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Many Republican Congressional Candidates Battle On In Tough Races, For Key States to Control Congress, Medical Expert Says Energy Drinks Unhealthy for Children, Doogie Howser Out of the Closet
Aired November 04, 2006 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR, CNN NEWSROOM: The president on the attack today as bashing Democrats as the clock winds down to Tuesday's midterm elections.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT, CNN NEWSROOM: Do you think he'll ever preach from this pulpit again?
ROB BRENDLE, ASST. PASTOR, NEW LIFE CHURCH: I don't have any way of knowing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: The evangelical community reacts to the sex scandal dogging one of this leaders. We take you live to Colorado.
And Baghdad braces for a verdict in the Saddam Hussein trial amid fears it could spark even more violence there.
Welcome to the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.
We start with a quick look at other stories making headlines today.
Lock down in Iraq. An open-ended curfew goes into effect shortly in Baghdad and in two other provinces plagued by violence. They government fears possible chaos after tomorrow's expected verdict in the trial of Saddam Hussein.
"The Army Times" wants President Bush to fire Donald Rumsfeld. It will run an editorial on Monday calling for Rumsfeld's removal. We'll speak next hour with the senior managing editor of the Military Times Publications. He says Rumsfeld has lost the confidence of the military brass.
A major anniversary in Iran. Thousands of demonstrators gather at the site of the former U.S. embassy. On this date 27 years ago Islamic fundamentalists stormed the embassy compound. They held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.
And Katherine Jeffords Shory (ph) is now presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church. At a ceremony in Washington, she officially become the first woman to led the nation's Episcopalians. First this hour, the sprint to the finish. Just three days ahead of the midterm elections a CNN review reveals problems for Republicans. Of the eight Senate seats most likely to switch parties seven are held by the GOP. A net gain of six by the Democrats would give them control of the Senate. The Republicans' grip on the House is even shakier. Of the 36 seats most likely to change hands, every single one is Republican. The net gain needed by the Democrats there just 15.
There are also some key referendums on the ballot. In Missouri, a stem cell measure has become a hot topic attracting actor and Parkinson's patient Michael J. Fox. He has traveled to the state, campaigning for its passage. If adopted the amendment would protect embryonic stem cell research.
Eight states have amendments to ban same-sex marriage on the ballot. Among them, Tennessee and Virginia, where the proposed bans have become campaign issues in U.S. Senate races.
The war in Iraq and a series of scandals are hurting GOP efforts nationwide. Case in point, Ohio, where a powerful House member has a tight race and a Republican Senate seat is teetering on the brink. CNN's Bob Franken joins us live from Columbus right now -- Bob.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT, CNN NEWSROOM: Fredricka, the House race here is one that's being repeated across the country where a Republican who is previously -- in the last several campaigns, has had an easy time of it -- is fighting for her political life.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN (voice over): Congresswoman Deborah Pryce who is fourth-ranking Republican in the House usually hasn't had to battle this hard, but this time she had a huge fight to get back to the tossup category.
She was knocked for a loop a few weeks ago by the Mark Foley scandal, and the controversy that swirled around House leaders like Speaker Dennis Hastert. Her Democratic opponent, County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy took full advantage of the fact that Pryce had once called Foley a friend. Kilroy took out a hard-hitting radio spot on Christian stations.
ANNOUNCER: No wonder Pryce refused to criticize Hastert for ignoring the Foley problem.
FRANKEN: The campaign has moved on and Pryce has fought back from the 8-point deficit in the polls after Foley exploded, to statistically even. But the bitter taste lingers.
DEBORAH PRYCE, (R-OH) CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: It's a non-issue. My opponent overplayed her hand on a non-issue.
FRANKEN: Her opponent, Mary Jo Kilroy, obviously disagrees, but the campaign has moved forward. MARY JO KILROY (D) CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: The biggest issue is that she has been part of the Republican leadership that has the wrong set of priorities taking our country in the wrong direction.
FRANKEN: Though Foley has been relegated somewhat to the background, Republicans are dealing with the many ethics scandals swirling around their party particularly in Ohio. Bob Ney, for instance, who is awaiting prison for corruption charges while a member of Congress comes from a neighboring district. The potential spillover to Pryce could be a challenge to her. In the meantime, Kilroy and Pryce hurl their taunts on other matters.
ANNOUNCER: Candidate Mary Jo Kilroy said she wouldn't raise taxes, but just a year later Kilroy cast the deciding vote to double the county sales tax.
ANNOUNCER: Who voted against a combat bonus for the troops, but took a $30,000 pay raise for herself?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Deborah Pryce.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Deborah Pryce! Pryce is wrong!
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN: And the case in point, Fredricka, Bob Ney waited until yesterday to resign. And the reaction was, what took him so long? That reaction came from the state Republican chairman, Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right. Bob, let's talk about the Senate race there as well between Democrat Sherrod Brown and incumbent Republican Mike DeWine. The incumbent is in trouble. Why?
FRANKEN: Because -- well, partly because he's a Republican this year. The Republicans are just having a hard time of it. Also Mike DeWine is somebody who is low key and methodical; and has thus far not been able to capture the imagination of the voters, at least as the polls show, as much as the Democrat has.
But let's remember these polls are going to get a significant test on Tuesday.
WHITFIELD: All right, Bob Franken, thanks so much from Columbus, Ohio.
President Bush today made a hastily scheduled trip to Colorado trying to boost Republicans in close House races there. The trip came as Democrats looked to Colorado for possible pickups. CNN's Elaine Quijano reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, CNN NEWSROOM: A rock star welcome for President Bush for GOP faithful in Colorado. Despite polls predicting Republicans will lose control of at least the House, and possibly the Senate, the president revealed no hint of discouragement.
He touted a drop in the unemployment rate, now at a five-year low of 4.4 percent, and said driving the economy are Republican- supported tax cuts.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If you're voting Democrat, you're voting for a tax increase. If you're voting Republican, you're voting for low taxes and a strong economy.
QUIJANO: And to underscore the message, surrounding himself with small business owners near Denver and delivering his usually taped weekly radio address, live.
BUSH: The main reason for our growing economy is that we cut taxes.
QUIJANO: Yet, with just days until the midterm elections, in their radio address, focused on what they say are domestic and foreign policy failures.
LOIS MURPHY, (D) CANDIDATE, PENN.: No matter how many generals say Rumsfeld should go, our president and his Republican Congress have promised not to change a thing if they are returned to power.
QUIJANO: Adding to the debate a renewed call expected Monday, by a prominent publisher of independent newspapers geared toward military personnel, for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to be replaced. A senior managing editor for "The Army Times" publishing group says the editorial was prompted by President Bush recently saying he intended to keep both Rumsfeld, and Vice President Cheney, in place until the end of his term.
A Pentagon spokesman says the criticism, quote, "Does not include commanders in the field, who remain committed to the mission. The assertion, without evidence, that senior military officers are toeing the line is an insult to their judgment and integrity."
One analyst says the timing of the editorial won't help Republicans.
RON BROWNSTEN, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: It underscores the gap between the way many Americans feel about the direction in Iraq and of course the administration's offering. And I think it becomes more of a problem for Republican candidates.
QUIJANO (on camera): Still, not surprisingly, the president and his aides are conveying optimism hoping their efforts to energize the Republican base will be enough to carry GOP candidates over the finish line on Tuesday. Elaine Quijano, CNN, traveling with the president in Greeley, Colorado.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And in a few minutes. we'll take a closer look at some of the midterm trends in individual races. Our guest will be Amy Walter of the "Cook Political Report". Well, turning to the scandal rocking one evangelical church, the man accusing Pastor Ted Haggard of drug use and gay sex, is talking about his motivations for coming forward. Our Sean Callebs is in Colorado Springs with more.
What's the explanation?
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT, CNN NEWSROOM: Well, Fredricka, what we're hearing from the accuser is the timing of his statement was well planned. He wanted to do it just before the midterm election, so he could do what he could, in his words, to try and show the hypocrisy of many members of the religious right.
Now we are on the sprawling campus of Ted Haggard's 14,000- member New Life Church, here in Colorado Springs. And to say the allegations and the fact that the minister has admitted to some indiscretions has sent shock waves through this area.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CALLEBS (voice over): A man of God, the Reverend Ted Haggard admits to succumbing to temptation. He admits buying crystal meth through Mike Jones, a one-time Denver prostitute. Jones recorded calls between he and Haggard.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi, Mike. This is Art. Hey, I was just calling to see --
CALLEBS: Haggard says he never used the drugs, insisting he threw them away. Jones also alleges he and Haggard had a three-year sexual relationship, but he failed a lie detector test on the subject.
MIKE JONES, MALE ESCORT: I don't understand why I did fail the part about, when they asked me if I've had sex with Ted Haggard, because that's the reason he contacted me.
CALLEBS: Haggard denies a sexual relationship. The evangelical minister says he did contact Jones for a massage, after a Denver concierges recommended Jones as a masseuse.
This much is true. The allegations forced Haggard to step down as head of the 14,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs. And he resigned as president of the politically powerful National Association of Evangelicals, which boasts 30 million members.
REV. TED HAGGARD, FMR. PASTOR, NEW LIFE CHURCH: Both of those roles are based on trust. Right now my trust is -- is -- questionable.
CALLEBS: Haggard's accuser says this is case of hypocrisy from an influential leader of the religious right.
JONES: You know, look at the position he's in. What I think is unfortunate is the more denial that he gives, the messier it looks. I think what would be best is if he would just admit it, and move on.
CALLEBS: Haggard was at the top of his profession, one of a handful of ministers taking part in a weekly conference call with President Bush, or top White House officials. Jones chose the timing just before Tuesday's midterm election to show what he calls the hypocrisy of Haggard, and others, in the religious right.
The issue of gay marriage is on the ballot in Colorado and several other states. Haggard and evangelicals are fighting gay marriage tooth and nail.
It's been a series of stunning developments for many in the New Life Church. Associate Pastor Rob Brendle says Haggard has been a mentor to him for the past 10 years.
REV. ROB BRENDLE, ASSOC. PASTOR, NEW LIFE CHURCH: We know all of us, except for the grace of God, are one step away from that darkness temporarily defining our lives, as well. So, it doesn't surprise me to see this.
CALLEBS: Brendle says he expects to play a videotaped message from Haggard at church services Sunday. Meanwhile an oversight committee has launched an investigation which could very well determine Haggard's future.
(On camera): Do you think he will ever preach from this pulpit again?
BRENDLE: I don't have any way of knowing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CALLEBS: We've learned a little bit about the oversight committee that has been meeting since Thursday, pouring looking over whatever information they can get their hands on. We expect to have some kind of announcement from the four-minister members of that commission, later on this evening. And the members are not affiliated with this church in any way.
We don't know if it will be a press release or some kind of comment on camera but it could very well provide some significant insight into where their investigation is going and what could possibly happen to Haggard in terms of punishment.
WHITFIELD: All right.
CALLEBS: Fredricka -- sorry about that.
WHITFIELD: Well -- sorry about that, Sean. But let's talk about that potential punishment. We know that he is in trouble with the church, with the organization, but what about with the law?
CALLEBS: You're right. There are now legal concerns as well. We spoke with the Denver district attorney's office. They said they are monitoring what's going on. They are not investigating, at all, at this point.
Now the Denver police, they are "looking into this." They want to talk to the parties involved to find out what they can. They said they want to determine if any crimes have taken place because Haggard has admitted to buying crystal meth in Denver.
WHITFIELD: All right, Sean Callebs, thank you for bringing us up to date from Colorado Springs.
Well, it's been a long and sometimes colorful election campaign. And our John King has seen it all.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELVIS IMPERSONATOR: I'll be voting for you, baby.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.
ELVIS IMPERSONATOR: The king is behind you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: And our "Reporter's Notebook" is coming up next.
(POLITICAL AD)
HILLARY RODHAM-CLINTON, (D-NY): I'm Hillary Clinton. And I'm delighted to have approve this message.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I approve this message, even though I know it may not be what you want to hear.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I approve this message --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: A new trend in political advertising -- the creative approval.
And nervous moments as Iraq awaits tomorrow's expected verdict in the trial of Saddam Hussein.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Voters just could change the makeup of Congress in just three days. Our John King takes a look at a number of key races in his reporter's Notebook".
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN NEWSROOM (voice over): The changing colors in Kentucky horse country are one sign election day is drawing near. Campaigns flooding the mail is another. In a state like this, Christian conservatives have a big say in who wins.
Though, Sonny Brausch says it's hard to get too excited this year.
SONNY BRAUSCH, LATONIA, KENTUCKY: The political commercials, or the political ads that we see on television, they're more of a nuisance than they are anything else. If you could prosecute some people for lying, half of our politicians would be in jail.
KING: There are soccer moms and soccer granddads, in this case a former congressman looking to return to Washington. Democrat Ken Lucas retired after three terms, but is now looking to unseat a Republican incumbent.
And if he can win here in conservative northern Kentucky, it's a pretty good bet Democrats will be the majority party, which means Nancy Pelosi would be speaker and Lucas would have a lot of explaining to do when he comes back home for soccer games.
KEN LUCAS, (D) CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: She and I don't agree on a lot of things. I'm pro-life. She's pro-choice. I'm pro-guns. She's not. You know, I'm against gay marriage. So we have a lot of differences.
KING: On to Tennessee, where rural communities, like Troy, could decide a close Senate race, could tip the balance of power in Washington. Star power helps in politics. Democrat Harold Ford counts for Ashley Judd in his column. Not to be outdone, Bob Corker hits the Tennessee Titans game. Elvis, it turns out, is a Republican. Well, this Elvis impersonator, anyway.
ELVIS IMPERSONATOR: I'll be voting for you, baby.
REP. BOB CORKER, (R-TN), CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: Thank you.
ELVIS IMPERSONATOR: The King is behind you.
CORKER: Thank you.
KING: John Kerry won't be coming to Pennsylvania, which is why we did visit, to see how Senate candidate Bob Casey handles the heat of the late campaign drama.
BOB CASEY, (D-PA) SENATORIAL CANDIDATE: Senator Kerry spoke to that already.
KING: There are at least three Republican House seats at risk here, too. Pennsylvania will have a big say in how much change is coming to Washington. New England is spectacular this time of year unless you're a moderate Republican like Connecticut Congressman Chris Shays.
REP. CHRIS SHAYS, (R-CT), CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: You know what? I am going to not take it personally, and realize that I've been fired, or at least my contract hasn't been renewed. And, you know, I'll look to do something else. But I feel like I'm at the prime of my experience and knowledge, 19 years of really hard work.
KING: Up the road a bit is Rhode Island, where the name Chafee is political gold but maybe not valuable enough this year to help Republican Senator Lincoln Chafee ward off anger at the Iraq war in an overwhelmingly Democratic state.
LINCOLN CHAFEE, (R-RI) SENATORIAL CANDIDATE: Any election year is hard in Rhode Island for Republicans. It's always a tough race, but then to have this national agenda 2006 midterm anger on top of it makes it doubly, triply hard.
KING: So different from where we started in Kentucky, five states, and five days ago, yet equally beautiful as the fall inches toward winter and election day. John King, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And yet another potential factor in the race on Tuesday, or races -- is the sex scandal surrounding evangelical Pastor Ted Haggard, who had the ear of President Bush, impacting voters. One of the many questions for political analyst Amy Walter, next in the NEWSROOM, poised and ready to go.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Talk about my life, to salute my freedom flag.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Plus, a poignant look at an immigrant, who is in an emotional fight to show his love for America in his own way. You won't want to miss this one.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Well three days until America votes. So many congressional races just too close to call. Why? What's influencing your vote? To help explore that, among other things, political analyst Amy Walter, senior editor for the "Cook Political Report".
Good to see you, Amy.
AMY WALTER, POLITICAL ANALYST, "COOK POLITICAL REPORT": Good to see you, Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: So, in those races where Republican incumbents are in the fights of their lives, Missouri, Rhode Island, Montana, are there common reasons why?
WALTER: Well, it's interesting. I would say that for Rhode Island and Missouri you have a common theme, and that is this political environment. Look, it is just dragging on every single Republican. There are many who are simply collateral damage in what is one of the worst political environments that many of these Republicans have ever seen.
And so you saw, in John King's piece, Lincoln Chafee talking about just how hard it is for him to sort of break away from his image, you know, or create his own image separate from the party, the same with Senator Talent, down in Missouri.
In Montana, the difference here is that it's really, instead of a proxy between the two parties and a referendum on the parties, in this case it's a referendum on the incumbent, Conrad Burns, who has been marked by scandal, more specifically with relationship with lobbyist Jack Abramoff. So that's what that race has really been focused on, as opposed to what the other two have really been driven by, which is the national mood.
WHITFIELD: And Burns in a super, super tight race with Democrat John Tester although some recent polls are showing that while history has even marked that he's good at coming from behind, it just may be that Burns is a couple points ahead, according to some recent polls.
WALTER: Yes, that's where you have to be very careful in writing anybody off. Especially an incumbent, and especially in a state like Montana. And, you know, Senator Burns has been there for quite some time. He has sort of a profile and a perspective and I think we have to be careful, yes.
WHITFIELD: Also volatile, so many of these races for the Democrats in particular this past week, how much was the John Kerry gaffe a factor? How potentially damaging for the party?
WALTER: I think anytime that the spotlight gets shifted off the areas that are best for Democrats, namely the dysfunction of in Congress, or the infighting among Republicans, or what's happening in Iraq, that makes it harder for Democrats, right? Because it takes it off of their strongest -- the strongest suit for them, and where they would like the spotlight to continue to sit.
At the same time, I just don't know how much that gaffe really made a difference here. I think maybe on the periphery, maybe in a couple races here and there, but I don't know if it's really that important. Again, what we saw was that the spotlight then tended to shift right back, back to the president, back to Iraq, back to this idea about this being a referendum.
And fundamentally I just think that in this sort of election we're not used to seeing one of these, quite frankly. We haven't had one of them in a long time, where instead of the race being just so tight where you're looking at sort of this balancing here, and anything could tip it to one side or the other. The momentum really right now is with the Democrats, so it is going to take a lot more than just a little nudge to shift the momentum over to the Republicans.
WHITFIELD: ALL right. Then perhaps the same can be said, the flip side to that scenario for the Republicans, the Ted Haggard, one who has had the ear of President Bush for so long, how potentially damaging for that party given his indiscretion?
WALTER: Well, that's -- you know, here is what we've been hearing so much about in this election, is this idea about enthusiasm, which side is more energetic, which side is more focused on getting out to vote?
The concern among Republicans has been that their voters really disappointed, dispirited, may not turn out. Does this impact it? Maybe a little bit. Again, on the fringes. But I still think that the fundamental outlines of this campaign have not changed for a long time. And that is the referendum, really on the president, on Iraq, on the party in power.
WHITFIELD: All right. And again, I'm asking you to look into the crystal ball. It hasn't happened yet. But tomorrow, with the reading of the verdict of Saddam Hussein, it is Iraq. That's part of the equation here.
WALTER: Right.
WHITFIELD: How influential might this verdict be? Are voters thinking about Saddam Hussein as they go to the polls on Tuesday?
WALTER: Well, you know, it certainly does bring the focus back to those areas that Republicans would like to bring it back to, namely terrorism and security. So I think that's probably somewhat helpful going up into the election for Republicans to be able to talk about those issues.
At the same time I just wonder, you know, how voters will really see this. Will it really impact their vote, or have they already pretty much determined what they would like this election to be about?
WHITFIELD: We will find out over the next couple of days.
WALTER: We will.
WHITFIELD: Amy Walter, of the "Cook Political Report". Thanks so much.
WALTER: Thanks, Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And we are getting ready for these elections. Are you? One place here at CNN, which will be a buzz of activity right here, our graphics department. They are fine-tuning the equipment to make sure you know exactly what's going on -- and quickly -- come election day. This is the only place you want to be on Tuesday, election night from 7:00 p.m. to midnight Eastern; Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, Paula Zahn, Lou Dobbs, lead our coverage as your vote is being counted.
But it doesn't end there. It's just beginning for "Larry King Live" from Los Angeles. For more special election night coverage he'll be live with some of the winners and the losers. And then Rick Sanchez and I will be here along with the expert analysis as well, throughout the evening.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: And I'm meteorologist Jacqui Jeras from the CNN Weather Center. Research shows that weather affects voter turnout. Find out what the forecast is in your hometown for election day, that is coming up in the next half hour.
WHITFIELD: Also, caffeine and your kids. Does sound like a dangerous equation, doesn't it? New concerns about all those energy drinks flooding the market. That's today's topic for Dr. Bill Lloyd.
And in just a few hours, Baghdad goes under lockdown for the expected verdict in the trial of Saddam Hussein. A man who testified against Hussein, next in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: And here are the latest developments from Iraq. A strict curfew begins a few hours from now in Baghdad and two troubled Iraqi provinces as the country prepares for a verdict in Saddam Hussein's first war crimes trial. More in a moment on a possible delay for that verdict.
Meanwhile, violence across the country intensifies. In Basra, reports that four Russian nationals were reportedly hurt when a coalition military base was nearly hit by mortar fire. And 52 suspected militants were killed in a gun battle with police in a Baghdad suburb.
The kidnappers of a U.S. soldier demand a quarter of a million dollars for his release. The family of the 41 year-old soldier from Michigan says they've been contacted by someone who claims to know his whereabouts. He was abducted 12 days ago during an unapproved trip outside Baghdad's Green Zone.
Saddam Hussein's lawyers want tomorrow's scheduled verdict and sentencing of their client to be delayed for at least 60 days. Hussein's attorneys have long complained of the trial's timing coinciding with the U.S. election and say the proceeding has been thoroughly politicized. This trial is the first of a possible dozen Hussein may face.
CNN's Aneesh Raman reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With a future in doubt, Iraq's bloody past is coming back into focus.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good bye, Saddam.
RAMAN: Saddam Hussein, the toppled dictator, the president turned prisoner, the defendant on trial for crimes against humanity, now faces judgment and, potentially, the death penalty. It's been just over a year since this, the first of perhaps 12 trials against Saddam, was called to order.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: MALE: (SPEAKING IN ARABIC)
RAMAN: This one for the execution of at least 148 men and boys, for mass torture, for the deportation and imprisonment of thousands after a failed assassination attempt on Saddam back in July, 1982.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN ARABIC)
RAMAN: It's a trial that's seen a change of the chief judge, the killing of three defense lawyers, a string of boycotts by Saddam and his seven co-defendants, walkouts by their lawyers, multiple breaks and multiple reasons for legal doubt.
MALCOLM SMART, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: Everybody has been watching their trial. And this is a landmark case. This was the opportunity to turn the page, and it's an opportunity that really has -- an opportunity that's been missed.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN ARABIC)
RAMAN: It was also meant to be an opportunity to move on. The first witness in court stood as the first Iraqi victim to publicly confront the former tyrant, detailing gruesome stories of torture. There were documents bearing Saddam's signature, evidence, prosecutors claim, proving command responsibility and prompting a dramatic statement from Saddam himself.
SADDAM HUSSEIN, FORMER PRESIDENT IF IRAQ: (SPEAKING IN ARABIC)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Saddam Hussein is telling you that he is responsible.
RAMAN: Saddam's been combative from the start, fueling chaos in the court, challenging the legitimacy of the process and claiming abuse by his captors. It's never been lost on the defendants that this trial is being watched by a country divided in war. And defense lawyers are warning of the consequences.
ZAYID KHALEEL ANNAJAWI, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: If this tribunal ends by death penalty of the president and his comrades, believe me, the doors of hell will be open in Iraq and the neighbors of -- neighbors of Iraq.
RAMAN: That is the fear. And that is the reason a mandatory curfew is being enforced in parts of the country, with some Iraqis seeing a brutal past now eclipsed by a violent present.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN ARABIC)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (translating): What has Saddam done? Those that came after them, what did they do? Murder people in explosions and no security. At least under Saddam there was security. You could go out. I used to take my family out at midnight.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN ARABIC)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (translating): We want to be rid of something called Saddam Hussein in all of Iraq. We need to get rid of him, out of Iraq, and nothing called Saddam Hussein left anymore.
RAMAN (on camera): Even if Saddam Hussein is sentenced to death, when that would be carried out is anyone's guess. There's an automatic appeals process and no time limit for how long that could take.
Aneesh Raman, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE) WHITFIELD: And of course we'll bring you full coverage of the Saddam Hussein trial verdict and reaction right here on CNN, the most trusted name in news.
Well, they are some of the nation's most sensitive secrets, and the CIA wants to keep them that way. The Bush administration is fighting to keep a terror suspect from revealing the agency's interrogation methods to his civilian attorney. Terror suspect Majeed Khan (ph) spent years in CIA custody.
Under a law passed last month, he and 13 other detainees are to be tried before special military commissions in Guantanamo Bay and may not have access to civilian courts.
A Vietnamese immigrant has an all-American display in front of his Atlanta business. He says it's his way of showing patriotism for his adopted country, but the local zoning board says it has to go.
Cynne Simpson with our affiliate WGCL introduces us to Tony Bui.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CYNNE SIMPSON, WGCL CORRESPONDENT: Tony Bui can't stop the tears when talking about the land of the free. And it's that heartfelt emotion that prompted him to create this, a tribute to the country he's so proud to call home.
TONY BUI, VIETNAMESE IMMIGRANT: The country has been given to me the opportunity for me to be here today and for me to have a better life today.
SIMPSON: A private practicing accountant with an MBA from George Washington University, Bui has realized the American dream. But he hasn't forgotten the gut-wrenching trip from Vietnam at just 8 years old aboard a fishing boat. More than half of the passengers died.
For Bui, this is a way of saying thanks for making it to the U.S., for the chance to make a difference.
BUI: And I volunteered to do it on my own cost, on my own money. This is -- I repay the opportunity, which is what I have today, versus 30 years ago.
SIMPSON: In front of his Buford Highway business, Lady Liberty stands 15 feet tall, near her a bald eagle, a 19th century bell, Lady of Justice, and a memorial for fallen soldiers. It's a display that's cost Tony Bui more than money. It's cost him his family.
BUI: I sacrificed my life to salute my freedom flag.
SIMPSON: Bui's family is furious that he's invested his life savings and his daughter's college fund in this project. He's even borrowed against his home and his business. What's more, neighboring businesses in the county are against the display. Bui now has less than 30 days to tear it down.
BUI: I take the flag down in my own hand if the people tell me not to do so.
SIMPSON: But Bui says it's not "We, the people" who have a problem with the display. He believes the county's position contradicts the freedoms he's trying to celebrate. So he promises to fight until victory is won.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And that was Cynne Simpson with CNN affiliate WGCL here in Atlanta reporting.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm Kirsten Jellabrad (ph) and I approve this message because Mrs. Handleman was the best teacher I ever had.
ANGIE PACCIONE, CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE, (D-CO): I'm Angie Paccione and I approve this message because if Marilyn keeps lying about my record, I'll keep telling the truth about hers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Look familiar in your district, perhaps? You're witnessing the evolution of the political ad, and only Jeanne Moos can explain it.
Plus, you might want to reconsider putting one of these in your child's lunchbox. The caffeine craze, next with Dr. Bill Lloyd. There he is. Hey, Dr. Bill.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: So how many caffeinated drinks do you have a day? And how about your kids, is the extra kick healthy for them? Dr. Bill Lloyd joins us live from Sacramento, California.
And, Dr. Bill, what are these drinks doing to our young people?
DR. BILL LLOYD, UNIV. OF CALIF.-DAVIS MED. CTR.: Well, Fredricka, at the CNN Center right now, I'm sure they're mixing very large vats of brewed coffee getting ready for election day. Kids want to imitate adults. Adults go out and get a coffee at Starbucks. They want a lift as well. But you know, they don't want to imitate their parents and do what parents do, so they want to try an alternative route.
And beverage makers know now that they can take a sweet beverage, like a soda pop or a juice, load it with caffeine and other ingredients and provide them with day-long stimulation, the combination of all that sugar and lots and lots of caffeine.
WHITFIELD: But this can't be beneficial. What is it doing to, you know, a lot of kids who are already pretty high strung? I mean, they don't need any more help from a caffeinated drink or other ingredients, do they? LLOYD: Well, that's true and these products found their popularity on college campuses, where a lot of students were pulling all-nighters.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
LLOYD: If you're taking a lot of caffeine throughout the day, you're going to have problems with restlessness, because you're going to have this surge of stimulation followed by a crash. We know that caffeine raises your blood pressure. If you're susceptible to heart problems, or maybe you don't know you have a heart problem, that could provoke a medical situation, as well. Lots of irritability when you take too much caffeine. Look around that news room, Fredricka. All the caffeine and sugar mixed in these energy drinks also pose a problem for -- dental problems. And of course, we don't need to hear anything else about teen obesity in this country. Just simply drinking one energy drink a day increases the risk of teen obesity by 60 percent.
WHITFIELD: Wow. By 60 percent? That number is huge. So you talk about caffeine. You talk about sugar. Those aren't the only stimulants in a lot of these drinks, are they?
LLOYD: Oh, you're right. There's a lot of mystery involved in these energy drinks. You look through all the different herbal ingredients, and one good example is guarana, which is present in products like Red Bull and Rock Star and Full Throttle. And guarana actually has the chemical caffeine in it, but it escapes the tabulation in the label. So although you may be consuming 130 or 150 milligrams of caffeine, it may be much more than that if you are able to calculate how much caffeine was in the gaurana. But we don't know.
WHITFIELD: So I think you've convinced us young people need to be getting off these kinds of drinks. They just don't need them.
LLOYD: Keep it to hot cocoa just once in a while.
WHITFIELD: And I like that hot cocoa, even for us big people.
All right, Dr. Bill Lloyd, thanks so much.
LLOYD: We'll talk again soon.
WHITFIELD: Have a good weekend.
Carol Lin is here with a preview of what's ahead in the NEWSROOM.
I like hot cocoa. Do you like hot cocoa?
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Yes. And I guess I like people in the hot seat because it makes for some interesting stories we're going to be covering in the next hour.
WHITFIELD: Especially this political season.
LIN: Especially. And you heard about the "Army Times" editorial that's going to be running on Monday calling for the resignation of Donald Rumsfeld. Well, that article is getting a lot of reaction. We've just heard more of the White House. We have an official Pentagon reaction. And I'm going to be speaking with the managing editor of that series of newspapers, the "Military Times", to talk about this editorial and what it means and how they're planning on responding beyond the editorial.
WHITFIELD: Great. And the risk that that sort of publication would take to publicize this or print this opinion page.
LIN: Right. It is the second time they've called for Donald Rumsfeld's resignation. But I think the way the story is being framed and the number of newspapers...
WHITFIELD: Leading up to...
LIN: Yes, leading up to the elections, absolutely so. Lots to talk about with the managing editor coming up in the next hour.
WHITFIELD: All right. We'll be watching. Thanks so much, Carol.
Well, if you have watched any T.V. at all this fall, chances are you've seen a political ad or two. So have you noticed the newest trends? Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NED LAMONT, SENATE CANDIDATE (D-CT): I'm Ned Lamont and I approve this message.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: The approval process next in the NEWSROOM.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: And I'm Jacqui Jeras in the CNN Weather Center. Some of you will need the umbrella on election day. Find out where the wet weather will be come Tuesday. That's coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Checking the most popular stories on our website now, Denver police say they're watching the situation unfold in the Ted Haggard scandal to see if any laws were broken. The evangelist admits buying illegal drugs from a male prostitute but denies using them or having sex with the prostitute.
Doctors say Anna Nicole Smith is getting better. The former Playboy playmate had fluid drained from a partially collapsed lung yesterday. She's recovering from pneumonia in a Bahamas hospital.
And T.V.'s Doogie Howser comes out with pride. Actor Neal Patrick Harris says he's gay and very content. The 33 year-old currently stars in the CBS comedy "How I Met Your Mother".
To read more, log on to CNN.com and click on to the "Most Popular" tab.
(WEATHER REPORT)
WHITFIELD: And the barrage of campaign ads, well, they, too, are flooding the airwaves. All share one common thread: the candidates' stamp of approval. You've seen that.
CNN's Jeanne Moos has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You're now in...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Twilight Zone.
MOOS: The zone right before an election, when it's impossible to tune out all the campaign ads. They scare us.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Homosexuals are mocking holy matrimony.
MOOS: They apologize to us.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Should you forgive me?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And for that, I am sorry.
MOOS: They try to amuse us, for instance, with a shrub representing President Bush.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So what's our exit strategy from Iraq?
MOOS: And even if we don't approve, they do.
JON TESTER, SENATE CANDIDATE (D-MT): I'm Jon Tester and I approve this message.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I approve this message.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I approve this message.
MOOS: But these days candidates are trying to improve on how they approve.
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON, (D) NEW YORK: I'm Hillary Clinton and I'm delighted to approve this message.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I approve this message, even though I know it may not be what you want to hear.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I approve this message because I won't let them make me someone I'm not.
MOOS: Back in 2004 when candidates were first required to state that they approved the content of their ads, campaigns tended to think it was a waste of a precious five seconds. Now they're trying to make their approvals more interesting.
KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND, CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE (D-NY): I'm Kirsten Gillibrand and I approve this message because Mrs. Handleman (ph) was the best teacher I ever had.
MOOS: Sometimes their approval reeks with disapproval of their opponent.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I approve this message, because Brad Miller's out of touch and soon he'll be out of Congress.
ANGIE PACCIONE, CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE (D-CO): I'm Angie Paccione and I approve this message, because if Marilyn keeps lying about my record, I'll keep telling the truth about hers.
MOSS: Sometimes one approver just isn't enough.
LAMONT: I'm Ned Lamont and I approve this message.
CROWD: So do we.
SEN. TOM KEAN, (R) NEW JERSEY: I'm Tom Kean, Jr. and I approve this message.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And I approve this message.
MOOS: Guess he hasn't heard that children should be seen but not heard.
CHRIS CARNEY, CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE (D-PA): I'm Chris Carney and I approve this message because I want to make Pennsylvania proud.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I approve this message to defend our border.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I approve of this message and of traditional American values.
MOOS: Leave it to beaver, not to politicians.
TESTER: I'm Jon Tester and I approve this message. I approve the haircut, too.
MOOS (on camera): I'm Jeanne Moos and I approve this story because somebody had to.
(voice-over): Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Carol Lin takes over at the top of the hour with more of the NEWSROOM. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is under fire by the "Army Times". She'll talk live to the paper's managing editor.
Then at 6:00 Eastern, it's "LOU DOBBS: THIS WEEK" with issues that could affect how you vote on Tuesday.
I'm Fredricka Whitfield. See you tomorrow.
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