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CNN Live Today
380 Tons of Explosives Missing in Iraq; Bill Clinton to Rally Democrats in Philadelphia; 10 Dead in NASCAR Team Plane Crash
Aired October 25, 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 the politics of Iraq. All the doings there and the effect it could have on the politics here at home.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: A lot ahead. Right now let's take a look at what is happening now in the news.
Iraqi government officials say 380 tons of conventional explosives are missing. There is some concern that some of it may have fallen into the hands of insurgents. The explosives considered powerful enough to detonate nuclear warheads are missing from a weapons storage facility near Baghdad. That site was supposed to be under U.S. military control.
Smoke billows from a Palestinian refugee camp in Gaza after an air and ground assault by Israeli forces. At least 14 Palestinians were killed. Israeli officials say the operation is aimed at stopping a string of mortar attacks on Jewish settlements.
President Bush is tweaking a stump speech hopefully he will do better than I did just there. A stump speech, as he campaigns in Colorado and Iowa today, aides say the president will make a new case that John Kerry couldn't prosecute the war on terror.
Senator Kerry calls on big name closers with the election just eight days away. Former President Bill Clinton, who is recovering from heart surgery, we will join Senator Kerry at a rally later today in Philadelphia.
And pitching through pain and another stapled ankle. Boston Red Sox ace Curt Schilling led his team to a 6 to 2 win over the Cardinals. The Red Sox lead the World Series two games to none with Game 3 tomorrow night in St. Louis.
Stump speech. I'm going to practice that. I'll have it ready by noon Eastern.
SANCHEZ: Just say bloody ankle.
KAGAN: Bloody ankle, there you go.
Good morning everyone. I'm Daryn Kagan.
SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez. In Iraq the search for missing explosives. And are we being attacked with weapons we failed to secure? The explosives were taken from a former military installation that had been integral to Saddam Hussein's arsenal. The former al Qaqaa military facility, al Qaqaa military facility, that's where it happened. It's about 30 miles south of Baghdad. It was supposed to be under American lock and key. So now the question is if U.S. troops don't control the explosives, who does?
CNN's Karl Penhaul is in Baghdad and he's joining us with more on this story.
Karl, to you.
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Rick. Well, first of all, to tell you a little bit about these explosives. What these are is RDX and HMX. These are some of the most powerful, conventional military explosives known to man. We're talking about 380 tons of this stuff. Normally it's used in munitions, it can be used to make shells, it can be used to make missile warheads. It can even be used in atomic and nuclear bombs.
Now obviously, one of the purposes of the invasion was Iraq to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and to stop the spread of international terrorism. But suddenly these 380 tons of high explosives is floating around somewhere in Iraq. Nobody seems to know where it is. We talked to the Iraqi Defense Ministry this morning, asked them about it. They shrugged their heads and said, well, this isn't really new. We've known about this for some time.
Now, of course, we don't know exactly who has got these explosives. But let me tell you a little bit about the area where this stuff was stolen. It's an area just south of Baghdad, as you say, al Qaqaa, and this is full of insurgent cells. We know that because we've seen them operating there, staging attacks on coalition forces. Staging attacks on military convoys as they pass through.
This area is also one of the transit points for weaponry, heading towards that rebel-held city of Falluja, as well. Impossible to tell if any of the daily car bombs and roadside bombs that are exploding in Iraq are made up of this RDX or HMX, because there are no clear military analysis that are given out to the press on a regular basis.
But we are told by military experts, you get a lot of this explosive. And for the price of a few cents you put a detonating device in it or some detonating cord in it, create a huge explosion, bring down a building. Blow up military convoy. Bring down an airliner -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Hmm. You could be guaranteed, Karl, and that's the reason I'm going to ask you this question; I'll preface it with this. You can are be guaranteed that this will be part of the political conversation here in the states on this particular day. So let me ask you this. Who was responsible for these weapons prior to the U.S. invasion? Who had a finger on them?
PENHAUL: Since the First Gulf War, so since 1991, the United Nations knew perfectly of this site, which is one of Saddam Hussein's most secret weapons facilities. Even on some of the pictures that we've been looking back through this morning, we can quite clearly see that a lot of these bunkers, where the explosives were stored, had a seal on from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
They were conscious that these materials were there. They were keeping a constant check on them. You'll remember before the invasion last year, those weapons inspectors were left the country, they were taken out of the country, and -- but everybody knew they were there. These sites have been mentioned in all the weapons dossiers of some of the most dangerous sites in Iraq.
One would have thought that as the coalition troops advanced, one of their primary objectives would be to make sure that these sites were secure from looting, so that nobody could get in and get these highly dangerous materials out -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: A question that will likely be asked throughout the day, as well. Karl Penhaul on that story, we thank you so much.
Daryn, over to you.
KAGAN: The disappearance of the explosives is casting a shadow not just on the White House, but President Bush's campaign appearances, as well. Mr. Bush stumps today in the showdown states of Iowa and Colorado. He'll spend the night in Wisconsin, ahead of a visit there tomorrow.
Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is in Waco, Texas, following the president today.
Suzanne, good morning.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONENT: Good morning, Daryn. As you know, of course, this really is casting a shadow over the president's campaign trip today. A lot of questions, and the Kerry campaign, of course, taking advantage of that news about the missing explosives. I spoke with a senior administration official who confirmed that the Iraqi interim government did tell the administration about these missing explosives. That National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice was notified about a month ago or so but the administration chose not to make this information public.
We're told that it is the standard practice of the intelligence community not essentially to announce these types of things, according to what they're saying, not to let the bad guys know what they have. But they say let's put this in a larger context. They say there are hundreds of tons of these types of ammunitions, as well as explosives and things that are throughout the country, in Iraq. That as the Pentagon has indicated before, there is really no way that the U.S. military can possibly guard all of those weapons depots inside of the country, or even track down much of those missing materials.
They also say, as well, this is something that is reflected and well documented in the administration's own investigative body. That is the Iraq Survey Group that talks about this extensively. They also bring up another point as well. They say this is the type of materiel they say that you could buy anywhere. That this is dangerous material, they acknowledge that, but at the same time, they did not consider it to be a proliferation risk, rather. But that same official, having said all of that, does acknowledge today that this is not a good story for the White House and it could not come at a worse time -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Suzanne, let's go -- get back to the campaign trail. Word that Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor of California, will be joining President Bush very soon. But these two men do not see eye- to-eye on many issues.
MALVEAUX: Well, that's true, really. It could be seen as a mixed bag here. The Bush campaign is thrilled to have Governor Schwarzenegger side by side with the president. This was going to happen late in the week or so, of course. As we know they really want to go after those moderates, those undecideds. They believe they can pull them forth just by that picture alone of seeing these two men standing to the.
But as you know, of course, yes, many of the positions that the governor takes do not actually coincide with what the president feels. And that is really the social issues, when you talk about stem cell research or abortion rights, gay rights, things like that. But the Bush campaign is taking this risk, a calculated risk. They believe that just having that visual alone will simply override many of those differences that we have seen in the past.
KAGAN: Suzanne Malveaux in Waco, Texas. Thank you.
SANCHEZ: There's another side-by-side show we're going to be telling you about today. This involves Senator Kerry. First, he's going to continue though, his criticism of the Bush administration and its handling of the Iraq war. He, too, will blitz several battleground states. Today the Democratic nominee will visit: Wisconsin, Michigan, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.
The headline event, though, may be a few hours from now. It's going to take place in Philadelphia. There, Senator Kerry will share the stage with former President Bill Clinton; seven weeks only removed from heart surgery, his first real public arena.
CNN national correspondent Kelly Wallace is in Philly. She's joining us now with a preview.
Hey, Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hello, Rick. And you said just moments ago that this issue, the missing explosives in Iraq, you guaranteed it would be part of the political discussion. Well, the Kerry campaign pouncing on it. In fact, last night campaign spokesmen sending out an e-mail to reporters before reporters were even aware of this story. And the senator himself wasting no time at all during his first appearance today, stop No. 1 in New Hampshire. Accusing President Bush of quote, "arrogance," "blindness," and "incompetence" when it comes to handling the situation in Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: George W. Bush, who talks tough, talks tough, and brags about making America safer, has once again failed to deliver. After being warned about the danger of major stockpiles of explosives in Iraq, this president failed to guard those stockpiles, where nearly 380 tons of highly explosive weapons were kept. Today, today we learn that these explosives are missing, unaccounted for, and potentially in the hands of terrorists.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: Of course the original big story for the Kerry campaign today was going to be, yes, the return of former President Bill Clinton to the campaign trail after his quadruple bypass. The Kerry/Edwards team pursuing a different strategy than Al Gore four years ago. Mr. Gore kind of distancing himself from the former president. But Kerry and Edwards embracing Bill Clinton, believing he can really fire up the Democratic base, in particular African- Americans who some say Senator Kerry has been slow to energize.
You can just take a look at a recent study. Eighteen percent of those interviewed saying that they would vote for President Bush this year, a survey of African-Americans. That's double the support that President Bush got in 2000 when it comes to African-Americans. Other polls though, showing Mr. Bush's support with African-Americans about the same 8 percent that he received back in 2000.
There is also the question, Rick could senator -- former President Bill Clinton turned away some swing voters who are unhappy about the scandals of his presidency? Senator Kerry was asked about that in an interview earlier today. He said he is running for president, not Bill Clinton. But he also thinks the former president will go ahead and remind those same swing voters of the strong economy during the Clinton years -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Yes. It's an interesting trifecta, actually, because he's got Bill Clinton working for him there in Philly. And he's also going to have Al Gore in the state of Florida. So we'll see how it turns out.
Kelly Wallace, thanks so much for that report. We'll be talking to you a later bit later.
Stay with CNN for live coverage of the Kerry-Clinton event. It is scheduled to begin in Philadelphia, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern, 10:00 a.m. Pacific -- Daryn.
KAGAN: On the second to last weekend before the election, some major newspapers have issued their endorsements. Among those backing Senator Kerry: "The Washington Post," the "Chicago Sun-Times" and the "Des Moines Register" in the battleground state of Iowa. Kerry also wins the support of another swing state paper, "The Orlando Sentinel," which backed Bush in 2000.
Bush won the support of major newspapers in two swing states: "The Columbus Dispatch" in Ohio and "The Denver Post," both saying he should remain in the White House. One presidential candidate wins a popular vote but then loses the election. You remember this happened four years ago. And some say it could happen again next week. The reason, the Electoral College. Our senior political analyst Bill Schneider looks at the political and mathematical equation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BILL SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST (voice-over): All voters are not created equal. That's because of the Electoral College. If you are lucky, or unlucky enough to live in, say Ohio or Florida, both battleground states, this campaign is never ending. But nobody is paying any attention to the millions of voters in New York, or California, or Texas.
More than 60 percent of Americans want to get rid of the Electoral College and replace it with a popular vote. Whoever gets the most votes wins. Democrats overwhelmingly favor a change. Republicans are not so sure.
BOB WOODWARD, "THE WASHINGTON POST": Bush won because of the Electoral College in 2000. He lost the popular vote to Al Gore by half a million votes. So he's not going to go on a crusade to change the Electoral College.
SCHNEIDER: Is there any value to the Electoral College? Yes, it creates a mandate. In a three-way race in 1992, Bill Clinton won only 43 percent of the popular vote. But he carried more than two-thirds of the electoral vote. That gave him a mandate. If you had a national popular vote with a lot of small parties competing, you could end up electing a winner by a narrow plurality. You would need a runoff between the top two contenders. Two presidential elections.
ALAN LICHTMAN, PROFESSOR, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY: All of a sudden, minority parties become really important; because they could deny either candidate enough of a plurality and their votes could really become a source of bargaining.
SCHNEIDER: Imagine John Kerry and George W. Bush bargaining for Ralph Nader's support in a runoff.
In Colorado this year, voters are considering a measure to split the state's nine electoral votes in proportion to the popular vote. Suppose every state did that.
LICHTMAN: There is much more of a chance that nobody will get a majority in the Electoral College. And in that case, the vote for president goes to the U.S. House, with each state having one vote. Talk about a distortion of population, Delaware and California would have the same vote.
SCHNEIDER (on camera): Try to fix the Electoral College, and you risk breaking the law of unintended consequences. Which says by solving one problem, you're likely to create another.
Bill Schneider, CNN, Washington. (END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: They are the best world skating -- they are the best pair skaters in the world. They took a nasty, nasty fall over the weekend. They're joining us to talk about it. But imagine going about 40 miles an hour and slamming your head into the ice.
SANCHEZ: The pictures are amazing.
KAGAN: Yes.
SANCHEZ: They really looks scary.
KAGAN: We'll be talking with them just ahead.
SANCHEZ: Also, talk about another near disaster. Still to come one family gets more than they bargained for during a stop at a gas station.
KAGAN: Oh my goodness!
Plus, a big loss in the NASCAR world. Fans grieve the loss of 10 members of one racing family.
SANCHEZ: And then later, she is a singer but she was not in sync. How Ashley Simpson tries to explain her -- we'll let you decide folks. We won't put a label on it.
KAGAN: It wasn't her fault, that's what she said. It wasn't her fault.
SANCHEZ: OK.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: One of the most successful family dynasties in NASCAR racing is grieving today. A plane owned by Hendricks Motorsports crashed near Martinsville Virginia, it was en route to a NASCAR race. Ten people on board died, including Hendricks' son, his brother and two nieces.
Our national correspondent Bob Franken is in Martinsville with the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Instead of celebrating, Jimmie Johnson's crew was praying on Pit Row, after learning that a plane owned by the Hendricks Motorsports organization crashed yesterday, killing all 10 people on board. Among the passengers Ricky and John Hendricks, the son and brother of team owner Rick Hendricks.
The plane, a King Air 200 was en route to yesterday's NASCAR Nextel Cup Race at Martinsville Speedway. It went down about seven miles west of the Martinsville Airport after the pilot had flown out of his initial approach, then crashed into the surrounding hilly terrain.
Hendricks Motorsports is one of NASCAR's premiere racing organizations. And the high power stable includes cars driven by: Jeff Gordon, Terry LaBonte, Brian Vickers along with Jimmie Johnson. All competed in Sunday's NASCAR race.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We mourn. We pray. And you know, be there for each other and then we just move on.
FRANKEN: After hearing the news, mourners gathered outside the Hendricks company compound in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(on camera): (AUDIO GAP)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: All right. Clearly we're having a little bit of trouble with the audio with Bob Franken. From there we will work on re- establishing that signal. But clearly, just a huge loss for the Hendricks, and NASCAR families.
SANCHEZ: Yes. It would seem like an entire family, different generations.
Well, there are a lot of stories that we're following today making news from "Coast to Coast."
KAGAN: Earlier today, a seventh child died from injuries suffered in an apartment fire. The children ranged in age from 6 months to 7 years. Investigators aren't yet sure of the cause or whether any of the adults were at home when the fire broke out.
SANCHEZ: Also in Ohio, police in Canton Township have arrested the 22-year-old female driver of that car. The car slammed right into a gas pump, and as you may...
KAGAN: That car.
SANCHEZ: There it is. There's the picture now. As you can see, another motorist was almost crushed by this -- look at that, by the severed pump. He did manage to safely get his wife and their two kids, though, out of the car, thank goodness.
KAGAN: Quick thinking.
SANCHEZ: Wow.
KAGAN: Let's go on to San Antonio, Texas. Roads to nowhere. Floodwaters washed over highways and side streets yesterday, after summer-like thunderstorms. One woman had to be rescued from her flooded car.
SANCHEZ: A lot of questions today on the table. But here's one we're going to be asking, as well. How safe are you at home when you're on the web? Still to come, why some experts say that your firewall protection may simply not be enough.
KAGAN: And later, has she bamboozled her fans? Ashley Simpson, a bit out of sync on live television.
SANCHEZ: A bit?
KAGAN: Yes.
SANCHEZ: And face first on the ice. Coming up next, we're going to talk to the world champion skaters who are recovering from a weekend mishap.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: The site of a world champion figure skater's face first fall sends a shudder through everyone who sees it. But she's already making plans to get back on the ice. Tatiana Totmianina and her pairs partner Maxim Marinin, join us from Chicago.
Good morning and so good to have you here with us this morning.
TATIANA TOTMIANINA, FIGURE SKATER: Good morning.
MAXIM MARININ, FIGURE SKATER: Good morning.
KAGAN: We have pictures. I know you've seen the pictures over and over again. But we're going to play them one more time. Tatiana, I don't know how much you remember about what happened on Saturday night. But what's supposed to happen here -- Tatiana.
TOTMIANINA: Yes. Actually, I don't really remember. And I didn't see the picture and any video. And actually I don't want to see this.
KAGAN: I understand that.
TOTMIANINA: Yes.
KAGAN: Maxim...
MARININ: Yes.
KAGAN: ... perhaps you can tell us at what point in that maneuver did you realize that this wasn't going exactly like it was supposed to?
MARININ: So, it was like I don't know, something start wrong from the beginning, and kind of maneuvers start over and I can't just stop it. It's like, when you're driving the car on the slippery surface. So when you start turning, you can't stop it. It's like -- and you know how it's going on.
KAGAN: The momentum of that.
Tatiana, perhaps the question I should have started with here, how you are doing this morning? You were remarkably lucky in terms of injury.
TOTMIANINA: Oh, I am actually doing this morning much better than Saturday night. But I still have a nice face.
(LAUGHTER)
KAGAN: You do. You're still a beautiful young woman.
TOTMIANINA: Yes. And I still have pain in my head and my body. But anyway, I'm -- I wish to continue the skating. And I want to return as soon as possible and just enjoy the game.
KAGAN: And for people who are saying is she crazy to want to get back out there? They don't appreciate you guys. You're the world champions. You are the best in the world in this event. The drive to get to become No. 1, which you were crowned back in March, is what's driving you to get back on the ice I imagine?
TOTMIANINA: Maybe people thinking what I'm crazy. But anyway, you know, if you love what you're doing, you just will continue anyway. And actually I appreciate the support from the people who is taking care of me. And I'm glad to be back.
KAGAN: Yes. And for now, doctors say you need to take a couple weeks off the ice?
TOTMIANINA: Yes. I will take like a week or maybe 10 days off the ice. And then we'll start working again.
KAGAN: And Maxim, you ready to get out there, as well?
MARININ: Yes. Absolutely.
KAGAN: All right. Well, we wish you well, Tatiana, in your recovery, and in your bravery. It's a difficult sport. And thanks for coming on and talking with us today. And continues good wishes in your recovery.
TOTMIANINA: OK. Thank you very much.
MARININ: Thank you.
KAGAN: Thank you very much Tatiana Totmianina and Maxim Marinin.
They are the world champions in pairs skating.
SANCHEZ: She's tough.
KAGAN: Yes. And he was talking about how you can -- like, it's a moving car, how you can't...
SANCHEZ: Driving a car that's out of control.
KAGAN: It is hard to explain. They're going like 40 miles an hour on that ice. He's over six feet tall carrying what is a heavy object, even though she's this light little skater. When they start in some of those maneuvers, there's just no stopping.
SANCHEZ: Quite a fall. Ugh, tough to watch.
KAGAN: Yes. The ice. The ice.
SANCHEZ: Yes. You notice we only showed it twice, folks.
KAGAN: Yes.
SANCHEZ: Third time would have been a little too much.
Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, the death toll rises in Japan. When we come back, we'll look at what's left after a weekend's devastating earthquakes.
KAGAN: And later, ever wonder what's on the minds of young voters this election? We're going to get some answers just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired October 25, 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 the politics of Iraq. All the doings there and the effect it could have on the politics here at home.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: A lot ahead. Right now let's take a look at what is happening now in the news.
Iraqi government officials say 380 tons of conventional explosives are missing. There is some concern that some of it may have fallen into the hands of insurgents. The explosives considered powerful enough to detonate nuclear warheads are missing from a weapons storage facility near Baghdad. That site was supposed to be under U.S. military control.
Smoke billows from a Palestinian refugee camp in Gaza after an air and ground assault by Israeli forces. At least 14 Palestinians were killed. Israeli officials say the operation is aimed at stopping a string of mortar attacks on Jewish settlements.
President Bush is tweaking a stump speech hopefully he will do better than I did just there. A stump speech, as he campaigns in Colorado and Iowa today, aides say the president will make a new case that John Kerry couldn't prosecute the war on terror.
Senator Kerry calls on big name closers with the election just eight days away. Former President Bill Clinton, who is recovering from heart surgery, we will join Senator Kerry at a rally later today in Philadelphia.
And pitching through pain and another stapled ankle. Boston Red Sox ace Curt Schilling led his team to a 6 to 2 win over the Cardinals. The Red Sox lead the World Series two games to none with Game 3 tomorrow night in St. Louis.
Stump speech. I'm going to practice that. I'll have it ready by noon Eastern.
SANCHEZ: Just say bloody ankle.
KAGAN: Bloody ankle, there you go.
Good morning everyone. I'm Daryn Kagan.
SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez. In Iraq the search for missing explosives. And are we being attacked with weapons we failed to secure? The explosives were taken from a former military installation that had been integral to Saddam Hussein's arsenal. The former al Qaqaa military facility, al Qaqaa military facility, that's where it happened. It's about 30 miles south of Baghdad. It was supposed to be under American lock and key. So now the question is if U.S. troops don't control the explosives, who does?
CNN's Karl Penhaul is in Baghdad and he's joining us with more on this story.
Karl, to you.
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Rick. Well, first of all, to tell you a little bit about these explosives. What these are is RDX and HMX. These are some of the most powerful, conventional military explosives known to man. We're talking about 380 tons of this stuff. Normally it's used in munitions, it can be used to make shells, it can be used to make missile warheads. It can even be used in atomic and nuclear bombs.
Now obviously, one of the purposes of the invasion was Iraq to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and to stop the spread of international terrorism. But suddenly these 380 tons of high explosives is floating around somewhere in Iraq. Nobody seems to know where it is. We talked to the Iraqi Defense Ministry this morning, asked them about it. They shrugged their heads and said, well, this isn't really new. We've known about this for some time.
Now, of course, we don't know exactly who has got these explosives. But let me tell you a little bit about the area where this stuff was stolen. It's an area just south of Baghdad, as you say, al Qaqaa, and this is full of insurgent cells. We know that because we've seen them operating there, staging attacks on coalition forces. Staging attacks on military convoys as they pass through.
This area is also one of the transit points for weaponry, heading towards that rebel-held city of Falluja, as well. Impossible to tell if any of the daily car bombs and roadside bombs that are exploding in Iraq are made up of this RDX or HMX, because there are no clear military analysis that are given out to the press on a regular basis.
But we are told by military experts, you get a lot of this explosive. And for the price of a few cents you put a detonating device in it or some detonating cord in it, create a huge explosion, bring down a building. Blow up military convoy. Bring down an airliner -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Hmm. You could be guaranteed, Karl, and that's the reason I'm going to ask you this question; I'll preface it with this. You can are be guaranteed that this will be part of the political conversation here in the states on this particular day. So let me ask you this. Who was responsible for these weapons prior to the U.S. invasion? Who had a finger on them?
PENHAUL: Since the First Gulf War, so since 1991, the United Nations knew perfectly of this site, which is one of Saddam Hussein's most secret weapons facilities. Even on some of the pictures that we've been looking back through this morning, we can quite clearly see that a lot of these bunkers, where the explosives were stored, had a seal on from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
They were conscious that these materials were there. They were keeping a constant check on them. You'll remember before the invasion last year, those weapons inspectors were left the country, they were taken out of the country, and -- but everybody knew they were there. These sites have been mentioned in all the weapons dossiers of some of the most dangerous sites in Iraq.
One would have thought that as the coalition troops advanced, one of their primary objectives would be to make sure that these sites were secure from looting, so that nobody could get in and get these highly dangerous materials out -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: A question that will likely be asked throughout the day, as well. Karl Penhaul on that story, we thank you so much.
Daryn, over to you.
KAGAN: The disappearance of the explosives is casting a shadow not just on the White House, but President Bush's campaign appearances, as well. Mr. Bush stumps today in the showdown states of Iowa and Colorado. He'll spend the night in Wisconsin, ahead of a visit there tomorrow.
Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is in Waco, Texas, following the president today.
Suzanne, good morning.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONENT: Good morning, Daryn. As you know, of course, this really is casting a shadow over the president's campaign trip today. A lot of questions, and the Kerry campaign, of course, taking advantage of that news about the missing explosives. I spoke with a senior administration official who confirmed that the Iraqi interim government did tell the administration about these missing explosives. That National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice was notified about a month ago or so but the administration chose not to make this information public.
We're told that it is the standard practice of the intelligence community not essentially to announce these types of things, according to what they're saying, not to let the bad guys know what they have. But they say let's put this in a larger context. They say there are hundreds of tons of these types of ammunitions, as well as explosives and things that are throughout the country, in Iraq. That as the Pentagon has indicated before, there is really no way that the U.S. military can possibly guard all of those weapons depots inside of the country, or even track down much of those missing materials.
They also say, as well, this is something that is reflected and well documented in the administration's own investigative body. That is the Iraq Survey Group that talks about this extensively. They also bring up another point as well. They say this is the type of materiel they say that you could buy anywhere. That this is dangerous material, they acknowledge that, but at the same time, they did not consider it to be a proliferation risk, rather. But that same official, having said all of that, does acknowledge today that this is not a good story for the White House and it could not come at a worse time -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Suzanne, let's go -- get back to the campaign trail. Word that Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor of California, will be joining President Bush very soon. But these two men do not see eye- to-eye on many issues.
MALVEAUX: Well, that's true, really. It could be seen as a mixed bag here. The Bush campaign is thrilled to have Governor Schwarzenegger side by side with the president. This was going to happen late in the week or so, of course. As we know they really want to go after those moderates, those undecideds. They believe they can pull them forth just by that picture alone of seeing these two men standing to the.
But as you know, of course, yes, many of the positions that the governor takes do not actually coincide with what the president feels. And that is really the social issues, when you talk about stem cell research or abortion rights, gay rights, things like that. But the Bush campaign is taking this risk, a calculated risk. They believe that just having that visual alone will simply override many of those differences that we have seen in the past.
KAGAN: Suzanne Malveaux in Waco, Texas. Thank you.
SANCHEZ: There's another side-by-side show we're going to be telling you about today. This involves Senator Kerry. First, he's going to continue though, his criticism of the Bush administration and its handling of the Iraq war. He, too, will blitz several battleground states. Today the Democratic nominee will visit: Wisconsin, Michigan, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.
The headline event, though, may be a few hours from now. It's going to take place in Philadelphia. There, Senator Kerry will share the stage with former President Bill Clinton; seven weeks only removed from heart surgery, his first real public arena.
CNN national correspondent Kelly Wallace is in Philly. She's joining us now with a preview.
Hey, Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hello, Rick. And you said just moments ago that this issue, the missing explosives in Iraq, you guaranteed it would be part of the political discussion. Well, the Kerry campaign pouncing on it. In fact, last night campaign spokesmen sending out an e-mail to reporters before reporters were even aware of this story. And the senator himself wasting no time at all during his first appearance today, stop No. 1 in New Hampshire. Accusing President Bush of quote, "arrogance," "blindness," and "incompetence" when it comes to handling the situation in Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: George W. Bush, who talks tough, talks tough, and brags about making America safer, has once again failed to deliver. After being warned about the danger of major stockpiles of explosives in Iraq, this president failed to guard those stockpiles, where nearly 380 tons of highly explosive weapons were kept. Today, today we learn that these explosives are missing, unaccounted for, and potentially in the hands of terrorists.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: Of course the original big story for the Kerry campaign today was going to be, yes, the return of former President Bill Clinton to the campaign trail after his quadruple bypass. The Kerry/Edwards team pursuing a different strategy than Al Gore four years ago. Mr. Gore kind of distancing himself from the former president. But Kerry and Edwards embracing Bill Clinton, believing he can really fire up the Democratic base, in particular African- Americans who some say Senator Kerry has been slow to energize.
You can just take a look at a recent study. Eighteen percent of those interviewed saying that they would vote for President Bush this year, a survey of African-Americans. That's double the support that President Bush got in 2000 when it comes to African-Americans. Other polls though, showing Mr. Bush's support with African-Americans about the same 8 percent that he received back in 2000.
There is also the question, Rick could senator -- former President Bill Clinton turned away some swing voters who are unhappy about the scandals of his presidency? Senator Kerry was asked about that in an interview earlier today. He said he is running for president, not Bill Clinton. But he also thinks the former president will go ahead and remind those same swing voters of the strong economy during the Clinton years -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Yes. It's an interesting trifecta, actually, because he's got Bill Clinton working for him there in Philly. And he's also going to have Al Gore in the state of Florida. So we'll see how it turns out.
Kelly Wallace, thanks so much for that report. We'll be talking to you a later bit later.
Stay with CNN for live coverage of the Kerry-Clinton event. It is scheduled to begin in Philadelphia, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern, 10:00 a.m. Pacific -- Daryn.
KAGAN: On the second to last weekend before the election, some major newspapers have issued their endorsements. Among those backing Senator Kerry: "The Washington Post," the "Chicago Sun-Times" and the "Des Moines Register" in the battleground state of Iowa. Kerry also wins the support of another swing state paper, "The Orlando Sentinel," which backed Bush in 2000.
Bush won the support of major newspapers in two swing states: "The Columbus Dispatch" in Ohio and "The Denver Post," both saying he should remain in the White House. One presidential candidate wins a popular vote but then loses the election. You remember this happened four years ago. And some say it could happen again next week. The reason, the Electoral College. Our senior political analyst Bill Schneider looks at the political and mathematical equation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BILL SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST (voice-over): All voters are not created equal. That's because of the Electoral College. If you are lucky, or unlucky enough to live in, say Ohio or Florida, both battleground states, this campaign is never ending. But nobody is paying any attention to the millions of voters in New York, or California, or Texas.
More than 60 percent of Americans want to get rid of the Electoral College and replace it with a popular vote. Whoever gets the most votes wins. Democrats overwhelmingly favor a change. Republicans are not so sure.
BOB WOODWARD, "THE WASHINGTON POST": Bush won because of the Electoral College in 2000. He lost the popular vote to Al Gore by half a million votes. So he's not going to go on a crusade to change the Electoral College.
SCHNEIDER: Is there any value to the Electoral College? Yes, it creates a mandate. In a three-way race in 1992, Bill Clinton won only 43 percent of the popular vote. But he carried more than two-thirds of the electoral vote. That gave him a mandate. If you had a national popular vote with a lot of small parties competing, you could end up electing a winner by a narrow plurality. You would need a runoff between the top two contenders. Two presidential elections.
ALAN LICHTMAN, PROFESSOR, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY: All of a sudden, minority parties become really important; because they could deny either candidate enough of a plurality and their votes could really become a source of bargaining.
SCHNEIDER: Imagine John Kerry and George W. Bush bargaining for Ralph Nader's support in a runoff.
In Colorado this year, voters are considering a measure to split the state's nine electoral votes in proportion to the popular vote. Suppose every state did that.
LICHTMAN: There is much more of a chance that nobody will get a majority in the Electoral College. And in that case, the vote for president goes to the U.S. House, with each state having one vote. Talk about a distortion of population, Delaware and California would have the same vote.
SCHNEIDER (on camera): Try to fix the Electoral College, and you risk breaking the law of unintended consequences. Which says by solving one problem, you're likely to create another.
Bill Schneider, CNN, Washington. (END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: They are the best world skating -- they are the best pair skaters in the world. They took a nasty, nasty fall over the weekend. They're joining us to talk about it. But imagine going about 40 miles an hour and slamming your head into the ice.
SANCHEZ: The pictures are amazing.
KAGAN: Yes.
SANCHEZ: They really looks scary.
KAGAN: We'll be talking with them just ahead.
SANCHEZ: Also, talk about another near disaster. Still to come one family gets more than they bargained for during a stop at a gas station.
KAGAN: Oh my goodness!
Plus, a big loss in the NASCAR world. Fans grieve the loss of 10 members of one racing family.
SANCHEZ: And then later, she is a singer but she was not in sync. How Ashley Simpson tries to explain her -- we'll let you decide folks. We won't put a label on it.
KAGAN: It wasn't her fault, that's what she said. It wasn't her fault.
SANCHEZ: OK.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: One of the most successful family dynasties in NASCAR racing is grieving today. A plane owned by Hendricks Motorsports crashed near Martinsville Virginia, it was en route to a NASCAR race. Ten people on board died, including Hendricks' son, his brother and two nieces.
Our national correspondent Bob Franken is in Martinsville with the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Instead of celebrating, Jimmie Johnson's crew was praying on Pit Row, after learning that a plane owned by the Hendricks Motorsports organization crashed yesterday, killing all 10 people on board. Among the passengers Ricky and John Hendricks, the son and brother of team owner Rick Hendricks.
The plane, a King Air 200 was en route to yesterday's NASCAR Nextel Cup Race at Martinsville Speedway. It went down about seven miles west of the Martinsville Airport after the pilot had flown out of his initial approach, then crashed into the surrounding hilly terrain.
Hendricks Motorsports is one of NASCAR's premiere racing organizations. And the high power stable includes cars driven by: Jeff Gordon, Terry LaBonte, Brian Vickers along with Jimmie Johnson. All competed in Sunday's NASCAR race.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We mourn. We pray. And you know, be there for each other and then we just move on.
FRANKEN: After hearing the news, mourners gathered outside the Hendricks company compound in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(on camera): (AUDIO GAP)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: All right. Clearly we're having a little bit of trouble with the audio with Bob Franken. From there we will work on re- establishing that signal. But clearly, just a huge loss for the Hendricks, and NASCAR families.
SANCHEZ: Yes. It would seem like an entire family, different generations.
Well, there are a lot of stories that we're following today making news from "Coast to Coast."
KAGAN: Earlier today, a seventh child died from injuries suffered in an apartment fire. The children ranged in age from 6 months to 7 years. Investigators aren't yet sure of the cause or whether any of the adults were at home when the fire broke out.
SANCHEZ: Also in Ohio, police in Canton Township have arrested the 22-year-old female driver of that car. The car slammed right into a gas pump, and as you may...
KAGAN: That car.
SANCHEZ: There it is. There's the picture now. As you can see, another motorist was almost crushed by this -- look at that, by the severed pump. He did manage to safely get his wife and their two kids, though, out of the car, thank goodness.
KAGAN: Quick thinking.
SANCHEZ: Wow.
KAGAN: Let's go on to San Antonio, Texas. Roads to nowhere. Floodwaters washed over highways and side streets yesterday, after summer-like thunderstorms. One woman had to be rescued from her flooded car.
SANCHEZ: A lot of questions today on the table. But here's one we're going to be asking, as well. How safe are you at home when you're on the web? Still to come, why some experts say that your firewall protection may simply not be enough.
KAGAN: And later, has she bamboozled her fans? Ashley Simpson, a bit out of sync on live television.
SANCHEZ: A bit?
KAGAN: Yes.
SANCHEZ: And face first on the ice. Coming up next, we're going to talk to the world champion skaters who are recovering from a weekend mishap.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: The site of a world champion figure skater's face first fall sends a shudder through everyone who sees it. But she's already making plans to get back on the ice. Tatiana Totmianina and her pairs partner Maxim Marinin, join us from Chicago.
Good morning and so good to have you here with us this morning.
TATIANA TOTMIANINA, FIGURE SKATER: Good morning.
MAXIM MARININ, FIGURE SKATER: Good morning.
KAGAN: We have pictures. I know you've seen the pictures over and over again. But we're going to play them one more time. Tatiana, I don't know how much you remember about what happened on Saturday night. But what's supposed to happen here -- Tatiana.
TOTMIANINA: Yes. Actually, I don't really remember. And I didn't see the picture and any video. And actually I don't want to see this.
KAGAN: I understand that.
TOTMIANINA: Yes.
KAGAN: Maxim...
MARININ: Yes.
KAGAN: ... perhaps you can tell us at what point in that maneuver did you realize that this wasn't going exactly like it was supposed to?
MARININ: So, it was like I don't know, something start wrong from the beginning, and kind of maneuvers start over and I can't just stop it. It's like, when you're driving the car on the slippery surface. So when you start turning, you can't stop it. It's like -- and you know how it's going on.
KAGAN: The momentum of that.
Tatiana, perhaps the question I should have started with here, how you are doing this morning? You were remarkably lucky in terms of injury.
TOTMIANINA: Oh, I am actually doing this morning much better than Saturday night. But I still have a nice face.
(LAUGHTER)
KAGAN: You do. You're still a beautiful young woman.
TOTMIANINA: Yes. And I still have pain in my head and my body. But anyway, I'm -- I wish to continue the skating. And I want to return as soon as possible and just enjoy the game.
KAGAN: And for people who are saying is she crazy to want to get back out there? They don't appreciate you guys. You're the world champions. You are the best in the world in this event. The drive to get to become No. 1, which you were crowned back in March, is what's driving you to get back on the ice I imagine?
TOTMIANINA: Maybe people thinking what I'm crazy. But anyway, you know, if you love what you're doing, you just will continue anyway. And actually I appreciate the support from the people who is taking care of me. And I'm glad to be back.
KAGAN: Yes. And for now, doctors say you need to take a couple weeks off the ice?
TOTMIANINA: Yes. I will take like a week or maybe 10 days off the ice. And then we'll start working again.
KAGAN: And Maxim, you ready to get out there, as well?
MARININ: Yes. Absolutely.
KAGAN: All right. Well, we wish you well, Tatiana, in your recovery, and in your bravery. It's a difficult sport. And thanks for coming on and talking with us today. And continues good wishes in your recovery.
TOTMIANINA: OK. Thank you very much.
MARININ: Thank you.
KAGAN: Thank you very much Tatiana Totmianina and Maxim Marinin.
They are the world champions in pairs skating.
SANCHEZ: She's tough.
KAGAN: Yes. And he was talking about how you can -- like, it's a moving car, how you can't...
SANCHEZ: Driving a car that's out of control.
KAGAN: It is hard to explain. They're going like 40 miles an hour on that ice. He's over six feet tall carrying what is a heavy object, even though she's this light little skater. When they start in some of those maneuvers, there's just no stopping.
SANCHEZ: Quite a fall. Ugh, tough to watch.
KAGAN: Yes. The ice. The ice.
SANCHEZ: Yes. You notice we only showed it twice, folks.
KAGAN: Yes.
SANCHEZ: Third time would have been a little too much.
Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, the death toll rises in Japan. When we come back, we'll look at what's left after a weekend's devastating earthquakes.
KAGAN: And later, ever wonder what's on the minds of young voters this election? We're going to get some answers just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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