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CNN Live At Daybreak

Wave of Violence in Iraq; Controversial Candidate; Civil Unions

Aired April 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.


KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, a wave of violence washes over Iraq. Two mass killings leave more than 70 people dead.
Plus, grisly details are coming out in the killing of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford of Florida.

And the governor makes it official. Saying "I do" in Connecticut will take on a whole new meaning in October.

This is Thursday, April 21, and you are watching DAYBREAK.

And good Thursday morning to you. From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Kelly Wallace, in today for Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

Some stories "Now in the News."

Two people have been killed by a bomb on the road leading to the Baghdad airport. It happened just about four hours ago. And in two minutes we'll take you live to Baghdad for a report on two mass killings.

After months of protests, Ecuador's congress has removed President Lucio Gutierrez and replaced him with the vice president. The protests were sparked by a shakeup of the country's supreme court.

Five children have died in a mobile home fire in Humphrey, Arkansas, about 40 miles southeast of Little Rock. A woman also died in that fire. Police say the children are five years of age or younger.

And hail in Kansas damaged some cars. Take a look at this. Hail has also had an impact at the Denver Airport. Sixteen flights headed for Denver were diverted after a strong storm system moved through the area.

To Chad Myers in Atlanta now.

Good morning, Chad. What are the folks out West going to be seeing today?

CHAD MYERS, METEOROLOGIST: Good morning. Another big round of severe weather again today.

(WEATHER REPORT) WALLACE: That's right. People were out on the boardwalk in their bikinis yesterday. That's not going to happen today.

MYERS: Not me.

WALLACE: Not me, but other people. Let the record be noted. Other people.

MYERS: OK. Right, OK.

WALLACE: All right, Chad. We'll talk to you in a few minutes.

MYERS: Fair enough.

WALLACE: Thanks so much.

And now to our top story, the wave of violence in Iraq. Fifty bodies were found in the Tigris River, and 20 Iraqi soldiers have been shot to death.

Our Ryan Chilcote is in Baghdad.

Ryan, thanks for joining us. First, it appears -- or does it appear that we are seeing a noticeable spike in the violence on the ground in Iraq?

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kelly, indeed, it does appear that we're seeing a spike in the violence. It began about a week ago, but yesterday was a particularly gruesome day.

We'll start just south of Baghdad, after a startling announcement from the Iraqi president, Jalal Talabani, saying that officials there found more than -- the bodies of more than 50 Iraqis in the Tigris River. He went on to say that they have been recovered and identified. Iraqi police telling CNN that they found these bodies Wednesday morning, and they believe that they belong to people that were killed two to three days ago, quite recently.

Then in the northwest of the country, from Iraqi police a report that 20 Iraqi soldiers were shot dead by insurgents. These soldiers were on leave, in civilian dress, when they were abducted on a highway. They were brought to a soccer stadium by these insurgents, and that's where their bodies were found, lined up against the blood- stained wall.

And lastly, Kelly, here in the Iraqi capital a series of bombings, at least four that we know of, killing at least two Iraqi civilians, wounding eight more. And today the violence continues. Just about four hours ago on the road out to the airport a roadside bomb went off. That killing at least two people.

Iraqi police telling CNN that they saw a convoy of about three SUVs going by them as the blast went off. SUVs are usually the vehicles used by westerners working here in Iraq -- Kelly.

WALLACE: And Ryan, we had understood from President Talabani that perhaps as early as today there could be an announcement of the new Iraqi government. We understand there's been a delay in that.

Is that connected to the spike in violence we're seeing?

CHILCOTE: Sure, Kelly. Hard to know.

What we do know is that the Iraqi president, Jalal Talabani, indeed yesterday had said that he hoped that an Iraqi government, a new Iraqi government, could be announced today. That was a bit earlier than some people had expected.

And we were expecting a press conference to take place just about now here. But we now understand that the first word should come in the next couple of hours -- Kelly.

WALLACE: All right. Ryan Chilcote reporting from Baghdad. We'll be talking to you in the next hour of DAYBREAK. Thanks so much.

And staying with Iraq, Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi escaped an assassination attempt when a car bomb exploded at a checkpoint. His spokesman says several guards and policemen were killed.

It happened on the main road leading to the Baghdad headquarters of Allawi's political party. Allawi himself was not hurt.

Back here in the United States, the political battle is heating up, you can say, over John Bolton. The White House blasted Senate Democrats for delaying approval of President Bush's choice for U.N. ambassador.

CNN State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel reports on others who are now weighing in on the controversial candidate.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPT. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From Moscow, where she was meeting with Russia's president, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice fired back at John Bolton's critics.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: The president deserves to have the person at the United Nations that he thinks best to carry out this job. I think we make a mistake when suddenly comments about management style become part of the confirmation process.

KOPPEL: One likely target of Rice's criticism, Republican Senator George Voinovich of Ohio, who out of the blue Tuesday broke ranks with the Republican-dominated Senate Foreign Relations Committee and refused to vote for Bolton.

SEN. GEORGE VOINOVICH (R), OHIO: I think one's interpersonal skills and their relationship with their fellow man is a very important ingredient in anyone that works for me. I call it the kitchen test. Do we feel comfortable about the kitchen test? And I've heard enough today that gives me some real concern about Mr. Bolton.

KOPPEL: Until now, all eyes were focused on senators Lincoln Chafee and Chuck Hagel, widely considered the only Republican wildcards. What happened? The Democrats made a last-ditch appeal.

SEN. CHRIS DODD (D), CONNECTICUT: We have five different occasions here that we're looking into. There's quite a number of complaints, I might add, against one individual. A pattern of abuse, in my view.

KOPPEL: An aide to Voinovich told CNN the senator, who's met privately with Bolton but missed his Senate testimony last week, suddenly realized he needed more time to investigate these new allegations. Among them, that Bolton tried to get a young career foreign service office, Rexon Ryu, removed from his job in February 2003 because Bolton believed Ryu had withheld documents; that Bolton harassed a subcontractor for USAID, Melody Townsel, in Kyrgyzstan in 1994 when he was out of government working for a private lawyer; and that Bolton threatened to fire a senior Justice Department lawyer in 1998 who wanted extended maternity leave when Bolton headed up the Justice Department's Civil Division.

(on camera): A White House spokesman denied the Bolton nomination was lost and said the accusations had been trumped up by opponents of the president's. But with the committee vote put off now until next month, Republicans are clearly worried. Senator John McCain summed it up by saying he doesn't want the Bolton nomination to die "a death of a thousand cuts."

Andrea Koppel, CNN, at the State Department.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: House speaker, Dennis Hastert, is warning the Democrats that they could face several ethics investigations of their own. Hastert made that comment in a radio interview. He was responding to calls by Democrats to rewrite the rules governing the House Ethics Committee. Democrats allege that Ethics Committee Rules were changed to protect House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

Landmark legislation passed in Connecticut giving greater rights to same-sex couples. Connecticut now joining Vermont and Massachusetts as the only states to recognize the rights of gay partners. We get the story of Jamie Roth of CNN affiliate WFSB in Hartford, Connecticut.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GOV. M. JODI RELL (R), CONNECTICUT: I'm not sure which day it really is.

JAMIE ROTH, REPORTER, WFSB (voice-over): And with that, the civil unions bill became a Connecticut state law.

RELL: I have said all along that I believe in no discrimination of any kind. And I think that this bill accomplishes that, while at the same time preserving the traditional language that a marriage is between a man and a woman.

ROTH: Democratic state senator Andrew McDonald and Democratic state representative Michael Lawler had been major supporters of the bill.

ANDREW MCDONALD (D), CONNECTICUT STATE SENATE: That we stand tall for equality, and we've done it because of no other force than the will of the people. That is something we should all take pride in.

ROTH: Mary Bowler and Diane Shepherd (ph) traveled from Westbrook to witness the historic vote.

MARY BOWLER, GAY RIGHTS SUPPORTER: We have very supportive families. And I think for those people who don't, that it will change their lives as far as giving them the same protections. You can make arrangements to convey property, medical decisions, all the things that married couples have.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: And that report again from Jamie Roth of CNN affiliate WFSB in Hartford, Connecticut.

Connecticut's Republican governor successfully had the bill amended to define marriage as between a man and a woman only.

Texas could become the only state to ban gays from being foster parents. The Texas House approved a measure that prohibits homosexuals and bisexuals from becoming foster parents. The State Senate still has to consider that legislation. Last year, a judge ruled that a similar ban passed in Arkansas was unconstitutional.

Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, or ANWR, as you may have heard it called, will remain part of the House Energy Bill. Attempts to remove the provision from the bill failed last night. The full House is expected to vote on its energy package today, but passage could set up a big battle with the Senate over the issue.

President Bush has encouraged Congress to approve oil exploration in the 19 million acre Alaskan refuge, and that brings us to our DAYBREAK e-mail "Question of the Day." Alaska oil drilling, will it lead to lower gas prices? Do you support it? Let us know what you think at DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

Chad, this has been around for many, many years. I covered the White House, and this was an issue that Congress members were definitely dealing with for many years. And it's still there.

MYERS: Well, of course it is. And it's always going to be a battle. It's going to be a battle between the people that don't want all that land trampled over and the battle between how much oil do we want to import and how much do we want to be self-sufficient. And, you know, where's that battle line?

WALLACE: And it will be interesting, Chad, too, with rising gas prices affecting everybody...

MYERS: Yes.

WALLACE: ... how that could potentially impact the political outlook for this. All right.

MYERS: Certainly. They say it's going to be 10 years before we can even get a drop of oil out of there anyway. But is that -- even that the scare of that, that we're going to do that, do the drilling across parts of the northern up there, the northern plain, is that going to just give a little psychological edge to a lower gas price? You never know. We'll have to see.

WALLACE: It will be interesting.

MYERS: We want to know what you think. Will drilling in Alaska lower gas prices or not?

WALLACE: Keep those e-mails coming, and Chad and I will go through them.

OK, Chad. Talk to you in a few minutes.

MYERS: All right.

WALLACE: News now and a follow-up to a story, really, we told you about yesterday. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger apologizing for his tough talk regarding border patrol.

At a speech Tuesday, he said the border with Mexico should be closed. But now Schwarzenegger says that's not what he meant. The governor called it a screw-up and blames the problem on his trouble with the English language.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA: The bottom line is I misspoke, and I'm sorry if that, you know, offended anyone. But it was a language problem, because I meant securing our borders rather than closing our borders.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And Schwarzenegger adds this, that he filmed four movies in Mexico and that he loves to go there on vacation.

Well, still to come here on the Thursday edition of DAYBREAK, at 15 minutes past the hour we will learn more about the final moments of Jessica Lunsford's life.

After that, we'll hear what it took to subdue a Florida woman. She was tasered, but you won't believe how many times.

And at 48 past the hour, we'll meet a man who says he's figured out a way to live longer. And he's sharing his secrets.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) WALLACE: The international markets are mixed this morning. Tokyo's Nikkei is lower by 96 points. The London FTSE is up by nine. And the German DAX is higher by almost nine points.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's just about 17 minutes after the hour. And here's what is all new this morning.

Iraq's new president revealed the discovery of at least 50 bodies found in the Tigris River. They are believed to be the victims of insurgent kidnappings and executions. Former interim prime minister, Ayad Allawi, will lead the investigation into the executions.

In money news, President Bush signed the Bankruptcy Bill, which means the new law goes into effect in six months. That new law could prevent up to 200,000 people from filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection.

In culture, fans of Marilyn Monroe will now be able to own some of her more personal items. An auction of items from her estate is scheduled for June. You can bid on her personal phonebook and her Joe DiMaggio divorce papers.

And in sports, the New Jersey Nets are heading to the NBA playoffs. Folks from the New York area are happy about that. The Nets beat the Celtics in their final game to secure the last spot in the Eastern Conference. They'll play the top-seated Miami Heat in the first round.

And Chad, the playoffs keep going and going.

MYERS: Yes. How -- what is it, 64 teams now they're down to? Oh, no, no, no. That's college.

WALLACE: All right.

MYERS: It just seems like 64 teams.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WALLACE: All right, Chad. We'll talk to you in a few minutes. Thanks so much.

MYERS: Sure.

WALLACE: Disturbing new details now to tell you about. The details emerging about the final moments in the life of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford.

Documents from Florida prosecutors say the child was raped, bound and buried possibly while still alive. In her arms she cradled a stuffed dolphin. Police say convicted sex offender John Couey confessed to killing the little girl.

Meanwhile, the Florida House has unanimously approved what is known as the Jessica Lunsford Act. It would impose tougher penalties on sex offenders. And that bill goes to the state Senate next. More news now "Across America" this morning.

CNN has learned from a source close to the Michael Jackson case that actor Macaulay Culkin is planning to testify on behalf of the pop star. The testimony could dispute claims by former Jackson employees who say they saw the singer inappropriately touch Culkin when he was at Neverland Ranch as a boy.

Culkin, now 24 years old, has denied anything sexual ever took place. And his publicist is not confirming that the actor will testify.

Authorities in Kern County, California, say no charges will be filed against an animal sanctuary keeper after two chimpanzees attacked a visitor last month. You'll recall that story. An investigation found that the keeper failed to lock two of three doors on their cage. Investigators say the chimps had also figured out how to unlock their cages. The injured visitor remains in critical condition.

And law enforcement officials in the Florida Panhandle are defending their use of a Taser gun on a 110-pound woman. Patricia Skelly was tasered nine times with the stun gun. Okaloosa County authorities say she was combative while being arrested for trespassing at a motel. Her attorney says it was an excessive use of force.

Still to come today on DAYBREAK, animals on a rampage. Elephants escape from a parade, knocking down everything in their way. We'll show you more straight ahead.

You're watching DAYBREAK, for Thursday, April 21. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: So, Chad, you're following some of the political questions surrounding House Majority Leader Tom DeLay?

MYERS: Oh, I had a dinner party at my house on Saturday, and it was -- the table was rocking with this. I'm going, "Can't we talk about something more fun?"

WALLACE: Maybe sports, maybe, rather -- well, then maybe -- I don't think you're probably surprised then, because the late-night comedians are having a field day with this. Take a listen to Comedy Central's Jon Stewart.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JON STEWART, "THE DAILY SHOW": The majority leader is under fire from -- oh, let him explain.

REP. TOM DELAY (R-TX), MAJORITY LEADER: It's nothing but a bunch of leftist organizations that have a public strategy to demonize me.

STEWART: Yes. Many leftist organizations calling for his removal, like the communist (INAUDIBLE) "The Wall Street Journal", eco-terrorist Connecticut Republican Christopher Shays, and Rick Santorum, known in Washington as the Senate's Richard Simmons, only gayer.

(LAUGHTER)

Even Newt Gingrich, who knows a little something about being brought low by an ethics scandal, wasn't buying it.

NEWT GINGRICH, FMR. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: DeLay's problem isn't with the Democrats. DeLay's problem is with the country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Chad, they're good. They are good.

MYERS: Yes. And most of -- and most of the attendees at my dinner part were Republicans as well, and they didn't have many good things to say either.

WALLACE: Are they worried, Chad?

MYERS: They're very worried.

WALLACE: Yes?

MYERS: Yes. Well, actually, they think he should be gone, should take himself out.

WALLACE: It will be interesting to watch it.

MYERS: Sure will.

WALLACE: All right, Chad.

Well, it's time now for our DAYBREAK "Eye Openers."

Yes, you saw some of the video before. Six elephants rampaged through downtown Seoul, South Korea, after they escaped from an amusement park. Take a look. Several of them were finally captured when they smashed their way into this restaurant.

Listen to this, Chad. Police are blaming the rampage on zookeeper carelessness. The incident kind of makes the old bull in the china shop seem like small potatoes.

MYERS: Looking for a little green tea, maybe.

WALLACE: Oh. They look so darling, don't they?

MYERS: Well, yes.

WALLACE: They're just taking an afternoon stroll. What's the big problem with that?

MYERS: They just didn't know where they were headed. WALLACE: Exactly.

MYERS: Ah.

WALLACE: Well, to our next story.

Archaeologists looking to pinpoint an important event in American history will be digging under this English church next month. They're hoping to get DNA from a 400-year-old skeleton. They want to compare it to remains found in Jamestown, Virginia.

The hope is that remains found in Jamestown belong to the founder of the first permanent British settlement in the new world. That's neat.

MYERS: That is.

WALLACE: So now we move from discoveries to ducks.

MYERS: Oh, now this is a good story.

WALLACE: A mother duck, very cute, and her ducklings somehow got stuck under a car on their way across the road in Bakersfield, California. There they are.

Several good samaritans sprang into action to help the floundering fowl. Eventually the ducks were scooped up in a fishing net and carried to safety.

MYERS: All ducks remain healthy, wealthy and wise there.

WALLACE: All...

MYERS: They all came out very well.

WALLACE: All accounted for.

MYERS: Yes.

WALLACE: And bravo to those good samaritans getting a fishing net.

MYERS: They're trying to get away, run away.

WALLACE: Sometimes you don't even have to make this stuff up.

All right, Chad. We'll talk to you in a few minutes.

MYERS: All right. See you.

WALLACE: And here is what is all new in the next half-hour of DAYBREAK.

A simple delivery man living illegally in the city devastated by September 11. The law allows it.

Plus, want to live forever? Who wouldn't? Meet a man chasing the holy grail of immortality.

And a reminder again. Our e-mail "Question of the Day," Alaska oil drilling, do you think it will lead to lower gas prices? Do you support it?

E-mail us at DAYBREAK@CNN.com. We want to hear from you.

Again, this is DAYBREAK. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired April 21, 2005 - 05:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, a wave of violence washes over Iraq. Two mass killings leave more than 70 people dead.
Plus, grisly details are coming out in the killing of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford of Florida.

And the governor makes it official. Saying "I do" in Connecticut will take on a whole new meaning in October.

This is Thursday, April 21, and you are watching DAYBREAK.

And good Thursday morning to you. From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Kelly Wallace, in today for Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

Some stories "Now in the News."

Two people have been killed by a bomb on the road leading to the Baghdad airport. It happened just about four hours ago. And in two minutes we'll take you live to Baghdad for a report on two mass killings.

After months of protests, Ecuador's congress has removed President Lucio Gutierrez and replaced him with the vice president. The protests were sparked by a shakeup of the country's supreme court.

Five children have died in a mobile home fire in Humphrey, Arkansas, about 40 miles southeast of Little Rock. A woman also died in that fire. Police say the children are five years of age or younger.

And hail in Kansas damaged some cars. Take a look at this. Hail has also had an impact at the Denver Airport. Sixteen flights headed for Denver were diverted after a strong storm system moved through the area.

To Chad Myers in Atlanta now.

Good morning, Chad. What are the folks out West going to be seeing today?

CHAD MYERS, METEOROLOGIST: Good morning. Another big round of severe weather again today.

(WEATHER REPORT) WALLACE: That's right. People were out on the boardwalk in their bikinis yesterday. That's not going to happen today.

MYERS: Not me.

WALLACE: Not me, but other people. Let the record be noted. Other people.

MYERS: OK. Right, OK.

WALLACE: All right, Chad. We'll talk to you in a few minutes.

MYERS: Fair enough.

WALLACE: Thanks so much.

And now to our top story, the wave of violence in Iraq. Fifty bodies were found in the Tigris River, and 20 Iraqi soldiers have been shot to death.

Our Ryan Chilcote is in Baghdad.

Ryan, thanks for joining us. First, it appears -- or does it appear that we are seeing a noticeable spike in the violence on the ground in Iraq?

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kelly, indeed, it does appear that we're seeing a spike in the violence. It began about a week ago, but yesterday was a particularly gruesome day.

We'll start just south of Baghdad, after a startling announcement from the Iraqi president, Jalal Talabani, saying that officials there found more than -- the bodies of more than 50 Iraqis in the Tigris River. He went on to say that they have been recovered and identified. Iraqi police telling CNN that they found these bodies Wednesday morning, and they believe that they belong to people that were killed two to three days ago, quite recently.

Then in the northwest of the country, from Iraqi police a report that 20 Iraqi soldiers were shot dead by insurgents. These soldiers were on leave, in civilian dress, when they were abducted on a highway. They were brought to a soccer stadium by these insurgents, and that's where their bodies were found, lined up against the blood- stained wall.

And lastly, Kelly, here in the Iraqi capital a series of bombings, at least four that we know of, killing at least two Iraqi civilians, wounding eight more. And today the violence continues. Just about four hours ago on the road out to the airport a roadside bomb went off. That killing at least two people.

Iraqi police telling CNN that they saw a convoy of about three SUVs going by them as the blast went off. SUVs are usually the vehicles used by westerners working here in Iraq -- Kelly.

WALLACE: And Ryan, we had understood from President Talabani that perhaps as early as today there could be an announcement of the new Iraqi government. We understand there's been a delay in that.

Is that connected to the spike in violence we're seeing?

CHILCOTE: Sure, Kelly. Hard to know.

What we do know is that the Iraqi president, Jalal Talabani, indeed yesterday had said that he hoped that an Iraqi government, a new Iraqi government, could be announced today. That was a bit earlier than some people had expected.

And we were expecting a press conference to take place just about now here. But we now understand that the first word should come in the next couple of hours -- Kelly.

WALLACE: All right. Ryan Chilcote reporting from Baghdad. We'll be talking to you in the next hour of DAYBREAK. Thanks so much.

And staying with Iraq, Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi escaped an assassination attempt when a car bomb exploded at a checkpoint. His spokesman says several guards and policemen were killed.

It happened on the main road leading to the Baghdad headquarters of Allawi's political party. Allawi himself was not hurt.

Back here in the United States, the political battle is heating up, you can say, over John Bolton. The White House blasted Senate Democrats for delaying approval of President Bush's choice for U.N. ambassador.

CNN State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel reports on others who are now weighing in on the controversial candidate.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPT. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From Moscow, where she was meeting with Russia's president, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice fired back at John Bolton's critics.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: The president deserves to have the person at the United Nations that he thinks best to carry out this job. I think we make a mistake when suddenly comments about management style become part of the confirmation process.

KOPPEL: One likely target of Rice's criticism, Republican Senator George Voinovich of Ohio, who out of the blue Tuesday broke ranks with the Republican-dominated Senate Foreign Relations Committee and refused to vote for Bolton.

SEN. GEORGE VOINOVICH (R), OHIO: I think one's interpersonal skills and their relationship with their fellow man is a very important ingredient in anyone that works for me. I call it the kitchen test. Do we feel comfortable about the kitchen test? And I've heard enough today that gives me some real concern about Mr. Bolton.

KOPPEL: Until now, all eyes were focused on senators Lincoln Chafee and Chuck Hagel, widely considered the only Republican wildcards. What happened? The Democrats made a last-ditch appeal.

SEN. CHRIS DODD (D), CONNECTICUT: We have five different occasions here that we're looking into. There's quite a number of complaints, I might add, against one individual. A pattern of abuse, in my view.

KOPPEL: An aide to Voinovich told CNN the senator, who's met privately with Bolton but missed his Senate testimony last week, suddenly realized he needed more time to investigate these new allegations. Among them, that Bolton tried to get a young career foreign service office, Rexon Ryu, removed from his job in February 2003 because Bolton believed Ryu had withheld documents; that Bolton harassed a subcontractor for USAID, Melody Townsel, in Kyrgyzstan in 1994 when he was out of government working for a private lawyer; and that Bolton threatened to fire a senior Justice Department lawyer in 1998 who wanted extended maternity leave when Bolton headed up the Justice Department's Civil Division.

(on camera): A White House spokesman denied the Bolton nomination was lost and said the accusations had been trumped up by opponents of the president's. But with the committee vote put off now until next month, Republicans are clearly worried. Senator John McCain summed it up by saying he doesn't want the Bolton nomination to die "a death of a thousand cuts."

Andrea Koppel, CNN, at the State Department.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: House speaker, Dennis Hastert, is warning the Democrats that they could face several ethics investigations of their own. Hastert made that comment in a radio interview. He was responding to calls by Democrats to rewrite the rules governing the House Ethics Committee. Democrats allege that Ethics Committee Rules were changed to protect House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

Landmark legislation passed in Connecticut giving greater rights to same-sex couples. Connecticut now joining Vermont and Massachusetts as the only states to recognize the rights of gay partners. We get the story of Jamie Roth of CNN affiliate WFSB in Hartford, Connecticut.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GOV. M. JODI RELL (R), CONNECTICUT: I'm not sure which day it really is.

JAMIE ROTH, REPORTER, WFSB (voice-over): And with that, the civil unions bill became a Connecticut state law.

RELL: I have said all along that I believe in no discrimination of any kind. And I think that this bill accomplishes that, while at the same time preserving the traditional language that a marriage is between a man and a woman.

ROTH: Democratic state senator Andrew McDonald and Democratic state representative Michael Lawler had been major supporters of the bill.

ANDREW MCDONALD (D), CONNECTICUT STATE SENATE: That we stand tall for equality, and we've done it because of no other force than the will of the people. That is something we should all take pride in.

ROTH: Mary Bowler and Diane Shepherd (ph) traveled from Westbrook to witness the historic vote.

MARY BOWLER, GAY RIGHTS SUPPORTER: We have very supportive families. And I think for those people who don't, that it will change their lives as far as giving them the same protections. You can make arrangements to convey property, medical decisions, all the things that married couples have.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: And that report again from Jamie Roth of CNN affiliate WFSB in Hartford, Connecticut.

Connecticut's Republican governor successfully had the bill amended to define marriage as between a man and a woman only.

Texas could become the only state to ban gays from being foster parents. The Texas House approved a measure that prohibits homosexuals and bisexuals from becoming foster parents. The State Senate still has to consider that legislation. Last year, a judge ruled that a similar ban passed in Arkansas was unconstitutional.

Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, or ANWR, as you may have heard it called, will remain part of the House Energy Bill. Attempts to remove the provision from the bill failed last night. The full House is expected to vote on its energy package today, but passage could set up a big battle with the Senate over the issue.

President Bush has encouraged Congress to approve oil exploration in the 19 million acre Alaskan refuge, and that brings us to our DAYBREAK e-mail "Question of the Day." Alaska oil drilling, will it lead to lower gas prices? Do you support it? Let us know what you think at DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

Chad, this has been around for many, many years. I covered the White House, and this was an issue that Congress members were definitely dealing with for many years. And it's still there.

MYERS: Well, of course it is. And it's always going to be a battle. It's going to be a battle between the people that don't want all that land trampled over and the battle between how much oil do we want to import and how much do we want to be self-sufficient. And, you know, where's that battle line?

WALLACE: And it will be interesting, Chad, too, with rising gas prices affecting everybody...

MYERS: Yes.

WALLACE: ... how that could potentially impact the political outlook for this. All right.

MYERS: Certainly. They say it's going to be 10 years before we can even get a drop of oil out of there anyway. But is that -- even that the scare of that, that we're going to do that, do the drilling across parts of the northern up there, the northern plain, is that going to just give a little psychological edge to a lower gas price? You never know. We'll have to see.

WALLACE: It will be interesting.

MYERS: We want to know what you think. Will drilling in Alaska lower gas prices or not?

WALLACE: Keep those e-mails coming, and Chad and I will go through them.

OK, Chad. Talk to you in a few minutes.

MYERS: All right.

WALLACE: News now and a follow-up to a story, really, we told you about yesterday. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger apologizing for his tough talk regarding border patrol.

At a speech Tuesday, he said the border with Mexico should be closed. But now Schwarzenegger says that's not what he meant. The governor called it a screw-up and blames the problem on his trouble with the English language.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA: The bottom line is I misspoke, and I'm sorry if that, you know, offended anyone. But it was a language problem, because I meant securing our borders rather than closing our borders.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And Schwarzenegger adds this, that he filmed four movies in Mexico and that he loves to go there on vacation.

Well, still to come here on the Thursday edition of DAYBREAK, at 15 minutes past the hour we will learn more about the final moments of Jessica Lunsford's life.

After that, we'll hear what it took to subdue a Florida woman. She was tasered, but you won't believe how many times.

And at 48 past the hour, we'll meet a man who says he's figured out a way to live longer. And he's sharing his secrets.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) WALLACE: The international markets are mixed this morning. Tokyo's Nikkei is lower by 96 points. The London FTSE is up by nine. And the German DAX is higher by almost nine points.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's just about 17 minutes after the hour. And here's what is all new this morning.

Iraq's new president revealed the discovery of at least 50 bodies found in the Tigris River. They are believed to be the victims of insurgent kidnappings and executions. Former interim prime minister, Ayad Allawi, will lead the investigation into the executions.

In money news, President Bush signed the Bankruptcy Bill, which means the new law goes into effect in six months. That new law could prevent up to 200,000 people from filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection.

In culture, fans of Marilyn Monroe will now be able to own some of her more personal items. An auction of items from her estate is scheduled for June. You can bid on her personal phonebook and her Joe DiMaggio divorce papers.

And in sports, the New Jersey Nets are heading to the NBA playoffs. Folks from the New York area are happy about that. The Nets beat the Celtics in their final game to secure the last spot in the Eastern Conference. They'll play the top-seated Miami Heat in the first round.

And Chad, the playoffs keep going and going.

MYERS: Yes. How -- what is it, 64 teams now they're down to? Oh, no, no, no. That's college.

WALLACE: All right.

MYERS: It just seems like 64 teams.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WALLACE: All right, Chad. We'll talk to you in a few minutes. Thanks so much.

MYERS: Sure.

WALLACE: Disturbing new details now to tell you about. The details emerging about the final moments in the life of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford.

Documents from Florida prosecutors say the child was raped, bound and buried possibly while still alive. In her arms she cradled a stuffed dolphin. Police say convicted sex offender John Couey confessed to killing the little girl.

Meanwhile, the Florida House has unanimously approved what is known as the Jessica Lunsford Act. It would impose tougher penalties on sex offenders. And that bill goes to the state Senate next. More news now "Across America" this morning.

CNN has learned from a source close to the Michael Jackson case that actor Macaulay Culkin is planning to testify on behalf of the pop star. The testimony could dispute claims by former Jackson employees who say they saw the singer inappropriately touch Culkin when he was at Neverland Ranch as a boy.

Culkin, now 24 years old, has denied anything sexual ever took place. And his publicist is not confirming that the actor will testify.

Authorities in Kern County, California, say no charges will be filed against an animal sanctuary keeper after two chimpanzees attacked a visitor last month. You'll recall that story. An investigation found that the keeper failed to lock two of three doors on their cage. Investigators say the chimps had also figured out how to unlock their cages. The injured visitor remains in critical condition.

And law enforcement officials in the Florida Panhandle are defending their use of a Taser gun on a 110-pound woman. Patricia Skelly was tasered nine times with the stun gun. Okaloosa County authorities say she was combative while being arrested for trespassing at a motel. Her attorney says it was an excessive use of force.

Still to come today on DAYBREAK, animals on a rampage. Elephants escape from a parade, knocking down everything in their way. We'll show you more straight ahead.

You're watching DAYBREAK, for Thursday, April 21. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: So, Chad, you're following some of the political questions surrounding House Majority Leader Tom DeLay?

MYERS: Oh, I had a dinner party at my house on Saturday, and it was -- the table was rocking with this. I'm going, "Can't we talk about something more fun?"

WALLACE: Maybe sports, maybe, rather -- well, then maybe -- I don't think you're probably surprised then, because the late-night comedians are having a field day with this. Take a listen to Comedy Central's Jon Stewart.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JON STEWART, "THE DAILY SHOW": The majority leader is under fire from -- oh, let him explain.

REP. TOM DELAY (R-TX), MAJORITY LEADER: It's nothing but a bunch of leftist organizations that have a public strategy to demonize me.

STEWART: Yes. Many leftist organizations calling for his removal, like the communist (INAUDIBLE) "The Wall Street Journal", eco-terrorist Connecticut Republican Christopher Shays, and Rick Santorum, known in Washington as the Senate's Richard Simmons, only gayer.

(LAUGHTER)

Even Newt Gingrich, who knows a little something about being brought low by an ethics scandal, wasn't buying it.

NEWT GINGRICH, FMR. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: DeLay's problem isn't with the Democrats. DeLay's problem is with the country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Chad, they're good. They are good.

MYERS: Yes. And most of -- and most of the attendees at my dinner part were Republicans as well, and they didn't have many good things to say either.

WALLACE: Are they worried, Chad?

MYERS: They're very worried.

WALLACE: Yes?

MYERS: Yes. Well, actually, they think he should be gone, should take himself out.

WALLACE: It will be interesting to watch it.

MYERS: Sure will.

WALLACE: All right, Chad.

Well, it's time now for our DAYBREAK "Eye Openers."

Yes, you saw some of the video before. Six elephants rampaged through downtown Seoul, South Korea, after they escaped from an amusement park. Take a look. Several of them were finally captured when they smashed their way into this restaurant.

Listen to this, Chad. Police are blaming the rampage on zookeeper carelessness. The incident kind of makes the old bull in the china shop seem like small potatoes.

MYERS: Looking for a little green tea, maybe.

WALLACE: Oh. They look so darling, don't they?

MYERS: Well, yes.

WALLACE: They're just taking an afternoon stroll. What's the big problem with that?

MYERS: They just didn't know where they were headed. WALLACE: Exactly.

MYERS: Ah.

WALLACE: Well, to our next story.

Archaeologists looking to pinpoint an important event in American history will be digging under this English church next month. They're hoping to get DNA from a 400-year-old skeleton. They want to compare it to remains found in Jamestown, Virginia.

The hope is that remains found in Jamestown belong to the founder of the first permanent British settlement in the new world. That's neat.

MYERS: That is.

WALLACE: So now we move from discoveries to ducks.

MYERS: Oh, now this is a good story.

WALLACE: A mother duck, very cute, and her ducklings somehow got stuck under a car on their way across the road in Bakersfield, California. There they are.

Several good samaritans sprang into action to help the floundering fowl. Eventually the ducks were scooped up in a fishing net and carried to safety.

MYERS: All ducks remain healthy, wealthy and wise there.

WALLACE: All...

MYERS: They all came out very well.

WALLACE: All accounted for.

MYERS: Yes.

WALLACE: And bravo to those good samaritans getting a fishing net.

MYERS: They're trying to get away, run away.

WALLACE: Sometimes you don't even have to make this stuff up.

All right, Chad. We'll talk to you in a few minutes.

MYERS: All right. See you.

WALLACE: And here is what is all new in the next half-hour of DAYBREAK.

A simple delivery man living illegally in the city devastated by September 11. The law allows it.

Plus, want to live forever? Who wouldn't? Meet a man chasing the holy grail of immortality.

And a reminder again. Our e-mail "Question of the Day," Alaska oil drilling, do you think it will lead to lower gas prices? Do you support it?

E-mail us at DAYBREAK@CNN.com. We want to hear from you.

Again, this is DAYBREAK. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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