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Iraq A Key Factor In Election?; Strong Wives In Politics

Aired July 28, 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.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Happening "In the News Now," prosecution and defense attorneys in Kobe Bryant's rape case have a chance to suggest edits to a transcript of a closed door hearing. The judge says he may release edited copies of transcripts from a hearing dealing with the sexual history of Bryant's accuser.
Secretary of State Colin Powell heads to Saudi Arabia after the stop in Egypt. He met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to discuss developments with Palestinians and Israel's plan to pull out of Gaza.

Vice President Dick Cheney in Utah right now. He's campaigning for Congressional Candidate John Swallow. The Republican lawmaker faces incumbent Democratic Congressman Jim Matheson.

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

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A lot of political operatives and pollsters will tell you this presidential election will hinge on foreign policy. Voters may very well decide whom to send to the Oval Office based on how their candidate will handle the war in Iraq and the war on terror.

Rand Beers is watching all of this unfold from a unique perch. An advisor inside the Bush White House, he quit days before the war in Iraq began and is now national security advisor for the Kerry campaign.

Mr. Beers, good to have you with us.

RAND BEERS, KERRY FOREIGN POLICY ADVISOR: Thank you, it's good to be here.

O'BRIEN: First of all, I want to talk about the disconnect or the apparent disconnect between the platform there in Boston and the delegates. I think huge percentage, high percentage of the delegates are against the war in Iraq and yet the platform doesn't go that far. Why not?

BEERS: The platform is John Kerry and where John Kerry is on this issue and is a reflection of what we believe is the correct policy to move forward with in Iraq. It's a responsible policy, and it gets us to a successful conclusion.

O'BRIEN: But the policy basically states that Mr. Kerry was basically in favor of the notion of going in to Iraq. His problem is with the execution of that war. Is that something that makes it difficult for him to whip up a lot of support among the real hard core support that is there in Boston?

BEERS: Well, I think what the best perspective to take on all of this is that John Kerry is doing what is responsible in this situation. And we have America's interest in the world, America's interest in the region and the (INAUDIBLE) at stake here. And we're following what we believe is the correct policy.

O'BRIEN: All right, I want to share with you a quick clip from Bernard Kerik, former police commissioner in New York, who gets to the real heart of an issue that I think is on many voter's minds this election season.

Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BERNARD KERIK, FMR. NEW YORK POLICE COMMISSIONER: I was asked what I feared most, and I said that I fear another attack. And I fear that attack with a John Kerry, Senator Kerry being in office responding to it. That was my quote, and I said that based on his record, based on his history.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: How do you refute something like that when people say they would be afraid to have another attack, a 9/11 or otherwise, with John Kerry in the Oval Office?

BEERS: Well, I think that Mr. Kerik has obviously adopted a partisan political perspective, and I would strongly disagree with that perspective. John Kerry understands American foreign policy and national security. He knows how to lead this country. He knows how to make decisions. And he would have a team of advisors and cabinet officers who would be effective in executing his decisions.

I would counter Mr. Kerik's comments and simply say that we're running for office on a platform that we believe we can do far better than this administration has.

O'BRIEN: Give us some specifics, though. What will a President Kerry do specifically in Iraq to try to change things there?

BEERS: Well, it's hard to talk about what we would do now, but what needs to be done now is that we need to make sure that the security situation gets stabilized and we need to make sure that we have enough security in order to do that.

O'BRIEN: But how though? How would you do that? That's easier said than done.

BEERS: Well, there are two ways to proceed. John Kerry has said very clearly that he would go to the international community for additional international support. And we believe that as president he would be able to do that.

In addition to that, there needs to be a massive training effort, which Mr. Kerry did have something to do with once upon a time. That need is to really expand the trained people in Iraqi security forces so that they can in fact assume more and more of the job and eventually take over completely. There's been plenty of time to do this.

I did this as a career when I was in assistant secretary of state, and I know how to do it. In fact, Mr. Kerik worked for me at one time in that capacity. And so I think we know how to do that.

O'BRIEN: Rand Beers, thank you very much for your time.

While you were listening to that, so too was a representative from the other camp, Tucker Eskew, a senior advisor to Bush/Cheney '04, who joins us from their war room in Arlington, Virginia.

Good to have you with us -- Mr. Eskew.

TUCKER ESKEW, SENIOR ADVISOR, BUSH-CHENEY 2004: Thank you, Miles, glad to be here.

O'BRIEN: All right, this whole notion of improving the security situation on the ground, making that a top priority, to what extent does the Bush administration differ on that note?

ESKEW: Well, I suggest the biggest difference, Miles, is that we're actually doing it. You know this is a difficult security environment that the president and his administration have devoted significant resources and time to, and we'll continue to face difficulty there, but look for the progress. Most Americans are starting to see that...

O'BRIEN: Tell us why don't you tell us...

ESKEW: ... because they see us moving toward elections in that country.

O'BRIEN: Tell us -- we're talking on a day now where we had a truck bomb that killed 68 or perhaps more, lots of violence there today. Clearly the security situation is, by no means, under control there. What can you tell us here that gives us any glimmer of hope?

ESKEW: That there is an increase in the number of Iraqis serving in security forces. There's a dramatic increase in the number of Iraqis who are visibly on the front lines of this fight and are beginning to assume more and greater responsibility for the security of their own country, an absolutely critical factor.

And as the president said, the continued presence of our coalition partners, such as the Polish, in helping to build up security forces and train Iraqis -- who, let's not forget, Miles, lived for decades under a tyrannical dictator whose idea of security was rape rooms for children and removing limbs and ears from those who uttered a word of disagreement.

Yes, that is a terrific challenge, but we are seeing the signs not only toward security and stabilization but toward democracy within the troubled Middle East. And that is a record of accomplishment, Miles, that Senator Kerry simply can't get close to.

O'BRIEN: The Bush administration now saying, though, that the international community is important here. You just got through saying that the coalition is important. Isn't it time to try to appeal to a larger body of nations here? Go to the United Nations? Try to make this less a U.S. effort in Iraq?

ESKEW: No, it's been the time to do that. And I would argue, Miles, that contrary to what Senator Kerry said, the president began by doing that in September of 2002, going to the United Nations and laying out a case, a case, by the way, which that very month John Kerry was agreeing with vociferously. Since he agreed with President Bush in September of 2002 that Saddam was a threat to the U.S. and that he was in search of, if not in possession of, weapons of mass destruction.

Over the course of the year following that, while President Bush led a coalition of 30 nations, 17 nations depending on different components of the war on terror, in fighting the threats against our country, John Kerry began to soften. And if I may, just finish this one...

O'BRIEN: Finish that thought, go ahead.

ESKEW: By October of 2003, as he faced a Howard Dean candidacy, which was in control of the Democratic Party at that point, he began to say he was an anti-war candidate and began the first of several changes of his position. That's not strong or wise.

O'BRIEN: All right, but there was a certain amount of -- most Democrats would suggest to you that there was a certain amount of haste in there in that appeal to the United Nations. It was almost a pro forma appeal and that...

ESKEW: No.

O'BRIEN: ... the Bush administration was determined to go into Iraq regardless.

ESKEW: Determined to hold Saddam accountable. And as President Bush has said, Miles, what president with the national security of this country at heart after what happened on 9/11 would not look at a person who had threatened the United States, who had possessed and used weapons of mass destruction, who had invaded his neighbors and who tyrannically ruled his own people, what president would not do, as this president did, and act -- act on the advice he was getting from his intelligent professionals. Act on the same policy of regime change, which John Kerry himself had endorsed in 1998.

You know, Miles, the fundamental here is that we have one president, one leader in this race who has taken a strong position, stuck to it, adapted to conditions, but been principled. John Kerry has been all over the map and just on the issue of voting against funding for our troops. And by the way, he did that after saying it would be irresponsible to do so. After doing that, John Kerry has had seven different explanations for that vote, including the latest that it's really just too complicated to get across to all of us. John Kerry has got a big job trying to convince us he has got an Iraq policy that would protect America and a sense of principle that would lead our country.

O'BRIEN: All right, Tucker Eskew, unfortunately, we are out of time. Thank you very much. Appreciate it, Kyra.

ESKEW: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Well don't expect to see "The Stepford Wives" during this year's presidential election, but do expect to see women who are not afraid to speak their minds. Former First Lady Hillary Clinton's press secretary joins us to talk about voter reaction.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And I'm Richard Quest at the Casa del Mar Retirement Community in Florida. The views of senior citizens, Republicans and Democrats, in just a moment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Elizabeth Edwards isn't afraid to say she's on the South Beach Diet. Teresa Heinz Kerry has no problem telling you that she's opinionated. Wives of the candidates are getting just as much attention as their husbands, and for good reason. It's a new era in American politics and the role of potential first ladies. What do voters think?

Lisa Caputo joins us now live from Boston, an aide in the Clinton White House. She was also press secretary to former First Lady Hillary Clinton.

Great to see you -- Lisa.

LISA CAPUTO, FMR. HILLARY CLINTON PRESS SECY.: Nice to be with you.

PHILLIPS: Well you said Teresa Heinz Kerry was definitely a high-risk proposition when it came to having her speak last night. Why?

CAPUTO: Well it's always a little risky to put the spouse of the candidate out, you know, with a major address to the public. I think that this was really smart on the Kerry campaign's part, because this was Teresa Heinz's first real introduction to the American public -- not through the lens of the media, but enabled her to speak directly to the public.

Secondly, I think what you heard last night was Teresa Heinz Kerry talking about, you know, being an outspoken woman. And I think that was done very strategically in order to help defuse, really, the "shove it" comment, if you will, that occurred the other day off camera with a reporter, a conservative columnist.

And that was an effort, I think, to help defuse that which has been in the news coverage over the past two days.

PHILLIPS: Perfect segue, Lisa. This is what Teresa Heinz Kerry had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TERESA HEINZ KERRY, WIFE OF SEN. JOHN KERRY: My only hope is that one day soon women who have all earned their right to their opinions, instead of being called opinionated, will be called smart and well-informed, just like men.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Lisa, what is she saying to women voters? What is she saying to men in this election? What is she saying about women's -- the role of women in 2004?

CAPUTO: Well, I think Teresa Heinz Kerry, in a lot of ways, exemplifies a lot of what Hillary Clinton exemplifies. You know she's a working mother, she runs the Heinz Family Foundation, she's raised three boys and she also has policy views.

She, with her late husband Senator Jack Heinz, was very active on environmental issues. In fact, she said in the speech last night good environmental policy is good economic policy. I mean that was one of the great late Senator John Heinz's platforms.

And so, I think what you heard her say last night about the role of women is to be true to yourself and to be true to speak your mind and to have points of view and don't be afraid to share them. So, that's what she was saying both to the public and, quite frankly, to what I believe her base is, which is working women across the country.

PHILLIPS: We're going to talk more about that base in a second. Just back to the "shove it" comment real quickly, people were wondering, critics were wondering, OK, is she a loose cannon or is this someone who is just down to earth and tells it how it is?

Now you went through a similar situation when you were press secretary to Hillary Rodham Clinton. Let's take a look at this moment in history.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: I suppose I could have stayed home and baked cookies and had teas; but what I decided to do was fulfill my profession, which I entered before my husband was in public life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Remind us of that year, first of all, '90 -- do you remember? CAPUTO: '92.

PHILLIPS: '92, there you go.

CAPUTO: Yes.

PHILLIPS: And so how did you sort of work with her image, because she obviously made a tremendous comeback and hasn't had a problem gaining support from women or men now?

CAPUTO: Well, but let's not forget, I mean, that was 1992, we're in 2004. It's been a 12-year process. And I think that that says a lot about the role of women today in our country.

I mean, I think certainly Hillary Clinton represents an ongoing debate in every household across the country because she is a Rorschach Test. You know do I want my daughter to grow up and raise a family and not work, or do I want my daughter to work and have a career, or do I want my daughter to try and do both? And we probably aren't as progressive as we say we are as a country when it comes to the role of women.

And what you saw in that clip was Hillary Clinton being Hillary Clinton. And I think what you saw last night with Teresa Heinz Kerry is Teresa being Teresa. And I think that what the campaign will do is allow Teresa to be Teresa. They will use her strategically on the campaign trail.

She is a huge draw on the campaign trail, particularly with women across the country. She just is a huge crowd pleaser. So I think they played it very smart last night and Teresa Heinz Kerry delivered for her husband.

PHILLIPS: Now, Lisa, looking at tonight, Elizabeth Edwards, another crowd pleaser. People love her. You told me everybody is saying I want to work for her. What is it about Elizabeth Edwards that everybody loves? You brought up kind of the comparison, too, kind of reminds you of Tipper Gore.

CAPUTO: Well, the similarity, I think you know with Tipper, while they are different, and Tipper was a full-time mother, and Elizabeth Edwards is so accomplished in her own right as a lawyer. She is also a working mother. And she is not only incredibly smart and intelligent, but she is somebody that is really so commendable in having to deal with the grief of losing a child.

I mean, I thought it was so moving that the Edwards stopped at their late son Wade's grave on their way to Boston. And here they were -- she very late in life, in her late 40s, early 50s, having two children while having a really esteemed legal career. It's really remarkable.

I mean, it's a remarkable example of the great juggle that so many working women do today. And I think that she will have great appeal tonight when she is introduced by her daughter, Cate.

PHILLIPS: You think about Elizabeth losing her son. Also, Teresa Heinz Kerry losing her first husband.

CAPUTO: Yes.

PHILLIPS: Death definitely puts things in perspective.

Lisa Caputo...

CAPUTO: It does.

PHILLIPS: ... thank you so much.

CAPUTO: You're welcome, nice to be with you.

PHILLIPS: Pleasure.

O'BRIEN: Richard Quest is off the leash, bouncing hither and yon in the Sunshine State, determined to see the Democratic National Convention through the eyes of American voters. Today he's picking ideas from Blossom and Rose.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

QUEST (on camera): If people say that there was a great deal of apathy about watching the conventions and following the political debate, the one place you're not going to find that is the Casa del Mar Retirement Community here in Boca Raton in Florida.

I am joined by Blossom and I'm joined by Rose, two ladies who are both closely following the debate. Rose is a Democrat, Blossom is a Republican.

Blossom, you are in a minority here. There aren't many of you.

BLOSSOM: I know that. I think they are foolish but, you know, whatever...

ROSE: I think they are smart. I think they are smart. They know why they are Democrats.

QUEST: Why are you a Democrat?

ROSE: Because I believe -- especially a Democrat this election, because I'm so opposed to Bush and his administration and all of his policies and what he has done to our country.

BLOSSOM: I think Bush is doing a good job. We have got to go after those terrorists and go after them big time. And I don't think Kerry is up to doing that.

ROSE: If you want to go after terrorists, you don't go to Iraq. You have to go to the countries where they are harboring in Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

BLOSSOM: And who do you think has been funding the terrorists?

ROSE: The Saudi Arabians. BLOSSOM: No, and Saddam Hussein, too.

ROSE: Oh!

QUEST: Now, ladies, ladies, ladies, a bit of civility, a bit of civility, please. Let us talk about healthcare, Social Security, the issues that I would have thought senior citizens, like yourselves, would be very concerned about.

BLOSSOM: I'm concerned about it. I think Medicare will always be there for us and Social Security. It's not going to go down the tubes.

ROSE: Not with the deficits that we have. Our grandchildren are going to suffer for the debt that we have accumulated.

QUEST: When all is said and done, you two are not going to change each other's minds on how you support?

BLOSSOM: No.

ROSE: No way.

QUEST: And you both think the other, politely, is wrong?

ROSE: I wish they could see the light.

BLOSSOM: I wish you Democrats could see the light.

QUEST: A final thought: It is fascinating that you are both watching the conventions, you are both informing yourselves as much as possible. That is something that people don't often think about these days.

BLOSSOM: Yes, I think you have to watch both conventions and see what everybody has to offer.

ROSE: I intend to watch the other convention.

BLOSSOM: Fine.

ROSE: But I have watched this. I have never stayed up so late.

QUEST: And one final thought does occur to me: You're still going to be both best friends after this?

BLOSSOM: Absolutely.

ROSE: Absolute good friends. We're Americans.

BLOSSOM: Yes.

QUEST: There we are, the views from Casa del Mar, different views, and they won't see eye to eye.

Richard Quest, CNN, Boca Raton. (END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: And there it is, the FleetCenter, getting ready for the big shindig tonight. That wraps up this Wednesday edition of LIVE FROM. I'm Miles O'Brien.

PHILLIPS: And I'm Kyra Phillips. Now ready for the big show, the hour of power of politics, Judy Woodruff's "INSIDE POLITICS" convention style.

O'BRIEN: It's kind of like a pre-game thing is what you've got going there, right?

JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Kind of a pre-game, if you're into sports.

O'BRIEN: Yes.

WOODRUFF: Yes, we're still here, we're still in Boston. Thanks, Kyra. Thanks, Miles. We'll see you again tomorrow.

Once again, I am here for day three of the Democratic National Convention. I'll be joined by Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Vice Presidential Candidate John Edwards. I'll also talk with a rising star in the Democratic Party, and arguably the star of last night, Illinois U.S. Senate Candidate Barack Obama.

Plus, crazy hats, a convention tradition. Our Bruce Morton takes a look at the week's funny hats and the people under them.

INSIDE POLITICS begins in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired July 28, 2004 - 14:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Happening "In the News Now," prosecution and defense attorneys in Kobe Bryant's rape case have a chance to suggest edits to a transcript of a closed door hearing. The judge says he may release edited copies of transcripts from a hearing dealing with the sexual history of Bryant's accuser.
Secretary of State Colin Powell heads to Saudi Arabia after the stop in Egypt. He met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to discuss developments with Palestinians and Israel's plan to pull out of Gaza.

Vice President Dick Cheney in Utah right now. He's campaigning for Congressional Candidate John Swallow. The Republican lawmaker faces incumbent Democratic Congressman Jim Matheson.

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

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A lot of political operatives and pollsters will tell you this presidential election will hinge on foreign policy. Voters may very well decide whom to send to the Oval Office based on how their candidate will handle the war in Iraq and the war on terror.

Rand Beers is watching all of this unfold from a unique perch. An advisor inside the Bush White House, he quit days before the war in Iraq began and is now national security advisor for the Kerry campaign.

Mr. Beers, good to have you with us.

RAND BEERS, KERRY FOREIGN POLICY ADVISOR: Thank you, it's good to be here.

O'BRIEN: First of all, I want to talk about the disconnect or the apparent disconnect between the platform there in Boston and the delegates. I think huge percentage, high percentage of the delegates are against the war in Iraq and yet the platform doesn't go that far. Why not?

BEERS: The platform is John Kerry and where John Kerry is on this issue and is a reflection of what we believe is the correct policy to move forward with in Iraq. It's a responsible policy, and it gets us to a successful conclusion.

O'BRIEN: But the policy basically states that Mr. Kerry was basically in favor of the notion of going in to Iraq. His problem is with the execution of that war. Is that something that makes it difficult for him to whip up a lot of support among the real hard core support that is there in Boston?

BEERS: Well, I think what the best perspective to take on all of this is that John Kerry is doing what is responsible in this situation. And we have America's interest in the world, America's interest in the region and the (INAUDIBLE) at stake here. And we're following what we believe is the correct policy.

O'BRIEN: All right, I want to share with you a quick clip from Bernard Kerik, former police commissioner in New York, who gets to the real heart of an issue that I think is on many voter's minds this election season.

Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BERNARD KERIK, FMR. NEW YORK POLICE COMMISSIONER: I was asked what I feared most, and I said that I fear another attack. And I fear that attack with a John Kerry, Senator Kerry being in office responding to it. That was my quote, and I said that based on his record, based on his history.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: How do you refute something like that when people say they would be afraid to have another attack, a 9/11 or otherwise, with John Kerry in the Oval Office?

BEERS: Well, I think that Mr. Kerik has obviously adopted a partisan political perspective, and I would strongly disagree with that perspective. John Kerry understands American foreign policy and national security. He knows how to lead this country. He knows how to make decisions. And he would have a team of advisors and cabinet officers who would be effective in executing his decisions.

I would counter Mr. Kerik's comments and simply say that we're running for office on a platform that we believe we can do far better than this administration has.

O'BRIEN: Give us some specifics, though. What will a President Kerry do specifically in Iraq to try to change things there?

BEERS: Well, it's hard to talk about what we would do now, but what needs to be done now is that we need to make sure that the security situation gets stabilized and we need to make sure that we have enough security in order to do that.

O'BRIEN: But how though? How would you do that? That's easier said than done.

BEERS: Well, there are two ways to proceed. John Kerry has said very clearly that he would go to the international community for additional international support. And we believe that as president he would be able to do that.

In addition to that, there needs to be a massive training effort, which Mr. Kerry did have something to do with once upon a time. That need is to really expand the trained people in Iraqi security forces so that they can in fact assume more and more of the job and eventually take over completely. There's been plenty of time to do this.

I did this as a career when I was in assistant secretary of state, and I know how to do it. In fact, Mr. Kerik worked for me at one time in that capacity. And so I think we know how to do that.

O'BRIEN: Rand Beers, thank you very much for your time.

While you were listening to that, so too was a representative from the other camp, Tucker Eskew, a senior advisor to Bush/Cheney '04, who joins us from their war room in Arlington, Virginia.

Good to have you with us -- Mr. Eskew.

TUCKER ESKEW, SENIOR ADVISOR, BUSH-CHENEY 2004: Thank you, Miles, glad to be here.

O'BRIEN: All right, this whole notion of improving the security situation on the ground, making that a top priority, to what extent does the Bush administration differ on that note?

ESKEW: Well, I suggest the biggest difference, Miles, is that we're actually doing it. You know this is a difficult security environment that the president and his administration have devoted significant resources and time to, and we'll continue to face difficulty there, but look for the progress. Most Americans are starting to see that...

O'BRIEN: Tell us why don't you tell us...

ESKEW: ... because they see us moving toward elections in that country.

O'BRIEN: Tell us -- we're talking on a day now where we had a truck bomb that killed 68 or perhaps more, lots of violence there today. Clearly the security situation is, by no means, under control there. What can you tell us here that gives us any glimmer of hope?

ESKEW: That there is an increase in the number of Iraqis serving in security forces. There's a dramatic increase in the number of Iraqis who are visibly on the front lines of this fight and are beginning to assume more and greater responsibility for the security of their own country, an absolutely critical factor.

And as the president said, the continued presence of our coalition partners, such as the Polish, in helping to build up security forces and train Iraqis -- who, let's not forget, Miles, lived for decades under a tyrannical dictator whose idea of security was rape rooms for children and removing limbs and ears from those who uttered a word of disagreement.

Yes, that is a terrific challenge, but we are seeing the signs not only toward security and stabilization but toward democracy within the troubled Middle East. And that is a record of accomplishment, Miles, that Senator Kerry simply can't get close to.

O'BRIEN: The Bush administration now saying, though, that the international community is important here. You just got through saying that the coalition is important. Isn't it time to try to appeal to a larger body of nations here? Go to the United Nations? Try to make this less a U.S. effort in Iraq?

ESKEW: No, it's been the time to do that. And I would argue, Miles, that contrary to what Senator Kerry said, the president began by doing that in September of 2002, going to the United Nations and laying out a case, a case, by the way, which that very month John Kerry was agreeing with vociferously. Since he agreed with President Bush in September of 2002 that Saddam was a threat to the U.S. and that he was in search of, if not in possession of, weapons of mass destruction.

Over the course of the year following that, while President Bush led a coalition of 30 nations, 17 nations depending on different components of the war on terror, in fighting the threats against our country, John Kerry began to soften. And if I may, just finish this one...

O'BRIEN: Finish that thought, go ahead.

ESKEW: By October of 2003, as he faced a Howard Dean candidacy, which was in control of the Democratic Party at that point, he began to say he was an anti-war candidate and began the first of several changes of his position. That's not strong or wise.

O'BRIEN: All right, but there was a certain amount of -- most Democrats would suggest to you that there was a certain amount of haste in there in that appeal to the United Nations. It was almost a pro forma appeal and that...

ESKEW: No.

O'BRIEN: ... the Bush administration was determined to go into Iraq regardless.

ESKEW: Determined to hold Saddam accountable. And as President Bush has said, Miles, what president with the national security of this country at heart after what happened on 9/11 would not look at a person who had threatened the United States, who had possessed and used weapons of mass destruction, who had invaded his neighbors and who tyrannically ruled his own people, what president would not do, as this president did, and act -- act on the advice he was getting from his intelligent professionals. Act on the same policy of regime change, which John Kerry himself had endorsed in 1998.

You know, Miles, the fundamental here is that we have one president, one leader in this race who has taken a strong position, stuck to it, adapted to conditions, but been principled. John Kerry has been all over the map and just on the issue of voting against funding for our troops. And by the way, he did that after saying it would be irresponsible to do so. After doing that, John Kerry has had seven different explanations for that vote, including the latest that it's really just too complicated to get across to all of us. John Kerry has got a big job trying to convince us he has got an Iraq policy that would protect America and a sense of principle that would lead our country.

O'BRIEN: All right, Tucker Eskew, unfortunately, we are out of time. Thank you very much. Appreciate it, Kyra.

ESKEW: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Well don't expect to see "The Stepford Wives" during this year's presidential election, but do expect to see women who are not afraid to speak their minds. Former First Lady Hillary Clinton's press secretary joins us to talk about voter reaction.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And I'm Richard Quest at the Casa del Mar Retirement Community in Florida. The views of senior citizens, Republicans and Democrats, in just a moment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Elizabeth Edwards isn't afraid to say she's on the South Beach Diet. Teresa Heinz Kerry has no problem telling you that she's opinionated. Wives of the candidates are getting just as much attention as their husbands, and for good reason. It's a new era in American politics and the role of potential first ladies. What do voters think?

Lisa Caputo joins us now live from Boston, an aide in the Clinton White House. She was also press secretary to former First Lady Hillary Clinton.

Great to see you -- Lisa.

LISA CAPUTO, FMR. HILLARY CLINTON PRESS SECY.: Nice to be with you.

PHILLIPS: Well you said Teresa Heinz Kerry was definitely a high-risk proposition when it came to having her speak last night. Why?

CAPUTO: Well it's always a little risky to put the spouse of the candidate out, you know, with a major address to the public. I think that this was really smart on the Kerry campaign's part, because this was Teresa Heinz's first real introduction to the American public -- not through the lens of the media, but enabled her to speak directly to the public.

Secondly, I think what you heard last night was Teresa Heinz Kerry talking about, you know, being an outspoken woman. And I think that was done very strategically in order to help defuse, really, the "shove it" comment, if you will, that occurred the other day off camera with a reporter, a conservative columnist.

And that was an effort, I think, to help defuse that which has been in the news coverage over the past two days.

PHILLIPS: Perfect segue, Lisa. This is what Teresa Heinz Kerry had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TERESA HEINZ KERRY, WIFE OF SEN. JOHN KERRY: My only hope is that one day soon women who have all earned their right to their opinions, instead of being called opinionated, will be called smart and well-informed, just like men.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Lisa, what is she saying to women voters? What is she saying to men in this election? What is she saying about women's -- the role of women in 2004?

CAPUTO: Well, I think Teresa Heinz Kerry, in a lot of ways, exemplifies a lot of what Hillary Clinton exemplifies. You know she's a working mother, she runs the Heinz Family Foundation, she's raised three boys and she also has policy views.

She, with her late husband Senator Jack Heinz, was very active on environmental issues. In fact, she said in the speech last night good environmental policy is good economic policy. I mean that was one of the great late Senator John Heinz's platforms.

And so, I think what you heard her say last night about the role of women is to be true to yourself and to be true to speak your mind and to have points of view and don't be afraid to share them. So, that's what she was saying both to the public and, quite frankly, to what I believe her base is, which is working women across the country.

PHILLIPS: We're going to talk more about that base in a second. Just back to the "shove it" comment real quickly, people were wondering, critics were wondering, OK, is she a loose cannon or is this someone who is just down to earth and tells it how it is?

Now you went through a similar situation when you were press secretary to Hillary Rodham Clinton. Let's take a look at this moment in history.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: I suppose I could have stayed home and baked cookies and had teas; but what I decided to do was fulfill my profession, which I entered before my husband was in public life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Remind us of that year, first of all, '90 -- do you remember? CAPUTO: '92.

PHILLIPS: '92, there you go.

CAPUTO: Yes.

PHILLIPS: And so how did you sort of work with her image, because she obviously made a tremendous comeback and hasn't had a problem gaining support from women or men now?

CAPUTO: Well, but let's not forget, I mean, that was 1992, we're in 2004. It's been a 12-year process. And I think that that says a lot about the role of women today in our country.

I mean, I think certainly Hillary Clinton represents an ongoing debate in every household across the country because she is a Rorschach Test. You know do I want my daughter to grow up and raise a family and not work, or do I want my daughter to work and have a career, or do I want my daughter to try and do both? And we probably aren't as progressive as we say we are as a country when it comes to the role of women.

And what you saw in that clip was Hillary Clinton being Hillary Clinton. And I think what you saw last night with Teresa Heinz Kerry is Teresa being Teresa. And I think that what the campaign will do is allow Teresa to be Teresa. They will use her strategically on the campaign trail.

She is a huge draw on the campaign trail, particularly with women across the country. She just is a huge crowd pleaser. So I think they played it very smart last night and Teresa Heinz Kerry delivered for her husband.

PHILLIPS: Now, Lisa, looking at tonight, Elizabeth Edwards, another crowd pleaser. People love her. You told me everybody is saying I want to work for her. What is it about Elizabeth Edwards that everybody loves? You brought up kind of the comparison, too, kind of reminds you of Tipper Gore.

CAPUTO: Well, the similarity, I think you know with Tipper, while they are different, and Tipper was a full-time mother, and Elizabeth Edwards is so accomplished in her own right as a lawyer. She is also a working mother. And she is not only incredibly smart and intelligent, but she is somebody that is really so commendable in having to deal with the grief of losing a child.

I mean, I thought it was so moving that the Edwards stopped at their late son Wade's grave on their way to Boston. And here they were -- she very late in life, in her late 40s, early 50s, having two children while having a really esteemed legal career. It's really remarkable.

I mean, it's a remarkable example of the great juggle that so many working women do today. And I think that she will have great appeal tonight when she is introduced by her daughter, Cate.

PHILLIPS: You think about Elizabeth losing her son. Also, Teresa Heinz Kerry losing her first husband.

CAPUTO: Yes.

PHILLIPS: Death definitely puts things in perspective.

Lisa Caputo...

CAPUTO: It does.

PHILLIPS: ... thank you so much.

CAPUTO: You're welcome, nice to be with you.

PHILLIPS: Pleasure.

O'BRIEN: Richard Quest is off the leash, bouncing hither and yon in the Sunshine State, determined to see the Democratic National Convention through the eyes of American voters. Today he's picking ideas from Blossom and Rose.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

QUEST (on camera): If people say that there was a great deal of apathy about watching the conventions and following the political debate, the one place you're not going to find that is the Casa del Mar Retirement Community here in Boca Raton in Florida.

I am joined by Blossom and I'm joined by Rose, two ladies who are both closely following the debate. Rose is a Democrat, Blossom is a Republican.

Blossom, you are in a minority here. There aren't many of you.

BLOSSOM: I know that. I think they are foolish but, you know, whatever...

ROSE: I think they are smart. I think they are smart. They know why they are Democrats.

QUEST: Why are you a Democrat?

ROSE: Because I believe -- especially a Democrat this election, because I'm so opposed to Bush and his administration and all of his policies and what he has done to our country.

BLOSSOM: I think Bush is doing a good job. We have got to go after those terrorists and go after them big time. And I don't think Kerry is up to doing that.

ROSE: If you want to go after terrorists, you don't go to Iraq. You have to go to the countries where they are harboring in Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

BLOSSOM: And who do you think has been funding the terrorists?

ROSE: The Saudi Arabians. BLOSSOM: No, and Saddam Hussein, too.

ROSE: Oh!

QUEST: Now, ladies, ladies, ladies, a bit of civility, a bit of civility, please. Let us talk about healthcare, Social Security, the issues that I would have thought senior citizens, like yourselves, would be very concerned about.

BLOSSOM: I'm concerned about it. I think Medicare will always be there for us and Social Security. It's not going to go down the tubes.

ROSE: Not with the deficits that we have. Our grandchildren are going to suffer for the debt that we have accumulated.

QUEST: When all is said and done, you two are not going to change each other's minds on how you support?

BLOSSOM: No.

ROSE: No way.

QUEST: And you both think the other, politely, is wrong?

ROSE: I wish they could see the light.

BLOSSOM: I wish you Democrats could see the light.

QUEST: A final thought: It is fascinating that you are both watching the conventions, you are both informing yourselves as much as possible. That is something that people don't often think about these days.

BLOSSOM: Yes, I think you have to watch both conventions and see what everybody has to offer.

ROSE: I intend to watch the other convention.

BLOSSOM: Fine.

ROSE: But I have watched this. I have never stayed up so late.

QUEST: And one final thought does occur to me: You're still going to be both best friends after this?

BLOSSOM: Absolutely.

ROSE: Absolute good friends. We're Americans.

BLOSSOM: Yes.

QUEST: There we are, the views from Casa del Mar, different views, and they won't see eye to eye.

Richard Quest, CNN, Boca Raton. (END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: And there it is, the FleetCenter, getting ready for the big shindig tonight. That wraps up this Wednesday edition of LIVE FROM. I'm Miles O'Brien.

PHILLIPS: And I'm Kyra Phillips. Now ready for the big show, the hour of power of politics, Judy Woodruff's "INSIDE POLITICS" convention style.

O'BRIEN: It's kind of like a pre-game thing is what you've got going there, right?

JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Kind of a pre-game, if you're into sports.

O'BRIEN: Yes.

WOODRUFF: Yes, we're still here, we're still in Boston. Thanks, Kyra. Thanks, Miles. We'll see you again tomorrow.

Once again, I am here for day three of the Democratic National Convention. I'll be joined by Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Vice Presidential Candidate John Edwards. I'll also talk with a rising star in the Democratic Party, and arguably the star of last night, Illinois U.S. Senate Candidate Barack Obama.

Plus, crazy hats, a convention tradition. Our Bruce Morton takes a look at the week's funny hats and the people under them.

INSIDE POLITICS begins in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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