Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Poll Suggests Ads Impacting Voters; Coping with Separation Anxiety; Protesters Begin Activities; Survey -- Republican & NYC Commonalities

Aired August 27, 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: President Bush is asking Congress for more money for Florida today to repair damage from Hurricane Charley. Then he kicks off his final campaign blitz before the Republican convention. He attends a rally in Miami later this afternoon. Mr. Bush will visit seven key battleground states before arriving at the convention in New York next week.
As for the Democratic contender, John Kerry, he is campaigning in Florida (sic) today. He holds a town hall meeting next hour in Daly City. He is expected to outline proposals to curb credit card fees and protect home buyers. Senator Kerry attends a fundraiser in San Francisco later today.

There's a new poll showing President Bush and Senator Kerry still running neck and neck in the presidential race, but that doesn't tell the whole story. The ad controversy challenging Senator Kerry's military record seems to have had an impact.

Details from CNN's senior political analyst Bill Schneider.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Coming out of the Democratic convention, the race was a dead heat. Now going into the Republican convention, after weeks of controversy over John Kerry's military service in Vietnam, where do things stand?

Still a tight race. Looks like nothing has changed -- or has it? Before the Democratic convention, people said they trusted Bush more than Kerry as commander in chief. After the convention, Kerry and Bush were tied.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I defended this country as a young man, and I will defend it as president.

SCHNEIDER: Now, Bush has moved back into the lead. What happened?

The Democratic convention had one central theme.

SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: John is a war hero.

TERESA HEINZ KERRY, JOHN KERRY'S WIFE: John is a fighter.

SCHNEIDER: That point came through. Immediately after the convention, 42 percent of voters said Kerry's military service made them more likely to vote for him, especially when they heard testimony like this.

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Just spend three minutes with the men who served with him then and who stand with him now.

SCHNEIDER: A group calling themselves Swift Boat Veterans for Truth quickly took up the challenge.

BOB ELDER, SWIFT BOAT VETERANS FOR TRUTH: John Kerry is no war hero.

GRANT HIBBARD, SWIFT BOAT VETERANS FOR TRUTH: He betrayed all his shipmates. He lied before the Senate.

SCHNEIDER: The debate over the charges monopolized press coverage. The poll shows more than 80 percent of Americans saw or heard about the ad.

Do they believe the charges? No. By better than two to one, people believe Kerry is telling the truth about his service in Vietnam. But the controversy still had an impact. The number who say Kerry's military service makes them more likely to vote for him fell by half, from 42 to 21 percent.

The Swift Boat Veterans ad not only hijacked the campaign, it raised doubts about Kerry -- reinforcing the Republican message that Kerry may not be trustworthy.

After the Democratic convention, Kerry held a slight lead over Bush as someone who is honest and trustworthy. Now, he's lost it. The ad controversy neutralized the message of the Democratic convention.

(on camera): Did the ad change the horse race? No. But neither did the convention. The war hero theme touted by Democrats at their convention, challenged by the Swift Boat Veterans, has turned out to be a distraction and, for Kerry, a lost opportunity to score points on other issues.

Bill Schneider, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: More than 4,800 Republican delegates and alternates are preparing to descend on New York. The Republican convention begins Monday.

Joining us with our convention countdown, national correspondent Bob Franken, outside Madison Square Garden -- Bob?

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

Well, first of all, you were talking a moment ago about the number of conventioneers, and we can tell you that there are going to be about 50,000 people here who are reporters, who are conventioneers and the like. Going to be about 20,000 security people. So, you're going to have about one security person for every two-and-a-half participants here.

It's pretty awesome. Very, very heavy security, for reasons we don't have to explain -- Daryn?

KAGAN: All right. And you'll be there to cover much of it, both inside and outside, I imagine?

FRANKEN: Oh, absolutely. We are part of that big army, lots and lots of coverage. Lots to cover, of course. And the security concerns are even more intense than they were in Boston -- where it was a pretty massive amount of security -- but for all the obvious reasons.

And of course, Democrats complain that the choice of New York by the Republicans and its proximity to the anniversary of September 11th was political exploitation of the big national tragedy. On the one hand, the Republicans say that is absolutely not the case. And on the other, they don't miss any opportunities whatsoever to remind people of the president's stewardship in the aftermath of September 11th.

Of course, the Democrats say that his stewardship before, during, and after is subject to challenge. That's going to be one of the important issues in the upcoming presidential campaign.

KAGAN: Yes, well, in fact, "New York" magazine did an interesting poll asking New Yorkers and conventioneers their opinions on a number of issues. You'll be shocked to find out that the conventioneers do not agree with much of what people in Manhattan are thinking.

FRANKEN: That's right. This is a very heavily Democratic jurisdiction, of course -- always has been.

As a matter of fact, the mayor, Michael Bloomberg, was one of those Democrats until he decided to run for office. So, for the administration here, it's considered a coup. Although, New Yorkers, in their typical style, a lot of them believe that they -- everybody should get out of here.

The traffic, which is always terrible at best, is even worse right now because of all the restrictions, particularly around Madison Square Garden.

KAGAN: All right. Well, good luck over the next week. We'll be checking back to you over the many days. Bob Franken, thank you.

CNN will have extensive coverage of the Republican National Convention. We begin Sunday, primetime lineup, to set the stage: 8:00 Eastern, CNN presenting "The Mission of George W. Bush"; Larry King follows with a live convention preview; then at 10:00 eastern, our Wolf Blitzer hosts "America Votes 2004."

Much more from the Republican National Convention coming up, including this -- a protest that already has police literally crawling the walls. Jeanne Moos takes a look at that.

First, though, it's that time of year when kids go off to school, sometimes unwillingly. How to deal with separation anxiety in your "Daily Dose" of health news. That's coming up just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Medical news now -- researchers say they have found high concentrations of platinum in women who receive silicone-gel breast implants. They say the platinum was different from the kind sometimes found in the body. It was a type of platinum used to turn silicone oil into gel. The small study found concentrations up to three times higher in women -- than in women who do not have implants.

For millions of kids around the country, it is time to go back to school. And for younger children, heading off to school for the first time can be stressful.

Medical correspondent Holly Firfer has tips on coping with separation anxiety in our "Daily Dose" of health news.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HOLLY FIRFER, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Anna (ph) is like any other 5-year-old, a happy child starting kindergarten. And just like some other kids being left by their parents for the first time, Anna is having bouts of separation anxiety from her parents.

LORIE, MOTHER: When I leave her every day and she's in tears, it just it eats at me all day, so I can't really think about anything else and I'm wondering what she's doing and my stomach's been in knots.

FIRFER: According to child psychologist Ann Hazzard, about 4 percent of kids going to school or going back to school experience distress. And she adds, although a little anxiety is natural, parents must be aware of when it can become a serious problem.

ANN HAZZARD, EMORY CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST: When it gets to the point that the child doesn't want to go to school or the child has difficulty settling down and enjoying school and learning once the parent is gone that it would become a significant concern.

FIRFER: But for most, small reassurances are all that are needed to help a child adjust to time away from home.

HAZZARD: Keep the good-bye fairly brief. Often parents hope that if they provide continued reassurance that will be helpful, but sometimes that just prolongs the agony, really.

FIRFER: If a child is strongly attached to one parent, it might help to have someone else handle the transition to school, the other parent or a babysitter. Giving a transitional object, like a locket or a photo or something of the parent's to the child to hold on to while he or she is away, can be helpful. As can developing a reward system. For every morning the child makes it school without crying, he or she earns points, and they add up to a special activity with the parent on the weekend.

Most importantly, the parent needs to remain calm and in control. But many moms and dads know it can be extremely tough.

Holly Firfer, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And we have -- to 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 diet and fitness. The address is CNN.com/health.

Now on to our breaking news. This coming out of Mississippi. A fire at a fraternity house taking the lives of three students at Ole Miss. The students were three members of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, ATO. This fire apparently broke out around 4:30 this morning. More than 50 firefighters and two fire departments battling the blaze for about two hours before bringing it under control. ATO is one of the well-established fraternities at Ole Miss. This fraternity house is about a block away from the main part of fraternity row.

So once again, three members of ATO, of this fraternity, losing their lives in this frat house fire early this morning. Those pictures just coming in. More information coming in to CNN.

We're going to take a break. More after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET UPDATE)

KAGAN: So, where is Spider-Man when you need him? The NYPD just might need his help when it comes to dealing with protesters at next week's Republican National Convention. A banner day with Jeanne Moos, coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Updating you on this developing story out of Mississippi -- out of Oxford, Mississippi. A serious house fire at a fraternity house there. Three students -- three members of the fraternity ATO, Alpha Tau Omega, were killed in this early morning fire. This fire breaking out at the ATO house around 4:30 this morning.

A number of people inside -- about 100 members. Most of them made it out, but as I said, three members of the fraternity losing their life. Heavily damaging the building, as well. ATO house on the campus of Ole Miss. Much more on that ahead.

Remember the story of a father who was distraught over his son's death in Iraq? He will not be charged for setting a vehicle on fire. That is the word from police in Hollywood, Florida, today. That incident happened Wednesday when Marine officers came to tell Carlos Arredondo that his son had been killed.

The Marines say that the father emerged from the home with a torch and fuel. He got into the Marine van, and he set it on fire. Doctors say Arredondo suffered serious burns over 40 to 50 percent of his body. He is listed right now in serious, but stable, condition.

About nine minutes before the top of the hour. Political protesters can drive police up a wall -- literally -- especially when the president is coming to town.

Our Jeanne Moos reports from New York City.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Even as the dangling protesters were looking down, things were looking up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is not your father's protest.

MOOS: The goal? Hang an anti-Bush banner off the world-famous Plaza Hotel. A handful of individuals spent three months planning this.

(on camera): Are they experienced rappellers?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

MOOS: You mean, they just learned to rappel just to do this?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They learned how to do this for this action.

All of them were scared to death to be up there.

MOOS (voice-over): They got the room the night before, somehow made their way up to the roof. Then, two of the four rappelled down. He's the owner of a small holistic business, and she's an attorney. A minister, and an architect stayed up on the roof.

This wasn't the only pre-convention protest police had to deal with. If this is the truth, then this must be the naked truth. A totally unrelated demonstration.

UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTERS: Bush, stop AIDS! Drop the debt now!

MOOS: AIDS activists from ACT UP dropped their clothes in the middle of Eighth Avenue outside Madison Square Garden. They soon found themselves in handcuffs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These people are now enjoying a naked ride in that NYPD paddy wagon.

MOOS: As for the banner atop the Plaza, the rappellers didn't get hurt, but a policeman's leg needed 38 stitches after he fell through a skylight. The protesters say they warned the officer not to step on it.

Police arrested the four on charges ranging from assault to trespassing. Eventually, they arrested this spokesman, as well.

(on camera): They trained three months for a banner that stayed up how long before the police got it down?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: About 45 minutes.

MOOS: Forty-five minutes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right. And now we're on CNN.

MOOS (voice-over): They even supplied much of this video. It was a banner day for them, though their banner ended up as evidence.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: So, you getting the idea of what next week is going to look like? New York City may be rolling out the red carpet for delegates to the Republican National Convention, but a new survey suggests Republicans actually have very little in common with residents of their host city, whether it's their opinion of the war in Iraq or their personal sex lives.

"New York" magazine says that Republicans are from Mars and New Yorkers are, well, from -- they're from New York City.

Chris Smith, contributing editor of "New York" magazine, is here to tell us more. Chris, good morning.

CHRIS SMITH, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: Thanks for having me.

KAGAN: OK. So, conservative conventioneers don't agree with residents of New York City. Shocking investigative journalism.

SMITH: I know. And one of the interesting things -- or fun things, proved perfectly well by your segment, we asked Republicans whether they considered New Yorkers more or less creative than the rest of the country. And shockingly, 25 percent of Republican voters found New Yorkers more creative than the rest of the country.

New Yorkers, of course, 75 percent of New Yorkers felt we were more creative than the rest of the country. So, banners, naked people in the street, you know, we're holding up our end.

KAGAN: New Yorkers not hurting for self-image of who they think is tops.

Let's go through some of the more serious comments -- topics here. You asked the opinion of George W. Bush, of our president. Not exactly a welcome mat being laid out here. So, 28 percent of New Yorkers do not have a favorable opinion of George W. Bush, but 73 percent of Republicans do.

SMITH: Yes. If the issues facing this country weren't as serious, you'd almost say the political gods were showing their sense of humor by having the Republican convention here in New York.

You can't design a city to be more hostile than the president, whether it's voter registration -- where the city is 84 percent Democratic and 16 percent Republican -- or the numbers from the "New York" magazine poll you showed just there, where these are some of the lowest favorable ratings for president Bush in the country.

Now, one of the interesting things I thought about the poll was that many Republicans have higher opinions of New York City than we have of ourselves -- you know, in terms of our churchgoing, in terms of New York residents' sexual promiscuousness...

KAGAN: Yes, what were those numbers? Let's talk sex.

SMITH: Yes, Republicans thought -- I think it was 26 percent of New Yorkers were -- or New York was 26 percent more likely to be sleeping around more than the rest of the country. And New Yorkers put it at 45 percent, I believe. So, you know, I guess if you live here, you know us better -- or you just...

KAGAN: It's not that easy.

SMITH: Don't fool yourselves, yes.

KAGAN: Got it. All right, Chris. Well, our time is short. More numbers in "New York" magazine, I imagine?

SMITH: Yes, yes. And it's a fun issue. You know, it's devoted to the Republican convention. It's got a picture of our mayor, who is nominally a Republican, Mayor Bloomberg, on the cover.

The mayor was extraordinarily comfortable with the elephant, according to the elephant's handlers -- feeding it apples. Everybody in the room was a little standoffish, but the mayor jumped right in. And the elephant apparently responded in kind by probing the mayor's pocket. Obviously, the mayor is a billionaire -- a lot of people have probed his pockets over the years. But the elephant joined right in.

KAGAN: Smart elephant. Chris Smith from "New York" magazine, thanks for sharing the numbers and the pictures...

SMITH: Thanks for having me.

KAGAN: ... and the behind-the-scenes story. Appreciate it.

Just a few seconds left to check in with Orelon Sidney for a check of the weather -- Orelon?

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: All right. Orelon, thank you for that.

ORELON SIDNEY, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You're welcome.

KAGAN: That is going to do it for me, Daryn Kagan. I hope you all have a great weekend. I'll be right back with you on Monday morning.

Meanwhile, Wolf Blitzer has already made his way to New York City and takes over now. Hi, Wolf.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks very much, Daryn. Have a great weekend.

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 27, 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: President Bush is asking Congress for more money for Florida today to repair damage from Hurricane Charley. Then he kicks off his final campaign blitz before the Republican convention. He attends a rally in Miami later this afternoon. Mr. Bush will visit seven key battleground states before arriving at the convention in New York next week.
As for the Democratic contender, John Kerry, he is campaigning in Florida (sic) today. He holds a town hall meeting next hour in Daly City. He is expected to outline proposals to curb credit card fees and protect home buyers. Senator Kerry attends a fundraiser in San Francisco later today.

There's a new poll showing President Bush and Senator Kerry still running neck and neck in the presidential race, but that doesn't tell the whole story. The ad controversy challenging Senator Kerry's military record seems to have had an impact.

Details from CNN's senior political analyst Bill Schneider.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Coming out of the Democratic convention, the race was a dead heat. Now going into the Republican convention, after weeks of controversy over John Kerry's military service in Vietnam, where do things stand?

Still a tight race. Looks like nothing has changed -- or has it? Before the Democratic convention, people said they trusted Bush more than Kerry as commander in chief. After the convention, Kerry and Bush were tied.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I defended this country as a young man, and I will defend it as president.

SCHNEIDER: Now, Bush has moved back into the lead. What happened?

The Democratic convention had one central theme.

SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: John is a war hero.

TERESA HEINZ KERRY, JOHN KERRY'S WIFE: John is a fighter.

SCHNEIDER: That point came through. Immediately after the convention, 42 percent of voters said Kerry's military service made them more likely to vote for him, especially when they heard testimony like this.

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Just spend three minutes with the men who served with him then and who stand with him now.

SCHNEIDER: A group calling themselves Swift Boat Veterans for Truth quickly took up the challenge.

BOB ELDER, SWIFT BOAT VETERANS FOR TRUTH: John Kerry is no war hero.

GRANT HIBBARD, SWIFT BOAT VETERANS FOR TRUTH: He betrayed all his shipmates. He lied before the Senate.

SCHNEIDER: The debate over the charges monopolized press coverage. The poll shows more than 80 percent of Americans saw or heard about the ad.

Do they believe the charges? No. By better than two to one, people believe Kerry is telling the truth about his service in Vietnam. But the controversy still had an impact. The number who say Kerry's military service makes them more likely to vote for him fell by half, from 42 to 21 percent.

The Swift Boat Veterans ad not only hijacked the campaign, it raised doubts about Kerry -- reinforcing the Republican message that Kerry may not be trustworthy.

After the Democratic convention, Kerry held a slight lead over Bush as someone who is honest and trustworthy. Now, he's lost it. The ad controversy neutralized the message of the Democratic convention.

(on camera): Did the ad change the horse race? No. But neither did the convention. The war hero theme touted by Democrats at their convention, challenged by the Swift Boat Veterans, has turned out to be a distraction and, for Kerry, a lost opportunity to score points on other issues.

Bill Schneider, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: More than 4,800 Republican delegates and alternates are preparing to descend on New York. The Republican convention begins Monday.

Joining us with our convention countdown, national correspondent Bob Franken, outside Madison Square Garden -- Bob?

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

Well, first of all, you were talking a moment ago about the number of conventioneers, and we can tell you that there are going to be about 50,000 people here who are reporters, who are conventioneers and the like. Going to be about 20,000 security people. So, you're going to have about one security person for every two-and-a-half participants here.

It's pretty awesome. Very, very heavy security, for reasons we don't have to explain -- Daryn?

KAGAN: All right. And you'll be there to cover much of it, both inside and outside, I imagine?

FRANKEN: Oh, absolutely. We are part of that big army, lots and lots of coverage. Lots to cover, of course. And the security concerns are even more intense than they were in Boston -- where it was a pretty massive amount of security -- but for all the obvious reasons.

And of course, Democrats complain that the choice of New York by the Republicans and its proximity to the anniversary of September 11th was political exploitation of the big national tragedy. On the one hand, the Republicans say that is absolutely not the case. And on the other, they don't miss any opportunities whatsoever to remind people of the president's stewardship in the aftermath of September 11th.

Of course, the Democrats say that his stewardship before, during, and after is subject to challenge. That's going to be one of the important issues in the upcoming presidential campaign.

KAGAN: Yes, well, in fact, "New York" magazine did an interesting poll asking New Yorkers and conventioneers their opinions on a number of issues. You'll be shocked to find out that the conventioneers do not agree with much of what people in Manhattan are thinking.

FRANKEN: That's right. This is a very heavily Democratic jurisdiction, of course -- always has been.

As a matter of fact, the mayor, Michael Bloomberg, was one of those Democrats until he decided to run for office. So, for the administration here, it's considered a coup. Although, New Yorkers, in their typical style, a lot of them believe that they -- everybody should get out of here.

The traffic, which is always terrible at best, is even worse right now because of all the restrictions, particularly around Madison Square Garden.

KAGAN: All right. Well, good luck over the next week. We'll be checking back to you over the many days. Bob Franken, thank you.

CNN will have extensive coverage of the Republican National Convention. We begin Sunday, primetime lineup, to set the stage: 8:00 Eastern, CNN presenting "The Mission of George W. Bush"; Larry King follows with a live convention preview; then at 10:00 eastern, our Wolf Blitzer hosts "America Votes 2004."

Much more from the Republican National Convention coming up, including this -- a protest that already has police literally crawling the walls. Jeanne Moos takes a look at that.

First, though, it's that time of year when kids go off to school, sometimes unwillingly. How to deal with separation anxiety in your "Daily Dose" of health news. That's coming up just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Medical news now -- researchers say they have found high concentrations of platinum in women who receive silicone-gel breast implants. They say the platinum was different from the kind sometimes found in the body. It was a type of platinum used to turn silicone oil into gel. The small study found concentrations up to three times higher in women -- than in women who do not have implants.

For millions of kids around the country, it is time to go back to school. And for younger children, heading off to school for the first time can be stressful.

Medical correspondent Holly Firfer has tips on coping with separation anxiety in our "Daily Dose" of health news.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HOLLY FIRFER, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Anna (ph) is like any other 5-year-old, a happy child starting kindergarten. And just like some other kids being left by their parents for the first time, Anna is having bouts of separation anxiety from her parents.

LORIE, MOTHER: When I leave her every day and she's in tears, it just it eats at me all day, so I can't really think about anything else and I'm wondering what she's doing and my stomach's been in knots.

FIRFER: According to child psychologist Ann Hazzard, about 4 percent of kids going to school or going back to school experience distress. And she adds, although a little anxiety is natural, parents must be aware of when it can become a serious problem.

ANN HAZZARD, EMORY CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST: When it gets to the point that the child doesn't want to go to school or the child has difficulty settling down and enjoying school and learning once the parent is gone that it would become a significant concern.

FIRFER: But for most, small reassurances are all that are needed to help a child adjust to time away from home.

HAZZARD: Keep the good-bye fairly brief. Often parents hope that if they provide continued reassurance that will be helpful, but sometimes that just prolongs the agony, really.

FIRFER: If a child is strongly attached to one parent, it might help to have someone else handle the transition to school, the other parent or a babysitter. Giving a transitional object, like a locket or a photo or something of the parent's to the child to hold on to while he or she is away, can be helpful. As can developing a reward system. For every morning the child makes it school without crying, he or she earns points, and they add up to a special activity with the parent on the weekend.

Most importantly, the parent needs to remain calm and in control. But many moms and dads know it can be extremely tough.

Holly Firfer, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And we have -- to 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 diet and fitness. The address is CNN.com/health.

Now on to our breaking news. This coming out of Mississippi. A fire at a fraternity house taking the lives of three students at Ole Miss. The students were three members of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, ATO. This fire apparently broke out around 4:30 this morning. More than 50 firefighters and two fire departments battling the blaze for about two hours before bringing it under control. ATO is one of the well-established fraternities at Ole Miss. This fraternity house is about a block away from the main part of fraternity row.

So once again, three members of ATO, of this fraternity, losing their lives in this frat house fire early this morning. Those pictures just coming in. More information coming in to CNN.

We're going to take a break. More after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET UPDATE)

KAGAN: So, where is Spider-Man when you need him? The NYPD just might need his help when it comes to dealing with protesters at next week's Republican National Convention. A banner day with Jeanne Moos, coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Updating you on this developing story out of Mississippi -- out of Oxford, Mississippi. A serious house fire at a fraternity house there. Three students -- three members of the fraternity ATO, Alpha Tau Omega, were killed in this early morning fire. This fire breaking out at the ATO house around 4:30 this morning.

A number of people inside -- about 100 members. Most of them made it out, but as I said, three members of the fraternity losing their life. Heavily damaging the building, as well. ATO house on the campus of Ole Miss. Much more on that ahead.

Remember the story of a father who was distraught over his son's death in Iraq? He will not be charged for setting a vehicle on fire. That is the word from police in Hollywood, Florida, today. That incident happened Wednesday when Marine officers came to tell Carlos Arredondo that his son had been killed.

The Marines say that the father emerged from the home with a torch and fuel. He got into the Marine van, and he set it on fire. Doctors say Arredondo suffered serious burns over 40 to 50 percent of his body. He is listed right now in serious, but stable, condition.

About nine minutes before the top of the hour. Political protesters can drive police up a wall -- literally -- especially when the president is coming to town.

Our Jeanne Moos reports from New York City.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Even as the dangling protesters were looking down, things were looking up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is not your father's protest.

MOOS: The goal? Hang an anti-Bush banner off the world-famous Plaza Hotel. A handful of individuals spent three months planning this.

(on camera): Are they experienced rappellers?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

MOOS: You mean, they just learned to rappel just to do this?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They learned how to do this for this action.

All of them were scared to death to be up there.

MOOS (voice-over): They got the room the night before, somehow made their way up to the roof. Then, two of the four rappelled down. He's the owner of a small holistic business, and she's an attorney. A minister, and an architect stayed up on the roof.

This wasn't the only pre-convention protest police had to deal with. If this is the truth, then this must be the naked truth. A totally unrelated demonstration.

UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTERS: Bush, stop AIDS! Drop the debt now!

MOOS: AIDS activists from ACT UP dropped their clothes in the middle of Eighth Avenue outside Madison Square Garden. They soon found themselves in handcuffs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These people are now enjoying a naked ride in that NYPD paddy wagon.

MOOS: As for the banner atop the Plaza, the rappellers didn't get hurt, but a policeman's leg needed 38 stitches after he fell through a skylight. The protesters say they warned the officer not to step on it.

Police arrested the four on charges ranging from assault to trespassing. Eventually, they arrested this spokesman, as well.

(on camera): They trained three months for a banner that stayed up how long before the police got it down?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: About 45 minutes.

MOOS: Forty-five minutes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right. And now we're on CNN.

MOOS (voice-over): They even supplied much of this video. It was a banner day for them, though their banner ended up as evidence.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: So, you getting the idea of what next week is going to look like? New York City may be rolling out the red carpet for delegates to the Republican National Convention, but a new survey suggests Republicans actually have very little in common with residents of their host city, whether it's their opinion of the war in Iraq or their personal sex lives.

"New York" magazine says that Republicans are from Mars and New Yorkers are, well, from -- they're from New York City.

Chris Smith, contributing editor of "New York" magazine, is here to tell us more. Chris, good morning.

CHRIS SMITH, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: Thanks for having me.

KAGAN: OK. So, conservative conventioneers don't agree with residents of New York City. Shocking investigative journalism.

SMITH: I know. And one of the interesting things -- or fun things, proved perfectly well by your segment, we asked Republicans whether they considered New Yorkers more or less creative than the rest of the country. And shockingly, 25 percent of Republican voters found New Yorkers more creative than the rest of the country.

New Yorkers, of course, 75 percent of New Yorkers felt we were more creative than the rest of the country. So, banners, naked people in the street, you know, we're holding up our end.

KAGAN: New Yorkers not hurting for self-image of who they think is tops.

Let's go through some of the more serious comments -- topics here. You asked the opinion of George W. Bush, of our president. Not exactly a welcome mat being laid out here. So, 28 percent of New Yorkers do not have a favorable opinion of George W. Bush, but 73 percent of Republicans do.

SMITH: Yes. If the issues facing this country weren't as serious, you'd almost say the political gods were showing their sense of humor by having the Republican convention here in New York.

You can't design a city to be more hostile than the president, whether it's voter registration -- where the city is 84 percent Democratic and 16 percent Republican -- or the numbers from the "New York" magazine poll you showed just there, where these are some of the lowest favorable ratings for president Bush in the country.

Now, one of the interesting things I thought about the poll was that many Republicans have higher opinions of New York City than we have of ourselves -- you know, in terms of our churchgoing, in terms of New York residents' sexual promiscuousness...

KAGAN: Yes, what were those numbers? Let's talk sex.

SMITH: Yes, Republicans thought -- I think it was 26 percent of New Yorkers were -- or New York was 26 percent more likely to be sleeping around more than the rest of the country. And New Yorkers put it at 45 percent, I believe. So, you know, I guess if you live here, you know us better -- or you just...

KAGAN: It's not that easy.

SMITH: Don't fool yourselves, yes.

KAGAN: Got it. All right, Chris. Well, our time is short. More numbers in "New York" magazine, I imagine?

SMITH: Yes, yes. And it's a fun issue. You know, it's devoted to the Republican convention. It's got a picture of our mayor, who is nominally a Republican, Mayor Bloomberg, on the cover.

The mayor was extraordinarily comfortable with the elephant, according to the elephant's handlers -- feeding it apples. Everybody in the room was a little standoffish, but the mayor jumped right in. And the elephant apparently responded in kind by probing the mayor's pocket. Obviously, the mayor is a billionaire -- a lot of people have probed his pockets over the years. But the elephant joined right in.

KAGAN: Smart elephant. Chris Smith from "New York" magazine, thanks for sharing the numbers and the pictures...

SMITH: Thanks for having me.

KAGAN: ... and the behind-the-scenes story. Appreciate it.

Just a few seconds left to check in with Orelon Sidney for a check of the weather -- Orelon?

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: All right. Orelon, thank you for that.

ORELON SIDNEY, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You're welcome.

KAGAN: That is going to do it for me, Daryn Kagan. I hope you all have a great weekend. I'll be right back with you on Monday morning.

Meanwhile, Wolf Blitzer has already made his way to New York City and takes over now. Hi, Wolf.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks very much, Daryn. Have a great weekend.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com