Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Today
Scott Peterson's Defense Opens Its Case; Breast Cancer Awareness; Reeve's Legacy, Stem Cell Research, and Politics; Kerry- based War Game
Aired October 12, 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.
JULIE BROWN, MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT: In between that time, we had a big redistricting battle out here, and it was determined that doing along the CD method probably wasn't the best idea because of the implications it would have for redistricting in the future.
There were presidential election implications. The battles were just going to be much worse. And we decided that this is -- you know, it's more democratic. It's a much fairer way of allocating our electors. And so, this is how we got here. Yes, we had money from out of state. Katy has a bulk of her money from out of state, as well. So...
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: ... that people from many states and all around the country -- in fact, I think all around the world will be watching Colorado on Election Day and to see if this ends at the ballot box or if, indeed, it does go on to a court fight.
It's a fascinating discussion -- Amendment 36. And Julie Brown and Katy Atkinson, I want to thank you both for joining us today for the discussion.
KATY ATKINSON, OPPOSES AMENDMENT 36: Thank you.
KAGAN: We'll be watching three weeks from today.
Well, we're going to focus on California just ahead. Is it Scott Peterson turn in court? The defense prepares to present its case. We're live from the courthouse in California coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: I'm Daryn Kagan in Atlanta. Let's check what's happening now in the news. It is Tuesday, the 12th of October.
President Bush is holding a rally this hour in Colorado Springs before heading to Arizona and tomorrow night's final debate with John Kerry. A live picture there, and that is Pete Coors, Republican candidate for Senate in Colorado.
Senator Kerry is amounting a strong challenge for Colorado himself, which has gone Republican in nine out of the last 11 elections.
With Kerry practicing for the debate, running mate John Edwards is out on the campaign trail this hour. A live picture for you. He's talking with voters in Colorado. Edwards will appear on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and that is scheduled for tonight.
Federal authorities are investigating the Chiron Corporation. That is the company behind the flu vaccine that was pulled from the market last week because of safety concerns. The action will leave the U.S. with half the flu vaccine supply needed for winter.
And Mary Kay LeTourneau tells CNN's Larry King she is engaged to marry Vili Fualaau. LeTourneau spent seven years in prison for her sexual relationship with the teenager. He was then her 13-year-old student when the affair began.
Keeping you informed, CNN is the most trusted name in news.
After four months of trial and a parade of prosecution witnesses, Scott Peterson's defense opens its case today. That is set to begin in about 30 minutes.
Our Rusty Dornin has a review from the courthouse in Redwood City, California.
RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, during opening statements, Defense Attorney Mark Geragos promised to pinpoint the real killers. And during the prosecution's case, he used their own witnesses to bring out his own theories of how Laci Peterson might have been abducted, alluding to strangers in the neighborhood and in the park area where Laci Peterson took her dog for a walk.
But legal analysts here say they doubt whether that will be his strategy. If there's just too many theories, it could sound flaky to the jury if he can't back it up with any kind of concrete evidence. But you can expect a battle of the experts and the primary focus to be on the gestational age of the unborn son, Conner.
Now, the prosecution is claiming that the fetus died with Laci Peterson in or around December 24th. The defense is going to bring out their own experts that are going to talk about the possibility that the baby was born and did live for a couple weeks outside of Laci Peterson, and then that they were both murdered and thrown into the bay.
Also, as far as Scott Peterson's appearance, the defense has said that he was being hounded by the news media. And that's why he dyed his hair. That's why he had the goatee. That's why he was down in San Diego seeming to try to elude police. Of course, prosecutors are saying he was behaving like a fugitive.
Mark Geragos is expected to take six to eight days. Now, in terms of these court days, that could be the end of next week into the beginning of the next week. Will Scott Peterson take the stand? We don't think so. Sources are telling us there's no way he will take the stand in this case -- Daryn?
KAGAN: All right. Rusty Dornin in Redwood City, thank you. We'll be watching more from that later in the day.
More politics now, the latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll suggests the race is a tossup among likely voters, Senator Kerry getting 49 percent, President Bush 48 percent.
Our senior political analyst Bill Schneider says there is more to those numbers than meets the eye.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST (voice-over): The presidential race is just about a dead heat. Is that good news for either candidate?
Look at the trend. A month ago, George W. Bush was leading John Kerry by 14 points. Just before the first debate, Bush's lead had narrowed to eight points. After the first debate on September 30th, the race was tied. Now, after the second debate, it's Kerry 49, Bush 48.
Kerry's support has gone up nine points among likely voters over the last month. Bush has lost six.
Here's one reason. Political interest is rising among Democrats to the point where now, unlike a month ago, more Democrats than Republicans say they have given the election a lot of thought.
The debates are another reason. Voters overwhelmingly thought Kerry won the first debate. The second was seen as much closer. Viewers gave Kerry only a two-point edge.
But look at what happened in the two days after that debate. Kerry's edge over Bush grew to 15 points. That has raised expectations for Kerry in the next debate. A majority of Americans think Kerry will do a better job in the final debate on Wednesday.
The public sees Kerry as more intelligent, and Bush as stronger and more decisive.
But on one quality, there has been a noticeable shift: In early September, just after the Republican convention, Bush had the edge as the more honest and trustworthy candidate. After the first debate, Bush's margin narrowed. Now, the two candidates are virtually tied: Kerry 44, Bush 42. Bush's rating on honesty and trustworthiness has dropped four points just in the past week.
Last week's report by the Iraq Survey Group headed by Chief Weapons Inspector Charles Duelfer may have had an impact, especially when the president refuse during the debate to acknowledge any mistakes.
GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: They're trying to say did you make a mistake going into Iraq, and the answer is absolutely not. It was the right decision. The Duelfer Report confirmed that decision today.
SCHNEIDER: Bill Schneider, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE) KAGAN: And then there is tomorrow night. You're going to get one more chance to see the president and the senator face off. Our primetime coverage of the final debate begins at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.
Well, it is a sweet victory for Laura Bush. Her chocolate chunk cookie recipe is the winner in the "Family Circle" magazine First Lady Cookoff. She beat Teresa Heinz Kerry's pumpkin spice entry three to one. Probably didn't help too much that Mrs. Kerry has disowned her recipe. She claims she doesn't even like pumpkin spice cookies and that a campaign staffer submitted her recipe.
You can tune into CNN's "LARRY KING LIVE" tonight -- an interview with the First Lady, Laura Bush, on the eve of the debate. That is 9:00 p.m. Eastern, 6:00 Pacific.
They are the four words that strike terror into the heart of any woman: You have breast cancer. But what do you do once you've been diagnosed? Up next, empowering women not to give up in the face of those frightening words.
And Christopher Reeve is gone, but his fight lives on. The renewed battle over stem-cell research. That's coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: A diagnosis of breast cancer devastating, and the shock of the diagnosis is followed by some really difficult decisions. Our guest this hour helps empower women with information so they can make the best decisions about their treatment.
Lillie Shockney is administrator director of the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center, and she is joining me from Baltimore. Lillie, good morning.
LILLIE SHOCKNEY, JOHNS HOPKINS BREAST CENTER: Good morning, Daryn.
KAGAN: You yourself are a two-time survivor of breast cancer. So, you know from personal experience what it feels like to get that news.
SHOCKNEY: Yes, I do, and it's absolutely shocking. It doesn't matter how well you think you're prepared to hear the news, when someone tells you that you have been diagnosed with this disease, you're overwhelmed.
KAGAN: And so, now you've made it your role in life, your passion in life, to be there for women who are getting that news. How do you counsel women, especially when they hear that for the first time?
SHOCKNEY: One of the most important things I think that I educate parents about right away is to let them know that 80 percent of women diagnosed today are going to be long-term survivors just like I am. I'm at my 12-year mark right now.
KAGAN: Congratulations on that, by the way.
SHOCKNEY: Thank you.
And also, between 78 percent and 80 percent of women are good candidates for lumpectomy surgeries, which means that we just can't save their life, we can also save their breast. Those are the two things that women are most concerned about is are they going to beat the disease and what will happen to their physical image.
KAGAN: And so, not surprising that a woman would go from the point of getting that news to a sense of panic. How do you keep from doing that? How do you encourage a woman to take a deep breath.
SHOCKNEY: Getting my arms around her physically is a good way to start. Having her realize that she is in the presence of a survivor can be very calming. I think it provides her a sense of security when you see someone else who's been down that road. In my case, I've been down that road twice, as you mentioned.
And to begin in educating her about this disease, in layman's terms so that she understands what the treatment is that lies ahead and that it's all doable. And walking her through step by step so that she can participate in the decisionmaking about the treatment plan that is going to be prepared for her.
KAGAN: Well -- and let's talk a little bit about that decisionmaking. Because I know from my own mother going through it and from other people that I know, it can be simply overwhelming. It's not like you have breast cancer so you're going to do this. You're presented with different choices and it can be simply overwhelming.
SHOCKNEY: The first decision is related usually to surgery, whether the woman wants to choice lumpectomy, mastectomy, or mastectomy with reconstruction. Because the majority of women do have choice, and that's really a good thing.
Having her explain to me and to her healthcare providers, what does her breast mean to her? How does she value her breasts. Some women will say that her breasts are really insignificant to herself, and others will say it's a very important part of her body and, therefore, she wants to do everything to preserve it.
If we can have a good understanding as to what her personal relationship is with her breast -- not just how she sees herself, but how she also sees others seeing her, including when she's intimate -- that's a very good way to begin in factfinding with her.
Also, having her understand the purpose of the treatment plan -- for example, chemotherapy. Many women will say, I don't want to do it because I don't want to lose my hair. But understanding the purpose of the chemotherapy and also understanding that the hair is going to come back. But most importantly, having a grasp as to what is the benefit if chemotherapy is one of the recommendations.
I actually encourage women to look at chemo as we do antibiotics. We're not frightened about taking an antibiotic to kill bacteria. So, if we look at this in the same light that chemotherapy actually can be our friend.
KAGAN: All right. And just real quickly, I know if you could, you would wrap your arms around every woman who is facing this diagnosis out there. You're a dynamo, but you can't do that. Where do women go to get the best information?
SHOCKNEY: The Internet can provide them a variety of various support groups. 1-800-4-CANCER is a good place to start. And they're also very welcome to contact our breast center through our Web site. Just type in Johns Hopkins Breast Center on any search engine, and it will provide you a wealth of information, educational as well as support.
Getting connected with other survivors is one of the best things that we can do for ourselves. That provides us a sense of strength when we do see that other women have overcome this and that we can, too.
KAGAN: Well, it was great getting connect connecting with you again.
SHOCKNEY: Thank you.
KAGAN: Lillie Shockney form the Johns Hopkins Breast Center, thank you so much. And congratulations on 12 years of being a survivor.
SHOCKNEY: Thanks, Daryn.
KAGAN: And we're going to continue our special series marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Tomorrow, the author Jean Karotkin joins me to talk about her book, "Body & Soul: The Courage and Beauty of Breast Cancer Survivors."
The death of actor Christopher Reeve has focused more attention on an already sensitive subject: stem-cell research. Our national correspondent Kelly Wallace looks at whether Reeve's legacy will make stem cells an even bigger political issue.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In life...
CHRISTOPHER REEVE, ACTOR/ACTIVIST: It's our prerogative to push.
WALLACE: ... and now in death, the actor turned crusader helped make embryonic stem-cell research a national issue.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I know that if we put our minds to it, one day we're going to realize Chris' inevitable dream, and that's our mission for all of us.
WALLACE: An emotional John Kerry said Reeve left him a message Saturday, the day after the second presidential debate when the senator cited his friend by name.
KERRY: ... and I want him to walk again. I think we can save lives.
WALLACE: President Bush sharply defended his decision to allow federal research only on embryonic stem-cell lines that already exist.
GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: ... to destroy life to save life is -- is one of the real ethical dilemmas that we face.
WALLACE: In a written statement yesterday, the president said Reeve "was brave in the face of adversity, and will be remembered for his dedicated advocacy for those with physical disabilities."
Even before Reeve's death, Democrats viewed the stem-cell debate as a political winner, running ads featuring actor Michael J. Fox, who suffers from Parkinson's.
MICHAEL J. FOX, ACTOR/ACTIVIST: I say lives are at stake, and it's time for leadership.
WALLACE: A CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll released yesterday and conducted before Reeve died found 55 percent backing more expansive federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research, 38 percent supporting the current restrictions or no funding at all.
Political observers say the renewed attention could sway uncommitted voters.
VAUGHN VERVERS, "NATIONAL JOURNAL": I think Kerry stands to benefit more from this than Bush because of those swing voters who might come over to his side because of this issue or partly because of this issue.
WALLACE: But the new focus could also help President Bush.
VERVERS: Nothing motivates the base voters in the Republican party more than things like abortion, embryonic stem-cell research.
WALLACE (on camera): And Christopher Reeve's death makes it almost a certainty that this issue will get attention in Wednesday's final and crucial debate.
Kelly Wallace, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: Consumers are literally over a barrel. Oil prices are skyrocketing. That, plus a complete look at Wall Street coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT) KAGAN: All right, Rhonda, thank you for that. Weather is up next. Plus playing war games with John Kerry. We'll explain that. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Well, you had to figure this one was coming. A video game based on John Kerry's life -- no, not in the U.S. Senate. We are talking war games here.
Our Jeanne Moos volunteers for the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When John Kerry the candidate said...
KERRY: Reporting for duty.
MOOS: Little did the former Vietnam vet know he'd soon be a war game. And where else would he fight but aboard swift boats.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right to him, right to him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Turning in to the attack.
MOOS: Talk about swift -- it takes a mere three weeks for a company called Kuma\War to rip a battle out of the headlines and turn it into a video game.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You are the 4th Infantry Division capturing Saddam. You are the 10th Mountain Division hunting al Qaeda in Afghanistan.
MOOS: And now you can be alongside Lieutenant Kerry as he chases down the enemy and shoots them. The scenario is based on the mission that resulted in a Silver Star for Kerry. The gamemaker used books, naval documents, and a swift boat historian to ensure accuracy.
No matter which side of the swift boat brouhaha you're on, the game can always be improvised.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm out of bullets. Oh, no.
MOOS: And accidents can happen.
(on camera): I just shot Kerry.
KEITH HALPER, CEO, KUMA\WAR: Do not shoot the candidate.
MOOS (voice-over): Kuma\War's CEO says they contacted the Kerry campaign.
HALPER: They said that Mr. Kerry doesn't play video games.
MOOS: But this is the thinking man's video game. One minute you're seeing Fallujah on the news. The next thing you know, you're shooting insurgents. Kuma\War charges 10 bucks a month, and every month releases several new missions on its Web site. The Kerry mission is the latest.
MOOS (on camera): Where's the enemy?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right in front of you.
MOOS: Who's that person?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's how it works with the enemy. They're the last thing you see.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: All right. Well, that story from Jeanne Moos. Let's check in with Jacqui Jeras for a check of the weather -- Jacqui?
(WEATHER REPORT)
KAGAN: All right, Jacqui, thank you for that.
That's going to do it for me, Daryn Kagan. I'll see you right back here tomorrow morning. Right now, Wolf Blitzer takes over -- Wolf?
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks very much, Daryn. Appreciate it.
Unfolding this hour here in Washington, the United States Supreme Court jumping into the politically sensitive issue of the Ten Commandments. Should they be allowed on government land and buildings? We're live with some late-breaking developments.
First, though, some other headlines now in the news.
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 October 12, 2004 - 11:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JULIE BROWN, MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT: In between that time, we had a big redistricting battle out here, and it was determined that doing along the CD method probably wasn't the best idea because of the implications it would have for redistricting in the future.
There were presidential election implications. The battles were just going to be much worse. And we decided that this is -- you know, it's more democratic. It's a much fairer way of allocating our electors. And so, this is how we got here. Yes, we had money from out of state. Katy has a bulk of her money from out of state, as well. So...
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: ... that people from many states and all around the country -- in fact, I think all around the world will be watching Colorado on Election Day and to see if this ends at the ballot box or if, indeed, it does go on to a court fight.
It's a fascinating discussion -- Amendment 36. And Julie Brown and Katy Atkinson, I want to thank you both for joining us today for the discussion.
KATY ATKINSON, OPPOSES AMENDMENT 36: Thank you.
KAGAN: We'll be watching three weeks from today.
Well, we're going to focus on California just ahead. Is it Scott Peterson turn in court? The defense prepares to present its case. We're live from the courthouse in California coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: I'm Daryn Kagan in Atlanta. Let's check what's happening now in the news. It is Tuesday, the 12th of October.
President Bush is holding a rally this hour in Colorado Springs before heading to Arizona and tomorrow night's final debate with John Kerry. A live picture there, and that is Pete Coors, Republican candidate for Senate in Colorado.
Senator Kerry is amounting a strong challenge for Colorado himself, which has gone Republican in nine out of the last 11 elections.
With Kerry practicing for the debate, running mate John Edwards is out on the campaign trail this hour. A live picture for you. He's talking with voters in Colorado. Edwards will appear on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and that is scheduled for tonight.
Federal authorities are investigating the Chiron Corporation. That is the company behind the flu vaccine that was pulled from the market last week because of safety concerns. The action will leave the U.S. with half the flu vaccine supply needed for winter.
And Mary Kay LeTourneau tells CNN's Larry King she is engaged to marry Vili Fualaau. LeTourneau spent seven years in prison for her sexual relationship with the teenager. He was then her 13-year-old student when the affair began.
Keeping you informed, CNN is the most trusted name in news.
After four months of trial and a parade of prosecution witnesses, Scott Peterson's defense opens its case today. That is set to begin in about 30 minutes.
Our Rusty Dornin has a review from the courthouse in Redwood City, California.
RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, during opening statements, Defense Attorney Mark Geragos promised to pinpoint the real killers. And during the prosecution's case, he used their own witnesses to bring out his own theories of how Laci Peterson might have been abducted, alluding to strangers in the neighborhood and in the park area where Laci Peterson took her dog for a walk.
But legal analysts here say they doubt whether that will be his strategy. If there's just too many theories, it could sound flaky to the jury if he can't back it up with any kind of concrete evidence. But you can expect a battle of the experts and the primary focus to be on the gestational age of the unborn son, Conner.
Now, the prosecution is claiming that the fetus died with Laci Peterson in or around December 24th. The defense is going to bring out their own experts that are going to talk about the possibility that the baby was born and did live for a couple weeks outside of Laci Peterson, and then that they were both murdered and thrown into the bay.
Also, as far as Scott Peterson's appearance, the defense has said that he was being hounded by the news media. And that's why he dyed his hair. That's why he had the goatee. That's why he was down in San Diego seeming to try to elude police. Of course, prosecutors are saying he was behaving like a fugitive.
Mark Geragos is expected to take six to eight days. Now, in terms of these court days, that could be the end of next week into the beginning of the next week. Will Scott Peterson take the stand? We don't think so. Sources are telling us there's no way he will take the stand in this case -- Daryn?
KAGAN: All right. Rusty Dornin in Redwood City, thank you. We'll be watching more from that later in the day.
More politics now, the latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll suggests the race is a tossup among likely voters, Senator Kerry getting 49 percent, President Bush 48 percent.
Our senior political analyst Bill Schneider says there is more to those numbers than meets the eye.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST (voice-over): The presidential race is just about a dead heat. Is that good news for either candidate?
Look at the trend. A month ago, George W. Bush was leading John Kerry by 14 points. Just before the first debate, Bush's lead had narrowed to eight points. After the first debate on September 30th, the race was tied. Now, after the second debate, it's Kerry 49, Bush 48.
Kerry's support has gone up nine points among likely voters over the last month. Bush has lost six.
Here's one reason. Political interest is rising among Democrats to the point where now, unlike a month ago, more Democrats than Republicans say they have given the election a lot of thought.
The debates are another reason. Voters overwhelmingly thought Kerry won the first debate. The second was seen as much closer. Viewers gave Kerry only a two-point edge.
But look at what happened in the two days after that debate. Kerry's edge over Bush grew to 15 points. That has raised expectations for Kerry in the next debate. A majority of Americans think Kerry will do a better job in the final debate on Wednesday.
The public sees Kerry as more intelligent, and Bush as stronger and more decisive.
But on one quality, there has been a noticeable shift: In early September, just after the Republican convention, Bush had the edge as the more honest and trustworthy candidate. After the first debate, Bush's margin narrowed. Now, the two candidates are virtually tied: Kerry 44, Bush 42. Bush's rating on honesty and trustworthiness has dropped four points just in the past week.
Last week's report by the Iraq Survey Group headed by Chief Weapons Inspector Charles Duelfer may have had an impact, especially when the president refuse during the debate to acknowledge any mistakes.
GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: They're trying to say did you make a mistake going into Iraq, and the answer is absolutely not. It was the right decision. The Duelfer Report confirmed that decision today.
SCHNEIDER: Bill Schneider, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE) KAGAN: And then there is tomorrow night. You're going to get one more chance to see the president and the senator face off. Our primetime coverage of the final debate begins at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.
Well, it is a sweet victory for Laura Bush. Her chocolate chunk cookie recipe is the winner in the "Family Circle" magazine First Lady Cookoff. She beat Teresa Heinz Kerry's pumpkin spice entry three to one. Probably didn't help too much that Mrs. Kerry has disowned her recipe. She claims she doesn't even like pumpkin spice cookies and that a campaign staffer submitted her recipe.
You can tune into CNN's "LARRY KING LIVE" tonight -- an interview with the First Lady, Laura Bush, on the eve of the debate. That is 9:00 p.m. Eastern, 6:00 Pacific.
They are the four words that strike terror into the heart of any woman: You have breast cancer. But what do you do once you've been diagnosed? Up next, empowering women not to give up in the face of those frightening words.
And Christopher Reeve is gone, but his fight lives on. The renewed battle over stem-cell research. That's coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: A diagnosis of breast cancer devastating, and the shock of the diagnosis is followed by some really difficult decisions. Our guest this hour helps empower women with information so they can make the best decisions about their treatment.
Lillie Shockney is administrator director of the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center, and she is joining me from Baltimore. Lillie, good morning.
LILLIE SHOCKNEY, JOHNS HOPKINS BREAST CENTER: Good morning, Daryn.
KAGAN: You yourself are a two-time survivor of breast cancer. So, you know from personal experience what it feels like to get that news.
SHOCKNEY: Yes, I do, and it's absolutely shocking. It doesn't matter how well you think you're prepared to hear the news, when someone tells you that you have been diagnosed with this disease, you're overwhelmed.
KAGAN: And so, now you've made it your role in life, your passion in life, to be there for women who are getting that news. How do you counsel women, especially when they hear that for the first time?
SHOCKNEY: One of the most important things I think that I educate parents about right away is to let them know that 80 percent of women diagnosed today are going to be long-term survivors just like I am. I'm at my 12-year mark right now.
KAGAN: Congratulations on that, by the way.
SHOCKNEY: Thank you.
And also, between 78 percent and 80 percent of women are good candidates for lumpectomy surgeries, which means that we just can't save their life, we can also save their breast. Those are the two things that women are most concerned about is are they going to beat the disease and what will happen to their physical image.
KAGAN: And so, not surprising that a woman would go from the point of getting that news to a sense of panic. How do you keep from doing that? How do you encourage a woman to take a deep breath.
SHOCKNEY: Getting my arms around her physically is a good way to start. Having her realize that she is in the presence of a survivor can be very calming. I think it provides her a sense of security when you see someone else who's been down that road. In my case, I've been down that road twice, as you mentioned.
And to begin in educating her about this disease, in layman's terms so that she understands what the treatment is that lies ahead and that it's all doable. And walking her through step by step so that she can participate in the decisionmaking about the treatment plan that is going to be prepared for her.
KAGAN: Well -- and let's talk a little bit about that decisionmaking. Because I know from my own mother going through it and from other people that I know, it can be simply overwhelming. It's not like you have breast cancer so you're going to do this. You're presented with different choices and it can be simply overwhelming.
SHOCKNEY: The first decision is related usually to surgery, whether the woman wants to choice lumpectomy, mastectomy, or mastectomy with reconstruction. Because the majority of women do have choice, and that's really a good thing.
Having her explain to me and to her healthcare providers, what does her breast mean to her? How does she value her breasts. Some women will say that her breasts are really insignificant to herself, and others will say it's a very important part of her body and, therefore, she wants to do everything to preserve it.
If we can have a good understanding as to what her personal relationship is with her breast -- not just how she sees herself, but how she also sees others seeing her, including when she's intimate -- that's a very good way to begin in factfinding with her.
Also, having her understand the purpose of the treatment plan -- for example, chemotherapy. Many women will say, I don't want to do it because I don't want to lose my hair. But understanding the purpose of the chemotherapy and also understanding that the hair is going to come back. But most importantly, having a grasp as to what is the benefit if chemotherapy is one of the recommendations.
I actually encourage women to look at chemo as we do antibiotics. We're not frightened about taking an antibiotic to kill bacteria. So, if we look at this in the same light that chemotherapy actually can be our friend.
KAGAN: All right. And just real quickly, I know if you could, you would wrap your arms around every woman who is facing this diagnosis out there. You're a dynamo, but you can't do that. Where do women go to get the best information?
SHOCKNEY: The Internet can provide them a variety of various support groups. 1-800-4-CANCER is a good place to start. And they're also very welcome to contact our breast center through our Web site. Just type in Johns Hopkins Breast Center on any search engine, and it will provide you a wealth of information, educational as well as support.
Getting connected with other survivors is one of the best things that we can do for ourselves. That provides us a sense of strength when we do see that other women have overcome this and that we can, too.
KAGAN: Well, it was great getting connect connecting with you again.
SHOCKNEY: Thank you.
KAGAN: Lillie Shockney form the Johns Hopkins Breast Center, thank you so much. And congratulations on 12 years of being a survivor.
SHOCKNEY: Thanks, Daryn.
KAGAN: And we're going to continue our special series marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Tomorrow, the author Jean Karotkin joins me to talk about her book, "Body & Soul: The Courage and Beauty of Breast Cancer Survivors."
The death of actor Christopher Reeve has focused more attention on an already sensitive subject: stem-cell research. Our national correspondent Kelly Wallace looks at whether Reeve's legacy will make stem cells an even bigger political issue.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In life...
CHRISTOPHER REEVE, ACTOR/ACTIVIST: It's our prerogative to push.
WALLACE: ... and now in death, the actor turned crusader helped make embryonic stem-cell research a national issue.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I know that if we put our minds to it, one day we're going to realize Chris' inevitable dream, and that's our mission for all of us.
WALLACE: An emotional John Kerry said Reeve left him a message Saturday, the day after the second presidential debate when the senator cited his friend by name.
KERRY: ... and I want him to walk again. I think we can save lives.
WALLACE: President Bush sharply defended his decision to allow federal research only on embryonic stem-cell lines that already exist.
GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: ... to destroy life to save life is -- is one of the real ethical dilemmas that we face.
WALLACE: In a written statement yesterday, the president said Reeve "was brave in the face of adversity, and will be remembered for his dedicated advocacy for those with physical disabilities."
Even before Reeve's death, Democrats viewed the stem-cell debate as a political winner, running ads featuring actor Michael J. Fox, who suffers from Parkinson's.
MICHAEL J. FOX, ACTOR/ACTIVIST: I say lives are at stake, and it's time for leadership.
WALLACE: A CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll released yesterday and conducted before Reeve died found 55 percent backing more expansive federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research, 38 percent supporting the current restrictions or no funding at all.
Political observers say the renewed attention could sway uncommitted voters.
VAUGHN VERVERS, "NATIONAL JOURNAL": I think Kerry stands to benefit more from this than Bush because of those swing voters who might come over to his side because of this issue or partly because of this issue.
WALLACE: But the new focus could also help President Bush.
VERVERS: Nothing motivates the base voters in the Republican party more than things like abortion, embryonic stem-cell research.
WALLACE (on camera): And Christopher Reeve's death makes it almost a certainty that this issue will get attention in Wednesday's final and crucial debate.
Kelly Wallace, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: Consumers are literally over a barrel. Oil prices are skyrocketing. That, plus a complete look at Wall Street coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT) KAGAN: All right, Rhonda, thank you for that. Weather is up next. Plus playing war games with John Kerry. We'll explain that. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Well, you had to figure this one was coming. A video game based on John Kerry's life -- no, not in the U.S. Senate. We are talking war games here.
Our Jeanne Moos volunteers for the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When John Kerry the candidate said...
KERRY: Reporting for duty.
MOOS: Little did the former Vietnam vet know he'd soon be a war game. And where else would he fight but aboard swift boats.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right to him, right to him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Turning in to the attack.
MOOS: Talk about swift -- it takes a mere three weeks for a company called Kuma\War to rip a battle out of the headlines and turn it into a video game.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You are the 4th Infantry Division capturing Saddam. You are the 10th Mountain Division hunting al Qaeda in Afghanistan.
MOOS: And now you can be alongside Lieutenant Kerry as he chases down the enemy and shoots them. The scenario is based on the mission that resulted in a Silver Star for Kerry. The gamemaker used books, naval documents, and a swift boat historian to ensure accuracy.
No matter which side of the swift boat brouhaha you're on, the game can always be improvised.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm out of bullets. Oh, no.
MOOS: And accidents can happen.
(on camera): I just shot Kerry.
KEITH HALPER, CEO, KUMA\WAR: Do not shoot the candidate.
MOOS (voice-over): Kuma\War's CEO says they contacted the Kerry campaign.
HALPER: They said that Mr. Kerry doesn't play video games.
MOOS: But this is the thinking man's video game. One minute you're seeing Fallujah on the news. The next thing you know, you're shooting insurgents. Kuma\War charges 10 bucks a month, and every month releases several new missions on its Web site. The Kerry mission is the latest.
MOOS (on camera): Where's the enemy?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right in front of you.
MOOS: Who's that person?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's how it works with the enemy. They're the last thing you see.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: All right. Well, that story from Jeanne Moos. Let's check in with Jacqui Jeras for a check of the weather -- Jacqui?
(WEATHER REPORT)
KAGAN: All right, Jacqui, thank you for that.
That's going to do it for me, Daryn Kagan. I'll see you right back here tomorrow morning. Right now, Wolf Blitzer takes over -- Wolf?
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks very much, Daryn. Appreciate it.
Unfolding this hour here in Washington, the United States Supreme Court jumping into the politically sensitive issue of the Ten Commandments. Should they be allowed on government land and buildings? We're live with some late-breaking developments.
First, though, some other headlines now in the news.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
