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American Morning
Political Firestorm Erupts Over Classified Intelligence Document; Carry-on Rules Eased
Aired September 26, 2006 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: I'm Suzanne Malveaux at the White House, where a political firestorm has erupted over a classified national intelligence document and questions over whether the Iraq war is now increasing, contribute to terrorism around the world.
I'll have more coming up.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: New rules for carrying liquids on planes. Travel might be getting just a smidge easier, but not all security experts agree this is the right thing to do right now.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Bob Franken in Washington.
George Allen -- remember that name.
How can you forget?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's kind of like our -- our little bit of a sense of security. It's just nice to know that he's -- he really is still there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Some military families now have something to cling to when daddy is serving overseas -- a cardboard cutout to carry around, a little flat daddy until the real one comes home. We'll tell you how the program works ahead on this AMERICAN MORNING.
Welcome everybody.
I'm Soledad O'Brien.
M. O'BRIEN: And I'm Miles O'Brien.
Thanks for being with us.
At the White House today, defending its role in fighting terrorism and its handling of Iraq. The president's director of national intelligence says we are better prepared for terrorism.
CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joins us now live from the White House with more -- good morning, Suzanne.
MALVEAUX: Good morning, Miles.
Well, the White House is certainly crying foul over this one. I spoke to the counselor to the president, Dan Bartlett, as well as Homeland Security Adviser Fran Townsend. Both of them saying that this is not the complete picture here, the NIE estimate, this intelligence report that was released, leaked to the press.
They say, on the one hand, while it may conclude that the Iraq war has actually encouraged terror cells around the world, even used as a recruitment tool, it does not conclude that Americans are less safe because of it.
Now, late last night we heard from the director of national intelligence, John Negroponte, who tried to set the record straight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN NEGROPONTE, DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE: I would say the terrorists, the NIE really doesn't talk about the -- the threat to the homeland having, in and of itself, increased. As I said in my prepared remarks, it talks about the Jihadist movement having spread.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now, Democrats are using this intelligence report to make the case, saying this is just another piece of evidence that President Bush's Iraq war plan has failed.
Republicans do not want to pay the political price for this controversy. They are calling for the White House to declassify this report. Even, the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Pat Roberts, trying to push the White House to do that.
So there are talks that are going on regarding that. They want that to happen as quickly as possible -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: It is likely it will be declassified, Suzanne.
MALVEAUX: Well, there are certainly some White House officials who would like that and even -- if you listened closely to Negroponte last night, he said they are taking this request very seriously and it's something that they're going to look at over the next couple of days.
M. O'BRIEN: All right.
The president meeting with Hamid Karzai, the president of Afghanistan.
What's the goal there?
MALVEAUX: Well, both of these men need each other desperately at this time. Of course, Karzai, who is in big trouble at home politically. He is looking at a resurgence of the Taliban, drug trafficking problems, corruption. He needs help desperately.
President Bush, always turning to Afghanistan as the model of dictatorship to democracy, a success in his freedom agenda, he wants Afghanistan to work.
Both of these men have to come together to make that happen.
M. O'BRIEN: All right, Suzanne Malveaux at the White House.
Thank you very much.
Meanwhile, in Afghanistan, a deadly suicide bombing to tell you about. A man blew himself up outside the compound of a southern Afghan governor. Six people -- six police officers and 11 civilians are dead.
And an Italian soldier was killed in an attack against a NATO patrol today. A bomb was detonated by remote control as the convoy drove over a bridge south of Kabul. A child riding in a car behind the NATO convoy was killed.
Support for the war in Afghanistan is fading as President Karzai heads to that meeting with the president we just told you about. According to a CNN poll conducted by Opinion Research, 50 percent of Americans asked are in favor of the war in Afghanistan; 48 percent oppose it. When the war started, nine in 10 Americans approved -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: If you're heading to the airport this morning, guess what?
You're going to be able to bring some items on board that were banned ever since that failed airline bombing plot last month that took place in Britain. The federal government is now relaxing its rules on liquid carry-ons.
Here's homeland security correspondent Jeanne Meserve.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: (voice-over): Liquids, gels and aerosols now allowed in carry-on bags if you don't carry on very much. Three ounces or less of toiletries like toothpaste, lotion and lip gloss now permitted if they are placed in one clear Ziploc plastic bag. Also allowed on flights, beverages and other items bought on the other side of security, in the boarding area.
The TSA says although liquid explosives remain a significant threat, intelligence, experimental testing and overall increases in aviation security allowed the modifications.
KIP HAWLEY, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION: We've looked at all of the various MacGyver scenarios that are -- that you can imagine, and we are comfortable with these measures that we are adequately covered. MESERVE: But some security experts believe complaints from travelers and businesses triggered the changes, which, they say, leave too many loopholes terrorists could exploit.
GEORGE BAURIES, FORMER FBI OFFICIAL: We know that al Qaeda has frequently worked in small groups. So if you take three ounces and multiply it times a factor of four or five or six individuals, that will be ample material to bring, basically, a liquid bomb aboard a plane.
MESERVE: The TSA disagrees.
HAWLEY: We are not flying near the treetops on this. We are giving ourselves plenty of room and the only thing we're thinking of here is the safety of the traveling public.
MESERVE (on camera): Hawley says the changes in the liquid ban will allow screeners to look for more significant threats. But the ultimate solution, a technology to screen for liquid explosives, is not yet deployed at the nation's airports.
Jeanne Meserve, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
S. O'BRIEN: TSA Chief Kip Hawley says it could be months before new machines to detect liquid explosives could be tested at U.S. airports.
Stay with CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Happening This Morning, just a few hours ago in Baghdad, Saddam Hussein tossed out of court for the third time in a week for arguing with the chief judge. Another defendant later ejected for shouting. Court adjourned for the day, the trial in chaos.
In Houston today, former Enron executive Andrew Fastow is going to get an ear full from some people who lost their nest eggs in that Enron collapse. Fastow is to be sentenced. We'll hear from victims. He will get a 10-year prison sentence, by terms of his plea bargain.
And another corporate criminal in the news this morning, former WorldCom chief Bernie Ebbers reporting for prison today. Ebbers convicted of fraud in an $11 billion accounting scheme. He faces 25 years behind bars.
A swan song for British Prime Minister Tony Blair. In a couple of hours he'll address the Labor Party's annual conference for the last time as its leader. Blair has said he'll leave office within a year.
And Japan has a new prime minister, Shinzo Abe. At 52, he is the youngest prime minister for Japan since World War II. Abe favors closer military ties with the U.S. He succeeds Junichiro Koizumi, who served for five years.
A chicken farmer in Thailand has died from the bird flu. The man lived in a poverty stricken region about 400 miles northeast of Bangkok. This is the third bird flu death this year in Thailand, bringing that nation's total to 17 -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: It seems like a never-ending trail of headlines for Virginia Republican Senator George Allen.
He's now calling allegations that he made racial slurs while he was in college "ludicrous."
AMERICAN MORNING'S Bob Franken is in Washington, D.C. for us -- hey, Bob, good morning again.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello.
Hello.
He is not so much campaigning these days as bobbing and weaving. And it seems that most of the punches that land are the ones that he threw himself.
Not counting the charges that became public yesterday from football players at the University of Virginia, when Allen played football there, who say that he used racial slurs, including the ultimate racial slur. And, of course, we know about the controversy that erupted when he used another slur, the word macaca, against an Indian-American operative for his opponent's campaign. And there was the whole episode last week where he finally acknowledged the Jewish lineage of his mother, but not before he got very angry at a reporter who asked about it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SENATOR GEORGE ALLEN (R), VIRGINIA: Whether one person believes in -- whatever their beliefs may be is not relevant.
And so I'd like to ask you, why is that relevant, my religion, Jim's religion, or the religious beliefs of anyone out here?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FRANKEN: Jim, Soledad, is Jim Webb, Allen's Democratic opponent, who's not saying very much about all of this, and I can't say that I blame him.
S. O'BRIEN: Yes, it's just been, you know, every day. It's like checking in to see what's going on in this campaign, or, as you say, this defensive strategy at this point.
Bob Franken for us this morning.
Thanks, Bob.
If you want to get your daily dose of the latest political news, you can click on to CNN's new Political Ticker, cnn.com/ticker. It made its big debut yesterday -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Let's get a check of the forecast.
Chad Myers at the CNN Center with that -- hello, Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I'm just thinking about bringing out a cot here and taking a nap with this kind of weather, Miles.
(WEATHER REPORT)
S. O'BRIEN: Ahead this morning, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld under fire again for mistakes in Iraq. Some say he's a problem. Some say he's a scapegoat. We'll check in with a former CENTCOM deputy commander, ahead.
Plus, top Evangelical leaders urge the faithful to get out and vote Republican. It worked back in 2004.
Will it work again in 2006?
We'll take a look ahead.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
M. O'BRIEN: Donald Rumsfeld once again under fire, facing specific pointed criticism from some former generals on Capitol Hill yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAJ. GEN. JOHN R.S. BATISTE, U.S. MARINE CORPS (RET.): I believe we must complete what we started in Iraq and Afghanistan. Donald Rumsfeld is not a competent wartime leader. He knows everything except how to win.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
M. O'BRIEN: That was Retired Major General John Batiste.
Along with two other top officers who have now since retired who were on Capitol Hill, invited by Democrats, and who vented their fury at the secretary of defense.
Joining us now is retired Lieutenant General Mike DeLong.
He was a top commander during the beginning of the Iraq war.
He joins us from Tampa.
General DeLong, good to have you with us.
LT. GEN. MIKE DELONG, FORMER CENTCOM DEPUTY COMMANDER: The same here, Miles.
Thank you.
M. O'BRIEN: Let's offer a lot more of a sampling of what was said yesterday.
This one comes from Major General Paul Eaton.
Let's listen to what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAJ. GEN. PAUL D. EATON, U.S. ARMY (RET.): Conservatively, 60,000 soldiers short to meet the foreign policy requirements of this nation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
M. O'BRIEN: General DeLong, we hear this time and again -- the troops are stretched thin, not enough boots on the ground.
What do you say to that?
DELONG: Well, I mean, you've got Abizaid, who was one of the co- deputies during Iraq with me under General Franks. You've got the other leaders over there -- again, General Abizaid has probably asked for a few more right now. But when we fought the war, we fought the war with the exact amount of people that we needed.
M. O'BRIEN: No, we're talking...
DELONG: Some things happened...
M. O'BRIEN: But we're talking about after the war now.
DELONG: I understand.
M. O'BRIEN: Yes.
DELONG: But I'm leading there.
M. O'BRIEN: OK.
DELONG: But -- but as we -- as -- after the war right now, Abizaid is the guy running it over there and he says he's got the number of people. There's 18 provinces in there right now. About 14 or 15 are as nice a place as any place in the world. Unfortunately, the one province that's really giving us problems is Baghdad and we're -- the U.S. is putting more troops in, along with our coalition partners.
And some things have happened that weren't planned. There is -- there was a decent plan for war end. It just hasn't gone according to plan.
M. O'BRIEN: All right. But looking at the new plan and the new set of goals, it seems as if -- and you hear a lot of generals inside and outside the military saying publicly and privately that many more troops will be needed. As a matter of fact, many Republicans on Capitol Hill would go along with that.
How many more troops do you think are needed?
DELONG: Well, I find it interesting that you've got people who are saying things that aren't accountable. You've got John Abizaid, you've got the secretary of defense -- and, by the way, the secretary of defense serves as -- at the pleasure of the president of the United States.
Abizaid thinks he has enough people over there right now given that we've built up about 250,000 Iraqi police and soldiers right now. And the U.S. coalition, working with the Iraqis, appears to be working.
Is it going to take some time?
Sure it is. But some things have happened over there with the -- between the two sects in the Shia that are not getting along, Al-Sadr and the other group not getting along with the Sunnis. Things are happening that are not helpful.
M. O'BRIEN: Let's talk about another bone of contention, this also from Major General John Batiste, retired.
Let's listen to what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BATISTE: In 2003 and early 2004, collect up huge numbers of Iraqis and put them in Abu Ghraib. But the way we treated them, the way we abused them turned them against the effort in Iraq forever.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
M. O'BRIEN: He's essentially saying that Abu Ghraib and the treatment of the prisoners there was an irrevocable mistake.
DELONG: Well, I -- from what I know, Major General John Batiste -- by the way, he's U.S. Army -- was -- was not there. He didn't go there.
Were there some things done?
In war, historically, back to the beginning of time, if you don't have small unit leadership and other leadership and during wartime and some sort of your POW (ph) or prisons, you're going to have problems. That's just -- that's life.
It should not have happened. I'll give you that.
M. O'BRIEN: But the allegation from General Batiste is that, really, from the top on down, the message was given to go -- to treat these prisoners harshly. That message filtered down to Abu Ghraib and allowed that circumstance to occur and forever changed the moral high ground. It took the U.S. off the moral high ground for good.
DELONG: That's baloney. It didn't happen.
M. O'BRIEN: All right.
Let's go on to one final point of contention that was brought up. This one comes from Colonel Thomas Hammes.
Let's listen to him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COL. THOMAS X. HAMMES, U.S. MARINE CORPS (RET.): We did not ask our soldiers to invade France in 1944 with the inferior equipment they had in 1941. The failure to provide our best equipment is a serious moral failure on the part of our leadership.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
M. O'BRIEN: Let's talk about that. This talk -- this is armoring Humvees and all of the other issues.
Is the Army properly equipped now?
We've been hearing that over time, in the three years since the invasion especially, that they need a lot more men to stay supplied and keep this effort up.
What do you say?
DELONG: According to what I've read -- of course, I've been out three years -- but from what I've read right now, they have the up- armored Humvees. They have the amount of body armor that they need. In fact, probably about 700,000 sets is the latest that I've read. They have enough.
What's happening with our -- with a learning enemy, as their IEDs -- these unexploded -- or explosive devices -- are now more powerful and even those things are detrimental to armored Humvees, even tanks.
M. O'BRIEN: But is the Army being forced to operate on a shoestring, which puts soldiers in harm's way?
DELONG: Not to my knowledge, no.
I don't -- there's no commander in any of the military that knowingly sends Guard, Reserve, active duty troop out not properly equipped.
M. O'BRIEN: All right, sir, thank you for your time.
Retired Lieutenant General Mike DeLong.
Thanks for being with us this morning.
DELONG: Thanks, Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Soledad. S. O'BRIEN: Ahead this morning, a heat wave lasting thousands of years. We're going to tell you why this summer's extreme heat may be a sign of things to come.
Plus, a teenage girl who was raped by her Marine recruiter. The attacker is now in prison, but the case exposed one of the biggest military scandals ever. We've got that story straight ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
S. O'BRIEN: The Pentagon facing one of its biggest scandals ever. Two separate investigations found dozens of military recruiters disciplined for sexual misconduct or other inappropriate behavior with potential enlistees.
CNN's Randi Kaye talked to one victim.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Shedrick Hamilton was a Marine sergeant, a popular and respected recruiter.
JILL GIUNTA, VICTIM: He had that uniform on and everybody trusted him.
KAYE: Yet he had a terrible secret.
TRISH GIUNTA, VICTIM'S MOTHER: I had no idea. I didn't ever think anything happened. I vouched for this man.
J. GIUNTA: He threw me in the back of the car. And, you know, again, like, I kept saying, "No." Like, you know, I mean? I didn't want to do it.
KAYE: Sergeant Shedrick Hamilton first raped Jill Giunta on Valentine's Day nearly three years ago. She was just 16 years old. Sergeant Hamilton was 34, married, with two children.
T. GIUNTA: I woke her to go with him.
KAYE (on camera): As a mother, do you feel -- am I seeing guilt? Is that what that is?
T. GIUNTA: There's a lot of guilt. I handed her to him. I signed permission slips for her to go with him. I thought she was safe.
KAYE (voice-over): The sergeant drove Jill to Marine Corps physical training, a program to involve kids in the Marines in hopes they'll join. Nearly every week, he picked up Jill at her home in his government car and drove her to this New York recruiting center, until one day he made a sharp turn down this deserted road.
J. GIUNTA: He just started doing what he wanted to do. And, you know, I would just like sit there and just, like, you know, look off. And tears would just come down my face and stuff like that. And he just would finish what he wanted to do.
KAYE (voice-over): As disturbing as it is, Jill's story is not unique. An investigation by the Associated Press found last year, at least 35 Army recruiters, 18 Marine Corps recruiters, 18 Navy recruiters and 12 Air Force recruiters were disciplined for sexual misconduct or other inappropriate behavior with potential enlistees.
(on camera): Why are there so many cases of sexual misconduct among recruiters? Remember, the No Child Left Behind Act was passed in 2001, in part, to help grow the military's ranks. No Child Left Behind guarantees schools federal funding as long as they grant recruiters access to students on campus. Unlike the rest of us, who have to show I.D. recruiters can walk right in -- no questions asked.
J. GIUNTA: I would be sitting in class and then my teacher is like tapping me on my shoulder and saying that -- to go outside the classroom, that somebody needs to speak to me. And it was him.
SHEDRICK HAMILTON, CONVICTED OF RAPE: I'm sorry.
KAYE: Shedrick Hamilton pleaded guilty. He was convicted of rape and endangering the welfare of a child and sentenced to prison.
HAMILTON: I ended up putting myself into a position to where I sought out comfort in a young lady that I shouldn't have done.
KAYE: The Department of Defense declined our request for an on camera interview but issued this statement to CNN: "All military recruiters are briefed in regard to the conduct and ethics required of them and receive training. The Department of Defense has zero tolerance for misconduct by military recruiters."
The Pentagon says it is now monitoring its recruiters and will evaluate whether it needs to change its policy.
In January, having served two years for rape, Shedrick Hamilton is expected to be released.
T. GIUNTA: This is my child. He hurt my child. So I'm going to watch him.
KAYE: Jill Giunta, now 19, has decided not to join the military, but to go to college and become a police officer instead. And she's made a promise to herself -- when she puts on that police uniform, never to abuse her authority.
Randi Kaye, CNN, Monroe, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
S. O'BRIEN: What a sad story.
Randi's report is a join project between the Associated Press and "ANDERSON COOPER 360."
And the story first aired on "A.C. 360." Anderson has also got a look at what's coming up on his program tonight -- Anderson.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Soledad, tonight it could decide who wins or loses in November -- not terror, not Iraq, money.
Who's raising the big dollars needed to win in the big races?
A few surprises for you.
We're keeping them honest. Tonight, "360," 10:00 p.m. Eastern -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Thanks, Anderson.
And ahead this morning on AMERICAN MORNING, life can certainly be tough for kids whose dads are off fighting in Iraq. A simple new way to help them cope. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I never would have thought that a piece of cardboard and a big picture would mean the world to myself and my son.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
S. O'BRIEN: They're called "flat daddies" and you'd be amazed at just how well they're working.
That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
S. O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody. I'm Soledad O'Brien.
M. O'BRIEN: And I'm Miles O'Brien.
More chaos in the Saddam Hussein trial; the former Iraqi leader got kicked out of court again this morning for arguing with the chief judge. It's the third time he's been ejected in a week. CNN's Arwa Damon, live from Baghdad with more -- Arwa.
ARWA DAMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT, AMERICAN MORNING: That's right, Miles. In today's courtroom drama, courtroom antics began when Saddam Hussein was protesting the terminology that the prosecution was using. He stood up, tried to make a point, the judge asked him to sit down and that is when tempers erupted and everything really started to flare.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOHAMMAD MAJEED AL-KHALEFA, CHIEF JUDGE (through translator): You have to respect the court. We should not allow you to speak. The court decided to remove defendant Saddam. Shut up. No one is allowed to speak.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DAMON: Saddam Hussein was ejected from court after that. The rest of the defendants continued to stand up, to continue to argue with the judge, his former minister of defense was also removed from court. Then the judge abruptly called for a recess. When court resumed there were no defendants present although we did hear witness testimony.
Court has now been adjourned until October 9. The judge saying that this is to fulfill a request made by the defendants for more time to either meet with their lawyers or to hire new lawyers.
But, Miles, requests like this have been made by the defense in the past and they have always been rejected. Perhaps this time, maybe the judge, himself, even would like some more time to bring order to the court, Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: I wonder if time is the answer for all of this. Meanwhile, Arwa, we still haven't heard the verdict on the first Saddam trail. That should happen -- should be released fairly soon, shouldn't it?
DAMON: That's right. That has been announced for October 16. And until then the current trial, the Unfall (ph) trail, right now has been adjourned until November 9, is what we're hearing. So the next step, the next time we're going to be seeing Saddam Hussein in court, is going to be for that verdict on October 16, Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: All right. That will be one to watch. Arwa Damon, in Baghdad. Thank you very much.
Six weeks to the mid-term election and Americans have strong misgivings about the Iraq war. Check out these new poll numbers from Opinion Research. Poll conducted Friday through Sunday, shows nearly six in 10 Americans now oppose the war; 40 percent in favor. Asked how important the Iraq war and terrorism issues are, together, 82 percent, in all, say they are either extremely important or very important.
Carol Costello here, now, with a look at the headlines.
Good morning, Carol.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN NEWS ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Good morning, Miles. And good morning to all of you. In just a couple of hours Afghan President Hamid Karzai meets with President Bush at the White House. The surge in Taliban activity along the Afghanistan/Pakistan border will top today's agenda. Afghanistan faces the worst violence since the U.S. led forces ousted the Taliban five years ago. The Karzai/Bush meeting comes just four days after Pakistani President Musharraf met with President Bush.
You trip through the airport, well, just got a little easier. The government is easing up on the ban on liquid carry-ons, effective today. You can now carry on items like toothpaste and lotion in small bottles of up to three ounces, if it is kept in a clear bag. Travelers can also carry drinks purchased in the secure areas of the airport, that is after you go through security.
Flatly false, those words by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, headline this morning's "New York Post". Rice strongly disputes the claim buy former President Bush (sic), that the Bush administration did little to stop terrorism before 9/11. The response by Rice was over that fiery interview, Sunday, on FOX with Mr. Clinton. We'll have more on this for you in the next half hour.
Two bags of tainted Dole baby spinach maybe key in helping hone in on the source of the e. Coli outbreak. California health officials have now linked the two bags to the same plant and they were packaged during the same shift on the same day. So far 175 people sick, and one death from e. Coli.
In Houston, Texas, many are calling it "Yell at Fastow Day". Some people who lost their retirement nest egg in the Enron collapse will get a chance to vent. Former Enron Executive Andrew Fastow to be sentenced and he will hear from his victims. Fastow cut a plea deal and is expected to be sentenced to 10 years in prison.
And in Ohio, two stock car drivers brawl on a race track, after one of the drivers hit a wall -- take a look at this. Michael Simko's (ph) car crashes into the wall at the Toledo Speedway. Simko (ph) blames Don St. Dennis for the wreck. Simko ran out to his car, dropped kick St. Dennis' windshield, and you saw him throw his helmet there. After blows were exchanged both men were thrown out of the race.
I say they both deserved it. That's a look at headlines this morning.
S. O'BRIEN: Yes, they probably did. Whew!
M. O'BRIEN: You know, if you're going to drop kick something, not the car's windshield.
(CROSS TALK)
COSTELLO: You could hurt your foot.
S. O'BRIEN: He was trying to get in, I guess.
All right, Carol, thanks.
M. O'BRIEN: Yeah.
S. O'BRIEN: Well, kids want their dad to be around for all the little things, ballgames, school plays, it is especially tough for kids whose moms and dads are serving long stretches in the military. They mist those first steps, they miss family trips, the miss bedtime. Here's a solution that might seem, at first, a little bit strange, but AMERICAN MORNING's Dan Lothian have discovered a way that some military families are keeping Mom and Dad close.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT, AMERICAN MORNING (voice over): It's a long way from rural Maine to the dangerous streets of Iraq, where Staff Sergeant Arthur Whitaker and Sergeant 1st Class Lee Vanadestine are serving with the 172nd Mountain Company, Maine's Army National Guard. For their loved ones the separation is painful.
DEB WHITAKER, WIFE OF SOLDIER: I want to say it gets easier everyday, but at the same time it doesn't.
ROXANA VANADESTINE, WIFE OF SOLDIER: It's hard to say, to tell other people what it would feel like unless you're put into that situation.
LOTHIAN: Strangers before their husbands were deployed, Roxanna Vanadestine and her four-year-old son, Stephen, have bonded with Deb Whitaker and her two children, seven-month-old Colby, and five-year old Michaela. They have a lot in common, right down to the way they try to ease the pain of separation.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My "flat daddy."
LOTHIAN: They find some comfort in their "flat daddy", a life- size cutout of the Guardsmen in uniform.
WHITAKER: He's kind of like our little bit of sense of security. It's just nice to know that he really is still there. Just to have a visual picture of him, so you can look at him everyday.
LOTHIAN: A picture, a moment frozen in time, but now always on the move. Michaela has taken "flat daddy" to school.
VANADESTINE: Stephen took him everywhere, when he had to go the bathroom, Daddy had to go with him.
WHITAKER: We when to the fair and his two girls took him on every ride.
VANADESTINE: Daddy had to go with him and lay in bed with him.
WHITAKER: There's no place he doesn't go.
LOTHIAN: But "flat daddies: can only do so much.
(On camera): They can't talk. They can't do chores around the house, obviously, these families would much rather have the real thing, but for now, this is the only way these two fathers and husbands can be in two places at once -- well sort of.
(Voice over): With "Flat Daddy" at their sides, somehow their real daddy doesn't feel so far away.
VANADESTINE: I never would have thought a big piece of cardboard and a big picture would mean the world to myself, and my son.
LOTHIAN: The young children get a daily does of dad, in one dimension.
SGT. BARBARA CLAUDEL, MAINE NATIONAL GUARD: We use a foam board.
LOTHIAN: Sergeant 1st Class Barbara Claudel, with Maine's National Guard family support program, came up with the idea after seeing something similar at a national convention eight months ago.
CLAUDEL: It was very easy. It's a very simple idea, but it means a lot to them. It becomes, you know, something that they -- you know, that's so proud of them.
LOTHIAN: Claudel takes the picture, enlarges it, glues it onto a foam board and gives it away to the family. So far, producing more than 200.
(On camera): Did you ever think that it would be this popular?
CLAUDEL: No! Definitely not.
LOTHIAN (voice over): The families do stay in touch with their soldiers in more conventional ways, like snail mail, e-mail, or Internet web cams. But in an e-mail from Iraq, Staff Sergeant Whitaker tells us his life-size cut out offers something more.
WHITAKER: He said, I still get to go everywhere with the family, it's very cool.
LOTHIAN: And he gets to see where they take him. The family snaps plenty of pictures of "Flat Daddy" about town. Then send them to the battlefield.
VANADESTINE: I tell him, see, you're still here, even though you're not here.
LOTHIAN: They take so many trips and get so much attention that often the "flat daddies" get worn out, literally.
Whitaker is cutting out a new picture just in from the National Guard program, after the old one just fell apart. Dan Lothian, CNN, Litchfield, Maine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
M. O'BRIEN: Makes you kind of misty, doesn't it?\
S. O'BRIEN: Yeah! It sure does. What a good idea. I mean it's like a half a solution.
M. O'BRIEN: Yeah.
S. O'BRIEN: Which is better than no solution, at all.
M. O'BRIEN: Exactly.
Temperatures here on Earth, climbing to levels not seen in 12,000 years. The higher temperatures have begun to effect plants and animals, according to a report, in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. There are signs of significant warming in the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans, as well. Those oceans have a major effect on climate and warming that could lead to more El Nino episodes, which of course, keep Chad Myers kind of busy.
(WEATHER REPORT)
S. O'BRIEN: Ahead this morning, top evangelical leaders are urging the faithful to get out and vote -- Republican! Plan worked back in 2004. Could it work again in 2006? We'll take a look.
And later this morning, its time to celebrate New Orleans, the sights and sounds of the football's return to the Superdome. That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING. We're back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
S. O'BRIEN: Top evangelical leaders held a summit over the weekend, urging people to get out and vote. James Dobson, the founder of the Christian broadcast group, Focus on the Family, told the crowd that many voters are disillusioned with Republicans. What role will religious conservatives play in the midterm elections? Tony Perkins is the president of Family Research Council, he is one of the organizers of the summit. He joins us from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Stumbling over my words this morning, Tony -- nice to see you, is what I'm trying to say. Good morning.
TONY PERKINS, PRES., FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL: Good morning, Soledad. How are you.
S. O'BRIEN: I'm dong OK, now. If I could just speak it would be good.
Why did you feel the need to do a summit?
PERKINS: Well, for one, we wanted to -- as we come into the midterm election and on into the presidential election bring back those issues that were at the focus in the 2004 election that really haven't been discussed much by politicians and policy makers. Give an update on where things stand and discuss those issues and encourage people to get out and vote regardless of their level of enthusiasm. They still need to vote.
S. O'BRIEN: James Dobson seemed to think that level of enthusiasm is in fact disillusionment. Do you think that's true? That's a fair word?
PERKINS: Well, I think there's no question that the enthusiasm level is not what it was in 2004. But there's many factors there. There's not a presidential election and some feel like the Republicans have not delivered on all the promises that were made in 2004. So, yes that has effected the enthusiasm.
S. O'BRIEN: One of the speakers was Congressman Mike Pence, he's a conservative from Indiana, as you well know. This is what he had to say, he said, "Maybe losing the Republican majority would teach us a lesson and get our movement back on track." Do you think the big problem here is that the base just isn't energized because of the issues, or because the base feel the Republicans who are in office right now aren't doing what they promised they would do?
PERKINS: Well, actually, I think Mike was actually quoting someone else, when he made that statement. But to the heart of that statement, that someone else made, yes, I think that is part of it. That the people feel like maybe they haven't followed through. But I will tell you that's kind of changed in the last couple of months, right before the August break. A number of the value issues did make it through. Some of those are now pending in the final days of this congress, before they break for the election.
So there was a lack of, I think, confidence that's coming back. Now it's a question of enthusiasm. And will people get out and vote? They'll vote. They see and sense an obligation to vote, but the question is at the level of enthusiasm will they take others with them? Will they be driving Volkswagen to the polls or will they be driving Suburbans loaded with people to the polls. That's the question.
S. O'BRIEN: I'm going to guess you'd like the Suburbans, is what you'd like to see driving to those polls each and every day.
PERKINS: Well --
S. O'BRIEN: There are some people who would say, Tony, seriously, that you know, the president is a Republican, the House is controlled by Republicans, the Senate is controlled by Republicans, what exactly is the problem for people who are conservative Republicans?
PERKINS: Well, I think it's a lack of competition, Soledad. I would like to see more Democrats that are solid on issues like life, and marriage, and family, that can draw some of this value voters' vote. Because I think competition is good in the economy; I think its good in our political process. And unfortunately, the Republicans don't have a lot of competition to keep them on the straight and narrow.
S. O'BRIEN: So, 25 percent of all voters were white evangelicals, in the last election, is what I read -- which sounds really high to me, and I think is accurate. What percentage would you guess, at this point, will that be coming up in the midterms?
PERKINS: You know, I don't know. It's hard to predict. I think it will be lower. And it usually is in a midterm election. But we're doing what we can to encourage people to vote -- of all different backgrounds, because I think as Americans, this is one of those things that we have not only as an opportunity, but a responsibility to be involved in our government.
S. O'BRIEN: You had a number of people who were speaking before the group, the weekend event. Mitt Romney was there. George Allen was there. Sam Brownback was there. Rudy Giuliani was not there. Senator McCain was not there. Does that mean that these men don't get your support?
PERKINS: No, actually, invitations went out to, I know, Senator McCain, and there was some discussion at first, him trying to juggle his schedule, but obviously, he did not come there. Also, Hillary Clinton was invited to come and speak. John Kerry was invited to speak. Joe Lieberman was invited to speak, as well. So it was not just those that we feel like may be most close in line with us. We want to have those discussions and hear where others stand and hear what they have to say about the issues that are important to our constituents.
S. O'BRIEN: Tony Perkins is the president of the Family Research Council.
Nice to see you. Thanks for talking with us.
PERKINS: All right, Soledad. Good to be with you.
M. O'BRIEN: Up next, Andy is "Minding Your Business". Andy?
ANDY SERWER, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Miles, IBM looks to push the patent trolls back under the bridge they came from. Plus, rock concert tickets, are they going higher or lower? We'll tell you, coming up next on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
M. O'BRIEN: IBM would like to improve the patent process by sharing its patents with the world. Andy Serwer, how does this work?
Did you see these pictures coming out of New Orleans? last night they celebrated a big ol' comeback for the football stadium.
(BUSINESS HEADLINES)
S. O'BRIEN: Hey, did you guys see these pictures coming out of New Orleans this morning?
M. O'BRIEN: No.
S. O'BRIEN: Last night they celebrated a big, old comeback for the football stadium, of course. There was a game, but no one is talking about the game. They're talking about the reason people came, to join really in the healing process. We've got some of the sights and sounds to share with you today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(MUSIC)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My neighbor down the block, he died here. We still got a lot of work to do, but this is a great, big step.
(MUSIC)
LT. GEN. RUSSEL HONORE, U.S. ARMY: This is the first big event that demonstrates to the world that the city is on its way back. DORIS COOLEY, SUPERDOME EMPLOYEE: I just thought it was over. I thought it was over. But I'm happy that, you know, we're back.
THOMAS PANER, SAINTS FAN: I never thought this would happen. I'm so happy we're back here. We're building New Orleans.
(MUSIC)
DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT MARLON DEFILLO, NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARTMENT: It's a touching feeling, it's an emotional feeling to see that so many people were coming today with a different attitude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've been waiting so long to be here. It's, like, it don't matter what it is. Just as long as I'm here, I'm good.
JEVAN DAVIS, SAINTS FAN: I've been building my whole week up for this game. I can't explain it. I can't wait. I've got my binoculars. I'm ready.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think they had as many tailgaters as they had people trying to get in the door. Whether you got tickets or not, everybody wants to be part of this.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm happy. I see all the folks, and I'm happy.
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
S. O'BRIEN: Sound track courtesy of U2. Top stories straight ahead.
Former President Clinton says he gave the Bush administration a battle plan for fighting al Qaeda. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says didn't happen. That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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