Return to Transcripts main page
American Morning
Black Boxes Recovered from Russia Crashes; Interview with NJ Senator Jon Corzine; Pop Culture Stumping; Mysterious Ohio Island Illness
Aired August 25, 2004 - 08:00 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: Just minutes apart, two passenger planes crash in Russia. Was it a synchronized attack by the hands of terrorists?
Three separate and dangerous bacteria, one major outbreak. What is behind a mysterious illness spreading in the Midwest?
And is there someone you work with who doesn't seem quite right? A new study finds workplace psychopaths are more common than you think -- all ahead on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.
COLLINS: Good morning, everybody. I'm Heidi Collins in for Soledad.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Bill Hemmer.
Some of the other news making news this hour -- headlines today.
A big question right now for the people in New Jersey is when precisely Governor Jim McGreevey will resign from office and trigger the next election. We'll talk to one person who may decide that, ultimately -- Senator Jon Corzine from that state possibly a candidate to replace McGreevey, and very popular, too, among Democrats in the State of New Jersey.
COLLINS: That's true. Also, a new study with enormous impact for anyone who drinks a lot of soda or other sugar-sweetened drinks. Not only can they make you gain a lot weight, the health risks from diabetes are much higher than you may realize. Sanjay Gupta is going to talk more about that.
HEMMER: And a very important story, too. Just drink water.
COLLINS: Yes.
HEMMER: Be OK.
Good morning, Jack.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: I drink a lot of soda.
HEMMER: Yes? Drink water. It's going to be better for you. CAFFERTY: I don't like water.
HEMMER: Go with me on this.
CAFFERTY: I like soda. I like soda. I drink a lot of sodas.
It's Wednesday, that means we're taking a look at the things people say that got our attention, including the reason that rock star Bono says he would never run for president of the United States. That's probably a good thing. And one of the biggest stars of action films says that they're a lot like porn movies.
COLLINS: Ouch. OK, we're going to go now to Carol Costello at the CNN Center with a look at what is happening in the news this morning.
Carol, hello once again.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, Heidi. I didn't know what that meant either, but I'm excited to find out eventually.
On to the news now -- the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the influential Shia leader, is back in Iraq. Al-Sistani returned from London earlier today where he was undergoing medical treatment. He's calling on his followers to march in Najaf and to reclaim the city from rebel leaders.
In the meantime, fighting rages in Fallujah for a second day. U.S. troops say they launched air and ground strikes after being fired on by militants.
In Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, military hearings continue this morning with the focus on an Australian man accused of fighting alongside the Taliban. David Hicks is expected to enter a not guilty plea in the case of war crimes charges and allegations he fired on U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Hicks' family arrived in Cuba yesterday and is questioning the impartiality of these hearings.
Vice President Dick Cheney is drawing criticism from supporters of a ban on same-sex marriage. The vice president has said he disagrees with President Bush's call for a Constitutional amendment that would limit marriage to heterosexual couples. Speaking to an Iowa audience, he said, quote, "Freedom means freedom for everybody." Cheney has a daughter who is gay.
Testimony is set to continue this morning in the Scott Peterson murder trial. Amber Frey left the court yesterday after defense attorney Mark Geragos concluded his cross-examination. At issue were some 40 wiretapped telephone calls between Frey and Peterson. Prosecutors contend that Peterson's relationship with Frey was a motive for murder. Peterson has pleaded not guilty to charges he killed his wife and unborn child.
Back to New York and Bill now.
HEMMER: Carol, thanks for that. This morning, officials in Russia say they've recovered the black boxes from two jetliners that mysteriously crashed just minutes apart from each other yesterday. The crash sites -- about 450 miles apart. The first plane went down near Tula, about 100 miles south of Moscow. The second plane crashed in Rostov region. Both planes took off from Moscow's domestic airport yesterday. There are three airports in the city of Moscow.
Wreckage from the plane has been found. Eighty-nine passengers and crew on board both aircraft. No reports of any survivors. We're told both planes disappeared from radar within three minutes of one another. Witnesses telling the Russian news agency, Interfax, that they saw the first plane explode before it crashed. Interfax quoting a Russian security source who said the second plane transmitted a signal used to indicate a hijacking or severe problem onboard. Terrorism has not been ruled out, but so, too, has a number of things not been ruled out.
Jessica Stern, a terrorism expert, author of "Terror in the Name of God," is our guest this morning live in Watertown, Massachusetts. And thank you for your time, Ms. Stern. There's a awful lot we do not know.
Let's try and focus on what we do know at this point. When it comes to the Chechen rebels and their assaults within Russia proper, have we ever known the Chechen rebels to attack the airline industry before in Russia?
JESSICA STERN, TERRORISM EXPERT: Well, the Russian rebels have carried out many, many attacks, including the most lethal attack of a theater in Moscow, which resulted in more than 100 people dying. Actually, the Russian government came in and used a poison gas to try to stop this hostage-taking.
They're extremely violent, there's no question about that. We don't know at this point whether they're responsible for the tragic crashes that occurred.
HEMMER: How strong is the connection with al Qaeda?
STERN: There is, I believe, a clear link with al Qaeda. Of course, this is somewhat controversial, but I can tell you that I, myself, have seen Chechens studying in a Madrassa in Pakistan known to be linked with the Taliban. And I think there's very strong indication that they're linked with al Qaeda.
HEMMER: The president of Chechnya was killed this past spring. He was blown up, essential, at a soccer stadium there. There were elections scheduled for this weekend, as well. Do we know of any warnings that went out through the Russian government prior to the elections this weekend?
STERN: Well, the Russian government was deeply concerned about violence in advance of the elections. These elections are taking place in a climate of great anxiety and suspicion, and the Chechen rebels -- who I think would do anything they could to undermine the Russian government and undermine those elections.
It's a horrible situation there.
HEMMER: Jessica Stern, thanks for your time, in Watertown, Massachusetts, this morning.
STERN: Thank you.
HEMMER: All right -- Heidi?
COLLINS: Should New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey stay, or should he leave office now? The controversy continues this morning with mounting pressure by state Republicans to get McGreevey out of the state house before September 3rd.
Democratic Senator Jon Corzine is being asked to help in that push. He also says he'd be interested in the governor's job. Senator Corzine is joining us now from Washington. Senator, thanks for being with us this morning.
SEN. JON CORZINE (D), NEW JERSEY: Good morning, Heidi.
COLLINS: I want to ask you about something here: New Jersey State Senator Raymond Lesniak -- a McGreevey friend, of course -- is saying this that the governor told him. Let's look at the screen here -- "They can cut my heart out and drag my body through the streets of Trenton, and still I won't leave early."
If this were you, senator, would you stay until the 15th, or would you go?
CORZINE: You know, I think every individual has to look at what's in the best interest of the state. They obviously are going to look at their personal considerations -- their family, in particular. You weigh and balance those things differently.
I might have come up with a different answer, looking at the same set of facts. The reality is this question is moot. The governor has said he is not going to resign before November 15th. I think, actually, the controversy ought to be set behind us.
There is a Constitutional process that goes forward. Senator Dick Codey, who is a quite credible state senator, will fulfill the Constitutional role of interim governor until the next election. And while it's interesting to debate, the governor says he's not leaving, and I accept that.
COLLINS: But given that, senator, you have said that there is a crisis of confidence in New Jersey. Is this the best way to handle things for the people of the state?
CORZINE: As I said, Heidi, other people might look at the same circumstances and come up with a different conclusion. I think, actually, perpetuating whether he's going to resign between now and the next eight days, which is when the Constitution would then preclude there being an election, I just don't think is relevant. He is absolute in his commitment to -- judgment that he ought to stay. There might be a better way, but it's not the judgment that he's come to, and he has the Constitutional ability to do those things. And in fact, he can use this interim period, where he will truly be free of the tugs and pulls of politics, I think do some very good things on good government: campaign finance reform; do away with pay for play, which you can do with executive orders. He can work to clean up our child welfare system. Deal with the issues at hand.
Would I think -- maybe ought to be an election? Well, that's the way our democracy works. But by the way, in this process, there would be no primary. So, there'd be a selection of the candidate. So, it's not -- it wouldn't be a complete electoral process. And so, you know, I could make the case that you could do this either way. It doesn't matter. The judgment's been made by the governor.
COLLINS: True. But as I'm sure you're well aware, there is a radio ad going on now in the state. The Republicans have launched this. And they actually say that you have contributed to this, quote, "crisis" for the people of New Jersey.
What do you have to say to that?
CORZINE: Well, first of all, it's rather bizarre that people are running ads against somebody that's not running for something. If they wanted to attack me on my service to the United States Senate, I guess that would be appropriate, because they didn't think I was doing the right kind of job: voting to try to have fiscal sanity; to have real oversight of our war in Iraq; to try to push for healthcare; and a transportation bill that's going to serve the people of New Jersey.
If that's what they're criticizing me on, that's fine. I think on all these other issues, it's just a political editorial that is trying to either soften me up for some future race or just get a little better air time for themselves.
COLLINS: Will there be a future race?
CORZINE: Pardon?
COLLINS: Will there be a future race?
CORZINE: Well, I certainly am considering running in 2006 for the Senate. And I will look seriously in 2005, and whether I think that what I believe is an uncomfortable feeling by the people of New Jersey about how our state government has worked.
And you know, it's across the board. It's at the county level. It's at the state level. There is a crisis. We've had numerable individuals in public service indicted, some in jail, all kinds of controversies that don't have to deal -- do with the good people of New Jersey and what is their interest? Good schools, good health care, a good education system, all that stuff.
COLLINS: Senator Jon Corzine, appreciate your time this morning from New Jersey. Appreciate it -- Bill. HEMMER: Election year shenanigans are the target of jokes every night on the nation's late-night comedy shows.
But as national correspondent Kelly Wallace reports, these shows can also make a presidential candidate more likable to the public as well.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATL. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): John Kerry, facing attacks on his Vietnam record, doesn't turn to Brokaw, Barbara, or Blitzer -- he sits down with comedian Jon Stewart.
JON STEWART, COMEDIAN: I watch a lot of the cable news shows, so I understand that apparently you were never in Vietnam.
(LAUGHTER)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: That's what I understand, too. But I'm trying to find out what happened.
STEWART: Were you or were you not in Cambodia on Christmas Eve? They said -- you said five miles, they said three!
(LAUGHTER)
WALLACE: It has become politics 101. When you are criticized for being stiff, even one of your own supporters, comedian Billy Crystal joking, "If you're having a good time, tell your face," then you try to show your lighter side.
KERRY: I've been in some -- you'd be amazed of the number of people who want to introduce themselves to you in the men's room.
STEWART: Really?
WALLACE: Senator Kerry went this route before. Remember last year when political analysts were writing him off? He got on a Harley on "The Tonight Show" to rev up his sagging campaign.
Call it pop culture stumping. The man would show how successful he can be -- Bill Clinton, tooting his own horn on "The Arsenio Hall Show" in 1992.
ALLAN LICHTMAN, PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN: There's no question that Clinton's appearance on "Arsenio Hall" did more for him than any detailed policy analysis. (INAUDIBLE) brilliant Clinton ever came up with.
WALLACE: After that, there was Al Gore poking fun of himself on Letterman in 2000.
AL GORE (D), FMR. VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Remember, America, I gave you the Internet, and I can take it away. Think about it.
WALLACE: And the same year on Oprah, George W. Bush showing his kinder, gentler side.
(on camera): These visits are also about trying to reach new audiences, win votes from people who don't necessarily watch the news, and might not like politicians much either.
(voice-over): And so, making the late-night and talk show rounds has become a requirement in presidential politics. Perhaps even more important in an election where a small number of undecided voters could make the difference.
Kelly Wallace, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Fewer than 10 weeks to go. Kelly, thanks for that.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: Still to come this morning, there's an alarming new study out on the health risks of soda. We're "Paging Dr. Gupta" on that. He'll tell us what it's all about.
HEMMER: Also ahead, are you sitting next to a psychopath at work.
COLLINS: Why are you looking at me?
HEMMER: I'm not looking. I'm just asking.
Some surprising news about what it takes to get ahead in the business world, this hour.
COLLINS: Also, a mystery illness turns into a major outbreak on a quaint tourist island. What's being done to contain it? We'll talk to a health official there, ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: From Ohio, almost 900 people who visited an island resort on Lake Erie became violently sick, and no one knows why. The place is South Bass Island, hugely popular in the summertime.
Holly Firfer tries to get some answers for us this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HOLLY FIRFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Eight-hundred and ninety-three people visit an Ohio island resort and get sick. Now 162 additional people report the same gastrointestinal illness symptoms, and state health officials are stumped. Something is in the water, or the food, and they just don't know what it is.
What they do know is lab tests confirm 11 cases of campylobacter, three cases of neurovirus and one person with salmonella.
STEPHEN OSTROFF: It's not typical to have more than one different type of germ causing an outbreak. However, it's important to point out that it's not unheard of.
FIRFER: The CDC, the EPA and Ohio Department of Agriculture have been called in to help with the investigation.
Tuesday health officials began an environmental assessment, surveying, inspecting and sampling drinking and waste water for possible cross-contamination. Initial results are not expected until the end of the week.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm not drinking any water or anything that has any kind of water substance to it.
FIRFER: Health officials have not closed the island, but warn residents and visitors to drink bottled water, cook food thoroughly and wash their hands often. All three gastrointestinal illnesses cause the same flu-like symptoms: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, headache as muscle aches. All usually take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days to start making you feel sick.
Salmonella and campylobacter can be treated with antibiotics. Neurovirus is a highly communicable disease with no treatment, but health officials say a healthy person should recover. The very young, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk and must be vigilant.
Holly Firfer, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Now from Columbus, Ohio, Dr. J. Nick Baird, director of Ohio's Department of Health in Columbus.
Doctor, good morning to you.
DR. J. NICK BAIRD, DIR. OHIO DEPT. OF HEALTH: Good morning.
HEMMER: Any closer to getting an answer here?
BAIRD: I think we are. I think we've moved from phase one, which is to try to determine the cause into this environmental assessment, and all of the sampling, and inspections and surveying we do hopefully will provide answers here in the near term.
HEMMER: So, then, where's your focus, Doctor?
BAIRD: We're focused on water. We haven't ruled out other causes, like food. But really, we're looking at water, waste water and potential for cross-contamination.
HEMMER: Is there a possibility that perhaps a sewage line has busted?
BAIRD: That's certainly a possibility, and that's why we have EPA involved, along with ODNR and agriculture. We've got 30 people on the island really working day and night. We've got three teams looking. That's what we're doing.
HEMMER: When we talked with your department about a week ago, there were about 300 reported cases. Since that time, the number has tripled. What explains that?
BAIRD: Well, I think it's an increased awareness -- the fact that we put up an information line, so people are calling in. And I think that really is -- has -- we've cast this wide net to try to determine anybody that may have had contact with the island or had symptoms. And so, I think that we're seeing increasing numbers.
HEMMER: You talk optimistically almost. I hear something in your voice there that says you're close to determining this. Is that...
BAIRD: Well, I think this heightened awareness has also made people a little more likely to take precautions when they're on the island. And we -- we haven't seen a decrease in the number of folks visiting. So, yes, I think that with what we're about, we're getting closer. It's hard to say when, but hopefully we'll get resolution soon.
HEMMER: You've alluded to it in your first answer: you days away or weeks away at this point?
BAIRD: I think probably weeks.
HEMMER: Put-in-Bay's hugely popular in the summertime, as you well know, on Lake Erie. What would close that island?
BAIRD: You know, and as long as we can provide travel advisories, provide health information so that folks can take the precautions they need to, it would be unlikely that we'd close it with the current set of circumstances.
HEMMER: You don't seem to be too worried.
BAIRD: Well, we're concerned. There's no question. This is a large outbreak, and we're doing everything that we can to contain it. And again, that's why we put the resources, that's why the CDC's on site.
So, certainly we're concerned, but I think -- I think we're really making progress. We're where we'd like to be on the three phases of an investigation. So, we're on target.
HEMMER: Finally here -- and there's a number on the screen in case viewers at home need information about it -- what are the symptoms people need to look out for?
BAIRD: Fever, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
HEMMER: Dr. J. Nick Baird, director of the Ohio Department of Health in Columbus. Thank you, Doctor, and best of luck to you.
BAIRD: Thank you. HEMMER: When you get some answers, come back and talk, OK? We'll do it again.
BAIRD: We'll certainly do it.
HEMMER: All right, thank you again.
In a moment, a statement yesterday by the Vice President Dick Cheney in Iowa may show a divide between him and the president on one controversial issue. Our political gurus take a shot at that. Kamber and May -- today it's Kamber and Watkins. Nonetheless, it's good. We'll have it for you in about seven minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Want to check in with Jack now once again and the "Question of the Day."
CAFFERTY: Seventy days until the election -- one less, maybe -- and we're going to elect the next president of the United States. The campaigns are stuck in the mud. That nasty debate about John Kerry's war record in Vietnam -- both campaigns are afraid that these Swift Boat Veterans for Truth will undermine their efforts.
Democrats are concerned about the attacks on Kerry's character and credibility, and Republicans are worried there may be a backlash against President Bush. Ultimately, it appears John Kerry has the most to lose. The question is: Has the swift boat controversy changed your mind about John Kerry?
Walter writes: "John Kerry touts himself as a war veteran, but isn't this the same Kerry who: one, spent only four months there; two came back and called our boys -- my peer -- monsters who committed acts of war; and three, voted consistently in the Senate in a manner most veterans would deplore. John Kerry is a hypocrite."
Tim in Maryland writes: "Why don't the media do like we teach our kids: just say no to negative ads. A person comes up to you, says, 'Please run our ad on your TV station. I have money to pay for the ad.' The TV station takes great pride and says, 'No, we don't run negative ads for any politician.' If you all did this, we would not have this problem." Tim, don't hold your breath.
John in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania: "The controversy has opened my eyes to the methodology used by the right wing. I am no longer calling myself an Independent. Henceforth, call me a Democrat, as I will always vote anti-Republican."
And Grace in Trevose, Pennsylvania: "The way the candidates are acting is an insult and disservice to the voters. If someone throws a rock at you, you either throw a bigger one or let them stone you. I say the voters revolt and we vote Cafferty for president."
HEMMER: Yes.
CAFFERTY: Not a chance. HEMMER: You voting for Jack? I am.
First -- Kerry served two tours. First tour was offshore -- about a mile, I think, on a big Navy ship. But I think the reason why we continue to see this issue and the reason why it has not died down, because the veterans who opposed the testimony he gave in the Senate in the early '70s, that's what ticked them off. And that's why they're not willing to let go of this.
You wonder, when the Republicans come out of New York, if it dies down, but we shall see. Seventy days, you say?
CAFFERTY: Around 69, 70 days -- something like that, yes.
HEMMER: Ticking down. Thank you, Jack.
In a moment here, this new report due out later today on the Iraq prison scandal. "Animal House" is the way one describes it.
Also in a moment, the latest on those near simultaneous plane crashes in Russia. Do officials today know what happened there? Back in a moment, after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired August 25, 2004 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Just minutes apart, two passenger planes crash in Russia. Was it a synchronized attack by the hands of terrorists?
Three separate and dangerous bacteria, one major outbreak. What is behind a mysterious illness spreading in the Midwest?
And is there someone you work with who doesn't seem quite right? A new study finds workplace psychopaths are more common than you think -- all ahead on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.
COLLINS: Good morning, everybody. I'm Heidi Collins in for Soledad.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Bill Hemmer.
Some of the other news making news this hour -- headlines today.
A big question right now for the people in New Jersey is when precisely Governor Jim McGreevey will resign from office and trigger the next election. We'll talk to one person who may decide that, ultimately -- Senator Jon Corzine from that state possibly a candidate to replace McGreevey, and very popular, too, among Democrats in the State of New Jersey.
COLLINS: That's true. Also, a new study with enormous impact for anyone who drinks a lot of soda or other sugar-sweetened drinks. Not only can they make you gain a lot weight, the health risks from diabetes are much higher than you may realize. Sanjay Gupta is going to talk more about that.
HEMMER: And a very important story, too. Just drink water.
COLLINS: Yes.
HEMMER: Be OK.
Good morning, Jack.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: I drink a lot of soda.
HEMMER: Yes? Drink water. It's going to be better for you. CAFFERTY: I don't like water.
HEMMER: Go with me on this.
CAFFERTY: I like soda. I like soda. I drink a lot of sodas.
It's Wednesday, that means we're taking a look at the things people say that got our attention, including the reason that rock star Bono says he would never run for president of the United States. That's probably a good thing. And one of the biggest stars of action films says that they're a lot like porn movies.
COLLINS: Ouch. OK, we're going to go now to Carol Costello at the CNN Center with a look at what is happening in the news this morning.
Carol, hello once again.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, Heidi. I didn't know what that meant either, but I'm excited to find out eventually.
On to the news now -- the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the influential Shia leader, is back in Iraq. Al-Sistani returned from London earlier today where he was undergoing medical treatment. He's calling on his followers to march in Najaf and to reclaim the city from rebel leaders.
In the meantime, fighting rages in Fallujah for a second day. U.S. troops say they launched air and ground strikes after being fired on by militants.
In Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, military hearings continue this morning with the focus on an Australian man accused of fighting alongside the Taliban. David Hicks is expected to enter a not guilty plea in the case of war crimes charges and allegations he fired on U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Hicks' family arrived in Cuba yesterday and is questioning the impartiality of these hearings.
Vice President Dick Cheney is drawing criticism from supporters of a ban on same-sex marriage. The vice president has said he disagrees with President Bush's call for a Constitutional amendment that would limit marriage to heterosexual couples. Speaking to an Iowa audience, he said, quote, "Freedom means freedom for everybody." Cheney has a daughter who is gay.
Testimony is set to continue this morning in the Scott Peterson murder trial. Amber Frey left the court yesterday after defense attorney Mark Geragos concluded his cross-examination. At issue were some 40 wiretapped telephone calls between Frey and Peterson. Prosecutors contend that Peterson's relationship with Frey was a motive for murder. Peterson has pleaded not guilty to charges he killed his wife and unborn child.
Back to New York and Bill now.
HEMMER: Carol, thanks for that. This morning, officials in Russia say they've recovered the black boxes from two jetliners that mysteriously crashed just minutes apart from each other yesterday. The crash sites -- about 450 miles apart. The first plane went down near Tula, about 100 miles south of Moscow. The second plane crashed in Rostov region. Both planes took off from Moscow's domestic airport yesterday. There are three airports in the city of Moscow.
Wreckage from the plane has been found. Eighty-nine passengers and crew on board both aircraft. No reports of any survivors. We're told both planes disappeared from radar within three minutes of one another. Witnesses telling the Russian news agency, Interfax, that they saw the first plane explode before it crashed. Interfax quoting a Russian security source who said the second plane transmitted a signal used to indicate a hijacking or severe problem onboard. Terrorism has not been ruled out, but so, too, has a number of things not been ruled out.
Jessica Stern, a terrorism expert, author of "Terror in the Name of God," is our guest this morning live in Watertown, Massachusetts. And thank you for your time, Ms. Stern. There's a awful lot we do not know.
Let's try and focus on what we do know at this point. When it comes to the Chechen rebels and their assaults within Russia proper, have we ever known the Chechen rebels to attack the airline industry before in Russia?
JESSICA STERN, TERRORISM EXPERT: Well, the Russian rebels have carried out many, many attacks, including the most lethal attack of a theater in Moscow, which resulted in more than 100 people dying. Actually, the Russian government came in and used a poison gas to try to stop this hostage-taking.
They're extremely violent, there's no question about that. We don't know at this point whether they're responsible for the tragic crashes that occurred.
HEMMER: How strong is the connection with al Qaeda?
STERN: There is, I believe, a clear link with al Qaeda. Of course, this is somewhat controversial, but I can tell you that I, myself, have seen Chechens studying in a Madrassa in Pakistan known to be linked with the Taliban. And I think there's very strong indication that they're linked with al Qaeda.
HEMMER: The president of Chechnya was killed this past spring. He was blown up, essential, at a soccer stadium there. There were elections scheduled for this weekend, as well. Do we know of any warnings that went out through the Russian government prior to the elections this weekend?
STERN: Well, the Russian government was deeply concerned about violence in advance of the elections. These elections are taking place in a climate of great anxiety and suspicion, and the Chechen rebels -- who I think would do anything they could to undermine the Russian government and undermine those elections.
It's a horrible situation there.
HEMMER: Jessica Stern, thanks for your time, in Watertown, Massachusetts, this morning.
STERN: Thank you.
HEMMER: All right -- Heidi?
COLLINS: Should New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey stay, or should he leave office now? The controversy continues this morning with mounting pressure by state Republicans to get McGreevey out of the state house before September 3rd.
Democratic Senator Jon Corzine is being asked to help in that push. He also says he'd be interested in the governor's job. Senator Corzine is joining us now from Washington. Senator, thanks for being with us this morning.
SEN. JON CORZINE (D), NEW JERSEY: Good morning, Heidi.
COLLINS: I want to ask you about something here: New Jersey State Senator Raymond Lesniak -- a McGreevey friend, of course -- is saying this that the governor told him. Let's look at the screen here -- "They can cut my heart out and drag my body through the streets of Trenton, and still I won't leave early."
If this were you, senator, would you stay until the 15th, or would you go?
CORZINE: You know, I think every individual has to look at what's in the best interest of the state. They obviously are going to look at their personal considerations -- their family, in particular. You weigh and balance those things differently.
I might have come up with a different answer, looking at the same set of facts. The reality is this question is moot. The governor has said he is not going to resign before November 15th. I think, actually, the controversy ought to be set behind us.
There is a Constitutional process that goes forward. Senator Dick Codey, who is a quite credible state senator, will fulfill the Constitutional role of interim governor until the next election. And while it's interesting to debate, the governor says he's not leaving, and I accept that.
COLLINS: But given that, senator, you have said that there is a crisis of confidence in New Jersey. Is this the best way to handle things for the people of the state?
CORZINE: As I said, Heidi, other people might look at the same circumstances and come up with a different conclusion. I think, actually, perpetuating whether he's going to resign between now and the next eight days, which is when the Constitution would then preclude there being an election, I just don't think is relevant. He is absolute in his commitment to -- judgment that he ought to stay. There might be a better way, but it's not the judgment that he's come to, and he has the Constitutional ability to do those things. And in fact, he can use this interim period, where he will truly be free of the tugs and pulls of politics, I think do some very good things on good government: campaign finance reform; do away with pay for play, which you can do with executive orders. He can work to clean up our child welfare system. Deal with the issues at hand.
Would I think -- maybe ought to be an election? Well, that's the way our democracy works. But by the way, in this process, there would be no primary. So, there'd be a selection of the candidate. So, it's not -- it wouldn't be a complete electoral process. And so, you know, I could make the case that you could do this either way. It doesn't matter. The judgment's been made by the governor.
COLLINS: True. But as I'm sure you're well aware, there is a radio ad going on now in the state. The Republicans have launched this. And they actually say that you have contributed to this, quote, "crisis" for the people of New Jersey.
What do you have to say to that?
CORZINE: Well, first of all, it's rather bizarre that people are running ads against somebody that's not running for something. If they wanted to attack me on my service to the United States Senate, I guess that would be appropriate, because they didn't think I was doing the right kind of job: voting to try to have fiscal sanity; to have real oversight of our war in Iraq; to try to push for healthcare; and a transportation bill that's going to serve the people of New Jersey.
If that's what they're criticizing me on, that's fine. I think on all these other issues, it's just a political editorial that is trying to either soften me up for some future race or just get a little better air time for themselves.
COLLINS: Will there be a future race?
CORZINE: Pardon?
COLLINS: Will there be a future race?
CORZINE: Well, I certainly am considering running in 2006 for the Senate. And I will look seriously in 2005, and whether I think that what I believe is an uncomfortable feeling by the people of New Jersey about how our state government has worked.
And you know, it's across the board. It's at the county level. It's at the state level. There is a crisis. We've had numerable individuals in public service indicted, some in jail, all kinds of controversies that don't have to deal -- do with the good people of New Jersey and what is their interest? Good schools, good health care, a good education system, all that stuff.
COLLINS: Senator Jon Corzine, appreciate your time this morning from New Jersey. Appreciate it -- Bill. HEMMER: Election year shenanigans are the target of jokes every night on the nation's late-night comedy shows.
But as national correspondent Kelly Wallace reports, these shows can also make a presidential candidate more likable to the public as well.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATL. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): John Kerry, facing attacks on his Vietnam record, doesn't turn to Brokaw, Barbara, or Blitzer -- he sits down with comedian Jon Stewart.
JON STEWART, COMEDIAN: I watch a lot of the cable news shows, so I understand that apparently you were never in Vietnam.
(LAUGHTER)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: That's what I understand, too. But I'm trying to find out what happened.
STEWART: Were you or were you not in Cambodia on Christmas Eve? They said -- you said five miles, they said three!
(LAUGHTER)
WALLACE: It has become politics 101. When you are criticized for being stiff, even one of your own supporters, comedian Billy Crystal joking, "If you're having a good time, tell your face," then you try to show your lighter side.
KERRY: I've been in some -- you'd be amazed of the number of people who want to introduce themselves to you in the men's room.
STEWART: Really?
WALLACE: Senator Kerry went this route before. Remember last year when political analysts were writing him off? He got on a Harley on "The Tonight Show" to rev up his sagging campaign.
Call it pop culture stumping. The man would show how successful he can be -- Bill Clinton, tooting his own horn on "The Arsenio Hall Show" in 1992.
ALLAN LICHTMAN, PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN: There's no question that Clinton's appearance on "Arsenio Hall" did more for him than any detailed policy analysis. (INAUDIBLE) brilliant Clinton ever came up with.
WALLACE: After that, there was Al Gore poking fun of himself on Letterman in 2000.
AL GORE (D), FMR. VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Remember, America, I gave you the Internet, and I can take it away. Think about it.
WALLACE: And the same year on Oprah, George W. Bush showing his kinder, gentler side.
(on camera): These visits are also about trying to reach new audiences, win votes from people who don't necessarily watch the news, and might not like politicians much either.
(voice-over): And so, making the late-night and talk show rounds has become a requirement in presidential politics. Perhaps even more important in an election where a small number of undecided voters could make the difference.
Kelly Wallace, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Fewer than 10 weeks to go. Kelly, thanks for that.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: Still to come this morning, there's an alarming new study out on the health risks of soda. We're "Paging Dr. Gupta" on that. He'll tell us what it's all about.
HEMMER: Also ahead, are you sitting next to a psychopath at work.
COLLINS: Why are you looking at me?
HEMMER: I'm not looking. I'm just asking.
Some surprising news about what it takes to get ahead in the business world, this hour.
COLLINS: Also, a mystery illness turns into a major outbreak on a quaint tourist island. What's being done to contain it? We'll talk to a health official there, ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: From Ohio, almost 900 people who visited an island resort on Lake Erie became violently sick, and no one knows why. The place is South Bass Island, hugely popular in the summertime.
Holly Firfer tries to get some answers for us this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HOLLY FIRFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Eight-hundred and ninety-three people visit an Ohio island resort and get sick. Now 162 additional people report the same gastrointestinal illness symptoms, and state health officials are stumped. Something is in the water, or the food, and they just don't know what it is.
What they do know is lab tests confirm 11 cases of campylobacter, three cases of neurovirus and one person with salmonella.
STEPHEN OSTROFF: It's not typical to have more than one different type of germ causing an outbreak. However, it's important to point out that it's not unheard of.
FIRFER: The CDC, the EPA and Ohio Department of Agriculture have been called in to help with the investigation.
Tuesday health officials began an environmental assessment, surveying, inspecting and sampling drinking and waste water for possible cross-contamination. Initial results are not expected until the end of the week.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm not drinking any water or anything that has any kind of water substance to it.
FIRFER: Health officials have not closed the island, but warn residents and visitors to drink bottled water, cook food thoroughly and wash their hands often. All three gastrointestinal illnesses cause the same flu-like symptoms: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, headache as muscle aches. All usually take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days to start making you feel sick.
Salmonella and campylobacter can be treated with antibiotics. Neurovirus is a highly communicable disease with no treatment, but health officials say a healthy person should recover. The very young, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk and must be vigilant.
Holly Firfer, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Now from Columbus, Ohio, Dr. J. Nick Baird, director of Ohio's Department of Health in Columbus.
Doctor, good morning to you.
DR. J. NICK BAIRD, DIR. OHIO DEPT. OF HEALTH: Good morning.
HEMMER: Any closer to getting an answer here?
BAIRD: I think we are. I think we've moved from phase one, which is to try to determine the cause into this environmental assessment, and all of the sampling, and inspections and surveying we do hopefully will provide answers here in the near term.
HEMMER: So, then, where's your focus, Doctor?
BAIRD: We're focused on water. We haven't ruled out other causes, like food. But really, we're looking at water, waste water and potential for cross-contamination.
HEMMER: Is there a possibility that perhaps a sewage line has busted?
BAIRD: That's certainly a possibility, and that's why we have EPA involved, along with ODNR and agriculture. We've got 30 people on the island really working day and night. We've got three teams looking. That's what we're doing.
HEMMER: When we talked with your department about a week ago, there were about 300 reported cases. Since that time, the number has tripled. What explains that?
BAIRD: Well, I think it's an increased awareness -- the fact that we put up an information line, so people are calling in. And I think that really is -- has -- we've cast this wide net to try to determine anybody that may have had contact with the island or had symptoms. And so, I think that we're seeing increasing numbers.
HEMMER: You talk optimistically almost. I hear something in your voice there that says you're close to determining this. Is that...
BAIRD: Well, I think this heightened awareness has also made people a little more likely to take precautions when they're on the island. And we -- we haven't seen a decrease in the number of folks visiting. So, yes, I think that with what we're about, we're getting closer. It's hard to say when, but hopefully we'll get resolution soon.
HEMMER: You've alluded to it in your first answer: you days away or weeks away at this point?
BAIRD: I think probably weeks.
HEMMER: Put-in-Bay's hugely popular in the summertime, as you well know, on Lake Erie. What would close that island?
BAIRD: You know, and as long as we can provide travel advisories, provide health information so that folks can take the precautions they need to, it would be unlikely that we'd close it with the current set of circumstances.
HEMMER: You don't seem to be too worried.
BAIRD: Well, we're concerned. There's no question. This is a large outbreak, and we're doing everything that we can to contain it. And again, that's why we put the resources, that's why the CDC's on site.
So, certainly we're concerned, but I think -- I think we're really making progress. We're where we'd like to be on the three phases of an investigation. So, we're on target.
HEMMER: Finally here -- and there's a number on the screen in case viewers at home need information about it -- what are the symptoms people need to look out for?
BAIRD: Fever, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
HEMMER: Dr. J. Nick Baird, director of the Ohio Department of Health in Columbus. Thank you, Doctor, and best of luck to you.
BAIRD: Thank you. HEMMER: When you get some answers, come back and talk, OK? We'll do it again.
BAIRD: We'll certainly do it.
HEMMER: All right, thank you again.
In a moment, a statement yesterday by the Vice President Dick Cheney in Iowa may show a divide between him and the president on one controversial issue. Our political gurus take a shot at that. Kamber and May -- today it's Kamber and Watkins. Nonetheless, it's good. We'll have it for you in about seven minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Want to check in with Jack now once again and the "Question of the Day."
CAFFERTY: Seventy days until the election -- one less, maybe -- and we're going to elect the next president of the United States. The campaigns are stuck in the mud. That nasty debate about John Kerry's war record in Vietnam -- both campaigns are afraid that these Swift Boat Veterans for Truth will undermine their efforts.
Democrats are concerned about the attacks on Kerry's character and credibility, and Republicans are worried there may be a backlash against President Bush. Ultimately, it appears John Kerry has the most to lose. The question is: Has the swift boat controversy changed your mind about John Kerry?
Walter writes: "John Kerry touts himself as a war veteran, but isn't this the same Kerry who: one, spent only four months there; two came back and called our boys -- my peer -- monsters who committed acts of war; and three, voted consistently in the Senate in a manner most veterans would deplore. John Kerry is a hypocrite."
Tim in Maryland writes: "Why don't the media do like we teach our kids: just say no to negative ads. A person comes up to you, says, 'Please run our ad on your TV station. I have money to pay for the ad.' The TV station takes great pride and says, 'No, we don't run negative ads for any politician.' If you all did this, we would not have this problem." Tim, don't hold your breath.
John in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania: "The controversy has opened my eyes to the methodology used by the right wing. I am no longer calling myself an Independent. Henceforth, call me a Democrat, as I will always vote anti-Republican."
And Grace in Trevose, Pennsylvania: "The way the candidates are acting is an insult and disservice to the voters. If someone throws a rock at you, you either throw a bigger one or let them stone you. I say the voters revolt and we vote Cafferty for president."
HEMMER: Yes.
CAFFERTY: Not a chance. HEMMER: You voting for Jack? I am.
First -- Kerry served two tours. First tour was offshore -- about a mile, I think, on a big Navy ship. But I think the reason why we continue to see this issue and the reason why it has not died down, because the veterans who opposed the testimony he gave in the Senate in the early '70s, that's what ticked them off. And that's why they're not willing to let go of this.
You wonder, when the Republicans come out of New York, if it dies down, but we shall see. Seventy days, you say?
CAFFERTY: Around 69, 70 days -- something like that, yes.
HEMMER: Ticking down. Thank you, Jack.
In a moment here, this new report due out later today on the Iraq prison scandal. "Animal House" is the way one describes it.
Also in a moment, the latest on those near simultaneous plane crashes in Russia. Do officials today know what happened there? Back in a moment, after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
