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American Morning
Companies In Financial Sector Step-Up Security In Lieu Of Orange Terror Alert
Aired August 02, 2004 - 07:00 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.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Specific buildings in three cities named in a terrorist threat. Al Qaeda knew details of the sites down to meeting room locations and a scope of parking entrances. City and state officials promise fast action.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED CITY OFFICIAL: We are deploying a full array of counterterrorism resources.
COLLINS: This morning we'll look at the measures being taken to prevent an attack.
And terror warnings in an election year -- how both sides handle the politics politics of fear on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
COLLINS: Good morning, everybody, an awful lot to cover this morning regarding these new terror alerts and the cities affected -- some of the basic information now.
The department of homeland security has raised its threat level to orange in the financial sectors of Washington, New York City and northern New Jersey. Named as potential targets, the World Bank and IMF building in Washington, the Citigroup buildings and New York Stock Exchange in New York, and the Prudential financial facilities in Newark, New Jersey.
This morning, commercial trucks are being diverted away from entering New York by the Holland tunnel and Brooklyn battery tunnel. This intelligence came to the U.S. over a 72-hour period.
Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge says the information is "based on multiple reporting streams in multiple locations." And we can now confirm that Pakistani sources say they believe the recent arrest of two al Qaeda suspects there explain the new information.
From Manhattan to Washington this morning, we'll find out all about the response to these new warnings when we talk to people making the decisions as well as discuss the financial impact with Andy Serwer.
In just a few minutes, though, we will hear from homeland security director, Tom rage. And in the next hour, we'll talk to Washington D.C. mayor, Anthony Williams.
About 8:30 Eastern time, we will hear from New Jersey governor, Jim McGreevey. And then in the 9:00 hour, were going to talk with New York governor, George Pataki.
Now, we send things over to Bill who is standing by in Grand Rapids. Good morning to you, Bill.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Heidi, good morning to you on a Monday.
If you're wondering why are we here today in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we're following the Kerry campaign for yet another day coming off the heels of the convention last week in Boston.
Grand Rapids, believe it or not, over the weekend has been politics central. President Bush was here on Friday. John Kerry, in a late schedule change on Saturday decided to come here for two events in Grand Rapids today.
We'll get their reaction to these new terror warnings throughout the morning here -- all that coming up. But before we do anything else, back to you, Heidi, in New York.
And we should have, once again, Senator Kerry will be our guest live here on AMERICAN MORNING a bit later this morning from Grand Rapids -- Heidi?
COLLINS: All right, Bill, great. We look forward to that very much. In the meantime, Jack Cafferty is here as well.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Heidi.
It's a campaign unlike any we've had in recent history being waged against the backdrop of the real possibility of terrorists attacking on American soil. It could be the wild-card in the election.
We'll take a look at how you feel about the two candidates in regards to the possibility of keeping us safe from terrorism. And that's coming up in just a couple of minutes.
COLLINS: All right, Jack, thanks so much for that.
I want to get straight to the latest now on the terror threat warning and about some of the potential targets.
The CNN's Jeanne Meserve is with us this morning in Washington. Mary Snow is at the Citigroup building in New York. And we began this morning with Deb Feyerick who is at the New York Stock Exchange.
Deb, good morning to you.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Heidi, I'll tell you. What some may see as a vulnerable target now one of the most protected sites in all of New York City, the New York Stock Exchange. Police very visible, some of them very highly armed. The same situation playing itself out at the Citigroup building as well, the Citigroup headquarters.
Trucks are being screened. Heating and air-conditioning units secured to make sure that nobody tries to attack the building that way.
Now intelligence from several sources in several locations indicate that terror operatives that were in New York City scouting these various locations, conducting surveillance not only on building security systems but also on parking garages as well.
The police Commissioner here in New York says that intelligence indicates that the operatives might use some sort of a conventional truck bomb or other explosive.
The threat, while specific about the targets, does not indicate the time frame. So nobody knows when or when this kind of attack might occur, but the city's mayor showing defiance. He will be here at the New York Stock Exchange ringing the bell to let people know the city is open for business -- Heidi?
COLLINS: All right. And we will see that in just a little while from now. Thanks so much, Deb Feyerick this morning.
I want to turn things over to Mary Snow now standing by at the Citigroup buildings. Mary, good morning.
MARY SNOW, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Heidi. We're outside of the banking headquarters of Citigroup. There are several locations of Citigroup throughout the city, and this is the banking headquarters, one of the tallest buildings in midtown of Manhattan.
As you might be able to see behind me, there are a couple of workers right now on line. Security officers are outside the building checking bags. Know that security has been stepped up. It began to increase on Friday evening.
Over the weekend, Citigroup did e-mail its employees saying that it was, has ongoing efforts to protect its employees and that it's increased the level of security measures for employees at its New York City buildings.
Now we do know also that at 9 a.m. this morning, the CEO of Citigroup, Chuck Prince (ph), is going to be holding a Web cast for employees talking to just a couple of people going into work today saying that while they are aware of these terrorist warnings, this is something that they've become used to. But they felt that they were going to come to work and they just had to get through the day -- Heidi?
COLLINS: All right, Mary Snow, thanks for that.
And now to Jeanne Meserve standing by in Washington for the latest there.
Jeanne, hello.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Heidi.
Mayor Anthony Williams says the whole city of Washington D.C. is effectively on orange. And additional protective measures are being taken around the World Bank and the International Monetary fund named by Secretary Ridge, but also around other financial institutions like the Federal Reserve and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
Surveillance cameras have been activated. And though officials say there are no plans for road closures at this point, they will be doing checks of trucks, SUVs even limousines because of concern about truck or car bombs.
The IMF and the World Bank will both be open for business this morning. Security is being increased though neither the World Bank nor the IMF will be specific about the steps they are taking.
This morning, things appear normal in the area apart from a few road cones. And as you can see, police there with dogs in the vicinity.
The word from city officials, go about your business. Don't let the terrorists win, but be vigilant and report any unusual activity to law-enforcement.
Heidi, back to you.
COLLINS: All right, Jeanne Meserve live from Washington this morning. Jeanne, thanks so much for that.
It is the first time the government has issued such specific terror warnings. The threat level is now orange, or high, for financial centers in New York, Newark, New Jersey and Washington, D.C.
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge joins us from Washington to talk about the new terror alert.
Tell us, what is the purpose of raising the terror threat level to orange only in the financial sector?
TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: The rationale behind focusing on the financial sector is really based on the analysis of all the information we've uncovered in the past, and analyzed, over the past 24-48 hours.
The specific targeting of the buildings that we identified yesterday showed clearly an interest in trying to effect, in their jaded minds, the jaded minds of the terrorists, somehow influence the economy, undermine the economy of United States.
And we had very specific information about these locations and thought it was very important to relate that to the people that work there, to the community leaders and the like. But it seemed right then, the information we have now is the emphasis was on the financial sector in the three areas that we mentioned. COLLINS: All right. Also, CNN has learned from through the Pakistani information minister, two people of interest to you that were captured in Pakistan, Mohammed N. Hoffman, Mohemmed Nyin Norcan (ph) and Ahmed Kalfan Ghailani, was it the information that those two people had that led to this increased terror threat level?
RIDGE: Well, I think it's important to know that there are multiple sources of information, that, frankly playing good offense oversees. Great credit goes to our military and CIA and the like as well as a lot of our allies.
So, there are several sources. We're not going to comment on the sources, but again it was a very aggressive interaction of the United States and our allies to be able to secure this information.
COLLINS: Does this indicate though, Secretary Ridge, that there is a planned and coordinated attack in the works and it's just a matter of when?
RIDGE: Well it certainly indicates they've taken a long, hard look at several sites. That taken in conjunction with the continuous reference to trying to undermine our democratic process. There was no mention of when an attack could occur, but we don't have the luxury of guessing. We have to try to do more and better every single day to prevent an attack regardless of where it will occur.
So, I would say to you that we identified these particular targets, but that doesn't mean not only in New York City and Washington and northern New Jersey, but every day around the country in every city, we're looking to add additional measures to make us safer.
COLLINS: Yesterday -- let's talk a little bit about what to do now. Yesterday you said that with the information comes action.
What sort of action will the department of homeland security, as well as the leaders of these corporations mentioned, be taking today?
RIDGE: Well I think the employees at these institutions will probably notice a change in security right away this morning. And the owners of the buildings and the companies and their leadership will be sitting down with the FBI and with our folks at homeland security as well as local securities professionals to see what additional security measures.
You may already see some change in routing around some of these buildings. So again, all this information was churned and analyzed, and it's still an ongoing process as we continue to review these sources and deal with them over the past 24-36 hours.
But we'll make immediate adjustments. I think some of them have been made. And over the next day or two, I suspect you'll see even more. Object -- protect these communities; protect these employees; protect Washington and New York and northern New Jersey.
But I have to state again, every single day around the country, people are doing more to use additional people, man or technology, to make our country safer.
COLLINS: But quickly, today, business as usual?
RIDGE: Today business as usual. I guess if I have had hope or an aspiration, I'd like to see the market go up so we could send a signal to bin Laden and his crew -- you're smart, we're smarter; you're tough, we're tougher; you are resolved, we are more resolved. We have a strong economy before you tried to disrupt us and bring the horror and devastation of September 11th, and we're going to have a strong economy after we bring you to justice, too.
COLLINS: We will not be leaving this story for long this morning. Just ahead we'll look at the potential impact for the financial markets. And in our next our, Washington, D.C. mayor Anthony Williams will join us live to talk about the elevated warning there.
Again, that is at 8:00 a.m. Eastern.
For now, we turn things over to my colleague, Bill Hemmer, standing by in Grand Rapids, Michigan this morning.
Bill, good morning, again.
HEMMER: Heidi, good morning again to you.
The former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean charging yesterday on CNN that the decision to raise the terror threat level may have been an effort to help President Bush politically.
Here is some of what he said yesterday with Wolf Blitzer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOWARD DEAN, FMR. VERMONT GOVERNOR: I am concerned that every time something happens that's not good for President Bush he plays this trump card, which is terrorism.
His whole campaign is based on the notion that I can keep you safe, therefore in times of difficulty for America stick with me. And then and out comes Tom Ridge.
It's just impossible to know how much of this is real and how much of this is politics, and I suspect there is some of both in it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Howard Dean's remarks quickly denounced by the Democratic senator Joe Lieberman yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE LIEBERMAN (D), CONNECTICUT: I don't think anybody who has any fairness or is in their right mind would think that the president or the secretary of homeland security would raise an alert level and scare people for political reasons. That's outrageous. (END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Now the Kerry campaign rejecting any suggestion that the terror alert might be hyped in a statement from a senior adviser released yesterday, saying in part now, and quoting, "John Kerry and John Edwards will bring all aspects of our nation's power to crush al Qaeda and destroy terrorist networks. No matter what threats we may face the terrorists will not divide us."
That statement from the campaign.
Back here in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that's where we find ourself today, some of the big news from this campaign today will be the plan that is now put forward, "Our Plan For America: Stronger At Home, Respected Around The World," 250-plus pages.
We'll get into this throughout the morning here.
Also, there's new polling numbers from CNN-"USA Today" Gallup showing that for the first time since 1972 a candidate did not get a bounce after his convention.
Senator Kerry our guest later this morning in our 9:00 a.m. hour. We'll talk a lot about these issues with him.
In a moment, Michigan's governor, Jennifer Granholm joins us again here on AMERICAN MORNING. She'll talk about these issues as well.
Our coverage continues along with the election express, CNN's bus going coast-to-coast right along with the campaign.
We are live in Grand Rapids, where I mentioned earlier today, this is really politics central, believe it or not, a town of 200,000 seeing President Bush on Friday; and John Kerry holding two events here in this town in the western part of the state of Michigan -- 17 electoral votes up for grabs in a key battleground state.
More in a moment, but to my colleague, Kelly Wallace, now working with us today in other news this morning back in New York City.
Good morning, Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Bill, and good morning everyone.
We begin in Iraq where there are reports that another U.S. soldier has died from wounds suffered in a roadside bombing over the weekend. The blast initially killed one American outside of Samara, northwest of Baghdad.
Meanwhile, Iraqi officials blame insurgents leader Abu Musab Al- Zarqawi for a series of attacks on the country's minority Christians. At least seven people were killed and 61 injured in car bombings at five churches yesterday. In Paraguay, three days of national mourning have begun after a deadly fire raged through a crowded supermarket. Officials say the blaze followed by two explosions killed at least 275 people including many children.
Some witnesses say victims were trapped inside the three-story building because the exits had been locked to avoid robberies, a claim denied by the supermarket owner.
The sexual history of Kobe Bryant's accuser may soon become public information. A Colorado judge today is expected to release remaining transcripts from a closed-door hearing involving the woman.
The transcripts had been accidentally e-mailed to news organizations in June. The judge apologized to the accuser Friday for the mistake.
And in sports, Jimmy Johnson (ph) won his fourth Nextel cup of the year by taking the Pennsylvania 500 at the Pocono Raceway. Johnson led for 124 of the 200 laps in completing a sweeping of the two races at Pocono.
Johnson also increased his lead in the driver standings to 232 points over Jeff Gordon, who ran fifth.
I don't know a lot about car racing. Heidi, back to you.
COLLINS: You just hope for a fast track, how about that?
WALLACE: I hope they move quickly.
COLLINS: Good. Kelly Wallace, thanks so much for that.
WALLACE: Sure.
COLLINS: Still to come this morning, the latest on the search for Lori Hacking. Her family asked volunteers to stop searching and it might be because of something Lori's husband said.
Also ahead, a state of emergency after severe weather in one major metro area, we'll show you what's going on there.
And John Kerry is on GOP turf this morning in one of the big battleground states. We'll talk to that states governor and see what Kerry has to do to have a shot at winning.
It's all ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Welcome back, everyone. We are live in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The convention over for the Democrats, we're waiting on the Republicans for one month away in New York City. The battleground battle now well underway over the weekend. Here in the state of of Michigan, a key swing state, it could go either way based on the latest polling numbers -- 17 electoral votes up for grabs here in Michigan.
And the governor is here with us now, Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm live in East Lansing, this morning.
Governor, thanks again for your time today. This is becoming a weekly habit with our discussions with you, but we appreciate your time.
And yesterday, Howard Dean suggesting that they may be a role of politics playing in these terror threat alerts. Do you see that as a possibility?
GOV. JENNIFER GRANHOLM (D), MICHIGAN: I just don't think that's the case. I think this is too serious to be playing politics with it. I don't think that anybody in the Kerry camp would say that, either.
And so, I believe that we should all take very seriously these threats and not assume that there's an ulterior motive.
HEMMER: If we push on to the polling that CNN-"USA Today" and Gallup did after the convention in Boston concluded, on the screen, among registered voters in a two-way race without Ralph Nader involved, John Kerry leads George Bush 50 to 47 percent. However, when that is among likely voters, George Bush has the lead 50 to 47.
What explains these numbers? And what is your explanation as to why for the first time in 32 years a candidate did not get a bounce out of his convention?
GRANHOLM: I think there were a couple of other polls that showed a slight bounce. But everybody knew that going in to the convention that because the electorate is so polarized, because there's only about 6 percent or so that are undecided, that there would not be a significant bounce after this convention.
I don't think anybody on the Democratic side was expecting that there would be. So, it doesn't surprise me at all. We always knew this was going to be close. It's certainly close in Michigan. It's close in the other battleground states.
And I think John Kerry has to keep doing what he's doing today, which is coming right to the heart of people in Michigan to persuade them that he is the right choice for America.
HEMMER: Here in Grand Rapids, though, it's pretty much Republican country. Gerald Ford grew up here. Just about everything in this town is named after President Ford.
What explains why -- we were also supposed to be in Flint (ph), Michigan at this time come late Saturday. A late change in the schedule after President Bush was here on Friday. Why make that shift in the schedule on behalf of John Kerry? GRANHOLM: Well again, I think it's very important for John Kerry to go after those who may be moderate Republicans -- which, by the way, Gerald Ford was -- who may be undecided Independents, those who just may not have made up their minds yet.
And again, it's so narrow, but a lot of those are up for grabs in Grand Rapids. I'm a Democrat. I'm a centrist. I did very well in Grand Rapids despite the overall GOP leanings. I think John Kerry is very smart to go right to the heart of it and make a persuasive case.
There still are a majority of Americans who feel like the country is on the wrong track, and John Kerry is in a perfect position to say why he would make us stronger at home and more respected in the world.
HEMMER: Jennifer Granholm is the governor from Michigan. We'll see later at our location here in Grand Rapids.
GRANHOLM: OK.
HEMMER: A bit later this morning.
GRANHOLM: Very good.
HEMMER: Thank you, governor.
Also, later this morning in our 9:00 a.m. Eastern time hour, I'll be talking directly one-on-one with Senator John Kerry. He is our guest as well here in Grand Rapids -- more in a moment here at the bottom of the hour.
Back to Heidi now with more in New York.
COLLINS: All right, Bill, thanks so much.
Time for our first check of the forecast now and a look at tropical storm Alex. Chad Myers is at the CNN Center with the very latest.
So this thing is just going to brush North Carolina and not going to really hit landfall.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Certainly is. It really looks pretty good right now, or bad, depending on your point of view.
It's become a little bit more organized in the overnight powers, Heidi. It does look like it's traveling on up toward the north, at least toward the north, northeast. And it will be brushing the coast of South Carolina and also in to North Carolina.
(WEATHER BREAK)
MYERS: We'll have to keep watching.
COLLINS: The folks in Cape Hatteras very happy to hear that after what they went through several months ago. Chad Myers, thanks so much for that this morning. Still to come, more on the heightened terror alert in several cities this morning including why terrorists might pick the specific targets in the latest warning. Andy Serwer is "Minding Your Business."
Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: The latest terror alerts. Why were these companies in these buildings targeted?
Andy Serwer is joining us this morning minding our business this morning.
We heard over the weekend a lot of analysts saying they're really trying to hit at the heart of capitalism, something we've heard before.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: That's right, disrupting our economy, Heidi, kind of grim news this morning, obviously.
Let's take a run through the five institutions apparently targeted by al Qaeda. The New York Stock Exchange, obviously an icon of U.S. capitalism -- security had been very tight since 9/11. There is a backup facility if this location is destroyed, in any way, that can get up and running within a day.
Citigroup, the largest financial institution in the world, 59- story skyscraper in midtown Manhattan. Interestingly, largest shareholders -- one of the largest shareholders in this company -- Saudi Prince Awa Ali (ph), a member of the Saudi royal family.
Over in New Jersey, in Newark, Prudential, "own a piece of the rock," one of the largest insurance companies in the world. Interesting why that might be a target, I think because it might be easier in that it's not in downtown Manhattan or Washington D.C. Any disruption there might be visible in Manhattan, however.
The IMF and the World Bank, both institutions that provide aid to overseas governments. The IMF, International Monetary Fund, owned by the United Nations, the World Bank owned by member nations.
Neither one actually owned by the United States government, but critics overseas see these institutions as furthering the agenda of the U.S. government because much of the funding for these two is provided by the U.S. government, Heidi.
COLLINS: Secretary Ridge said that he hopes the markets will actually be up today.
SERWER: Yes.
COLLINS: Any chance of that happening?
SERWER: I don't think that's going to happen. Futures are down this morning. Oil is near $44 a barrel. And it looks like we might see say 50 points down on the Dow, early going. Not so bad, but obviously the markets will be somewhat rattled, I think.
COLLINS: All right. Andy Serwer, thanks so much for that.
SERWER: Your welcome.
COLLINS: Jack Cafferty joining us now. Time for the "Cafferty File" and the "Question of the Day."
CAFFERTY: It's a, Heidi, campaign unlike any we've had in recent history, terrorism very much in the mix as John Kerry and President George W. Bush head toward November. You just heard Andy talking about the specific targets that are in the news this morning.
Other notes before we get to the question.
Coming out of the Democratic convention, John Kerry did not get the usual bounce it any candidate tends to get in the polls following the national political conventions.
Over the weekend, President Bush was speaking in Ohio. He drew his loudest applause from the crowds there when he talked about being tough on terrorism. That got the biggest response of anything in his speech.
So with those things in mind, we thought it would be interesting to get at this question this morning, which is -- Who will keep America safer, President Bush or John Kerry?
And you can e-mail us at am@cnn.com.
And obviously, if there is a terrorist incident, that could change the equation or not. It's an interesting thing to look at since we've never had a presidential campaign quite like this, terrorism being one of the ingredients.
COLLINS: Yes, we've never had an alert issued quite like this before, either, with such specific information.
All right Jack, Andy, thanks so much.
Still to come this morning, a little "90-Second Pop" to brighten up your Monday morning. What do you get when you combine the Osbourne's with the Soprano's? Well, it's growing up Gotti.
Plus, the Long Island Lolita has a warning for any teens who are listening.
All that and more ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
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Aired August 2, 2004 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Specific buildings in three cities named in a terrorist threat. Al Qaeda knew details of the sites down to meeting room locations and a scope of parking entrances. City and state officials promise fast action.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED CITY OFFICIAL: We are deploying a full array of counterterrorism resources.
COLLINS: This morning we'll look at the measures being taken to prevent an attack.
And terror warnings in an election year -- how both sides handle the politics politics of fear on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
COLLINS: Good morning, everybody, an awful lot to cover this morning regarding these new terror alerts and the cities affected -- some of the basic information now.
The department of homeland security has raised its threat level to orange in the financial sectors of Washington, New York City and northern New Jersey. Named as potential targets, the World Bank and IMF building in Washington, the Citigroup buildings and New York Stock Exchange in New York, and the Prudential financial facilities in Newark, New Jersey.
This morning, commercial trucks are being diverted away from entering New York by the Holland tunnel and Brooklyn battery tunnel. This intelligence came to the U.S. over a 72-hour period.
Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge says the information is "based on multiple reporting streams in multiple locations." And we can now confirm that Pakistani sources say they believe the recent arrest of two al Qaeda suspects there explain the new information.
From Manhattan to Washington this morning, we'll find out all about the response to these new warnings when we talk to people making the decisions as well as discuss the financial impact with Andy Serwer.
In just a few minutes, though, we will hear from homeland security director, Tom rage. And in the next hour, we'll talk to Washington D.C. mayor, Anthony Williams.
About 8:30 Eastern time, we will hear from New Jersey governor, Jim McGreevey. And then in the 9:00 hour, were going to talk with New York governor, George Pataki.
Now, we send things over to Bill who is standing by in Grand Rapids. Good morning to you, Bill.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Heidi, good morning to you on a Monday.
If you're wondering why are we here today in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we're following the Kerry campaign for yet another day coming off the heels of the convention last week in Boston.
Grand Rapids, believe it or not, over the weekend has been politics central. President Bush was here on Friday. John Kerry, in a late schedule change on Saturday decided to come here for two events in Grand Rapids today.
We'll get their reaction to these new terror warnings throughout the morning here -- all that coming up. But before we do anything else, back to you, Heidi, in New York.
And we should have, once again, Senator Kerry will be our guest live here on AMERICAN MORNING a bit later this morning from Grand Rapids -- Heidi?
COLLINS: All right, Bill, great. We look forward to that very much. In the meantime, Jack Cafferty is here as well.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Heidi.
It's a campaign unlike any we've had in recent history being waged against the backdrop of the real possibility of terrorists attacking on American soil. It could be the wild-card in the election.
We'll take a look at how you feel about the two candidates in regards to the possibility of keeping us safe from terrorism. And that's coming up in just a couple of minutes.
COLLINS: All right, Jack, thanks so much for that.
I want to get straight to the latest now on the terror threat warning and about some of the potential targets.
The CNN's Jeanne Meserve is with us this morning in Washington. Mary Snow is at the Citigroup building in New York. And we began this morning with Deb Feyerick who is at the New York Stock Exchange.
Deb, good morning to you.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Heidi, I'll tell you. What some may see as a vulnerable target now one of the most protected sites in all of New York City, the New York Stock Exchange. Police very visible, some of them very highly armed. The same situation playing itself out at the Citigroup building as well, the Citigroup headquarters.
Trucks are being screened. Heating and air-conditioning units secured to make sure that nobody tries to attack the building that way.
Now intelligence from several sources in several locations indicate that terror operatives that were in New York City scouting these various locations, conducting surveillance not only on building security systems but also on parking garages as well.
The police Commissioner here in New York says that intelligence indicates that the operatives might use some sort of a conventional truck bomb or other explosive.
The threat, while specific about the targets, does not indicate the time frame. So nobody knows when or when this kind of attack might occur, but the city's mayor showing defiance. He will be here at the New York Stock Exchange ringing the bell to let people know the city is open for business -- Heidi?
COLLINS: All right. And we will see that in just a little while from now. Thanks so much, Deb Feyerick this morning.
I want to turn things over to Mary Snow now standing by at the Citigroup buildings. Mary, good morning.
MARY SNOW, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Heidi. We're outside of the banking headquarters of Citigroup. There are several locations of Citigroup throughout the city, and this is the banking headquarters, one of the tallest buildings in midtown of Manhattan.
As you might be able to see behind me, there are a couple of workers right now on line. Security officers are outside the building checking bags. Know that security has been stepped up. It began to increase on Friday evening.
Over the weekend, Citigroup did e-mail its employees saying that it was, has ongoing efforts to protect its employees and that it's increased the level of security measures for employees at its New York City buildings.
Now we do know also that at 9 a.m. this morning, the CEO of Citigroup, Chuck Prince (ph), is going to be holding a Web cast for employees talking to just a couple of people going into work today saying that while they are aware of these terrorist warnings, this is something that they've become used to. But they felt that they were going to come to work and they just had to get through the day -- Heidi?
COLLINS: All right, Mary Snow, thanks for that.
And now to Jeanne Meserve standing by in Washington for the latest there.
Jeanne, hello.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Heidi.
Mayor Anthony Williams says the whole city of Washington D.C. is effectively on orange. And additional protective measures are being taken around the World Bank and the International Monetary fund named by Secretary Ridge, but also around other financial institutions like the Federal Reserve and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
Surveillance cameras have been activated. And though officials say there are no plans for road closures at this point, they will be doing checks of trucks, SUVs even limousines because of concern about truck or car bombs.
The IMF and the World Bank will both be open for business this morning. Security is being increased though neither the World Bank nor the IMF will be specific about the steps they are taking.
This morning, things appear normal in the area apart from a few road cones. And as you can see, police there with dogs in the vicinity.
The word from city officials, go about your business. Don't let the terrorists win, but be vigilant and report any unusual activity to law-enforcement.
Heidi, back to you.
COLLINS: All right, Jeanne Meserve live from Washington this morning. Jeanne, thanks so much for that.
It is the first time the government has issued such specific terror warnings. The threat level is now orange, or high, for financial centers in New York, Newark, New Jersey and Washington, D.C.
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge joins us from Washington to talk about the new terror alert.
Tell us, what is the purpose of raising the terror threat level to orange only in the financial sector?
TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: The rationale behind focusing on the financial sector is really based on the analysis of all the information we've uncovered in the past, and analyzed, over the past 24-48 hours.
The specific targeting of the buildings that we identified yesterday showed clearly an interest in trying to effect, in their jaded minds, the jaded minds of the terrorists, somehow influence the economy, undermine the economy of United States.
And we had very specific information about these locations and thought it was very important to relate that to the people that work there, to the community leaders and the like. But it seemed right then, the information we have now is the emphasis was on the financial sector in the three areas that we mentioned. COLLINS: All right. Also, CNN has learned from through the Pakistani information minister, two people of interest to you that were captured in Pakistan, Mohammed N. Hoffman, Mohemmed Nyin Norcan (ph) and Ahmed Kalfan Ghailani, was it the information that those two people had that led to this increased terror threat level?
RIDGE: Well, I think it's important to know that there are multiple sources of information, that, frankly playing good offense oversees. Great credit goes to our military and CIA and the like as well as a lot of our allies.
So, there are several sources. We're not going to comment on the sources, but again it was a very aggressive interaction of the United States and our allies to be able to secure this information.
COLLINS: Does this indicate though, Secretary Ridge, that there is a planned and coordinated attack in the works and it's just a matter of when?
RIDGE: Well it certainly indicates they've taken a long, hard look at several sites. That taken in conjunction with the continuous reference to trying to undermine our democratic process. There was no mention of when an attack could occur, but we don't have the luxury of guessing. We have to try to do more and better every single day to prevent an attack regardless of where it will occur.
So, I would say to you that we identified these particular targets, but that doesn't mean not only in New York City and Washington and northern New Jersey, but every day around the country in every city, we're looking to add additional measures to make us safer.
COLLINS: Yesterday -- let's talk a little bit about what to do now. Yesterday you said that with the information comes action.
What sort of action will the department of homeland security, as well as the leaders of these corporations mentioned, be taking today?
RIDGE: Well I think the employees at these institutions will probably notice a change in security right away this morning. And the owners of the buildings and the companies and their leadership will be sitting down with the FBI and with our folks at homeland security as well as local securities professionals to see what additional security measures.
You may already see some change in routing around some of these buildings. So again, all this information was churned and analyzed, and it's still an ongoing process as we continue to review these sources and deal with them over the past 24-36 hours.
But we'll make immediate adjustments. I think some of them have been made. And over the next day or two, I suspect you'll see even more. Object -- protect these communities; protect these employees; protect Washington and New York and northern New Jersey.
But I have to state again, every single day around the country, people are doing more to use additional people, man or technology, to make our country safer.
COLLINS: But quickly, today, business as usual?
RIDGE: Today business as usual. I guess if I have had hope or an aspiration, I'd like to see the market go up so we could send a signal to bin Laden and his crew -- you're smart, we're smarter; you're tough, we're tougher; you are resolved, we are more resolved. We have a strong economy before you tried to disrupt us and bring the horror and devastation of September 11th, and we're going to have a strong economy after we bring you to justice, too.
COLLINS: We will not be leaving this story for long this morning. Just ahead we'll look at the potential impact for the financial markets. And in our next our, Washington, D.C. mayor Anthony Williams will join us live to talk about the elevated warning there.
Again, that is at 8:00 a.m. Eastern.
For now, we turn things over to my colleague, Bill Hemmer, standing by in Grand Rapids, Michigan this morning.
Bill, good morning, again.
HEMMER: Heidi, good morning again to you.
The former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean charging yesterday on CNN that the decision to raise the terror threat level may have been an effort to help President Bush politically.
Here is some of what he said yesterday with Wolf Blitzer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOWARD DEAN, FMR. VERMONT GOVERNOR: I am concerned that every time something happens that's not good for President Bush he plays this trump card, which is terrorism.
His whole campaign is based on the notion that I can keep you safe, therefore in times of difficulty for America stick with me. And then and out comes Tom Ridge.
It's just impossible to know how much of this is real and how much of this is politics, and I suspect there is some of both in it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Howard Dean's remarks quickly denounced by the Democratic senator Joe Lieberman yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE LIEBERMAN (D), CONNECTICUT: I don't think anybody who has any fairness or is in their right mind would think that the president or the secretary of homeland security would raise an alert level and scare people for political reasons. That's outrageous. (END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Now the Kerry campaign rejecting any suggestion that the terror alert might be hyped in a statement from a senior adviser released yesterday, saying in part now, and quoting, "John Kerry and John Edwards will bring all aspects of our nation's power to crush al Qaeda and destroy terrorist networks. No matter what threats we may face the terrorists will not divide us."
That statement from the campaign.
Back here in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that's where we find ourself today, some of the big news from this campaign today will be the plan that is now put forward, "Our Plan For America: Stronger At Home, Respected Around The World," 250-plus pages.
We'll get into this throughout the morning here.
Also, there's new polling numbers from CNN-"USA Today" Gallup showing that for the first time since 1972 a candidate did not get a bounce after his convention.
Senator Kerry our guest later this morning in our 9:00 a.m. hour. We'll talk a lot about these issues with him.
In a moment, Michigan's governor, Jennifer Granholm joins us again here on AMERICAN MORNING. She'll talk about these issues as well.
Our coverage continues along with the election express, CNN's bus going coast-to-coast right along with the campaign.
We are live in Grand Rapids, where I mentioned earlier today, this is really politics central, believe it or not, a town of 200,000 seeing President Bush on Friday; and John Kerry holding two events here in this town in the western part of the state of Michigan -- 17 electoral votes up for grabs in a key battleground state.
More in a moment, but to my colleague, Kelly Wallace, now working with us today in other news this morning back in New York City.
Good morning, Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Bill, and good morning everyone.
We begin in Iraq where there are reports that another U.S. soldier has died from wounds suffered in a roadside bombing over the weekend. The blast initially killed one American outside of Samara, northwest of Baghdad.
Meanwhile, Iraqi officials blame insurgents leader Abu Musab Al- Zarqawi for a series of attacks on the country's minority Christians. At least seven people were killed and 61 injured in car bombings at five churches yesterday. In Paraguay, three days of national mourning have begun after a deadly fire raged through a crowded supermarket. Officials say the blaze followed by two explosions killed at least 275 people including many children.
Some witnesses say victims were trapped inside the three-story building because the exits had been locked to avoid robberies, a claim denied by the supermarket owner.
The sexual history of Kobe Bryant's accuser may soon become public information. A Colorado judge today is expected to release remaining transcripts from a closed-door hearing involving the woman.
The transcripts had been accidentally e-mailed to news organizations in June. The judge apologized to the accuser Friday for the mistake.
And in sports, Jimmy Johnson (ph) won his fourth Nextel cup of the year by taking the Pennsylvania 500 at the Pocono Raceway. Johnson led for 124 of the 200 laps in completing a sweeping of the two races at Pocono.
Johnson also increased his lead in the driver standings to 232 points over Jeff Gordon, who ran fifth.
I don't know a lot about car racing. Heidi, back to you.
COLLINS: You just hope for a fast track, how about that?
WALLACE: I hope they move quickly.
COLLINS: Good. Kelly Wallace, thanks so much for that.
WALLACE: Sure.
COLLINS: Still to come this morning, the latest on the search for Lori Hacking. Her family asked volunteers to stop searching and it might be because of something Lori's husband said.
Also ahead, a state of emergency after severe weather in one major metro area, we'll show you what's going on there.
And John Kerry is on GOP turf this morning in one of the big battleground states. We'll talk to that states governor and see what Kerry has to do to have a shot at winning.
It's all ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Welcome back, everyone. We are live in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The convention over for the Democrats, we're waiting on the Republicans for one month away in New York City. The battleground battle now well underway over the weekend. Here in the state of of Michigan, a key swing state, it could go either way based on the latest polling numbers -- 17 electoral votes up for grabs here in Michigan.
And the governor is here with us now, Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm live in East Lansing, this morning.
Governor, thanks again for your time today. This is becoming a weekly habit with our discussions with you, but we appreciate your time.
And yesterday, Howard Dean suggesting that they may be a role of politics playing in these terror threat alerts. Do you see that as a possibility?
GOV. JENNIFER GRANHOLM (D), MICHIGAN: I just don't think that's the case. I think this is too serious to be playing politics with it. I don't think that anybody in the Kerry camp would say that, either.
And so, I believe that we should all take very seriously these threats and not assume that there's an ulterior motive.
HEMMER: If we push on to the polling that CNN-"USA Today" and Gallup did after the convention in Boston concluded, on the screen, among registered voters in a two-way race without Ralph Nader involved, John Kerry leads George Bush 50 to 47 percent. However, when that is among likely voters, George Bush has the lead 50 to 47.
What explains these numbers? And what is your explanation as to why for the first time in 32 years a candidate did not get a bounce out of his convention?
GRANHOLM: I think there were a couple of other polls that showed a slight bounce. But everybody knew that going in to the convention that because the electorate is so polarized, because there's only about 6 percent or so that are undecided, that there would not be a significant bounce after this convention.
I don't think anybody on the Democratic side was expecting that there would be. So, it doesn't surprise me at all. We always knew this was going to be close. It's certainly close in Michigan. It's close in the other battleground states.
And I think John Kerry has to keep doing what he's doing today, which is coming right to the heart of people in Michigan to persuade them that he is the right choice for America.
HEMMER: Here in Grand Rapids, though, it's pretty much Republican country. Gerald Ford grew up here. Just about everything in this town is named after President Ford.
What explains why -- we were also supposed to be in Flint (ph), Michigan at this time come late Saturday. A late change in the schedule after President Bush was here on Friday. Why make that shift in the schedule on behalf of John Kerry? GRANHOLM: Well again, I think it's very important for John Kerry to go after those who may be moderate Republicans -- which, by the way, Gerald Ford was -- who may be undecided Independents, those who just may not have made up their minds yet.
And again, it's so narrow, but a lot of those are up for grabs in Grand Rapids. I'm a Democrat. I'm a centrist. I did very well in Grand Rapids despite the overall GOP leanings. I think John Kerry is very smart to go right to the heart of it and make a persuasive case.
There still are a majority of Americans who feel like the country is on the wrong track, and John Kerry is in a perfect position to say why he would make us stronger at home and more respected in the world.
HEMMER: Jennifer Granholm is the governor from Michigan. We'll see later at our location here in Grand Rapids.
GRANHOLM: OK.
HEMMER: A bit later this morning.
GRANHOLM: Very good.
HEMMER: Thank you, governor.
Also, later this morning in our 9:00 a.m. Eastern time hour, I'll be talking directly one-on-one with Senator John Kerry. He is our guest as well here in Grand Rapids -- more in a moment here at the bottom of the hour.
Back to Heidi now with more in New York.
COLLINS: All right, Bill, thanks so much.
Time for our first check of the forecast now and a look at tropical storm Alex. Chad Myers is at the CNN Center with the very latest.
So this thing is just going to brush North Carolina and not going to really hit landfall.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Certainly is. It really looks pretty good right now, or bad, depending on your point of view.
It's become a little bit more organized in the overnight powers, Heidi. It does look like it's traveling on up toward the north, at least toward the north, northeast. And it will be brushing the coast of South Carolina and also in to North Carolina.
(WEATHER BREAK)
MYERS: We'll have to keep watching.
COLLINS: The folks in Cape Hatteras very happy to hear that after what they went through several months ago. Chad Myers, thanks so much for that this morning. Still to come, more on the heightened terror alert in several cities this morning including why terrorists might pick the specific targets in the latest warning. Andy Serwer is "Minding Your Business."
Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: The latest terror alerts. Why were these companies in these buildings targeted?
Andy Serwer is joining us this morning minding our business this morning.
We heard over the weekend a lot of analysts saying they're really trying to hit at the heart of capitalism, something we've heard before.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: That's right, disrupting our economy, Heidi, kind of grim news this morning, obviously.
Let's take a run through the five institutions apparently targeted by al Qaeda. The New York Stock Exchange, obviously an icon of U.S. capitalism -- security had been very tight since 9/11. There is a backup facility if this location is destroyed, in any way, that can get up and running within a day.
Citigroup, the largest financial institution in the world, 59- story skyscraper in midtown Manhattan. Interestingly, largest shareholders -- one of the largest shareholders in this company -- Saudi Prince Awa Ali (ph), a member of the Saudi royal family.
Over in New Jersey, in Newark, Prudential, "own a piece of the rock," one of the largest insurance companies in the world. Interesting why that might be a target, I think because it might be easier in that it's not in downtown Manhattan or Washington D.C. Any disruption there might be visible in Manhattan, however.
The IMF and the World Bank, both institutions that provide aid to overseas governments. The IMF, International Monetary Fund, owned by the United Nations, the World Bank owned by member nations.
Neither one actually owned by the United States government, but critics overseas see these institutions as furthering the agenda of the U.S. government because much of the funding for these two is provided by the U.S. government, Heidi.
COLLINS: Secretary Ridge said that he hopes the markets will actually be up today.
SERWER: Yes.
COLLINS: Any chance of that happening?
SERWER: I don't think that's going to happen. Futures are down this morning. Oil is near $44 a barrel. And it looks like we might see say 50 points down on the Dow, early going. Not so bad, but obviously the markets will be somewhat rattled, I think.
COLLINS: All right. Andy Serwer, thanks so much for that.
SERWER: Your welcome.
COLLINS: Jack Cafferty joining us now. Time for the "Cafferty File" and the "Question of the Day."
CAFFERTY: It's a, Heidi, campaign unlike any we've had in recent history, terrorism very much in the mix as John Kerry and President George W. Bush head toward November. You just heard Andy talking about the specific targets that are in the news this morning.
Other notes before we get to the question.
Coming out of the Democratic convention, John Kerry did not get the usual bounce it any candidate tends to get in the polls following the national political conventions.
Over the weekend, President Bush was speaking in Ohio. He drew his loudest applause from the crowds there when he talked about being tough on terrorism. That got the biggest response of anything in his speech.
So with those things in mind, we thought it would be interesting to get at this question this morning, which is -- Who will keep America safer, President Bush or John Kerry?
And you can e-mail us at am@cnn.com.
And obviously, if there is a terrorist incident, that could change the equation or not. It's an interesting thing to look at since we've never had a presidential campaign quite like this, terrorism being one of the ingredients.
COLLINS: Yes, we've never had an alert issued quite like this before, either, with such specific information.
All right Jack, Andy, thanks so much.
Still to come this morning, a little "90-Second Pop" to brighten up your Monday morning. What do you get when you combine the Osbourne's with the Soprano's? Well, it's growing up Gotti.
Plus, the Long Island Lolita has a warning for any teens who are listening.
All that and more ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
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