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U.N. Appeals for Release of Three Employees Kidnapped in Kabul; Presidential Race Comes Down to Final Push

Aired October 31, 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: Good morning from the CNN Center here in Atlanta. This is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is October 31st, just two days before election day. Good morning, everyone.
I'm Betty Nguyen. 7:00 a.m. here in the East.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: It really is, if you forgot, to fall back last night, you better do it now. I'm Tony Harris. Thank you for being with us.

In the news right now, the United Nations is appealing for the release of three employees kidnapped in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. An Arabic television network is showing a tape that apparently shows the three workers who were abducted last Thursday. A Taliban splinter group has threatened to kill them unless prisoners are released from Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

And it was a suicide car bomber that killed eight U.S. Marines and wounded 10 others yesterday west of Baghdad near Abu Ghraib prison. That's the word from an officer who talked with CNN's Karl Penhaul embedded with the Marines. It's the biggest single day U.S. death toll in six months.

Just minutes ago, Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said they are still trying to find a peaceful solution to the Fallujah situation.

A Polish woman held hostage in Iraq is appealing to her country to withdraw its troops and save her life. Poland's government is refusing to negotiate with the kidnappers. And a decapitated body found in Baghdad is identified as that of a Japanese backpacker who was abducted last week.

NGUYEN: We've got a lot of the facets of the presidential politics covered in the coming hour. Just ahead, the marathon race is down to the final push. We'll have the latest from the campaigns, as the candidates revisit familiar territory.

In about 30 minutes, we'll wrap up our weekly look at battleground states with the view from Minnesota. Just last week, the candidates dropped more than a million bucks in political ads all across the land of Paul Bunyan. That's about $100,000 per electoral vote.

And later, want to know in advance who will win Tuesday's election? Well, just watch today's Redskins/Packers game. We're not kidding.

HARRIS: Our top story this hour, the campaign countdown. The presidential candidates are moving at top speed this weekend in a final drive to visit the battleground states before Tuesday, election day. The outcome of the electoral college vote is still anybody's guess, with at least eight states still too close to call. And both sides are vying for every opportunity they can to speak with voters.

NGUYEN: And those up for grab states are getting all the attention, as the candidates make their final push toward election day. John Kerry visits Ohio, New Hampshire, and Florida today. Our national correspondent Kelly Wallace is with the Democratic challenger. And she joins us now live from Dayton, Ohio.

Good morning, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty. Hard to believe after two years of campaigning, just 48 hours left for John Kerry to try and capture the presidency. He begins his day here at this Baptist church in Dayton, Ohio. And then of course, flying to New Hampshire and Florida.

He's talking about pocketbook issues, but in light of that new tape of Osama bin Laden, he's spending a great deal of time battling with President Bush over who can do a better job with the war on terror.

BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE (voice-over): The final push and the candidate starting off in central Wisconsin says well, he's feeling good.

JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This thing is moving. We're moving.

WALLACE: No mention of that new Osama bin Laden tape. Camp Kerry trying to stay on message.

KERRY: How are you doing?

WALLACE: Still, the name of the most hated man in America does come up, as Senator Kerry tries to make the case he can keep the U.S. safer than President Bush.

KERRY: As I have said for two years now, when Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda were recorded in the mountains of Tora Bora, it was wrong to outsource the job of capturing them to Afghan warlords...

WALLACE: Team Bush says the senator has his facts wrong. And so the attack counterattack continues.

From Wisconsin, to Iowa, going before moderate sized crowds, appearing with some new faces, Ashton Kutcher and using some new words. Think Howard Dean.

KERRY: On Tuesday, you have the power. WALLACE: A key part of the senator's closing strategy, explains the visit to Appleton, Wisconsin, where George W. Bush won by 10 points four years ago. The senator trying to win over those voters who backed Mr. Bush in 2000, but who don't fell they've got what they voted for.

KERRY: He fights for the wealthy. I'm fighting for the middle class and people struggling to get into it.

WALLACE: Senator Kerry wrapped up his final pre election Saturday in Burl, Ohio, returning to the Buckeye state again Sunday and Monday, trying to steal the critical battleground from Republican hands.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: Asked how the campaign team was feeling, a top adviser said cautiously optimistic, but also saying feeling as good as you can feel in a very tight race -- Betty?

NGUYEN: Yes, not much time left. All right, Kelly Wallace, thank you so much.

Meanwhile, President Bush seeks votes in three Florida cities before heading for Cincinnati this evening. It's Mr. Bush's 33rd trip to Florida as president.

Well, a new tape from Osama bin Laden dominated yesterday's rallies in the upper Midwest. Our senior White House correspondent John King is with the president.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A five-state day to open the final weekend. Staple lines in the speech suddenly elevated by the re-emergence of Osama bin Laden.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The terrorists who killed thousands of people are still dangerous and determined to strike.

KING: Here in Wisconsin and earlier in Michigan, no mention of the new bin Laden message. But Mr. Bush hit hard on his central campaign theme, that he is a proven war-time president. His opponent, a man with a soft on security voting record and few core convictions.

BUSH: My opponent's positions are kind of like the weather here in Green Bay. If you don't like it, wait a little bit and it'll change. Whether you agree with me or disagree with me, you know where I stand, you know what I believe, and you know I'm going to lead.

KING: Vice President Cheney challenged Senator Kerry's assertion that bin Laden is at large because Mr. Bush diverted resource from Afghanistan to Iraq. In Pennsylvania, Mr. Cheney says the commanding general at the time says Senator Kerry is wrong. DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES: Given a choice between John Kerry and General Tommy Franks, I'll take General Franks anytime.

KING: Bin Laden's re-emergence is a challenge for Mr. Bush both as president and as a candidate in the final hours of a tough reelection contest.

BUSH: I ask for your trust. I ask for your vote. I ask for your help.

KING: National Security Adviser Rice joined the president for a morning secure video conference to discuss the tape. Homeland Security Secretary Ridge, CIA Director Goss, Attorney General Ashcroft and FBI Director Mueller among those participating. Senior administration officials say initial analysis suggests the tape is more a political statement than a warning of new attacks. But then Mr. Bush convened the morning call to make sure all precautions were being taken.

His campaign day began in Ohio and then rallies in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Florida. And the president claiming progress in the war on terror, just as Americans are reminded al Qaeda's leader remains at large.

BUSH: We are staying on the offensive against the terrorists across the globe so we do not have to face them here at home.

KING (on camera): Senior Bush aides have long voiced hope that the campaign in the end would boil down to a referendum on which candidate would be a stronger leader in the war on terror. None, however, could have predicted that Osama bin Laden would add his menacing voice to that debate in such a dramatic fashion.

John King, CNN, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Add now to our e-mail of the day. Is it the man or the mission? When you go to the polls on election day, are you voting for the individual candidate or for what his party represents? Drop us an e-mail at wam@cnn.com.

NGUYEN: Well, you know, Tony, it is Halloween. Your kiddos getting ready to go trick or treating?

HARRIS: Absolutely. I've got one who's a hippie. How does he know...

NGUYEN: Through your old clothing maybe?

HARRIS: And one is -- thank you, thank you. And one is going as Elvira.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HARRIS: Well, just two days before we head to the polls, and we're taking the pulse of this campaign with advisers to both candidates. Richard Falkenrath from the Bush camp and retired General Wesley Clark from the Kerry camp. Join us next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: And then the ladies take the stage. The president's daughters put their star power to work on the campaign trail in Florida.

HARRIS: But first, this year more than 30 states gave voters a chance to go to the polls early to avoid the expected record crowds this Tuesday. Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee were among the places reporting huge turnouts. We caught up with some of the early birds and asked them why they felt it was important to get to the polls early.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How long have you bee in line?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Three hours.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is it worth it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In order to get my vote cast. I feel strongly that we should vote. We got people in Iraq losing lives. So we can vote.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My civic duty, if you're going to complain about something, you need to be able to participate in it. If you don't get out and vote, don't complain.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: In other news across America, no shortage of flu vaccine north of the border. Americans seeking influenza inoculations founded it in Vancouver yesterday, but it wasn't cheap. Each shot cost $40.

Documentation of the Red Sox curse can be yours if you have deep pockets. The 1919 sales contract that traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees is being auctioned on Ebay. Last we checked, the bid was more than $130,000. And there are still nine days left. So get your money out.

And in Boston, a huge citywide party for the World Series champions. Check it out. Amphibious vehicles known as ducks carried the Red Sox players through streets clogged with millions of fans. The ducks even took the team on a victory lap around the Charles River.

Well, we may know the name of the next American president as early as tonight. That answer will come from the Washington Redskins of course. What am I talking about? Well, you'll have to wait. Find out a little bit later this hour.

HARRIS: With only two days to go until election day, there's still no clear frontrunner in the presidential race. And it may boil down to get out the vote efforts.

Joining us from the Bush campaign is Richard Falkenrath, a Bush campaign adviser.

Richard, good to see you this morning.

RICHARD FALKENRATH, BUSH CAMPAIGN ADVISER: Good morning, Tony.

HARRIS: Well, is that you see it? It comes down to who best gets out their supporters?

FALKENRATH: I think that will probably be part of it. But it's also who best makes the case that they can win the war on terror. And I think there's a -- the votes could turn either way. There's a lot of absentee ballots, a lot of early ballots. And they'll be a big voter turnout.

The president's energetic. I think he's energizing a lot of his supporters. And we expect a victory on Tuesday.

HARRIS: Let me pick up on that point about the war on terrorism. The bin Laden tape refocuses our attention. It takes us right back to 9/11. And it reminds us that bin Laden is still out there. Is it fair to criticize a president for not capturing bin Laden?

FALKENRATH: I don't think so. I think -- President Clinton would like capture bin Laden. And there's ongoing efforts to do so, but I really don't think it's a fair criticism.

What this tape says to me is that we know there's a danger. There's a threat. There's an organization that wishes to attack us, but so far hasn't been able to.

I'm quite certain al Qaeda will attack the U.S. homeland as soon as they're able to. But this tape is in a way an indication that the best they can do right now is communicate and send propaganda tapes.

It's very hard to find a single individual. It's useful, I think, to recall that Radovan Karadzic and Radko Mladic, two of the war criminals from the Bosnian wars are still at large. And they've been -- that's nine years now. And they've been the most wanted men in the world almost.

HARRIS: OK. Let's turn to Iraq for just a moment. We learned yesterday -- well, we learned on Monday about the missing munitions. And that story is still being sorted out. Eight Marines killed yesterday in a car bombing. I'm not suggesting that the missing munitions were used in that car attack. We just don't know that, but for some folks, they may be able to put two and two together. And for them, it may suggest that there is a link here. Is it wrong to criticize this Bush administration for what's happening in Iraq and for people to be asking the question today, particularly after eight Marines are killed yesterday. What is going on on the ground?

FALKENRATH: Well, what's going on is there are international terrorists in Iraq, as well as Iraqi insurgents, who are fighting U.S. forces in the Iraqi government and Iraqi people, as they seek to make a transition to democracy. And that's really the right way to look at Iraq, I think. This is a long term struggle, but it's the right struggle. It's a struggle for freedom and liberty and democracy and peace in that region. And it's a difficult and hard fight. There's no question about that.

And the question for the voters really on Tuesday is which president -- which candidate for president is more committed to success in Iraq? And I think there's no question that person is President Bush.

HARRIS: OK, Richard Falkenrath from the Bush campaign. We appreciate you taking the time this Sunday morning. Thank you.

FALKENRATH: Thank you, Tony.

HARRIS: And we'll hear from the opposite side next. Retired General and former Democratic Wesley Clark will join us from the Kerry camp.

NGUYEN: But first, here's an election tidbit for you. According to U.S. Census, 111 million people voted in the 2000 presidential election. Now the record high is 114 million. That was set in 1992. So the question is, will 2004 set a new record?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Well, the newly surfaced Osama bin Laden videotape, it's led to a renewed vow from John Kerry to hunt down terrorists. But just how far is he willing to go?

Joining us now from Las Vegas is retired General Wesley Clark. He's the former supreme allied commander of NATO, now a foreign policy adviser to the Kerry campaign.

General, good to see you.

GEN. WESLEY CLARK, KERRY FOREIGN POLICY ADVISER: Good to see you, Tony.

HARRIS: Well, now that we know bin Laden is alive and well, how would you advise -- how have you advised John Kerry as president, or President Kerry, to go about capturing him?

CLARK: Well, you have to have a broad based campaign to go after the whole terrorist network, the infrastructure in your recruiting process. But specifically with Osama bin Laden, what we've got to do is we've got to work with the governments of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. We've got to increase the size of our commitment, the depth of our intelligence sharing. We've got to bring those governments in line, so they're fully supportive of our goals. And we've got to put the resources and presidential attention in to get Osama bin Laden.

HARRIS: General, President Kerry would inherit an insurgency that is, by some estimates, up to 12,000 strong, a country awash in weapons and money. How does a President Kerry proceed in Iraq? CLARK: Well, first of all, I think you've got to really do an assessment of what's happening on the ground. And I'd like to have President Kerry hear what our military leaders really think about the situation, whether they do need more troops or not.

Secondly, we've got to bring in countries in the region. We've got to use all the carrots and sticks in our capacity to persuade Syria and Iran, that a peaceful stable democratizing Iraq is in their interest, and get them to turn off of the feeding of the insurgency, what's going on right now.

HARRIS: OK.

CLARK: And those are the two key things.

HARRIS: OK. Let's look at the campaign map quickly, if we could. Mr. Kerry's in Ohio, New Hampshire, Florida, and Iowa today. What is he saying? What is his closing argument?

CLARK: That you've got to have a president who can both keep this country safe and fight for America's middle class. You've got to have a president who can do two things at the same time and do both of them well. He'll do both those.

HARRIS: What's your key indicator on Tuesday? How will you know? What will be the sign that tells you you're man has won?

CLARK: Well, I think we're going to see it very quickly, because I think you're going to see a huge surge in the participation in this election. You're going to see all these new registrants who haven't been before, and they're going to be voting for John Kerry. They know this is the most important election of our lifetime. That's why participation rates are so high in early voting. We're seeing it all across the country. I've been to all these states and I felt this enormous energy out there.

HARRIS: Well, what about your home state of Arkansas? Will he carry your state?

CLARK: Yes, he will. Bill Clinton's going to be there today in Arkansas to energize...

HARRIS: Will you be there with them?

CLARK: I'm carrying -- I'm working the West for John Kerry. And I'm here in New Mexico and Nevada today. So I won't -- will not be in Arkansas. I've been there last week.

HARRIS: General Clark, good to see you.

CLARK: Thank you.

HARRIS: Have a great day.

CLARK: Thanks, Tony.

HARRIS: Thanks for coming to talk to us this Sunday morning.

NGUYEN: Well, with politics a part of her life practically since birth, Chelsea Clinton takes on a new role in the limelight.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHELSEA CLINTON, FMR. FIRST DAUGHTER: When I was asked to join the campaign trail today, I was a little nervous. I'm not accustomed to public speaking. And this is my first political speech

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN The former president's daughter on the issues, on the campaign trail as well.

HARRIS: Plus, it's time to take off the gloves in the battleground state of Minnesota. The candidate's supporters face off live in the land of 10,000 lakes, right here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Chelsea Clinton makes her debut in politics. Welcome back, everyone. I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. That story in just a minute. But first, here's a look at headlines this morning.

A videotape showing three U.N. election workers taken hostage in Afghanistan aired on Arab television. Al Jazeera reports the two woman and a man identified themselves as a Filipino, Irish, and Kosovar. The kidnappers are demanding the release of prisoners in Afghanistan and at the U.S. military base in Cuba. They also demand the U.N. leave Afghanistan.

Well, despite world pressure, Iran's parliament unanimously passed a resolution to move forward with its nuclear program and resume uranium enrichment. Now after that vote, several lawmakers shouted "death to America." Iran says its nuclear program is designed to generate electricity. Leaders in the U.S. and Europe fear Iran is trying to build nuclear weapons.

Back in this country, the presidential candidates are spending the final two days of the campaign in the states that could decide Tuesday's election. President Bush stumps in Florida and Ohio today.

Democrat John Kerry will also be in Ohio and Florida, plus New Hampshire.

HARRIS: Election day minus two. And CNN's poll to poll shows President Bush with an average three point lead over Senator Kerry in the average of six national polls. Mr. Bush gets 49 percent of the support. And Mr. Kerry, 46 percent.

Last week, the president maintained an average two to four point lead, about the same lead he held going into the first debate on September 30th. They may not be old pros, but they come from a family of them. Daughters of powerful men try to assert their own girl power on John Kerry's behalf. Campaigning in Florida yesterday were Caroline Kennedy, Vanessa Kerry, Kate Edwards, daughter of Senator John Edwards, and Corinna Gore Schiff, Al Gore's oldest.

But the surprise of the day was Chelsea Clinton, who gave her first political speech.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHELSEA CLINTON: I believe in John Kerry and John Edwards. I believe in their vision and their plans for America. And I know that they will succeed because of what we experienced during the eight years when my father was president.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Chelsea has rarely spoken in public since leaving Washington.

Senator John McCain says Osama bin Laden didn't mean to do it, but he's ended up helping President Bush. The Arizona Republican says bin Laden's reemergence on videotape will likely boost the Bush campaign. McCain says it's focusing attention on the war on terror in the run up to the election. And he says most Americans think Mr. Bush is best suited to lead that war, but some analysts think the bin Laden tape could help John Kerry because it reminds people that the U.S. has failed to capture the al Qaeda leader.

NGUYEN: Well, in our ongoing look at heroes from the Iraq War, Casey Wian introduces us to a brave soldier on a bold personal mission.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Staff Sergeant Grant Ray's workday begins before dawn.

SGT. GRANT RAY, U.S. ARMY: It's not a hard job. I love my job. I wouldn't change my job out for any other job.

WIAN: Ray had already served in Bosnia and Kosovo, when he was sent to Iraq at the beginning of the war. Crossing into the country from the south and moving north to Tikrit.

He earned his first medal, a bronze star, three months later, rescuing the Iraqi woman caught in crossfire while crossing the street. Three months after that, an ambush during a routine patrol turned deadly.

RAY: A few guys got hit by an RPG. As we're returned the fire, my gunner took a round and he collapsed.

WIAN: When he realized the rear vehicle wasn't moving, Ray gave orders to turn back into the so-called kill zone and retrieve the fallen soldiers.

RAY: They were deceased. And they went down fast and hard.

WIAN: Returning fire as he went, Ray sustained two injuries himself.

RAY: I had a small RPG, shrapnel hit me in the back side and kind of made me realize I'm not taking fire from the back side, but come to find out it was an RPG. And on my second injury, while I was returning fire holding my weapon up, I took a round right at the fingertips. And it bounced -- ricocheted off my weapon. So and got it -- getting hit in the face because it was close.

WIAN: Ray lost the tops of two fingers and was sent home to recover. Weeks later, he was back in Iraq, completing the missing. His bravery earned him a silver star.

RAY: You hope that everybody can do the right thing and not run and hide.

WIAN: Ray is a married father of four boys, but his experience with death and war hasn't deterred him from continuing his military career. Now he's preparing for a second deployment to Iraq.

Casey Wian, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And we bring you a hero's story every week on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

HARRIS: Let's face forward now and see what stories will be making headlines this week. The big story, of course, will be Tuesday, election day. It's still a very tight presidential race. As we remind you often, many political observers say the results may hinge on which party can get the voters to turn out polls.

Now on Wednesday, the court martial of U.S. Army Sergeant Charles Jenkins gets underway in Japan. He's accused of deserting to North Korea four decades ago.

And on Friday, we'll find out how many jobs were created in October. The Labor Department releases its report , at 8:30 a.m. Analysts expect about 160,000 new jobs, up from September's disappointing 96,000.

NGUYEN: Well, last week, it was Ohio. This Sunday, we are taking a pulse of another swing state. And that is Minnesota. Find out what people are talking about in the land of 10,000 lakes when CNN SUNDAY MORNING returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: They have a superior lake, a wonderful wilderness, and thousands of independent voters yearning to breathe free. We are talking about Minnesota, where the legend of Paul Bunyan still lives. And 10 electoral college votes are up for grabs there.

Here for our final weekly debate are two Minnesota state representatives. Democrat Margaret Anderson Kelleher is in Minneapolis. Good morning to you.

And Republican Erik Paulsen is in St. Paul. Good morning to you both.

MARGARET ANDERSON KELLEHER (D), MINNESOTA STATE HOUSE: Good morning, Betty.

ERIK PAULSON (R), REPUBLICAN STATE HOUSE: Good morning.

NGUYEN: Well, let's start with you, Representative Paulson. We want to get the pulse of Minnesota voters there. And let's talk about homeland security. What are your constituents telling you about their concerns in light of the latest Osama bin Laden tape and all that's going on with homeland security?

PAULSEN: Well, in general, I think it's exciting to have Minnesota be a swing state. And the fact that the president was here again yesterday on Saturday shows that there's a lot of attention on the war on terror and the president's firm commitment to leading with a strong resolution against the war on terror.

And I think Minnesotans appreciate that leadership. And we're happy to have the president visit time and time again.

NGUYEN: Representative Anderson Kelleher, is that a main issue for your constituents? Are there large concerns about homeland security in Minnesota?

PAULSEN: But Betty, I think it gets down to the fact that Osama bin Laden is still out there. And people like me, moms of young kids don't feel safe, any safer than they did on 9/11.

And really, it also gets to this issue of the 380 million tons of missing explosives. There are real issues there. And Minnesotans feel like George Bush has made the wrong choices in the war in Iraq.

NGUYEN: Representative Paulsen, you want to respond to that? Are your constituents asking those questions? Is this going to be a deciding factor in this election?

PAULSEN: I don't think this is going to be the deciding factor. And I think Minnesotans really do appreciate the firm and steady leadership. You know, the reality is given 9/11's situation, I think Minnesotans especially want leadership that was going to be on the offensive against terrorism. And that's what we've seen with our president. And I think that's why Minnesota is -- and there's a strong possibility of going to President Bush.

NGUYEN: All right, Representative Paulsen, I want to stick with you for just a moment. You have both listed jobs as a major concern for the folks of Minnesota. What do they need to hear from these candidates? PAULSEN: You know, the truth is jobs are a big issue in Minnesota. Now over the past year, since 1003, we've gained 50,000 jobs in the state of Minnesota. We've actually seen jobs come back from South Dakota and Iowa to Minnesota in a competitive environment.

Minnesota has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. And that's good for the president. It's good for our House candidates who are running here locally in Minnesota. And it's -- I think Minnesotans have a positive attitude about our job creation climate right now.

NGUYEN: Well, if the situation is that grand, Representative Anderson Kelleher, are there any problems or any questions, any concern then if there are jobs coming into the area?

KELLEHER: Betty, there are absolutely problems. I don't know the numbers Erik's working with here, but since George Bush has taken office, over 44,000 Minnesotans have lost their jobs. And the fact of the matter is jobs that are coming to the state of Minnesota pay on average $12,000 less. The average income has fallen in Minnesota, family income, $1500. Minnesotans are losing under George Bush. And they don't trust the judgment of the president on the economy.

NGUYEN: Let's talk a little bit about health care now. We'll stay with you, Representative Anderson Kelleher. Where do your constituents rank health care?

KELLEHER: Well, health care is really important to my constituents. And frankly, I grew up in rural Minnesota and traveling the state this year, it seems very important to many Minnesotans. We see that in our local races as well. And 45,000 Minnesotans have lost their health insurance. John Kerry has a plan for health insurance for Minnesotans and for Americans.

Over 250,000 Minnesotans would be covered under the Kerry plan. And we even had this week a former Republican senator come out in support of the Kerry health care plan.

NGUYEN: And Representative Paulsen, is the president's plan better?

PAULSEN: No, health care is high on the minds of Minnesotans. There's no doubt about that, but we need to get at the root issues of what are causing premiums to rise. And medical malpractice reform is needed. We came four days away from having the emergency room shut down in a major twin cities hospital because they couldn't get insurance to cover their positions.

And President Bush is right on. And we need to get rid of these junk lawsuits. And the Democrats are tied to trial lawyers. There's not going to be any reform in medical malpractice reform with John Edwards on the ticket.

NGUYEN: And let's stick with you for just another second, because you have mentioned gaming as a major issue. Talk to us about that. And why is that a big issue for the people of Minnesota? PAULSEN: I'm hearing more and more at the door when I campaign that Minnesotans want a fair deal or a fair share on receiving a share of profits from the Minnesota gaming industry.

Right now, we're one of the only states that has a monopoly, where there's no competition, where Minnesota doesn't get a dime of profits. And we want to see states -- we want to be similar to other states like California, where Governor Schwarzenegger has been renegotiating a better and a fair deal. That's what we want here in Minnesota.

NGUYEN: Representative Anderson Kelleher, do you agree?

KELLEHER: Well, I think that, Betty, this is a very interesting issue. Our Republican governor this past week, revealed that he had sent his chief of staff to Las Vegas, to bring Vegas style casinos to Minnesota. So I think that there is a real issue here about fiscal soundness of our state budget and the choices that have been made. Many of those choices are not the right choices for Minnesota families in terms of bringing Vegas style casinos and all that comes with it to Minnesota.

NGUYEN: As the candidates hit the major battleground states today and tomorrow, leading up to Tuesday's election, what is the message that Minnesota -- people of Minnesota want to send to these candidates?

KELLEHER: Well, I'll go first, Betty.

NGUYEN: Sure.

KELLEHER: I think that the -- what Minnesotans want to hear from the candidates right now, and what they are hearing from John Kerry and resonating with, is that John Kerry is going to put a priority on fiscal responsibility as with the federal deficit. He is going to be out there providing a plan for health care, for job creation.

And the fact of the matter is people really want to be hopeful about the future. And they see that in John Kerry and John Edwards. And they are excited about the possibilities here. And frankly, they also want to see that Osama bin Laden is not able to do what he did this week. And that is that he has gone off the face of this debate.

NGUYEN: Representative Paulsen, I'll give you the last word. What's the message?

PAULSEN: Well, the message is Minnesotans want to see firm and resolute leadership from our president on the war on terror, success with job creation coming back to the state here and across the country. The president has spent eight times, coming to the state of Minnesota. That's unheard of in this state. And we're very, very excited. We think it bodes well.

NGUYEN: All right, Representative Anderson Kelleher and Paulsen, we thank you both so much for your information and insight this morning. KELLEHER: Thank you so much.

PAULSEN: Thank you.

NGUYEN: All right, Tony?

HARRIS: And now a check of some of our top stories this Sunday morning. On the campaign trail, George Bush starts the day in Florida with stops in Miami, Tampa, and Gainesville. And then it's on to a night time rally at the Reds baseball park in Cincinnati, Ohio.

John Kerry starts out in Ohio, speaking this morning at an African-American church in Dayton. Then he heads to New Hampshire and wraps up in Florida.

Turning overseas and to a hostage stand-off in Afghanistan, the Arab network al Jazeera is airing video that shows three United Nations election workers being held captive. A U.N. spokesman is calling for their immediate release. The kidnappers are demanding a prisoner be released.

NGUYEN: We're going to get back to politics now. Want to know today who is going to run the country for the next four years. You don't have to wait until Tuesday today. All you have to do is tune in to the Washington Redskins NFL game this afternoon. We'll tell you why the results of that game could predict Tuesday's winner.

HARRIS: Come on. And which...

NGUYEN: That's what they say.

HARRIS: OK. And which American values may swing this election one way or the other? The story next.

But first, did you know that one-third of all U.S. voters will use some form of electronic balloting this election?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: So how do you combine elections and Halloween? Here's one way with a recount count. Count?

NGUYEN: Got it.

HARRIS: Ghost. From four years ago, this cartoon comes to us from Rob Rogers at "The Pittsburgh Post Gazette." Look at that. Whole lot of treat. Trick, not a lot of treat in that. Polls consistently put George Bush and John Kerry within just a couple of points of each other. It shows just how evenly divided the country is on some very fundamental issues.

CNN's Bob Franken explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): To some degree, each of the candidates is leading not just a campaign, but a moral crusade.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The culture of this country's changing from one that has said if it feels good, do it. And if you've got a problem, blame somebody else. To a culture in which each of understands we are responsible for the decisions we make in life.

FRANKEN: His supporters see President Bush as the bulwark against so much that is morally reprehensible. His detractors see him as the leader of the self righteous, who's time has come and gone.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We will not turn the clock back in this country.

FRANKEN: The differences are stark. On abortion for instance.

BUSH: We stand for a culture of life in which every person matters and every person counts.

KERRY: I believe the right of privacy is a constitutional right. I believe it is a right. And let me say importantly, and I think all of you know this, protecting the right of privacy is not pro-abortion. It is pro-choice, pro the rights of women to be able to...

FRANKEN: In the related stem cell issue, Bush lined up with the so-called right to life advocates when he imposed strict limits on federal funding. Kerry favors wider research.

As for gay marriage, no question about the president's political stand. Not only does he oppose gay marriage, but he favors a constitutional amendment that would ban it.

Kerry is against the constitutional amendment. At the same time, he says he's against gay marriage.

These issues hit the nerve of a country the polls show almost evenly divided over who best represents the values of voters.

(on camera): both candidates insist, of course, that they are not extreme, but the debate over values can be. These are issues that inspire passion, sometimes even prejudice, but rarely compromise.

Bob Franken, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: This concludes our weekly look at important issues facing voters this election. Each week for the past couple of months, we've been exploring these issues in detail. And where the candidates stand, we hope it was useful in helping you develop an informed opinion as you head to the polls on Tuesday.

NGUYEN: And don't forget to e-mail us this morning. We are asking you if you're voting for a candidate or a party this year. We'll read some of your replies next.

But first, more from voters who've gone to the polls early this year.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I don't always vote, but I should always vote. But John Kerry cannot be the president of this country. So that's why I'm here.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's important for our voice to be heard. I think if you are going to -- if you're not going to vote, don't complain. And I think the vote is very crucial to the future of America as far as who the next president will be.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Three hours.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Three hours? Has it been worth it?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sure. Come Tuesday, when the children are home, we're going to have fun. Then we're voting for me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well, good morning, New York. A little foggy on this Halloween as it is supposed to be. Greenwich Village is the place to be tonight if you want to show off your Halloween costume or you just want to watch the parade.

Rob Marciano will tell us if the weather will cooperate in just a minute.

HARRIS: OK, now here's a story. The Washington Redskins host to Green Bay Packers today at 1:00 p.m. And the outcome should foretell the winner of the presidential election. Now here's the deal. It's true since 1936. The Redskins final home game before election day has accurately predicted the winner of the White House race. That's 17 correct calls in a row. If it holds through today, George Bush's political future is riding on a Redskins victory. If Green Bay wins, John Kerry will be the next president.

NGUYEN: Are you sure this is not just a ploy to get more people to watch that game?

HARRIS: I'm just curious about what happens if it's a tie.

NGUYEN: Oh.

HARRIS: Then it's a tie, right?

NGUYEN: We could have some problems. Rob?

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: Let's move on quickly.

HARRIS: Please, quickly. You know, we've been asking you this morning in our e-mail question whether or not you're going to be voting for the party or the candidate this year? And we've got some interesting e-mails. I'm going to share a couple of those with you.

NGUYEN: Yes, Andy from Stewart, Florida writes, "Both, in this case the man; Bush has in fact kept us safe since 9/11."

HARRIS: And this one from Michael, "I'm voting for anybody but Bush, irrespective, irrelevant, regardless of the party." That's from Michael.

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 October 31, 2004 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning from the CNN Center here in Atlanta. This is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is October 31st, just two days before election day. Good morning, everyone.
I'm Betty Nguyen. 7:00 a.m. here in the East.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: It really is, if you forgot, to fall back last night, you better do it now. I'm Tony Harris. Thank you for being with us.

In the news right now, the United Nations is appealing for the release of three employees kidnapped in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. An Arabic television network is showing a tape that apparently shows the three workers who were abducted last Thursday. A Taliban splinter group has threatened to kill them unless prisoners are released from Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

And it was a suicide car bomber that killed eight U.S. Marines and wounded 10 others yesterday west of Baghdad near Abu Ghraib prison. That's the word from an officer who talked with CNN's Karl Penhaul embedded with the Marines. It's the biggest single day U.S. death toll in six months.

Just minutes ago, Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said they are still trying to find a peaceful solution to the Fallujah situation.

A Polish woman held hostage in Iraq is appealing to her country to withdraw its troops and save her life. Poland's government is refusing to negotiate with the kidnappers. And a decapitated body found in Baghdad is identified as that of a Japanese backpacker who was abducted last week.

NGUYEN: We've got a lot of the facets of the presidential politics covered in the coming hour. Just ahead, the marathon race is down to the final push. We'll have the latest from the campaigns, as the candidates revisit familiar territory.

In about 30 minutes, we'll wrap up our weekly look at battleground states with the view from Minnesota. Just last week, the candidates dropped more than a million bucks in political ads all across the land of Paul Bunyan. That's about $100,000 per electoral vote.

And later, want to know in advance who will win Tuesday's election? Well, just watch today's Redskins/Packers game. We're not kidding.

HARRIS: Our top story this hour, the campaign countdown. The presidential candidates are moving at top speed this weekend in a final drive to visit the battleground states before Tuesday, election day. The outcome of the electoral college vote is still anybody's guess, with at least eight states still too close to call. And both sides are vying for every opportunity they can to speak with voters.

NGUYEN: And those up for grab states are getting all the attention, as the candidates make their final push toward election day. John Kerry visits Ohio, New Hampshire, and Florida today. Our national correspondent Kelly Wallace is with the Democratic challenger. And she joins us now live from Dayton, Ohio.

Good morning, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty. Hard to believe after two years of campaigning, just 48 hours left for John Kerry to try and capture the presidency. He begins his day here at this Baptist church in Dayton, Ohio. And then of course, flying to New Hampshire and Florida.

He's talking about pocketbook issues, but in light of that new tape of Osama bin Laden, he's spending a great deal of time battling with President Bush over who can do a better job with the war on terror.

BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE (voice-over): The final push and the candidate starting off in central Wisconsin says well, he's feeling good.

JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This thing is moving. We're moving.

WALLACE: No mention of that new Osama bin Laden tape. Camp Kerry trying to stay on message.

KERRY: How are you doing?

WALLACE: Still, the name of the most hated man in America does come up, as Senator Kerry tries to make the case he can keep the U.S. safer than President Bush.

KERRY: As I have said for two years now, when Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda were recorded in the mountains of Tora Bora, it was wrong to outsource the job of capturing them to Afghan warlords...

WALLACE: Team Bush says the senator has his facts wrong. And so the attack counterattack continues.

From Wisconsin, to Iowa, going before moderate sized crowds, appearing with some new faces, Ashton Kutcher and using some new words. Think Howard Dean.

KERRY: On Tuesday, you have the power. WALLACE: A key part of the senator's closing strategy, explains the visit to Appleton, Wisconsin, where George W. Bush won by 10 points four years ago. The senator trying to win over those voters who backed Mr. Bush in 2000, but who don't fell they've got what they voted for.

KERRY: He fights for the wealthy. I'm fighting for the middle class and people struggling to get into it.

WALLACE: Senator Kerry wrapped up his final pre election Saturday in Burl, Ohio, returning to the Buckeye state again Sunday and Monday, trying to steal the critical battleground from Republican hands.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: Asked how the campaign team was feeling, a top adviser said cautiously optimistic, but also saying feeling as good as you can feel in a very tight race -- Betty?

NGUYEN: Yes, not much time left. All right, Kelly Wallace, thank you so much.

Meanwhile, President Bush seeks votes in three Florida cities before heading for Cincinnati this evening. It's Mr. Bush's 33rd trip to Florida as president.

Well, a new tape from Osama bin Laden dominated yesterday's rallies in the upper Midwest. Our senior White House correspondent John King is with the president.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A five-state day to open the final weekend. Staple lines in the speech suddenly elevated by the re-emergence of Osama bin Laden.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The terrorists who killed thousands of people are still dangerous and determined to strike.

KING: Here in Wisconsin and earlier in Michigan, no mention of the new bin Laden message. But Mr. Bush hit hard on his central campaign theme, that he is a proven war-time president. His opponent, a man with a soft on security voting record and few core convictions.

BUSH: My opponent's positions are kind of like the weather here in Green Bay. If you don't like it, wait a little bit and it'll change. Whether you agree with me or disagree with me, you know where I stand, you know what I believe, and you know I'm going to lead.

KING: Vice President Cheney challenged Senator Kerry's assertion that bin Laden is at large because Mr. Bush diverted resource from Afghanistan to Iraq. In Pennsylvania, Mr. Cheney says the commanding general at the time says Senator Kerry is wrong. DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES: Given a choice between John Kerry and General Tommy Franks, I'll take General Franks anytime.

KING: Bin Laden's re-emergence is a challenge for Mr. Bush both as president and as a candidate in the final hours of a tough reelection contest.

BUSH: I ask for your trust. I ask for your vote. I ask for your help.

KING: National Security Adviser Rice joined the president for a morning secure video conference to discuss the tape. Homeland Security Secretary Ridge, CIA Director Goss, Attorney General Ashcroft and FBI Director Mueller among those participating. Senior administration officials say initial analysis suggests the tape is more a political statement than a warning of new attacks. But then Mr. Bush convened the morning call to make sure all precautions were being taken.

His campaign day began in Ohio and then rallies in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Florida. And the president claiming progress in the war on terror, just as Americans are reminded al Qaeda's leader remains at large.

BUSH: We are staying on the offensive against the terrorists across the globe so we do not have to face them here at home.

KING (on camera): Senior Bush aides have long voiced hope that the campaign in the end would boil down to a referendum on which candidate would be a stronger leader in the war on terror. None, however, could have predicted that Osama bin Laden would add his menacing voice to that debate in such a dramatic fashion.

John King, CNN, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Add now to our e-mail of the day. Is it the man or the mission? When you go to the polls on election day, are you voting for the individual candidate or for what his party represents? Drop us an e-mail at wam@cnn.com.

NGUYEN: Well, you know, Tony, it is Halloween. Your kiddos getting ready to go trick or treating?

HARRIS: Absolutely. I've got one who's a hippie. How does he know...

NGUYEN: Through your old clothing maybe?

HARRIS: And one is -- thank you, thank you. And one is going as Elvira.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HARRIS: Well, just two days before we head to the polls, and we're taking the pulse of this campaign with advisers to both candidates. Richard Falkenrath from the Bush camp and retired General Wesley Clark from the Kerry camp. Join us next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: And then the ladies take the stage. The president's daughters put their star power to work on the campaign trail in Florida.

HARRIS: But first, this year more than 30 states gave voters a chance to go to the polls early to avoid the expected record crowds this Tuesday. Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee were among the places reporting huge turnouts. We caught up with some of the early birds and asked them why they felt it was important to get to the polls early.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How long have you bee in line?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Three hours.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is it worth it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In order to get my vote cast. I feel strongly that we should vote. We got people in Iraq losing lives. So we can vote.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My civic duty, if you're going to complain about something, you need to be able to participate in it. If you don't get out and vote, don't complain.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: In other news across America, no shortage of flu vaccine north of the border. Americans seeking influenza inoculations founded it in Vancouver yesterday, but it wasn't cheap. Each shot cost $40.

Documentation of the Red Sox curse can be yours if you have deep pockets. The 1919 sales contract that traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees is being auctioned on Ebay. Last we checked, the bid was more than $130,000. And there are still nine days left. So get your money out.

And in Boston, a huge citywide party for the World Series champions. Check it out. Amphibious vehicles known as ducks carried the Red Sox players through streets clogged with millions of fans. The ducks even took the team on a victory lap around the Charles River.

Well, we may know the name of the next American president as early as tonight. That answer will come from the Washington Redskins of course. What am I talking about? Well, you'll have to wait. Find out a little bit later this hour.

HARRIS: With only two days to go until election day, there's still no clear frontrunner in the presidential race. And it may boil down to get out the vote efforts.

Joining us from the Bush campaign is Richard Falkenrath, a Bush campaign adviser.

Richard, good to see you this morning.

RICHARD FALKENRATH, BUSH CAMPAIGN ADVISER: Good morning, Tony.

HARRIS: Well, is that you see it? It comes down to who best gets out their supporters?

FALKENRATH: I think that will probably be part of it. But it's also who best makes the case that they can win the war on terror. And I think there's a -- the votes could turn either way. There's a lot of absentee ballots, a lot of early ballots. And they'll be a big voter turnout.

The president's energetic. I think he's energizing a lot of his supporters. And we expect a victory on Tuesday.

HARRIS: Let me pick up on that point about the war on terrorism. The bin Laden tape refocuses our attention. It takes us right back to 9/11. And it reminds us that bin Laden is still out there. Is it fair to criticize a president for not capturing bin Laden?

FALKENRATH: I don't think so. I think -- President Clinton would like capture bin Laden. And there's ongoing efforts to do so, but I really don't think it's a fair criticism.

What this tape says to me is that we know there's a danger. There's a threat. There's an organization that wishes to attack us, but so far hasn't been able to.

I'm quite certain al Qaeda will attack the U.S. homeland as soon as they're able to. But this tape is in a way an indication that the best they can do right now is communicate and send propaganda tapes.

It's very hard to find a single individual. It's useful, I think, to recall that Radovan Karadzic and Radko Mladic, two of the war criminals from the Bosnian wars are still at large. And they've been -- that's nine years now. And they've been the most wanted men in the world almost.

HARRIS: OK. Let's turn to Iraq for just a moment. We learned yesterday -- well, we learned on Monday about the missing munitions. And that story is still being sorted out. Eight Marines killed yesterday in a car bombing. I'm not suggesting that the missing munitions were used in that car attack. We just don't know that, but for some folks, they may be able to put two and two together. And for them, it may suggest that there is a link here. Is it wrong to criticize this Bush administration for what's happening in Iraq and for people to be asking the question today, particularly after eight Marines are killed yesterday. What is going on on the ground?

FALKENRATH: Well, what's going on is there are international terrorists in Iraq, as well as Iraqi insurgents, who are fighting U.S. forces in the Iraqi government and Iraqi people, as they seek to make a transition to democracy. And that's really the right way to look at Iraq, I think. This is a long term struggle, but it's the right struggle. It's a struggle for freedom and liberty and democracy and peace in that region. And it's a difficult and hard fight. There's no question about that.

And the question for the voters really on Tuesday is which president -- which candidate for president is more committed to success in Iraq? And I think there's no question that person is President Bush.

HARRIS: OK, Richard Falkenrath from the Bush campaign. We appreciate you taking the time this Sunday morning. Thank you.

FALKENRATH: Thank you, Tony.

HARRIS: And we'll hear from the opposite side next. Retired General and former Democratic Wesley Clark will join us from the Kerry camp.

NGUYEN: But first, here's an election tidbit for you. According to U.S. Census, 111 million people voted in the 2000 presidential election. Now the record high is 114 million. That was set in 1992. So the question is, will 2004 set a new record?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Well, the newly surfaced Osama bin Laden videotape, it's led to a renewed vow from John Kerry to hunt down terrorists. But just how far is he willing to go?

Joining us now from Las Vegas is retired General Wesley Clark. He's the former supreme allied commander of NATO, now a foreign policy adviser to the Kerry campaign.

General, good to see you.

GEN. WESLEY CLARK, KERRY FOREIGN POLICY ADVISER: Good to see you, Tony.

HARRIS: Well, now that we know bin Laden is alive and well, how would you advise -- how have you advised John Kerry as president, or President Kerry, to go about capturing him?

CLARK: Well, you have to have a broad based campaign to go after the whole terrorist network, the infrastructure in your recruiting process. But specifically with Osama bin Laden, what we've got to do is we've got to work with the governments of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. We've got to increase the size of our commitment, the depth of our intelligence sharing. We've got to bring those governments in line, so they're fully supportive of our goals. And we've got to put the resources and presidential attention in to get Osama bin Laden.

HARRIS: General, President Kerry would inherit an insurgency that is, by some estimates, up to 12,000 strong, a country awash in weapons and money. How does a President Kerry proceed in Iraq? CLARK: Well, first of all, I think you've got to really do an assessment of what's happening on the ground. And I'd like to have President Kerry hear what our military leaders really think about the situation, whether they do need more troops or not.

Secondly, we've got to bring in countries in the region. We've got to use all the carrots and sticks in our capacity to persuade Syria and Iran, that a peaceful stable democratizing Iraq is in their interest, and get them to turn off of the feeding of the insurgency, what's going on right now.

HARRIS: OK.

CLARK: And those are the two key things.

HARRIS: OK. Let's look at the campaign map quickly, if we could. Mr. Kerry's in Ohio, New Hampshire, Florida, and Iowa today. What is he saying? What is his closing argument?

CLARK: That you've got to have a president who can both keep this country safe and fight for America's middle class. You've got to have a president who can do two things at the same time and do both of them well. He'll do both those.

HARRIS: What's your key indicator on Tuesday? How will you know? What will be the sign that tells you you're man has won?

CLARK: Well, I think we're going to see it very quickly, because I think you're going to see a huge surge in the participation in this election. You're going to see all these new registrants who haven't been before, and they're going to be voting for John Kerry. They know this is the most important election of our lifetime. That's why participation rates are so high in early voting. We're seeing it all across the country. I've been to all these states and I felt this enormous energy out there.

HARRIS: Well, what about your home state of Arkansas? Will he carry your state?

CLARK: Yes, he will. Bill Clinton's going to be there today in Arkansas to energize...

HARRIS: Will you be there with them?

CLARK: I'm carrying -- I'm working the West for John Kerry. And I'm here in New Mexico and Nevada today. So I won't -- will not be in Arkansas. I've been there last week.

HARRIS: General Clark, good to see you.

CLARK: Thank you.

HARRIS: Have a great day.

CLARK: Thanks, Tony.

HARRIS: Thanks for coming to talk to us this Sunday morning.

NGUYEN: Well, with politics a part of her life practically since birth, Chelsea Clinton takes on a new role in the limelight.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHELSEA CLINTON, FMR. FIRST DAUGHTER: When I was asked to join the campaign trail today, I was a little nervous. I'm not accustomed to public speaking. And this is my first political speech

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN The former president's daughter on the issues, on the campaign trail as well.

HARRIS: Plus, it's time to take off the gloves in the battleground state of Minnesota. The candidate's supporters face off live in the land of 10,000 lakes, right here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Chelsea Clinton makes her debut in politics. Welcome back, everyone. I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. That story in just a minute. But first, here's a look at headlines this morning.

A videotape showing three U.N. election workers taken hostage in Afghanistan aired on Arab television. Al Jazeera reports the two woman and a man identified themselves as a Filipino, Irish, and Kosovar. The kidnappers are demanding the release of prisoners in Afghanistan and at the U.S. military base in Cuba. They also demand the U.N. leave Afghanistan.

Well, despite world pressure, Iran's parliament unanimously passed a resolution to move forward with its nuclear program and resume uranium enrichment. Now after that vote, several lawmakers shouted "death to America." Iran says its nuclear program is designed to generate electricity. Leaders in the U.S. and Europe fear Iran is trying to build nuclear weapons.

Back in this country, the presidential candidates are spending the final two days of the campaign in the states that could decide Tuesday's election. President Bush stumps in Florida and Ohio today.

Democrat John Kerry will also be in Ohio and Florida, plus New Hampshire.

HARRIS: Election day minus two. And CNN's poll to poll shows President Bush with an average three point lead over Senator Kerry in the average of six national polls. Mr. Bush gets 49 percent of the support. And Mr. Kerry, 46 percent.

Last week, the president maintained an average two to four point lead, about the same lead he held going into the first debate on September 30th. They may not be old pros, but they come from a family of them. Daughters of powerful men try to assert their own girl power on John Kerry's behalf. Campaigning in Florida yesterday were Caroline Kennedy, Vanessa Kerry, Kate Edwards, daughter of Senator John Edwards, and Corinna Gore Schiff, Al Gore's oldest.

But the surprise of the day was Chelsea Clinton, who gave her first political speech.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHELSEA CLINTON: I believe in John Kerry and John Edwards. I believe in their vision and their plans for America. And I know that they will succeed because of what we experienced during the eight years when my father was president.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Chelsea has rarely spoken in public since leaving Washington.

Senator John McCain says Osama bin Laden didn't mean to do it, but he's ended up helping President Bush. The Arizona Republican says bin Laden's reemergence on videotape will likely boost the Bush campaign. McCain says it's focusing attention on the war on terror in the run up to the election. And he says most Americans think Mr. Bush is best suited to lead that war, but some analysts think the bin Laden tape could help John Kerry because it reminds people that the U.S. has failed to capture the al Qaeda leader.

NGUYEN: Well, in our ongoing look at heroes from the Iraq War, Casey Wian introduces us to a brave soldier on a bold personal mission.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Staff Sergeant Grant Ray's workday begins before dawn.

SGT. GRANT RAY, U.S. ARMY: It's not a hard job. I love my job. I wouldn't change my job out for any other job.

WIAN: Ray had already served in Bosnia and Kosovo, when he was sent to Iraq at the beginning of the war. Crossing into the country from the south and moving north to Tikrit.

He earned his first medal, a bronze star, three months later, rescuing the Iraqi woman caught in crossfire while crossing the street. Three months after that, an ambush during a routine patrol turned deadly.

RAY: A few guys got hit by an RPG. As we're returned the fire, my gunner took a round and he collapsed.

WIAN: When he realized the rear vehicle wasn't moving, Ray gave orders to turn back into the so-called kill zone and retrieve the fallen soldiers.

RAY: They were deceased. And they went down fast and hard.

WIAN: Returning fire as he went, Ray sustained two injuries himself.

RAY: I had a small RPG, shrapnel hit me in the back side and kind of made me realize I'm not taking fire from the back side, but come to find out it was an RPG. And on my second injury, while I was returning fire holding my weapon up, I took a round right at the fingertips. And it bounced -- ricocheted off my weapon. So and got it -- getting hit in the face because it was close.

WIAN: Ray lost the tops of two fingers and was sent home to recover. Weeks later, he was back in Iraq, completing the missing. His bravery earned him a silver star.

RAY: You hope that everybody can do the right thing and not run and hide.

WIAN: Ray is a married father of four boys, but his experience with death and war hasn't deterred him from continuing his military career. Now he's preparing for a second deployment to Iraq.

Casey Wian, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And we bring you a hero's story every week on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

HARRIS: Let's face forward now and see what stories will be making headlines this week. The big story, of course, will be Tuesday, election day. It's still a very tight presidential race. As we remind you often, many political observers say the results may hinge on which party can get the voters to turn out polls.

Now on Wednesday, the court martial of U.S. Army Sergeant Charles Jenkins gets underway in Japan. He's accused of deserting to North Korea four decades ago.

And on Friday, we'll find out how many jobs were created in October. The Labor Department releases its report , at 8:30 a.m. Analysts expect about 160,000 new jobs, up from September's disappointing 96,000.

NGUYEN: Well, last week, it was Ohio. This Sunday, we are taking a pulse of another swing state. And that is Minnesota. Find out what people are talking about in the land of 10,000 lakes when CNN SUNDAY MORNING returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: They have a superior lake, a wonderful wilderness, and thousands of independent voters yearning to breathe free. We are talking about Minnesota, where the legend of Paul Bunyan still lives. And 10 electoral college votes are up for grabs there.

Here for our final weekly debate are two Minnesota state representatives. Democrat Margaret Anderson Kelleher is in Minneapolis. Good morning to you.

And Republican Erik Paulsen is in St. Paul. Good morning to you both.

MARGARET ANDERSON KELLEHER (D), MINNESOTA STATE HOUSE: Good morning, Betty.

ERIK PAULSON (R), REPUBLICAN STATE HOUSE: Good morning.

NGUYEN: Well, let's start with you, Representative Paulson. We want to get the pulse of Minnesota voters there. And let's talk about homeland security. What are your constituents telling you about their concerns in light of the latest Osama bin Laden tape and all that's going on with homeland security?

PAULSEN: Well, in general, I think it's exciting to have Minnesota be a swing state. And the fact that the president was here again yesterday on Saturday shows that there's a lot of attention on the war on terror and the president's firm commitment to leading with a strong resolution against the war on terror.

And I think Minnesotans appreciate that leadership. And we're happy to have the president visit time and time again.

NGUYEN: Representative Anderson Kelleher, is that a main issue for your constituents? Are there large concerns about homeland security in Minnesota?

PAULSEN: But Betty, I think it gets down to the fact that Osama bin Laden is still out there. And people like me, moms of young kids don't feel safe, any safer than they did on 9/11.

And really, it also gets to this issue of the 380 million tons of missing explosives. There are real issues there. And Minnesotans feel like George Bush has made the wrong choices in the war in Iraq.

NGUYEN: Representative Paulsen, you want to respond to that? Are your constituents asking those questions? Is this going to be a deciding factor in this election?

PAULSEN: I don't think this is going to be the deciding factor. And I think Minnesotans really do appreciate the firm and steady leadership. You know, the reality is given 9/11's situation, I think Minnesotans especially want leadership that was going to be on the offensive against terrorism. And that's what we've seen with our president. And I think that's why Minnesota is -- and there's a strong possibility of going to President Bush.

NGUYEN: All right, Representative Paulsen, I want to stick with you for just a moment. You have both listed jobs as a major concern for the folks of Minnesota. What do they need to hear from these candidates? PAULSEN: You know, the truth is jobs are a big issue in Minnesota. Now over the past year, since 1003, we've gained 50,000 jobs in the state of Minnesota. We've actually seen jobs come back from South Dakota and Iowa to Minnesota in a competitive environment.

Minnesota has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. And that's good for the president. It's good for our House candidates who are running here locally in Minnesota. And it's -- I think Minnesotans have a positive attitude about our job creation climate right now.

NGUYEN: Well, if the situation is that grand, Representative Anderson Kelleher, are there any problems or any questions, any concern then if there are jobs coming into the area?

KELLEHER: Betty, there are absolutely problems. I don't know the numbers Erik's working with here, but since George Bush has taken office, over 44,000 Minnesotans have lost their jobs. And the fact of the matter is jobs that are coming to the state of Minnesota pay on average $12,000 less. The average income has fallen in Minnesota, family income, $1500. Minnesotans are losing under George Bush. And they don't trust the judgment of the president on the economy.

NGUYEN: Let's talk a little bit about health care now. We'll stay with you, Representative Anderson Kelleher. Where do your constituents rank health care?

KELLEHER: Well, health care is really important to my constituents. And frankly, I grew up in rural Minnesota and traveling the state this year, it seems very important to many Minnesotans. We see that in our local races as well. And 45,000 Minnesotans have lost their health insurance. John Kerry has a plan for health insurance for Minnesotans and for Americans.

Over 250,000 Minnesotans would be covered under the Kerry plan. And we even had this week a former Republican senator come out in support of the Kerry health care plan.

NGUYEN: And Representative Paulsen, is the president's plan better?

PAULSEN: No, health care is high on the minds of Minnesotans. There's no doubt about that, but we need to get at the root issues of what are causing premiums to rise. And medical malpractice reform is needed. We came four days away from having the emergency room shut down in a major twin cities hospital because they couldn't get insurance to cover their positions.

And President Bush is right on. And we need to get rid of these junk lawsuits. And the Democrats are tied to trial lawyers. There's not going to be any reform in medical malpractice reform with John Edwards on the ticket.

NGUYEN: And let's stick with you for just another second, because you have mentioned gaming as a major issue. Talk to us about that. And why is that a big issue for the people of Minnesota? PAULSEN: I'm hearing more and more at the door when I campaign that Minnesotans want a fair deal or a fair share on receiving a share of profits from the Minnesota gaming industry.

Right now, we're one of the only states that has a monopoly, where there's no competition, where Minnesota doesn't get a dime of profits. And we want to see states -- we want to be similar to other states like California, where Governor Schwarzenegger has been renegotiating a better and a fair deal. That's what we want here in Minnesota.

NGUYEN: Representative Anderson Kelleher, do you agree?

KELLEHER: Well, I think that, Betty, this is a very interesting issue. Our Republican governor this past week, revealed that he had sent his chief of staff to Las Vegas, to bring Vegas style casinos to Minnesota. So I think that there is a real issue here about fiscal soundness of our state budget and the choices that have been made. Many of those choices are not the right choices for Minnesota families in terms of bringing Vegas style casinos and all that comes with it to Minnesota.

NGUYEN: As the candidates hit the major battleground states today and tomorrow, leading up to Tuesday's election, what is the message that Minnesota -- people of Minnesota want to send to these candidates?

KELLEHER: Well, I'll go first, Betty.

NGUYEN: Sure.

KELLEHER: I think that the -- what Minnesotans want to hear from the candidates right now, and what they are hearing from John Kerry and resonating with, is that John Kerry is going to put a priority on fiscal responsibility as with the federal deficit. He is going to be out there providing a plan for health care, for job creation.

And the fact of the matter is people really want to be hopeful about the future. And they see that in John Kerry and John Edwards. And they are excited about the possibilities here. And frankly, they also want to see that Osama bin Laden is not able to do what he did this week. And that is that he has gone off the face of this debate.

NGUYEN: Representative Paulsen, I'll give you the last word. What's the message?

PAULSEN: Well, the message is Minnesotans want to see firm and resolute leadership from our president on the war on terror, success with job creation coming back to the state here and across the country. The president has spent eight times, coming to the state of Minnesota. That's unheard of in this state. And we're very, very excited. We think it bodes well.

NGUYEN: All right, Representative Anderson Kelleher and Paulsen, we thank you both so much for your information and insight this morning. KELLEHER: Thank you so much.

PAULSEN: Thank you.

NGUYEN: All right, Tony?

HARRIS: And now a check of some of our top stories this Sunday morning. On the campaign trail, George Bush starts the day in Florida with stops in Miami, Tampa, and Gainesville. And then it's on to a night time rally at the Reds baseball park in Cincinnati, Ohio.

John Kerry starts out in Ohio, speaking this morning at an African-American church in Dayton. Then he heads to New Hampshire and wraps up in Florida.

Turning overseas and to a hostage stand-off in Afghanistan, the Arab network al Jazeera is airing video that shows three United Nations election workers being held captive. A U.N. spokesman is calling for their immediate release. The kidnappers are demanding a prisoner be released.

NGUYEN: We're going to get back to politics now. Want to know today who is going to run the country for the next four years. You don't have to wait until Tuesday today. All you have to do is tune in to the Washington Redskins NFL game this afternoon. We'll tell you why the results of that game could predict Tuesday's winner.

HARRIS: Come on. And which...

NGUYEN: That's what they say.

HARRIS: OK. And which American values may swing this election one way or the other? The story next.

But first, did you know that one-third of all U.S. voters will use some form of electronic balloting this election?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: So how do you combine elections and Halloween? Here's one way with a recount count. Count?

NGUYEN: Got it.

HARRIS: Ghost. From four years ago, this cartoon comes to us from Rob Rogers at "The Pittsburgh Post Gazette." Look at that. Whole lot of treat. Trick, not a lot of treat in that. Polls consistently put George Bush and John Kerry within just a couple of points of each other. It shows just how evenly divided the country is on some very fundamental issues.

CNN's Bob Franken explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): To some degree, each of the candidates is leading not just a campaign, but a moral crusade.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The culture of this country's changing from one that has said if it feels good, do it. And if you've got a problem, blame somebody else. To a culture in which each of understands we are responsible for the decisions we make in life.

FRANKEN: His supporters see President Bush as the bulwark against so much that is morally reprehensible. His detractors see him as the leader of the self righteous, who's time has come and gone.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We will not turn the clock back in this country.

FRANKEN: The differences are stark. On abortion for instance.

BUSH: We stand for a culture of life in which every person matters and every person counts.

KERRY: I believe the right of privacy is a constitutional right. I believe it is a right. And let me say importantly, and I think all of you know this, protecting the right of privacy is not pro-abortion. It is pro-choice, pro the rights of women to be able to...

FRANKEN: In the related stem cell issue, Bush lined up with the so-called right to life advocates when he imposed strict limits on federal funding. Kerry favors wider research.

As for gay marriage, no question about the president's political stand. Not only does he oppose gay marriage, but he favors a constitutional amendment that would ban it.

Kerry is against the constitutional amendment. At the same time, he says he's against gay marriage.

These issues hit the nerve of a country the polls show almost evenly divided over who best represents the values of voters.

(on camera): both candidates insist, of course, that they are not extreme, but the debate over values can be. These are issues that inspire passion, sometimes even prejudice, but rarely compromise.

Bob Franken, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: This concludes our weekly look at important issues facing voters this election. Each week for the past couple of months, we've been exploring these issues in detail. And where the candidates stand, we hope it was useful in helping you develop an informed opinion as you head to the polls on Tuesday.

NGUYEN: And don't forget to e-mail us this morning. We are asking you if you're voting for a candidate or a party this year. We'll read some of your replies next.

But first, more from voters who've gone to the polls early this year.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I don't always vote, but I should always vote. But John Kerry cannot be the president of this country. So that's why I'm here.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's important for our voice to be heard. I think if you are going to -- if you're not going to vote, don't complain. And I think the vote is very crucial to the future of America as far as who the next president will be.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Three hours.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Three hours? Has it been worth it?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sure. Come Tuesday, when the children are home, we're going to have fun. Then we're voting for me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well, good morning, New York. A little foggy on this Halloween as it is supposed to be. Greenwich Village is the place to be tonight if you want to show off your Halloween costume or you just want to watch the parade.

Rob Marciano will tell us if the weather will cooperate in just a minute.

HARRIS: OK, now here's a story. The Washington Redskins host to Green Bay Packers today at 1:00 p.m. And the outcome should foretell the winner of the presidential election. Now here's the deal. It's true since 1936. The Redskins final home game before election day has accurately predicted the winner of the White House race. That's 17 correct calls in a row. If it holds through today, George Bush's political future is riding on a Redskins victory. If Green Bay wins, John Kerry will be the next president.

NGUYEN: Are you sure this is not just a ploy to get more people to watch that game?

HARRIS: I'm just curious about what happens if it's a tie.

NGUYEN: Oh.

HARRIS: Then it's a tie, right?

NGUYEN: We could have some problems. Rob?

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: Let's move on quickly.

HARRIS: Please, quickly. You know, we've been asking you this morning in our e-mail question whether or not you're going to be voting for the party or the candidate this year? And we've got some interesting e-mails. I'm going to share a couple of those with you.

NGUYEN: Yes, Andy from Stewart, Florida writes, "Both, in this case the man; Bush has in fact kept us safe since 9/11."

HARRIS: And this one from Michael, "I'm voting for anybody but Bush, irrespective, irrelevant, regardless of the party." That's from Michael.

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