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CNN Live Today
Red Sox Win World Series After 86 Years; Bush and Kerry Clash Over Iraq; Ailing Arafat May be Moved to Hospital
Aired October 28, 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 do have a lot of news on this day. As a matter of fact, there's information coming in -- new information coming in out of Iraq.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: And let's take a look at what is happening right now in the news.
SANCHEZ: There is a new report, confirmed only within the last hour, about a militant group that says it has killed 11 Iraqi National Guard troops captured recently near Baghdad. The group, the Army of Ansar al Sunna, posted still images of the killings on its Web site. The group has claimed previously responsibility for several attacks and kidnappings. Certainly a story we'll follow throughout the morning.
Also, doctors have decided to move Yasser Arafat from his Ramallah compound to a hospital. It's not exactly clear what the Palestinian leader is suffering from. Arafat's health improved enough for him to leave his bed for early morning prayers. The 75-year-old Arafat was said to be weak, and unable to walk, or keep food down at one point. Another story we'll be all over.
Also, there are new jobless figures out this morning. The U.S. Labor Department says the number of new claims for unemployment benefits jumped last week by 20,000. That's a larger jump than expected and is the biggest increase in a month.
Also, Red Sox nation breathing an 86-year sigh of relief. Boston's 3-0 win over St. Louis last night gave the Sox a World Series sweep, and their first championship since 1918. Red Sox outfielder, Manny Ramirez who tied a postseason hitting streak record, was named the series MVP. Which is a good thing, because I'll tell you what, he was not hitting the ball well early. And hello again, everybody, I'm Rick Sanchez.
KAGAN: It is a good morning. It is a good morning for folks in Boston. Manny Ramirez, what a difference a year makes. Last year he's on waivers, they're trying to trade him for Alex Rodriguez.
SANCHEZ: Mm-hmm.
KAGAN: Alex, who?
SANCHEZ: Yes. And he didn't hit anything in the last couple of playoff games. And all of a sudden he comes out in the World Series and goes bananas. KAGAN: MVP. Congratulations to him and to Boston, and a huge, huge parade in that town later today. We'll have more on that straight ahead.
Good morning, I'm Daryn Kagan.
We're going to start with the presidential campaigns. Both George W. Bush and John Kerry are focusing on the Midwest today. Kerry starts in Ohio. Bush is in the battleground state line of Michigan. He's at a rally in Saginaw, as we look at live pictures right now. Dayton, Ohio, and to West Lake, and then on to Pennsylvania.
Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is traveling with the president and joins us from Troy, Michigan.
Good morning.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: (AUDIO GAP) Those who say that Iraq, President Bush has more than made up for it in the last 48 hours. Both of these camps clearly in these dueling appearances have exchanged attacks. They have accused the other of unfair practices in this election here. President Bush, just moments ago, in a scathing attack against Kerry. This campaign has embraced this controversy. They are not backing down.
In fact, of course, they believe it is a challenge to President Bush's performance in Iraq. The Kerry camp has accused him essentially of botching up the jog -- the job rather, and dropping the ball, and allowing those explosives to go missing.
The Bush campaign, however, has hit back saying they believe that this is a character issue. They believe that Kerry has been attacking the troops. Today, President Bush saying very much of what he said yesterday. Using rather harsh language, saying that he believes that Kerry will do or say anything to get elected. That he will use it for the sake of political expediency. That he is an opportunist.
All of these things, he says, goes to the work of Senator Kerry. That is how they are characterizing this kind of back and forth over who is responsible for losing or allowing those weapons to go missing.
The Kerry camp on the other hand, of course, saying that this is all a bunch of excuses. Another example of the president not being able to own up to his responsibility, and to what they say are failed policies inside of Iraq.
Now of course, Daryn, this comes at a place and a time that is equally as important. President Bush in Michigan. He is trying to win over some of those moderate Democrats. Very importantly, he has won most -- a good deal of support in western Michigan. But he's trying to go after those in the suburbs in southeast, those traditional Democrats, as well, who really respond to those hot-button issues. Those social issues like abortion, like stem cell research, same-sex marriage, those type of things. We expect that the president later today, when he goes to Ohio as well as Pennsylvania, is going to hit hard again those attacks against Kerry. But he is also going to reach out to those Democrats he believes that he has -- that he can make some inroads with -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right, Suzanne. Stay with us for one second. I think we have the sound bite from President Bush.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This week Senator Kerry is again attacking the actions of our military in Iraq. With complete disregard for the facts, Senator Kerry will say anything to get elected. The senator's willingness to trade principle for political convenience makes it clear that John Kerry is the wrong man for the wrong job, at the wrong time.
(CHEERING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: And Suzanne Malveaux reporting from the Bush campaign.
SANCHEZ: Now, let's turn things over to the Kerry campaign. The Democratic nominee is campaigning under the banner, "Fresh Start for America," an appeal aimed at his economic woes. His day began in Toledo, Ohio. He then travels to the Showdown State of Wisconsin before returning to this evening in the Buckeye State.
CNN national correspondent Kelly Wallace is following the Kerry campaign. She's joining us now from Toledo.
A big day there, I imagine, Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It is, Rick. And you could sort of sum up Senator Kerry's day with the three B's: The Boss, the Boston Red Sox and the battle over those missing explosives in Iraq. As we speak, Senator Kerry talking to a crowd of a few thousand it seems inside this hall here in Toledo. And he is hammering away for the fourth day in a row the Bush administration over these missing explosives.
The reason the senator's bringing up it again, according to a senior adviser, is because the administration is, quote, "All over the map when it comes to excuses." The senator just saying moments ago, quote, "Troops deserve a commander in chief that gets it right."
There is a strategic move here by Senator Kerry. He is trying to hammer away about the war in Iraq, trying to make this all a referendum of the president's handling of Iraq. And trying to convince undecided voters that because of the war, President Bush doesn't deserve to be rehired as commander in chief.
Now we move to something a little lighter, the Boston Red Sox. Senator Kerry, in fact, had a Red Sox cap on when he got to the stage. and this morning he had his cap on, as well. He was asked about the victory of his beloved Red Sox. Here's what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: A year ago, when things weren't going so well in my campaign, somebody called a radio talk show. And they said, thinking they were just cutting me right to the quick. They said, "John Kerry won't be president until the Red Sox win the World Series."
(CHEERING)
KERRY: Well, we're on our way! We're on our way!
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: So, Senator Kerry clearly delighted. I bet you we will hear more about the Red Sox on this day, and the final B, The Boss. We are talking about Bruce Springsteen. He will be with Senator Kerry in Madison, Wisconsin. Then the two men will come back to Ohio for a rally in Columbus. This is all about trying to turn out big, big crowds, thousands and thousands of people; and also trying to try and turn out those thousands to go out and vote -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: There's a fear there, though, that he could be upstaged. He could be at the podium speaking to some 60, 70,000 people, and they could start screaming we want The Boss. Little concerns there?
WALLACE: Yes, I mean how do you compete with Bruce Springsteen? Big, big question there. We should point out, Senator Kerry has been known to play the guitar a little bit...
SANCHEZ: Uh-oh.
WALLACE: ... sometimes as he travels between campaign stops. He was asked if he might be playing the guitar on the stage today. His aides said they're not sure. But he might not want to try to compete with The Boss when it comes to that. Right?
SANCHEZ: Is this kind of like a President Clinton saxophone moment that we're going to see?
WALLACE: It could be; again, to show his softer side in these final days.
SANCHEZ: All right. Kelly Wallace, we thank you for that report. We'll be getting back to you.
Now our latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup shows the presidential race in Pennsylvania is just too close to call. Of the 670 likely voters surveyed, 50 percent said that Mr. Kerry is their choice for president, compared to 47 percent for Mr. Bush. Kerry also holds a lead of three percentage points among registered voters. Both leads are within the margin of error. Pennsylvania holds, as you probably know, 21 electoral votes.
Join CNN Tuesday night for all the election coverage from NASDAQ headquarters in New York. All the races, controversies and the results, CNN's special primetime election coverage begins Tuesday right here at 7:00 p.m. Eastern -- Daryn.
KAGAN: We move on now to the Middle East. Concern over the health of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Palestinian officials say that Arafat is seriously ill. Israel is worried that if he should die, chaos would sweep the Palestinian territories. Israeli officials have granted permission for him to be taken to the hospital, possibly abroad.
Our John Vause is following this developing story and joins us with the latest.
John, hello.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn. Palestinian sources have given us an update of Arafat's condition. They say he is dozing but he is waking occasionally. But he is waking apparently with a case of temporary memory loss.
Also within the last hour or so, Daryn, a Palestinian cameraman has been allowed into the Mukata, the compound behind me to videotape Yasser Arafat. Apparently he was sitting up, addressing the camera, talking to the camera. That videotape will be broadcast we're told, on Palestinian Television just when, though, we're not too sure.
A close adviser to Yasser Arafat told me a few hours ago that the Palestinian leader is weak. He is exhausted. And he has lost weight. A result of fasting for 15 days, and a result of being unable to keep food down for the last 10 or 11 days.
What we are waiting for now, Daryn, is the arrival of a medical team from Egypt. They were expected here within the last hour. They have not arrived yet as far as we know. But once they get here they will examine Yasser Arafat. They will then meet with doctors from Jordan, Tunisia, as well as Palestinian doctors. They will then sit down and try to work out the best course of action, where Yasser Arafat should be taken. Will he be taken to a hospital here in Ramallah?
We know that the Israeli Ministry of Defense has approved the moving of Arafat from his compound to a hospital here in Ramallah. But Palestinian sources tell CNN, in all likelihood the Palestinian leader will be moved to a hospital abroad. The problem we are told for these doctors is that they are unable to pinpoint the exact cause of the illness. They don't know what is making Yasser Arafat so ill.
But one thing is certain, Daryn, this is certainly much more serious than a case of simple stomach flu --Daryn.
KAGAN: I know it's getting a step ahead here. But what about the line of succession for a Palestinian leadership, how does that work, John?
VAUSE: Well, there is a leadership succession in place. Under the Palestinian -- excuse me. Under the Palestinian constitution, the speaker takes over. He assumes control for 60 days. Excuse me.
It's a little bit chaotic here, Daryn. This has been the seen actually for most of the day, cars coming and going. You can imagine a lot of reporters out here at the moment.
But as far as succession goes, the speaker of the Palestinian legislature takes over for 60 days, and then they have elections. That is what is meant to happen. But as in the case of the West Bank and Gaza, what's meant to happen and what actually does happen, quite often are two very, very different things.
So now we're looking at who could possibly step in and fill Arafat's shoes. And one thing is obvious, it appears to be no real successor to Yasser Arafat. Certainly no one that has the same -- is held in the same esteem, if you like, as most -- by most Palestinians on the ground -- Daryn.
KAGAN: John Vause in Ramallah. Thank you.
SANCHEZ: Now the latest in the fight for Iraq. At least two people are reported dead in the latest round of U.S. air strikes on the rebel stronghold of Fallujah. Military officials say the overnight bombing targeted at a meeting site used by terrorists loyal to Abu Musab al Zarqawi. Hospital officials tell CNN, the strike destroyed three houses and killed two brothers.
Now in the volatile city of Baquba, at least U.S. officials are saying that insurgents stopped a police vehicle and then sprayed it with bullets. One Iraqi police officer was killed. Three other people were wounded.
And in southern Baghdad this morning, a car bomb killed a U.S. soldier in the apparent targeting of his convoy. At least one Iraqi civilian was also killed during that blast.
KAGAN: Well, let's lighten things up with some happy news from Boston. The curse has been smashed. They are painting the town red.
SANCHEZ: They most certainly are. Still to come, break out the champagne. The good times, they are rolling in Boston.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Alina Cho live in Boston where the Red Sox have reversed the curse, clinching their first World Series title in 86 years. We will have fan reaction in a live report coming up.
KAGAN: And later, poking fun at the presidential candidates. Get ready to have your funny bone tickled. A few members of the "Saturday Night Live" cast will join us live.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) SANCHEZ: The Boston Red Sox have exploded the Curse of the Babe and detonated decades of disappointments. Boy, a lot of alliteration there, huh? Their 3 to nothing shutout -- thank you, very much. The 3 to nothing shutout of St. Louis last night capped a World Series sweep, and those games to the four straight victories over the arch rival New York Yankees, and the Sox became the first club to win eight straight postseason games. Wow!
KAGAN: It's a new day, a new world for the Red Sox faithful. May take a few days for the phrase "world champions" to really sink in. But the fans didn't waste any time. They were celebrating starting right after the game on the streets of Boston.
Our Alina Cho is outside historic Fenway Park, where the team returned this morning. I guess also getting ready for the big parade later today.
Good morning.
CHO: Good morning to you Daryn. You know, sometimes one word is enough. And if you're "The Boston Globe," that word is "Yes!" on the front page of what they are calling the victory addition. The competing paper the "Boston Herald's" headline today was "Amen." And amen is right. After 6 long years, Red Sox fans finally got what they were waiting for. A World Series title. And guess what? The team even did it in a four-game sweep.
Also this morning, the team as you mentioned returned to Boston. Star pitcher Pedro Martinez put on quite a show. At one point even hanging out of his vehicle, giving fans the No. 1 sign. And the crowd, as you can see, went wild.
Not far away at a factory in Boston, world champion T-shirts were being printed. You know they roll them out really quickly. Twelve thousand of them were shipped out overnight. More and more are being printed and shipped out by the hour. They are going for $35 apiece. And you can bet those T-shirts will sell out fast.
Today, one of the team's owners talked about that reverse of the curse. And why this victory is so sweet.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP))
LARRY LUCCHINO, PRESIDENT, RED SOX: They've hung in there for 86 years. They've believed for their entire lives, and finally tonight they're celebrating what they've waited for a long, long time. It's just been spectacular.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John, you promised when you came to Boston that you wanted to make this New England's team. And you wanted to bring a championship here. And you weren't going to stop until you brought a world championship here. It's happened.
LUCCHINO: Well, it has. And we have a lot to celebrate.
(END VIDEO CLIP) CHO: And the celebration is far from over. Plans are in the works for a big parade, which could happen tomorrow or Saturday. That is still being worked out.
Listen to this, how's this for good planning? David Ortiz is already featured on Wheaties box. And you know the Red Sox have now won six World Series titles. That makes them the third most successful team in baseball history after only the New York Yankees and the St. Louis Cardinals, interestingly enough. Two teams that they defeated in dramatic fashion this year -- Daryn.
KAGAN: So now they're being spun as one of the most successful teams ever. Last time, the last one was Woodrow Wilson was president. So there's been this little gap thing.
SANCHEZ: Yes.
KAGAN: Alina, thank you.
CHO: That's right.
SANCHEZ: Something like 86 years. You know, it's ironic. We just saw John Henry there. He bought the Marlins. The Marlins, he sold them to another guy. The Marlins go to the World Series, which everybody said oh, poor John Henry.
KAGAN: Now it's his turn.
SANCHEZ: Now he comes and gets his turn, as well.
KAGAN: Absolutely, lots of great stories there from that...
SANCHEZ: All is fair in love, war and baseball.
KAGAN: Well, it is one problem after the next, from voter fraud to missing ballots. You've requested your absentee ballot you say, but five days before the election it's nowhere to be found?
SANCHEZ: A look at what's being done to try and track down nearly 60,000 missing ballots and what it all could mean.
And next hour...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I always felt like somebody was following me or watching me, because he promised that he would come back and kill me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Coming up next hour, meet a woman who fought for a new DNA bill intended to help put thousands of rapists behind bars.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) SANCHEZ: Delta Airlines has reached a tentative agreement with its pilots. But union negotiators say members must approve the deal. Pilots are being asked to accept nearly $1 billion in pay and benefit cuts. Without those cuts, and that's why this is so important, the airline says it will have been forced to file for bankruptcy protection, possibly as early as this week or next. Delta is also now negotiating with creditors to defer debts and obtain some new financing.
KAGAN: Other business news. The economy, of major importance in the presidential campaign, both George Bush and John Kerry can agree on that. Jobs and education are key to future prosperity.
Our Louise Schiavone looks at how the candidates plan to use education to recharge the economy.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LOUISE SCHIAVONE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Education, it's a lower tier political issue with first tier impact; because without education, both candidates agree there will be no prosperity.
(BEGIN BUSH-CHENEY AD CLIP)
NARRATOR: As governor, George Bush enacted reforms that produced dramatic results. As president, he signed the most significant education reforms in 35 years.
(END BUSH-CHENEY AD CLIP)
SCHIAVONE: The president's No Child Left Behind effort is aimed at improving school standards and student achievement. His challenger, John Kerry voted for it, but now says the Republicans under funded it.
KERRY: Yes. What's your question?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do you dislike about George Bush?
KERRY: I like him. I just disagree with his policies. I think he makes the wrong choices.
SCHIAVONE: But when it comes to education, many of their choices are the same. George Bush wants to reward teachers with pay incentives for student achievement. John Kerry does, too. And Bush and Kerry agree that the Pell grant program for needy college students is an important federal effort. The candidates agree that education should continue beyond high school and that the government should help.
DAVID WARD, AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION: They both went to one of the world's great universities, Yale. And I think that having attended a university both of them, I think, will be well disposed to higher education.
SCHIAVONE: The Chamber of Commerce says three-quarters of today's workforce needs training just to keep their jobs.
BETH BUEHLMANN, U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Eighty-five percent of jobs in the high growth industries require post-secondary education, or training.
SCHIAVONE: John Kerry envisions a tax credit for college tuition, public college tuition or its equivalent in exchange for two years of public service, and would extend training in life long learning programs. President Bush is proposing community-based job training grants.
In the final days of the race, while the candidates are trying to highlight their differences on education, one Bush supporter quipped privately, "They're really not different enough."
Louise Schiavone, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: Well, if you don't have the money, you may want to put the pen down. Starting today, there's even more reason to keep your checkbook excessively balanced. We will explain coming up.
KAGAN: Plus it's a ballot mystery in Florida of all places. Thousands of absentee ballots were requested. But where are they now?
SANCHEZ: And then later, she was at the center of the Florida recount four years ago. But now, is someone trying to take her down?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired October 28, 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 do have a lot of news on this day. As a matter of fact, there's information coming in -- new information coming in out of Iraq.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: And let's take a look at what is happening right now in the news.
SANCHEZ: There is a new report, confirmed only within the last hour, about a militant group that says it has killed 11 Iraqi National Guard troops captured recently near Baghdad. The group, the Army of Ansar al Sunna, posted still images of the killings on its Web site. The group has claimed previously responsibility for several attacks and kidnappings. Certainly a story we'll follow throughout the morning.
Also, doctors have decided to move Yasser Arafat from his Ramallah compound to a hospital. It's not exactly clear what the Palestinian leader is suffering from. Arafat's health improved enough for him to leave his bed for early morning prayers. The 75-year-old Arafat was said to be weak, and unable to walk, or keep food down at one point. Another story we'll be all over.
Also, there are new jobless figures out this morning. The U.S. Labor Department says the number of new claims for unemployment benefits jumped last week by 20,000. That's a larger jump than expected and is the biggest increase in a month.
Also, Red Sox nation breathing an 86-year sigh of relief. Boston's 3-0 win over St. Louis last night gave the Sox a World Series sweep, and their first championship since 1918. Red Sox outfielder, Manny Ramirez who tied a postseason hitting streak record, was named the series MVP. Which is a good thing, because I'll tell you what, he was not hitting the ball well early. And hello again, everybody, I'm Rick Sanchez.
KAGAN: It is a good morning. It is a good morning for folks in Boston. Manny Ramirez, what a difference a year makes. Last year he's on waivers, they're trying to trade him for Alex Rodriguez.
SANCHEZ: Mm-hmm.
KAGAN: Alex, who?
SANCHEZ: Yes. And he didn't hit anything in the last couple of playoff games. And all of a sudden he comes out in the World Series and goes bananas. KAGAN: MVP. Congratulations to him and to Boston, and a huge, huge parade in that town later today. We'll have more on that straight ahead.
Good morning, I'm Daryn Kagan.
We're going to start with the presidential campaigns. Both George W. Bush and John Kerry are focusing on the Midwest today. Kerry starts in Ohio. Bush is in the battleground state line of Michigan. He's at a rally in Saginaw, as we look at live pictures right now. Dayton, Ohio, and to West Lake, and then on to Pennsylvania.
Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is traveling with the president and joins us from Troy, Michigan.
Good morning.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: (AUDIO GAP) Those who say that Iraq, President Bush has more than made up for it in the last 48 hours. Both of these camps clearly in these dueling appearances have exchanged attacks. They have accused the other of unfair practices in this election here. President Bush, just moments ago, in a scathing attack against Kerry. This campaign has embraced this controversy. They are not backing down.
In fact, of course, they believe it is a challenge to President Bush's performance in Iraq. The Kerry camp has accused him essentially of botching up the jog -- the job rather, and dropping the ball, and allowing those explosives to go missing.
The Bush campaign, however, has hit back saying they believe that this is a character issue. They believe that Kerry has been attacking the troops. Today, President Bush saying very much of what he said yesterday. Using rather harsh language, saying that he believes that Kerry will do or say anything to get elected. That he will use it for the sake of political expediency. That he is an opportunist.
All of these things, he says, goes to the work of Senator Kerry. That is how they are characterizing this kind of back and forth over who is responsible for losing or allowing those weapons to go missing.
The Kerry camp on the other hand, of course, saying that this is all a bunch of excuses. Another example of the president not being able to own up to his responsibility, and to what they say are failed policies inside of Iraq.
Now of course, Daryn, this comes at a place and a time that is equally as important. President Bush in Michigan. He is trying to win over some of those moderate Democrats. Very importantly, he has won most -- a good deal of support in western Michigan. But he's trying to go after those in the suburbs in southeast, those traditional Democrats, as well, who really respond to those hot-button issues. Those social issues like abortion, like stem cell research, same-sex marriage, those type of things. We expect that the president later today, when he goes to Ohio as well as Pennsylvania, is going to hit hard again those attacks against Kerry. But he is also going to reach out to those Democrats he believes that he has -- that he can make some inroads with -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right, Suzanne. Stay with us for one second. I think we have the sound bite from President Bush.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This week Senator Kerry is again attacking the actions of our military in Iraq. With complete disregard for the facts, Senator Kerry will say anything to get elected. The senator's willingness to trade principle for political convenience makes it clear that John Kerry is the wrong man for the wrong job, at the wrong time.
(CHEERING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: And Suzanne Malveaux reporting from the Bush campaign.
SANCHEZ: Now, let's turn things over to the Kerry campaign. The Democratic nominee is campaigning under the banner, "Fresh Start for America," an appeal aimed at his economic woes. His day began in Toledo, Ohio. He then travels to the Showdown State of Wisconsin before returning to this evening in the Buckeye State.
CNN national correspondent Kelly Wallace is following the Kerry campaign. She's joining us now from Toledo.
A big day there, I imagine, Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It is, Rick. And you could sort of sum up Senator Kerry's day with the three B's: The Boss, the Boston Red Sox and the battle over those missing explosives in Iraq. As we speak, Senator Kerry talking to a crowd of a few thousand it seems inside this hall here in Toledo. And he is hammering away for the fourth day in a row the Bush administration over these missing explosives.
The reason the senator's bringing up it again, according to a senior adviser, is because the administration is, quote, "All over the map when it comes to excuses." The senator just saying moments ago, quote, "Troops deserve a commander in chief that gets it right."
There is a strategic move here by Senator Kerry. He is trying to hammer away about the war in Iraq, trying to make this all a referendum of the president's handling of Iraq. And trying to convince undecided voters that because of the war, President Bush doesn't deserve to be rehired as commander in chief.
Now we move to something a little lighter, the Boston Red Sox. Senator Kerry, in fact, had a Red Sox cap on when he got to the stage. and this morning he had his cap on, as well. He was asked about the victory of his beloved Red Sox. Here's what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: A year ago, when things weren't going so well in my campaign, somebody called a radio talk show. And they said, thinking they were just cutting me right to the quick. They said, "John Kerry won't be president until the Red Sox win the World Series."
(CHEERING)
KERRY: Well, we're on our way! We're on our way!
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: So, Senator Kerry clearly delighted. I bet you we will hear more about the Red Sox on this day, and the final B, The Boss. We are talking about Bruce Springsteen. He will be with Senator Kerry in Madison, Wisconsin. Then the two men will come back to Ohio for a rally in Columbus. This is all about trying to turn out big, big crowds, thousands and thousands of people; and also trying to try and turn out those thousands to go out and vote -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: There's a fear there, though, that he could be upstaged. He could be at the podium speaking to some 60, 70,000 people, and they could start screaming we want The Boss. Little concerns there?
WALLACE: Yes, I mean how do you compete with Bruce Springsteen? Big, big question there. We should point out, Senator Kerry has been known to play the guitar a little bit...
SANCHEZ: Uh-oh.
WALLACE: ... sometimes as he travels between campaign stops. He was asked if he might be playing the guitar on the stage today. His aides said they're not sure. But he might not want to try to compete with The Boss when it comes to that. Right?
SANCHEZ: Is this kind of like a President Clinton saxophone moment that we're going to see?
WALLACE: It could be; again, to show his softer side in these final days.
SANCHEZ: All right. Kelly Wallace, we thank you for that report. We'll be getting back to you.
Now our latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup shows the presidential race in Pennsylvania is just too close to call. Of the 670 likely voters surveyed, 50 percent said that Mr. Kerry is their choice for president, compared to 47 percent for Mr. Bush. Kerry also holds a lead of three percentage points among registered voters. Both leads are within the margin of error. Pennsylvania holds, as you probably know, 21 electoral votes.
Join CNN Tuesday night for all the election coverage from NASDAQ headquarters in New York. All the races, controversies and the results, CNN's special primetime election coverage begins Tuesday right here at 7:00 p.m. Eastern -- Daryn.
KAGAN: We move on now to the Middle East. Concern over the health of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Palestinian officials say that Arafat is seriously ill. Israel is worried that if he should die, chaos would sweep the Palestinian territories. Israeli officials have granted permission for him to be taken to the hospital, possibly abroad.
Our John Vause is following this developing story and joins us with the latest.
John, hello.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn. Palestinian sources have given us an update of Arafat's condition. They say he is dozing but he is waking occasionally. But he is waking apparently with a case of temporary memory loss.
Also within the last hour or so, Daryn, a Palestinian cameraman has been allowed into the Mukata, the compound behind me to videotape Yasser Arafat. Apparently he was sitting up, addressing the camera, talking to the camera. That videotape will be broadcast we're told, on Palestinian Television just when, though, we're not too sure.
A close adviser to Yasser Arafat told me a few hours ago that the Palestinian leader is weak. He is exhausted. And he has lost weight. A result of fasting for 15 days, and a result of being unable to keep food down for the last 10 or 11 days.
What we are waiting for now, Daryn, is the arrival of a medical team from Egypt. They were expected here within the last hour. They have not arrived yet as far as we know. But once they get here they will examine Yasser Arafat. They will then meet with doctors from Jordan, Tunisia, as well as Palestinian doctors. They will then sit down and try to work out the best course of action, where Yasser Arafat should be taken. Will he be taken to a hospital here in Ramallah?
We know that the Israeli Ministry of Defense has approved the moving of Arafat from his compound to a hospital here in Ramallah. But Palestinian sources tell CNN, in all likelihood the Palestinian leader will be moved to a hospital abroad. The problem we are told for these doctors is that they are unable to pinpoint the exact cause of the illness. They don't know what is making Yasser Arafat so ill.
But one thing is certain, Daryn, this is certainly much more serious than a case of simple stomach flu --Daryn.
KAGAN: I know it's getting a step ahead here. But what about the line of succession for a Palestinian leadership, how does that work, John?
VAUSE: Well, there is a leadership succession in place. Under the Palestinian -- excuse me. Under the Palestinian constitution, the speaker takes over. He assumes control for 60 days. Excuse me.
It's a little bit chaotic here, Daryn. This has been the seen actually for most of the day, cars coming and going. You can imagine a lot of reporters out here at the moment.
But as far as succession goes, the speaker of the Palestinian legislature takes over for 60 days, and then they have elections. That is what is meant to happen. But as in the case of the West Bank and Gaza, what's meant to happen and what actually does happen, quite often are two very, very different things.
So now we're looking at who could possibly step in and fill Arafat's shoes. And one thing is obvious, it appears to be no real successor to Yasser Arafat. Certainly no one that has the same -- is held in the same esteem, if you like, as most -- by most Palestinians on the ground -- Daryn.
KAGAN: John Vause in Ramallah. Thank you.
SANCHEZ: Now the latest in the fight for Iraq. At least two people are reported dead in the latest round of U.S. air strikes on the rebel stronghold of Fallujah. Military officials say the overnight bombing targeted at a meeting site used by terrorists loyal to Abu Musab al Zarqawi. Hospital officials tell CNN, the strike destroyed three houses and killed two brothers.
Now in the volatile city of Baquba, at least U.S. officials are saying that insurgents stopped a police vehicle and then sprayed it with bullets. One Iraqi police officer was killed. Three other people were wounded.
And in southern Baghdad this morning, a car bomb killed a U.S. soldier in the apparent targeting of his convoy. At least one Iraqi civilian was also killed during that blast.
KAGAN: Well, let's lighten things up with some happy news from Boston. The curse has been smashed. They are painting the town red.
SANCHEZ: They most certainly are. Still to come, break out the champagne. The good times, they are rolling in Boston.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Alina Cho live in Boston where the Red Sox have reversed the curse, clinching their first World Series title in 86 years. We will have fan reaction in a live report coming up.
KAGAN: And later, poking fun at the presidential candidates. Get ready to have your funny bone tickled. A few members of the "Saturday Night Live" cast will join us live.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) SANCHEZ: The Boston Red Sox have exploded the Curse of the Babe and detonated decades of disappointments. Boy, a lot of alliteration there, huh? Their 3 to nothing shutout -- thank you, very much. The 3 to nothing shutout of St. Louis last night capped a World Series sweep, and those games to the four straight victories over the arch rival New York Yankees, and the Sox became the first club to win eight straight postseason games. Wow!
KAGAN: It's a new day, a new world for the Red Sox faithful. May take a few days for the phrase "world champions" to really sink in. But the fans didn't waste any time. They were celebrating starting right after the game on the streets of Boston.
Our Alina Cho is outside historic Fenway Park, where the team returned this morning. I guess also getting ready for the big parade later today.
Good morning.
CHO: Good morning to you Daryn. You know, sometimes one word is enough. And if you're "The Boston Globe," that word is "Yes!" on the front page of what they are calling the victory addition. The competing paper the "Boston Herald's" headline today was "Amen." And amen is right. After 6 long years, Red Sox fans finally got what they were waiting for. A World Series title. And guess what? The team even did it in a four-game sweep.
Also this morning, the team as you mentioned returned to Boston. Star pitcher Pedro Martinez put on quite a show. At one point even hanging out of his vehicle, giving fans the No. 1 sign. And the crowd, as you can see, went wild.
Not far away at a factory in Boston, world champion T-shirts were being printed. You know they roll them out really quickly. Twelve thousand of them were shipped out overnight. More and more are being printed and shipped out by the hour. They are going for $35 apiece. And you can bet those T-shirts will sell out fast.
Today, one of the team's owners talked about that reverse of the curse. And why this victory is so sweet.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP))
LARRY LUCCHINO, PRESIDENT, RED SOX: They've hung in there for 86 years. They've believed for their entire lives, and finally tonight they're celebrating what they've waited for a long, long time. It's just been spectacular.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John, you promised when you came to Boston that you wanted to make this New England's team. And you wanted to bring a championship here. And you weren't going to stop until you brought a world championship here. It's happened.
LUCCHINO: Well, it has. And we have a lot to celebrate.
(END VIDEO CLIP) CHO: And the celebration is far from over. Plans are in the works for a big parade, which could happen tomorrow or Saturday. That is still being worked out.
Listen to this, how's this for good planning? David Ortiz is already featured on Wheaties box. And you know the Red Sox have now won six World Series titles. That makes them the third most successful team in baseball history after only the New York Yankees and the St. Louis Cardinals, interestingly enough. Two teams that they defeated in dramatic fashion this year -- Daryn.
KAGAN: So now they're being spun as one of the most successful teams ever. Last time, the last one was Woodrow Wilson was president. So there's been this little gap thing.
SANCHEZ: Yes.
KAGAN: Alina, thank you.
CHO: That's right.
SANCHEZ: Something like 86 years. You know, it's ironic. We just saw John Henry there. He bought the Marlins. The Marlins, he sold them to another guy. The Marlins go to the World Series, which everybody said oh, poor John Henry.
KAGAN: Now it's his turn.
SANCHEZ: Now he comes and gets his turn, as well.
KAGAN: Absolutely, lots of great stories there from that...
SANCHEZ: All is fair in love, war and baseball.
KAGAN: Well, it is one problem after the next, from voter fraud to missing ballots. You've requested your absentee ballot you say, but five days before the election it's nowhere to be found?
SANCHEZ: A look at what's being done to try and track down nearly 60,000 missing ballots and what it all could mean.
And next hour...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I always felt like somebody was following me or watching me, because he promised that he would come back and kill me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Coming up next hour, meet a woman who fought for a new DNA bill intended to help put thousands of rapists behind bars.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) SANCHEZ: Delta Airlines has reached a tentative agreement with its pilots. But union negotiators say members must approve the deal. Pilots are being asked to accept nearly $1 billion in pay and benefit cuts. Without those cuts, and that's why this is so important, the airline says it will have been forced to file for bankruptcy protection, possibly as early as this week or next. Delta is also now negotiating with creditors to defer debts and obtain some new financing.
KAGAN: Other business news. The economy, of major importance in the presidential campaign, both George Bush and John Kerry can agree on that. Jobs and education are key to future prosperity.
Our Louise Schiavone looks at how the candidates plan to use education to recharge the economy.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LOUISE SCHIAVONE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Education, it's a lower tier political issue with first tier impact; because without education, both candidates agree there will be no prosperity.
(BEGIN BUSH-CHENEY AD CLIP)
NARRATOR: As governor, George Bush enacted reforms that produced dramatic results. As president, he signed the most significant education reforms in 35 years.
(END BUSH-CHENEY AD CLIP)
SCHIAVONE: The president's No Child Left Behind effort is aimed at improving school standards and student achievement. His challenger, John Kerry voted for it, but now says the Republicans under funded it.
KERRY: Yes. What's your question?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do you dislike about George Bush?
KERRY: I like him. I just disagree with his policies. I think he makes the wrong choices.
SCHIAVONE: But when it comes to education, many of their choices are the same. George Bush wants to reward teachers with pay incentives for student achievement. John Kerry does, too. And Bush and Kerry agree that the Pell grant program for needy college students is an important federal effort. The candidates agree that education should continue beyond high school and that the government should help.
DAVID WARD, AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION: They both went to one of the world's great universities, Yale. And I think that having attended a university both of them, I think, will be well disposed to higher education.
SCHIAVONE: The Chamber of Commerce says three-quarters of today's workforce needs training just to keep their jobs.
BETH BUEHLMANN, U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Eighty-five percent of jobs in the high growth industries require post-secondary education, or training.
SCHIAVONE: John Kerry envisions a tax credit for college tuition, public college tuition or its equivalent in exchange for two years of public service, and would extend training in life long learning programs. President Bush is proposing community-based job training grants.
In the final days of the race, while the candidates are trying to highlight their differences on education, one Bush supporter quipped privately, "They're really not different enough."
Louise Schiavone, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: Well, if you don't have the money, you may want to put the pen down. Starting today, there's even more reason to keep your checkbook excessively balanced. We will explain coming up.
KAGAN: Plus it's a ballot mystery in Florida of all places. Thousands of absentee ballots were requested. But where are they now?
SANCHEZ: And then later, she was at the center of the Florida recount four years ago. But now, is someone trying to take her down?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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