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American Morning

Remembering Ronald Reagan: Ceremonies With Meaning; Interview With Laura Bush

Aired June 09, 2004 - 07:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Ed Henry has a look at that coming up in just a few moments.
Also this morning in "90-Second Pop," we're asking the burning question. Just what is up with Jennifer Lopez? I call her J.Lo. Supposedly she got married, but her husband says that actually he doesn't like to talk about his personal life. His wife -- I think if she's his wife -- does. Also, there are rumors of a new baby on the way. We're going to get to the bottom of all that in "90-Second Pop" this morning. That's ahead.

But first, let's go right back to Washington, D.C. and Bill Hemmer.

Bill -- good morning again.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Soledad, good morning again.

The nation's capital really takes on a whole different tone and attitude during events like that. And we are going to see that front and center over the next three days. Suddenly, the monuments of this city seem to stand out that much taller and that much larger here in the nation's capital.

The body of the former president, Ronald Reagan, arriving later today in D.C. about 5:00 local time, and there is great significance in the events that we will all see leading up to Friday afternoon, each tradition meant to bring closure to a life that oversaw this city for eight years.

Ed Henry is live in the Capitol.

Ed -- good morning there.

ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

Preparations are kicking into high gear for all of the pomp and circumstance of such a momentous event.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HENRY (voice over): Military planes roar over the nation's capital to get ready for the 21-jet flyover. The real thing will feature the missing-man maneuver. One jet shoots straight up and leaves the others behind. Precision is key to such an historic occasion, just the 10th state funeral for an American president in history. Before the drama plays out before millions of people around the world, military personnel practice the somber duty of loading the casket onto a horse- drawn caisson.

The procession will start at 6:00 p.m. with the caisson starting near the White House for its journey to the Capitol. Six horses will tug the flag-draped coffin. A seventh horse will trail the caisson wearing an empty saddle with a pair of Reagan's own boots reversed in the stirrups. Planners say this indicates that the warrior will never ride again.

The dress rehearsal also included the testing of the 21-gun salute.

Once the casket reaches the West Front of the Capitol, it will be walked up the grand entrance, where Mr. Reagan was sworn into office. The casket will then be led up this set of stairs leading into the Rotunda.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HENRY: Officials went down to the basement of the Capitol last night to pull out the massive catafalque that will hold Mr. Reagan's casket. We're told that the mahogany casket will weigh about 700 pounds -- Bill.

HEMMER: Ed Henry, thanks for that on Capitol Hill. In addition to that, that wooden platform upon which the casket will sit for at least a period of 24 hours, open all night for visitors who want to come here and pay respects, last used also for a number of dignitaries for their state funeral held in the Rotunda Building. First used though in 1865, Abraham Lincoln, after his assassination here in Washington.

Much more in a moment.

Back to Soledad in New York now.

O'BRIEN: All right, Bill, thanks. Still to come on AMERICAN MORNING, most experts say that America is getting fatter. But at least one says it's really just one group of people that's packing on the pounds. We'll explain who that is.

Plus, one of America's natural treasures is in big trouble. What's being done to fix it, a look at that ahead as we continue right after this short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER BREAK)

HEMMER: President Bush is expected back in Washington late on Thursday evening. He's hosting the leaders of the G-8 Nations in Sea Island, Georgia. It's the annual world affairs summit taking place there. The first lady, Laura Bush, is also there, and she's the focus this morning for Dana Bash.

Dana -- good morning.

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

And good morning, Mrs. Bush. Thank you very much for joining us.

LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: Good morning. Thanks. Glad to.

BASH: Before we get to issues about this summit here in Sea Island, first I wanted to talk about what's happening back in Washington. Today is the state funeral for President Reagan. Have you spoken with Nancy Reagan?

BUSH: I haven't spoken to her. The president spoke to her on Saturday from France, as soon as we found out about Ronald Reagan's death. But I haven't quit thinking about her. She just was an unbelievable role model for all of us. My father died of Alzheimer's, and I know how very, very difficult the disease is and how difficult it is for the caregivers. She was stalwart and so devoted to him.

So, we'll see her tomorrow night. As soon as we get back to Washington, we'll pay a call on her.

BASH: And you had some special access, if you will, to President Reagan, since your father-in-law was his vice president. Tell us about a special moment, either the first time you met him or another memorable moment.

BUSH: Well, he was so funny. I think that's what people really remember. He was a big man. He was a very attractive big man, but he had this very modest and self-deprecating sort of sense of humor. So, he really made you feel comfortable.

I know what's like to meet the president of the United States, and when we met him, we were very intimidated. We didn't know what to say, but he could immediately make us feel comfortable. And I think that's what the American people loved about him; that, and that he so obviously believed in the American people, and he was so optimistic about our future.

BASH: I want to ask you about something relating to Nancy Reagan. First of all, your mother-in-law, Barbara Bush, publicly disagreed with her husband, President Bush, on the issue of abortion. Nancy Reagan has come out recently and said that she supports stem cell research in order to try to find a cure for Alzheimer's. You mentioned that your father also had Alzheimer's. What's your personal view on stem cell research?

BUSH: Well, everyone supports stem cell research, and so did the president. And there are embryonic lines of stem cells for research. But we have to -- it's a very delicate balance between what we want to do for science and for research and for what is ethically and morally right to do. There's adult stem cell research that's available for people. There are lines of embryonic stem cells that are available for research, and we all want a cure for Alzheimer's. And I know there are many, many researchers who are working with stem cells, but also with other medicines and other possibilities of prevention and vaccines for Alzheimer.

BASH: Do you think the federal funding for the existing lines, it should stop there, the existing lines?

BUSH: Well, I think we need to really be very delicate about it and figure out what's the best way to do it, because there is a moral and an ethical part of it as well.

BASH: On the issue of the summit, you're hosting, later today, a spouses' roundtable on women's rights...

BUSH: That's right.

BASH: ... in the greater Middle East.

BUSH: Well, we're going to talk about women's issues in the greater Middle East, about education and health care for women there. And we have a woman minister from the Iraqi Governing Council and a woman minister from the Afghan Governing Council. We have a young woman who's an Iraqi Fulbright Scholar studying in the United States coming to talk to us.

And what we want to have is a very informal dialogue about ways the spouses of the leaders of the G-8, which are the largest economies in the world, can help our sisters in the broader Middle East both with education issues and with health care issues.

BASH: On that issue, some say that because of other concerns in the region, like oil, like terrorism, the administration hasn't been tough enough to make sure that women do have rights in countries like Saudi Arabia. Given the fact that this broader initiative is a part of the summit, will the president take a tougher public line on women's rights in these countries?

BUSH: Well, the president already has talked the whole time about human rights, and that's what women's rights are. The whole idea of governments treating their people in their countries with respect and with dignity is the basis of all the greater Middle East, broader Middle East project. Certainly, we'll talk about those issues.

But we also respect the culture and traditions of those countries. We respect their religion, and we want to work in ways that work within their traditions and their culture.

BASH: Another big theme of this summit is moving forward closing the chapter on differences between the allies that are here over the war on Iraq. You were right here last night. A group of the world leaders, half of them did not agree with your husband on the war of Iraq. He is somebody who is known to put a lot of stock in personal relationships. He is forgiving, but does he really forget?

BUSH: No, of course, he's forgiving, and half of the world leaders, every one of the world leaders that were here last night, except one, are part of the coalition and supported the president and the United States and were vitally important to what happened in Afghanistan and what happened in Iraq.

And every one of them signed the resolution yesterday that stands where the people of the world, of the international community stand with the people of Iraq as they try to build their democracy and build a country that respects human rights. And I'm very excited about that. I'm very proud of it. It was proud when we saw little girls two years ago go to school for the first time in their lives in Afghanistan. And we and all of our coalition partners have made a huge difference in the Middle East.

BASH: One final campaign question. Your daughters have said they want to get involved in your husband's campaign. Have they decided exactly what they want to do?

BUSH: No. We're going to let them sort of decide. And I think they'll work at the headquarters a little bit, and then we'll see if they have the confidence to go on the campaign trail.

BASH: Mrs. Bush, thank you very much for your time.

BUSH: Thanks a lot.

BASH: Bill -- back to you in Washington.

HEMMER: All right, Dana Bash, thanks, live in Sea Island, Georgia.

Custom dictates that the outgoing president starts to work on plans for the funeral in the final year of office. The Reagans started that back in 1989. We're told that Nancy Reagan has reviewed those plans every year since. She will be waiting at the top of the steps on the west side of the Capitol when the casket carrying her late husband is brought toward her. We expect that at about 6:00 local time here in Washington.

A break. In a moment, D.C. getting ready for the funeral of a president, the first time we have seen one like that in this city in 31 years. More on what we can expect, ahead here on a special edition of AMERICAN MORNING live in our nation's capital.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: We're back with Jack and the "Question of the Day."

Hello.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.

The Boston Transit System will be the first in the nation to begin randomly searching passengers' bags and checking their identification on the trains. Transit police will start these searches on subway and commuter trains next month in time for the Democratic National Convention.

The American Civil Liberties Union says the program may violate the Constitution's ban on unreasonable search and seizure.

So, the question is: Is the random searching of train passengers a good idea?

Ted writes this: "Yes. You have the right to refuse to be searched. And the T -- which is what they call the Transit Authority -- "has the right to refuse to admit you to the subway system. So, when you exercise your right, the consequence is you don't board the train. Very straight forward."

Paul in Hellertown, who writes often: "Under the guise of national security, warrantless and non-probable cause searches are now being added to the ever increasing list of banishing constitutional safeguards. And inexplicably, the American public is only too willing to march in lock-step as their civil rights are quashed."

Sharon in Springfield, Illinois: "I think it would have been a good idea to determine whether the random searches are constitutional before instituting it. It seems backwards to do otherwise."

And John writes from Quitman, Georgia: "After we become a police state, who will restore democracy back to the United States? Iraq?"

O'BRIEN: Good question.

CAFFERTY: AM@CNN.com.

O'BRIEN: The first person, I thought, actually had an interesting point. I mean, do you have the right to refuse you entry to the subway system if you refuse to be searched? I mean, who owns that, you know?

CAFFERTY: Well, apparently, if these are the rules, then I suppose they do, just like if you want to carry a gun on an airplane they can stop you and say, no, you can't get on the airplane.

O'BRIEN: Well, it will all end up on the court anyway.

CAFFERTY: But, yes, exactly. It will be in court forever, for the rest of our natural lives.

O'BRIEN: All right, Jack, thanks.

CAFFERTY: Yes.

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, J.Lo got married over the weekend. Right?

CAFFERTY: Wow!

O'BRIEN: But, wait. Maybe not. "90-Second Pop" is just ahead with a look at that. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: I love Marc Anthony. Don't you all? Well, I need to know, because there's a lot of confusion we're talking about today. It's time for "90-Second Pop" on a Wednesday with a panel that puts the pop in pop culture, as we like to say. We've got questions, and they've got answers.

Andy Borowitz is joining us this morning from BorowitzReport.com, also Sarah Bernard, contributing editor for New York" magazine, and B.J. Sigesmund, staff editor for "US Weekly."

OK. So, wedding happened or not happened?

SARAH BERNARD, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: It happened. We saw pictures of that in "US Weekly" right?

B.J. SIGESMUND, "US WEEKLY": Yes, the wedding definitely, definitely happened. The thing is, this wedding was planned for two weeks, but the media didn't really know about it until a day or two before. And J.Lo doesn't let anything leak out to the media unless she wants it to. So, I believe this thing about the baby.

O'BRIEN: You believe this thing...

SIGESMUND: I believe it.

O'BRIEN: Whoa! Wait, wait, wait.

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: Wedding to baby. Hey!

(CROSSTALK)

SIGESMUND: Go ahead. Go ahead.

ANDY BOROWITZ, BOROWITZREPORT.COM: First of all, do we call them are Marcifer? That's what I want to know.

BERNARD: We do.

O'BRIEN: First of all, can we say I'm so right?

(CROSSTALK)

BOROWITZ: Let's establish...

SIGESMUND: Yes, totally.

BERNARD: Soledad, the new correspondent for "US Weekly," called it on Monday.

O'BRIEN: I'm the one -- she's pregnant. People are reporting that she's pregnant, and that's she's told her friends that's she's pregnant.

BERNARD: Yes, you're totally right.

SIGESMUND: And you called it on Monday morning, yes.

BERNARD: All right, we have to...

BOROWITZ: OK. But in fairness, do pregnant women have a radar that enables them to detect other pregnant women or not?

O'BRIEN: Absolutely.

BERNARD: Yes, that's obvious. But wait, OK, forgetting that this is J.Lo for a second. This is a very real phenomenon that happens. Women who put off having children for their careers often right in their 30s decide that they want...

(CROSSTALK)

BERNARD: Decide that they want to have a baby. They really want to have a baby, and the guy is almost secondary. It's very important to get on with it, and it feels like if she really is pregnant, if she really, you know, decided at the last minute that that's what she's doing. She wants to have a child.

BOROWITZ: Yes.

O'BRIEN: She's only 35 or something?

SIGESMUND: Yes.

BOROWITZ: Most 35 year old women want to have a baby...

BERNARD: But in celebrity years, it's times 10.

BOROWITZ: People her age want to have a baby and a celebrity (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Those are the two most important things.

SIGESMUND: But don't forget...

O'BRIEN: She's got glow, right?

BOROWITZ: She's got glow.

SIGESMUND: What about being a step-mom? Didn't she want to try being a step-mom? Because Marc Anthony has three kids...

BERNARD: Right.

SIGESMUND: ... including one who is not even 1! So, she can hold a baby and play with it for a little while.

BOROWITZ: I'm still stuck on a much earlier point, which is that Marc Anthony is not actually saying that he's married to her.

O'BRIEN: Well, he's just saying... BOROWITZ: This came out.

O'BRIEN: He's just saying he doesn't like to talk about his personal life. I'm like, have you not seen J.Lo on "Dateline?"

BOROWITZ: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) everywhere.

O'BRIEN: With Ben?

SIGESMUND: Yes.

BOROWITZ: He would neither confirm nor deny the marriage. I just think that's his way of keeping some mystery to the marriage. You need that to keep a marriage alive.

BERNARD: You want to keep it fresh, right?

BOROWITZ: Exactly.

BERNARD: you know, three days, it gets old.

BOROWITZ: Exactly.

O'BRIEN: Oh, man! All right, let's talk a little about the summer movies. "Stepford Wives" looks so good. I mean, the book, of course, was trashy and great.

SIGESMUND: Yes, yes.

O'BRIEN: So, what's it like?

SIGESMUND: Well, this is a remake of the dark feminist thriller from 1975 that everyone saw on cable growing up.

O'BRIEN: True to the book?

SIGESMUND: Well, that -- the 1975 version was very true to the book. This version, though, is very, very different. It's basically been remade as a comedy in the sort of vein of "Death Becomes Her" or "The Witches of Eastwick." Nicole Kidman plays a workaholic TV exec., who one day gets fired. So, her husband, Matthew Broderick, who worked under her at the network suggest they move up to this wonderful little town of Stepford, Connecticut, where she finds that all of the women...

BERNARD: I love that.

SIGESMUND: ... are pretty, perky, extremely motherly and, oops, mechanical, as she learns.

BERNARD: Well, I think that to do this as a comedy was totally their own way. They should have kept it as a thriller, because otherwise you're sort of buying into it and taking it too seriously. And the buzz on this is just awful.

O'BRIEN: Oh, really? BERNARD: Apparently it was shot, you know, it took three times longer than the schedule to shoot. It's way over budget, and it had changed focus all the time. At first, it was really focusing on Nicole Kidman, then you had Bette Midler in the trailers all the time.

O'BRIEN: What a cast.

SIGESMUND: A great cast.

BERNARD: A really good cast.

SIGESMUND: Yes.

BERNARD: But apparently it is a mess.

SIGESMUND: They're actually still re-shooting it even a month ago. They were doing...

BOROWITZ: Always a good sign.

BERNARD: It's never a good sign. And I think people -- honestly, Nicole Kidman needs to take a vacation. I feel like she's in every single movie that's been out since "The Hours."

O'BRIEN: You're our sociologist on our panel today. It's like, women at 35 want to have children!

BERNARD: This is "The View." Today this is "The View."

BOROWITZ: I agree with you. I think actually what Nicole Kidman should do in a couple weeks I think she should marry Marc Anthony. I do.

SIGESMUND: Oh!

BOROWITZ: He'll be out...

BERNARD: He won't confirm or deny anything, so it won't matter, you know.

BOROWITZ: That's true. That's true.

O'BRIEN: Other movies, "Garfield," which has Jennifer Love- Hewitt.

SIGESMUND: "Garfield," which has...

BOROWITZ: Nicole Kidman. It's great.

BERNARD: She plays Garfield well with the red hair.

BOROWITZ: She's great, fantastic.

SIGESMUND: Yes. "Garfield," this is a -- you know, Garfield wakes up one day and...

O'BRIEN: He can't even say these things!

SIGESMUND: All I can say is I have not read one single good review of "Garfield."

O'BRIEN: Oh.

SIGESMUND: But Garfield wakes up one day...

BERNARD: But Bill Murray plays the voice, right?

SIGESMUND: Yes, he Bill Murray...

BOROWITZ: There were tremendous re-shoots on "Garfield."

SIGESMUND: There were not! But Garfield wakes up one day and Odey has been kidnapped.

O'BRIEN: Oh.

SIGESMUND: So Garfield goes about getting Odey back.

O'BRIEN: I cannot believe that I have no time, and we haven't talked about...

SIGESMUND: Your favorite!

BERNARD: Your boyfriend!

SIGESMUND: Vin Diesel.

BOROWITZ: I will not criticize Vin Diesel in your presence.

O'BRIEN: This is the only man I really love, right after my husband. Brad and I will have to go see this.

BERNARD: Yes.

O'BRIEN: Because I will see Vin Diesel in anything. He is a fine thespian and just fine as well.

BERNARD: You can report back.

SIGESMUND: Well, your opinion counts!

O'BRIEN: Absolutely. You guys, as always...

BERNARD: This is your correspondent gig.

O'BRIEN: Hopefully they'll reimburse me when I buy the ticket, rights?

BERNARD: Right, exactly.

SIGESMUND: Exactly.

O'BRIEN: Excellent. You guys, as always, thank you very much, Andy and Sarah and B.J. Appreciate it.

Let's go back to Bill.

HEMMER: Where would we be without J.Lo, huh? She always gives us something to talk about in "90-Second Pop." Thank you, Soledad.

In a moment here, we'll talk with one of the highest-ranking women to serve in the Reagan cabinet, Senator Elizabeth Dole, memories, again, of the nation's 40th president, ahead here from Washington.

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Aired June 9, 2004 - 07:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Ed Henry has a look at that coming up in just a few moments.
Also this morning in "90-Second Pop," we're asking the burning question. Just what is up with Jennifer Lopez? I call her J.Lo. Supposedly she got married, but her husband says that actually he doesn't like to talk about his personal life. His wife -- I think if she's his wife -- does. Also, there are rumors of a new baby on the way. We're going to get to the bottom of all that in "90-Second Pop" this morning. That's ahead.

But first, let's go right back to Washington, D.C. and Bill Hemmer.

Bill -- good morning again.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Soledad, good morning again.

The nation's capital really takes on a whole different tone and attitude during events like that. And we are going to see that front and center over the next three days. Suddenly, the monuments of this city seem to stand out that much taller and that much larger here in the nation's capital.

The body of the former president, Ronald Reagan, arriving later today in D.C. about 5:00 local time, and there is great significance in the events that we will all see leading up to Friday afternoon, each tradition meant to bring closure to a life that oversaw this city for eight years.

Ed Henry is live in the Capitol.

Ed -- good morning there.

ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

Preparations are kicking into high gear for all of the pomp and circumstance of such a momentous event.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HENRY (voice over): Military planes roar over the nation's capital to get ready for the 21-jet flyover. The real thing will feature the missing-man maneuver. One jet shoots straight up and leaves the others behind. Precision is key to such an historic occasion, just the 10th state funeral for an American president in history. Before the drama plays out before millions of people around the world, military personnel practice the somber duty of loading the casket onto a horse- drawn caisson.

The procession will start at 6:00 p.m. with the caisson starting near the White House for its journey to the Capitol. Six horses will tug the flag-draped coffin. A seventh horse will trail the caisson wearing an empty saddle with a pair of Reagan's own boots reversed in the stirrups. Planners say this indicates that the warrior will never ride again.

The dress rehearsal also included the testing of the 21-gun salute.

Once the casket reaches the West Front of the Capitol, it will be walked up the grand entrance, where Mr. Reagan was sworn into office. The casket will then be led up this set of stairs leading into the Rotunda.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HENRY: Officials went down to the basement of the Capitol last night to pull out the massive catafalque that will hold Mr. Reagan's casket. We're told that the mahogany casket will weigh about 700 pounds -- Bill.

HEMMER: Ed Henry, thanks for that on Capitol Hill. In addition to that, that wooden platform upon which the casket will sit for at least a period of 24 hours, open all night for visitors who want to come here and pay respects, last used also for a number of dignitaries for their state funeral held in the Rotunda Building. First used though in 1865, Abraham Lincoln, after his assassination here in Washington.

Much more in a moment.

Back to Soledad in New York now.

O'BRIEN: All right, Bill, thanks. Still to come on AMERICAN MORNING, most experts say that America is getting fatter. But at least one says it's really just one group of people that's packing on the pounds. We'll explain who that is.

Plus, one of America's natural treasures is in big trouble. What's being done to fix it, a look at that ahead as we continue right after this short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER BREAK)

HEMMER: President Bush is expected back in Washington late on Thursday evening. He's hosting the leaders of the G-8 Nations in Sea Island, Georgia. It's the annual world affairs summit taking place there. The first lady, Laura Bush, is also there, and she's the focus this morning for Dana Bash.

Dana -- good morning.

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

And good morning, Mrs. Bush. Thank you very much for joining us.

LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: Good morning. Thanks. Glad to.

BASH: Before we get to issues about this summit here in Sea Island, first I wanted to talk about what's happening back in Washington. Today is the state funeral for President Reagan. Have you spoken with Nancy Reagan?

BUSH: I haven't spoken to her. The president spoke to her on Saturday from France, as soon as we found out about Ronald Reagan's death. But I haven't quit thinking about her. She just was an unbelievable role model for all of us. My father died of Alzheimer's, and I know how very, very difficult the disease is and how difficult it is for the caregivers. She was stalwart and so devoted to him.

So, we'll see her tomorrow night. As soon as we get back to Washington, we'll pay a call on her.

BASH: And you had some special access, if you will, to President Reagan, since your father-in-law was his vice president. Tell us about a special moment, either the first time you met him or another memorable moment.

BUSH: Well, he was so funny. I think that's what people really remember. He was a big man. He was a very attractive big man, but he had this very modest and self-deprecating sort of sense of humor. So, he really made you feel comfortable.

I know what's like to meet the president of the United States, and when we met him, we were very intimidated. We didn't know what to say, but he could immediately make us feel comfortable. And I think that's what the American people loved about him; that, and that he so obviously believed in the American people, and he was so optimistic about our future.

BASH: I want to ask you about something relating to Nancy Reagan. First of all, your mother-in-law, Barbara Bush, publicly disagreed with her husband, President Bush, on the issue of abortion. Nancy Reagan has come out recently and said that she supports stem cell research in order to try to find a cure for Alzheimer's. You mentioned that your father also had Alzheimer's. What's your personal view on stem cell research?

BUSH: Well, everyone supports stem cell research, and so did the president. And there are embryonic lines of stem cells for research. But we have to -- it's a very delicate balance between what we want to do for science and for research and for what is ethically and morally right to do. There's adult stem cell research that's available for people. There are lines of embryonic stem cells that are available for research, and we all want a cure for Alzheimer's. And I know there are many, many researchers who are working with stem cells, but also with other medicines and other possibilities of prevention and vaccines for Alzheimer.

BASH: Do you think the federal funding for the existing lines, it should stop there, the existing lines?

BUSH: Well, I think we need to really be very delicate about it and figure out what's the best way to do it, because there is a moral and an ethical part of it as well.

BASH: On the issue of the summit, you're hosting, later today, a spouses' roundtable on women's rights...

BUSH: That's right.

BASH: ... in the greater Middle East.

BUSH: Well, we're going to talk about women's issues in the greater Middle East, about education and health care for women there. And we have a woman minister from the Iraqi Governing Council and a woman minister from the Afghan Governing Council. We have a young woman who's an Iraqi Fulbright Scholar studying in the United States coming to talk to us.

And what we want to have is a very informal dialogue about ways the spouses of the leaders of the G-8, which are the largest economies in the world, can help our sisters in the broader Middle East both with education issues and with health care issues.

BASH: On that issue, some say that because of other concerns in the region, like oil, like terrorism, the administration hasn't been tough enough to make sure that women do have rights in countries like Saudi Arabia. Given the fact that this broader initiative is a part of the summit, will the president take a tougher public line on women's rights in these countries?

BUSH: Well, the president already has talked the whole time about human rights, and that's what women's rights are. The whole idea of governments treating their people in their countries with respect and with dignity is the basis of all the greater Middle East, broader Middle East project. Certainly, we'll talk about those issues.

But we also respect the culture and traditions of those countries. We respect their religion, and we want to work in ways that work within their traditions and their culture.

BASH: Another big theme of this summit is moving forward closing the chapter on differences between the allies that are here over the war on Iraq. You were right here last night. A group of the world leaders, half of them did not agree with your husband on the war of Iraq. He is somebody who is known to put a lot of stock in personal relationships. He is forgiving, but does he really forget?

BUSH: No, of course, he's forgiving, and half of the world leaders, every one of the world leaders that were here last night, except one, are part of the coalition and supported the president and the United States and were vitally important to what happened in Afghanistan and what happened in Iraq.

And every one of them signed the resolution yesterday that stands where the people of the world, of the international community stand with the people of Iraq as they try to build their democracy and build a country that respects human rights. And I'm very excited about that. I'm very proud of it. It was proud when we saw little girls two years ago go to school for the first time in their lives in Afghanistan. And we and all of our coalition partners have made a huge difference in the Middle East.

BASH: One final campaign question. Your daughters have said they want to get involved in your husband's campaign. Have they decided exactly what they want to do?

BUSH: No. We're going to let them sort of decide. And I think they'll work at the headquarters a little bit, and then we'll see if they have the confidence to go on the campaign trail.

BASH: Mrs. Bush, thank you very much for your time.

BUSH: Thanks a lot.

BASH: Bill -- back to you in Washington.

HEMMER: All right, Dana Bash, thanks, live in Sea Island, Georgia.

Custom dictates that the outgoing president starts to work on plans for the funeral in the final year of office. The Reagans started that back in 1989. We're told that Nancy Reagan has reviewed those plans every year since. She will be waiting at the top of the steps on the west side of the Capitol when the casket carrying her late husband is brought toward her. We expect that at about 6:00 local time here in Washington.

A break. In a moment, D.C. getting ready for the funeral of a president, the first time we have seen one like that in this city in 31 years. More on what we can expect, ahead here on a special edition of AMERICAN MORNING live in our nation's capital.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: We're back with Jack and the "Question of the Day."

Hello.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.

The Boston Transit System will be the first in the nation to begin randomly searching passengers' bags and checking their identification on the trains. Transit police will start these searches on subway and commuter trains next month in time for the Democratic National Convention.

The American Civil Liberties Union says the program may violate the Constitution's ban on unreasonable search and seizure.

So, the question is: Is the random searching of train passengers a good idea?

Ted writes this: "Yes. You have the right to refuse to be searched. And the T -- which is what they call the Transit Authority -- "has the right to refuse to admit you to the subway system. So, when you exercise your right, the consequence is you don't board the train. Very straight forward."

Paul in Hellertown, who writes often: "Under the guise of national security, warrantless and non-probable cause searches are now being added to the ever increasing list of banishing constitutional safeguards. And inexplicably, the American public is only too willing to march in lock-step as their civil rights are quashed."

Sharon in Springfield, Illinois: "I think it would have been a good idea to determine whether the random searches are constitutional before instituting it. It seems backwards to do otherwise."

And John writes from Quitman, Georgia: "After we become a police state, who will restore democracy back to the United States? Iraq?"

O'BRIEN: Good question.

CAFFERTY: AM@CNN.com.

O'BRIEN: The first person, I thought, actually had an interesting point. I mean, do you have the right to refuse you entry to the subway system if you refuse to be searched? I mean, who owns that, you know?

CAFFERTY: Well, apparently, if these are the rules, then I suppose they do, just like if you want to carry a gun on an airplane they can stop you and say, no, you can't get on the airplane.

O'BRIEN: Well, it will all end up on the court anyway.

CAFFERTY: But, yes, exactly. It will be in court forever, for the rest of our natural lives.

O'BRIEN: All right, Jack, thanks.

CAFFERTY: Yes.

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, J.Lo got married over the weekend. Right?

CAFFERTY: Wow!

O'BRIEN: But, wait. Maybe not. "90-Second Pop" is just ahead with a look at that. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: I love Marc Anthony. Don't you all? Well, I need to know, because there's a lot of confusion we're talking about today. It's time for "90-Second Pop" on a Wednesday with a panel that puts the pop in pop culture, as we like to say. We've got questions, and they've got answers.

Andy Borowitz is joining us this morning from BorowitzReport.com, also Sarah Bernard, contributing editor for New York" magazine, and B.J. Sigesmund, staff editor for "US Weekly."

OK. So, wedding happened or not happened?

SARAH BERNARD, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: It happened. We saw pictures of that in "US Weekly" right?

B.J. SIGESMUND, "US WEEKLY": Yes, the wedding definitely, definitely happened. The thing is, this wedding was planned for two weeks, but the media didn't really know about it until a day or two before. And J.Lo doesn't let anything leak out to the media unless she wants it to. So, I believe this thing about the baby.

O'BRIEN: You believe this thing...

SIGESMUND: I believe it.

O'BRIEN: Whoa! Wait, wait, wait.

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: Wedding to baby. Hey!

(CROSSTALK)

SIGESMUND: Go ahead. Go ahead.

ANDY BOROWITZ, BOROWITZREPORT.COM: First of all, do we call them are Marcifer? That's what I want to know.

BERNARD: We do.

O'BRIEN: First of all, can we say I'm so right?

(CROSSTALK)

BOROWITZ: Let's establish...

SIGESMUND: Yes, totally.

BERNARD: Soledad, the new correspondent for "US Weekly," called it on Monday.

O'BRIEN: I'm the one -- she's pregnant. People are reporting that she's pregnant, and that's she's told her friends that's she's pregnant.

BERNARD: Yes, you're totally right.

SIGESMUND: And you called it on Monday morning, yes.

BERNARD: All right, we have to...

BOROWITZ: OK. But in fairness, do pregnant women have a radar that enables them to detect other pregnant women or not?

O'BRIEN: Absolutely.

BERNARD: Yes, that's obvious. But wait, OK, forgetting that this is J.Lo for a second. This is a very real phenomenon that happens. Women who put off having children for their careers often right in their 30s decide that they want...

(CROSSTALK)

BERNARD: Decide that they want to have a baby. They really want to have a baby, and the guy is almost secondary. It's very important to get on with it, and it feels like if she really is pregnant, if she really, you know, decided at the last minute that that's what she's doing. She wants to have a child.

BOROWITZ: Yes.

O'BRIEN: She's only 35 or something?

SIGESMUND: Yes.

BOROWITZ: Most 35 year old women want to have a baby...

BERNARD: But in celebrity years, it's times 10.

BOROWITZ: People her age want to have a baby and a celebrity (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Those are the two most important things.

SIGESMUND: But don't forget...

O'BRIEN: She's got glow, right?

BOROWITZ: She's got glow.

SIGESMUND: What about being a step-mom? Didn't she want to try being a step-mom? Because Marc Anthony has three kids...

BERNARD: Right.

SIGESMUND: ... including one who is not even 1! So, she can hold a baby and play with it for a little while.

BOROWITZ: I'm still stuck on a much earlier point, which is that Marc Anthony is not actually saying that he's married to her.

O'BRIEN: Well, he's just saying... BOROWITZ: This came out.

O'BRIEN: He's just saying he doesn't like to talk about his personal life. I'm like, have you not seen J.Lo on "Dateline?"

BOROWITZ: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) everywhere.

O'BRIEN: With Ben?

SIGESMUND: Yes.

BOROWITZ: He would neither confirm nor deny the marriage. I just think that's his way of keeping some mystery to the marriage. You need that to keep a marriage alive.

BERNARD: You want to keep it fresh, right?

BOROWITZ: Exactly.

BERNARD: you know, three days, it gets old.

BOROWITZ: Exactly.

O'BRIEN: Oh, man! All right, let's talk a little about the summer movies. "Stepford Wives" looks so good. I mean, the book, of course, was trashy and great.

SIGESMUND: Yes, yes.

O'BRIEN: So, what's it like?

SIGESMUND: Well, this is a remake of the dark feminist thriller from 1975 that everyone saw on cable growing up.

O'BRIEN: True to the book?

SIGESMUND: Well, that -- the 1975 version was very true to the book. This version, though, is very, very different. It's basically been remade as a comedy in the sort of vein of "Death Becomes Her" or "The Witches of Eastwick." Nicole Kidman plays a workaholic TV exec., who one day gets fired. So, her husband, Matthew Broderick, who worked under her at the network suggest they move up to this wonderful little town of Stepford, Connecticut, where she finds that all of the women...

BERNARD: I love that.

SIGESMUND: ... are pretty, perky, extremely motherly and, oops, mechanical, as she learns.

BERNARD: Well, I think that to do this as a comedy was totally their own way. They should have kept it as a thriller, because otherwise you're sort of buying into it and taking it too seriously. And the buzz on this is just awful.

O'BRIEN: Oh, really? BERNARD: Apparently it was shot, you know, it took three times longer than the schedule to shoot. It's way over budget, and it had changed focus all the time. At first, it was really focusing on Nicole Kidman, then you had Bette Midler in the trailers all the time.

O'BRIEN: What a cast.

SIGESMUND: A great cast.

BERNARD: A really good cast.

SIGESMUND: Yes.

BERNARD: But apparently it is a mess.

SIGESMUND: They're actually still re-shooting it even a month ago. They were doing...

BOROWITZ: Always a good sign.

BERNARD: It's never a good sign. And I think people -- honestly, Nicole Kidman needs to take a vacation. I feel like she's in every single movie that's been out since "The Hours."

O'BRIEN: You're our sociologist on our panel today. It's like, women at 35 want to have children!

BERNARD: This is "The View." Today this is "The View."

BOROWITZ: I agree with you. I think actually what Nicole Kidman should do in a couple weeks I think she should marry Marc Anthony. I do.

SIGESMUND: Oh!

BOROWITZ: He'll be out...

BERNARD: He won't confirm or deny anything, so it won't matter, you know.

BOROWITZ: That's true. That's true.

O'BRIEN: Other movies, "Garfield," which has Jennifer Love- Hewitt.

SIGESMUND: "Garfield," which has...

BOROWITZ: Nicole Kidman. It's great.

BERNARD: She plays Garfield well with the red hair.

BOROWITZ: She's great, fantastic.

SIGESMUND: Yes. "Garfield," this is a -- you know, Garfield wakes up one day and...

O'BRIEN: He can't even say these things!

SIGESMUND: All I can say is I have not read one single good review of "Garfield."

O'BRIEN: Oh.

SIGESMUND: But Garfield wakes up one day...

BERNARD: But Bill Murray plays the voice, right?

SIGESMUND: Yes, he Bill Murray...

BOROWITZ: There were tremendous re-shoots on "Garfield."

SIGESMUND: There were not! But Garfield wakes up one day and Odey has been kidnapped.

O'BRIEN: Oh.

SIGESMUND: So Garfield goes about getting Odey back.

O'BRIEN: I cannot believe that I have no time, and we haven't talked about...

SIGESMUND: Your favorite!

BERNARD: Your boyfriend!

SIGESMUND: Vin Diesel.

BOROWITZ: I will not criticize Vin Diesel in your presence.

O'BRIEN: This is the only man I really love, right after my husband. Brad and I will have to go see this.

BERNARD: Yes.

O'BRIEN: Because I will see Vin Diesel in anything. He is a fine thespian and just fine as well.

BERNARD: You can report back.

SIGESMUND: Well, your opinion counts!

O'BRIEN: Absolutely. You guys, as always...

BERNARD: This is your correspondent gig.

O'BRIEN: Hopefully they'll reimburse me when I buy the ticket, rights?

BERNARD: Right, exactly.

SIGESMUND: Exactly.

O'BRIEN: Excellent. You guys, as always, thank you very much, Andy and Sarah and B.J. Appreciate it.

Let's go back to Bill.

HEMMER: Where would we be without J.Lo, huh? She always gives us something to talk about in "90-Second Pop." Thank you, Soledad.

In a moment here, we'll talk with one of the highest-ranking women to serve in the Reagan cabinet, Senator Elizabeth Dole, memories, again, of the nation's 40th president, ahead here from Washington.

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