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Spin for Bush, Kerry in Last Night's Debate; P.R. Expert Gives Advice to Kerry, Bush; Green Zone Bombings in Baghdad; Two Dozen Soldiers Charges in Afghan Civilian Deaths

Aired October 14, 2004 - 13:00 ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hello. Miles O'Brien in Atlanta. Let's go to some tape right now, which is coming in from the White House pool from Air Force One. Listen to the president.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The debate phase of the campaign is over, and now it's the sprint to the finish. And the good news is I'm not going to be sprinting alone. I'll be having a lot of support from people like Senator McCain and Governor Lingle.

We'll be seeing governors today in Las Vegas, and they're going to spread out all across the country. And I'm excited about it. It's -- my spirits are high. I'm enthusiastic about my chances. I'll answer a couple of questions, and we'll let you have your coffee.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Some of the early polls say Kerry won last night. What do you have to say?

BUSH: The voters will decide. They'll decide on November the 2nd who they want to be the president.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Has Kerry helped himself in these debates (INAUDIBLE)?

BUSH: The voters will decide that. You know, that's the great thing about a campaign, is all the speculation ends on Election Day and...

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Can I just say, on substance there is no doubt. We talk about Social Security, you know, you want to reform it. You don't know how to pay for it. You can't answer the question. People notice that.

Substance, the president won, and that's what people think about when they go into the ballot booth.

Can I also say, at an event afterwards 40,000 citizens of Arizona showed up at Bank One Ballpark. There has never been an event like that in the history of our state, not only the numbers, but the enthusiasm.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President, what do you think your best moment was last night? BUSH: You know, telling people what I think.

Again, you know, the pundits and the spinners and the -- they'll all have their opinion. But there's only one opinion that matters, and that's the opinion of the American people on November the 2nd, and -- I feel great about where we are.

There's a lot of enthusiasm for my candidacy. People have seen me lead. They also know that I've got plans for the next four years. And as you'll hear me today, I'm optimistic about the future of this country.

KAREN HUGHES, BUSH CAMPAIGN ADVISOR: I thought a great moment was a question about jobs. It's more than statistics. I mean, the president made a key point when he said the important point is that a solid education for the children in America is the best way to ensure a sound economy over the long term.

It's common sense. It's why No Child Left Behind is not just important for education; it's important for the sustained economic progress of this nation.

And personally, the part I liked is when the president talked about his feelings for Mrs. Bush and his daughters. I thought that was just so touching. I think people across America felt how close they were as a family. And I thought it was really an important part of the debate as well.

BUSH: All right. I'm going to let you all go back to your breakfast.

MCCAIN: Can I just mention one thing? Again, on Social Security, the president's pledge to reform Social Security and bring America together on that issue.

You can't just say that the status quo will prevail on Social Security. Millions and millions of Baby Boomers are going to be facing retirement. This is an issue that's got to be the highest priority. The president's pledged to address it, not be satisfied with the status quo.

BUSH: Thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Mr. President, one question. You were asked last night about the (INAUDIBLE).

BUSH: That's part of -- that's part of -- well, that's part of bringing people together, to figure out how to address the costs.

The point is, is that I'm the president who understands Social Security needs to be reformed.

Listen, thank you, good to see you, Dan. Get a smile on your face, everybody. Nineteen days left.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Will you be coming back here... BUSH: Pardon me?

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Will you come visit us again?

MCCAIN: Every day.

BUSH: Oh, you know. I'm a better person for it, of course.

MCCAIN: Good to see you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: That was the scene aboard Air Force One just a little while ago.

Live pictures, now, the president in Las Vegas, Nevada. Happens to be the same location where we find his opponent, Senator John Kerry, the Democratic nominee.

You heard the president, along with Senator McCain, engaging in a little bit of post-debate spin of their own. Now that the debates are over, we're in the home stretch -- Kyra.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: That's right, Miles. Three debates down, 19 days before election day. Who's on top? We're going to know for sure in 19 days, probably.

In the meantime, another strong performance by the challenger, John Kerry. Debate-watchers of both parties taking a part, and CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll gives the Democrats a hat trick, three straight wins. But the second was a squeaker and well within the potential margin of error.

Last night's face-off in Tempe, Arizona, covered domestic issues from flu shots to fiscal responsibility.

And speaking of shots, at one point, George W. Bush likened Kerry to Ted Kennedy, only more liberal. Kerry likened Bush's tax and spend attacks to Tony Soprano lecturing on law enforcement.

It's probably not because they can't get enough of each other, but once again, Kerry and Bush are in the same city, at roughly the same time. Today it's not Tempe but Vegas.

CNN's Ed Henry is standing by with the Kerry crowd.

Hi, Ed.

ED HENRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Kyra.

That's right, Kerry campaign believes it was a clean sweep. They think it's now been three debates, three victories. And in fact, last night, at a post-debate rally, John Kerry himself said he was very happy.

And he said in the final 19 days, he's going to focus on making his case to the American people that he will fight for the middle class, while the president only fights for corporations.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): Using the final debate as a springboard, John Kerry today launches a 10-day offensive highlighting domestic issues.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The fact is that take-home pay of a typical American family, as a share of national income, is lower than it's been since 1929. And the take-home pay of the richest 0.1 percent of Americans is the highest it's been since 1928.

HENRY: The Kerry camp believes the senator's recent attacks on the president's Iraq policy have rallied the anti-Bush vote. Now the senator wants to move to the middle and reach out to undecided voters.

JOE LOCKHART, KERRY CAMPAIGN SENIOR ADVISOR: The first two debates really made clear for the public the stark choice on Iraq. I think what they want to hear now is more of how are you going to turn the job situation around? How are you going to get healthcare costs under control? How are you going to get more people enrolled in healthcare?

HENRY: Yesterday, the campaign was quick to jump on a comment by Treasury Secretary John Snow, who called accusations that the president has a weak record on jobs, quote, "a myth."

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I wonder if the four million Americans who have fallen into poverty in the last four years, I wonder if that's a myth.

What about the fact that folks' income is going down at the same time that the cost of virtually everything, healthcare, child care, college tuitions, going up? I wonder if they think that's a myth.

Well, here's the truth. Come November the 2nd, we're going to send George Bush out of town, and that will not be a myth.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HENRY (on camera): Kyra, you can hear "God Bless America" behind me. The speech is going to be coming soon from John Kerry. Also, first lady Laura Bush is actually going to be speaking before him.

But John Kerry in his speech will be making the case that he is on the side of the largest seniors organization in the country, which wants cheaper drugs imported from Canada, and the president is on the side of drug companies -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Ed Henry, live from Las Vegas, thanks -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right. George W. Bush spending first day of the rest of the campaign with his former comrades in the governor's ranks. There's a live picture right now, as the president begins to address a rally in Las Vegas. CNN's Dana Bash is in the crowd there, as well -- Dana.

DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miles, well, I just saw the president was just introduced by some of his former brethren, Republican governors who are gathering here in Las Vegas.

But to really note what happened on Air Force One, on the way here, and the fact that the president went to the back of his plane and talked to reporters.

And if you want any kind of indication of how much the Bush campaign really wants to regain the momentum that they understand that they lost after the first debate, and to have that going through the last 19 days, just look at what the president did.

He really has never come back to the back of his plane, all through his entire presidency. The only time he did was once on 9/11. He has invited reporters up to the front after overseas trips, after summits to discuss with them how that went.

But the fact that the president went back and really tried to explain that he was -- and show that he was in good spirits and say he's enjoyed himself, that he's getting ready and he's excited for the rest of the campaign, saying that he thought his best moment was telling people how he thought, really is an indication of the fact that the Bush campaign understands that the name of the game right now is grasping the momentum and regaining the momentum.

Now what the president is doing here today in Las Vegas is essentially trying to give some of the same things we heard from him last night, particularly on the issues of healthcare, on taxes.

Again, trying to explain to American people that he believes Senator Kerry is nothing more than a big government, big-spending liberal and that he is not going to be appropriate for the American people as president.

Now, obviously, looking back on last night, Miles, Republicans who are looking for a blowout, and really a strong -- strong performance from the president, that essentially blew Senator Kerry away, didn't get what they wanted.

But the Bush campaign, they're making it clear that they do believe that the president did do well. The line from Bush aides was that they got the whole package from President Bush last night.

And the name of the game, as I mentioned, is looking at the president on Air Force One, trying to keep the momentum going for the next 19 days -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Dana Bash, at the rally in Las Vegas, thank you very much.

As Dana mentioned, this is the time when the candidates need to use their best powers of persuasion, as the cliche goes, to close the deal with voters. Not an easy task. Should they play to the middle, reinforce the base, or try to do a little bit of both? And how do they engender some true blue, or red, loyalty in an era when Americans feel little allegiance to any one or any thing?

It's a tall order. And it will be filled in four minutes flat by Dan McGinn. He is a public relations and corporate communications strategist. He specializes in persuading the public.

Dan, good to have you with us.

DAN MCGINN, PUBLIC RELATIONS STRATEGIST: Good afternoon. Glad to be with you.

O'BRIEN: Let's begin with the Bush campaign. We just saw him on Air Force One. Not sure if you had a chance to see the videotape as it came in. You probably did.

It seems to me that George Bush is joining the spin crowd and declaring victory and moving on in a very buoyant way. Would you give him good marks for persuasion at that moment?

MCGINN: Well, I'll tell you, it's interesting. You know, critics on both sides want to say, you know, one candidate or the other isn't a good persuader. The fact, is both of these guys are very good at persuading. And they also show that you can do it in a lot of different ways.

The debate format was not Bush's strength in this campaign, but what people do like about him, he's decisive. He focuses on principles. He focuses on a clear, consistent message. That's what connects with people. Coming out of the debate, people are thinking maybe he's a little better guy, and Kerry's a little better debater.

O'BRIEN: All right. So what, if you're advising the Bush campaign now, unsolicited advice, what is the biggest issue that you see the president needs to overcome, and how does he go about doing that?

MCGINN: Well, let me tell you from my work. I mean, I work in the world with corporations and people trying to move large audiences, whether it's to attract more viewers, like yours, or to attract people to buy cars. It applies in politics, as well.

What people want to know is not that you can be the head of a fighter squadron or you could be the assistant secretary of HHS. They don't want to know that you have, you know, all these detailed plans.

What they want to know is your values, your heart. Do they have a sense of optimism? People tell us again and again. Do you look like a leader? Do you act like a leader? Can you give us clear guidance? Are you going to share your heart? That's what this -- that's what the next 15 days is about.

O'BRIEN: And coming out of the debates, do you think Mr. Bush has to do anything in that front? MCGINN: Yes. I mean, what he's got to do -- the question is, is he a principled guy, or is he, you know, a hard-line cowboy who won't change his mind? That's what people are concerned about.

The campaign, for the last couple of weeks -- again, I'm speaking as a non -- you know -- political activist here, but as a persuasion person -- is about the middle, not the extremes.

We're so focused on extremes, whether it's extreme diets or extreme sodas or extreme politics. The last 15 days is people in the middle. They don't want the extreme messages, and they don't want the attack; they want a positive campaign.

O'BRIEN: All right. People always say that, but sometimes I wonder if truly they enjoy the mudslinging.

Let's talk about John Kerry's camp for just a moment. If you were advising them, what do you see is his biggest problem coming out of the debates into this homestretch? What would you tell him to do about it?

MCGINN: Well, you have to -- if you look back of the beginning of the debate, Kerry was almost out of this election before the debate. These debates have energized. They've brought him a clear message. They've made him competitive, and they gave him some momentum coming out of it.

I'm not telling you he's going to win the race because of this, but it clearly made a difference.

His issue is, people are looking at him, wondering, is he a flip- flopper? Is he really just this guy from New England who's making a -- you know, sort of taking advantage of this race to try to project himself as a moderate? Or does he really have a reasoned judgment in this campaign, somebody you can trust going forward?

Kerry has to show energy. He has to show that he can connect with people on a very personal level. Personalization is such a part of our society today, personal products, personal clothes. That's what they want to see from this.

O'BRIEN: But should the Kerry campaign do -- go positive or negative or should they -- the campaign go positive and surrogates go negative? In other words, split the difference?

MCGINN: You're going to hear, you know, the political pros telling you that you've got to go negative and that you've got to focus on getting your base out. There is an element of that that's there.

But the key themes for the last two weeks of this campaign must be positive. We've got to move people in the middle. And you can't take your audiences for granted.

That's why Bush is at risk in New Hampshire. That's why Kerry's at risk in Wisconsin. That's why Democrats are fighting for women's votes.

What people want to know just the last couple of weeks is, we want to touch you personally. We want to feel your sense of value. We want an optimistic view of the future. Yes, those other elements are there, but that's the priority now.

O'BRIEN: Dan McGinn with some free advice to both campaigns. Hope they were listening. We appreciate your insights.

MCGINN: Thank you.

O'BRIEN: Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Deadly attacks in the Green Zone, raising red flags in Iraq this hour. At least five people dead, Americans among them in tandem bombings, never before seen in that heavily fortified district.

CNN's Brent Sadler has the latest now from Baghdad -- Brent.

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Kyra.

These latest bomb attacks are, indeed, a major breach of security inside the so-called Green Zone. That is, in effect, the seat of power in Iraq. It's where the U.S. embassy and British embassy is located, as well as many offices for the Iraqi interim government.

What we saw here, and I was in this location when this happened, two powerful bomb explosions and then a column of black smoke from fires, raging after a double bomb attack.

Now, eyewitnesses claim that this was the result of suicide bombers. U.S. military officials are not confirming that this was the case. But however, they are confirming that explosives were hand- carried into the zone and detonated. And they are investigating these accounts, that maybe suicide bombers got in there.

The questions now being asked at the highest level is how did the explosives get in there, through the multiple layers of security that supposedly protect the Green Zone? And how, if suicide bombers were involved, how were they able to get to a place inside an area that's used by many people who work in the international community there?

In terms of casualties, five dead, including three U.S. Department of Defense personnel, as well as U.S. soldiers and other international workers. Wounded in this attack, a total of 20 of them. Very, very serious breach of security there -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: And important because the Green Zone, not only has the U.S. embassy, but a lot of the contractors and other Americans and westerners. Brent Sadler, thank you so much.

We want to take you now straight to the president of the United States, speaking in Las Vegas, Nevada, to the AARP. Let's listen in.

(BEGIN LIVE NEWS EVENT -- JOINED IN PROGRESS)

BUSH: The senator believes the government should dictate. I believe you should make the decisions.

Sometimes, it's a little hard to tell exactly what he believes, because he tries to obscure his approach. Take healthcare.

Once again last night, with a straight face, the senator tried to say his healthcare plan is not a government plan. Yet 22 million people are being enrolled in a government program under his plan, the largest expansion of government healthcare ever.

Eighty percent of the newly insured on his plan would be placed on a government program like Medicaid.

The senator claimed his plan would help small businesses. Yet a study conducted by small business groups this week concluded Senator Kerry's plan is an overpriced albatross.

I have a different view. I want to make healthcare more available and affordable by helping small businesses, not saddling them, with a bunch of government rules.

And once again last night, with a straight face, the senator, shall we say, refined his answer on the proposed global test he would administer before acting to defend America.

After trying to say this, last night, he once again defended his approach, saying, "I think it makes sense."

The senator now says we have to pass some international truth standard. Those are his words. The truth is, we should never turn over America's national security decisions to international bodies or other countries.

In the last few years -- in the last few years, the American people have gotten to know me. They know -- they know my blunt way of speaking. I get that from mom. They know I sometimes mangle the English language. I get that from dad.

Americans also know that I'll tell you exactly what I'm going to do, and I keep my word.

O'BRIEN: President Bush, talking to Republican governors there in Las Vegas. We weren't too far off, though, when you want to talk about the AARP. It is actually getting to hear from the Republicans as well, in the form of first lady Laura Bush.

John Kerry takes the podium at 2:30 Eastern. CNN will carry his address live. We'll also let you know what the first lady has to say -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: A man once held as an enemy combatant is speaking out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

YASSER HAMDI, HELD AS ENEMY COMBATANT: I am an innocent man. If I was not an innocent man, you would not -- I would not be speaking with you at this time. (END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: There's only one place to hear his words. It's a CNN exclusive. The Saudi citizen talks about being held by the U.S. for three years.

And a flu vaccine supplier may feel the sting for alleged price gouging. We'll have that story, as well.

And the debatable debates, are they really run fairly? At least one group is saying no. We'll talk about it with a member of a group called Open Debates, later on LIVE FROM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Dead detainees and now, soldiers in the middle of it all. We're being told more than two -- two dozen, rather, American soldiers connected to deaths of detainees in Afghanistan.

We get the latest now from the Pentagon and correspondent Barbara Starr.

Barbara, what do you have for us?

BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, hello to you.

Yes, now 28 U.S. Army soldiers are named in an Army criminal investigators report, regarding the homicide deaths of two detainees in Afghanistan, while they were in military custody, in December 2002.

Now, the names of these soldiers are not going to be made public. But the criminal investigator's report has now been forwarded to commanding officers. It will be up to them to take the next step.

What the criminal investigators have found, according to sources, is that there is enough evidence for the possibility of proceeding ahead with charges, including involuntary manslaughter, assault and battery, maiming, maltreatment, dereliction of duty, and conspiracy.

But again, it will be up to the commanding officers to take the evidence in this criminal report and decide how to proceed. According to army officials, Kyra, this is the largest single abuse problem in Afghanistan so far.

There's an interesting crossover to Iraq. Some of the officers named in the report were, indeed, members of the 519th Military Intelligence Unit. That is the M.I. unit that went to Abu Ghraib later in Iraq and conducted some of the controversial interrogations at that facility.

Some of the other soldiers named -- named are reservists who have already been demobilized, back in civilian life. We are told by Army sources they will now go find these people, bring them back onto active duty for possible future charges -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Barbara Starr, reporting LIVE FROM the Pentagon. Thanks -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Medical news now.

A controversial new gadget gets the thumbs up from the government. The FDA, Food and Drug Administration approved marketing for an implantable device that's implantable in your skin. That is -- that could help doctors assess -- or access, your medical records.

Now, proponents say VeriChips, as they're called, will cut down on medical accidents. A quick scan would reveal your blood type, allergies to any particular medicine and the like.

Opponents say the tiny chips give a boost to Big Brother. Although VeriChips are not equipped to transmit radio frequencies, some fear a slippery slope toward human locator devices.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS (voice-over): Next, on LIVE FROM, slow hand, lead foot. Rocker Eric Clapton apparently finds trouble in the fast lane.

Later on LIVE FROM, possible glitches for e-voting. A third of Americans will cast their ballots electrically. Will the system work?

And tomorrow, pro golfer Annika Sorenstam. She made history, teeing it up with the men. Will she do it again? I'll ask her in the LIVE FROM interview.

(on camera): So, I heard you're quite the practical jokester. Rumor has it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: News around the world now.

Keep your promises: That's what Iraqi delegates are telling those countries who pledged money to help Iraq back onto its feet. An international donors conference ended today in Tokyo. Organizers said the three biggest challenges to civic opportunity to Iraq are security, security, and security.

New crew on the way: Three men, two Russians and an American lifted off from Kazakhstan this morning aboard a Soyuz rocket. They're bound for the International Space Station. Two of the trio will relieve the current crew of the space station, who has been there in orbit since April.

And he may have a "rock and roll heart," but it turns out he also has the need for speed. Grammy winner Eric Clapton busted this week, driving his Porsche 134 miles an hour down a French motorway. That's a big "non-non," as they say "en France." Police took his British driver's license and fined him $1,000 -- not sure how many francs that is. We're told he took it all very well, even posing for pictures with the gendarmes. PHILLIPS: Checking on Wall Street now, stocks moving into the red. Rhonda Schaffler has more from the New York Stock Exchange -- Rhonda?

(STOCK MARKET UPDATE)

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Aired October 14, 2004 - 13:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hello. Miles O'Brien in Atlanta. Let's go to some tape right now, which is coming in from the White House pool from Air Force One. Listen to the president.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The debate phase of the campaign is over, and now it's the sprint to the finish. And the good news is I'm not going to be sprinting alone. I'll be having a lot of support from people like Senator McCain and Governor Lingle.

We'll be seeing governors today in Las Vegas, and they're going to spread out all across the country. And I'm excited about it. It's -- my spirits are high. I'm enthusiastic about my chances. I'll answer a couple of questions, and we'll let you have your coffee.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Some of the early polls say Kerry won last night. What do you have to say?

BUSH: The voters will decide. They'll decide on November the 2nd who they want to be the president.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Has Kerry helped himself in these debates (INAUDIBLE)?

BUSH: The voters will decide that. You know, that's the great thing about a campaign, is all the speculation ends on Election Day and...

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Can I just say, on substance there is no doubt. We talk about Social Security, you know, you want to reform it. You don't know how to pay for it. You can't answer the question. People notice that.

Substance, the president won, and that's what people think about when they go into the ballot booth.

Can I also say, at an event afterwards 40,000 citizens of Arizona showed up at Bank One Ballpark. There has never been an event like that in the history of our state, not only the numbers, but the enthusiasm.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President, what do you think your best moment was last night? BUSH: You know, telling people what I think.

Again, you know, the pundits and the spinners and the -- they'll all have their opinion. But there's only one opinion that matters, and that's the opinion of the American people on November the 2nd, and -- I feel great about where we are.

There's a lot of enthusiasm for my candidacy. People have seen me lead. They also know that I've got plans for the next four years. And as you'll hear me today, I'm optimistic about the future of this country.

KAREN HUGHES, BUSH CAMPAIGN ADVISOR: I thought a great moment was a question about jobs. It's more than statistics. I mean, the president made a key point when he said the important point is that a solid education for the children in America is the best way to ensure a sound economy over the long term.

It's common sense. It's why No Child Left Behind is not just important for education; it's important for the sustained economic progress of this nation.

And personally, the part I liked is when the president talked about his feelings for Mrs. Bush and his daughters. I thought that was just so touching. I think people across America felt how close they were as a family. And I thought it was really an important part of the debate as well.

BUSH: All right. I'm going to let you all go back to your breakfast.

MCCAIN: Can I just mention one thing? Again, on Social Security, the president's pledge to reform Social Security and bring America together on that issue.

You can't just say that the status quo will prevail on Social Security. Millions and millions of Baby Boomers are going to be facing retirement. This is an issue that's got to be the highest priority. The president's pledged to address it, not be satisfied with the status quo.

BUSH: Thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Mr. President, one question. You were asked last night about the (INAUDIBLE).

BUSH: That's part of -- that's part of -- well, that's part of bringing people together, to figure out how to address the costs.

The point is, is that I'm the president who understands Social Security needs to be reformed.

Listen, thank you, good to see you, Dan. Get a smile on your face, everybody. Nineteen days left.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Will you be coming back here... BUSH: Pardon me?

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Will you come visit us again?

MCCAIN: Every day.

BUSH: Oh, you know. I'm a better person for it, of course.

MCCAIN: Good to see you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: That was the scene aboard Air Force One just a little while ago.

Live pictures, now, the president in Las Vegas, Nevada. Happens to be the same location where we find his opponent, Senator John Kerry, the Democratic nominee.

You heard the president, along with Senator McCain, engaging in a little bit of post-debate spin of their own. Now that the debates are over, we're in the home stretch -- Kyra.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: That's right, Miles. Three debates down, 19 days before election day. Who's on top? We're going to know for sure in 19 days, probably.

In the meantime, another strong performance by the challenger, John Kerry. Debate-watchers of both parties taking a part, and CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll gives the Democrats a hat trick, three straight wins. But the second was a squeaker and well within the potential margin of error.

Last night's face-off in Tempe, Arizona, covered domestic issues from flu shots to fiscal responsibility.

And speaking of shots, at one point, George W. Bush likened Kerry to Ted Kennedy, only more liberal. Kerry likened Bush's tax and spend attacks to Tony Soprano lecturing on law enforcement.

It's probably not because they can't get enough of each other, but once again, Kerry and Bush are in the same city, at roughly the same time. Today it's not Tempe but Vegas.

CNN's Ed Henry is standing by with the Kerry crowd.

Hi, Ed.

ED HENRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Kyra.

That's right, Kerry campaign believes it was a clean sweep. They think it's now been three debates, three victories. And in fact, last night, at a post-debate rally, John Kerry himself said he was very happy.

And he said in the final 19 days, he's going to focus on making his case to the American people that he will fight for the middle class, while the president only fights for corporations.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): Using the final debate as a springboard, John Kerry today launches a 10-day offensive highlighting domestic issues.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The fact is that take-home pay of a typical American family, as a share of national income, is lower than it's been since 1929. And the take-home pay of the richest 0.1 percent of Americans is the highest it's been since 1928.

HENRY: The Kerry camp believes the senator's recent attacks on the president's Iraq policy have rallied the anti-Bush vote. Now the senator wants to move to the middle and reach out to undecided voters.

JOE LOCKHART, KERRY CAMPAIGN SENIOR ADVISOR: The first two debates really made clear for the public the stark choice on Iraq. I think what they want to hear now is more of how are you going to turn the job situation around? How are you going to get healthcare costs under control? How are you going to get more people enrolled in healthcare?

HENRY: Yesterday, the campaign was quick to jump on a comment by Treasury Secretary John Snow, who called accusations that the president has a weak record on jobs, quote, "a myth."

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I wonder if the four million Americans who have fallen into poverty in the last four years, I wonder if that's a myth.

What about the fact that folks' income is going down at the same time that the cost of virtually everything, healthcare, child care, college tuitions, going up? I wonder if they think that's a myth.

Well, here's the truth. Come November the 2nd, we're going to send George Bush out of town, and that will not be a myth.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HENRY (on camera): Kyra, you can hear "God Bless America" behind me. The speech is going to be coming soon from John Kerry. Also, first lady Laura Bush is actually going to be speaking before him.

But John Kerry in his speech will be making the case that he is on the side of the largest seniors organization in the country, which wants cheaper drugs imported from Canada, and the president is on the side of drug companies -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Ed Henry, live from Las Vegas, thanks -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right. George W. Bush spending first day of the rest of the campaign with his former comrades in the governor's ranks. There's a live picture right now, as the president begins to address a rally in Las Vegas. CNN's Dana Bash is in the crowd there, as well -- Dana.

DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miles, well, I just saw the president was just introduced by some of his former brethren, Republican governors who are gathering here in Las Vegas.

But to really note what happened on Air Force One, on the way here, and the fact that the president went to the back of his plane and talked to reporters.

And if you want any kind of indication of how much the Bush campaign really wants to regain the momentum that they understand that they lost after the first debate, and to have that going through the last 19 days, just look at what the president did.

He really has never come back to the back of his plane, all through his entire presidency. The only time he did was once on 9/11. He has invited reporters up to the front after overseas trips, after summits to discuss with them how that went.

But the fact that the president went back and really tried to explain that he was -- and show that he was in good spirits and say he's enjoyed himself, that he's getting ready and he's excited for the rest of the campaign, saying that he thought his best moment was telling people how he thought, really is an indication of the fact that the Bush campaign understands that the name of the game right now is grasping the momentum and regaining the momentum.

Now what the president is doing here today in Las Vegas is essentially trying to give some of the same things we heard from him last night, particularly on the issues of healthcare, on taxes.

Again, trying to explain to American people that he believes Senator Kerry is nothing more than a big government, big-spending liberal and that he is not going to be appropriate for the American people as president.

Now, obviously, looking back on last night, Miles, Republicans who are looking for a blowout, and really a strong -- strong performance from the president, that essentially blew Senator Kerry away, didn't get what they wanted.

But the Bush campaign, they're making it clear that they do believe that the president did do well. The line from Bush aides was that they got the whole package from President Bush last night.

And the name of the game, as I mentioned, is looking at the president on Air Force One, trying to keep the momentum going for the next 19 days -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Dana Bash, at the rally in Las Vegas, thank you very much.

As Dana mentioned, this is the time when the candidates need to use their best powers of persuasion, as the cliche goes, to close the deal with voters. Not an easy task. Should they play to the middle, reinforce the base, or try to do a little bit of both? And how do they engender some true blue, or red, loyalty in an era when Americans feel little allegiance to any one or any thing?

It's a tall order. And it will be filled in four minutes flat by Dan McGinn. He is a public relations and corporate communications strategist. He specializes in persuading the public.

Dan, good to have you with us.

DAN MCGINN, PUBLIC RELATIONS STRATEGIST: Good afternoon. Glad to be with you.

O'BRIEN: Let's begin with the Bush campaign. We just saw him on Air Force One. Not sure if you had a chance to see the videotape as it came in. You probably did.

It seems to me that George Bush is joining the spin crowd and declaring victory and moving on in a very buoyant way. Would you give him good marks for persuasion at that moment?

MCGINN: Well, I'll tell you, it's interesting. You know, critics on both sides want to say, you know, one candidate or the other isn't a good persuader. The fact, is both of these guys are very good at persuading. And they also show that you can do it in a lot of different ways.

The debate format was not Bush's strength in this campaign, but what people do like about him, he's decisive. He focuses on principles. He focuses on a clear, consistent message. That's what connects with people. Coming out of the debate, people are thinking maybe he's a little better guy, and Kerry's a little better debater.

O'BRIEN: All right. So what, if you're advising the Bush campaign now, unsolicited advice, what is the biggest issue that you see the president needs to overcome, and how does he go about doing that?

MCGINN: Well, let me tell you from my work. I mean, I work in the world with corporations and people trying to move large audiences, whether it's to attract more viewers, like yours, or to attract people to buy cars. It applies in politics, as well.

What people want to know is not that you can be the head of a fighter squadron or you could be the assistant secretary of HHS. They don't want to know that you have, you know, all these detailed plans.

What they want to know is your values, your heart. Do they have a sense of optimism? People tell us again and again. Do you look like a leader? Do you act like a leader? Can you give us clear guidance? Are you going to share your heart? That's what this -- that's what the next 15 days is about.

O'BRIEN: And coming out of the debates, do you think Mr. Bush has to do anything in that front? MCGINN: Yes. I mean, what he's got to do -- the question is, is he a principled guy, or is he, you know, a hard-line cowboy who won't change his mind? That's what people are concerned about.

The campaign, for the last couple of weeks -- again, I'm speaking as a non -- you know -- political activist here, but as a persuasion person -- is about the middle, not the extremes.

We're so focused on extremes, whether it's extreme diets or extreme sodas or extreme politics. The last 15 days is people in the middle. They don't want the extreme messages, and they don't want the attack; they want a positive campaign.

O'BRIEN: All right. People always say that, but sometimes I wonder if truly they enjoy the mudslinging.

Let's talk about John Kerry's camp for just a moment. If you were advising them, what do you see is his biggest problem coming out of the debates into this homestretch? What would you tell him to do about it?

MCGINN: Well, you have to -- if you look back of the beginning of the debate, Kerry was almost out of this election before the debate. These debates have energized. They've brought him a clear message. They've made him competitive, and they gave him some momentum coming out of it.

I'm not telling you he's going to win the race because of this, but it clearly made a difference.

His issue is, people are looking at him, wondering, is he a flip- flopper? Is he really just this guy from New England who's making a -- you know, sort of taking advantage of this race to try to project himself as a moderate? Or does he really have a reasoned judgment in this campaign, somebody you can trust going forward?

Kerry has to show energy. He has to show that he can connect with people on a very personal level. Personalization is such a part of our society today, personal products, personal clothes. That's what they want to see from this.

O'BRIEN: But should the Kerry campaign do -- go positive or negative or should they -- the campaign go positive and surrogates go negative? In other words, split the difference?

MCGINN: You're going to hear, you know, the political pros telling you that you've got to go negative and that you've got to focus on getting your base out. There is an element of that that's there.

But the key themes for the last two weeks of this campaign must be positive. We've got to move people in the middle. And you can't take your audiences for granted.

That's why Bush is at risk in New Hampshire. That's why Kerry's at risk in Wisconsin. That's why Democrats are fighting for women's votes.

What people want to know just the last couple of weeks is, we want to touch you personally. We want to feel your sense of value. We want an optimistic view of the future. Yes, those other elements are there, but that's the priority now.

O'BRIEN: Dan McGinn with some free advice to both campaigns. Hope they were listening. We appreciate your insights.

MCGINN: Thank you.

O'BRIEN: Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Deadly attacks in the Green Zone, raising red flags in Iraq this hour. At least five people dead, Americans among them in tandem bombings, never before seen in that heavily fortified district.

CNN's Brent Sadler has the latest now from Baghdad -- Brent.

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Kyra.

These latest bomb attacks are, indeed, a major breach of security inside the so-called Green Zone. That is, in effect, the seat of power in Iraq. It's where the U.S. embassy and British embassy is located, as well as many offices for the Iraqi interim government.

What we saw here, and I was in this location when this happened, two powerful bomb explosions and then a column of black smoke from fires, raging after a double bomb attack.

Now, eyewitnesses claim that this was the result of suicide bombers. U.S. military officials are not confirming that this was the case. But however, they are confirming that explosives were hand- carried into the zone and detonated. And they are investigating these accounts, that maybe suicide bombers got in there.

The questions now being asked at the highest level is how did the explosives get in there, through the multiple layers of security that supposedly protect the Green Zone? And how, if suicide bombers were involved, how were they able to get to a place inside an area that's used by many people who work in the international community there?

In terms of casualties, five dead, including three U.S. Department of Defense personnel, as well as U.S. soldiers and other international workers. Wounded in this attack, a total of 20 of them. Very, very serious breach of security there -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: And important because the Green Zone, not only has the U.S. embassy, but a lot of the contractors and other Americans and westerners. Brent Sadler, thank you so much.

We want to take you now straight to the president of the United States, speaking in Las Vegas, Nevada, to the AARP. Let's listen in.

(BEGIN LIVE NEWS EVENT -- JOINED IN PROGRESS)

BUSH: The senator believes the government should dictate. I believe you should make the decisions.

Sometimes, it's a little hard to tell exactly what he believes, because he tries to obscure his approach. Take healthcare.

Once again last night, with a straight face, the senator tried to say his healthcare plan is not a government plan. Yet 22 million people are being enrolled in a government program under his plan, the largest expansion of government healthcare ever.

Eighty percent of the newly insured on his plan would be placed on a government program like Medicaid.

The senator claimed his plan would help small businesses. Yet a study conducted by small business groups this week concluded Senator Kerry's plan is an overpriced albatross.

I have a different view. I want to make healthcare more available and affordable by helping small businesses, not saddling them, with a bunch of government rules.

And once again last night, with a straight face, the senator, shall we say, refined his answer on the proposed global test he would administer before acting to defend America.

After trying to say this, last night, he once again defended his approach, saying, "I think it makes sense."

The senator now says we have to pass some international truth standard. Those are his words. The truth is, we should never turn over America's national security decisions to international bodies or other countries.

In the last few years -- in the last few years, the American people have gotten to know me. They know -- they know my blunt way of speaking. I get that from mom. They know I sometimes mangle the English language. I get that from dad.

Americans also know that I'll tell you exactly what I'm going to do, and I keep my word.

O'BRIEN: President Bush, talking to Republican governors there in Las Vegas. We weren't too far off, though, when you want to talk about the AARP. It is actually getting to hear from the Republicans as well, in the form of first lady Laura Bush.

John Kerry takes the podium at 2:30 Eastern. CNN will carry his address live. We'll also let you know what the first lady has to say -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: A man once held as an enemy combatant is speaking out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

YASSER HAMDI, HELD AS ENEMY COMBATANT: I am an innocent man. If I was not an innocent man, you would not -- I would not be speaking with you at this time. (END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: There's only one place to hear his words. It's a CNN exclusive. The Saudi citizen talks about being held by the U.S. for three years.

And a flu vaccine supplier may feel the sting for alleged price gouging. We'll have that story, as well.

And the debatable debates, are they really run fairly? At least one group is saying no. We'll talk about it with a member of a group called Open Debates, later on LIVE FROM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Dead detainees and now, soldiers in the middle of it all. We're being told more than two -- two dozen, rather, American soldiers connected to deaths of detainees in Afghanistan.

We get the latest now from the Pentagon and correspondent Barbara Starr.

Barbara, what do you have for us?

BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, hello to you.

Yes, now 28 U.S. Army soldiers are named in an Army criminal investigators report, regarding the homicide deaths of two detainees in Afghanistan, while they were in military custody, in December 2002.

Now, the names of these soldiers are not going to be made public. But the criminal investigator's report has now been forwarded to commanding officers. It will be up to them to take the next step.

What the criminal investigators have found, according to sources, is that there is enough evidence for the possibility of proceeding ahead with charges, including involuntary manslaughter, assault and battery, maiming, maltreatment, dereliction of duty, and conspiracy.

But again, it will be up to the commanding officers to take the evidence in this criminal report and decide how to proceed. According to army officials, Kyra, this is the largest single abuse problem in Afghanistan so far.

There's an interesting crossover to Iraq. Some of the officers named in the report were, indeed, members of the 519th Military Intelligence Unit. That is the M.I. unit that went to Abu Ghraib later in Iraq and conducted some of the controversial interrogations at that facility.

Some of the other soldiers named -- named are reservists who have already been demobilized, back in civilian life. We are told by Army sources they will now go find these people, bring them back onto active duty for possible future charges -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Barbara Starr, reporting LIVE FROM the Pentagon. Thanks -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Medical news now.

A controversial new gadget gets the thumbs up from the government. The FDA, Food and Drug Administration approved marketing for an implantable device that's implantable in your skin. That is -- that could help doctors assess -- or access, your medical records.

Now, proponents say VeriChips, as they're called, will cut down on medical accidents. A quick scan would reveal your blood type, allergies to any particular medicine and the like.

Opponents say the tiny chips give a boost to Big Brother. Although VeriChips are not equipped to transmit radio frequencies, some fear a slippery slope toward human locator devices.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS (voice-over): Next, on LIVE FROM, slow hand, lead foot. Rocker Eric Clapton apparently finds trouble in the fast lane.

Later on LIVE FROM, possible glitches for e-voting. A third of Americans will cast their ballots electrically. Will the system work?

And tomorrow, pro golfer Annika Sorenstam. She made history, teeing it up with the men. Will she do it again? I'll ask her in the LIVE FROM interview.

(on camera): So, I heard you're quite the practical jokester. Rumor has it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: News around the world now.

Keep your promises: That's what Iraqi delegates are telling those countries who pledged money to help Iraq back onto its feet. An international donors conference ended today in Tokyo. Organizers said the three biggest challenges to civic opportunity to Iraq are security, security, and security.

New crew on the way: Three men, two Russians and an American lifted off from Kazakhstan this morning aboard a Soyuz rocket. They're bound for the International Space Station. Two of the trio will relieve the current crew of the space station, who has been there in orbit since April.

And he may have a "rock and roll heart," but it turns out he also has the need for speed. Grammy winner Eric Clapton busted this week, driving his Porsche 134 miles an hour down a French motorway. That's a big "non-non," as they say "en France." Police took his British driver's license and fined him $1,000 -- not sure how many francs that is. We're told he took it all very well, even posing for pictures with the gendarmes. PHILLIPS: Checking on Wall Street now, stocks moving into the red. Rhonda Schaffler has more from the New York Stock Exchange -- Rhonda?

(STOCK MARKET UPDATE)

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