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Captured Marine Reportedly Freed; Kerry-Edwards Make Debut

Aired July 07, 2004 - 15:00   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.


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to LIVE FROM. I'm Miles O'Brien. Kyra Phillips off today.
Now in the news -- now in the news, the call of a lifetime. A source close to the family of Wassef Hassoun tells CNN the missing U.S. Marine has called home saying he is free and safe. We'll have the latest on Corporal Hassoun, captured by insurgents in Iraq June 20, in a live report straight ahead.

The Al-Jazeera network is airing a videotape that appears to show armed men holding Filipino hostage in Iraq. The man is seen seated with three armed men behind him. We'll keep you updated on this developing story.

From Cleveland to Dayton, John Kerry introduces Ohio and the rest of America to his running mate. Hear what John Edwards told supporters and how President Bush is reacting the new duo coming up.

A turn of events for the family of a captured U.S. Marine. A source says Wassef Hassoun is alive and has been released.

We get the latest CNN's Miguel Marquez in the family's hometown in Utah -- Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There is a bit of elation today here in West Jordan, Utah, the suburbs of Salt Lake City, because of a couple of phone calls that a source close to the family tells CNN that Wassef Hassoun made.

One of those calls went to his family in Jordan, telling them he was fine. He also told them that he called the U.S. family in Tripoli and called the embassy, the U.S. Embassy, in Beirut, Lebanon, and told them that he was at a certain location -- we don't know what that location is -- and they were on their way to possibly pick him up.

The family here may hold some sort of a press conference later today when they get official confirmation of all of that. At this point, we have no official confirmation of any of this, though, from either the Pentagon, the U.S. State Department, nor does the family, Hassoun's family in Tripoli, have any independent confirmation from the U.S. Embassy in Beirut at this point.

The one thing his family did say is that he sounds happy, safe, well and sounded 100 percent. I'm sure those are great words for them to hear. They certainly had little bits of information along the way that were positive, but certainly this would be the biggest bit of positive information they have so far. Many questions, though, do remain. Where exactly he is, is still a question without confirmation from independence sources. How did he get from Iraq to Beirut is another question.

And how exactly did he get released and why was he released from those individuals? The family may be able to answer some of these questions. They hope to have independent confirmation of all this and then possibly this afternoon or this evening do something here in front of their home in West Jordan, Utah -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Miguel, you say Beirut, but we really don't know where he is, right? We presume it to be Lebanon, at the very least, because of his links to Lebanon, but do we know that for a fact?

MARQUEZ: From what I understand, the source tells CNN that he called his family in Beirut and told them that he was in Lebanon and that he had phoned the embassy there so that they could come pick him up, but it's not clear whether or not that has happened yet. And it's not clear. He could be in a neighboring country for all we know, so it's not entirely clear where exactly he is. Lots of questions still to be answered.

O'BRIEN: Yes, I should say. One other thing. Is the family certain he truly has been released and not making that call as part of a ruse by his kidnappers?

MARQUEZ: It's not entirely clear. The one thing that they did say here that gave them the most hope was that he sounded so happy, he sounded himself. He sounded 100 percent himself is the way they said, which led them to believe that he is not being held against his will anymore and is, in fact, free and safe.

O'BRIEN: All right, Miguel Marquez, we look forward to hearing from the family a little bit later in the day and we will stay in touch with you.

It is kickoff time for the new campaign team of John Kerry and John Edwards. Right now, they are hitting the road in Ohio, then on to another battleground, Florida. Kerry and Edwards say they have better ideas than Bush and Cheney.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I have to be honest with you. When I got the call yesterday from John, I was a little surprised, because what I thought was, it was another reporter calling to ask what I knew.

(LAUGHTER)

EDWARDS: Here is what I know. What I know is, we're going to win this election. We're going to make America stronger and we're going to create respect for America all around the world, the America that all of us believe in!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: CNN's Kelly Wallace was there when the new team made its first appearance.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: What we saw this morning was the beginning of a very carefully orchestrated rollout designed to get maximum coverage and the maximum bounce for the Democratic ticket.

It was the first joint photo-op featuring John Kerry and John Edwards, Senator Edwards there with his wife Elizabeth and his three children, John Kerry with his wife, Teresa, his two daughters and two of his three stepsons. We also got the first words from John Edwards since he was tapped to be John Kerry's running mate. And he put forward that populist message that made him popular during the primaries and is one of the reasons Kerry advisers say Senator Kerry decided to select him to be his vice presidential candidate.

EDWARDS: There is so much at stake. He shares the values and the vision that I believe in. You know, I grew up in a small town in North Carolina. This is the kind of man we grew up looking up to, respecting, somebody who believed in faith and family and responsibility and having everybody get a chance to do what they're capable of doing, not just a few.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: John Edwards and his family represent a life of fighting to provide hope and opportunity for people, opening doors, making things better for people who have been hurt.

TERESA HEINZ KERRY, WIFE OF SENATOR JOHN KERRY: And that's what we're going to do, is to bring back hope and inspire all of our country people to be what they can be, which is optimistic, working, and healthy.

WALLACE: The senators refused to take questions, saying they would take some later. Perhaps one of the toughest questions will be going to John Kerry, questions about how he could choose someone to be his running mate, someone whose own readiness and experience for the presidency he questioned during the primaries.

Right now, though, it's all campaigning all the time. The senators and their wives will be hitting six states over the next four days, starting, first, in the ever important battleground state of Ohio and wrapping up this tour on Saturday in John Edwards' home state of North Carolina.

Kelly Wallace, CNN reporting from Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: The man who ran Kerry's V.P. search trying to set the record straight on Kerry's reported flirtation with Republican John McCain. The Bush campaign has been suggested -- it was widely reported, of course -- that McCain, not Edwards, was Kerry's first choice. The Kerry adviser says that's not so.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIM JOHNSON, KERRY CAMPAIGN ADVISER: There was a lot of interest in the concept of a unity ticket, of both parties being represented, trying to stop this bitter partisanship that's really a plague on our nation. So there were some preliminary discussions. But they never got to a serious stage and there was never an offer made. There was only one offer and that was John Edwards. It seems to be working out very well.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Now, McCain has not been heard on the matter specifically, other than to say and to note that both campaigns have placed him in their ads.

President Bush took his reelection campaign to Senator John Edwards' backyard today. Speaking in North Carolina, Bush highlighted Edwards' role in blocking judicial nominees and he took a swipe at Edwards' experience, stressing that Dick Cheney has what it takes to be president. Bush says he doesn't fear the Democratic ticket's appeal to Southern voters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm going to carry the South because the people understand that -- that they share -- we share values that they understand. They know me well. And I believe that I did well in the South last time and I'm going to do well in the South this time, because the senator from Massachusetts doesn't share their values.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: After his stop at the Tarheel State, the president headed for Michigan for a fund-raiser there.

Just what does John Edwards bring to the Democratic ticket? Check out "JUDY WOODRUFF'S INSIDE POLITICS" less than a half-hour from now. CNN's got the top of the ticket on "LARRY KING LIVE" Thursday night. Larry talks with the Democratic presidential candidate, John Kerry, his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, 9:00 Eastern time right here on CNN.

News around the world for you now.

Scrapping plans to see Saddam. Lawyers for the former Iraqi leader decide to stay put in Jordan for the time being. They have canceled a planned visit to Baghdad, saying they had received death threats from Iraqi officials. The 21 mainly Arab lawyers say they will go only to Baghdad if the U.S. and Iraq promise to protect them.

Formally charged. A Yemeni official says six terror suspect have now been charged with planning the attack on the USS Cole nearly six years ago. The suspect are all believed to have ties to al Qaeda. Five of them were in the courtroom today. The sixth is in U.S. custody. The Pentagon says nine more prisoners at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba could face trials on terror charges. This follows the Supreme Court's ruling last month that suspected terrorists in military custody can turn to U.S. courts to challenge their detentions.

National correspondent Bob Franken is watching what's going on at Gitmo.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: There is almost an instant reaction to the Supreme Court ruling that the detainees here at Guantanamo Bay have the right to lawyers, have the right to face their chargers, the right of habeas corpus, in spite of the fact that this base is part of Cuba, beyond the borders of the United States.

The military lawyer for one of those who is being charged for the tribunals is Ibrahim Ahmed al Qosi. His military lawyer, Lieutenant Colonel Sharon Shaffer, is on the base. She's going to be meeting with him, going to discuss what she calls the legal situation which has changed, using her words, in a big way. She says that, among other things, this has -- quote -- "opened the door to challenge the entire legitimacy of the military tribunals," not only that, not only to challenge their lawful makeup, but to challenge the facts in his particular case and of course the case of all the other detainees.

Now, the officials here, those who are running the camp, insist that in spite of some question about this, they've gotten valuable intelligence out of the detainees and they are very worried that once the lawyers start meeting with their prisoners that it's going to dry up the intelligence source, an important intelligence source. They say of course that they will comply. They don't know how.

The Navy secretary, Gordon England, is expected down here sometime this week to begin consideration of the procedures. Among the things that has been discussed is the possibility that at least some of the detainees will be released. Everything is on the table, we are told. It is very confused.

The officials are taking CNN on a tour to try and convince the world that they did not have the kind of abusive practices here that we've seen in some of the Iraqi prisons. They say that there was two type discipline. They're going to give us the chance to see that and see if they can let us see enough that they can make their case.

But, in the meantime, the case that they have to try and make now is the one that they're going to be making with the lawyers for the detainees once the procedures are set up.

Bob Franken, CNN, Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Soy has been touted as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy, but does it work? New findings in health headlines just ahead.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can't your mother stay another week?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It really doesn't matter if you leave the toilet seat up. It makes it easier to clean.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Do they sound too good to be true? How can you have your very own Mr. or Ms. Wonderful.

And Sean Connery gets ready to bare his soul and presidency a few 007 secrets, maybe? That's after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: DNA evidence can be a powerful weapon in a criminal case, but when the case involves a suspect with an identical twin, the evidence becomes more difficult.

CNN senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports, that when investigators resort to some more tried and true crime-fighting techniques.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): One crime, two suspects. Tyrone Cooper was linked by DNA to the horrible rape of a Michigan college student. The problem is, so was his twin, his identical twin, Jerome Cooper.

SGT. TIM WILLIAMS, GRAND RAPIDS POLICE: One is saying it's his brother. The other one is saying -- the other one is saying no.

GUPTA: Usually, your DNA, a genetic fingerprint, is so unique that it can conclusively distinguish you from any other human, living or dead. But in a situation that is becoming increasingly common, sophisticated genetic equipment is being duped by identical twins.

DR. LOUIS J. ELSAS, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI: Now, DNA would not be the way to distinguish between identical twins.

GUPTA: It's the same sperm and the same egg that come together, form a zygote, and then split, resulting in two zygotes that haven't same DNA and are impossible to distinguish, almost.

ELSAS: You're looking for very small sequence differences, which means a lot of work.

GUPTA: So if DNA is not reliable for these type of cases, what type of evidence is? Well, experts say fingerprints between identical twins are distinct, based on how they develop in the womb, and hair samples are reliable as well. ELSAS: Hair might be a good sample to evaluate because it can be altered by the environment and, thus, identify one identical twin as different from the other.

GUPTA: And, finally, eyewitness accounts may be the best bet, because, while identical twins are born looking very much alike, they often change as they grow up. In the case of the Cooper twins, police are still looking for leads. The crime remains unsolved. Both Jerome and Tyrone are in jail, but on unrelated charges.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Casting doubts about the benefits of soy, a new study finds soy will not work as an alternative to estrogen in post- menopausal women. Dutch researchers found that soy did not increase bone density, improve memory, nor did it lower cholesterol levels. But the authors of the study are raising questions about their own findings. They contend that their subjects, all women age 60 to 75, may simply have been too far past menopause to get any soy-related benefits.

Drinking help could help your colon stay healthy. Scientists analyzed 10 nutrition studies dealing with more than a half-million people. And they found people who drank a glass of milk a day lowered their risk of colorectal cancer by 12 percent. It's believed calcium reduces the occurrence of polyps in the colon that can turn cancerous. Calcium supplements provide similar benefits.

Junk food lovers, beware. Your afternoon energy boost of chocolate may not be there when you need it.

And the late Sammy Davis Jr. back on the big screen with the help of Denzel Washington. Word about a new movie when LIVE FROM returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(FINANCIAL UPDATE)

O'BRIEN: Checking entertainment headlines this Wednesday, is the candy man set for a comeback? "Variety" reports that Denzel Washington is mulling a new screen bio of the late great Sammy Davis Jr. Washington won't play the famed Rat Packer, but will direct the picture and mix it with love because he can.

Some news to report for "Star Trek" fans today, word that actor James "Can't get more power, Captain" Doohan, who played Scotty on the original TV series, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. It is the latest of a string of health crises for the 84-year-old Doohan, who also suffers from Parkinson's disease and diabetes.

And after playing James Bond, you'd think Sir Sean Connery would have learned, never say never. Well, years ago, the actor swore he'd never commit his life story to the printed page, but fans won't be disappointed to learn he is, at last, breaking that promise. Connery has signed, I'm sure, a lucrative deal with HarperCollins for an autobiography which is due out in 2006. We look forward to that.

Tomorrow, great news, wicked good news, Matt Damon in the house from Boston, coming in town, packing the car, talking about Dorchester. No, he's talking about "The Bourne Supremacy," 3:00 p.m. Eastern, right here on CNN. Don't miss it. TiVo it, if you need to.

Imagine a mate that says exactly what you want to hear. No, this is not science fiction or "The Twilight Zone" or the sequel to "The Stepford Wives." It's a new doll called Mr. Wonderful. He's so popular, he has spawned a Mrs. and some wonderful kids, too.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Compared to the average guy, he's a doll.

MR. WONDERFUL: Let's just cuddle tonight.

MOOS: A doll who says all of the right things.

MR. WONDERFUL: You don't look at all fat in that dress.

MOOS: His name is Mr. Wonderful and he spawned Ms. Wonderful.

MS. WONDERFUL: You don't need a glass. Just go ahead and drink right out of the carton.

MOOS: Coming soon, the wonderful kids!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When I grow up, I want to be just like you.

MOOS: An African-American Mr. Wonderful.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, can't your mamma stay another week?

MOOS: Sure, there are naysayers.

ALF: This thing will never sell. It's not furry enough.

MOOS: But over two million sold the first year. They are hoping for five million the next, a doll phenomenon created by a former divorce attorney, herself divorced.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I had just come out the other side of a very tempestuous marriage. I guess I needed my own Mr. Wonderful.

MOOS: So she created him.

MR. WONDERFUL: Let me rub your feet.

MOOS: One gift shop manager told of a customer wanting one for his wife who just found out about his mistress.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Would this be an appropriate gift to give my wife now that she knows I have a girlfriend?

MOOS (on camera): And what did you say?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I said, there is a jewelry store down the block. You need to get her a really big diamond.

MOOS: Well, they kind of do look like you.

MR. WONDERFUL: I think it's really important that we talk about our relationship.

MOOS (voice-over): The voices of Mr. and Ms. Wonderful were done by an actual married couple 37. The Wonderfuls are eerily reminiscent of "The Stepford Wives."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE STEPFORD WIVES")

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: You look great.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: I love you in khakis.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MOOS: You can even insert your own Mr. Wonderful into the my Mr. Wonderful picture frame.

MR. WONDERFUL: Hi, smoochy poo.

I think it's really important that we talk about our relationship.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is he gay?

MOOS: Imagine if Mr. Wonderful and Ms. Wonderful got married.

MR. WONDERFUL: Oh, can't your mother stay another week?

MS. WONDERFUL: It really doesn't matter if you leave the toilet seat up. It makes it easier to clean.

MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN.

MR. WONDERFUL: Have I told you I loved you lately?

MOOS: New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Have I told you I loved you?

Thanks for dropping by. That wraps up this edition of LIVE FROM.

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 7, 2004 - 15:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to LIVE FROM. I'm Miles O'Brien. Kyra Phillips off today.
Now in the news -- now in the news, the call of a lifetime. A source close to the family of Wassef Hassoun tells CNN the missing U.S. Marine has called home saying he is free and safe. We'll have the latest on Corporal Hassoun, captured by insurgents in Iraq June 20, in a live report straight ahead.

The Al-Jazeera network is airing a videotape that appears to show armed men holding Filipino hostage in Iraq. The man is seen seated with three armed men behind him. We'll keep you updated on this developing story.

From Cleveland to Dayton, John Kerry introduces Ohio and the rest of America to his running mate. Hear what John Edwards told supporters and how President Bush is reacting the new duo coming up.

A turn of events for the family of a captured U.S. Marine. A source says Wassef Hassoun is alive and has been released.

We get the latest CNN's Miguel Marquez in the family's hometown in Utah -- Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There is a bit of elation today here in West Jordan, Utah, the suburbs of Salt Lake City, because of a couple of phone calls that a source close to the family tells CNN that Wassef Hassoun made.

One of those calls went to his family in Jordan, telling them he was fine. He also told them that he called the U.S. family in Tripoli and called the embassy, the U.S. Embassy, in Beirut, Lebanon, and told them that he was at a certain location -- we don't know what that location is -- and they were on their way to possibly pick him up.

The family here may hold some sort of a press conference later today when they get official confirmation of all of that. At this point, we have no official confirmation of any of this, though, from either the Pentagon, the U.S. State Department, nor does the family, Hassoun's family in Tripoli, have any independent confirmation from the U.S. Embassy in Beirut at this point.

The one thing his family did say is that he sounds happy, safe, well and sounded 100 percent. I'm sure those are great words for them to hear. They certainly had little bits of information along the way that were positive, but certainly this would be the biggest bit of positive information they have so far. Many questions, though, do remain. Where exactly he is, is still a question without confirmation from independence sources. How did he get from Iraq to Beirut is another question.

And how exactly did he get released and why was he released from those individuals? The family may be able to answer some of these questions. They hope to have independent confirmation of all this and then possibly this afternoon or this evening do something here in front of their home in West Jordan, Utah -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Miguel, you say Beirut, but we really don't know where he is, right? We presume it to be Lebanon, at the very least, because of his links to Lebanon, but do we know that for a fact?

MARQUEZ: From what I understand, the source tells CNN that he called his family in Beirut and told them that he was in Lebanon and that he had phoned the embassy there so that they could come pick him up, but it's not clear whether or not that has happened yet. And it's not clear. He could be in a neighboring country for all we know, so it's not entirely clear where exactly he is. Lots of questions still to be answered.

O'BRIEN: Yes, I should say. One other thing. Is the family certain he truly has been released and not making that call as part of a ruse by his kidnappers?

MARQUEZ: It's not entirely clear. The one thing that they did say here that gave them the most hope was that he sounded so happy, he sounded himself. He sounded 100 percent himself is the way they said, which led them to believe that he is not being held against his will anymore and is, in fact, free and safe.

O'BRIEN: All right, Miguel Marquez, we look forward to hearing from the family a little bit later in the day and we will stay in touch with you.

It is kickoff time for the new campaign team of John Kerry and John Edwards. Right now, they are hitting the road in Ohio, then on to another battleground, Florida. Kerry and Edwards say they have better ideas than Bush and Cheney.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I have to be honest with you. When I got the call yesterday from John, I was a little surprised, because what I thought was, it was another reporter calling to ask what I knew.

(LAUGHTER)

EDWARDS: Here is what I know. What I know is, we're going to win this election. We're going to make America stronger and we're going to create respect for America all around the world, the America that all of us believe in!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: CNN's Kelly Wallace was there when the new team made its first appearance.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: What we saw this morning was the beginning of a very carefully orchestrated rollout designed to get maximum coverage and the maximum bounce for the Democratic ticket.

It was the first joint photo-op featuring John Kerry and John Edwards, Senator Edwards there with his wife Elizabeth and his three children, John Kerry with his wife, Teresa, his two daughters and two of his three stepsons. We also got the first words from John Edwards since he was tapped to be John Kerry's running mate. And he put forward that populist message that made him popular during the primaries and is one of the reasons Kerry advisers say Senator Kerry decided to select him to be his vice presidential candidate.

EDWARDS: There is so much at stake. He shares the values and the vision that I believe in. You know, I grew up in a small town in North Carolina. This is the kind of man we grew up looking up to, respecting, somebody who believed in faith and family and responsibility and having everybody get a chance to do what they're capable of doing, not just a few.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: John Edwards and his family represent a life of fighting to provide hope and opportunity for people, opening doors, making things better for people who have been hurt.

TERESA HEINZ KERRY, WIFE OF SENATOR JOHN KERRY: And that's what we're going to do, is to bring back hope and inspire all of our country people to be what they can be, which is optimistic, working, and healthy.

WALLACE: The senators refused to take questions, saying they would take some later. Perhaps one of the toughest questions will be going to John Kerry, questions about how he could choose someone to be his running mate, someone whose own readiness and experience for the presidency he questioned during the primaries.

Right now, though, it's all campaigning all the time. The senators and their wives will be hitting six states over the next four days, starting, first, in the ever important battleground state of Ohio and wrapping up this tour on Saturday in John Edwards' home state of North Carolina.

Kelly Wallace, CNN reporting from Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: The man who ran Kerry's V.P. search trying to set the record straight on Kerry's reported flirtation with Republican John McCain. The Bush campaign has been suggested -- it was widely reported, of course -- that McCain, not Edwards, was Kerry's first choice. The Kerry adviser says that's not so.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIM JOHNSON, KERRY CAMPAIGN ADVISER: There was a lot of interest in the concept of a unity ticket, of both parties being represented, trying to stop this bitter partisanship that's really a plague on our nation. So there were some preliminary discussions. But they never got to a serious stage and there was never an offer made. There was only one offer and that was John Edwards. It seems to be working out very well.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Now, McCain has not been heard on the matter specifically, other than to say and to note that both campaigns have placed him in their ads.

President Bush took his reelection campaign to Senator John Edwards' backyard today. Speaking in North Carolina, Bush highlighted Edwards' role in blocking judicial nominees and he took a swipe at Edwards' experience, stressing that Dick Cheney has what it takes to be president. Bush says he doesn't fear the Democratic ticket's appeal to Southern voters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm going to carry the South because the people understand that -- that they share -- we share values that they understand. They know me well. And I believe that I did well in the South last time and I'm going to do well in the South this time, because the senator from Massachusetts doesn't share their values.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: After his stop at the Tarheel State, the president headed for Michigan for a fund-raiser there.

Just what does John Edwards bring to the Democratic ticket? Check out "JUDY WOODRUFF'S INSIDE POLITICS" less than a half-hour from now. CNN's got the top of the ticket on "LARRY KING LIVE" Thursday night. Larry talks with the Democratic presidential candidate, John Kerry, his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, 9:00 Eastern time right here on CNN.

News around the world for you now.

Scrapping plans to see Saddam. Lawyers for the former Iraqi leader decide to stay put in Jordan for the time being. They have canceled a planned visit to Baghdad, saying they had received death threats from Iraqi officials. The 21 mainly Arab lawyers say they will go only to Baghdad if the U.S. and Iraq promise to protect them.

Formally charged. A Yemeni official says six terror suspect have now been charged with planning the attack on the USS Cole nearly six years ago. The suspect are all believed to have ties to al Qaeda. Five of them were in the courtroom today. The sixth is in U.S. custody. The Pentagon says nine more prisoners at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba could face trials on terror charges. This follows the Supreme Court's ruling last month that suspected terrorists in military custody can turn to U.S. courts to challenge their detentions.

National correspondent Bob Franken is watching what's going on at Gitmo.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: There is almost an instant reaction to the Supreme Court ruling that the detainees here at Guantanamo Bay have the right to lawyers, have the right to face their chargers, the right of habeas corpus, in spite of the fact that this base is part of Cuba, beyond the borders of the United States.

The military lawyer for one of those who is being charged for the tribunals is Ibrahim Ahmed al Qosi. His military lawyer, Lieutenant Colonel Sharon Shaffer, is on the base. She's going to be meeting with him, going to discuss what she calls the legal situation which has changed, using her words, in a big way. She says that, among other things, this has -- quote -- "opened the door to challenge the entire legitimacy of the military tribunals," not only that, not only to challenge their lawful makeup, but to challenge the facts in his particular case and of course the case of all the other detainees.

Now, the officials here, those who are running the camp, insist that in spite of some question about this, they've gotten valuable intelligence out of the detainees and they are very worried that once the lawyers start meeting with their prisoners that it's going to dry up the intelligence source, an important intelligence source. They say of course that they will comply. They don't know how.

The Navy secretary, Gordon England, is expected down here sometime this week to begin consideration of the procedures. Among the things that has been discussed is the possibility that at least some of the detainees will be released. Everything is on the table, we are told. It is very confused.

The officials are taking CNN on a tour to try and convince the world that they did not have the kind of abusive practices here that we've seen in some of the Iraqi prisons. They say that there was two type discipline. They're going to give us the chance to see that and see if they can let us see enough that they can make their case.

But, in the meantime, the case that they have to try and make now is the one that they're going to be making with the lawyers for the detainees once the procedures are set up.

Bob Franken, CNN, Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Soy has been touted as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy, but does it work? New findings in health headlines just ahead.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can't your mother stay another week?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It really doesn't matter if you leave the toilet seat up. It makes it easier to clean.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Do they sound too good to be true? How can you have your very own Mr. or Ms. Wonderful.

And Sean Connery gets ready to bare his soul and presidency a few 007 secrets, maybe? That's after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: DNA evidence can be a powerful weapon in a criminal case, but when the case involves a suspect with an identical twin, the evidence becomes more difficult.

CNN senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports, that when investigators resort to some more tried and true crime-fighting techniques.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): One crime, two suspects. Tyrone Cooper was linked by DNA to the horrible rape of a Michigan college student. The problem is, so was his twin, his identical twin, Jerome Cooper.

SGT. TIM WILLIAMS, GRAND RAPIDS POLICE: One is saying it's his brother. The other one is saying -- the other one is saying no.

GUPTA: Usually, your DNA, a genetic fingerprint, is so unique that it can conclusively distinguish you from any other human, living or dead. But in a situation that is becoming increasingly common, sophisticated genetic equipment is being duped by identical twins.

DR. LOUIS J. ELSAS, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI: Now, DNA would not be the way to distinguish between identical twins.

GUPTA: It's the same sperm and the same egg that come together, form a zygote, and then split, resulting in two zygotes that haven't same DNA and are impossible to distinguish, almost.

ELSAS: You're looking for very small sequence differences, which means a lot of work.

GUPTA: So if DNA is not reliable for these type of cases, what type of evidence is? Well, experts say fingerprints between identical twins are distinct, based on how they develop in the womb, and hair samples are reliable as well. ELSAS: Hair might be a good sample to evaluate because it can be altered by the environment and, thus, identify one identical twin as different from the other.

GUPTA: And, finally, eyewitness accounts may be the best bet, because, while identical twins are born looking very much alike, they often change as they grow up. In the case of the Cooper twins, police are still looking for leads. The crime remains unsolved. Both Jerome and Tyrone are in jail, but on unrelated charges.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Casting doubts about the benefits of soy, a new study finds soy will not work as an alternative to estrogen in post- menopausal women. Dutch researchers found that soy did not increase bone density, improve memory, nor did it lower cholesterol levels. But the authors of the study are raising questions about their own findings. They contend that their subjects, all women age 60 to 75, may simply have been too far past menopause to get any soy-related benefits.

Drinking help could help your colon stay healthy. Scientists analyzed 10 nutrition studies dealing with more than a half-million people. And they found people who drank a glass of milk a day lowered their risk of colorectal cancer by 12 percent. It's believed calcium reduces the occurrence of polyps in the colon that can turn cancerous. Calcium supplements provide similar benefits.

Junk food lovers, beware. Your afternoon energy boost of chocolate may not be there when you need it.

And the late Sammy Davis Jr. back on the big screen with the help of Denzel Washington. Word about a new movie when LIVE FROM returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(FINANCIAL UPDATE)

O'BRIEN: Checking entertainment headlines this Wednesday, is the candy man set for a comeback? "Variety" reports that Denzel Washington is mulling a new screen bio of the late great Sammy Davis Jr. Washington won't play the famed Rat Packer, but will direct the picture and mix it with love because he can.

Some news to report for "Star Trek" fans today, word that actor James "Can't get more power, Captain" Doohan, who played Scotty on the original TV series, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. It is the latest of a string of health crises for the 84-year-old Doohan, who also suffers from Parkinson's disease and diabetes.

And after playing James Bond, you'd think Sir Sean Connery would have learned, never say never. Well, years ago, the actor swore he'd never commit his life story to the printed page, but fans won't be disappointed to learn he is, at last, breaking that promise. Connery has signed, I'm sure, a lucrative deal with HarperCollins for an autobiography which is due out in 2006. We look forward to that.

Tomorrow, great news, wicked good news, Matt Damon in the house from Boston, coming in town, packing the car, talking about Dorchester. No, he's talking about "The Bourne Supremacy," 3:00 p.m. Eastern, right here on CNN. Don't miss it. TiVo it, if you need to.

Imagine a mate that says exactly what you want to hear. No, this is not science fiction or "The Twilight Zone" or the sequel to "The Stepford Wives." It's a new doll called Mr. Wonderful. He's so popular, he has spawned a Mrs. and some wonderful kids, too.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Compared to the average guy, he's a doll.

MR. WONDERFUL: Let's just cuddle tonight.

MOOS: A doll who says all of the right things.

MR. WONDERFUL: You don't look at all fat in that dress.

MOOS: His name is Mr. Wonderful and he spawned Ms. Wonderful.

MS. WONDERFUL: You don't need a glass. Just go ahead and drink right out of the carton.

MOOS: Coming soon, the wonderful kids!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When I grow up, I want to be just like you.

MOOS: An African-American Mr. Wonderful.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, can't your mamma stay another week?

MOOS: Sure, there are naysayers.

ALF: This thing will never sell. It's not furry enough.

MOOS: But over two million sold the first year. They are hoping for five million the next, a doll phenomenon created by a former divorce attorney, herself divorced.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I had just come out the other side of a very tempestuous marriage. I guess I needed my own Mr. Wonderful.

MOOS: So she created him.

MR. WONDERFUL: Let me rub your feet.

MOOS: One gift shop manager told of a customer wanting one for his wife who just found out about his mistress.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Would this be an appropriate gift to give my wife now that she knows I have a girlfriend?

MOOS (on camera): And what did you say?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I said, there is a jewelry store down the block. You need to get her a really big diamond.

MOOS: Well, they kind of do look like you.

MR. WONDERFUL: I think it's really important that we talk about our relationship.

MOOS (voice-over): The voices of Mr. and Ms. Wonderful were done by an actual married couple 37. The Wonderfuls are eerily reminiscent of "The Stepford Wives."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE STEPFORD WIVES")

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: You look great.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: I love you in khakis.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MOOS: You can even insert your own Mr. Wonderful into the my Mr. Wonderful picture frame.

MR. WONDERFUL: Hi, smoochy poo.

I think it's really important that we talk about our relationship.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is he gay?

MOOS: Imagine if Mr. Wonderful and Ms. Wonderful got married.

MR. WONDERFUL: Oh, can't your mother stay another week?

MS. WONDERFUL: It really doesn't matter if you leave the toilet seat up. It makes it easier to clean.

MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN.

MR. WONDERFUL: Have I told you I loved you lately?

MOOS: New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: Have I told you I loved you?

Thanks for dropping by. That wraps up this edition of LIVE FROM.

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