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CNN Live Saturday

Presidential Candidates Focus All Efforts On Battleground States; Experts Expect Oil Prices To Remain Elevated

Aired July 31, 2004 - 12:00   ET

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

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


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: It is 12:00 p.m. in Washington. 9:00 a.m. in the west. Welcome to CNN LIVE SATURDAY I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Ahead this hour:
President Bush and Senator John Kerry hit the road again today in key battleground states. We'll have live reports along the campaign trail.

Also, paying at the pump, and why the gas price crunch is not expected to ease anytime soon.

And later:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You hear allegations that a goose-chasing dog was paid for with foundation money. It makes you scratch your head.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Four thousand dollars for a dog to chase geese at the Statue of Liberty. Outrage over allegations of questionable spending at the Statue of Liberty and what Congress is doing about it. But first, a look at the top stories.

Unconfirmed reports, four Jordanian truck drivers held hostage in Iraq are to be set free unharmed. That's according to "Reuters" quoting relatives of the drivers. The four were taken by militants calling themselves the "Death Squad of Iraqi Resistance."

The Vatican is criticizing what it calls "radical feminism" saying it attempts to erase the difference between men and women at the expense of the family. A document released today says the natural structure of the family involves both a mother and a father. It says men and women are different and will remain so for eternity.

In the Middle East, Palestinian militants burned down the regional governor's office in the West Bank city of Jenin. That follows disputes over who controls secure Palestinian areas. The radicals say they feared Palestinian intelligence would betray their local -- their location, rather to Israeli forces.

Keep you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.

A going into battle: The president and the Democratic presidential nominees focus on some battleground states this weekend. With the democratic convention now over, newly minted nominees, John Kerry and John Edwards, head to Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio, today. It's part of a two week tour. President Bush is also taking the bus on his "Heart and Soul of America Tour." He's also in Ohio and Pennsylvania today. as well.

Vice President Dick Cheney is stumping as well; he's out West with stops in Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.

President Bush is making his second bus tour in Ohio in three months. It's an important state no republican has won the White House without carrying Ohio. The president reached out to voters in Canton, this morning. The area is facing some tough economic times, with factory workers losing their jobs. Mr. Bush assured the crowd that the U.S. economy is turning around.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We've come through a recession. We've come through terrorist attacks. We've come through a stock market decline. We've come through corporate scandals. Yet this nation has overcome all these obstacles.

(APPLAUSE)

We've overcome the obstacles because we got great workers in America.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: CNN's Kathleen Koch is on the road with the president and joins us now on the telephone -- Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, what you saw there was President Bush campaigning with a new intensity. His campaign realizing they need to blunt any post convention bounce in the polls by opponent John Kerry.

Now Ohio here, President Bush is making his 19th visit to this battleground state. He did narrowly win in 2005 by just three percentage points. Before coming here to Canton to the rally, the president stopped by the Cleveland Brown's training facility. He chatted with a coach, the quarterback, threw the football around with some of the players. Here at the rally that you just played a short excerpt of, the president told his supporters that he does have a broad vision for the future and a proven record of success and that there was still much to do. He repeated a slogan that came up yesterday. And it has become a regular feature in his speech. And he says "we're turning the corner and not turning back."

Of course President Bush also fired a few shots at his opponent Senator Kerry, calling Kerry's record in Congress "a slim thing, and has few signature accomplishments." Mr. Bush repeated his charge that Senator Kerry is a fan of big government and higher taxes, but there were plenty of both here in Canton, of protesters, roughly about 100 right here at the Canton Memorial Civic Center who were here to defend Senator Kerry. We talked to several people -- a veteran who said he wants to see a real veteran in the White House, a veteran who knows what it's like to fight and suffer on the field of battle. We talked with some workers, one man who said the jobs that have been created, the Bush administration said some 1.5 million since August. Those are just low paying jobs, not high quality jobs to replace those that have been lost since the Bush administration took office.

So, from here the president heads on to Pennsylvania, another battleground state, one that he lost to Al Gore by five percentage points in 2000. But, the president hoping to turn that around with his "Heart and Soul of America" tour, this time -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Kathleen, before he makes it to Pennsylvania, he's going to be heading to Cambridge. What are his plans once he gets there?

KOCH: In Cambridge, we're told that we're going to see another campaign rally very similar to the one we just saw. Smaller rally than we had seen yesterday in Missouri and Michigan. But really, really talking to his base, reaching out to conservatives in these working class states and telling them that now, again, is not the time to make a change. Stick with his proven record of success, even if the economy is not as good as they would like it to be, it is getting better. The president says it's strong and getting stronger.

WHITFIELD: Kathleen Koch, thanks very much, traveling with the president. And when the president makes it to Cambridge, Ohio, we'll be bringing you his comments live in the next hour.

Well, as Kathleen reported, it's what you might call a political near-miss in Pennsylvania for the presidential candidates. Democrats John Kerry and John Edwards are campaigning in the Pittsburgh area today and will just barely miss the president's appearance there this evening. Kerry and Edwards were in Pennsylvania's capitol city of Harrisburg last night, greeted by thousands of party faithful. Kerry told the crowd, he will be a president for the people.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You talk about values. There isn't one of you here, there isn't one of you here who isn't living American values on a daily basis. You get up, you work hard, you go to work, you raise your kids, you have an expectation that the government is going to play by the same rules you do. Well, I think we deserve a government, we deserve a president that worked just as hard for your job and just as hard to be fair as they asked you to give them a job and to be fair to them. We deserve a president who works for America.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: At one point Friday, the Kerry-Edwards bus tour pulled up to a Wendy's restaurant in New York State. Eating at Wendy's is how John and Elizabeth Edwards always celebrate their wedding's anniversaries and yesterday was there 27th. Well, way back when it was apparently the only restaurant they could afford. This time Kerry purchased the meal. Of course, the candidates worked the room as well and you might notice these Marines, right here. They seemed a bit less than enthusiastic when shaking hands with John Kerry. Well, apparently later, they told reporters that they were 100 percent behind Bush and resented the intrusion on their lunch.

Then democratic presidential ticket will answer questions on CNN live, tomorrow. Presidential candidate, John Kerry and running mate John Edwards will talk with Wolf Blitzer on "Late Edition," that's tomorrow at noon Eastern, 9:00 Pacific. Stay with CNN for complete campaign coverage.

And this programming note, in the next hour, both President Bush and Senator Kennedy -- Kerry, rather, will have events on the campaign trail and CNN will have live coverage when that happens. Again, that's during the 1:00 Eastern hour.

A street corner killing in Iraq has taken the life of an educator. It happened outside a mosque about 40 miles south of Baghdad. Police say the leader of a school for teachers was shot and killed as he walked to his home.

In Fallujah, at least 20 insurgents have been killed in a battle with U.S. forces. The fighting started when U.S. Manes came under mortar fire.

Meantime Eric Kuwaiti trucking company is negotiating for the release of seven drivers held hostage in Iraq.

As the fighting rages, one Iraqi is guaranteed relative safety, at least for now. However, he's in prison awaiting trial and facing the death penalty. CNN's John Vause reports on the new life of the old dictator of Iraq, Saddam Hussein.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Oh, how life has changed. From the marbled opulence of almost 50 palaces with their manmade lakes, crystal chandeliers, and gold plated plumbing, Saddam Hussein is now one of 96 prisoners in a high security Baghdad jail.

BAKHTIAR AMIN, Iraq HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER: He is in a three by three by four meters room. It's white, tiled floor with a 100 volt bulb lamp.

VAUSE: But as the summer here hits 120 Fahrenheit, Saddam's cell is air conditioned. A luxury not enjoyed by most Iraqis. He showers twice a week, but can get a shampoo and a haircut whenever he wants. And the man who drained Iraq's marshland causing the greatest manmade environmental disaster on the planet, according to the U.N., now cares for a little tree in the yard outside his cell.

AMIN: He goes out of his cell three hours per day.

VAUSE: And the man who once led the secular Baath Party now regularly reads the Qur'an.

AMIN: That's a sign, that one can say, more of fear because he's not a real believer. He's an infidel.

VAUSE (on camera): Iraq's human rights minister says Saddam is generally in good health. He was treated by two Iraqi doctors for a chronic prostate infection. He has hypertension -- there's a surprise, high blood pressure, and a hernia. He was checked for cancer and given the all clear. And while some of Saddam's fellow inmates have sought help for depression and anxiety, Saddam has made no such request.

(voice-over): But Saddam's life of relative ease and comfort may be coming to an end. He's facing the death penalty, charged with crimes against humanity and many Iraqis want him dead, sooner rather than later.

John Vause, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Iraq's road to democracy remains a bumpy one. A national conference to choose a transitional council faces a two week delay because of organizational problems. And there is concern the postponement could have an impact on national elections planned for January. Samer Shehata is with us from Washington to talk more about the democratic process in Iraq. He teaches Middle East and Arab politics at Georgetown University.

Good to see you, Professor.

PROF. SAMER SHEHATA, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Well, how much of a setback is this delay?

SHEHATA: It's a significant setback, it's not disastrous, but never the less people are taking note. There's a lot of jockeying for position going on, different organizations want to have more people on the hundred member council, as it were. Some people have said in some organizations, like Moqtada al-Sadr, that they're going to exit from the process. And I think the real significance of this is that if it indicates that there will be also a delay for the January elections, then people are going to start to lose confidence in the interim government. That's the real fear, I think.

WHITFIELD: Except those interim government leaders are trying to assure people that it won't under circumstances delay the January elections. It's difficult for them to kind of project, isn't it, when these particular -- this particular conference was, in part, delayed because of security concerns?

SHEHATA: That's right, because there -- those are really the two reasons why the conference was delayed. The inability to agree as to who was actually going to participate in this conference and then the ongoing security disaster, really, that is Iraq. We saw, of course, the suicide car bombing in Baqubah that killed about 70 people, the increase in the hostage taking and assassinations and, of course, one cannot have a free and clear election in that kind of environment, bomb are going off, if political leaders are being assonated and there are threats against political parties.

WHITFIELD: And if these leaders are saying that there will not be a delay in the January elections, is it your view they're being overly optimistic and perhaps even unrealistic?

SHEHATA: Possibly. We have heard rumors already that the January 2005 date might be postponed. And I think there would have to be very, very good reasons as well as the backing of the United Nations, if that date was going to change. Because, again, different groups, whether it's Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani or others, have bought into the interim government because it meant that, of course, the Americans are no longer calling the shots, but also because everyone is looking forward to the January 2005 elections when Iraqis can vote and Iraqi government in.

WHITFIELD: Well, if it happens in January, or even some other date, February, March, et cetera, is it these interim government leaders, the familiar faces now, who would be on the ballot? Or are there some other opponents that they have to worry about?

SHEHATA: Well, there's -- it's more than likely that some of them are certainly going to be on the ballots. But, again, right now as the interim government, the individuals there are really representing themselves, they're not representing their political parties, but in the January 2005 elections, if, for example, Mr. Iyad Allawi wants to run, he's going to run as a member of his organization, the Iraqi National Accord. And then we're going see other groups like the Dowia Party and the Extreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq also have platforms and run for positions in the legislative body. So, we're going to see a lot more political parties and a lot more organized politics.

WHITFIELD: Samer Shehata of Georgetown University school, thanks for joining us from Washington.

SHEHATA: You're welcome.

WHITFIELD: Also, politics from a middle school's perspective. I'll speak with this young lady, right here, who isn't even a teenager yet, but already has one political convention under her belt.

Plus, why some are seeing red over the upkeep costs at the Statue of Liberty.

And this:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hunched over the soggy hamster and began to administer CPR.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And lots of laughs. The Kerry family folklore surrounding a hamster named "Licorice."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Well, over the past week, you've heard from countless reporters and pundits detailing events at the Democratic National Convention. And among those hard at work on the convention floor watching as John Kerry accepted his party's nomination and saluted his report for duty, was 12-year-old Lily Wasserman, already on duty for "Time for Kids." And Lily joins us from Boston.

Good to see you, Lily.

LILY WASSERMAN, "TIME FOR KIDS" REPORTER: Good to see you.

WHITFIELD: Well, you were one of two "Time for Kids" reporters on the convention floor. How did it go?

WASSERMAN: It was so, so great. I loved seeing all the other reporters, but also meeting different politicians and celebrities. It was so much fun.

WHITFIELD: Well, what did you envision before getting there?

WASSERMAN: Well, I was thinking -- I don't know, I didn't really know what to expect. I heard so much about it. But I wasn't thinking that I would meet so many -- I wasn't thinking that I'd meet as many politicians as I did.

WHITFIELD: And did you think it would be difficult or relatively easy to try to -- you know, get some of those interviews that you were pursuing?

WASSERMAN: Well, I thought it would be -- I wasn't really -- I thought it would be harder than it was, actually. Because I think they wanted to to -- I think they were more eager to talk to reporters and especially since I kind of stood out in the crowd. I think that they kind of noticed me, so...

WHITFIELD: You didn't have a whole lot of competition in your league, huh?

WASSERMAN: No. There weren't too many other kids there.

WHITFIELD: All right. Well, let's talk about some of the folks you did get a chance to interview. I understand a dream interview, right here on the right of our screen, Hillary Clinton. You did get a chance to talk with her, among others. Tell me what your conversation with her was like.

WASSERMAN: Well, I asked her what changes I thought she could make as a president that men couldn't? And she just replied that she's not really focusing on what she could do, but she's more focusing on what Senator Kerry and John Edwards can do right now, because she just wants to elect them and that's what she's focusing on.

WHITFIELD: You also talked to Tom Daschle, Max Cleland, Barack Obama, as well as, Andre 3000.

WASSERMAN: Yes.

WHITFIELD: What a range of interviews you had there. Tell me a little bit about each of them.

WASSERMAN: Well, I thought Max Cleland was definitely one of the most impressive ones because he was -- I mean, he lost three limbs in Vietnam and then he became a U.S. senator and he was so, so upbeat and so nice when I talked to him. I think he's absolutely incredible. He just -- he's so upbeat and if you just listen to him and looked to his face, you wouldn't know had happened to him.

WHITFIELD: And you got a chance to interview one of the rising stars that the nation really got to know a little bit better, Barack Obama of Illinois. What were your impressions of him?

WASSERMAN: Well, I think he's -- he was really, really nice to me, and the other reporters. We will -- it was a "Time" event, so I was also sitting in the room with all these other "Time" reporters, which is cool to meet all of them and see how they reported, but Barack Obama, he's just really nice, and I think he -- he has really good goals and he really wants to do good things for the country.

WHITFIELD: And then you really had to shift gears quite a bit by talking to a pop star, Andre 3000 of the music group Outkast. How did that happen?

WASSERMAN: Well, actually we were at this conference called the "Revolutionary Women's Conference," and that's actually -- that's where we met Hillary Clinton, too, she was speaking there along with some other people, but Andre 3000 just registered to vote at the age of 29. And he's doing a documentary with Norman Lear about voting in politics and things. And he was hoping to interview Senator Clinton too. And...

WHITFIELD: So, he to line up after you?

WASSERMAN: We were both waiting for her and we waited about a half an hour and he didn't have anything else he was doing, so we talked to him for a really long time.

WHITFIELD: Well Lily Wasserman, sounds like you had an incredible experience.

WASSERMAN: I did.

WHITFIELD: Thanks for sharing it with us.

WASSERMAN: Thank you very much.

WHITFIELD: "Time for Kids." I imagine -- are you are covering the republican convention as well?

WASSERMAN: No, there'll be two other kid reporters, but make sure everybody goes to timeforkids.com because all my work will there and same with the republican convention work.

WHITFIELD: All right, fair enough, share the wealth. Thanks very much Lily, appreciate it.

WASSERMAN: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Well, CNN will have much more on the DNC on "Inside Politic" on Sunday. Will the Kerry-Edwards ticket get a post convention bounce or bust? Political pollsters will in-depth on the issue, "Inside Politics Sunday" airs at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time.

Well, does lady liberty have funny finances? Why congressional investigation has lawmakers lashing out at the people who run the Statue of Liberty.

The power of perception at the gas pump: How a Russian tax battle is affecting what you pay to fill up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Expect a lot of fanfare next week when the Statue of Liberty finally reopens to the public. It is a last major national monument to reopen following the September 11 attacks. Security concerns will keep tourists out of the crown. CNN's Alina Cho reports a congressional investigation is underway to determine why the statue didn't open sooner.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Just days before the Statue of Liberty reopens to the public, the senate finance committee issued a scathing letter criticizing the foundation that runs it, geese control, which costs $45,000 a year for a dog to chase away the birds. In internal documents obtained by CNN, the foundation's president, Stephen Briganti said "geese control is the cost of a dog, a white Border Collie."

REP. ANTHONY WEINER (D), NEW YORK: You hear allegations that goose chasing dog was paid for with foundation money. It makes you scratch your head.

CHO: New York Congressman Anthony Wiener is a long time critic of the foundation.

WEINER: The way the Statue of Liberty has been handled raises all kinds of troubling issues.

CHO: also at issue, Briganti's $354,000 annual salary and outside consulting fees which topped $130,000 for four years running. And why the foundation opened a fund-raising drive to renovate and reopen the monument when it already had more than enough money to do so.

An outside review, paid for by the foundation, concluded Briganti's salary was too high but cleared the group of alleged misuse of funds. The National Park Service which manages the Statue of Liberty said construction and security concerns, not fund-raising, was the reason why the monument stayed closed.

(on camera):In a statement, the Statue of Liberty Foundation said it is cooperating with the Senate inquiry and is confident its acts would be found appropriate. The Senate committee, however, said it is troubled by the foundation's statements and wants more detailed information about how the group has spent its money.

Alina Cho, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: A quick look now at news across America. In Eagle, Colorado transcripts possibly describing the sexual history of Kobe Bryant's accuser will be made public on Monday. In court yesterday, the judge apologized for a string of court mistakes that included releasing closed door testimony and the woman's name to media outlets.

A woman accused of sending death threats to actress Catherine Zeta-Jones will undergo a psychological examination. A lawyer for Dawnette Knight says the accused stocker tried to commit suicide and the attorney blamed Zeta-Jones for drive driving her to it. Last month Knight admitted she was infatuated with the actress' husband, Michael Douglas.

And in Louisville, Kentucky, not much of a comeback for one-time boxing champ, Mike Tyson. He was down and out in the fourth round last night against British heavyweight, Danny Williams.

We're take you the first steps towards changing America's intelligence agencies.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We must act with speed, but not in haste. We must be bold, but we cannot be reckless.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Senators react to the urgency of the 9/11 report with an emergency hearing. We'll tell you what happened.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: "Now in the News": The road to the White House leads the candidates through some big battleground states this weekend. President Bush's bus tour rolls through a couple of stops today in Ohio before heading to Pennsylvania. It is the president's second bus tour of the Buckeye State in three months.

Senator Kerry is also stumping for votes today in Ohio and Pennsylvania, plus West Virginia. The Democratic nominee and his running mate, John Edwards, are on a two-week bus tour that will take them to nearly two dozen states from coast-to-coast.

And we'll have live coverage of Kerry and President Bush's speeches in the next hour. A militant group linked to Al Qaeda claims it carried out yesterday's attempted assassination of Pakistan's prime minister designate. The suicide bombing took place just north of Islamabad. The blast killed nine people.

Members of the 9/11 Commission are launching a national campaign for intelligence reforms. Starting today, commissioners in bipartisan pairs will travel across the country to make their case to think tanks, call in shows and newspaper editorial boards. The panel's leaders, Thomas Kean and Lee Hamilton, will remain in Washington for congressional hearings.

The commission issued its final report just over a week ago. Among other things, the report calls for the creation of a national counterterrorism center headed by a cabinet level intelligence director.

The urgency of the 9/11 Report also has some members of Congress back in Washington for rare summer sessions. No less than six House committees will hold hearings and the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee got to work on Friday. CNN's Congressional Correspondent Ed Henry has more on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): At a rare summer hearing, the leaders of the 9/11 Commission sounded the alarm for sweeping intelligence reform.

THOMAS KEAN, CHAIRMAN, 9/11 COMMISSION: It is an emergency. There is an enemy out there who is planning, as we meet here, to attack us.

LEE HAMILTON, VICE CHAIRMAN, 9/11 COMMISSION: We find a desire to move ahead, but the whole government just is not acting with the urgency we think is required across the board.

HENRY: Kean and Hamilton made the case that intelligence agencies failed to stop 9/11 because, as they put it, there was no quarterback calling the plays. Three years later they said nothing has changed.

HAMILTON: We have concluded that the intelligence community is not going to get its job done unless somebody is really in charge. That is just not the case now. And we paid the price.

HENRY: They urged senators to create a director of all national intelligence and a national counter-terrorism center to coordinate the 15 separate spy agencies. But a key Democrat questioned whether moving that director into the White House could make the process more vulnerable to political pressure.

SEN. CARL LEVIN (D), MICHIGAN: How does putting the director even closer to the policymaker do anything other than to make this problem even a more difficult? HENRY: As top Bush officials met again to consider what commission recommendations the president could implement quickly, Republican Susan Collins tried to slow mounting pressure on Congress.

SUSAN COLLINS (R), CHRWMAN, GOV'T. AFFAIRS CMTE: We must act with speed, but not in haste. We must be bold, but we cannot be reckless.

HENRY: But one Democrat suggested delay would be a mistake.

SEN. TOM CARTER (D), DELAWARE: Carpe diem, the only Latin I know, seize the day. There is something to be said for seizing the day, particularly when it is so hard to get anything done around here.

KEAN: I hope carpe diem, it is the right way to go, seize the day, but seize the day as this body always does with deliberate speed and with due deliberation.

HENRY (on camera): And starting next week, 9/11 commissioners were going to hit the road, barnstorming the nation to drum up support for their reform proposals. They want to keep the heat on the Congress and the president -- Ed Henry, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Now to other news from around the world. A deadly Russian raid. Russian forces fired on an entire apartment block bordering Chechnya. The interior ministry says three rebels suspected of killing two officers yesterday were killed.

Iran breaks its nuclear commitment to the European Union. An Iranian official says it will continue with suspension of uranium enrichment but in its own terms. Iran has reportedly restarted building centrifuges

In Poland, preparations are under way leading up to the 60th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising. The first museum devoted to the uprising opened today. The uprising began August 1st, 1944 and ended with some 200,000 fighters and civilians killed and most of Warsaw destroyed.

Anniversary ceremonies culminate tomorrow with a wreath laying to be attended by dignitaries including U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Find out more about the events that took place 60 years ago in the Polish capital, "CNN Presents, Warsaw Rising: The Forgotten Soldiers of World War II" at 8:00 p.m. Eastern tomorrow.

Gas prices are well off record summer highs. But you're still paying a national average of $1.90 a gallon. CNN Financial Correspondent Kathleen Hays looks at possible price trends as we head into election season.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) KATHLEEN HAYS, CORRESPONDENT, CNNfn (voice over): Still feeling the pain as you fill your gas tank? Wondering if it is ever going to end? Now it is just not terror attacks in Baghdad, or strikes in Nigeria, it is troubles at Russian's biggest oil company that are pushing oil prices and your energy bills higher.

ERIC BOLLING, OIL & GAS TRADER: I think you're going see higher pricing on the gasoline level, the heating oil level for sure, because this takes, you know, 30, 60 days to get through the system, these higher prices. So you are going to see them down the road, possibly going into the winter.

HAYS: Crude oil prices hit a 21-year high this week as worries about supplies from Russia, the world's second biggest producer, hit a fever pitch. The largest Russian oil company, YUKOS, is in the midst of a bitter legal battle with the government over back taxes.

This comes at a time when world oil supplies are already being eaten up not just by the United States, but by new gas guzzlers like China and India and speculators are making big bucks on global fears that supplies could be disrupted by terror attacks on Middle East oil facilities.

KATHERINE SPECTOR, JP MORGAN: There are a few drivers now, certainly we always have in the backdrop any sort of geopolitical concerns and although the YUKOS event didn't affect physical supply of oil, it definitely tempted a lot of the speculative money to bid up the market.

HAYS: But don't throw away the keys of your SUV just yet. World oil supplies are building now because Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest producer, is pumping at full capacity. When the summer driving season is over, and if there are no major terrorist attacks, oil prices could dip sharply.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: By September if we get through a quiet period, prices could easily be trading back down towards $32 a barrel. And be poised to hit lower from there. You'll also see gasoline on national average bases move back down towards the more historical norms of $1.50, $1.40 area.

HAYS (on camera): But there are some big risks to the upside. What if Russia's problems don't subside? What if oil consuming countries grow even faster? What if terrorists do succeed at disrupting production somewhere in the world? Then oil prices could stay painfully high, at the same time, an especially cold winter in the Northern Hemisphere would keep supplies very tight -- Kathleen Hays, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Here is a possible recipe for disaster. See how what happens in the winter helps lay the groundwork for a rough wildfire season in the summer.

Plus, you don't have to be part of a couple to find the perfect traveling companion. We'll have tips for singles who hate to vacation alone.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Firefighters in Washington State say a wind driven wildfire is still spreading in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Four buildings have been engulfed. Residents of nearly 200 homes have to be evacuated.

One woman says she had just enough time, just five minutes, to gather up her cat, dog and anything else she could get around the house.

Wildfires this summer already have destroyed hundreds of thousands of acres across the West. And the fire season is far from over. CNN's Donna Tetreault reports the problem has a lot to do with a shift in Mother Nature.

DONNA TETREAULT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In Southern California, the sizzle has just begun. Already this summer four large fires have consumed thousands of acres, and the forecast doesn't look any better.

JOHN WOOD, ASST. CHIEF LAFD.: We certainly have the conditions that are just like they were last year and we could have equally bad fire season.

TETREAULT: And the seasons before haven't been like Mother Nature intended. According to Assistant Fire Chief John Todd, extremely mild winters producing below average rainfall have led to a five-year drought.

These satellite images from NASA show how baron it really is. This is Lake Meade in Southern California in May of 2000. And here it is in 2003, water levels fell 60 feet and this year officials predict another drop of between 15 and 20 feet.

WOOD: Back here we have some Scrub Oak.

TETREAULT: The drought left the native brush, like this Shamise (ph), dry and that means extremely flammable.

WOOD: It has this very small leaves, very high oil content. You see it is bone dry, even the new growth.

TETREAULT: What's more, nonnative plants are inviting the land. They're unlike indigenous plants that have deeper root systems with the ability to hold in moisture.

BARBARA DYE, EXEC. DIR. LAND CONSERVANCY: You have Acacias, which come from Africa, and are a big fire danger. They're the big green bumps down there. As those spread, that's one of the things we would like to eliminate for fire protection because they're one of the worst fire plants.

TETREAULT (on camera): Another contributing fact is the wind. When the Santa Anas blow, sometimes gusting up to 70 mph, there is no stopping the fire. (voice over): So the blackened hills tell the tale. This land is in no condition to maintain its natural fire resistance and firefighters are bracing for another long season -- Donna Tetreault, for CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Many Western states are facing drought conditions, which can fuel wildfires.

(WEATHER FORECAST)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Well, traveling all by your lonesome doesn't reason you have to be lonely. Singles are traveling in droves to meet new friends and perhaps even make a love connection. Tammy Weiler is the founder of Singles Travel International. She joins us from Chicago today for a look at weekend getaways.

Hello to you, Tammy.

TAMMY WEILER, FOUNDER, SINGLES TRAVEL INT'L.: Hello, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: What are singles looking for in travel that other travelers are not?

WEILER: Well, actually, there are, believe it or not, 16 million single travelers that hit the road every year looking for companionship, love and adventure. And after years of planning vacations for singles at Singles Travel International, we learned a lot about the single traveler.

One thing we know for sure, singles want to meet others while they're on vacation. And so the activities down at the destination are sometimes far more important than the destination itself.

WHITFIELD: So what are some of the destinations, perhaps, that, you know, do find singles to be attractive to?

WEILER: There is a great event going on this Labor Day weekend at Universal Orlando. It is called Unite Florida. And it is a first of its kind exclusively designed for singles. And after sundown on Friday 3rd, this family oriented resort destination will be transformed into a sophisticated singles playground.

They'll be offering all kinds of exclusive themed events just for singles. Things like chic Martini parties and hip South Beach style soirees, they'll have -- they will have Renaissance style feasts and party zones with themed live entertainment.

And they'll even have the world's largest number of hurry date sessions.

WHITFIELD: How do singles go about finding out some of these little getaways that are catering specifically to singles? WEILER: Well, it is rather easy, Fredricka. They can go online and they can go to any search engine and search out singles travel. It will give them options as well as our company, Singles Travel International.

And I recommend that they join local clubs for singles in the area. Because it is a great way to find out about what is going on and a super way to meet other people who are looking to travel.

WHITFIELD: Even if you are single, not everybody likes group travel, however. So how might someone go about looking for the right kind of destinations, or trying to craft their own vacations, being single, hoping to meet some folks, but then not necessarily being with a huge group?

WEILER: Well, there are a lot of adventurous singles out there who aren't afraid to do it alone. And we recommend, again, doing your research, look online, going off season is a terrific way to go because not only can they take advantage of some last minute specials but they will be able to avoid the hustle and bustle of the high season, which is predominantly reserved for families.

WHITFIELD: Besides looking for non-peak season, what are the pros and cons you see out there for singles who are trying to craft the perfect getaway?

WEILER: Well, the pros, as I said, are, they can travel on a whim this he can take advantage some of last minute specials. And the cons, as would be expected, are that they don't have somebody to experience the vacation with. So if you're ready to go on an adventure by yourself, almost anything goes.

All right, Tammy Weiler, of Singles Travel International. Thank you for joining us from Chicago today.

WEILER: You're welcome.

WHITFIELD: Perhaps you're heading to London. Whether you're single or otherwise, be sure to stop by the Queen's place. Buckingham Palace opened today for its annual summer tourist season and visitors can see the public rooms and its gardens.

And this year's tour highlights the history of music and dance at the palace. Don't worry about disturbing the queen. Her Majesty is at her summer home for August. You won't even see her and she won't see you.

"The New York Times" called it the best John Kerry story of the Democratic convention. Jeanne Moos recaps one daughter's tale of her father's hamster heroics.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: The ratings are in and the Democrats must be smiling. Nearly 24.5 million Americans watched John Kerry give his rousing acceptance speech Thursday night. That's more than what tuned in four years ago to see Al Gore give his. The high ratings for the convention's ending boosted overall rate, which had sagged for the first few nights.

John Kerry is a decorated war hero. Everyone knows that. Some suspect we all got spun with the story of Kerry's dramatic hamster heroics. Here is our Jeanne Moos.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The Democrats may have won over a very special interest group, Hamsters For Kerry.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You believe John Kerry gave mouth-to-mouth to a hamster?

MOOSE: Maybe not mouth-to-mouth.

(on camera): Pretend this is a hamster.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It would be very gentle compressions. Not like --

MOOS (voice over): CPR for hamsters became a campaign issue when John Kerry's daughter told one of her favorite stories about her dad.

ALEXANDRA KERRY, JOHH KERRY'S DAUGHTER: It is a silly story.

MOOS: Alexandra and her sister were kids when their dog knocked a cage containing their pet hamster, Licorice, off a dock. John Kerry jumped into the water and rescued the hamster.

ALEXANDRA KERRY: Hunched over the soggy hamster, and began to administer CPR.

MOOS: "The New York Times" called it the best John Kerry story of the convention. At the ASPCA, a veterinarian told us you could do CPR on a hamster. And demonstrated on our fuzzy mike.

DR. ELLEN GINSBERG (PH), VETERINARIAN: I would blow and compress. Blow and compress.

MOOS: But we suspect Senator Kerry blew off the blowing part.

ALEXANDRIA KERRY: There are some reports of mouth-to-mouth, but I admit that's probably a trick of memory.

MOOS: Which brings back memories of Eddie Murphy.

(MOVIE CLIP)

EDDIE MURPHY AS DR. DOLITTLE: You know how do CPR?

RAT: CPR, I can't even spell it.

MOOS: Resuscitating a rat.

RAT: No time, doc.

ALEXANDRA KERRY: The hamster was never quite right after that, but he lived.

MOOS: As for the hamster spin on the story, a website called "hamsterific" listed Kerry as "recommended". Though this hamster for president site was still pushing one of its own rather than Kerry for Rodent in Chief.

(on camera): Would President Bush jump in the water to save a hamster?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He would probably send somebody.

MOOS: Do you think George Bush would give CPR to a hamster?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think he would probably fire on a hamster sooner.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Couldn't you turn the hamster upside down and drain the water out?

MOOS: Like so. Yes, like we are going to be so ready if any of us sees a drowning hamster, we'll be set.

(voice over): And what might the little rodent say to those who accuse Democrats of pandering to the hamster vote?

Kerry, better than cheese! Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Still much more ahead on CNN SATURDAY. In a few moments, "In the Money." at 2:00 Eastern, CNN LIVE SATURDAY, "In Depth" on a new report estimates that 195,000 people a year dying in hospitals because of mistakes. What you can do to protect yourself.

At 3:00, "Next@CNN," today the Glacier National Park is literally melting away. And what is being done to protect the park for future generations.

But first here is Jack Cafferty with a preview of "In the Money".

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR, IN THE MONEY: Thanks.

Coming up on IN THE MONEY today, Making Change: We are going to see whether the Democratic convention actually gave John Kerry a boost or just burned up a lot of cash.

Plus, out of the kitchen into the heat. We will check out some first ladies who would not settle for baking cakes and just looking pretty.

And what does it say when you say the unsay-able. Find out what the rise in cursing tells us all about our country today. All that and more after this quick check of the headlines. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired July 31, 2004 - 12:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: It is 12:00 p.m. in Washington. 9:00 a.m. in the west. Welcome to CNN LIVE SATURDAY I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Ahead this hour:
President Bush and Senator John Kerry hit the road again today in key battleground states. We'll have live reports along the campaign trail.

Also, paying at the pump, and why the gas price crunch is not expected to ease anytime soon.

And later:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You hear allegations that a goose-chasing dog was paid for with foundation money. It makes you scratch your head.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Four thousand dollars for a dog to chase geese at the Statue of Liberty. Outrage over allegations of questionable spending at the Statue of Liberty and what Congress is doing about it. But first, a look at the top stories.

Unconfirmed reports, four Jordanian truck drivers held hostage in Iraq are to be set free unharmed. That's according to "Reuters" quoting relatives of the drivers. The four were taken by militants calling themselves the "Death Squad of Iraqi Resistance."

The Vatican is criticizing what it calls "radical feminism" saying it attempts to erase the difference between men and women at the expense of the family. A document released today says the natural structure of the family involves both a mother and a father. It says men and women are different and will remain so for eternity.

In the Middle East, Palestinian militants burned down the regional governor's office in the West Bank city of Jenin. That follows disputes over who controls secure Palestinian areas. The radicals say they feared Palestinian intelligence would betray their local -- their location, rather to Israeli forces.

Keep you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.

A going into battle: The president and the Democratic presidential nominees focus on some battleground states this weekend. With the democratic convention now over, newly minted nominees, John Kerry and John Edwards, head to Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio, today. It's part of a two week tour. President Bush is also taking the bus on his "Heart and Soul of America Tour." He's also in Ohio and Pennsylvania today. as well.

Vice President Dick Cheney is stumping as well; he's out West with stops in Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.

President Bush is making his second bus tour in Ohio in three months. It's an important state no republican has won the White House without carrying Ohio. The president reached out to voters in Canton, this morning. The area is facing some tough economic times, with factory workers losing their jobs. Mr. Bush assured the crowd that the U.S. economy is turning around.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We've come through a recession. We've come through terrorist attacks. We've come through a stock market decline. We've come through corporate scandals. Yet this nation has overcome all these obstacles.

(APPLAUSE)

We've overcome the obstacles because we got great workers in America.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: CNN's Kathleen Koch is on the road with the president and joins us now on the telephone -- Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, what you saw there was President Bush campaigning with a new intensity. His campaign realizing they need to blunt any post convention bounce in the polls by opponent John Kerry.

Now Ohio here, President Bush is making his 19th visit to this battleground state. He did narrowly win in 2005 by just three percentage points. Before coming here to Canton to the rally, the president stopped by the Cleveland Brown's training facility. He chatted with a coach, the quarterback, threw the football around with some of the players. Here at the rally that you just played a short excerpt of, the president told his supporters that he does have a broad vision for the future and a proven record of success and that there was still much to do. He repeated a slogan that came up yesterday. And it has become a regular feature in his speech. And he says "we're turning the corner and not turning back."

Of course President Bush also fired a few shots at his opponent Senator Kerry, calling Kerry's record in Congress "a slim thing, and has few signature accomplishments." Mr. Bush repeated his charge that Senator Kerry is a fan of big government and higher taxes, but there were plenty of both here in Canton, of protesters, roughly about 100 right here at the Canton Memorial Civic Center who were here to defend Senator Kerry. We talked to several people -- a veteran who said he wants to see a real veteran in the White House, a veteran who knows what it's like to fight and suffer on the field of battle. We talked with some workers, one man who said the jobs that have been created, the Bush administration said some 1.5 million since August. Those are just low paying jobs, not high quality jobs to replace those that have been lost since the Bush administration took office.

So, from here the president heads on to Pennsylvania, another battleground state, one that he lost to Al Gore by five percentage points in 2000. But, the president hoping to turn that around with his "Heart and Soul of America" tour, this time -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Kathleen, before he makes it to Pennsylvania, he's going to be heading to Cambridge. What are his plans once he gets there?

KOCH: In Cambridge, we're told that we're going to see another campaign rally very similar to the one we just saw. Smaller rally than we had seen yesterday in Missouri and Michigan. But really, really talking to his base, reaching out to conservatives in these working class states and telling them that now, again, is not the time to make a change. Stick with his proven record of success, even if the economy is not as good as they would like it to be, it is getting better. The president says it's strong and getting stronger.

WHITFIELD: Kathleen Koch, thanks very much, traveling with the president. And when the president makes it to Cambridge, Ohio, we'll be bringing you his comments live in the next hour.

Well, as Kathleen reported, it's what you might call a political near-miss in Pennsylvania for the presidential candidates. Democrats John Kerry and John Edwards are campaigning in the Pittsburgh area today and will just barely miss the president's appearance there this evening. Kerry and Edwards were in Pennsylvania's capitol city of Harrisburg last night, greeted by thousands of party faithful. Kerry told the crowd, he will be a president for the people.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You talk about values. There isn't one of you here, there isn't one of you here who isn't living American values on a daily basis. You get up, you work hard, you go to work, you raise your kids, you have an expectation that the government is going to play by the same rules you do. Well, I think we deserve a government, we deserve a president that worked just as hard for your job and just as hard to be fair as they asked you to give them a job and to be fair to them. We deserve a president who works for America.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: At one point Friday, the Kerry-Edwards bus tour pulled up to a Wendy's restaurant in New York State. Eating at Wendy's is how John and Elizabeth Edwards always celebrate their wedding's anniversaries and yesterday was there 27th. Well, way back when it was apparently the only restaurant they could afford. This time Kerry purchased the meal. Of course, the candidates worked the room as well and you might notice these Marines, right here. They seemed a bit less than enthusiastic when shaking hands with John Kerry. Well, apparently later, they told reporters that they were 100 percent behind Bush and resented the intrusion on their lunch.

Then democratic presidential ticket will answer questions on CNN live, tomorrow. Presidential candidate, John Kerry and running mate John Edwards will talk with Wolf Blitzer on "Late Edition," that's tomorrow at noon Eastern, 9:00 Pacific. Stay with CNN for complete campaign coverage.

And this programming note, in the next hour, both President Bush and Senator Kennedy -- Kerry, rather, will have events on the campaign trail and CNN will have live coverage when that happens. Again, that's during the 1:00 Eastern hour.

A street corner killing in Iraq has taken the life of an educator. It happened outside a mosque about 40 miles south of Baghdad. Police say the leader of a school for teachers was shot and killed as he walked to his home.

In Fallujah, at least 20 insurgents have been killed in a battle with U.S. forces. The fighting started when U.S. Manes came under mortar fire.

Meantime Eric Kuwaiti trucking company is negotiating for the release of seven drivers held hostage in Iraq.

As the fighting rages, one Iraqi is guaranteed relative safety, at least for now. However, he's in prison awaiting trial and facing the death penalty. CNN's John Vause reports on the new life of the old dictator of Iraq, Saddam Hussein.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Oh, how life has changed. From the marbled opulence of almost 50 palaces with their manmade lakes, crystal chandeliers, and gold plated plumbing, Saddam Hussein is now one of 96 prisoners in a high security Baghdad jail.

BAKHTIAR AMIN, Iraq HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER: He is in a three by three by four meters room. It's white, tiled floor with a 100 volt bulb lamp.

VAUSE: But as the summer here hits 120 Fahrenheit, Saddam's cell is air conditioned. A luxury not enjoyed by most Iraqis. He showers twice a week, but can get a shampoo and a haircut whenever he wants. And the man who drained Iraq's marshland causing the greatest manmade environmental disaster on the planet, according to the U.N., now cares for a little tree in the yard outside his cell.

AMIN: He goes out of his cell three hours per day.

VAUSE: And the man who once led the secular Baath Party now regularly reads the Qur'an.

AMIN: That's a sign, that one can say, more of fear because he's not a real believer. He's an infidel.

VAUSE (on camera): Iraq's human rights minister says Saddam is generally in good health. He was treated by two Iraqi doctors for a chronic prostate infection. He has hypertension -- there's a surprise, high blood pressure, and a hernia. He was checked for cancer and given the all clear. And while some of Saddam's fellow inmates have sought help for depression and anxiety, Saddam has made no such request.

(voice-over): But Saddam's life of relative ease and comfort may be coming to an end. He's facing the death penalty, charged with crimes against humanity and many Iraqis want him dead, sooner rather than later.

John Vause, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Iraq's road to democracy remains a bumpy one. A national conference to choose a transitional council faces a two week delay because of organizational problems. And there is concern the postponement could have an impact on national elections planned for January. Samer Shehata is with us from Washington to talk more about the democratic process in Iraq. He teaches Middle East and Arab politics at Georgetown University.

Good to see you, Professor.

PROF. SAMER SHEHATA, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Well, how much of a setback is this delay?

SHEHATA: It's a significant setback, it's not disastrous, but never the less people are taking note. There's a lot of jockeying for position going on, different organizations want to have more people on the hundred member council, as it were. Some people have said in some organizations, like Moqtada al-Sadr, that they're going to exit from the process. And I think the real significance of this is that if it indicates that there will be also a delay for the January elections, then people are going to start to lose confidence in the interim government. That's the real fear, I think.

WHITFIELD: Except those interim government leaders are trying to assure people that it won't under circumstances delay the January elections. It's difficult for them to kind of project, isn't it, when these particular -- this particular conference was, in part, delayed because of security concerns?

SHEHATA: That's right, because there -- those are really the two reasons why the conference was delayed. The inability to agree as to who was actually going to participate in this conference and then the ongoing security disaster, really, that is Iraq. We saw, of course, the suicide car bombing in Baqubah that killed about 70 people, the increase in the hostage taking and assassinations and, of course, one cannot have a free and clear election in that kind of environment, bomb are going off, if political leaders are being assonated and there are threats against political parties.

WHITFIELD: And if these leaders are saying that there will not be a delay in the January elections, is it your view they're being overly optimistic and perhaps even unrealistic?

SHEHATA: Possibly. We have heard rumors already that the January 2005 date might be postponed. And I think there would have to be very, very good reasons as well as the backing of the United Nations, if that date was going to change. Because, again, different groups, whether it's Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani or others, have bought into the interim government because it meant that, of course, the Americans are no longer calling the shots, but also because everyone is looking forward to the January 2005 elections when Iraqis can vote and Iraqi government in.

WHITFIELD: Well, if it happens in January, or even some other date, February, March, et cetera, is it these interim government leaders, the familiar faces now, who would be on the ballot? Or are there some other opponents that they have to worry about?

SHEHATA: Well, there's -- it's more than likely that some of them are certainly going to be on the ballots. But, again, right now as the interim government, the individuals there are really representing themselves, they're not representing their political parties, but in the January 2005 elections, if, for example, Mr. Iyad Allawi wants to run, he's going to run as a member of his organization, the Iraqi National Accord. And then we're going see other groups like the Dowia Party and the Extreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq also have platforms and run for positions in the legislative body. So, we're going to see a lot more political parties and a lot more organized politics.

WHITFIELD: Samer Shehata of Georgetown University school, thanks for joining us from Washington.

SHEHATA: You're welcome.

WHITFIELD: Also, politics from a middle school's perspective. I'll speak with this young lady, right here, who isn't even a teenager yet, but already has one political convention under her belt.

Plus, why some are seeing red over the upkeep costs at the Statue of Liberty.

And this:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hunched over the soggy hamster and began to administer CPR.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And lots of laughs. The Kerry family folklore surrounding a hamster named "Licorice."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Well, over the past week, you've heard from countless reporters and pundits detailing events at the Democratic National Convention. And among those hard at work on the convention floor watching as John Kerry accepted his party's nomination and saluted his report for duty, was 12-year-old Lily Wasserman, already on duty for "Time for Kids." And Lily joins us from Boston.

Good to see you, Lily.

LILY WASSERMAN, "TIME FOR KIDS" REPORTER: Good to see you.

WHITFIELD: Well, you were one of two "Time for Kids" reporters on the convention floor. How did it go?

WASSERMAN: It was so, so great. I loved seeing all the other reporters, but also meeting different politicians and celebrities. It was so much fun.

WHITFIELD: Well, what did you envision before getting there?

WASSERMAN: Well, I was thinking -- I don't know, I didn't really know what to expect. I heard so much about it. But I wasn't thinking that I would meet so many -- I wasn't thinking that I'd meet as many politicians as I did.

WHITFIELD: And did you think it would be difficult or relatively easy to try to -- you know, get some of those interviews that you were pursuing?

WASSERMAN: Well, I thought it would be -- I wasn't really -- I thought it would be harder than it was, actually. Because I think they wanted to to -- I think they were more eager to talk to reporters and especially since I kind of stood out in the crowd. I think that they kind of noticed me, so...

WHITFIELD: You didn't have a whole lot of competition in your league, huh?

WASSERMAN: No. There weren't too many other kids there.

WHITFIELD: All right. Well, let's talk about some of the folks you did get a chance to interview. I understand a dream interview, right here on the right of our screen, Hillary Clinton. You did get a chance to talk with her, among others. Tell me what your conversation with her was like.

WASSERMAN: Well, I asked her what changes I thought she could make as a president that men couldn't? And she just replied that she's not really focusing on what she could do, but she's more focusing on what Senator Kerry and John Edwards can do right now, because she just wants to elect them and that's what she's focusing on.

WHITFIELD: You also talked to Tom Daschle, Max Cleland, Barack Obama, as well as, Andre 3000.

WASSERMAN: Yes.

WHITFIELD: What a range of interviews you had there. Tell me a little bit about each of them.

WASSERMAN: Well, I thought Max Cleland was definitely one of the most impressive ones because he was -- I mean, he lost three limbs in Vietnam and then he became a U.S. senator and he was so, so upbeat and so nice when I talked to him. I think he's absolutely incredible. He just -- he's so upbeat and if you just listen to him and looked to his face, you wouldn't know had happened to him.

WHITFIELD: And you got a chance to interview one of the rising stars that the nation really got to know a little bit better, Barack Obama of Illinois. What were your impressions of him?

WASSERMAN: Well, I think he's -- he was really, really nice to me, and the other reporters. We will -- it was a "Time" event, so I was also sitting in the room with all these other "Time" reporters, which is cool to meet all of them and see how they reported, but Barack Obama, he's just really nice, and I think he -- he has really good goals and he really wants to do good things for the country.

WHITFIELD: And then you really had to shift gears quite a bit by talking to a pop star, Andre 3000 of the music group Outkast. How did that happen?

WASSERMAN: Well, actually we were at this conference called the "Revolutionary Women's Conference," and that's actually -- that's where we met Hillary Clinton, too, she was speaking there along with some other people, but Andre 3000 just registered to vote at the age of 29. And he's doing a documentary with Norman Lear about voting in politics and things. And he was hoping to interview Senator Clinton too. And...

WHITFIELD: So, he to line up after you?

WASSERMAN: We were both waiting for her and we waited about a half an hour and he didn't have anything else he was doing, so we talked to him for a really long time.

WHITFIELD: Well Lily Wasserman, sounds like you had an incredible experience.

WASSERMAN: I did.

WHITFIELD: Thanks for sharing it with us.

WASSERMAN: Thank you very much.

WHITFIELD: "Time for Kids." I imagine -- are you are covering the republican convention as well?

WASSERMAN: No, there'll be two other kid reporters, but make sure everybody goes to timeforkids.com because all my work will there and same with the republican convention work.

WHITFIELD: All right, fair enough, share the wealth. Thanks very much Lily, appreciate it.

WASSERMAN: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Well, CNN will have much more on the DNC on "Inside Politic" on Sunday. Will the Kerry-Edwards ticket get a post convention bounce or bust? Political pollsters will in-depth on the issue, "Inside Politics Sunday" airs at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time.

Well, does lady liberty have funny finances? Why congressional investigation has lawmakers lashing out at the people who run the Statue of Liberty.

The power of perception at the gas pump: How a Russian tax battle is affecting what you pay to fill up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Expect a lot of fanfare next week when the Statue of Liberty finally reopens to the public. It is a last major national monument to reopen following the September 11 attacks. Security concerns will keep tourists out of the crown. CNN's Alina Cho reports a congressional investigation is underway to determine why the statue didn't open sooner.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Just days before the Statue of Liberty reopens to the public, the senate finance committee issued a scathing letter criticizing the foundation that runs it, geese control, which costs $45,000 a year for a dog to chase away the birds. In internal documents obtained by CNN, the foundation's president, Stephen Briganti said "geese control is the cost of a dog, a white Border Collie."

REP. ANTHONY WEINER (D), NEW YORK: You hear allegations that goose chasing dog was paid for with foundation money. It makes you scratch your head.

CHO: New York Congressman Anthony Wiener is a long time critic of the foundation.

WEINER: The way the Statue of Liberty has been handled raises all kinds of troubling issues.

CHO: also at issue, Briganti's $354,000 annual salary and outside consulting fees which topped $130,000 for four years running. And why the foundation opened a fund-raising drive to renovate and reopen the monument when it already had more than enough money to do so.

An outside review, paid for by the foundation, concluded Briganti's salary was too high but cleared the group of alleged misuse of funds. The National Park Service which manages the Statue of Liberty said construction and security concerns, not fund-raising, was the reason why the monument stayed closed.

(on camera):In a statement, the Statue of Liberty Foundation said it is cooperating with the Senate inquiry and is confident its acts would be found appropriate. The Senate committee, however, said it is troubled by the foundation's statements and wants more detailed information about how the group has spent its money.

Alina Cho, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: A quick look now at news across America. In Eagle, Colorado transcripts possibly describing the sexual history of Kobe Bryant's accuser will be made public on Monday. In court yesterday, the judge apologized for a string of court mistakes that included releasing closed door testimony and the woman's name to media outlets.

A woman accused of sending death threats to actress Catherine Zeta-Jones will undergo a psychological examination. A lawyer for Dawnette Knight says the accused stocker tried to commit suicide and the attorney blamed Zeta-Jones for drive driving her to it. Last month Knight admitted she was infatuated with the actress' husband, Michael Douglas.

And in Louisville, Kentucky, not much of a comeback for one-time boxing champ, Mike Tyson. He was down and out in the fourth round last night against British heavyweight, Danny Williams.

We're take you the first steps towards changing America's intelligence agencies.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We must act with speed, but not in haste. We must be bold, but we cannot be reckless.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Senators react to the urgency of the 9/11 report with an emergency hearing. We'll tell you what happened.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: "Now in the News": The road to the White House leads the candidates through some big battleground states this weekend. President Bush's bus tour rolls through a couple of stops today in Ohio before heading to Pennsylvania. It is the president's second bus tour of the Buckeye State in three months.

Senator Kerry is also stumping for votes today in Ohio and Pennsylvania, plus West Virginia. The Democratic nominee and his running mate, John Edwards, are on a two-week bus tour that will take them to nearly two dozen states from coast-to-coast.

And we'll have live coverage of Kerry and President Bush's speeches in the next hour. A militant group linked to Al Qaeda claims it carried out yesterday's attempted assassination of Pakistan's prime minister designate. The suicide bombing took place just north of Islamabad. The blast killed nine people.

Members of the 9/11 Commission are launching a national campaign for intelligence reforms. Starting today, commissioners in bipartisan pairs will travel across the country to make their case to think tanks, call in shows and newspaper editorial boards. The panel's leaders, Thomas Kean and Lee Hamilton, will remain in Washington for congressional hearings.

The commission issued its final report just over a week ago. Among other things, the report calls for the creation of a national counterterrorism center headed by a cabinet level intelligence director.

The urgency of the 9/11 Report also has some members of Congress back in Washington for rare summer sessions. No less than six House committees will hold hearings and the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee got to work on Friday. CNN's Congressional Correspondent Ed Henry has more on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): At a rare summer hearing, the leaders of the 9/11 Commission sounded the alarm for sweeping intelligence reform.

THOMAS KEAN, CHAIRMAN, 9/11 COMMISSION: It is an emergency. There is an enemy out there who is planning, as we meet here, to attack us.

LEE HAMILTON, VICE CHAIRMAN, 9/11 COMMISSION: We find a desire to move ahead, but the whole government just is not acting with the urgency we think is required across the board.

HENRY: Kean and Hamilton made the case that intelligence agencies failed to stop 9/11 because, as they put it, there was no quarterback calling the plays. Three years later they said nothing has changed.

HAMILTON: We have concluded that the intelligence community is not going to get its job done unless somebody is really in charge. That is just not the case now. And we paid the price.

HENRY: They urged senators to create a director of all national intelligence and a national counter-terrorism center to coordinate the 15 separate spy agencies. But a key Democrat questioned whether moving that director into the White House could make the process more vulnerable to political pressure.

SEN. CARL LEVIN (D), MICHIGAN: How does putting the director even closer to the policymaker do anything other than to make this problem even a more difficult? HENRY: As top Bush officials met again to consider what commission recommendations the president could implement quickly, Republican Susan Collins tried to slow mounting pressure on Congress.

SUSAN COLLINS (R), CHRWMAN, GOV'T. AFFAIRS CMTE: We must act with speed, but not in haste. We must be bold, but we cannot be reckless.

HENRY: But one Democrat suggested delay would be a mistake.

SEN. TOM CARTER (D), DELAWARE: Carpe diem, the only Latin I know, seize the day. There is something to be said for seizing the day, particularly when it is so hard to get anything done around here.

KEAN: I hope carpe diem, it is the right way to go, seize the day, but seize the day as this body always does with deliberate speed and with due deliberation.

HENRY (on camera): And starting next week, 9/11 commissioners were going to hit the road, barnstorming the nation to drum up support for their reform proposals. They want to keep the heat on the Congress and the president -- Ed Henry, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Now to other news from around the world. A deadly Russian raid. Russian forces fired on an entire apartment block bordering Chechnya. The interior ministry says three rebels suspected of killing two officers yesterday were killed.

Iran breaks its nuclear commitment to the European Union. An Iranian official says it will continue with suspension of uranium enrichment but in its own terms. Iran has reportedly restarted building centrifuges

In Poland, preparations are under way leading up to the 60th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising. The first museum devoted to the uprising opened today. The uprising began August 1st, 1944 and ended with some 200,000 fighters and civilians killed and most of Warsaw destroyed.

Anniversary ceremonies culminate tomorrow with a wreath laying to be attended by dignitaries including U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Find out more about the events that took place 60 years ago in the Polish capital, "CNN Presents, Warsaw Rising: The Forgotten Soldiers of World War II" at 8:00 p.m. Eastern tomorrow.

Gas prices are well off record summer highs. But you're still paying a national average of $1.90 a gallon. CNN Financial Correspondent Kathleen Hays looks at possible price trends as we head into election season.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) KATHLEEN HAYS, CORRESPONDENT, CNNfn (voice over): Still feeling the pain as you fill your gas tank? Wondering if it is ever going to end? Now it is just not terror attacks in Baghdad, or strikes in Nigeria, it is troubles at Russian's biggest oil company that are pushing oil prices and your energy bills higher.

ERIC BOLLING, OIL & GAS TRADER: I think you're going see higher pricing on the gasoline level, the heating oil level for sure, because this takes, you know, 30, 60 days to get through the system, these higher prices. So you are going to see them down the road, possibly going into the winter.

HAYS: Crude oil prices hit a 21-year high this week as worries about supplies from Russia, the world's second biggest producer, hit a fever pitch. The largest Russian oil company, YUKOS, is in the midst of a bitter legal battle with the government over back taxes.

This comes at a time when world oil supplies are already being eaten up not just by the United States, but by new gas guzzlers like China and India and speculators are making big bucks on global fears that supplies could be disrupted by terror attacks on Middle East oil facilities.

KATHERINE SPECTOR, JP MORGAN: There are a few drivers now, certainly we always have in the backdrop any sort of geopolitical concerns and although the YUKOS event didn't affect physical supply of oil, it definitely tempted a lot of the speculative money to bid up the market.

HAYS: But don't throw away the keys of your SUV just yet. World oil supplies are building now because Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest producer, is pumping at full capacity. When the summer driving season is over, and if there are no major terrorist attacks, oil prices could dip sharply.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: By September if we get through a quiet period, prices could easily be trading back down towards $32 a barrel. And be poised to hit lower from there. You'll also see gasoline on national average bases move back down towards the more historical norms of $1.50, $1.40 area.

HAYS (on camera): But there are some big risks to the upside. What if Russia's problems don't subside? What if oil consuming countries grow even faster? What if terrorists do succeed at disrupting production somewhere in the world? Then oil prices could stay painfully high, at the same time, an especially cold winter in the Northern Hemisphere would keep supplies very tight -- Kathleen Hays, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Here is a possible recipe for disaster. See how what happens in the winter helps lay the groundwork for a rough wildfire season in the summer.

Plus, you don't have to be part of a couple to find the perfect traveling companion. We'll have tips for singles who hate to vacation alone.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Firefighters in Washington State say a wind driven wildfire is still spreading in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Four buildings have been engulfed. Residents of nearly 200 homes have to be evacuated.

One woman says she had just enough time, just five minutes, to gather up her cat, dog and anything else she could get around the house.

Wildfires this summer already have destroyed hundreds of thousands of acres across the West. And the fire season is far from over. CNN's Donna Tetreault reports the problem has a lot to do with a shift in Mother Nature.

DONNA TETREAULT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In Southern California, the sizzle has just begun. Already this summer four large fires have consumed thousands of acres, and the forecast doesn't look any better.

JOHN WOOD, ASST. CHIEF LAFD.: We certainly have the conditions that are just like they were last year and we could have equally bad fire season.

TETREAULT: And the seasons before haven't been like Mother Nature intended. According to Assistant Fire Chief John Todd, extremely mild winters producing below average rainfall have led to a five-year drought.

These satellite images from NASA show how baron it really is. This is Lake Meade in Southern California in May of 2000. And here it is in 2003, water levels fell 60 feet and this year officials predict another drop of between 15 and 20 feet.

WOOD: Back here we have some Scrub Oak.

TETREAULT: The drought left the native brush, like this Shamise (ph), dry and that means extremely flammable.

WOOD: It has this very small leaves, very high oil content. You see it is bone dry, even the new growth.

TETREAULT: What's more, nonnative plants are inviting the land. They're unlike indigenous plants that have deeper root systems with the ability to hold in moisture.

BARBARA DYE, EXEC. DIR. LAND CONSERVANCY: You have Acacias, which come from Africa, and are a big fire danger. They're the big green bumps down there. As those spread, that's one of the things we would like to eliminate for fire protection because they're one of the worst fire plants.

TETREAULT (on camera): Another contributing fact is the wind. When the Santa Anas blow, sometimes gusting up to 70 mph, there is no stopping the fire. (voice over): So the blackened hills tell the tale. This land is in no condition to maintain its natural fire resistance and firefighters are bracing for another long season -- Donna Tetreault, for CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Many Western states are facing drought conditions, which can fuel wildfires.

(WEATHER FORECAST)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Well, traveling all by your lonesome doesn't reason you have to be lonely. Singles are traveling in droves to meet new friends and perhaps even make a love connection. Tammy Weiler is the founder of Singles Travel International. She joins us from Chicago today for a look at weekend getaways.

Hello to you, Tammy.

TAMMY WEILER, FOUNDER, SINGLES TRAVEL INT'L.: Hello, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: What are singles looking for in travel that other travelers are not?

WEILER: Well, actually, there are, believe it or not, 16 million single travelers that hit the road every year looking for companionship, love and adventure. And after years of planning vacations for singles at Singles Travel International, we learned a lot about the single traveler.

One thing we know for sure, singles want to meet others while they're on vacation. And so the activities down at the destination are sometimes far more important than the destination itself.

WHITFIELD: So what are some of the destinations, perhaps, that, you know, do find singles to be attractive to?

WEILER: There is a great event going on this Labor Day weekend at Universal Orlando. It is called Unite Florida. And it is a first of its kind exclusively designed for singles. And after sundown on Friday 3rd, this family oriented resort destination will be transformed into a sophisticated singles playground.

They'll be offering all kinds of exclusive themed events just for singles. Things like chic Martini parties and hip South Beach style soirees, they'll have -- they will have Renaissance style feasts and party zones with themed live entertainment.

And they'll even have the world's largest number of hurry date sessions.

WHITFIELD: How do singles go about finding out some of these little getaways that are catering specifically to singles? WEILER: Well, it is rather easy, Fredricka. They can go online and they can go to any search engine and search out singles travel. It will give them options as well as our company, Singles Travel International.

And I recommend that they join local clubs for singles in the area. Because it is a great way to find out about what is going on and a super way to meet other people who are looking to travel.

WHITFIELD: Even if you are single, not everybody likes group travel, however. So how might someone go about looking for the right kind of destinations, or trying to craft their own vacations, being single, hoping to meet some folks, but then not necessarily being with a huge group?

WEILER: Well, there are a lot of adventurous singles out there who aren't afraid to do it alone. And we recommend, again, doing your research, look online, going off season is a terrific way to go because not only can they take advantage of some last minute specials but they will be able to avoid the hustle and bustle of the high season, which is predominantly reserved for families.

WHITFIELD: Besides looking for non-peak season, what are the pros and cons you see out there for singles who are trying to craft the perfect getaway?

WEILER: Well, the pros, as I said, are, they can travel on a whim this he can take advantage some of last minute specials. And the cons, as would be expected, are that they don't have somebody to experience the vacation with. So if you're ready to go on an adventure by yourself, almost anything goes.

All right, Tammy Weiler, of Singles Travel International. Thank you for joining us from Chicago today.

WEILER: You're welcome.

WHITFIELD: Perhaps you're heading to London. Whether you're single or otherwise, be sure to stop by the Queen's place. Buckingham Palace opened today for its annual summer tourist season and visitors can see the public rooms and its gardens.

And this year's tour highlights the history of music and dance at the palace. Don't worry about disturbing the queen. Her Majesty is at her summer home for August. You won't even see her and she won't see you.

"The New York Times" called it the best John Kerry story of the Democratic convention. Jeanne Moos recaps one daughter's tale of her father's hamster heroics.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: The ratings are in and the Democrats must be smiling. Nearly 24.5 million Americans watched John Kerry give his rousing acceptance speech Thursday night. That's more than what tuned in four years ago to see Al Gore give his. The high ratings for the convention's ending boosted overall rate, which had sagged for the first few nights.

John Kerry is a decorated war hero. Everyone knows that. Some suspect we all got spun with the story of Kerry's dramatic hamster heroics. Here is our Jeanne Moos.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The Democrats may have won over a very special interest group, Hamsters For Kerry.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You believe John Kerry gave mouth-to-mouth to a hamster?

MOOSE: Maybe not mouth-to-mouth.

(on camera): Pretend this is a hamster.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It would be very gentle compressions. Not like --

MOOS (voice over): CPR for hamsters became a campaign issue when John Kerry's daughter told one of her favorite stories about her dad.

ALEXANDRA KERRY, JOHH KERRY'S DAUGHTER: It is a silly story.

MOOS: Alexandra and her sister were kids when their dog knocked a cage containing their pet hamster, Licorice, off a dock. John Kerry jumped into the water and rescued the hamster.

ALEXANDRA KERRY: Hunched over the soggy hamster, and began to administer CPR.

MOOS: "The New York Times" called it the best John Kerry story of the convention. At the ASPCA, a veterinarian told us you could do CPR on a hamster. And demonstrated on our fuzzy mike.

DR. ELLEN GINSBERG (PH), VETERINARIAN: I would blow and compress. Blow and compress.

MOOS: But we suspect Senator Kerry blew off the blowing part.

ALEXANDRIA KERRY: There are some reports of mouth-to-mouth, but I admit that's probably a trick of memory.

MOOS: Which brings back memories of Eddie Murphy.

(MOVIE CLIP)

EDDIE MURPHY AS DR. DOLITTLE: You know how do CPR?

RAT: CPR, I can't even spell it.

MOOS: Resuscitating a rat.

RAT: No time, doc.

ALEXANDRA KERRY: The hamster was never quite right after that, but he lived.

MOOS: As for the hamster spin on the story, a website called "hamsterific" listed Kerry as "recommended". Though this hamster for president site was still pushing one of its own rather than Kerry for Rodent in Chief.

(on camera): Would President Bush jump in the water to save a hamster?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He would probably send somebody.

MOOS: Do you think George Bush would give CPR to a hamster?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think he would probably fire on a hamster sooner.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Couldn't you turn the hamster upside down and drain the water out?

MOOS: Like so. Yes, like we are going to be so ready if any of us sees a drowning hamster, we'll be set.

(voice over): And what might the little rodent say to those who accuse Democrats of pandering to the hamster vote?

Kerry, better than cheese! Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Still much more ahead on CNN SATURDAY. In a few moments, "In the Money." at 2:00 Eastern, CNN LIVE SATURDAY, "In Depth" on a new report estimates that 195,000 people a year dying in hospitals because of mistakes. What you can do to protect yourself.

At 3:00, "Next@CNN," today the Glacier National Park is literally melting away. And what is being done to protect the park for future generations.

But first here is Jack Cafferty with a preview of "In the Money".

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR, IN THE MONEY: Thanks.

Coming up on IN THE MONEY today, Making Change: We are going to see whether the Democratic convention actually gave John Kerry a boost or just burned up a lot of cash.

Plus, out of the kitchen into the heat. We will check out some first ladies who would not settle for baking cakes and just looking pretty.

And what does it say when you say the unsay-able. Find out what the rise in cursing tells us all about our country today. All that and more after this quick check of the headlines. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com