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CNN Live Today
GOP Convention Gets Underway; Potential Kobe Bryant Jurors Questioned; Ed Koch at Convention: 'I'm Voting for Bush'; Mayor Bloomberg Addresses Convention
Aired August 30, 2004 - 10:30 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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Now in the news.
President Bush departs the White House at the top of the hour en route to New Hampshire. There he'll host an ask President Bush event at a national high school. It's President Bush's fourth campaign stop in New Hampshire this year.
Three Americans are now listed among the dead in yesterday's bombing in downtown Kabul -- excuse me, Kabul, Afghanistan. Six other people were killed and seven more wounded. The attack appeared to target a U.S.-based security company, which has been helping to protect Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Taliban officials have reportedly claimed responsibility.
In about 90 minutes, court-martial proceedings are due to get under way for a National Guardsman charged with trying to help a terrorist group. Prosecutors say a videotape say shows Ryan Anderson sharing information with agents posing as al Qaeda operatives. The tank crewman could face life in prison without parole.
In war-torn Chechnya, elections officials say the country's Kremlin-backed police chief has been elected -- has elected a president, rather. A Russian news agency says nearly three out of four voters backed the government's candidate in the seven-person race. Those election results are in dispute. Chechnya's previous president was assassinated in a bomb attack in May.
Well, most of the prominent speakers at the GOP National Convention take the podium during tonight's session, but there's business going on during the day, as well. Kelly Wallace is on the Madison Square Garden floor.
Where are you, Kelly?
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, I am coming to you from New York.
You can always tell how important a state is in an election by its placement connected to the stage: New York getting front-row seats. New York, of course, the home state for this convention, New York City the home city for this convention.
But just take a look here. Ohio, yes, the Buckeye State, front and center of the stage. No surprise there. No Republican has ever won the White House without winning Ohio. Further down, you can see that Florida also has front-row seats. And as we all know, campaign 2000 decided in the Sunshine State.
But over here also with some front-row seats, New Hampshire. George W. Bush winning the state of New Hampshire in 2000, many believing if Al Gore happened to win New Hampshire, we might have had a different outcome.
And joining me, Carol Holden, the county commissioner in New Hampshire and a county chairwoman for the Bush/Cheney campaign.
Carol, first off, what is it looking like right now in New Hampshire?
CAROL HOLDEN, NEW HAMPSHIRE COUNTY CHAIRWOMAN: Well, right now in New Hampshire, Bush, President Bush is actually ahead by a couple of points. I just recently checked the -- checked the polls. And we're hoping that he'll get a good boost from this wonderful convention.
WALLACE: Doing the reporting for us here on the floor. Now, the president, of course, is it in New Hampshire right now. What are -- or headed there today. What are the key issues in New Hampshire?
HOLDEN: I think just like throughout the country, homeland security, the economy, health care. You know, and we're looking for leadership in those areas. And I think we'll get it from President Bush with his policies.
WALLACE: What's the main thing you want to hear from President Bush and all the other speakers here at this convention?
HOLDEN: We want to hear that we're going to keep America safe, that we're going to continue the war on terrorism, and under his leadership, that we'll be successful and America will be safe.
WALLACE: And finally, how united are Republicans? Because some social conservatives had been pushing for some tougher positions on abortion, gay marriage in this GOP platform. Some moderates say it's the wrong way to go to win reelection.
HOLDEN: I think what happens is the Republicans have a big tent, and we try to agree on most things, but we can agree to disagree. And in general, we're voting for the president for his -- for his leadership and for his ability to unite the nation.
WALLACE: Carol Holden, and we love your very decorative outfit today. Thanks for joining us.
So Fredricka, a lot of committee business going on on the floor right now. You'll also have something else. You will have a roll call of 21 states for the nomination of the president and the vice president. What the Republican Party is doing is trying to sort of do a little bit of the roll call during each session, and then obviously culminate with the nomination of the president and vice president.
Fredricka, back to you.
WHITFIELD: All right. Kelly Wallace from the floor of the Madison Square Garden with a little variety of entertainment in the background.
Well, Senator Zell Miller and former presidential candidate Wesley Clark both think the nation needs a strong commander in chief in a time of war, but they disagree on who it should be. Democrat Miller, the keynote speaker at the Republican National Convention, explains why he's supporting President Bush.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. ZELL MILLER (D), GEORGIA: The Democratic Party has changed. Back then, Bill Clinton was trying to bring the Democratic Party back to the middle. He was talking about punishing criminals instead of explaining aware their behavior. He was talking about the era of big government being over. He was talking about changing welfare as we know it.
He was the Democrat I'd been looking for to bring the Democratic Party back to the center. Unfortunately, the Democratic Party today has gone further and further to the left. It's left me; it's left moderates; and it's left a lot of people who want to support a strong commander in chief.
GEN. WESLEY CLARK (D), FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, I think all of the elements that Zell Miller was looking for in 1992 have been done. We are tougher on criminals. We have done welfare reform. This country was moving in the center, created 22 million jobs under the last Democratic administration headed by Bill Clinton.
What we've got right now, though, is a nation that's at war. We need a commander in chief with good judgment. George Bush hasn't shown that good judgment. He made a huge strategic blunder putting us into Iraq, and putting us in there in a way that alienated our allies, left us isolated in the world, and has made it more difficult to cope with the challenge of fighting terrorists.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: You can keep up with the Republican National Convention on your computer, CNN.com has a daily schedule of events, a viewer's guide, a profile of the major players, plus a photo essay.
And we'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: You're looking at a little entertainment taking place in Madison Square Garden during the Republican National Convention.
Earlier, the convention began just about 40 minutes ago on a rather somber note, with a tribute to the 9/11 victims, the tragedy of 9/11. And then there were a series of kind of office business to take place there on the floor before they broke into a little Broadway medley here now.
Much is being made about the moderate conservatives that will also be playing a role in this convention. Later on, we'll be -- this evening, in fact, from Senator John McCain. A little bit later on in the week we'll be hearing from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and even first lady Laura Bush, who usually takes a back seat to speaking engagements. But as of recent, she's been taking the front -- the front row in doing that.
And you're looking at a very familiar face right here, former New York Mayor Ed Koch.
Let's listen in.
ED KOCH, FORMER NEW YORK MAYOR: I know what you're thinking. What's Ed Koch doing at the Republican convention? Me! A Democratic district leader in Greenwich Village, Democratic city council member, a Democratic member of Congress, a Democratic mayor. Why am I here? I'm here to convert you.
But that's for the next election. This year, I'm voting for the reelection of President George W. Bush!
How am I doing?
When I was asked to lead the campaign to recruit 8,000 volunteers to make the convention a success, I said, of course. I did a TV commercial. Perhaps you saw it. It starred Minnie, the Republican elephant, and me.
Let me tell you a secret. Making that commercial violated a commitment I made almost 60 years ago, not to the Democrats, but to my sainted mother who told me, Eddie, never fool around with a wild animal. But I did it for New York!
I did it because I want every single delegate and guest to go back home and tell everyone, "I had the time of my life. And I really love New York."
Hey! You don't have to believe me. See for yourself.
(MUSIC)
WHITFIELD: All right. You're listening to Ed Koch, former mayor of New York City, a Democrat, who said, "I am here because I'm here to convert you," in front of the Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden.
All right. We're going to be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: The questioning of potential jurors in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case enters a new stage today. CNN's Chris Lawrence is outside the courthouse in Eagle, Colorado, and he joins us live now. Hi, Chris.
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, Fredricka.
Things are definitely picking up here at the courthouse. Some of the jurors who filled out those questionnaires on Friday are now coming back to court to begin answering individual questions with the attorneys and the judge.
Now, the judge and the attorneys worked through the night, reviewing the answers to those 82 questions. Some of the questions asked were: "Have you or anyone in your family ever been a victim of sexual assault? Have you ever studied or received training in psychology, psychiatry, social work or counseling? And do you think that people who have lots of money are treated better by the court system than others?"
Now, earlier we saw Kobe Bryant and his attorneys returning to court today. They will be in the courtroom as those jurors are questioned privately by the judge and the attorneys.
Another new development is that there was a civil case here that was scheduled to start this week. There were a couple hundred people in that jury pool. What's happened now is that civil case was settled. So what they're doing is they're rolling those people over into this jury pool, as well.
So the same 82-question questionnaire that the people filled out on Friday, these people to attend the civil case, they'll now fill out that same questionnaire, and they'll be rolled over into the jury pool, as well -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Chris. And how long is this process expected to take, given that trial is supposed to begin in just over a week from now?
All right.
LAWRENCE: I'm sorry; I didn't hear you.
WHITFIELD: Looks like we're having a little audio problem with that. Chris Lawrence out of Eagle, Colorado.
All right. Let's talk a little business now. We know the Dow is down a few points just under 40 minutes ago or so. How is it looking out there now?
Fred Katayama joins us from Wall Street.
Hi, Fred.
(STOCK REPORT)
WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks a lot, Fred.
Music, videos and politics. And you get a night of cheers and jeers. Highlights from the event are straight ahead.
And this is what we're working on for the next hour.
ANNOUNCER: CNN's complete coverage of the Republican National Convention begins tonight at 7 eastern. Live from Madison Square Garden, your ringside seat to all the action, with live reports and expert analysis, exclusive access, and much more.
And for more unconventional coverage of the RNC, log onto to CNN.com/AmericaVotes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Well, the political tone was not entirely popular. John Kerry's daughters were greeted with boos when they took to the stage to campaign for their father. The same thing happened when Jenna and Barbara Bush put in a word for their dad from the Republican convention in New York. But they were all appearing at the MTV awards last night in Miami when they heard those boos.
All right. And at the Madison Square Garden a very familiar face, a familiar New Yorker who was just on the stage there in a full house. Ed Koch, a former mayor. You're looking at him right now. Three-term mayor.
Why is he at this Republican convention you ask? Well, he said he is here to convert you. He is here for the reelection of George W. Bush. It's also his way of introducing the current mayor of New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Let's listen in to that now.
KOCH: ... the wizard Harry Potter. The current mayor continues to use them to make our great city even greater. Now, it's my pleasure to present the mayor of the world's greatest city, very honorable Mike Bloomberg!
MYR. MICHAEL BLOOMBERG (R), NEW YORK CITY: Delegates and guests, welcome to my New York, your New York, our New York, everybody's New York.
And thank you, Mayor Koch, for serving this town so well over so many years, and especially for helping us mobilize not only the 8,000 volunteers you sought, but the more than 20,000 you got for this amazing event.
(APPLAUSE)
You betcha. Thank you to every one of them.
Your success is a mark of just how excited New Yorkers are to have the convention here. It's also our way of saying thank you to the Republicans for your tremendous vote of confidence in our city.
(APPLAUSE) We should remember it wasn't so long ago that confidence in New York was in short supply. When I took the oath of office nearly three years ago, we were a city in mourning, a city that had in a few dreadful hours lost almost 3,000 of our own -- husbands, wives, sons and daughters from every part of the nation and every corner of the globe.
There were those who doubted then whether this city could hold on to the gains made during the 1990s under Mayor Guiliani. A lot of people were wondering what the future held for New York City, or whether we even had a future.
But neither America nor President Bush ever stopped believing in us.
(APPLAUSE)
Nearly two years ago, with the city's fate still a question mark in many minds, our president decided that this convention would come to New York City. This was a show of faith that required courage and vision; one that all New Yorkers will not forget.
And today, it fills me with enormous pride and gratitude to tell everyone that New York City is back.
(APPLAUSE)
Our economy is growing, with 45,000 private sector jobs created in the last 12 months alone. Our neighborhoods are humming with a level of public and private construction not seen since the end of World War II.
BLOOMBERG: Our streets are bustling with a three-year 15 percent reduction in crime that has defied the odds and made the nation's safest city even safer.
(APPLAUSE)
Our schools are reviving. Our streets are cleaner. Our quality of life is better. And our future is brighter than ever.
(APPLAUSE)
What's more, New York City has been given the high honor of representing all America in the competition to host the world's greatest athletic event, the 2012 Olympic Games.
That's only fitting because from our earliest days, when Peter Stuyvesant was the governor of a small, multilingual frontier outpost, right up to today when 170 different languages are spoken on our streets and in our homes, New York has been and always will be an Olympic village.
We've shown the world that New York can never be defeated, because of its dynamic and diverse population and because it embodies the spirit of enterprise and the love of liberty. And because no matter who you are, if you believe in yourself and your dream, New York will always be the place for you.
This is the city of dreamers and time and again it's the place where the greatest dream of all, the American dream, has been tested and has triumphed.
BLOOMBERG: It's where in his first major national speech, in 1860, Abraham Lincoln challenged this party and our nation to face the moral evil of slavery with the faith that right makes might.
And later that year, it was New York's delegation to the Republican National Convention that moved to make Abraham Lincoln's nomination for the presidency of the United States unanimous.
I'm proud to say that framed on a wall of my home is the flag those New York Republicans carried during that convention. It is a constant reminder to me of the proud role New York played at a pivotal moment in our nation's history.
Four score and seven years later, New York City is where Jackie Robinson erased the color barrier in our national pastime with his bat and glove and gallant spirit. A monument to this trailblazer is being constructed in Brooklyn to remind us all, America is for everyone.
(APPLAUSE)
And our city is also where, on Independence Day, Governor George Pataki and I laid the tombstone for the Freedom Tower at the site of the World Trade Center. The terrorists hit us there, our knees buckled, but we stayed on our feet.
(APPLAUSE)
And we showed that our dreams, like our liberties, will never be lost to violence or hate.
No place epitomizes the American experience and the American spirit more than New York City. Ironically, it is exactly because we are a city that embraces freedom, that welcomes everyone and encourages their dreams, that New York remains on the front lines in the war on terror.
I want to thank President Bush for supporting New York City and changing the homeland security funding formula...
(APPLAUSE)
... and for leading the global war on terrorism.
(APPLAUSE)
The president deserves our support.
(APPLAUSE)
We are here to support him.
(APPLAUSE)
And I am here to support him.
(APPLAUSE)
We all must recognize that homeland security funds should be allocated by threat and no other reason.
BLOOMBERG: And I will repeat this message to my fellow Republicans, Democrats and independents as many times as it takes so we can keep New York safe and secure.
New Yorkers will go forward doing our duty for our city, our nation and our families and we know that you will, too. Because in our greatest hour of need, you, all our fellow Americans, from every corner of this land, were there for us. And we owe you more than we can say.
(APPLAUSE)
Your police officers and firefighters volunteered for duty at ground zero. Your houses of worship sent blankets, food and prayers. Your children mailed us pictures and poems.
That's another reason that this convention is our chance to say thank you. And it's why we're making our town your town for the week.
(APPLAUSE)
We're the world's second home, the place where every religion is practiced and every culture is celebrated. It's all there for you, from Brooklyn Heights to Bayside, from Coney Island to Chelsea; take it all in. The world's greatest museums, Broadway, the Yankees and the Mets, high-fashion shopping and bargain-hunting specials, and more than 18,000 restaurants in all five boroughs, eager to please any palate and fit any budget.
And let me give you an insider's tip: my own personal favorite thing to do in this city. At least once, one morning while you're here, begin the day with a ride on the ferry to Staten Island. Out there in the harbor you'll glide past the Statue of Liberty, the beacon of freedom that America holds out to people everywhere. It's guaranteed to bring a lump to your throat, because you'll be looking at New York the way generations of new Americans have, as the place to make all your dreams come true.
Thank you and have a great convention. God bless.
(APPLAUSE)
WHITFIELD: Well, this is as much a tribute to New York as it is Republicans. It's been all things New York within the past hour, from Madison Square Garden, starting with a Broadway medley, a tribute to victims of 9/11, and then we even saw Democrat, former mayor of New York City, Ed Koch, who introduced the current mayor, Michael Bloomberg, right there, who professed that the city is back, attributing much of the success of New York to the leadership of George Bush.
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 30, 2004 - 10:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Now in the news.
President Bush departs the White House at the top of the hour en route to New Hampshire. There he'll host an ask President Bush event at a national high school. It's President Bush's fourth campaign stop in New Hampshire this year.
Three Americans are now listed among the dead in yesterday's bombing in downtown Kabul -- excuse me, Kabul, Afghanistan. Six other people were killed and seven more wounded. The attack appeared to target a U.S.-based security company, which has been helping to protect Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Taliban officials have reportedly claimed responsibility.
In about 90 minutes, court-martial proceedings are due to get under way for a National Guardsman charged with trying to help a terrorist group. Prosecutors say a videotape say shows Ryan Anderson sharing information with agents posing as al Qaeda operatives. The tank crewman could face life in prison without parole.
In war-torn Chechnya, elections officials say the country's Kremlin-backed police chief has been elected -- has elected a president, rather. A Russian news agency says nearly three out of four voters backed the government's candidate in the seven-person race. Those election results are in dispute. Chechnya's previous president was assassinated in a bomb attack in May.
Well, most of the prominent speakers at the GOP National Convention take the podium during tonight's session, but there's business going on during the day, as well. Kelly Wallace is on the Madison Square Garden floor.
Where are you, Kelly?
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, I am coming to you from New York.
You can always tell how important a state is in an election by its placement connected to the stage: New York getting front-row seats. New York, of course, the home state for this convention, New York City the home city for this convention.
But just take a look here. Ohio, yes, the Buckeye State, front and center of the stage. No surprise there. No Republican has ever won the White House without winning Ohio. Further down, you can see that Florida also has front-row seats. And as we all know, campaign 2000 decided in the Sunshine State.
But over here also with some front-row seats, New Hampshire. George W. Bush winning the state of New Hampshire in 2000, many believing if Al Gore happened to win New Hampshire, we might have had a different outcome.
And joining me, Carol Holden, the county commissioner in New Hampshire and a county chairwoman for the Bush/Cheney campaign.
Carol, first off, what is it looking like right now in New Hampshire?
CAROL HOLDEN, NEW HAMPSHIRE COUNTY CHAIRWOMAN: Well, right now in New Hampshire, Bush, President Bush is actually ahead by a couple of points. I just recently checked the -- checked the polls. And we're hoping that he'll get a good boost from this wonderful convention.
WALLACE: Doing the reporting for us here on the floor. Now, the president, of course, is it in New Hampshire right now. What are -- or headed there today. What are the key issues in New Hampshire?
HOLDEN: I think just like throughout the country, homeland security, the economy, health care. You know, and we're looking for leadership in those areas. And I think we'll get it from President Bush with his policies.
WALLACE: What's the main thing you want to hear from President Bush and all the other speakers here at this convention?
HOLDEN: We want to hear that we're going to keep America safe, that we're going to continue the war on terrorism, and under his leadership, that we'll be successful and America will be safe.
WALLACE: And finally, how united are Republicans? Because some social conservatives had been pushing for some tougher positions on abortion, gay marriage in this GOP platform. Some moderates say it's the wrong way to go to win reelection.
HOLDEN: I think what happens is the Republicans have a big tent, and we try to agree on most things, but we can agree to disagree. And in general, we're voting for the president for his -- for his leadership and for his ability to unite the nation.
WALLACE: Carol Holden, and we love your very decorative outfit today. Thanks for joining us.
So Fredricka, a lot of committee business going on on the floor right now. You'll also have something else. You will have a roll call of 21 states for the nomination of the president and the vice president. What the Republican Party is doing is trying to sort of do a little bit of the roll call during each session, and then obviously culminate with the nomination of the president and vice president.
Fredricka, back to you.
WHITFIELD: All right. Kelly Wallace from the floor of the Madison Square Garden with a little variety of entertainment in the background.
Well, Senator Zell Miller and former presidential candidate Wesley Clark both think the nation needs a strong commander in chief in a time of war, but they disagree on who it should be. Democrat Miller, the keynote speaker at the Republican National Convention, explains why he's supporting President Bush.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. ZELL MILLER (D), GEORGIA: The Democratic Party has changed. Back then, Bill Clinton was trying to bring the Democratic Party back to the middle. He was talking about punishing criminals instead of explaining aware their behavior. He was talking about the era of big government being over. He was talking about changing welfare as we know it.
He was the Democrat I'd been looking for to bring the Democratic Party back to the center. Unfortunately, the Democratic Party today has gone further and further to the left. It's left me; it's left moderates; and it's left a lot of people who want to support a strong commander in chief.
GEN. WESLEY CLARK (D), FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, I think all of the elements that Zell Miller was looking for in 1992 have been done. We are tougher on criminals. We have done welfare reform. This country was moving in the center, created 22 million jobs under the last Democratic administration headed by Bill Clinton.
What we've got right now, though, is a nation that's at war. We need a commander in chief with good judgment. George Bush hasn't shown that good judgment. He made a huge strategic blunder putting us into Iraq, and putting us in there in a way that alienated our allies, left us isolated in the world, and has made it more difficult to cope with the challenge of fighting terrorists.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: You can keep up with the Republican National Convention on your computer, CNN.com has a daily schedule of events, a viewer's guide, a profile of the major players, plus a photo essay.
And we'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: You're looking at a little entertainment taking place in Madison Square Garden during the Republican National Convention.
Earlier, the convention began just about 40 minutes ago on a rather somber note, with a tribute to the 9/11 victims, the tragedy of 9/11. And then there were a series of kind of office business to take place there on the floor before they broke into a little Broadway medley here now.
Much is being made about the moderate conservatives that will also be playing a role in this convention. Later on, we'll be -- this evening, in fact, from Senator John McCain. A little bit later on in the week we'll be hearing from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and even first lady Laura Bush, who usually takes a back seat to speaking engagements. But as of recent, she's been taking the front -- the front row in doing that.
And you're looking at a very familiar face right here, former New York Mayor Ed Koch.
Let's listen in.
ED KOCH, FORMER NEW YORK MAYOR: I know what you're thinking. What's Ed Koch doing at the Republican convention? Me! A Democratic district leader in Greenwich Village, Democratic city council member, a Democratic member of Congress, a Democratic mayor. Why am I here? I'm here to convert you.
But that's for the next election. This year, I'm voting for the reelection of President George W. Bush!
How am I doing?
When I was asked to lead the campaign to recruit 8,000 volunteers to make the convention a success, I said, of course. I did a TV commercial. Perhaps you saw it. It starred Minnie, the Republican elephant, and me.
Let me tell you a secret. Making that commercial violated a commitment I made almost 60 years ago, not to the Democrats, but to my sainted mother who told me, Eddie, never fool around with a wild animal. But I did it for New York!
I did it because I want every single delegate and guest to go back home and tell everyone, "I had the time of my life. And I really love New York."
Hey! You don't have to believe me. See for yourself.
(MUSIC)
WHITFIELD: All right. You're listening to Ed Koch, former mayor of New York City, a Democrat, who said, "I am here because I'm here to convert you," in front of the Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden.
All right. We're going to be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: The questioning of potential jurors in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case enters a new stage today. CNN's Chris Lawrence is outside the courthouse in Eagle, Colorado, and he joins us live now. Hi, Chris.
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, Fredricka.
Things are definitely picking up here at the courthouse. Some of the jurors who filled out those questionnaires on Friday are now coming back to court to begin answering individual questions with the attorneys and the judge.
Now, the judge and the attorneys worked through the night, reviewing the answers to those 82 questions. Some of the questions asked were: "Have you or anyone in your family ever been a victim of sexual assault? Have you ever studied or received training in psychology, psychiatry, social work or counseling? And do you think that people who have lots of money are treated better by the court system than others?"
Now, earlier we saw Kobe Bryant and his attorneys returning to court today. They will be in the courtroom as those jurors are questioned privately by the judge and the attorneys.
Another new development is that there was a civil case here that was scheduled to start this week. There were a couple hundred people in that jury pool. What's happened now is that civil case was settled. So what they're doing is they're rolling those people over into this jury pool, as well.
So the same 82-question questionnaire that the people filled out on Friday, these people to attend the civil case, they'll now fill out that same questionnaire, and they'll be rolled over into the jury pool, as well -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Chris. And how long is this process expected to take, given that trial is supposed to begin in just over a week from now?
All right.
LAWRENCE: I'm sorry; I didn't hear you.
WHITFIELD: Looks like we're having a little audio problem with that. Chris Lawrence out of Eagle, Colorado.
All right. Let's talk a little business now. We know the Dow is down a few points just under 40 minutes ago or so. How is it looking out there now?
Fred Katayama joins us from Wall Street.
Hi, Fred.
(STOCK REPORT)
WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks a lot, Fred.
Music, videos and politics. And you get a night of cheers and jeers. Highlights from the event are straight ahead.
And this is what we're working on for the next hour.
ANNOUNCER: CNN's complete coverage of the Republican National Convention begins tonight at 7 eastern. Live from Madison Square Garden, your ringside seat to all the action, with live reports and expert analysis, exclusive access, and much more.
And for more unconventional coverage of the RNC, log onto to CNN.com/AmericaVotes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Well, the political tone was not entirely popular. John Kerry's daughters were greeted with boos when they took to the stage to campaign for their father. The same thing happened when Jenna and Barbara Bush put in a word for their dad from the Republican convention in New York. But they were all appearing at the MTV awards last night in Miami when they heard those boos.
All right. And at the Madison Square Garden a very familiar face, a familiar New Yorker who was just on the stage there in a full house. Ed Koch, a former mayor. You're looking at him right now. Three-term mayor.
Why is he at this Republican convention you ask? Well, he said he is here to convert you. He is here for the reelection of George W. Bush. It's also his way of introducing the current mayor of New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Let's listen in to that now.
KOCH: ... the wizard Harry Potter. The current mayor continues to use them to make our great city even greater. Now, it's my pleasure to present the mayor of the world's greatest city, very honorable Mike Bloomberg!
MYR. MICHAEL BLOOMBERG (R), NEW YORK CITY: Delegates and guests, welcome to my New York, your New York, our New York, everybody's New York.
And thank you, Mayor Koch, for serving this town so well over so many years, and especially for helping us mobilize not only the 8,000 volunteers you sought, but the more than 20,000 you got for this amazing event.
(APPLAUSE)
You betcha. Thank you to every one of them.
Your success is a mark of just how excited New Yorkers are to have the convention here. It's also our way of saying thank you to the Republicans for your tremendous vote of confidence in our city.
(APPLAUSE) We should remember it wasn't so long ago that confidence in New York was in short supply. When I took the oath of office nearly three years ago, we were a city in mourning, a city that had in a few dreadful hours lost almost 3,000 of our own -- husbands, wives, sons and daughters from every part of the nation and every corner of the globe.
There were those who doubted then whether this city could hold on to the gains made during the 1990s under Mayor Guiliani. A lot of people were wondering what the future held for New York City, or whether we even had a future.
But neither America nor President Bush ever stopped believing in us.
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Nearly two years ago, with the city's fate still a question mark in many minds, our president decided that this convention would come to New York City. This was a show of faith that required courage and vision; one that all New Yorkers will not forget.
And today, it fills me with enormous pride and gratitude to tell everyone that New York City is back.
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Our economy is growing, with 45,000 private sector jobs created in the last 12 months alone. Our neighborhoods are humming with a level of public and private construction not seen since the end of World War II.
BLOOMBERG: Our streets are bustling with a three-year 15 percent reduction in crime that has defied the odds and made the nation's safest city even safer.
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Our schools are reviving. Our streets are cleaner. Our quality of life is better. And our future is brighter than ever.
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What's more, New York City has been given the high honor of representing all America in the competition to host the world's greatest athletic event, the 2012 Olympic Games.
That's only fitting because from our earliest days, when Peter Stuyvesant was the governor of a small, multilingual frontier outpost, right up to today when 170 different languages are spoken on our streets and in our homes, New York has been and always will be an Olympic village.
We've shown the world that New York can never be defeated, because of its dynamic and diverse population and because it embodies the spirit of enterprise and the love of liberty. And because no matter who you are, if you believe in yourself and your dream, New York will always be the place for you.
This is the city of dreamers and time and again it's the place where the greatest dream of all, the American dream, has been tested and has triumphed.
BLOOMBERG: It's where in his first major national speech, in 1860, Abraham Lincoln challenged this party and our nation to face the moral evil of slavery with the faith that right makes might.
And later that year, it was New York's delegation to the Republican National Convention that moved to make Abraham Lincoln's nomination for the presidency of the United States unanimous.
I'm proud to say that framed on a wall of my home is the flag those New York Republicans carried during that convention. It is a constant reminder to me of the proud role New York played at a pivotal moment in our nation's history.
Four score and seven years later, New York City is where Jackie Robinson erased the color barrier in our national pastime with his bat and glove and gallant spirit. A monument to this trailblazer is being constructed in Brooklyn to remind us all, America is for everyone.
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And our city is also where, on Independence Day, Governor George Pataki and I laid the tombstone for the Freedom Tower at the site of the World Trade Center. The terrorists hit us there, our knees buckled, but we stayed on our feet.
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And we showed that our dreams, like our liberties, will never be lost to violence or hate.
No place epitomizes the American experience and the American spirit more than New York City. Ironically, it is exactly because we are a city that embraces freedom, that welcomes everyone and encourages their dreams, that New York remains on the front lines in the war on terror.
I want to thank President Bush for supporting New York City and changing the homeland security funding formula...
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... and for leading the global war on terrorism.
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The president deserves our support.
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We are here to support him.
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And I am here to support him.
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We all must recognize that homeland security funds should be allocated by threat and no other reason.
BLOOMBERG: And I will repeat this message to my fellow Republicans, Democrats and independents as many times as it takes so we can keep New York safe and secure.
New Yorkers will go forward doing our duty for our city, our nation and our families and we know that you will, too. Because in our greatest hour of need, you, all our fellow Americans, from every corner of this land, were there for us. And we owe you more than we can say.
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Your police officers and firefighters volunteered for duty at ground zero. Your houses of worship sent blankets, food and prayers. Your children mailed us pictures and poems.
That's another reason that this convention is our chance to say thank you. And it's why we're making our town your town for the week.
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We're the world's second home, the place where every religion is practiced and every culture is celebrated. It's all there for you, from Brooklyn Heights to Bayside, from Coney Island to Chelsea; take it all in. The world's greatest museums, Broadway, the Yankees and the Mets, high-fashion shopping and bargain-hunting specials, and more than 18,000 restaurants in all five boroughs, eager to please any palate and fit any budget.
And let me give you an insider's tip: my own personal favorite thing to do in this city. At least once, one morning while you're here, begin the day with a ride on the ferry to Staten Island. Out there in the harbor you'll glide past the Statue of Liberty, the beacon of freedom that America holds out to people everywhere. It's guaranteed to bring a lump to your throat, because you'll be looking at New York the way generations of new Americans have, as the place to make all your dreams come true.
Thank you and have a great convention. God bless.
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WHITFIELD: Well, this is as much a tribute to New York as it is Republicans. It's been all things New York within the past hour, from Madison Square Garden, starting with a Broadway medley, a tribute to victims of 9/11, and then we even saw Democrat, former mayor of New York City, Ed Koch, who introduced the current mayor, Michael Bloomberg, right there, who professed that the city is back, attributing much of the success of New York to the leadership of George Bush.
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