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CNN Live At Daybreak

President Bush Pushing Economic Agenda; Dana Reeve Faces Challenge; Focused on Africa

Aired August 10, 2005 - 06:31   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta, this is DAYBREAK, and I'm Fredricka Whitfield, in for Carol Costello this morning. Good morning again to everyone out there. Thanks for waking up with us. Chad has your forecast in a moment.
Also coming up this half-hour, President Bush had another big money bill awaiting his signature. This time, it's transportation's turn.

Also, lung cancer and the nonsmoker. We'll look at what may have led to the Dana Reeve's diagnosis.

But first, "Now in the News."

The U.S. diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia reopened this morning. The embassy in Riyadh and two other consulates were closed Monday in response to credible threats against the buildings.

The Army has dismissed one of its highest-ranking officers for problems with personal conduct. Four star general Kevin Burns was removed from his post as head of the Army's training and doctrine command.

In Afghanistan, another deadly attack on U.S. troops. One soldier is dead, another recovering from wounds. They were the victims of an improvised explosive device.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: President Bush will travel to Illinois today to sign a $286 billion transportation bill. Supporters describe it as a jobs bill. That's an important distinction given the president's falling poll numbers on his handling of the economy.

CNN's Elaine Quijano has more on President Bush's economic message.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice over): President Bush says the economy is strong but acknowledges challenges lie ahead.

BUSH: We're more concerned about energy prices and health care prices. Those are the two areas that we see as having a greater effect on potential economic -- you know, on the growth.

QUIJANO: With his top domestic advisers at his side, the president also focused on the positive: job growth, including more than 200,000 new jobs in July, inflation contained at 2 percent for core items -- not energy or food, though -- and deficit reduction ahead of his promised schedule. Mr. Bush crediting his administration's initiatives for moving the economy ahead.

BUSH: My policies allow more Americans to keep more of what they earn, to have more control over their daily life from healthcare, to education, to their retirement.

QUIJANO: But recent polls show the president's approval ratings, both on the economy and overall, have dropped, weighed down by concerns over the mounting death toll in Iraq and high prices at the gas pump. And the president hasn't won any ground on what was to be his signature domestic initiative this term: reforming Social Security. Yet, he's not giving up, calling on Congress to take up the issue when members return in the fall.

BUSH: Social Security is a liability that it needs to be addressed now.

QUIJANO (on camera): Wednesday, the president again tries to keep the focus on what he sees as positive economic news, traveling to Illinois to sign a highway bill. It will be the fourth event of the president's working vacation as he works to boost his poll numbers.

Elaine Quijano, CNN, Crawford, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And President Bush will be in Montgomery, Illinois, for the signing of the Highway Transportation Bill today. CNN will have live coverage of that signing at 11:35 a.m. Eastern.

Police in Tennessee say they're checking out all leads in an effort to track down an escaped convict and his wife. One armed guard was killed during George Hyatte's escape in Kingston. Police say his wife, Jennifer Lynn Hyatte, fired the deadly shot. The shooting came as George Hyatte was being led out of the Roane County Courthouse in handcuffs and shackles. The pair then fled the scene. Police believe Jennifer Hyatte may have also been hit in the exchange of gunfire.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF JIM WASHAM, KINGSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT: We don't have any idea. We're not sure at this time. We think it was the driver, Jennifer, that was hit. She -- if indeed it was her, she lost a lot of blood. A lot of blood was in the vehicle in the driver's seat. And that vehicle will be processed today. We have it in a secure location. TBI will be going through it today.

But whoever was driving, which we think it was her, took a shot and lost quite a bit of blood. And eventually they're going to need some medical attention. (END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: George Hyatte has escaped from prison two other times since 1998.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is also taking part in that search. CNN's Soledad O'Brien joins us now for a look at what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."

Hello to you -- Soledad.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Fred, good morning to you.

Yes, you know, it's almost like Bonnie and Clyde, isn't it? This morning, we're going to talk to the lead investigator in that manhunt and see what, if anything, police have learned about the Hyattes' whereabouts. Plus, we're going to take a look, a closer look at courthouse security. It sort of sounds like this is the latest in a string of deadly shootings outside court buildings. So the question now is: Can they do more to improve security? Considering, as you mentioned, Fred, here's a guy who had escaped twice before this event. We'll talk about that this morning as well.

Also, have you heard this story? Outrage at Arlington National Cemetery. Why was a convicted double murderer laid to rest with full military honors? We'll take a look at that ahead. Of course, family members of the victims are absolutely furious about that.

Those stories and much more ahead on "AMERICAN MORNING." We start at the top of the hour.

Fred -- back to you.

WHITFIELD: All right, we'll be watching for all of that. Thanks a lot, Soledad.

Well, still to come, Dana Reeve has lung cancer. But how is it possible so many nonsmokers are getting this deadly disease?

Also, we want to show you what one photographer calls the last place on Earth.

Here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: The international markets are all looking a bit brighter this morning. Tokyo's Nikkei is up almost 200 points. The London FTSE is higher by 18. And the German DAX is up 44 points.

Dana Reeve says she's hopeful she'll soon be sharing good news about her health and recovery. Christopher Reeve's widow announced yesterday that she has lung cancer. She says she'll face the challenge with strength as her husband faced his struggles.

Our Mary Snow has more. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Most know Dana Reeve as a loving caregiver to late husband and actor Christopher Reeve, and a fighter for stem cell research following his paralysis. Now the 44- year-old Reeve says she wants to follow her husband's example in defying the odds. She's revealed she's undergoing treatment for lung cancer.

In a statement, she said, "I have an excellent team of physicians, and we are optimistic about my prognosis."

Her prognosis has not yet been revealed, but a spokesman says neither she nor her husband smoked.

Dr. Charles Powell, who treats lung cancer patients, says only about 10 percent of lung cancer parents don't smoke.

DR. CHARLES POWELL, COLUMBIA UNIV. MEDICAL CENTER: Amongst the patients who are nonsmokers who develop lung cancer, they tend to be women more than men.

SNOW: Doctors can't yet say why. They also don't know why nonsmokers develop lung cancer. They are looking into secondhand smoke, radon and asbestos exposure as possible causes.

Also unknown, the stage of Dana Reeve's cancer. After Peter Jennings announced in April that he had lung cancer, he did not undergo surgery, which doctors say is often the case in advanced stages of the disease. But they say for those in early stages, surgery is an option.

POWELL: Those survival rates are much higher, in the range of 70 to 80 percent five-year survival.

SNOW (on camera): The American Cancer Society says on average 6 in 10 lung cancer patients die within the first year of being diagnosed.

Mary Snow, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Your news, money, weather and sports. It's now 18 minutes before the hour. And here's what's all new this morning.

In Washington State, the so-called "school fire" is just one of several wildfires burning. It's now charred 41,000 acres and destroyed more than 100 structures, including homes.

In money, a judge has ruled ex-Disney president Michael Ovitz is entitled to $140 million severance package. Shareholders filed a lawsuit and plan to appeal.

In culture, a Chicago woman will pay more than $6 million to settle a lawsuit about a disputed Picasso. The "Woman in White" was stolen by Nazi soldiers during World War II.

In sports, Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers will be back on the mound tonight. An arbitrator reduced his 20-game suspension to just 13 games. Rogers was disciplined for knocking around a local news cameraman back in June.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: Amazing Africa. Through the lens of photographer Nick Nichols, his view of the last place on Earth is up next. Beautiful images.

But first, a look at who is celebrating birthdays on this Wednesday, August 10.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Is that gorgeous? That's morning in Miami. That's what it looks like almost every morning. But this morning, we wanted to show you this particularly beautiful shot. It is now about 12 minutes before the hour. It makes you want to go to the beach, doesn't it?

Well, here's what's making news today.

About 300 people in Detroit have been forced to evacuate their homes after a series of explosions and fires at a nearby chemical plant. The Environmental Protection Agency will monitor the air around the hazardous waste disposal plant for any toxic dangers.

Jeanine Pirro plans to formally announce today that she'll seek the Republican nomination to run against Hillary Rodham Clinton for the U.S. Senate. Pirro is now the district attorney in Westchester County in New York.

And Discovery's astronauts are headed for their final destination after a trip of more than five-and-a-half million miles. The shuttle crew is leaving California and will arrive home in Houston, Texas, later on today. Discovery made a picture perfect landing in the dark, but it was picture perfect in California on Tuesday.

The news of Peter Jennings' death and Dana Reeve's diagnosis has put the issue of lung cancer front and center for many Americans.

Let's check in with CNN's Carol Costello for what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: I know. Good morning, Fredricka. Can you believe it?

WHITFIELD: No, it is hard to believe.

COSTELLO: Dana Reeves, it's just so sad.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

COSTELLO: I know a little earlier you answered some questions about lung cancer. But some viewers might have a few more questions. We'll be joined by a leading cancer researcher, and he's going to answer your e-mails for us.

Plus, we're "Paging Dr. Gupta," for his special series, "The War on Cancer." And as you'll see today, cancer doesn't just affect the patient; it takes a toll on the entire family. We'll meet a mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her two young children have at times struggled to cope with the news. Their emotional story is just ahead on "AMERICAN MORNING."

Back to you -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks so much, Carol. We'll be watching.

Recent images from Africa have focused on famine and war. But this morning, we have some incredible images of life on the continent. The man behind the lens, Michael Nick Nichols, joins us live from Washington. His book is called "The Last Place on Earth" with some of the best pictures on Earth.

Good to see you, Nick.

MICHAEL NICHOLS, "THE LAST PLACE ON EARTH": Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Well, this is a culmination of a 12-year obsession that you have with that continent. Did you focus on any particular region or country in your book?

NICHOLS: Yes, it's central Africa, Congo and Gabon. Basically, we call it the last place on Earth, because this is an area where animals have never seen humans. Even the Pygmies didn't go into this forest.

WHITFIELD: Wow! And it really did take some real discipline and technique in order to capture some of these images; patience for one. And you really had to learn how to adapt to the environment, didn't you, in order to respect the environment to get some of these pictures?

NICHOLS: Yes. I often sat in trees for, like, 20 days or -- none of the animals had even seen humans. You couldn't use a car in any way. Everything was very difficult. So you just had to...

WHITFIELD: So you traveled on foot for many miles in many cases?

NICHOLS: Well, there was a two-year section, where we walked 2,000 miles.

WHITFIELD: Wow!

NICHOLS: I followed a scientist named Mike Fay (ph), who basically walked through the forest with Pygmies for 450 days.

WHITFIELD: Unbelievable. And you mentioned Mike Fay (ph), and he jotted own journals throughout. And so, it's a collaboration, this book.

NICHOLS: There are two books. One is Mike's journals that he wrote while he was walking, and then there's a color book with just the photographs with basically no explanation. I was just trying to give you a feel of what it would be like to be in such a wild place.

WHITFIELD: Oh, my god! These images are absolutely gorgeous. And so, I'm still fascinated with this 2,000-mile trek you talked about. You know, you were not alone. You had guides with you, who also helped you learn how to respect the environment, right?

NICHOLS: Yes. And to interrupt a little bit, the guides had never been there either. The Pygmies, we got them early in the walk. We got the best Pygmies that are left. And Mike led them through the forest just with a compass and a GPS.

WHITFIELD: Oh, my god!

NICHOLS: That area had never been covered. So, we were trying to find the last places that we should try to protect. And oftentimes when parks are made, they're made after the fact. So, we got ahead of the curve this time. And the project actually led to 13 national parks being created in Gabon.

WHITFIELD: Wow! That's remarkable. So, you must feel a real sense of gratification that you're helping to educate the public about these beautiful natural treasures. They're in central Africa. And at the same time, you're helping to bring about preservation.

NICHOLS: Yes. You want to expand the idea of saving things all the way to the whole world using this as an example. And we're donating the proceeds to the book to conservation project in central Africa.

WHITFIELD: And I love the way in your book you kind of describe, you know, how you're able to capture images of gorillas. You had to be very conscientious of your body language, and at the same time you had to be conscientious of your smell when it came down to photographing elephants. Tell me a little bit about those things.

NICHOLS: Well, there was one section where I camped by myself in a clearing, because I couldn't have a fire anywhere near there, because the elephants smell that and won't come around. And also I would put my clothes in a bag to keep the elephants from smelling them.

And with gorillas, it's your body language. It should be very submissive. So, that way the chief gorilla sees, oh, he's not a threat. I can let everybody come close to him.

And I had to learn all of these things. I wasn't really a wildlife photographer when I started this project.

WHITFIELD: Wow!

NICHOLS: But over 12 years, you learn a few things. WHITFIELD: And quickly before I let you go, you also had to learn about respecting the people, too. Not necessarily always picking up your camera just because you wanted to snap off an image.

NICHOLS: Yes. I try to be very passive until I see the situation will let me work. And Pygmies especially are afraid of these big devices. So, I used a small camera, and I only took a few pictures. And I did it very respectfully and a lot of eye contact. No language. I had no language with them, but I used a lot of smiling and a lot of good vibes.

WHITFIELD: Oh, unbelievable images. Thanks so much for sharing them with us, as well as some of your thoughts. Michael Nick Nichols. The book is "The Last Place on Earth."

NICHOLS: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Thanks so much, Nick.

NICHOLS: Yes.

WHITFIELD: When we come back, more headlines and a look at your travel forecast. This is DAYBREAK for a Wednesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Well, Chad, I think now is a good time to give away a mug.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Give away the DAYBREAK coffee mug. Now is the time.

The questions from yesterday. They were not that easy. I wasn't taking Pacific Ocean here. I wanted the bay. Crewmembers from the Russian naval vessel that were stuck and rescued from what body of water. That was Berezovaya Bay. And if I may go...

WHITFIELD: You said that nicely.

MYERS: That's as close as I can come. And insurance rates on what car are expected to drop in 2007? And that was the Ford Mustang, because they were working with the insurance companies to make that car cheaper to fix.

The winner from Illinois, Mason, Illinois, Barb Case. Finally an easy name.

WHITFIELD: Yea!

MYERS: Barb, congratulations. Your mug is in the mail.

Now the questions for today. How much did Microsoft win in its anti-spam lawsuit? And the second question, you have to answer them both. How big is the transportation bill that President Bush will sign today?

Go to CNN.com/daybreak, and there's a link there to send us your answers. Good luck.

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks so much, Chad.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: Well, "Now in the News."

The search is ongoing for a 7-year-old girl who was swept away by floodwaters near Phoenix, Arizona. Police are using search dogs in an effort to locate the little girl. One man was killed when his truck was carried away by the rushing water.

The emergency meeting of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog agency is back on today in Vienna. Delegates are making a last-ditch effort to convince Iran to suspend its nuclear program. Iran says it's proceeding with the uranium conversion process at one plant.

In Afghanistan, another deadly attack on U.S. troops. One soldier is dead, another recovering from wounds. They were the victims of an improvised explosive device.

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