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CNN Live Today
In Russia, School Children, Teachers, Some Parents Being Held Hostage; Choreographed Roll Call Formally Gives President Bush Nomination
Aired September 01, 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'll get started here at CNN world headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. We begin with a look at the headlines now in the news.
Terror on the first day of school in southern Russia, at least 100 students, parents and teachers are being held hostage. Seven people have been killed during this incident so far. The hostage takers are warning they will blow up the school if police try to storm it. And to heighten their threat, the attackers have lined up children at the windows.
Iraqi officials have launched an investigation into today's ambush on Ahmed Chalabi's convoy. Two bodyguards were wounded, one of them seriously when gunmen opened fire on the convoy. Chalabi was not hurt; he was en route to Baghdad from Najaf after visiting the Grand Ayatollah Ali al Sistani. Chalabi is a former Pentagon favorite, but recently was accused of passing secrets to Iran.
Four mortar rounds hit near the entrance to Baghdad's Green Zone this morning. Two Iraqis were wounded. The explosions didn't affect the convention center, where the Iraqi National Assembly formally convened today.
Here in the U.S., Floridians are boarding up for another possible hurricane hit. Frances is now a Category 4 storm. It could get stronger before coming ashore. That landfall is projected for Friday or Saturday. Still though, too early to tell exactly where along the south Atlantic coast the storm could strike.
Live this hour, Republicans basking in the glow of star power and tonight shining the spotlight on the co-star of the party's ticket. Vice President Dick Cheney takes the stage to announce the Democratic challenger. Actually, make that to denounce the Democratic challenger and bolster the case for four more years for him and President Bush. We'll have extensive coverage from New York's Madison Square Garden.
But we're going to begin with what is taking place in Russia. It has been a week of war with unknown enemies for Russia. Two airliners brought down, a Moscow subway station bombed, and today perhaps the most cruel assault yet. School children, their teachers and some of their parents are being held hostage by attackers wearing suicide bomb belts.
Our Ryan Chilcote is in Moscow with the latest -- Ryan. RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, it's the first day of school here in Russia. And these students, their parents and teachers had just gathered for a ceremony out in front of the school to kick off the school year. That's when more than 15 attackers, both men and women armed to the teeth, we are told, opened fire and seized the school, forcing the students, teachers and their parents into the school.
There has been very conflicting reports on the number of hostages inside, but Russian authorities in the last 10, 15 minutes have revised that number again. They now believe that there may be between 300 and 400 hostages inside that school. Most of them students between the ages of 7 and 17.
Now, the hostage takers are warning Russian authorities not to try and storm the school. They say that for every hostage taker that is killed if Russian authorities try to storm that school, they will kill 50 children. For every hostage taker that is wounded, they say they will kill -- or they will -- yes, kill 20.
Now, their demands are that Russia withdraws all of its troops. That's tens of thousands of troops from Chechnya. They're also demanding that Russian authorities release some prisoners from Russian jails who were picked up by Russian authorities after Chechen rebels conducted a raid in June in the south of Russia.
We have reports of sporadic fighting around the school. Both when the school was seized by these hostage takers and since then. So far, we have been told there have been seven fatalities and several people injured -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Ryan, to say this goes beyond sick to take school children hostage really pretty much goes without saying. Let's get some more detail though, about why this particular school might have been targeted, where it is and how it might tie into upcoming elections in Chechnya.
CHILCOTE: Well, this attack took place in the Russian region of northern Ossetia. Northern Ossetia is near Chechnya; it is the site of frequent terrorist attacks. Why they might go after a school? Well, it might have been less guarded than obviously was necessary at this point. It also, of course, sends a very cruel message to Russia that terrorists are prepared to even kill children to accomplish their goals to get Russian troops out of Chechnya.
Now, in terms of the timing, the political context here, there was an election this past weekend in Chechnya. The rebels that are fighting Russian forces in Chechnya did not take part in that election recently. Russian authorities did not invite them to. The Chechen rebels have said that they will continue their fight against Russians on Russian soil and have threatened to use terrorist attacks.
KAGAN: Ryan Chilcote with the latest.
CHILCOTE: Daryn.
KAGAN: Ryan, thank you. Ryan Chilcote bringing us the latest from Moscow.
It has been a dangerous week in Russia. An Islamist group is claiming responsibility for the other two recent attacks in that country. The Islambuli Brigade says they were behind last night's bombing outside of a Moscow subway stop. Ten people were killed, more than 50 other people were wounded. The group previously claimed responsibility for last week's airliner crashes. Neither claim has so far been confirmed.
Let's focus back now on the U.S. presidential race and the building crescendo at the Republican National Convention. A choreographed roll call has formally given President Bush the party's nomination. And tonight, the second in command lays out the reasons why he believes Americans should echo that endorsement.
Our national correspondent Bob Franken is at Madison Square Garden.
Bob, good morning.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. And not before the key keynote speaker makes his presentation. What's so interesting about this keynote speaker, Georgia Senator Zell Miller, is he's a Democrat. Although many Democrats would question whether he is in his heart of hearts. Also interesting, is the fact that 1 year ago, Zell Miller gave the keynote address at the Democratic convention that nominated Bill Clinton to be the president. So it has been an interesting journey, which takes him now to the floor of Madison Square Garden to deliver the keynote address.
And then a man who is decidedly Republican, Vice President Dick Cheney will give what amounts to his acceptance speech. He is somebody who has, of course, been the center of controversy wherever you look. He is somebody, however, who is going to get an enthusiastic support from those who gather here. He's going to speak about both national security matters and the economy.
And then, of course, he will be the nominee setting the stage for President Bush, who's also going to be in town. He's going to be stopping at a fire station in the Queens area to make sure that nobody forgets about September 11. And he's going to go back to his hotel and watch the proceedings before he takes -- I don't want to say center stage, because it's a special round stage that's being constructed overnight on the floor. Nevertheless, he's the main act and he starts tomorrow night. But first, there are some real good opening acts that are going to set the stage for him -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right. Bob Franken in New York City. Bob, thank you.
Well, last night during the convention a Hollywood heavyweight became a political pitchman for the president. As an actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger's name has been on many a movie marquee. And as California's governor, Arnold is all over signs at the convention. In his primetime speech, Schwarzenegger touted the strength of the U.S. economy. And he called critics, quote -- well, this is Arnold's words, "economic girlie men." He also called President Bush a strong, decisive leader.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA: My fellow Americans, make no mistake about it. Terrorism is more insidious than communism because it yearns to destroy not just individual, but the entire international order. The president did not go into Iraq because the polls told him it was popular. As a matter of fact, the polls said just the opposite. But leadership isn't about polls. It's about...
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
SCHWARZENEGGER: It's about making decisions you think are right and then standing behind those decisions.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
SCHWARZENEGGER: That's why America is safer with George W. Bush as president.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Republicans are relying heavily on the war on terror to frame the president's achievements. Democrats, meanwhile, are focusing on the economy to point out what they see as its failings. And under the banner, anti-Bush demonstrators are launching their pink slip protest.
Our Deborah Feyerick joins us with a closer look at that.
Deb, good morning.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Morning, Daryn. Well, one of them this morning lasted less than 20 minutes but the line stretched from Wall Street all the way up to the Empire State Building just near the convention site. Five miles, what organizers called the longest unemployment line. The goal was to call attention to the more than 8 million out of work Americans. It was single line, it was quiet and everyone in it was holding a pink slip.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
And the message is clear; this is the first time since the Great Depression that America has lost jobs. We've lost over 1.2 million jobs in this country. That's why we're creating an unemployment line that will reach from Broadway all the way to Madison Square Garden. We want to do this as a peaceful, calm symbolic statement, not a protest. (END VIDEO CLIP)
FEYERICK: Now, some of the many other protests that were taking place yesterday were not as peaceful. One in particular here at Madison Square Garden, protesters outside the convention site refused to go to the Free Speech Zone. Dozens of them sat in the streets, at one point blocking two buses carrying delegates. There were 40 arrests in that incident.
In another protest down at Ground Zero, 200 people were arrested. The police commissioner says that even though they didn't have a permit, they did renege on an agreement to stay on the sidewalk. Protesters maintain that the march was peaceful. The police commissioner does point out, that of the 1500 arrests that have taken place over the course of the last seven days, many of them are veterans of other demonstrations and they are not from New York -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Deborah Feyerick on the streets of New York City. Deborah, thank you.
There's a huge weather storm developing out there, preparing for the fury of Frances. We are getting ready for that. Another hurricane creeping closer to Florida. Orelon Sidney joins me right after the break with an update.
And the Bush daughters make their convention debut. How did they do?
Plus...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRINCELLA SMITH, KEYNOTE SPEAKER, RNC.: Over a decade ago a fellow Arkansan at the national convention talked about a place called Hope. Now, I would like to talk about another small town in Arkansas, a place called Win.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Her way with words won her a speaking slot at the Republican National Convention. How did Princella Smith do that? She's going to tell me just ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Evacuation orders could be issued later today for some residents on the east coast of Florida, as Hurricane Frances heads for a possible U.S. landfall. Frances is a currently a dangerous Category 4 storm, still too early to tell for sure but francs could come ashore Friday or Saturday anywhere from the Florida Straits north to the Carolinas.
How did the Bush twins do introducing their mother at the convention? And is there trouble in the Kerry campaign? We will talk about that right ahead. Right now, we take a quick break. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: The president is en route to the nomination is in hand, and the vice president is in the wings. Republicans are gearing up for a big night as the Republican convention builds towards its choreographed finale tomorrow night.
Our political analyst Carlos Watson at the convention site. He is raring to go. He joins us inside from Madison Square Garden.
Good morning.
CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Daryn Kagan, how are you doing?
KAGAN: I'm doing great. Looking forward, this is kind of the meat and potatoes, I guess. Tonight, Dick Cheney and Zell Miller, two men I think interestingly enough, neither one has presidential ambitions. They can really kind of come out swinging tonight -- Carlos.
WATSON: Correct. I think we're going to turn a page. Whereas, the first two days were all about reaching out to undecided voters, some 1 in 5 voters pollsters believe. Tonight will be about revving up the base, getting high turnout in several of the key states. As well as significantly, Daryn, not reaching out to moderate undecided voters. But reaching out perhaps to what you might call conservative Democrats in places like: West Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, all states that Bill Clinton won twice, but which Al Gore failed to carry in 2000.
KAGAN: Last night, a lot softer. We saw Arnold Schwarzenegger. We also saw the Bush twins. They've been out on the campaign trial, but yet this was their big national debut. Interesting choice of material in some of the jokes, I thought -- Carlos.
WATSON: Shaking' it like a Polaroid picture.
(LAUGHTER)
KAGAN: Yes. Making a "Sex in the City" joke about their grandmother, Barbara Bush?
WATSON: You know what I thought was interesting here? I thought that the confidence, particularly of Jenna Bush, when you're watching TV. She's the taller one, the one on the right displayed. Reminded me that we're likely to see a fourth generation of Bushes very active in politics. Some people don't remember but President Bush's grandfather actually was a U.S. senator from Connecticut. His father obviously was president. He's president.
But I think you saw Jenna Bush in a confident way say I enjoy the political process. I want to support my dad. You saw her cousin, George P. Bush, the telegenic son of Jeb Bush also up on the screen. So by the way, don't be surprised a couple of years from now, if we see another Gore/Bush match up. Corrina Gore versus say, a Jenna Bush or a George P. Bush.
KAGAN: Now, I like -- I know you like to look into your crystal ball, but this is the first place I've heard anybody suggest that Jenna Bush might run -- one day run for office. Very interesting. You're on the record saying it.
WATSON: By the way, she has said herself and her parents have said that she takes after her dad a good bit, probably more so than her twin sister, Barbara, who just graduated from Yale. You saw her confidence there and by the way at the MTV Music Awards. So while her dad is also criticized sometimes for not being as serious as some think he should be, there is confidence and a charisma there that I wouldn't be surprised to see it lead her into politics.
KAGAN: All right. Not the last we've seen of her, no doubt.
Let's talk about John Kerry making a very interesting speech, may be not the speech in particular it should be interesting. But the fact that he's making this appearance during the week when it's the Republican campaign --the Republican convention.
WATSON: Daryn, this could end up being an extraordinarily critical speech. When we look back over the course of the campaign, retrospectively within several months, this may end up being the turning point that he either took advantage of or that he missed. Remember, Michael Dukakis' misfortune 16 years ago all sunk in the month of August. And for John Kerry's, whose momentum is unequivocally slow over the last three or four weeks, there are a couple of things that he's talking about.
One, whether or not to shake up his campaign team. And two, in the speech tonight how aggressively to go after the president. Remember, he was relatively mild both during the Democratic convention and during the swift boat controversy. And you may see sharper elbows come out in today's speech to a group of veterans.
KAGAN: Interesting, so sharp elbows coming from both the Democrats and the Republicans expected today.
Carlos, thank you. Carlos Watson at Madison Square Garden.
WATSON: Good to see you.
KAGAN: We are going to update you on what is taking place in Russia. It is another day of terror there, gunmen seizing a school full of children.
Plus, Gerri Willis is here. Getting sued, that's a bummer and a scary prospect. But Gerri is going to have some tips.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: It is a scary prospect. Hey, Daryn, we're going to tell you what to do if you're a do-it-yourselfer and then how to get professional help if you need it, when CNN Live Today returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) KAGAN: All right. If you have ever received a summons to appear in court, you know the experience can be a scary and intimidating one. But CNN/FN personal finance editor Gerri Willis has some tips just in case you get sued. We don't wish that on anybody, but it's good to be ready.
Gerri, good morning.
WILLIS: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you. You know, first off, keep it simple. Look, what's probably going to happen is you're going to have a small, little case go to small claims court. You don't need an attorney for this. You just need some good education. You'll probably get the news in your mailbox in the form of a summons and complaint that will detail everything going on.
If you don't understand the words, you want more information; we have a couple of Web sites for you. The American Bar Association's web site, abanet.org. Don't forget nolo.com. That's a great place to go to for a little education on a lawsuit.
KAGAN: Looking at your auto insurance, liability is key.
WILLIS: You know, most suits are auto-related, Daryn. So you want to make sure you have enough liability coverage. Now, there are limits in states, you have to get a certain amount in most states. But often that's not enough when you get sued. It doesn't go far enough to protect you. The experts recommend that you get $100,000 of bodily injury protection per person and $300,000 per accident. So make sure you've got enough coverage just in case.
KAGAN: When you're talking about getting an umbrella, you're not talking about the weather, are you?
(LAUGHTER)
WILLIS: No, no, no. You know, a lot of people don't understand that their home insurance policy has some protections against lawsuit. Let's say you get a suit for bodily injury. Somebody has an accident in the backyard around the pool or property damage. You have coverage; most homeowners' insurance policies have about $100,000 worth of coverage. Now, if you have a ton of money and you want more coverage, you can get it with an umbrella policy. Which will also cover you for slander, invasion of privacy and libel.
KAGAN: What about getting things in writing -- Gerri?
WILLIS: You know, a lot of people have like, informal agreements with people who work around their home. Maybe you have your driveway repaved and you don't like the job that was done, you should have a contract. Because that way, at least you have some protections. And remember you can always put amendments on to that contract with the help of an attorney. It's not too hard. But get everything in writing. That way you know what to expect, and you know what people have to perform to.
KAGAN: You bring up getting an attorney. How do you know when it's time?
WILLIS: Well, if you're not going to small claims court, the claim is more than $5,000 against you, you may want expert help. Again, a great resource, abanet.org. That's the American Bar Association's web site; it's a great place to go. Because here's the deal, Daryn. All these attorneys are specialized. They look at very specific parts of the law. You need somebody to help you with your specific case. Get somebody who knows about your problem.
KAGAN: Gerri Willis, thanks for your advice.
WILLIS: Thank you.
KAGAN: We're going to update you on the story of what's taking place in Russia. A day of terror, gunmen seize a school, holding school children hostage. Another attack in a week of death and destruction there. How safe is life in Russia?
CNN LIVE TODAY is back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired September 1, 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'll get started here at CNN world headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. We begin with a look at the headlines now in the news.
Terror on the first day of school in southern Russia, at least 100 students, parents and teachers are being held hostage. Seven people have been killed during this incident so far. The hostage takers are warning they will blow up the school if police try to storm it. And to heighten their threat, the attackers have lined up children at the windows.
Iraqi officials have launched an investigation into today's ambush on Ahmed Chalabi's convoy. Two bodyguards were wounded, one of them seriously when gunmen opened fire on the convoy. Chalabi was not hurt; he was en route to Baghdad from Najaf after visiting the Grand Ayatollah Ali al Sistani. Chalabi is a former Pentagon favorite, but recently was accused of passing secrets to Iran.
Four mortar rounds hit near the entrance to Baghdad's Green Zone this morning. Two Iraqis were wounded. The explosions didn't affect the convention center, where the Iraqi National Assembly formally convened today.
Here in the U.S., Floridians are boarding up for another possible hurricane hit. Frances is now a Category 4 storm. It could get stronger before coming ashore. That landfall is projected for Friday or Saturday. Still though, too early to tell exactly where along the south Atlantic coast the storm could strike.
Live this hour, Republicans basking in the glow of star power and tonight shining the spotlight on the co-star of the party's ticket. Vice President Dick Cheney takes the stage to announce the Democratic challenger. Actually, make that to denounce the Democratic challenger and bolster the case for four more years for him and President Bush. We'll have extensive coverage from New York's Madison Square Garden.
But we're going to begin with what is taking place in Russia. It has been a week of war with unknown enemies for Russia. Two airliners brought down, a Moscow subway station bombed, and today perhaps the most cruel assault yet. School children, their teachers and some of their parents are being held hostage by attackers wearing suicide bomb belts.
Our Ryan Chilcote is in Moscow with the latest -- Ryan. RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, it's the first day of school here in Russia. And these students, their parents and teachers had just gathered for a ceremony out in front of the school to kick off the school year. That's when more than 15 attackers, both men and women armed to the teeth, we are told, opened fire and seized the school, forcing the students, teachers and their parents into the school.
There has been very conflicting reports on the number of hostages inside, but Russian authorities in the last 10, 15 minutes have revised that number again. They now believe that there may be between 300 and 400 hostages inside that school. Most of them students between the ages of 7 and 17.
Now, the hostage takers are warning Russian authorities not to try and storm the school. They say that for every hostage taker that is killed if Russian authorities try to storm that school, they will kill 50 children. For every hostage taker that is wounded, they say they will kill -- or they will -- yes, kill 20.
Now, their demands are that Russia withdraws all of its troops. That's tens of thousands of troops from Chechnya. They're also demanding that Russian authorities release some prisoners from Russian jails who were picked up by Russian authorities after Chechen rebels conducted a raid in June in the south of Russia.
We have reports of sporadic fighting around the school. Both when the school was seized by these hostage takers and since then. So far, we have been told there have been seven fatalities and several people injured -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Ryan, to say this goes beyond sick to take school children hostage really pretty much goes without saying. Let's get some more detail though, about why this particular school might have been targeted, where it is and how it might tie into upcoming elections in Chechnya.
CHILCOTE: Well, this attack took place in the Russian region of northern Ossetia. Northern Ossetia is near Chechnya; it is the site of frequent terrorist attacks. Why they might go after a school? Well, it might have been less guarded than obviously was necessary at this point. It also, of course, sends a very cruel message to Russia that terrorists are prepared to even kill children to accomplish their goals to get Russian troops out of Chechnya.
Now, in terms of the timing, the political context here, there was an election this past weekend in Chechnya. The rebels that are fighting Russian forces in Chechnya did not take part in that election recently. Russian authorities did not invite them to. The Chechen rebels have said that they will continue their fight against Russians on Russian soil and have threatened to use terrorist attacks.
KAGAN: Ryan Chilcote with the latest.
CHILCOTE: Daryn.
KAGAN: Ryan, thank you. Ryan Chilcote bringing us the latest from Moscow.
It has been a dangerous week in Russia. An Islamist group is claiming responsibility for the other two recent attacks in that country. The Islambuli Brigade says they were behind last night's bombing outside of a Moscow subway stop. Ten people were killed, more than 50 other people were wounded. The group previously claimed responsibility for last week's airliner crashes. Neither claim has so far been confirmed.
Let's focus back now on the U.S. presidential race and the building crescendo at the Republican National Convention. A choreographed roll call has formally given President Bush the party's nomination. And tonight, the second in command lays out the reasons why he believes Americans should echo that endorsement.
Our national correspondent Bob Franken is at Madison Square Garden.
Bob, good morning.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. And not before the key keynote speaker makes his presentation. What's so interesting about this keynote speaker, Georgia Senator Zell Miller, is he's a Democrat. Although many Democrats would question whether he is in his heart of hearts. Also interesting, is the fact that 1 year ago, Zell Miller gave the keynote address at the Democratic convention that nominated Bill Clinton to be the president. So it has been an interesting journey, which takes him now to the floor of Madison Square Garden to deliver the keynote address.
And then a man who is decidedly Republican, Vice President Dick Cheney will give what amounts to his acceptance speech. He is somebody who has, of course, been the center of controversy wherever you look. He is somebody, however, who is going to get an enthusiastic support from those who gather here. He's going to speak about both national security matters and the economy.
And then, of course, he will be the nominee setting the stage for President Bush, who's also going to be in town. He's going to be stopping at a fire station in the Queens area to make sure that nobody forgets about September 11. And he's going to go back to his hotel and watch the proceedings before he takes -- I don't want to say center stage, because it's a special round stage that's being constructed overnight on the floor. Nevertheless, he's the main act and he starts tomorrow night. But first, there are some real good opening acts that are going to set the stage for him -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right. Bob Franken in New York City. Bob, thank you.
Well, last night during the convention a Hollywood heavyweight became a political pitchman for the president. As an actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger's name has been on many a movie marquee. And as California's governor, Arnold is all over signs at the convention. In his primetime speech, Schwarzenegger touted the strength of the U.S. economy. And he called critics, quote -- well, this is Arnold's words, "economic girlie men." He also called President Bush a strong, decisive leader.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA: My fellow Americans, make no mistake about it. Terrorism is more insidious than communism because it yearns to destroy not just individual, but the entire international order. The president did not go into Iraq because the polls told him it was popular. As a matter of fact, the polls said just the opposite. But leadership isn't about polls. It's about...
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
SCHWARZENEGGER: It's about making decisions you think are right and then standing behind those decisions.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
SCHWARZENEGGER: That's why America is safer with George W. Bush as president.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Republicans are relying heavily on the war on terror to frame the president's achievements. Democrats, meanwhile, are focusing on the economy to point out what they see as its failings. And under the banner, anti-Bush demonstrators are launching their pink slip protest.
Our Deborah Feyerick joins us with a closer look at that.
Deb, good morning.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Morning, Daryn. Well, one of them this morning lasted less than 20 minutes but the line stretched from Wall Street all the way up to the Empire State Building just near the convention site. Five miles, what organizers called the longest unemployment line. The goal was to call attention to the more than 8 million out of work Americans. It was single line, it was quiet and everyone in it was holding a pink slip.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
And the message is clear; this is the first time since the Great Depression that America has lost jobs. We've lost over 1.2 million jobs in this country. That's why we're creating an unemployment line that will reach from Broadway all the way to Madison Square Garden. We want to do this as a peaceful, calm symbolic statement, not a protest. (END VIDEO CLIP)
FEYERICK: Now, some of the many other protests that were taking place yesterday were not as peaceful. One in particular here at Madison Square Garden, protesters outside the convention site refused to go to the Free Speech Zone. Dozens of them sat in the streets, at one point blocking two buses carrying delegates. There were 40 arrests in that incident.
In another protest down at Ground Zero, 200 people were arrested. The police commissioner says that even though they didn't have a permit, they did renege on an agreement to stay on the sidewalk. Protesters maintain that the march was peaceful. The police commissioner does point out, that of the 1500 arrests that have taken place over the course of the last seven days, many of them are veterans of other demonstrations and they are not from New York -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Deborah Feyerick on the streets of New York City. Deborah, thank you.
There's a huge weather storm developing out there, preparing for the fury of Frances. We are getting ready for that. Another hurricane creeping closer to Florida. Orelon Sidney joins me right after the break with an update.
And the Bush daughters make their convention debut. How did they do?
Plus...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRINCELLA SMITH, KEYNOTE SPEAKER, RNC.: Over a decade ago a fellow Arkansan at the national convention talked about a place called Hope. Now, I would like to talk about another small town in Arkansas, a place called Win.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Her way with words won her a speaking slot at the Republican National Convention. How did Princella Smith do that? She's going to tell me just ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Evacuation orders could be issued later today for some residents on the east coast of Florida, as Hurricane Frances heads for a possible U.S. landfall. Frances is a currently a dangerous Category 4 storm, still too early to tell for sure but francs could come ashore Friday or Saturday anywhere from the Florida Straits north to the Carolinas.
How did the Bush twins do introducing their mother at the convention? And is there trouble in the Kerry campaign? We will talk about that right ahead. Right now, we take a quick break. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: The president is en route to the nomination is in hand, and the vice president is in the wings. Republicans are gearing up for a big night as the Republican convention builds towards its choreographed finale tomorrow night.
Our political analyst Carlos Watson at the convention site. He is raring to go. He joins us inside from Madison Square Garden.
Good morning.
CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Daryn Kagan, how are you doing?
KAGAN: I'm doing great. Looking forward, this is kind of the meat and potatoes, I guess. Tonight, Dick Cheney and Zell Miller, two men I think interestingly enough, neither one has presidential ambitions. They can really kind of come out swinging tonight -- Carlos.
WATSON: Correct. I think we're going to turn a page. Whereas, the first two days were all about reaching out to undecided voters, some 1 in 5 voters pollsters believe. Tonight will be about revving up the base, getting high turnout in several of the key states. As well as significantly, Daryn, not reaching out to moderate undecided voters. But reaching out perhaps to what you might call conservative Democrats in places like: West Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, all states that Bill Clinton won twice, but which Al Gore failed to carry in 2000.
KAGAN: Last night, a lot softer. We saw Arnold Schwarzenegger. We also saw the Bush twins. They've been out on the campaign trial, but yet this was their big national debut. Interesting choice of material in some of the jokes, I thought -- Carlos.
WATSON: Shaking' it like a Polaroid picture.
(LAUGHTER)
KAGAN: Yes. Making a "Sex in the City" joke about their grandmother, Barbara Bush?
WATSON: You know what I thought was interesting here? I thought that the confidence, particularly of Jenna Bush, when you're watching TV. She's the taller one, the one on the right displayed. Reminded me that we're likely to see a fourth generation of Bushes very active in politics. Some people don't remember but President Bush's grandfather actually was a U.S. senator from Connecticut. His father obviously was president. He's president.
But I think you saw Jenna Bush in a confident way say I enjoy the political process. I want to support my dad. You saw her cousin, George P. Bush, the telegenic son of Jeb Bush also up on the screen. So by the way, don't be surprised a couple of years from now, if we see another Gore/Bush match up. Corrina Gore versus say, a Jenna Bush or a George P. Bush.
KAGAN: Now, I like -- I know you like to look into your crystal ball, but this is the first place I've heard anybody suggest that Jenna Bush might run -- one day run for office. Very interesting. You're on the record saying it.
WATSON: By the way, she has said herself and her parents have said that she takes after her dad a good bit, probably more so than her twin sister, Barbara, who just graduated from Yale. You saw her confidence there and by the way at the MTV Music Awards. So while her dad is also criticized sometimes for not being as serious as some think he should be, there is confidence and a charisma there that I wouldn't be surprised to see it lead her into politics.
KAGAN: All right. Not the last we've seen of her, no doubt.
Let's talk about John Kerry making a very interesting speech, may be not the speech in particular it should be interesting. But the fact that he's making this appearance during the week when it's the Republican campaign --the Republican convention.
WATSON: Daryn, this could end up being an extraordinarily critical speech. When we look back over the course of the campaign, retrospectively within several months, this may end up being the turning point that he either took advantage of or that he missed. Remember, Michael Dukakis' misfortune 16 years ago all sunk in the month of August. And for John Kerry's, whose momentum is unequivocally slow over the last three or four weeks, there are a couple of things that he's talking about.
One, whether or not to shake up his campaign team. And two, in the speech tonight how aggressively to go after the president. Remember, he was relatively mild both during the Democratic convention and during the swift boat controversy. And you may see sharper elbows come out in today's speech to a group of veterans.
KAGAN: Interesting, so sharp elbows coming from both the Democrats and the Republicans expected today.
Carlos, thank you. Carlos Watson at Madison Square Garden.
WATSON: Good to see you.
KAGAN: We are going to update you on what is taking place in Russia. It is another day of terror there, gunmen seizing a school full of children.
Plus, Gerri Willis is here. Getting sued, that's a bummer and a scary prospect. But Gerri is going to have some tips.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: It is a scary prospect. Hey, Daryn, we're going to tell you what to do if you're a do-it-yourselfer and then how to get professional help if you need it, when CNN Live Today returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) KAGAN: All right. If you have ever received a summons to appear in court, you know the experience can be a scary and intimidating one. But CNN/FN personal finance editor Gerri Willis has some tips just in case you get sued. We don't wish that on anybody, but it's good to be ready.
Gerri, good morning.
WILLIS: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you. You know, first off, keep it simple. Look, what's probably going to happen is you're going to have a small, little case go to small claims court. You don't need an attorney for this. You just need some good education. You'll probably get the news in your mailbox in the form of a summons and complaint that will detail everything going on.
If you don't understand the words, you want more information; we have a couple of Web sites for you. The American Bar Association's web site, abanet.org. Don't forget nolo.com. That's a great place to go to for a little education on a lawsuit.
KAGAN: Looking at your auto insurance, liability is key.
WILLIS: You know, most suits are auto-related, Daryn. So you want to make sure you have enough liability coverage. Now, there are limits in states, you have to get a certain amount in most states. But often that's not enough when you get sued. It doesn't go far enough to protect you. The experts recommend that you get $100,000 of bodily injury protection per person and $300,000 per accident. So make sure you've got enough coverage just in case.
KAGAN: When you're talking about getting an umbrella, you're not talking about the weather, are you?
(LAUGHTER)
WILLIS: No, no, no. You know, a lot of people don't understand that their home insurance policy has some protections against lawsuit. Let's say you get a suit for bodily injury. Somebody has an accident in the backyard around the pool or property damage. You have coverage; most homeowners' insurance policies have about $100,000 worth of coverage. Now, if you have a ton of money and you want more coverage, you can get it with an umbrella policy. Which will also cover you for slander, invasion of privacy and libel.
KAGAN: What about getting things in writing -- Gerri?
WILLIS: You know, a lot of people have like, informal agreements with people who work around their home. Maybe you have your driveway repaved and you don't like the job that was done, you should have a contract. Because that way, at least you have some protections. And remember you can always put amendments on to that contract with the help of an attorney. It's not too hard. But get everything in writing. That way you know what to expect, and you know what people have to perform to.
KAGAN: You bring up getting an attorney. How do you know when it's time?
WILLIS: Well, if you're not going to small claims court, the claim is more than $5,000 against you, you may want expert help. Again, a great resource, abanet.org. That's the American Bar Association's web site; it's a great place to go. Because here's the deal, Daryn. All these attorneys are specialized. They look at very specific parts of the law. You need somebody to help you with your specific case. Get somebody who knows about your problem.
KAGAN: Gerri Willis, thanks for your advice.
WILLIS: Thank you.
KAGAN: We're going to update you on the story of what's taking place in Russia. A day of terror, gunmen seize a school, holding school children hostage. Another attack in a week of death and destruction there. How safe is life in Russia?
CNN LIVE TODAY is back after this.
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