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Delegates Have Issues With Iraq War; Sen. Kerry Arrives In Boston; Interview With Steve Brozak; Interview With Sen. Mitch McConnell

Aired July 28, 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: Opposition to the Iraq war is a persistent theme among many rank and file Democrats. That is not the sentiment reflected in the party's official platform in Boston, however.
Our Dana Bash explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH (voice-over): Like many delegates gathered in Boston, Scholmit Auciello believes the Iraq war never should have happened.

SCHOLMIT AUCIELLO, DNC DELEGATE: Most Democrats know that this war was a mistake.

BASH: In fact, a recent "New York Times"/CBS News poll says nine in 10 delegates agree with her.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Senator John Kerry arriving in Boston at Logan National Airport. More from the senator in just a moment as he heads to the Democratic National Convention.

Right now, though, back to Dana Bash.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BASH: Like many delegates gathered in Boston, Scholmit Auciello believes the Iraq war never should have happened.

AUCIELLO: Most Democrats know that this war was a mistake.

BASH: In fact, a recent "New York Times"/CBS News poll says nine in 10 delegates agree with her.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All those in favor say, "Aye."

BASH: But both senators on the Democratic ticket voted for the war. So, the platform, the official party position, does not say war in Iraq was the wrong call. Instead, it reads, quote, "People of good will disagree about whether America should have gone to war in Iraq.

AILEEN GUNTHER, DNC DELEGATE: I, myself, would have stronger language as far as the platform goes. BASH: Party officials concede there was healthy debate when they hammered out language earlier this month, and it's not over.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We went in with the right intentions, I believe. Unfortunately, now that we're there, we can't turn our back on the people who are over there.

BASH: They settled on John Kerry's approach: more international troops, train Iraqi forces, stabilize, don't withdraw.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The platform also has to appeal to a broad constituency. It can't simply represent my views or any other individual's views.

BASH: But the candidate that rallied the anti-war movement gave all this a shoulder shrug.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The is the seventh convention I've been to. I've long learned that platforms don't mean anything.

BASH: Republicans are trying to stoke what they call a split among Democrats.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's hard to tell what their policy is. Maybe by Thursday night when Kerry takes the stage, we'll know -- or he'll know.

BASH: The Democrats' platform is tough on the president's handling of Iraq, accusing him of exaggerating the threat and underestimating what was needed to win the peace.

Dana Bash, CNN, Boston.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And speaking of Boston, want to show you a live picture. Once again, Senator John Kerry just making his arrival in the city where he will receive his party's nomination to be the next president of the United States.

He is accompanied by many of his Vietnam veteran friends. And together, we expect the group to go from Logan to a place where they can pick up a water taxi. And Senator Kerry plans to make his arrival via water taxi.

Again, the lineup tonight at the convention, we expect Senator Kerry to be formally nominated, also to hear the acceptance speech of his chosen running mate, Senator John Edwards. More from Boston in just a moment.

Meanwhile, President Bush's adopted hometown of Crawford, Texas, might feel a bit warmer than usual tonight. And we'll get to that story in just a moment. We're actually talking about that, because Michael Moore, the filmmaker, plans to show his movie "Fahrenheit 9/11." So, more from Crawford and Waco in just a bit. But first, more on Senator Kerry. As we've seen, he is arriving here in Boston. He arrived from Philadelphia. He has spent the week of the convention making his way up the east coast. Started a few days ago in Florida with a town hall at Cape Canaveral. He moved up to Norfolk, Virginia, where he talked to people as a giant battleship was returning home from service overseas. And then on to Philadelphia, and now here to Boston.

Of course, this is the senator's home state. Worked out that way that the nominating convention would take place in the state where he serves. So, Senator Kerry making his way from the airport after the warm greeting; on to the convention center, first via water taxi, in the company of some of his fellow Vietnam veterans.

His wife, of course, Teresa Heinz Kerry, already in Boston. We heard her speak last night. We also saw the arrival yesterday -- late yesterday -- of John Edwards -- as I mentioned, who will step into the spotlight tonight at the convention.

He'll be giving his speech tonight after the roll call. He says that his speech is a chance for people to see who he is and why he believes John Kerry should be president. His wife, Edwards' wife, Elizabeth, talked about the speech in an interview with our Judy Woodruff.

This took place earlier today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: How much anti-Bush?

ELIZABETH EDWARDS, WIFE OF SEN. JOHN EDWARDS: This is not a campaign strategy. That is not the way John ever presents anything. He might make the contrast, this instead of that -- and I don't know because I haven't seen the last version. He might say, you know, they want "A" and "B" and we want "D" and "E." But he doesn't engage in that type of personal attack -- never has. I don't think -- he doesn't think any people want to hear it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: And you can see the interview with Elizabeth Edwards on "INSIDE POLITICS." That's today at 3:00 p.m. Eastern -- an expanded edition of "INSIDE POLITICS."

As we mentioned, Senator John Kerry arriving in Boston as he made his way up the east coast. Our Frank Buckley has been traveling with the senator, and he joins us on the phone now -- Frank.

Frank, are you there with us?

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Daryn. Hi. I'm sorry; I didn't hear you there. I just heard you now.

We're here on the tarmac at Boston Logan. Senator Kerry just arriving here in his hometown, preparing to head over to Charlestown Navy Yard. He was just greeted on the ground here, as you probably just saw, by 13 of his fellow swift boat crewmates from his time in Vietnam. Some hugs and handshakes.

Right now, the senator surrounded by those crewmates and talking to them. Will now go from here to a water taxi, and take that over to Boston. Obviously, some symbolism that the campaign is quite happy to show John Kerry as a man who has led during wartime and someone who is -- can do it again, from the campaign's perspective, as the U.S. engages in a war on terror and is involved in conflict with Iraq.

The senator now moving, and I think we're going to have to move, as well.

KAGAN: All right, well, we'll let you go ahead and move. And while we do that and still watch that live picture, let's bring in our Bob Franken, who is at the site where the senator will ultimately arrive, and that is the FleetCenter in Boston where the convention's taking place -- Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Taking a little boat ride and, yes, coming to the FleetCenter. And of course, this is where he will have a triumphal moment tomorrow night when the nominations become official. He and John Edwards are hoping to use this as their launching point for the campaign.

And of course, everybody is now calling this the speech of his life tomorrow. That's one of those cliches that occurs every four years when the candidate comes up -- he is making the speech of his life -- until of course the next speech of his life. But obviously, it's important.

He's going to be setting the tone for his campaign against President George W. Bush. And so far, it has been a very carefully choreographed trip, as he's made his way on his magical mystery tour here to Boston, his hometown. There you see him greeting some of the veterans who have been so vocal in their support for him.

Of course, he is really making part of his campaign -- a very important part of his campaign, his war record, and saying that that's just one of the things that qualifies him to take on George W. Bush. Now, he's going to, in effect, formalize that, encapsulate it, when he makes his speech tomorrow night.

He's been preceded this week, of course, from everybody -- by everybody from Bill and Hillary Clinton to, last night, the candidates, the variety of people who spoke, including Edward Kennedy, his fellow senator from Massachusetts. Tonight, it's John Edwards' night -- featured speaker John Edwards and members of his family. And then, tomorrow night, the main event, the nomination of John Kerry to take the Democratic fight to the Republicans this fall -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right, Bob Franken at the FleetCenter. Our thanks to Frank Buckley, who is at Logan, traveling with Senator Kerry as he makes his way into the vehicle to head to the water taxi.

More ahead from there. We are going to take a break. Much more ahead after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: A live -- well, now you can tell it's a live picture, can't you? There we go, that's a little better. In any case this is live television. We are watching Boston Harbor because John Kerry will be arriving there very soon, getting on board a water taxi with many of his Vietnam veteran friends, and they will be making their way across the harbor for his official arrival in Boston and at the Democratic National Convention.

Speaking of that convention, and we'll have more live coverage of the water taxi stuff just ahead, the Democrats highlight another potential star tonight, this one a freshly retired Marine. Steve Brozak is running for New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, and he joins me from the FleetCenter in Boston this morning.

I feel like I should say Lieutenant Colonel, good morning.

STEVE BROZAK (D), CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: Good morning, thank you for having me here.

KAGAN: And I know the idea is to replace that rank with that of congressman, just ahead. I have to say, when I was reading about you, my first thought is why -- and maybe this is a stereotype, but why isn't a former -- and a just recent retired Marine, why are you not a Republican?

BROZAK: Well, I was a Republican for 20 years. But unfortunately, the party left me behind. The values that I held, strong defense, balanced budgets, things that the Republican Party once espoused, the Democratic Party has taken up the leadership position in.

KAGAN: I have to imagine that that was not an easy decision for you to make.

BROZAK: Well, there were a couple of seminal events. When I was overseas, back in late March of last year, I wasn't pleased with the planning that I saw for what took place after the ground conflict occurred in Iraq. And I felt that the Democratic Party was asking the right questions. And with my 21 years of military experience in the Marine Corps, I wanted to be one of the people that could go out there and start asking questions about defense and making sure that we're safer in America tomorrow.

Well, and talk about a quick ride. So you go from switching parties to now being a featured speaker in primetime at the Democratic National Convention. Is it enough to make your head spin a little bit?

BROZAK: Well, I'm very pleased. I'm very honored. I want to make sure that I represent the people of the 7th District, and speak about the important issues, speak about homeland defense, speak about making sure that our economy is strong, and that issues on health care, like stem cells, which I advocate for, are put to the forefront. KAGAN: Another rising star, Barack Obama, he spoke last night. He, however, is pretty much considered a slam dunk to win that Senate seat in Illinois. You, however, as I understand it, you're going against Congressman Michael Ferguson and your race is not considered a slam dunk at this point.

BROZAK: Well, I've done many campaigns, although this is my first political campaign. And I'm looking at this, saying that I actually have an independent voice. I've got a record of someone that's held his positions and his views throughout my entire career. Unfortunately, my opponent has flip-flopped on too many issues.

Unfortunately he hasn't been an advocate for veterans. Unfortunately he didn't back complete support that the V.A. system needed, the 30 percent increase. Going out there and doing things like that isn't representative of the district, isn't representative of New Jersey and isn't representative of this country.

With an independent voice, I believe I can represent the district. I know I can represent the issues that -- espoused by veterans and by the military and that make America a stronger place.

KAGAN: And our apologies to Congressman Ferguson. He's not here to represent his own side. So we'll just say that. You also have a career as an investment banker. And you specialize in biotech and medicine. Where do you stand on stem cell research?

BROZAK: Oh, obviously, it's the most important avenue for the discovery of new treatments for horribly debilitating diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's. The opportunities there are just unique. And I'm one of the few people on Wall Street that actually had research report going back a number of years that advocates for the advanced study of it and that we should be husbanding that particular industry, especially in New Jersey, which is considered one of the strongholds of pharmaceutical research.

KAGAN: Lieutenant Colonel Steve Brozak, thank you so much. Good luck tonight, it's your big moment.

BROZAK: Thank you.

KAGAN: Thank you.

BROZAK: I look forward to it.

KAGAN: Appreciate your time.

Well, time to get the other side of the aisle here. If you decide to play the "spot the Republican" at the FleetCenter, you might want to look on the outside. Hundreds of Republicans are also in Beantown working to counter-charge the Democrats' charges. Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell is one of those, and he's joining me live from Republican headquarters in Boston.

Senator, good morning. Thanks for being with us this morning.

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R), KENTUCKY: Good morning, glad to be with you.

KAGAN: I want to look at some of the top issues in the campaign. Do you believe that safety and security is the number one issue that Americans are looking at as they decide who they're going to vote for for president?

MCCONNELL: It certainly seems so. And one thing you know with President Bush is that he's not going to outsource our foreign policy to either Paris or Berlin.

KAGAN: Senator Kerry is calling for an extension of the 9/11 Commission. Its commission is due to expire in under a month now, on August 26. He's calling for an 18-month extension, which would turn the commission into a watchdog agency, so to speak, to see how much progress is being made on homeland defense. Do you think that's a good idea?

MCCONNELL: Well, I think the most important thing is to get about implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. The president can do a lot of this, we hope, unilaterally. We in the Congress have a big responsibility to respond to the suggestions they've made that we streamline the oversight process, to make us -- you know, we were also a big part of the problem here, make us more able to properly look after the intelligence agency. So we're having hearings in the Senate in August.

KAGAN: Right.

MCCONNELL: And we're going to move right into this, I believe, in September and see if we can't move forward and implement some of these recommendations. So we don't need to wait 18 months. I think we need to get on it right now.

KAGAN: Yes, well, I think that's the idea. But perhaps in that spirit, perhaps you can then answer my question. Do you think the commission should have an extension of 18 months? Does the public deserve to have a watchdog commission that's looking after those of you in Congress, looking after the president, to see that these changes are being made?

MCCONNELL: Well, they finished their job. It was a great report, widely applauded on a bipartisan basis. And now our job is to implement the recommendations. So I think the commission has basically finished its work. I'm not sure there's anything left for them to do. The job is now for the president and for the Congress to look at the recommendations and to implement them as rapidly as possible. So I don't know that there's any need to extend their tenure. They've done their job. Now it's up to us to do our job.

KAGAN: And as you said, there will be hearings coming up in August. Looking forward to seeing those. Senator, thank you for your time.

MCCONNELL: Thank you.

KAGAN: Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, joining us from Boston. We have a lot more ahead to get in before the top of the hour. Right now, though, a quick break and back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: A live picture from Boston, once again. Senator John Kerry arrived in Boston at the airport just a few minutes ago. He's making his way to a water taxi. He plans, with his former crewmates from Vietnam, to travel across Boston Harbor to the Charlestown Navy Yard. That Navy yard, by the way, closed 30 years ago. It is now, though, part of a national park.

Our Bob Franken standing by, watching and awaiting the arrival of Senator Kerry as well -- Bob.

FRANKEN: Do you know the word photo op, Daryn?

KAGAN: We're learning it very quickly, are we not?

FRANKEN: That's right. There's a party tonight in Boston by the Creative Coalition, but I think that the people who plan these events for the Democrats can possibly be called that also. John Kerry, of course, has made a very telegenic cross country tour, almost cross country, on his way here, to make the water-borne grand entrance into his hometown, and it's all because he's going to be triumphantly taking the stage tomorrow night to accept the nomination, along with John Edwards, for the present and vice presidency.

Of course, John Edwards has his night tonight. He's going to be making his speech. As we said earlier, it is expected to be the trademark John Edwards, let's campaign and be positive, which has been the theme of the Democrats here. And for most part, they've been able to pull it off. They don't want to antagonize the people who are watching out there, as they get ready to try and antagonize the Republicans and beat the Republicans in the election this year -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right, Bob Franken, at the FleetCenter, in Boston.

We're going to fit in a quick break right now, and much more on John Kerry, and perhaps a quick check of the weather, coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: All right, we want to check in once again in Boston. Senator John Kerry has recently arrived at the airport. He, symbolically, is going to take a water taxi across Boston Harbor, arriving at an old Naval yard that is now a national park.

Ultimately, the big moment, tomorrow night, when he makes his acceptance speech.

Our Bob Franken, also standing by at the FleetCenter.

I think it would be a good time to talk about what we will see tonight, not just John Edwards acceptance speech, but the roll call.

FRANKEN: That's right, we are going to see something we know how it's going to turn out, and that is the roll call of the delegates, 4,000-plus, who will be saying that they're going to cast their votes for John Kerry. Ultimately, the acceptances, the official nomination, occurs tomorrow in the acceptance speech by John Kerry. When John Edwards speaks tonight, he is just speaking to the convention, not making an acceptance speech. But if you think that that is just really kind of a ritualistic difference, you're absolutely right, because all of this is preordained.

As a matter of fact, everybody suggests that the entire convention activity has been preordained, and that's exactly the way that the Democrats want. They want to make sure that they have absolute, tight control in the way things work here.

As you can see, John Kerry is awaiting there, is waiting there, in what is hardly an impromptu event, with some of his former crewmates from Vietnam. All of this carefully choreographed, as the entire trip has been, from Denver where he was born, to, as he says in his statement, to Boston, where Democracy is born. And, oh, by the way, where he has a very, very nice house on Beacon Hill -- Daryn.

KAGAN: So one of the things that actually has gone well for the Democrats, and I think also what will take place with the Republicans next month, no surprises, but no surprises means no news. And with no news, it's hard to get a lot of people to pay attention.

FRANKEN: Well, I suppose so. But I think where we've come is that people who are interested in politics are the ones who are going to watch this convention. I think what has happened is we've such a choice now of different television stations and cable stations to watch, people can decide what their interest is. So people who are interested in this stuff are watching.

And the people who are watching the all-news networks number in the millions. And of course there's a larger number that are watching the entertainment networks, and watching what they do.

But yes, it's really come down to fact that everything is sort of synthesized now. There are no surprises at these conventions. The system is set up so that by the time it gets here, it is nothing more than a pep rally, and that's what we're really seeing here.

KAGAN: All right, Bob Franken, watching it all for us from the FleetCenter in Boston. Bob, thank you for that. Also, thanks to Frank Buckley, who we heard from earlier, as he travels with Senator Kerry.

That is going to do it for me, Daryn Kagan. I'll be right back here in this seat tomorrow morning. I hope you'll join me.

Meanwhile, Wolf Blitzer takes over, live from Boston.

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Aired July 28, 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: Opposition to the Iraq war is a persistent theme among many rank and file Democrats. That is not the sentiment reflected in the party's official platform in Boston, however.
Our Dana Bash explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH (voice-over): Like many delegates gathered in Boston, Scholmit Auciello believes the Iraq war never should have happened.

SCHOLMIT AUCIELLO, DNC DELEGATE: Most Democrats know that this war was a mistake.

BASH: In fact, a recent "New York Times"/CBS News poll says nine in 10 delegates agree with her.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Senator John Kerry arriving in Boston at Logan National Airport. More from the senator in just a moment as he heads to the Democratic National Convention.

Right now, though, back to Dana Bash.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BASH: Like many delegates gathered in Boston, Scholmit Auciello believes the Iraq war never should have happened.

AUCIELLO: Most Democrats know that this war was a mistake.

BASH: In fact, a recent "New York Times"/CBS News poll says nine in 10 delegates agree with her.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All those in favor say, "Aye."

BASH: But both senators on the Democratic ticket voted for the war. So, the platform, the official party position, does not say war in Iraq was the wrong call. Instead, it reads, quote, "People of good will disagree about whether America should have gone to war in Iraq.

AILEEN GUNTHER, DNC DELEGATE: I, myself, would have stronger language as far as the platform goes. BASH: Party officials concede there was healthy debate when they hammered out language earlier this month, and it's not over.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We went in with the right intentions, I believe. Unfortunately, now that we're there, we can't turn our back on the people who are over there.

BASH: They settled on John Kerry's approach: more international troops, train Iraqi forces, stabilize, don't withdraw.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The platform also has to appeal to a broad constituency. It can't simply represent my views or any other individual's views.

BASH: But the candidate that rallied the anti-war movement gave all this a shoulder shrug.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The is the seventh convention I've been to. I've long learned that platforms don't mean anything.

BASH: Republicans are trying to stoke what they call a split among Democrats.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's hard to tell what their policy is. Maybe by Thursday night when Kerry takes the stage, we'll know -- or he'll know.

BASH: The Democrats' platform is tough on the president's handling of Iraq, accusing him of exaggerating the threat and underestimating what was needed to win the peace.

Dana Bash, CNN, Boston.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And speaking of Boston, want to show you a live picture. Once again, Senator John Kerry just making his arrival in the city where he will receive his party's nomination to be the next president of the United States.

He is accompanied by many of his Vietnam veteran friends. And together, we expect the group to go from Logan to a place where they can pick up a water taxi. And Senator Kerry plans to make his arrival via water taxi.

Again, the lineup tonight at the convention, we expect Senator Kerry to be formally nominated, also to hear the acceptance speech of his chosen running mate, Senator John Edwards. More from Boston in just a moment.

Meanwhile, President Bush's adopted hometown of Crawford, Texas, might feel a bit warmer than usual tonight. And we'll get to that story in just a moment. We're actually talking about that, because Michael Moore, the filmmaker, plans to show his movie "Fahrenheit 9/11." So, more from Crawford and Waco in just a bit. But first, more on Senator Kerry. As we've seen, he is arriving here in Boston. He arrived from Philadelphia. He has spent the week of the convention making his way up the east coast. Started a few days ago in Florida with a town hall at Cape Canaveral. He moved up to Norfolk, Virginia, where he talked to people as a giant battleship was returning home from service overseas. And then on to Philadelphia, and now here to Boston.

Of course, this is the senator's home state. Worked out that way that the nominating convention would take place in the state where he serves. So, Senator Kerry making his way from the airport after the warm greeting; on to the convention center, first via water taxi, in the company of some of his fellow Vietnam veterans.

His wife, of course, Teresa Heinz Kerry, already in Boston. We heard her speak last night. We also saw the arrival yesterday -- late yesterday -- of John Edwards -- as I mentioned, who will step into the spotlight tonight at the convention.

He'll be giving his speech tonight after the roll call. He says that his speech is a chance for people to see who he is and why he believes John Kerry should be president. His wife, Edwards' wife, Elizabeth, talked about the speech in an interview with our Judy Woodruff.

This took place earlier today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: How much anti-Bush?

ELIZABETH EDWARDS, WIFE OF SEN. JOHN EDWARDS: This is not a campaign strategy. That is not the way John ever presents anything. He might make the contrast, this instead of that -- and I don't know because I haven't seen the last version. He might say, you know, they want "A" and "B" and we want "D" and "E." But he doesn't engage in that type of personal attack -- never has. I don't think -- he doesn't think any people want to hear it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: And you can see the interview with Elizabeth Edwards on "INSIDE POLITICS." That's today at 3:00 p.m. Eastern -- an expanded edition of "INSIDE POLITICS."

As we mentioned, Senator John Kerry arriving in Boston as he made his way up the east coast. Our Frank Buckley has been traveling with the senator, and he joins us on the phone now -- Frank.

Frank, are you there with us?

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Daryn. Hi. I'm sorry; I didn't hear you there. I just heard you now.

We're here on the tarmac at Boston Logan. Senator Kerry just arriving here in his hometown, preparing to head over to Charlestown Navy Yard. He was just greeted on the ground here, as you probably just saw, by 13 of his fellow swift boat crewmates from his time in Vietnam. Some hugs and handshakes.

Right now, the senator surrounded by those crewmates and talking to them. Will now go from here to a water taxi, and take that over to Boston. Obviously, some symbolism that the campaign is quite happy to show John Kerry as a man who has led during wartime and someone who is -- can do it again, from the campaign's perspective, as the U.S. engages in a war on terror and is involved in conflict with Iraq.

The senator now moving, and I think we're going to have to move, as well.

KAGAN: All right, well, we'll let you go ahead and move. And while we do that and still watch that live picture, let's bring in our Bob Franken, who is at the site where the senator will ultimately arrive, and that is the FleetCenter in Boston where the convention's taking place -- Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Taking a little boat ride and, yes, coming to the FleetCenter. And of course, this is where he will have a triumphal moment tomorrow night when the nominations become official. He and John Edwards are hoping to use this as their launching point for the campaign.

And of course, everybody is now calling this the speech of his life tomorrow. That's one of those cliches that occurs every four years when the candidate comes up -- he is making the speech of his life -- until of course the next speech of his life. But obviously, it's important.

He's going to be setting the tone for his campaign against President George W. Bush. And so far, it has been a very carefully choreographed trip, as he's made his way on his magical mystery tour here to Boston, his hometown. There you see him greeting some of the veterans who have been so vocal in their support for him.

Of course, he is really making part of his campaign -- a very important part of his campaign, his war record, and saying that that's just one of the things that qualifies him to take on George W. Bush. Now, he's going to, in effect, formalize that, encapsulate it, when he makes his speech tomorrow night.

He's been preceded this week, of course, from everybody -- by everybody from Bill and Hillary Clinton to, last night, the candidates, the variety of people who spoke, including Edward Kennedy, his fellow senator from Massachusetts. Tonight, it's John Edwards' night -- featured speaker John Edwards and members of his family. And then, tomorrow night, the main event, the nomination of John Kerry to take the Democratic fight to the Republicans this fall -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right, Bob Franken at the FleetCenter. Our thanks to Frank Buckley, who is at Logan, traveling with Senator Kerry as he makes his way into the vehicle to head to the water taxi.

More ahead from there. We are going to take a break. Much more ahead after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: A live -- well, now you can tell it's a live picture, can't you? There we go, that's a little better. In any case this is live television. We are watching Boston Harbor because John Kerry will be arriving there very soon, getting on board a water taxi with many of his Vietnam veteran friends, and they will be making their way across the harbor for his official arrival in Boston and at the Democratic National Convention.

Speaking of that convention, and we'll have more live coverage of the water taxi stuff just ahead, the Democrats highlight another potential star tonight, this one a freshly retired Marine. Steve Brozak is running for New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, and he joins me from the FleetCenter in Boston this morning.

I feel like I should say Lieutenant Colonel, good morning.

STEVE BROZAK (D), CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: Good morning, thank you for having me here.

KAGAN: And I know the idea is to replace that rank with that of congressman, just ahead. I have to say, when I was reading about you, my first thought is why -- and maybe this is a stereotype, but why isn't a former -- and a just recent retired Marine, why are you not a Republican?

BROZAK: Well, I was a Republican for 20 years. But unfortunately, the party left me behind. The values that I held, strong defense, balanced budgets, things that the Republican Party once espoused, the Democratic Party has taken up the leadership position in.

KAGAN: I have to imagine that that was not an easy decision for you to make.

BROZAK: Well, there were a couple of seminal events. When I was overseas, back in late March of last year, I wasn't pleased with the planning that I saw for what took place after the ground conflict occurred in Iraq. And I felt that the Democratic Party was asking the right questions. And with my 21 years of military experience in the Marine Corps, I wanted to be one of the people that could go out there and start asking questions about defense and making sure that we're safer in America tomorrow.

Well, and talk about a quick ride. So you go from switching parties to now being a featured speaker in primetime at the Democratic National Convention. Is it enough to make your head spin a little bit?

BROZAK: Well, I'm very pleased. I'm very honored. I want to make sure that I represent the people of the 7th District, and speak about the important issues, speak about homeland defense, speak about making sure that our economy is strong, and that issues on health care, like stem cells, which I advocate for, are put to the forefront. KAGAN: Another rising star, Barack Obama, he spoke last night. He, however, is pretty much considered a slam dunk to win that Senate seat in Illinois. You, however, as I understand it, you're going against Congressman Michael Ferguson and your race is not considered a slam dunk at this point.

BROZAK: Well, I've done many campaigns, although this is my first political campaign. And I'm looking at this, saying that I actually have an independent voice. I've got a record of someone that's held his positions and his views throughout my entire career. Unfortunately, my opponent has flip-flopped on too many issues.

Unfortunately he hasn't been an advocate for veterans. Unfortunately he didn't back complete support that the V.A. system needed, the 30 percent increase. Going out there and doing things like that isn't representative of the district, isn't representative of New Jersey and isn't representative of this country.

With an independent voice, I believe I can represent the district. I know I can represent the issues that -- espoused by veterans and by the military and that make America a stronger place.

KAGAN: And our apologies to Congressman Ferguson. He's not here to represent his own side. So we'll just say that. You also have a career as an investment banker. And you specialize in biotech and medicine. Where do you stand on stem cell research?

BROZAK: Oh, obviously, it's the most important avenue for the discovery of new treatments for horribly debilitating diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's. The opportunities there are just unique. And I'm one of the few people on Wall Street that actually had research report going back a number of years that advocates for the advanced study of it and that we should be husbanding that particular industry, especially in New Jersey, which is considered one of the strongholds of pharmaceutical research.

KAGAN: Lieutenant Colonel Steve Brozak, thank you so much. Good luck tonight, it's your big moment.

BROZAK: Thank you.

KAGAN: Thank you.

BROZAK: I look forward to it.

KAGAN: Appreciate your time.

Well, time to get the other side of the aisle here. If you decide to play the "spot the Republican" at the FleetCenter, you might want to look on the outside. Hundreds of Republicans are also in Beantown working to counter-charge the Democrats' charges. Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell is one of those, and he's joining me live from Republican headquarters in Boston.

Senator, good morning. Thanks for being with us this morning.

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R), KENTUCKY: Good morning, glad to be with you.

KAGAN: I want to look at some of the top issues in the campaign. Do you believe that safety and security is the number one issue that Americans are looking at as they decide who they're going to vote for for president?

MCCONNELL: It certainly seems so. And one thing you know with President Bush is that he's not going to outsource our foreign policy to either Paris or Berlin.

KAGAN: Senator Kerry is calling for an extension of the 9/11 Commission. Its commission is due to expire in under a month now, on August 26. He's calling for an 18-month extension, which would turn the commission into a watchdog agency, so to speak, to see how much progress is being made on homeland defense. Do you think that's a good idea?

MCCONNELL: Well, I think the most important thing is to get about implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. The president can do a lot of this, we hope, unilaterally. We in the Congress have a big responsibility to respond to the suggestions they've made that we streamline the oversight process, to make us -- you know, we were also a big part of the problem here, make us more able to properly look after the intelligence agency. So we're having hearings in the Senate in August.

KAGAN: Right.

MCCONNELL: And we're going to move right into this, I believe, in September and see if we can't move forward and implement some of these recommendations. So we don't need to wait 18 months. I think we need to get on it right now.

KAGAN: Yes, well, I think that's the idea. But perhaps in that spirit, perhaps you can then answer my question. Do you think the commission should have an extension of 18 months? Does the public deserve to have a watchdog commission that's looking after those of you in Congress, looking after the president, to see that these changes are being made?

MCCONNELL: Well, they finished their job. It was a great report, widely applauded on a bipartisan basis. And now our job is to implement the recommendations. So I think the commission has basically finished its work. I'm not sure there's anything left for them to do. The job is now for the president and for the Congress to look at the recommendations and to implement them as rapidly as possible. So I don't know that there's any need to extend their tenure. They've done their job. Now it's up to us to do our job.

KAGAN: And as you said, there will be hearings coming up in August. Looking forward to seeing those. Senator, thank you for your time.

MCCONNELL: Thank you.

KAGAN: Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, joining us from Boston. We have a lot more ahead to get in before the top of the hour. Right now, though, a quick break and back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: A live picture from Boston, once again. Senator John Kerry arrived in Boston at the airport just a few minutes ago. He's making his way to a water taxi. He plans, with his former crewmates from Vietnam, to travel across Boston Harbor to the Charlestown Navy Yard. That Navy yard, by the way, closed 30 years ago. It is now, though, part of a national park.

Our Bob Franken standing by, watching and awaiting the arrival of Senator Kerry as well -- Bob.

FRANKEN: Do you know the word photo op, Daryn?

KAGAN: We're learning it very quickly, are we not?

FRANKEN: That's right. There's a party tonight in Boston by the Creative Coalition, but I think that the people who plan these events for the Democrats can possibly be called that also. John Kerry, of course, has made a very telegenic cross country tour, almost cross country, on his way here, to make the water-borne grand entrance into his hometown, and it's all because he's going to be triumphantly taking the stage tomorrow night to accept the nomination, along with John Edwards, for the present and vice presidency.

Of course, John Edwards has his night tonight. He's going to be making his speech. As we said earlier, it is expected to be the trademark John Edwards, let's campaign and be positive, which has been the theme of the Democrats here. And for most part, they've been able to pull it off. They don't want to antagonize the people who are watching out there, as they get ready to try and antagonize the Republicans and beat the Republicans in the election this year -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right, Bob Franken, at the FleetCenter, in Boston.

We're going to fit in a quick break right now, and much more on John Kerry, and perhaps a quick check of the weather, coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: All right, we want to check in once again in Boston. Senator John Kerry has recently arrived at the airport. He, symbolically, is going to take a water taxi across Boston Harbor, arriving at an old Naval yard that is now a national park.

Ultimately, the big moment, tomorrow night, when he makes his acceptance speech.

Our Bob Franken, also standing by at the FleetCenter.

I think it would be a good time to talk about what we will see tonight, not just John Edwards acceptance speech, but the roll call.

FRANKEN: That's right, we are going to see something we know how it's going to turn out, and that is the roll call of the delegates, 4,000-plus, who will be saying that they're going to cast their votes for John Kerry. Ultimately, the acceptances, the official nomination, occurs tomorrow in the acceptance speech by John Kerry. When John Edwards speaks tonight, he is just speaking to the convention, not making an acceptance speech. But if you think that that is just really kind of a ritualistic difference, you're absolutely right, because all of this is preordained.

As a matter of fact, everybody suggests that the entire convention activity has been preordained, and that's exactly the way that the Democrats want. They want to make sure that they have absolute, tight control in the way things work here.

As you can see, John Kerry is awaiting there, is waiting there, in what is hardly an impromptu event, with some of his former crewmates from Vietnam. All of this carefully choreographed, as the entire trip has been, from Denver where he was born, to, as he says in his statement, to Boston, where Democracy is born. And, oh, by the way, where he has a very, very nice house on Beacon Hill -- Daryn.

KAGAN: So one of the things that actually has gone well for the Democrats, and I think also what will take place with the Republicans next month, no surprises, but no surprises means no news. And with no news, it's hard to get a lot of people to pay attention.

FRANKEN: Well, I suppose so. But I think where we've come is that people who are interested in politics are the ones who are going to watch this convention. I think what has happened is we've such a choice now of different television stations and cable stations to watch, people can decide what their interest is. So people who are interested in this stuff are watching.

And the people who are watching the all-news networks number in the millions. And of course there's a larger number that are watching the entertainment networks, and watching what they do.

But yes, it's really come down to fact that everything is sort of synthesized now. There are no surprises at these conventions. The system is set up so that by the time it gets here, it is nothing more than a pep rally, and that's what we're really seeing here.

KAGAN: All right, Bob Franken, watching it all for us from the FleetCenter in Boston. Bob, thank you for that. Also, thanks to Frank Buckley, who we heard from earlier, as he travels with Senator Kerry.

That is going to do it for me, Daryn Kagan. I'll be right back here in this seat tomorrow morning. I hope you'll join me.

Meanwhile, Wolf Blitzer takes over, live from Boston.

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