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CNN Live Today

Emotional Appeal by Margaret Hassan; Kerry Courting Women Voters; President Bush Retooling Speech Today

Aired October 22, 2004 - 10:59   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: A tearful plea from a kidnapped relief worker airs on Arab language television today. Al-Jazeera today broadcasting a videotape of Margaret Hassan. She pleads for her life and for Britain to pull its troops out of Iraq. We'll have a live report from Baghdad just ahead.
Iraqi National Guard troops came under fire today while raiding a mosque in Mosul. The guard forces were searching for suspected bomb makers thought to be hiding in a mosque. During the raid, the U.S. military said the attackers fired small arms, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars at the Iraqi troops.

Florida officials are looking into widespread allegations of fraud. The Department of Law Enforcement say investigations are under way throughout the state. Florida is hoping to avoid a repeat of the problems that plagued the 2000 presidential election.

A court ruling is expected today in the case of a brain damaged woman in Florida. Terri Schiavo's parents are seeking a new trial in their efforts to keep her feeding tube connected. Yesterday, the state Supreme Court said it would not reconsider its recent decision in the case. The court struck down a law designed to keep Schiavo's husband from removing her feeding tube.

We're looking at 1100 a.m. straight up on the East Coast and 8:00 a.m. on the West Coast. From CNN Center in Atlanta, good morning, once again. I'm Daryn Kagan.

SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez.

And we're following the story of a kidnapped CARE worker in Iraq, literally pleading for her life. It's an emotional appeal from the kidnapped relief worker. It's up on CNN this hour.

The Arab network Al-Jazeera today broadcast. It's a videotape of a tear tearful Margaret Hassan.

CNN's Karl Penhaul has been following the story since he first heard. He is joining us now from Baghdad with the latest.

Hi, Karl.

KARL PENHAUL, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Rick.

Grim and disturbing video indeed. Margaret Hassan, you'll remember was kidnapped three days ago. Now, she's the country director of the aid organization, CARE International. She's a joint British-Iraqi national but, in fact, she spent more than 30 years of her life here in Iraq at the service of humanitarian aide work.

That video shows Margaret Hassan standing against a while wall. She stares directly into the camera. She's not blindfolded. Her hands are not tied.

She looks into that camera and makes a plea, "Please, please help me," she says. She calls on the British people to in turn call on Prime Minister Tony Blair to pull British troops out of Iraq and also not to redeploy any British troops any closer to Baghdad.

It would seem looking at this video that it is directly linked to the British decision to redeploy members of the Black Watch Battalion from the southern city of Basra, closer to Baghdad, and that in turn will free up American troops for an all-out assault on Falluja, if that indeed comes. Margaret Hassan goes on and says, "These may be my final moments. Please, please, please help me. Don't let the same happen to me as happened to Ken Bigley," she says.

That's a reference to the British engineer who was beheaded by the al-Zarqawi terrorist network about two weeks ago. But still no clue, Rick, as to who the kidnappers are of Margaret Hassan.

SANCHEZ: What do we need to know about Margaret Hassan that distinguishes her from other people who have been taken hostage in that part of the world?

PENHAUL: Margaret Hassan's track record here in Iraq is basically half her life. She's in her late 50s now. She spent more than 30 years in Iraq working on humanitarian aid projects.

Also, we know that she's been a staunch opponent of the coalition invasion of Iraq since the outset. She said that it would lead to a man-made humanitarian disaster. What we can also imagine, but obviously only speculation, is that she will now be trying to tell the kidnappers of the kind of work she's done and also outlying her opposition to this invasion -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: All right. Karl Penhaul following that story for us. We thank you, Karl, for bringing us up to date. We'll certainly check back with you as the story develops throughout the day here in CNN.

Daryn, over to you.

KAGAN: John Kerry is courting women in Wisconsin today. Women voters, that is. Kerry giving a speech later this hour from Wisconsin. He heads to Nevada, and then he ends the day in Colorado.

Our national correspondent, Kelly Wallace, begins our political coverage this hour. She is with the Kerry campaign in Milwaukee -- Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, we are expecting Senator Kerry here on the campus of the University of Wisconsin here in Milwaukee about 30 minute from now. And CNN expected to take a portion of Senator Kerry's speech.

He will be joined by Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. And he's expected to talk about issues concerning women, equal pay for women, raising the minimum wage.

This no accident really. Both campaigns well aware of something we are seeing at least in one poll that was conducted earlier this month. It showed that six out of the 10 voters still undecided are women.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice over): That is why before a crowd of thousands in Minneapolis last night a fired-up John Kerry had this message.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We need a little less talk about family values and a little more valuing of families.

WALLACE: Why he was introduced yesterday by Dana Reeve, Christopher Reeve's widow, and why one of the most vocal of the September 11 widows stumped for him in Iowa and now appears in one of his television ads.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want to look in my daughter's eyes and know that she is safe.

WALLACE: According to the most recent CNN-"USA Today"-Gallup poll, Senator Kerry has a lead of just six points over President Bush with women voters, a danger sign for the senator since Democrats traditionally do better with women.

In 2000, Al Gore had an 11-point advantage with women voters, according to exit polls. George W. Bush had the exact same advantage with men.

Senator Kerry trying to make inroads, especially with married, suburban women concerned about security, who have been giving higher marks to President Bush.

KERRY: I want a world, as you do, where no American mother should ever have to lie awake at night worrying about what tomorrow will bring.

WALLACE: Despite the outreach, there are those unknowns, such as whether these comments by Teresa Heinz Kerry, for which she later apologized, will anger stay-at-home moms.

TERESA HEINZ KERRY, WIFE OF SENATOR JOHN KERRY: I don't know Laura, but she seems to be calm, and she seems to be -- she has a sparkle in her eye, which is good. But I don't know that she's ever had a real job, I mean, since she's been grown up.

WALLACE: Mrs. Bush, during her first-ever solo bus trip, said she was not offended. LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: It didn't hurt my feelings. It was perfectly all right. And she apologized.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE (on camera): And Laura Bush also happens to be in the Milwaukee area, part of the Bush-Cheney campaign reaching out to women voters, and trying to win this state that Al Gore won four years ago. And Daryn, speaking of Al Gore, he will be out campaigning in Florida on Sunday on behalf of Senator Kerry -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Kelly, also getting word that personalities like Cher and Rosie O'Donnell plan to get out there and do some politicking. Any concern on the Kerry campaign that those personalities might actually alienate some people that might see themselves more toward the middle?

WALLACE: Well, that's interesting. We actually -- that's news to us. We have not heard that.

Clearly, there's always going to be a concern. But the Kerry campaign is looking right now, as the Bush campaign is, Daryn, in terms of getting out the vote and energizing the Democratic base.

So, clearly, the thinking is any surrogates that are going out for either campaign can do something to either call attention to the candidate, to energize the base. But you raise a question. There's also the undecided, those swing voters who still haven't made up their minds. And they're carefully trying to reach out to those voter as well -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Kelly Wallace in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Thank you.

And we do expect to hear from Senator Kerry in the next hour. You'll see portions of that speech live right here on CNN.

A new national poll is out showing that the race between Senator Kerry and President Bush remains a statistical tossup. It's an Associated Press poll. Senator Kerry leading President Bush 49 percent to 46 percent among likely voters. The difference is within the margin of error.

Then there's a new CNN-"USA Today"-Gallup poll looking at the race in Ohio, a key battleground states. Twenty electoral votes up for grabs there. Kerry leading Bush 50 percent to 44 percent among registered voters. But among likely voters, Kerry is ahead by just one percentage point.

SANCHEZ: And of course it comes as no surprise then, Daryn, that the president is gong to be spending a little bit of time in Ohio today. He's also going to be in Florida. But he's starting out the day in Pennsylvania, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

That is where Dana Bash is following the president. She's joining us now on the phone.

I understand, Dana, that the president will be retooling his speech somewhat today.

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi Rick.

He's actually doing it as we speak. He is speaking right now in Wilkes-Barre. And it's really just a sort of a slight retooling of the speech, and it's just sort of in the way he's presenting the arguments that we've heard for months and months of why he thinks he's a better choice, of course, for the presidency than John Kerry is.

And the way the -- his aides have sort of constructed this is by breaking -- breaking it up into themes. He's actually on theme four, if you're looking right now. And that is retirement security.

But the themes are the war on terror, on family budget, on the quality of life, as they call it, which is healthcare, retirement and then values. And the way he's discussing them is trying to talk directly to voters in each theme, saying -- saying that, as far as security goes, for example, here's what I will do to secure your family, as opposed to what Senator Kerry will do.

He said the same thing on family budget, as he called -- as he called it. He said that "When it comes to your family budget, I will give you tax cuts and the senator won't."

So, that's sort of the way that the president is doing this. And it's all part of what the campaign calls essentially his closing argument here.

There are 11 days left, and he's trying to make it as clear as possible, what he thinks the differences are between himself and Senator Kerry. And this is sort of a new way of describing it. No new policies or no new ideas in here. Just a different way of describing it.

SANCHEZ: Dana Bash bringing us the very latest there from Pennsylvania. She's going to be following the campaign tour for the president today, which, as we mentioned, will also include states of Ohio and Florida.

Well, with just 11 days left in the presidential race, swing states and undecided voters hold the keys to the White House. CNN's Paula Zahn held her latest town hall meeting in one of those states last night. Representatives from both the Bush and Kerry campaigns squared off in Clark County, Ohio, this time over the draft.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BERNARD KERIK, BUSH-CHENEY CAMPAIGN: With regard to the draft, I think this was something that came out of the Democratic campaign. I know for a fact that there was legislation put on the table by Senator -- by Congressman Rangel out of New York City that went before Congress, was put before Congress.

It was voted down more than 400-2. In fact, Charlie Rangel voted against it. He wrote it, he voted against it. The president has said he's not going to institute the draft. Secretary Rumsfeld said there will be no draft. I know the president pretty well. I'll stand by his work.

WESLEY CLARK (D), FMR. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The president of the United States has to do whatever it takes to keep America safe. And I understand why he would make a pledge like that.

The questions haven't arisen from the Democratic Party. They've really arisen from young people across America who talk to their friends who are in the armed forces who are being called back for second and third tours in Iraq, who are in the individual ready reserve and are being activated against their will to go to Iraq.

And they say, you know, "This is not going to last forever. And I guess the only recourse is to have a draft."

I think that we don't know the real answer to that. And I wouldn't rely on the president's word that there won't be a draft.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: We should tell you that Paula Zahn's next town hall meeting is going to be November 1st. That's going to be in Kissimmee, Florida.

KAGAN: Iraqi officials are again warning insurgents in Falluja to give up or face an all-out offensive. Pushing home that threat, U.S. airstrikes overnight targeted suspected weapons caches. Precision-guided bombs were dropped about 15 minutes after suspected insurgents were observed hauling crates of ammunition and weapons from one building to another.

Meanwhile, the Baghdad home of a reporter for Alhurra Television was damaged in an attack. Alhurra is an Arab-language station funded by the U.S. and based in Virginia.

SANCHEZ: So, just how strong is this insurgency in Iraq that we've been hearing so much about? There is a new assessment on this from the Pentagon. And that's where we find our own Barbara Starr following this story.

Hi, Barbara.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Rick.

Well, indeed, the Pentagon military intelligence officials have completed a new assessment this month of how they view the insurgency in Iraq, what U.S. and coalition forces are exactly dealing with there. And there are some very interesting key new findings.

First of all, money. How is all of this being financed?

Well, intelligence believes there's about $500 million now in funds that Saddam Hussein stashed away before the war, and that money is sitting in Syria, coming across the border, financing many of these attacks. They also believe that there is money coming from Islamic groups and individuals in Saudi Arabia. But that money, also very importantly, they believe, is being funneled again around and coming in through Syria, not supported to any large extent at this point by the Saudi government.

How big is the insurgency? What is that opposition force really look like?

Well, the assessment that's been completed estimates roughly a core of about 12,000 fighters. Now, what officials have told us is, that is a very rough estimate. Of course, no one knows for sure. But that's their best guess at the moment, about 12,000.

Now, that would represent a fairly significant growth. Because originally the estimate was maybe 5,000 to 6,000. That was a rough estimate. But there is a sense out there that they've probably captured or killed the equivalent of that. So, there are more insurgents coming in all the time.

Zarqawi, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the Jordanian terrorist, he does remain a significant threat, according to this assessment. But the belief now is the insurgency is much more diverse than that, about 50 cells spread out across the country. Most of it actually populated by disaffected Iraqi men, if you will, people who want jobs, people who need money, people who are just tired of having the military occupation force in their country.

So, the intelligence community looking at all of this, trying to get a handle on what they are dealing with -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: If there are more insurgents and if, according to this report, they have more money, the -- at least one organization, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, says it will be the least five years before U.S. troops are able to get the Iraqis to the place where they're able to fight their own battle, so to speak. Do Pentagon officials react to this at all, especially the five-year figure coming from the Institute for Strategic Studies?

STARR: Well, I think one can assume that the Pentagon is not making any timeline predictions anymore about Iraq in any way, shape or form. They are really staying away from the timeline issue. What they are saying is they will stay in Iraq as long as it takes, until the Iraqis can stand on their own feet, provide their own security for their country. No timeline associated with that at this point, nobody making any projections now -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Barbara Starr following that story for us. We thank you, Barbara -- Daryn.

KAGAN: After the fall. We're going to have an update on Fidel Castro's condition following yesterday' tumble.

SANCHEZ: Also, the fight off in the battlegrounds and what President Bush and Senator Kerry are doing to get ahead in the sought- after battleground states. You probably know them by memory by now. Our political analyst, Carlos Watson, will join us for that.

KAGAN: And why Curt Schilling says the Red Sox beat the Yankees.

That's all ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Welcome back, everyone.

KAGAN: We're going to take a look at news overseas this morning in our "World Wrap."

A funeral today in Gaza City for a senior commander of Hamas who was assassinated late yesterday by an Israeli airstrike. Hamas is vowing to avenge Adnan al-Ghoul's death. Israel says al-Ghoul was a master bomb maker and a driving force behind the development of crude rockets against -- used against Israeli militants.

SANCHEZ: Another group of North Korean refugees in China has made a bid for asylum. The refugees at a school in Beijing run by South Koreans asking for some type of sanctuary. Their fate is not clear because the school doesn't have diplomatic immunity.

KAGAN: And in Cuba, longtime leader Fidel Castro is nursing broken bones today. Castro is 78. He fell while stepping down after giving a graduation speech Wednesday in the city of Santa Clara. He apparently broke his left knee and his right arm.

SANCHEZ: We're going to be following that story, as well as this one, fighting the flu. Learn what the U.S. is doing to try and prevent another flu shot shortage next year.

KAGAN: That's ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Welcome back, everyone. We're going to tell you what's going on with the weather.

KAGAN: And Jill Brown is going to do that for us.

Hi, Jill.

JILL BROWN, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hi, Daryn. Hi, Rick.

(WEATHER REPORT)

SANCHEZ: That's good. It sounds like she's getting rid of all the bad stuff.

KAGAN: I appreciate that.

Thank you, Jill.

SANCHEZ: War of the states. Remember that? Well, this is a little different, isn't it? KAGAN: Is one candidate outshining the other in the sought-after battleground states? We'll ask our political analyst, Carlos Watson, his thoughts. Also, get a peek at his hot show debuting this weekend.

That's when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: And welcome back to CNN. I'm Rick Sanchez.

Topping the news now, frightening images of a terrified Margaret Hassan. She's the director of CARE in Baghdad who is now a kidnapping victim. A short time ago, Al-Jazeera aired video of Hassan pleading for her life. In the video, Hassan, who's a British-Iraqi national, begged Prime Minister Tony Blair to withdraw forces from Iraq. "I don't want to die like Bigley," she's quoted as saying, referring to the British civilian engineer who was recently kidnapped and then later decapitated.

U.S. military in Baghdad is hearing more evidence today in the prison abuse scandal and considering whether another U.S. soldier is going to be tried for premeditated murder while in Iraq. In addition, a January 7th trial date has been set for Specialist Charles Graner Jr. Charges against him include conspiracy, assault, adultery and dereliction of duty as well.

President Bush is campaigning in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, this morning. The commonwealth is one of the crucial states still up for grabs on November 2. Later today, the president holds events in Ohio and in Florida.

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Aired October 22, 2004 - 10:59   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: A tearful plea from a kidnapped relief worker airs on Arab language television today. Al-Jazeera today broadcasting a videotape of Margaret Hassan. She pleads for her life and for Britain to pull its troops out of Iraq. We'll have a live report from Baghdad just ahead.
Iraqi National Guard troops came under fire today while raiding a mosque in Mosul. The guard forces were searching for suspected bomb makers thought to be hiding in a mosque. During the raid, the U.S. military said the attackers fired small arms, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars at the Iraqi troops.

Florida officials are looking into widespread allegations of fraud. The Department of Law Enforcement say investigations are under way throughout the state. Florida is hoping to avoid a repeat of the problems that plagued the 2000 presidential election.

A court ruling is expected today in the case of a brain damaged woman in Florida. Terri Schiavo's parents are seeking a new trial in their efforts to keep her feeding tube connected. Yesterday, the state Supreme Court said it would not reconsider its recent decision in the case. The court struck down a law designed to keep Schiavo's husband from removing her feeding tube.

We're looking at 1100 a.m. straight up on the East Coast and 8:00 a.m. on the West Coast. From CNN Center in Atlanta, good morning, once again. I'm Daryn Kagan.

SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez.

And we're following the story of a kidnapped CARE worker in Iraq, literally pleading for her life. It's an emotional appeal from the kidnapped relief worker. It's up on CNN this hour.

The Arab network Al-Jazeera today broadcast. It's a videotape of a tear tearful Margaret Hassan.

CNN's Karl Penhaul has been following the story since he first heard. He is joining us now from Baghdad with the latest.

Hi, Karl.

KARL PENHAUL, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Rick.

Grim and disturbing video indeed. Margaret Hassan, you'll remember was kidnapped three days ago. Now, she's the country director of the aid organization, CARE International. She's a joint British-Iraqi national but, in fact, she spent more than 30 years of her life here in Iraq at the service of humanitarian aide work.

That video shows Margaret Hassan standing against a while wall. She stares directly into the camera. She's not blindfolded. Her hands are not tied.

She looks into that camera and makes a plea, "Please, please help me," she says. She calls on the British people to in turn call on Prime Minister Tony Blair to pull British troops out of Iraq and also not to redeploy any British troops any closer to Baghdad.

It would seem looking at this video that it is directly linked to the British decision to redeploy members of the Black Watch Battalion from the southern city of Basra, closer to Baghdad, and that in turn will free up American troops for an all-out assault on Falluja, if that indeed comes. Margaret Hassan goes on and says, "These may be my final moments. Please, please, please help me. Don't let the same happen to me as happened to Ken Bigley," she says.

That's a reference to the British engineer who was beheaded by the al-Zarqawi terrorist network about two weeks ago. But still no clue, Rick, as to who the kidnappers are of Margaret Hassan.

SANCHEZ: What do we need to know about Margaret Hassan that distinguishes her from other people who have been taken hostage in that part of the world?

PENHAUL: Margaret Hassan's track record here in Iraq is basically half her life. She's in her late 50s now. She spent more than 30 years in Iraq working on humanitarian aid projects.

Also, we know that she's been a staunch opponent of the coalition invasion of Iraq since the outset. She said that it would lead to a man-made humanitarian disaster. What we can also imagine, but obviously only speculation, is that she will now be trying to tell the kidnappers of the kind of work she's done and also outlying her opposition to this invasion -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: All right. Karl Penhaul following that story for us. We thank you, Karl, for bringing us up to date. We'll certainly check back with you as the story develops throughout the day here in CNN.

Daryn, over to you.

KAGAN: John Kerry is courting women in Wisconsin today. Women voters, that is. Kerry giving a speech later this hour from Wisconsin. He heads to Nevada, and then he ends the day in Colorado.

Our national correspondent, Kelly Wallace, begins our political coverage this hour. She is with the Kerry campaign in Milwaukee -- Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, we are expecting Senator Kerry here on the campus of the University of Wisconsin here in Milwaukee about 30 minute from now. And CNN expected to take a portion of Senator Kerry's speech.

He will be joined by Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. And he's expected to talk about issues concerning women, equal pay for women, raising the minimum wage.

This no accident really. Both campaigns well aware of something we are seeing at least in one poll that was conducted earlier this month. It showed that six out of the 10 voters still undecided are women.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice over): That is why before a crowd of thousands in Minneapolis last night a fired-up John Kerry had this message.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We need a little less talk about family values and a little more valuing of families.

WALLACE: Why he was introduced yesterday by Dana Reeve, Christopher Reeve's widow, and why one of the most vocal of the September 11 widows stumped for him in Iowa and now appears in one of his television ads.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want to look in my daughter's eyes and know that she is safe.

WALLACE: According to the most recent CNN-"USA Today"-Gallup poll, Senator Kerry has a lead of just six points over President Bush with women voters, a danger sign for the senator since Democrats traditionally do better with women.

In 2000, Al Gore had an 11-point advantage with women voters, according to exit polls. George W. Bush had the exact same advantage with men.

Senator Kerry trying to make inroads, especially with married, suburban women concerned about security, who have been giving higher marks to President Bush.

KERRY: I want a world, as you do, where no American mother should ever have to lie awake at night worrying about what tomorrow will bring.

WALLACE: Despite the outreach, there are those unknowns, such as whether these comments by Teresa Heinz Kerry, for which she later apologized, will anger stay-at-home moms.

TERESA HEINZ KERRY, WIFE OF SENATOR JOHN KERRY: I don't know Laura, but she seems to be calm, and she seems to be -- she has a sparkle in her eye, which is good. But I don't know that she's ever had a real job, I mean, since she's been grown up.

WALLACE: Mrs. Bush, during her first-ever solo bus trip, said she was not offended. LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: It didn't hurt my feelings. It was perfectly all right. And she apologized.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE (on camera): And Laura Bush also happens to be in the Milwaukee area, part of the Bush-Cheney campaign reaching out to women voters, and trying to win this state that Al Gore won four years ago. And Daryn, speaking of Al Gore, he will be out campaigning in Florida on Sunday on behalf of Senator Kerry -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Kelly, also getting word that personalities like Cher and Rosie O'Donnell plan to get out there and do some politicking. Any concern on the Kerry campaign that those personalities might actually alienate some people that might see themselves more toward the middle?

WALLACE: Well, that's interesting. We actually -- that's news to us. We have not heard that.

Clearly, there's always going to be a concern. But the Kerry campaign is looking right now, as the Bush campaign is, Daryn, in terms of getting out the vote and energizing the Democratic base.

So, clearly, the thinking is any surrogates that are going out for either campaign can do something to either call attention to the candidate, to energize the base. But you raise a question. There's also the undecided, those swing voters who still haven't made up their minds. And they're carefully trying to reach out to those voter as well -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Kelly Wallace in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Thank you.

And we do expect to hear from Senator Kerry in the next hour. You'll see portions of that speech live right here on CNN.

A new national poll is out showing that the race between Senator Kerry and President Bush remains a statistical tossup. It's an Associated Press poll. Senator Kerry leading President Bush 49 percent to 46 percent among likely voters. The difference is within the margin of error.

Then there's a new CNN-"USA Today"-Gallup poll looking at the race in Ohio, a key battleground states. Twenty electoral votes up for grabs there. Kerry leading Bush 50 percent to 44 percent among registered voters. But among likely voters, Kerry is ahead by just one percentage point.

SANCHEZ: And of course it comes as no surprise then, Daryn, that the president is gong to be spending a little bit of time in Ohio today. He's also going to be in Florida. But he's starting out the day in Pennsylvania, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

That is where Dana Bash is following the president. She's joining us now on the phone.

I understand, Dana, that the president will be retooling his speech somewhat today.

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi Rick.

He's actually doing it as we speak. He is speaking right now in Wilkes-Barre. And it's really just a sort of a slight retooling of the speech, and it's just sort of in the way he's presenting the arguments that we've heard for months and months of why he thinks he's a better choice, of course, for the presidency than John Kerry is.

And the way the -- his aides have sort of constructed this is by breaking -- breaking it up into themes. He's actually on theme four, if you're looking right now. And that is retirement security.

But the themes are the war on terror, on family budget, on the quality of life, as they call it, which is healthcare, retirement and then values. And the way he's discussing them is trying to talk directly to voters in each theme, saying -- saying that, as far as security goes, for example, here's what I will do to secure your family, as opposed to what Senator Kerry will do.

He said the same thing on family budget, as he called -- as he called it. He said that "When it comes to your family budget, I will give you tax cuts and the senator won't."

So, that's sort of the way that the president is doing this. And it's all part of what the campaign calls essentially his closing argument here.

There are 11 days left, and he's trying to make it as clear as possible, what he thinks the differences are between himself and Senator Kerry. And this is sort of a new way of describing it. No new policies or no new ideas in here. Just a different way of describing it.

SANCHEZ: Dana Bash bringing us the very latest there from Pennsylvania. She's going to be following the campaign tour for the president today, which, as we mentioned, will also include states of Ohio and Florida.

Well, with just 11 days left in the presidential race, swing states and undecided voters hold the keys to the White House. CNN's Paula Zahn held her latest town hall meeting in one of those states last night. Representatives from both the Bush and Kerry campaigns squared off in Clark County, Ohio, this time over the draft.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BERNARD KERIK, BUSH-CHENEY CAMPAIGN: With regard to the draft, I think this was something that came out of the Democratic campaign. I know for a fact that there was legislation put on the table by Senator -- by Congressman Rangel out of New York City that went before Congress, was put before Congress.

It was voted down more than 400-2. In fact, Charlie Rangel voted against it. He wrote it, he voted against it. The president has said he's not going to institute the draft. Secretary Rumsfeld said there will be no draft. I know the president pretty well. I'll stand by his work.

WESLEY CLARK (D), FMR. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The president of the United States has to do whatever it takes to keep America safe. And I understand why he would make a pledge like that.

The questions haven't arisen from the Democratic Party. They've really arisen from young people across America who talk to their friends who are in the armed forces who are being called back for second and third tours in Iraq, who are in the individual ready reserve and are being activated against their will to go to Iraq.

And they say, you know, "This is not going to last forever. And I guess the only recourse is to have a draft."

I think that we don't know the real answer to that. And I wouldn't rely on the president's word that there won't be a draft.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: We should tell you that Paula Zahn's next town hall meeting is going to be November 1st. That's going to be in Kissimmee, Florida.

KAGAN: Iraqi officials are again warning insurgents in Falluja to give up or face an all-out offensive. Pushing home that threat, U.S. airstrikes overnight targeted suspected weapons caches. Precision-guided bombs were dropped about 15 minutes after suspected insurgents were observed hauling crates of ammunition and weapons from one building to another.

Meanwhile, the Baghdad home of a reporter for Alhurra Television was damaged in an attack. Alhurra is an Arab-language station funded by the U.S. and based in Virginia.

SANCHEZ: So, just how strong is this insurgency in Iraq that we've been hearing so much about? There is a new assessment on this from the Pentagon. And that's where we find our own Barbara Starr following this story.

Hi, Barbara.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Rick.

Well, indeed, the Pentagon military intelligence officials have completed a new assessment this month of how they view the insurgency in Iraq, what U.S. and coalition forces are exactly dealing with there. And there are some very interesting key new findings.

First of all, money. How is all of this being financed?

Well, intelligence believes there's about $500 million now in funds that Saddam Hussein stashed away before the war, and that money is sitting in Syria, coming across the border, financing many of these attacks. They also believe that there is money coming from Islamic groups and individuals in Saudi Arabia. But that money, also very importantly, they believe, is being funneled again around and coming in through Syria, not supported to any large extent at this point by the Saudi government.

How big is the insurgency? What is that opposition force really look like?

Well, the assessment that's been completed estimates roughly a core of about 12,000 fighters. Now, what officials have told us is, that is a very rough estimate. Of course, no one knows for sure. But that's their best guess at the moment, about 12,000.

Now, that would represent a fairly significant growth. Because originally the estimate was maybe 5,000 to 6,000. That was a rough estimate. But there is a sense out there that they've probably captured or killed the equivalent of that. So, there are more insurgents coming in all the time.

Zarqawi, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the Jordanian terrorist, he does remain a significant threat, according to this assessment. But the belief now is the insurgency is much more diverse than that, about 50 cells spread out across the country. Most of it actually populated by disaffected Iraqi men, if you will, people who want jobs, people who need money, people who are just tired of having the military occupation force in their country.

So, the intelligence community looking at all of this, trying to get a handle on what they are dealing with -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: If there are more insurgents and if, according to this report, they have more money, the -- at least one organization, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, says it will be the least five years before U.S. troops are able to get the Iraqis to the place where they're able to fight their own battle, so to speak. Do Pentagon officials react to this at all, especially the five-year figure coming from the Institute for Strategic Studies?

STARR: Well, I think one can assume that the Pentagon is not making any timeline predictions anymore about Iraq in any way, shape or form. They are really staying away from the timeline issue. What they are saying is they will stay in Iraq as long as it takes, until the Iraqis can stand on their own feet, provide their own security for their country. No timeline associated with that at this point, nobody making any projections now -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Barbara Starr following that story for us. We thank you, Barbara -- Daryn.

KAGAN: After the fall. We're going to have an update on Fidel Castro's condition following yesterday' tumble.

SANCHEZ: Also, the fight off in the battlegrounds and what President Bush and Senator Kerry are doing to get ahead in the sought- after battleground states. You probably know them by memory by now. Our political analyst, Carlos Watson, will join us for that.

KAGAN: And why Curt Schilling says the Red Sox beat the Yankees.

That's all ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Welcome back, everyone.

KAGAN: We're going to take a look at news overseas this morning in our "World Wrap."

A funeral today in Gaza City for a senior commander of Hamas who was assassinated late yesterday by an Israeli airstrike. Hamas is vowing to avenge Adnan al-Ghoul's death. Israel says al-Ghoul was a master bomb maker and a driving force behind the development of crude rockets against -- used against Israeli militants.

SANCHEZ: Another group of North Korean refugees in China has made a bid for asylum. The refugees at a school in Beijing run by South Koreans asking for some type of sanctuary. Their fate is not clear because the school doesn't have diplomatic immunity.

KAGAN: And in Cuba, longtime leader Fidel Castro is nursing broken bones today. Castro is 78. He fell while stepping down after giving a graduation speech Wednesday in the city of Santa Clara. He apparently broke his left knee and his right arm.

SANCHEZ: We're going to be following that story, as well as this one, fighting the flu. Learn what the U.S. is doing to try and prevent another flu shot shortage next year.

KAGAN: That's ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Welcome back, everyone. We're going to tell you what's going on with the weather.

KAGAN: And Jill Brown is going to do that for us.

Hi, Jill.

JILL BROWN, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hi, Daryn. Hi, Rick.

(WEATHER REPORT)

SANCHEZ: That's good. It sounds like she's getting rid of all the bad stuff.

KAGAN: I appreciate that.

Thank you, Jill.

SANCHEZ: War of the states. Remember that? Well, this is a little different, isn't it? KAGAN: Is one candidate outshining the other in the sought-after battleground states? We'll ask our political analyst, Carlos Watson, his thoughts. Also, get a peek at his hot show debuting this weekend.

That's when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: And welcome back to CNN. I'm Rick Sanchez.

Topping the news now, frightening images of a terrified Margaret Hassan. She's the director of CARE in Baghdad who is now a kidnapping victim. A short time ago, Al-Jazeera aired video of Hassan pleading for her life. In the video, Hassan, who's a British-Iraqi national, begged Prime Minister Tony Blair to withdraw forces from Iraq. "I don't want to die like Bigley," she's quoted as saying, referring to the British civilian engineer who was recently kidnapped and then later decapitated.

U.S. military in Baghdad is hearing more evidence today in the prison abuse scandal and considering whether another U.S. soldier is going to be tried for premeditated murder while in Iraq. In addition, a January 7th trial date has been set for Specialist Charles Graner Jr. Charges against him include conspiracy, assault, adultery and dereliction of duty as well.

President Bush is campaigning in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, this morning. The commonwealth is one of the crucial states still up for grabs on November 2. Later today, the president holds events in Ohio and in Florida.

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