Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Today
Filipino Government to Withdraw Troops to Save Hostage
Aired July 13, 2004 - 10:00 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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning from CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. As always, we start our hour with what is in the news now.
A diplomatic source in Baghdad telling CNN that hostage takers will release a Filipino truck driver later today. After that, the Philippine government agreed to remove troops from Iraq as soon as possible. We're going to have a live update from Baghdad on the ongoing negotiations that will take place in just a moment.
This hour on Capitol Hill, U.S. Senator Sam Brownback is holding a news conference with more than 40 religious leaders. They're discussing the politically charged constitutional amendment that would outlaw same-sex marriage. CNN congressional correspondent Ed Henry will join us from Capitol Hill in a few minutes.
Also getting under way, a congressional hearing on steroids and suspected abuse by amateur athletes, including adolescents. A college football player from an NCAA Division 1 football team apparently will testify before the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. We understand he's going to wear a hood, as he talks about how extensive steroid use is among elite college football players.
In a related story, "The Washington Post" says that California will levy a $772,000 fine against BALCO. That's a Bay Area lab at the center of a doping scandal.
Also this morning, they are flooded out in sections of New Jersey. More than 500 people have been evacuated from Burlington County, after rains flooded homes and roads. It's estimated some 12 inches of rain fell overnight. Meteorologist Jacqui Jeras will let you know what else and who else was soaked by these storms. That's in about 20 minutes.
Let's go ahead and get started this morning with the latest developments in the fate of a Filipino hostage, and the apparent concessions to secure his release. Earlier today, his government vowed to withdraw its 50-member humanitarian force from Iraq and do it ahead of schedule. Our Michael Holmes is in the Capital with the latest on this developing story.
Michael, hello.
MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi to you, Daryn. Yes. It's been a very confusing story, the Philippines government itself not wanting to say much of anything for fear of prejudicing the secret negotiations that have been going on. What we can tell you is that a diplomatic source, here in Baghdad, has told us that the hostage Mr. de la Cruz, of course, this 46-year-old truck driver, father of eight who was captured a few weeks ago, we're told by this diplomatic source that he will be released today, Tuesday, here in Baghdad. The location of the release undisclosed.
Well, it's getting -- it's just past 6:00 p.m. here, Daryn, and no sign of him as of yet. Of course, this has been going back and forth the last few days. He will be released. He won't be released. There was that confusion over the web site claim that he had in fact been killed. And then that was retracted. So the latest in this very confusing situation is that this source tells us they have been told by intermediaries, who are dealing with the hostage-takers directly, that he will be released.
And as you pointed out in the headlines there, this comes after the government in Manila had said that the troops who have been here, some 50 of them on a humanitarian mission, would be pulled out as soon as possible. And by that, that was clarified by this diplomatic source to us today. Also when they say as soon as possible, that does mean ahead of the scheduled withdrawal date, which was August 20. Something that's not going to go down too well in Washington, nor in Baghdad, indeed, where the interim administration has been saying they don't want anybody negotiating with hostage-takers. Especially when they don't even know who these people are.
There was a suggestion by Foreign Ministry in Brussels earlier this day, that these could be just criminals, as opposed to a political or insurgent group. And we've heard both Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney in the past congratulate South Korea and Japan for not negotiating per say, at least not publicly. And so there's going to be a lot of fallout from this probably.
But from the Philippine government point of view, they have thousands of Filipinos working throughout the Middle East in various jobs. The income they bring in crucial almost to the Philippine economy. And the idea of letting a father of eight like this just go -- go without being helped would not go down well domestically for the Philippine government.
So that's the latest from here -- Daryn.
KAGAN: So Michael, what you're pointing out is a difference in numbers. As you said, there's only 50 humanitarian troops there in Iraq, versus the thousands that are working all around the Middle East, as private or contract workers?
HOLMES: Yes. It's a big issue. It's bigger than just the numbers. But those contract workers, domestic helpers, all over the Middle East: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, everywhere. They bring in a lot of money. And it's a key thing for the Philippine government, in terms of the constituency that they don't want to see one of those Filipinos just left to hang out to dry, for want of a better description -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Michael Holmes in Baghdad. As you also pointed out, this is not expected to meet with approval in Baghdad or here in the U.S.
Let's check out other news this morning.
New this morning, a medical helicopter crashed near Spartanburg, South Carolina killing all four people on board. The chopper went down about four hours ago in a heavily wooded area of U.S. Forest Service land. The crew was en route to a local hospital after picking up a highway accident victim.
We're at five minutes past the hour.
Now, new to New Haven, Connecticut, that is where police are investigating what may be a series of random shootings. Five victims have been shot with the same gun. Three of them within 11 minutes. And that happened yesterday. Two victims are in critical condition. Police think that one or more people may be driving around the city of New Haven shooting innocent bystanders.
To politics now, in North Carolina voters are apparently not swayed by John Kerry's selection of their senator to be his running mate. A CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll of registered voters in the Tar Heel State, gives President Bush a 15 percentage point lead on John Kerry. North Carolinians say that they like John Edwards and that he's not too liberal. But most voters say that Edwards' presence on the Democratic ticket would not affect their vote.
Other political news, Senate backers of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage now want to offer two versions of the measure. But neither may come to a direct vote this week.
Let's bring in our congressional correspondent Ed Henry, who's covering the debate on Capitol Hill.
Ed, good morning.
ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. You're right, it's looking like this may backfire a little bit on Republicans. There's a division developing on the GOP side. Initially, this started out with the Republican being in the driver's seat. In fact, they scheduled the debate this week so they could try to push Democrats to the left on this social issue, right on the eve of the Democratic National Convention.
Republicans were very eager to get Senators John Kerry and John Edwards on the record against the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. They thought that would be politically advantageous. But in fact, what we're seeing now, you know, Senator Kerry has been on the campaign trail claiming that he supports conservative values. Republicans say that stands in stark contrast to voting against the amendment.
Here's what Rick Santorum said yesterday about why this amendment is needed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. RICK SANTORUM (R), PENNSYLVANIA: I can't think of anything more important than the basic social building block of our country. And that's what marriage is. That's what the family is. And it is in jeopardy. It is in serious real jeopardy, as a result of what the courts are doing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HENRY: But what Democrats are saying is that, in fact, it's not the American family under assault, it's the Constitution under assault here during this debate. And Democrats won a somewhat unexpected ally over the weekend, when Lynne Cheney, the wife of the vice president, pointed out that she agrees with what her husband said back during the 2000 presidential campaign. That basically the federal government should stay out. And this should be decided by the states.
Here's what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LYNNE CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT'S WIFE: Well, I thought that the formulation that he used in 2000 was very good. You know, first of all, to be clear that people should be free to enter into their relationships that they choose. And secondly, to recognize what's historically been the situation, that when it comes to conferring legal status on relationships, that is a matter left to the states.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HENRY: So now, Daryn, with this division, Republicans are now fighting amongst themselves. You mentioned there are two different versions. The original version has two sentences. And the second sentence is, basically some legal jargon that some people thinks -- some people think, drags civil unions into the debate.
Now, the second version adds a second line at the begin -- the second version would basically cut it down to one sentence. Quote, "Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman." There's division among the Republicans about whether it should be just that one sentence or the original two- sentence version.
And so, there's a political opening here for Democrats. And Democrats say, in fact, there's not likely to be an up or down vote. There's just going to probably be on Wednesday a procedural vote that will enable Democrats, like John Kerry and John Edwards, to actually skip the vote. Not come back here. Not be forced to be put on the record.
And what Democrats are now saying is that Republicans are the ones who may be on the hot seat, because conservatives may be upset at the Republican National Convention that the Senate Republicans did not push hard enough to get this amendment.
What the Republicans are basically responding with is they're saying that Democrats are blocking this amendment. It's a filibuster on the Senate floor that is blocking it. And that in the end, Democratic obstructionism is going to what -- will actually hurt the Democrats. And will be the thing that the American people remember -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right, Ed. My Ed Henry question of the day to provide context. Actually, I'm more interested on the Republican side. When President Bush first presented this idea some months ago, and then put it on Congress to act on it. You could basically hear a pin drop on Capitol Hill. No one really wanted to touch it or go there. So, why now the push, which looks like it's going to be an unsuccessful push to try to get this amendment through?
HENRY: You're absolutely right. And when you ask Democrats what they say is a few months ago, it looked like Democrats were on the defensive. But when you look at the polls, it appears that a lot of people across the country agree with the Democratic ticket. And their position, which is that they're against gay marriage, but they're also against the amendment. And what Democrats claim is, that Republicans may look too intolerant, if they push this amendment too far. And that this amendment may turn off moderate swing voters. Obviously a key voting block in this election -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Ed Henry on Capitol Hill. Ed, thank you.
Well, same-sex marriage may be one issue in the election, but many voters are also still concerned with the economy. But the latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll finds the majority believe economic conditions in the country are getting better. Likely voters also rated economic issues. Now about a third said good, four in 10 said fair, while two in 10 said poor.
Democratic National Convention organizers say their session will not look like last, or even past conventions. Organizers are discussing plans at a Washington news conference. It's going to start this hour. You'll see Democrats say that they're going to be showing more pizzazz, including pyrotechnics and more diverse speakers.
One of those speakers will be Ron Reagan, the former president's son, talking about stem cell research.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. BILL RICHARDSON, CHMN., DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION: We believe that President Bush has made a grievous mistake in not spending more research funds that will cure many diseases. That somehow because of this ill-fated policy is not going to happen. And I believe that it was a party consensus that we try to highlight this issue. And Ron Reagan has been very articulate on it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: The Democratic Convention kicks off on July 26. The Republicans meet next month.
Onward. In London, a six-month inquiry into pre-war intelligence is expected to blast British failures, much as it did in the U.S. Today, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and senior government officials get an early look before tomorrow's public release.
Our European political editor Robin Oakley joining us for a sneak peek from London.
Robin, hello.
ROBIN OAKLEY, CNN EUROPEAN POLITICAL EDITOR: Hello, Daryn. Well, Tony Blair has just been at a media conference with the Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister. Once again, he was saying that Iraq was a better place without Saddam Hussein. And that he didn't have any regrets about the role that he had played in the war in Iraq. But the landed on this desk this morning, a pretty heavy bunch of reading for Tony Blair overnight. And we'll have to see whether still he feels quite so confident about Iraq when he's finished reading that report, and when it is published tomorrow.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TONY BLAIR, PRIME MINISTER, UNITED KINGDOM: Provided more, I think, than any government...
OAKLEY (voice-over): Another week, another Iraq inquiry. Tony Blair has already faced three probes into events surrounding the Iraq War: two, by parliamentary investigators, one by the Judge Lord Hutton into the death of weapons scientist Dr. David Kelly.
Blair and his government have so far been cleared of sexing up intelligence. But how good was the intelligence? Come Wednesday, former cabinet Secretary Lord Butler is due to pronounce. And Britain's spy chiefs say experts can expect an uncomfortable week.
GARY SAMORE, INTL. INST. FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES: In the case of Iraq, the quality of the intelligence and the analysis of that intelligence was abysmally bad.
OAKLEY: More sensitive still, did intelligence chiefs like John Scarlet, chairman of Downing Street's Joint Intelligence Committee, let politicians push them too far in stripping out the caveats.
SAMORE: The most difficult thing for leaders of the intelligence community is to tell the political leadership that they're really not sure, that they really don't have good information. And therefore, they're in the realm of guesswork.
OAKLEY: In Britain, that matters, because of the way Tony Blair made the case for war.
BLAIR: It concludes that Iraq has chemical and biological weapons. That Saddam has continued to produce them. That he has existing and active military plans for the use of chemical and biological weapons, which could be activated within 45 minutes.
OAKLEY: Just last week, Mr. Blair admitted...
BLAIR: I have to accept that we haven't found them. That we may not find them. OAKLEY: Someone blundered. In the U.S., CIA chief George Tenet departed. But in the U.K., Scarlet, who insisted he controlled the dossier on Saddam's weapons, which was the source of Mr. Blair's claim, was controversially promoted by Blair to be the next head of MI-6, before the outcome of the But
(END VIDEOTAPE)
OAKLEY: The earlier Hutton inquiry was quickly condemned as a government whitewash. Lord Butler clearly won't want to face the same kind of accusations. We don't know yet whether he's going to criticize the politicians as much as he's going to criticize some intelligence chiefs. But it's not going to do Tony Blair any good to have raised, once again in public, the whole issue of those weapons of mass destruction that have not been found. Already, Daryn, he's seeing public confidence in Britain in him plummet.
KAGAN: And you'll be tracking it for us. Robin Oakley in London. Robin, thank you.
Still ahead is the disease that has robbed them of one or both of their parents. We're talking about HIV/AIDS. Dr. Sanjay Gupta is attending the AIDS conference in Bangkok, Thailand. He'll join me live in just a few minutes with a look at how the illness is creating thousands of orphans.
Ken Lay talks about his encounter with Enron, whistleblower Sharon Watkins. That's ahead.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice-over): I remind myself every day I am one of the lucky ones. I survived.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: And later we'll look at a new documentary that examines one of the most controversial periods in Olympic history. It's called "Hitler's Pawn," that's a little bit later on CNN LIVE TODAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Millions of children around the world have lost parents to AIDS, reversing a trend in the number of orphans. The news emerged at today's 15-International AIDS Conference in Bangkok.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta is there covering the story for us.
Sanjay, hello.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn. I tell you there's lots of numbers that we hear at conferences like this. Numbers of millions of lives lost. Numbers of millions of lives changed somehow. I know you like stories, actual faces to go with those stories. Here's one of them.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA (voice-over): As with most wars, there are innocent bystanders. In the war of AIDS, which has claimed 20 million lives, it has also robbed 15 million children of one or both parents. Like these three boys, age 12, 7 and 5 from Phenom Phen, Cambodia. Within a span of two years, they first lost their father and then their mother to AIDS.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I feel sorrow, because I don't have anyone to support my family.
GUPTA: And as if losing their parents weren't enough, for most orphans, the situation goes from bad to worse.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The status of these children as outcasts make them easy targets for violence, for exploitation, child labor, exclusion from school, gender-based discrimination.
GUPTA: These boys are more fortunate than most. A local community program has taken them in.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): The man visits us and gives us rice, school material and school uniform.
GUPTA (on camera): Programs like this one are being touted here at the 15-International AIDS Conference in Bangkok, with the full recognition that while they're good, they're simply not enough.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The news today is that the global effort is only reaching a small fraction of those in need.
GUPTA (voice-over): And the number of those orphans in need likely grow to nearly 20 million by the end of this decade. But behind all those numbers, are the stories. Like the one of these three boys. They are orphans due to AIDS.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA: They're all HIV negative. That's a good thing. A lot of these orphans -- the AIDS orphans do become -- or get HIV from their parents as well, before their parents die. They're doing well. They have a long road in front of them, no question about that -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And so Sanjay, at this conference, is the call then for countries around the world not just to help people who are HIV positive? But to help, as you point out, most of these orphans are HIV negative, but need funding and support so they can grow up into healthy adults?
GUPTA: You know what they really need, and what a lot of people are talking about, is a truly global effort to address the burgeoning number of orphans due to AIDS around the world. What you saw there was an example of a local community program, of which really that's all there is right now at the local level, to try and help these kids. They need some sort of national effort. People haven't really paid attention to the consequences to the children, to the orphans of AIDS. That's going to become a larger and larger number. And truly a global effort is going to be needed in some way -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Dr. Sanjay Gupta in Bangkok, Thailand. And you're right, Sanjay. When you see the story with just specific pictures and small stories, it really does hit home in a more strong fashion. Sanjay, thank you for that.
We're going to focus here on the U.S. just ahead. Major flooding in the parts of the northeast. We will tell you which states were hit hard and what they can expect next.
And summer is supposed to be the time for family vacations. So what about taking the whole family to Baghdad? Why not? Home movies from one family who did just that.
This CNN LIVE TODAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Well, those dogs are happy about it. But other people aren't. Some parts of the northeast slogging through heavy flooding; unleashed by rain, dumping as much as 13 inches of rain in the Philly area. No reports of injuries. Many reports of happy dogs, however. New Jersey, at least five dams failed.
Well, he has broken his silence. Indicted ex-Enron chief Ken Lay talks about his encounter with a woman who blew the whistle on his alleged corporate fraud.
And later, a look at the documentary that says the Fox Network is anything but fair and balanced. But is it the documentary that is lacking in fairness and balance? We will take a look just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired July 13, 2004 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning from CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. As always, we start our hour with what is in the news now.
A diplomatic source in Baghdad telling CNN that hostage takers will release a Filipino truck driver later today. After that, the Philippine government agreed to remove troops from Iraq as soon as possible. We're going to have a live update from Baghdad on the ongoing negotiations that will take place in just a moment.
This hour on Capitol Hill, U.S. Senator Sam Brownback is holding a news conference with more than 40 religious leaders. They're discussing the politically charged constitutional amendment that would outlaw same-sex marriage. CNN congressional correspondent Ed Henry will join us from Capitol Hill in a few minutes.
Also getting under way, a congressional hearing on steroids and suspected abuse by amateur athletes, including adolescents. A college football player from an NCAA Division 1 football team apparently will testify before the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. We understand he's going to wear a hood, as he talks about how extensive steroid use is among elite college football players.
In a related story, "The Washington Post" says that California will levy a $772,000 fine against BALCO. That's a Bay Area lab at the center of a doping scandal.
Also this morning, they are flooded out in sections of New Jersey. More than 500 people have been evacuated from Burlington County, after rains flooded homes and roads. It's estimated some 12 inches of rain fell overnight. Meteorologist Jacqui Jeras will let you know what else and who else was soaked by these storms. That's in about 20 minutes.
Let's go ahead and get started this morning with the latest developments in the fate of a Filipino hostage, and the apparent concessions to secure his release. Earlier today, his government vowed to withdraw its 50-member humanitarian force from Iraq and do it ahead of schedule. Our Michael Holmes is in the Capital with the latest on this developing story.
Michael, hello.
MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi to you, Daryn. Yes. It's been a very confusing story, the Philippines government itself not wanting to say much of anything for fear of prejudicing the secret negotiations that have been going on. What we can tell you is that a diplomatic source, here in Baghdad, has told us that the hostage Mr. de la Cruz, of course, this 46-year-old truck driver, father of eight who was captured a few weeks ago, we're told by this diplomatic source that he will be released today, Tuesday, here in Baghdad. The location of the release undisclosed.
Well, it's getting -- it's just past 6:00 p.m. here, Daryn, and no sign of him as of yet. Of course, this has been going back and forth the last few days. He will be released. He won't be released. There was that confusion over the web site claim that he had in fact been killed. And then that was retracted. So the latest in this very confusing situation is that this source tells us they have been told by intermediaries, who are dealing with the hostage-takers directly, that he will be released.
And as you pointed out in the headlines there, this comes after the government in Manila had said that the troops who have been here, some 50 of them on a humanitarian mission, would be pulled out as soon as possible. And by that, that was clarified by this diplomatic source to us today. Also when they say as soon as possible, that does mean ahead of the scheduled withdrawal date, which was August 20. Something that's not going to go down too well in Washington, nor in Baghdad, indeed, where the interim administration has been saying they don't want anybody negotiating with hostage-takers. Especially when they don't even know who these people are.
There was a suggestion by Foreign Ministry in Brussels earlier this day, that these could be just criminals, as opposed to a political or insurgent group. And we've heard both Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney in the past congratulate South Korea and Japan for not negotiating per say, at least not publicly. And so there's going to be a lot of fallout from this probably.
But from the Philippine government point of view, they have thousands of Filipinos working throughout the Middle East in various jobs. The income they bring in crucial almost to the Philippine economy. And the idea of letting a father of eight like this just go -- go without being helped would not go down well domestically for the Philippine government.
So that's the latest from here -- Daryn.
KAGAN: So Michael, what you're pointing out is a difference in numbers. As you said, there's only 50 humanitarian troops there in Iraq, versus the thousands that are working all around the Middle East, as private or contract workers?
HOLMES: Yes. It's a big issue. It's bigger than just the numbers. But those contract workers, domestic helpers, all over the Middle East: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, everywhere. They bring in a lot of money. And it's a key thing for the Philippine government, in terms of the constituency that they don't want to see one of those Filipinos just left to hang out to dry, for want of a better description -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Michael Holmes in Baghdad. As you also pointed out, this is not expected to meet with approval in Baghdad or here in the U.S.
Let's check out other news this morning.
New this morning, a medical helicopter crashed near Spartanburg, South Carolina killing all four people on board. The chopper went down about four hours ago in a heavily wooded area of U.S. Forest Service land. The crew was en route to a local hospital after picking up a highway accident victim.
We're at five minutes past the hour.
Now, new to New Haven, Connecticut, that is where police are investigating what may be a series of random shootings. Five victims have been shot with the same gun. Three of them within 11 minutes. And that happened yesterday. Two victims are in critical condition. Police think that one or more people may be driving around the city of New Haven shooting innocent bystanders.
To politics now, in North Carolina voters are apparently not swayed by John Kerry's selection of their senator to be his running mate. A CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll of registered voters in the Tar Heel State, gives President Bush a 15 percentage point lead on John Kerry. North Carolinians say that they like John Edwards and that he's not too liberal. But most voters say that Edwards' presence on the Democratic ticket would not affect their vote.
Other political news, Senate backers of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage now want to offer two versions of the measure. But neither may come to a direct vote this week.
Let's bring in our congressional correspondent Ed Henry, who's covering the debate on Capitol Hill.
Ed, good morning.
ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. You're right, it's looking like this may backfire a little bit on Republicans. There's a division developing on the GOP side. Initially, this started out with the Republican being in the driver's seat. In fact, they scheduled the debate this week so they could try to push Democrats to the left on this social issue, right on the eve of the Democratic National Convention.
Republicans were very eager to get Senators John Kerry and John Edwards on the record against the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. They thought that would be politically advantageous. But in fact, what we're seeing now, you know, Senator Kerry has been on the campaign trail claiming that he supports conservative values. Republicans say that stands in stark contrast to voting against the amendment.
Here's what Rick Santorum said yesterday about why this amendment is needed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. RICK SANTORUM (R), PENNSYLVANIA: I can't think of anything more important than the basic social building block of our country. And that's what marriage is. That's what the family is. And it is in jeopardy. It is in serious real jeopardy, as a result of what the courts are doing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HENRY: But what Democrats are saying is that, in fact, it's not the American family under assault, it's the Constitution under assault here during this debate. And Democrats won a somewhat unexpected ally over the weekend, when Lynne Cheney, the wife of the vice president, pointed out that she agrees with what her husband said back during the 2000 presidential campaign. That basically the federal government should stay out. And this should be decided by the states.
Here's what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LYNNE CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT'S WIFE: Well, I thought that the formulation that he used in 2000 was very good. You know, first of all, to be clear that people should be free to enter into their relationships that they choose. And secondly, to recognize what's historically been the situation, that when it comes to conferring legal status on relationships, that is a matter left to the states.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HENRY: So now, Daryn, with this division, Republicans are now fighting amongst themselves. You mentioned there are two different versions. The original version has two sentences. And the second sentence is, basically some legal jargon that some people thinks -- some people think, drags civil unions into the debate.
Now, the second version adds a second line at the begin -- the second version would basically cut it down to one sentence. Quote, "Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman." There's division among the Republicans about whether it should be just that one sentence or the original two- sentence version.
And so, there's a political opening here for Democrats. And Democrats say, in fact, there's not likely to be an up or down vote. There's just going to probably be on Wednesday a procedural vote that will enable Democrats, like John Kerry and John Edwards, to actually skip the vote. Not come back here. Not be forced to be put on the record.
And what Democrats are now saying is that Republicans are the ones who may be on the hot seat, because conservatives may be upset at the Republican National Convention that the Senate Republicans did not push hard enough to get this amendment.
What the Republicans are basically responding with is they're saying that Democrats are blocking this amendment. It's a filibuster on the Senate floor that is blocking it. And that in the end, Democratic obstructionism is going to what -- will actually hurt the Democrats. And will be the thing that the American people remember -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right, Ed. My Ed Henry question of the day to provide context. Actually, I'm more interested on the Republican side. When President Bush first presented this idea some months ago, and then put it on Congress to act on it. You could basically hear a pin drop on Capitol Hill. No one really wanted to touch it or go there. So, why now the push, which looks like it's going to be an unsuccessful push to try to get this amendment through?
HENRY: You're absolutely right. And when you ask Democrats what they say is a few months ago, it looked like Democrats were on the defensive. But when you look at the polls, it appears that a lot of people across the country agree with the Democratic ticket. And their position, which is that they're against gay marriage, but they're also against the amendment. And what Democrats claim is, that Republicans may look too intolerant, if they push this amendment too far. And that this amendment may turn off moderate swing voters. Obviously a key voting block in this election -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Ed Henry on Capitol Hill. Ed, thank you.
Well, same-sex marriage may be one issue in the election, but many voters are also still concerned with the economy. But the latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll finds the majority believe economic conditions in the country are getting better. Likely voters also rated economic issues. Now about a third said good, four in 10 said fair, while two in 10 said poor.
Democratic National Convention organizers say their session will not look like last, or even past conventions. Organizers are discussing plans at a Washington news conference. It's going to start this hour. You'll see Democrats say that they're going to be showing more pizzazz, including pyrotechnics and more diverse speakers.
One of those speakers will be Ron Reagan, the former president's son, talking about stem cell research.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. BILL RICHARDSON, CHMN., DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION: We believe that President Bush has made a grievous mistake in not spending more research funds that will cure many diseases. That somehow because of this ill-fated policy is not going to happen. And I believe that it was a party consensus that we try to highlight this issue. And Ron Reagan has been very articulate on it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: The Democratic Convention kicks off on July 26. The Republicans meet next month.
Onward. In London, a six-month inquiry into pre-war intelligence is expected to blast British failures, much as it did in the U.S. Today, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and senior government officials get an early look before tomorrow's public release.
Our European political editor Robin Oakley joining us for a sneak peek from London.
Robin, hello.
ROBIN OAKLEY, CNN EUROPEAN POLITICAL EDITOR: Hello, Daryn. Well, Tony Blair has just been at a media conference with the Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister. Once again, he was saying that Iraq was a better place without Saddam Hussein. And that he didn't have any regrets about the role that he had played in the war in Iraq. But the landed on this desk this morning, a pretty heavy bunch of reading for Tony Blair overnight. And we'll have to see whether still he feels quite so confident about Iraq when he's finished reading that report, and when it is published tomorrow.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TONY BLAIR, PRIME MINISTER, UNITED KINGDOM: Provided more, I think, than any government...
OAKLEY (voice-over): Another week, another Iraq inquiry. Tony Blair has already faced three probes into events surrounding the Iraq War: two, by parliamentary investigators, one by the Judge Lord Hutton into the death of weapons scientist Dr. David Kelly.
Blair and his government have so far been cleared of sexing up intelligence. But how good was the intelligence? Come Wednesday, former cabinet Secretary Lord Butler is due to pronounce. And Britain's spy chiefs say experts can expect an uncomfortable week.
GARY SAMORE, INTL. INST. FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES: In the case of Iraq, the quality of the intelligence and the analysis of that intelligence was abysmally bad.
OAKLEY: More sensitive still, did intelligence chiefs like John Scarlet, chairman of Downing Street's Joint Intelligence Committee, let politicians push them too far in stripping out the caveats.
SAMORE: The most difficult thing for leaders of the intelligence community is to tell the political leadership that they're really not sure, that they really don't have good information. And therefore, they're in the realm of guesswork.
OAKLEY: In Britain, that matters, because of the way Tony Blair made the case for war.
BLAIR: It concludes that Iraq has chemical and biological weapons. That Saddam has continued to produce them. That he has existing and active military plans for the use of chemical and biological weapons, which could be activated within 45 minutes.
OAKLEY: Just last week, Mr. Blair admitted...
BLAIR: I have to accept that we haven't found them. That we may not find them. OAKLEY: Someone blundered. In the U.S., CIA chief George Tenet departed. But in the U.K., Scarlet, who insisted he controlled the dossier on Saddam's weapons, which was the source of Mr. Blair's claim, was controversially promoted by Blair to be the next head of MI-6, before the outcome of the But
(END VIDEOTAPE)
OAKLEY: The earlier Hutton inquiry was quickly condemned as a government whitewash. Lord Butler clearly won't want to face the same kind of accusations. We don't know yet whether he's going to criticize the politicians as much as he's going to criticize some intelligence chiefs. But it's not going to do Tony Blair any good to have raised, once again in public, the whole issue of those weapons of mass destruction that have not been found. Already, Daryn, he's seeing public confidence in Britain in him plummet.
KAGAN: And you'll be tracking it for us. Robin Oakley in London. Robin, thank you.
Still ahead is the disease that has robbed them of one or both of their parents. We're talking about HIV/AIDS. Dr. Sanjay Gupta is attending the AIDS conference in Bangkok, Thailand. He'll join me live in just a few minutes with a look at how the illness is creating thousands of orphans.
Ken Lay talks about his encounter with Enron, whistleblower Sharon Watkins. That's ahead.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice-over): I remind myself every day I am one of the lucky ones. I survived.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: And later we'll look at a new documentary that examines one of the most controversial periods in Olympic history. It's called "Hitler's Pawn," that's a little bit later on CNN LIVE TODAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Millions of children around the world have lost parents to AIDS, reversing a trend in the number of orphans. The news emerged at today's 15-International AIDS Conference in Bangkok.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta is there covering the story for us.
Sanjay, hello.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn. I tell you there's lots of numbers that we hear at conferences like this. Numbers of millions of lives lost. Numbers of millions of lives changed somehow. I know you like stories, actual faces to go with those stories. Here's one of them.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA (voice-over): As with most wars, there are innocent bystanders. In the war of AIDS, which has claimed 20 million lives, it has also robbed 15 million children of one or both parents. Like these three boys, age 12, 7 and 5 from Phenom Phen, Cambodia. Within a span of two years, they first lost their father and then their mother to AIDS.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I feel sorrow, because I don't have anyone to support my family.
GUPTA: And as if losing their parents weren't enough, for most orphans, the situation goes from bad to worse.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The status of these children as outcasts make them easy targets for violence, for exploitation, child labor, exclusion from school, gender-based discrimination.
GUPTA: These boys are more fortunate than most. A local community program has taken them in.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): The man visits us and gives us rice, school material and school uniform.
GUPTA (on camera): Programs like this one are being touted here at the 15-International AIDS Conference in Bangkok, with the full recognition that while they're good, they're simply not enough.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The news today is that the global effort is only reaching a small fraction of those in need.
GUPTA (voice-over): And the number of those orphans in need likely grow to nearly 20 million by the end of this decade. But behind all those numbers, are the stories. Like the one of these three boys. They are orphans due to AIDS.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA: They're all HIV negative. That's a good thing. A lot of these orphans -- the AIDS orphans do become -- or get HIV from their parents as well, before their parents die. They're doing well. They have a long road in front of them, no question about that -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And so Sanjay, at this conference, is the call then for countries around the world not just to help people who are HIV positive? But to help, as you point out, most of these orphans are HIV negative, but need funding and support so they can grow up into healthy adults?
GUPTA: You know what they really need, and what a lot of people are talking about, is a truly global effort to address the burgeoning number of orphans due to AIDS around the world. What you saw there was an example of a local community program, of which really that's all there is right now at the local level, to try and help these kids. They need some sort of national effort. People haven't really paid attention to the consequences to the children, to the orphans of AIDS. That's going to become a larger and larger number. And truly a global effort is going to be needed in some way -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Dr. Sanjay Gupta in Bangkok, Thailand. And you're right, Sanjay. When you see the story with just specific pictures and small stories, it really does hit home in a more strong fashion. Sanjay, thank you for that.
We're going to focus here on the U.S. just ahead. Major flooding in the parts of the northeast. We will tell you which states were hit hard and what they can expect next.
And summer is supposed to be the time for family vacations. So what about taking the whole family to Baghdad? Why not? Home movies from one family who did just that.
This CNN LIVE TODAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Well, those dogs are happy about it. But other people aren't. Some parts of the northeast slogging through heavy flooding; unleashed by rain, dumping as much as 13 inches of rain in the Philly area. No reports of injuries. Many reports of happy dogs, however. New Jersey, at least five dams failed.
Well, he has broken his silence. Indicted ex-Enron chief Ken Lay talks about his encounter with a woman who blew the whistle on his alleged corporate fraud.
And later, a look at the documentary that says the Fox Network is anything but fair and balanced. But is it the documentary that is lacking in fairness and balance? We will take a look just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
