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American Morning

Interview With Laura Bush; Interview With Bob Kerrey

Aired August 31, 2004 - 07:30   ET

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

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


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back, everyone. It's 7:30 here in New York on day two of the Republican Convention live in Madison Square Garden.
America's first lady has been front and center during the president's re-election campaign. Laura Bush addressing the delegates later tonight here in New York. Right now, she's live in Detroit, Michigan, and joining us here on AMERICAN MORNING.

And thank you for your time. And good to have you back with us here on our program. And good to see you as well.

LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: Thanks.

HEMMER: I want to get to your speech in a moment here. But there are a few things that have been said over the last few days in interviews you've done. And I just want to try and clarify a little bit.

The first thing that was suggested in "TIME" magazine when you were asked about whether or not these ads against John Kerry were unfair or not, you said, not really. There have been millions of terrible ads against my husband. When you say not really, is that has you truly mean?

BUSH: Well, absolutely. I mean, those 527 ads that aren't from either campaign have been against both candidates. A lot of them have been against my husband. And, in fact, my husband and John McCain have both filed suit with the FEC to ask the FEC to rule on getting rid of 527s. And I'm wondering if Senator Kerry will join them in that suit to make sure that 527s aren't there.

HEMMER: Also, with "The New York Post," Mrs. Bush, you were asked, I believe it was over the weekend, about the seven minutes in which your husband sat in that classroom in Florida while the attacks of 9/11 occurred at the Pentagon and also in New York City. You said the attacks of John Kerry questioning your husband's presence in that classroom were absurd. Why is that claim absurd?

BUSH: Well, absolutely, because it was so appropriate for my husband to sit there in front of children for those few minutes. During those few minutes he knew that his staff was trying to get more information to find out what had really happened. And I think it was really appropriate in front of children and in front of the press that was there as well, to let the little girl finish reading and then to get up and leave.

HEMMER: Do you think these are issues that will continue for the next 63 days and be a focus point...

BUSH: No, I don't.

HEMMER: ... for this election?

BUSH: No, I don't think they will be.

HEMMER: And why is that?

BUSH: Because I don't think those are important issues. I mean, we're facing so many very, very important issues. Those are the issues that you heard talked about last night from the Republican Convention, and that you'll hear my husband talk about. And those are the really important issues facing our country right now.

HEMMER: Also, the issues were raised over the weekend here in New York City, depending on what estimate you pay attention to, there were at least 100,000 demonstrators marching on Seventh Avenue here in New York. Perhaps the number went as high as 200,000, depending on which side you're listening to.

When you see those protesters, they are there to do one thing: Make a statement against your husband. When you see the images, what are your impressions?

BUSH: Well, you know, one impression is that we are a free country and that people have the right to protest. And as we look around the world, we know there are a lot of countries where people don't have that right. And certainly in Afghanistan and Iraq, people didn't have that right before. And that's one of our cherished freedoms in the United States.

I also know that there are a lot of people around the United States who want my husband to win, and who are for him, and who support our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, you know, I feel good about those people, too.

HEMMER: Just to follow that up, another comment you gave in that same interview, you said over the course of the past four year, and you reflected on the relationship with your husband. You say at times a lot of this has been very, very tough. At what time was it tough?

BUSH: Sure, absolutely. Well, we have faced very difficult decisions and challenges in our country. Every one of us has since September 11 as we fought the war on terror. All of those decisions that the president had to make, to put young men and women in harm's way, that's the most difficult decision any president has to make. All of those times have been tough.

But they're also very hopeful when you look at what's happened. When you look at Afghanistan, where now 10 million people are registered to vote, 40 percent of those people are women. When you look at little girls back in school in Afghanistan, and when you think that Pakistan is now our ally in the war on terror, that Libya is dismantling their nuclear program, that Saddam Hussein is in a jail cell in Iraq, and the Iraqi Interim Government is governing there. It's very, very hopeful, as well as difficult. But there are a lot of challenges ahead. But I think it's a very hopeful and historic time for the United States of America.

HEMMER: On a different topic, your twin daughters, now age 22, are here in New York City, Barbara and Jenna. They were quoted on a broadcast on AME as saying that the only reason their father is successful is because he is has someone like you behind him.

BUSH: That's pretty terrific for girls to say that, but I don't know if it's true. But it's really nice of them to say that.

HEMMER: There are also some numbers. Quickly, I want to put them on the screen for our viewers and get your response to this, the opinion that you have of Laura Bush, favorable, 63 percent. That's better than your husband. The "L.A. Times" also points out, who better fits your idea of a first lady? Laura Bush, 56 percent, Teresa Heinz Kerry, 26 percent. Your reaction to those numbers.

BUSH: Well, I'm flattered with those numbers. I think that's nice. But, you know, this isn't really a popularity contest, and it's a privilege, in fact. I have the privilege of traveling around our country and meeting people all over the country, who are making a huge difference in the lives of their neighbors and themselves. And that's what I'm really fortunate to be able to do.

HEMMER: Thank you for your time.

BUSH: Thanks.

HEMMER: We'll see you in New York later tonight. Laura Bush, our guest in Detroit, Michigan. Appreciate it.

In addition to the first lady's speech later tonight, also speakers include North Carolina Senator Elizabeth Dole, Senate majority leader Bill Frist, and California Governor, as we had mentioned, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Our coverage starts live at 7:00 Eastern right here in Madison Square Garden.

More in a moment. Back to Heidi now across town -- Heidi.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Bill, thanks.

While the Republicans convene this week, Democrats are in the role of first responders. Bob Kerrey, former Democratic senator and member of the 9/11 Commission, is with us this morning.

Welcome to you. Thanks for being here.

BOB KERREY, FORMER U.S. SENATOR: Good morning.

COLLINS: Senator Kerrey with an "e" in between.

KERREY: That's correct.

COLLINS: I want to get a little bit of reaction from you, if we could, from something that Senator John McCain said last night at the convention. Here is one of the quotes. "I believe as strongly today as ever the mission" -- talking about Iraq -- "was necessary, achievable and noble. For his determination to undertake it and for his unflagging results to it through to a just end. President Bush deserves not only our support but our admiration."

Your thoughts.

KERREY: Well, I agree with the beginning of what John said, and so does John Kerry, in fact. And the problem, though, is that as a consequence of the way the president has done the diplomatic and the political side. I mean, even he secretly ought to hope that John Kerry wins, because John Kerry has got the capacity to be the diplomatic side of this venture to make certain that the victory that George Bush wants and secured. Americans really ought to vote for John Kerry, because he has got the capacity to do those things diplomatically that the president right now simply cannot get done.

COLLINS: But let's look at this poll then, if we could. This is a "Washington Post"/ABC Poll, some new numbers here, talking about who would be more qualified to be commander-in-chief: President Bush at 53 percent, John Kerry at 43 percent.

Now, just a while ago after the Democratic Convention, that number was 8 percentage points higher for John Kerry, quite a difference. Why do you see that happening? Why do you see that number going down?

KERREY: I don't know. I mean, I haven't followed that. I don't know what the internal polling shows. But any time you're a challenger against a president who has made the war on terror and, in fact, war the metaphor, the cause to re-elect him, and your numbers are 43 percent or 44 percent, that's pretty impressive.

So, I think people look at John Kerry and they understand that his full Southeast Asia experience, which dates from '68 and goes to the present, includes the work in Cambodia to get a peace agreement, the normalization of Vietnam. It's a very impressive set of accomplishments, working, by the way, with the first President Bush in 1991 and 1992, John McCain and others, very much a bipartisan effort to end the war, to bring peace to that part of the region. I think people recognize that his experience makes him qualified and will likely make him an exceptional commander-in-chief.

COLLINS: Well, let's talk about the war on terrorism for a moment. I'm sure you heard the comment by President Bush saying I don't think you can win it, again, the war on terrorism. But the Kerry campaign says, well, yes, of course, that war is winnable. What does that mean to the Kerry campaign to say that it's winnable? Determine what that actual word means.

KERREY: Well, first of all, as a member of the 9/11 Commission, we agreed not to use the war on terror in any way as a part of this political campaign. In other words, not to say that John Kerry would be better or George Bush would be worse. So...

COLLINS: But the campaign did respond specifically to that statement by President Bush.

KERREY: Well, the campaign is going have to deal with that. Not me. I mean, the campaign is going have to make the case of what John Kerry will do in the war on terrorism.

The 9/11 Commission did, by the way, say that terrorism is just a tactic used by individuals to try, and groups, to try to either disrupt or destroy the United States of America. And that we should focus our attention on the groups, their motives, where they are, what they're doing, and take the war to them, especially if they make a determination that they're going to kill Americans and their show capability of doing it.

There is no negotiation with individuals that want to do something like that. That's what the 9/11 Commission included.

So, I mean, we can't -- we've agreed not to take a position in this campaign that supports one candidate or another using what we have learned on this commission as the basis for that conclusion.

COLLINS: Understood. Senator Bob Kerrey, thank you so much.

KERREY: You're welcome. Nice to be with you.

COLLINS: Appreciate your time this morning.

(WEATHER BREAK)

HEMMER: In a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING, we'll go back to the diner. Andy is hanging out there, "Minding Your Business." A new study about the effectiveness of a popular cholesterol drug.

And next, more on the Jim McGreevey controversy. Has his accuser decided not to file a lawsuit, and why? Back in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Well, there it is once again, the CNN Diner. Check it out. Lots of people, lots of food. It's a bustling place, 34th Street and Eighth Avenue, right down the way there from Madison Square Garden, where all action is taking place this week.

A surprising announcement now from one of the most conservative members of Congress. Representative Edward Schrock of Virginia says he will not seek a third term. The 63-year-old Republican made the announcement yesterday, saying unspecific allegations have -- quote -- "called into question his ability to serve."

Several GOP colleagues say allegations that Schrock is gay have been making waves for nearly two weeks now. Party officials will meet today to discuss a replacement.

The man who calls Jim McGreevey -- the man who said that Jim McGreevey sexually harassed him is not filing a lawsuit against the New Jersey governor. In a statement, former McGreevey aide Golan Cipel says, despite my strong desire to prove my case in a court of law, I have decided not proceed with my suit.

Allen Lowy and Rachel Yosevitz are Cipel's attorneys.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Ms. Yosevitz, why drop the lawsuit?

RACHEL YOSEVITZ, ATTORNEY FOR GOLAN CIPEL: Well, in bringing a sexual harassment lawsuit, there are only really two things that you can gain. One is to take the oppressor out of the position that he was in, which enabled him to make the sexual advances. And the other thing that you can get is money.

In this case, the money would have come from the state of New Jersey. Here, Mr. Cipel got what it was that he wanted, which was to take Mr. McGreevey out of the ability to do it to anyone else. And this wasn't about money. This was about the governor taking responsibility for what he did to Mr. Cipel.

COLLINS: So, in the past, Mr. Cipel has wanted an apology from the governor. Is that something that took place, then?

YOSEVITZ: Mr. Cipel never said that he wanted an apology. What he said was that he wanted the governor to take responsibility. And in his resignation speech, that's exactly what he did. He took responsibility for what it was that he did.

COLLINS: All right. Well, let me ask you, Mr. Lowy, McGreevey supporters would say that by dropping the sexual harassment lawsuit, then the evidence of any sort of crime was just plain not there to begin with? Your reaction.

ALLEN LOWY, ATTORNEY FOR GOLAN CIPEL: Well, the question is: Why did the governor resign? Did he resign simply because he was gay, which is an insult to the gay community? Did he resign because he had an affair? Many politicians have had affairs and didn't resign.

Obviously, he was trying to hide something. And what he was trying to hide was his abuse and assault and harassment of Golan Cipel.

COLLINS: So, what did he then really ever admit to? Is that not something that Mr. Cipel was actually looking for, too? As you have said, he admitted to being gay in that press conference, and he admitted to having a consensual relationship with another man.

LOWY: Well, by resigning he admitted his guilt, because he would not have resigned if he wasn't guilty of something, and that something was the harassment of Golan Cipel.

COLLINS: Ms. Yosevitz, I know that yesterday during a press conference, you said that Golan Cipel never really had anyone to go to about this. And the last time you and I spoke, we talked about this. Why didn't he go to police or perhaps a fellow worker to talk about this issue?

YOSEVITZ: Well, all of the fellow workers worked for Governor McGreevey. So...

COLLINS: But the police?

YOSEVITZ: Well, in an instance like this, he thought it was more of a civil thing. He wasn't attacked so much as he was sexually harassed. I mean, I don't think that Mr. Cipel thought that going to the police was an option for him. He just wanted it to stop. And he tried his best to get the governor to stop harassing him.

So, I don't think it ever entered his mind he could go to the police.

COLLINS: Mr. Lowy, was justice served here? Will we hear from Golan Cipel again?

LOWY: Well, only, you know, Golan knows the answer to that. And I think after a little while when he is able to get a little bit stronger, after being with his family in Israel, I think he's going to be up to making a decision about, you know, what he wants to do next, if anything.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Again, Golan Cipel's attorneys. That was Allen Lowy and Rachel Yosevitz this morning.

I a moment now, we're going to go live to Andy Serwer. He also is at the CNN Diner, and he's going to tell us about some bad news for the makers of a best-selling cholesterol drug. He'll also look -- and there he is -- at how Wall Street is reacting to the convention. He kind of looks like a mayor or something, doesn't he?

Stay with us, right here on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Before we move on, we want to welcome two of the newest members of the human race. Yesterday, our dear friend, Soledad O'Brien, gave birth to two boys. Rumors were she was going to name them Jack and Andy. She went with Charlie and Jackson. Close, but Charlie and Jackson were born last night, 7.1 and 7.2 on the scale, big boys. And we welcome them.

Soledad is going great. Her husband, Brad, that might be a different story. But the news is all good news from the O'Brien household this morning. So we say, welcome here.

Back to Jack over at the diner now.

Good news, there, huh, Jack? Good morning.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, that's a lot of kids! Fourteen pounds of twin, seven pounds apiece. Good for her.

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: 14.3.

CAFFERTY: I'm glad everybody's doing all right.

What happened to Jack and Bill? Remember at one point we got her to say on the air she was going to name them Jack and bill? I guess Hemmer is gone.

SERWER: Yes.

CAFFERTY: All right. It's time for business news.

Zocor, a cholesterol fighting drug, is very much in the news. Andy Serwer is here, "Minding Your Business."

Good morning.

SERWER: Yes, congratulations to Soledad, first of all.

CAFFERTY: Yes, right.

SERWER: These cholesterol-fighting drugs, Jack, are some of the most widely-prescribed medicines in the world. Eleven million Americans take anti-cholesterol drugs, including Zocor which is made by Merck.

But now a new study says this drug might not have the efficacy that was first thought. High doses showed no real marked improvement in patients. And this is a real blow to Merck, because Zocor is its No. 1 selling drug, a real blockbuster.

And this comes just a week after the company reported problems with Vioxx, or there were problems reported with the company's Vioxx drug, which is an arthritis and anti-inflammatory drug. And also Zocor is really feeling the pinch from other statin drugs like Pfizer's Lipitor, which is the No. 1 seller, and Provocal by Bristol Myers.

So, Merck really is in the line of fire these days.

CAFFERTY: The markets took it a little on the chin yesterday, but light trading.

SERWER: Yes, I mean, it was so light, less than a billion shares on the Big Board. And we've been talking about the traders using their heads and sort of staying out of Manhattan. Well, they certainly were doing that yesterday.

Even though oil was down $42, Jack, stocks were still weaker. The Dow was down 72 points. And, let's see, the futures are looking flat this morning.

Denny Hastert is going to be ringing the opening bell, and the parade of Republican celebs and potentates continues at the Big Board.

CAFFERTY: The next day when we might see real action on Wall Street will be Friday when we get that big jobs report and the convention is over.

SERWER: Yes.

CAFFERTY: And people go back to work. That could be a busy day.

SERWER: We'll be getting real there.

CAFFERTY: There you go. Thanks, Andy.

SERWER: Yes.

CAFFERTY: We're doing something a little different this week in conjunction with the convention. It's called "Voice of the Voter." Yesterday, September 11, if you watched last night, was kind of the unofficial theme of the convention. We had former Mayor Giuliani talking about the leadership of President Bush in this city on that day when awful things happened.

So, what we did yesterday is we took a camera over to Central Park, and we talked to people there about how they think this country has changed since 9/11.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There was a tension here, an underlying tension. New York is a pretty brave people, and we'll keep our chins up. But we're all getting a little wary.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: From a security standpoint, we're a little bit more on cue now. We're more conscious. We're more aware of our surroundings and what's going on.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A lot of it is very superficial, the changes. They're sort of designed to look good, but it really is not making us any safer.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There was more of coming together after 9/11. I think people appreciated what they have. I think New York is New York, and it's resilient and it always will be.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAFFERTY: The question today has to do with the president's new stance when it comes to the war on terror. Apparently the president doesn't think the United States can win that war now. We want to hear what you think. The question is this: Do you think the U.S. can win the war on terrorism? AM@CNN.com. We'll read some of the responses later -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Jack, thanks for that.

In a moment here, one of the convention stars from last night, we'll talk to New York's former Mayor Rudy Giuliani. He's my guest here in the studio. How does the man who led the city through 9/11 now respond to charges that the Republican Party is now exploiting that tragedy? That topic among the many we'll discuss top of the hour here on AMERICAN MORNING. Back live after this.

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Aired August 31, 2004 - 07:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back, everyone. It's 7:30 here in New York on day two of the Republican Convention live in Madison Square Garden.
America's first lady has been front and center during the president's re-election campaign. Laura Bush addressing the delegates later tonight here in New York. Right now, she's live in Detroit, Michigan, and joining us here on AMERICAN MORNING.

And thank you for your time. And good to have you back with us here on our program. And good to see you as well.

LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: Thanks.

HEMMER: I want to get to your speech in a moment here. But there are a few things that have been said over the last few days in interviews you've done. And I just want to try and clarify a little bit.

The first thing that was suggested in "TIME" magazine when you were asked about whether or not these ads against John Kerry were unfair or not, you said, not really. There have been millions of terrible ads against my husband. When you say not really, is that has you truly mean?

BUSH: Well, absolutely. I mean, those 527 ads that aren't from either campaign have been against both candidates. A lot of them have been against my husband. And, in fact, my husband and John McCain have both filed suit with the FEC to ask the FEC to rule on getting rid of 527s. And I'm wondering if Senator Kerry will join them in that suit to make sure that 527s aren't there.

HEMMER: Also, with "The New York Post," Mrs. Bush, you were asked, I believe it was over the weekend, about the seven minutes in which your husband sat in that classroom in Florida while the attacks of 9/11 occurred at the Pentagon and also in New York City. You said the attacks of John Kerry questioning your husband's presence in that classroom were absurd. Why is that claim absurd?

BUSH: Well, absolutely, because it was so appropriate for my husband to sit there in front of children for those few minutes. During those few minutes he knew that his staff was trying to get more information to find out what had really happened. And I think it was really appropriate in front of children and in front of the press that was there as well, to let the little girl finish reading and then to get up and leave.

HEMMER: Do you think these are issues that will continue for the next 63 days and be a focus point...

BUSH: No, I don't.

HEMMER: ... for this election?

BUSH: No, I don't think they will be.

HEMMER: And why is that?

BUSH: Because I don't think those are important issues. I mean, we're facing so many very, very important issues. Those are the issues that you heard talked about last night from the Republican Convention, and that you'll hear my husband talk about. And those are the really important issues facing our country right now.

HEMMER: Also, the issues were raised over the weekend here in New York City, depending on what estimate you pay attention to, there were at least 100,000 demonstrators marching on Seventh Avenue here in New York. Perhaps the number went as high as 200,000, depending on which side you're listening to.

When you see those protesters, they are there to do one thing: Make a statement against your husband. When you see the images, what are your impressions?

BUSH: Well, you know, one impression is that we are a free country and that people have the right to protest. And as we look around the world, we know there are a lot of countries where people don't have that right. And certainly in Afghanistan and Iraq, people didn't have that right before. And that's one of our cherished freedoms in the United States.

I also know that there are a lot of people around the United States who want my husband to win, and who are for him, and who support our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, you know, I feel good about those people, too.

HEMMER: Just to follow that up, another comment you gave in that same interview, you said over the course of the past four year, and you reflected on the relationship with your husband. You say at times a lot of this has been very, very tough. At what time was it tough?

BUSH: Sure, absolutely. Well, we have faced very difficult decisions and challenges in our country. Every one of us has since September 11 as we fought the war on terror. All of those decisions that the president had to make, to put young men and women in harm's way, that's the most difficult decision any president has to make. All of those times have been tough.

But they're also very hopeful when you look at what's happened. When you look at Afghanistan, where now 10 million people are registered to vote, 40 percent of those people are women. When you look at little girls back in school in Afghanistan, and when you think that Pakistan is now our ally in the war on terror, that Libya is dismantling their nuclear program, that Saddam Hussein is in a jail cell in Iraq, and the Iraqi Interim Government is governing there. It's very, very hopeful, as well as difficult. But there are a lot of challenges ahead. But I think it's a very hopeful and historic time for the United States of America.

HEMMER: On a different topic, your twin daughters, now age 22, are here in New York City, Barbara and Jenna. They were quoted on a broadcast on AME as saying that the only reason their father is successful is because he is has someone like you behind him.

BUSH: That's pretty terrific for girls to say that, but I don't know if it's true. But it's really nice of them to say that.

HEMMER: There are also some numbers. Quickly, I want to put them on the screen for our viewers and get your response to this, the opinion that you have of Laura Bush, favorable, 63 percent. That's better than your husband. The "L.A. Times" also points out, who better fits your idea of a first lady? Laura Bush, 56 percent, Teresa Heinz Kerry, 26 percent. Your reaction to those numbers.

BUSH: Well, I'm flattered with those numbers. I think that's nice. But, you know, this isn't really a popularity contest, and it's a privilege, in fact. I have the privilege of traveling around our country and meeting people all over the country, who are making a huge difference in the lives of their neighbors and themselves. And that's what I'm really fortunate to be able to do.

HEMMER: Thank you for your time.

BUSH: Thanks.

HEMMER: We'll see you in New York later tonight. Laura Bush, our guest in Detroit, Michigan. Appreciate it.

In addition to the first lady's speech later tonight, also speakers include North Carolina Senator Elizabeth Dole, Senate majority leader Bill Frist, and California Governor, as we had mentioned, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Our coverage starts live at 7:00 Eastern right here in Madison Square Garden.

More in a moment. Back to Heidi now across town -- Heidi.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Bill, thanks.

While the Republicans convene this week, Democrats are in the role of first responders. Bob Kerrey, former Democratic senator and member of the 9/11 Commission, is with us this morning.

Welcome to you. Thanks for being here.

BOB KERREY, FORMER U.S. SENATOR: Good morning.

COLLINS: Senator Kerrey with an "e" in between.

KERREY: That's correct.

COLLINS: I want to get a little bit of reaction from you, if we could, from something that Senator John McCain said last night at the convention. Here is one of the quotes. "I believe as strongly today as ever the mission" -- talking about Iraq -- "was necessary, achievable and noble. For his determination to undertake it and for his unflagging results to it through to a just end. President Bush deserves not only our support but our admiration."

Your thoughts.

KERREY: Well, I agree with the beginning of what John said, and so does John Kerry, in fact. And the problem, though, is that as a consequence of the way the president has done the diplomatic and the political side. I mean, even he secretly ought to hope that John Kerry wins, because John Kerry has got the capacity to be the diplomatic side of this venture to make certain that the victory that George Bush wants and secured. Americans really ought to vote for John Kerry, because he has got the capacity to do those things diplomatically that the president right now simply cannot get done.

COLLINS: But let's look at this poll then, if we could. This is a "Washington Post"/ABC Poll, some new numbers here, talking about who would be more qualified to be commander-in-chief: President Bush at 53 percent, John Kerry at 43 percent.

Now, just a while ago after the Democratic Convention, that number was 8 percentage points higher for John Kerry, quite a difference. Why do you see that happening? Why do you see that number going down?

KERREY: I don't know. I mean, I haven't followed that. I don't know what the internal polling shows. But any time you're a challenger against a president who has made the war on terror and, in fact, war the metaphor, the cause to re-elect him, and your numbers are 43 percent or 44 percent, that's pretty impressive.

So, I think people look at John Kerry and they understand that his full Southeast Asia experience, which dates from '68 and goes to the present, includes the work in Cambodia to get a peace agreement, the normalization of Vietnam. It's a very impressive set of accomplishments, working, by the way, with the first President Bush in 1991 and 1992, John McCain and others, very much a bipartisan effort to end the war, to bring peace to that part of the region. I think people recognize that his experience makes him qualified and will likely make him an exceptional commander-in-chief.

COLLINS: Well, let's talk about the war on terrorism for a moment. I'm sure you heard the comment by President Bush saying I don't think you can win it, again, the war on terrorism. But the Kerry campaign says, well, yes, of course, that war is winnable. What does that mean to the Kerry campaign to say that it's winnable? Determine what that actual word means.

KERREY: Well, first of all, as a member of the 9/11 Commission, we agreed not to use the war on terror in any way as a part of this political campaign. In other words, not to say that John Kerry would be better or George Bush would be worse. So...

COLLINS: But the campaign did respond specifically to that statement by President Bush.

KERREY: Well, the campaign is going have to deal with that. Not me. I mean, the campaign is going have to make the case of what John Kerry will do in the war on terrorism.

The 9/11 Commission did, by the way, say that terrorism is just a tactic used by individuals to try, and groups, to try to either disrupt or destroy the United States of America. And that we should focus our attention on the groups, their motives, where they are, what they're doing, and take the war to them, especially if they make a determination that they're going to kill Americans and their show capability of doing it.

There is no negotiation with individuals that want to do something like that. That's what the 9/11 Commission included.

So, I mean, we can't -- we've agreed not to take a position in this campaign that supports one candidate or another using what we have learned on this commission as the basis for that conclusion.

COLLINS: Understood. Senator Bob Kerrey, thank you so much.

KERREY: You're welcome. Nice to be with you.

COLLINS: Appreciate your time this morning.

(WEATHER BREAK)

HEMMER: In a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING, we'll go back to the diner. Andy is hanging out there, "Minding Your Business." A new study about the effectiveness of a popular cholesterol drug.

And next, more on the Jim McGreevey controversy. Has his accuser decided not to file a lawsuit, and why? Back in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Well, there it is once again, the CNN Diner. Check it out. Lots of people, lots of food. It's a bustling place, 34th Street and Eighth Avenue, right down the way there from Madison Square Garden, where all action is taking place this week.

A surprising announcement now from one of the most conservative members of Congress. Representative Edward Schrock of Virginia says he will not seek a third term. The 63-year-old Republican made the announcement yesterday, saying unspecific allegations have -- quote -- "called into question his ability to serve."

Several GOP colleagues say allegations that Schrock is gay have been making waves for nearly two weeks now. Party officials will meet today to discuss a replacement.

The man who calls Jim McGreevey -- the man who said that Jim McGreevey sexually harassed him is not filing a lawsuit against the New Jersey governor. In a statement, former McGreevey aide Golan Cipel says, despite my strong desire to prove my case in a court of law, I have decided not proceed with my suit.

Allen Lowy and Rachel Yosevitz are Cipel's attorneys.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Ms. Yosevitz, why drop the lawsuit?

RACHEL YOSEVITZ, ATTORNEY FOR GOLAN CIPEL: Well, in bringing a sexual harassment lawsuit, there are only really two things that you can gain. One is to take the oppressor out of the position that he was in, which enabled him to make the sexual advances. And the other thing that you can get is money.

In this case, the money would have come from the state of New Jersey. Here, Mr. Cipel got what it was that he wanted, which was to take Mr. McGreevey out of the ability to do it to anyone else. And this wasn't about money. This was about the governor taking responsibility for what he did to Mr. Cipel.

COLLINS: So, in the past, Mr. Cipel has wanted an apology from the governor. Is that something that took place, then?

YOSEVITZ: Mr. Cipel never said that he wanted an apology. What he said was that he wanted the governor to take responsibility. And in his resignation speech, that's exactly what he did. He took responsibility for what it was that he did.

COLLINS: All right. Well, let me ask you, Mr. Lowy, McGreevey supporters would say that by dropping the sexual harassment lawsuit, then the evidence of any sort of crime was just plain not there to begin with? Your reaction.

ALLEN LOWY, ATTORNEY FOR GOLAN CIPEL: Well, the question is: Why did the governor resign? Did he resign simply because he was gay, which is an insult to the gay community? Did he resign because he had an affair? Many politicians have had affairs and didn't resign.

Obviously, he was trying to hide something. And what he was trying to hide was his abuse and assault and harassment of Golan Cipel.

COLLINS: So, what did he then really ever admit to? Is that not something that Mr. Cipel was actually looking for, too? As you have said, he admitted to being gay in that press conference, and he admitted to having a consensual relationship with another man.

LOWY: Well, by resigning he admitted his guilt, because he would not have resigned if he wasn't guilty of something, and that something was the harassment of Golan Cipel.

COLLINS: Ms. Yosevitz, I know that yesterday during a press conference, you said that Golan Cipel never really had anyone to go to about this. And the last time you and I spoke, we talked about this. Why didn't he go to police or perhaps a fellow worker to talk about this issue?

YOSEVITZ: Well, all of the fellow workers worked for Governor McGreevey. So...

COLLINS: But the police?

YOSEVITZ: Well, in an instance like this, he thought it was more of a civil thing. He wasn't attacked so much as he was sexually harassed. I mean, I don't think that Mr. Cipel thought that going to the police was an option for him. He just wanted it to stop. And he tried his best to get the governor to stop harassing him.

So, I don't think it ever entered his mind he could go to the police.

COLLINS: Mr. Lowy, was justice served here? Will we hear from Golan Cipel again?

LOWY: Well, only, you know, Golan knows the answer to that. And I think after a little while when he is able to get a little bit stronger, after being with his family in Israel, I think he's going to be up to making a decision about, you know, what he wants to do next, if anything.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Again, Golan Cipel's attorneys. That was Allen Lowy and Rachel Yosevitz this morning.

I a moment now, we're going to go live to Andy Serwer. He also is at the CNN Diner, and he's going to tell us about some bad news for the makers of a best-selling cholesterol drug. He'll also look -- and there he is -- at how Wall Street is reacting to the convention. He kind of looks like a mayor or something, doesn't he?

Stay with us, right here on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Before we move on, we want to welcome two of the newest members of the human race. Yesterday, our dear friend, Soledad O'Brien, gave birth to two boys. Rumors were she was going to name them Jack and Andy. She went with Charlie and Jackson. Close, but Charlie and Jackson were born last night, 7.1 and 7.2 on the scale, big boys. And we welcome them.

Soledad is going great. Her husband, Brad, that might be a different story. But the news is all good news from the O'Brien household this morning. So we say, welcome here.

Back to Jack over at the diner now.

Good news, there, huh, Jack? Good morning.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, that's a lot of kids! Fourteen pounds of twin, seven pounds apiece. Good for her.

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: 14.3.

CAFFERTY: I'm glad everybody's doing all right.

What happened to Jack and Bill? Remember at one point we got her to say on the air she was going to name them Jack and bill? I guess Hemmer is gone.

SERWER: Yes.

CAFFERTY: All right. It's time for business news.

Zocor, a cholesterol fighting drug, is very much in the news. Andy Serwer is here, "Minding Your Business."

Good morning.

SERWER: Yes, congratulations to Soledad, first of all.

CAFFERTY: Yes, right.

SERWER: These cholesterol-fighting drugs, Jack, are some of the most widely-prescribed medicines in the world. Eleven million Americans take anti-cholesterol drugs, including Zocor which is made by Merck.

But now a new study says this drug might not have the efficacy that was first thought. High doses showed no real marked improvement in patients. And this is a real blow to Merck, because Zocor is its No. 1 selling drug, a real blockbuster.

And this comes just a week after the company reported problems with Vioxx, or there were problems reported with the company's Vioxx drug, which is an arthritis and anti-inflammatory drug. And also Zocor is really feeling the pinch from other statin drugs like Pfizer's Lipitor, which is the No. 1 seller, and Provocal by Bristol Myers.

So, Merck really is in the line of fire these days.

CAFFERTY: The markets took it a little on the chin yesterday, but light trading.

SERWER: Yes, I mean, it was so light, less than a billion shares on the Big Board. And we've been talking about the traders using their heads and sort of staying out of Manhattan. Well, they certainly were doing that yesterday.

Even though oil was down $42, Jack, stocks were still weaker. The Dow was down 72 points. And, let's see, the futures are looking flat this morning.

Denny Hastert is going to be ringing the opening bell, and the parade of Republican celebs and potentates continues at the Big Board.

CAFFERTY: The next day when we might see real action on Wall Street will be Friday when we get that big jobs report and the convention is over.

SERWER: Yes.

CAFFERTY: And people go back to work. That could be a busy day.

SERWER: We'll be getting real there.

CAFFERTY: There you go. Thanks, Andy.

SERWER: Yes.

CAFFERTY: We're doing something a little different this week in conjunction with the convention. It's called "Voice of the Voter." Yesterday, September 11, if you watched last night, was kind of the unofficial theme of the convention. We had former Mayor Giuliani talking about the leadership of President Bush in this city on that day when awful things happened.

So, what we did yesterday is we took a camera over to Central Park, and we talked to people there about how they think this country has changed since 9/11.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There was a tension here, an underlying tension. New York is a pretty brave people, and we'll keep our chins up. But we're all getting a little wary.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: From a security standpoint, we're a little bit more on cue now. We're more conscious. We're more aware of our surroundings and what's going on.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A lot of it is very superficial, the changes. They're sort of designed to look good, but it really is not making us any safer.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There was more of coming together after 9/11. I think people appreciated what they have. I think New York is New York, and it's resilient and it always will be.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAFFERTY: The question today has to do with the president's new stance when it comes to the war on terror. Apparently the president doesn't think the United States can win that war now. We want to hear what you think. The question is this: Do you think the U.S. can win the war on terrorism? AM@CNN.com. We'll read some of the responses later -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Jack, thanks for that.

In a moment here, one of the convention stars from last night, we'll talk to New York's former Mayor Rudy Giuliani. He's my guest here in the studio. How does the man who led the city through 9/11 now respond to charges that the Republican Party is now exploiting that tragedy? That topic among the many we'll discuss top of the hour here on AMERICAN MORNING. Back live after this.

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