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CNN Live Today

Red Sox Stun Yankees in Game 7; Bush and Kerry in Swing States for Undecideds; High-Ranking Soldier Sentenced for Prisoner Abuse

Aired October 21, 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.


RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR: We're going to be talking about a goose hunt, a little baseball, a little politics today.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: Yes. We've got a lot of outdoor sports to talk about today, don't we?

(LAUGHTER)

SANCHEZ: Somehow they're all inter-related too.

KAGAN: Absolutely.

I'm Daryn Kagan along with Rick Sanchez. Let's take a look at what's happening now in the news.

Within the past few minutes, a military judge sentenced the highest-ranking soldier implicated in the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal. Staff Sergeant Ivan "Chip" Frederick will serve eight years in prison for five counts of physical and sexual abuse of detainees.

Handling the flu vaccine shortage, the city of Bloomfield, New Jersey holds a lottery for vaccine recipients today. At-risk individuals will be able to take part in the lottery. City officials say they don't want people to have to wait in long lines. Three hundred doses of the vaccine were available for a city of 47,000.

One of two survivors of a commuter plane crash in Missouri is talking about the ordeal. Thirteen people were killed Tuesday when the plane went down two miles from the airport.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. JOHN KROGH, CRASH SURVIVOR: And then all of a sudden, there was just a crashing sound, which didn't really shock the plane too much. And as I thought back on it later, I am sure that was the wing hitting a tree. And then, within maybe I don't know, a few seconds maybe later, big-time crashing occurred as the plane went into the trees.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Also in the news today, gymnast Paul Hamm gets to keep his gold medal. A sports court in Switzerland today rejected an appeal from a South Korean. Hamm won the gold medal in the men's Olympic all-around. But two days later, officials found a scoring error for a South Korean gymnast. Good morning, I'm Daryn Kagan.

SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez. Game 1 of the World Series set for Saturday night in Boston. Can you believe it, folks? The Red Sox were able to brush back the Bambino and his legend of his curse to overcome a three-game deficit, take place in history and the World Series. Enough drama for you?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And there it is. Ground ball to second. Grease. The Boston Red Sox have won the Pennant!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: The drama was more in the plot line than it was on the actual base pads. Boston charged ahead early, rolled to a 10 to 3 victory, alas, over the archrival Yankees, they say. And that made the victory all sweeter for the long-suffering Red Sox faithful. They watched in bars and celebrated in streets.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)

CURT SCHILLING, PITCHER, RED SOX: We just beat the best organization in sports history to get to the World Series in unprecedented fashion. So, what an appropriate group of guys to do it.

THEO EPSTEIN, GEN. MGR., RED SOX: This one is for all the great Red Sox teams that couldn't quite beat the Yankees, you know, of '49, '78. Our team last year fell just short against these guys.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's amazing man! It's been a long time coming. A long time coming. You've got to be here to believe it, baby. Going all the way to the World Series baby!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We did it! We never gave up. We never gave up!

DEREK JETER, SHORTSTOP, YANKEE: We had our opportunities. You know, we had four games, had to win one. We just didn't do it. They were better than us. And we could sit here and try to make excuses, the bottom line is those guys didn't give up and they outplayed us.

(END VIDEO CLIPS)

SANCHEZ: It's a comeback for the agents. Some fans set small fires, we should tell you last night, but police maintained order for the most part. And fewer than a dozen arrests we're told were reported -- Daryn.

KAGAN: So what about today, the day after? Is there more delirium or is it disbelief in Beantown?

To sample the sentiment, we turn to reporter Steve Cooper; he is with CNN's Boston affiliate WHGH. He files this report from where else? Fenway Park.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEVE COOPER, WHGH CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Red Sox nation in seventh heaven, after the Red Sox beat the Yankees to head on into the World Series. And look at the fans this morning. They're wrapped around Fenway Park, trying to get tickets to Game 1 of the World Series, which is set for Saturday night here at Fenway Park.

Now, the team arrived here at about 4:00 this morning from the Bronx. The owners were greeted by hundreds of fans, who lined the streets along with all the players who are high-fiving the fans. Speaking of the fans, as many as 60 to 80,000 of them streamed into the streets after this victory.

And there were some problems. Boston police telling us 16 people were injured in some of the over-the-top celebrating. We're also told that as many as eight people have been arrested for things like disorderly conduct.

But the celebrating continues here in Boston today. A weary Boston. By the way, tickets go on sale later on today, and these people aren't about to miss a chance to see history in the making.

From Fenway Park, I'm Steve Cooper.

Now back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And as you mentioned that was Steve Cooper, reporter for our Boston affiliate WHGH.

So tonight, the Red Sox find out who they'll face in the World Series. Let's not forget about the National League. St. Louis Cardinals forcing a decisive Game 7 with the 12-inning home run by Jim Edmonds. The Astros were just one away from winning the National League Championship Series, when the Cards tied the game in the bottom of the ninth. Then they got the win. Also this note, should the Astros win and create a -- think about this, Houston, Boston World Series?

SANCHEZ: Mm-hmm.

KAGAN: Mm-hmm. Geography of a showdown roughly mirrors another late fall contest.

SANCHEZ: Bush Kerry.

KAGAN: There you go. Presidential race.

SANCHEZ: Wow.

A dozen days before that presidential race, and the well-traveled campaign trails are once again leading to familiar territory. Just as John Kerry leaves Pennsylvania, President Bush is going to be arriving there. It's going to be the president's 40-visit to the states.

CNN's White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux has more on the president's day.

Hi, Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Hi, Rick. President Bush, later this afternoon, is going to be traveling to Pennsylvania. Very important state for the president, as you know. The Republicans generally perform better in small-town America. That is where the president was yesterday, and his aides believe that he could win Iowa and Wisconsin; Minnesota might be a long shot. But part of the president's strategy here is to make Kerry work for those states that were once in his column.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE))

GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's the home of fine corn, fine people and fine music.

(CHEERING)

MALVEAUX (voice-over): President Bush barreled through America's heartland, fighting to win three states he narrowly lost to Gore four years ago.

BUSH: We're opening up markets for Iowa farmers all across the world.

(CHEERING)

MALVEAUX: From Iowa's farm country to Minnesota's small towns, to Wisconsin's big business in cheese. The president presented his economic agenda as good for rural America.

BUSH: My policy is let's open up everybody else's markets. We can compete with anybody, any time, anywhere, so long as the playing field is level.

MALVEAUX: Mr. Bush used the state of Minnesota, home to the world class Mayo Cancer Clinic, to contrast his health care plan with that of Senator John Kerry.

BUSH: You just need a president who understands how to address the root causes of costs going up. And that's how you avoid federalizing health care.

MALVEAUX: The president also answered Kerry's charges that the war in Iraq was a diversion from going after Osama bin Laden. He said evidence that Abu Musab al Zarqawi, the man believed to be behind the beheadings in Iraq, has professed his allegiance to bin Laden proves Iraq is a central front in the war on terror.

BUSH: If Zarqawi and his associates were not busy fighting American forces in Iraq, does Senator Kerry think he would be leading productive and peaceful life? (END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: Now, expect to hear much of the same along that rhetoric. But also, of course, focusing on domestic issues. We're told by Bush aides he's going to focus on his health care plan. He's also going to talk about the need for medical liability reform. We're told it is a new speech, however not new policy. Simply setting up a contrast between the president, as well as Kerry. We also understand the president is going to be meeting with the archbishop of Philadelphia. That of course, very important in courting the Catholic vote -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Are you here to tell us, Suzanne, this morning that Ted Kennedy and president George Bush got together on some legislation just a couple of weeks before the election?

MALVEAUX: Well, that's right. It was actually a rare bipartisan moment here in Washington of a serious nature. However the president signed what was called the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act. Senator Kennedy was there, as well. It essentially provides money for youth suicide prevention program. It is named after the son of Senator Gordon Smith, who committed suicide last year.

And it was interesting to note that the family members, the senator, as well as those who were participating, very emotional in saying that they thought this was very special because it was a good cause. But also because it brought people together here in Washington.

SANCHEZ: Exactly. Yes. Good cause and a rare glimpse of bipartisanship, we should say. Suzanne Malveaux, thanks so much for that report.

Daryn, over to you.

KAGAN: Meanwhile, John Kerry is traveling to another coveted battleground state. He is in Ohio today on the hunt literally for votes. And Well, then there are those geese.

Our national correspondent Kelly Wallace is in Columbus, Ohio, with a preview of -- don't think he's going to get the geese contingent there getting too much support.

Good morning.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): That's right, Daryn. You know, I think it's fair to say today John Kerry's day best described as hunting, as you said, connecting with voters. Trying to win over undecided voters, who despite all they have seen, still haven't made up their mines. So we're breaking down the targeted groups into threes.

Group No. 1, baseball fans. Oh, yes, you can bet Senator Kerry will be talking about his Boston Red Sox today. He let cameras come into his hotel room yesterday, as he was delighted to watch the Red Sox put more and more runs on the scoreboard. In fact, he told reporters earlier today, he is still giddy about their victory.

Group No.2, gun owners in rural America. And that's why the senator decided to go out hunting early this morning. We don't have pictures yet of that. But we do have some pictures of another outing, where Senator Kerry was out hunting, and letting the cameras come along for the ride. He's trying to show that he's a regular guy, a lifelong hunter and gun owner himself.

This is all because many political observers believe, had Al Gore a better job connecting with hunters, connecting with gun owners in 2000, then perhaps he could be president. Today the National Rifle Association, though, running ads in battleground states like this one of Ohio, saying John Kerry is an enemy when it comes to the rights of gun owners.

Group No. 3, women and swing voters. What is likely to be a very emotional moment here later this afternoon in Columbus, when Dana Reeve, the wife of the late Christopher Reeve, introduces Senator Kerry. We believe it will be her first public appearance since the death of her husband. And she will be introducing Senator Kerry as he talks about the issue of embryonic stem cell research.

Kerry's advisers, this issue really could be a sleeper issue. A powerful issue that could win over some swing voters. But it is also an issue that could rally social conservatives and get them to go to the polls to vote for President Bush -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Kelly Wallace in Columbus, Ohio. Kelly, thank you.

SANCHEZ: Taking a pounding. Raging water from storms in California causing destruction and death. We're going to bring you the details on that story.

But there's also a breaking story that we're following right now. This is a sentencing that's coming in right now, we understand from Baghdad.

And Karl Penhaul is standing by to bring us the very latest on that.

Karl, what's going on?

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Rick. Yes, in the last few moments, a U.S. military court-martial has sentenced Staff Sergeant Ivan Frederick to eight years in prison for his role in the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal. In addition, they've stripped him of his rank, and they will give him a dishonorable discharge from the military.

Now, Frederick is the most senior ranking soldier so far to face justice in the Abu Ghraib prisoner scandal. He pleaded guilty to five counts that involved sexually and physically abusing some of the prisoners in that notorious jail. Not only, though, of interest his personal admission of guilt, but also in the testimony that we've heard over the last two days, just to see how widespread this pattern of abuse was. Witnesses have referred not only to the fact that military police were or were abusing some of the prisoners, but also that CIA interrogators were doing that. Military interrogators were carrying out abuse, and also some of the private civilian contract interrogators were also carrying out abuse.

Abuse ranged from making male prisoners dress in female underwear, some of the prison cells were flooded at night. The prisoners were stripped naked, and that ranging then across to some of the worst cases of sexual abuse that we've seen in some of those photos -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Do we hear, Karl, or do we expect some type of military appeal process to take place?

PENHAUL: Because this was a plea bargain, Frederick's lawyer said quite clearly that this was a plea bargain. Frederick initially faced 12 counts. Again, sexual/physical abuse, they narrowed that down to five. And so we wouldn't expect any kind of appeal here, because Frederick has held his hand up and said yes, I am to blame for these five counts.

SANCHEZ: Karl Penhaul following that story out of Baghdad. Thanks, Paul -- thanks, Karl for bringing us up to date on that. I appreciate it -- Daryn.

KAGAN: We're going to refocus back here in the U.S. taking a pounding, raging water from storms in California causing destruction and death. We'll bring you details on that.

SANCHEZ: A lottery for some flu vaccines. That's happening today in Bloomfield, New Jersey. We're going to take you there live.

KAGAN: And the fall, literally, of Cuban President Fidel Castro. We'll tell you how Cuba's leader is doing and what took place all, ahead when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: And welcome back. I'm Rick Sanchez here with Daryn Kagan.

Today we tighten our focus on our daily wrap of stories from "Coast to Coast."

KAGAN: We're going to focus on California first. The ferocious storms that have raked that state. Heavy snow, high winds have hampered efforts to locate people lost in the storm. Those include two Japanese climbers who have been found dead dangling from a cliff in Yosemite National Park. There are also several teams of hikers stranded in the Central Sierra.

SANCHEZ: In Southern California, workers came to the rescue of several horses. Torrential rain swamped stables, holding about 100 horses. One TV station says a levee broke and unleashed an overflow from the nearby Santa Ana River. In just a couple hours, floodwaters quickly rose almost to the horse's necks, but all were able to escape unharmed.

KAGAN: And then there's the -- let's say that again. The storm damage occurring across the state, flooding, mudslides and wind damage reported all over Southern California. One security guard was killed when he was swept away, and a fierce blizzard ripped through the Central Sierra. Another storm is expected early the next week.

I've heard it was going to be a tough El Nino year. And that usually means my home state gets hammered.

SANCHEZ: Gets hit hard, eh?

KAGAN: Skiing by Thanksgiving.

SANCHEZ: You'll be doing that.

KAGAN: There you go. No.

SANCHEZ: No.

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: I'll be shopping by Thanksgiving. That will be my sport.

SANCHEZ: I love your honesty.

Hearing them dreaded words, "you're fired." It could be the best thing for your career. Our guest will be explaining that to us next.

KAGAN: I have heard those words.

SANCHEZ: Hmm.

KAGAN: Getting ready for the election but not just at the polls. The volunteers are preparing, too, when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Checking in on Martha Stewart and how she' is adapting to life on the inside. Our Deborah Feyerick takes a look at life as a celebrity in prison.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Inside the college-like campus of Alderson Prison, Inmate 55170054 is getting along." Martha Stewart writing on her Web site, "The best news, everyone is nice. And that, "The camp is like an old-fashioned college, without the freedom, of course."

In fact, it seems Stewart is quite popular. On another Web site, prisontalkonline, an Internet user who goes by the name Still Mommies Girl says her mother recently got out of Alderson and that a friend told her Stewart is, "very, very cool and a sweet and nice person." The writer also says Stewart "walks the track" with other inmates, spends time "in the library typing in her journal," eats in the chow hall and "complains about the food, just like the rest."

The writer says Stewart has made friends. "Everyone loves her there and follows her around." And that, "The ladies help her stay out of the spotlight," protecting Stewart from photographers.

Alderson inmates do not have access to the Internet. But the prison Web site is used by former inmates who stay in touch with women on the inside. Prison officials would not confirm reports on the Web site that Stewart offered to provide name brand sheets to her Alderson pals.

Stewart will finish up orientation this week and be assigned a job, which could include gardening, cooking or baking. Like other inmates, she can walk around the grounds when the workday ends at 3:30. A prison official says it's a rumor that Stewart was picking crabapples to cook.

Stewart, who now to choice bottom bunk, has been living in a two- story cottage with 80 women.

(on camera): Stewart was busy last week meeting with her appeals lawyer. He believes there are at least five major issues, including juror misconduct, which could be grounds for reversing Stewart's conviction. By the time a judge decides, Stewart could already be out of prison.

Deborah Feyerick, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: We're going to find out more about Martha Stewart on CNN's "LARRY KING LIVE." Alexis Stewart will give her first interview since her mother went to prison. You can see that tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

SANCHEZ: Winning the lottery. Not for megamillions, however. But a flu shot. We'll go live in Bloomfield, New Jersey where the vaccine lottery is happening today.

KAGAN: Plus, growth spurt Mount Everest is actually taller than we thought. We'll tell you by how much and introduce you to one of the men who came up with that news when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: And we are coming up on the half hour. Good morning once again, I'm Daryn Kagan.

SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez. And here's what's happening now in the news.

We start with this. Within the past hour, a military judge sentenced the highest-ranking soldier implicated in the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal. Staff Sergeant Ivan "Chip" Frederick will serve eight years in prison for five counts of physical and sexual abuse of detainees. British defense officials say the government has agreed to a U.S. request to redeploy troops in Iraq. Under the plan, 850 troops are going to be sent to Basra to an area south of Baghdad. The British troops will take the place of U.S. units redeploying instead to fight the insurgents further north. British critics say the redeployment agreement is a political gift to President Bush ahead of next month's election.

The U.S. military says a company commander has requested to be relieved of command after her Army Reserve unit in Iraq refused to deliver fuel. Eighteen soldiers from the 343-Quartermaster Company are under investigation for refusing the convoy mission. They said it was too dangerous and that the commander ignored their concerns. That commander, who has not been identified, will be reassigned we learned, at her own request.

Defense attorneys for Scott Peterson are launching a two-pronged attack on the state's murder case against him. One issue, police did not report the discovery of a plastic tarp near Laci's body, even though one at least officer said it smelled of decomposing flesh. That defense is also challenging prosecution claims that the woman had stopped walking her dog, which her husband said may have led to her abduction.

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Aired October 21, 2004 - 10:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR: We're going to be talking about a goose hunt, a little baseball, a little politics today.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: Yes. We've got a lot of outdoor sports to talk about today, don't we?

(LAUGHTER)

SANCHEZ: Somehow they're all inter-related too.

KAGAN: Absolutely.

I'm Daryn Kagan along with Rick Sanchez. Let's take a look at what's happening now in the news.

Within the past few minutes, a military judge sentenced the highest-ranking soldier implicated in the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal. Staff Sergeant Ivan "Chip" Frederick will serve eight years in prison for five counts of physical and sexual abuse of detainees.

Handling the flu vaccine shortage, the city of Bloomfield, New Jersey holds a lottery for vaccine recipients today. At-risk individuals will be able to take part in the lottery. City officials say they don't want people to have to wait in long lines. Three hundred doses of the vaccine were available for a city of 47,000.

One of two survivors of a commuter plane crash in Missouri is talking about the ordeal. Thirteen people were killed Tuesday when the plane went down two miles from the airport.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. JOHN KROGH, CRASH SURVIVOR: And then all of a sudden, there was just a crashing sound, which didn't really shock the plane too much. And as I thought back on it later, I am sure that was the wing hitting a tree. And then, within maybe I don't know, a few seconds maybe later, big-time crashing occurred as the plane went into the trees.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Also in the news today, gymnast Paul Hamm gets to keep his gold medal. A sports court in Switzerland today rejected an appeal from a South Korean. Hamm won the gold medal in the men's Olympic all-around. But two days later, officials found a scoring error for a South Korean gymnast. Good morning, I'm Daryn Kagan.

SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez. Game 1 of the World Series set for Saturday night in Boston. Can you believe it, folks? The Red Sox were able to brush back the Bambino and his legend of his curse to overcome a three-game deficit, take place in history and the World Series. Enough drama for you?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And there it is. Ground ball to second. Grease. The Boston Red Sox have won the Pennant!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: The drama was more in the plot line than it was on the actual base pads. Boston charged ahead early, rolled to a 10 to 3 victory, alas, over the archrival Yankees, they say. And that made the victory all sweeter for the long-suffering Red Sox faithful. They watched in bars and celebrated in streets.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)

CURT SCHILLING, PITCHER, RED SOX: We just beat the best organization in sports history to get to the World Series in unprecedented fashion. So, what an appropriate group of guys to do it.

THEO EPSTEIN, GEN. MGR., RED SOX: This one is for all the great Red Sox teams that couldn't quite beat the Yankees, you know, of '49, '78. Our team last year fell just short against these guys.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's amazing man! It's been a long time coming. A long time coming. You've got to be here to believe it, baby. Going all the way to the World Series baby!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We did it! We never gave up. We never gave up!

DEREK JETER, SHORTSTOP, YANKEE: We had our opportunities. You know, we had four games, had to win one. We just didn't do it. They were better than us. And we could sit here and try to make excuses, the bottom line is those guys didn't give up and they outplayed us.

(END VIDEO CLIPS)

SANCHEZ: It's a comeback for the agents. Some fans set small fires, we should tell you last night, but police maintained order for the most part. And fewer than a dozen arrests we're told were reported -- Daryn.

KAGAN: So what about today, the day after? Is there more delirium or is it disbelief in Beantown?

To sample the sentiment, we turn to reporter Steve Cooper; he is with CNN's Boston affiliate WHGH. He files this report from where else? Fenway Park.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEVE COOPER, WHGH CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Red Sox nation in seventh heaven, after the Red Sox beat the Yankees to head on into the World Series. And look at the fans this morning. They're wrapped around Fenway Park, trying to get tickets to Game 1 of the World Series, which is set for Saturday night here at Fenway Park.

Now, the team arrived here at about 4:00 this morning from the Bronx. The owners were greeted by hundreds of fans, who lined the streets along with all the players who are high-fiving the fans. Speaking of the fans, as many as 60 to 80,000 of them streamed into the streets after this victory.

And there were some problems. Boston police telling us 16 people were injured in some of the over-the-top celebrating. We're also told that as many as eight people have been arrested for things like disorderly conduct.

But the celebrating continues here in Boston today. A weary Boston. By the way, tickets go on sale later on today, and these people aren't about to miss a chance to see history in the making.

From Fenway Park, I'm Steve Cooper.

Now back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And as you mentioned that was Steve Cooper, reporter for our Boston affiliate WHGH.

So tonight, the Red Sox find out who they'll face in the World Series. Let's not forget about the National League. St. Louis Cardinals forcing a decisive Game 7 with the 12-inning home run by Jim Edmonds. The Astros were just one away from winning the National League Championship Series, when the Cards tied the game in the bottom of the ninth. Then they got the win. Also this note, should the Astros win and create a -- think about this, Houston, Boston World Series?

SANCHEZ: Mm-hmm.

KAGAN: Mm-hmm. Geography of a showdown roughly mirrors another late fall contest.

SANCHEZ: Bush Kerry.

KAGAN: There you go. Presidential race.

SANCHEZ: Wow.

A dozen days before that presidential race, and the well-traveled campaign trails are once again leading to familiar territory. Just as John Kerry leaves Pennsylvania, President Bush is going to be arriving there. It's going to be the president's 40-visit to the states.

CNN's White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux has more on the president's day.

Hi, Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Hi, Rick. President Bush, later this afternoon, is going to be traveling to Pennsylvania. Very important state for the president, as you know. The Republicans generally perform better in small-town America. That is where the president was yesterday, and his aides believe that he could win Iowa and Wisconsin; Minnesota might be a long shot. But part of the president's strategy here is to make Kerry work for those states that were once in his column.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE))

GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's the home of fine corn, fine people and fine music.

(CHEERING)

MALVEAUX (voice-over): President Bush barreled through America's heartland, fighting to win three states he narrowly lost to Gore four years ago.

BUSH: We're opening up markets for Iowa farmers all across the world.

(CHEERING)

MALVEAUX: From Iowa's farm country to Minnesota's small towns, to Wisconsin's big business in cheese. The president presented his economic agenda as good for rural America.

BUSH: My policy is let's open up everybody else's markets. We can compete with anybody, any time, anywhere, so long as the playing field is level.

MALVEAUX: Mr. Bush used the state of Minnesota, home to the world class Mayo Cancer Clinic, to contrast his health care plan with that of Senator John Kerry.

BUSH: You just need a president who understands how to address the root causes of costs going up. And that's how you avoid federalizing health care.

MALVEAUX: The president also answered Kerry's charges that the war in Iraq was a diversion from going after Osama bin Laden. He said evidence that Abu Musab al Zarqawi, the man believed to be behind the beheadings in Iraq, has professed his allegiance to bin Laden proves Iraq is a central front in the war on terror.

BUSH: If Zarqawi and his associates were not busy fighting American forces in Iraq, does Senator Kerry think he would be leading productive and peaceful life? (END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: Now, expect to hear much of the same along that rhetoric. But also, of course, focusing on domestic issues. We're told by Bush aides he's going to focus on his health care plan. He's also going to talk about the need for medical liability reform. We're told it is a new speech, however not new policy. Simply setting up a contrast between the president, as well as Kerry. We also understand the president is going to be meeting with the archbishop of Philadelphia. That of course, very important in courting the Catholic vote -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Are you here to tell us, Suzanne, this morning that Ted Kennedy and president George Bush got together on some legislation just a couple of weeks before the election?

MALVEAUX: Well, that's right. It was actually a rare bipartisan moment here in Washington of a serious nature. However the president signed what was called the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act. Senator Kennedy was there, as well. It essentially provides money for youth suicide prevention program. It is named after the son of Senator Gordon Smith, who committed suicide last year.

And it was interesting to note that the family members, the senator, as well as those who were participating, very emotional in saying that they thought this was very special because it was a good cause. But also because it brought people together here in Washington.

SANCHEZ: Exactly. Yes. Good cause and a rare glimpse of bipartisanship, we should say. Suzanne Malveaux, thanks so much for that report.

Daryn, over to you.

KAGAN: Meanwhile, John Kerry is traveling to another coveted battleground state. He is in Ohio today on the hunt literally for votes. And Well, then there are those geese.

Our national correspondent Kelly Wallace is in Columbus, Ohio, with a preview of -- don't think he's going to get the geese contingent there getting too much support.

Good morning.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): That's right, Daryn. You know, I think it's fair to say today John Kerry's day best described as hunting, as you said, connecting with voters. Trying to win over undecided voters, who despite all they have seen, still haven't made up their mines. So we're breaking down the targeted groups into threes.

Group No. 1, baseball fans. Oh, yes, you can bet Senator Kerry will be talking about his Boston Red Sox today. He let cameras come into his hotel room yesterday, as he was delighted to watch the Red Sox put more and more runs on the scoreboard. In fact, he told reporters earlier today, he is still giddy about their victory.

Group No.2, gun owners in rural America. And that's why the senator decided to go out hunting early this morning. We don't have pictures yet of that. But we do have some pictures of another outing, where Senator Kerry was out hunting, and letting the cameras come along for the ride. He's trying to show that he's a regular guy, a lifelong hunter and gun owner himself.

This is all because many political observers believe, had Al Gore a better job connecting with hunters, connecting with gun owners in 2000, then perhaps he could be president. Today the National Rifle Association, though, running ads in battleground states like this one of Ohio, saying John Kerry is an enemy when it comes to the rights of gun owners.

Group No. 3, women and swing voters. What is likely to be a very emotional moment here later this afternoon in Columbus, when Dana Reeve, the wife of the late Christopher Reeve, introduces Senator Kerry. We believe it will be her first public appearance since the death of her husband. And she will be introducing Senator Kerry as he talks about the issue of embryonic stem cell research.

Kerry's advisers, this issue really could be a sleeper issue. A powerful issue that could win over some swing voters. But it is also an issue that could rally social conservatives and get them to go to the polls to vote for President Bush -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Kelly Wallace in Columbus, Ohio. Kelly, thank you.

SANCHEZ: Taking a pounding. Raging water from storms in California causing destruction and death. We're going to bring you the details on that story.

But there's also a breaking story that we're following right now. This is a sentencing that's coming in right now, we understand from Baghdad.

And Karl Penhaul is standing by to bring us the very latest on that.

Karl, what's going on?

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Rick. Yes, in the last few moments, a U.S. military court-martial has sentenced Staff Sergeant Ivan Frederick to eight years in prison for his role in the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal. In addition, they've stripped him of his rank, and they will give him a dishonorable discharge from the military.

Now, Frederick is the most senior ranking soldier so far to face justice in the Abu Ghraib prisoner scandal. He pleaded guilty to five counts that involved sexually and physically abusing some of the prisoners in that notorious jail. Not only, though, of interest his personal admission of guilt, but also in the testimony that we've heard over the last two days, just to see how widespread this pattern of abuse was. Witnesses have referred not only to the fact that military police were or were abusing some of the prisoners, but also that CIA interrogators were doing that. Military interrogators were carrying out abuse, and also some of the private civilian contract interrogators were also carrying out abuse.

Abuse ranged from making male prisoners dress in female underwear, some of the prison cells were flooded at night. The prisoners were stripped naked, and that ranging then across to some of the worst cases of sexual abuse that we've seen in some of those photos -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Do we hear, Karl, or do we expect some type of military appeal process to take place?

PENHAUL: Because this was a plea bargain, Frederick's lawyer said quite clearly that this was a plea bargain. Frederick initially faced 12 counts. Again, sexual/physical abuse, they narrowed that down to five. And so we wouldn't expect any kind of appeal here, because Frederick has held his hand up and said yes, I am to blame for these five counts.

SANCHEZ: Karl Penhaul following that story out of Baghdad. Thanks, Paul -- thanks, Karl for bringing us up to date on that. I appreciate it -- Daryn.

KAGAN: We're going to refocus back here in the U.S. taking a pounding, raging water from storms in California causing destruction and death. We'll bring you details on that.

SANCHEZ: A lottery for some flu vaccines. That's happening today in Bloomfield, New Jersey. We're going to take you there live.

KAGAN: And the fall, literally, of Cuban President Fidel Castro. We'll tell you how Cuba's leader is doing and what took place all, ahead when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: And welcome back. I'm Rick Sanchez here with Daryn Kagan.

Today we tighten our focus on our daily wrap of stories from "Coast to Coast."

KAGAN: We're going to focus on California first. The ferocious storms that have raked that state. Heavy snow, high winds have hampered efforts to locate people lost in the storm. Those include two Japanese climbers who have been found dead dangling from a cliff in Yosemite National Park. There are also several teams of hikers stranded in the Central Sierra.

SANCHEZ: In Southern California, workers came to the rescue of several horses. Torrential rain swamped stables, holding about 100 horses. One TV station says a levee broke and unleashed an overflow from the nearby Santa Ana River. In just a couple hours, floodwaters quickly rose almost to the horse's necks, but all were able to escape unharmed.

KAGAN: And then there's the -- let's say that again. The storm damage occurring across the state, flooding, mudslides and wind damage reported all over Southern California. One security guard was killed when he was swept away, and a fierce blizzard ripped through the Central Sierra. Another storm is expected early the next week.

I've heard it was going to be a tough El Nino year. And that usually means my home state gets hammered.

SANCHEZ: Gets hit hard, eh?

KAGAN: Skiing by Thanksgiving.

SANCHEZ: You'll be doing that.

KAGAN: There you go. No.

SANCHEZ: No.

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: I'll be shopping by Thanksgiving. That will be my sport.

SANCHEZ: I love your honesty.

Hearing them dreaded words, "you're fired." It could be the best thing for your career. Our guest will be explaining that to us next.

KAGAN: I have heard those words.

SANCHEZ: Hmm.

KAGAN: Getting ready for the election but not just at the polls. The volunteers are preparing, too, when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Checking in on Martha Stewart and how she' is adapting to life on the inside. Our Deborah Feyerick takes a look at life as a celebrity in prison.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Inside the college-like campus of Alderson Prison, Inmate 55170054 is getting along." Martha Stewart writing on her Web site, "The best news, everyone is nice. And that, "The camp is like an old-fashioned college, without the freedom, of course."

In fact, it seems Stewart is quite popular. On another Web site, prisontalkonline, an Internet user who goes by the name Still Mommies Girl says her mother recently got out of Alderson and that a friend told her Stewart is, "very, very cool and a sweet and nice person." The writer also says Stewart "walks the track" with other inmates, spends time "in the library typing in her journal," eats in the chow hall and "complains about the food, just like the rest."

The writer says Stewart has made friends. "Everyone loves her there and follows her around." And that, "The ladies help her stay out of the spotlight," protecting Stewart from photographers.

Alderson inmates do not have access to the Internet. But the prison Web site is used by former inmates who stay in touch with women on the inside. Prison officials would not confirm reports on the Web site that Stewart offered to provide name brand sheets to her Alderson pals.

Stewart will finish up orientation this week and be assigned a job, which could include gardening, cooking or baking. Like other inmates, she can walk around the grounds when the workday ends at 3:30. A prison official says it's a rumor that Stewart was picking crabapples to cook.

Stewart, who now to choice bottom bunk, has been living in a two- story cottage with 80 women.

(on camera): Stewart was busy last week meeting with her appeals lawyer. He believes there are at least five major issues, including juror misconduct, which could be grounds for reversing Stewart's conviction. By the time a judge decides, Stewart could already be out of prison.

Deborah Feyerick, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: We're going to find out more about Martha Stewart on CNN's "LARRY KING LIVE." Alexis Stewart will give her first interview since her mother went to prison. You can see that tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

SANCHEZ: Winning the lottery. Not for megamillions, however. But a flu shot. We'll go live in Bloomfield, New Jersey where the vaccine lottery is happening today.

KAGAN: Plus, growth spurt Mount Everest is actually taller than we thought. We'll tell you by how much and introduce you to one of the men who came up with that news when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: And we are coming up on the half hour. Good morning once again, I'm Daryn Kagan.

SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez. And here's what's happening now in the news.

We start with this. Within the past hour, a military judge sentenced the highest-ranking soldier implicated in the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal. Staff Sergeant Ivan "Chip" Frederick will serve eight years in prison for five counts of physical and sexual abuse of detainees. British defense officials say the government has agreed to a U.S. request to redeploy troops in Iraq. Under the plan, 850 troops are going to be sent to Basra to an area south of Baghdad. The British troops will take the place of U.S. units redeploying instead to fight the insurgents further north. British critics say the redeployment agreement is a political gift to President Bush ahead of next month's election.

The U.S. military says a company commander has requested to be relieved of command after her Army Reserve unit in Iraq refused to deliver fuel. Eighteen soldiers from the 343-Quartermaster Company are under investigation for refusing the convoy mission. They said it was too dangerous and that the commander ignored their concerns. That commander, who has not been identified, will be reassigned we learned, at her own request.

Defense attorneys for Scott Peterson are launching a two-pronged attack on the state's murder case against him. One issue, police did not report the discovery of a plastic tarp near Laci's body, even though one at least officer said it smelled of decomposing flesh. That defense is also challenging prosecution claims that the woman had stopped walking her dog, which her husband said may have led to her abduction.

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