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CNN Live Sunday

Sinclar Broadcasting To Air Anti-Kerry Documentary; Interview with Cokie Roberts; What You Can Do To Avoid The Flu

Aired October 10, 2004 - 18:00   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.


CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Good evening. I'm Carol Lin. And here's a quick look at what's happening in the news. Two suicide bombings in Baghdad today. One killed an American soldier whose convoy was passing by, another killed six Iraqis and wounded four. The attacks came as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visited troops in Iraq.
And yet another suicide bombing, this one at a mosque in Pakistan. Four people were killed, including two security guards who kept the bomber from entering the mosque where dozens were praying.

Ten Turkish hostages are free tonight in Iraq, their company agreed to freeze their business activities in that country.

I'm Carol Lin. And welcome to CNN SUNDAY. Straight ahead, the flu shot shortage: I'll talk to a doctor about the problem and tell you what you can do if you're not able to get one of the coveted shots.

Also, journalist Cokie Roberts joins me. We're going to talk politics, from the current presidential race to big presidential moments in our lifetime. The historical video and conversations with former presidents that she just had, straight ahead.

But right now, it has another bloody Sunday in Iraq. Two nearly simultaneous car bombs exploded in Baghdad killing 6 Iraqis, and an American soldier. Those attacks coincided by a surprise visit by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to Iraq's western desert.

For more on today's developments and the peace deal in Baghdad, Sadr City, CNN's Brent Sadler has more from the Iraqi capital.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Preparing to disarm: masked Shia Muslim militants in Sadr City break down a heavy machine gun, pledging to hand over such weapons starting Monday.

We're following orders, he says, from the office of the martyr. Meaning the hard line organization led by Muqtada al-Sadr, the radical Shia cleric. Word is out to the Mehdi Army militia al Sadr leads: stop fighting, implores this loyalist, broadcasting from a mosque, surrender your weapons.

Mehdi Army militiamen have battled U.S.-backed Iraqi forces in Najaf during August and recently here in Sadr City. But the militia says it's not disbanding. Partially disarming at best, say Iraqi officials. In return, the government expects to end bloody clashes, release jailed al Sadr militants and extend an amnesty for so-called non-criminals. All of this generating enough optimism for schools here to reopen.

(on camera): Iraqi security officials hope a smooth surrender of weapons in Sadr City will shore up a flank of the insurgency, allowing U.S. and Iraqi forces to concentrate on Fallujah, the so-called epicenter of violence.

(voice-over): As hopes bloomed for an end to the deadly Shia revolt, the capital was hit Sunday by two more suicide bombs. A U.S. soldier died from wounds suffered in one blast. Police recruits were among the dead and injured from a second explosion. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visiting U.S. troops in Iraq, warns violence will likely get worse and claim more innocent Iraqi lives.

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: In many instances, they are the targets because this is not a battle against large armies and navies and air forces, this is a test of wills.

SADLER: The most important of which may be the fate of Fallujah, west of the capital. Suspected terror groups have been hit by weeks of U.S. air strikes, with mounting civilian casualties, claim city doctors. The prelude to a possible all-out air and ground assault. Brent Sadler, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Now, in Afghanistan, international election monitors say there is no reason to nullify yesterday's presidential election. Millions of voters headed to the polls despite threats by the Taliban. But opposition candidates are crying fraud and demanding a new vote. That after the discovery of ink intended to stain voters' hands to prevent multiple voting. Well, that ink was easily washed off.

Meanwhile, the U.S.-backed interim president Hamid Karzai is calling it a victory over terror. And National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said the irregularities were minor.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: Technical problems arise in all kinds of elections, even in the most mature countries in the world. This should not obscure the extraordinary victory for the Afghan people yesterday of millions of Afghans: women, old people, young people, voting for the first time for their future. And that's what we should stay focused on.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: Now, in Australia, Prime Minister John Howard accepted congratulations from President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair. John Howard went to church in Sydney today. You're looking at pictures of him. And began planning his fourth unprecedented term in office. Australia has 900 troops in and around Iraq in non-combat roles, but has not suffered any casualties. John Howard's opponent had promised to pull all Australian troops out of Iraq. Howard pledged to keep them there.

Now, other news from around the world. In Pakistan, a suicide attack at a holy site. Police say a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a Muslim Shiite mosque in downtown Lahore, 3 people were killed and several others wounded.

In Egypt, security officials say a Bedouin tribesman has confessed to selling explosives that may have used in Thursday's Taba bombing. The tribesman reportedly said the buyers told him the explosives would be used in the Palestinian territories. Israel has blamed al Qaeda for the 3 deadly attacks. Egypt is leaning toward an al Qaeda connection with a local sleeper cell.

And in Gaza, day 11, an Israeli missile strike blew apart a home used by militants in the Jabalia (ph) refugee camp. A Palestinian medical source says one militant was killed and 5 were wounded. This is Israel's largest military offensive in Gaza in 4 years. So far, 89 Palestinians have been killed.

All right. Now to politics, and the home stretch of the presidential race. Senator John Kerry campaigned in Florida today before heading to New Mexico to prepare for Wednesday's final debate. Kerry spoke to a mostly African-American crowd at a church in Miami today.

Recent polls suggest Kerry is gaining on President Bush's lead in Florida. And a strategist for his campaign says Kerry actually has a clear lead there.

John Kerry was pushing his domestic agenda today. He says the nation cannot move backwards in spreading opportunities.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Don't let them fool you with these diversionary tactics. They can't come here and talk to you about the jobs that they've created. They can't talk to you about the schools they've lifted up. They can't talk to you about the healthcare they've given to people. So all they're going to do is attack and attack and try and divert and push some hot button that has nothing to do with the quality of your life on a daily basis in this country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: His running mate, John Edwards, is campaigning in Wisconsin today. He criticized the president's domestic agenda as hurting the economy and not creating jobs. And on international issues, like the war in Iraq, Edwards tells our Wolf Blitzer the president is coming up short.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC) VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATEA: I think the reality is that this president -- our military has done everything they've been asked to do, Wolf. They've been extraordinary. Our men and women in uniform have been heroic. But the president had a responsibility to plan for this stage, to have a plan to win the peace. And it's now absolutely clear he didn't have a plan. And the results are catastrophic.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: Well, what did the president have to say about all this? He's taking a breather from the campaigning today prepping at his Texas ranch.

Now, in addition to the matchup in Arizona, he's got a busy week ahead with campaign stops in New Mexico and Colorado. Though the president was at his ranch today, his advisers were out in full force. Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is in Crawford, Texas, with the very latest. Suzanne, it's going to be interesting to see how the campaign shapes up in the final stretch.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Carol. Today the Kerry campaign was calling the tactics desperate, they were calling them pathetic. The Bush administration, their campaign saying they are simply telling the truth.

Now, on a slow news day, both of these camps were fighting over a single paragraph in an article about the senator.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: President Bush with his top political advisers hunkered down at the crawford ranch to prepare for the critical three- week countdown to election day. The strategy is three-pronged. One, to convince undecided voters, Mr Bush's opponen, John Kerry, can't be trusted. A familiar refrain on the campaign trail.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: He can run, but he cannot hide.

MALVEAUX: Two, to rally the base by reminding them that Kerry is a liberal.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John Kerry was the furthest outside the mainstream, further to the left than Ted Kennedy, further to the left than Hillary Clinton, further to the left than any of his colleagues in the United States Senate.

MALVEAUX: And to persuade all voters that the senator is weak in fighting terror.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The president believes in a post-9/11 world. John Kerry will wait until it's too late.

MALVEAUX: Sunday the Bush camp seized on a New York Times profile of kerry to make the case there's a fundamental difference in the way the president and his opponent see the war on terror. When Kerry was asked what it would take as what would make America feel safe again. He is quoted as saying, "we have to get back to the place we were, where terrorists are not the focus of our lives but they're a nuisance.

As a former law enforcement person, I know we're never going to end prostitution. We're never going to end illegal gambling. But we're going to reduce it, organized crime, to a level where it isn't on the rise. It isn't threatening people's lives every day, and fundamentally it's something that you continue to fight, but it's not threatening the fabric of your life."

Bush advisers say this proves kerry doesn't understand the terrorist threat.

RACICOT: He equated it to prostitution and gambling, a nuisance activity. You know, quote frankly, I just don't think he has a right view of the world. It's a pre-9/11 view of the world.

MALVEAUX: The Kerry campaign says the senator's comments are taken out of context.

GOV. BILL RICHARDSON, (D) NEW MEXICO: Well, I think Senator Kerry has said the No. 1 threat to America is international terrorism, al Qaeda.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: And Carol, a sign that both of the camps are concerned about getting their message out, both are releasing quick ads, television ads on this very issue -- Carol.

LIN: Suzanne, any insight into how the president is debating for the -- or preparing for the third and final debate?

MALVEAUX: We're told that he's working on his closing statement. And of course, he has had the practice sessions before. We are told he's had a rather casual down day. But, of course, meeting with his staff as well, going over the fine points going over their strategy. Of course, it is going to be about domestic issues, and that is something that he is going to be honing that message on the campaign trail before the final debate.

LIN: Thanks, Suzanne.

You can count on CNN, of course, to bring you concise in-depth coverage of every moment of the final presidential debate beginning at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Wednesday, two hours before the debate begins.

And in a new media flap that's emerging that could sting the Kerry campaign. Sinclair Broadcasting is reportedly ordering its television stations in 62 markets to air an anti-Kerry documentary in the weeks before the election. That network is huge. One in four viewers watches Sinclair Broadcasting.

The film refers to Kerry's anti-war stance during Vietnam. It features former P.O.W.s accusing Kerry of making their plights worse. The documentary would be followed by a panel discussion. Kerry's campaign is criticizing the plan as a political move.

Now, it was a city under siege. And one under intense fire from U.S. forces, but now the smoke has cleared in Samarra, and U.S. troops are out to win back its citizens' hearts and minds. We are going to show you how. Plus this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that people should be frightened just enough to protect themselves.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: Flu fears. A shortage in the nation's vaccine supply causes a real scare for Americans. Later, who really is at risk and how can you really protect yourself if you can't get that shot.

And those restless rumbles, things are shaking again at Mount St. Helens. Could a big eruption be next? We really mean it.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: Every week in this program we like to bring you the personal stories from the front lines. Well, tonight a new battle after U.S. troops root out insurgents in Samarra in Iraq.

That was last week after heavy fighting. And many Iraqis' homes and businesses were damaged, as you can see. So, now the battle to win back the hearts and the minds of Samarra citizens is going on. CNN's Jane Arraf has more from the front lines.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You guys ready? Grab some of these radios.

JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): After the fighting in Samarra a more complicated battle begins. To get across their message that the U.S. wants to help rebuild Samarra, these troops from the 1st Infantry Division are handing out radios.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are jamming already. That's the frequency right there.

ARRAF: Tuned to a coalition channel that's a mix of music and public service announcements. One of them tells Iraqis where they can go to file claims with the military for losses and damage. A week ago U.S. troops were being shot at from these alleys. Now they're venturing down the same narrow streets, taking compensation to the people.

Captain George Rodriguez from the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry inspects a barbershop that's been hit by gunfire.

CAPTAIN GEORGE RODRIQUEZ: I'll give you $750. ARRAF: His offer of $750 though is rejected. The air-conditioner alone costs $500, the owner tells him. They settle on $850 in U.S. cash.

RODRIQUEZ: Three hundred.

ARRAF: This woman got $60 for a broken window. It was worth more, she says, but she was too embarrassed to haggle. Her son was killed by insurgents last year, she says, and although she's still afraid, she says she's less so with U.S. forces in town.

ARRAF (on camera): A week after the battle a lot of these shops are still littered with broken glass. It's one of the army's main priorities now, repairing some of the damage and trying to restore some goodwill.

ARRAF (voice over): Not an easy task in this historic city. Don't think it's a happy picture. Everyone is bitter. They need time to forget this tragedy, Sheik Ha Zane (ph) tells us.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You and your soldiers are the future of Iraq.

ARRAF: The top U.S. military official in Iraq, General George Casey, landed in Samarra to congratulate troops on what could be a model for overcoming the insurgency.

GENERAL GEORGE CASEY, U.S. ARMY: What we're seeing is that the Iraqis just need to have the freedom to get on with the reconstruction, and we're seeing that in those cities, and hopefully we'll see it soon in many others.

ARRAF: But near one of Shiah Islam's holiest sites, an imam complains that U.S. forces have arrested some of his employees and confiscated their weapons. They never had any problems with insurgents at the mosque, he says, but he shakes hands with the general anyway.

CASEY: Everything will be fine.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nice to meet you.

CASEY: Nice to meet you. Good luck to you.

ARRAF: In other parts of town the military is busy putting townspeople to work, cleaning trash and repairing power lines. Back at the mosque, where some of the heaviest fighting took place, Iraqis watch to see what the U.S. presence will bring this time.

Jane Arraf, CNN, Samarra.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Straight ahead tonight, conversations with the commander in chief: Journalist Cokie Roberts joins me to talk about her talks with 3 former U.S. presidents. And I'm going to ask her about this year's candidates.

And later, crime and punishment: The Supreme Court prepares to rule on juveniles and the death penalty.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: Presidents and the Constitution: How have our leaders interacted with the nation's most important document. Award-winning journalist Cokie Roberts put those questions to former presidents and you can hear their answers on a new PBS series airing this month called "Presidential Conversations On the Constitution."

Cokie Roberts joins me live from Washington to talk about the series, and the presidential election. Good to see you, Cokie.

COKIE ROBERTS, JOURNALIST: Nice to see you, Carol, if only from a distance.

LIN: If only from a distance.

The opportunity to interview 4 surviving presidents about the historic events that defined -- well, define our lives. When you got that opportunity, what was your reaction? It's a dream job for a journalist.

ROBERTS: Absolutely. I just leapt at it. Not only are these men repositories of tremendous information, only 42 people in the history of the world have looked at the Constitution from the perspective of the chief executive, article 2 of the constitution.

And of course, for somebody like me, who's covered politics in Congress forever and ever, amen, and written about the history of it, to be able to talk about the Constitution with the former presidents was great.

Unfortunately, we only so far have talked to three. Bill Clinton was working on his book when we were doing the interviews. And of course, then book tour, and now of course he's laid up.

LIN: I was wondering why he was being a bit elusive.

ROBERTS: So, I'm hoping, certainly, that he will talk to us before we're done.

LIN: Sure.

ROBERTS: Because, of course, he not only is a former president, but he's a constitutional scholar. He's taught constitutional law. And it would be very interesting to talk to him about it.

LIN: Sure. Absolutely. And about the impeachment process.

ROBERTS: And all of that.

LIN: Yes, some tough questions, that I'm sure you would be asking.

ROBERTS: But from the perspective of the constitution, rather than politics, which is a different way of thinking about it. LIN: That's interesting. Let's see how that came into play when you sat down with president Gerald Ford and asked about those critical first weeks in office. This is what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GERALD FORD, FRM. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's a conference, three weeks after I became president. And I anticipated that the press in the East Room of the White House would spend a lot of their time asking me about the economy, about my trip to the Soviet Union to meet Mr. Breshnev. There was plenty of good material for the press to ask questions.

But as I recall, out of the 30-some questions that were asked me by the White House Press Corps, about two-thirds of them involved, what was I going to do about Mr. Nixon.

QUESTION: Mr. President, aside from the special prosecutor's role, would you use your pardon authority, if necessary?

QUESTION: Are you saying, sfir, that the option of a pardon for former President Nixon is still an option that you will consider?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: Cokie, it sounded like -- it almost sounded naive that he didn't expect that barrage of questions given the post-Watergate era.

ROBERTS: Well, sure. But he was president, and when you're president, you do have an awful lot of things that seem more important on your plate. That was a young Helen Thomas and Bob Schieffer standing there.

LIN: And they're still kicking.

ROBERTS: Isn't it great? But it was the reason he says that he decided to pardon President Nixon. He said, otherwise I would have been doing nothing, but dealing with Dick Nixon for the rest of my presidency. And of course, the power of the pardon comes directly from the constitution.

LIN: Cokie, getting to current political events, I'm sure you watched the presidential debates and you actually said that the candidates could learn some manners. What do you mean by that?

ROBERTS: Well, that's often the case. And I think I was at -- I was actually in the hall for the one in St. Louis. Which is always, as you know, Carol, a sort of distorting way to see these debates, because it's not the way most people see them up close on the screen. But I do think that these candidates could be a little more gracious to each other. That's true.

LIN: Well, you know, manners is one of many things that has gone out the window these days.

ROBERTS: Unfortunately. LIN: Cokie, thank you so much. A real pleasure to talk to you. Good luck with the project. And I hope you nail down President Clinton. I'm sure it will be a pleasure for him to be part of this great project.

ROBERTS: Good to be with you, Carol.

LIN: Well, still to come, the bug no one wants to catch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was in bed for three weeks. And, I mean, so deathly ill, I didn't care if I did die.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: Avoiding the flu. Now despite the shortage in vaccines, what can you do to protect yourself. Up next, I'm going to ask an infectious disease specialist.

Also, one courageous clerk: Wait until you see what she did when this alleged robber tried to make a fast getaway.

And later, demon (ph) and shaker: new movement today of Mount St. Helens. We're going to take you on an exclusive fly through from high above.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: More CNN LIVE SUNDAY in just a moment. But first, here's a look at what's happening right "Now in the News."

A U.S. soldier was killed in a car bombing in Baghdad today as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was in Iraq paying a surprise visit to U.S. troops. The military also says a Marine was killed in Iraq yesterday.

And Palestinians say one militant was killed and five others were wounded when an Israeli plane fired a rocket into a refugee camp in northern Gaza today. Israeli military officials say the rocket hit two militants, planting an explosive device along a path traveled by Army vehicles.

And back here in the United States, John Kerry spoke to a mostly African-American crowd at a Miami church. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton were among those in attendance.

Well, the sudden shortage of flu vaccine is raising a number of troubling issues. For example, the nation's supply of flu vaccine was nearly cut in half last week when British authorities suspended the license of the Chiron Corporation's Liverpool plant for three months over contamination concerns.

CNN's Sara Dorsey brings us up to speed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you want to wait, it's up to you to wait and see if we have any left.

SARA DORSEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Across the country, flu fearers are jamming pharmacies and doctors' offices to get stuck. Joy Arnaud is one of the lucky ones. She gets a coveted vaccination.

JOY ARNAUD, FLU SHOT RECIPIENT: Well, last year I didn't have one. And it was the middle of the winter, I got flu. And I was in bed for three weeks.

And I mean, so deathly ill, I didn't care if I did die. So I thought this year I would be sure to get a flu shot and make sure that I don't have it again this year.

DORSEY: For millions of Americans, getting a shot will be next to impossible. Nearly half of the vaccines destined for the U.S. won't make it here. Chiron Corporation, a major vaccination manufacturer, announced Tuesday its doses are contaminated.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

DORSEY: The result? Patients like Rick Drewry were sent packing.

RICK DREWRY, DENIED FLU VACCINE: I think a little bit more planning should have been done, and a little bit more thought should have been done in order to give everybody what they need.

DORSEY: Under the guidelines, only people falling under the CDC's high-risk categories should be allowed a vaccine. Dr. Wink Weinberg specializes in infectious disease and says because of the mistake, this year's flu season could be especially grueling.

DR. WINK WEINBERG, INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST: I think that people should be frightened just enough to protect themselves. And I think that practicing respiratory hygiene is going to be critical this year.

DORSEY (on camera): Doctors say there will be more opportunity for the flu to spread this year because less people will be vaccinated, contributing to an already lethal problem. On average, 36,000 people die from the disease in a typical flu season.

Sara Dorsey, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Health officials have come up with a specific set of recommendations to deal with the flu shot shortage. Joining me now about who should be getting a flu shot this year and who should not is Dr. Jay Steinberg. He's an infectious disease specialist at Emory University right here in Atlanta.

DR. JAY STEINBERG, INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST: Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here. LIN: A pleasure to have you. The average population, take a look at this news room. Are people in danger if you're relatively healthy and you cannot get a flu shot?

STEINBERG: Well, I think people who are relatively healthy are in danger of getting the flu, which means they'll be ill for a few days and want to stay in bed, get myaligist (ph) fever, have a cough. But at risk of having a serious complication? Probably not very likely.

LIN: Because the 36,000 are usually people who have complications from other conditions or diseases?

STEINBERG: That's exactly right. People who are at risk of serious complications of flu are elderly folks, very young children, or people with chronic -- chronic medical conditions. That's why there's the recommendation to reserve the remaining flu vaccine for those people who are at risk of severe complications of an influenza infection.

LIN: What's happening right now in doctors' offices right now? I mean, if people in high-risk categories go to their doctor, can they get a shot right now?

STEINBERG: Well, it all depends what company you ordered your vaccine from. Some physicians' offices who hoarded -- who hoarded their vaccine from the company that is producing the...

LIN: I see.

STEINBERG: ... whose vaccine is on the street, basically have access to vaccine and their high-risk patients that are getting vaccine. Other people, other physicians' offices are scrambling to try and find vaccine. And one thing that the physicians are doing who have vaccine is they're trying to do some soul-searching to try to convince those patients who aren't in high-risk groups that it's OK, don't get the flu vaccine this year. We need to reserve this vaccine for those people really at risk of the complications of influenza.

LIN: Is it expected to be a very bad flu season?

STEINBERG: We don't know. That's one of the problems.

You don't know in advance if the influenza seasons is going to be very bad. And that's one reason why a lot of companies have got out of the vaccine industry.

There are only two major manufacturers of influenza vaccine in this country. If it's a mild year, if it's a -- and a lot of people don't get the vaccine, then the manufacturers basically have got to chuck their vaccine. It's only good for one year. Because of those economic reasons, a lot of companies have gotten out of the vaccine business.

LIN: But you're saying that the strain expected this season is covered by the vaccine that is now in limited supply? STEINBERG: Well, we just have very preliminary data, because there aren't many cases of flu in the country this year. But what we know so far is that the viruses that have been recovered are vaccine strains, which is good news.

LIN: All right. In the meantime, Senator Charles Schumer from New York is proposing that drugs from other countries be fast-tracked by the FDA, flu vaccines from other countries be fast-tracked by the FDA. Does that make you nervous at all, or is one vaccine from one country and company that's cleared by the local regulations in that particular country just as good as the stuff from Liverpool?

STEINBERG: Hopefully it's better than the stuff from Liverpool, which was not very safe.

LIN: Right.

STEINBERG: But, you know, I think in this situation, if countries do have excess vaccine, that seems like it's a good idea to try to get it.

LIN: All right. All right. Let's hope it's not a bad season.

STEINBERG: OK.

LIN: And it sounds like, frankly, less about the flu shot, but just take care of yourself, get plenty of rest, fluids, eat well, exercise.

STEINBERG: Absolutely. Absolutely. And if you do get a flu- like illness, stay home, don't go to work, don't infect other people. Cover your cough and wash your hands frequently.

LIN: All right. By the way, I've never had a flu vaccine, and knock on wood, I haven't had the flu in 20 years.

STEINBERG: OK. Good luck.

LIN: All right. That's good news, at least. Thanks very much, Dr. Steinberg.

STEINBERG: Thank you.

LIN: Well, checking news now "Across America," a Florida gas station clerk stopped one alleged robber's hopes for a clean getaway. A surveillance camera -- you're looking at it now -- shows the man went to the counter with items, but look what happened. He was going to -- it looks like he was going to pay for them and then he casually walked towards the door.

The clerk rushed him but he was able to get out of her grip. Police are searching for the man. He just got away with some beer.

One person in Delaware is also now $215 million richer. The lucky Powerball winner hasn't been identified yet. And just in case it's you, the numbers are 1, 3, 10, 47, 48, and the powerful number is 27.

And the last day of the Balloon Fiesta in new Mexico ended with an accident. The pilot of this balloon said a shift in winds, well, that is to blame for him running into a radio tower. No one was hurt. Rescuers helped the pilot and his two passengers climb down the tower.

In the meantime, new activity at Mount St. Helens today. A column of steam is rising out of the volcano's crater. And scientists said the plume appeared to be mostly steam and contained little ash. The steam cloud followed two days of increased earthquake activity.

And Mount St. Helens recent rumblings are keeping scientists pretty busy. And to get the best view, you really have to go high above the volcano's crater, and it can be dangerous in times like this when there's a lot of volcanic activity. CNN's Miguel Marquez, though, did it, and has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The dome of the volcano, it is the plug holding back another Mount St. Helens eruption. Studying it gives hints of what's happening below.

LARRY MASTIN, VOLCANOLOGIST: Under the best circumstances, it can tell us the approximate rate at which magma is rising -- rising toward the surface.

MARQUEZ: Bruce and Larry Bergman run an aerial mapping business in Portland, Oregon. They photographed the dome from overhead. The pictures are so detailed, every crack can be measured.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can really see how there has been a lot of pressure pushing up in this area, breaking the ice.

MARQUEZ: Their photos give geologists a three-dimensional look at the dome. When Mount St. Helens erupted Friday, the Bergmans were overhead.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There was geysers of rock and boulders shooting up in the air for about a two-minute period.

MARQUEZ: The pictures they captured that day illustrate the power of millions of pounds of pressure blasting through rock.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We always have to remember that there's a -- an extra kind of a time bomb down there.

MARQUEZ: Their office, a twin engine Cessna, offers spectacular views. The rim of the crater, razor sharp. So far, they witnessed the dome grow, seen a lake spring up as heat from below melts a slice of the glacier surrounding the dome, and they've seen vents break open.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's majestic. It's a show of nature's power. MARQUEZ (on camera): The show of nature's power so far has been a warm-up act. Based on the dome's growth, the main event is expected to be explosive.

Miguel Marquez, CNN, near Mount St. Helens, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: All right. CNN meteorologist Orelon Sidney is watching the weather near Mount St. Helens, and in the South, where what's left of Tropical Storm Matthew has also made its presence known. She's live at the CNN weather center.

(WEATHER REPORT)

LIN: All right. I've got some serious matters to talk about from the U.S. Supreme Court. Should juveniles, for example, ever die for their crimes? The court is going to take that question up this week. And we've got a preview.

Plus, the economic debate. New job numbers are out, so why do both presidential candidates see such a different scenario?

And later, the Dollar Dogs. Find out why these harmless looking dogs are the newest weapon in the war on terror. Or the war on drugs.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: So, should juvenile criminals face the death penalty? That is the question now before the Supreme Court justices this week. They are going to hear arguments about the constitutionality of executing juvenile killers. CNN's Bob Franken has that preview.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He's 28 years old now, but Christopher Simmons was 17 when he and an accomplice pushed a neighbor off a railroad bridge to her death in St. Louis County, Missouri, after robbing her of just $6 and beating her and tying her up. Simmons was sentenced to be executed. Now the fundamental question before the Supreme Court is whether offenders should be put to death for their crimes as juveniles in these times.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Should the Constitution reflect the evolving standards of society?

FRANKEN: The justices decided in 2002 those evolving standards meant the execution of the mentally retarded should not be allowed.

(on camera): On the issue of putting juvenile killers to death, 18 states still permit it. But the Missouri Supreme Court last year declared it was unconstitutional. And that's the case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

(voice-over): The United States is one of just a few countries that still executes juvenile killers. Among those submitting briefs in opposition are Mikhail Gorbachev and the Dali Lama. That raises a significant legal debate.

PETER WHITE, FMR. FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: To what extent should the court look to international laws and international standards in determining whether or not the -- the -- it would violate the cruel and unusual punishment clause of the U.S. Constitution.

FRANKEN: His lawyers contend juvenile offenders like Simmons have limited capacity to make responsible decisions. The other side argues it's the nature of the crime which should determine the penalty, not the criminal's age.

Bob Franken, CNN, the Supreme Court.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Well, there were fewer jobs created in September than Wall Street expected. But that hasn't stopped the presidential candidates from using the data to spin their own messages. CNN's Kathleen Hays has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For President George Bush and challenger John Kerry, these numbers go to the heart of the economic debate. The last employment figures before voters go to the polls on November 2.

The latest tally showed the economy created only 96,000 new jobs in September, less than Wall Street expected. Even some Republicans were disappointed the latest numbers weren't stronger.

SEN. BOB BENNETT (R), UTAH: The recovery has traction. It's going forward. The jobs are coming. It's unfortunate for the president politically that they don't come in exactly the right fashion that the politicians want to talk about.

HAYS: Don't be too pessimistic, said the president's Labor secretary. Unemployment is low and jobs are finally growing.

ELAINE CHAO, LABOR SECRETARY: Our unemployment rate is 5.4 percent. This is lower than the average unemployment rate in the decade of the 1970s, 1980s, and the 1990s. We also had increased job creation. Well over 1.9 million jobs have been created since August of last year.

HAYS: Senator Kerry's camp said it doesn't matter how many jobs the economy created since last year. It's how many have been lost since the president took office.

JASON FURMAN, KERRY ECONOMIC ADVISER: The verdict is now in. George Bush is going to be the first job loss president to run for reelection in over 70 years -- 1.6 million private sector jobs lost.

We've had 11 previous presidents, Democrats, Republicans, they've faced wars, they've faced recessions, they've faced all sorts of challenges. Every one of them managed to create jobs until George Bush.

HAYS: The bottom line for Wall Street isn't politics, it's an economy that is growing, but not creating enough jobs yet.

CHARLES LIEBERMAN, ECONOMIST: My sense is that we're doing OK, but we're not doing great.

HAYS (on camera): So now the final jobs numbers are in, with less than a month to go before the election. And even Wall Street economists are still debating just how strong or how weak the economy really is.

Kathleen Hays, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Well, still to come tonight, the dollar-sniffing dogs that have Colombian drug smugglers on guard.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: We talk a lot about Iraq, but there's another type of war going on in South America. And the bad guys are hard to spot. They don't fit a terror profile, or carry even guns. But they do carry wads of illegal cash, and some clever canines are springing into action helping to stop them. Our Karl Penhaul reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Small, but a keen nose for dirty money. Meet Colombian police dog Nana (ph). She's searching luggage bathed in wads of dollars in euros, earnings from international drug deals being smuggled back to Colombia.

"All that cash comes back to finance the narco trafficking industry in Colombia," he say,s "to pay for hit men, to pay workers, to reproduce drugs or to buy the chemicals," he says. Nana (ph), a fox terrier, and Nix (ph), a golden Labrador, are two of the newest weapons in the war on drugs. Since teaming up with police at Bogota Airport in May, Nana (ph) alone has sniffed out more than 550,000 contraband dollars.

"At first she was just a novelty, and nobody believed she would get results. But when she sniffed out her first stash, everybody changed their attitude," he says.

This Customs agent asked passengers if they're carrying more than $10,000. That's the maximum amount passengers can bring in under stringent new currency import laws that took effect in mid August. Police and Customs agents say they've found cash smuggled in everything from false-bottomed suitcases to hollowed pencils.

(on camera): In a few moments from now, flights are scheduled to arrive from Panama and Mexico City. Police categorize those flights as high risk. That means a high possibility that some of the passengers onboard could be trying to smuggle in dollars. (voice-over): Back in action on the rotating belt, even a canine secret weapon can have a problem with some of those big bags. Now every dog has its day, and today the owners go to Nix (ph). She sniffed out a stash of euros in this passenger's shoes.

Euros, dollars and pounds, grand total more than $33,000 worth of cash. The passenger says it's not drug money, but savings from his job as a janitor in London. He'll have to prove his story to Customs, or risk losing it.

For the dollar-sniffing dogs, Nana (ph) and Nix (ph), it's back to the kennels. They'll be hot on the money trail again manana.

Karl Penhaul, CNN, Bogota.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: All right. That's all the time we have for this hour.

Coming up at 7:00 Eastern on "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS," tonight Martha Stewart and Howard stern. At 8:00, "CNN PRESENTS, "The Mission of George W. Bush." What has been learned about his decision-making and religious faith during his first term?

At 9:00 Eastern, "LARRY KING WEEKEND." Tonight, a look at the life of Alfred Hitchcock with those who knew him best.

And I'm going to be back at 10:00 for our prime-time show. Tonight, my interview with Lance Armstrong. Will he ride in the Tour de France for the seventh time? And what's going on with Sheryl Crow?

The hours headlines when I come back. And then "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS."

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 10, 2004 - 18:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Good evening. I'm Carol Lin. And here's a quick look at what's happening in the news. Two suicide bombings in Baghdad today. One killed an American soldier whose convoy was passing by, another killed six Iraqis and wounded four. The attacks came as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visited troops in Iraq.
And yet another suicide bombing, this one at a mosque in Pakistan. Four people were killed, including two security guards who kept the bomber from entering the mosque where dozens were praying.

Ten Turkish hostages are free tonight in Iraq, their company agreed to freeze their business activities in that country.

I'm Carol Lin. And welcome to CNN SUNDAY. Straight ahead, the flu shot shortage: I'll talk to a doctor about the problem and tell you what you can do if you're not able to get one of the coveted shots.

Also, journalist Cokie Roberts joins me. We're going to talk politics, from the current presidential race to big presidential moments in our lifetime. The historical video and conversations with former presidents that she just had, straight ahead.

But right now, it has another bloody Sunday in Iraq. Two nearly simultaneous car bombs exploded in Baghdad killing 6 Iraqis, and an American soldier. Those attacks coincided by a surprise visit by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to Iraq's western desert.

For more on today's developments and the peace deal in Baghdad, Sadr City, CNN's Brent Sadler has more from the Iraqi capital.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Preparing to disarm: masked Shia Muslim militants in Sadr City break down a heavy machine gun, pledging to hand over such weapons starting Monday.

We're following orders, he says, from the office of the martyr. Meaning the hard line organization led by Muqtada al-Sadr, the radical Shia cleric. Word is out to the Mehdi Army militia al Sadr leads: stop fighting, implores this loyalist, broadcasting from a mosque, surrender your weapons.

Mehdi Army militiamen have battled U.S.-backed Iraqi forces in Najaf during August and recently here in Sadr City. But the militia says it's not disbanding. Partially disarming at best, say Iraqi officials. In return, the government expects to end bloody clashes, release jailed al Sadr militants and extend an amnesty for so-called non-criminals. All of this generating enough optimism for schools here to reopen.

(on camera): Iraqi security officials hope a smooth surrender of weapons in Sadr City will shore up a flank of the insurgency, allowing U.S. and Iraqi forces to concentrate on Fallujah, the so-called epicenter of violence.

(voice-over): As hopes bloomed for an end to the deadly Shia revolt, the capital was hit Sunday by two more suicide bombs. A U.S. soldier died from wounds suffered in one blast. Police recruits were among the dead and injured from a second explosion. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visiting U.S. troops in Iraq, warns violence will likely get worse and claim more innocent Iraqi lives.

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: In many instances, they are the targets because this is not a battle against large armies and navies and air forces, this is a test of wills.

SADLER: The most important of which may be the fate of Fallujah, west of the capital. Suspected terror groups have been hit by weeks of U.S. air strikes, with mounting civilian casualties, claim city doctors. The prelude to a possible all-out air and ground assault. Brent Sadler, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Now, in Afghanistan, international election monitors say there is no reason to nullify yesterday's presidential election. Millions of voters headed to the polls despite threats by the Taliban. But opposition candidates are crying fraud and demanding a new vote. That after the discovery of ink intended to stain voters' hands to prevent multiple voting. Well, that ink was easily washed off.

Meanwhile, the U.S.-backed interim president Hamid Karzai is calling it a victory over terror. And National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said the irregularities were minor.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: Technical problems arise in all kinds of elections, even in the most mature countries in the world. This should not obscure the extraordinary victory for the Afghan people yesterday of millions of Afghans: women, old people, young people, voting for the first time for their future. And that's what we should stay focused on.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: Now, in Australia, Prime Minister John Howard accepted congratulations from President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair. John Howard went to church in Sydney today. You're looking at pictures of him. And began planning his fourth unprecedented term in office. Australia has 900 troops in and around Iraq in non-combat roles, but has not suffered any casualties. John Howard's opponent had promised to pull all Australian troops out of Iraq. Howard pledged to keep them there.

Now, other news from around the world. In Pakistan, a suicide attack at a holy site. Police say a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a Muslim Shiite mosque in downtown Lahore, 3 people were killed and several others wounded.

In Egypt, security officials say a Bedouin tribesman has confessed to selling explosives that may have used in Thursday's Taba bombing. The tribesman reportedly said the buyers told him the explosives would be used in the Palestinian territories. Israel has blamed al Qaeda for the 3 deadly attacks. Egypt is leaning toward an al Qaeda connection with a local sleeper cell.

And in Gaza, day 11, an Israeli missile strike blew apart a home used by militants in the Jabalia (ph) refugee camp. A Palestinian medical source says one militant was killed and 5 were wounded. This is Israel's largest military offensive in Gaza in 4 years. So far, 89 Palestinians have been killed.

All right. Now to politics, and the home stretch of the presidential race. Senator John Kerry campaigned in Florida today before heading to New Mexico to prepare for Wednesday's final debate. Kerry spoke to a mostly African-American crowd at a church in Miami today.

Recent polls suggest Kerry is gaining on President Bush's lead in Florida. And a strategist for his campaign says Kerry actually has a clear lead there.

John Kerry was pushing his domestic agenda today. He says the nation cannot move backwards in spreading opportunities.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Don't let them fool you with these diversionary tactics. They can't come here and talk to you about the jobs that they've created. They can't talk to you about the schools they've lifted up. They can't talk to you about the healthcare they've given to people. So all they're going to do is attack and attack and try and divert and push some hot button that has nothing to do with the quality of your life on a daily basis in this country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: His running mate, John Edwards, is campaigning in Wisconsin today. He criticized the president's domestic agenda as hurting the economy and not creating jobs. And on international issues, like the war in Iraq, Edwards tells our Wolf Blitzer the president is coming up short.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC) VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATEA: I think the reality is that this president -- our military has done everything they've been asked to do, Wolf. They've been extraordinary. Our men and women in uniform have been heroic. But the president had a responsibility to plan for this stage, to have a plan to win the peace. And it's now absolutely clear he didn't have a plan. And the results are catastrophic.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: Well, what did the president have to say about all this? He's taking a breather from the campaigning today prepping at his Texas ranch.

Now, in addition to the matchup in Arizona, he's got a busy week ahead with campaign stops in New Mexico and Colorado. Though the president was at his ranch today, his advisers were out in full force. Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is in Crawford, Texas, with the very latest. Suzanne, it's going to be interesting to see how the campaign shapes up in the final stretch.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Carol. Today the Kerry campaign was calling the tactics desperate, they were calling them pathetic. The Bush administration, their campaign saying they are simply telling the truth.

Now, on a slow news day, both of these camps were fighting over a single paragraph in an article about the senator.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: President Bush with his top political advisers hunkered down at the crawford ranch to prepare for the critical three- week countdown to election day. The strategy is three-pronged. One, to convince undecided voters, Mr Bush's opponen, John Kerry, can't be trusted. A familiar refrain on the campaign trail.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: He can run, but he cannot hide.

MALVEAUX: Two, to rally the base by reminding them that Kerry is a liberal.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John Kerry was the furthest outside the mainstream, further to the left than Ted Kennedy, further to the left than Hillary Clinton, further to the left than any of his colleagues in the United States Senate.

MALVEAUX: And to persuade all voters that the senator is weak in fighting terror.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The president believes in a post-9/11 world. John Kerry will wait until it's too late.

MALVEAUX: Sunday the Bush camp seized on a New York Times profile of kerry to make the case there's a fundamental difference in the way the president and his opponent see the war on terror. When Kerry was asked what it would take as what would make America feel safe again. He is quoted as saying, "we have to get back to the place we were, where terrorists are not the focus of our lives but they're a nuisance.

As a former law enforcement person, I know we're never going to end prostitution. We're never going to end illegal gambling. But we're going to reduce it, organized crime, to a level where it isn't on the rise. It isn't threatening people's lives every day, and fundamentally it's something that you continue to fight, but it's not threatening the fabric of your life."

Bush advisers say this proves kerry doesn't understand the terrorist threat.

RACICOT: He equated it to prostitution and gambling, a nuisance activity. You know, quote frankly, I just don't think he has a right view of the world. It's a pre-9/11 view of the world.

MALVEAUX: The Kerry campaign says the senator's comments are taken out of context.

GOV. BILL RICHARDSON, (D) NEW MEXICO: Well, I think Senator Kerry has said the No. 1 threat to America is international terrorism, al Qaeda.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: And Carol, a sign that both of the camps are concerned about getting their message out, both are releasing quick ads, television ads on this very issue -- Carol.

LIN: Suzanne, any insight into how the president is debating for the -- or preparing for the third and final debate?

MALVEAUX: We're told that he's working on his closing statement. And of course, he has had the practice sessions before. We are told he's had a rather casual down day. But, of course, meeting with his staff as well, going over the fine points going over their strategy. Of course, it is going to be about domestic issues, and that is something that he is going to be honing that message on the campaign trail before the final debate.

LIN: Thanks, Suzanne.

You can count on CNN, of course, to bring you concise in-depth coverage of every moment of the final presidential debate beginning at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Wednesday, two hours before the debate begins.

And in a new media flap that's emerging that could sting the Kerry campaign. Sinclair Broadcasting is reportedly ordering its television stations in 62 markets to air an anti-Kerry documentary in the weeks before the election. That network is huge. One in four viewers watches Sinclair Broadcasting.

The film refers to Kerry's anti-war stance during Vietnam. It features former P.O.W.s accusing Kerry of making their plights worse. The documentary would be followed by a panel discussion. Kerry's campaign is criticizing the plan as a political move.

Now, it was a city under siege. And one under intense fire from U.S. forces, but now the smoke has cleared in Samarra, and U.S. troops are out to win back its citizens' hearts and minds. We are going to show you how. Plus this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that people should be frightened just enough to protect themselves.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: Flu fears. A shortage in the nation's vaccine supply causes a real scare for Americans. Later, who really is at risk and how can you really protect yourself if you can't get that shot.

And those restless rumbles, things are shaking again at Mount St. Helens. Could a big eruption be next? We really mean it.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: Every week in this program we like to bring you the personal stories from the front lines. Well, tonight a new battle after U.S. troops root out insurgents in Samarra in Iraq.

That was last week after heavy fighting. And many Iraqis' homes and businesses were damaged, as you can see. So, now the battle to win back the hearts and the minds of Samarra citizens is going on. CNN's Jane Arraf has more from the front lines.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You guys ready? Grab some of these radios.

JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): After the fighting in Samarra a more complicated battle begins. To get across their message that the U.S. wants to help rebuild Samarra, these troops from the 1st Infantry Division are handing out radios.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are jamming already. That's the frequency right there.

ARRAF: Tuned to a coalition channel that's a mix of music and public service announcements. One of them tells Iraqis where they can go to file claims with the military for losses and damage. A week ago U.S. troops were being shot at from these alleys. Now they're venturing down the same narrow streets, taking compensation to the people.

Captain George Rodriguez from the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry inspects a barbershop that's been hit by gunfire.

CAPTAIN GEORGE RODRIQUEZ: I'll give you $750. ARRAF: His offer of $750 though is rejected. The air-conditioner alone costs $500, the owner tells him. They settle on $850 in U.S. cash.

RODRIQUEZ: Three hundred.

ARRAF: This woman got $60 for a broken window. It was worth more, she says, but she was too embarrassed to haggle. Her son was killed by insurgents last year, she says, and although she's still afraid, she says she's less so with U.S. forces in town.

ARRAF (on camera): A week after the battle a lot of these shops are still littered with broken glass. It's one of the army's main priorities now, repairing some of the damage and trying to restore some goodwill.

ARRAF (voice over): Not an easy task in this historic city. Don't think it's a happy picture. Everyone is bitter. They need time to forget this tragedy, Sheik Ha Zane (ph) tells us.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You and your soldiers are the future of Iraq.

ARRAF: The top U.S. military official in Iraq, General George Casey, landed in Samarra to congratulate troops on what could be a model for overcoming the insurgency.

GENERAL GEORGE CASEY, U.S. ARMY: What we're seeing is that the Iraqis just need to have the freedom to get on with the reconstruction, and we're seeing that in those cities, and hopefully we'll see it soon in many others.

ARRAF: But near one of Shiah Islam's holiest sites, an imam complains that U.S. forces have arrested some of his employees and confiscated their weapons. They never had any problems with insurgents at the mosque, he says, but he shakes hands with the general anyway.

CASEY: Everything will be fine.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nice to meet you.

CASEY: Nice to meet you. Good luck to you.

ARRAF: In other parts of town the military is busy putting townspeople to work, cleaning trash and repairing power lines. Back at the mosque, where some of the heaviest fighting took place, Iraqis watch to see what the U.S. presence will bring this time.

Jane Arraf, CNN, Samarra.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Straight ahead tonight, conversations with the commander in chief: Journalist Cokie Roberts joins me to talk about her talks with 3 former U.S. presidents. And I'm going to ask her about this year's candidates.

And later, crime and punishment: The Supreme Court prepares to rule on juveniles and the death penalty.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: Presidents and the Constitution: How have our leaders interacted with the nation's most important document. Award-winning journalist Cokie Roberts put those questions to former presidents and you can hear their answers on a new PBS series airing this month called "Presidential Conversations On the Constitution."

Cokie Roberts joins me live from Washington to talk about the series, and the presidential election. Good to see you, Cokie.

COKIE ROBERTS, JOURNALIST: Nice to see you, Carol, if only from a distance.

LIN: If only from a distance.

The opportunity to interview 4 surviving presidents about the historic events that defined -- well, define our lives. When you got that opportunity, what was your reaction? It's a dream job for a journalist.

ROBERTS: Absolutely. I just leapt at it. Not only are these men repositories of tremendous information, only 42 people in the history of the world have looked at the Constitution from the perspective of the chief executive, article 2 of the constitution.

And of course, for somebody like me, who's covered politics in Congress forever and ever, amen, and written about the history of it, to be able to talk about the Constitution with the former presidents was great.

Unfortunately, we only so far have talked to three. Bill Clinton was working on his book when we were doing the interviews. And of course, then book tour, and now of course he's laid up.

LIN: I was wondering why he was being a bit elusive.

ROBERTS: So, I'm hoping, certainly, that he will talk to us before we're done.

LIN: Sure.

ROBERTS: Because, of course, he not only is a former president, but he's a constitutional scholar. He's taught constitutional law. And it would be very interesting to talk to him about it.

LIN: Sure. Absolutely. And about the impeachment process.

ROBERTS: And all of that.

LIN: Yes, some tough questions, that I'm sure you would be asking.

ROBERTS: But from the perspective of the constitution, rather than politics, which is a different way of thinking about it. LIN: That's interesting. Let's see how that came into play when you sat down with president Gerald Ford and asked about those critical first weeks in office. This is what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GERALD FORD, FRM. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's a conference, three weeks after I became president. And I anticipated that the press in the East Room of the White House would spend a lot of their time asking me about the economy, about my trip to the Soviet Union to meet Mr. Breshnev. There was plenty of good material for the press to ask questions.

But as I recall, out of the 30-some questions that were asked me by the White House Press Corps, about two-thirds of them involved, what was I going to do about Mr. Nixon.

QUESTION: Mr. President, aside from the special prosecutor's role, would you use your pardon authority, if necessary?

QUESTION: Are you saying, sfir, that the option of a pardon for former President Nixon is still an option that you will consider?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: Cokie, it sounded like -- it almost sounded naive that he didn't expect that barrage of questions given the post-Watergate era.

ROBERTS: Well, sure. But he was president, and when you're president, you do have an awful lot of things that seem more important on your plate. That was a young Helen Thomas and Bob Schieffer standing there.

LIN: And they're still kicking.

ROBERTS: Isn't it great? But it was the reason he says that he decided to pardon President Nixon. He said, otherwise I would have been doing nothing, but dealing with Dick Nixon for the rest of my presidency. And of course, the power of the pardon comes directly from the constitution.

LIN: Cokie, getting to current political events, I'm sure you watched the presidential debates and you actually said that the candidates could learn some manners. What do you mean by that?

ROBERTS: Well, that's often the case. And I think I was at -- I was actually in the hall for the one in St. Louis. Which is always, as you know, Carol, a sort of distorting way to see these debates, because it's not the way most people see them up close on the screen. But I do think that these candidates could be a little more gracious to each other. That's true.

LIN: Well, you know, manners is one of many things that has gone out the window these days.

ROBERTS: Unfortunately. LIN: Cokie, thank you so much. A real pleasure to talk to you. Good luck with the project. And I hope you nail down President Clinton. I'm sure it will be a pleasure for him to be part of this great project.

ROBERTS: Good to be with you, Carol.

LIN: Well, still to come, the bug no one wants to catch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was in bed for three weeks. And, I mean, so deathly ill, I didn't care if I did die.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: Avoiding the flu. Now despite the shortage in vaccines, what can you do to protect yourself. Up next, I'm going to ask an infectious disease specialist.

Also, one courageous clerk: Wait until you see what she did when this alleged robber tried to make a fast getaway.

And later, demon (ph) and shaker: new movement today of Mount St. Helens. We're going to take you on an exclusive fly through from high above.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: More CNN LIVE SUNDAY in just a moment. But first, here's a look at what's happening right "Now in the News."

A U.S. soldier was killed in a car bombing in Baghdad today as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was in Iraq paying a surprise visit to U.S. troops. The military also says a Marine was killed in Iraq yesterday.

And Palestinians say one militant was killed and five others were wounded when an Israeli plane fired a rocket into a refugee camp in northern Gaza today. Israeli military officials say the rocket hit two militants, planting an explosive device along a path traveled by Army vehicles.

And back here in the United States, John Kerry spoke to a mostly African-American crowd at a Miami church. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton were among those in attendance.

Well, the sudden shortage of flu vaccine is raising a number of troubling issues. For example, the nation's supply of flu vaccine was nearly cut in half last week when British authorities suspended the license of the Chiron Corporation's Liverpool plant for three months over contamination concerns.

CNN's Sara Dorsey brings us up to speed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you want to wait, it's up to you to wait and see if we have any left.

SARA DORSEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Across the country, flu fearers are jamming pharmacies and doctors' offices to get stuck. Joy Arnaud is one of the lucky ones. She gets a coveted vaccination.

JOY ARNAUD, FLU SHOT RECIPIENT: Well, last year I didn't have one. And it was the middle of the winter, I got flu. And I was in bed for three weeks.

And I mean, so deathly ill, I didn't care if I did die. So I thought this year I would be sure to get a flu shot and make sure that I don't have it again this year.

DORSEY: For millions of Americans, getting a shot will be next to impossible. Nearly half of the vaccines destined for the U.S. won't make it here. Chiron Corporation, a major vaccination manufacturer, announced Tuesday its doses are contaminated.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

DORSEY: The result? Patients like Rick Drewry were sent packing.

RICK DREWRY, DENIED FLU VACCINE: I think a little bit more planning should have been done, and a little bit more thought should have been done in order to give everybody what they need.

DORSEY: Under the guidelines, only people falling under the CDC's high-risk categories should be allowed a vaccine. Dr. Wink Weinberg specializes in infectious disease and says because of the mistake, this year's flu season could be especially grueling.

DR. WINK WEINBERG, INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST: I think that people should be frightened just enough to protect themselves. And I think that practicing respiratory hygiene is going to be critical this year.

DORSEY (on camera): Doctors say there will be more opportunity for the flu to spread this year because less people will be vaccinated, contributing to an already lethal problem. On average, 36,000 people die from the disease in a typical flu season.

Sara Dorsey, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Health officials have come up with a specific set of recommendations to deal with the flu shot shortage. Joining me now about who should be getting a flu shot this year and who should not is Dr. Jay Steinberg. He's an infectious disease specialist at Emory University right here in Atlanta.

DR. JAY STEINBERG, INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST: Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here. LIN: A pleasure to have you. The average population, take a look at this news room. Are people in danger if you're relatively healthy and you cannot get a flu shot?

STEINBERG: Well, I think people who are relatively healthy are in danger of getting the flu, which means they'll be ill for a few days and want to stay in bed, get myaligist (ph) fever, have a cough. But at risk of having a serious complication? Probably not very likely.

LIN: Because the 36,000 are usually people who have complications from other conditions or diseases?

STEINBERG: That's exactly right. People who are at risk of serious complications of flu are elderly folks, very young children, or people with chronic -- chronic medical conditions. That's why there's the recommendation to reserve the remaining flu vaccine for those people who are at risk of severe complications of an influenza infection.

LIN: What's happening right now in doctors' offices right now? I mean, if people in high-risk categories go to their doctor, can they get a shot right now?

STEINBERG: Well, it all depends what company you ordered your vaccine from. Some physicians' offices who hoarded -- who hoarded their vaccine from the company that is producing the...

LIN: I see.

STEINBERG: ... whose vaccine is on the street, basically have access to vaccine and their high-risk patients that are getting vaccine. Other people, other physicians' offices are scrambling to try and find vaccine. And one thing that the physicians are doing who have vaccine is they're trying to do some soul-searching to try to convince those patients who aren't in high-risk groups that it's OK, don't get the flu vaccine this year. We need to reserve this vaccine for those people really at risk of the complications of influenza.

LIN: Is it expected to be a very bad flu season?

STEINBERG: We don't know. That's one of the problems.

You don't know in advance if the influenza seasons is going to be very bad. And that's one reason why a lot of companies have got out of the vaccine industry.

There are only two major manufacturers of influenza vaccine in this country. If it's a mild year, if it's a -- and a lot of people don't get the vaccine, then the manufacturers basically have got to chuck their vaccine. It's only good for one year. Because of those economic reasons, a lot of companies have gotten out of the vaccine business.

LIN: But you're saying that the strain expected this season is covered by the vaccine that is now in limited supply? STEINBERG: Well, we just have very preliminary data, because there aren't many cases of flu in the country this year. But what we know so far is that the viruses that have been recovered are vaccine strains, which is good news.

LIN: All right. In the meantime, Senator Charles Schumer from New York is proposing that drugs from other countries be fast-tracked by the FDA, flu vaccines from other countries be fast-tracked by the FDA. Does that make you nervous at all, or is one vaccine from one country and company that's cleared by the local regulations in that particular country just as good as the stuff from Liverpool?

STEINBERG: Hopefully it's better than the stuff from Liverpool, which was not very safe.

LIN: Right.

STEINBERG: But, you know, I think in this situation, if countries do have excess vaccine, that seems like it's a good idea to try to get it.

LIN: All right. All right. Let's hope it's not a bad season.

STEINBERG: OK.

LIN: And it sounds like, frankly, less about the flu shot, but just take care of yourself, get plenty of rest, fluids, eat well, exercise.

STEINBERG: Absolutely. Absolutely. And if you do get a flu- like illness, stay home, don't go to work, don't infect other people. Cover your cough and wash your hands frequently.

LIN: All right. By the way, I've never had a flu vaccine, and knock on wood, I haven't had the flu in 20 years.

STEINBERG: OK. Good luck.

LIN: All right. That's good news, at least. Thanks very much, Dr. Steinberg.

STEINBERG: Thank you.

LIN: Well, checking news now "Across America," a Florida gas station clerk stopped one alleged robber's hopes for a clean getaway. A surveillance camera -- you're looking at it now -- shows the man went to the counter with items, but look what happened. He was going to -- it looks like he was going to pay for them and then he casually walked towards the door.

The clerk rushed him but he was able to get out of her grip. Police are searching for the man. He just got away with some beer.

One person in Delaware is also now $215 million richer. The lucky Powerball winner hasn't been identified yet. And just in case it's you, the numbers are 1, 3, 10, 47, 48, and the powerful number is 27.

And the last day of the Balloon Fiesta in new Mexico ended with an accident. The pilot of this balloon said a shift in winds, well, that is to blame for him running into a radio tower. No one was hurt. Rescuers helped the pilot and his two passengers climb down the tower.

In the meantime, new activity at Mount St. Helens today. A column of steam is rising out of the volcano's crater. And scientists said the plume appeared to be mostly steam and contained little ash. The steam cloud followed two days of increased earthquake activity.

And Mount St. Helens recent rumblings are keeping scientists pretty busy. And to get the best view, you really have to go high above the volcano's crater, and it can be dangerous in times like this when there's a lot of volcanic activity. CNN's Miguel Marquez, though, did it, and has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The dome of the volcano, it is the plug holding back another Mount St. Helens eruption. Studying it gives hints of what's happening below.

LARRY MASTIN, VOLCANOLOGIST: Under the best circumstances, it can tell us the approximate rate at which magma is rising -- rising toward the surface.

MARQUEZ: Bruce and Larry Bergman run an aerial mapping business in Portland, Oregon. They photographed the dome from overhead. The pictures are so detailed, every crack can be measured.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can really see how there has been a lot of pressure pushing up in this area, breaking the ice.

MARQUEZ: Their photos give geologists a three-dimensional look at the dome. When Mount St. Helens erupted Friday, the Bergmans were overhead.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There was geysers of rock and boulders shooting up in the air for about a two-minute period.

MARQUEZ: The pictures they captured that day illustrate the power of millions of pounds of pressure blasting through rock.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We always have to remember that there's a -- an extra kind of a time bomb down there.

MARQUEZ: Their office, a twin engine Cessna, offers spectacular views. The rim of the crater, razor sharp. So far, they witnessed the dome grow, seen a lake spring up as heat from below melts a slice of the glacier surrounding the dome, and they've seen vents break open.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's majestic. It's a show of nature's power. MARQUEZ (on camera): The show of nature's power so far has been a warm-up act. Based on the dome's growth, the main event is expected to be explosive.

Miguel Marquez, CNN, near Mount St. Helens, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: All right. CNN meteorologist Orelon Sidney is watching the weather near Mount St. Helens, and in the South, where what's left of Tropical Storm Matthew has also made its presence known. She's live at the CNN weather center.

(WEATHER REPORT)

LIN: All right. I've got some serious matters to talk about from the U.S. Supreme Court. Should juveniles, for example, ever die for their crimes? The court is going to take that question up this week. And we've got a preview.

Plus, the economic debate. New job numbers are out, so why do both presidential candidates see such a different scenario?

And later, the Dollar Dogs. Find out why these harmless looking dogs are the newest weapon in the war on terror. Or the war on drugs.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: So, should juvenile criminals face the death penalty? That is the question now before the Supreme Court justices this week. They are going to hear arguments about the constitutionality of executing juvenile killers. CNN's Bob Franken has that preview.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He's 28 years old now, but Christopher Simmons was 17 when he and an accomplice pushed a neighbor off a railroad bridge to her death in St. Louis County, Missouri, after robbing her of just $6 and beating her and tying her up. Simmons was sentenced to be executed. Now the fundamental question before the Supreme Court is whether offenders should be put to death for their crimes as juveniles in these times.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Should the Constitution reflect the evolving standards of society?

FRANKEN: The justices decided in 2002 those evolving standards meant the execution of the mentally retarded should not be allowed.

(on camera): On the issue of putting juvenile killers to death, 18 states still permit it. But the Missouri Supreme Court last year declared it was unconstitutional. And that's the case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

(voice-over): The United States is one of just a few countries that still executes juvenile killers. Among those submitting briefs in opposition are Mikhail Gorbachev and the Dali Lama. That raises a significant legal debate.

PETER WHITE, FMR. FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: To what extent should the court look to international laws and international standards in determining whether or not the -- the -- it would violate the cruel and unusual punishment clause of the U.S. Constitution.

FRANKEN: His lawyers contend juvenile offenders like Simmons have limited capacity to make responsible decisions. The other side argues it's the nature of the crime which should determine the penalty, not the criminal's age.

Bob Franken, CNN, the Supreme Court.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Well, there were fewer jobs created in September than Wall Street expected. But that hasn't stopped the presidential candidates from using the data to spin their own messages. CNN's Kathleen Hays has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For President George Bush and challenger John Kerry, these numbers go to the heart of the economic debate. The last employment figures before voters go to the polls on November 2.

The latest tally showed the economy created only 96,000 new jobs in September, less than Wall Street expected. Even some Republicans were disappointed the latest numbers weren't stronger.

SEN. BOB BENNETT (R), UTAH: The recovery has traction. It's going forward. The jobs are coming. It's unfortunate for the president politically that they don't come in exactly the right fashion that the politicians want to talk about.

HAYS: Don't be too pessimistic, said the president's Labor secretary. Unemployment is low and jobs are finally growing.

ELAINE CHAO, LABOR SECRETARY: Our unemployment rate is 5.4 percent. This is lower than the average unemployment rate in the decade of the 1970s, 1980s, and the 1990s. We also had increased job creation. Well over 1.9 million jobs have been created since August of last year.

HAYS: Senator Kerry's camp said it doesn't matter how many jobs the economy created since last year. It's how many have been lost since the president took office.

JASON FURMAN, KERRY ECONOMIC ADVISER: The verdict is now in. George Bush is going to be the first job loss president to run for reelection in over 70 years -- 1.6 million private sector jobs lost.

We've had 11 previous presidents, Democrats, Republicans, they've faced wars, they've faced recessions, they've faced all sorts of challenges. Every one of them managed to create jobs until George Bush.

HAYS: The bottom line for Wall Street isn't politics, it's an economy that is growing, but not creating enough jobs yet.

CHARLES LIEBERMAN, ECONOMIST: My sense is that we're doing OK, but we're not doing great.

HAYS (on camera): So now the final jobs numbers are in, with less than a month to go before the election. And even Wall Street economists are still debating just how strong or how weak the economy really is.

Kathleen Hays, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Well, still to come tonight, the dollar-sniffing dogs that have Colombian drug smugglers on guard.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: We talk a lot about Iraq, but there's another type of war going on in South America. And the bad guys are hard to spot. They don't fit a terror profile, or carry even guns. But they do carry wads of illegal cash, and some clever canines are springing into action helping to stop them. Our Karl Penhaul reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Small, but a keen nose for dirty money. Meet Colombian police dog Nana (ph). She's searching luggage bathed in wads of dollars in euros, earnings from international drug deals being smuggled back to Colombia.

"All that cash comes back to finance the narco trafficking industry in Colombia," he say,s "to pay for hit men, to pay workers, to reproduce drugs or to buy the chemicals," he says. Nana (ph), a fox terrier, and Nix (ph), a golden Labrador, are two of the newest weapons in the war on drugs. Since teaming up with police at Bogota Airport in May, Nana (ph) alone has sniffed out more than 550,000 contraband dollars.

"At first she was just a novelty, and nobody believed she would get results. But when she sniffed out her first stash, everybody changed their attitude," he says.

This Customs agent asked passengers if they're carrying more than $10,000. That's the maximum amount passengers can bring in under stringent new currency import laws that took effect in mid August. Police and Customs agents say they've found cash smuggled in everything from false-bottomed suitcases to hollowed pencils.

(on camera): In a few moments from now, flights are scheduled to arrive from Panama and Mexico City. Police categorize those flights as high risk. That means a high possibility that some of the passengers onboard could be trying to smuggle in dollars. (voice-over): Back in action on the rotating belt, even a canine secret weapon can have a problem with some of those big bags. Now every dog has its day, and today the owners go to Nix (ph). She sniffed out a stash of euros in this passenger's shoes.

Euros, dollars and pounds, grand total more than $33,000 worth of cash. The passenger says it's not drug money, but savings from his job as a janitor in London. He'll have to prove his story to Customs, or risk losing it.

For the dollar-sniffing dogs, Nana (ph) and Nix (ph), it's back to the kennels. They'll be hot on the money trail again manana.

Karl Penhaul, CNN, Bogota.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: All right. That's all the time we have for this hour.

Coming up at 7:00 Eastern on "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS," tonight Martha Stewart and Howard stern. At 8:00, "CNN PRESENTS, "The Mission of George W. Bush." What has been learned about his decision-making and religious faith during his first term?

At 9:00 Eastern, "LARRY KING WEEKEND." Tonight, a look at the life of Alfred Hitchcock with those who knew him best.

And I'm going to be back at 10:00 for our prime-time show. Tonight, my interview with Lance Armstrong. Will he ride in the Tour de France for the seventh time? And what's going on with Sheryl Crow?

The hours headlines when I come back. And then "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS."

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