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CNN Live At Daybreak

Life or Death for Terri Schiavo; More Chilling Details in Jessica Lunsford Abduction

Aired March 21, 2005 - 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: Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, life or death -- that question has loomed over Terri Schiavo's hospital bed for years. This morning, the legal battle gets new life.
Plus, police say she was snatched from her bedroom and killed. Now they reveal even more chilling details.

And cracking the code -- the Catholic Church says there's nothing novel about this best-seller.

It is Monday, March 21.

This is DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you.

From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

Now in the news, a federal judge is deciding right now whether to order Terri Schiavo's feeding tube be reinserted. Congress and President Bush created a new law overnight to make that possible. The brain damaged woman is now entering her third full day without food and water.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is on her way back from China. She's been trying to get the Chinese to help move North Korea back to the negotiating table for nuclear talks.

U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan is calling for wide ranging changes in the agency, including expanding the 15-member Security Council to 24.

And if you didn't know it already, gas prices have hit another record high. Nationwide, the average price for a gallon of self serve regular is $2.10. Analysts expect gas prices to go even higher.

Good morning -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: That'll teach you to buy that V12, won't it? I know you bought the four cylinder, Carol, though. I'm not kidding you.

Good morning, everybody.

(WEATHER REPORT) COSTELLO: Let's get straight to our top story this morning, the bitter legal battle over Terri Schiavo. It's ignited passionate debate across the nation and now there is more to come. Just under four hours ago, at 1:11 a.m. Eastern, President Bush signed a bill allowing a federal court to review the brain damaged woman's case. Now a Justice Department source tells CNN that federal lawyers have formally held -- filed court documents aimed at keeping Schiavo alive. The judge is already reviewing the case.

Schiavo is spending another day without food or water at a Florida hospice. Her feeding tube was removed on Friday. Now, that bill was rushed to President Bush's desk after three hours of debate in the House. The vote came around midnight Eastern time.

CNN's Congressional correspondent Joe Johns has more on the dramatic session.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The vote was 203-58, an extraordinary session of the United States House of Representatives. Members of Congress spread out all over the country, rushing back to the Capitol to vote in a midnight session.

(voice-over): The bill gives Terri Schiavo's parents standing to sue in U.S. federal court. It also instructs the court to issue declaratory and injunctive relief, if necessary, that would allow the replacement of the feeding tube. The bill does not guarantee that she will be provided a feeding tube indefinitely. That would be left up to a court.

The president of the United States signed the bill shortly after the House of Representatives approved it. Many who opposed the measure said they were doing so because, in their view, the Congress was overstepping its bounds.

Joe Johns, CNN, Capitol Hill.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: Schiavo's husband has fought for years to let her die, but her parents wanted to keep her alive and the battle has become much more than a family matter.

Last night, supporters of Schiavo's parents held a candlelight vigil outside her hospice and prayed for her life. Schiavo's father spoke out just after the approval of that bill aimed at keeping her alive and her husband talked to CNN earlier.

Here's what both had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOB SCHINDLER, SR., FATHER: I asked her if she was ready to take a little ride. And I told her that we were going to take her for a little trip and take her outside and get her some breakfast. And that got a big smile out of her face, so help me god. So she seemed to be very pleased. And we're pleased and, you know, we're very thankful for both the House and the Senate for passing this bill and saving, literally saving Terri's life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL SCHIAVO, HUSBAND: My feeling is that I'm outraged and I think that every American in this country should also be outraged that this government is trampling all over a personal, family matter that has been adjudicated in these courts for several years. I think that the Congress has more important things to discuss.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Republican supporters of the Terri Schiavo Bill reject the notion that political motives are behind the last minute legislative maneuver. But opponents suggest if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, well, you know the rest.

CNN White House correspondent Dana Bash looks at the politics of the Schiavo case.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Listen to how conservative politicians are describing their quest to keep Terri Schiavo alive.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It has to do with the culture of life.

SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN: The society that is built on a culture of life.

BASH: Culture of life is a catch phrase for abortion opponents. Now Terri Schiavo is Exhibit A of an evolving movement and a broadening debate over how to define right to life.

WENDY WRIGHT, CONCERNED WOMEN FOR AMERICA: This case really is mobilizing people and helping them to understand that the attack on the culture of life extends beyond abortion.

BASH: From researching stem cells to cloning to ventilators and feeding tubes, with each scientific development, new questions about when life starts, when it ends and who decides.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We must strive to build a culture of life. Medical research can help us reach that goal by developing treatments and cures that save lives and help people overcome disabilities.

BASH: Some religious conservatives want the definition of life as broad as possible. For them, Schiavo is a rallying cry. In phone calls and on Web sites, groups urge activists to call lawmakers. GOP leaders, wading in uncharted waters to change Schiavo's fate, insist they're following the spirit of the constitution, not politics.

REP. TOM DELAY, (R) TEXAS: This is not a political issue. This is life and death. And this is a bipartisan attempt to save this life.

BASH: Though condemned by GOP leaders, Republican talking points circulating in the Senate suggest some see a potential upside against Democrats on the ballot next year. "This is a great political issue because Senator Nelson of Florida has already refused to become a co- sponsor and this is a tough issue for Democrats," a GOP memo says.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi. How are you? You look so pretty.

MARTHA BURK, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS: I think the Democrats are moving toward the right culturally. I think they're trying to look like junior Republicans. And in some cases, like this one, we see it most starkly.

BASH: Democrats, stung from a series of electoral losses among social conservatives, are, by and large, biting their tongues on the Schiavo matter.

(on camera): But some Democrats are criticizing Congress and the president for what they call overreaching, even abusing their power. The White House answers that by calling the Schiavo case complex and extraordinary, saying the president believes that life should be protected when there is doubt in all stages of life.

Dana Bash, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: And, you know, Chad, we struggled with an e-mail question this morning because we knew that people would be talking about the extraordinary events in Washington overnight.

MYERS: Sure.

COSTELLO: And, you know, one thing that we're not hearing is Terri Schiavo's quality of life.

MYERS: Correct.

COSTELLO: I mean we saw that video that the family has released, but that was from 2001.

MYERS: It says August, 2001. Exactly. It's so very difficult to know. And that kind of goes along with our question today, Carol. It goes along our Question of the Day. If you were Terri Schiavo, who would you want making this decision? And we're not just talking about spouse, parents. I mean would it be your doctor? Would it be your pastor? Would it be Congress, someone who's never met you? Would it be -- who would -- you make it up. You tell me the answer you want. Who would you want making this decision if you did not make a living will before this happened to you? COSTELLO: Well, and I wanted to throw something out about the living will, Chad, because I've seen many stories about the living will now and sometimes that doesn't even matter.

MYERS: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: If someone wants to fight your living will, they can.

MYERS: Right.

COSTELLO: And you're at their mercy, so to speak.

MYERS: You are correct.

COSTELLO: Not making your own decision in the end, after all.

Daybreak@cnn.com.

Authorities in Florida have released new and troubling details on the kidnapping and killing of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford. They say it appears the girl was sexually assaulted and held captive for perhaps days.

CNN's Sara Dorsey bring us up to date.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

SARA DORSEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With each passing day, the memorial for 9-year-old Jessica Marie Lunsford grows larger, as more disturbing details of her murder come to light. Law enforcement sources tell CNN it appears John Couey walked into the Lunsford home, made his way into Jessica's bedroom, put his hand over her mouth, told her to be quiet and then forced her out of the house.

Sources say it appears Jessica was not killed immediately. Couey might have held her hostage more than a day, possibly two. Investigators say because of Couey's drug haze "his time lines are all over the place."

Couey, the alleged killer, sits in jail just one town away. He made his first court appearance handcuffed and shackled Sunday morning in front of Circuit Court Judge Stephen Spivey on unrelated charges.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right, sir, do you have any questions of the court this morning?

JOHN COUEY: No, sir.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right.

DORSEY: Citrus County Sheriff's officials say charges in the Lunsford case are coming.

Jessica's dad wants to see Couey gone for good.

MARK LUNSFORD, JESSICA'S FATHER: And I need everybody's support on pushing the death penalty upon this man. He is scum and anybody that acts like him or even resembles him is scum. And you do not deserve to be amongst us.

DORSEY: John Couey was extradited overnight from Georgia, where he allegedly confessed to killing Jessica and told investigators where her body was buried. He arrived in Florida early Sunday morning. For his own safety, Couey wore a bullet-proof vest and the eight hour trip was made under the cover of darkness.

RONDA HEMMINGER EVAN, CITRUS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE: We felt that that was the best way to bring him back as soon as possible and as safely as possible. That transport was conducted by two of our deputies. We did use an unmarked vehicle and the transport went without incident.

DORSEY: Those that knew Jessica and some who only knew her unfortunate story packed into Faith Baptist Church, Jessica's church, to try to find some comfort after such a senseless crime.

RITA SODERBERG, CHURCH MEMBER: We're all thankful she's in heaven now. We're happy about that. It's just sad how, the road that she took to get there.

DORSEY: The crime scene tape still visible from the Lunsfords' front door, a reminder of a three week search that came to a horrible end.

LUNSFORD: We need to make some changes, people. This does not need to happen again, not this close to home.

DORSEY: Sarah Dorsey, CNN, Homosassa Springs, Florida.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: Much more to come on DAYBREAK this hour.

Have you read "The Da Vinci Code?" It is a huge hit. So what is the Catholic Church saying about it today, this week, Holy Week?

Also, Condoleezza Rice in Beijing, where North Korea was the talk of the town.

And are your kids begging you for a cell phone? You might want to think twice before giving in.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Monday morning, March 21.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It's 5:16 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

The emotionally charged debate over Terri Schiavo takes another turn. About four hours ago, President Bush signed emergency legislation that gives a federal court jurisdiction over the brain damaged woman. A federal judge is now deciding whether to order her feeding tube reinserted. Congress rushed the legislation through in an extraordinary weekend session.

Disturbing news about the kidnapped Florida girl. Authorities say 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford was sexually assaulted after she was kidnapped and then held captive for perhaps two days. Suspect John Couey has been booked and jailed in Florida on unrelated charges.

In money news, there's a report this morning that General Motors plans to make deep cuts to its white collar workforce. The "Wall Street Journal" reports the cuts could be as deep as 28 percent. It comes on the heels of a drop in earnings.

In culture, "The Ring 2" scared away the competition at the box office this weekend. The horror sequel debuted at number one, earning an estimated $36 million.

And in sports, a big time upset in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. Defending champ and No. 2 seed Connecticut -- can you believe that -- has failed to reach the sweet sixteen. 10th seed North Carolina State knocked out the Huskies with a 65-62 win.

Who is winning their office pool this year, Chad?

MYERS: I'm not sure. I've got Kansas out. I've got Wake Forest out. I didn't have U. Conn. going all the way, but oh my goodness, it has been one phenomenal weekend if you are any kind of a fan of college basketball at all.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Hey, Chad, we're going to get right to your E-Mail Question of the Morning because we're already getting several hundred e-mails in.

MYERS: Oh, we are. Oh my, are we.

COSTELLO: Yes. We're asking the question who would you want to decide if you were Terri Schiavo? Who would you want to make this decision? Do you want to start?

MYERS: I will. And I have something from Kevin in Vermont and I hope this is right. It sounds like he knows what he's talking about. He says, first of all, get off this living will thing. He said: "It is called a durable medical power of attorney. That's the proper instrument. It can be set up for next to nothing." So if you want to do something, that's the thing you want to do.

So now we get into Pacific Lady. "She has no quality of life and her husband has the right to make the decision and her parents need to get the daughter die." I'm getting this a lot, Carol. But I'm also getting back and forth that if you are married, then it's your spouse. But obviously if you're not married or if you have children, then your children take precedence from your spouse.

The Question of the Day -- if you were Terri Schiavo, who would you want making this decision -- Carol.

COSTELLO: You know, they have an interesting thing in the "New York Times" this morning.

MYERS: Go ahead.

COSTELLO: It's called "Provocative Snapshots of A Many-Layered Issue." Five striking images of Terri Schiavo appeared on television. One showed a beaming young woman with long wavy hair, apparently in front of a Christmas tree. Another showed a bride in a lacy, high- collared dress, flanked by her parents. In a third portrait, Schiavo, in a spiky haircut and heavy makeup, wore an ambiguous expression. A fourth showed a wide-necked woman in bed regarding a visitor blankly. None of the pictures were dated. And then in 2001, in August, we see that famous videotape of Terri Schiavo looking at her mother, apparently smiling. But that's really all we know about Terri Schiavo. We don't know what kind of life she led.

MYERS: Right.

COSTELLO: We know nothing really about her.

MYERS: Why have we not heard from the doctors a little bit more?

COSTELLO: That's a good question. I'm sure throughout the day on CNN we'll be taking that angle of the story.

Just one more before we throw to a break.

MYERS: Yes?

COSTELLO: This is from Matt. He says: "My family period. It is a family issue and life that's dependent on a feeding tube is not a life at all."

We're going to take a short break.

DAYBREAK will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Many Christians around the world are beginning Holy Week. It starts on Palm Sunday. Pope John Paul II celebrated the holy day by waving an olive branch at tens of thousands of pilgrims in St. Peter's Square. There he is. But the pontiff was unable to preside over Palm Sunday mass for the first time in his 26-year papacy. He's still recovering from throat surgery. But it is nice to see him at the window there. So this morning, we are taking a closer look at things holy, or not, as in "The Da Vinci Code." There is a push in Rome to have the book banned from Catholic bookstores. No less than a cardinal is behind what he calls "the banishment of cheap lies." But he may be fighting a losing battle. "The Da Vinci Code" is being made into a movie.

Let's head live to Rome and Alessio Vinci -- good morning, Alessio.

ALESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Well, you wonder why a cardinal would attack a book years after its release, but Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone organized, went as far as organizing a series of conferences around Italy, during which he described the book as "a devastating attack against Christianity;" also saying during those conferences that similar attacks against other faiths or other religions would not be tolerated.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

VINCI (voice-over): It may be a best-seller around the world, but at the Vatican, Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code" is loathed.

Tarcisio Bertone, archbishop of Genoa and one of those considered a possible successor to the ailing pope, described the content of the book as "rotten food."

CARDINAL TARCISIO BERTONE, ARCHBISHOP OF GENOA (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): This book is a sack full of lies against the church, against the real history of Christianity and against Christ himself.

VINCI: The author and the publisher say the book is a fictional murder thriller with fictional characters and, why not, an alternative theory about the birth of Christianity. But the Vatican doesn't buy the argument, saying that if millions of people read that the church goes as far as murdering someone in order to cover up that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had a child, then they may end up believing it. BERTONE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): It mystifies reality and historical truth. This is not the work of a great writer. A great writer wouldn't behave like this.

VINCI: Cardinal Bertone may have a point. The church in Paris, in which a gruesome murder described in the book takes place, has been flooded with "Da Vinci Code" tourists. Signs had to be put up to explain that events described in the book are not real and that they shouldn't bother looking for similarities since the book is not accurate.

Until now, the Vatican has kept silent about the book out of fear, perhaps, too much criticism would have given the book more publicity, as if it really needed it.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

VINCI: But it may be too late, Carol. The novel is expected to reach an even wider audience next year. As you mentioned, the book will be made into -- there will be a movie made into -- based on the book and the main, the lead actor will be Academy Award winning actor Tom Hanks -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Oh, and you can bet people in Rome will be watching that movie, as they will probably in pretty much the rest of the world.

How powerful is this cardinal, Alessio?

VINCI: Well, he is a top cardinal. He was named cardinal by the pope himself in 2003. Until then, he was the number two man in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is the church equivalent of the ministry in charge of enforcing church doctrine. So certainly he is a quite powerful cardinal.

At the same time, however, I don't think he has the power to prevent bookstores from selling the book or even having viewers boycotting the movie. I've had a lot of friends who are Catholics who are seeing, who have read the book and are planning to watch the movie. So I am not really sure that this battle is a battle that the Vatican can win.

All they really want to do, at this point, is, I guess, open a debate about it.

COSTELLO: Alessio Vinci live in Rome this morning.

Thank you.

Coming up in the next hour of DAYBREAK, the Virgin Mary as a feminist? Maybe. We'll talk about it.

Here's what's all new in the next half hour, though.

Condoleezza Rice travels around Asia trying to be North Korea's neighbors on board with the United States. We're going to take you live to Beijing.

Plus, Congress' vote adds a new layer of legal issues to the Terri Schiavo case. So what's next? Our legal eagle, Kendall Coffey, will join us live to sort it out.

And a reminder -- our E-mail Question of the Day: if you were Terri Schiavo, who would you want making this decision? E-mail us. The address, daybreak@cnn.com. That's daybreak@cnn.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired March 21, 2005 - 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: Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, life or death -- that question has loomed over Terri Schiavo's hospital bed for years. This morning, the legal battle gets new life.
Plus, police say she was snatched from her bedroom and killed. Now they reveal even more chilling details.

And cracking the code -- the Catholic Church says there's nothing novel about this best-seller.

It is Monday, March 21.

This is DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you.

From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

Now in the news, a federal judge is deciding right now whether to order Terri Schiavo's feeding tube be reinserted. Congress and President Bush created a new law overnight to make that possible. The brain damaged woman is now entering her third full day without food and water.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is on her way back from China. She's been trying to get the Chinese to help move North Korea back to the negotiating table for nuclear talks.

U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan is calling for wide ranging changes in the agency, including expanding the 15-member Security Council to 24.

And if you didn't know it already, gas prices have hit another record high. Nationwide, the average price for a gallon of self serve regular is $2.10. Analysts expect gas prices to go even higher.

Good morning -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: That'll teach you to buy that V12, won't it? I know you bought the four cylinder, Carol, though. I'm not kidding you.

Good morning, everybody.

(WEATHER REPORT) COSTELLO: Let's get straight to our top story this morning, the bitter legal battle over Terri Schiavo. It's ignited passionate debate across the nation and now there is more to come. Just under four hours ago, at 1:11 a.m. Eastern, President Bush signed a bill allowing a federal court to review the brain damaged woman's case. Now a Justice Department source tells CNN that federal lawyers have formally held -- filed court documents aimed at keeping Schiavo alive. The judge is already reviewing the case.

Schiavo is spending another day without food or water at a Florida hospice. Her feeding tube was removed on Friday. Now, that bill was rushed to President Bush's desk after three hours of debate in the House. The vote came around midnight Eastern time.

CNN's Congressional correspondent Joe Johns has more on the dramatic session.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The vote was 203-58, an extraordinary session of the United States House of Representatives. Members of Congress spread out all over the country, rushing back to the Capitol to vote in a midnight session.

(voice-over): The bill gives Terri Schiavo's parents standing to sue in U.S. federal court. It also instructs the court to issue declaratory and injunctive relief, if necessary, that would allow the replacement of the feeding tube. The bill does not guarantee that she will be provided a feeding tube indefinitely. That would be left up to a court.

The president of the United States signed the bill shortly after the House of Representatives approved it. Many who opposed the measure said they were doing so because, in their view, the Congress was overstepping its bounds.

Joe Johns, CNN, Capitol Hill.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: Schiavo's husband has fought for years to let her die, but her parents wanted to keep her alive and the battle has become much more than a family matter.

Last night, supporters of Schiavo's parents held a candlelight vigil outside her hospice and prayed for her life. Schiavo's father spoke out just after the approval of that bill aimed at keeping her alive and her husband talked to CNN earlier.

Here's what both had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOB SCHINDLER, SR., FATHER: I asked her if she was ready to take a little ride. And I told her that we were going to take her for a little trip and take her outside and get her some breakfast. And that got a big smile out of her face, so help me god. So she seemed to be very pleased. And we're pleased and, you know, we're very thankful for both the House and the Senate for passing this bill and saving, literally saving Terri's life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL SCHIAVO, HUSBAND: My feeling is that I'm outraged and I think that every American in this country should also be outraged that this government is trampling all over a personal, family matter that has been adjudicated in these courts for several years. I think that the Congress has more important things to discuss.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Republican supporters of the Terri Schiavo Bill reject the notion that political motives are behind the last minute legislative maneuver. But opponents suggest if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, well, you know the rest.

CNN White House correspondent Dana Bash looks at the politics of the Schiavo case.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Listen to how conservative politicians are describing their quest to keep Terri Schiavo alive.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It has to do with the culture of life.

SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN: The society that is built on a culture of life.

BASH: Culture of life is a catch phrase for abortion opponents. Now Terri Schiavo is Exhibit A of an evolving movement and a broadening debate over how to define right to life.

WENDY WRIGHT, CONCERNED WOMEN FOR AMERICA: This case really is mobilizing people and helping them to understand that the attack on the culture of life extends beyond abortion.

BASH: From researching stem cells to cloning to ventilators and feeding tubes, with each scientific development, new questions about when life starts, when it ends and who decides.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We must strive to build a culture of life. Medical research can help us reach that goal by developing treatments and cures that save lives and help people overcome disabilities.

BASH: Some religious conservatives want the definition of life as broad as possible. For them, Schiavo is a rallying cry. In phone calls and on Web sites, groups urge activists to call lawmakers. GOP leaders, wading in uncharted waters to change Schiavo's fate, insist they're following the spirit of the constitution, not politics.

REP. TOM DELAY, (R) TEXAS: This is not a political issue. This is life and death. And this is a bipartisan attempt to save this life.

BASH: Though condemned by GOP leaders, Republican talking points circulating in the Senate suggest some see a potential upside against Democrats on the ballot next year. "This is a great political issue because Senator Nelson of Florida has already refused to become a co- sponsor and this is a tough issue for Democrats," a GOP memo says.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi. How are you? You look so pretty.

MARTHA BURK, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS: I think the Democrats are moving toward the right culturally. I think they're trying to look like junior Republicans. And in some cases, like this one, we see it most starkly.

BASH: Democrats, stung from a series of electoral losses among social conservatives, are, by and large, biting their tongues on the Schiavo matter.

(on camera): But some Democrats are criticizing Congress and the president for what they call overreaching, even abusing their power. The White House answers that by calling the Schiavo case complex and extraordinary, saying the president believes that life should be protected when there is doubt in all stages of life.

Dana Bash, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: And, you know, Chad, we struggled with an e-mail question this morning because we knew that people would be talking about the extraordinary events in Washington overnight.

MYERS: Sure.

COSTELLO: And, you know, one thing that we're not hearing is Terri Schiavo's quality of life.

MYERS: Correct.

COSTELLO: I mean we saw that video that the family has released, but that was from 2001.

MYERS: It says August, 2001. Exactly. It's so very difficult to know. And that kind of goes along with our question today, Carol. It goes along our Question of the Day. If you were Terri Schiavo, who would you want making this decision? And we're not just talking about spouse, parents. I mean would it be your doctor? Would it be your pastor? Would it be Congress, someone who's never met you? Would it be -- who would -- you make it up. You tell me the answer you want. Who would you want making this decision if you did not make a living will before this happened to you? COSTELLO: Well, and I wanted to throw something out about the living will, Chad, because I've seen many stories about the living will now and sometimes that doesn't even matter.

MYERS: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: If someone wants to fight your living will, they can.

MYERS: Right.

COSTELLO: And you're at their mercy, so to speak.

MYERS: You are correct.

COSTELLO: Not making your own decision in the end, after all.

Daybreak@cnn.com.

Authorities in Florida have released new and troubling details on the kidnapping and killing of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford. They say it appears the girl was sexually assaulted and held captive for perhaps days.

CNN's Sara Dorsey bring us up to date.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

SARA DORSEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With each passing day, the memorial for 9-year-old Jessica Marie Lunsford grows larger, as more disturbing details of her murder come to light. Law enforcement sources tell CNN it appears John Couey walked into the Lunsford home, made his way into Jessica's bedroom, put his hand over her mouth, told her to be quiet and then forced her out of the house.

Sources say it appears Jessica was not killed immediately. Couey might have held her hostage more than a day, possibly two. Investigators say because of Couey's drug haze "his time lines are all over the place."

Couey, the alleged killer, sits in jail just one town away. He made his first court appearance handcuffed and shackled Sunday morning in front of Circuit Court Judge Stephen Spivey on unrelated charges.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right, sir, do you have any questions of the court this morning?

JOHN COUEY: No, sir.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right.

DORSEY: Citrus County Sheriff's officials say charges in the Lunsford case are coming.

Jessica's dad wants to see Couey gone for good.

MARK LUNSFORD, JESSICA'S FATHER: And I need everybody's support on pushing the death penalty upon this man. He is scum and anybody that acts like him or even resembles him is scum. And you do not deserve to be amongst us.

DORSEY: John Couey was extradited overnight from Georgia, where he allegedly confessed to killing Jessica and told investigators where her body was buried. He arrived in Florida early Sunday morning. For his own safety, Couey wore a bullet-proof vest and the eight hour trip was made under the cover of darkness.

RONDA HEMMINGER EVAN, CITRUS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE: We felt that that was the best way to bring him back as soon as possible and as safely as possible. That transport was conducted by two of our deputies. We did use an unmarked vehicle and the transport went without incident.

DORSEY: Those that knew Jessica and some who only knew her unfortunate story packed into Faith Baptist Church, Jessica's church, to try to find some comfort after such a senseless crime.

RITA SODERBERG, CHURCH MEMBER: We're all thankful she's in heaven now. We're happy about that. It's just sad how, the road that she took to get there.

DORSEY: The crime scene tape still visible from the Lunsfords' front door, a reminder of a three week search that came to a horrible end.

LUNSFORD: We need to make some changes, people. This does not need to happen again, not this close to home.

DORSEY: Sarah Dorsey, CNN, Homosassa Springs, Florida.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: Much more to come on DAYBREAK this hour.

Have you read "The Da Vinci Code?" It is a huge hit. So what is the Catholic Church saying about it today, this week, Holy Week?

Also, Condoleezza Rice in Beijing, where North Korea was the talk of the town.

And are your kids begging you for a cell phone? You might want to think twice before giving in.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Monday morning, March 21.

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COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It's 5:16 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

The emotionally charged debate over Terri Schiavo takes another turn. About four hours ago, President Bush signed emergency legislation that gives a federal court jurisdiction over the brain damaged woman. A federal judge is now deciding whether to order her feeding tube reinserted. Congress rushed the legislation through in an extraordinary weekend session.

Disturbing news about the kidnapped Florida girl. Authorities say 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford was sexually assaulted after she was kidnapped and then held captive for perhaps two days. Suspect John Couey has been booked and jailed in Florida on unrelated charges.

In money news, there's a report this morning that General Motors plans to make deep cuts to its white collar workforce. The "Wall Street Journal" reports the cuts could be as deep as 28 percent. It comes on the heels of a drop in earnings.

In culture, "The Ring 2" scared away the competition at the box office this weekend. The horror sequel debuted at number one, earning an estimated $36 million.

And in sports, a big time upset in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. Defending champ and No. 2 seed Connecticut -- can you believe that -- has failed to reach the sweet sixteen. 10th seed North Carolina State knocked out the Huskies with a 65-62 win.

Who is winning their office pool this year, Chad?

MYERS: I'm not sure. I've got Kansas out. I've got Wake Forest out. I didn't have U. Conn. going all the way, but oh my goodness, it has been one phenomenal weekend if you are any kind of a fan of college basketball at all.

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COSTELLO: Hey, Chad, we're going to get right to your E-Mail Question of the Morning because we're already getting several hundred e-mails in.

MYERS: Oh, we are. Oh my, are we.

COSTELLO: Yes. We're asking the question who would you want to decide if you were Terri Schiavo? Who would you want to make this decision? Do you want to start?

MYERS: I will. And I have something from Kevin in Vermont and I hope this is right. It sounds like he knows what he's talking about. He says, first of all, get off this living will thing. He said: "It is called a durable medical power of attorney. That's the proper instrument. It can be set up for next to nothing." So if you want to do something, that's the thing you want to do.

So now we get into Pacific Lady. "She has no quality of life and her husband has the right to make the decision and her parents need to get the daughter die." I'm getting this a lot, Carol. But I'm also getting back and forth that if you are married, then it's your spouse. But obviously if you're not married or if you have children, then your children take precedence from your spouse.

The Question of the Day -- if you were Terri Schiavo, who would you want making this decision -- Carol.

COSTELLO: You know, they have an interesting thing in the "New York Times" this morning.

MYERS: Go ahead.

COSTELLO: It's called "Provocative Snapshots of A Many-Layered Issue." Five striking images of Terri Schiavo appeared on television. One showed a beaming young woman with long wavy hair, apparently in front of a Christmas tree. Another showed a bride in a lacy, high- collared dress, flanked by her parents. In a third portrait, Schiavo, in a spiky haircut and heavy makeup, wore an ambiguous expression. A fourth showed a wide-necked woman in bed regarding a visitor blankly. None of the pictures were dated. And then in 2001, in August, we see that famous videotape of Terri Schiavo looking at her mother, apparently smiling. But that's really all we know about Terri Schiavo. We don't know what kind of life she led.

MYERS: Right.

COSTELLO: We know nothing really about her.

MYERS: Why have we not heard from the doctors a little bit more?

COSTELLO: That's a good question. I'm sure throughout the day on CNN we'll be taking that angle of the story.

Just one more before we throw to a break.

MYERS: Yes?

COSTELLO: This is from Matt. He says: "My family period. It is a family issue and life that's dependent on a feeding tube is not a life at all."

We're going to take a short break.

DAYBREAK will be right back.

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COSTELLO: Many Christians around the world are beginning Holy Week. It starts on Palm Sunday. Pope John Paul II celebrated the holy day by waving an olive branch at tens of thousands of pilgrims in St. Peter's Square. There he is. But the pontiff was unable to preside over Palm Sunday mass for the first time in his 26-year papacy. He's still recovering from throat surgery. But it is nice to see him at the window there. So this morning, we are taking a closer look at things holy, or not, as in "The Da Vinci Code." There is a push in Rome to have the book banned from Catholic bookstores. No less than a cardinal is behind what he calls "the banishment of cheap lies." But he may be fighting a losing battle. "The Da Vinci Code" is being made into a movie.

Let's head live to Rome and Alessio Vinci -- good morning, Alessio.

ALESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Well, you wonder why a cardinal would attack a book years after its release, but Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone organized, went as far as organizing a series of conferences around Italy, during which he described the book as "a devastating attack against Christianity;" also saying during those conferences that similar attacks against other faiths or other religions would not be tolerated.

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VINCI (voice-over): It may be a best-seller around the world, but at the Vatican, Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code" is loathed.

Tarcisio Bertone, archbishop of Genoa and one of those considered a possible successor to the ailing pope, described the content of the book as "rotten food."

CARDINAL TARCISIO BERTONE, ARCHBISHOP OF GENOA (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): This book is a sack full of lies against the church, against the real history of Christianity and against Christ himself.

VINCI: The author and the publisher say the book is a fictional murder thriller with fictional characters and, why not, an alternative theory about the birth of Christianity. But the Vatican doesn't buy the argument, saying that if millions of people read that the church goes as far as murdering someone in order to cover up that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had a child, then they may end up believing it. BERTONE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): It mystifies reality and historical truth. This is not the work of a great writer. A great writer wouldn't behave like this.

VINCI: Cardinal Bertone may have a point. The church in Paris, in which a gruesome murder described in the book takes place, has been flooded with "Da Vinci Code" tourists. Signs had to be put up to explain that events described in the book are not real and that they shouldn't bother looking for similarities since the book is not accurate.

Until now, the Vatican has kept silent about the book out of fear, perhaps, too much criticism would have given the book more publicity, as if it really needed it.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

VINCI: But it may be too late, Carol. The novel is expected to reach an even wider audience next year. As you mentioned, the book will be made into -- there will be a movie made into -- based on the book and the main, the lead actor will be Academy Award winning actor Tom Hanks -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Oh, and you can bet people in Rome will be watching that movie, as they will probably in pretty much the rest of the world.

How powerful is this cardinal, Alessio?

VINCI: Well, he is a top cardinal. He was named cardinal by the pope himself in 2003. Until then, he was the number two man in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is the church equivalent of the ministry in charge of enforcing church doctrine. So certainly he is a quite powerful cardinal.

At the same time, however, I don't think he has the power to prevent bookstores from selling the book or even having viewers boycotting the movie. I've had a lot of friends who are Catholics who are seeing, who have read the book and are planning to watch the movie. So I am not really sure that this battle is a battle that the Vatican can win.

All they really want to do, at this point, is, I guess, open a debate about it.

COSTELLO: Alessio Vinci live in Rome this morning.

Thank you.

Coming up in the next hour of DAYBREAK, the Virgin Mary as a feminist? Maybe. We'll talk about it.

Here's what's all new in the next half hour, though.

Condoleezza Rice travels around Asia trying to be North Korea's neighbors on board with the United States. We're going to take you live to Beijing.

Plus, Congress' vote adds a new layer of legal issues to the Terri Schiavo case. So what's next? Our legal eagle, Kendall Coffey, will join us live to sort it out.

And a reminder -- our E-mail Question of the Day: if you were Terri Schiavo, who would you want making this decision? E-mail us. The address, daybreak@cnn.com. That's daybreak@cnn.com.

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