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CNN Live At Daybreak

Bush on Iraq; Coastal Danger?; Death of an Heir

Aired June 28, 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: It is Tuesday, June 28. One of the richest people in the world has died. A plane crash claims the life of John Walton. We'll remember an heir to one of the world's biggest fortunes.
Also, Iraq one year after the handover. We'll take a look back and a look ahead.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was surprised after seeing a spray of red in the water that we were not dealing with any kind of prey.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: More blood in the water, and that's sparking more fear on land.

ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.

COSTELLO: And good morning to you. We'll have more on John Walton in just a moment.

Also ahead, the highest court in the land rules on The Ten Commandments and a lot more. We'll break down the votes for you.

And later, the gruesome and disturbing confession from the BTK killer.

But first, "Now in the News."

President Bush faces a military audience tonight, but his message is for the whole nation. He'll defend his Iraq policy in a speech at Fort Bragg, California. Recent polls show support for the war is slipping.

The Senate is expected to pass an energy bill today, but the measure has a lot of -- has to pick up a lot more steam to become law. The Senate bill is far different from the House version, so the two sides are facing some hard bargaining.

It is the first step towards sainthood. The Vatican starts the process of beatifying Pope John Paul II today. The current pope, Benedict XVI, waived the usual five-year waiting period.

To the forecast center now and Chad. Good morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: And good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

MYERS: You're welcome.

COSTELLO: We begin this morning with a key anniversary and an important presidential address. It was a year ago today that the U.S. handed over power to the Iraqis. And tonight President Bush will argue that the United States should stay the course in Iraq despite deadly violence and a slide in public support. He'll make his case at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

National Security Correspondent David Ensor sets the scene.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This president has long favored speaking before military audiences, with their high level of respect for the commander-in-chief. But this speech is aimed at the nation as a whole at a time when support for the Iraq war and for the president are slipping.

SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The president recognizes one of his most important responsibilities during a time of war is to keep the American people informed about the situation.

ENSOR: The latest CNN-"USA Today"-Gallup poll shows 53 percent of those questioned now say it was a mistake to have gone to war in the first place. Fifty-one percent say the U.S. should set a timetable for withdrawal.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Why would you say to the enemy, you know, here's the timetable, just go ahead and wait us out? It doesn't make any sense to have a timetable.

ENSOR: As for Mr. Bush himself, his approval rating is down to 45 percent, and only 37 percent think he has a clear plan for Iraq. With the insurgency exacting a high price in blood, it is time, aides concede, for the administration to do some plain speaking on the war.

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: Setbacks are inevitable, and important victories are seldom won without risk, sacrifice and patience.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: That was National Security Correspondent David Ensor reporting. You just heard Defense Secretary Rumsfeld mention risk, sacrifice and patience. At the North Carolina base where President Bush is speaking tonight, soldiers have risked, they've sacrificed, and their families have had to be patient as the war goes on. Let's open our DAYBREAK "Data File" on Fort Bragg.

It is the home of the 82nd Airborne Division and the Army's Special Operation command. Soldiers from Fort Bragg are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And since June of 2004, 97 soldiers based in North Carolina have died in those two conflicts. Only California has more war deaths.

CNN, by the way, will bring you live coverage of the presidential address to the nation. That's tonight at 8:00 eastern, 5:00 p.m. on the West Coast.

And Chad, that brings us to our DAYBREAK email "Question of the Day."

MYERS: What do you expect to hear today? After one year after the handover, what do you want to hear from President Bush tonight? What happened so far, so good, in the one year, and what do you want to hear maybe in the next year? What do you want to hear about a plan?

Let us know. And then maybe you can even tell us what you expect to hear.

DAYBREAK@CNN.com. Email us there. The email situation is open this morning. The sit room is open.

COSTELLO: It certainly is. And we want to know, because a lot of people say the president should come out and be really honest about what's happening in Iraq. Democrats are charging that the president hasn't -- well, he's painted a more rosy picture than the one that's actually out there.

So tell us what you think. DAYBREAK@CNN.com. What do you want to hear from President Bush tonight?

There has been another shark attack off the coast of the Florida Panhandle. This time a teenager lost his leg and is in critical condition. Experts say the shark activity is normal, but that doesn't make it any easier for people along the coast.

CNN's Brian Todd has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On the Florida Panhandle, two beach towns reel from what one official calls a fair amount of shock after two shark attacks in three days. Today at Cape San Blas, a teenage boy is badly injured, reportedly while fishing off a sandbar.

A short time later, 95 miles to the northwest, officials give more detail of the attack that killed 14-year-old Jamie Daigle on Saturday off Miramar Beach.

QUESTION: What kind of a shark was it? ERICH RITTER, THE SHARK RESEARCH INSTITUTE: It was a bull shark, six feet long.

TODD: That news from the expert who was, himself, once bitten by an adult bull shark, one of the most aggressive members of the species.

GEORGE BURGESS, DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL SHARK ATTACK FILE: They literally are bullish. And part of the story here was that there was a series of repeat attacks by the shark.

TODD: Attacks not only on the victim, but on the surfer who tried to rescue her.

TIM DICUS, ATTEMPTED RESCUE: He continued the attacks all of the way to the beach.

TODD: But while experts look for more answers on these incidents, they're also lending some valuable perspective. Officials in Walton County, Florida, where Jamie Daigle was killed, tell CNN they've never before recorded a shark attack ever.

Shark researchers say there were 12 unprovoked attacks in Florida waters last year, the most of any state, and seven so far this year. They define "provoked attacks" as those where the victim attracts the shark's attention by fishing, diving or similar activity.

Before Jamie Daigle's unprovoked attack, the state hadn't had a fatality since 2001. And officials at the international shark attack file offer some critical advice on how not to provoke these creatures.

Don't go too far offshore. Avoid sandbars where the two recent attacks took place and shark drop-offs. Stay away from schools of bait-fish where you might observe water displacement or diving birds.

BURGESS: Those fishes make a living on the edges of sandbars and inlets and things like that. And when you see you have schooling fishes, you're going to have bigger fishes eating those fishes.

TODD: While you're staying away from schools of fish, experts say, also avoid people trying to catch them. Don't wear shiny jewelry or contrasting colors in the water. And stay in groups, since sharks are more likely to attack an individual like a surfer who they might think is either a large fish or something competing with them to get a fish.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: In other news "Across America" this morning, fear over flooding caused the evacuation of nearly 200 children from a summer camp near Hendersonville, North Carolina. Rain from a severe thunderstorm caused an area lake to overthrow -- overflow, rather. Rescue workers were also called in to help several motorists who were trapped in the flooded streets. A Florida man killed his ex-girlfriend in front of -- in front of police at the Tampa International Airport. The woman was shot after driving her three children off to fly to a relative's home in Connecticut. The man then fired at police before being shot himself. He is now in critical condition.

Virginia Governor Mark Warner remains in the hospital this morning following a bicycle accident. Warner underwent surgery to repair a broken hand. The governor was injured when he flipped over the handlebars of his bike during a 30-mile cycling tour. He was among 2,000 bikers taking part in the event.

Oh, let's take you live to the English Channel right now. You are looking at the reenactment of the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar. So remember back through the history books.

Actually, if you look back to the horizon, you can see the big ships. This is going to be pretty fantastic a little bit later on.

This is honoring the anniversary of the October 21, 1805 battle. It was the culmination of a long and hard British campaign against the combined French and Spanish fleets, sailing from Spain the day before. And Spanish fleets found themselves facing the British fleet, and the British found victory that day -- Chad.

They're going to have this big reenactment.

MYERS: Yes, you can see that 85-foot -- that boat right there going by and having guns on the back? That will be awesome.

COSTELLO: It doesn't look so impressive now, but it will be.

MYERS: Actually, there are between 17 and 25 tall ships in the area to make the reenactment. They're not going to do it on those little 40-foot sloops there.

COSTELLO: No, it will be just like that thing in Las Vegas. What is that?

MYERS: The Treasure Island.

COSTELLO: The Treasure Island.

MYERS: yes.

COSTELLO: The pirate display. They're going to have like fake gunfire. And it will be pretty cool.

MYERS: Well, you know, we do reenactments of confederate battles all the time. You know, back -- I mean, they go up into Pennsylvania, they do all these kinds of things. And this is what's going to go on here, except it's going to go on on the water.

Two hundred and fifty thousand viewers expected for this event. It's going to be broadcast nationwide.

COSTELLO: When it becomes a bit more exciting, we'll take you back to the English Channel.

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: Still to come on DAYBREAK, he was known as one of the heirs to the Wal-Mart empire, but John Walton was accomplished in his own right. More on his story after a break.

And later, it's been a year since the U.S. handed over control of Iraq to the Iraqi people. Has there been progress? We'll take a look.

And a victory for the entertainment industry is handed down by the Supreme Court. We'll explain.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Take a look at the international markets right now. They're rather upbeat.

Japan's Nikkei closes up nearly 100 points. Britain's FTSE is trading up 34 points. And the German DAX is up nearly 18 points.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 5:14 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

U.S. and Iraqi forces have launched another operation against insurgents in Iraq's Anbar province. Operation Sword is the fifth such offensive in recent weeks in the western region.

By land and by sea, the search goes on for Natalee Holloway in Aruba. The American teenager has been missing for nearly a month now. Three people remain in custody, two others have been released.

In money news, oil prices shoot up to new record highs. Crude oil futures closed at $60.54 a barrel in New York. The run-up reflects concerns about strong demand and potential supply problems.

In culture, ex-"American Idol" contestant Corey Clark has to face the music over a food fight. Police say he threw dishes at his record company manager during breakfast on Saturday. Clark has been charged with battery, which is a misdemeanor.

In sports, Kevin Millwood throws cold water on the Boston Red Sox. The Cleveland pitcher worked six strong innings to stop Boston's seven game winning streak. The final score, Cleveland 7, Boston zip -- Chad.

MYERS: And good morning, Carol. That doesn't look fun.

COSTELLO: No.

MYERS: His hand was still on the bat. That's always the one that hurts. (WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

That's a look at the latest headlines for you this morning.

Billionaire John Walton has died after his experimental ultralight plane crashed in Wyoming. Walton was one of the heirs to the Wal-Mart fortune and was himself one of the richest people in the world.

CNN's Susan Lisovicz tells us about his life and his death.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Flying was John Walton's passion. And on Monday it claimed his life.

The 58-year-old son of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton, and a member of the company's board, John Walton was an accomplished man in his own right. Walton was a Green Beret in Vietnam, and his heroism under fire earned him a Silver Star. When he returned home, his family wanted him to join Wal-Mart. He did as a company pilot.

He later started his own business as a crop dusting pilot, and then got into the boat-building business. As one of Sam Walton's four children, John Walton was also one of the richest people in the world. He and his siblings all ranked in the top 10 richest Americans in the Forbes 400 last year, with a combined worth of close to $100 billion. And he used that wealth to spearhead Wal-Mart's two charities, allocating hundreds of millions of dollars to a special interest: education reform.

But John Walton studiously avoided the limelight. He chose not live near the company's headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas. He made is home instead in Wyoming, which is where his ultralight crashed shortly after takeoff in Grand Teton National Park.

Susan Lisovicz, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And still to come this morning, Iraq one year later. We'll look at the country's progress and challenges.

And how much longer could the insurgency continue? Does anybody really know? It's no laughing matter, except in our "Late Night Laughs."

You're watching DAYBREAK for Tuesday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Time now to recap some "Late Night Laughs."

Chad, where are you? MYERS: Oh, I'm here, Carol.

COSTELLO: You're usually with me.

MYERS: Oh, I'm just -- I'm dancing to the music.

COSTELLO: We don't want to see that.

(LAUGHTER)

MYERS: I'm here.

COSTELLO: OK.

There's been a lot of talk lately about whether stepped-up insurgent attacks will keep American troops in Iraq longer. It's not the violence, but the political rhetoric that caught Jon Stewart's attention.

MYERS: I can imagine.

COSTELLO: So let's listen to his spin.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JON STEWART, "THE DAILY SHOW": So Rumsfeld defended the vice president's comments that we're in the last throes. How long does he think these "last throes" will last exactly?

RUMSFELD: That insurgency could go on for any number of years. Insurgencies tend to go on five, six, eight, 10, 12 years.

(LAUGHTER)

STEWART: Twelve years. So the last throes of the -- we've only been in Iraq for two years! You're telling me the final throes of the insurgency could last six times longer than all the previous throes put together!

To be fair, Rumsfeld, it's not like before the war. He soft- pedaled his estimate of how long it would last.

RUMSFELD: It is not knowable how long that conflict would last. It could last, you know, six days, six weeks. I doubt six months.

(LAUGHTER)

STEWART: He doubts six months. Twelve years, oh, yeah, sure, that could happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: It's right in with our...

MYERS: He was talking about the original surge of the forces taking six weeks, six days, not the cleanup. COSTELLO: Well, I think the conclusion here is nobody really knows how long anything will take, right?

MYERS: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: We want to know what you think, though, because the president is set to make an address tonight. And...

MYERS: We want to know what you want to hear.

COSTELLO: Yes, what do you want to hear from the president? He's going to talk a lot about Iraq.

MYERS: Of course.

COSTELLO: It will be interesting to see what he has to say -- DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

Time for our DAYBREAK "Eye Openers" now, Chad.

We start with the story of the cookie lady.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: For decades...

MYERS: The Blue Ridge Parkway Lady.

COSTELLO: Oh, lordy. For decades, 84-year-old June Curry has been helping cyclists make it through Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. That's why she's called, you know, what Chad said.

Thousands have stopped off at her house to rest, rejuvenate, and, of course, eat cookies. Her house is along the 4,200 mile TransAmerica Trail.

I think that's nice.

MYERS: It is. Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most phenomenal roads in America, I think. It's a really beautiful place.

COSTELLO: Absolutely gorgeous.

A new cowboy museum in North Dakota will have a Native-American icon on display. The headdress warn by Chief Sitting Bull is on loan from Sitting Bull College.

MYERS: Wow.

COSTELLO: Sitting Bull, you remember, was responsible for Custer's last stand but ended up performing in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show just before his death.

A Wisconsin woman has given birth to a really, really big baby daughter. In fact, the newborn came into the world already weighing -- get this, Chad... MYERS: Thirteen pounds?

COSTELLO: Fourteen.

MYERS: Oh, 14.

COSTELLO: Well, she's 13 pounds, 12 ounces, to be exact. When all is said and done, that's 14 pounds.

MYERS: That better have been a C section, please.

COSTELLO: I don't know. Mom said it was very difficult, but it was worth it. Her father has already given her the nickname "The Big Enchilada."

That's just cruel.

MYERS: OK, great.

COSTELLO: Oh my goodness. That's a big baby.

MYERS: Wow.

COSTELLO: Preston, Idaho, is welcoming all "Napoleon Dynamite" fans. The town was setting -- the town was the setting for the movie, so they're hosting a festival to honor the film.

MYERS: Did you see the movie?

COSTELLO: No, I did not.

MYERS: Oh, I did.

COSTELLO: I think I'm the only one in the world.

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: You saw it?

MYERS: I did. I must have -- I must have been in an airplane somewhere and stuck in my seat and I had to watch it. I don't know. I didn't find it that funny.

COSTELLO: Now I feel really out of it.

MYERS: Everybody seems to like it that I talked to. So that's great.

COSTELLO: I've got to go see it, because, you know, this movie has become a cult classic and even won the best picture award from MTV. Fans from as far away from Germany have shown up here to buy souvenirs from Preston.

MYERS: It will end up being that 99 cent "Rocky Horror Picture Show" replacement at midnight all across the country.

COSTELLO: Do you have to dress up in costumes?

MYERS: Probably.

COSTELLO: Here's what's all new in the next half-hour.

A familiar face taking issue with the administration's characterization of the insurgency.

Plus, strike a win for the entertainment industry and a blow for those who download music, video games and movies.

And remember, our email "Question of the Morning." President Bush speaking at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, tonight. It's been one year since the handover of power in Iraq. What do you want to hear from the president? DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.

COSTELLO: And good morning to you. Thank you for waking up with us.

Coming up in the next 30 minutes, Dennis Rader confesses to killing 10 people. We will take you inside the courtroom for chilling details.

And later, why file-sharing services will be watching their users very closely from now on.

But first, "Now in the News."

One of the heirs to the Wal-Mart fortune, John Walton, has died in a crash of his ultralight aircraft in Wyoming. The 58-year-old Walton was 11th on "Forbes" magazine's 2005 list of the world's richest people. Walton won a Silver Star as a medic with the Army's Green Beret in Vietnam.

Here's something you don't want happening at your Fourth of July celebration. Several government agencies are issuing warnings about -- yes, it's that time for the demonstrations. And you will see these all day long leading up to July 1, as if you did not know that fireworks were dangerous.

The English Channel right now. A mock sea battle commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. The British fleet, commanded by Horatio Nelson, defeated a combined French-Spanish force. Trafalgar ended Napoleon's dream of invading England.

It still doesn't look very exciting, Chad, but believe -- trust us, it will look incredible later on today.

MYERS: Picture, if you will, big, tall ships firing at each other. Then it will be great.

COSTELLO: Exactly.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol. Obviously it's still early for that, but we have pictures any way.

(WEATHER REPORT)

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