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CNN Live At Daybreak

Reno Expected to Take Steps Toward Race for Governor Today

Aired September 04, 2001 - 08:08   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.
VINCE CELLINI, CNN ANCHOR: Former Attorney General Janet Reno is expected today to take a formal step toward running for governor of Florida -- her home state. And if she wins the Democratic nomination, that sets up a potential confrontation with the president's brother, Governor Jeb Bush, next year.

CNN's John Zarrella reports on the controversial candidate.

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CELLINI: As John just mentioned, there is some concern about the effect Parkinson's may have on Janet Reno's ability to function and to govern.

And for insight into her condition, we turn to Janet Reno's doctor, William Koller, who is in Miami. He has been treating Janet Reno for about a year-and-a-half.

Good morning, Doctor.

DR. WILLIAM KOLLER, JANET RENO'S DOCTOR: Good morning.

CELLINI: Good morning.

I wonder if you could tell us -- I understand that Parkinson's patients -- the condition and degree of the disease varies from patient to patient.

To what extent is Janet Reno dealing with Parkinson's?

KOLLER: Well, one, she has a very mild form of the disease. She has tremor on one side of the body, and she has almost no functional disability related to her disease.

And interesting -- she has this great attitude that she minimizes the Parkinson's in her life, and she does basically what she needs to do.

CELLINI: In the story, we saw how the Parkinson's causes the tremor for Janet Reno. And I know that sometimes that's accelerated in certain situations, sometimes under stress. In other words, if she gives a speech, perhaps it's more noticeable. But perception to voters of a candidate is very strong.

Do you think that that has some effect in the long term as a candidate?

KOLLER: Well, I think people should understand that any emotionality, good or bad, can bring out the tremor just very short term. And the tremor really doesn't cause any disability. And some people suggest that tremors really are cosmetic, they're not really a disability.

CELLINI: She asked you for a long-term prognosis. How long?

KOLLER: Well, she wanted to know whether she could run, be governor and then be governor again. So she wanted a really long-term prognosis. But she has done so well initially, that I think the odds are -- overwhelming odds that she will do well in the long term as well.

CELLINI: Well, she's looking long term.

Now, let's get back to kind of pressures of the stress of a situation, and the stress of a candidacy can be great.

What type of effect would that have on her?

KOLLER: Well, it should only be a temporary effect. Like we mentioned, tremor can be worse in giving a speech or doing some other event. But it really shouldn't cause any long-term problem with the condition.

CELLINI: But what are your biggest concerns for her as you treat her as her doctor? I mean, just basically watching over her at this point as a patient.

KOLLER: Well, we tell all of the patients that we should have Parkinson's minimized in their life. They should try to do what they want, live happy, fulfilling, challenging lives. And she's certainly prepared to do that.

CELLINI: Well, thank you, Dr. William Koller. Her bigger concern could be Jeb Bush somewhere down the line. We'll see how that turns out.

Thanks for your time this morning.

KOLLER: Yes. Thank you. My pleasure.

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