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American Morning
Grim Milestone for U.S. Troops in Iraq; Politics and the Iraq Factor; Pennsylvania Senate Race
Aired October 30, 2006 - 07:59 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Deadly milestones to tell you about in Iraq overnight. The military has confirmed 100 American troops have died this month. That makes it the deadliest month since January 2005.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Eight days and counting. Now some Republicans are investing in an unlikely strategy for the midterm election. They are distancing themselves from the president.
S. O'BRIEN: And a battle over abortion in South Dakota. It's a local fight. Some people say, though, it could become a national fight once the voters weigh in.
M. O'BRIEN: Welcome to you. It's Monday, October 30th.
I'm Miles O'Brien.
S. O'BRIEN: And I'm Soledad O'Brien.
Let's begin in Iraq this morning, in the violent Anbar province, where a U.S. Marine has been killed in combat. And that brings to 100 the number of American service personnel who died in the war this month alone. That makes October 2006 the fourth deadliest month of the war.
CNN's Arwa Damon live from Baghdad for us.
Hey Arwa. Good morning.
ARWA DAMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.
It is a very grim milestone for U.S. troops here. Many of these soldiers and Marines who we are seeing in Iraq right now, they're back for their second deployment. Some even their third. In some cases, their fourth. And when you speak with them, what they are telling you, that they feel for the most part that the environment that they are facing in today's Iraq is much more challenging and a lot more deadly than the environment of their previous deployments.
We are seeing IEDs, those roadside bombs, become deadlier, even more effective, causing maximum damage, able to pierce through the U.S. armor. We are seeing sniper attacks increasing, sniper attacks becoming even more accurate and more deadly -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Let me ask you another question, Arwa, about this bombing that took place in the Baghdad marketplace. What do you know about that?
DAMON: Well, Soledad, that was a bomb that exploded, actually attacking -- the target of it was a crowd of day laborers that were gathered next to a marketplace in Sadr City. That is the Shia slum about northeast of the capital, home to some two, two and a half million Iraqi-Shias, mainly Shia. It is also a Mehdi militia stronghold. That is the militia that is loyal to radical Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.
And this morning at 7:50, just at the time when that area would have been the most crowded, a bomb that was hidden inside a plastic bag, that plastic bag then hidden in a pile of trash, detonated. At least 26 Iraqis were killed in that attack. Another 60 were wounded.
And this just shows that despite the efforts of the militia to secure the area, despite a U.S. presence that we have seen there over the last week or so, since U.S. forces are searching for a soldier who they believe was kidnapped on Monday in that area, despite all of this military and weaponry in that are, the violence does continue -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Arwa Damon is in Baghdad for us this morning.
Thanks for the update, Arwa -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: One more reason U.S. troops are dying in Iraq are snipers. The military is investigating what's behind the increase in sniper attacks.
And CNN's Barbara Starr has details for us.
Good morning, Barbara.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Miles.
Well, U.S. military sources confirm that over the last three months these sniper attacks have increased in Iraq, and the effectiveness of those sniper attacks has increased. That is causing a good deal of concern.
The matter is so sensitive that the military won't even say publicly how many attacks there have been, how many U.S. troops have actually died from sniper attacks. They call it precision small arms fire. And indeed, it is.
They have found sniper vehicles outfitted with mattresses and sniper sites. They are stepping up their intelligence operations, trying to go after these cells, and also trying to educate the troops on those foot patrols on the streets of Baghdad, especially how to keep a lookout for possible sniper activity.
But still, it is the IED that tragically is the number one killer of U.S. troops in Iraq, we are told. There is a new phrase being used, catastrophic IEDs.
What the military says is they've seen a number of these attacks in recent months where perhaps three to four troops are killed at once. Sometimes what they tell us they are finding is accelerants. Fire accelerants have been added to the bombs to cause maximum destruction -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon.
Thank you -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Politics of war now. With the election drawing very near, poll after poll is showing that Americans rank Iraq right at the top of their list of worries. So the big question is, just how much of that is going to affect their votes?
CNN's Ed Henry is at the White House for us this morning.
Good morning, Ed.
ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.
In the last two elections, national security was a big plus for Republicans. This time it could be a political liability.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HENRY (voice over): With violence in Iraq front and center in the midterm elections, Republican candidates continue to break with the president on conduct of the war.
Michael Steele, the Republican contender in the hot Maryland Senate race, was asked does he think Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld should resign?
LT. GOV. MICHAEL STEELE (R), MARYLAND: Well, let's put it this way, he wouldn't be my secretary of defense. And ultimately, that's going to be a decision that the president of the United States makes.
HENRY: But House Majority Leader John Boehner joined the president in offering a ringing endorsement of Rumsfeld.
REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R), MAJORITY LEADER: I think Donald Rumsfeld is the best thing that happened to the Pentagon in 25 years. This -- this Pentagon and our military needs a transformation. And I think Donald Rumsfeld is the only man in America who knows where the bodies are buried at the Pentagon, has enough experience to help transform that institution.
HENRY: Fuel for the Democratic mantra of change.
REP. CHARLES RANGEL (D), NEW YORK: It's true President Bush may not be on the ballot, but people like Boehner and people who support Rumsfeld and Cheney and Bush, they're on the ballot. This is a referendum on the war and the incompetency of the Bush administration.
HENRY: Republicans insist key races will turn on local issues, not Iraq. But just in case they're once again pointing out some Democratic plans to withdraw U.S. troops. SEN. ELIZABETH DOLE (R), NORTH CAROLINA: We're trying to find a way to -- to -- to complete this war and to get our troops home as soon as possible. The Democrats appear to be content with losing. And by losing, I mean, you know, if you don't complete the mission and you pull out, then there is going to be an eruption in the Middle East.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HENRY: Now, Republicans are banking on a get-out-the-vote operation that even Democrats admit was stellar in the last two election cycles. The big question, though, is whether or not conservatives this time will be deflated because of the war in Iraq, but other issues like spending by the Republican Congress -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: So then what happens now, today, with the president? What's he doing? Where's he going?
HENRY: He's heading to Georgia this morning, some campaigning there. There's some key House races there.
Then on to his home state of Texas. As you know -- Sugarland, to be precise -- that's the home district of Tom DeLay, former majority leader. He resigned under a cloud. That seat was safe, Republican, in their hands, but now all of a sudden is yet another tossup.
The first lady also on the road today in Pennsylvania. They're trying to be that one-two punch here in the final two days -- final several days here -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Yes, you're shortening it a little for us, Ed.
HENRY: Yes, not two days -- one-two punch. Not one-two days.
S. O'BRIEN: It's not over yet.
Thanks.
Ed Henry at the White House for us this morning.
HENRY: Thank you.
Let's take a closer look this morning at Pennsylvania, where the Democrats are eying Rick Santorum's Senate seat. The conservative Republican is trailing his Democratic challenger in the polls.
AMERICAN MORNING'S Bob Franken is live for us in Philadelphia this morning.
Hey, Bob. Good morning.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.
And I think you can sum up the Republicans' message this way: Not so fast, Democrats.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SEN. RICK SANTORUM (R), PENNSYLVANIA: Don't let anybody tell you those polls are right. We're going to win this thing on November 7th!
FRANKEN (voice over): The latest poll show Senator Rick Santorum from just under 10 to 16 points behind. But, he's the number three ranking Republican in the Senate and important enough that the White House this weekend sent the more popular Bush to campaign for him.
LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY: And of course I'm so proud to stand here with Senator Rick Santorum.
FRANKEN: Santorum presents himself as the bulwark against terrorism and hostile world leaders, the rampart protecting conservative values, combative, but bipartisan, of course.
SANTORUM: Too often, this is what it seems like in Washington. But to get things done, you've got to work together.
BOB CASEY (D), PENNSYLVANIA SENATE CANDIDATE: You're going to see a lot of wild, desperate ads from my opponent.
FRANKEN: State treasurer Bob Casey, the Democratic challenger, wrestles with the problems of being a favorite. Keeping the enthusiasm up, particularly since he, too, is anti-abortion, much to the consternation of many in his party. For the most part, he's on message, though much lower key than Santorum.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What happened in Washington? Millions of jobs lost, the largest deficit ever, an arrogant government out of touch.
CASEY: Pennsylvania deserves a senator in step with Pennsylvania.
FRANKEN: And as with so many campaigns at this stage, the candidates have their themes down pat.
CASEY (voice over): I'm Bob Casey and I approved this message.
SANTORUM: I'm Rick Santorum, and I approved this message.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN: And Soledad, we cannot forget that there's a little more than a week before this is all over and the voters pin down the final results -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Yes, they will.
Bob Franken for us this morning.
Thanks, Bob. You crack yourself up, don't you, Bob?
All the day's political news is available at the CNN.com news ticker, any time, day or night. Just go to CNN.com/ticker -- Miles. M. O'BRIEN: Also happening this morning, firefighters have all but doused that deadly arson fire in southern California. Eighty-five percent encircled now. Investigators still trying to find the arsonist or arsonists responsible for starting the fire that killed four firefighters, critically injured another last week. A half- million dollar reward is being offered for information.
In the Northeast, it's cleanup day after a wild windstorm over the weekend. Thousands lost electricity. Utility crews still working to restore power to all customers. The storm being blamed for two deaths in New England.
In Mexico, police stormed the embattled city of Oaxaca. Protesters had held the area for a full five months. Outgoing Mexican president Vicente Fox had resisted calls for force, opting instead to negotiate. But on Friday, one American and two others were killed, prompting Mr. Fox to send in thousands of troops.
In Nigeria, authorities lashing out at the flight crew of a 737 that took off into the teeth of a terrible storm. Ninety-six died yesterday when the airliner crashed shortly after departing Abuja airport. Nine survived. This is the third plane crash in Nigeria in less than a year.
S. O'BRIEN: Ahead this morning, the battle over abortion takes center stage in South Dakota. We'll take a look at an Election Day fight that could have an impact on the rest of the country.
And we'll follow up on that deadly wildfire in southern California, now 85 percent contained. We're going to talk to some family members of one of the firefighters who was killed.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
M. O'BRIEN: Top stories we're following.
A hundred U.S. troops have been killed in Iraq just this month. That's the largest number since January of 2005.
And a new report shows big-time mismanagement by the U.S. military in Iraq. Thousands of weapons bought for Iraqi security forces are lost.
If you're heading out the door, let's get a quick check of the traveler's forecast. Chad Myers has that.
Hello, Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Miles.
(WEATHER REPORT)
S. O'BRIEN: It already goes as far as any state in restricting abortion. And now South Dakota could be about to take things one step further. The battle lines are drawn and the whole country is watching.
CNN's Candy Crowley has our story this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If lawn signs were votes...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Or you can visit us at voteyesforlife.com.
CROWLEY: ... if the size of the war room were a measure, if a full-on blitz said something about turnout...
LESLIE UNRUH, VOTE YES FOR LIFE: We're doing door to door. We are -- we've got radio ads, TV ads. We have postcard parties. We have home parties where there's a DVD.
CROWLEY: ... if all that counted, then South Dakota might be on its way to banning abortion except when the mother's life is threatened. The most restrictive abortion law in the nation. But lawn signs, war rooms and ads aren't votes. What you hear might not be what you get.
ELAINE ROBERTS, SOUTH DAKOTA HOUSE: I believe that our folks are working very hard. They are just not as noisy as the other side.
CROWLEY: Opponents of the abortion ban count on the unspoken.
CLARENCE KOOISTRA, FORMER SOUTH DAKOTA STATE SEN.: The silent majority. And I do feel that throughout the state of South Dakota there are many people like that. And I do think they are going to come to the polls in the general election.
CROWLEY: Clarence Kooistra is against abortion, but thinks the ban is unconstitutional. He voted against it when it came up in the state legislature which is why he's now an ex-state senator and an ex- republican. But this debate does not fit the usual template. South Dakota is a conservative anti-abortion state. No doctor here will perform an abortion. Though the one featured in this ad used to.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think this is the time to ban abortion on demand in our state. I don't think it's necessary.
CROWLEY: There is one clinic in Sioux Falls. It is manned by out-of-state doctors who drive or fly in to perform abortions. Casey Murshel heads a group fighting the abortion ban. She is pro abortion rights and a Republican. But she says the state is less Republican or Democrat than it is libertarian.
CASEY MURSHEL, NARAL-PRO-CHOICE SOUTH DAKOTA: There really is a resistance to too much government. A real respect for people making their own decisions and for self-determination.
CROWLEY: She believes that silent majority.
MURSHEL: It's my hope that they will quietly go to the polls and vote no. CROWLEY: South Dakota seems an unlikely place to have a rumble, but it's got one. And it could start one.
ROGER HUNT, SOUTH DAKOTA HOUSE: If this bill wins in this state, I think the same thing. There's going to be a very positive reaction across all of the other 49 states.
CROWLEY: Or it could fail. It's hard to figure.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
S. O'BRIEN: Issues are a big factor in elections all over the country. Candy has been on the road. She was in South Dakota. This morning she's in St. Louis.
What's the big ballot issue there, Candy?
Good morning.
CROWLEY: Good morning.
The big ballot issue here is stem cell research, basically a change to the constitution in Missouri that would allow Missouri access to any federally approved stem cell research. It has sort of exploded this race in a way that looks at a ballot initiative as a turnout mechanism.
The fact is that there have been ads on the air which you all have talked about, the Michael J. Fox ads, very compelling ads where he supports Claire McCaskill, who's the Democrat here. But they have also had some counter-ads which have come from local sports heroes, one from the St. Louis Cardinals, who just one the world championship. Another from the St. Louis Rams, a former quarterback still very popular here, who have come out against the stem cell research initiative.
So this is a huge battle. And also really interesting to see who, in fact, turns out voters on this issue, whether it will be McCaskill because stem cell research has been popular in this state, or whether it will be Talent, who, in fact, has the support of conservative Christians who may be a little bit more depressed about coming out to the polls but who now may be energized to come vote for the stem cell initiative.
S. O'BRIEN: Candy Crowley, who's in St. Louis this morning.
Thanks, Candy -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Some stories we're following right now.
That kidnapped U.S. soldier in Iraq reportedly married an Iraqi woman, breaking U.S. military rules. That's according to "The New York Times". We'll have details.
And President Bush is stumping for Republican candidates in Georgia and Texas today.
Stay with us. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
S. O'BRIEN: Some of the top stories we're following for you this morning.
Some new videotape to show you just in from Pakistan. You're taking a look at the location where 80 suspected al Qaeda terrorists were killed in a raid this morning. Some people say it's innocent victims that were killed.
And the U.S. government is taking a second look at some electronic voting machines. The manufacturer has got ties to Venezuela. The big question, though, are there ties to the Venezuelan leader, Hugo Chavez?
Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: That would be a devil of a story.
Cell phones getting smaller, cheaper every day. Well, smaller applies in this one, but not cheaper, certainly.
Andy Serwer is here with that.
Hello, Andy.
ANDY SERWER, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, "FORTUNE": Hello, Miles.
We've got a couple phones of the future to tell you about this morning.
First of all, how much would you pay for a cell phone?
M. O'BRIEN: A hundred bucks.
SERWER: How about $1,200 -- $1,275?
M. O'BRIEN: Get out of here! Get out of here!
SERWER: Well, it's a pretty cool phone. Let me tell you about it.
M. O'BRIEN: It better be really cool.
SERWER: Very cool -- by the Danish company Bang & Olufsen, which makes elegant and high-end consumer electronics.
This is called the Serene. It's a clam shell design, as you can see, but it's -- first of all, it's power-assisted. You hit a power button and it opens automatically. You don't have to...
S. O'BRIEN: Oh, that's worth something.
SERWER: That's a big improvement. Now...
M. O'BRIEN: That's been killing me to open up my phone. Killing me.
SERWER: ... then the screen is on the bottom. The dial is on the top. So you don't smudge it up with your makeup and sweat.
M. O'BRIEN: It looks like a makeup compact, is what it is.
SERWER: It sort of does.
(CROSSTALK)
SERWER: And it also has an iPod click wheel, so when you're looking for addresses, it's the first one that sort of has a click wheel design like an iPod.
S. O'BRIEN: It's still not worth $1,200 -- go on.
SERWER: It has astonishing audio quality. And that is pretty good, because my phone, huh?
S. O'BRIEN: Yes, but if there's dropouts, it doesn't matter what the audio quality is.
M. O'BRIEN: So true. Good point.
SERWER: It takes great pictures.
S. O'BRIEN: Really?
SERWER: Supposedly.
M. O'BRIEN: I think it's up to about 199 bucks. We'll give you 199 -- that's not it.
S. O'BRIEN: Oh, maybe $250 max. Come on!
SERWER: I think like $500 people might pay, but this seems like an awful lot -- an awful lot of money.
S. O'BRIEN: Twelve hundred dollars? Even if it's a Bang & Olufsen, not worth it.
SERWER: Yes.
M. O'BRIEN: With a 10-year contract, you could get it for free probably. You know, one of those deals.
SERWER: Right, forever. Pass it on to your kids.
M. O'BRIEN: Yes.
SERWER: How about this one, the NTT DoCoMo P903i?
S. O'BRIEN: Cuanto cuesta?
SERWER: This is new phone from Japan. We don't have a price tag on this one yet, but I want to tell you about this, because it's got these amazing security features.
It comes with a security card the size of a movie ticket stub. And if you don't have that thing -- see the thing in her right hand? If you don't have that, you can't use the phone. So, in other words, you've got to have that on your person.
M. O'BRIEN: Wait a minute. So...
S. O'BRIEN: So then I have to remember my phone and my card?
M. O'BRIEN: ... one more thing to keep track of.
SERWER: That sort of struck me as a problem.
S. O'BRIEN: Yes. That will never happen. Go ahead. Move on.
SERWER: Now, if you lose it, you can unlock with a password.
Then, it also has a facial identity feature. So you take a bunch of pictures of yourself, and then when you want to use the phone, you take a picture of yourself again, otherwise the phone won't work.
M. O'BRIEN: While driving.
SERWER: Again, it sounds like a little bit...
M. O'BRIEN: That's a terrible idea. We're 0 for 2 on this one.
(CROSSTALK)
SERWER: All right. Then finally -- and then listen to this. By the way, with that facial identification, if you have an identical twin, it comes with a password, plus the facial identification.
M. O'BRIEN: Because those twins will rip you off. They will rip you.
SERWER: That's a big market there.
(CROSSTALK)
SERWER: Yes, a disingenuous identical twin.
S. O'BRIEN: What else do you have there?
SERWER: Then also, the last thing, it has a GPS feature that will pinpoint the phone if it gets lost, so you know exactly where it is if you go to the Web site. But I think some other phones already have that.
M. O'BRIEN: OK.
SERWER: Phones of the future. You're keeping yours?
M. O'BRIEN: Phones of the future. Yes, I'm sticking with...
S. O'BRIEN: I have an LG. It's just fine.
SERWER: Yes, it's great. And it came with a plan.
S. O'BRIEN: It takes bad pictures and the audio is eh.
SERWER: Right.
S. O'BRIEN: But it was $59.
SERWER: Yes. The price is right.
S. O'BRIEN: Thanks, Andy.
SERWER: You're welcome.
S. O'BRIEN: Here's a look at some of the stories we're following for you this morning.
Oh, a really sad milestone to tell you about. One hundred U.S. troops have now been killed in Iraq this month alone. It makes October the fourth deadliest month since the war began.
Severe winds have knocked out power to more than 100,000 homes and businesses in the Northeast. We'll tell you about the cleanup straight ahead.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
M. O'BRIEN: Students at the country's premier college for the deaf celebrate the firing of their would-be leader. We'll explain.
S. O'BRIEN: And the fire is nearly contained. Now the focus in southern California is trying to catch that arsonist suspected of igniting the deadly wildfire.
M. O'BRIEN: And food for thought for all you mindless eaters. Speaking of me there. We have advice for keeping your hand out of the cookie jar the next time you want to snack to pass the time.
Got to stop those crackers in the afternoon.
S. O'BRIEN: Yes, it's a great new book. It's called...
M. O'BRIEN: I just get the crackers going, I just don't stop. It's stupid.
Anyway, welcome back.
I'm Miles O'Brien.
S. O'BRIEN: And I'm Soledad O'Brien.
Let's get right to what's happening this morning. A new mystery -- new twist, really, in the mystery of that kidnapped U.S. soldier in Iraq. A report out of "The New York Times" says the soldier, who was a translator, broke military rules, married an Iraqi woman about three months ago. Now, that woman's family is saying that the translator was kidnapped by Shiite militiamen when he went to visit his wife on October 23rd. There is no comment at this point from the Pentagon.
The American death toll in Iraq has hit 100 for the month of October. A U.S. Marine was killed yesterday in Anbar province. This makes October the fourth most deadly month of the war.
And a U.S. inspector general says that 14,000 U.S. weapons are missing in Iraq -- pistols, rifles, machine guns, shotguns, grenade launchers issued to Iraqi security forces. Most of them did not have serial numbers on them -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: In Mexico, federal police storm the city of Oaxaca and take control of that city. Protesters have held the area for five months now. Keep in mind, this region was a popular tourist destination.
Outgoing Mexican president Vicente Fox had resisted calls for force, instead opting to negotiate. But on Friday, one American and two residents were killed, prompting Mr. Fox to send in thousands of troops.
After winds of over 50 miles an hour this weekend, the Northeast cleaning up this morning. In New York and some nearby states, thousands lost electricity. Utility crews still working to restore power to customers still in the dark this morning. Two deaths blamed on the storm.
S. O'BRIEN: Protesters at Gallaudet University, the nation's premier school for the death, have succeeded in their months-long effort to have the school's president to be fired.
Jubilation on the campus of Gallaudet University in Washington after the school's board of trustees voted to terminate the appointment of its incoming president. Jane Fernandes was the target of fierce protests from students and faculty and alumni since May, when she was tapped for the school's top job. The protests grew this months, prompted hunger strikes, mass arrests and campus lock downs.
LATOYA PLUMMER, GALLAUDET JUNIOR: I knew we would win, but the question was when. Today, I'm absolutely elated today.
S. O'BRIEN: At issue, students say, her inability to lead, an unfair selection process and long-standing problems at the school that have been ignored. Fernandes says she is the victim of a culture debate over whether she was deaf enough. She was born deaf, but Fernandes didn't learn sign language until she was an adult.
Fernandes, now the school's provost, said in a statement, "I love Gallaudet University and I believe I could have made a significant contribution to its future. I hope that Gallaudet community can heal the wounds that have been created.
BARBARA WHITE, GALLAUDET FACULTY MEMBER: I want to give a message to the board of trustees that they made a very, very brave decision this afternoon. The community, I think, can now start the healing process.
NIXO LANNING, GALLAUDET SENIOR: We are so excited. I don't think I have ever felt this good before. I feel like there should be fireworks going off right now. We are so thrilled to see this decision.
S. O'BRIEN: Gallaudet's current president hopes the school can now move forward and students say their work is not done.
JEANINE WEISBLAT, GALLAUDET JUNIOR: We are going to keep an eagle eye to make sure that the board of trustees and new presidential search process is one that's fair and equitable.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
S. O'BRIEN: Also, students say they plan to become much more active in the selection process.
M. O'BRIEN: That wildfire in southern California nearly under control now, but not before taking a terrible toll. Fire officials believe it was arson that left four firefighters dead. One remains in critical condition this morning. Twenty Seven-year-old Forest Service Firefighter Jason McKay is one of those who gave his life. His mother is reaching out to the person or persons responsible for her son's death.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BONNIE MCKAY: SON KILLED IN ARSON WILDFIRE: Come forward. There are people who can help you deal with the grief and remorse that you must be feeling. I, for one, will not try -- I will try not to judge you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
M. O'BRIEN: With us now, from Apple Valley, California, Crystal and Jody McKay, Jason's sisters. Thanks for being with us. Crystal, let's begin with you. First of all, how is your mom doing?
CRYSTAL MCKAY, BROTHER KILLED IN ARSON WILDFIRE: She's doing as well as can be expected. She's very strong, and she's doing as well as can be expected.
M. O'BRIEN: And how are you doing?
C. MCKAY: I know Jason would want me to be strong, and I'm trying really hard to do so. I feel actually a little better wanting to get his story out there, wanting them to know he's not just some nameless, faceless firefighter. He's a person, and he was loved by so many people.
M. O'BRIEN: Jody, why don't you tell us a little bit about your brother. What kind of a person was he?
JODY MCKAY, BROTHER KILLED IN ARSON WILDFIRE: He was a very giving person, and no favor was too small or too big. I mean, if you were on the side of the road with a flat tire, he would not even think twice to stop and help you change the tire. If there were kids there, he was willing to give a Teddy Bear or if you were hungry, he was willing to go and take you to McDonalds or something and get something to eat. I mean, any time he had seen somebody who was -- needed help, I mean, homeless, I mean, he wouldn't even think twice to hear their story and give them something to eat.
M. O'BRIEN: Crystal -- I'm sorry, Go ahead. Finish up. I apologize.
J. MCKAY: He just, he was a very giving person and always wanted to help and protect.
M. O'BRIEN: Crystal, tell me a little bit about -- I know he had some plans for he and his girlfriend. He was going to propose to her. And I think one of the last calls he made was to her. Tell us about what he had in mind and about that call.
C. MCKAY: I don't want to go too far into Stacy's life, but I know he loved her, and from what I heard, they were planning on getting married next October. Me and him had this little thing where I was going to be his best man and he was going to be my maid of honor at our weddings. And it's hard knowing that's not going to happen now.
M. O'BRIEN: I can't imagine. You know, and of course, losing a sibling at such a young age would be difficult under any circumstances. These circumstances, knowing an arsonist or arsonists were to blame, must make it so much worse.
First to you, Crystal, along with the sadness, do you have a lot of anger?
C. MCKAY: I think there's too much sadness right now for me to even think about being angry. I agree with my mom, I don't believe either this person, persons, whoever it was, really intended for it to go the way it did. I don't think -- I can't believe that. I can't.
M. O'BRIEN: Jody, do you agree?
J. MCKAY: Yes, I mean, the only thing I really feel is hurt, you know? It's bad enough that our brother lost his life, but it's like putting salt in the wound that it was, you know, the fire was set deliberately. So it hurts.
M. O'BRIEN: Assume for a moment that the arsonist or arsonists are listening right now. What would you say to them?
J. MCKAY: I want them to come forward. I don't want anyone else to get hurt. If they were to light another fire, just please come forward.
C. MCKAY: There's professionals that can help you. It's a sickness. It's a problem that there is help out there for you.
J. MCKAY: Yes.
M. O'BRIEN: Thank you, ladies. Jody and Crystal McKay, our best to you. Condolences to you and your family. Thanks for being with us.
J. MCKAY: Thank you.
S. O'BRIEN: A short break ahead. More AMERICAN MORNING in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
M. O'BRIEN: Welcome back to the program. On the news wall, some of the incoming feeds we're watching for you today. Take a look at incoming 14, that's Andrew's Air Force Base. You know that airplane, Air Force One, the president off on the (INAUDIBLE) today, headed to Georgia and Texas to stump for votes. Closely contested election. We've been telling you a little bit about that. I think you know that by now.
Incoming 86, perhaps not unrelated to that election, that is the House Ethics Committee Door. You're probably getting familiar with that as well. The Mark Foley investigation continues. The big question now is will there be some kind of report from the Ethics Committee before the election? The Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert had said he wanted this to come out as quickly as possible.
Take a look at incoming 17. If you look carefully in there, you can see my apartment, by the way. That's the George Washington Bridge, the Hudson River. That's New York looking up town, five mile- per-hour winds. It was ten times greater yesterday here in New York City. And in New England it was a deadly wind storm, everybody in this part of the world happy to have a break from that today. Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Well, no matter who wins the midterm elections, both Republicans and Democrats are going to break records for spending. Investigative correspondent Drew Griffin has been looking into two very interesting races, where millions of dollars have been raised, but not really needed to win. He's got a preview of his investigative report, airs on "AC 360" tonight. Good morning Drew.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning Soledad. We're looking at two races, two separate parties, opposite sides of the country, but three things about our two candidates are identical. They are both incumbents, both virtually unopposed and both raising millions of dollars to get re-elected. We're simply asking why.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GRIFFIN (voice-over): Days before the election and Georgia Republican Congressman Tom Price is hitting the campaign trail, sort of. REP. TOM PRICE (R), GEORGIA: Congratulations, keep up your great work.
GRIFFIN: This Saturday morning he's shaking hands and speaking to constituents, most of whom aren't even old enough to vote.
PRICE: It's always wonderful to be with a group of scouts.
GRIFFIN: Look around his wealthy district in Atlanta's northern suburbs, and except for the occasional yard sign, it's hard to find evidence there's a congressional race under way.
SHELLY BERKLEY (D), NEVADA: I'm Congresswoman Shelly Berkley.
GRIFFIN: There are not many signs out West either, except at Democratic headquarters, where Shelly Berkley is running for her fifth term, representing most of Las Vegas. She says yard signs are environmentally unfriendly, but make no mistake, she says, her campaign is in full swing.
BERKLEY: I'm campaigning like crazy.
GRIFFIN: Two virtually unopposed candidates, one Republican, one Democrat, who have each raised almost $2 million this election. Why do they really need the money? Two big reasons. Money helps buy votes, of course, but it also helps buy access and some say influence in Congress.
And money, according to campaign finance expert Larry Noble, is what helps keep an incumbent in Congress.
LARRY NOBLE, CAMPAIGN FINANCE EXPERT: What you want to do, if you are an incumbent, is you want to raise a lot of money early, millions of dollars, if you can, and that will scare off opponents.
GRIFFIN: Our two candidates do spend money, a lot of it. They spend money to raise money. Wining and dining contributors, people who want to get close to their elected officials, get their messages heard and apparently get their bellies full.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GRIFFIN: And Soledad, tonight at 10:00 on "AC 360," we've got the receipts and we're keeping them honest, where they spent that campaign cash, how much they dropped at fancy DC restaurants and we're going to show you just how nice it must be, Soledad, to be in Congress with limitless cash on hand.
S. O'BRIEN: It certainly sounds nice.
GRIFFIN: Certainly looks nice on paper too.
S. O'BRIEN: Doesn't it? Were the two candidates you talked to apologetic? Did they sort of back-track from saying they needed so much money? GRIFFIN: Not at all, Soledad. And I'm sure you hear the same thing I hear when I go to Washington reporting, they say this is the way the business is done. We hear it all the time, that they actually needed this money, needed to spend this money to raise even more money, which circulated to this first question I asked them, why do you need the money?
It all boils down to power. Power is money and tonight on "AC 360" we're going to show you what else they did with that money to secure, not only their seats in Congress, but their power up on Capitol Hill.
S. O'BRIEN: All right, can't wait for that. That investigative report airs tonight on "AC 360." Thanks Drew.
Also, all the day's political news available at the CNN.com news ticker. Any time, day or night, just go to CNN.com/ticker. Miles?
M. O'BRIEN: It is 43 minutes past the hour. Heading out the door? Wait one second. Just wait one second. This man, right there, he is going to help you out.
(WEATHER REPORT)
M. O'BRIEN: Happening in America today, in Ohio a federal appeals court upheld a new voter ID law, which means voters will have to show identification on election day next week and they will have to keep showing proof of their ID this week to get early ballots. Supporters say the law prevents voter fraud. Opponents plan to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In Washington, the annual Marine Corps Marathon marred by the death of one man and a heart attack suffered by another. The race featured over 30,000 runners, including family members of U.S. Marines killed in the war in Iraq.
In St. Louis, now dubious distinction there, holds the title of the nation's most dangerous city. The latest crime report, based on FBI statistics, shows violent crime in St. Louis is up almost 20 percent from 2004 to 2005. Detroit and Flint, Michigan ranked right behind St. Louis.
S. O'BRIEN: The Air Force is phasing out the once-secret Night Hawk stealth fighter plane and so a group of Night Hawks flew in formation for the first time and the last time to (INAUDIBLE) Air Force Base in New Mexico. After 25 years, the F-117a Night Hawk is being replaced by the F-22-A.
In New York, just in time for Halloween, check out the gigantic Jack-O-Lantern at Grand Central Terminal. It's kind of hard to get a sense of how big this thing is, but it ways 1,502 pounds. It now holds the record as the heaviest pumpkin in the world. It was grown in Rhode Island. It's still at Grand Central, if you want to check it out.
M. O'BRIEN: It's always interesting how they come from Rhode Island. Smallest state, biggest pumpkins?
S. O'BRIEN: How about that?
M. O'BRIEN: Interesting, very interesting.
S. O'BRIEN: Coincidence? Maybe not.
M. O'BRIEN: CNN NEWSROOM is just minutes away. Tony Harris is at the CNN Center with a preview. Hello Tony.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Hey Miles, good morning. We've got these stories on the NEWSROOM run-down this morning.
We're live on the ground in Iraq. U.S. troops deal with a deadly milestone and a new report on missing weapons.
America votes, the candidates search for what matters to you as election day nears. Are they getting it right?
And Miles, maybe he thought it was career day or something. A Florida teen takes an old bus out for a spin, picking up passengers and making stops. Precocious or criminal? We've got the whole story when you join (INAUDIBLE) and me in THE NEWSROOM. We get started at the top of the hour, right here on CNN. Miles, back to you.
M. O'BRIEN: All right. Thank you very much Tony. We'll see you soon. Soledad?
S. O'BRIEN: My guess the courts are going to say criminal. He done stole that bus.
M. O'BRIEN: I think so, even though he did a fine job.
S. O'BRIEN: Yes, he did, but he still took it.
Some of the stories we're following for you this morning, thousands of U.S. weapons, bought for Iraqi security, now missing.
And are you eating a whole lot more than you realize? We're going to talk to the author of a new book, "Mindless Eating." Get his tips on how you could stop stuffing yourself. Straight ahead, stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
M. O'BRIEN: Top stories we're following for you, the top U.S. general in South Korea says he expects North Korea will carry out another nuclear test, although he admits he doesn't have any new intelligence indicating that is the case.
Nigeria's aviation minister blasting the flight crew of an airliner that crashed after flying into a storm. Ninety six died, nine survived, Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: You can get almost anything here in New York City, but soon you may not be able to order food made with artificial trans- fat. The city is proposing a ban on the substance, which is used in everything from French Fries to Donuts. Artificial trans-fats are also used by many restaurants. They can significantly raise the level of bad cholesterol in your blood, increasing the risk of heart disease.
The first public hearing on the plan is going to be held today. If it indeed passes, New York is going to be the first city to ban artificial trans-fats. Trans-fats, one reason many people say people are overweight. Lots of other people simply over-eat. Have you ever thought about why you eat? It often has little to do with being hungry. That's what Professor Brian Wansink writes about in his new book, which is called "Mindless Eating," why we eat more than we think. Professor Wansink joins us this morning. Nice to see you.
BRIAN WANSINK, AUTHOR, "MINDLESS EATING": It's good to be here.
S. O'BRIEN: What exactly is "Mindless Eating?"
WANSINK: Well, regardless of how tuned in we think we are to what we eat and how much we eat, we're a nation of mindless eaters. For instance, the typical person believes they make about 15 decisions about food a day. The reality is it's well over 200, even for breakfast it's what cereal to have, how much to poor, whether to have Skim milk or Whole milk, how much sugar to put on, whether to cover it with banana. I mean, there's 15 decisions by the time you sit down and have a bite to eat.
S. O'BRIEN: And all those decisions can really add up at the end of the week, end of the month, at the end of the year in your weight?
WANSINK: Oh, they have a tremendous impact over the course of even a month, let alone a year.
S. O'BRIEN: Let's talk about some of the things you point out in your book. Tall glass, tall, skinny glass versus a short, fat glass. Which is a better choice to make?
WANSINK: Tall, skinny glasses.
S. O'BRIEN: Why?
WANSINK: Because what happens with short, wide glasses you pour -- we don't accommodate for the width. So, as a result, you have over-pouring in short, wide glasses compared to tall, skinny glasses.
S. O'BRIEN: Right, your research showed that people who drank from the short glasses drank more?
WANSINK: Oh yes. Even bartenders pouring into short, wide tumblers, end up pouring 28 percent more alcohol in a short, wide tumbler than they do in a tall, skinny high ball glass.
S. O'BRIEN: I didn't think it was a surprise that if you gave somebody a big giant plate, you know, a little bit of food looks dwarfed on there, so you pour more on. That's not a surprise. How much more to be people, though, if they have a big plate. WANSINK: What is sort of a surprise is that if you have latency of a 12-ounce plate, versus an 8-ounce plate, you're going to end up putting about 35 percent more on, but you're not going to feel any more full, because what happens, we eat with our eyes, and not with our stomach.
S. O'BRIEN: So that's really true? You really do eat with your eyes?
WANSINK: Oh yes, very much so.
S. O'BRIEN: Just like your mother says so. Distractions, I mean, everybody eats in front of the TV. How much more food are you taking in if you sort of sit down and just gobble down food mindlessly?
WANSINK: Well, distractions again, it looks like it might be about 30 percent more. But the thing is, over the course of every single day, every single time you watch TV, every single month, this ends up being a lot of calories. You can add up to even ten pounds more at the end of the year if you just eat 100 calories more a day.
S. O'BRIEN: You do this experiment, which I call the Popcorn Experiment. Tell me a little about that. It's a brilliant experiment. How did it work?
WANSINK: Well, most people think they over-eat because the food is good or they're really, really hungry. Instead, we brought people in who had just eaten dinner and we gave them really bad popcorn, five-day-old popcorn that just was like styrophome (ph). We found that over the course of a movie, they ended up eating 35 percent more if we gave them a really big bucket, than if we just gave them a medium sized bucket.
S. O'BRIEN: Even with nasty food that's old?
WANSINK: It's really bad. Because, what happens, all the cues around us tell us to eat, the size of the bucket, what the people are doing next to them, the distracting movie.
S. O'BRIEN: Even if they don't like it?
WANSINK: Even if they don't like it.
S. O'BRIEN: Marketing works. I mean clearly, you go through example after example of all the ways people market food to you, in names, in the labels, give me a good example.
WANSINK: Well the good example is just if you give something a very, sort of, evocative, descriptive name, like calling something a succulent, Italian seafood fillet.
S. O'BRIEN: I'm already hungry.
WANSINK: You're going to love it after you eat it to. But if that same dried old fish stick was just called a seafood fillet, people would eat it and they'd go, oh, it's OK, even though it would be the exact same food.
S. O'BRIEN: And do you eat more if it sounds like a succulent Italian fillet something, something?
WANSINK: We're not exactly sure that you're eating more, but you just enjoy the food a whole lot more at the end of the meal.
S. O'BRIEN: You definitely have some tips on how people can actually, sort of, monitor -- maybe we can throw them up on the board for a moment -- how they can protect themselves from mindless eating.
First is that you can cut easily 200 calories per meal. How do you do that?
WANSINK: We call it the mindless margin. Anybody can cut 200 calories out of their day without feeling deprived or without really feeling like they're foregoing life.
S. O'BRIEN: What do you cut out?
WANSINK: It could be if you make a small challenge like not serving family style, but instead, keeping your dish of pasta, say, on the stove or in the kitchen. That's going to be about 100 calories for most people and it's easy to make.
S. O'BRIEN: And then you say make three easy changes. Like what three easy changes would you recommend to somebody who is trying to lose some what?
WANSINK: Well, three easy changes might involve using a smaller bowl. In some cases it could be moving the candy dish to six feet off your desk or it could be using a tall, skinny glass rather than a short, wide glass.
S. O'BRIEN: All those things can really make a big difference.
WANSINK: They add up over the year.
S. O'BRIEN: Our last graphic -- let's throw it up on the screen so we can talk about that one as well -- keep a checklist. Is that basically like keeping a food diary?
WANSINK: No, no, we want this to be a mindless way to improve your life, OK. And what happens is that we're pretty much creatures of habit, so over the course of a lifetime we fall in certain patterns, and if you think of three small changes you want to make, the important thing to do at the end of the day is just to say did I make those, and fore 28 days they will become automatic.
S. O'BRIEN: Keep doing it. Brian Wansink, nice to see you. The book is excellent. It's called "Mindless Eating, Why We Eat More Than We Think." Nice to see you. Thanks for coming in.
WANSINK: Good to be here, thank you.
S. O'BRIEN: Miles? M. O'BRIEN: All right, coming up at the top of the hour -- I was just eating some mindless stuff right here. I Feel bad now.
Coming up at the top of the hour the crisp, fall air. Lately it smells like hot-button issues and scandal. Well, if you're a political person, then you have your nose attuned to such things. Anyway, we'll try to figure out what will get voters to the polls. What are those hot-button issues?
And you can call it the new (INAUDIBLE), an aging city bus plus a young driver equals raised eyebrows and a call to 911. A ticket to ride ahead on CNN NEWSROOM. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
S. O'BRIEN: That's it. We're out of time on AMERICAN MORNING. CNN NEWSROOM with Tony Harris and Heidi Collins begins right now. Hey guys.
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