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CNN Sunday Morning
Alert Level Raised at Mt. St. Helens; U.S. Troops Reclaim Samarra
Aired October 03, 2004 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is October 3, 2004, 7:00 a.m. in Gainesville, Florida, 4:00 a.m. at Mt. St. Helens in Washington. We're expecting news there today. Good morning, I'm Betty Nguyen.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR: It's a rumbling Mt. St. Helens. I'm Drew Griffin. Thanks for being with us. Let's take a look what's happening right now in the news.
Two steam eruptions in two days. The alert level at Mt. St. Helens raised. Scientists say the earthquake activity greater now than at any time since the devastating eruption of 1980. An observatory three miles from the volcano has been evacuated. More on this from Rob Marciano in about a minute from now.
Now, Iraq. U.S. troops going door to door in Samarra, rooting out those insurgents. They've reclaimed the city. The battle for Samarra has taken more than 130 lives. It began on Thursday. Meantime, U.S. war planes pounding suspected terrorist targets in Fallujah. Hospital officials say two people were killed. 12 wounded in the latest air strikes.
Searching the rubble in Gaza, hospital sources say Israeli troops killed two members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Jabalia (ph) refugee camp. Israel says its troops opened fire on Palestinians who were trying to plan explosives.
Some top Haitian politicians surrendering to police after barricading themselves at a radio station in Port au Prince. It was part of an uprising by supporters of the ousted president Jean Bertrand Aristide. Those supporters have been clashing with police since Thursday. And at least 14 have been killed.
NGUYEN: Other stories and issues coming up this hour. The fight for Iraq. And then an aggressive campaign to rid the country of armed resistance. Troubling reports of women and children caught in the fighting, an exclusive live report from Samarra. That's just ahead.
And later, our weekly look at battleground states puts Florida in the spotlight. Voters there reminder oh too well what happened in 2000 and are eager not to see history repeat itself.
And if necessity is the mother of invention, you will want to meet a couple of midwives and their practical solutions to everyday needs. You'll -- it will have you saying why didn't I think of that? GRIFFIN: Our top story this morning is that mountain. Mt. St. Helens, the alert level raised there because of volcanic activity. It's in the southwestern Washington state. And scientists say a major eruption imminent or actually in progress. Is the mountain just letting off steam or is it ready to blow its top again?
Meteorologist Rob Marciano, our veteran, Pacific Northwest Volcano watcher in the CNN Weather Center.
Rob, good morning to you.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning. The words they're using -- imminent. So it looks like -- I mean that's pretty strong language to me that this thing's going to blow at some time here probably today. And all things lead to a more intense eruption than what we saw just two days ago. This one possibly involving magma or actually lava coming out of the ground and onto the surface.
Now that would mean more ash plume, more fall out so to speak. And going up higher in the sky, so the wind direction's going to be key.
The winds have switched somewhat so that most of it looks like it's going to go into the mountains, but the higher up it goes, the more those winds become a little bit more northerly. And it could become -- dropping off into more populated areas like Portland, just about 50 miles away.
Just give me either video or the other map that we have -- you have slated for behind me. Another map for me? All right, this video -- I believe received from yesterday or Saturday. Yesterday, there was a little spit of steam that came up as well around noon time. And that's what's got everybody's eyebrows raised. And then this tremor that everybody's talking about, it lasted for about 50 minutes, meaning that the lava or the magma, which is lava that's below the surface, is actually making its way up towards the surface. So that's -- the scientists got all jazzed up about that.
This gives you an idea of where Mt. St. Helens is. It is in the Cascade Mountain range, which runs north to south, just to the east of Seattle and Portland. As the crow flies, it's about 50 miles from Seattle, about twice that from Portland, and about twice that from Seattle.
So main concerns from Seattle -- from Mt. St. Helens fall out would be closer to Portland than Seattle, but there are a lot of northern suburbs just over the border in southwest Washington that could be affected by this.
But right now, the winds are calm. And we don't expect very strong winds at all today.
This is -- by the way, the current radar script. So rain is not going to be an issue. It's going to be an crystal clear day. It's all a matter of how strong the winds get. Right now, they're very, very light. So Drew and Betty, it'll be interesting to see when this thing does blow. And when they say imminent, it looks like it will. Just a matter of how strong and when here throughout the day today. And then, there will be probably some areas where folks will be experiencing respiratory problems at this point, not in highly populated areas.
And then we'll keep you updated. This will be an ongoing thing. We'll see how the winds begin to progress.
Because it's so -- the winds are so light, and because there's no real main weather feature, the winds actually could switch throughout the day. So we'll keep you posted on that.
GRIFFIN: And Rob, we should just mention we have video from the lookout point yesterday. And we head Donna Tetreault yesterday morning. She's been evacuated. They've taken everybody down off of that spot because of the increased level there.
So thanks for that, Ron.
MARCIANO: OK.
GRIFFIN: We'll be back.
NGUYEN: And people watching that. Also today, U.S. military officials in Iraq say they have reclaimed Samarra after a three day offensive by American and Iraqi forces. Those troops are now going door to door in a search for remaining insurgents. And sporadic fighting is still being reported.
We want to get the latest on the developing story. CNN's Jane Arraf is the only television reporter in Samarra. And she joins us now by videophone.
What's happening there right now, Jane?
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Betty, the U.S. military is continuing to work through sector by sector, to retake control of this city. They had sent in one of the biggest military operations since the end of the war.
Now today was the first day that people were really allowed out in the streets. They were allowed out from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. And one of the things they have been waiting to do is collect their dead.
We went to the main hospital, where there were a procession of relatives waving white flags so soldiers would not shoot at them, who had come to claim the bodies.
Now body after body kept coming out. At this hospital, they have said that they had received 39 dead and had almost 60 wounded. The U.S. says that most of these are fighters. Some of them foreign fighters, but most of them young men of fighting age who are engaged in combat with them. The relatives we spoke to, though, for almost all of them said that they were simply family members. They did include women and children who had been caught in the crossfire or caught in the air strikes that the U.S. had launched.
And we followed them to the cemetery, where they buried them. There's still an effort going on to find those bodies -- Betty?
NGUYEN: Jane, how important is this a sense of as they prepare for elections in January?
ARRAF: Extremely important. The interior minister came yesterday to Samarra. We went around with him to the main mosque, the pride of Samarra. And the reason that this is considered such a holy place for Shias around the world -- he said he was extremely pleased with the operation. He said in his view, there had been a minimal amount of civilian casualties, although that view is disputed by local officials here. And he said it could be a model for other attacks, other offensive operations on other cities.
He vowed that Iraqi forces, along with U.S. forces, would crack down on the insurgency and rid these cities of insurgents by the time they planned to hold elections in January -- Betty?
NGUYEN: CNN's Jane Arraf in Samarra, the only television journalist there. Thank you, Jane.
U.S. war planes are also targeting Fallujah, a city long considered the most defiant stronghold of insurgent forces. Hospital officials say two people were killed and a dozen wounded. U.S. forces say they struck an insurgent training area overnight, part of the bombardment of sites linked to terror mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
GRIFFIN: We have this just in from Iraq. Two bodies found south of Baghdad, one male and one female that Iraqi police are saying appear to be the bodies of Westerners. Again, this is just in to us south of Baghdad. Two bodies, possibly Westerners, found there. And we'll have more on that coming up.
We go from Iraq to the White House. The human toll of the war delivered to the Bush administration in grim symbolism, but protesters forgot to find out of the president would actually be home to see it. Protesters carrying 100 mock coffins from Arlington National Cemetery to the White House. The president had already left for a campaign trip.
They were amassed with 1,000 more to approximate the number of Americans killed in the war. Police arrested 28 protesters. They allegedly tried to scale a police barricade.
One of those arrested was the father of Nicholas Berg, the American civilian who was abducted and beheaded by terrorists.
Now for the race for the White House. A month before the election, a new poll suggesting the presidential race is tight again after the first presidential debate on Thursday. "Newsweek" survey shows 47 percent of registered voters support John Kerry, while 45 percent, President Bush. So that's a dead heat. Independent candidate Ralph Nader had two percent. Bush led 49 to 43 in the poll from early September.
NGUYEN: College students typically take a back seat in presidential elections or no seat at all. Many issues don't connect with the college crowd and students don't usually vote in large numbers.
But as CNN's Denise Belgrave reports, some young people at the University of Florida are trying to change that this time around.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Vote.
CROWD: Two, four, six, eight...
DENISE BELGRAVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): College students and political activism -- definite bedfellows in this presidential election.
RICHARD SCHER, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA: We've sensed more student interest in this election than we've seen in a long, long time.
BELGRAVE: And students are using every tool at their disposal, including encouraging fellow students to switch their voter registration from their home state to their school state.
JILL GRECO, GATORS FOR KERRY: If you live in a solid red or a solid blue state, then your vote is not going to necessarily help elect the next president. And if you register here where in the last election, Florida's only won by 537 votes, then you are more likely to have an input into who wins the election.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you have a sticker yet? Grab a sticker.
BELGRAVE: With at least 15 swing states in the balance, their efforts may have an impact.
HUNTER WILLIAMS, COLLEGE REPUBLICANS: That's the message we're trying to drive home, that if it's not close, there can't be any shenanigans, there can't be any legal action. And you know, it's too close to risk. This is too critical of a campaign.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you switching your vote to be in...
BELGRAVE: Nina Deyoung made the switch.
NINA DEYOUNG, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA: I just knew that this is where my voice was going to count the most, especially with the margin of errors that are going on right now, people are saying it's 50/50 in Florida with Bush and Kerry. It's just there's no way to tell right now. So I really think that every single vote in Florida is going to count.
BELGRAVE: The Census Bureau tells CNN that 16.5 million Americans came of voting age since the 2000 election. So it's really no great surprise that a lot of attention is being focused on college campuses like the University of Florida in swing states.
But the real question is whether these new young voters will show up on election day.
Denise Belgrave, CNN, Gainesville, Florida.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: And later this hour, a debate from the crucial state of Florida. Local leaders from the sunshine state will go at it. So you want to stay with us for that.
Also, changes in airline security. Transportation security launches its own passenger screening system. A new way to spot the bad apples before they get on board.
GRIFFIN: And here's an idea keeps your kids from going in a roll, so to speak. It's something from what we're calling the mothers of invention. Stay with us. We'll tell you what it is.
NGUYEN: And we liked the e-mail question so much on CNN SATURDAY MORNING, we provided some great responses, or you did. So we're bringing it back for an encore. Will you watch the next presidential debate and why? That's our e-mail question of the day. E-mail us your responses at wam@cnn.com.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: The Oakland Raiders are playing the Texans this afternoon in Houston. So good morning, Houston. It's all dark there right now. This is a shot from our affiliate KTRK down there in Houston. We'll have your weather forecast in about 10 minutes.
Other stories making headlines this morning. At least two people are in critical condition after a terrifying accident in Louisiana swamps. The tour was about 22 miles south of New Orleans when their air boat apparently slipped in shallow water and dumped the captain and 16 tourists into the water.
The bankrupt airlines U.S. Airways is in a holding pattern, as leaders of the pilots union mull over an average pay cut of 18 percent. The airline says the cuts would save $300 million a year and account for nearly a third of the amount needed to stay in business. Union officials plan to meet again on Tuesday.
From southern California's Pismo Beach, a bit of luck snatched right from the jaws of tragedy. This surf board is bearing the apparent scars of a shark attack. Its young owner and his cousin escaped unharmed, thank goodness, but describe a glimpse of what appears to have been a great white shark measuring 12 feet or more.
And will a third time be the charm? Ladies, the piano man, he is off the market. Don't miss the details of his sunset wedding later this hour. GRIFFIN: "TIME" magazine reports the Transportation Security Administration is planning to launch its own airline passenger profiling system, unlike TSA's computer database, which scans for names on passenger watch lists. This system would rely on "the human element."
Airport screeners would watch for unusual or anxious behavior by passengers and point those people out to police, who would then conduct interviews.
The Homeland Security Department isn't keeping a close enough watch on its watch lists. That's what the department's own inspector general is saying in a strongly worded report. Clark Kent Irvin says Homeland Security officials haven't properly organized their terrorist watch lists. The reverend says in the report the "manner in which the watch list consolidation has unfolded has not helped the nation break from its pattern of ad hoc approaches to counter-terrorism."
NGUYEN: Well, attention moms out there. Does this look familiar? Oh, goodness. The solution is pretty easy. This little invention saves your troubles. Andrew will explore the subject with the moms who created it next here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. This is an actual look at it right here. Pretty interesting stuff. Stay tuned.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRIFFIN: They're not the mother of all inventions, but they're mothers. And they are inventing those things that if you are a mom, now you'll say now why didn't I think of that?
Tamara Monosoff and Susan Dunk head up Mom Inventors. Tamara is in San Francisco this morning, Susan in Washington. We've got some of your inventions right here in Atlanta.
Good morning, guys.
TAMARA MONOSOFF, WWW.MOMINVENTORS.COM: Good morning.
SUSAN DUNK, INVENTED TODDLER CODDLER: Good morning.
GRIFFIN: How did -- is that how you started this company, by saying why didn't think of it? Well, I just did think of that. So let's make it.
MONOSOFF: Exactly. You know, my daughter started pulling the toilet paper when she was 10 months old. And she -- I went out to the stores to look for the solution to the problem. And there wasn't anything out there. So I thought well goodness, I can't be the only mom in America who's experiencing this problem. And when I spoke to other moms, they said gosh, lock it up in the cabinet, or keep your bathroom door locked.
And I thought, there's got to be something out there on the market. So that's how I came up with TP saver.
GRIFFIN: Tamara, let's show it right here. I've got it in my hands. This is the TP Saver. And oh, it's too glaring. I tell you what, I just got the regular one right here. Here's how it works. It's really pretty simple. Why didn't I think of that, right? Toilet paper goes on. This goes around the top and prevents that kid from just spinning and spinning and spinning. I think we even have a picture of a kid with toilet paper. This is a great idea.
MONOSOFF: Thank you.
GRIFFIN: Is it a big seller, Susan?
DUNK: Oh, yes, very popular. Everybody seems to love it.
GRIFFIN: And are all of your inventions designed, Susan, to make life for mom and kids just a little bit easier?
DUNK: Yes, you know, moms are on the front lines. They see a problem and they look to solve it. So fortunately, Tamara was able to gather a bunch of very creative moms. And everybody worked together to solve a bunch of problems.
GRIFFIN: Problem number two, you're heading out to the grocery store. Kid get on your shoes. He comes out and the shoes are on the wrong feet. I hate that. You have to stop.
So you guys come up with this one. Shoe clues. I'm going to show it to camera two. And they're little stickers. And you peel them off. One says left. You put it inside your stinky big shoe, right? And the other one -- and then, I doubt they can see inside there, but the shoes actually look -- I still get it wrong -- look at each other, so your kids can look right at and see that the dogs are looking at each other. Great idea.
MONOSOFF: That's right. And the great think about that is they're made of silicone or 3M adhesive. So they will not fall out of your kids shoes. And the kids immediately get the concept. The animals have to be looking at each other. And they love having stickers in their shoes.
GRIFFIN: Let's talk about the other one, which is a real problem on long drives, when your kid falls asleep. We have video of this. It's to prevent your kid from just doing the old head roll or neck roll and making mom or dad feel real guilty. What is this thing, Susan?
DUNK: Yes, the Toddler Coddler. Any parent who has been driving in their car, they look in the rear view mirror. They see their kids are asleep. They're all slumped over. They cannot be resting very comfortably.
So I invented the Toddler Coddler to stop the slump. Head neck and lateral support for kids sleeping in car seats or boosters. They just need to be forward facing.
GRIFFIN: OK, how much does that cost about?
DUNK: We retail for $29.95. GRIFFIN: OK. What else have you guys have out? Those are the three things I have. What else is out there or coming? Or if I'm somebody with a great idea, how can I get it to you?
MONOSOFF: Well, with the mom adventures Web site, it's designed exactly for that reason. In going through the invention process, you know, it's challenging, especially when you have young kids at home. And so mom adventures Web site is designed to help inventors through -- the mom inventors through the process.
At the beginning, there's a 10 steps of inventing guide for moms. It's for free. And when you're in the middle of the process, that's often the most time -- the time that you need the most support.
And so, there's the message board, where moms can communicate directly together and share their resources and challenges and really support each other.
The third component is the -- a point when a mom actually has been very successful. They've gone through the entire process, brought their product to market, but they need a venue for selling their products. We have the first ever mom invented Ebay store. So they can have an opportunity to get it out there.
GRIFFIN: All right, well Tamara Monosoff, Susan Dunk, we thank you so much for joining us. It's mominventors.com, right?
MONOSOFF: That's right.
GRIFFIN: OK, thank you so much. And hopefully we'll have some new ideas coming your way.
MONOSOFF: Thank you so much.
DUNK: Thank you.
GRIFFIN: Bye bye.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: A reunion of two National Guardsmen who nearly paid the ultimate price in Iraq. Their stories ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
GRIFFIN: Plus, election issues for you. A month before the big vote, the candidates are talking gas today and the alternatives to it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRIFFIN: Rising gasoline prices, alternative fuels, could this issue impact the vote? We'll tell you where the candidates stand. That's just ahead. Welcome back, I'm Drew Griffin.
NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. That story right after the news.
The clock may be ticking at Washington's Mt. St. Helens. Scientists say the volcano's latest steam release suggests it could erupt some time today. The volcano has rumbled for the past week, which is the most activity since it erupted in 1980, killing 57 people.
U.S. and Iraqi forces are pushing forward with their offensive by both land and air against insurgent fighters in several cities. Hospital officials in Fallujah say two people died and a dozen were wounded in a U.S. air strike on a suspected terror site.
In Samarra, U.S. forces say they've regained control and are now going door to door in search of remaining insurgents. Back home, Democrat John Kerry may be enjoying a bit of a bounce from Thursday's debate with President Bush. Two polls released this weekend show that most Americans believe the Massachusetts senator won the contest. In fact, "Newsweek" says Kerry's performance won enough new supporters that it erased the lead held by Bush since the GOP Convention.
GRIFFIN: And on the campaign trail, the presidential contenders trading shots over the economy. John Kerry telling supporters in Florida George Bush has turned his back on working families. Kerry's campaign also put an ad that says he won the first presidential debate. The ad says George Bush lost the debate and now he's lying about it. Kerry campaigns in Ohio later today.
George Bush back in Washington, after a stop in Ohio, where he launched a two pronged attack. Bush is criticizing John Kerry's pledge to take away tax cuts for richer Americans. He says they are the ones who are creating jobs. Mr. Bush also suggests Kerry's foreign policies could end up hurting America's security. The two candidates meet again Friday in a town hall meeting in St. Louis.
NGUYEN: Well, the number two men on the presidential tickets are also gearing up for a showdown of their own. John Edwards and Dick Cheney debate Tuesday in Cleveland. Both are holding practice sessions this weekend.
They're going to face each other across a desk, something the Bush camp insisted on. Edwards had wanted more of a town hall format, or for both men to stand at podiums.
GRIFFIN: Each Sunday between now and the election, we're taking a look at an issue that could affect the outcome. Today, high oil and gasoline prices may exert some pressure on the ballot box. Today, where the candidates stand on alternative fuels.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GRIFFIN (voice-over): Gas prices and the future of alternative fuels are among some of the pocketbook issues voters are thinking about as the election gets closer. Here's a look at where the candidates stand and how they feel changes can be made.
President Bush has proposed $1.7 billion to develop hydrogen powered fuel cells and automotive technologies. He also supports a 1.5 mile per gallon increase for SUVs and light trucks by 2007. The current standard is 20.7 miles per gallon. President Bush says partnerships with the private sector and his hydrogen fuel initiatives will make it cost effective for lots of Americans to choose clean, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by 2020.
Senator John Kerry supports hybrid cars and would push for a much larger increase in mileage per gallon, 15.3 miles per gallon for SUVs. That would mean a 36 mile per gallon minimum by the year 2015. He's also promoting clean renewable fuel sources, especially, he says, methanol. Kerry has said America's auto makers should take the lead in developing hybrid powered cars, something he says that would create jobs and save money at the gas pump.
And for more on the election and issues, log on to cnn.com/americavotes.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GRIFFIN: This Friday, the debate is on the economy. And next week at this time, we're going to take a closer look at how pocketbook issues are playing out in this election season.
NGUYEN: Well, he's done it with Arkansas and Arizona. Today, we profile another battleground state. And of course, that is Florida. What's the mood in this state a month before the elections? We'll find out in 10 minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRIFFIN: Two Iowa National Guard members have a special friendship after overcoming injury and tragedy in Iraq.
Our Casey Wian brings us their story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Last month I was on the engine and this month I was on an ambulance.
CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Peter Beaver is pleased with his new job with the fire department in Mason City, Iowa.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a buddy of mine, Chad Hayes. Chad served with me in Iraq.
WIAN: Beaver and Hayes share a special bond, one that goes beyond their mutual love of motorcycles. Both served with the Iowa National Guard in Iraq, driving trucks. Both cheated death and both mourned the loss of a mutual friend who wasn't so lucky.
Beaver didn't expect to use his paramedic skills in Iraq but when mortars rained down on their barracks and Hayes was close to death, Beaver went to work. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As soon as I saw Chad, the blood in my veins literally ran cold.
WIAN: Beaver stabilized Hayes and rode with him in a helicopter to Baghdad, saving his life.
SPC. CHAD HAYES, IOWA NATIONAL GUARD: I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't from him being there and being able to give me the first aid -- the aid.
WIAN: A month later, it was Beaver who was injured.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We ended up taking a round right through the cab of our truck. And my truck partner of 10 months and good friend was killed in that attack.
WIAN: Beaver suffered a concussion and temporarily lost his hearing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ended up getting -- taking a round or a piece of shrapnel right through my left hand. Ended up breaking two bones in there. Ended up taking another shot to my right knee and then a "Forest Gump" injury, I took one right to my left -- left cheek.
WIAN: Beaver recovered and came home to Iowa.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I guess the magnitude of that really hit me. When I got home and realized that, you know, my wife wasn't a widow and my son wasn't an orphan.
WIAN: The ordeal and the death of Josh Knowles (ph) has brought Beaver and Hayes closer together and given Beaver a renewed sense of purpose for his life.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have kind of made a life out of serving others. I mean, I don't -- you don't get rich by being a soldier. You don't get rich by being a paramedic. Your reward is more in serving and helping other people. And that's kind of what I have dedicated my life to.
WIAN: Both Beaver and Hayes intend to stay in the National Guard.
Casey Wian, CNN, reporting.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GRIFFIN: We think it's important to bring you these stories of war heroes every week here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. And in the 9:00 Eastern hour, we'll be joined by another American hero. Here's a picture of him. B.J. Jackson holding his daughter. He's going to tell us how he's coped with losing parts of both legs in Iraq.
NGUYEN: Time now to fast forward to the week ahead. The winners of this year's Nobel prizes will be announced in Sweden, starting with the Medicine prize on Monday, followed by Physics and Chemistry. The Nobel Peace prize will be announced on Friday from Oslo, Norway.
Tuesday, vice presidential nominee Dick Cheney and John Edwards hold their one and only debate in Cleveland. The debate starts at 9:00 p.m. Eastern. And you can watch it right here on CNN.
And Martha Stewart is scheduled to report a federal prison in West Virginia on Friday. She'll serve a five month sentence in a minimum security prison camp. Stuart was convicted in March for lying about a stock sale. GRIFFIN: One month before the election, we're taking the pulse of battleground states. Florida is one of them. And today, state representatives from Florida joining Betty for a snapshot of the sunshine state. There they are smiling this morning.
Good morning, guys. They're next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRIFFIN: That's Jacksonville, Florida this morning. The Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars playing this afternoon in a non-hurricane threatened Jacksonville.
So good morning, North Florida. We're going to have your full forecast in about 10 minutes. Right now, let's take a look at the top stories this quarter hour.
Government scientists say Mt. St. Helens ready to blow after two days of steam eruptions and an earthquake, scientists raised the alert level there, indicating an eruption is imminent. In fact, evacuations underway.
And this just into CNN, moments ago, hospital officials in Iraq say Iraqi police have found two bodies south of Baghdad. They appear to be Westerners. Officials say one of the bodies is a man who was decapitated, the other a woman who had been shot in the head.
A "Newsweek" poll taken after Thursday's debate shows the presidential race is a dead heat again. 47 percent of registered voters questioned favor Senator John Kerry. And 45 percent favor President George Bush.
Does the Koran justify murder? We're starting a new segment this Sunday with an inside look at Islam, the second largest religion in the world. Don't miss it in the next hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
NGUYEN: It was the decisive state in the 2000 presidential election. And Florida is once again a battleground. With a preview from there, Republican state representative Marcello Llorente in Miami. And from Tallahassee, we have Democratic state representative Christopher Smith. Both joining us this morning.
Good morning to you.
MARCELLO LLORENTE (R), FLORIDA STATE HOUSE: Well, good morning.
CHRISTOPHER SMITH (D), FLORIDA STATE HOUSE: Good morning.
NGUYEN: Good morning. Representative Llorente, let's start with you. What are the issues most important to your constituents as we head into election day, which is exactly a month from today?
LLORENTE: Well, clearly, we have a number of issues that incredibly important to all Floridians. Principally among those are obviously the economy, homeland security, and other issues that are specific to Florida. On November 2nd, we're going to have in Florida on our ballot a proposed constitutional amendment to our state constitution regarding parental notification of a minor when that minor is seeking an abortion. And I think that's an issue incredibly important to my constituents and one that we're looking forward to its approval on November 2nd.
NGUYEN: Representative Smith, abortion is really not one of those issues at the forefront when these presidential candidates are debating and talking about their plans. Is that an important issue for your constituents?
SMITH: No, I'm fine with my constituents. This is all about the economy. It's all about will they have a job? Will they keep their job? Would their job remain in Florida or at least America?
NGUYEN: All right. And as we look at the debates this past week, of course, the issue on the forefront was national security. In light of all the hurricanes that have hit Florida, Representative Llorente, do you think the economy local and domestic issues are really taking a forefront for you?
LLORENTE: I think they certainly are. And I think our economy in Florida is certainly an issue and a concern. And I believe the president has done a great job, along with his brother, our governor, to ensure that Florida continues to prosper, looking forward to next year, and our tourism industry, and ways in which we can go ahead and stimulate that and bring our economy back to where it was prior to the four devastating hurricanes.
But clearly, it's an issue the Floridians across the state, who have suffered some devastating consequences as a result of the storms.
NGUYEN: Representative Smith, are Floridians going to be able to get to those polls, despite all the damage and all that they've been dealing with for the past month or so?
SMITH: Yes, I think we see the elections imperative here. I mean, we're -- it's an election about our future. So people will get to the polls.
And again, I mean, they're thinking about their pocketbook. And they're voting for their lives now, voting as to whether they'll be able to put food on the table, whether we continue the job loss, continue the sterling economy, and continuing to gross debts that we're developing as a nation.
So I think they're very motivated and will go through a lot to get to these polls in November.
NGUYEN: Will those polls be up and running, all of them, Representative Llorente?
LLORENTE: Yes, we certainly expect that to be the case. And look forward to a smooth and clean election on November 2nd. NGUYEN: All right, let's stay with you for one more question here. As we look forward to the remaining two debates, what do Floridians need to hear from these candidates in order to make that decision on November 2nd?
LLORENTE: Well, I think Floridians need to hear where the candidates stand on the issues. And that's why I remain confident that President Bush has done a phenomenal job of articulating his position on the issues.
And people across this state and across this nation know that the president, whether you agree with him or disagree with him, on particular policy initiatives will stick with those positions regardless of where the political winds of the day are shifting.
NGUYEN: Representative Smith, you had a bone to pick with that?
SMITH: Yes, and I think that's the greatest fear, that the president will stick with those positions, especially domestically, whether he will stick with losing jobs, whether he will stick with creating a massive federal debt, whether they will stick with being more concerned about corporations than the people of American and keeping jobs here.
And that's the problem that we have. We need to see a plan, a change, someone that's going to do something new and not stay constant, but consistently wrong.
NGUYEN: All right, both of you, we appreciate your time and all your insight today on what Floridians want in this election. Thank you so much.
LLORENTE: Thank you.
NGUYEN: Drew?
SMITH: Thank you very much.
GRIFFIN: Betty, we have been asking our viewers this morning if they're planning to watch the next presidential debate. We're going to read some e-mails next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Plus, this 1981 Billy Joel married to Christie Brinkley. His career riding high. Something else happened in 1981 that this weekend became an official part of Billy Joel's life. We're going to tell you what that is when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRIFFIN: Here are some of the new compact disk releases coming to music stores this Tuesday. Music from Barenaked Ladies, Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Pink Floyd.
Piano man has formed a duet again. 55-year old musician Billy Joel has married 23-year old Kate Lee last night in a sunset ceremony at his home in Long Island. The couple had been dating for about a year. Lee from Huntingdon, West Virginia. She's a restaurant reviewer for a PBS TV show.
NGUYEN: And this makes his what, third marriage? Third time's a charm. This is going to be the one to stick with.
GRIFFIN: OK, I'll write that down, Betty.
NGUYEN: Yes, piano man, yes exactly.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: All right, we want to get to our responses to the morning e-mail question. That question is will you watch the next presidential debate?
We got a response from Howie. And he writes, "Absolutely. Seeing the two men side by side without their advisers and speechwriters forced to talk about the real issues and respond in real time gives me a much better idea of who they are than their carefully staged managed campaign appearances."
GRIFFIN: Sandy says "after watching the first debate, you bet I'll watch the rest. Prior to the 9/30 debate, September 30, I actually knew nothing about the differences between the two candidates. I had heard many excerpts of speeches by President Bush, as well as excerpts from John Kerry. However, until I heard them at the same time on the same questions, it was difficult to discern the truth. Excerpts are just that -- pieces out of context, and often accompanied with a spin."
Well, keep writing in. We have a couple more hours to go on this program. And we look forward to hearing what you have to say.
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Aired October 3, 2004 - 07:00 ET
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BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is October 3, 2004, 7:00 a.m. in Gainesville, Florida, 4:00 a.m. at Mt. St. Helens in Washington. We're expecting news there today. Good morning, I'm Betty Nguyen.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR: It's a rumbling Mt. St. Helens. I'm Drew Griffin. Thanks for being with us. Let's take a look what's happening right now in the news.
Two steam eruptions in two days. The alert level at Mt. St. Helens raised. Scientists say the earthquake activity greater now than at any time since the devastating eruption of 1980. An observatory three miles from the volcano has been evacuated. More on this from Rob Marciano in about a minute from now.
Now, Iraq. U.S. troops going door to door in Samarra, rooting out those insurgents. They've reclaimed the city. The battle for Samarra has taken more than 130 lives. It began on Thursday. Meantime, U.S. war planes pounding suspected terrorist targets in Fallujah. Hospital officials say two people were killed. 12 wounded in the latest air strikes.
Searching the rubble in Gaza, hospital sources say Israeli troops killed two members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Jabalia (ph) refugee camp. Israel says its troops opened fire on Palestinians who were trying to plan explosives.
Some top Haitian politicians surrendering to police after barricading themselves at a radio station in Port au Prince. It was part of an uprising by supporters of the ousted president Jean Bertrand Aristide. Those supporters have been clashing with police since Thursday. And at least 14 have been killed.
NGUYEN: Other stories and issues coming up this hour. The fight for Iraq. And then an aggressive campaign to rid the country of armed resistance. Troubling reports of women and children caught in the fighting, an exclusive live report from Samarra. That's just ahead.
And later, our weekly look at battleground states puts Florida in the spotlight. Voters there reminder oh too well what happened in 2000 and are eager not to see history repeat itself.
And if necessity is the mother of invention, you will want to meet a couple of midwives and their practical solutions to everyday needs. You'll -- it will have you saying why didn't I think of that? GRIFFIN: Our top story this morning is that mountain. Mt. St. Helens, the alert level raised there because of volcanic activity. It's in the southwestern Washington state. And scientists say a major eruption imminent or actually in progress. Is the mountain just letting off steam or is it ready to blow its top again?
Meteorologist Rob Marciano, our veteran, Pacific Northwest Volcano watcher in the CNN Weather Center.
Rob, good morning to you.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning. The words they're using -- imminent. So it looks like -- I mean that's pretty strong language to me that this thing's going to blow at some time here probably today. And all things lead to a more intense eruption than what we saw just two days ago. This one possibly involving magma or actually lava coming out of the ground and onto the surface.
Now that would mean more ash plume, more fall out so to speak. And going up higher in the sky, so the wind direction's going to be key.
The winds have switched somewhat so that most of it looks like it's going to go into the mountains, but the higher up it goes, the more those winds become a little bit more northerly. And it could become -- dropping off into more populated areas like Portland, just about 50 miles away.
Just give me either video or the other map that we have -- you have slated for behind me. Another map for me? All right, this video -- I believe received from yesterday or Saturday. Yesterday, there was a little spit of steam that came up as well around noon time. And that's what's got everybody's eyebrows raised. And then this tremor that everybody's talking about, it lasted for about 50 minutes, meaning that the lava or the magma, which is lava that's below the surface, is actually making its way up towards the surface. So that's -- the scientists got all jazzed up about that.
This gives you an idea of where Mt. St. Helens is. It is in the Cascade Mountain range, which runs north to south, just to the east of Seattle and Portland. As the crow flies, it's about 50 miles from Seattle, about twice that from Portland, and about twice that from Seattle.
So main concerns from Seattle -- from Mt. St. Helens fall out would be closer to Portland than Seattle, but there are a lot of northern suburbs just over the border in southwest Washington that could be affected by this.
But right now, the winds are calm. And we don't expect very strong winds at all today.
This is -- by the way, the current radar script. So rain is not going to be an issue. It's going to be an crystal clear day. It's all a matter of how strong the winds get. Right now, they're very, very light. So Drew and Betty, it'll be interesting to see when this thing does blow. And when they say imminent, it looks like it will. Just a matter of how strong and when here throughout the day today. And then, there will be probably some areas where folks will be experiencing respiratory problems at this point, not in highly populated areas.
And then we'll keep you updated. This will be an ongoing thing. We'll see how the winds begin to progress.
Because it's so -- the winds are so light, and because there's no real main weather feature, the winds actually could switch throughout the day. So we'll keep you posted on that.
GRIFFIN: And Rob, we should just mention we have video from the lookout point yesterday. And we head Donna Tetreault yesterday morning. She's been evacuated. They've taken everybody down off of that spot because of the increased level there.
So thanks for that, Ron.
MARCIANO: OK.
GRIFFIN: We'll be back.
NGUYEN: And people watching that. Also today, U.S. military officials in Iraq say they have reclaimed Samarra after a three day offensive by American and Iraqi forces. Those troops are now going door to door in a search for remaining insurgents. And sporadic fighting is still being reported.
We want to get the latest on the developing story. CNN's Jane Arraf is the only television reporter in Samarra. And she joins us now by videophone.
What's happening there right now, Jane?
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Betty, the U.S. military is continuing to work through sector by sector, to retake control of this city. They had sent in one of the biggest military operations since the end of the war.
Now today was the first day that people were really allowed out in the streets. They were allowed out from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. And one of the things they have been waiting to do is collect their dead.
We went to the main hospital, where there were a procession of relatives waving white flags so soldiers would not shoot at them, who had come to claim the bodies.
Now body after body kept coming out. At this hospital, they have said that they had received 39 dead and had almost 60 wounded. The U.S. says that most of these are fighters. Some of them foreign fighters, but most of them young men of fighting age who are engaged in combat with them. The relatives we spoke to, though, for almost all of them said that they were simply family members. They did include women and children who had been caught in the crossfire or caught in the air strikes that the U.S. had launched.
And we followed them to the cemetery, where they buried them. There's still an effort going on to find those bodies -- Betty?
NGUYEN: Jane, how important is this a sense of as they prepare for elections in January?
ARRAF: Extremely important. The interior minister came yesterday to Samarra. We went around with him to the main mosque, the pride of Samarra. And the reason that this is considered such a holy place for Shias around the world -- he said he was extremely pleased with the operation. He said in his view, there had been a minimal amount of civilian casualties, although that view is disputed by local officials here. And he said it could be a model for other attacks, other offensive operations on other cities.
He vowed that Iraqi forces, along with U.S. forces, would crack down on the insurgency and rid these cities of insurgents by the time they planned to hold elections in January -- Betty?
NGUYEN: CNN's Jane Arraf in Samarra, the only television journalist there. Thank you, Jane.
U.S. war planes are also targeting Fallujah, a city long considered the most defiant stronghold of insurgent forces. Hospital officials say two people were killed and a dozen wounded. U.S. forces say they struck an insurgent training area overnight, part of the bombardment of sites linked to terror mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
GRIFFIN: We have this just in from Iraq. Two bodies found south of Baghdad, one male and one female that Iraqi police are saying appear to be the bodies of Westerners. Again, this is just in to us south of Baghdad. Two bodies, possibly Westerners, found there. And we'll have more on that coming up.
We go from Iraq to the White House. The human toll of the war delivered to the Bush administration in grim symbolism, but protesters forgot to find out of the president would actually be home to see it. Protesters carrying 100 mock coffins from Arlington National Cemetery to the White House. The president had already left for a campaign trip.
They were amassed with 1,000 more to approximate the number of Americans killed in the war. Police arrested 28 protesters. They allegedly tried to scale a police barricade.
One of those arrested was the father of Nicholas Berg, the American civilian who was abducted and beheaded by terrorists.
Now for the race for the White House. A month before the election, a new poll suggesting the presidential race is tight again after the first presidential debate on Thursday. "Newsweek" survey shows 47 percent of registered voters support John Kerry, while 45 percent, President Bush. So that's a dead heat. Independent candidate Ralph Nader had two percent. Bush led 49 to 43 in the poll from early September.
NGUYEN: College students typically take a back seat in presidential elections or no seat at all. Many issues don't connect with the college crowd and students don't usually vote in large numbers.
But as CNN's Denise Belgrave reports, some young people at the University of Florida are trying to change that this time around.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Vote.
CROWD: Two, four, six, eight...
DENISE BELGRAVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): College students and political activism -- definite bedfellows in this presidential election.
RICHARD SCHER, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA: We've sensed more student interest in this election than we've seen in a long, long time.
BELGRAVE: And students are using every tool at their disposal, including encouraging fellow students to switch their voter registration from their home state to their school state.
JILL GRECO, GATORS FOR KERRY: If you live in a solid red or a solid blue state, then your vote is not going to necessarily help elect the next president. And if you register here where in the last election, Florida's only won by 537 votes, then you are more likely to have an input into who wins the election.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you have a sticker yet? Grab a sticker.
BELGRAVE: With at least 15 swing states in the balance, their efforts may have an impact.
HUNTER WILLIAMS, COLLEGE REPUBLICANS: That's the message we're trying to drive home, that if it's not close, there can't be any shenanigans, there can't be any legal action. And you know, it's too close to risk. This is too critical of a campaign.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you switching your vote to be in...
BELGRAVE: Nina Deyoung made the switch.
NINA DEYOUNG, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA: I just knew that this is where my voice was going to count the most, especially with the margin of errors that are going on right now, people are saying it's 50/50 in Florida with Bush and Kerry. It's just there's no way to tell right now. So I really think that every single vote in Florida is going to count.
BELGRAVE: The Census Bureau tells CNN that 16.5 million Americans came of voting age since the 2000 election. So it's really no great surprise that a lot of attention is being focused on college campuses like the University of Florida in swing states.
But the real question is whether these new young voters will show up on election day.
Denise Belgrave, CNN, Gainesville, Florida.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: And later this hour, a debate from the crucial state of Florida. Local leaders from the sunshine state will go at it. So you want to stay with us for that.
Also, changes in airline security. Transportation security launches its own passenger screening system. A new way to spot the bad apples before they get on board.
GRIFFIN: And here's an idea keeps your kids from going in a roll, so to speak. It's something from what we're calling the mothers of invention. Stay with us. We'll tell you what it is.
NGUYEN: And we liked the e-mail question so much on CNN SATURDAY MORNING, we provided some great responses, or you did. So we're bringing it back for an encore. Will you watch the next presidential debate and why? That's our e-mail question of the day. E-mail us your responses at wam@cnn.com.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: The Oakland Raiders are playing the Texans this afternoon in Houston. So good morning, Houston. It's all dark there right now. This is a shot from our affiliate KTRK down there in Houston. We'll have your weather forecast in about 10 minutes.
Other stories making headlines this morning. At least two people are in critical condition after a terrifying accident in Louisiana swamps. The tour was about 22 miles south of New Orleans when their air boat apparently slipped in shallow water and dumped the captain and 16 tourists into the water.
The bankrupt airlines U.S. Airways is in a holding pattern, as leaders of the pilots union mull over an average pay cut of 18 percent. The airline says the cuts would save $300 million a year and account for nearly a third of the amount needed to stay in business. Union officials plan to meet again on Tuesday.
From southern California's Pismo Beach, a bit of luck snatched right from the jaws of tragedy. This surf board is bearing the apparent scars of a shark attack. Its young owner and his cousin escaped unharmed, thank goodness, but describe a glimpse of what appears to have been a great white shark measuring 12 feet or more.
And will a third time be the charm? Ladies, the piano man, he is off the market. Don't miss the details of his sunset wedding later this hour. GRIFFIN: "TIME" magazine reports the Transportation Security Administration is planning to launch its own airline passenger profiling system, unlike TSA's computer database, which scans for names on passenger watch lists. This system would rely on "the human element."
Airport screeners would watch for unusual or anxious behavior by passengers and point those people out to police, who would then conduct interviews.
The Homeland Security Department isn't keeping a close enough watch on its watch lists. That's what the department's own inspector general is saying in a strongly worded report. Clark Kent Irvin says Homeland Security officials haven't properly organized their terrorist watch lists. The reverend says in the report the "manner in which the watch list consolidation has unfolded has not helped the nation break from its pattern of ad hoc approaches to counter-terrorism."
NGUYEN: Well, attention moms out there. Does this look familiar? Oh, goodness. The solution is pretty easy. This little invention saves your troubles. Andrew will explore the subject with the moms who created it next here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. This is an actual look at it right here. Pretty interesting stuff. Stay tuned.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRIFFIN: They're not the mother of all inventions, but they're mothers. And they are inventing those things that if you are a mom, now you'll say now why didn't I think of that?
Tamara Monosoff and Susan Dunk head up Mom Inventors. Tamara is in San Francisco this morning, Susan in Washington. We've got some of your inventions right here in Atlanta.
Good morning, guys.
TAMARA MONOSOFF, WWW.MOMINVENTORS.COM: Good morning.
SUSAN DUNK, INVENTED TODDLER CODDLER: Good morning.
GRIFFIN: How did -- is that how you started this company, by saying why didn't think of it? Well, I just did think of that. So let's make it.
MONOSOFF: Exactly. You know, my daughter started pulling the toilet paper when she was 10 months old. And she -- I went out to the stores to look for the solution to the problem. And there wasn't anything out there. So I thought well goodness, I can't be the only mom in America who's experiencing this problem. And when I spoke to other moms, they said gosh, lock it up in the cabinet, or keep your bathroom door locked.
And I thought, there's got to be something out there on the market. So that's how I came up with TP saver.
GRIFFIN: Tamara, let's show it right here. I've got it in my hands. This is the TP Saver. And oh, it's too glaring. I tell you what, I just got the regular one right here. Here's how it works. It's really pretty simple. Why didn't I think of that, right? Toilet paper goes on. This goes around the top and prevents that kid from just spinning and spinning and spinning. I think we even have a picture of a kid with toilet paper. This is a great idea.
MONOSOFF: Thank you.
GRIFFIN: Is it a big seller, Susan?
DUNK: Oh, yes, very popular. Everybody seems to love it.
GRIFFIN: And are all of your inventions designed, Susan, to make life for mom and kids just a little bit easier?
DUNK: Yes, you know, moms are on the front lines. They see a problem and they look to solve it. So fortunately, Tamara was able to gather a bunch of very creative moms. And everybody worked together to solve a bunch of problems.
GRIFFIN: Problem number two, you're heading out to the grocery store. Kid get on your shoes. He comes out and the shoes are on the wrong feet. I hate that. You have to stop.
So you guys come up with this one. Shoe clues. I'm going to show it to camera two. And they're little stickers. And you peel them off. One says left. You put it inside your stinky big shoe, right? And the other one -- and then, I doubt they can see inside there, but the shoes actually look -- I still get it wrong -- look at each other, so your kids can look right at and see that the dogs are looking at each other. Great idea.
MONOSOFF: That's right. And the great think about that is they're made of silicone or 3M adhesive. So they will not fall out of your kids shoes. And the kids immediately get the concept. The animals have to be looking at each other. And they love having stickers in their shoes.
GRIFFIN: Let's talk about the other one, which is a real problem on long drives, when your kid falls asleep. We have video of this. It's to prevent your kid from just doing the old head roll or neck roll and making mom or dad feel real guilty. What is this thing, Susan?
DUNK: Yes, the Toddler Coddler. Any parent who has been driving in their car, they look in the rear view mirror. They see their kids are asleep. They're all slumped over. They cannot be resting very comfortably.
So I invented the Toddler Coddler to stop the slump. Head neck and lateral support for kids sleeping in car seats or boosters. They just need to be forward facing.
GRIFFIN: OK, how much does that cost about?
DUNK: We retail for $29.95. GRIFFIN: OK. What else have you guys have out? Those are the three things I have. What else is out there or coming? Or if I'm somebody with a great idea, how can I get it to you?
MONOSOFF: Well, with the mom adventures Web site, it's designed exactly for that reason. In going through the invention process, you know, it's challenging, especially when you have young kids at home. And so mom adventures Web site is designed to help inventors through -- the mom inventors through the process.
At the beginning, there's a 10 steps of inventing guide for moms. It's for free. And when you're in the middle of the process, that's often the most time -- the time that you need the most support.
And so, there's the message board, where moms can communicate directly together and share their resources and challenges and really support each other.
The third component is the -- a point when a mom actually has been very successful. They've gone through the entire process, brought their product to market, but they need a venue for selling their products. We have the first ever mom invented Ebay store. So they can have an opportunity to get it out there.
GRIFFIN: All right, well Tamara Monosoff, Susan Dunk, we thank you so much for joining us. It's mominventors.com, right?
MONOSOFF: That's right.
GRIFFIN: OK, thank you so much. And hopefully we'll have some new ideas coming your way.
MONOSOFF: Thank you so much.
DUNK: Thank you.
GRIFFIN: Bye bye.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: A reunion of two National Guardsmen who nearly paid the ultimate price in Iraq. Their stories ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
GRIFFIN: Plus, election issues for you. A month before the big vote, the candidates are talking gas today and the alternatives to it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRIFFIN: Rising gasoline prices, alternative fuels, could this issue impact the vote? We'll tell you where the candidates stand. That's just ahead. Welcome back, I'm Drew Griffin.
NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. That story right after the news.
The clock may be ticking at Washington's Mt. St. Helens. Scientists say the volcano's latest steam release suggests it could erupt some time today. The volcano has rumbled for the past week, which is the most activity since it erupted in 1980, killing 57 people.
U.S. and Iraqi forces are pushing forward with their offensive by both land and air against insurgent fighters in several cities. Hospital officials in Fallujah say two people died and a dozen were wounded in a U.S. air strike on a suspected terror site.
In Samarra, U.S. forces say they've regained control and are now going door to door in search of remaining insurgents. Back home, Democrat John Kerry may be enjoying a bit of a bounce from Thursday's debate with President Bush. Two polls released this weekend show that most Americans believe the Massachusetts senator won the contest. In fact, "Newsweek" says Kerry's performance won enough new supporters that it erased the lead held by Bush since the GOP Convention.
GRIFFIN: And on the campaign trail, the presidential contenders trading shots over the economy. John Kerry telling supporters in Florida George Bush has turned his back on working families. Kerry's campaign also put an ad that says he won the first presidential debate. The ad says George Bush lost the debate and now he's lying about it. Kerry campaigns in Ohio later today.
George Bush back in Washington, after a stop in Ohio, where he launched a two pronged attack. Bush is criticizing John Kerry's pledge to take away tax cuts for richer Americans. He says they are the ones who are creating jobs. Mr. Bush also suggests Kerry's foreign policies could end up hurting America's security. The two candidates meet again Friday in a town hall meeting in St. Louis.
NGUYEN: Well, the number two men on the presidential tickets are also gearing up for a showdown of their own. John Edwards and Dick Cheney debate Tuesday in Cleveland. Both are holding practice sessions this weekend.
They're going to face each other across a desk, something the Bush camp insisted on. Edwards had wanted more of a town hall format, or for both men to stand at podiums.
GRIFFIN: Each Sunday between now and the election, we're taking a look at an issue that could affect the outcome. Today, high oil and gasoline prices may exert some pressure on the ballot box. Today, where the candidates stand on alternative fuels.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GRIFFIN (voice-over): Gas prices and the future of alternative fuels are among some of the pocketbook issues voters are thinking about as the election gets closer. Here's a look at where the candidates stand and how they feel changes can be made.
President Bush has proposed $1.7 billion to develop hydrogen powered fuel cells and automotive technologies. He also supports a 1.5 mile per gallon increase for SUVs and light trucks by 2007. The current standard is 20.7 miles per gallon. President Bush says partnerships with the private sector and his hydrogen fuel initiatives will make it cost effective for lots of Americans to choose clean, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by 2020.
Senator John Kerry supports hybrid cars and would push for a much larger increase in mileage per gallon, 15.3 miles per gallon for SUVs. That would mean a 36 mile per gallon minimum by the year 2015. He's also promoting clean renewable fuel sources, especially, he says, methanol. Kerry has said America's auto makers should take the lead in developing hybrid powered cars, something he says that would create jobs and save money at the gas pump.
And for more on the election and issues, log on to cnn.com/americavotes.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GRIFFIN: This Friday, the debate is on the economy. And next week at this time, we're going to take a closer look at how pocketbook issues are playing out in this election season.
NGUYEN: Well, he's done it with Arkansas and Arizona. Today, we profile another battleground state. And of course, that is Florida. What's the mood in this state a month before the elections? We'll find out in 10 minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRIFFIN: Two Iowa National Guard members have a special friendship after overcoming injury and tragedy in Iraq.
Our Casey Wian brings us their story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Last month I was on the engine and this month I was on an ambulance.
CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Peter Beaver is pleased with his new job with the fire department in Mason City, Iowa.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a buddy of mine, Chad Hayes. Chad served with me in Iraq.
WIAN: Beaver and Hayes share a special bond, one that goes beyond their mutual love of motorcycles. Both served with the Iowa National Guard in Iraq, driving trucks. Both cheated death and both mourned the loss of a mutual friend who wasn't so lucky.
Beaver didn't expect to use his paramedic skills in Iraq but when mortars rained down on their barracks and Hayes was close to death, Beaver went to work. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As soon as I saw Chad, the blood in my veins literally ran cold.
WIAN: Beaver stabilized Hayes and rode with him in a helicopter to Baghdad, saving his life.
SPC. CHAD HAYES, IOWA NATIONAL GUARD: I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't from him being there and being able to give me the first aid -- the aid.
WIAN: A month later, it was Beaver who was injured.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We ended up taking a round right through the cab of our truck. And my truck partner of 10 months and good friend was killed in that attack.
WIAN: Beaver suffered a concussion and temporarily lost his hearing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ended up getting -- taking a round or a piece of shrapnel right through my left hand. Ended up breaking two bones in there. Ended up taking another shot to my right knee and then a "Forest Gump" injury, I took one right to my left -- left cheek.
WIAN: Beaver recovered and came home to Iowa.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I guess the magnitude of that really hit me. When I got home and realized that, you know, my wife wasn't a widow and my son wasn't an orphan.
WIAN: The ordeal and the death of Josh Knowles (ph) has brought Beaver and Hayes closer together and given Beaver a renewed sense of purpose for his life.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have kind of made a life out of serving others. I mean, I don't -- you don't get rich by being a soldier. You don't get rich by being a paramedic. Your reward is more in serving and helping other people. And that's kind of what I have dedicated my life to.
WIAN: Both Beaver and Hayes intend to stay in the National Guard.
Casey Wian, CNN, reporting.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GRIFFIN: We think it's important to bring you these stories of war heroes every week here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. And in the 9:00 Eastern hour, we'll be joined by another American hero. Here's a picture of him. B.J. Jackson holding his daughter. He's going to tell us how he's coped with losing parts of both legs in Iraq.
NGUYEN: Time now to fast forward to the week ahead. The winners of this year's Nobel prizes will be announced in Sweden, starting with the Medicine prize on Monday, followed by Physics and Chemistry. The Nobel Peace prize will be announced on Friday from Oslo, Norway.
Tuesday, vice presidential nominee Dick Cheney and John Edwards hold their one and only debate in Cleveland. The debate starts at 9:00 p.m. Eastern. And you can watch it right here on CNN.
And Martha Stewart is scheduled to report a federal prison in West Virginia on Friday. She'll serve a five month sentence in a minimum security prison camp. Stuart was convicted in March for lying about a stock sale. GRIFFIN: One month before the election, we're taking the pulse of battleground states. Florida is one of them. And today, state representatives from Florida joining Betty for a snapshot of the sunshine state. There they are smiling this morning.
Good morning, guys. They're next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
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GRIFFIN: That's Jacksonville, Florida this morning. The Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars playing this afternoon in a non-hurricane threatened Jacksonville.
So good morning, North Florida. We're going to have your full forecast in about 10 minutes. Right now, let's take a look at the top stories this quarter hour.
Government scientists say Mt. St. Helens ready to blow after two days of steam eruptions and an earthquake, scientists raised the alert level there, indicating an eruption is imminent. In fact, evacuations underway.
And this just into CNN, moments ago, hospital officials in Iraq say Iraqi police have found two bodies south of Baghdad. They appear to be Westerners. Officials say one of the bodies is a man who was decapitated, the other a woman who had been shot in the head.
A "Newsweek" poll taken after Thursday's debate shows the presidential race is a dead heat again. 47 percent of registered voters questioned favor Senator John Kerry. And 45 percent favor President George Bush.
Does the Koran justify murder? We're starting a new segment this Sunday with an inside look at Islam, the second largest religion in the world. Don't miss it in the next hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
NGUYEN: It was the decisive state in the 2000 presidential election. And Florida is once again a battleground. With a preview from there, Republican state representative Marcello Llorente in Miami. And from Tallahassee, we have Democratic state representative Christopher Smith. Both joining us this morning.
Good morning to you.
MARCELLO LLORENTE (R), FLORIDA STATE HOUSE: Well, good morning.
CHRISTOPHER SMITH (D), FLORIDA STATE HOUSE: Good morning.
NGUYEN: Good morning. Representative Llorente, let's start with you. What are the issues most important to your constituents as we head into election day, which is exactly a month from today?
LLORENTE: Well, clearly, we have a number of issues that incredibly important to all Floridians. Principally among those are obviously the economy, homeland security, and other issues that are specific to Florida. On November 2nd, we're going to have in Florida on our ballot a proposed constitutional amendment to our state constitution regarding parental notification of a minor when that minor is seeking an abortion. And I think that's an issue incredibly important to my constituents and one that we're looking forward to its approval on November 2nd.
NGUYEN: Representative Smith, abortion is really not one of those issues at the forefront when these presidential candidates are debating and talking about their plans. Is that an important issue for your constituents?
SMITH: No, I'm fine with my constituents. This is all about the economy. It's all about will they have a job? Will they keep their job? Would their job remain in Florida or at least America?
NGUYEN: All right. And as we look at the debates this past week, of course, the issue on the forefront was national security. In light of all the hurricanes that have hit Florida, Representative Llorente, do you think the economy local and domestic issues are really taking a forefront for you?
LLORENTE: I think they certainly are. And I think our economy in Florida is certainly an issue and a concern. And I believe the president has done a great job, along with his brother, our governor, to ensure that Florida continues to prosper, looking forward to next year, and our tourism industry, and ways in which we can go ahead and stimulate that and bring our economy back to where it was prior to the four devastating hurricanes.
But clearly, it's an issue the Floridians across the state, who have suffered some devastating consequences as a result of the storms.
NGUYEN: Representative Smith, are Floridians going to be able to get to those polls, despite all the damage and all that they've been dealing with for the past month or so?
SMITH: Yes, I think we see the elections imperative here. I mean, we're -- it's an election about our future. So people will get to the polls.
And again, I mean, they're thinking about their pocketbook. And they're voting for their lives now, voting as to whether they'll be able to put food on the table, whether we continue the job loss, continue the sterling economy, and continuing to gross debts that we're developing as a nation.
So I think they're very motivated and will go through a lot to get to these polls in November.
NGUYEN: Will those polls be up and running, all of them, Representative Llorente?
LLORENTE: Yes, we certainly expect that to be the case. And look forward to a smooth and clean election on November 2nd. NGUYEN: All right, let's stay with you for one more question here. As we look forward to the remaining two debates, what do Floridians need to hear from these candidates in order to make that decision on November 2nd?
LLORENTE: Well, I think Floridians need to hear where the candidates stand on the issues. And that's why I remain confident that President Bush has done a phenomenal job of articulating his position on the issues.
And people across this state and across this nation know that the president, whether you agree with him or disagree with him, on particular policy initiatives will stick with those positions regardless of where the political winds of the day are shifting.
NGUYEN: Representative Smith, you had a bone to pick with that?
SMITH: Yes, and I think that's the greatest fear, that the president will stick with those positions, especially domestically, whether he will stick with losing jobs, whether he will stick with creating a massive federal debt, whether they will stick with being more concerned about corporations than the people of American and keeping jobs here.
And that's the problem that we have. We need to see a plan, a change, someone that's going to do something new and not stay constant, but consistently wrong.
NGUYEN: All right, both of you, we appreciate your time and all your insight today on what Floridians want in this election. Thank you so much.
LLORENTE: Thank you.
NGUYEN: Drew?
SMITH: Thank you very much.
GRIFFIN: Betty, we have been asking our viewers this morning if they're planning to watch the next presidential debate. We're going to read some e-mails next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Plus, this 1981 Billy Joel married to Christie Brinkley. His career riding high. Something else happened in 1981 that this weekend became an official part of Billy Joel's life. We're going to tell you what that is when we come back.
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GRIFFIN: Here are some of the new compact disk releases coming to music stores this Tuesday. Music from Barenaked Ladies, Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Pink Floyd.
Piano man has formed a duet again. 55-year old musician Billy Joel has married 23-year old Kate Lee last night in a sunset ceremony at his home in Long Island. The couple had been dating for about a year. Lee from Huntingdon, West Virginia. She's a restaurant reviewer for a PBS TV show.
NGUYEN: And this makes his what, third marriage? Third time's a charm. This is going to be the one to stick with.
GRIFFIN: OK, I'll write that down, Betty.
NGUYEN: Yes, piano man, yes exactly.
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NGUYEN: All right, we want to get to our responses to the morning e-mail question. That question is will you watch the next presidential debate?
We got a response from Howie. And he writes, "Absolutely. Seeing the two men side by side without their advisers and speechwriters forced to talk about the real issues and respond in real time gives me a much better idea of who they are than their carefully staged managed campaign appearances."
GRIFFIN: Sandy says "after watching the first debate, you bet I'll watch the rest. Prior to the 9/30 debate, September 30, I actually knew nothing about the differences between the two candidates. I had heard many excerpts of speeches by President Bush, as well as excerpts from John Kerry. However, until I heard them at the same time on the same questions, it was difficult to discern the truth. Excerpts are just that -- pieces out of context, and often accompanied with a spin."
Well, keep writing in. We have a couple more hours to go on this program. And we look forward to hearing what you have to say.
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