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CNN Live Today

Hurricane Charley Turning to Near Category-3 Storm; Radical Shiite Cleric Muqtada Al Sadr Reportedly Wounded

Aired August 13, 2004 - 10:00   ET

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

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


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We have a lot to cover here, especially with Hurricane Charley. Good morning from the CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's take a look at the headlines now in the news.
Hurricane Charley turning to a near Category 3 storm, as it aims at the Florida coastline. A state of emergency is in effect. And National Guard troops are on standby. We have live reports, along the path of the storm, coming up in just one minute.

With nearly 300 miles of Florida coastline under a hurricane warning, about a million people have been told to head to higher ground. Evacuation orders were issued from the Florida Keys through the heavily populated Tampa Bay area. We'll visit an evacuation center later this hour.

Also, we head overseas to Iraq. Radical Shiite cleric, Muqtada al Sadr is reportedly wounded, as U.S. Marines launch a major assault on insurgents in Najaf. What you see here is yesterday's raid on his compound. The cleric was not inside at the time. Al Sadr was reportedly hit with shrapnel inside the Imam Ali Mosque. Iraqi forces still surround the mosque, where members of al Sadr's rogue militia are holed up. We have the latest coming up at a quarter past the hour.

And New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey resigns after admitting to an extramarital affair, and announcing that he is gay. The surprise resignation comes as a former security aide threatens to sue McGreevey for sexual harassment. Alina Cho will update that story for us in just a few minutes.

We are keeping you informed. CNN is the most trusted name in news.

A dispassionate view from the sky. A potential killer lurking at sea. And on land, it's a race against time and the impending arrival of Hurricane Charley. Within the last couple of hours, Hurricane Charley bruised and battered the Florida Keys, while never creeping any closer than 50 miles. So keep in mind, this is just a hint of what could hit Tampa, as the storm grows stronger, and it threatens a direct strike.

Reporter Neki Mohan has been riding out the storm in Key West. She's with our affiliate, and she's holding on tight, I hope, with WPLG.

Neki, good morning.

NEKI MOHAN, WPLGTV CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. It's been a crazy morning out here. We're getting the last blast of Charley that Key West is expected to see. Take a look at Duvall Street right now; the world famous Duvall Street boarded up. We have people driving out and about now, because Charley really wasn't as bad as they thought it would be. So they're coming out into the streets. But as you can see, we're getting one last blast of up to 50-mile-per- hour winds, before Charley heads to Tampa.

We'll show you some video from earlier today. The storm surged overnight up to 10 feet in some areas. And some people coming out to watch, basically simply a spectacle. No major damage to report. The power blinked on and off at times. Charley sitting 85 miles west off of Key West and mainly a nuisance right now.

You can come back live to me. This is really the worst of what we've seen so far all day, as Charley heads north to Tampa. But 70 people in hurricane shelters right now, everybody else boarded up at home. Mandatory evacuation orders yesterday were issued for tourists and mobile home parks. But residents are told just to hang in there. They're used to this kind of stuff. And just hold on.

And right now, it looks really bad, but we're told it's going to get better real soon. And I said the wind gusts up to 50 miles an hour, just less than half of what Tampa will see later today.

Reporting live above downtown Key West, I'm Neki Mohan. Back to you, Daryn.

KAGAN: And Neki, you're doing a great job holding on there. As you were saying, this really isn't as bad as even Key West was expecting?

MOHAN: No, not at all. I mean you have to remember a few years ago, we got George that basically sat over us, and dumped a lot of rain, flooded the streets. Today, last night, everyone boarded up. They really expected the worst. Prepared for the worst. And were pleasantly surprised. I mean they're getting rain, but remember, these people are used to hurricane season. And again, they're relieved that this is probably the worst they'll get from this storm.

KAGAN: All right. That's relief for folks in the Keys. Neki Mohan, with our affiliate WPLG. Thank you, and you to your photographer and the ever-handy rag there to wipe off the lens as well.

So, if it wasn't as bad for the Keys as what was expected, where is the hurricane headed? And will Charley be as bad as predicted for the Tampa area?

You can follow Hurricane Charley on our Web site, just go to cnn.com/weather. They have a link to the National Hurricane Center. You can also look at pictures of the 10 strongest hurricanes ever.

Well, other news today, residents of New Jersey are buzzing about their governor announcing he is gay and quitting over an affair.

Our Alina Cho is in Trenton, New Jersey with the details on this latest political story.

Good morning, Alina.

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, good morning to you. Governor Jim McGreevey is said to be spending time with his family this weekend, and is expected to return to work here in Trenton on Monday. It is certainly understandable, given the bombshell announcement that he is gay and is stepping down.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHO (voice-over): It was a news conference like no other: candid, poignant, personal.

GOV. JAMES MCGREEVEY (D), NEW JERSEY: At a point in every person's life, one has to look deeply into the mirror of one's soul, and decide one's unique truth in the world. Not as we may want to see it, or hope to see it, but as it is. And so my truth is that I am a gay American.

CHO: Governor James McGreevey then announced he would resign. The hastily called news conference came after reports of a pending lawsuit. Two Democratic sources tell CNN, a former aide to McGreevey is the plaintiff in a sexual harassment suit against the New Jersey governor.

Flanked by his second wife Dina, even his parents, McGreevey, a father of two said he had grappled with his identity for years. Was forced into what he called an "acceptable reality," and ultimately he admitted he had strayed.

MCGREEVEY: Shamefully, I engaged in an adult consensual affair with another man. Which violates my bonds of matrimony. It was wrong. It was foolish. It was inexcusable. And for this, I ask the forgiveness and the grace of my wife.

CHO: The embattled governor is no stranger to controversy. Just last month, the top McGreevey campaign contributor, Charles Cushner was charged with luring grand jury witnesses into sex with prostitutes. McGreevey survived that news. This he could not escape.

MCGREEVEY: In this, the 47-year of my life, it is arguably too late to have this discussion. But it is here, and it is now.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHO: A little bit about the man who is the plaintiff in this lawsuit. His name is Golan Cipel. He is a 35-year-old Israeli citizen and former Homeland Security adviser to Governor McGreevey. He resigned abruptly in 2000, after questions were raised about his qualifications. A federal law enforcement official told the Associated Press that McGreevey's office had recently contacted the FBI in New Jersey, and complained that Cipel had requested $5 million to keep the affair quiet. Sources tell CNN it is now unclear whether Cipel will proceed with legal, action given McGreevey's stunning announcement yesterday.

Meanwhile back here, the head of New Jersey's Republican Committee will be holding a news conference in the next 90 minutes or so. Joe Kyrillos is expected to call on McGreevey to resign effective immediately. McGreevey has said he will step down effective November 15. That is so another Democrat can stay as acting Governor, until McGreevey's term ends in January of 2006. Republicans want him to step down now so a special election can be held this November 2 -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And the success, an issue I think is very interesting how it works in New Jersey. There's no lieutenant governor to step in. So the state Senate president steps in. But if can you explain a little bit more about why McGreevey wants to wait until November 15, in order to protect what has become a Democratic stronghold?

CHO: Well, New Jersey is considered -- the governorship here is considered one of the most important in the nation, Daryn. And it is important that Democrats keep that stronghold. They hold control in both Houses of the state legislature. Both of the U.S. senators are Democrats.

A little bit about the man who will be taking over, his name is Richard Cody. He is the Senate state president as you mentioned. And he is also a Democrat. Of course, the speculation is that McGreevey would like him to stay in the acting governor position until January of 2006, when McGreevey's term ends. That puts him in a better position if he decides to run of being elected -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Alina Cho in New Jersey, thank you.

And Alina mentioned that conference that the Republicans in New Jersey expecting to have that an hour and 15 minutes. You're going to see that live right here on CNN, 11:30 a.m. Eastern.

We will be going back to Charley and Florida in a moment. If your home lies in the path of the storm, the time to start worrying is now. Is your insurance coverage what you think it is? We'll tell you some things you need to know. Not even if you just live in Florida, but elsewhere.

American troops are tightening their grip on the City of Najaf. Check out this exclusive CNN video from today's offensive. We'll have a live debrief from Iraq later.

And...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm leaning toward the Republican Party, basically because of the general platform that they stand on.

RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): But you would say that. (END VIDEO CLIP)

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: And so would Richard Quest. He's going head-to-head with loggers and environmentalists. He's in the Pacific Northwest.

You're watching CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We want to go back to our coverage of Hurricane Charley. People especially on the west coast of Florida are concerned about its path.

And our Chad Myers is in Tampa, Florida -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Daryn. Yes. Actually, I was talking to the mayor; I've been talking to the National Guard. They are prepared for this. They know it's coming. In fact, some of the security guards here at the hotel we were staying at, they attended a meeting about Hurricane Charley a week ago! This town knew it was coming. They were prepared. If it turns left or turns right, they're happy. But if it doesn't, if it comes up Tampa Bay, they are ready to go.

As soon as the winds hit 40 miles per hour, the causeways and the bridges are done. Now is the time to get out, if you've been getting your old things done and going oh, I'll wait until the last minute, this is just about it. Literally in the next couple of hours, the winds are going to pick up. I can already see some squalls back off to my right here; that's south of us. As the squalls roll in, we're going to see the rain pick up. As the rain picks up, that blows wind down with it. And so our squalls will be 30 to 35 miles per hour, like they were in this morning.

We're really in a lull between the squalls or between those fingers that the storm has. There's always one little finger comes, and then another little finger comes. Every time one comes by, the winds pick up. Every time one goes by and leaves, the winds die down.

Millions of dollars worth of boats, lots of property going to be damaged here, if the hurricane track is right on track. We've been noticing a little bit of a jog maybe to the left in the past couple of hours. Even in the past half hour. Maybe we'll call it a wiggle or a wobble. And that's all the folks here in Tampa need. They need a wobble. They need a wobble to the right or to the left. Well, to the left would be better, one degree.

If it goes up to the left and goes up Appalachia Bay, that's bad news for Tallahassee. But there's three million people in this part of the Sun Coast. One-third of them, Daryn, one-third of 3 million people evacuated this morning and yesterday.

Back to you.

KAGAN: Which is my question, Chad. When you tell about 2 million people that they're supposed to evacuate, where do they go?

MYERS: Yes. I asked the mayor that. And she said oh, I live downtown four feet above sea level. I'm going to live with some friends, stay with some friends a little bit of the -- out of the city. A lot of the city -- and it would be easy to see a plot of it. There's A, B, C, D and E. They're all zones. Four feet above sea level, 8 feet, 12 feet, 16, 20. And people know where they live. We're up to the sea level evacuation now.

Anybody in that C, B or A level -- and we're standing on A level, which is the lowest. The good news is we have a lot of stairs to go up. They all had to head inland, north or south. But really, east was the best place to go. And it looks like a lot of people really did just head to Orlando. Because there's so many hotel rooms available in Orlando because there's Walt Disney World there. So far, and we were talking to the hotel registration people here, the hotels are not even that booked. They're not booked solid in Orlando from the people trying to get out. So I assume, a lot of people just heading to higher ground and staying with friends. Because obviously that's cheaper.

KAGAN: All right. I smell a Disney commercial. Here comes Hurricane Charley, what are you going to do? Going to Disney world.

MYERS: You know, but I'll tell you what? Orlando could see winds to 80 miles an hour. They will absolutely be shutting that place down.

KAGAN: Ugh! All right. Well will be checking back with you many times throughout the morning. You guys be safe there in Tampa. The calm before the storm, literally.

We're going to check in on Iraq, on Najaf and potential negotiations with Muqtada al Sadr. That's all coming up after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Was Muqtada al Sadr wounded in today's fighting in Najaf? Or as Iraqi officials suggest, is the report just a ploy?

Our John Vause is in Baghdad with the latest developments.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): The U.S. military says it has now stabilized 80 percent of Najaf. But the remaining 20 percent involves the sacred Imam Ali mosque, where more a thousand members of Muqtada al Sadr's militia remain holed up, amid reports that the Shiite cleric has been wounded from shrapnel. But there are conflicting accounts of his condition. A spokesman for the Interior Ministry here in Baghdad says that al Sadr was not hurt. The U.S. military says there's no way to confirm that al Sadr was in fact wounded.

There are reports now that cease-fire negotiations are under way. The Grand Ayatollah al Sistani has sent a large delegation of clerics to Najaf. So to the interim Iraqi government, the national security adviser is there conducting the cease-fire negotiations as well.

There are reports also today that a British journalist has been taken hostage by a group in Basra. According to Iraqi police there, as many as six gunmen burst into his room and took the British journalist by the name of James Brandon, who is on assignment for the "Sunday Telegraph." His kidnappers are demanding an end to the fighting in Najaf within the next 24 hours. But an encouraging sign for Mr. Brandon, a spokesperson for Muqtada al Sadr has pleaded with the kidnappers to free him.

John Vause, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Even though no weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq, President Bush says the resources were there to produce them. The president talked with our Larry King in an exclusive interview.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF HE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: What we do know is Saddam Hussein had the capability of making weapons of mass destruction. And after September the 11, a risk we could not take was that he would share that capability with our enemies. Let me say one other thing. Had we not moved, Saddam Hussein would be even more powerful. He would have defied the world again. After 11 years of defiance, he would have defied the world again and would have been even more dangerous.

LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": So you would do it again?

BUSH: Absolutely. We made the right decision.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: More from President Bush and Larry King later in our program.

Also, the trouble with Charley, the hurricane is blowing through the Florida Keys now, as millions of people are trying to get out of the storm's path. We'll have a live update just ahead.

Meanwhile, are you prepared for disaster like a hurricane when it comes to insurance? Our Gerri Willis has an important "Top Five Tips" for you. And there she is.

Hi, Ger.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you. What do you need to know if you're in the path of the hurricane, or if your area is vulnerable to a hurricane? We'll tell you more when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Well, about two million people have been urged to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Charley, now menacing the Florida coast. They're going to leave their homes behind, not knowing what they'll find when they return.

Our personal finance editor Gerri Willis has today's "Top Five Tips" for insuring your home against disaster.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIS (voice-over): Tropical Storm Bonnie may be a gentle preview of what's to come when Hurricane Charley makes landfall later today or early Saturday. The storm is already packing winds of as much as 100 miles per hour. Experts say people living in the path of Charley should take quick steps to protect their families and homes. Most people know to board their windows and have emergency supplies, like batteries, water and nonperishable food on hand. But there are some less obvious steps you'll want to take, too.

Get a copy of your homeowner's insurance policy and make sure you have your agent's contact numbers, including cell phone handy. You'll need your insurance policy number as well. Inventory your most precious possessions. If you've saved receipts for big-ticket items, get them together and pack them in a waterproof container. Take pictures of your rooms with a video camera, or even a still camera to document your belongings. Bring in the patio furniture, or anything that high winds could transform into a missile.

Gas up the car. Service stations may have short supplies. And make sure you close your garage door tightly. High winds can use any gap to rip off your roof.

If your home is damaged by the hurricane, contact your insurance agent immediately. And get at the front of the line for any claims you need to make. Consider hiring your own adjuster. You may have to pay money up front, but it could well be worth it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIS: Another thing that's worth it is getting the right insurance. You need to know what you need. Keep in mind that while a homeowner's policy will cover any damage caused by the hurricane, you'll need federal insurance offered by the National Flood Insurance Program to get the coverage for water damage.

Tip No. 2: get the right coverage early. You cannot get coverage right in front of a hurricane. After the warnings have been sounded, coverage is not issued. Make sure you do it 30 days before. That will give you time enough to get the inspection done, and get the right kinds of coverage you need.

Tip No. 3: don't get canceled. Sometimes people have tree trunks out in their yard, or they have a faulty roof. That could end up getting you canceled for coverage in the wake of a hurricane.

Four: know your deductible. It's a percentage of your home's value, as much as 1 to 5 percent.

And finally, five: get the full replacement value, not cash value. It will be a better deal for you -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right, Gerri, thank you for that. You have a good weekend.

WILLIS: You're welcome.

KAGAN: Thanks so much.

We are continuing to track Charley. The hurricane is pummeling the Keys this morning, taking a beat on Tampa. And could soon impact millions more across the southeast. A live update and your complete storm forecast are straight ahead.

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 13, 2004 - 10:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We have a lot to cover here, especially with Hurricane Charley. Good morning from the CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's take a look at the headlines now in the news.
Hurricane Charley turning to a near Category 3 storm, as it aims at the Florida coastline. A state of emergency is in effect. And National Guard troops are on standby. We have live reports, along the path of the storm, coming up in just one minute.

With nearly 300 miles of Florida coastline under a hurricane warning, about a million people have been told to head to higher ground. Evacuation orders were issued from the Florida Keys through the heavily populated Tampa Bay area. We'll visit an evacuation center later this hour.

Also, we head overseas to Iraq. Radical Shiite cleric, Muqtada al Sadr is reportedly wounded, as U.S. Marines launch a major assault on insurgents in Najaf. What you see here is yesterday's raid on his compound. The cleric was not inside at the time. Al Sadr was reportedly hit with shrapnel inside the Imam Ali Mosque. Iraqi forces still surround the mosque, where members of al Sadr's rogue militia are holed up. We have the latest coming up at a quarter past the hour.

And New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey resigns after admitting to an extramarital affair, and announcing that he is gay. The surprise resignation comes as a former security aide threatens to sue McGreevey for sexual harassment. Alina Cho will update that story for us in just a few minutes.

We are keeping you informed. CNN is the most trusted name in news.

A dispassionate view from the sky. A potential killer lurking at sea. And on land, it's a race against time and the impending arrival of Hurricane Charley. Within the last couple of hours, Hurricane Charley bruised and battered the Florida Keys, while never creeping any closer than 50 miles. So keep in mind, this is just a hint of what could hit Tampa, as the storm grows stronger, and it threatens a direct strike.

Reporter Neki Mohan has been riding out the storm in Key West. She's with our affiliate, and she's holding on tight, I hope, with WPLG.

Neki, good morning.

NEKI MOHAN, WPLGTV CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. It's been a crazy morning out here. We're getting the last blast of Charley that Key West is expected to see. Take a look at Duvall Street right now; the world famous Duvall Street boarded up. We have people driving out and about now, because Charley really wasn't as bad as they thought it would be. So they're coming out into the streets. But as you can see, we're getting one last blast of up to 50-mile-per- hour winds, before Charley heads to Tampa.

We'll show you some video from earlier today. The storm surged overnight up to 10 feet in some areas. And some people coming out to watch, basically simply a spectacle. No major damage to report. The power blinked on and off at times. Charley sitting 85 miles west off of Key West and mainly a nuisance right now.

You can come back live to me. This is really the worst of what we've seen so far all day, as Charley heads north to Tampa. But 70 people in hurricane shelters right now, everybody else boarded up at home. Mandatory evacuation orders yesterday were issued for tourists and mobile home parks. But residents are told just to hang in there. They're used to this kind of stuff. And just hold on.

And right now, it looks really bad, but we're told it's going to get better real soon. And I said the wind gusts up to 50 miles an hour, just less than half of what Tampa will see later today.

Reporting live above downtown Key West, I'm Neki Mohan. Back to you, Daryn.

KAGAN: And Neki, you're doing a great job holding on there. As you were saying, this really isn't as bad as even Key West was expecting?

MOHAN: No, not at all. I mean you have to remember a few years ago, we got George that basically sat over us, and dumped a lot of rain, flooded the streets. Today, last night, everyone boarded up. They really expected the worst. Prepared for the worst. And were pleasantly surprised. I mean they're getting rain, but remember, these people are used to hurricane season. And again, they're relieved that this is probably the worst they'll get from this storm.

KAGAN: All right. That's relief for folks in the Keys. Neki Mohan, with our affiliate WPLG. Thank you, and you to your photographer and the ever-handy rag there to wipe off the lens as well.

So, if it wasn't as bad for the Keys as what was expected, where is the hurricane headed? And will Charley be as bad as predicted for the Tampa area?

You can follow Hurricane Charley on our Web site, just go to cnn.com/weather. They have a link to the National Hurricane Center. You can also look at pictures of the 10 strongest hurricanes ever.

Well, other news today, residents of New Jersey are buzzing about their governor announcing he is gay and quitting over an affair.

Our Alina Cho is in Trenton, New Jersey with the details on this latest political story.

Good morning, Alina.

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, good morning to you. Governor Jim McGreevey is said to be spending time with his family this weekend, and is expected to return to work here in Trenton on Monday. It is certainly understandable, given the bombshell announcement that he is gay and is stepping down.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHO (voice-over): It was a news conference like no other: candid, poignant, personal.

GOV. JAMES MCGREEVEY (D), NEW JERSEY: At a point in every person's life, one has to look deeply into the mirror of one's soul, and decide one's unique truth in the world. Not as we may want to see it, or hope to see it, but as it is. And so my truth is that I am a gay American.

CHO: Governor James McGreevey then announced he would resign. The hastily called news conference came after reports of a pending lawsuit. Two Democratic sources tell CNN, a former aide to McGreevey is the plaintiff in a sexual harassment suit against the New Jersey governor.

Flanked by his second wife Dina, even his parents, McGreevey, a father of two said he had grappled with his identity for years. Was forced into what he called an "acceptable reality," and ultimately he admitted he had strayed.

MCGREEVEY: Shamefully, I engaged in an adult consensual affair with another man. Which violates my bonds of matrimony. It was wrong. It was foolish. It was inexcusable. And for this, I ask the forgiveness and the grace of my wife.

CHO: The embattled governor is no stranger to controversy. Just last month, the top McGreevey campaign contributor, Charles Cushner was charged with luring grand jury witnesses into sex with prostitutes. McGreevey survived that news. This he could not escape.

MCGREEVEY: In this, the 47-year of my life, it is arguably too late to have this discussion. But it is here, and it is now.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHO: A little bit about the man who is the plaintiff in this lawsuit. His name is Golan Cipel. He is a 35-year-old Israeli citizen and former Homeland Security adviser to Governor McGreevey. He resigned abruptly in 2000, after questions were raised about his qualifications. A federal law enforcement official told the Associated Press that McGreevey's office had recently contacted the FBI in New Jersey, and complained that Cipel had requested $5 million to keep the affair quiet. Sources tell CNN it is now unclear whether Cipel will proceed with legal, action given McGreevey's stunning announcement yesterday.

Meanwhile back here, the head of New Jersey's Republican Committee will be holding a news conference in the next 90 minutes or so. Joe Kyrillos is expected to call on McGreevey to resign effective immediately. McGreevey has said he will step down effective November 15. That is so another Democrat can stay as acting Governor, until McGreevey's term ends in January of 2006. Republicans want him to step down now so a special election can be held this November 2 -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And the success, an issue I think is very interesting how it works in New Jersey. There's no lieutenant governor to step in. So the state Senate president steps in. But if can you explain a little bit more about why McGreevey wants to wait until November 15, in order to protect what has become a Democratic stronghold?

CHO: Well, New Jersey is considered -- the governorship here is considered one of the most important in the nation, Daryn. And it is important that Democrats keep that stronghold. They hold control in both Houses of the state legislature. Both of the U.S. senators are Democrats.

A little bit about the man who will be taking over, his name is Richard Cody. He is the Senate state president as you mentioned. And he is also a Democrat. Of course, the speculation is that McGreevey would like him to stay in the acting governor position until January of 2006, when McGreevey's term ends. That puts him in a better position if he decides to run of being elected -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Alina Cho in New Jersey, thank you.

And Alina mentioned that conference that the Republicans in New Jersey expecting to have that an hour and 15 minutes. You're going to see that live right here on CNN, 11:30 a.m. Eastern.

We will be going back to Charley and Florida in a moment. If your home lies in the path of the storm, the time to start worrying is now. Is your insurance coverage what you think it is? We'll tell you some things you need to know. Not even if you just live in Florida, but elsewhere.

American troops are tightening their grip on the City of Najaf. Check out this exclusive CNN video from today's offensive. We'll have a live debrief from Iraq later.

And...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm leaning toward the Republican Party, basically because of the general platform that they stand on.

RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): But you would say that. (END VIDEO CLIP)

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: And so would Richard Quest. He's going head-to-head with loggers and environmentalists. He's in the Pacific Northwest.

You're watching CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We want to go back to our coverage of Hurricane Charley. People especially on the west coast of Florida are concerned about its path.

And our Chad Myers is in Tampa, Florida -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Daryn. Yes. Actually, I was talking to the mayor; I've been talking to the National Guard. They are prepared for this. They know it's coming. In fact, some of the security guards here at the hotel we were staying at, they attended a meeting about Hurricane Charley a week ago! This town knew it was coming. They were prepared. If it turns left or turns right, they're happy. But if it doesn't, if it comes up Tampa Bay, they are ready to go.

As soon as the winds hit 40 miles per hour, the causeways and the bridges are done. Now is the time to get out, if you've been getting your old things done and going oh, I'll wait until the last minute, this is just about it. Literally in the next couple of hours, the winds are going to pick up. I can already see some squalls back off to my right here; that's south of us. As the squalls roll in, we're going to see the rain pick up. As the rain picks up, that blows wind down with it. And so our squalls will be 30 to 35 miles per hour, like they were in this morning.

We're really in a lull between the squalls or between those fingers that the storm has. There's always one little finger comes, and then another little finger comes. Every time one comes by, the winds pick up. Every time one goes by and leaves, the winds die down.

Millions of dollars worth of boats, lots of property going to be damaged here, if the hurricane track is right on track. We've been noticing a little bit of a jog maybe to the left in the past couple of hours. Even in the past half hour. Maybe we'll call it a wiggle or a wobble. And that's all the folks here in Tampa need. They need a wobble. They need a wobble to the right or to the left. Well, to the left would be better, one degree.

If it goes up to the left and goes up Appalachia Bay, that's bad news for Tallahassee. But there's three million people in this part of the Sun Coast. One-third of them, Daryn, one-third of 3 million people evacuated this morning and yesterday.

Back to you.

KAGAN: Which is my question, Chad. When you tell about 2 million people that they're supposed to evacuate, where do they go?

MYERS: Yes. I asked the mayor that. And she said oh, I live downtown four feet above sea level. I'm going to live with some friends, stay with some friends a little bit of the -- out of the city. A lot of the city -- and it would be easy to see a plot of it. There's A, B, C, D and E. They're all zones. Four feet above sea level, 8 feet, 12 feet, 16, 20. And people know where they live. We're up to the sea level evacuation now.

Anybody in that C, B or A level -- and we're standing on A level, which is the lowest. The good news is we have a lot of stairs to go up. They all had to head inland, north or south. But really, east was the best place to go. And it looks like a lot of people really did just head to Orlando. Because there's so many hotel rooms available in Orlando because there's Walt Disney World there. So far, and we were talking to the hotel registration people here, the hotels are not even that booked. They're not booked solid in Orlando from the people trying to get out. So I assume, a lot of people just heading to higher ground and staying with friends. Because obviously that's cheaper.

KAGAN: All right. I smell a Disney commercial. Here comes Hurricane Charley, what are you going to do? Going to Disney world.

MYERS: You know, but I'll tell you what? Orlando could see winds to 80 miles an hour. They will absolutely be shutting that place down.

KAGAN: Ugh! All right. Well will be checking back with you many times throughout the morning. You guys be safe there in Tampa. The calm before the storm, literally.

We're going to check in on Iraq, on Najaf and potential negotiations with Muqtada al Sadr. That's all coming up after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Was Muqtada al Sadr wounded in today's fighting in Najaf? Or as Iraqi officials suggest, is the report just a ploy?

Our John Vause is in Baghdad with the latest developments.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): The U.S. military says it has now stabilized 80 percent of Najaf. But the remaining 20 percent involves the sacred Imam Ali mosque, where more a thousand members of Muqtada al Sadr's militia remain holed up, amid reports that the Shiite cleric has been wounded from shrapnel. But there are conflicting accounts of his condition. A spokesman for the Interior Ministry here in Baghdad says that al Sadr was not hurt. The U.S. military says there's no way to confirm that al Sadr was in fact wounded.

There are reports now that cease-fire negotiations are under way. The Grand Ayatollah al Sistani has sent a large delegation of clerics to Najaf. So to the interim Iraqi government, the national security adviser is there conducting the cease-fire negotiations as well.

There are reports also today that a British journalist has been taken hostage by a group in Basra. According to Iraqi police there, as many as six gunmen burst into his room and took the British journalist by the name of James Brandon, who is on assignment for the "Sunday Telegraph." His kidnappers are demanding an end to the fighting in Najaf within the next 24 hours. But an encouraging sign for Mr. Brandon, a spokesperson for Muqtada al Sadr has pleaded with the kidnappers to free him.

John Vause, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Even though no weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq, President Bush says the resources were there to produce them. The president talked with our Larry King in an exclusive interview.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF HE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: What we do know is Saddam Hussein had the capability of making weapons of mass destruction. And after September the 11, a risk we could not take was that he would share that capability with our enemies. Let me say one other thing. Had we not moved, Saddam Hussein would be even more powerful. He would have defied the world again. After 11 years of defiance, he would have defied the world again and would have been even more dangerous.

LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": So you would do it again?

BUSH: Absolutely. We made the right decision.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: More from President Bush and Larry King later in our program.

Also, the trouble with Charley, the hurricane is blowing through the Florida Keys now, as millions of people are trying to get out of the storm's path. We'll have a live update just ahead.

Meanwhile, are you prepared for disaster like a hurricane when it comes to insurance? Our Gerri Willis has an important "Top Five Tips" for you. And there she is.

Hi, Ger.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you. What do you need to know if you're in the path of the hurricane, or if your area is vulnerable to a hurricane? We'll tell you more when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Well, about two million people have been urged to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Charley, now menacing the Florida coast. They're going to leave their homes behind, not knowing what they'll find when they return.

Our personal finance editor Gerri Willis has today's "Top Five Tips" for insuring your home against disaster.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIS (voice-over): Tropical Storm Bonnie may be a gentle preview of what's to come when Hurricane Charley makes landfall later today or early Saturday. The storm is already packing winds of as much as 100 miles per hour. Experts say people living in the path of Charley should take quick steps to protect their families and homes. Most people know to board their windows and have emergency supplies, like batteries, water and nonperishable food on hand. But there are some less obvious steps you'll want to take, too.

Get a copy of your homeowner's insurance policy and make sure you have your agent's contact numbers, including cell phone handy. You'll need your insurance policy number as well. Inventory your most precious possessions. If you've saved receipts for big-ticket items, get them together and pack them in a waterproof container. Take pictures of your rooms with a video camera, or even a still camera to document your belongings. Bring in the patio furniture, or anything that high winds could transform into a missile.

Gas up the car. Service stations may have short supplies. And make sure you close your garage door tightly. High winds can use any gap to rip off your roof.

If your home is damaged by the hurricane, contact your insurance agent immediately. And get at the front of the line for any claims you need to make. Consider hiring your own adjuster. You may have to pay money up front, but it could well be worth it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIS: Another thing that's worth it is getting the right insurance. You need to know what you need. Keep in mind that while a homeowner's policy will cover any damage caused by the hurricane, you'll need federal insurance offered by the National Flood Insurance Program to get the coverage for water damage.

Tip No. 2: get the right coverage early. You cannot get coverage right in front of a hurricane. After the warnings have been sounded, coverage is not issued. Make sure you do it 30 days before. That will give you time enough to get the inspection done, and get the right kinds of coverage you need.

Tip No. 3: don't get canceled. Sometimes people have tree trunks out in their yard, or they have a faulty roof. That could end up getting you canceled for coverage in the wake of a hurricane.

Four: know your deductible. It's a percentage of your home's value, as much as 1 to 5 percent.

And finally, five: get the full replacement value, not cash value. It will be a better deal for you -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right, Gerri, thank you for that. You have a good weekend.

WILLIS: You're welcome.

KAGAN: Thanks so much.

We are continuing to track Charley. The hurricane is pummeling the Keys this morning, taking a beat on Tampa. And could soon impact millions more across the southeast. A live update and your complete storm forecast are straight ahead.

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