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Rule for Thursday's Debate; "The First Patient"; Wholesale Heating Oil Selling at All-Time High; Martha Stewart to Serve Sentence at "Camp Cupcake"
Aired September 29, 2004 - 14:35 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.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back from the CNN Center in Atlanta. This it LIVE FROM. I'm Drew Griffin.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Kyra Phillips. Here's what's all new this half hour.
Florida voters made a big impact on the last presidential election. Will their awful hurricane season keep them away from the polls this time around.
GRIFFIN: And the candidates go head to head, so do Paul and Tucker. The "CROSSFIRE" guys take on the debate dos and don'ts next.
But first, here's what's happening right now in the news.
You saw it here -- geologists just issuing a volcano advisory for Mount St. Helens in Washington State. They're warning of a heightened possibility of an eruption after more than a thousand small earthquakes. They're now occurring at the rate of three per minute.
Convicted homemaking diva, Martha Stewart, will be doing time in West Virginia. She's been ordered to serve her five-month sentence for obstruction of justice at a minimum security jail in Alderson, West Virginia. She requested a facility closer to her Connecticut home.
A federal judge today ruled part of the U.S. Patriot Act unconstitutional. The provision allowed the FBI to demand financial records from businesses without court approval. The companies were never allowed to disclose the request, and the judge said that violates free speech.
Right now, President Bush on the ground again in Florida. He is touring some of the hard-hit citrus and farm areas in and near Lake Wales. This is where Frances, Charley, and Jeanne all crisscrossed through the state. This is live pictures coming from Florida as the president makes yet another post-hurricane trip to a storm-damaged Florida -- Kyra?
PHILLIPS: One day before candidates Bush and Kerry face off for the first of three televised debates, there's a debate already -- not over what you're going to hear at the podiums tomorrow night, but how you're going to see it and who's in control of those television cameras. We've assembled some television veterans of our own who may have an opinion or two on the subject. Co-hosts of CNN's "CROSSFIRE," Paul Begala, Tucker Carlson -- two guys that never follow the rules. Hi, guys.
TUCKER CARLSON, CO-HOST, "CROSSFIRE": Hi, Kyra. How are you doing?
PHILLIPS: I'm still looking for you. I'm seeing sort of this roving jib shot right now. I don't know if you guys can see the camera or not. There...
CARLSON: Isn't it nice? We're here by...
PAUL BEGALA, CO-HOST, "CROSSFIRE": It's beautiful. We're alongside the pool at the University of Miami where you can see the Miami Hurricanes' tanning team is working out.
CARLSON: A lot of scantily clad pay (ph) people here next to the set.
PHILLIPS: See, what did I say -- never following the rules. Where's the cocktails with the umbrellas on the side?
CARLSON: They're waiting right off the side.
PHILLIPS: Oh, OK. All right. Oops, I thought I got us in trouble.
All right, let's get down to business. What we did, we sort of put together, you know, a little play off the top 10 -- our top five of sorts -- top five debate dos and don'ts.
All right. Number one: no props for you -- here it is -- "No props, no notes, charts, diagrams, other writings can be used by the candidates. However, they can take notes on type of paper of their choosing."
OK, Paul, what's the tactic behind this rule?
BEGALA: It's stupid. I'm sorry, Kyra. Both the campaigns are risk averse. They ought to trust candidates. These are two bright people. They're capable people. If they wanted to bring out a prop. If President Bush wanted to carry the shield that he was given of a Port Authority police officer who was killed on 9/11 which he uses for inspiration, God bless him. Why shouldn't he do it?
If John Kerry, you know, wants to bring out a letter from a soldier from a soldier who's in Iraq and feels likes he's stranded there and needs an exit strategy and the president hasn't given him one, why shouldn't he be able to.
I think it's a bunch of hooey. They ought to let these guys do whatever they want in this debate.
PHILLIPS: Tucker, you agree? BEGALA: I couldn't agree more. I hate to agree with Paul. Oh, absolutely. The problem is that neither campaign trusts the other one. Apparently, these negotiations were much more long, much more difficult, and at some point much more bitter than any negotiations over the past at least 14 or 16 years, according to someone that we saw this morning who's involved in them.
Yeah, the campaigns just don't trust each other at all. Each one thinking that the other is going to get some minor advantage by pulling some trick, and it just makes it hard to hammer this stuff out. And you wind up with this kind of, you know, Talmudic (ph) series of rules...
PHILLIPS: I know. Well, look at this one -- number four, we've named this one: hands off the merchandise, OK? And here's the rule: "Other than a handshake at start of the debates, the candidates are not to approach each other."
Now, what's the deal? Do you think they'd poke each other or bonk each other over the head? You know, bite off someone's ear, Paul?
BEGALA: You know, Kyra, in 2000, Vice President Gore did have this sense that he should invade then-Governor Bush's physical space. And he did get a little close. I think it looked a little goofy, and Bush just kind of brushed him back with a withering glance. He kind of stopped in the middle of his answer, sort of looked at Gore like what are you doing here in my space, and then went back to his answer. I love Al Gore, but I thought it looked kind of goofy.
So, maybe they're trying to prevent any kind of invading the other guy's personal space.
CARLSON: Well, of course. And in 2000, I think all of American could sympathize with Bush. How would you like it if Al Gore loomed into your personal space? It would scare the hell out of you, and it hurt Gore.
CARLSON: Actually, that same year...
BEGALA: I'd say if Tucker were more comfortable with his sexuality, I think he wouldn't...
PHILLIPS: Don't ask, don't tell!
We're going to move on to number three, OK: watch your mouth. This is perfect for you guys. "The candidates cannot ask each other direct questions but can ask rhetorical questions. The candidates can not address each other with proposed pledges."
Now, doesn't this just mean no personal attacks? I mean, we always think of the one-liners that happen during these debates, and of course that's what everybody talks about.
You guys are quiet. BEGALA: Yeah, of course, I don't like any of these rules, Kyra. Because I don't want to try to defend -- I participated, I counted this up last night, in 11 national general election debates for president or vice president, OK? And none of them did I ever participate in the rule making, because then it gets stupid. You know, somebody else can make the rules, and I'll play the game.
And these guys should be able to ask each other questions. It worked out OK for guys named Lincoln and Douglas. It would work out just fine for Bush and Kerry. But again, their handlers, I think, overly concerned, trying to drain all the spontaneity out of it.
Now the only thing that's going to be spontaneous is if somebody goofs, and I think that that's why we're going to focus on any kind of gaff or goof in this thing, and it's regrettable.
CARLSON: Well, that's -- that's the way it always it, though. The only significant -- really significant moments in any debate are the mistakes. I mean, can you think of or can you name a single candidate in the last 12 years, say, who's won a debate by himself? No, it's always by default. It's always because the other guy did something to embarrass himself or look less than presidential or committed a gaff.
PHILLIPS: OK, you hit it right there, Tucker, because I want to talk about this one -- number two, we're talking about extreme makeover here. OK, the rules: "Each candidate can use his own makeup artist," OK? "No camera cutaways. No candidate is allowed to use risers or any other device..."
CARLSON: Or tanning salons, depending, right.
PHILLIPS: There you go -- "to make them look taller," OK?
I mean, seriously you guys, the image, the look -- I mean, if one candidate is taller to another, does that really affect what someone's going to think of a candidate?
BEGALA: You know, this one I blame media for, not the candidates. Who would have thought, with as much as we had at stake in the 2000 election, that the debates would focus on Al Gore's respiratory patterns. I mean, give me a break.
I mean, now we're already starting to debate did John Kerry have too much of a tan? Did he go to a tanning salon? You know what? We have 1,048 guys dead in the desert because of a war this president got us into. It's either the right thing to do or the wrong thing to do.
And for the media, for those of us who wear makeup for a living, to be, you know, kvetching about John Kerry's makeup or George Bush's is really stupid. It's infantile, and the press should do better.
CARLSON: Well, wait a second. I mean, John Kerry obviously thought his appearance was significant enough to get a fake and bake. I mean, I don't know. I mean, I'm not the one who did it, he did. I mean, look, I do think -- I do think that height actually does make a difference. You know, this -- you know, cosmetics matter. The campaigns understand that. I mean, sure it's shallow, but so is a lot of life is shallow, and appearance does make a difference.
BEGALA: Very deep point, actually.
PHILLIPS: Tucker and Paul: do not fake and bake; do not use Botox. Tucker, who just has the bow ties -- no starch. All right, guys.
I'm getting the hard wrap. We always get into trouble. Paul Begala, Tucker Carlson...
BEGALA: Thanks, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: ... I love you both.
All right. Our coverage of debate number one live from Miami begins tomorrow evening at 7:00 Eastern. You don't want to miss it. You don't want to miss Paul and Tucker "CROSSFIRE" either.
GRIFFIN: The health of presidential candidates is the key issue for many voters, and ahead Dr. Sanjay Gupta has a look at health issues that affect George Bush and John Kerry.
Later, the stunning rise in home heating oil costs this year. Just how much more you may be paying to stay warm in the winter.
And a look at markets and your money. What issues are driving prices?
Stay with us.
ANNOUNCER: You're watching LIVE FROM on CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, the first presidential debate is just one day away, and it seems that many voters are wondering about health and the presidency.
CNN's senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta has been examining that issue. He joins us now live, talking about the big special coming up this weekend.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, we're really excited about this special. And it seems that a lot of people are paying more and more attention to health and the presidency.
What is the health of President Bush? What is the health of Democratic challenger John Kerry? How much do people know, and how much do they deserve to know?
We did some exclusive polling. Here's what we found. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): It shouldn't come as a surprise that President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry are athletic. Americans like leaders who exude good health.
In an exclusive CNN/Gallup poll, 96 percent say the health of the president is important or very important to his ability to be a good president. Americans also think the president should have an annual physical examination. Eighty-four percent say this is a good idea. And 79 percent say the president should undergo an annual mental exam for conditions such as depression or Alzheimer's. But there is no requirement.
A White House spokesman says President Bush remains in great shape. But his busy schedule and the presidential campaign means his annual physical, usually conducted in August, will have to wait until after the election.
Following an early diagnosis, John Kerry had surgery for prostate cancer last year. A total success, his doctor said.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I am as fit and as healthy, if not more so, than any 60-year-old in the country.
GUPTA: Ninety-two percent in our poll say they are not concerned Kerry had cancer, and there isn't much public pressure for either man to release more details.
Americans may want a healthy commander-in-chief, but 61 percent say the president has the same rights as other citizens to keep medical records private, compared with just 38 percent in favor of releasing all information that might affect his ability to serve.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera): And all the White House doctors we spoke with said the physician really does have a responsibility to tell the truth.
On another note, you may remember this, 1992 presidential candidate Paul Tsongas wasn't completely honest when he said his cancer was cured, because he'd already had a reoccurrence of a type of cancer called lymphoma. He died in January of '96. If he had won, he would have been significantly debilitated for most of his term. So, obviously an important piece of information there.
PHILLIPS: All right. I want to know if you tried to contact the president, did you try to contact John Kerry and ask them about their health?
GUPTA: We did.
PHILLIPS: Did you get through to them? How far did you get?
GUPTA: Well, we got certain medical records released. For Democratic challenger John Kerry, it was mainly his records from the Navy. There wasn't a lot of records from recently. We know that he had prostate cancer recently. He did have a shoulder operation. He wrenched a shoulder when his campaign bus stopped suddenly.
But regards to President Bush, it's all been pretty good. He had that colonoscopy that we heard about, but not a full sort of release of medical records. They're not completely forthright with this.
PHILLIPS: All right, what's coming up tomorrow?
GUPTA: Tomorrow we are talking about the stress of being president and just how much of an impact that has on the longevity of the president. You'll be interested to know that presidents don't live as long as the rest of us.
And can you watch -- I'll tell you all about that tomorrow. You can watch the whole, full primetime special, it's called "The First Patient," Sunday at 9:00 p.m.
PHILLIPS: Well, it's like being in this business or being a police officer, the stress -- I mean, it sort of decreases your life expectancy.
GUPTA: The constant nature of it, that's what really does it for them.
PHILLIPS: All right, we'll talk more tomorrow. Thanks, Sanjay.
GUPTA: Thanks. All right.
PHILLIPS: OK. Well, turn to cnn.com for our daily quick vote on presidential health. Here's today's question: Would you vote for a presidential candidate who smoked? We'll tally it up and tell you the answer.
GRIFFIN: It could be a long, hard winter for people who rely on home heating oil to stay warm. Coming up, the sticker shock on oil prices -- why some people in the industry are saying the cost increases are not justified.
LIVE FROM continues after a break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRIFFIN: Crude oil prices hit a record high this week, more than $50 a barrel. This could have a ripple effect on what you pay to heat your home this winter. CNN financial correspondent Chris Huntington has that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRIS HUNTINGTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If you heat your home with oil, get ready to turn down the thermostat, put on a sweater, and open your wallet. It's likely to cost you a lot more this winter than last. Wholesale heating oil is trading at an all- time high, up nearly 80 percent in the last 12 months.
MICHAEL PROSCIA, OWNER, BLUE DIAMOND FUEL: We've been eating it all summer long. All summer.
HUNTINGTON: Michael Proscia runs Blue Diamond Fuel in Brooklyn, New York and he says so far he has not passed on the full increase to his customers.
PROSCIA: Out of a 50 cent increase over the last couple of months, we've absorbed maybe 25, 30 cents of it.
HUNTINGTON: But what really upsets Proscia is that he sees no reason for heating oil to be so expensive.
PROSCIA: There is plenty of oil in the marketplace. There's plenty of oil now, there always has been plenty of oil, supplies are abundant.
HUNTINGTON: Many other oil market veterans agree.
FADEL GHEIT, OPPENHEIMER: We cover 32 oil companies. Not one oil company said that there is any supply shortages anywhere around the world. Not gasoline, not natural gas, not crude oil.
HUNTINGTON: Gheit insists that the run-up in petroleum prices has been driven largely by hedge funds and other investors making speculative bets in what is currently the hottest financial market.
GHEIT: Oil is the only game in town, the only thing that is moving right now, stocks not going anywhere.
HUNTINGTON: Real events such as rebel threats in Nigeria, the war in Iraq and hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico conjure up concerns of oil supply interruption. According to the Department of Energy, there is no evidence of significant nor sustained shortages. For now, that is little comfort to Mike Proscia and his customers.
Regarding the role of speculators, the New York Mercantile Exchange tells CNNfn that hedge funds have become much more active trading in the oil markets in the past year. But the NYMEX also points out that overall volume has increased dramatically. Chris Huntington, CNN Financial News, Brooklyn, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Speaking of financial news, two tech heavyweights teaming up against online spammers.
GRIFFIN: Rhonda Schaffler is at the New York Stock Exchange. Hi, Rhonda.
RHONDA SCHAFFLER, CNN SR. BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: These are big names, Microsoft and Amazon.com, they are filing a number of lawsuits against those online spammers. The suits claim the violators sent millions of deceptive e-mails from Amazon, Hotmail and other domains. The spammers allegedly lured people to fake websites so they could steal personal and financial information. The companies feel they have a stronger case if they work together. Amazon and Microsoft are also working together on possible technical solutions that would make it more difficult to deliver those fraudulent and deceptive and annoying e-mails -- Kyra, Drew.
PHILLIPS: Rhonda Schaffler, thanks so much.
GRIFFIN: That wraps up the Wednesday edition to live from.
PHILLIPS: Now to take us through the political headlines, "JUDY WOODRUFF'S INSIDE POLITICS." Hi, Judy.
JUDY WOODRUFF, HOST, "JUDY WOODRUFF'S INSIDE POLITICS": Hi, Kyra. Thanks to you and thanks to Drew. With just one day until the first presidential debate of this campaign season, we'll talk debate strategy with foreign policy surrogates from both campaigns.
Plus, is the beltway going Big League? Our Bruce Morton looks at a move that could bring America's pasttime to America's capital for the first time in 33 years. "INSIDE POLITICS" begins in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: In the news now Martha Stewart ordered to serve her five-month prison term at a women's facility in West Virginia nicknamed "Camp Cupcake." It's the same prison where Billie Holiday, and presidential assassin wanna-bes Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme and Sara Jane Moore did time. In a statement Stewart says she's pleased she was assigned so quickly. Stewart was convicted of obstruction of justice and lying about a stock sale.
Not picture perfect but still a success. A privately-built rocket blasted off into suborbital space above California's Mojave Desert today. The man's SpaceShipOne took some 40 unexpected rolls but still climbed above its target altitude then landed safely. Its designers are trying to win a $10 million contest to encourage space tourism.
Back to the beltway. Baseball could be returning to D.C. after a 33-year dry spell. Major League Baseball expected to announce later today that the Montreal Expos will be moving to Washington in 2005. D.C. hasn't had a Major League team since The Senators moved to Texas after the 1971 season.
We'll be back tomorrow. "JUDY WOODRUFF'S INSIDE POLITICS" up next.
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Aired September 29, 2004 - 14:35 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back from the CNN Center in Atlanta. This it LIVE FROM. I'm Drew Griffin.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Kyra Phillips. Here's what's all new this half hour.
Florida voters made a big impact on the last presidential election. Will their awful hurricane season keep them away from the polls this time around.
GRIFFIN: And the candidates go head to head, so do Paul and Tucker. The "CROSSFIRE" guys take on the debate dos and don'ts next.
But first, here's what's happening right now in the news.
You saw it here -- geologists just issuing a volcano advisory for Mount St. Helens in Washington State. They're warning of a heightened possibility of an eruption after more than a thousand small earthquakes. They're now occurring at the rate of three per minute.
Convicted homemaking diva, Martha Stewart, will be doing time in West Virginia. She's been ordered to serve her five-month sentence for obstruction of justice at a minimum security jail in Alderson, West Virginia. She requested a facility closer to her Connecticut home.
A federal judge today ruled part of the U.S. Patriot Act unconstitutional. The provision allowed the FBI to demand financial records from businesses without court approval. The companies were never allowed to disclose the request, and the judge said that violates free speech.
Right now, President Bush on the ground again in Florida. He is touring some of the hard-hit citrus and farm areas in and near Lake Wales. This is where Frances, Charley, and Jeanne all crisscrossed through the state. This is live pictures coming from Florida as the president makes yet another post-hurricane trip to a storm-damaged Florida -- Kyra?
PHILLIPS: One day before candidates Bush and Kerry face off for the first of three televised debates, there's a debate already -- not over what you're going to hear at the podiums tomorrow night, but how you're going to see it and who's in control of those television cameras. We've assembled some television veterans of our own who may have an opinion or two on the subject. Co-hosts of CNN's "CROSSFIRE," Paul Begala, Tucker Carlson -- two guys that never follow the rules. Hi, guys.
TUCKER CARLSON, CO-HOST, "CROSSFIRE": Hi, Kyra. How are you doing?
PHILLIPS: I'm still looking for you. I'm seeing sort of this roving jib shot right now. I don't know if you guys can see the camera or not. There...
CARLSON: Isn't it nice? We're here by...
PAUL BEGALA, CO-HOST, "CROSSFIRE": It's beautiful. We're alongside the pool at the University of Miami where you can see the Miami Hurricanes' tanning team is working out.
CARLSON: A lot of scantily clad pay (ph) people here next to the set.
PHILLIPS: See, what did I say -- never following the rules. Where's the cocktails with the umbrellas on the side?
CARLSON: They're waiting right off the side.
PHILLIPS: Oh, OK. All right. Oops, I thought I got us in trouble.
All right, let's get down to business. What we did, we sort of put together, you know, a little play off the top 10 -- our top five of sorts -- top five debate dos and don'ts.
All right. Number one: no props for you -- here it is -- "No props, no notes, charts, diagrams, other writings can be used by the candidates. However, they can take notes on type of paper of their choosing."
OK, Paul, what's the tactic behind this rule?
BEGALA: It's stupid. I'm sorry, Kyra. Both the campaigns are risk averse. They ought to trust candidates. These are two bright people. They're capable people. If they wanted to bring out a prop. If President Bush wanted to carry the shield that he was given of a Port Authority police officer who was killed on 9/11 which he uses for inspiration, God bless him. Why shouldn't he do it?
If John Kerry, you know, wants to bring out a letter from a soldier from a soldier who's in Iraq and feels likes he's stranded there and needs an exit strategy and the president hasn't given him one, why shouldn't he be able to.
I think it's a bunch of hooey. They ought to let these guys do whatever they want in this debate.
PHILLIPS: Tucker, you agree? BEGALA: I couldn't agree more. I hate to agree with Paul. Oh, absolutely. The problem is that neither campaign trusts the other one. Apparently, these negotiations were much more long, much more difficult, and at some point much more bitter than any negotiations over the past at least 14 or 16 years, according to someone that we saw this morning who's involved in them.
Yeah, the campaigns just don't trust each other at all. Each one thinking that the other is going to get some minor advantage by pulling some trick, and it just makes it hard to hammer this stuff out. And you wind up with this kind of, you know, Talmudic (ph) series of rules...
PHILLIPS: I know. Well, look at this one -- number four, we've named this one: hands off the merchandise, OK? And here's the rule: "Other than a handshake at start of the debates, the candidates are not to approach each other."
Now, what's the deal? Do you think they'd poke each other or bonk each other over the head? You know, bite off someone's ear, Paul?
BEGALA: You know, Kyra, in 2000, Vice President Gore did have this sense that he should invade then-Governor Bush's physical space. And he did get a little close. I think it looked a little goofy, and Bush just kind of brushed him back with a withering glance. He kind of stopped in the middle of his answer, sort of looked at Gore like what are you doing here in my space, and then went back to his answer. I love Al Gore, but I thought it looked kind of goofy.
So, maybe they're trying to prevent any kind of invading the other guy's personal space.
CARLSON: Well, of course. And in 2000, I think all of American could sympathize with Bush. How would you like it if Al Gore loomed into your personal space? It would scare the hell out of you, and it hurt Gore.
CARLSON: Actually, that same year...
BEGALA: I'd say if Tucker were more comfortable with his sexuality, I think he wouldn't...
PHILLIPS: Don't ask, don't tell!
We're going to move on to number three, OK: watch your mouth. This is perfect for you guys. "The candidates cannot ask each other direct questions but can ask rhetorical questions. The candidates can not address each other with proposed pledges."
Now, doesn't this just mean no personal attacks? I mean, we always think of the one-liners that happen during these debates, and of course that's what everybody talks about.
You guys are quiet. BEGALA: Yeah, of course, I don't like any of these rules, Kyra. Because I don't want to try to defend -- I participated, I counted this up last night, in 11 national general election debates for president or vice president, OK? And none of them did I ever participate in the rule making, because then it gets stupid. You know, somebody else can make the rules, and I'll play the game.
And these guys should be able to ask each other questions. It worked out OK for guys named Lincoln and Douglas. It would work out just fine for Bush and Kerry. But again, their handlers, I think, overly concerned, trying to drain all the spontaneity out of it.
Now the only thing that's going to be spontaneous is if somebody goofs, and I think that that's why we're going to focus on any kind of gaff or goof in this thing, and it's regrettable.
CARLSON: Well, that's -- that's the way it always it, though. The only significant -- really significant moments in any debate are the mistakes. I mean, can you think of or can you name a single candidate in the last 12 years, say, who's won a debate by himself? No, it's always by default. It's always because the other guy did something to embarrass himself or look less than presidential or committed a gaff.
PHILLIPS: OK, you hit it right there, Tucker, because I want to talk about this one -- number two, we're talking about extreme makeover here. OK, the rules: "Each candidate can use his own makeup artist," OK? "No camera cutaways. No candidate is allowed to use risers or any other device..."
CARLSON: Or tanning salons, depending, right.
PHILLIPS: There you go -- "to make them look taller," OK?
I mean, seriously you guys, the image, the look -- I mean, if one candidate is taller to another, does that really affect what someone's going to think of a candidate?
BEGALA: You know, this one I blame media for, not the candidates. Who would have thought, with as much as we had at stake in the 2000 election, that the debates would focus on Al Gore's respiratory patterns. I mean, give me a break.
I mean, now we're already starting to debate did John Kerry have too much of a tan? Did he go to a tanning salon? You know what? We have 1,048 guys dead in the desert because of a war this president got us into. It's either the right thing to do or the wrong thing to do.
And for the media, for those of us who wear makeup for a living, to be, you know, kvetching about John Kerry's makeup or George Bush's is really stupid. It's infantile, and the press should do better.
CARLSON: Well, wait a second. I mean, John Kerry obviously thought his appearance was significant enough to get a fake and bake. I mean, I don't know. I mean, I'm not the one who did it, he did. I mean, look, I do think -- I do think that height actually does make a difference. You know, this -- you know, cosmetics matter. The campaigns understand that. I mean, sure it's shallow, but so is a lot of life is shallow, and appearance does make a difference.
BEGALA: Very deep point, actually.
PHILLIPS: Tucker and Paul: do not fake and bake; do not use Botox. Tucker, who just has the bow ties -- no starch. All right, guys.
I'm getting the hard wrap. We always get into trouble. Paul Begala, Tucker Carlson...
BEGALA: Thanks, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: ... I love you both.
All right. Our coverage of debate number one live from Miami begins tomorrow evening at 7:00 Eastern. You don't want to miss it. You don't want to miss Paul and Tucker "CROSSFIRE" either.
GRIFFIN: The health of presidential candidates is the key issue for many voters, and ahead Dr. Sanjay Gupta has a look at health issues that affect George Bush and John Kerry.
Later, the stunning rise in home heating oil costs this year. Just how much more you may be paying to stay warm in the winter.
And a look at markets and your money. What issues are driving prices?
Stay with us.
ANNOUNCER: You're watching LIVE FROM on CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, the first presidential debate is just one day away, and it seems that many voters are wondering about health and the presidency.
CNN's senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta has been examining that issue. He joins us now live, talking about the big special coming up this weekend.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, we're really excited about this special. And it seems that a lot of people are paying more and more attention to health and the presidency.
What is the health of President Bush? What is the health of Democratic challenger John Kerry? How much do people know, and how much do they deserve to know?
We did some exclusive polling. Here's what we found. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): It shouldn't come as a surprise that President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry are athletic. Americans like leaders who exude good health.
In an exclusive CNN/Gallup poll, 96 percent say the health of the president is important or very important to his ability to be a good president. Americans also think the president should have an annual physical examination. Eighty-four percent say this is a good idea. And 79 percent say the president should undergo an annual mental exam for conditions such as depression or Alzheimer's. But there is no requirement.
A White House spokesman says President Bush remains in great shape. But his busy schedule and the presidential campaign means his annual physical, usually conducted in August, will have to wait until after the election.
Following an early diagnosis, John Kerry had surgery for prostate cancer last year. A total success, his doctor said.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I am as fit and as healthy, if not more so, than any 60-year-old in the country.
GUPTA: Ninety-two percent in our poll say they are not concerned Kerry had cancer, and there isn't much public pressure for either man to release more details.
Americans may want a healthy commander-in-chief, but 61 percent say the president has the same rights as other citizens to keep medical records private, compared with just 38 percent in favor of releasing all information that might affect his ability to serve.
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(on camera): And all the White House doctors we spoke with said the physician really does have a responsibility to tell the truth.
On another note, you may remember this, 1992 presidential candidate Paul Tsongas wasn't completely honest when he said his cancer was cured, because he'd already had a reoccurrence of a type of cancer called lymphoma. He died in January of '96. If he had won, he would have been significantly debilitated for most of his term. So, obviously an important piece of information there.
PHILLIPS: All right. I want to know if you tried to contact the president, did you try to contact John Kerry and ask them about their health?
GUPTA: We did.
PHILLIPS: Did you get through to them? How far did you get?
GUPTA: Well, we got certain medical records released. For Democratic challenger John Kerry, it was mainly his records from the Navy. There wasn't a lot of records from recently. We know that he had prostate cancer recently. He did have a shoulder operation. He wrenched a shoulder when his campaign bus stopped suddenly.
But regards to President Bush, it's all been pretty good. He had that colonoscopy that we heard about, but not a full sort of release of medical records. They're not completely forthright with this.
PHILLIPS: All right, what's coming up tomorrow?
GUPTA: Tomorrow we are talking about the stress of being president and just how much of an impact that has on the longevity of the president. You'll be interested to know that presidents don't live as long as the rest of us.
And can you watch -- I'll tell you all about that tomorrow. You can watch the whole, full primetime special, it's called "The First Patient," Sunday at 9:00 p.m.
PHILLIPS: Well, it's like being in this business or being a police officer, the stress -- I mean, it sort of decreases your life expectancy.
GUPTA: The constant nature of it, that's what really does it for them.
PHILLIPS: All right, we'll talk more tomorrow. Thanks, Sanjay.
GUPTA: Thanks. All right.
PHILLIPS: OK. Well, turn to cnn.com for our daily quick vote on presidential health. Here's today's question: Would you vote for a presidential candidate who smoked? We'll tally it up and tell you the answer.
GRIFFIN: It could be a long, hard winter for people who rely on home heating oil to stay warm. Coming up, the sticker shock on oil prices -- why some people in the industry are saying the cost increases are not justified.
LIVE FROM continues after a break.
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GRIFFIN: Crude oil prices hit a record high this week, more than $50 a barrel. This could have a ripple effect on what you pay to heat your home this winter. CNN financial correspondent Chris Huntington has that.
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CHRIS HUNTINGTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If you heat your home with oil, get ready to turn down the thermostat, put on a sweater, and open your wallet. It's likely to cost you a lot more this winter than last. Wholesale heating oil is trading at an all- time high, up nearly 80 percent in the last 12 months.
MICHAEL PROSCIA, OWNER, BLUE DIAMOND FUEL: We've been eating it all summer long. All summer.
HUNTINGTON: Michael Proscia runs Blue Diamond Fuel in Brooklyn, New York and he says so far he has not passed on the full increase to his customers.
PROSCIA: Out of a 50 cent increase over the last couple of months, we've absorbed maybe 25, 30 cents of it.
HUNTINGTON: But what really upsets Proscia is that he sees no reason for heating oil to be so expensive.
PROSCIA: There is plenty of oil in the marketplace. There's plenty of oil now, there always has been plenty of oil, supplies are abundant.
HUNTINGTON: Many other oil market veterans agree.
FADEL GHEIT, OPPENHEIMER: We cover 32 oil companies. Not one oil company said that there is any supply shortages anywhere around the world. Not gasoline, not natural gas, not crude oil.
HUNTINGTON: Gheit insists that the run-up in petroleum prices has been driven largely by hedge funds and other investors making speculative bets in what is currently the hottest financial market.
GHEIT: Oil is the only game in town, the only thing that is moving right now, stocks not going anywhere.
HUNTINGTON: Real events such as rebel threats in Nigeria, the war in Iraq and hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico conjure up concerns of oil supply interruption. According to the Department of Energy, there is no evidence of significant nor sustained shortages. For now, that is little comfort to Mike Proscia and his customers.
Regarding the role of speculators, the New York Mercantile Exchange tells CNNfn that hedge funds have become much more active trading in the oil markets in the past year. But the NYMEX also points out that overall volume has increased dramatically. Chris Huntington, CNN Financial News, Brooklyn, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Speaking of financial news, two tech heavyweights teaming up against online spammers.
GRIFFIN: Rhonda Schaffler is at the New York Stock Exchange. Hi, Rhonda.
RHONDA SCHAFFLER, CNN SR. BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: These are big names, Microsoft and Amazon.com, they are filing a number of lawsuits against those online spammers. The suits claim the violators sent millions of deceptive e-mails from Amazon, Hotmail and other domains. The spammers allegedly lured people to fake websites so they could steal personal and financial information. The companies feel they have a stronger case if they work together. Amazon and Microsoft are also working together on possible technical solutions that would make it more difficult to deliver those fraudulent and deceptive and annoying e-mails -- Kyra, Drew.
PHILLIPS: Rhonda Schaffler, thanks so much.
GRIFFIN: That wraps up the Wednesday edition to live from.
PHILLIPS: Now to take us through the political headlines, "JUDY WOODRUFF'S INSIDE POLITICS." Hi, Judy.
JUDY WOODRUFF, HOST, "JUDY WOODRUFF'S INSIDE POLITICS": Hi, Kyra. Thanks to you and thanks to Drew. With just one day until the first presidential debate of this campaign season, we'll talk debate strategy with foreign policy surrogates from both campaigns.
Plus, is the beltway going Big League? Our Bruce Morton looks at a move that could bring America's pasttime to America's capital for the first time in 33 years. "INSIDE POLITICS" begins in just a moment.
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PHILLIPS: In the news now Martha Stewart ordered to serve her five-month prison term at a women's facility in West Virginia nicknamed "Camp Cupcake." It's the same prison where Billie Holiday, and presidential assassin wanna-bes Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme and Sara Jane Moore did time. In a statement Stewart says she's pleased she was assigned so quickly. Stewart was convicted of obstruction of justice and lying about a stock sale.
Not picture perfect but still a success. A privately-built rocket blasted off into suborbital space above California's Mojave Desert today. The man's SpaceShipOne took some 40 unexpected rolls but still climbed above its target altitude then landed safely. Its designers are trying to win a $10 million contest to encourage space tourism.
Back to the beltway. Baseball could be returning to D.C. after a 33-year dry spell. Major League Baseball expected to announce later today that the Montreal Expos will be moving to Washington in 2005. D.C. hasn't had a Major League team since The Senators moved to Texas after the 1971 season.
We'll be back tomorrow. "JUDY WOODRUFF'S INSIDE POLITICS" up next.
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