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CNN Live Today

Cheney Allegedly Gets Vulgar With Leahy

Aired June 25, 2004 - 11:30   ET

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

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


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The Senate floor -- let's start that one again. The floor of the U.S. Senate is not accustomed to salty language, and certainly not from the vice president of the United States. But and had a choice remark that we actually can't say without risking an FCC fine. So we're going to turn it over to congressional correspondent Ed Henry. And, Ed, see how you get through the story without saying that word.
ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Republicans think that this story which was first reported by CNN yesterday was just Mr. Cheney letting off a little steam at Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy. Democrats though are crowing about it today. They think this suggests that all the allegations about Iraq and Halliburton, that it's finally getting to the vice president.

Let me tell you exactly what happened. As you know, the vice president is also president of the Senate. We usually see him occasionally presiding over the Senate chamber, casting a tie-breaking vote. But he was also there Tuesday ceremonially -- in a ceremonial function. Just basically there for the official photo of the Senate.

He confronted Senator Leahy about those attacks on Halliburton. Mr. Cheney was wondering why Mr. Leahy has to keep it up. Mr. Leahy shot back that he did not see Mr. Cheney and other Bush officials calling off the dogs, if you will, when Republicans were calling Leahy anti-Catholic last year over a contentious judicial nomination.

That led Mr. Cheney to use the "F" word as you mentioned. That has obviously gotten Democrats crowing a bit today. In part because, as you know, this is not the first time that there's been talk about profanity being used by someone on the Republican ticket.

In 2000, of course, President Bush was caught on a live microphone -- he didn't know it was on -- use a choice -- another choice word about a "New York Times" reporter. Mr. Cheney said, "Big time," and that led to a lot of laughter, a nickname for the vice president, as well.

And there's another layer to this as well. Democrats point out that recently Senator John Kerry, the Democratic presidential nominee to be, this summer he was criticized sharply by the White House just a few months ago, when he used the "F" word in a magazine interview.

So I think Democrats think there's a little tit-for-tat here. They want to have a little fun with it. The bottom line, though, is that this is a sign that this presidential campaign is getting very nasty -- Daryn.

KAGAN: It is heating up. OK, my Ed Henry question of the day. You ready?

HENRY: I'm ready.

KAGAN: OK, I want to move past the personal spats there and talk about the buzz that's now taking place that, in fact, the administration might name a nominee to head up the CIA, that it might be tied to this report that might be coming out of the Senate Intelligence Committee in a few weeks.

What do you know about this report and why would that push up naming someone to head the CIA?

HENRY: There's a lot of talk that this Senate Intelligence Committee report is going to be scathing about the CIA. Also will have tough questions for the administration in general, not just the spy agency.

And what you're hearing about porter Goss is there's a lot of talk that maybe he will be the nominee. It's unclear at this point. He is being considered an as a front-runner. His name has come up repeatedly as you've been reporting. He is now considered potentially the top choice.

But we're hearing from the White House, Dana Bash reporting that there are other potential nominees as well. The president now out of the country so we're not expecting him to name anyone imminently.

I spoke this morning with Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. He said he has not gotten any signal from the White House that there's anything coming up imminently.

Now obviously Democrats may believe that the White House is going to try to shift the story by picking someone, maybe get the heat off with that Senate report. But all of that is speculation, conjecture, at this point.

The bottom line is the White House is not going to move until it's ready -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Ed Henry, on Capitol Hill. Always ready for us. Thank you.

HENRY: Thank you.

KAGAN: It has been said that close does not count, but it does in presidential elections. And there is new evidence that the 2004 race is as much as of a squeaker as ever. For more on that let's go to our Judy Woodruff with today's campaign headlines. Judy, good morning.

JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Daryn. Thank you.

Well our new poll does show Democrat John Kerry's favorable rating has been going up while President Bush's has been shrinking. And that has helped to make this a neck in neck race for the White House. Our CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll of likely voters nationwide shows Bush with 49 percent and Kerry with 48 percent in a two-way race.

Now, you factor in independent candidate Ralph Nader and Bush still leads John Kerry by just one point.

Senator Kerry is in the showdown state of Ohio this hour, visiting an area stung by a wave of recent job losses. Kerry's visit comes just days after President Bush made his own trip to the state. A new American Research Group poll gives Kerry a six-point lead over Bush among Ohio voters. Ralph Nader pick up 2 percent. Bush carried Ohio in 2000.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Can we do this every night?

(LAUGHTER)

KERRY: This is a great way to campaign.

BILLY CRYSTAL, COMEDIAN: I am so proud...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WOODRUFF: Last night in Los Angeles, stars galore came out for John Kerry fund raiser. Billy Crystal handled the introduction. Willie Nelson, Ben Affleck and Jamie Foxx were among those who helped Kerry take in a whopping $5 million.

Barbra Streisand sang, changing the words to her hit song "People" so it ended "when the White House stationery reads 'President John Kerry,' we will be the luckiest people in the world." That's what she said.

Well President Bush heads to Ireland and Turkey to meet with world leaders over Iraq. I'll speak with Senator Joe Lieberman and with House Majority Whip Roy Blunt this afternoon about the handover of power in Baghdad.

Plus, can the Democrats retake the Senate? We'll take a look at some crucial races. All this and much more when I go "INSIDE POLITICS" at 3:30 Eastern. I'll see you then. Now back to Daryn in Atlanta.

KAGAN: All right, Judy. Thank you for that. We look forward to seeing more of you later today.

Lots of people who support President Bush are doing a slow burn over "Fahrenheit 9/11." Our Joe Johns explains how some of them are trying to fight the film.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) JOE JOHNS, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Last night on the red carpet in Washington, stars of the Democratic Party came out to support Michael Moore's new movie. But it was detractors of the film that Moore was thanking for generating opening week buzz.

MICHAEL MOORE, FILMMAKER: They've only done this film a huge favor. I can't thank them enough because publicity it's given the film -- I mean I couldn't even put a dollar amount on it.

JOHNS: First, Moore charges, opponents of the movie pressured some theater owners not to put it on the screen. And by this morning, there was an effort under way to shut down advertising.

MOORE: It's a violation of my first amendment rights that I cannot advertise my movie. It's a movie.

JOHNS: The movie, "Fahrenheit 9/11," a documentary, Moore's sharply critical account of the Bush administration's actions after September 11.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I call upon all nations to do everything they can to stop these terrorist killers. Thank you.

Now watch this drive.

JOHNS: The latest move against the film, the conservative group Citizen United, filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission charging broadcast ad for the film features pictures and sound clips of the president qualify as electioneering communications that by law should be shut down July 31, 30 days prior to the Republican National Convention.

Citizens United says it is not opposed to the screening of the film, just the ad. But make no mistake, top Republicans are seething about the content.

ED GILLESPIE, RNC CHAIRMAN: I saw "Shrek" and I think it's probably more factually accurate.

JOHNS: Still, there's disagreement in both parties as over whether it's a good idea to boycott or even dissuade people from seeing it for political reasons.

Congressman Mike Pence is a Republican from Indiana.

REP. MIKE PENCE (R), INDIANA: I frankly think that people that are interested in the political process and want to know just how incoherent some of the arguments are against the war and on the extreme left would do well to see this movie.

JOHNS: An argument that, in some ways, squares with what many Democrats are saying.

SEN. BILL NELSON (D), FLORIDA: You know this is America. We ought to have a discussion and availability of all idea of all kinds. JOHNS (on camera): The debate over advertising for the movie may go on. Moore's critics say ads for "Fahrenheit 9/11" are political weapons that should not be used to hammer the president in the last months before the election. Moore says it's his constitutional right.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And that was our Joe Johns on Capitol Hill.

He is an actor and rapper who is used to having his picture taken, but maybe not for a mug shot. DMX accused of a serious crime. That is coming up.

And the muscle bound baby is amazing doctors and pretty much confusing the general public. Jeanne Moos shows us, coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: To health news now. A study suggests that a popular drug used to treat Alzheimer's patients may not be worth the expense. According to the research in the British journal "Lancet," the drug known as Aricept may lead to small improvements in cognitive function, but it does not slow the progression of the disease. However, critics say the drug can help patients function better, and it is a worthwhile treatment.

Some critics of the low-carb craze are calling the popular diets unhealthy and a ripoff. The group of health experts and consumer advocates warn that high-fat, low-carb diets can increase the risk of disease. Their campaign is also aimed at educating Americans about the need for healthy carbohydrates.

Genetic scientists are buzzing over the discovery of a superstrong baby who's living in Germany. The baby born with a gene that develops muscles and keep off the fat.

Our Jeanne Moos is make the most of that from New York City.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A regular baby might not think this newborn looks that impressive from the rear.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The poor thing. His butt looks like a sharpei dog.

MOOS: Ah, but look at those leg muscles, those thighs. Gene mutation landed this unidentified German child in the "New England Journal of Medicine." At seven months, the boy was really started to look like superbaby. OK, maybe he couldn't do what superman could as a toddler. But superbaby's muscles are twice the size of a normal child's.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is there any mutation going on in the ding-a- ling -a-ding-dong region? MOOS: Doesn't ring a bell. Here at the Equinox Gym, they start off some adults with mere 2 1/2 pound weights. When it comes to the now 4-year-old superbaby...

(on camera): The baby can lift 6.6 pounds.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Really?

MOOS: Horizontally.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can't believe it's real, but I can imagine it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For a 4-year-old? Wow?

MOOS (voice-over): The baby's mutation was an accident.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Think of the poor moth they're has to give birth to this, like Arnold Schwarzenegger baby. Would you want to give birth to that kind of baby?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would love any baby I gave birth to.

MOOS: Scientists hope knowledge gained from the gene mutation can some day help create muscle in people with diseases like muscular dystrophy. For now, the child is healthy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So you got a hulk on your hands.

MOOS: Talk about hulks, they breed cattle called Belgian Blues with the same gene mutation.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It looks better on the cow.

MOOS Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Your daily dose of health news is always just a click away. Log on to CNN.com/health for the latest medical news. There's also a health guide from CNN and the Mayo Clinic.

We are back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Arraignment is expected today for rapper and actor DMX. He and another man were arrested last night for allegedly trying to carjack a vehicle at New York's JFK Airport. Police say that DMX, who's real name is Earl Simmons, tried to steal another man's vehicle by posing as an FBI agent.

The makers of Scott Tissues are on the quote for common sense, and it looks like it's in shorter supply than you might think. New Yorkers believe that they are the most sensible people around. Fifty- one percent of New York resident say that the city is a haven for common sense. Not so in Los Angeles; 86 percent of the people asked in L.A. say that they see very little evidence of common sense in a town where fantasy is a major industry.

Now here's the rub. Of the 43 percent of Americans who said they have common sense, only 7 percent could pass a common sense quiz. So there you go, toss that one in the basket with the used Kleenex, or Scott Tissue, or whoever was sponsoring that.

(STOCK MARKET UPDATE)

KAGAN: Asking our viewers, are you ready to hit the beach? The results are in. Up next, we'll tell you where to find the cleanest beaches in America, according to one survey. We are coming right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Are you beating a path to the beach this summer? Before you plop down that towel, you might want to find out if your destination is on this year's list of the nation's cleanest beaches. They're the ones that shouldn't cause health problems and are best managed to protect the environment and wildlife. So where are these prime stretches of sand where wildlife is rated higher than the girls gone wild? Walter McLeod, president of the Clean Beaches Council, has a list full of possibilities.

Good morning. Thanks for being here with us.

WALTER MCLEOD, PRESIDENT, CLEAN BEACHES COUNCIL: Good morning.

KAGAN: Let's go over some of the criteria very quickly of what make' clean beach.

MCLEOD: Well, beaches that we certify nationally have to meet seven area of responsible beach management: water quality, beach under tidal conditions, safety, services, education and outreach, habitat conservation and erosion management practices.

KAGAN: Let's put up the map, because you go state by state of where the clean beaches show up.

MCLEOD: Sure.

KAGAN: I am a West Coast girl. So I'm thinking there's a bias here. There's not a single West Coast beach this was clean, or cleaner.

MCLEOD: Well, you know, I'm hoping that is going to change. In fact, I'm very hopeful that it will change soon, because we've got a significant number of inquiries from beaches along the West Coast, and part of it is the fact that we toughened our criteria last year, which means that beaches have to build up to become certified. But I'm very optimistic that in the next year or two, you'll see some of your West Coast beaches on that list.

KAGAN: I certainly hope so. We're showing some video of Santa Barbara, which, in my mind, one of the prettiest beaches out there. Is it true that they have to give $2500 to even be considered to be a clean beach?

MCLEOD: For the first year, we come in and we survey the beach and we produce an extensive technical report. Beaches do pay a voluntary fee for that service. We send scientists out to do the inspection, and that's a one-time fee. But after that, the fee is substantially reduced because we know what beach looks like, and therefore, we're able to sort of leverage the cost that way.

KAGAN: so when you talk about nobody, according to your survey, on the West Coast made it. But where are the clean beaches?

MCLEOD: There are clean beaches in 10 of our 30 coastal states. Florida lead the list, with over 40 recognized clean beaches. We also have beaches along the Great Lakes, Wisconsin and Michigan. And the Jersey shore this year has its first beach, which we are proud of. So they're all over the country.

KAGAN: And finally, I have to ask you, I don't see Hawaii up there.

MCLEOD: We have beaches in Hawaii in the past, but again, we're trying to keep a credible, national program. So last year, we doubled the criteria required in order to be a clean beach, and that caused a couple of beaches in California and Hawaii to drop off the list. But again, like I said, we're working with those communities to try to get those beaches back up to snuff.

KAGAN: And get beaches cleaner. That would be Enjoyable for people all over the country. Walter McLeod, thank you for stopping by.

MCLEOD: Hey, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of the wave.

KAGAN: Yes, have a great time at the beach.

KAGAN: OK.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: And that's going to do it for me, Daryn Kagan. Wolf Blitzer appears to have gotten an early start on his weekend, which is good for him, good for us, because Carol Lin is in.

CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: I have a sneaking suspicion he might be heading toward Baghdad, so. Not sure. He'll be checking in with us shortly. Daryn, you have a great weekend.

KAGAN: You, too.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired June 25, 2004 - 11:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The Senate floor -- let's start that one again. The floor of the U.S. Senate is not accustomed to salty language, and certainly not from the vice president of the United States. But and had a choice remark that we actually can't say without risking an FCC fine. So we're going to turn it over to congressional correspondent Ed Henry. And, Ed, see how you get through the story without saying that word.
ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Republicans think that this story which was first reported by CNN yesterday was just Mr. Cheney letting off a little steam at Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy. Democrats though are crowing about it today. They think this suggests that all the allegations about Iraq and Halliburton, that it's finally getting to the vice president.

Let me tell you exactly what happened. As you know, the vice president is also president of the Senate. We usually see him occasionally presiding over the Senate chamber, casting a tie-breaking vote. But he was also there Tuesday ceremonially -- in a ceremonial function. Just basically there for the official photo of the Senate.

He confronted Senator Leahy about those attacks on Halliburton. Mr. Cheney was wondering why Mr. Leahy has to keep it up. Mr. Leahy shot back that he did not see Mr. Cheney and other Bush officials calling off the dogs, if you will, when Republicans were calling Leahy anti-Catholic last year over a contentious judicial nomination.

That led Mr. Cheney to use the "F" word as you mentioned. That has obviously gotten Democrats crowing a bit today. In part because, as you know, this is not the first time that there's been talk about profanity being used by someone on the Republican ticket.

In 2000, of course, President Bush was caught on a live microphone -- he didn't know it was on -- use a choice -- another choice word about a "New York Times" reporter. Mr. Cheney said, "Big time," and that led to a lot of laughter, a nickname for the vice president, as well.

And there's another layer to this as well. Democrats point out that recently Senator John Kerry, the Democratic presidential nominee to be, this summer he was criticized sharply by the White House just a few months ago, when he used the "F" word in a magazine interview.

So I think Democrats think there's a little tit-for-tat here. They want to have a little fun with it. The bottom line, though, is that this is a sign that this presidential campaign is getting very nasty -- Daryn.

KAGAN: It is heating up. OK, my Ed Henry question of the day. You ready?

HENRY: I'm ready.

KAGAN: OK, I want to move past the personal spats there and talk about the buzz that's now taking place that, in fact, the administration might name a nominee to head up the CIA, that it might be tied to this report that might be coming out of the Senate Intelligence Committee in a few weeks.

What do you know about this report and why would that push up naming someone to head the CIA?

HENRY: There's a lot of talk that this Senate Intelligence Committee report is going to be scathing about the CIA. Also will have tough questions for the administration in general, not just the spy agency.

And what you're hearing about porter Goss is there's a lot of talk that maybe he will be the nominee. It's unclear at this point. He is being considered an as a front-runner. His name has come up repeatedly as you've been reporting. He is now considered potentially the top choice.

But we're hearing from the White House, Dana Bash reporting that there are other potential nominees as well. The president now out of the country so we're not expecting him to name anyone imminently.

I spoke this morning with Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. He said he has not gotten any signal from the White House that there's anything coming up imminently.

Now obviously Democrats may believe that the White House is going to try to shift the story by picking someone, maybe get the heat off with that Senate report. But all of that is speculation, conjecture, at this point.

The bottom line is the White House is not going to move until it's ready -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Ed Henry, on Capitol Hill. Always ready for us. Thank you.

HENRY: Thank you.

KAGAN: It has been said that close does not count, but it does in presidential elections. And there is new evidence that the 2004 race is as much as of a squeaker as ever. For more on that let's go to our Judy Woodruff with today's campaign headlines. Judy, good morning.

JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Daryn. Thank you.

Well our new poll does show Democrat John Kerry's favorable rating has been going up while President Bush's has been shrinking. And that has helped to make this a neck in neck race for the White House. Our CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll of likely voters nationwide shows Bush with 49 percent and Kerry with 48 percent in a two-way race.

Now, you factor in independent candidate Ralph Nader and Bush still leads John Kerry by just one point.

Senator Kerry is in the showdown state of Ohio this hour, visiting an area stung by a wave of recent job losses. Kerry's visit comes just days after President Bush made his own trip to the state. A new American Research Group poll gives Kerry a six-point lead over Bush among Ohio voters. Ralph Nader pick up 2 percent. Bush carried Ohio in 2000.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Can we do this every night?

(LAUGHTER)

KERRY: This is a great way to campaign.

BILLY CRYSTAL, COMEDIAN: I am so proud...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WOODRUFF: Last night in Los Angeles, stars galore came out for John Kerry fund raiser. Billy Crystal handled the introduction. Willie Nelson, Ben Affleck and Jamie Foxx were among those who helped Kerry take in a whopping $5 million.

Barbra Streisand sang, changing the words to her hit song "People" so it ended "when the White House stationery reads 'President John Kerry,' we will be the luckiest people in the world." That's what she said.

Well President Bush heads to Ireland and Turkey to meet with world leaders over Iraq. I'll speak with Senator Joe Lieberman and with House Majority Whip Roy Blunt this afternoon about the handover of power in Baghdad.

Plus, can the Democrats retake the Senate? We'll take a look at some crucial races. All this and much more when I go "INSIDE POLITICS" at 3:30 Eastern. I'll see you then. Now back to Daryn in Atlanta.

KAGAN: All right, Judy. Thank you for that. We look forward to seeing more of you later today.

Lots of people who support President Bush are doing a slow burn over "Fahrenheit 9/11." Our Joe Johns explains how some of them are trying to fight the film.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) JOE JOHNS, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Last night on the red carpet in Washington, stars of the Democratic Party came out to support Michael Moore's new movie. But it was detractors of the film that Moore was thanking for generating opening week buzz.

MICHAEL MOORE, FILMMAKER: They've only done this film a huge favor. I can't thank them enough because publicity it's given the film -- I mean I couldn't even put a dollar amount on it.

JOHNS: First, Moore charges, opponents of the movie pressured some theater owners not to put it on the screen. And by this morning, there was an effort under way to shut down advertising.

MOORE: It's a violation of my first amendment rights that I cannot advertise my movie. It's a movie.

JOHNS: The movie, "Fahrenheit 9/11," a documentary, Moore's sharply critical account of the Bush administration's actions after September 11.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I call upon all nations to do everything they can to stop these terrorist killers. Thank you.

Now watch this drive.

JOHNS: The latest move against the film, the conservative group Citizen United, filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission charging broadcast ad for the film features pictures and sound clips of the president qualify as electioneering communications that by law should be shut down July 31, 30 days prior to the Republican National Convention.

Citizens United says it is not opposed to the screening of the film, just the ad. But make no mistake, top Republicans are seething about the content.

ED GILLESPIE, RNC CHAIRMAN: I saw "Shrek" and I think it's probably more factually accurate.

JOHNS: Still, there's disagreement in both parties as over whether it's a good idea to boycott or even dissuade people from seeing it for political reasons.

Congressman Mike Pence is a Republican from Indiana.

REP. MIKE PENCE (R), INDIANA: I frankly think that people that are interested in the political process and want to know just how incoherent some of the arguments are against the war and on the extreme left would do well to see this movie.

JOHNS: An argument that, in some ways, squares with what many Democrats are saying.

SEN. BILL NELSON (D), FLORIDA: You know this is America. We ought to have a discussion and availability of all idea of all kinds. JOHNS (on camera): The debate over advertising for the movie may go on. Moore's critics say ads for "Fahrenheit 9/11" are political weapons that should not be used to hammer the president in the last months before the election. Moore says it's his constitutional right.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And that was our Joe Johns on Capitol Hill.

He is an actor and rapper who is used to having his picture taken, but maybe not for a mug shot. DMX accused of a serious crime. That is coming up.

And the muscle bound baby is amazing doctors and pretty much confusing the general public. Jeanne Moos shows us, coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: To health news now. A study suggests that a popular drug used to treat Alzheimer's patients may not be worth the expense. According to the research in the British journal "Lancet," the drug known as Aricept may lead to small improvements in cognitive function, but it does not slow the progression of the disease. However, critics say the drug can help patients function better, and it is a worthwhile treatment.

Some critics of the low-carb craze are calling the popular diets unhealthy and a ripoff. The group of health experts and consumer advocates warn that high-fat, low-carb diets can increase the risk of disease. Their campaign is also aimed at educating Americans about the need for healthy carbohydrates.

Genetic scientists are buzzing over the discovery of a superstrong baby who's living in Germany. The baby born with a gene that develops muscles and keep off the fat.

Our Jeanne Moos is make the most of that from New York City.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A regular baby might not think this newborn looks that impressive from the rear.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The poor thing. His butt looks like a sharpei dog.

MOOS: Ah, but look at those leg muscles, those thighs. Gene mutation landed this unidentified German child in the "New England Journal of Medicine." At seven months, the boy was really started to look like superbaby. OK, maybe he couldn't do what superman could as a toddler. But superbaby's muscles are twice the size of a normal child's.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is there any mutation going on in the ding-a- ling -a-ding-dong region? MOOS: Doesn't ring a bell. Here at the Equinox Gym, they start off some adults with mere 2 1/2 pound weights. When it comes to the now 4-year-old superbaby...

(on camera): The baby can lift 6.6 pounds.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Really?

MOOS: Horizontally.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can't believe it's real, but I can imagine it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For a 4-year-old? Wow?

MOOS (voice-over): The baby's mutation was an accident.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Think of the poor moth they're has to give birth to this, like Arnold Schwarzenegger baby. Would you want to give birth to that kind of baby?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would love any baby I gave birth to.

MOOS: Scientists hope knowledge gained from the gene mutation can some day help create muscle in people with diseases like muscular dystrophy. For now, the child is healthy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So you got a hulk on your hands.

MOOS: Talk about hulks, they breed cattle called Belgian Blues with the same gene mutation.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It looks better on the cow.

MOOS Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Your daily dose of health news is always just a click away. Log on to CNN.com/health for the latest medical news. There's also a health guide from CNN and the Mayo Clinic.

We are back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Arraignment is expected today for rapper and actor DMX. He and another man were arrested last night for allegedly trying to carjack a vehicle at New York's JFK Airport. Police say that DMX, who's real name is Earl Simmons, tried to steal another man's vehicle by posing as an FBI agent.

The makers of Scott Tissues are on the quote for common sense, and it looks like it's in shorter supply than you might think. New Yorkers believe that they are the most sensible people around. Fifty- one percent of New York resident say that the city is a haven for common sense. Not so in Los Angeles; 86 percent of the people asked in L.A. say that they see very little evidence of common sense in a town where fantasy is a major industry.

Now here's the rub. Of the 43 percent of Americans who said they have common sense, only 7 percent could pass a common sense quiz. So there you go, toss that one in the basket with the used Kleenex, or Scott Tissue, or whoever was sponsoring that.

(STOCK MARKET UPDATE)

KAGAN: Asking our viewers, are you ready to hit the beach? The results are in. Up next, we'll tell you where to find the cleanest beaches in America, according to one survey. We are coming right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Are you beating a path to the beach this summer? Before you plop down that towel, you might want to find out if your destination is on this year's list of the nation's cleanest beaches. They're the ones that shouldn't cause health problems and are best managed to protect the environment and wildlife. So where are these prime stretches of sand where wildlife is rated higher than the girls gone wild? Walter McLeod, president of the Clean Beaches Council, has a list full of possibilities.

Good morning. Thanks for being here with us.

WALTER MCLEOD, PRESIDENT, CLEAN BEACHES COUNCIL: Good morning.

KAGAN: Let's go over some of the criteria very quickly of what make' clean beach.

MCLEOD: Well, beaches that we certify nationally have to meet seven area of responsible beach management: water quality, beach under tidal conditions, safety, services, education and outreach, habitat conservation and erosion management practices.

KAGAN: Let's put up the map, because you go state by state of where the clean beaches show up.

MCLEOD: Sure.

KAGAN: I am a West Coast girl. So I'm thinking there's a bias here. There's not a single West Coast beach this was clean, or cleaner.

MCLEOD: Well, you know, I'm hoping that is going to change. In fact, I'm very hopeful that it will change soon, because we've got a significant number of inquiries from beaches along the West Coast, and part of it is the fact that we toughened our criteria last year, which means that beaches have to build up to become certified. But I'm very optimistic that in the next year or two, you'll see some of your West Coast beaches on that list.

KAGAN: I certainly hope so. We're showing some video of Santa Barbara, which, in my mind, one of the prettiest beaches out there. Is it true that they have to give $2500 to even be considered to be a clean beach?

MCLEOD: For the first year, we come in and we survey the beach and we produce an extensive technical report. Beaches do pay a voluntary fee for that service. We send scientists out to do the inspection, and that's a one-time fee. But after that, the fee is substantially reduced because we know what beach looks like, and therefore, we're able to sort of leverage the cost that way.

KAGAN: so when you talk about nobody, according to your survey, on the West Coast made it. But where are the clean beaches?

MCLEOD: There are clean beaches in 10 of our 30 coastal states. Florida lead the list, with over 40 recognized clean beaches. We also have beaches along the Great Lakes, Wisconsin and Michigan. And the Jersey shore this year has its first beach, which we are proud of. So they're all over the country.

KAGAN: And finally, I have to ask you, I don't see Hawaii up there.

MCLEOD: We have beaches in Hawaii in the past, but again, we're trying to keep a credible, national program. So last year, we doubled the criteria required in order to be a clean beach, and that caused a couple of beaches in California and Hawaii to drop off the list. But again, like I said, we're working with those communities to try to get those beaches back up to snuff.

KAGAN: And get beaches cleaner. That would be Enjoyable for people all over the country. Walter McLeod, thank you for stopping by.

MCLEOD: Hey, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of the wave.

KAGAN: Yes, have a great time at the beach.

KAGAN: OK.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: And that's going to do it for me, Daryn Kagan. Wolf Blitzer appears to have gotten an early start on his weekend, which is good for him, good for us, because Carol Lin is in.

CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: I have a sneaking suspicion he might be heading toward Baghdad, so. Not sure. He'll be checking in with us shortly. Daryn, you have a great weekend.

KAGAN: You, too.

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