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CNN Sunday Morning

Thousands of U.S. Troops Getting Ready to Go Home; Dick Cheney Campaigns in Middle America

Aired July 04, 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.


DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SUNDAY MORNING: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is July 4th. I'm Drew Griffin. Betty is off today.
Here's a look at what is ahead this hour.

We'll take you live to Baghdad where thousands of U.S. troops in Iraq are getting ready to head home. The vice president hitting the road in the heartland. We'll look what Dick Cheney is doing to try to win the hearts and minds, but mostly votes, of middle America.

And women's tennis has a new sensation, just 17 years old, will her stunning victory at Wimbledon change the face of the women's game?

In the headlines -- this Independence Day after serving 15 months in Iraq, 20,000 U.S. soldiers are ending their tour of duty. A ceremony marking the occasion took place this morning at Baghdad's airport. The troops of members of the 1st Armored Division, based in German, and the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment from Louisiana.

Iraq's interim prime minister is reportedly considering amnesty for Shiite Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. His militia has led some insurgent attacks against U.S. forces in southern Iraq. In an ABC interview, Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said al-Sadr could receive amnesty if al- Sadr follows through on a pledge to disband his militias.

In New York, laying the cornerstone for the Freedom Tower at ground zero. The 20-ton block of granite from the Adirondack Mountains begins the massive construction project there. The building's height to reach 1776 feet is meant to symbolize America's Independence. It will be the tallest skyscraper in the world.

The world's largest 10-kilometer race is underway in Atlanta. The Peachtree Road Race is a hot, muggy July 4. Some 55,000 runners from all over the world pounding the pavement for the 6.2-mile run. There is a live shot of the winner. I'm sorry I don't know his name.

He finished in a time of 28 minutes and 2 seconds. Job well done. I'm glad we could bring you the winner there. Some 54,999 finishes to go now.

The longest serving military unit in Iraq is finally going home. On this Fourth of July it seems fitting that members of the 1st Armored Division are celebrating the end of their tour of duty. The soldiers along with members of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment cased their colors this morning. That is the official flag folding ceremony prior to departure from Iraq. Both units had their tours of duty extended by three months.

CNN's Baghdad Bureau Chief Jane Arraf is at Camp Victory where it's already late and very hot in the afternoon on this July 4th -- Jane.

JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Drew, yes. A lot of people trying to take shade here. But it is sort of a holiday as far as holidays go for American soldiers in Iraq.

As you mentioned, some very happy soldiers from the 1st Armored Division, who are finally heading home after 15 very difficult months in which they have seen almost every sort of combat, peace keeping operation, the ups and downs of a very complicated mission here.

Here at Camp Victory, they are expecting a band later on tonight. They are getting the bandstand set up. This is an American band being flown in, and it is conveniently all women.

Now, there's also other events taking place here. Earlier in the day, way before the sun became this hot, there was the Peachtree Road Race, a traditional Atlanta race, but the Iraqi version was run. A 10K race run here just after dawn, before the sun really started coming up.

There are no fireworks on this base. There was a rocket that landed quite close to us earlier in the day. No word yet whether there were any casualties or damage. But the thing is, Drew, in talking to the soldiers here they actually seem quite positive about what it's like out there on the streets and what it's going to be like in the coming months -- Drew.

GRIFFIN: Jane, I want to ask you, have you had time to judge from the troops there what they think about this idea of giving Muqtada al-Sadr amnesty, that's being floated by Ayad Allawi?

ARRAF: Well, I have actually spoken a lot about that to some of the commanders of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 1st Armored Division, the 2nd ACR was the regiment that went in, along with other units, and actually fought the Mahdi militia. That is why they were extended. That is the militia that is loyal to Sadr.

They say now that they believe the militia has been essentially defeated and they kind of accept the fact it might be inevitable that he becomes -- no longer a militia leader, but perhaps a political leader. That is, in fact, one of the things that encouraged him to tell his militia to lay down their arms.

They have, in fact, been laying down the arms at a huge rate. Almost $1.5 in weapons were bought back by the military in Najaf alone. So it is seen as perhaps a step down the very complicated and what the commander general of the 1st Armored Division calls a very messy road to democracy we may be seeing here -- Drew.

GRIFFIN: Jane Arraf, Baghdad bureau chief for CNN. Thanks for joining us, Jane.

The Iraqi government is expected to announce that partial amnesty to low-level insurgents as early as tomorrow. A spokesman for Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said those accused of murder would not be eligible. Allawi told CNN he's willing to pardon some insurgents, if they provide information about their leaders.

The U.S. military says it can't confirm whether militants have indeed killed missing U.S. Marine Corporal Wassef Hassoun. A militants group says it did behead Hassoun in a statement posted yesterday on Islamic Web site. The militants said a videotape would be released soon supporting that claim.

Hassoun, who was born in Lebanon, has been missing since June 20.

Other news across America: First, in Kansas City, Kansas, a somber holiday weekend, families preparing for funerals. In a 10- minute rampage Friday, police say Elijah Brown killed five co-workers and then himself at the ConAgra plant. Officials say the killings do not appear random, but there is no clear motive yet.

In Lakeworth, Florida, a fire causing extensive damage to a Palm Beach County clinic that provides abortions. The fire began late Friday night at the Women's Care Center of Florida. Federal investigators say the fire was started deliberately.

And one-armed bandits in Pennsylvania, this kind. House legislators early today passed a bill to legalize as many as 61,000 slot machines across the Keystone State. The state senate approved the slots for Friday, which now goes to the governor's desk. The bill would make Pennsylvania the 18th state to legalize slot-machine gambling.

That was the shot heard around the world, especially in Russia. What does a 17-year-old's stunning victory do for women's tennis? A peek into the future coming up.

The summer months bring a renewed concern about skin cancer. Prevention and treatment for the often fatal illness is the subject of this morning's "House Call" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, this morning at 8:30 Eastern. Stay with us for that.

On this July 4, when you cook out is it going to be charcoal or gas? So far charcoal is winning. Send your answers to wam@cnn.com. We'll read some of them in just a few minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRIFFIN: Goes from the South to the Midwest, all aboard the 2004 bus tour. Vice President Dick Cheney hopped onboard One Coach yesterday and visited West Virginia. Cheney encouraged his audience to stay the course with the current administration. Adding their tax cuts are turning the economy around. It was one stop in his three- state bus tour.

John Kerry is on another bus, he's touring the Midwest. The Democratic presidential candidate goes to Independence, Iowa, on this Independence Day, that after a stop in Independence, Wisconsin, yesterday. Got the theme here? During his Midwest swing Kerry is talking about issues important to farmers and ranchers.

President Bush also in campaign mode on this holiday, from Camp David he'll journey to Charleston, West Virginia, and then return to Washington. White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is at the Executive Mansion this morning.

Good morning, Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Drew.

It's actually a busy day for the president on this July 4th holiday. He starts off at Camp David and then he goes to Charleston, West Virginia, that a critical state for the president. That is where he's going to be on the steps of the capitol there. He's going to be addressing a crowd of several thousand after attending a church service.

What we're expecting to hear from the president today he's going to be making his case for the United States going to war with Iraq. He's going to outline some of the details saying Saddam Hussein must be held accountable. He is now in the hands of the Iraqi people. This is really something that is very important for West Virginia, in particular.

Now, this is a state that is overwhelmingly Democratic, very important for the election. As we mentioned, Vice President Dick Cheney visiting over the weekend as well as part of his two-day bus tour.

This would be the ninth visit to this state. This is a state that has very strong military ties. That is one of the reasons why the president will be there today. He will make his case about the future of Iraq. He'll say this is the right thing to do.

One thing about West Virginia, as you look at the population, about 77 percent of those in West Virginia, about 6,200 National Guard troops have been activated -- 77 percent of the National Guard. Also about 200,000 veterans who make up about 15 (ph) percent of the West Virginia's population, so this is a group that will be very interested in what the president has to say in terms of the future of their loved ones and the Iraq mission.

Also the president after visiting West Virginia will head back to Washington; that's where he's going to be enjoying watching the fireworks from here, at the White House, at the Capitol.

GRIFFIN: Suzanne, thank you.

Vanessa Kerry, John Kerry's daughter will be one of the guests on CNN's "Late Edition". John King hosts the program this week. It begins at Noon Eastern here on CNN. There's a new star in women's tennis, 17-year-old Russian, Maria Sharapova beat Serena Williams at Wimbledon yesterday. The teen says she now hopes to break into the top 10 ranking. Interesting, Sharapova didn't qualify for the Russian Olympic team.

The men's Wimbledon final happens later today as American Andy Roddick faces off the Swiss defending champ Roger Federer.

When it comes to tennis, it's the women's game that has generated the most buzz over the past few years. Since the emergence of the Williams' sisters, Venus and Serena, the ladies are now getting more matches aired in prime time. And now comes the sequels for the teen sensation who some call the game's next super star, this year's Wimbledon champ, Maria Sharapova.

The Williams' sisters, Sharapova and a few others are the names at the top of the Women's Tennis Association's list of stars to market worldwide. Joining us to talk about the popularity and the business of the woman's game is CNN's Sports Business Analyst Rick Horrow, a Harvard professor, and an author of "When The Game Is On the Line". He joins us from West Palm Beach, Florida.

Good morning, Rick.

RICK HORROW, SPORTS BUSINESS ANALYST: Drew, good morning to you.

GRIFFIN: What do we make of this upset I guess you would have to call it, nothing else, at Wimbledon. And what it means for the women's game? Is there another star or is the other star just gone?

HORROW: I think it's a little bit of both. First of all, corporate America and corporate world loves what happened because these are two walking, running, athletic billboards on the court three hours at a time, hats, shirts, patches. And that's why corporations love to pay Venus Williams, for example, $40 million in Reebok's case in 2000. At that point, the largest women's sports deal in sports endorsement history.

Of course, Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi prove you don't have to play anymore to get a $25 million Genworth (ph) financial deal. The commercial you may have seen aired in the last couple of weeks.

The point is, though, that Sharapova -- she is new, she is cute, she is 17, and by the way, she's really, really good. The sky is the limit for her.

GRIFFIN: Oh, we had some cute Russians before who weren't very, very good, but still made a pretty good buzz in the game.

HORROW: Well, yeah. Now, you know, we don't have to talk about Kournikova's tennis game. You have to admire her for paving the way. Wimbledon, by the way, is a wonderful example of a great fortnight. That two weeks is very important to Wimbledon. NBC, by the way, paid 13 million bucks, a year, for the privilege of broadcasting Wimbledon. After September 11 their ratings have dipped below 3, which is really not good for something like that. With Roddick in the men's finals, by the way, and Serena in the women's finals, the American audiences are watching. Then by the way, corporately, the average Wimbledon fan is 31-years-old, upwardly mobile, he makes over 50k, and he's 75 percent more likely to buy a luxury car.

That's why Rolex and IBM are companies that are really excited about spending 15 million bucks a year for Wimbledon. They have so much money, that they're thinking about an $80 million stadium, a new plan, with a retractable roof, which may eliminate some of those incessant rain delays, which is a great idea, don't you think?

GRIFFIN: We actually heard they could have a stadium covered by 2008, which means we have about three more years of rain-enduring London to deal.

Let me ask you about the business side of all of this, in terms of the bigger sports picture. Is tennis cutting into the other business or are we adding business here in terms of sports?

HORROW: It's like the corner gas stations, we all know that in Business 101. The real key is that corporate America and corporate world finds tennis exciting and really interesting and sponsoring. You know, the men's game is now moving the finals to Shanghai in '05, which makes it more international. The women's game had some problems with because Sannex (ph), the global sponsor, pulled out a couple of years ago. They have now found 15 percent more sponsorships, $60 million in prize money.

By the way, there's a 9 percent increase in worldwide ad spending in sports, which is also good. The Olympics, $1 billion of ad spending with NBC, that's major and important. The Olympics are going to be great.

If the biggest controversy is that women make 75 grand less, the champions for the Grand Slam, which is what Sharapova makes this year. The players may be upset about that, but overall if that's the biggest issue then tennis is in darn good health.

GRIFFIN: Rick Horrow, thanks for joining us. We know what you'll be doing in 45 minutes from now, bet you'll be watching that match on TV?

HORROW: Then I'm going to be playing. I'm going to be one of that new group that's going to be excited about playing, and we're going to see what happens over time.

GRIFFIN: Thanks for joining us this morning, Rick.

And on this Independence Day, a trip back in time as England's town criers do battle.

At 9:00 Eastern it's up to ground zero in New York where the emotional task of rebuilding begins. CNN SUNDAY MORNING back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRIFFIN: In South Dakota an early and colorful start to the holiday, this was the scene last night. Another night of fire in the sky at Mt. Rushmore; the show featuring entertainers, flyovers and military bands.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: To the East, to the West, reaching across the world, to all whose hearts know the meaning of her height --

GRIFFIN (voice over): As you head out to the favorite fireworks display tonight. Take a look what was the largest fireworks show in the world. The celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, July 4, 1986. It included 22,000 aerial rockets, launched from 30 barges. Another 18,000 fountains and displays were ignited from the ground.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GRIFFIN: Remember that well, Rob Marciano it was a great day.

(WEATHER FORECAST)

GRIFFIN: That is our big essay question, that's what we came up with: Charcoal or gas on this Fourth of July? You can e-mail us at wam@cnn.com. Here' what some people have said:

William of Texas, of course, he says: "Although both have advantages and disadvantages, if one is interested in taste charcoal beats gas, hands down."

I would guess that would come from Texas.

Here's somebody like you: "I use gas. I hate the charcoal taste." That is from Nymoo.

If you want to get in on this, just write us at wam@cnn.com. And we will read your e-mails on the air.

Top stories now: A sixth person has died of wounds received in a workplace shooting Friday in Kansas City, Kansas. A terrible story there for this holiday weekend. Police still don't know why 21-year- old Elijah Brown opened fire on co-workers at the ConAgra meat packing plant. Brown turned the gun on himself after shooting the rest.

After serving 15 months in Iraq, some 20,000 U.S. soldiers are ending their tour of duty. Members of the 1st Armored Division are handing over control of the base in Baghdad to the 1st Cavalry Division. The Second Armored Cavalry also leaving Baghdad behind.

And a live look at the Peachtree Road Race here in Atlanta, and 55,000 runners are sweating it out in this annual 10K run. Some runners haven't even started yet. They staggered the starts, but there's already been a winner there. And that's the local television station tells us all about it. Residents of Durham, England had ringing in their ears in weekend. The town hosted this year's National Town Crier's championship. As you know, town crying is a tradition that goes back many centuries.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Any town crier tells you they are only here for the beer, they are not, because they want to win -- or at least to see a credible placing. Me, when I hear the tone of that bell, any bell, I come out win every time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GRIFFIN: He is wearing the green jacket of victory. Even today there are more than 200 professional town criers in Britain.

Well the love of the outdoors comes with a cost. It is the risk of getting skin cancer. Up next "House Call", Dr. Sanjay Gupta is going to explore the treatment and prevention of an often deadly condition.

Then at 9:00 Eastern, are the Iraqi people better off today than they were with Saddam Hussein in control? We're going to take a closer look the country's infrastructure.

At 9:45, searching for the American dream. We talk live with the Spry family as they cross the country looking for the perfect place to live in America.

First today' top stories after a break.

(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 July 4, 2004 - 08:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SUNDAY MORNING: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is July 4th. I'm Drew Griffin. Betty is off today.
Here's a look at what is ahead this hour.

We'll take you live to Baghdad where thousands of U.S. troops in Iraq are getting ready to head home. The vice president hitting the road in the heartland. We'll look what Dick Cheney is doing to try to win the hearts and minds, but mostly votes, of middle America.

And women's tennis has a new sensation, just 17 years old, will her stunning victory at Wimbledon change the face of the women's game?

In the headlines -- this Independence Day after serving 15 months in Iraq, 20,000 U.S. soldiers are ending their tour of duty. A ceremony marking the occasion took place this morning at Baghdad's airport. The troops of members of the 1st Armored Division, based in German, and the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment from Louisiana.

Iraq's interim prime minister is reportedly considering amnesty for Shiite Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. His militia has led some insurgent attacks against U.S. forces in southern Iraq. In an ABC interview, Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said al-Sadr could receive amnesty if al- Sadr follows through on a pledge to disband his militias.

In New York, laying the cornerstone for the Freedom Tower at ground zero. The 20-ton block of granite from the Adirondack Mountains begins the massive construction project there. The building's height to reach 1776 feet is meant to symbolize America's Independence. It will be the tallest skyscraper in the world.

The world's largest 10-kilometer race is underway in Atlanta. The Peachtree Road Race is a hot, muggy July 4. Some 55,000 runners from all over the world pounding the pavement for the 6.2-mile run. There is a live shot of the winner. I'm sorry I don't know his name.

He finished in a time of 28 minutes and 2 seconds. Job well done. I'm glad we could bring you the winner there. Some 54,999 finishes to go now.

The longest serving military unit in Iraq is finally going home. On this Fourth of July it seems fitting that members of the 1st Armored Division are celebrating the end of their tour of duty. The soldiers along with members of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment cased their colors this morning. That is the official flag folding ceremony prior to departure from Iraq. Both units had their tours of duty extended by three months.

CNN's Baghdad Bureau Chief Jane Arraf is at Camp Victory where it's already late and very hot in the afternoon on this July 4th -- Jane.

JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Drew, yes. A lot of people trying to take shade here. But it is sort of a holiday as far as holidays go for American soldiers in Iraq.

As you mentioned, some very happy soldiers from the 1st Armored Division, who are finally heading home after 15 very difficult months in which they have seen almost every sort of combat, peace keeping operation, the ups and downs of a very complicated mission here.

Here at Camp Victory, they are expecting a band later on tonight. They are getting the bandstand set up. This is an American band being flown in, and it is conveniently all women.

Now, there's also other events taking place here. Earlier in the day, way before the sun became this hot, there was the Peachtree Road Race, a traditional Atlanta race, but the Iraqi version was run. A 10K race run here just after dawn, before the sun really started coming up.

There are no fireworks on this base. There was a rocket that landed quite close to us earlier in the day. No word yet whether there were any casualties or damage. But the thing is, Drew, in talking to the soldiers here they actually seem quite positive about what it's like out there on the streets and what it's going to be like in the coming months -- Drew.

GRIFFIN: Jane, I want to ask you, have you had time to judge from the troops there what they think about this idea of giving Muqtada al-Sadr amnesty, that's being floated by Ayad Allawi?

ARRAF: Well, I have actually spoken a lot about that to some of the commanders of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 1st Armored Division, the 2nd ACR was the regiment that went in, along with other units, and actually fought the Mahdi militia. That is why they were extended. That is the militia that is loyal to Sadr.

They say now that they believe the militia has been essentially defeated and they kind of accept the fact it might be inevitable that he becomes -- no longer a militia leader, but perhaps a political leader. That is, in fact, one of the things that encouraged him to tell his militia to lay down their arms.

They have, in fact, been laying down the arms at a huge rate. Almost $1.5 in weapons were bought back by the military in Najaf alone. So it is seen as perhaps a step down the very complicated and what the commander general of the 1st Armored Division calls a very messy road to democracy we may be seeing here -- Drew.

GRIFFIN: Jane Arraf, Baghdad bureau chief for CNN. Thanks for joining us, Jane.

The Iraqi government is expected to announce that partial amnesty to low-level insurgents as early as tomorrow. A spokesman for Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said those accused of murder would not be eligible. Allawi told CNN he's willing to pardon some insurgents, if they provide information about their leaders.

The U.S. military says it can't confirm whether militants have indeed killed missing U.S. Marine Corporal Wassef Hassoun. A militants group says it did behead Hassoun in a statement posted yesterday on Islamic Web site. The militants said a videotape would be released soon supporting that claim.

Hassoun, who was born in Lebanon, has been missing since June 20.

Other news across America: First, in Kansas City, Kansas, a somber holiday weekend, families preparing for funerals. In a 10- minute rampage Friday, police say Elijah Brown killed five co-workers and then himself at the ConAgra plant. Officials say the killings do not appear random, but there is no clear motive yet.

In Lakeworth, Florida, a fire causing extensive damage to a Palm Beach County clinic that provides abortions. The fire began late Friday night at the Women's Care Center of Florida. Federal investigators say the fire was started deliberately.

And one-armed bandits in Pennsylvania, this kind. House legislators early today passed a bill to legalize as many as 61,000 slot machines across the Keystone State. The state senate approved the slots for Friday, which now goes to the governor's desk. The bill would make Pennsylvania the 18th state to legalize slot-machine gambling.

That was the shot heard around the world, especially in Russia. What does a 17-year-old's stunning victory do for women's tennis? A peek into the future coming up.

The summer months bring a renewed concern about skin cancer. Prevention and treatment for the often fatal illness is the subject of this morning's "House Call" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, this morning at 8:30 Eastern. Stay with us for that.

On this July 4, when you cook out is it going to be charcoal or gas? So far charcoal is winning. Send your answers to wam@cnn.com. We'll read some of them in just a few minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GRIFFIN: Goes from the South to the Midwest, all aboard the 2004 bus tour. Vice President Dick Cheney hopped onboard One Coach yesterday and visited West Virginia. Cheney encouraged his audience to stay the course with the current administration. Adding their tax cuts are turning the economy around. It was one stop in his three- state bus tour.

John Kerry is on another bus, he's touring the Midwest. The Democratic presidential candidate goes to Independence, Iowa, on this Independence Day, that after a stop in Independence, Wisconsin, yesterday. Got the theme here? During his Midwest swing Kerry is talking about issues important to farmers and ranchers.

President Bush also in campaign mode on this holiday, from Camp David he'll journey to Charleston, West Virginia, and then return to Washington. White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is at the Executive Mansion this morning.

Good morning, Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Drew.

It's actually a busy day for the president on this July 4th holiday. He starts off at Camp David and then he goes to Charleston, West Virginia, that a critical state for the president. That is where he's going to be on the steps of the capitol there. He's going to be addressing a crowd of several thousand after attending a church service.

What we're expecting to hear from the president today he's going to be making his case for the United States going to war with Iraq. He's going to outline some of the details saying Saddam Hussein must be held accountable. He is now in the hands of the Iraqi people. This is really something that is very important for West Virginia, in particular.

Now, this is a state that is overwhelmingly Democratic, very important for the election. As we mentioned, Vice President Dick Cheney visiting over the weekend as well as part of his two-day bus tour.

This would be the ninth visit to this state. This is a state that has very strong military ties. That is one of the reasons why the president will be there today. He will make his case about the future of Iraq. He'll say this is the right thing to do.

One thing about West Virginia, as you look at the population, about 77 percent of those in West Virginia, about 6,200 National Guard troops have been activated -- 77 percent of the National Guard. Also about 200,000 veterans who make up about 15 (ph) percent of the West Virginia's population, so this is a group that will be very interested in what the president has to say in terms of the future of their loved ones and the Iraq mission.

Also the president after visiting West Virginia will head back to Washington; that's where he's going to be enjoying watching the fireworks from here, at the White House, at the Capitol.

GRIFFIN: Suzanne, thank you.

Vanessa Kerry, John Kerry's daughter will be one of the guests on CNN's "Late Edition". John King hosts the program this week. It begins at Noon Eastern here on CNN. There's a new star in women's tennis, 17-year-old Russian, Maria Sharapova beat Serena Williams at Wimbledon yesterday. The teen says she now hopes to break into the top 10 ranking. Interesting, Sharapova didn't qualify for the Russian Olympic team.

The men's Wimbledon final happens later today as American Andy Roddick faces off the Swiss defending champ Roger Federer.

When it comes to tennis, it's the women's game that has generated the most buzz over the past few years. Since the emergence of the Williams' sisters, Venus and Serena, the ladies are now getting more matches aired in prime time. And now comes the sequels for the teen sensation who some call the game's next super star, this year's Wimbledon champ, Maria Sharapova.

The Williams' sisters, Sharapova and a few others are the names at the top of the Women's Tennis Association's list of stars to market worldwide. Joining us to talk about the popularity and the business of the woman's game is CNN's Sports Business Analyst Rick Horrow, a Harvard professor, and an author of "When The Game Is On the Line". He joins us from West Palm Beach, Florida.

Good morning, Rick.

RICK HORROW, SPORTS BUSINESS ANALYST: Drew, good morning to you.

GRIFFIN: What do we make of this upset I guess you would have to call it, nothing else, at Wimbledon. And what it means for the women's game? Is there another star or is the other star just gone?

HORROW: I think it's a little bit of both. First of all, corporate America and corporate world loves what happened because these are two walking, running, athletic billboards on the court three hours at a time, hats, shirts, patches. And that's why corporations love to pay Venus Williams, for example, $40 million in Reebok's case in 2000. At that point, the largest women's sports deal in sports endorsement history.

Of course, Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi prove you don't have to play anymore to get a $25 million Genworth (ph) financial deal. The commercial you may have seen aired in the last couple of weeks.

The point is, though, that Sharapova -- she is new, she is cute, she is 17, and by the way, she's really, really good. The sky is the limit for her.

GRIFFIN: Oh, we had some cute Russians before who weren't very, very good, but still made a pretty good buzz in the game.

HORROW: Well, yeah. Now, you know, we don't have to talk about Kournikova's tennis game. You have to admire her for paving the way. Wimbledon, by the way, is a wonderful example of a great fortnight. That two weeks is very important to Wimbledon. NBC, by the way, paid 13 million bucks, a year, for the privilege of broadcasting Wimbledon. After September 11 their ratings have dipped below 3, which is really not good for something like that. With Roddick in the men's finals, by the way, and Serena in the women's finals, the American audiences are watching. Then by the way, corporately, the average Wimbledon fan is 31-years-old, upwardly mobile, he makes over 50k, and he's 75 percent more likely to buy a luxury car.

That's why Rolex and IBM are companies that are really excited about spending 15 million bucks a year for Wimbledon. They have so much money, that they're thinking about an $80 million stadium, a new plan, with a retractable roof, which may eliminate some of those incessant rain delays, which is a great idea, don't you think?

GRIFFIN: We actually heard they could have a stadium covered by 2008, which means we have about three more years of rain-enduring London to deal.

Let me ask you about the business side of all of this, in terms of the bigger sports picture. Is tennis cutting into the other business or are we adding business here in terms of sports?

HORROW: It's like the corner gas stations, we all know that in Business 101. The real key is that corporate America and corporate world finds tennis exciting and really interesting and sponsoring. You know, the men's game is now moving the finals to Shanghai in '05, which makes it more international. The women's game had some problems with because Sannex (ph), the global sponsor, pulled out a couple of years ago. They have now found 15 percent more sponsorships, $60 million in prize money.

By the way, there's a 9 percent increase in worldwide ad spending in sports, which is also good. The Olympics, $1 billion of ad spending with NBC, that's major and important. The Olympics are going to be great.

If the biggest controversy is that women make 75 grand less, the champions for the Grand Slam, which is what Sharapova makes this year. The players may be upset about that, but overall if that's the biggest issue then tennis is in darn good health.

GRIFFIN: Rick Horrow, thanks for joining us. We know what you'll be doing in 45 minutes from now, bet you'll be watching that match on TV?

HORROW: Then I'm going to be playing. I'm going to be one of that new group that's going to be excited about playing, and we're going to see what happens over time.

GRIFFIN: Thanks for joining us this morning, Rick.

And on this Independence Day, a trip back in time as England's town criers do battle.

At 9:00 Eastern it's up to ground zero in New York where the emotional task of rebuilding begins. CNN SUNDAY MORNING back in a moment.

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GRIFFIN: In South Dakota an early and colorful start to the holiday, this was the scene last night. Another night of fire in the sky at Mt. Rushmore; the show featuring entertainers, flyovers and military bands.

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ANNOUNCER: To the East, to the West, reaching across the world, to all whose hearts know the meaning of her height --

GRIFFIN (voice over): As you head out to the favorite fireworks display tonight. Take a look what was the largest fireworks show in the world. The celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, July 4, 1986. It included 22,000 aerial rockets, launched from 30 barges. Another 18,000 fountains and displays were ignited from the ground.

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GRIFFIN: Remember that well, Rob Marciano it was a great day.

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GRIFFIN: That is our big essay question, that's what we came up with: Charcoal or gas on this Fourth of July? You can e-mail us at wam@cnn.com. Here' what some people have said:

William of Texas, of course, he says: "Although both have advantages and disadvantages, if one is interested in taste charcoal beats gas, hands down."

I would guess that would come from Texas.

Here's somebody like you: "I use gas. I hate the charcoal taste." That is from Nymoo.

If you want to get in on this, just write us at wam@cnn.com. And we will read your e-mails on the air.

Top stories now: A sixth person has died of wounds received in a workplace shooting Friday in Kansas City, Kansas. A terrible story there for this holiday weekend. Police still don't know why 21-year- old Elijah Brown opened fire on co-workers at the ConAgra meat packing plant. Brown turned the gun on himself after shooting the rest.

After serving 15 months in Iraq, some 20,000 U.S. soldiers are ending their tour of duty. Members of the 1st Armored Division are handing over control of the base in Baghdad to the 1st Cavalry Division. The Second Armored Cavalry also leaving Baghdad behind.

And a live look at the Peachtree Road Race here in Atlanta, and 55,000 runners are sweating it out in this annual 10K run. Some runners haven't even started yet. They staggered the starts, but there's already been a winner there. And that's the local television station tells us all about it. Residents of Durham, England had ringing in their ears in weekend. The town hosted this year's National Town Crier's championship. As you know, town crying is a tradition that goes back many centuries.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Any town crier tells you they are only here for the beer, they are not, because they want to win -- or at least to see a credible placing. Me, when I hear the tone of that bell, any bell, I come out win every time.

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GRIFFIN: He is wearing the green jacket of victory. Even today there are more than 200 professional town criers in Britain.

Well the love of the outdoors comes with a cost. It is the risk of getting skin cancer. Up next "House Call", Dr. Sanjay Gupta is going to explore the treatment and prevention of an often deadly condition.

Then at 9:00 Eastern, are the Iraqi people better off today than they were with Saddam Hussein in control? We're going to take a closer look the country's infrastructure.

At 9:45, searching for the American dream. We talk live with the Spry family as they cross the country looking for the perfect place to live in America.

First today' top stories after a break.

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