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American Morning

Interview with Governor of Najaf; 'Paging Dr. Gupta'

Aired November 10, 2004 - 08:30   ET

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

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


SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back, everybody, just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
Big shakeup at the White House yesterday, Attorney General John Ashcroft one of two cabinet members resigning. Now there's word that Ashcroft's replacement could be named as soon as today. We're going to go live to the White House for a look at that this morning.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Also a number of Americans turning to the Internet for cheaper drugs. How can you be sure what you're getting is safe.

In a moment, Dr. Sanjay Gupta tells us what customers should be looking for online. So we'll get to him a moment there.

O'BRIEN: We move on to the news desk, Kelly Wallace with the headlines this morning.

Hello, good morning again.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning again Soledad. Good morning, Bill. Good morning, everyone.

Now in the news, Palestinian officials have decided on the power succession in the event of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's death. They say the Palestinian parliament speaker would become the temporary president of the Palestinian Authority. The 75-year-old Arafat is said to be gravely ill at a French military hospital in what could be his final hours. A funeral may be held by the end of the week. And Israel has agreed to let him be buried in Ramallah in the West Bank.

And Islamic group is threatening to kill some members of -- the family members of the Iraqi prime minister. In the past hour, the group called Ansar Al Jihad claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of at least two members of Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's family. They were apparently taken at gunpoint outside their Baghdad home yesterday. On a Web site message, the group warns the hostages would be beheaded if the attacks on Falluja did not end within 48 hours.

And in California, a clean slate for the jury in the Scott Peterson double-murder trial. Jurors are starting from scratch after the judge dismissed Fran Gorman, juror No. 7, yesterday, for reportedly conducting independent research on the case. Jurors are instructed to only consider information presented in the courtroom. An alternate member has joined the jury, which began deliberating again yesterday, and those deliberations set to resume about two and a half hours from now -- Bill, Soledad. HEMMER: Kelly, thanks.

We're getting more information from Falluja today. Jane Arraf reported a short time ago, as we continue to look at the battle there. Now in its third day, U.S. forces pushing deeper into the stronghold. The assault is, quote, on or ahead of schedule, but fighting could last several days. That's according to Lieutenant General Thomas Metz, who says insurgents are fighting in small groups, but without much coherence, his words, and he says it is, quote, fair to assume that terrorists Abu Musab Al Zarqawi has left that town.

Meanwhile, a Sunni political party has withdrawn from the interim national council. This in protest for the offensive. And the military has released this videotape dropping of a Navy F-18 dropping a 500-pound bomb, part of strikes conducted before the offensive, to try to destroy roadside bombs in Falluja.

In addition, Jane Arraf reports that is a surreal environment. A number of bomb-making devices have been found, and tunnels have been located as well.

More now on this with Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Big question, of course, is how is this battle for Fallujah going to end and what problems await its residents once the fighting stops.

The governor of Najaf can offer some insight on that. U.S. forces battled with Shiite insurgents in his city for three weeks back in August.

He is Adnan al-Zurufi. He is a former Iraqi exile who lived in America for years before he was appointed governor of Najaf back in May. He joins us this morning from Najaf.

Nice to see you. Thank you for being with us.

Many point to what happened in Najaf as to some degree a role model for what needs to happen in Fallujah. Do you think that Najaf is a good model in that way?

ADNAN AL-ZURUFI, GOVERNOR OF NAJAF, IRAQ: Yes, it is. Najaf since stopped fighting is safe and stable and all people in Najaf participate in their regular life and they are very happy for the reconstruction and new life of the city. And we hope that the people in Fallujah get advantage of knowing what's happening in Najaf and working with the Iraqi government to help them to a positive situation.

O'BRIEN: Of course, the real trick is getting to that stage. Many people say that it is not going to be difficult for Marines to come in and topple the city. We've seen in just three days they have been able to take over much of the city.

The real trick is the governance. Can that be accomplished in Fallujah? AL-ZURUFI: I think the government and the Marines will make a good succeed in Fallujah and they will finish their job very soon.

And people in Fallujah complain from those terrorist people and they would like to see them out of the city. The government has a report from people in Fallujah asked the government to help them to kick out those terrorist people from Fallujah.

O'BRIEN: But if the goal is to kick out the terrorists or to kill the terrorists, they don't seem to be there. The 5,000 or so estimated terrorists that would be found in Fallujah seem to have fled. So isn't it essentially the problem is not solved at this point?

AL-ZURUFI: Of course, the problem is not going to be solved 100 percent, but at least we are going to solve the problem more than 80, 70 percent. And Iraq will see Baghdad or the other province will be safe and stable and much less than before...

O'BRIEN: Well, what's your evidence for that? They have an overnight curfew now in Baghdad. We haven't seen the violence be mitigated at all inside of Baghdad. Fallujah, it seems that they are overrunning the city, but the insurgents -- they are not having face- to-face combat with insurgents. They don't seem to be there.

How can you say that there's evidence that that's going to make everything safer when we actually haven't seen a history of that?

AL-ZURUFI: You know, when the Iraqi government and coalition force was surrounding Fallujah, all other sites in the country being quiet. And all the people feel that. And when the government relieves the pressure on Fallujah and let the terrorists be there, more violence and more suicide bombs come even in Hillah and even in Diwaniyah.

But now since the fighting start there, all the other provinces feel comfortable and there is nothing, no violence, no terrorist attack in those provinces. So that's what we feel that we are going to do a lot of progress in Fallujah.

O'BRIEN: Well, certainly there are many folks who hope that you are exactly right about that.

Adnan al-Zurufi is the governor of Najaf.

Thank you, sir, for being with us. We certainly appreciate it.

AL-ZURUFI: You're welcome.

HEMMER: Twenty-two minutes now before the hour. We may learn as early as today who the president will choose to replace the Attorney General John Ashcroft.

Suzanne Malveaux is at the White House this morning.

Good morning there. SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

You're absolutely right. We may learn as early as this morning who is going to replace Attorney General John Ashcroft, already signs of a shake-up in the cabinet. It was just yesterday that Attorney General John Ashcroft, as well as Commerce Secretary Don Evans, both announced their resignations, Ashcroft in a five-page handwritten letter to the president that was delivered on Election Day. As you know, Ashcroft is arguably one of the most controversial figures in the cabinet. He is known for his advances in fighting corporate and violent crimes, but gained some notoriety in those anti-terrorism measures, particularly the Patriot Act. Some of his critics saying that it eroded American civil liberties.

Now the president praised Ashcroft for protecting Americans against terrorism. Ashcroft said he was leaving because it would be well served for new leadership and fresh inspiration for the department.

Now some possible successors here, the Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson, as well as campaign chair Mark Racicot. But on top of the list is White House counsel Alberto Gonzalez. He served on the Texas Supreme Court, as well as general counsel for the president, before serving his term here. He would be the first Hispanic to serve in that term if, in fact, he was chosen. It is not, however, a done deal. His actual appointment, or his confirmation, he is considered to be too moderate by some of the social conservatives in the Republican Party.

Also Don Evans of course yesterday announced his resignation. One of the president's closest friends. He says he's heading back to Texas. He was a big moneymaker back in 2000 for the Bush campaign. It is widely expected that perhaps Mercer Reynolds, who also earned some big bucks for the president this last time around, would be a possible replacement -- Bill.

HEMMER: Keep us posted. A lot of names to cover today.

Thanks, Suzanne, at the White House -- Soledad.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Still to come on AMERICAN MORNING, Las Vegas resorts known for going over the top, but Andy is going to tell us about the grandest plan yet.

HEMMER: Leave it to Vegas for that.

Also, Americans starting to get more comfortable buying their prescription drugs online, but they should not get too comfortable, we are told. Sanjay tells us that. There are still dangers. We'll get to it in a moment.

O'BRIEN: And Arnold Schwarzenegger suffers the consequences of his political choice. "The Cafferty File" is just ahead. Stay with us. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: The Internet is becoming a worldwide marketplace for just about everything, including cheap prescription drugs. Research suggests that Americans are leery about online pharmacies, and so this morning, Dr. Sanjay Gupta has a prescription of his own for surfing safely.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I went online and did some price shopping and found what I wanted, and it was very simple.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA. CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Shopping for prescriptions online can be simple, and cheap. We checked some FDA-approved Web sites, and here's what we found: a month supply of the cholesterol drug Lipitor, about $113 at the drug store; online, just under $94. Celebrex, about $95 at your pharmacy, web price, $21 cheaper. The allergy drug Singulair, about 99 bucks at the drug store. Online, $80.87.

ROBERT HAYES, PRESIDENT, MEDICARE RIGHTS CENTER: Online pharmacies, if properly used, can save a lot of money, typically domestic. Online pharmacies based in the United States are 25 percent to 30 percent cheaper than over-the-counter drug stores.

GUPTA: But still, a recent Pew Internet poll showed 60 percent of Americans don't trust buying on the Web. To ensure you're buying from a reputable site, the FDA recommends you verify it's a licensed pharmacy, and don't buy from online drug stores willing to write a prescription without a physical exam, or those offering to sell you drugs without a prescription.

Also, beware of sites that don't have a registered pharmacist who can answer your questions. That's a benefit you get going to your local pharmacy.

HAYES: Sometimes the pharmacist plays the role as the double check to make sure that you're not getting drugs that are contra- indicated, that can have adverse effects when mixed.

JENN HARRIS, PHARMACIST: There's a possibility that you could have something going on with you that you may not realize, but if I see you every month, I'm going to notice if you don't look as healthy as you have in the past.

GUPTA (on camera): Bottom line, buying drugs on the Internet is only going to grow in popularity. And the truth is, it's probably as safe, as well as easier and cheaper, than buying them at your local drug store. But, as with anything else, you need to do your homework.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: One other note on this. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has a voluntary certification program to check out if a pharmacy is reputable. You can find it online, here we go -- nabp.net/vipps.

O'BRIEN: They need to come up with a better than that.

HEMMER: If you didn't get that one, it is nabp.net/vipps.

(CROSSTALK)

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: The other thing you can do is just call Andy Serwer, he can get you what you need, not a problem. Take a week or two, but he'll get it.

O'BRIEN: What do you got today?

CAFFERTY: It'd be Wednesday, which means we do things people say over the last week that caught our attention, beginning with this, "I just don't want U.S. troops to be in Iraq, period. My feelings are, can we just all get out?" Well, we aren't all in there, madonna. The soldiers are there. You're in England. This was said on a British radio station. And...

O'BRIEN: She is not going to be national security adviser any time soon.

CAFFERTY: She's not going to be anything, including a very good singer.

"Here's the secret to a happy marriage: Do what your wife tells you." We can all agree that that is sound advice. Denzel Washington came up with that, the actor. Right on.

O'BRIEN: I knew I loved him.

CAFFERTY: Here's my favorite: "I had a hysterectomy. I'm feeling better, but trying to control the chin hairs and the hormonal changes of becoming more of a man, like getting a beard and wanting to bomb everybody." Roseanne Barr on getting older.

O'BRIEN: TMI -- too much information, don't you think?

CAFFERTY: Yes, well.

"There was no sex for 14 days. Everything comes with side effects." That would be Governor Schwarzenegger on the reaction of his wife, Maria Shriver, to Schwarzenegger campaigning for President Bush at the Republican National Convention. Miss Shriver, you see, is a Democrat.

"Your present boyfriend looks terrifying to me, real hardcore, kind of a rocker. I was introduced to him the other day, and I fled, I fled the room." Hugh Grant, who comes off as a bit of a girly man at times, and talking to Renee Zellweger about her boyfriend, White Stripes singer Jack White. Renee and Hugh are going to be in the movie about Bridget somebody or other.

O'BRIEN: Oh, right, "Bridget Jones Diary."

CAFFERTY: That opens, I think, Friday. Is that all? I guess that's all.

O'BRIEN: Pretty good. I like that.

CAFFERTY: That's all I have at this time.

HEMMER: One of these days we're going to do a Jack Cafferty thing he says, so we'll start our collection, starting today. We'll put the list together.

O'BRIEN: Good idea.

CAFFERTY: Whatever.

O'BRIEN: You know, it would be a wonderful holiday story actually.

CAFFERTY: Yes, Christmas Eve.

(CROSSTALK)

CAFFERTY: All warm and fuzzy before you tuck the children in bed for the night.

HEMMER: Than you, man.

O'BRIEN: Maybe not.

HEMMER: Get a break. In a moment, a couple of signs that the economy is picking up, including a plan for building a city within a city. Andy has that, back in a moment here, "Minding Your Business," right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Well you know there's always room for more attractions in Las Vegas. But how will another city fit into Sin City. Andy Serwer is "Minding Your Business."

Hello.

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Hello, Soledad.

This is really something, Las Vegas always trying to top itself. MGM Grand a four-billion dollar project, a casino, hotels, but also a residential complex. It's called Project City Center. It's on the of the strip. It's not exactly in the center. But in any event, it's going to be built over the next, what, five and a half years MGM is going to be doing this, 4,000-room hotel, three smaller hotels, outdoor shopping, dozens of restaurants, and get this, 1,650 private residences, condos. I guess those have got to be $500,000 and up, don't you think?

O'BRIEN: How far is that going to be from the actual center of the main strip?

SERWER: Well, it'll be on technology of the strip. It's near the other MGM property. We'll have to track down exactly where it is. But 66 acres, the size of the Soho, Times Square and Rockefeller Center combined.

And here's the really good news for the economy, creating 12,000 more jobs, and, you know, they keep that saying Las Vegas is tapped out; it keeps getting bigger.

O'BRIEN: More good news from you, too.

SERWER: Yes, all good news today, Soledad. UPS is going to be hiring 70,000 temporary workers for the holiday season. Sort of UPS elves, Santa helpers, 20,000 more than last year, 7,000 more brown trucks, 24 more jets. They are expecting 340 million packages to be delivered between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

O'BRIEN: Wow.

SERWER: So, you know, that is good stuff, and obviously, people are always trying to figure out whether the economy is kicking into gear. But these are some signs that perhaps in some businesses people think that the economy is.

O'BRIEN: We like getting good business indices. You may come back our next hour. Thank you.

HEMMER: The NTSB, National Transportation Safety Board, out now with its annual wishlist of safety concerns. One of this year's main issues, congested runways at the nation's airport.

We talk about that now with the NTSB chair, Ellen Engleman Conners, with us now from D.C.

Good morning to you. Welcome here to AMERICAN MORNING.

ELLEN ENGLEMAN CONNERS, NTSB CHAIRWOMAN: Good morning.

HEMMER: Want to point out No. 1 on this list, runway safety, and take you back to August 19, at the airport in Los Angeles, LAX, there was a Southwest Airline on the runway ready for takeoff. There was a 747 en route from South Korea. Listen here as we have the air-traffic controller and the call that happened that day in August.

How close was it, and how can that be prevented?

CONNERS: We were within two seconds and 200 feet of a major accident. It was a very scary almost accident, and we want to ensure that it doesn't happen.

HEMMER: Here's what the FAA says about it, though, "It is one incident that occurred over the span of 63 million takeoffs and landings. The fact remains that aviation is enjoying its safest period ever, and that the FAA's efforts are also improving runway safety. We are doing that through pilot training, education and new technology." A response to that is what?

CONNERS: We agree. Aviation is the safest mode of transportation. And we want to keep it that way. The issue here is that this incident was not reported as a runway incursion. It was not reported correctly or accurately. So you can't say that you have a reduction in near misses if you're not reporting them correctly.

HEMMER: And no. 2 on the list, video cams in cockpits, especially small planes. What do you mean by that, and how would that help?

CONNERS: Well, in small planes, we have no way to collect any data. A good example of this would be when Senator Wellstone's plane crashed. We have no knowledge of what happens in the cockpit they way we do in commercial jetliners, with cockpit voice recorders, or flight data recorders. So we believe that a video camera in the cockpit is a good first step to collect data that can help us determine what happens if an accident occurs.

HEMMER: And finally, No. 3, child safety seats, and when you talk about a child, you're talking about two years old or younger, as opposed to sitting on the parents lap. Is that what the suggestion is here?

CONNERS: Absolutely. It's very dangerous to have the most appreciate cargo carried in your arms when you're on an aircraft. Turbulence alone could pull the child away from you. You would not be ale to control and hold your child in safety if there's major turbulence, or God forbid, an accident.

HEMMER: What is the possibility of all three things getting done in the coming year?

CONNERS: Well, we're a bully pulpit, and we're holding hourly sermons on these issues of safety. Transportation safety is a critical aspect for our nation. Over 42,000 people die in our highways every year. We want to ensure that there's safety in all modes. So our most wanted list, we're going after them.

HEMMER: Ellen Engleman Conners, thank you for your time in D.C. This morning -- Soledad.

CONNERS: Thank you.

O'BRIEN: Coming up in just a moment, today's top stories, including the battle of Fallujah. U.S. forces say that they have reached some key objectives today. That's ahead as we continue right here on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired November 10, 2004 - 08:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back, everybody, just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
Big shakeup at the White House yesterday, Attorney General John Ashcroft one of two cabinet members resigning. Now there's word that Ashcroft's replacement could be named as soon as today. We're going to go live to the White House for a look at that this morning.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Also a number of Americans turning to the Internet for cheaper drugs. How can you be sure what you're getting is safe.

In a moment, Dr. Sanjay Gupta tells us what customers should be looking for online. So we'll get to him a moment there.

O'BRIEN: We move on to the news desk, Kelly Wallace with the headlines this morning.

Hello, good morning again.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning again Soledad. Good morning, Bill. Good morning, everyone.

Now in the news, Palestinian officials have decided on the power succession in the event of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's death. They say the Palestinian parliament speaker would become the temporary president of the Palestinian Authority. The 75-year-old Arafat is said to be gravely ill at a French military hospital in what could be his final hours. A funeral may be held by the end of the week. And Israel has agreed to let him be buried in Ramallah in the West Bank.

And Islamic group is threatening to kill some members of -- the family members of the Iraqi prime minister. In the past hour, the group called Ansar Al Jihad claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of at least two members of Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's family. They were apparently taken at gunpoint outside their Baghdad home yesterday. On a Web site message, the group warns the hostages would be beheaded if the attacks on Falluja did not end within 48 hours.

And in California, a clean slate for the jury in the Scott Peterson double-murder trial. Jurors are starting from scratch after the judge dismissed Fran Gorman, juror No. 7, yesterday, for reportedly conducting independent research on the case. Jurors are instructed to only consider information presented in the courtroom. An alternate member has joined the jury, which began deliberating again yesterday, and those deliberations set to resume about two and a half hours from now -- Bill, Soledad. HEMMER: Kelly, thanks.

We're getting more information from Falluja today. Jane Arraf reported a short time ago, as we continue to look at the battle there. Now in its third day, U.S. forces pushing deeper into the stronghold. The assault is, quote, on or ahead of schedule, but fighting could last several days. That's according to Lieutenant General Thomas Metz, who says insurgents are fighting in small groups, but without much coherence, his words, and he says it is, quote, fair to assume that terrorists Abu Musab Al Zarqawi has left that town.

Meanwhile, a Sunni political party has withdrawn from the interim national council. This in protest for the offensive. And the military has released this videotape dropping of a Navy F-18 dropping a 500-pound bomb, part of strikes conducted before the offensive, to try to destroy roadside bombs in Falluja.

In addition, Jane Arraf reports that is a surreal environment. A number of bomb-making devices have been found, and tunnels have been located as well.

More now on this with Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Big question, of course, is how is this battle for Fallujah going to end and what problems await its residents once the fighting stops.

The governor of Najaf can offer some insight on that. U.S. forces battled with Shiite insurgents in his city for three weeks back in August.

He is Adnan al-Zurufi. He is a former Iraqi exile who lived in America for years before he was appointed governor of Najaf back in May. He joins us this morning from Najaf.

Nice to see you. Thank you for being with us.

Many point to what happened in Najaf as to some degree a role model for what needs to happen in Fallujah. Do you think that Najaf is a good model in that way?

ADNAN AL-ZURUFI, GOVERNOR OF NAJAF, IRAQ: Yes, it is. Najaf since stopped fighting is safe and stable and all people in Najaf participate in their regular life and they are very happy for the reconstruction and new life of the city. And we hope that the people in Fallujah get advantage of knowing what's happening in Najaf and working with the Iraqi government to help them to a positive situation.

O'BRIEN: Of course, the real trick is getting to that stage. Many people say that it is not going to be difficult for Marines to come in and topple the city. We've seen in just three days they have been able to take over much of the city.

The real trick is the governance. Can that be accomplished in Fallujah? AL-ZURUFI: I think the government and the Marines will make a good succeed in Fallujah and they will finish their job very soon.

And people in Fallujah complain from those terrorist people and they would like to see them out of the city. The government has a report from people in Fallujah asked the government to help them to kick out those terrorist people from Fallujah.

O'BRIEN: But if the goal is to kick out the terrorists or to kill the terrorists, they don't seem to be there. The 5,000 or so estimated terrorists that would be found in Fallujah seem to have fled. So isn't it essentially the problem is not solved at this point?

AL-ZURUFI: Of course, the problem is not going to be solved 100 percent, but at least we are going to solve the problem more than 80, 70 percent. And Iraq will see Baghdad or the other province will be safe and stable and much less than before...

O'BRIEN: Well, what's your evidence for that? They have an overnight curfew now in Baghdad. We haven't seen the violence be mitigated at all inside of Baghdad. Fallujah, it seems that they are overrunning the city, but the insurgents -- they are not having face- to-face combat with insurgents. They don't seem to be there.

How can you say that there's evidence that that's going to make everything safer when we actually haven't seen a history of that?

AL-ZURUFI: You know, when the Iraqi government and coalition force was surrounding Fallujah, all other sites in the country being quiet. And all the people feel that. And when the government relieves the pressure on Fallujah and let the terrorists be there, more violence and more suicide bombs come even in Hillah and even in Diwaniyah.

But now since the fighting start there, all the other provinces feel comfortable and there is nothing, no violence, no terrorist attack in those provinces. So that's what we feel that we are going to do a lot of progress in Fallujah.

O'BRIEN: Well, certainly there are many folks who hope that you are exactly right about that.

Adnan al-Zurufi is the governor of Najaf.

Thank you, sir, for being with us. We certainly appreciate it.

AL-ZURUFI: You're welcome.

HEMMER: Twenty-two minutes now before the hour. We may learn as early as today who the president will choose to replace the Attorney General John Ashcroft.

Suzanne Malveaux is at the White House this morning.

Good morning there. SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

You're absolutely right. We may learn as early as this morning who is going to replace Attorney General John Ashcroft, already signs of a shake-up in the cabinet. It was just yesterday that Attorney General John Ashcroft, as well as Commerce Secretary Don Evans, both announced their resignations, Ashcroft in a five-page handwritten letter to the president that was delivered on Election Day. As you know, Ashcroft is arguably one of the most controversial figures in the cabinet. He is known for his advances in fighting corporate and violent crimes, but gained some notoriety in those anti-terrorism measures, particularly the Patriot Act. Some of his critics saying that it eroded American civil liberties.

Now the president praised Ashcroft for protecting Americans against terrorism. Ashcroft said he was leaving because it would be well served for new leadership and fresh inspiration for the department.

Now some possible successors here, the Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson, as well as campaign chair Mark Racicot. But on top of the list is White House counsel Alberto Gonzalez. He served on the Texas Supreme Court, as well as general counsel for the president, before serving his term here. He would be the first Hispanic to serve in that term if, in fact, he was chosen. It is not, however, a done deal. His actual appointment, or his confirmation, he is considered to be too moderate by some of the social conservatives in the Republican Party.

Also Don Evans of course yesterday announced his resignation. One of the president's closest friends. He says he's heading back to Texas. He was a big moneymaker back in 2000 for the Bush campaign. It is widely expected that perhaps Mercer Reynolds, who also earned some big bucks for the president this last time around, would be a possible replacement -- Bill.

HEMMER: Keep us posted. A lot of names to cover today.

Thanks, Suzanne, at the White House -- Soledad.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Still to come on AMERICAN MORNING, Las Vegas resorts known for going over the top, but Andy is going to tell us about the grandest plan yet.

HEMMER: Leave it to Vegas for that.

Also, Americans starting to get more comfortable buying their prescription drugs online, but they should not get too comfortable, we are told. Sanjay tells us that. There are still dangers. We'll get to it in a moment.

O'BRIEN: And Arnold Schwarzenegger suffers the consequences of his political choice. "The Cafferty File" is just ahead. Stay with us. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: The Internet is becoming a worldwide marketplace for just about everything, including cheap prescription drugs. Research suggests that Americans are leery about online pharmacies, and so this morning, Dr. Sanjay Gupta has a prescription of his own for surfing safely.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I went online and did some price shopping and found what I wanted, and it was very simple.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA. CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Shopping for prescriptions online can be simple, and cheap. We checked some FDA-approved Web sites, and here's what we found: a month supply of the cholesterol drug Lipitor, about $113 at the drug store; online, just under $94. Celebrex, about $95 at your pharmacy, web price, $21 cheaper. The allergy drug Singulair, about 99 bucks at the drug store. Online, $80.87.

ROBERT HAYES, PRESIDENT, MEDICARE RIGHTS CENTER: Online pharmacies, if properly used, can save a lot of money, typically domestic. Online pharmacies based in the United States are 25 percent to 30 percent cheaper than over-the-counter drug stores.

GUPTA: But still, a recent Pew Internet poll showed 60 percent of Americans don't trust buying on the Web. To ensure you're buying from a reputable site, the FDA recommends you verify it's a licensed pharmacy, and don't buy from online drug stores willing to write a prescription without a physical exam, or those offering to sell you drugs without a prescription.

Also, beware of sites that don't have a registered pharmacist who can answer your questions. That's a benefit you get going to your local pharmacy.

HAYES: Sometimes the pharmacist plays the role as the double check to make sure that you're not getting drugs that are contra- indicated, that can have adverse effects when mixed.

JENN HARRIS, PHARMACIST: There's a possibility that you could have something going on with you that you may not realize, but if I see you every month, I'm going to notice if you don't look as healthy as you have in the past.

GUPTA (on camera): Bottom line, buying drugs on the Internet is only going to grow in popularity. And the truth is, it's probably as safe, as well as easier and cheaper, than buying them at your local drug store. But, as with anything else, you need to do your homework.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: One other note on this. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has a voluntary certification program to check out if a pharmacy is reputable. You can find it online, here we go -- nabp.net/vipps.

O'BRIEN: They need to come up with a better than that.

HEMMER: If you didn't get that one, it is nabp.net/vipps.

(CROSSTALK)

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: The other thing you can do is just call Andy Serwer, he can get you what you need, not a problem. Take a week or two, but he'll get it.

O'BRIEN: What do you got today?

CAFFERTY: It'd be Wednesday, which means we do things people say over the last week that caught our attention, beginning with this, "I just don't want U.S. troops to be in Iraq, period. My feelings are, can we just all get out?" Well, we aren't all in there, madonna. The soldiers are there. You're in England. This was said on a British radio station. And...

O'BRIEN: She is not going to be national security adviser any time soon.

CAFFERTY: She's not going to be anything, including a very good singer.

"Here's the secret to a happy marriage: Do what your wife tells you." We can all agree that that is sound advice. Denzel Washington came up with that, the actor. Right on.

O'BRIEN: I knew I loved him.

CAFFERTY: Here's my favorite: "I had a hysterectomy. I'm feeling better, but trying to control the chin hairs and the hormonal changes of becoming more of a man, like getting a beard and wanting to bomb everybody." Roseanne Barr on getting older.

O'BRIEN: TMI -- too much information, don't you think?

CAFFERTY: Yes, well.

"There was no sex for 14 days. Everything comes with side effects." That would be Governor Schwarzenegger on the reaction of his wife, Maria Shriver, to Schwarzenegger campaigning for President Bush at the Republican National Convention. Miss Shriver, you see, is a Democrat.

"Your present boyfriend looks terrifying to me, real hardcore, kind of a rocker. I was introduced to him the other day, and I fled, I fled the room." Hugh Grant, who comes off as a bit of a girly man at times, and talking to Renee Zellweger about her boyfriend, White Stripes singer Jack White. Renee and Hugh are going to be in the movie about Bridget somebody or other.

O'BRIEN: Oh, right, "Bridget Jones Diary."

CAFFERTY: That opens, I think, Friday. Is that all? I guess that's all.

O'BRIEN: Pretty good. I like that.

CAFFERTY: That's all I have at this time.

HEMMER: One of these days we're going to do a Jack Cafferty thing he says, so we'll start our collection, starting today. We'll put the list together.

O'BRIEN: Good idea.

CAFFERTY: Whatever.

O'BRIEN: You know, it would be a wonderful holiday story actually.

CAFFERTY: Yes, Christmas Eve.

(CROSSTALK)

CAFFERTY: All warm and fuzzy before you tuck the children in bed for the night.

HEMMER: Than you, man.

O'BRIEN: Maybe not.

HEMMER: Get a break. In a moment, a couple of signs that the economy is picking up, including a plan for building a city within a city. Andy has that, back in a moment here, "Minding Your Business," right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Well you know there's always room for more attractions in Las Vegas. But how will another city fit into Sin City. Andy Serwer is "Minding Your Business."

Hello.

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Hello, Soledad.

This is really something, Las Vegas always trying to top itself. MGM Grand a four-billion dollar project, a casino, hotels, but also a residential complex. It's called Project City Center. It's on the of the strip. It's not exactly in the center. But in any event, it's going to be built over the next, what, five and a half years MGM is going to be doing this, 4,000-room hotel, three smaller hotels, outdoor shopping, dozens of restaurants, and get this, 1,650 private residences, condos. I guess those have got to be $500,000 and up, don't you think?

O'BRIEN: How far is that going to be from the actual center of the main strip?

SERWER: Well, it'll be on technology of the strip. It's near the other MGM property. We'll have to track down exactly where it is. But 66 acres, the size of the Soho, Times Square and Rockefeller Center combined.

And here's the really good news for the economy, creating 12,000 more jobs, and, you know, they keep that saying Las Vegas is tapped out; it keeps getting bigger.

O'BRIEN: More good news from you, too.

SERWER: Yes, all good news today, Soledad. UPS is going to be hiring 70,000 temporary workers for the holiday season. Sort of UPS elves, Santa helpers, 20,000 more than last year, 7,000 more brown trucks, 24 more jets. They are expecting 340 million packages to be delivered between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

O'BRIEN: Wow.

SERWER: So, you know, that is good stuff, and obviously, people are always trying to figure out whether the economy is kicking into gear. But these are some signs that perhaps in some businesses people think that the economy is.

O'BRIEN: We like getting good business indices. You may come back our next hour. Thank you.

HEMMER: The NTSB, National Transportation Safety Board, out now with its annual wishlist of safety concerns. One of this year's main issues, congested runways at the nation's airport.

We talk about that now with the NTSB chair, Ellen Engleman Conners, with us now from D.C.

Good morning to you. Welcome here to AMERICAN MORNING.

ELLEN ENGLEMAN CONNERS, NTSB CHAIRWOMAN: Good morning.

HEMMER: Want to point out No. 1 on this list, runway safety, and take you back to August 19, at the airport in Los Angeles, LAX, there was a Southwest Airline on the runway ready for takeoff. There was a 747 en route from South Korea. Listen here as we have the air-traffic controller and the call that happened that day in August.

How close was it, and how can that be prevented?

CONNERS: We were within two seconds and 200 feet of a major accident. It was a very scary almost accident, and we want to ensure that it doesn't happen.

HEMMER: Here's what the FAA says about it, though, "It is one incident that occurred over the span of 63 million takeoffs and landings. The fact remains that aviation is enjoying its safest period ever, and that the FAA's efforts are also improving runway safety. We are doing that through pilot training, education and new technology." A response to that is what?

CONNERS: We agree. Aviation is the safest mode of transportation. And we want to keep it that way. The issue here is that this incident was not reported as a runway incursion. It was not reported correctly or accurately. So you can't say that you have a reduction in near misses if you're not reporting them correctly.

HEMMER: And no. 2 on the list, video cams in cockpits, especially small planes. What do you mean by that, and how would that help?

CONNERS: Well, in small planes, we have no way to collect any data. A good example of this would be when Senator Wellstone's plane crashed. We have no knowledge of what happens in the cockpit they way we do in commercial jetliners, with cockpit voice recorders, or flight data recorders. So we believe that a video camera in the cockpit is a good first step to collect data that can help us determine what happens if an accident occurs.

HEMMER: And finally, No. 3, child safety seats, and when you talk about a child, you're talking about two years old or younger, as opposed to sitting on the parents lap. Is that what the suggestion is here?

CONNERS: Absolutely. It's very dangerous to have the most appreciate cargo carried in your arms when you're on an aircraft. Turbulence alone could pull the child away from you. You would not be ale to control and hold your child in safety if there's major turbulence, or God forbid, an accident.

HEMMER: What is the possibility of all three things getting done in the coming year?

CONNERS: Well, we're a bully pulpit, and we're holding hourly sermons on these issues of safety. Transportation safety is a critical aspect for our nation. Over 42,000 people die in our highways every year. We want to ensure that there's safety in all modes. So our most wanted list, we're going after them.

HEMMER: Ellen Engleman Conners, thank you for your time in D.C. This morning -- Soledad.

CONNERS: Thank you.

O'BRIEN: Coming up in just a moment, today's top stories, including the battle of Fallujah. U.S. forces say that they have reached some key objectives today. That's ahead as we continue right here on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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