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Where It Stands; Missouri's Hot Race; Connecticut Senate Race; Haggard's Admission; Top Tips; Moderates In Danger?
Aired November 06, 2006 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good Monday morning, everybody. I'm Heidi Collins.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Tony Harris. Spend a second hour in the NEWSROOM this morning and stay informed. Here's what's on the rundown.
The last minute scramble for votes. Election Day determines who controls Congress. We will talk live with veteran strategists from both parties.
COLLINS: And judging the judges. Voters in several states could limit the power of the bench, even send a judge to jail.
HARRIS: And fire at a Florida theme park. The reptiles have a big tale to tell this Monday, November the 6th. You are in the NEWSROOM.
COLLINS: America votes, now just one day away. This hour we focus on key Senate races from the show me state of Missouri, to the centennial state -- that would be Connecticut. Plus, a look at the final polls before the only poll that really counts.
HARRIS: Plenty of tight races, so where do things stand the day before Election Day? One last chance for analysis before voters have their say. CNN's Bill Schneider looks at the poll of polls.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): Here's what happens when you ask people across the country how they intend to vote for Congress. Five polls, all taken in the last week, all show Democrats ahead by an average of 12 points. But there's considerable variation in the size of the Democratic lead.
The CNN poll, conducted by the Opinion Research Corporation, shows Democrats leading by 20 points among likely voters nationwide. ABC News and "The Washington Post" and the Pew Research Center show a narrower Democratic lead.
Why the differences? Each poll has its own formula for defining who's likely to vote. There is no single national race, of course. There are individual races in 435 congressional districts. Democrats need a net gain of 15 seats to win a majority in the House of Representatives. What are the experts projecting? AMY WALTER, CNN POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR: Right now, for the House, I have the floor right now for Democratic gain somewhere in the 20 to 25 seat range. I think it could go up, 30, 35.
SCHNEIDER: Meaning Democrats take over the House.
Do other non-partisan analysts agree? They do. In every case, Democrats take over the House. And Nancy Pelosi becomes the new speaker.
What about the Senate?
WALTER: I think four or are five seats is a very reasonable prediction. Six seats, of course, is the majority. That could still happen. But right now we're probably looking at the lower end.
SCHNEIDER: Seven Senate seats currently held by Republicans could go Democratic. The most recent polls show the Republican candidate ahead in only one of them -- Tennessee. The Democrat is leading in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
In the other four Republican seats -- Missouri, Montana, Rhode Island and Virginia -- the race is very close. To take over the Senate, Democrats would have to carry all four toss-up states, plus Ohio and Pennsylvania, and not lose either of two Democratic Senate seats that may be vulnerable, New Jersey and Maryland. Right now, Democrats are leading in both.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: And our senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, joins us from New York.
Bill, good to see you. Bill, you are in New York, correct?
SCHNEIDER: I am in New York, Tony.
HARRIS: All right. Beautiful. Beautiful.
What is the likely impact, if we can determine this, of the Saddam Hussein verdict on some key races across the country?
SCHNEIDER: Well, we did actually test that in our polls. We separated voters who were interviewed on Friday and Saturday and we asked them, do you think that it was worth going to war in Iraq? Only 38 percent said yes.
Now what about voters interviewed on Sunday after the Saddam Hussein verdict and sentence were announced? Among those on Sunday, 36 percent said yes it was worth going to war in Iraq. So we're not seeing any significant change, any significant impact of the Saddam Hussein verdict.
HARRIS: OK. Bill, we've got a busy hour ahead for us here. We're going to ask you to stick around because we're going to want your thoughts, your analysis on some other key races around the country.
Thanks, Bill.
COLLINS: One of the hottest showdowns in the show me state of Missouri. It's a battle that may be won by loyal foot soldiers who have canvassed the state. CNN's Jonathan Freed explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. We're got a lot of increasings that we're working on today.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And we'd appreciate your supporting Jim Talent.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And this script is to help promote the whole Democratic team.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): The Missouri Senate race couldn't be closer. And in the closing days of a close election, the campaign volunteer becomes a powerful player. Jim Talent supporters know keeping the Republican in Washington could also determine if the GOP keeps control of Congress.
All of the experts are saying that when a race is as close as this one is, it comes down to turnout, who actually comes out and votes, which is what you guys are doing had today, trying to get out the vote. Do you feel a sense of responsibility because of that?
EMILY LORINO, TALENT VOLUNTEER: I think so. Definitely. I mean it's our responsibility as volunteers and interns and like people of Missouri to go around and make sure the voters are getting out.
FREED: Democratic Claire McCaskill's troops say they're motivated by a desire for change.
Well, this is not easy work. It can be long. It can be cold.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, obviously, we want Claire McCaskill to win. And there are so many issues where the Democrats are stronger than the Republicans right now and the Iraq War, I haven't done -- I haven't appreciated anything the Republican Congress has done involving Iraq.
FREED: There is passion on both sides. And Talent's people are eager to prove voters will come out and show support for the GOP.
LORINO: Although the polls are saying we're in a dead heat, I'm feeling a strong push for Senator Talent and I'm hopeful for Tuesday.
FREED: Are you guys feeling like you're going to put her over the top? The campaign will succeed?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm feeling really good about it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think there's a really good chance that Claire will win Missouri and I think we're part of that.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Jonathan Freed joining us now live.
And, Jonathan, with this issue of amendment two, called the stem cell initiative, there's been a lot of talk about this and whether or not it really refers to stem cell research or whether it's cloning. What impact is voter turnout going to have here on this issue in this state?
FREED: Well, no matter how you look at it, the whole idea of encouraging stem cell research is controversial in and of itself, Heidi. And if people on the ground here are saying that it's going to galvanize people on both sides. What isn't clear, though, in what is already a tight race, where turnout is going to be everything people here are saying, it's not clear how that is actually going to trickle down and affect the final vote.
Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. We'll continue to watch that. Want to go ahead and bring in Bill Schneider to get some comment on this race in Missouri.
Bill, your thoughts here?
SCHNEIDER: Well, I think most estimates are that the stem cell issue is likely to bring out a crucial number of voters. Remember the Michael J. Fox interview and the advertisement he made who support embryonic stem cell research. I'd say after the war -- I've been all over the country -- that issue comes up most often. And it's believed to be helpful to Democrats. It's not certain at this point. But a lot of people think it will bring out voters who want to make a statement in support of embryonic stem cell research.
COLLINS: Stem cell research already legal in the state of Missouri, however, right?
SCHNEIDER: Embryonic stem cell research, I don't know. I don't know. I'm sorry.
COLLINS: Yes, all right. Well, we'll check on that, Bill, definitely. Appreciate your time here.
Thank you, Bill.
SCHNEIDER: You bet.
HARRIS: Connecticut (INAUDIBLE) Joe Lieberman looking to return to Washington as an independent. His Democratic opponent hoping opposition to the war will be his key to victory. CNN's Dan Lothian reports. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): At a Connecticut supermarket, Senator Joe Lieberman supporters pitching shoppers on one more item.
DANIELLE SELBER, LIEBERMAN SUPPORTER: We've been meeting the voters, telling them, you know, why we're sticking with Joe, why they should stick with Joe.
LOTHIAN: A few miles away, volunteers with challenger Ned Lamont's campaign make signs and phone calls.
BRENDAN MAHONEY, LAMONT SUPPORTER: We're trying to get in contact with as many voters as possible and we're getting our volunteer base all set.
LOTHIAN: Lieberman, a three term Democratic senator, is running as an independent after a surprising defeat by Lamont in the Democratic primary in August. The war in Iraq has been the central focus in this campaign. Lamont, who joined in a Veterans Day parade, said the choice is clear.
NED LAMONT, (D) CONNECTICUT SENATE CANDIDATE: A vote for Joe Lieberman is a vote for no change, stay the course in Iraq, more war. A vote for us is a vote for change, start bringing our troops home.
LOTHIAN: But Lieberman, who was also honoring veterans, portrayed his challenger as a one-issue candidate, with a narrow, negative agenda.
SEN. JOE LIEBERMAN, (I) CONNECTICUT: Washington needs to be fixed, but the way to fix it is to break the partisan gridlock and that's what I'm going to do.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Bill Schneider, how is it that Ned Lamont wins the primary and finds himself trailing a day before the general election?
SCHNEIDER: Because very few voters participated in that early August primary in Connecticut. It was a very low turnout. Only intensely motivated voters came out. This is a general election. And Joe Lieberman is benefiting from a lot of Republican votes. Republicans are voting for Lieberman, all the polls show, not for their own nominee, who's barely known.
HARRIS: And the reality is, however this turns out it remains a Democratic seat?
SCHNEIDER: Well, if Lieberman is elected, he is officially an independent candidate. Lamont is the Democrat. Lieberman has said he will caucus with the Democrats. But if the Senate turns out to be tied and Lieberman casts the deciding vote, I think there will be a couple of days of a lot of play among Republicans to try to get Lieberman to vote with them. He said he won't do it and I wouldn't expect him to, but it could be interesting for a couple of days.
HARRIS: And you'll be watching it for us.
SCHNEIDER: Of course.
HARRIS: OK. Our senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, for us.
Be sure to join us at noon today for an hour long special of coverage one day before the big vote. We'll be joined by Don Lemon and Fredricka Whitfield right here in the NEWSROOM.
And CNN Primetime tomorrow night beginning at 7:00 Eastern. Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, Paula Zahn, Lou Dobbs lead the best political team on television as your votes are counted. The races, the results, the ramifications. Never forget the ramifications. And CNN's election night coverage continues with a special edition of "Larry King Live" at midnight from Los Angeles. Hear from winners and losers from across the country, plus expert analysis from the best political team on television.
COLLINS: Fire at Gatorland. Flames and smoke rise high above a Florida tourist attraction. We'll have the very latest coming up right here on the NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: A dark past. Now questions about the future. A close are look at the personal and political implications of one preacher.
COLLINS: And children injured in school bus accidents. It happens more often than you might think and in ways you wouldn't expect. Now new research to tell you all about today here in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Firefighters get a handle on a blaze at an Orlando area theme park this morning. The fire broke out before dawn at Gatorland. Crews are now putting out hot spots and trying to determine the cause. The blaze was at a building in the front of the park. Fire officials say the alligators, exotic reptiles and birds were not in direct danger. The park is closed for the day.
A grim search at a Reno, Nevada, hotel. Two more bodies have been pulled from the Mizpah Hotel, a city landmark, bringing the death toll to 11. At least 30 people were injured, three critically. The fire, Reno's deadliest ever, broke out last week. A fire department spokesman says there could be more bodies in the debris. A 47-year- old woman is being held as an arson suspect.
A frightening scene, students tossed around and injured on a school bus. Yes, look at this. A new national study shows just how dangerous a bus ride can be. School bus accidents send 17,000 children to emergency rooms each year. Sharp turns, sudden stops, roughhousing. They can all lead to injuries. Previous studies focused only on crashes. Still, researchers say, the injuries represent only a small fraction of the 23 « million children nationwide who travel on school buses each year.
COLLINS: Keeping watch on the streets after the Saddam Hussein verdict. The death sentence being celebrated in predominantly Shiite parts of Iraq. The Iraqi interior ministry closed two Sunni TV stations in Tikrit, Hussein's hometown. Hussein faces death by hanging for crimes against humanity. The former Iraqi leader reacted with defiance to the verdict.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SADDAM HUSSEIN, FORMER IRAQI PRESIDENT, (through translator): Long live the people. Down with the traitors.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Baghdad and other parts of Iraq are under a curfew, which I think has actually been lifted as we heard recently from our live reporter in Baghdad. That was supposed to be in place until Tuesday.
HARRIS: Gerri Willis now with tips to help you sort through the maze of issues, candidates on your ballot tomorrow.
Gerri, good morning.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Tony, good to see you.
Election Day is tomorrow. Which special interest is your candidate beholden to and what party is getting your neighbor's campaign dollars? The web can answer your question. We're talking Election Day websites next on "Top Tips."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: He calls himself a deceiver, a liar, a man guilty of sexual immorality. The reverend Ted Haggard, a minister without a church this morning. CNN's Sean Callebs is joining us now from Colorado Springs with more on what happened.
And, boy, an awful lot happened over the weekend in this story, Sean.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Heidi.
It has been an emotional weekend for the congregation here. Without question, a very difficult number of days for Ted Haggard. Not only has he been forced to step down from the National Association of Evangelicals. That happened last week after he was first accused of having a three-year homosexual relationship and drug use.
But he was drummed out of his own church as well on Sunday. This after a four-member oversight committee decided he was guilty of sexual immorality. His trust was now in question. So they decided, and he agreed, that it was best for Haggard to go.
Now Haggard still denies having -- or last we heard, he has denied having a homosexual affair. He does admit to buying drugs but says he threw those away.
Heidi.
COLLINS: So, OK, the big question on this very day, anyway, Sean, is a little bit of a political one. Some people saying that this could keep Colorado voters from voting one way or another. Are they able to separate the man from the message there in Colorado?
CALLEBS: I think that's -- it's a good question. It's a fair question. There are some 60 million people in the U.S. that call themselves evangelicals. Now this has been a very powerful voting block for the past two and a half decades. They have been courted by the GOP as well. And we talked to a number of people from the congregation when they were leaving the services on Sunday. They say they are going to be able to separate the man, Haggard, and his failings, from the message of the church.
And the reason this was important because on the ballot here in Colorado, and a number of other states, there is a gay marriage proposal. Now, history shows that a lot of these evangelicals are still going to go to the polls because they feel very strongly against gay marriage, so they will go and vote their conscience on that. The question is, if you talk to a number of analysts, when they go into the polls, will they pull the lever once again for the Republicans.
We've talked to some analysts who have followed the evangelical movement and they say that right now a lot of evangelicals feel somewhat disenfranchised by the Republican Party, as well as the Bush administration. And if indeed that is the case, this could be a very significant development come Tuesday with Democrats trying to gain control of both the House and Senate. But the people we talked to here say when they go in they're going to vote the way they always have.
COLLINS: All right. Sean Callebs reporting live from Colorado Springs this morning.
Sean, thank you.
HARRIS: What do you say we get you to the New York Stock Exchange right now. We need an up day. Is Dow is on a bit of a losing streak. Six straight down sessions. But inside the first hour of the trading day, the Dow Industrials up 66 points. We will bring the entire business day into sharper focus with Cheryl Casone a little later in the hour.
So the clock is winding down to Election Day. That means time is running out for voters to make educated choices. But help and information may be as close as your computer. Here's CNN personal finance editor Gerri Willis. She joins us, as she does every day, every week, from New York City.
Gerri, good to see you.
WILLIS: Hey, Tony, great to see you. HARRIS: Hey, Gerri, I've got to ask you, you know, we're so close to this election now and people may have a lot of questions and you're here to tell us that information may be right there available for them.
WILLIS: Absolutely. What you want to do is go to the web. Look, job number one is to find out where to vote and that's not always that easy. A great website to go to, vote411.org. Type in your address. It will tell you where your polling station is. You'll also be able to find out what kind of I.D. you need to bring to the polling place. In most cases you'll have to provide a picture I.D. And you can also go to your own state board of election's website to get the same information.
Tony.
HARRIS: Hey, Gerri, can the web help you get a handle on the issues in your particular state?
WILLIS: Absolutely. Most of the races in this election are local. So to find out what the issues are that are making your community hot, start with your local league of women voters. Now every year the league puts out a voter guide highlighting local election issues and candidate positions on these issues. And the great thing about this, of course, Tony, is they don't have an ax to grind. To find your local league of voters go to their website, lwv.org.
HARRIS: And, Gerri, as a voter, I'm sick of the pundits, I'm sick of the analysis telling me about the candidates running for this, that and the other. Is there a place where I can go to do my own homework on my particular candidates?
WILLIS: Well, get the lowdown on your own candidates running in your area at vote-smart.org. Hey, you'll be able to view their voting record on specific bills, if they're an incumbent, or you can call, 1- 888-vote-smart.
Now, if you want to find out what groups your politicians gets their money from, which is, of course, what we all want to know, right, opensecrets.org. This site will also tell you how many trips your official took that were financed by special interest groups. This is good stuff to know. And you can even check up on what companies they invest in. So lots of great information there. HARRIS: That's good. That's good.
And finally you say, you know, have fun with the civics of all of this.
WILLIS: Well, OK. So, aren't you always curious about who your neighbor might be donating to?
HARRIS: Yes. OK. Yes, all right.
WILLIS: Yes, right. You're kind of curious, what are their politics. Well, you can go to fundrace.org to see just how much money the Jones' are giving and to which political parties. And, of course, if you just want to let off some steam, and who doesn't these days, go to etalkinghead.com. Now there you can hook up with a range of political blogs from conservatives, to moderates, liberal. And stay up-to-date on our website, of course, which is fabulous, cnn.com/politics.
HARRIS: No real excuse at this point, huh, Gerri? There's plenty of information out there for you.
WILLIS: No. It's all out there just waiting to be used.
HARRIS: All right, Gerri, good to see you.
WILLIS: Good to see you.
HARRIS: You have a great day.
There is a lot at stake tomorrow, so by all means stay with us. Tonight, the best political team on television, Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, Larry King, Paula Zahn and Lou Dobbs. We investigate how your vote can impact the next moves in Iraq and who controls Congress. Our election special begins tonight at 7:00 Eastern.
COLLINS: Squeezed in the middle. Moderate Republicans feeling the midterm pressure now. We'll talk about that in the NEWSROOM.
And judging judges. Will voters use their power at the polls to limit the power of judges? That story coming up right here in the NEWSROOM. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: And just another reminder for you, be sure to join us at noon today for an hour of special election coverage one day before the big vote. We'll be joined by Don Lemon, Fredricka Whitfield, right here in the NEWSROOM.
COLLINS: Moderates in danger, some northeastern lawmakers find their jobs in jeopardy. Will the real loser be compromise in Congress? CNN's John King with the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): Greenwich, Connecticut, six-figure average median income. The kind of place where people want to government to keep their taxes low and to stay out of their private lives. Like nearby West Port Township, the kind of place that has sent Chris Shays and his soft spoken brand of moderate Republicanism to Congress for two decades, but now appears on the brink of bringing him home.
REP. CHRIS SHAYS, (R) CONNECTICUT: My opponent is running against the Congress, against the president and against the war in Iraq.
KING: And his opponent is running ahead. Part of what could be a significant midterm election dynamic, the decline of moderate Republicans. Shays and Congresswoman Nancy Johnson in Connecticut, colleagues Jim Gerlack and Mike Fitzpatrick
JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT, CNN NEWSROOM: And his opponent is running ahead, part of what could be a significant midterm election dynamic, the decline of moderate Republicans.
Shays and Congresswoman Nancy Johnson in Connecticut, colleagues Jim Gerlach and Mike Fitzpatrick in Pennsylvania, maybe Congressman Charlie Bass in New Hampshire, Senator Lincoln Chafee in Rhode Island, and the list goes on and on and on; moderate from places where opposition to the war runs high, and the president's approval ratings are especially low.
Shays is both wistful and worried.
REP. CHRIS SHAYS, (R) CONNECTICUT: You end up with the extremes trying to run the place. That becomes very partisan. And most of the American people are in the middle of the political spectrum.
KING: Maine Senator Susan Collins isn't up for re-election this year, but she worries fewer moderate allies will make it more difficult to get past the hard feelings among Republicans, if Democrats take control of one, or both, chambers of Congress.
SEN. SUSAN COLLINS (R) MAINE: It's ironic that the people who seem to be most targeted, and most in danger this year, are the people who try to get things done. The moderates who work across the aisle.
KING: Chafee says anger at the war, the White House, and the national Republican agenda is doing more than just turning Democrats against him.
SEN. LINCOLN CHEFEE, (R) RHODE ISLAND: You have lost many of the donors, environmental donors, pro-choice Republicans, it's just are not giving anymore.
KING: He is, though, getting late campaign help from groups nervous Chafee will lose, but Republicans will keep their Senate majority and give his committee slots to someone more conservative.
DONNA CRANE, NARAL: We are very concerned we might be losing the last of our moderate Republicans.
KING: In endangered because of anger at the war and the White House. Even in being place where a moderate Republican has long been a proud tradition.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR, CNN NEWSROOM: The people, the polls, the power. CNN shines a spotlight on some of the most critical races in tomorrow's elections. There's a lot of them, too. We will be talking with veteran campaign strategist Bill Bennett and Donna Brazile. That's coming up next hour here in the NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: That will be good, good, good.
Judges on the bench facing judgment at the ballot box. Voters in several states are ready to deliver verdicts on limits to judicial power. In some cases, judges could be sued or even jailed for their actions. CNN's Gary Nurenberg has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY NURENBERG, CNN CORRESPONDENT, CNN NEWSROOM (voice over): The lengthy court battle over whether to withhold life support from a comatose Terry Schiavo angered many on each side, and helped highlight growing discontent with the judicial process. Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor tells CNN that in recent years she sensed --
SANDRA DAY O'CONNER, FMR. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE: Increasing indicators of unhappiness with judges. And it was erupting all over the country.
NURENBERG: The president taps into that frustration on the campaign trail.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If you think activist judges should be allowed to redefine our country and issue new laws from the bench, vote Democrat
NURENBERG: This year, voters in several Western states face ballot initiatives that would limit judges' actions.
LOUIS JACOBSON, ROLL CALL, BALLOT MEASURE ANALYST: South Dakota is definitely the most radical of them.
NURENBERG: It's a state constitutional amendment that critics argue would apply to anyone making judicial decisions, even juries and school boards.
REBECCA LOVE KOURLIS, COLORADO SUPREME COURT JUSTICE (RET.): It would strip judges of the protection of judicial immunity, and subject them to possible monetary fines and criminal sanctions.
RON BRANSON, JAIL4JUDGES: People are just -- finding that the judicial system just doesn't work.
NURENBERG: Ron Branson founded Jail4Judges, and thinks judges should be accountable for what they do on the bench.
BRANSON: If I violate the law, I have to give an account. If you violate the law you have to give an account. Why should judges be above the law? That's what judicial immunity is.
NURENBERG: It's not the only judicial ballot initiative this year. JACOBSON: Colorado has a term limits on judges.
NURENBERG: The 10-year limit would immediately force five of the seven current Colorado supreme court justices to step down.
KOURLIS: Whether they're extraordinary judges, or not such good judges, they would be swept out.
NURENBERG: Advocates of judicial restraint say they want to make the judiciary more accountable. Voters get to decide Tuesday. Gary Nurenberg, CNN, Washington
HARRIS: CNN "Prime Time" tomorrow night, beginning at 7:00 Eastern. Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, Paula Zahn, Lou Dobbs lead the best political team on television as your votes are counted, the races, the results, the ramifications.
And CNN's election night coverage continues with a special edition of "Larry King Live" at midnight from Los Angeles. Hear the winners and losers across the country, plus expert analysis from the best political team on television.
And they are still counting the ballots in Nicaragua, but the celebrations are already under way. Former Nicaraguan leader Daniel Ortega appears headed for return to power early this morning. Early results have Ortega well ahead in Nicaragua's presidential election.
He's hoping for enough of a margin to avoid a run off. It's Ortega's third attempt to come back since a U.S.-backed rebellion helped oust him from power in 1990. The U.S. government already has threatened economic sanctions if Ortega is elected.
COLLINS: And now to the North Korea nuclear stand off. The U.S. and Japan propose five-way talks, they would come next week on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Summit in Vietnam.
Doing the talking? The U.S., Japan, China, South Korea and Russia. North Korea is not a member of APEC. North Korea conducted its first nuclear test last month, and last week, Pyongyang agreed to rejoin six-party talks that have been stalled for a year.
HARRIS: Chad Myers is focusing on the weather along the Gulf Coast, some pretty severe action going on now.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: Speaking of flooding -- it might not be a great segue -- but there's a lot of water here, in this shot.
HARRIS: Yeah.
COLLINS: The U.S.S. Intrepid, now take a close look at this, because this is really historical. We are witnessing it today. U.S.S. Intrepid moving toward Bayonne, New Jersey.
It's about five miles. It's going to take them at least until 5:00 p.m. tonight, because this ship has not moved in 24 years. It's been parked in, I think we said, about 17 feet of mud.
HARRIS: It does look mucky.
COLLINS: As the Air & Space Museum that you have probably heard of and if not maybe have visited there in New York. But it is going really, really slowly. I think about 10 feet in 30 minutes. Because it is just so, so precious. You know, they're really trying to be careful with this thing. It's pretty fragile. You got about five huge tugboats out there. To get this thing moving. But you can see, it's slowly, but surely.
We're going to check in, I think with the president of the U.S.S. Intrepid and see how that move is going, coming up a little bit later, right here, in the NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: And fire at Gatorland. Flames and smoke rise high above a Florida tourist attraction. Look at these pictures from earlier. We will have an update in the NEWSROOM.
CHERYL CASONE, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN NEWSROOM: And I'm Cheryl at the New York Stock Exchange, where traders are grappling with the prospect of Democrats winning back control of Congress. I'll let you know how they're reacting when NEWSROOM returns. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: The conventional wisdom is that Wall Street favors Republicans over Democrats. So it seems a fair question to ask, how is the market reacting to polls suggesting Democrats may win back control of Congress? Cheryl Casone joining us now from the New York Stock Exchange with some answers to that question.
Cheryl, what are they saying.
CASONE: Well, hey, there. Good morning, Heidi.
You know, it's kind of a wait and see thing around here. So far, little reaction, really not a big surprise. The common wisdom, like you said, is that Republicans are considered to be more business friendly, and a Democratic victory tomorrow could undermine Republican policies, like tax cuts and deregulation policies, that Wall Street usually favors.
But this year, traditional pro-Republican bias on Wall Street is not as strong as it had been before. Look at the Dow, for instance, which has soared to record highs over the past month. That's one good example. So, Heidi, maybe it's because investors don't believe the polls, and they are just kind of waiting until Wednesday to see the final results.
COLLINS: We have heard from a lot of our analysts that say -- even after Tuesday and all the votes are counted, we're not really going to know who's in charge of what, so it might take some time on that. Any other explanations, though, for a lack of reaction so far on Wall Street? CASONE: A lot of experts are kind of citing that old "gridlock is good," saying, political experts say that sometimes, and money experts as well. So, in other words, Democratic control of at least one house of Congress would mean a divided government, and that would make it less likely that Congress would pass huge spending bills, or other legislation, that could hurt investors.
Wall Street has been concerned with those huge deficits the Bush administration has been running. So much so that according to "The Wall Street Journal" 37 percent of economists have said the economy would be better off if Democrats gain control of at least the House. Versus 34 percent, who favored Republicans.
Right now, stocks are ahead of tomorrow's election. Take that for what it's worth on that. The Dow industrials are actually gaining about 67 points right now, trying to snap a six-session losing streak. At least we have some green numbers right now. The Nasdaq composite is also jumping a little more than 1 percent. Well, that is the latest from here on Wall Street. Heidi, Tony, sending it back to you.
COLLINS: All right. Cheryl, thank you.
HARRIS: Love this story. Lance Armstrong says once is enough. He won the grueling Tour de France bike race, seven times, but he says nothing matches the physical pain of a marathon. He learned first hand this weekend in New York. That's for sure.
He achieved his goal of completing more than 26 miles in under three hours. He had less than a half minute to spare. By that point, he says he didn't really care. When asked if he'll make a return appearance, he said, No, I will never be back." Then, he added, "but I reserve the right to change my mind."
COLLINS: Hey, you know who else reserves the right to change their mind, voters. Get more election coverage and get it free right on your desktop. This is a great deal. Today, CNN Pipeline is free. With behind the scenes access, four live feeds, campaign coverage you will not find anywhere else. CNN Pipeline, free, all day today, go to CNN.com.
On election day, you consider the candidates. They think about survival. U.S. Troops in Afghanistan have a message for the politicians. You can hear it from the NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: The trial, the outrage, the anger. Saddam Hussein gets the sentence he expected, death by hanging. We will take you live to the Iraqi capital for reaction ahead in the NEWSROOM
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: All right. Want to get you back to the shot that we've been talking about all day. Some news just in to us now about the U.S.S. Intrepid, who had been planning for a very long time to make a historic move today for five miles up the Hudson River, for a restoration project. But apparently the Coast Guard is saying, according to the Associated Press, that they have had to abort this mission because the propellers are stuck in the mud.
Now, if you remember, we were telling you, in case you haven't been to this museum, for 24 years, the U.S.S. Intrepid has been sitting in 17 feet of mud. So this was always going to be a huge challenge to go ahead and move the ship. And to do all of the work they are going to be doing on it, a two-year project, $60 million. I mean, it is just a humongous undertaking.
The first sort of SNAFU, if you will. We are awaiting more information because we are in contact with the president of the U.S.S. Intrepid, who is on board, Bill White, we are waiting to hear from him. And get a phone call in to him to find out exactly what is the happening.
But it's really sad because this is something they planned so long. There's about 40 service members on board who have served in one way or another, and been on the U.S.S. Intrepid, a World War II vessel. It is very sad to hear. We will follow up on this and keep you posted.
HARRIS: While America votes, they fight. U.S. troops in Afghanistan weigh in on the war and the political battles back home. CNN's Jennifer Eccleston reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JENNIFER ECCLESTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT, CNN NEWSROOM (voice over): When daily rocket attacks send them running to the bunker --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Identify the guns.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is anyone hurt?
ECCLESTON: Survival is their overwhelming concern.
SGT. PAUL FERGUSON, U.S. ARMY: You hope it's not your day. And you hope it's not anybody on the FOB's day. You just -- whenever you hear one hit close you hope nobody got hurt. It's pretty much all you can do. Just hope.
ECCLESTON: When the salvo ends, when imminent danger passes, life on the FOB, Forward Operating Base Bermel, presses ahead. There is little fanfare and lots of routine.
LT. COURTNEY CARNEGIE, JR., U.S. ARMY: I have a job to do. And I just have to do it day in, and day out. So, just has to stick with your guns and continue to drive on.
ECCLESTON (voice over): As midterm elections near, a vote that could determine just how long they fight here, and where they go next, the political fight back home bears little debate.
(Voice over): Their focus, the battle in front of them. Even in the military, all politics is local. But when they do talk, it's framed around one prevailing thought. SPEC. JOSE PANTOJA, U.S. ARMY: I think we're doing the right thing over here. We're fighting insurgency, we're fighting the Taliban, we are fighting terrorists. I think I'm doing the right thing because what's going to happen when Al Qaeda comes knocking at the door again? Who's going to pick up arms and come over here? So, that's my opinion about it. I mean, let me do my job.
ECCLESTON: Jennifer Eccleston, CNN, Forward Operating Base Bermel, Afghanistan.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Just another reminder to be sure to join us at noon today for an hour of special election coverage. One day before the big vote. We'll be joined by Don Lemon and Fredricka Whitfield, right here in the NEWSROOM.
CNN "Prime Time" tomorrow night, beginning at 7:00 Eastern, Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, Paula Zahn, Lou Dobbs lead the best political team on television as your votes are counted, the races, the results, the ramifications.
And CNN's election night coverage continues with a special edition of "Larry King Live" at midnight from Los Angeles. Hear from winners and losers across the country, plus expert analysis from the best political team on television.
COLLINS: Keeping watch on Iraq, a day after the Saddam Hussein death sentence. While Hussein was reacting angrily to the verdict, there were celebrations in the streets and fears of what his supporters might do. CNN's Arwa Damon as more from Baghdad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ARWA DAMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT, CNN NEWSROOM (voice over): Sixty- four-year-old Jossam Ralbi (ph) says he went through a roller coaster of emotions as he heard the judge read out the words, the court has sentenced the defendant, Saddam Hussein, to execution by hanging.
The expression on his face said more than his words.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): It's not easy to express my feelings right now. He was a leader who ruled the country for 35 years and to see him in a cage defending himself, but I think it's a lesson for every leader.
DAMON: Like most residents of Baghdad, he spent the day indoors with his daughter, abiding by a government curfew, and fear of potential violence in Baghdad streets. But residents of Baghdad's Shia Sadr City brazenly defied curfew, spilling into streets as soon as Saddam's sentence was read, chanting, "Saddam got death. Die, Baathists."
"This is a great day for the Iraqi people," one man screams over the blaring horns. Small-scale celebrations in the country's Shia south, for many of Iraqi's Shia community oppressed by Saddam's regime for decades, this historic day brought long-awaited closure.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): As far as I'm concerned, Saddam Hussein caused my father's death because he executed my eldest brother. This verdict is revenge for me.
DAMON: But in Saddam Hussein's hometown of at Tikrit it was a bitter moment for those still loyal to the toppled leader.
"We really love and miss you," this man says, covering his face.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, out of intensive care this morning. Sharon has been in a coma since he had a massive stroke last January. He moved to intensive care on Friday for what's described as an infection that threatened his heart. A hospital spokesman says Sharon's heart function has improved and he is now stable.
HARRIS: Years of dreaming, months of campaigning, and now just hours remain before tomorrow's critical midterm elections. A closer look at some of the races that could tip the scales of power in Washington. We talk with veteran campaign strategists Donna Brazile and Bill Bennett ahead in the NEWSROOM
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: We want to take you straight back to the Hudson River, here. We are looking at the U.S.S. Intrepid, we have been telling you all morning about this huge move that it was going to be doing for a two-year renovation project. They were going to move five miles down the river and park in Bayonne, New Jersey, while all of these renovations went on.
Unfortunately, we have learned here at CNN, that the propellers got stuck in the mud, and that will not be happening today. We want to go straight out to the ship. On board is the president of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. Bill White is with us on the line.
Bill, what happened? What's going on?
BILL WHITE, PRESIDENT, U.S.S. INTREPID AIR & SPACE MUSEUM: Hi, Heidi.
How about that? The Old Gray Lady, she didn't want to leave New York. I think she dug her heels in, just didn't want to leave her home here. And we're, of course, a little disappointed to say the least. But I have to say one thing, that we'll have a full assessment for everyone to let them know.
All personnel, that were on board, are safe and sound. There was no incident to report along those lines. And we'll be talking to everybody about what the plan B is after we make a full security, and engineering assessment, which we're about to do on our pier right now.
COLLINS: This was an absolutely massive undertaking that has taken so much planning. And I know that you all have been working on it for a very long time. Bill, what will be next. I mean, you guys needed quite a bit of help from the tide. And apparently the tide just kind of let you down?
WHITE: Yeah, that's true. I think it is a combination of things, which we'll be talking about over the next couple of days. But there is a way to dredge the (INAUDIBLE) areas. And we were just unable, I think, to get all of the silt out of there that we needed to. These powerful tractor tugs, actually do a lot of self dredging. So there was a factor involved there on helping to get the ship out of her solid base here in the Hudson River.
So, of course, we're disappointed and excited about the challenge on how to figure out how to get Intrepid out of her slip. Because she does have to go. And we'll be back to you very shortly. Heidi, I actually have to run here. I have some Homeland Security folks I need to talk to and just want...
COLLINS: OK.
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