Return to Transcripts main page
Live From...
Does Ditka Stand a Chance?
Aired July 14, 2004 - 14:30 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.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Claiming responsibility for an attempt on the life of Iraq's new leader. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi reportedly says he's behind last week's attack near the prime minister's home and party headquarters. Allawi was not there at the time. The statement was posted on a Web site. It has not, though, been verified.
Convention security. Democrats open their political gathering in just a dozen days. And Tom Ridge says he is confident that U.S. officials are ready for any possible disruption or worse. Hear more from the Homeland Security Secretary at 5:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.
Stumping for votes, solo. John Edwards is back in Iowa for the first time since being named John Kerry' running mate. Both Democrats are quite familiar to voters there having spent months talking politics on the campaign trail there prior to the Iowa caucuses.
Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Will a gridiron great tackle new assignment. Mike Ditka, no stranger facing off against tough opponents. Now the former Chicago Bears coach is mulling over GOP efforts to draft him to run in a different arena, politics. Our political analyst Carlos Watson watching the play by play in New York. Good to see you, Carlos.
CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Good to see you. Good to join you.
PHILLIPS: Well first of all, let's talk about Ditka. Any political experience?
WATSON: He's actually contributed a lot, about $17,000, to a variety of people everyone from John McCain to George W. Bush as well as father George Bush as well as people like Rudy Giuliani. So he's campaigned for people, he's given money. But he's never actually held office or run for office.
PHILLIPS: Has he ever been real outspoken on issues? I mean you and I were talking about how there have been a lot of coaches come forward and be very outspoken when it comes to Republican issues. But has he?
WATSON: He has a little bit. But he's still a little bit of a blank slate. I think people are counting on what I call the three M's: money, media, momentum. That if he were to jump in the race, he'd be able to raise money from a lot of high-profile friends very quickly. He'd get a lot of media from us and others. And frankly would have a lot of momentum given his name ID.
But in terms of the issues he still would be a little bit of a blank slate. And so we'd have to hear more. He has described himself, though, as a pragmatist.
PHILLIPS: All right, so you're talking celebrity versus experience.
Let's talk about other athletes that have become political leaders and if indeed they've been successful. You and I threw out a number of names. J.C. Watts, Steve Largent, Jim Bunning. Let's talk about some of these folks.
WATSON: A number of people have run and won over the years including in recent years. Oklahoma as you know has seen a couple of people with J.C. Watts and Steve Largent. Next door, Nebraska, the former of the University of Tom Osborne is now in Congress. Jack Kemp from New York. The former baseball pitcher Jim Bunning.
But what's also memorable a lot of people have run and lost. Remember Bill Bradley lost to Al Gore in 2000. Remember that Steve Largent won for Congress but lost for governor. So it's not a sure thing when you run for office as an athlete that you are going to win.
PHILLIPS: So do we consider Jesse Ventura an athlete?
WATSON: You know, some people certainly would. Big enough to be an athlete. So in that way he could count.
And you know a lot of people draw parallels between a possible Ditka bid and what Jesse Ventura did in Minnesota or even what Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former bodybuilder, did in California. That both of them brought a lot of celebrity to the table.
But remember with both Schwarzenegger and with Ventura, both could argue they had a little bit of political experience. Schwarzenegger because he served on the president's fitness council and because he helped pass a major ballot initiative for education in California just the year before.
And in the case of Ventura, for all the fun that people made of him, remember he had served of mayor as a small Minnesota city. And so there was at least a little bit of government credibility when he ran for office.
PHILLIPS: Speaking of credibility, let's talk about the other man in this picture. And this is one who you and I talked about months ago. You said this was somebody to watch, and now we're watching, Obama.
WATSON: We called it here first. The 42-year-old state senator, law professor, graduate of a couple of ivy league schools, Columbia University and Harvard Law School. Relatively well respected and beat a crowded field when he ran in the primary earlier in the year. Is very telegenic himself, has a very attractive wife and kids. Kind of a new version, if you will of kind of the Kennedy Camelot picture. So a lot of big Democratic hopes there.
But if Ditka jumps in the race, make no mistake about it, this is going to be a titanic battle. but in this post-9/11 era you've got to wonder if people are going to be a little more hesitant of going with a celebrity and instead are going to focus on experience, which obviously Barack Obama brings a little bit more of in terms of government and political experience.
PHILLIPS: Yes, I mean look at Obama's record. I mean Columbia, Harvard Law, active senator, civil rights lawyer. He's definitely got diversity on his side. I just -- I'm having a hard time understanding how Ditka and he would have this big battle. It sort of seems hands down when you think about political experience.
WATSON: And the question is in this post-9/11 era when people think about an economy that's struggled, when they think about national security issues, when they think about health care, which is a very big issue in Illinois, will they say, gosh, I love Mike Ditka as a coach and glad he brought a world championship to the Bears. But not sure I want him in office. Or will they say here's a plain spoken, direct, blunt guy who may make his way in politics.
By the way, what is really interesting here, Kyra, is that his wife, Ditka's wife said she doesn't want him to run. That she lived in a fishbowl long enough and doesn't want to do it again. That he's got an ESPN contract and other ways in which he's making money. And that their lifestyle would change and she's not sure she wants to do it.
So while he's thinking about it, it's not clear to me that he'll run. And then even if he runs that voters will immediately jump on the band wagon.
PHILLIPS: That's a good point because the first lady is extremely important.
Just curious, did you ever play football?
(LAUGHTER)
WATSON: Not as well as Mike Ditka. I used to throw the ball instead of catch it.
PHILLIPS: All right, your mom is still pushing for you to run for office. Carlos Watson, in the meantime, you're a political analyst for us. Thanks, Carlos.
WATSON: Kyra Phillips, you're taking care of me.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: All right, let's talk more about Ditka's chances with our next two guests. Rowland Martin, syndicated columnist in Chicago. And Liz Brown, radio host with WGNU in St. Louis. I've talked to both of you. We know that whether it's your readers, Rowland, or your listeners, Liz, the Ditka talk is definitely going on.
I guess first of all, Liz, what are your radio fans saying? And what do you think about Ditka in the race?
LIZ BROWN, RADIO HOST, WGNU ST. LOUIS: Well the comments that I'm hearing from callers -- first of all, we've been talking about the Chicago race for sometime with Ryan and his problems.
But my callers are talking a lot about Obama because, of course, because he's an African man. And the callers are coming down in two or three different ways.
In one way callers are concerned -- because I get callers from both the Missouri side and Illinois side -- whether or not once elected Obama will deliver on the issues of importance to the community of African decent.
And there's some rumblings on over on the south side of Chicago that Obama is not attending to their issues or even showing up for a number of different events. So people are kind of questioning whether or not he will be able to do -- or he will make that part of his agenda.
And make no mistake about it. There will be a whole lot of black folks that support and embrace Obama. There is an obligation. There is a relationship there he needs to be attentive to. And people are kind of questioning whether or not that will -- whether or not he will be attentive to that.
On the other side, of course, people are very excited about an African man being a United States senator. The Ditka component is not really -- people are not taking it that seriously because they don't believe that he's going to be ale to come out of the box that fast and be able to catch up to what Obama has done.
In fact, I think the Republican Party even has kind of written off Illinois.
PHILLIPS: Rowland, you look at Ditka, look at Obama, the black community. Who do you think the black community would embrace more? What do you think of Ditka coming into the picture here? We're talking about two totally different people.
ROWLAND MARTIN, SYNDICATED COLUMNIST: Well, first of all, I think African-Americans would much prefer Mike Ditka to go coach some athletes versus trying to deal with the United States Senate. Secondly, Obama has the experience in this race.
Here's what I find to be amazing. The head of an Illinois Republican Party had the audacity to say after John Edwards was chosen as Kerry's VP that we don't need someone wet behind the ears. What would she say to Mike Ditka if he became a United States senator? If the experience issue has been made such a major issue by Republicans in -- as it relates to vice president on the Democratic side, how can they even remotely get behind Mike Ditka to be their choice to run to the United States Senate?
PHILLIPS: All right, let's talk kids. This's another issue you guys told me from readers to listeners were talking about. And that is the fact that we're seeing Bush's daughters out on the campaign trail. The daughters also posing in "Vogue" magazine, a big spread there. Liz, you think this is going to make an impact on the campaign?
BROWN: Well all I can say is oh what a difference a war can make. I mean four years ago he certainly didn't want his daughters part of it, nor did his daughters want to be part of it.
But it's a different game now. It's close race. And even though PR people probably would have advised him if the race wasn't quite as close to include his daughters in this, Bush is finding himself in a position that he's got to use every single thing he has.
We know that Edwards has a very photographic family. He has two little toe head kids and that shows really good for the same for the camera. And it's the same for Kerry.
So it's time for Bush to bring out the children that bring baggage with them. It's unusual in races like this for the children to be bringing this kind of baggage to the race. How it will work out? I don't know. but it's oh what a difference a war does make.
PHILLIPS: Rowland, what do you think of the Bush daughters coming out? I mean one of the daughters having this issue of alcohol under age. They have been wanting the girls to stay out of the spotlight. Now all of a sudden, they're in the mix. I mean is it an issue, non-issue?
MARTIN: Well, I mean, I think it's a non-issue because we see this happening in national races, state races, and local races where family members campaign on behalf of a particular person returning. So it's not surprising.
Also, keep in mind, George W. Bush is actually following the game plan of Bill and Hillary Clinton. Remember, Chelsea Clinton did not have a significant role in the election until she graduated from college. And so what typically what happens is presidents would prefer the children to go through their college years away from all of the hoopla and the paparazzi. And them when they've finished that and frankly gone into adult hood, then you see them to actually go out on the campaign trail or things along those lines.
So I don't think it's a big issue because, again, whether you are black, white, male, female, Hispanic, Asian, whatever, everyone wants their families involved. When Ron Kirk ran for the Senate in Texas, his mother was on the campaign trail. Jimmy Carter's mother traveled the country campaigning for him. Billy Carter was trying to get all of the rednecks with their beers voting for Jimmy Carter.
So we've seen that. So it's not surprising it happens in this race with Bush.
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIPS: He said the "r" word. He said redneck.
BROWN: The only difference is that when we had Senator Kirk, or Mayor Kirk running with his mom, his mom didn't have a little problem with alcohol, didn't have problems with the law.
If this were a different time, if this race wasn't as close, I mean, I can't predict with 100 percent accuracy, but I know that they would reconsider whether or not they would want to introduce the girls. They need distractions. That's what this administration has always been about, finding a distraction for people to look at, rather than look at the issues.
And it's going to be quite a buzz because the twins have been in seclusion and they have been out of the public eye. So that's going to give them a bounce. And they are going to use it. I doubt they would have done that if the race wasn't so close.
PHILLIPS: John Kerry' kids out there. Teresa Heinz Kerry's kids out there. We're seeing them too.
BROWN: No drinking issue though.
(CROSSTALK)
BROWN: The point is that these children bring with them, these young ladies bring with them baggage that the other young people do not. And would you in a race that -- in a race that was not as close be willing to bring them out? The baggage of their lawlessness.
(CROSSTALK)
MARTIN: Kyra, real quick, if I -- I don't have any kids. If I was running for office I would go borrow some kids and put them on the campaign trail.
BROWN: But you wouldn't borrow ones like that. You wouldn't bring anyone with baggage, though.
PHILLIPS: I love it.
MARTIN: Kids have baggage. It happens. Seventeen-year-olds, they drink, they get in trouble. But they grow up. It happens.
PHILLIPS: Come on, everyone has the skeletons. Rowland Martin, Liz Brown, it's always a pleasure to have you both.
BROWN: Thank you so much.
PHILLIPS: Thanks, guys.
MARTIN: Take care.
PHILLIPS: A quick break, we'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LIN: All right. Kyra was just talking about the Bush twins and the campaign kids, Jenna, Barbara Bush, they are graduating into public life big time. They have a new photo spread and interview in next month's "Vogue" magazine. And they are appearing with their father on the campaign trail. "Vogue" senior writer Julia Reed talked about the interview with our own Anderson Cooper.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Let's talk about Jenna Bush. She recently graduated from the University of Texas, she joined hers father on the campaign trail last week for the first time. People usually think about her as sort of a party girl. That's the MO she has. What was your impression?
JULIA REED, "VOGUE" MAGAZINE: Well, you know, they were both -- Barbara and Jenna were incredibly gracious and actually poised. I mean, they've sort of been closeted up in college and away from the public eye for four years, as you know. And so it's unfortunate for them that the only little bits of news we've gotten, there is like the odd tabloid report here or there.
COOPER: Right, underage drinking, that sort of thing.
REED: Yes, which, you know -- and, you know, remarkably little of it when you think of a four-year, you know, sort of stretch. But as far as -- compared to my college career. But, anyway -- but, I mean, no. She was incredibly gracious, I think really enthusiastic.
I mean, they -- you know, they finally are of age and they think -- I mean, this is their father's last campaign. I think they're excited to go out and do this. And this is his last shot. It's his last shot.
COOPER: They talked a little about, too, about what they want to do after the campaign is over.
REED: Right. Barbara has graduated from Yale, and she -- she wants to work with children who have AIDS in eastern Europe and in Africa. She went with Mrs. Bush and President Bush to Africa a couple of years ago and visited an AIDS hospital, and I think it really affected her.
COOPER: Now, she previously had worked for designers.
REED: Yes. She's very artistic. And one of the things she wants to do with -- with these kids is do art therapy with them. I mean, it's a field that she's interested in.
And there is a program that you go off for like a year and do this. And I -- and Jenna wants to teach. She has worked -- she worked for one summer at a Charter School and she loved it. And her degree is in education. And so I know that she's already interviewed at one Charter School here in Harlem. But I think that they're smart to not start any of that stuff until after the campaign. Because, no matter what they do, their decisions are going to be suspect. Oh, she wants to work with kids with AIDS because it will look good for her father. Oh, she wants to teach at a Charter School because it will look good for their father. So I think that they're wise, because, you know, it's -- it would not be about them, it wouldn't be about their personal choices if they did it now.
COOPER: What was their interaction like with their mom? Because she sort of popped her head in during the photo shoot.
REED: A couple of times, yes. And I've seen them together before.
They're adorable with their mother. I mean, it struck me what kind of easy, good relationship they had, not just because it's the first lady and two -- their daughters. But it's sort of like a mom and their two daughters.
And they're very funny with each other. I mean, the Bush family -- you know, like former President Bush said, oh, we're a big teasing family, you know. And that's their sort of...
COOPER: Right. And their big -- their big way of describing people positively is describing them as "hilarious." That's sort of their catch phrase.
REED: Yes. The girls say that, "Oh, she's so hilarious."
COOPER: They describe their grandmother as hilarious?
REED: Yes. That's like the high compliment to be hilarious.
COOPER: What surprised you most about them?
REED: What is surprising about their experience is that they did have such a normal kind of college experience. I mean, the press did give them some space, with the exception of some tabloid reporters.
But their father told me that, you know, his biggest fear was that they weren't going to be able to have a rich college experience. And they did. I mean, they -- you know, both apparently did really well in school, they studied what they wanted to, they had great summer jobs, they went off backpacking through Europe. I mean, they did all the kinds of things that were totally under the radar.
They had their 20th birthday party at Camp David. I mean, the Bushes made sure that they still had a sort of -- I mean, you know, treated them like you would -- you know, sort of involved parents treat their kids.
COOPER: What...
REED: But you forget, oh, my god, this is the president of the United States. And it was like right after 9/11 that their 20th birthday party...
COOPER: It's also remarkable when you consider they have grown up in this political family really from the time they were born. You know, their grandfather was in the White House. They've rally grown up their entire lives in this sort of spotlight, and yet not been in the spotlight.
REED: Right. I mean, they said to me, you know, "Politics never really encroached on our family lives," which I think says a lot about the family. Whatever you think about them politically, they've done, you know, a good job at keeping their children, you know, in a sort of private zone.
COOPER: Julia Reed, thanks very much.
REED: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LIN: All right, we're going to change topics completely. We're going to talk about what is hot for fall, these two women in suits, trapped in casual fashion.
PHILLIPS: I know. We better get a little more hip.
Well a big retailer sets its sights on something a little more upscale when LIVE FROM returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MARKET UPDATE)
LIN: Well there's still more LIVE FROM coming at you right after the break.
PHILLIPS: Including a live chat with Indy racer and the girl we like to call the wind beneath his wings. More LIVE FROM right after this.
(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 July 14, 2004 - 14:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Claiming responsibility for an attempt on the life of Iraq's new leader. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi reportedly says he's behind last week's attack near the prime minister's home and party headquarters. Allawi was not there at the time. The statement was posted on a Web site. It has not, though, been verified.
Convention security. Democrats open their political gathering in just a dozen days. And Tom Ridge says he is confident that U.S. officials are ready for any possible disruption or worse. Hear more from the Homeland Security Secretary at 5:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.
Stumping for votes, solo. John Edwards is back in Iowa for the first time since being named John Kerry' running mate. Both Democrats are quite familiar to voters there having spent months talking politics on the campaign trail there prior to the Iowa caucuses.
Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Will a gridiron great tackle new assignment. Mike Ditka, no stranger facing off against tough opponents. Now the former Chicago Bears coach is mulling over GOP efforts to draft him to run in a different arena, politics. Our political analyst Carlos Watson watching the play by play in New York. Good to see you, Carlos.
CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Good to see you. Good to join you.
PHILLIPS: Well first of all, let's talk about Ditka. Any political experience?
WATSON: He's actually contributed a lot, about $17,000, to a variety of people everyone from John McCain to George W. Bush as well as father George Bush as well as people like Rudy Giuliani. So he's campaigned for people, he's given money. But he's never actually held office or run for office.
PHILLIPS: Has he ever been real outspoken on issues? I mean you and I were talking about how there have been a lot of coaches come forward and be very outspoken when it comes to Republican issues. But has he?
WATSON: He has a little bit. But he's still a little bit of a blank slate. I think people are counting on what I call the three M's: money, media, momentum. That if he were to jump in the race, he'd be able to raise money from a lot of high-profile friends very quickly. He'd get a lot of media from us and others. And frankly would have a lot of momentum given his name ID.
But in terms of the issues he still would be a little bit of a blank slate. And so we'd have to hear more. He has described himself, though, as a pragmatist.
PHILLIPS: All right, so you're talking celebrity versus experience.
Let's talk about other athletes that have become political leaders and if indeed they've been successful. You and I threw out a number of names. J.C. Watts, Steve Largent, Jim Bunning. Let's talk about some of these folks.
WATSON: A number of people have run and won over the years including in recent years. Oklahoma as you know has seen a couple of people with J.C. Watts and Steve Largent. Next door, Nebraska, the former of the University of Tom Osborne is now in Congress. Jack Kemp from New York. The former baseball pitcher Jim Bunning.
But what's also memorable a lot of people have run and lost. Remember Bill Bradley lost to Al Gore in 2000. Remember that Steve Largent won for Congress but lost for governor. So it's not a sure thing when you run for office as an athlete that you are going to win.
PHILLIPS: So do we consider Jesse Ventura an athlete?
WATSON: You know, some people certainly would. Big enough to be an athlete. So in that way he could count.
And you know a lot of people draw parallels between a possible Ditka bid and what Jesse Ventura did in Minnesota or even what Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former bodybuilder, did in California. That both of them brought a lot of celebrity to the table.
But remember with both Schwarzenegger and with Ventura, both could argue they had a little bit of political experience. Schwarzenegger because he served on the president's fitness council and because he helped pass a major ballot initiative for education in California just the year before.
And in the case of Ventura, for all the fun that people made of him, remember he had served of mayor as a small Minnesota city. And so there was at least a little bit of government credibility when he ran for office.
PHILLIPS: Speaking of credibility, let's talk about the other man in this picture. And this is one who you and I talked about months ago. You said this was somebody to watch, and now we're watching, Obama.
WATSON: We called it here first. The 42-year-old state senator, law professor, graduate of a couple of ivy league schools, Columbia University and Harvard Law School. Relatively well respected and beat a crowded field when he ran in the primary earlier in the year. Is very telegenic himself, has a very attractive wife and kids. Kind of a new version, if you will of kind of the Kennedy Camelot picture. So a lot of big Democratic hopes there.
But if Ditka jumps in the race, make no mistake about it, this is going to be a titanic battle. but in this post-9/11 era you've got to wonder if people are going to be a little more hesitant of going with a celebrity and instead are going to focus on experience, which obviously Barack Obama brings a little bit more of in terms of government and political experience.
PHILLIPS: Yes, I mean look at Obama's record. I mean Columbia, Harvard Law, active senator, civil rights lawyer. He's definitely got diversity on his side. I just -- I'm having a hard time understanding how Ditka and he would have this big battle. It sort of seems hands down when you think about political experience.
WATSON: And the question is in this post-9/11 era when people think about an economy that's struggled, when they think about national security issues, when they think about health care, which is a very big issue in Illinois, will they say, gosh, I love Mike Ditka as a coach and glad he brought a world championship to the Bears. But not sure I want him in office. Or will they say here's a plain spoken, direct, blunt guy who may make his way in politics.
By the way, what is really interesting here, Kyra, is that his wife, Ditka's wife said she doesn't want him to run. That she lived in a fishbowl long enough and doesn't want to do it again. That he's got an ESPN contract and other ways in which he's making money. And that their lifestyle would change and she's not sure she wants to do it.
So while he's thinking about it, it's not clear to me that he'll run. And then even if he runs that voters will immediately jump on the band wagon.
PHILLIPS: That's a good point because the first lady is extremely important.
Just curious, did you ever play football?
(LAUGHTER)
WATSON: Not as well as Mike Ditka. I used to throw the ball instead of catch it.
PHILLIPS: All right, your mom is still pushing for you to run for office. Carlos Watson, in the meantime, you're a political analyst for us. Thanks, Carlos.
WATSON: Kyra Phillips, you're taking care of me.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: All right, let's talk more about Ditka's chances with our next two guests. Rowland Martin, syndicated columnist in Chicago. And Liz Brown, radio host with WGNU in St. Louis. I've talked to both of you. We know that whether it's your readers, Rowland, or your listeners, Liz, the Ditka talk is definitely going on.
I guess first of all, Liz, what are your radio fans saying? And what do you think about Ditka in the race?
LIZ BROWN, RADIO HOST, WGNU ST. LOUIS: Well the comments that I'm hearing from callers -- first of all, we've been talking about the Chicago race for sometime with Ryan and his problems.
But my callers are talking a lot about Obama because, of course, because he's an African man. And the callers are coming down in two or three different ways.
In one way callers are concerned -- because I get callers from both the Missouri side and Illinois side -- whether or not once elected Obama will deliver on the issues of importance to the community of African decent.
And there's some rumblings on over on the south side of Chicago that Obama is not attending to their issues or even showing up for a number of different events. So people are kind of questioning whether or not he will be able to do -- or he will make that part of his agenda.
And make no mistake about it. There will be a whole lot of black folks that support and embrace Obama. There is an obligation. There is a relationship there he needs to be attentive to. And people are kind of questioning whether or not that will -- whether or not he will be attentive to that.
On the other side, of course, people are very excited about an African man being a United States senator. The Ditka component is not really -- people are not taking it that seriously because they don't believe that he's going to be ale to come out of the box that fast and be able to catch up to what Obama has done.
In fact, I think the Republican Party even has kind of written off Illinois.
PHILLIPS: Rowland, you look at Ditka, look at Obama, the black community. Who do you think the black community would embrace more? What do you think of Ditka coming into the picture here? We're talking about two totally different people.
ROWLAND MARTIN, SYNDICATED COLUMNIST: Well, first of all, I think African-Americans would much prefer Mike Ditka to go coach some athletes versus trying to deal with the United States Senate. Secondly, Obama has the experience in this race.
Here's what I find to be amazing. The head of an Illinois Republican Party had the audacity to say after John Edwards was chosen as Kerry's VP that we don't need someone wet behind the ears. What would she say to Mike Ditka if he became a United States senator? If the experience issue has been made such a major issue by Republicans in -- as it relates to vice president on the Democratic side, how can they even remotely get behind Mike Ditka to be their choice to run to the United States Senate?
PHILLIPS: All right, let's talk kids. This's another issue you guys told me from readers to listeners were talking about. And that is the fact that we're seeing Bush's daughters out on the campaign trail. The daughters also posing in "Vogue" magazine, a big spread there. Liz, you think this is going to make an impact on the campaign?
BROWN: Well all I can say is oh what a difference a war can make. I mean four years ago he certainly didn't want his daughters part of it, nor did his daughters want to be part of it.
But it's a different game now. It's close race. And even though PR people probably would have advised him if the race wasn't quite as close to include his daughters in this, Bush is finding himself in a position that he's got to use every single thing he has.
We know that Edwards has a very photographic family. He has two little toe head kids and that shows really good for the same for the camera. And it's the same for Kerry.
So it's time for Bush to bring out the children that bring baggage with them. It's unusual in races like this for the children to be bringing this kind of baggage to the race. How it will work out? I don't know. but it's oh what a difference a war does make.
PHILLIPS: Rowland, what do you think of the Bush daughters coming out? I mean one of the daughters having this issue of alcohol under age. They have been wanting the girls to stay out of the spotlight. Now all of a sudden, they're in the mix. I mean is it an issue, non-issue?
MARTIN: Well, I mean, I think it's a non-issue because we see this happening in national races, state races, and local races where family members campaign on behalf of a particular person returning. So it's not surprising.
Also, keep in mind, George W. Bush is actually following the game plan of Bill and Hillary Clinton. Remember, Chelsea Clinton did not have a significant role in the election until she graduated from college. And so what typically what happens is presidents would prefer the children to go through their college years away from all of the hoopla and the paparazzi. And them when they've finished that and frankly gone into adult hood, then you see them to actually go out on the campaign trail or things along those lines.
So I don't think it's a big issue because, again, whether you are black, white, male, female, Hispanic, Asian, whatever, everyone wants their families involved. When Ron Kirk ran for the Senate in Texas, his mother was on the campaign trail. Jimmy Carter's mother traveled the country campaigning for him. Billy Carter was trying to get all of the rednecks with their beers voting for Jimmy Carter.
So we've seen that. So it's not surprising it happens in this race with Bush.
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIPS: He said the "r" word. He said redneck.
BROWN: The only difference is that when we had Senator Kirk, or Mayor Kirk running with his mom, his mom didn't have a little problem with alcohol, didn't have problems with the law.
If this were a different time, if this race wasn't as close, I mean, I can't predict with 100 percent accuracy, but I know that they would reconsider whether or not they would want to introduce the girls. They need distractions. That's what this administration has always been about, finding a distraction for people to look at, rather than look at the issues.
And it's going to be quite a buzz because the twins have been in seclusion and they have been out of the public eye. So that's going to give them a bounce. And they are going to use it. I doubt they would have done that if the race wasn't so close.
PHILLIPS: John Kerry' kids out there. Teresa Heinz Kerry's kids out there. We're seeing them too.
BROWN: No drinking issue though.
(CROSSTALK)
BROWN: The point is that these children bring with them, these young ladies bring with them baggage that the other young people do not. And would you in a race that -- in a race that was not as close be willing to bring them out? The baggage of their lawlessness.
(CROSSTALK)
MARTIN: Kyra, real quick, if I -- I don't have any kids. If I was running for office I would go borrow some kids and put them on the campaign trail.
BROWN: But you wouldn't borrow ones like that. You wouldn't bring anyone with baggage, though.
PHILLIPS: I love it.
MARTIN: Kids have baggage. It happens. Seventeen-year-olds, they drink, they get in trouble. But they grow up. It happens.
PHILLIPS: Come on, everyone has the skeletons. Rowland Martin, Liz Brown, it's always a pleasure to have you both.
BROWN: Thank you so much.
PHILLIPS: Thanks, guys.
MARTIN: Take care.
PHILLIPS: A quick break, we'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LIN: All right. Kyra was just talking about the Bush twins and the campaign kids, Jenna, Barbara Bush, they are graduating into public life big time. They have a new photo spread and interview in next month's "Vogue" magazine. And they are appearing with their father on the campaign trail. "Vogue" senior writer Julia Reed talked about the interview with our own Anderson Cooper.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Let's talk about Jenna Bush. She recently graduated from the University of Texas, she joined hers father on the campaign trail last week for the first time. People usually think about her as sort of a party girl. That's the MO she has. What was your impression?
JULIA REED, "VOGUE" MAGAZINE: Well, you know, they were both -- Barbara and Jenna were incredibly gracious and actually poised. I mean, they've sort of been closeted up in college and away from the public eye for four years, as you know. And so it's unfortunate for them that the only little bits of news we've gotten, there is like the odd tabloid report here or there.
COOPER: Right, underage drinking, that sort of thing.
REED: Yes, which, you know -- and, you know, remarkably little of it when you think of a four-year, you know, sort of stretch. But as far as -- compared to my college career. But, anyway -- but, I mean, no. She was incredibly gracious, I think really enthusiastic.
I mean, they -- you know, they finally are of age and they think -- I mean, this is their father's last campaign. I think they're excited to go out and do this. And this is his last shot. It's his last shot.
COOPER: They talked a little about, too, about what they want to do after the campaign is over.
REED: Right. Barbara has graduated from Yale, and she -- she wants to work with children who have AIDS in eastern Europe and in Africa. She went with Mrs. Bush and President Bush to Africa a couple of years ago and visited an AIDS hospital, and I think it really affected her.
COOPER: Now, she previously had worked for designers.
REED: Yes. She's very artistic. And one of the things she wants to do with -- with these kids is do art therapy with them. I mean, it's a field that she's interested in.
And there is a program that you go off for like a year and do this. And I -- and Jenna wants to teach. She has worked -- she worked for one summer at a Charter School and she loved it. And her degree is in education. And so I know that she's already interviewed at one Charter School here in Harlem. But I think that they're smart to not start any of that stuff until after the campaign. Because, no matter what they do, their decisions are going to be suspect. Oh, she wants to work with kids with AIDS because it will look good for her father. Oh, she wants to teach at a Charter School because it will look good for their father. So I think that they're wise, because, you know, it's -- it would not be about them, it wouldn't be about their personal choices if they did it now.
COOPER: What was their interaction like with their mom? Because she sort of popped her head in during the photo shoot.
REED: A couple of times, yes. And I've seen them together before.
They're adorable with their mother. I mean, it struck me what kind of easy, good relationship they had, not just because it's the first lady and two -- their daughters. But it's sort of like a mom and their two daughters.
And they're very funny with each other. I mean, the Bush family -- you know, like former President Bush said, oh, we're a big teasing family, you know. And that's their sort of...
COOPER: Right. And their big -- their big way of describing people positively is describing them as "hilarious." That's sort of their catch phrase.
REED: Yes. The girls say that, "Oh, she's so hilarious."
COOPER: They describe their grandmother as hilarious?
REED: Yes. That's like the high compliment to be hilarious.
COOPER: What surprised you most about them?
REED: What is surprising about their experience is that they did have such a normal kind of college experience. I mean, the press did give them some space, with the exception of some tabloid reporters.
But their father told me that, you know, his biggest fear was that they weren't going to be able to have a rich college experience. And they did. I mean, they -- you know, both apparently did really well in school, they studied what they wanted to, they had great summer jobs, they went off backpacking through Europe. I mean, they did all the kinds of things that were totally under the radar.
They had their 20th birthday party at Camp David. I mean, the Bushes made sure that they still had a sort of -- I mean, you know, treated them like you would -- you know, sort of involved parents treat their kids.
COOPER: What...
REED: But you forget, oh, my god, this is the president of the United States. And it was like right after 9/11 that their 20th birthday party...
COOPER: It's also remarkable when you consider they have grown up in this political family really from the time they were born. You know, their grandfather was in the White House. They've rally grown up their entire lives in this sort of spotlight, and yet not been in the spotlight.
REED: Right. I mean, they said to me, you know, "Politics never really encroached on our family lives," which I think says a lot about the family. Whatever you think about them politically, they've done, you know, a good job at keeping their children, you know, in a sort of private zone.
COOPER: Julia Reed, thanks very much.
REED: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LIN: All right, we're going to change topics completely. We're going to talk about what is hot for fall, these two women in suits, trapped in casual fashion.
PHILLIPS: I know. We better get a little more hip.
Well a big retailer sets its sights on something a little more upscale when LIVE FROM returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MARKET UPDATE)
LIN: Well there's still more LIVE FROM coming at you right after the break.
PHILLIPS: Including a live chat with Indy racer and the girl we like to call the wind beneath his wings. More LIVE FROM right after this.
(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
