back with you in a moment.

O'BRIEN: Still to come on AMERICAN MORNING, how do they get the same toys they sell at Wal-Mart only cheaper?

Also, one actor has already made it to the White House. Is there another waiting in the wings? We'll look at that.

O'BRIEN: And don't forget, CNN's primetime election coverage begins tonight at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm John Kerry, and I'm reporting for duty.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Remember this moment?

HEMMER: I certainly do. As we go throughout the morning here, we're looking back at a number of moments from campaign 2004. That was in Boston at the conclusion of the DNC.

Heidi Collins back with us here, looking at the balance of power in Congress, how it may or may not change as the result of today.

Good morning.

COLLINS: Yes. And, boy, people are certainly talking about this, other than the presidential match-up, of course. That is the marquee race, if you will.

But today's election could change the balance of power in the Senate. With 34 seats on the line, Democrats are hoping to take control. Right now, Republicans rule 51 to 48 with one Independent who votes Democratic. So Democrats need to pick up two seats to take the majority.

More than two-thirds of the 34 Senate races are said to be safe for incumbents. About eight, though, are neck and neck, including two of note. Now listen to this. In South Dakota, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle is trying to fight off Republican challenger John Thune. In 2002, Thune came within 524 votes of defeating the state's other Democratic senator.

And now to Alaska, a state we haven't heard much about. Republican incumbent Lisa Murkowski is fighting for her political life against former Governor Tony Knowles. Murkowski is dodged by -- dogged, that is, by charges of nepotism. She was actually appointed by her father, Governor Frank Murkowski, to replace him. And, in fact, Alaska has not sent a Democrat to the Senate in more than two decades.

So it may be cold there.

HEMMER: Yes.

COLLINS: It may be dark there a lot before the light could be shining on Alaska.

HEMMER: A really good one, as you pointed out, the battle in South Dakota. A good one in Florida, too, with Betty Castor and Mel Martinez. And it's going to be a neck and neck run. COLLINS: We could go on and on.

HEMMER: Yes, we could. Yes, some really good races out there. Thanks, Heidi, for that -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: All right. Well, the polls have shown a divided America coming this campaign season. Half for Bush, the other half for Kerry, and thousands unsure. Well, could those opinions change if more celebrities were to run for the nation's highest office? CNN's pop culture correspondent Toure talks about that.

Hello. Good morning.

TOURE, CNN POPULAR CULTURE CORRESPONDENT: Thank you, Soledad. How are you?

O'BRIEN: Never better.

TOURE: Good, good. So, have you ever found yourself unhappy with your choices in the voting booth, but loving your options at the multiplex? Don't you ever wish you could vote for your favorite celeb instead? Well, I was wondering what star would have a real chance at presidential politics. The answer? None.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOURE (voice over): They say politics and showbiz is for ugly people. But politics is getting better-looking.

GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA: Those girlie men up there in Sacramento.

TOURE: Arnold wants to president. Ben Affleck won't rule it out.

BEN AFFLECK, ACTOR: It's great to see so many patriot Americans out here.

TOURE: But do any of today's celebrities have a real chance to become president?

JEFF GREENFIELD, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: I think a celebrity has to establish credentials beyond the fact that they are a celebrity.

SEAN "P. DIDDY" COMBS, RAP SINGER: People use fashion every day to make a statement, and their statement will be vote or die.

TOURE: "Puff Daddy," national face. He's getting more political.

(on camera): Any viability at all?

GREENFIELD: What does "Puff Daddy" stand for other than voting?

TOURE: Making money.

(voice over): Well, Michael Moore is a man of the people.

GREENFIELD: He is not ingratiating, except with people who are on the same side of him.

TOURE: What about Oprah? Everybody loves Oprah. Michael Moore think she could win.

GREENFIELD: People think of the president, particularly in this day and age, as somebody who also has to protect us from the bad guys.

TOURE (on camera): Yes.

GREENFIELD: And...

TOURE: And Oprah would reason with them?

GREENFIELD: Well, the question is whether or not -- I mean, Oprah does have a therapeutic approach to the world.

EMINEM, RAP SINGER (singing): Maybe we can reach...

TOURE: We know what President Eminem would do to the bad guys.

(on camera): He's going to attack the terrorists back.

GREENFIELD: Yes, but people might be afraid he'd also attack the postman, the meter reader, you know. I think we're pushing it here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not a political person.

TOURE (voice over): Jerry Springer wants to return to politics. But, as he said, my advantage is I'm well-known. My disadvantage is I'm well-known.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TOURE: Thanks. So this year, Kentucky is going to be a big race, right? Jim Bunning competing. It's just so close there.

O'BRIEN: Who do you pick? I mean, if you had to pick a celebrity, who would run for president?

TOURE: Well...

O'BRIEN: Most successful.

TOURE: Well, Jeff...

O'BRIEN: I mean, all right, let's say Eminem attacking the postman is not going to work.

TOURE: Well, no. But Jeff Greenfield made a good point that Bruce Springsteen is a guy, a man of the people. Everybody knows him. Everybody likes Bruce Springsteen. So that could be interesting.

HEMMER: I'll give you one. Nick Clooney is running for Congress in the state of Kentucky. His son is George Clooney.

TOURE: Right, right.

HEMMER: A former newscaster. He's appeared...

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: And a little bit of a celebrity. We love him. I'm in.

HEMMER: Thank you both.

O'BRIEN: Thanks, Toure.

HEMMER: How will the markets react today on this Election Day? A good question for Andy. He's back "Minding Your Business" on this.

Also, as we go to break, look at the lines in Atlanta, Georgia this morning. This is north of Atlanta in Roswell, courtesy of WAGA. The lines are long again there.

Back in a moment, Election Day 2004 on this AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Welcome back, everybody. It is my hunch the markets are lying low today. Andy Serwer is back "Minding Your Business." Hunch right or not?

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: A little bit. I mean, they're lying low, but they're perking up.

HEMMER: All right.

SERWER: Futures are actually to the upside pretty significantly this morning.

I want to talk a little bit about what's going on out there. The markets, of course, are open. Federal offices open, including your post offices. Otherwise, state by state, a lot of different regulations when it comes to schools, when it comes to banks. Liquor stores, liquor stores, in Pennsylvania will be closed today. Take note.

HEMMER: Huh.

SERWER: Also, a note here about those long lines we've been reporting this morning. I think it's worth pointing out that you should bring a book or a magazine.

HEMMER: Yes.

SERWER: Anticipate that you're going to be in line for maybe an hour.

HEMMER: A newspaper.

SERWER: Bring an iPod or something like that, because like you're going on a flight or something like that.

HEMMER: The other thing, people are going to get late to work today, and they may have to leave work early.

SERWER: That will be a shame, right.

HEMMER: Long lunch breaks.

SERWER: Yes.

HEMMER: Because some of these lines are going to be...

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: Just go vote. Just go vote.

SERWER: Right.

HEMMER: I can show you, this line right here, this is Fort Lauderdale right outside the polling station.

SERWER: Yes, bring a book. See, bring something to read.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: I just got an e-mail from a couple in Florida. They said they left home at 7:30. They were back home at 10 after 8:00. And they finished voting.

HEMMER: Wonderful.

O'BRIEN: Fantastic.

CAFFERTY: And it went just like that.

SERWER: Yes.

(CROSSTALK)

CAFFERTY: So let's don't overdo the long lines around the country.

SERWER: Yes.

CAFFERTY: Some places don't have any lines at all.

HEMMER: Do you want me to pipe down over here?

O'BRIEN: Yes.

CAFFERTY: Yes. Just chill, brother.

HEMMER: Hey, once we get past this election and start thinking about Christmas...

SERWER: Yes.

HEMMER: Toys R Us in the news today. What's up? SERWER: Yes, Toys R Us got beat up last year in this price war with Wal-Mart. And this year they decided to retaliate, preemptive if you will. And they've got toy that are cheaper than Wal-Mart in a news story this morning. You can see here, Toys R Us. The Barbie Princess Anneliese, Bill.

O'BRIEN: Have they...

SERWER: You got it. OK, let's try the Bratz Cloe Tokyo A Go Go, cheaper. OK. Also, the Pacman, a Gameboy Packman is about $5 cheaper. So interesting stuff t here.

HEMMER: Thank you, Andy.

SERWER: And, again, after E Day, do some shopping.

HEMMER: After E Day.

SERWER: That's right.

HEMMER: Thanks.

O'BRIEN: The "Question of the Day" is election-related, too?

CAFFERTY: Yes, it is. The most divided the country has been maybe since '68 when Nixon beat Humphrey. It's been partisan and nasty and very hard-fought and very, very expensive. But at the end of the day, neither side was able to gain a significant advantage. It is expected to be very, very close. But somebody has got to lose this thing eventually.

So the question is this: How will you react if your guy comes up a little short at the end of the vote counting?

Susan in Gualala, California: "If my guy loses, I'll take the Cubs' fan cure: beer and (EXPLETIVE DELETED)."

Loser in Monroe, Louisiana: "Probably the way I always do since I've seldom selected the winning candidate. I'll complain for four years, then go vote for another loser."

And David in Ames, Iowa: "If George Bush wins this election the same way he won the last one, I will pack up my wife and two dogs and move back to Germany."

I'm sure Helmut Schmidt is thrilled to hear that, David. He'll be waiting for you at the airport.

In honor of the election, we decided over the course of this telethon without a disease, AMERICAN MORNING is five hours long this morning, to look at some of the better political jokes of the campaign. During the debate, Bush was asked by a lady to name three mistakes that he's made. Bush responded, this debate, the last debate and the next debate. That was from Bill Maher.

And this one. John Kerry and Ralph Nader met face to face. It was an historic meeting. Astronomers said today their meeting actually created what is being called a charisma black hole. That was from Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show."

We've got a few of these, and we'll share them with you throughout you the rest of the morning.

O'BRIEN: We like to call it extended election coverage, not a telethon without a disease, Jack, just FYI.

CAFFERTY: Well, OK.

HEMMER: We can take donations.

SERWER: Maybe we come up with a disease.

O'BRIEN: Although if you want to send money, we're open to that, too.

CAFFERTY: It's about the same either way you look at it is all I'm saying.

SERWER: Jack's kids.

O'BRIEN: Jack's kids. I'm Soledad O'Brien, I'm one of Jack's kids. And we're keeping our on the polls. Right now here's a live look. These are voters -- one voter, at least, in Philadelphia just heading behind that curtain.

In just a moment, one last political face-off. We're going to hear from RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie, also the DNC chairman, Terry McAuliffe, and find out what they believe was the turning point in this campaign. Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.

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