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CNN Live Today
DNC Day Three Recap; Kerry To Show Controversial Campaign Film; Watch-Listed Woman Caught On U.S. Border; Bryant And Hacking Cases Updated
Aired July 29, 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 the CNN Headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan in Atlanta. Let's check the headlines now in the news.
Kidnappers have extended the deadline for two Jordanian hostages abducted in Iraq. And they are warning workers from other countries to stop cooperating with the U.S. or face the consequences. There are now reports of a Somali truck driver has been kidnapped.
And Pakistan's ambassador is asking the militants to hand over the bodies of two Pakistani hostages who reportedly have been killed.
The Bush administration is putting some of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations on the fast track. Aides are preparing draft versions of executive orders on intelligence. The president could approve some or all of them by early next week.
Two Palestinian militants are dead, killed in Rafa in Gaza by a missile fired from an Israeli Apache helicopter. The attack followed a rocket assault on an Israeli town. No one was injured in that incident.
Here in the U.S., cleanup is underway around the Dallas, Texas, area at this hour. Fierce storms dumped nearly a foot of rain on the area overnight. Several had to be rescued from flooded homes, creeks and highways. More rain is expected today. Details with meteorologist Orelon Sidney in about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, we are keeping you informed. This is CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN GLENN (D-OH), FMR. U.S. SENATOR: Ohio takes great pride tonight in being the state to put this voting over the top in making John Kerry candidate official, as we cast a hundred and...
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: It is official. The Democrats bestowed their nomination on John Kerry. In what had become only a formality. A convention that is short on suspense creates a little drama from the podium.
The words were sharp, the performances impassioned. Some of the Democratic Party's most skilled speakers seized the stage in a series of fiery supporting roles. It is all building to the big crescendo to John Kerry's all-important pitch tonight to a national prime time audience.
Our national correspondent Bob Franken is at the FleetCenter with a closer look.
Bob, good morning.
All right. Well, our glitches continue here at CNN. It's just a kind of a Thursday morning little virus. We'll work on that. We will get back to Bob at the FleetCenter in just a moment.
Meanwhile, let's talk about John Kerry. He will take the stage tonight with some tough acts to follow. His running mate John Edwards, last night was greeted by incredible applause. And repaid the crowd with a stirring speech. Honed by the experience of an accomplished trial attorney, he whipped up emotions and laid out his case for the Kerry-Edwards ticket.
Here are some of the platform points that he outlined. The Kerry plan, he says, would provide $1,000 tax credits for health and child care costs. A $4,000 tax break on college tuition. Edwards also vowed to, quote, "keep and protect tax cuts for 98 percent of Americans." Edwards says he and his running mate offer a common theme of hope.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS, (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And we're here to make America respected in the world again, so that we can bring him home. And American soldiers don't have to fight this war in Iraq or this war on terrorism alone.
So, when you return home, some night you might pass a mother on her way to work the late shift. You tell her, hope is on the way. When your brother calls...
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
EDWARDS: When your brother calls and says he's spending his entire life at the office, and he still can't get ahead. You tell him, hope is on the way. When your parents call and tell you their medicine is going through the roof, they can't keep up.
You tell them, hope is on the way. And when your neighbor calls and says her daughter's worked hard and wants to go to college. You tell her, hope is on the way. And when your son or daughter, who's serving this country heroically in Iraq calls, you tell them, hope is on the way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: All right. Let's go back to our Bob Franken, who we think we've -- we've plugged in the microphone this time, Bob. We just want to see if you were paying attention.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, actually, I think that was a management decision to unplug the microphone. But we've overcome that. And I just wanted to point out that we have a great position here.
We're up by the podium that John Kerry is going to be taking tonight. What you see up there is the Democratic National Committee version of roadies making things ready for the big performance tonight.
Of course, it is the main act, John Kerry going to be trying to sell himself to the people of the United States, far beyond this FleetCenter. The selling job is already done here. And we're told that the speech is going to include the story of him and his life, figuring that the issues have been very thoroughly covered. It's going to include what has become a bit of a controversial nine-and-a- half minute -- nine-and-a-half minute video, a film that is going to be telling his story.
What's controversial about it -- it's, by the way, one that was supervised by Steven Spielberg. It is one that includes some home video type, eight-millimeter film that was shot by him and with him when he was in Vietnam.
There have been some charges by the Republicans that this was just a young John Kerry trying to get some shots, so he could then take them back and use them as he ran for higher office. Nevertheless, the Kerry campaign denies that, of course, and it is included in this video. We can listen to a little bit of it to hear the real production values.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NARRATOR: The Kerry family, like millions of others, was woven into the very fabric of the war effort. John's father, Richard, was a test pilot flying C-47s in the Army's Air Corps.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FRANKEN: This is not an amateur production. And John Kerry had better hope that his speech is not tonight. As we expect, this is the all-important speech where he presents himself as the Democratic candidate for president of the United States.
Taking his best shot before he and John Edwards hit the campaign trail, something by the way, they're going to waste no time doing, starting with an event tomorrow morning here in Boston.
One other thing that I wanted to show you, if I can. Have you seen so many times those little sheets of plastic before the really big-time speakers? Well, for those who don't know, it is a teleprompter. And you can see right there, you might notice that on that prompter is the Pledge of Allegiance. They want to make sure that nobody forgets the words and gets embarrassed. And believe me, Daryn, it has happened.
So, they're leaving absolutely nothing to chance here. All week long the Democrats have been controlling the message. And now we're going to find out precisely what the message is that John Kerry delivers this evening -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Yes. Not for lack of terrorism, but more from a big case of nervousness. But incredible especially, Bob, it's been incredible to see some of the young people that have come out there, whether it was Cate Edwards last night, or whether or not it was Ilana Wexler, the 12-year-old two nights ago.
These are people that certainly do not have a ton of experience coming out in front of a huge crowd like that, with all the lights up in the house. It's pretty nerve-racking to stand up there and look out.
FRANKEN: Well, it is. But it's interesting; I've met a number of these kids, the children of the candidates at one time or another. And the one impression I've always asked is that they're really self- possessed. Very confidant.
And I suppose in all cases, it speaks to the kind of parenting, I suppose. But these are people who -- young people who have absolutely no doubts about themselves. At least any that they're willing to show to the public.
KAGAN: All right. Bob Franken, thanks for a look behind the scenes, literally. Appreciate that.
Well, Bob was talking about confidence; there was no lack of confidence for the Reverend Al Sharpton last night. He preached to the choir, brandishing more than a little fire and brimstone. Sharpton had battled both Kerry and Edwards in the primaries. He rallied behind the newly named ticket. And he scoffed at President Bush who appealed for black voters to abandon a historical allegiance to Democrats and switch to the GOP.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REV. AL SHARPTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You said the Republican Party was the party of Lincoln and Frederick Douglas. It is true that Mr. Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, after which there was a commitment to give 40 acres and a mule.
That's where this argument to this day of reparation stops. We never got the 40 acres. We went all the way to Herbert Hoover, and we never got the 40 acres. We didn't get the mule.
So, we decided we would ride this donkey as far as it would take us.
(CHEERING) (APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Oh, the Reverend Sharpton was in rare form last night.
Let's get some perspective from across the political river, shall we say. Republicans are also tuned in to the rival pep rally. And they're greeting the celebration with more than a little bit of skepticism. Earlier today on CNN'S "AMERICAN MORNING," we checked in with Republican Rudolph Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, and a prominent spokesman of the Republican Party.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUDOLPH GIULIANI (R), FMR. MAYOR, NEW YORK CITY: Well, you've got to look at what people do, not what they say. John Kerry was on the Intelligence Committee for a large part of his career in the United States Senate.
He missed 38 out of 48 meetings. He was absent for them. John Edwards has been on for a short while. He's missed four of eight meetings of the Intelligence Committee, even since September 11.
So this interest in saying that they're going to prosecute the war on terrorism as effectively as President Bush, certainly is belied by the way in which they've acted in the past.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: All right. Let's get some perspective on what we saw last night, what we're going to see tonight.
Carlos Watson, our political analyst, standing by in New York City.
Carlos, good morning.
CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Daryn Kagan, how you doing?
KAGAN: I'm doing great. Actually, a little tired. These conventions are running late. But I'm tuning in and listening in, as I did to John Edwards last night. He -- for the first time, we started to hear a few specifics about what this ticket might offer. He also was trying to appeal to certain groups. Let's talk about that.
WATSON: I thought that was impressive and was something he needed to do. As opposed to talking about the Democratic Party generally, he talks specifically for example, about tax cuts both for healthcare and outsourcing.
For example, you saw him talk about school reform and what they would do there. You heard him mention that they would double the intelligence budget. And also increase significantly the Special Forces troops. So there are a lot of specifics. And I think, frankly, that was necessary and will be more necessary later on tonight.
The other thing that stood out in my mind about John Edwards' speech was that while he appealed broadly to Americans, and particularly undecided voters, if you listen carefully, Daryn, he was appealing to three-core constituency groups, as well. You heard him appeal to veterans.
There are some 26 -- 27 million veterans in the country. And there's a real hope on the part of the Kerry team that they can appeal to a disproportionate amount of them towards their ticket. Might help in states like Tennessee and Virginia.
You also heard him appeal to single women, which have replaced soccer moms for the new, if you will, group de jour this year in politics.
And last but not least, you heard him appeal to African- Americans. Frankly, he was much more open in his conversation about race than even Bill Clinton was 12 years ago. And again, there's a recognition on the part of the Kerry ticket that strong African- American support and turnout could help in states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida.
KAGAN: Meanwhile, gone is the day when one party used to have its party, and the other one would stand by and then have its party. The Republicans are in Boston, not in full force, but they are certainly making their presence known.
WATSON: They are. You saw some of the surrogates. I was there yesterday, Mitch McConnell, the senator from Kentucky was there. Rudy Giuliani has participated. John McCain and others. What I think is significant, though, is not the surrogates who are there, but what may be happening outside of the television radar.
The conversations that are happening on radio stations. Literally the millions of e-mails that are going out. The conversations across blogs, as well as the conversations in local media markets. And that's something that a lot of people following politics may miss.
But one of the very strategic things that Republicans are doing this year are not only addressing the national media, but sitting down with lots of local newscasts in these battle ground states: Missouri, Pennsylvania, et cetera and sharing their own perspective, whether it's on taxes, national security or President Bush's landmark Medicare reform bill.
KAGAN: Bob Franken showed us a little clip of the Steven Spielberg supervised film that we'll see tonight to introduce the country to John Kerry. But what about the speech? What will you be listening for?
WATSON: You know, I think clearly people want to see if he's going to be relaxed and in good humor and be confident. And by the way, he was at a week and a half ago at the NAACP convention. I think that was his best speech that I've saw him give in the last several months. If he's able to do that again, I think that will be an important and impressive thing to do.
I think people want to see if he can show that he's tough. And again, the video that he's going to show with him doing that, being introduced by former crew mates is part of that. But also his demeanor as well.
But last but not least, and Daryn, in my mind maybe one of the most interesting things that may happen is what new issues will he introduce? You and I know that he's going to talk about the economy.
You and I know that he's going to talk about Iraq. But will he talk about new foreign hot spots -- for example, the Sudan? Will he talk about North Korea? Will he reference what John Edwards called yesterday "loose nukes?" So, nuclear weapons that may be falling in the hands of various rogue nations and entities.
I also would stay tuned to see how much he talks about the Supreme Court. Remember, this is the longest gap between appointments; we've gone almost 10 years without a new justice appointed since the 1830s. And will he talk about the fact the next president, possibly him, could appoint two or three new justices. So I'm as interested in new policy ideas, as I am in his demeanor and conversation about the economy and Iraq.
KAGAN: We will see if he delivers. Sounds like some of us are going to be up late tonight.
WATSON: You bet.
KAGAN: Carlos in New York City, hope we get a chance to talk to you tomorrow. Thanks so much.
WATSON: Look forward to it. Take care.
KAGAN: Let's go ahead and look at tonight's convention lineup. Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will speak, as will retired General Wesley Clark -- himself a former contender for the Democratic nomination. And Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, another former presidential candidate will take the podium. All set the stage for the convention's climax, of course, Senator Kerry's acceptance speech.
The political conventions have long been a focus of anti-terror experts. But one eagle eye, border patrol agent is being credited with detecting another potential concern half a country away. It came in the form of a woman crossing the Mexican border into Texas. And it could have possible terrorist ties.
For the latest on that, let's check in with Homeland Security correspondent Jeanne Meserve who is in Boston.
Jeanne, good morning. JEANNE MESERVE, HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. This woman claims to be South African, 48 years old. Her name Farida Goolam Mohamad Ahmed. Government officials tell CNN's Kelli Arena that her name is on an FBI watch list, that her name came up in connection with an investigation into an overseas terrorist act that characterized her as being of concern.
Government officials say that she was stopped on July 19 by agents of Customs and Border Protection at a TSA checkpoint, as she tried to board a flight to New York. She did not have a visa. She did not have a stamp in her passport, indicating that she had entered the U.S. legally, and six pages had been ripped out of her South African passport.
Government officials say she also was carrying about $7,000, most of that in U.S. currency. And according to court affidavits, she also was carrying a bag full of money, clothes. And she admitted to agents later that she had indeed entered the country illegally.
She is currently being detained in Texas without bond, as authorities try to get a better handle on if she is who she says she is. And what exactly she might have been doing, and whether or not she has ties to al Qaeda.
To give you a little bit of context for this case, this is a time when government officials have warned that al Qaeda might try and strike in the run-up to the U.S. elections. They also have expressed significant concern in recent days about the Mexican border, which, as you know, is extremely porous. Thousands of people pouring across illegally undetected every day. Also expressed concern about the possibility that al Qaeda might be recruiting women operatives.
In addition, South African authorities have acknowledged that some of their passports may have fallen into the hands of criminal operatives. That is why authorities have concern about this woman at this point in time. They believe they're on to something. They don't know exactly what. The investigation does continue -- Daryn.
KAGAN: You'll be tracking it, whether you're in Boston or Washington, D.C., or anywhere across the country. Jeanne, thank you so much for that.
Was it the last time Lori Hacking was seen, as the search for a salt lake -- of a Salt Lake landfill continues, one man comes forward saying that he saw Lori Hacking the day before she was reported missing.
And contaminated baby food in California: A potentially deadly poison discovered, along with a threatening note. Authorities are looking to question a specific person.
Later, what would comedians do without politicians? Probably not have as many laughs. "The Daily Show's" Samantha Bee joins me a little bit later for a lighter look at the Democratic National Convention.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Let's take a look at what is on the legal docket today in our "Legal Briefs."
In the Kobe Bryant sexual abuse case, attorneys for Bryant's accuser say she is being re-victimized by the court. Sealed information, including the accuser's name and information about DNA evidence, was temporarily and mistakenly posted on the Internet Wednesday.
It's the third time this court has leaked confidential information. We'll go live to Eagle, Colorado for more on that story in our next hour.
To Redwood City, California, meanwhile. Lawyers for Scott Peterson are again asking that murder charges against him be dismissed and a mistrial declared. The judge is expected to rule on that today. The judge will also decide if the prosecution can show the jury edited portions of Peterson's televised interviews. Peterson's accused of killing his pregnant wife and unborn son.
Police investigating the disappearance of a pregnant woman in Salt Lake City spent another night picking through a landfill.
Our Kimberly Osias is there with the very latest on the story of Lori Hacking. Good morning.
KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you, Daryn. That's exactly right. In fact, for the past three consecutive evenings, most of the evening, in fact, police have been focusing their search efforts on an area landfill.
They've been using cadaver dogs. And you know, they said that actually, the dogs work so much better and efficiently under the cooler temperatures the evening provides.
This is still considered a very suspicious missing person case. Homicide is involved in the investigation. The FBI, however, is not. That is a little bit unusual in a missing person case. Mark Hacking is still considered only a person of interest in the case. That is the only person of interest that police have been naming in the case.
And for his part, he remains hospitalized at the University of Utah Medical Center on a psychiatric unit. There is a police outside the unit. Now, whether or not that is standard operating procedure, or whether or not that policeman is operating in concert with this investigation, we simply don't know. The Hacking family has shut down substantially, not giving any more press conferences.
But I did speak with one of Mark Hacking's brothers, Scott Hacking -- one of his three brothers yesterday. He said that Mark is doing as well as can be expected. That he is not suicidal, but that he is dealing with new harsh realities.
There is a new discrepancy in the timeline. There is a local story, convenience store clerk who has come forward, Eric Holleman, who says that Mark Hacking used to frequent that convenience store and buy cigarettes that he didn't want his wife to know about. In fact, he says the pair came in on Sunday at 8:30.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ERIC HOLLEMAN, CONVENIENCE STORE CLERK: He looked normal, as like he always does. And she kind of looked like something was on her mind.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
OSIAS: Now, buying cigarettes is very, very taboo in Mormon culture. This, again, speaks to sort of the web of lies, the tangled web that Mark Hacking has been weaving.
Police now say the only connection to Memory Grove Park, where they initially believe Lori Hacking was running and reported missing on Monday, is the fact that her silver Chevy was parked there -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Kimberly Osias with the latest from Salt Lake City. Kimberly, thank you.
He knows a life of a military man. But is touting John Kerry's front line going to win him voter loyalty or backlash, as critics call Kerry's voting record on Iraq too inconsistent.
And severe floods in Texas. We'll tell you when they might get a break from all that rain in our complete check of the weather.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: OK. You know things are bad in Texas. How bad? Well, even the 911-call center had an emergency. So much rain hit Lancaster, Texas, last night, the ceiling collapsed in on the 911-call center. Calls had to be rerouted through the sheriff's department. Even the police station fell victim to the high water, along with up to some 200 homes.
John Kerry's plans for Iraq, do his recommendations to help troops there take money away from the war on terror? A live report from the Pentagon is straight ahead.
Also, some people get their news from an unlikely source: "The Daily Show." Joining me for a lighter look at the Democratic National Convention "Daily Show" correspondent Samantha Bee.
Be with us, just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired July 29, 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 the CNN Headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan in Atlanta. Let's check the headlines now in the news.
Kidnappers have extended the deadline for two Jordanian hostages abducted in Iraq. And they are warning workers from other countries to stop cooperating with the U.S. or face the consequences. There are now reports of a Somali truck driver has been kidnapped.
And Pakistan's ambassador is asking the militants to hand over the bodies of two Pakistani hostages who reportedly have been killed.
The Bush administration is putting some of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations on the fast track. Aides are preparing draft versions of executive orders on intelligence. The president could approve some or all of them by early next week.
Two Palestinian militants are dead, killed in Rafa in Gaza by a missile fired from an Israeli Apache helicopter. The attack followed a rocket assault on an Israeli town. No one was injured in that incident.
Here in the U.S., cleanup is underway around the Dallas, Texas, area at this hour. Fierce storms dumped nearly a foot of rain on the area overnight. Several had to be rescued from flooded homes, creeks and highways. More rain is expected today. Details with meteorologist Orelon Sidney in about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, we are keeping you informed. This is CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN GLENN (D-OH), FMR. U.S. SENATOR: Ohio takes great pride tonight in being the state to put this voting over the top in making John Kerry candidate official, as we cast a hundred and...
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: It is official. The Democrats bestowed their nomination on John Kerry. In what had become only a formality. A convention that is short on suspense creates a little drama from the podium.
The words were sharp, the performances impassioned. Some of the Democratic Party's most skilled speakers seized the stage in a series of fiery supporting roles. It is all building to the big crescendo to John Kerry's all-important pitch tonight to a national prime time audience.
Our national correspondent Bob Franken is at the FleetCenter with a closer look.
Bob, good morning.
All right. Well, our glitches continue here at CNN. It's just a kind of a Thursday morning little virus. We'll work on that. We will get back to Bob at the FleetCenter in just a moment.
Meanwhile, let's talk about John Kerry. He will take the stage tonight with some tough acts to follow. His running mate John Edwards, last night was greeted by incredible applause. And repaid the crowd with a stirring speech. Honed by the experience of an accomplished trial attorney, he whipped up emotions and laid out his case for the Kerry-Edwards ticket.
Here are some of the platform points that he outlined. The Kerry plan, he says, would provide $1,000 tax credits for health and child care costs. A $4,000 tax break on college tuition. Edwards also vowed to, quote, "keep and protect tax cuts for 98 percent of Americans." Edwards says he and his running mate offer a common theme of hope.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS, (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And we're here to make America respected in the world again, so that we can bring him home. And American soldiers don't have to fight this war in Iraq or this war on terrorism alone.
So, when you return home, some night you might pass a mother on her way to work the late shift. You tell her, hope is on the way. When your brother calls...
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
EDWARDS: When your brother calls and says he's spending his entire life at the office, and he still can't get ahead. You tell him, hope is on the way. When your parents call and tell you their medicine is going through the roof, they can't keep up.
You tell them, hope is on the way. And when your neighbor calls and says her daughter's worked hard and wants to go to college. You tell her, hope is on the way. And when your son or daughter, who's serving this country heroically in Iraq calls, you tell them, hope is on the way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: All right. Let's go back to our Bob Franken, who we think we've -- we've plugged in the microphone this time, Bob. We just want to see if you were paying attention.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, actually, I think that was a management decision to unplug the microphone. But we've overcome that. And I just wanted to point out that we have a great position here.
We're up by the podium that John Kerry is going to be taking tonight. What you see up there is the Democratic National Committee version of roadies making things ready for the big performance tonight.
Of course, it is the main act, John Kerry going to be trying to sell himself to the people of the United States, far beyond this FleetCenter. The selling job is already done here. And we're told that the speech is going to include the story of him and his life, figuring that the issues have been very thoroughly covered. It's going to include what has become a bit of a controversial nine-and-a- half minute -- nine-and-a-half minute video, a film that is going to be telling his story.
What's controversial about it -- it's, by the way, one that was supervised by Steven Spielberg. It is one that includes some home video type, eight-millimeter film that was shot by him and with him when he was in Vietnam.
There have been some charges by the Republicans that this was just a young John Kerry trying to get some shots, so he could then take them back and use them as he ran for higher office. Nevertheless, the Kerry campaign denies that, of course, and it is included in this video. We can listen to a little bit of it to hear the real production values.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NARRATOR: The Kerry family, like millions of others, was woven into the very fabric of the war effort. John's father, Richard, was a test pilot flying C-47s in the Army's Air Corps.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FRANKEN: This is not an amateur production. And John Kerry had better hope that his speech is not tonight. As we expect, this is the all-important speech where he presents himself as the Democratic candidate for president of the United States.
Taking his best shot before he and John Edwards hit the campaign trail, something by the way, they're going to waste no time doing, starting with an event tomorrow morning here in Boston.
One other thing that I wanted to show you, if I can. Have you seen so many times those little sheets of plastic before the really big-time speakers? Well, for those who don't know, it is a teleprompter. And you can see right there, you might notice that on that prompter is the Pledge of Allegiance. They want to make sure that nobody forgets the words and gets embarrassed. And believe me, Daryn, it has happened.
So, they're leaving absolutely nothing to chance here. All week long the Democrats have been controlling the message. And now we're going to find out precisely what the message is that John Kerry delivers this evening -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Yes. Not for lack of terrorism, but more from a big case of nervousness. But incredible especially, Bob, it's been incredible to see some of the young people that have come out there, whether it was Cate Edwards last night, or whether or not it was Ilana Wexler, the 12-year-old two nights ago.
These are people that certainly do not have a ton of experience coming out in front of a huge crowd like that, with all the lights up in the house. It's pretty nerve-racking to stand up there and look out.
FRANKEN: Well, it is. But it's interesting; I've met a number of these kids, the children of the candidates at one time or another. And the one impression I've always asked is that they're really self- possessed. Very confidant.
And I suppose in all cases, it speaks to the kind of parenting, I suppose. But these are people who -- young people who have absolutely no doubts about themselves. At least any that they're willing to show to the public.
KAGAN: All right. Bob Franken, thanks for a look behind the scenes, literally. Appreciate that.
Well, Bob was talking about confidence; there was no lack of confidence for the Reverend Al Sharpton last night. He preached to the choir, brandishing more than a little fire and brimstone. Sharpton had battled both Kerry and Edwards in the primaries. He rallied behind the newly named ticket. And he scoffed at President Bush who appealed for black voters to abandon a historical allegiance to Democrats and switch to the GOP.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REV. AL SHARPTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You said the Republican Party was the party of Lincoln and Frederick Douglas. It is true that Mr. Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, after which there was a commitment to give 40 acres and a mule.
That's where this argument to this day of reparation stops. We never got the 40 acres. We went all the way to Herbert Hoover, and we never got the 40 acres. We didn't get the mule.
So, we decided we would ride this donkey as far as it would take us.
(CHEERING) (APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Oh, the Reverend Sharpton was in rare form last night.
Let's get some perspective from across the political river, shall we say. Republicans are also tuned in to the rival pep rally. And they're greeting the celebration with more than a little bit of skepticism. Earlier today on CNN'S "AMERICAN MORNING," we checked in with Republican Rudolph Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, and a prominent spokesman of the Republican Party.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUDOLPH GIULIANI (R), FMR. MAYOR, NEW YORK CITY: Well, you've got to look at what people do, not what they say. John Kerry was on the Intelligence Committee for a large part of his career in the United States Senate.
He missed 38 out of 48 meetings. He was absent for them. John Edwards has been on for a short while. He's missed four of eight meetings of the Intelligence Committee, even since September 11.
So this interest in saying that they're going to prosecute the war on terrorism as effectively as President Bush, certainly is belied by the way in which they've acted in the past.
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KAGAN: All right. Let's get some perspective on what we saw last night, what we're going to see tonight.
Carlos Watson, our political analyst, standing by in New York City.
Carlos, good morning.
CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Daryn Kagan, how you doing?
KAGAN: I'm doing great. Actually, a little tired. These conventions are running late. But I'm tuning in and listening in, as I did to John Edwards last night. He -- for the first time, we started to hear a few specifics about what this ticket might offer. He also was trying to appeal to certain groups. Let's talk about that.
WATSON: I thought that was impressive and was something he needed to do. As opposed to talking about the Democratic Party generally, he talks specifically for example, about tax cuts both for healthcare and outsourcing.
For example, you saw him talk about school reform and what they would do there. You heard him mention that they would double the intelligence budget. And also increase significantly the Special Forces troops. So there are a lot of specifics. And I think, frankly, that was necessary and will be more necessary later on tonight.
The other thing that stood out in my mind about John Edwards' speech was that while he appealed broadly to Americans, and particularly undecided voters, if you listen carefully, Daryn, he was appealing to three-core constituency groups, as well. You heard him appeal to veterans.
There are some 26 -- 27 million veterans in the country. And there's a real hope on the part of the Kerry team that they can appeal to a disproportionate amount of them towards their ticket. Might help in states like Tennessee and Virginia.
You also heard him appeal to single women, which have replaced soccer moms for the new, if you will, group de jour this year in politics.
And last but not least, you heard him appeal to African- Americans. Frankly, he was much more open in his conversation about race than even Bill Clinton was 12 years ago. And again, there's a recognition on the part of the Kerry ticket that strong African- American support and turnout could help in states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida.
KAGAN: Meanwhile, gone is the day when one party used to have its party, and the other one would stand by and then have its party. The Republicans are in Boston, not in full force, but they are certainly making their presence known.
WATSON: They are. You saw some of the surrogates. I was there yesterday, Mitch McConnell, the senator from Kentucky was there. Rudy Giuliani has participated. John McCain and others. What I think is significant, though, is not the surrogates who are there, but what may be happening outside of the television radar.
The conversations that are happening on radio stations. Literally the millions of e-mails that are going out. The conversations across blogs, as well as the conversations in local media markets. And that's something that a lot of people following politics may miss.
But one of the very strategic things that Republicans are doing this year are not only addressing the national media, but sitting down with lots of local newscasts in these battle ground states: Missouri, Pennsylvania, et cetera and sharing their own perspective, whether it's on taxes, national security or President Bush's landmark Medicare reform bill.
KAGAN: Bob Franken showed us a little clip of the Steven Spielberg supervised film that we'll see tonight to introduce the country to John Kerry. But what about the speech? What will you be listening for?
WATSON: You know, I think clearly people want to see if he's going to be relaxed and in good humor and be confident. And by the way, he was at a week and a half ago at the NAACP convention. I think that was his best speech that I've saw him give in the last several months. If he's able to do that again, I think that will be an important and impressive thing to do.
I think people want to see if he can show that he's tough. And again, the video that he's going to show with him doing that, being introduced by former crew mates is part of that. But also his demeanor as well.
But last but not least, and Daryn, in my mind maybe one of the most interesting things that may happen is what new issues will he introduce? You and I know that he's going to talk about the economy.
You and I know that he's going to talk about Iraq. But will he talk about new foreign hot spots -- for example, the Sudan? Will he talk about North Korea? Will he reference what John Edwards called yesterday "loose nukes?" So, nuclear weapons that may be falling in the hands of various rogue nations and entities.
I also would stay tuned to see how much he talks about the Supreme Court. Remember, this is the longest gap between appointments; we've gone almost 10 years without a new justice appointed since the 1830s. And will he talk about the fact the next president, possibly him, could appoint two or three new justices. So I'm as interested in new policy ideas, as I am in his demeanor and conversation about the economy and Iraq.
KAGAN: We will see if he delivers. Sounds like some of us are going to be up late tonight.
WATSON: You bet.
KAGAN: Carlos in New York City, hope we get a chance to talk to you tomorrow. Thanks so much.
WATSON: Look forward to it. Take care.
KAGAN: Let's go ahead and look at tonight's convention lineup. Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will speak, as will retired General Wesley Clark -- himself a former contender for the Democratic nomination. And Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, another former presidential candidate will take the podium. All set the stage for the convention's climax, of course, Senator Kerry's acceptance speech.
The political conventions have long been a focus of anti-terror experts. But one eagle eye, border patrol agent is being credited with detecting another potential concern half a country away. It came in the form of a woman crossing the Mexican border into Texas. And it could have possible terrorist ties.
For the latest on that, let's check in with Homeland Security correspondent Jeanne Meserve who is in Boston.
Jeanne, good morning. JEANNE MESERVE, HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. This woman claims to be South African, 48 years old. Her name Farida Goolam Mohamad Ahmed. Government officials tell CNN's Kelli Arena that her name is on an FBI watch list, that her name came up in connection with an investigation into an overseas terrorist act that characterized her as being of concern.
Government officials say that she was stopped on July 19 by agents of Customs and Border Protection at a TSA checkpoint, as she tried to board a flight to New York. She did not have a visa. She did not have a stamp in her passport, indicating that she had entered the U.S. legally, and six pages had been ripped out of her South African passport.
Government officials say she also was carrying about $7,000, most of that in U.S. currency. And according to court affidavits, she also was carrying a bag full of money, clothes. And she admitted to agents later that she had indeed entered the country illegally.
She is currently being detained in Texas without bond, as authorities try to get a better handle on if she is who she says she is. And what exactly she might have been doing, and whether or not she has ties to al Qaeda.
To give you a little bit of context for this case, this is a time when government officials have warned that al Qaeda might try and strike in the run-up to the U.S. elections. They also have expressed significant concern in recent days about the Mexican border, which, as you know, is extremely porous. Thousands of people pouring across illegally undetected every day. Also expressed concern about the possibility that al Qaeda might be recruiting women operatives.
In addition, South African authorities have acknowledged that some of their passports may have fallen into the hands of criminal operatives. That is why authorities have concern about this woman at this point in time. They believe they're on to something. They don't know exactly what. The investigation does continue -- Daryn.
KAGAN: You'll be tracking it, whether you're in Boston or Washington, D.C., or anywhere across the country. Jeanne, thank you so much for that.
Was it the last time Lori Hacking was seen, as the search for a salt lake -- of a Salt Lake landfill continues, one man comes forward saying that he saw Lori Hacking the day before she was reported missing.
And contaminated baby food in California: A potentially deadly poison discovered, along with a threatening note. Authorities are looking to question a specific person.
Later, what would comedians do without politicians? Probably not have as many laughs. "The Daily Show's" Samantha Bee joins me a little bit later for a lighter look at the Democratic National Convention.
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KAGAN: Let's take a look at what is on the legal docket today in our "Legal Briefs."
In the Kobe Bryant sexual abuse case, attorneys for Bryant's accuser say she is being re-victimized by the court. Sealed information, including the accuser's name and information about DNA evidence, was temporarily and mistakenly posted on the Internet Wednesday.
It's the third time this court has leaked confidential information. We'll go live to Eagle, Colorado for more on that story in our next hour.
To Redwood City, California, meanwhile. Lawyers for Scott Peterson are again asking that murder charges against him be dismissed and a mistrial declared. The judge is expected to rule on that today. The judge will also decide if the prosecution can show the jury edited portions of Peterson's televised interviews. Peterson's accused of killing his pregnant wife and unborn son.
Police investigating the disappearance of a pregnant woman in Salt Lake City spent another night picking through a landfill.
Our Kimberly Osias is there with the very latest on the story of Lori Hacking. Good morning.
KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you, Daryn. That's exactly right. In fact, for the past three consecutive evenings, most of the evening, in fact, police have been focusing their search efforts on an area landfill.
They've been using cadaver dogs. And you know, they said that actually, the dogs work so much better and efficiently under the cooler temperatures the evening provides.
This is still considered a very suspicious missing person case. Homicide is involved in the investigation. The FBI, however, is not. That is a little bit unusual in a missing person case. Mark Hacking is still considered only a person of interest in the case. That is the only person of interest that police have been naming in the case.
And for his part, he remains hospitalized at the University of Utah Medical Center on a psychiatric unit. There is a police outside the unit. Now, whether or not that is standard operating procedure, or whether or not that policeman is operating in concert with this investigation, we simply don't know. The Hacking family has shut down substantially, not giving any more press conferences.
But I did speak with one of Mark Hacking's brothers, Scott Hacking -- one of his three brothers yesterday. He said that Mark is doing as well as can be expected. That he is not suicidal, but that he is dealing with new harsh realities.
There is a new discrepancy in the timeline. There is a local story, convenience store clerk who has come forward, Eric Holleman, who says that Mark Hacking used to frequent that convenience store and buy cigarettes that he didn't want his wife to know about. In fact, he says the pair came in on Sunday at 8:30.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ERIC HOLLEMAN, CONVENIENCE STORE CLERK: He looked normal, as like he always does. And she kind of looked like something was on her mind.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
OSIAS: Now, buying cigarettes is very, very taboo in Mormon culture. This, again, speaks to sort of the web of lies, the tangled web that Mark Hacking has been weaving.
Police now say the only connection to Memory Grove Park, where they initially believe Lori Hacking was running and reported missing on Monday, is the fact that her silver Chevy was parked there -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Kimberly Osias with the latest from Salt Lake City. Kimberly, thank you.
He knows a life of a military man. But is touting John Kerry's front line going to win him voter loyalty or backlash, as critics call Kerry's voting record on Iraq too inconsistent.
And severe floods in Texas. We'll tell you when they might get a break from all that rain in our complete check of the weather.
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KAGAN: OK. You know things are bad in Texas. How bad? Well, even the 911-call center had an emergency. So much rain hit Lancaster, Texas, last night, the ceiling collapsed in on the 911-call center. Calls had to be rerouted through the sheriff's department. Even the police station fell victim to the high water, along with up to some 200 homes.
John Kerry's plans for Iraq, do his recommendations to help troops there take money away from the war on terror? A live report from the Pentagon is straight ahead.
Also, some people get their news from an unlikely source: "The Daily Show." Joining me for a lighter look at the Democratic National Convention "Daily Show" correspondent Samantha Bee.
Be with us, just ahead.
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