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Bush, Kerry Campaign in Davenport, Iowa Today; Patriot Games
Aired August 04, 2004 - 11:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The provincial governor has imposed a curfew to give police time to regain full control.
Newly-updated travel warnings from the U.S. State Department urging Americans to leave Gaza immediately and hold off travel to Israel and the West Bank. The warning cites a strong potential for violence against Americans.
And prosecutors are expected to announce indictments today in last fall's Staten Island accident. The pilot and captain reportedly will face charges related to 11 deaths. At least one of the men is expected to plead guilty perhaps to lesser charges.
Keeping you informed, CNN is the most trusted name in news.
President Bush and Senator John Kerry will be within shouting distance of each other, literally, within the next hour or so. It's all happening in Iowa.
Judy Woodruff is with me now from Washington with more on the candidates similar travel plans.
Intriguing stuff. Judy -- good morning.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Isn't it interesting? Daryn, thanks very much.
Yes, candidates Bush and Kerry will be just three blocks away from each other in Davenport, Iowa, a dramatic illustration of how both candidates are targeting the same groups of voters.
John Kerry is speaking to business leaders this hour in Davenport, a city that is closely divided between Republicans and Democrats, but where Independents outnumber everyone.
George Bush left Texas this morning for his Davenport appearance, which gets under way in less than an hour.
Senator Kerry is speaking at a downtown conference center. The president will be just down the street at a park along the Mississippi River.
The latest Iowa poll explains why both men are in the Hawkeye State: Bush and Kerry deadlocked with 47 percent among Iowa voters.
Iowa was also close back in 2000. Al gore defeated George W. Bush by just about 4,000 votes. Another new national poll is out today showing the presidential race still neck and neck. The Marist survey of registered voters gives Senator Kerry 45 percent and President Bush 44 percent, Ralph Nader getting 3 percent.
In the 17 battleground states, though, where the election is expected to be decided, Kerry is leading Bush 49 percent to 42 percent.
Voters in Missouri have given a resounding no to gay marriage. The issue was on the ballot for yesterday's primary election; 71 percent voted to put a ban on gay marriage into the state constitution.
Also notable in yesterday's results, the defeat of Missouri Governor Bob Holden. He lost the Democratic primary to state auditor Claire McCaskill, who will now face Republican Matt Blunt in November.
The father of murdered child beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey has lost the seat for a bid in the Michigan legislature. John Ramsey was defeated in yesterday's Republican primary. Ramsey says his first foray into politics was a positive journey for his family.
With new warnings of possible terror attacks, our Bill Schneider will examine where Democrats can attack the president's policies and question whether it's dangerous ground to tread.
Also, the increase in political activism by rock stars. We'll take a look at those who are hoping to rock the elections.
I go "INSIDE POLITICS" at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
Right now, back to Daryn in Atlanta.
KAGAN: Well, Judy, let me call on your expertise here. You have covered more than your share of presidential campaigns. When something happens like this in Davenport today, is that really just a scheduling fluke like the White House says, but the Kerry campaign is saying, no, I think the president is stalking us?
WOODRUFF: Well, you know, it's hard to say for sure, Daryn, because we can't get inside the scheduling offices of these campaigns. They keep this information very close.
The Kerry campaign does say, though, that their visit to Davenport was scheduled first. The president's visit came along later. But, you know, we'll see.
This campaign has, what, 90 days to go. I wouldn't at all be surprised if we see some more of these campaign stops where the two candidates are, if not in the same town, very close to each other, because the battleground states you can count them on, well, maybe three hands. And that's exactly where the candidates are going to be spending their time.
KAGAN: Yes, voters in the battleground states feeling a lot of love from the candidates. Those of us in places like Georgia you wouldn't really even know that a presidential election is less than 100 days away.
WOODRUFF: The states that are clearly going Republican or clearly going Democratic, they are not going to see the candidates at all, except maybe to raise money for the party.
KAGAN: Yes, always with the hand open for the money. Judy, thank you so much. We'll see more of you later this afternoon.
WOODRUFF: Thanks, Daryn.
KAGAN: U.S. Airways is taking some flack today for diverting a flight to pick up 22 stranded passengers. It turns out the president's daughters, Barbara and Jenna Bush, just happened to be among the group grounded in Albany in New York by mechanical problems. The Boston to D.C. flight was already 20 minutes behind schedule. It got into Washington two hours late.
The airline insists the unscheduled stop had nothing to do with the Bush twins. Cranky tardy passengers were not happy about the change.
Subway is yanking a promotion that it ran in its restaurants in Germany. A tray liner featured a picture of a plump Statue of Liberty with the question: "Why are Americans so fat?" Subway says its sandwiches are slimming unlike, say, McDonald's Big Macs. But House Republican leader Tom DeLay of Texas criticized the tray liner promo, questioning Subway's corporate patriotism.
All right. Well, speaking of all of these presidential campaigns, you say you wan to run one? Now you can. In a parallel political universe, technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg is taking us online with the games that can put you in the hunt for the red states, for the blue states. It's just...
DANIEL SIEBERG, CNN TECH CORRESPONDENT: And the White House. And, do you know what today marks, Daryn?
KAGAN: What is that?
SIEBERG: Today is 90 days until the presidential election.
KAGAN: All right, it's about three months.
SIEBERG: So, and the peg here is that the first game we're going to talk about actually simulates 90 days to the election. It's from a company called Lantern Games, and it's called "Frontrunner".
Now, the whole idea behind both of these games, as Daryn was saying, is you basically run a campaign from start to finish. You create your candidate. You choose your candidate. And we're talking about names you would recognize here. You could choose John Kerry. You could be George W. Bush, or you could be someone like Howard Dean or Ralph Nader. You choose the issues that are important to you, whether it's the war in Iraq, health care, taxes. You structure your candidate the way you want them to be. You choose your ideology. And then you hit the campaign trail and try and run this campaign in 90 days.
Now, you have you to worry about things like what you're going to talk about during a certain speech, putting together political ads, how much money you've got, fund-raising. And you have to worry about whether your candidates are getting tired, because the stamina is also affected by just how much you try and run them when they are out on the road.
So, you have you to worry about all of these little details while you're running this campaign. And basically it's really a huge overview. You can have it as detailed as you want. For some people it may be a little bit too detailed. But it's definitely not your sort of average shoot-them-up game obviously. It's a little bit more like playing political chess.
So, that's "Frontrunner" from Lantern Games.
The second one is from a company called Ubisoft. Now, they're actually more known for making stealth adventure games and these sorts of Tom Clancy games. So, this is a little bit of a departure for them, but a very similar-looking game.
As you can see there, you choose your candidates. You create the campaign manager. Then you zip across the country. You're flying from state to state. You have you to strategize a lot, think about where you're going to go.
And in this game there are a couple of funny things they added in, and some headlines might pop up and sort of change the way you're going, change your focus.
There are a couple of interesting things. In this one you can hire a spin doctor, or what's called a "smear merchant," to work on your behalf, to try and get things to work in your favor.
And there are some similar TV shows. You can see there, "Nighttime." There's also "Barry King Live." So, you have to have your candidates go on these shows, think about what they're going to say, think about what issues are important. Check the polls, of course, which everyone does.
And then finally, the votes are tabulated at the end of the game, and you see who wins the election and who is in the White House.
So, couple of different games, a different approach to video games.
KAGAN: Yes, you know, sports fans have fantasy football and fantasy baseball.
SIEBERG: Right. Sure, these are games that are targeted to a political junkie, obviously. But they're also saying they could be used by educators, maybe in a civics class to learn something.
Full disclosure, I'm a Canadian. So, I did learn a few things about these games. It does teach you about things like the Electoral College, which I'd be surprised if most people fully understand.
But they did try to research them by talking to different professors who were political professors. They really went to great lengths to try and get all of this data into the game.
And, you know, it was -- this is the historical quote of the day, Daryn.
KAGAN: OK.
SIEBERG: I looked this up. Sir Winston Churchill said, "Politics is not a game; it is an earnest business."
KAGAN: It is now.
SIEBERG: Well, he couldn't predict it would be $10 billion a year that video games bring in.
KAGAN: Video games. So, as a Canadian, are you allowed to play?
SIEBERG: I think I'm technically allowed to play. You don't have to disclose it in the game, so I can just keep playing and, you know, hide my identity.
KAGAN: Well, since you can't vote at least you can play online.
SIEBERG: That's right. See, I cannot vote.
KAGAN: Yes.
SIEBERG: So, this will be my outlet to get involved in politics.
KAGAN: A click away, Daniel.
SIEBERG: Right.
KAGAN: Always good to have you stop by. Thank you so much.
A serious story coming up on teens and suicide and guns. Is it a case out of sight, out of mind? The surprising results of a new survey are up next.
And later, new video and new details about what might have happened to a missing pregnant woman, allegedly from the mouth of her own husband. That's just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: This just in to CNN. We're getting news on the Staten Island ferry investigation. And we're getting word that a former Staten Island ferry pilot has pleaded guilty to lying to the Coast Guard after the crash that killed 11 commuters. That was back in October.
Now, others are also supposed to face charges here, including the captain. He reportedly will face charges related to the 11 deaths.
So, this latest plea agreement is coming in relation to lying to the Coast Guard, but more serious charges are expected to come against others. Much more and that ahead here on CNN.
Right now we move on to your "Daily Dose" of health news this morning.
AIDS patients have a new drug. This one is to correct the loss of fat in their faces. The Food and Drug Administration has approved an injectible filler. It's called Sculptra. It will combat facial wasting, which is the sinking of cheeks, eyes and temples.
Here's another reason to test your cholesterol. Researchers say that low good cholesterol may be a warning sign for overweight older women. It may indicate an increased risk of breast cancer. Researchers in Norway studied 39,000 women for an average of 17 years. And during that time, more than 700 of the women have developed invasive breast cancer.
Laws requiring guns to be safely stored away from children have reduced the rate of teenage suicide. That is according to a study at Johns Hopkins. It says the child access prevention laws may have stopped more than 300 teenagers from killing themselves between 1989 and 2001. That law is in effect in 18 states.
You can get your "Daily Dose" of health news online. Log on to our Web site. You'll find the latest medical news, a health library and information on diets and fitness. The address is CNN.com/health.
There are startling new details in the Kobe Bryant case that have some people asking is the prosecution's case falling apart? You might not believe who is asking that. That's coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: Ahead on CNN, at 1:00, a look inside the pages of General Tommy Franks' new book, "American Soldier."
Then at 2:00, the latest information on what may have led British officials to conduct yesterday's anti-terror raid in London.
And later tonight, for the first time on network TV at 8:00, a firsthand account from the translator who was with U.S. Special Forces during the capture of Saddam Hussein.
Stay with CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Take a look at this videotape. The husband of a missing Utah woman allegedly confessed to killing her and dumping her body in a trash bin. A convenience store's surveillance video shows Mark Hacking and his wife, Lori, the night before she was reported missing. According to court documents, Mark Hacking told a witness at a psychiatric hospital that he killed Lori as she slept. Police will return to a Utah landfill to search for her body once again.
A witness says that Scott Peterson added adult programming to his satellite television service just weeks after his wife Laci's disappearance. He testified the programming included two very explicit channels. Prosecutors say the testimony shows Peterson's state of mind during the search for his wife. The defense calls it an attempt to assassinate Peterson's character. Testimony in the case resumes in California next hour.
Prosecutors say that transcripts from a closed-door hearing in the Kobe Bryant case painted a one-sided picture, but the documents also reveal concerns about the strength of the case against the NBA star.
Our national correspondent Gary Tuchman takes a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In public, prosecutors in the Kobe Bryant case have always appeared confident. But in a closed-door hearing, those same prosecutors had less bravado.
Assistant District Attorney Ingrid Bakke, here on the left walking with the alleged victim's mother, told Judge Terry Ruckriegle if he ruled the accuser's sex life could be used as evidence in the trial -- quote: "I'm thinking the prosecution is going to sit down and re-evaluate the quality of its case and its chances of a successful prosecution."
A month after that comment the judge allowed such testimony.
The comment is from transcripts of a closed-door hearing in June, reluctantly released by the judge after the news media fought a First Amendment battle. In the 94 pages, Bryant's attorneys called the defense forensics expert, who testified that when the accuser went for her rape exam the day after being with Bryant, a different man's DNA was found not only on her underwear, but on a part of her body inside her underwear and on her upper thigh.
Dr. Elizabeth Johnson declared it was her opinion the sexual contact with that other man -- quote: "Taking everything in totality, likely occurred after (the accuser) and Mr. Bryant were together."
Bryant's attorneys say injuries the woman had could have come from somebody else, and that sex the day after a rape would not be logical to a jury. But the woman's personal attorney vehemently denied she had sex the day after.
There's no denial she had sex in the days before she was with Bryant, and the transcript shows that prosecutors believe the other man's DNA ended up on her body at the rape exam when it was transferred from a pair of underwear she had previously worn. District Attorney Mark Hurlberg asked Bryant's witness if what she was saying was a hypothesis rather than a theory. Dr. Johnson answered -- quote: "It's an opinion based on examination of this evidence. It's based on a lot of scientific findings."
In the transcripts, which the judge regretfully points out is one-sided evidence, the attorneys for the basketball star also declare that tests of the woman's fingernails reveal her DNA but not Bryant's, a not-so-subtle way of trying to prove she didn't try to scratch her alleged attacker.
Gary Tuchman, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: Davenport, Iowa, takes center stage in the presidential race today. Democrat John Kerry and President Bush are both campaigning in the Iowa city, just blocks from each other. And their timing of the events is very close as well.
Our Jill Dougherty is covering the Bush rally for us, but she also has information about the Kerry campaign.
Jill -- good morning.
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.
It's not hard, because they are literally a five-minute walk from each other. In fact, the mayor of Davenport, Iowa, is calling it the 3rd Street duel, two campaigns, Bush and Kerry, right across the street from each other. It's about four blocks, literally.
The Bush campaign is a traditional rally. They are expecting about 10,000 people here. And across the street down a little the Kerry campaign is just heating up. Kerry is going to be here. In fact, I believe we have a live picture that we can show you of what's going on over there. He is going to be holding an economic summit, talking about business leaders, high-profile business leaders, who support his campaign.
Now, why Davenport, Iowa? Why two presidential candidates in the same city at the same time? It's a very important swing state. In fact, if you look back to 2000, Gore won it, but really barely won it.
And even right now, you have very, very close. The latest polls, 47 percent for Bush, 47 percent for Kerry. So statistically, literally, a dead heat.
And Daryn, have you to mention in this type of campaign, right now a lot of people have already made up their minds, and you actually have very few swing voters.
KAGAN: Jill, I have to say it's nice to have you reporting on this side of the pond. We're used to seeing you reporting live from Moscow. We'd love to take the opportunity to ask you how this presidential election is playing in Russia. DOUGHERTY: You know, at this point, people are actually interested in it. They're always interested in American politics. But they're trying to figure out who will be the better candidate for Russia. And that's a big question. Nobody has quite answered it at this point. But there's going to be a lot of interest in Russia in this campaign.
KAGAN: All right. We will be tracking it along with you. Jill Dougherty on the campaign trail here in the states, thanks so much.
Up next, why one Kansas town isn't getting much respect, especially from the people who live there. We are back with that story in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BUSINESS NEWS UPDATE)
KAGAN: Now a bit of humor from the Heartland. The city of Topeka, Kansas, is looking for a new slogan. And some folks just couldn't help poking some fun. So here are some submitted slogans that you're not likely to see on billboards around town:
"Topeka: You won't get a lot of unwanted relatives visiting you."
"Topeka: It's not as bad as you think."
And, "Topeka: City or morons."
Oh, come on.
Well, with those suggestions in mind, the Convention and Visitors Bureau says the city might not use a slogan after all. Let's show some love for our friends in Topeka, if nothing else.
(WEATHER BREAK)
KAGAN: Well, that's going to do it for me, Topeka and the rest of the country. I'm Daryn Kagan. I will see you right back in the seat tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. Eastern.
For now, Carol Lin in for Wolf Blitzer.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to come up with nicer slogans here at the noon hour.
KAGAN: Absolutely. You're sharing the love for Topeka.
LIN: I feel the love of the Heartland. That's why they call it the Heartland.
KAGAN: Excellent.
LIN: Thanks, Daryn. You have a great day.
KAGAN: Thank you.
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 August 4, 2004 - 11:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The provincial governor has imposed a curfew to give police time to regain full control.
Newly-updated travel warnings from the U.S. State Department urging Americans to leave Gaza immediately and hold off travel to Israel and the West Bank. The warning cites a strong potential for violence against Americans.
And prosecutors are expected to announce indictments today in last fall's Staten Island accident. The pilot and captain reportedly will face charges related to 11 deaths. At least one of the men is expected to plead guilty perhaps to lesser charges.
Keeping you informed, CNN is the most trusted name in news.
President Bush and Senator John Kerry will be within shouting distance of each other, literally, within the next hour or so. It's all happening in Iowa.
Judy Woodruff is with me now from Washington with more on the candidates similar travel plans.
Intriguing stuff. Judy -- good morning.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Isn't it interesting? Daryn, thanks very much.
Yes, candidates Bush and Kerry will be just three blocks away from each other in Davenport, Iowa, a dramatic illustration of how both candidates are targeting the same groups of voters.
John Kerry is speaking to business leaders this hour in Davenport, a city that is closely divided between Republicans and Democrats, but where Independents outnumber everyone.
George Bush left Texas this morning for his Davenport appearance, which gets under way in less than an hour.
Senator Kerry is speaking at a downtown conference center. The president will be just down the street at a park along the Mississippi River.
The latest Iowa poll explains why both men are in the Hawkeye State: Bush and Kerry deadlocked with 47 percent among Iowa voters.
Iowa was also close back in 2000. Al gore defeated George W. Bush by just about 4,000 votes. Another new national poll is out today showing the presidential race still neck and neck. The Marist survey of registered voters gives Senator Kerry 45 percent and President Bush 44 percent, Ralph Nader getting 3 percent.
In the 17 battleground states, though, where the election is expected to be decided, Kerry is leading Bush 49 percent to 42 percent.
Voters in Missouri have given a resounding no to gay marriage. The issue was on the ballot for yesterday's primary election; 71 percent voted to put a ban on gay marriage into the state constitution.
Also notable in yesterday's results, the defeat of Missouri Governor Bob Holden. He lost the Democratic primary to state auditor Claire McCaskill, who will now face Republican Matt Blunt in November.
The father of murdered child beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey has lost the seat for a bid in the Michigan legislature. John Ramsey was defeated in yesterday's Republican primary. Ramsey says his first foray into politics was a positive journey for his family.
With new warnings of possible terror attacks, our Bill Schneider will examine where Democrats can attack the president's policies and question whether it's dangerous ground to tread.
Also, the increase in political activism by rock stars. We'll take a look at those who are hoping to rock the elections.
I go "INSIDE POLITICS" at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
Right now, back to Daryn in Atlanta.
KAGAN: Well, Judy, let me call on your expertise here. You have covered more than your share of presidential campaigns. When something happens like this in Davenport today, is that really just a scheduling fluke like the White House says, but the Kerry campaign is saying, no, I think the president is stalking us?
WOODRUFF: Well, you know, it's hard to say for sure, Daryn, because we can't get inside the scheduling offices of these campaigns. They keep this information very close.
The Kerry campaign does say, though, that their visit to Davenport was scheduled first. The president's visit came along later. But, you know, we'll see.
This campaign has, what, 90 days to go. I wouldn't at all be surprised if we see some more of these campaign stops where the two candidates are, if not in the same town, very close to each other, because the battleground states you can count them on, well, maybe three hands. And that's exactly where the candidates are going to be spending their time.
KAGAN: Yes, voters in the battleground states feeling a lot of love from the candidates. Those of us in places like Georgia you wouldn't really even know that a presidential election is less than 100 days away.
WOODRUFF: The states that are clearly going Republican or clearly going Democratic, they are not going to see the candidates at all, except maybe to raise money for the party.
KAGAN: Yes, always with the hand open for the money. Judy, thank you so much. We'll see more of you later this afternoon.
WOODRUFF: Thanks, Daryn.
KAGAN: U.S. Airways is taking some flack today for diverting a flight to pick up 22 stranded passengers. It turns out the president's daughters, Barbara and Jenna Bush, just happened to be among the group grounded in Albany in New York by mechanical problems. The Boston to D.C. flight was already 20 minutes behind schedule. It got into Washington two hours late.
The airline insists the unscheduled stop had nothing to do with the Bush twins. Cranky tardy passengers were not happy about the change.
Subway is yanking a promotion that it ran in its restaurants in Germany. A tray liner featured a picture of a plump Statue of Liberty with the question: "Why are Americans so fat?" Subway says its sandwiches are slimming unlike, say, McDonald's Big Macs. But House Republican leader Tom DeLay of Texas criticized the tray liner promo, questioning Subway's corporate patriotism.
All right. Well, speaking of all of these presidential campaigns, you say you wan to run one? Now you can. In a parallel political universe, technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg is taking us online with the games that can put you in the hunt for the red states, for the blue states. It's just...
DANIEL SIEBERG, CNN TECH CORRESPONDENT: And the White House. And, do you know what today marks, Daryn?
KAGAN: What is that?
SIEBERG: Today is 90 days until the presidential election.
KAGAN: All right, it's about three months.
SIEBERG: So, and the peg here is that the first game we're going to talk about actually simulates 90 days to the election. It's from a company called Lantern Games, and it's called "Frontrunner".
Now, the whole idea behind both of these games, as Daryn was saying, is you basically run a campaign from start to finish. You create your candidate. You choose your candidate. And we're talking about names you would recognize here. You could choose John Kerry. You could be George W. Bush, or you could be someone like Howard Dean or Ralph Nader. You choose the issues that are important to you, whether it's the war in Iraq, health care, taxes. You structure your candidate the way you want them to be. You choose your ideology. And then you hit the campaign trail and try and run this campaign in 90 days.
Now, you have you to worry about things like what you're going to talk about during a certain speech, putting together political ads, how much money you've got, fund-raising. And you have to worry about whether your candidates are getting tired, because the stamina is also affected by just how much you try and run them when they are out on the road.
So, you have you to worry about all of these little details while you're running this campaign. And basically it's really a huge overview. You can have it as detailed as you want. For some people it may be a little bit too detailed. But it's definitely not your sort of average shoot-them-up game obviously. It's a little bit more like playing political chess.
So, that's "Frontrunner" from Lantern Games.
The second one is from a company called Ubisoft. Now, they're actually more known for making stealth adventure games and these sorts of Tom Clancy games. So, this is a little bit of a departure for them, but a very similar-looking game.
As you can see there, you choose your candidates. You create the campaign manager. Then you zip across the country. You're flying from state to state. You have you to strategize a lot, think about where you're going to go.
And in this game there are a couple of funny things they added in, and some headlines might pop up and sort of change the way you're going, change your focus.
There are a couple of interesting things. In this one you can hire a spin doctor, or what's called a "smear merchant," to work on your behalf, to try and get things to work in your favor.
And there are some similar TV shows. You can see there, "Nighttime." There's also "Barry King Live." So, you have to have your candidates go on these shows, think about what they're going to say, think about what issues are important. Check the polls, of course, which everyone does.
And then finally, the votes are tabulated at the end of the game, and you see who wins the election and who is in the White House.
So, couple of different games, a different approach to video games.
KAGAN: Yes, you know, sports fans have fantasy football and fantasy baseball.
SIEBERG: Right. Sure, these are games that are targeted to a political junkie, obviously. But they're also saying they could be used by educators, maybe in a civics class to learn something.
Full disclosure, I'm a Canadian. So, I did learn a few things about these games. It does teach you about things like the Electoral College, which I'd be surprised if most people fully understand.
But they did try to research them by talking to different professors who were political professors. They really went to great lengths to try and get all of this data into the game.
And, you know, it was -- this is the historical quote of the day, Daryn.
KAGAN: OK.
SIEBERG: I looked this up. Sir Winston Churchill said, "Politics is not a game; it is an earnest business."
KAGAN: It is now.
SIEBERG: Well, he couldn't predict it would be $10 billion a year that video games bring in.
KAGAN: Video games. So, as a Canadian, are you allowed to play?
SIEBERG: I think I'm technically allowed to play. You don't have to disclose it in the game, so I can just keep playing and, you know, hide my identity.
KAGAN: Well, since you can't vote at least you can play online.
SIEBERG: That's right. See, I cannot vote.
KAGAN: Yes.
SIEBERG: So, this will be my outlet to get involved in politics.
KAGAN: A click away, Daniel.
SIEBERG: Right.
KAGAN: Always good to have you stop by. Thank you so much.
A serious story coming up on teens and suicide and guns. Is it a case out of sight, out of mind? The surprising results of a new survey are up next.
And later, new video and new details about what might have happened to a missing pregnant woman, allegedly from the mouth of her own husband. That's just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: This just in to CNN. We're getting news on the Staten Island ferry investigation. And we're getting word that a former Staten Island ferry pilot has pleaded guilty to lying to the Coast Guard after the crash that killed 11 commuters. That was back in October.
Now, others are also supposed to face charges here, including the captain. He reportedly will face charges related to the 11 deaths.
So, this latest plea agreement is coming in relation to lying to the Coast Guard, but more serious charges are expected to come against others. Much more and that ahead here on CNN.
Right now we move on to your "Daily Dose" of health news this morning.
AIDS patients have a new drug. This one is to correct the loss of fat in their faces. The Food and Drug Administration has approved an injectible filler. It's called Sculptra. It will combat facial wasting, which is the sinking of cheeks, eyes and temples.
Here's another reason to test your cholesterol. Researchers say that low good cholesterol may be a warning sign for overweight older women. It may indicate an increased risk of breast cancer. Researchers in Norway studied 39,000 women for an average of 17 years. And during that time, more than 700 of the women have developed invasive breast cancer.
Laws requiring guns to be safely stored away from children have reduced the rate of teenage suicide. That is according to a study at Johns Hopkins. It says the child access prevention laws may have stopped more than 300 teenagers from killing themselves between 1989 and 2001. That law is in effect in 18 states.
You can get your "Daily Dose" of health news online. Log on to our Web site. You'll find the latest medical news, a health library and information on diets and fitness. The address is CNN.com/health.
There are startling new details in the Kobe Bryant case that have some people asking is the prosecution's case falling apart? You might not believe who is asking that. That's coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: Ahead on CNN, at 1:00, a look inside the pages of General Tommy Franks' new book, "American Soldier."
Then at 2:00, the latest information on what may have led British officials to conduct yesterday's anti-terror raid in London.
And later tonight, for the first time on network TV at 8:00, a firsthand account from the translator who was with U.S. Special Forces during the capture of Saddam Hussein.
Stay with CNN, the most trusted name in news.
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KAGAN: Take a look at this videotape. The husband of a missing Utah woman allegedly confessed to killing her and dumping her body in a trash bin. A convenience store's surveillance video shows Mark Hacking and his wife, Lori, the night before she was reported missing. According to court documents, Mark Hacking told a witness at a psychiatric hospital that he killed Lori as she slept. Police will return to a Utah landfill to search for her body once again.
A witness says that Scott Peterson added adult programming to his satellite television service just weeks after his wife Laci's disappearance. He testified the programming included two very explicit channels. Prosecutors say the testimony shows Peterson's state of mind during the search for his wife. The defense calls it an attempt to assassinate Peterson's character. Testimony in the case resumes in California next hour.
Prosecutors say that transcripts from a closed-door hearing in the Kobe Bryant case painted a one-sided picture, but the documents also reveal concerns about the strength of the case against the NBA star.
Our national correspondent Gary Tuchman takes a look.
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GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In public, prosecutors in the Kobe Bryant case have always appeared confident. But in a closed-door hearing, those same prosecutors had less bravado.
Assistant District Attorney Ingrid Bakke, here on the left walking with the alleged victim's mother, told Judge Terry Ruckriegle if he ruled the accuser's sex life could be used as evidence in the trial -- quote: "I'm thinking the prosecution is going to sit down and re-evaluate the quality of its case and its chances of a successful prosecution."
A month after that comment the judge allowed such testimony.
The comment is from transcripts of a closed-door hearing in June, reluctantly released by the judge after the news media fought a First Amendment battle. In the 94 pages, Bryant's attorneys called the defense forensics expert, who testified that when the accuser went for her rape exam the day after being with Bryant, a different man's DNA was found not only on her underwear, but on a part of her body inside her underwear and on her upper thigh.
Dr. Elizabeth Johnson declared it was her opinion the sexual contact with that other man -- quote: "Taking everything in totality, likely occurred after (the accuser) and Mr. Bryant were together."
Bryant's attorneys say injuries the woman had could have come from somebody else, and that sex the day after a rape would not be logical to a jury. But the woman's personal attorney vehemently denied she had sex the day after.
There's no denial she had sex in the days before she was with Bryant, and the transcript shows that prosecutors believe the other man's DNA ended up on her body at the rape exam when it was transferred from a pair of underwear she had previously worn. District Attorney Mark Hurlberg asked Bryant's witness if what she was saying was a hypothesis rather than a theory. Dr. Johnson answered -- quote: "It's an opinion based on examination of this evidence. It's based on a lot of scientific findings."
In the transcripts, which the judge regretfully points out is one-sided evidence, the attorneys for the basketball star also declare that tests of the woman's fingernails reveal her DNA but not Bryant's, a not-so-subtle way of trying to prove she didn't try to scratch her alleged attacker.
Gary Tuchman, CNN, Atlanta.
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KAGAN: Davenport, Iowa, takes center stage in the presidential race today. Democrat John Kerry and President Bush are both campaigning in the Iowa city, just blocks from each other. And their timing of the events is very close as well.
Our Jill Dougherty is covering the Bush rally for us, but she also has information about the Kerry campaign.
Jill -- good morning.
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.
It's not hard, because they are literally a five-minute walk from each other. In fact, the mayor of Davenport, Iowa, is calling it the 3rd Street duel, two campaigns, Bush and Kerry, right across the street from each other. It's about four blocks, literally.
The Bush campaign is a traditional rally. They are expecting about 10,000 people here. And across the street down a little the Kerry campaign is just heating up. Kerry is going to be here. In fact, I believe we have a live picture that we can show you of what's going on over there. He is going to be holding an economic summit, talking about business leaders, high-profile business leaders, who support his campaign.
Now, why Davenport, Iowa? Why two presidential candidates in the same city at the same time? It's a very important swing state. In fact, if you look back to 2000, Gore won it, but really barely won it.
And even right now, you have very, very close. The latest polls, 47 percent for Bush, 47 percent for Kerry. So statistically, literally, a dead heat.
And Daryn, have you to mention in this type of campaign, right now a lot of people have already made up their minds, and you actually have very few swing voters.
KAGAN: Jill, I have to say it's nice to have you reporting on this side of the pond. We're used to seeing you reporting live from Moscow. We'd love to take the opportunity to ask you how this presidential election is playing in Russia. DOUGHERTY: You know, at this point, people are actually interested in it. They're always interested in American politics. But they're trying to figure out who will be the better candidate for Russia. And that's a big question. Nobody has quite answered it at this point. But there's going to be a lot of interest in Russia in this campaign.
KAGAN: All right. We will be tracking it along with you. Jill Dougherty on the campaign trail here in the states, thanks so much.
Up next, why one Kansas town isn't getting much respect, especially from the people who live there. We are back with that story in just a moment.
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(BUSINESS NEWS UPDATE)
KAGAN: Now a bit of humor from the Heartland. The city of Topeka, Kansas, is looking for a new slogan. And some folks just couldn't help poking some fun. So here are some submitted slogans that you're not likely to see on billboards around town:
"Topeka: You won't get a lot of unwanted relatives visiting you."
"Topeka: It's not as bad as you think."
And, "Topeka: City or morons."
Oh, come on.
Well, with those suggestions in mind, the Convention and Visitors Bureau says the city might not use a slogan after all. Let's show some love for our friends in Topeka, if nothing else.
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KAGAN: Well, that's going to do it for me, Topeka and the rest of the country. I'm Daryn Kagan. I will see you right back in the seat tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. Eastern.
For now, Carol Lin in for Wolf Blitzer.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to come up with nicer slogans here at the noon hour.
KAGAN: Absolutely. You're sharing the love for Topeka.
LIN: I feel the love of the Heartland. That's why they call it the Heartland.
KAGAN: Excellent.
LIN: Thanks, Daryn. You have a great day.
KAGAN: Thank you.
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