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Michael Jackson Hires New Lawyer; Jayson Williams' Lawyers Give Closing Arguments; Candidate Seek NASCAR Dad Vote

Aired April 26, 2004 - 13:30   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.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Raging firefight in Iraq. Despite a cease-fire, more battles between U.S. Marines and insurgents in Fallujah today. One coalition soldier was killed, ten Marines were wounded.
Tomorrow Marines will join Iraqi police on joint patrols of Fallujah. Unless insurgents abandon their weapons, the holy city could become the site of even more serious urban warfare.

Released but not free. Two Moroccan brothers arrested in connection with that massive train bombing in Madrid are leaving police custody. One remains charged in the bombing which killed 190 people, but both have been warned to keep the court informed of their whereabouts.

Eighteen other people have also been charged in that attack.

Holding back the flames. Firefighters are making headway with a 2,300-acre wildfire in southern California. Right now it's about 90 percent contained. A motor home ignited the blaze Sunday, which has threatened hundreds of homes in Riverside County, about 100 Miles from Los Angeles.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A questionable legal move in the Michael Jackson case. The pop star has replaced two high-profile members of his legal team. Why the change? What does it mean for the case?

CNN's Ted Rowlands is following developments from L.A. for us.

Hello, Ted.

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Miles.

Benjamin Brafman and Mark Geragos are out as attorneys for Michael Jackson. They have been replaced by Thomas Mesereau, Jr., who has taken over this case for all practical purpose, effective immediately.

The Los Angeles-based attorney has been added to the Jackson team. He -- His last high-profile case was representing actor Robert Blake. They split company, did Blake and Mesereau over irreconcilable differences, leaving him free to join the Jackson team.

Mesereau declined to say anything to reporters last night after he returned from Orlando, Florida, and a weekend of meeting with not only Jackson but the Jackson camp.

He arrived in Los Angeles to say no comment and cited the gag order. But he did say he would be with Jackson on Friday for the arraignment in Santa Barbara County.

Now, of course, with Jackson up until now has Geragos and Brafman. They were at his side in January when he made his initial court appearance and was arraigned in Santa Barbara County on seven counts of lewd misconduct with a minor under the age of 15.

Geragos has not said anything. Brafman released a statement today saying in part, quote, "We have elected to step down as a result of a number of complicated issues that have arisen in recent weeks that it would not be appropriate to discuss publicly. I wish Michael well, and I truly hope that in the end of this case he will be completely exonerated."

Now, within the last hour Michael Jackson released a statement on his web site. Brafman had indicated that he stepped down.

However, Geragos -- Jackson in his statement makes it sound as though he fired the pair and said, quote, "It is imperative that I have the full attention of those who are representing me. My life is at stake. Therefore, I must feel confident that my interests are of the highest priority."

Which seems to indicate that Jackson did not like the fact that Geragos was representing Scott Peterson and is very busy. And Brafman, of course, a well-regarded and renowned defense attorney in New York, is also very busy.

So Jackson and the Jackson camp apparently not pleased with the amount of attention that those two lawyers were giving him.

Jackson is expected to be at a Santa Barbara courtroom on Friday to answer -- for -- to offer a plea, actually, for the grand jury indictments that were handed down under seal.

And again, it is expected to be a circus outside of that courtroom. Again, the Jackson family is offering free rides to people from Los Angeles. They will be taken by bus to Santa Barbara County to support Michael Jackson -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Ted Rowlands, thanks -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: On the East Coast another high-profile trial is coming to a close. Attorneys for NBA star Jayson Williams are arguing their case before jurors for the final time.

CNN's Deborah Feyerick is covering the closing arguments in Somerset, New Jersey -- Deb.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, Jayson Williams looking very somber during the closing arguments. He was nodding at times. His wife, who just gave birth to a little baby, sitting directly behind him. Now, Williams' lawyers trying to show that there was no motive, that in fact, Williams was not taunting the limo driver, as prosecutors tried to show. That the limo driver was having a good time that night, that he had been treated to dinner by Williams, even had his picture snapped looking excited.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BILLY MARTIN, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: They're going to try to say to you that Mr. Williams so mistreated him that he was afraid of Mr. Williams.

Well, if he was afraid, he wouldn't have gone in the house later. If he wasn't having a good time, he wouldn't have come into the room.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FEYERICK: Now, another lawyer, Joseph Haden, said that, despite prosecutors' attempts to prove otherwise, Williams was not indifferent following the shooting. He dove to the body, they say, and he was yelling for help.

In difference, of course, very big for the prosecution to show if they tried to convict him of aggravated or reckless manslaughter. The lawyer said the cover up was not criminal, that in fact Williams was distraught and in a state of panic.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSEPH HAYDEN, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Mr. Christofi never regained consciousness and died rather quickly, and that's where everybody freaked out. Seasoned professional athletes. Men used to extraordinary pressure. Everybody freaked out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FEYERICK: The lawyers tried to discredit two of the eyewitnesses, saying the testimony shows that they changed their stories to try to fit the prosecution theory, and the reason they changed their stories was in order to get immunity or cut good deals so that they could avoid felonies.

Prosecutors will have the last word. They will go right after lunch -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Deborah Feyerick, thank you.

In other legal matters, a November trial date has been set for a British man charged with trying to smuggle shoulder-fired missiles into the U.S. Hemant Lakhani will stand trial in New Jersey. He was arrested last year after allegedly trying to sell the missiles to undercover FBI agents.

In New York jury selection begins in another trial tied to the Tyco scandal. Vice president Mark Belnick is accused of taking millions of dollars in company money. The case involving two of his associates, Dennis Kozlowski and Mark Swartz, ended in a mistrial.

It's back to court for Robert Blake. The former actor is expected to introduce his fourth attorney at a pretrial hearing today. Blake pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife almost three years ago.

O'BRIEN: Well, what did John Kerry really do with his Vietnam War medals?

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Exactly, Miles. Well, I'm Sean Callebs in Washington, and I'll have that story coming up, as the Bush-Cheney reelection camp calls into question Kerry's stance in the military.

O'BRIEN: Also, it's the hot new voting block targeted by the candidates this year. Remember soccer moms? This year, it's NASCAR, folks. You'll want to see this just to see Bill Schneider in the NASCAR warm-up jacket.

And going old school. We'll tell you about the special ceremony on tap to honor the legends of hip-hop. Master G. and company.

ANNOUNCER: You're watching CNN's LIVE FROM with Kyra Phillips and Miles O'Brien.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: John Kerry's campaign machine moves across four states beginning today in West Virginia. The Democratic candidate is blasting the president again on job creation.

The latest report shows unemployment inched up 0.1 point to 5.7 percent. But it's the senator's service medals from Vietnam that are at the heart of the hottest election dispute.

For that story, we'll go to Sean Callebs in Washington.

Sean, what do you know?

CALLEBS: Good day, Kyra.

President Bush's reelection campaign targeting John Kerry's stance on national defense, as well as Kerry actions in the Vietnam War era.

Among the questions facing the presumptive presidential nominee, his actions during an anti-war protest during the early '70s.

Now during that rally Vietnam veterans had gathered to throw away their medals. Kerry had received three Purple Hearts, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star during his two tours of duty. But, instead of tossing away his medals, Kerry only threw away his ribbons.

Now, speaking on ABC's "Good Morning America," Kerry made no apologies and said the symbolism of what he did was important.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: George Bush has yet to explain to America whether or not and tell the truth about whether he showed up for duty.

I'm not going to get attacked on something that I did that is a matter of record that the press saw, that I did in front of the entire nation and everyone then understood. There was no distinction.

We threw away the symbols of the war. I'm proud I stood up and fought against it, proud I took on Richard Nixon. And I think, until this day, there's no distinction between the two.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CALLEBS: Now, the criticism is coming, not from President Bush directly, rather his former chief of White House communications, Karen Hughes. Hughes saying Kerry's actions during the protest raise a number of questions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAREN HUGHES, FORMER WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS CHIEF: I also was very troubled by the fact that he participated in the ceremony where veterans threw his medals away, and he only pretended to throw his.

Now I can understand if out of conscience, you take a principal stand and you would decide that you were so opposed to this that you would actually throw your metals. But to pretend to do so, I think that's -- that's very revealing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CALLEBS: But criticism doesn't end there. Hughes is also critical of Kerry saying he participated in atrocities while participating in Vietnam. Kerry says he took part in shootings in free fire zones, search and destroy missions and the burning of villages.

He says the word atrocity was inappropriate. The comments have drawn criticism from Vietnam vets, who say they cannot forgive the stigma attached to those words -- Kyra

PHILLIPS: Sean, talking about drawing criticism, it's such a sensitive issue when you're talking about military and military awards when it comes to the Bush camp.

CALLEBS: Exactly. I think they're choosing their words very carefully and exactly how these attacks are coming out.

Now what we're hearing from the Bush-Cheney re-election camp, as well, they're concerned about Kerry's -- his fight against the war on terror. They say they're going to release new campaign commercials attacking Kerry and his voting record on national defense and one ad is going to run nationally, not in the local markets. The Bush-Cheney camp says Kerry voted against a number of weapons critical to the war on terror, including the Patriot missile, B-2 bomber, F-18 fighter jets.

And the Democratic National Committee chairman is dismissing these ads as, quote, "a waste of money" and says Republicans, Kyra, are simply desperate to hold on to power.

PHILLIPS: Sean Callebs live from Washington, thanks.

O'BRIEN: President Bush tells conventioneers he's leading the way in hi-tech innovations.

The president addressed the American Association of Community Colleges in Minneapolis. He called for a permanent band on taxes on high-speed Internet hookups. The Congress already at work on that idea.

He's also touting more than $350 million for research in hydrogen fuel technology. Today is Mr. Bush's eighth trip to that swing state. Al Gore won Minnesota in 2000.

Political strategists are all about NASCAR dads this election year. But who is in this newly defined voting block, you may ask.

CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider spends a day at the races to try to find out.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL SCHNEIDER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): NASCAR nation is loud. It's powerful and enthusiastic. Stock car racing has become national.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not the southern-born, southern-bred type racing fans, like it used to be. People come from all over the United States.

SCHNEIDER: To Alabama? You bet.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're from Minnesota.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're from western Washington state.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Bronx, New York. Yonkers.

SCHNEIDER: The political values of NASCAR nation: culturally conservative.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These guys go hunting and they go fishing, and they come and watch NASCAR racing. You know, it's almost a seamless culture.

SCHNEIDER: And economically populist, standing up for the little guys. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One of the things that I am definitely against is farming out all the overseas work and taking away from Americans and their families.

SCHNEIDER: Which is strange, because corporate logos are everywhere at NASCAR, on the rigs, on the racing suits and on the cars.

NASCAR fans are intensely loyal: to the drivers...

JEFF BURTON, NASCAR DRIVER: Once they're your fan, they're always your fan.

SCHNEIDER: ... and to the sponsors.

That's why it's so valuable for a politician to hear NASCAR fans say...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am a big Bush fan.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm a Bush fan.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm a Bush fan.

SCHNEIDER: In recent years, NASCAR nation has been changing. It's becoming more middle America.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Probably 40 percent, 45 percent of the race fans now are women. That -- It wasn't always that way. It was kind of considered a southern redneck sport for years.

SCHNEIDER: And middle America has embraced NASCAR values. No one knows that better than George W. Bush.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When you look at the popularity of the sport and the influence of this sport, because of the numbers, then you understand why President Bush flew in to Daytona to be with us.

SCHNEIDER (on camera): Right now Republicans rule. They control the White House, both houses of Congress and most state governments. The basis of the Republicans' ruling majority, NASCAR nation.

Bill Schneider, CNN, Talladega, Alabama.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Bill Schneider, a man who knows political machinations and machinations in general. Nice look.

We'll get more of Bill Schneider's shades and that jaunty racing get-up during today's edition of "INSIDE POLITICS" with Judy Woodruff. That's coming up at 3:30 Eastern this afternoon on CNN.

PHILLIPS: Well, this week we're taking a look at issues facing expectant moms and dads. Today, CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta examines the challenges and benefits of breastfeeding. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's doing excellent. Very, very good.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): the number of nursing mothers is on the rise. Studies show 70 percent of new moms begin breastfeeding in the hospital, but that numbers drops dramatically when you check with them just a few months later.

Why?

REBECCA SLOAN, MOM: It is hard. People and books that I've read HAVE said it's natural. It's not supposed to hurt. It hurts. It hurts.

GUPTA: Rebecca Sloan had a hard time getting her baby to nurse at first.

SLOAN: The first two weeks your nipples are so sore. It's hard because you have to be patient and because of the emotional state that you're in and the lack of sleep that you have.

GUPTA: Rebecca stuck with it. Now her daughter Tegan (ph) is thriving.

SLOAN: It is so natural. Once you get over those hurdles, it's absolutely wonderful.

GUPTA: Research shows breastfed babies are less likely to get sick. They have fewer ear and chest infections, less gas and diarrhea and are less likely to suffer from allergies, asthma, diabetes and cancer.

Breastfed babies also have a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome and of obesity in childhood. And children who are breastfed do better on I.Q. tests.

AMY SPANGLER, BREASTFEEDING COMMITTEE: Four months to six months of exclusive breastfeeding is what seems to be needed for babies to get the life-long benefits that breastfeeding provides.

GUPTA: Breastfeeding saves money, too. You can save up to 1,000 bucks in the first year, compared to buying formula and bottles.

Working moms have an even harder time of nursing for more than a few weeks. Going back to work and having to pump breast milk is challenging.

Heidi Murkoff, author of "What to Expect When You're Expecting," counsels new moms that any amount of breastfeeding is better than nothing.

HEIDI MURKOFF, AUTHOR, "WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING": So if you find you can't fit full-time breastfeeding into your schedule or you just don't have the energy or the desire to keep it up around the clock, you can combine breastfeeding and bottle feeding in absolutely any way that's going to work for you.

GUPTA: before your baby is born, learn as much as you can about breastfeeding, and make sure to seek out help so you and your baby can learn how to do it.

MURKOFF: It can really take up to six weeks for moms, especially first-time moms, to get the hang of it. And that's why it's so important not to give up too quickly and also to get the help that you need getting started.

GUPTA (on camera): There are also health benefits for the mothers who breastfeed. It speeds weight loss, cuts down on the risk of ovarian and breast cancer, and promotes strong bones. So there may be health benefits not only for the baby but for mother as well.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: And you can tune in all week long for our special series on newborns. Coming up tomorrow, losing weight after pregnancy. On Wednesday, postpartum depression and baby blues. Thursday, we'll take a look at sleep training, and on Friday handling multiples.

Well, a face lift of sorts for Ulysses S. Grant. What's the deal, Rhonda?

RHONDA SCHAFFLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, yet another money makeover. Grant is getting a new look. I'll tell you about the redesign when LIVE FROM returns, right after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: (rapping along with song)

Yes. Not quitting the day job. Don't worry, folks. A sign of the times. VH1, the music television station most popular with -- well, I certainly didn't write this -- older music fans. Because I would not categorize myself in that realm.

PHILLIPS: They're going back.

O'BRIEN: Anyway, they're rolling out a hip-hop rewards show. But they've got to start off with the late '70s to get us up to speed, if you will.

The VH1 Hip-Hop Honors will celebrate the achievements of current and old rap artists. It is scheduled to air in Octizzle. That's current -- current rap for October.

PHILLIPS: That's a far cry from Sugar Hill Gang. I should have kept the album. I'm telling you, I had the 15-minute version. It would be worth a mint.

O'BRIEN: Think of the eBay cash you could bring on in. Think of the '50s, as a matter of fact.

PHILLIPS: Speaking of making money, moneymakers. Unveiling a new note, I guess you could say.

(MARKET REPORT)

PHILLIPS: A major cause for concern on the East Coast. Coming up next in the second hour of LIVE FROM, raging rip currents also sparking safety campaigns at the beach this summer. We'll explain.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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 April 26, 2004 - 13:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Raging firefight in Iraq. Despite a cease-fire, more battles between U.S. Marines and insurgents in Fallujah today. One coalition soldier was killed, ten Marines were wounded.
Tomorrow Marines will join Iraqi police on joint patrols of Fallujah. Unless insurgents abandon their weapons, the holy city could become the site of even more serious urban warfare.

Released but not free. Two Moroccan brothers arrested in connection with that massive train bombing in Madrid are leaving police custody. One remains charged in the bombing which killed 190 people, but both have been warned to keep the court informed of their whereabouts.

Eighteen other people have also been charged in that attack.

Holding back the flames. Firefighters are making headway with a 2,300-acre wildfire in southern California. Right now it's about 90 percent contained. A motor home ignited the blaze Sunday, which has threatened hundreds of homes in Riverside County, about 100 Miles from Los Angeles.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A questionable legal move in the Michael Jackson case. The pop star has replaced two high-profile members of his legal team. Why the change? What does it mean for the case?

CNN's Ted Rowlands is following developments from L.A. for us.

Hello, Ted.

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Miles.

Benjamin Brafman and Mark Geragos are out as attorneys for Michael Jackson. They have been replaced by Thomas Mesereau, Jr., who has taken over this case for all practical purpose, effective immediately.

The Los Angeles-based attorney has been added to the Jackson team. He -- His last high-profile case was representing actor Robert Blake. They split company, did Blake and Mesereau over irreconcilable differences, leaving him free to join the Jackson team.

Mesereau declined to say anything to reporters last night after he returned from Orlando, Florida, and a weekend of meeting with not only Jackson but the Jackson camp.

He arrived in Los Angeles to say no comment and cited the gag order. But he did say he would be with Jackson on Friday for the arraignment in Santa Barbara County.

Now, of course, with Jackson up until now has Geragos and Brafman. They were at his side in January when he made his initial court appearance and was arraigned in Santa Barbara County on seven counts of lewd misconduct with a minor under the age of 15.

Geragos has not said anything. Brafman released a statement today saying in part, quote, "We have elected to step down as a result of a number of complicated issues that have arisen in recent weeks that it would not be appropriate to discuss publicly. I wish Michael well, and I truly hope that in the end of this case he will be completely exonerated."

Now, within the last hour Michael Jackson released a statement on his web site. Brafman had indicated that he stepped down.

However, Geragos -- Jackson in his statement makes it sound as though he fired the pair and said, quote, "It is imperative that I have the full attention of those who are representing me. My life is at stake. Therefore, I must feel confident that my interests are of the highest priority."

Which seems to indicate that Jackson did not like the fact that Geragos was representing Scott Peterson and is very busy. And Brafman, of course, a well-regarded and renowned defense attorney in New York, is also very busy.

So Jackson and the Jackson camp apparently not pleased with the amount of attention that those two lawyers were giving him.

Jackson is expected to be at a Santa Barbara courtroom on Friday to answer -- for -- to offer a plea, actually, for the grand jury indictments that were handed down under seal.

And again, it is expected to be a circus outside of that courtroom. Again, the Jackson family is offering free rides to people from Los Angeles. They will be taken by bus to Santa Barbara County to support Michael Jackson -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Ted Rowlands, thanks -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: On the East Coast another high-profile trial is coming to a close. Attorneys for NBA star Jayson Williams are arguing their case before jurors for the final time.

CNN's Deborah Feyerick is covering the closing arguments in Somerset, New Jersey -- Deb.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, Jayson Williams looking very somber during the closing arguments. He was nodding at times. His wife, who just gave birth to a little baby, sitting directly behind him. Now, Williams' lawyers trying to show that there was no motive, that in fact, Williams was not taunting the limo driver, as prosecutors tried to show. That the limo driver was having a good time that night, that he had been treated to dinner by Williams, even had his picture snapped looking excited.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BILLY MARTIN, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: They're going to try to say to you that Mr. Williams so mistreated him that he was afraid of Mr. Williams.

Well, if he was afraid, he wouldn't have gone in the house later. If he wasn't having a good time, he wouldn't have come into the room.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FEYERICK: Now, another lawyer, Joseph Haden, said that, despite prosecutors' attempts to prove otherwise, Williams was not indifferent following the shooting. He dove to the body, they say, and he was yelling for help.

In difference, of course, very big for the prosecution to show if they tried to convict him of aggravated or reckless manslaughter. The lawyer said the cover up was not criminal, that in fact Williams was distraught and in a state of panic.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSEPH HAYDEN, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Mr. Christofi never regained consciousness and died rather quickly, and that's where everybody freaked out. Seasoned professional athletes. Men used to extraordinary pressure. Everybody freaked out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FEYERICK: The lawyers tried to discredit two of the eyewitnesses, saying the testimony shows that they changed their stories to try to fit the prosecution theory, and the reason they changed their stories was in order to get immunity or cut good deals so that they could avoid felonies.

Prosecutors will have the last word. They will go right after lunch -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Deborah Feyerick, thank you.

In other legal matters, a November trial date has been set for a British man charged with trying to smuggle shoulder-fired missiles into the U.S. Hemant Lakhani will stand trial in New Jersey. He was arrested last year after allegedly trying to sell the missiles to undercover FBI agents.

In New York jury selection begins in another trial tied to the Tyco scandal. Vice president Mark Belnick is accused of taking millions of dollars in company money. The case involving two of his associates, Dennis Kozlowski and Mark Swartz, ended in a mistrial.

It's back to court for Robert Blake. The former actor is expected to introduce his fourth attorney at a pretrial hearing today. Blake pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife almost three years ago.

O'BRIEN: Well, what did John Kerry really do with his Vietnam War medals?

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Exactly, Miles. Well, I'm Sean Callebs in Washington, and I'll have that story coming up, as the Bush-Cheney reelection camp calls into question Kerry's stance in the military.

O'BRIEN: Also, it's the hot new voting block targeted by the candidates this year. Remember soccer moms? This year, it's NASCAR, folks. You'll want to see this just to see Bill Schneider in the NASCAR warm-up jacket.

And going old school. We'll tell you about the special ceremony on tap to honor the legends of hip-hop. Master G. and company.

ANNOUNCER: You're watching CNN's LIVE FROM with Kyra Phillips and Miles O'Brien.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: John Kerry's campaign machine moves across four states beginning today in West Virginia. The Democratic candidate is blasting the president again on job creation.

The latest report shows unemployment inched up 0.1 point to 5.7 percent. But it's the senator's service medals from Vietnam that are at the heart of the hottest election dispute.

For that story, we'll go to Sean Callebs in Washington.

Sean, what do you know?

CALLEBS: Good day, Kyra.

President Bush's reelection campaign targeting John Kerry's stance on national defense, as well as Kerry actions in the Vietnam War era.

Among the questions facing the presumptive presidential nominee, his actions during an anti-war protest during the early '70s.

Now during that rally Vietnam veterans had gathered to throw away their medals. Kerry had received three Purple Hearts, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star during his two tours of duty. But, instead of tossing away his medals, Kerry only threw away his ribbons.

Now, speaking on ABC's "Good Morning America," Kerry made no apologies and said the symbolism of what he did was important.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: George Bush has yet to explain to America whether or not and tell the truth about whether he showed up for duty.

I'm not going to get attacked on something that I did that is a matter of record that the press saw, that I did in front of the entire nation and everyone then understood. There was no distinction.

We threw away the symbols of the war. I'm proud I stood up and fought against it, proud I took on Richard Nixon. And I think, until this day, there's no distinction between the two.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CALLEBS: Now, the criticism is coming, not from President Bush directly, rather his former chief of White House communications, Karen Hughes. Hughes saying Kerry's actions during the protest raise a number of questions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAREN HUGHES, FORMER WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS CHIEF: I also was very troubled by the fact that he participated in the ceremony where veterans threw his medals away, and he only pretended to throw his.

Now I can understand if out of conscience, you take a principal stand and you would decide that you were so opposed to this that you would actually throw your metals. But to pretend to do so, I think that's -- that's very revealing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CALLEBS: But criticism doesn't end there. Hughes is also critical of Kerry saying he participated in atrocities while participating in Vietnam. Kerry says he took part in shootings in free fire zones, search and destroy missions and the burning of villages.

He says the word atrocity was inappropriate. The comments have drawn criticism from Vietnam vets, who say they cannot forgive the stigma attached to those words -- Kyra

PHILLIPS: Sean, talking about drawing criticism, it's such a sensitive issue when you're talking about military and military awards when it comes to the Bush camp.

CALLEBS: Exactly. I think they're choosing their words very carefully and exactly how these attacks are coming out.

Now what we're hearing from the Bush-Cheney re-election camp, as well, they're concerned about Kerry's -- his fight against the war on terror. They say they're going to release new campaign commercials attacking Kerry and his voting record on national defense and one ad is going to run nationally, not in the local markets. The Bush-Cheney camp says Kerry voted against a number of weapons critical to the war on terror, including the Patriot missile, B-2 bomber, F-18 fighter jets.

And the Democratic National Committee chairman is dismissing these ads as, quote, "a waste of money" and says Republicans, Kyra, are simply desperate to hold on to power.

PHILLIPS: Sean Callebs live from Washington, thanks.

O'BRIEN: President Bush tells conventioneers he's leading the way in hi-tech innovations.

The president addressed the American Association of Community Colleges in Minneapolis. He called for a permanent band on taxes on high-speed Internet hookups. The Congress already at work on that idea.

He's also touting more than $350 million for research in hydrogen fuel technology. Today is Mr. Bush's eighth trip to that swing state. Al Gore won Minnesota in 2000.

Political strategists are all about NASCAR dads this election year. But who is in this newly defined voting block, you may ask.

CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider spends a day at the races to try to find out.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL SCHNEIDER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): NASCAR nation is loud. It's powerful and enthusiastic. Stock car racing has become national.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not the southern-born, southern-bred type racing fans, like it used to be. People come from all over the United States.

SCHNEIDER: To Alabama? You bet.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're from Minnesota.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're from western Washington state.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Bronx, New York. Yonkers.

SCHNEIDER: The political values of NASCAR nation: culturally conservative.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These guys go hunting and they go fishing, and they come and watch NASCAR racing. You know, it's almost a seamless culture.

SCHNEIDER: And economically populist, standing up for the little guys. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One of the things that I am definitely against is farming out all the overseas work and taking away from Americans and their families.

SCHNEIDER: Which is strange, because corporate logos are everywhere at NASCAR, on the rigs, on the racing suits and on the cars.

NASCAR fans are intensely loyal: to the drivers...

JEFF BURTON, NASCAR DRIVER: Once they're your fan, they're always your fan.

SCHNEIDER: ... and to the sponsors.

That's why it's so valuable for a politician to hear NASCAR fans say...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am a big Bush fan.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm a Bush fan.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm a Bush fan.

SCHNEIDER: In recent years, NASCAR nation has been changing. It's becoming more middle America.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Probably 40 percent, 45 percent of the race fans now are women. That -- It wasn't always that way. It was kind of considered a southern redneck sport for years.

SCHNEIDER: And middle America has embraced NASCAR values. No one knows that better than George W. Bush.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When you look at the popularity of the sport and the influence of this sport, because of the numbers, then you understand why President Bush flew in to Daytona to be with us.

SCHNEIDER (on camera): Right now Republicans rule. They control the White House, both houses of Congress and most state governments. The basis of the Republicans' ruling majority, NASCAR nation.

Bill Schneider, CNN, Talladega, Alabama.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Bill Schneider, a man who knows political machinations and machinations in general. Nice look.

We'll get more of Bill Schneider's shades and that jaunty racing get-up during today's edition of "INSIDE POLITICS" with Judy Woodruff. That's coming up at 3:30 Eastern this afternoon on CNN.

PHILLIPS: Well, this week we're taking a look at issues facing expectant moms and dads. Today, CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta examines the challenges and benefits of breastfeeding. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's doing excellent. Very, very good.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): the number of nursing mothers is on the rise. Studies show 70 percent of new moms begin breastfeeding in the hospital, but that numbers drops dramatically when you check with them just a few months later.

Why?

REBECCA SLOAN, MOM: It is hard. People and books that I've read HAVE said it's natural. It's not supposed to hurt. It hurts. It hurts.

GUPTA: Rebecca Sloan had a hard time getting her baby to nurse at first.

SLOAN: The first two weeks your nipples are so sore. It's hard because you have to be patient and because of the emotional state that you're in and the lack of sleep that you have.

GUPTA: Rebecca stuck with it. Now her daughter Tegan (ph) is thriving.

SLOAN: It is so natural. Once you get over those hurdles, it's absolutely wonderful.

GUPTA: Research shows breastfed babies are less likely to get sick. They have fewer ear and chest infections, less gas and diarrhea and are less likely to suffer from allergies, asthma, diabetes and cancer.

Breastfed babies also have a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome and of obesity in childhood. And children who are breastfed do better on I.Q. tests.

AMY SPANGLER, BREASTFEEDING COMMITTEE: Four months to six months of exclusive breastfeeding is what seems to be needed for babies to get the life-long benefits that breastfeeding provides.

GUPTA: Breastfeeding saves money, too. You can save up to 1,000 bucks in the first year, compared to buying formula and bottles.

Working moms have an even harder time of nursing for more than a few weeks. Going back to work and having to pump breast milk is challenging.

Heidi Murkoff, author of "What to Expect When You're Expecting," counsels new moms that any amount of breastfeeding is better than nothing.

HEIDI MURKOFF, AUTHOR, "WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING": So if you find you can't fit full-time breastfeeding into your schedule or you just don't have the energy or the desire to keep it up around the clock, you can combine breastfeeding and bottle feeding in absolutely any way that's going to work for you.

GUPTA: before your baby is born, learn as much as you can about breastfeeding, and make sure to seek out help so you and your baby can learn how to do it.

MURKOFF: It can really take up to six weeks for moms, especially first-time moms, to get the hang of it. And that's why it's so important not to give up too quickly and also to get the help that you need getting started.

GUPTA (on camera): There are also health benefits for the mothers who breastfeed. It speeds weight loss, cuts down on the risk of ovarian and breast cancer, and promotes strong bones. So there may be health benefits not only for the baby but for mother as well.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: And you can tune in all week long for our special series on newborns. Coming up tomorrow, losing weight after pregnancy. On Wednesday, postpartum depression and baby blues. Thursday, we'll take a look at sleep training, and on Friday handling multiples.

Well, a face lift of sorts for Ulysses S. Grant. What's the deal, Rhonda?

RHONDA SCHAFFLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, yet another money makeover. Grant is getting a new look. I'll tell you about the redesign when LIVE FROM returns, right after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: (rapping along with song)

Yes. Not quitting the day job. Don't worry, folks. A sign of the times. VH1, the music television station most popular with -- well, I certainly didn't write this -- older music fans. Because I would not categorize myself in that realm.

PHILLIPS: They're going back.

O'BRIEN: Anyway, they're rolling out a hip-hop rewards show. But they've got to start off with the late '70s to get us up to speed, if you will.

The VH1 Hip-Hop Honors will celebrate the achievements of current and old rap artists. It is scheduled to air in Octizzle. That's current -- current rap for October.

PHILLIPS: That's a far cry from Sugar Hill Gang. I should have kept the album. I'm telling you, I had the 15-minute version. It would be worth a mint.

O'BRIEN: Think of the eBay cash you could bring on in. Think of the '50s, as a matter of fact.

PHILLIPS: Speaking of making money, moneymakers. Unveiling a new note, I guess you could say.

(MARKET REPORT)

PHILLIPS: A major cause for concern on the East Coast. Coming up next in the second hour of LIVE FROM, raging rip currents also sparking safety campaigns at the beach this summer. We'll explain.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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