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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports
Call to shake up the Kerry campaign, Interview with White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, Explosions in Israel, Russia, Coverage of Republican National Convention
Aired August 31, 2004 - 17:00 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.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now. A call to shake up the Kerry campaign. Why some Democrats are pushing for a change at the highest levels. Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.
Compassion's in fashion at the Republican convention. So why are some showing a mean streak?
On the trail. Second thoughts about the war on terror.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE WALKER BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We are winning, and we will win.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: I'll speak with White House chief of staff Andrew Card and Democratic national chairman Terry McAuliffe.
Terror targets in Israel. Twin bus bombings take a frightful toll. In Russia, a car explodes outside a crowded metro station. In Iraq, kidnappers reach a new level of brutality.
ANNOUNCER: This is a special edition of WOLF BLITZER REPORTS live from the Republican national convention in New York.
Hello from Madison Square Garden. Tonight is set aside for the so-called softer side of the GOP, with speakers who score high on the likability scale. The California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a political moderate, will reach out to like-minded Democrats and independents. And introduced by her twin daughters, mild-mannered Laura Bush will tell the nation about the man she knows better than anyone.
Manners may be hard to come by outside the convention, protests continuing in the streets, some right now, some, in fact, peaceful, but others not.
We have three of our correspondents standing by live. CNN's Candy Crowley has details on a possible change of leadership in the Kerry campaign. Suzanne Malveaux looks at President Bush's change of heart on victory over terrorism. But we begin with our senior White House correspondent, John King, on tonight's Republican effort to win over some hearts -- John. JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, you mentioned at the top of the show some softer faces, some more optimistic faces, you might say, of the Republican Party dominating primetime tonight. But still, as it was last night, the overriding theme will be the president's wartime leadership.
Among the primetime speakers, a new star in the Republican Party, a familiar star on the movie screen, the California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He came into the hall late last night, actually early this morning, after midnight, to take a peek at the podium. In his speech tonight, he will tell his immigrant's tale, an upbeat tale of coming to the United States, the land of opportunity.
The Bush campaign thinks that will help. It also thinks this will help. Just as the speakers did last night, Governor Schwarzenegger will praise the president's leadership post-9/11. He will say, quote, "Ladies and gentlemen, America is back, back from the attack on our homeland, back from the attack on our economy, back from the attack on our way of life. We're back because of the perseverance, character and leadership of the 43rd president of the United States, George W. Bush," that a key them for all of the speakers so far, saluting this president's wartime leadership and defining leadership as the decisive issue, in the Republican view, in the coming campaign.
Also among the speakers tonight, the president's wife, first lady of the United States Laura Bush, her daughters, Barbara and Jenna, with her when she came to test out the podium earlier today. They will have a brief role in the events tonight, the proceedings tonight, too, and their father, the president, will participate from the road. The first lady, we are told, will salute her husband's leadership and offer a defense of a position that has been criticized by many, including Ron Reagan, Jr., his limits on embryonic stem cell research. That will be part of the first lady's speech.
And as policy is debated and spelled out at this convention, there is, as always, also a debate about campaign tactics, many asking the Bush campaign, including the Kerry campaign asking, if there's any Bush campaign or Bush campaign support for those so-called ads by the Swift Boat Veterans for Troops -- for Truth -- excuse me -- questioning John Kerry's service in Vietnam.
I had an interview a short time ago with the president's top political adviser, Karl Rove. He says, No, there's no role in those ads, he wishes all 527 groups -- that's a campaign finance term -- would be outlawed, but he did support the basic message in those ads.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KARL ROVE, WHITE HOUSE POLITICAL ADVISER: I'm against it, all of 527 ads and activities. I don't think they're fair. I don't think it's appropriate. They're misusing the law. They all ought to stop. But I understand why some people who were in Vietnam feel very strongly about what Senator Kerry did and said when he came back. I mean, it's -- it is, frankly, an insult to them to suggest that they were routinely war criminals, which is what he called them. And I've seen the e-mail traffic and I've seen vets out there -- I was at the VFW in Cincinnati a couple of weeks ago, and even people who are quick to disassociate themselves from the claims that he somehow, you know, didn't deserve the medals or didn't serve with valor, are -- people who defend him on those issues feel very strongly about what he did when he came back to tarnish their good service, as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Karl Rove feeling optimistic about the fall campaign. He says the Republicans have a bit of momentum now. He says the big test is for President Bush to lay out a clear agenda for a second term when he speaks to this convention on Thursday night. And Wolf, the delegates arriving tonight will receive this book, a compilation of major policy addresses given by President Bush in his first four years -- Wolf.
BLITZER: John King, thanks very much.
Meanwhile, from the Republicans to the Democrats. Some Democratic leaders are right now urging John Kerry to make some changes in his campaign staff at the very highest levels before Labor Day. One party strategist asserts if it doesn't happen, it could cost Kerry the election. Joining us now our senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley. You've been doing some serious reporting on this. How serious is this proposal to once again shake up the Kerry campaign?
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the people who are proposing it are quite serious. There's two groups here. You've got the people outside the campaign -- let's try to be specific who we're talking about -- saying, Look, this is a man -- they don't believe that the overall -- overarching theme of the campaign is clear, and they're upset that they did not respond more quickly to the swift boat ads, the veterans. We are talking about some elected officials we've talked to. We are talking about some party officials we've talked to. And we're talking about some strategists outside.
You go inside the campaign, and they push back very hard. They say, No changes here, OK? No major changes. They do concede it's been a very rough August for John Kerry, so -- and they have brought in some people to help with the message. Joe Lockhart is the most familiar name, former spokesman for Bill Clinton. But they say no major shake-ups. They have a plan. They're sticking to it. But outside, there is clearly -- they're looking at these polls and saying something needs to be done.
BLITZER: All right. We'll see what has to be done, what will be done, if anything. candy Crowley, thanks very much. We'll get more insight onto this possible, possible shake-up inside the Kerry campaign later this hour. I'll speak with the Democratic party chairman, Terry McAuliffe.
John Kerry's running mate, John Edwards, meanwhile lashed out today at the president on a campaign stop in the battleground state of West Virginia. Edwards slammed the president's economic policies in a state he says has been hit particularly hard by those policies.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: They're talking about -- I guess today and through the convention, they're going to talk about compassion. You know, you remember when Bush was running, he talked about being a compassionate conservative. Well, there's nothing compassionate about millions of people losing their health care and losing their job and not being able to support their family.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Edwards also criticized the president's recent admission that he had miscalculated on post-war Iraq. He said it's one of a series of miscalculations on the economy, health care and national security.
One day after giving -- saying victory may not necessarily be possible in the war on terror, the president today reversed himself and declared the United States will, in fact, win this war on terror. His remarks came during one of his campaign stop. Our White House correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux, is traveling with the president. She's joining us now from Iowa -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the latest stop for the president is Alleman, Iowa. This is where the president attended what they're calling the Super Bowl of agriculture, one of the largest farm shows in the country, to try to make the case that his economic policy is good for the critical voting block, farmers and union workers. But of course, the president also trying to basically stamp out that controversy over remarks that he made in a TV interview yesterday, in which he said he did not believe, he did not think that the war on terror could be won.
Now, earlier today in Nashville, Tennessee, he made the case before a group of veterans at the American Legion, saying twice the familiar refrain that he was committed to winning the war on terror. And then later, in an interview with radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh, he addressed the issue more directly, saying he should have made his point more clear.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
BUSH: Really, what I was saying to Lauer was, is that this is not the kind of war where you sit down and sign a peace treaty. It's a totally different kind of war. But we will win it. Your listeners have got to know that I am -- I know we'll win it, but we're going to have to be resolved and firm, and we can't doubt what we stand for.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now, the Kerry campaign, of course, has seized on this, saying that it is President Bush who's the flip-flopper, not Kerry, as the Bush campaign has portrayed him, a Kerry spokesman saying, quote, "This president has gone from `mission accomplished' to mission miscalculated to mission impossible on the war on terror. We need a leader who knows we can win the war on terror and has a plan to do it."
And Wolf, particularly important, the president's next stop, that is Pennsylvania. That is where the latest poll shows that of those who say that the war on terror is the No. 1 issue, 71 percent voting for Bush, 22 for Kerry -- Wolf.
BLITZER: And Pennsylvania, who can stress the importance of Pennsylvania more so than the Electoral College map. Thanks very much, Suzanne Malveaux, for that.
Joining us now with insight into where exactly the president stands on this overall war on terror and other key issues, the White House chief of staff, Andrew Card. Thanks very much for joining us.
ANDREW CARD, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: Wolf, it's a joy to be with you.
(CROSSTALK)
CARD: It is a joy.
BLITZER: All right, let's talk about the president. One day, he tell us Matt Lauer you can't win the war on terror. Now he's saying today publicly that you can win the war on terror. The Democrats are railing against you...
CARD: We will prevail!
BLITZER: ... for a supposed flip-flop.
CARD: With the resolve that the president has and the resolve of the American people we will prevail. But the president was saying it's not like a traditional war, where you expect the leader to show up with a sword and hand it to a gentleman, say, We give up. I'm ready to sign a peace treaty. This is not that kind of a war. This is more like the cold war. There may not be a VE Day. You know, this is going to be a war that will be won because we got the resolve to see it through, but the battle will be fought not nation by nation, instead it will be fought cell by cell all around the world, including in the United States.
BLITZER: Some have compared the war on terror to the war on crime, the war on drugs. You have to fight it. You have to fight it all the time, year by year. You make inroads, but you're never necessarily going to beat it.
CARD: Well, I would like to say that all terrorists would stop doing their dirty business in the world. I don't think that's realistic. But what we can do is make sure that there are no nation states that harbor terrorists, that there are no infrastructures that can be used by their terrorists to finance their means of activity. But I don't think we're ever going to find a situation where every individual terrorist is eliminated. I do think that we will win the war on terror, and I think that we will prevail. BLITZER: A lot of people remember when the president spoke of his "axis of evil," Iraq under Saddam Hussein, Iran and North Korea. Many have argued that Iran actually represented and still represents a greater threat to the U.S. and its allies in that part of the world because it's getting closer and closer, as you well know, to developing a nuclear bomb.
CARD: Well, first of all, you understand that the president is addressing the challenges around the world in many different ways. With Iraq, he used our troops, and that was after diplomacy had a chance to work and it didn't work. It was after the world did not demonstrate the complete resolve to force Saddam to comply with the U.N. and all of its resolutions. And when diplomacy didn't work, the last option ended up being going to war.
We're still working diplomacy with the Iranians, and we've got allies. The French and the Germans and the British are working very hard with an international organization called the IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Association (SIC), and they are working to bring Iran into a responsible relationship with the rest of the world. And the United States has been a partner in that process, working with our allies.
BLITZER: Yesterday, we asked our viewers to give us their input on some questions that they would want to ask you. We got about 11,000 or 12,000 e-mails.
CARD: I am ready!
BLITZER: Let me read a couple. Sean wrote this. "George W. Bush needs to be more forthright regarding the challenges facing the troops remaining in Iraq and tell the American people how long we should expect our troops to be in Iraq."
CARD: We expect the troops to be there as long as necessary and not a day longer.
BLITZER: We've heard that from the president.
CARD: Well...
BLITZER: Are we talking six years, three years?
CARD: You know, it's up to what's happening on the ground. We know that in order for us to achieve our victory, complete victory, we want democracy and freedom to take hold in Iraq so that they become an example of what can work in the Middle East. You know, this is far more than just Iraq. This is sending the right kind of signal to a very troubled part of the world, and the success and the opportunities that will come from the people in Iraq are quite significant. They now have a government that is committed to writing a constitution, and that constitution will allow for full elections and democracy to flourish.
BLITZER: If the president is reelected, would you expect over the next four years a big chunk of that U.S. military presence in Iraq to be able to come home?
CARD: Well, what we'd like is for the Iraqi people to develop a constitution and have leadership that will train an army and police forces that will be able to handle their own security. And right now, we're work very, very closely with Prime Minister Allawi as he is developing that kind of security infrastructure. But we're going to be there to help him do that and to work side by side. And as more of the Iraqi police officers and the security officials come on board, I think you'll find the burden will be lifted off the coalition forces.
BLITZER: A lot of our viewers saw the Michael Moore movie, "Fahrenheit 9/11." He made a big deal of those, what, seven or nine minutes, whatever the president spent on 9/11. When you whispered in the president's ear, "The country" I guess in your words, was "under attack."
CARD: Well, I was very clear. I passed on two facts and made one editorial comment. Remember, the president walked into that classroom, and it was a classroom with very young students. These were young elementary school students. And there was a press corps watching the president's every move.
And as the president walked into that classroom, he had been told that it looked like a small twin-engine crop plane crashed into one of the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. And the thought was, What a horrible accident. The pilot must have had a heart attack or something. The president went into classroom. He sat down. I very quickly learned that it looked like that first plane was, in fact, a jetliner, a commercial jetliner. And then, oh, my gosh, another jetliner just crashed into the other tower at the World Trade Center.
I stood at the door, collected my thoughts, decided I would pass on two facts and make one editorial comment. I walked in when there was a break in the conversation and went up to the president's right ear and whispered, A second plane hit the second tower. America is under attack. The president did not want to introduce fear to those young students, and he did not want to demonstrate fear to a press corps that didn't know what was going on in New York.
So he acted entirely appropriately. He was patient. He was confident. He collected his thoughts. And when it was appropriate, he excused himself from the classroom without introducing any fear to those young people and came into the holding room, and then the rest is history.
BLITZER: So if all of you had to do it all over again, would you have changed anything?
CARD: I think he did it exactly the right way. It would have been wrong to cause those young students to have fear or to pass on fear to the American people through a press corps that really didn't know what was happening.
BLITZER: You're looking -- you're feeling good about this election right now? CARD: I feel terrific. We came into this convention with more momentum than the pundits had predicted, and we're on the road to build more momentum coming out of this convention. So I feel very, very good. The president's going to have a great message on Thursday night. And tonight, we get to listen to First Lady Laura Bush, and it doesn't get better than that.
BLITZER: What about Arnold Schwarzenegger?
CARD: Arnold Schwarzenegger, too.
BLITZER: Andy Card, thanks very much.
CARD: Thank you, Wolf.
BLITZER: Appreciate it very much.
Our live coverage of the Republican national convention continues with our one-on-one interview with one of tonight's primetime speakers. That's coming up later. Also ahead, a day of terror around the world. Why Israel and Russia were targeted today.
And in Iraq, the unthinkable, the largest number of hostages killed at once, a brutal story of the mass murder of those working to try to help that country.
And here in the United States, hear why some analysts say Arnold Schwarzenegger will not get votes necessarily for President Bush. We'll have some analysis. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to the Republican National Convention. I'm Wolf Blitzer at Madison Square Garden. We're getting ready for day two. It all begins in just a couple of hours. Much more coverage on what to expect tonight. That's coming up.
But right now, we turn to terrorism. From the Middle East to Moscow, it was a bloody day of slaughter. In Israel a pair of suicide bombers killed 16 people and wounded almost 100 others. CNN's Stan Grant reports from the southern city of Beersheba.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STAN GRANT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In mid-afternoon, two coordinated suicide bombings, two buses targeted within 100 meters of each other, the explosions nearly simultaneous in the main street of Beersheba. Security and emergency services quickly on the scene. Quickly, the casualties mounted, the death toll racing above a dozen, the wounded multiplying by the tens.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The nightmares are coming back after a couple of months that we didn't have anything. And I witnessed about 90 percent of the suicide bombing in Israel. And everything is coming back to you when you see children and people looking for the children and children are looking for their mother. GRANT (on camera): As you can see behind me, the absolutely devastated site of that bus after the suicide bombing. There are police and security personnel still searching through the debris scattered across the ground. On the other side of that bus, medical personnel are still treating the wounded and retrieving the bodies of the dead.
(voice-over): The Tuesday blasts were the first suicide bomb attacks within Israel since March. While the rescue effort continued, a claim of responsibility, the militant group Hamas saying it carried out the attack, a retaliation for the killing of two of its leaders earlier this year.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Today there was an operation to show the enemy we can reach them.
GRANT: From the Palestinian authority, condemnation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is quite regrettable that these attacks are ongoing. It is also a time to stop the tragic loss of life on both sides.
GRANT: Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon is vowing to continue the fight against terror, and a pledge: This attack will not halt his plans for an Israeli pullout of Gaza and parts of the West Bank.
ARIEL SHARON, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): Israel will continue to fight terror with utmost determination, and that issue has no connection to the disengagement plan.
GRANT: On the ground, the talk of politics, of pullout, of peace a long way away. Here, it is survival and a price paid in blood. Stan Grant, CNN, Beersheba.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: There was another suicide attack today in central Moscow, where a bomber killed nine people and wounded dozens more. CNN's Ryan Chilcote has the story from the Russian capital.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Russian officials are blaming this attack on a female suicide bomber. It happened at this subway station behind me, here on the northeastern side of Moscow. Eyewitnesses are telling police that they saw a suspicious-looking woman making her way toward the entrance of the subway station. When she saw some police checking people's bags as they went into the subway, that's when she stopped, turned around, and that is when she blew up.
Now, this comes exactly one week after twin terrorist attacks here in Russia. That's when two Russian airliners were brought down almost at the very same time, killing 90 people, by terrorists. Russian officials are looking at two Chechen females that were on those planes, one on each of them, and they suspect that they may have been suicide bombers. Now, Chechen rebels have denied any responsibility for those terrorist attacks last week on those planes, and no one has claimed responsibility for today's attack.
Ryan Chilcote, CNN, Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: An Iraqi group today said it killed 12 hostages from Nepal and showed pictures to prove it. The massacre is the worst killing of captives since the Iraqi insurgency began. CNN's senior international correspondent Walter Rodgers reports from Baghdad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WALTER RODGERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): Those 12 Nepalese workers were shown being executed on an Islamist Web site. One of the Nepalese workers was beheaded. His throat was slit. The others, you can see, brutally killed execution- style, bullets to the back of their heads with semi-automatic rifles. They were killed because it is said they were working for the Americans and working for the Israelis here in Iraq. Again, an Islamist group, Ansar al-Suna (ph), said that they were responsible for the killing of these men. In point of fact, these were simply contract workers for a Jordanian company. By CNN's count, 23 hostages have been killed in recent months. More than 80 have been taken hostage.
Walter Rodgers, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Meantime, the Arab League says it has won another 24- hour extension from a radical Islamist group. The kidnappers are threatening to kill two French journalists unless France repeals a law banning Muslim head scarves in public schools. The French government has so far balked at that demand.
Some Democratic leaders urging John Kerry to shake up his staff over the handling of the swift boat controversy. Are changes really coming, though? I'll ask Terry McAuliffe. He's the chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He'll join me live.
Police on guard as activists plan a day of civil disobedience. Protesters are marching to Madison Square Garden right now.
Verbal jab. Senator John McCain targets the controversial filmmaker, Michael Moore, to the Republican delegates' delight.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: As we mentioned, some Democratic leaders are urging John Kerry to make some changes in his campaign staff. They say Kerry's staff is adrift after failing to respond quickly and effectively to Bush campaign attacks, as well as those attacks coming from the group Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Regarding Kerry's Vietnam war record, Democrats today are expressing outrage over Republicans here at the convention wearing small Band-Aids with small Purple Hearts. They view that as mocking the awards Kerry received in combat in Vietnam and for which the Navy awarded him three Purple Hearts.
Joining us now to talk about all of this, the Democratic National Committee chairman, Terry McAuliffe. He's here in New York representing the Democrats during this Republican convention. Let's talk first of all, Terry, about the possible shake-up, if you will, of the Kerry campaign. What are you hearing?
TERRY MCAULIFFE, DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: Well, I checked with the campaign. They said absolutely not. There are not going to be any changes. You know, people are going to be added into the campaign, Wolf, as we head towards the general election. Al Hunt was in your diner a few minute ago. I asked him where the story came from. He wouldn't tell me. If the election were held today, as you know, we would win a majority of the electoral votes. We would have about 300-plus today.
It's been a hard August, but we're about ready to kick off the general on Friday. John Kerry is going to take off, take the message across the country. So we're in a very good position today.
BLITZER: Our Electoral College map analysis showed that the Republicans would get about 274, the magic number 270, the Democrats about 260, in the 260s, something like that, but that's another issue.
There have already been some significant additions to the Kerry campaign. Clinton -- former Clinton administration officials like Joe Lockhart, the White House press secretary under Clinton, Doug Sosnik, Bill Clinton's political strategist in the White House. What does that suggest to you? They're going to the Clinton well for help.
MCAULIFFE: Well, I do remind you that Bill Clinton was the first president reelected since Franklin Delano Roosevelt. We had eight great years from 1993 through 2000, won several campaigns and we want to bring the best talent possible.
As John Kerry came over to my office the day after he won the nomination and he said, Terry, I want all hands on deck. I want everybody involved. We need to do this for the millions of Americans who are counting on this party, are counting on John Kerry and John Edwards to move this country forward.
So you are going to see a lot more people joining the campaign, Wolf, as we head into the final stretch here. We're 63 days to go. Let's get the best talent in there. We've got a great story to tell. We had a great convention in Boston. We're in great shape. Another poll out in Florida now has us up in Florida, so things are trending very nicely for us. We have got a long way to go, but we're in very good position today.
BLITZER: What I've heard from some Democrats, important Democrats, not on the campaign, outside the campaign, is that this Kerry team, the staffers they have right now were good to get him the Democratic nomination, but not up to the task of beating a Republican, especially an incumbent Republican.
And only Clinton aides really know how to do that, since they beat Republicans in '92 and in '96. Should there be a major -- you know the situation. Do they need to bring in some of those heavy guns who worked with Bill Clinton?
MCAULIFFE: Let me say, first off, the folks who ran the Kerry for president campaign did a magnificent job. I remind you that John Kerry won primary after primary and caucus. He won the nomination by March 10. We had what I believe was the most impressive springtime we've ever had in the history of our party.
We had a great convention. The party is financially in the best shape we've ever been in. We're mobilized, ready to go. But we need a lot of people. And I think a lot of people who we wanted to come in the campaign I think wanted to wait until the final stretch. They had jobs, family obligations. But now I think you see people flocking in and we want everybody in this campaign. John Kerry wants everybody in this campaign.
And, clearly, people who were responsible for winning 1992 and the 1996 presidential campaigns are the people who ought to be joining this campaign. They did it once. They did it twice. And they're going to help us do it a third time.
BLITZER: Terry McAuliffe, representing the Democrats here in New York City during this Republican Convention, thanks very much for joining us.
MCAULIFFE: Thanks, Wolf. You bet.
BLITZER: Focusing on a key domestic issue, that would be education. just ahead, I'll speak live with the education secretary, Rod Paige. He's here at Madison Square Garden.
Plus, highlighting the Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger in the GOP spotlight tonight. Can his star power sway voters?
First Lady Laura Bush vs. Teresa Heinz Kerry. A new poll shows the majority of voters prefer one over the other.
And first, it was Charley, now Frances. The Southeast of the United States bracing for another major hurricane. We'll have an update just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: Live from Madison Square Garden, once again, Wolf Blitzer.
BLITZER: Welcome back.
A night of compassion with the Hollywood star-turned-governor of California taking center stage tonight. We'll have a closer look at Arnold Schwarzenegger's political appeal. That's coming up.
First, though, a quick check of some stories now in the news.
A major portion of downtown Richmond, Virginia, was declared uninhabitable today after remnants of Tropical Storm Gaston dumped a foot of rain over parts of the central Virginia. Cars were scattered by the rushing water and one building in Richmond collapsed.
The Bahamas and parts of the Southeast United States coast bracing for Hurricane Frances. That storm grew to a category 4 status today, with winds near 140 miles an hour. Forecasters say Frances could hit the United States by the weekend, a hurricane warning already in place for the Bahamas. Unfortunately, we'll be hearing a lot more about Frances in the coming days.
Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
Now back to the Republican Convention here in New York, where, unlike last night, tonight's 10:00 p.m. Eastern hour will be carried by the three broadcast television networks. Why? It likely has to do with one of the speakers themselves, someone who brings the wattage the GOP has been looking for.
Here's CNN's Brian Todd.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The sound bite becomes spectacle.
GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA: I call them girly men. They should go back to the table and they should fix the budget!
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
TODD: A tedious budget fight becomes a mission. In style and substance, Arnold Schwarzenegger has won over California, with approval ratings in the 60s. And as he takes the national stage, Republicans are banking on his star power.
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST: He has an appeal way beyond politics. He brings in a lot of people who just have no interest politics simply as a charismatic figure.
TODD: Is Schwarzenegger a polarizing figure in his own party? This is a man who is married to a Kennedy, disagrees with the president on abortion, gay rights, gun control. Analysts say he's closer to John Kerry than to the president on the environment. But they also say those positions got him elected in California and make him an important draw at a convention where Republican moderates are front and center.
RON BROWNSTEIN, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Highlighting him allows them to make the case that there is a broader -- there's an opening in the party to a broad range of viewpoints. The other thing that Schwarzenegger, though, did during his election was, he did expand the electorate.
TODD: Political observers in California says Schwarzenegger brought younger, blue-collar and Latino voters into the state's GOP fold, but none the analysts and reporters we spoke to believe he'll be able to swing California to Bush in November. Most agree, though, the visuals do help, images of a leader who doesn't take himself too seriously.
SCHWARZENEGGER: I just realized that I have a perfect part for you in "Terminator 4."
(LAUGHTER)
SCHWARZENEGGER: That's it.
TODD: Who proudly campaigns for the president at home.
SCHWARZENEGGER: Please welcome the president.
TODD: And now, with a showcase political speech in New York, the promise of a household name will send a message to Democrats and undecided voters, look, we have a star of our own.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TODD: Because he was born in Austria, Schwarzenegger is prohibited by the Constitution from running for president. There's a lot of talk about changing that clause. And if it is changed, one analyst told me Schwarzenegger would run for president in a minute.
Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Also tonight at prime time, the first lady, Laura Bush, tries to boost the president's standing among female voters, where he trails John Kerry.
As far as being a factor, a "TIME" magazine poll shows Mrs. Bush with a 53 percent favorable rating among voters, while only 7 percent view her unfavorably. The same poll shows voters split over Teresa Heinz Kerry, a 25 percent favorable opinion, a like number unfavorable.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY: Well, I'm flattered with those numbers. I think that's nice. But, you know, this isn't really a popularity contest. And it's a privilege. In fact, I have the privilege of traveling around our country and meeting people all over the country who are making a huge difference in the lives of their neighbors and themselves. And that's what I'm really fortunate to be able to do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: The first lady speaking earlier today with our Bill Hemmer on "AMERICAN MORNING."
Meanwhile, a high-ranking minority member of the Bush administration takes to the podium tonight as well. The education secretary, Rod Paige, will highlight the president's education priorities.
Secretary Paige joining us now live to talk a little bit about the administration's accomplishments.
What's going to be the main thrust of your remarks tonight, Mr. Secretary?
ROD PAIGE, SECRETARY OF EDUCATION: Well, I don't think it's going to surprise anybody that I'm going to talk about the No Child Left Behind Act. I'm going to talk about the increase in Pell Grant funding so one million more young adults can attend college.
BLITZER: You're not surprised, also, to know that a lot of Democrats, including Senator Kennedy, who worked with you to get that he No Child Left Behind Act in place, think it's been a failure.
PAIGE: Well, they supported it and we're very appreciative of that support.
But now we're in an election season. And we're having a little election-season amnesia. But that's OK. That's how things are.
BLITZER: Are you going to get into the issue of race tonight?
PAIGE: Well, no, I'm not.
The achievement gap talks about that a little bit. What we'll be talking about is education for America, not Democratic education or Republican education, but the president knows that we as a nation must improve our education offerings.
BLITZER: The president has several African-Americans in very senior positions, the secretary of state, national security adviser, you. Why is he having so much trouble getting significant support among African-American voters?
PAIGE: Well, I think when people look at the president and look at his appointments and look at his staffing and look at the important role they're playing in government, I think it would be clear to anybody that the president is pretty balanced here.
He looks for talent. And I don't think that he's involved in these other issues. The president's very attractive about this, and I think the public will give him credit for that.
BLITZER: Do you think he'll do better this time than he did last time? More than 90 percent voted for Al Gore, as you know, among African-American voters.
PAIGE: Well, right. But look at this convention. Look at the surge of African-American and minority members here. Look at the delegates and look at the alternates. The percentage is skyrocketing here.
BLITZER: Still not where the Democratic Party is.
PAIGE: Still not where the Democratic Party is, but I see growth. And I think there's soft underbelly out there. As I go around the nation, I see people are interested in the philosophy that the president espouses.
BLITZER: We have a brand new CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup with some numbers out. I want to get your thoughts, because you've worked very closely with the vice president over these years. Who would you choose for vice president? Right now, look at this, Edwards, 52 percent, Cheney, 42 percent, Edwards clearly ahead of the vice president right now.
A second poll just out right now, a CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll, has Cheney given Bush good advice, bad advice, unsure? Look at this, 41 percent good advice, 39 percent bad advice, 17 percent unsure.
You've worked closely with Dick Cheney.
PAIGE: Yes, I have.
BLITZER: In the Cabinet, in the administration, is he is a divisive figure?
PAIGE: The vice president is a wonderful statesman. He's earnest, trustful, loves his country. He has years and years of service to this -- to the country.
And I think when people know him better and know him well, they'll agree with that. I think the final poll that we're going to see will be the one we'll have in November. The president is a -- we're very fortunate to have him on the ticket with President Bush, the vice president.
BLITZER: Good luck in your speech today, I think about 9:45 today.
PAIGE: Something like that, I think, yes.
BLITZER: Are you nervous?
PAIGE: Well, I've never done this before, but I don't think nervous is the right word. But there's a wee bit of apprehension.
BLITZER: Good luck.
PAIGE: Thank you.
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Mr. Secretary.
PAIGE: Thank you.
BLITZER: And our live coverage of the Republican Convention will continue with a look at what's happening outside on the streets. It's a day of civil disobedience, police on guard as protesters make their presence known.
Igniting the crowd. Senator McCain targets the controversial filmmaker Michael Moore.
And courting the minority vote in a key battleground state. We'll meet a delegate from Ohio who's lending her voice to the cause.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
BLITZER: That's Dana Glover. She's going to be singing tonight. She's rehearsing, the gospel singer singing and practicing, getting ready for tonight's performance. She'll be singing during the 8:00 Eastern hour.
We're back at the Republican National Convention in Madison Square Garden.
Outside the convention hall, protests continuing on the streets of New York City.
Let's check in with CNN's Jason Carroll -- Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And, Wolf, we're less than two hours away from a rally that's scheduled here tonight. Police are going to be keeping their eye on that and the group behind it, A31, a loose coalition of activists.
But, first, very quickly to what has already happened today. Less than an hour ago, police made several arrests in a park not far from here, that protest by a group called the Organization Representing Homeless and Health Care Issues.
Also, Wolf, we're getting word that just a short while ago dozens of demonstrators were arrested down at Ground Zero. Many of those demonstrators were planning to head up here for that rally at 7:00. So it's unclear how many groups are going to be represented here. As for the group that's behind it, A31, we checked their Web site. They put out an open letter to New Yorkers indicating that they will be conducting acts of random disobedience and as well they say they apologize for all of the inconvenience -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, Jason Carroll on the streets of New York -- thanks, Jason, very much.
While some people march on those streets, one of President Bush's most outspoken opponents uses a camera to make his arguments. The director Michael Moore has become the man so many Republicans simply love to hate. That became very clear at last night's convention session.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): It was an obvious jab at liberal filmmaker Michael Moore and his anti-Bush documentary, "Fahrenheit 9/11." And Moore there was to take the hit in person. Senator John McCain was at the convention podium declaring that President Bush went to war in Iraq to protect America from a graver threat.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
MCCAIN: Not our political opponents, not -- and certainly not -- and certainly not a disingenuous filmmaker who would have us believe...
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
BLITZER: The crowd erupted with cheers before McCain could even finish the sentence. Moore, who is attending the convention as a guest columnist for "USA Today," responded with waves and smiles.
CROWD: Four more years! Four more years!
BLITZER: When the crowd began chanting "four more years," Moore could be seen offering his own refrain, "two more months." At one point, Moore held up his finger and thumb in the shape of an L., the symbol for the word loser.
MICHAEL MOORE, FILMMAKER/AUTHOR: People are going to trust their own experiences with what they've seen with this war. And it doesn't look good for Mr. Bush.
BLITZER: Moore's column today ignored McCain's speech, but Moore says he thinks it was -- quote -- "dumb" -- unquote -- for the Republicans to give him so much publicity.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And carrying the conservative message to minority groups. I'll speak here at the convention with a delegate from the battleground state of Ohio who's trying to rally support for the Bush/Cheney ticket.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: As part of our Republican Convention coverage, CNN senior analyst Jeff Greenfield has been introducing all of us to some of the convention delegates. Today, it's a member of the Ohio delegation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DEBORAH BURSTION-DONBRAYE, OHIO DELEGATE: That looks done?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: It's done, isn't it? JEFF GREENFIELD, CNN SR. ANALYST (voice-over): For 49-year-old Deborah Burstion Donbraye, dinner with relatives is a Sunday tradition.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: You want a big piece? How's that?
GREENFIELD: Missing this evening is husband Frank, a Nigerian who's away in Africa for the summer working on the family's consulting business. But, as always, Lucy and Ricky are in the house and Donbraye knows...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "I LOVE LUCY")
DESI ARNAZ, ACTOR: How often is Ethel's checking account overdrawn?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GREENFIELD: ... every...
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: Never.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "I LOVE LUCY")
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Never.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GREENFIELD: ... word.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: You want me to get it for you?
GREENFIELD: As with most African-Americans, Donbraye's relatives, her mom, niece and brother, are all Democrats, but Donbraye came to the Republican Party because of one man.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: That whole idea of being part of the Reagan revolution, it was so attractive. And I just got sucked in willingly to it and loved it. And I haven't really left it since that time.
GREENFIELD: She began her career as a reporter for Knight Ridder, but eventually moved into politics, serving as Ed Meese's spokesperson at the Justice Department back in the 1980s. She also served as press secretary for George W. Bush's 1994 Texas gubernatorial campaign.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: This area has been heavily Democratic for a very long time.
GREENFIELD: On this busy day...
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: Hey, how are you doing?
GREENFIELD: ... she has a series of meetings in Cleveland.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: Are you targeting specific schools or is it...
GREENFIELD: As outreach director for the Ohio Republican Party.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: How are you?
GREENFIELD: Her job is to bring the GOP's message to groups that usually vote Democratic.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: I've put a face and a person to the enemy, in their minds. They'll say, well, I've never met a black Republican. I've never spoken with one. And that's the first thing. It's no different than any other salesperson. I got my foot in the door.
OK, right now I'm going to my Right to Life office.
GREENFIELD: Donbraye's other job is president of the Cleveland chapter of Right to Life. She volunteered for the anti-abortion movement after reporting a story about a child born during the second trimester.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: And I said, but I thought I would look at something that was very strange-looking or odd, but it's hair, fingernails, eyelashes and all of those things. And that's when I realized that this isn't a choice. This is a child. And that was my moment.
GREENFIELD: This week in New York, Donbraye is bringing her message to a city where minorities vote overwhelming Democratic.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: I'm getting them to think. And that's what I'm saying. Life and that vote, both are too important to sleepwalk through. Pay attention.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And Deborah is joining us now live now here.
How are you doing among African -- you're reaching out, trying to get that vote in Ohio, a key battleground state. How do you feel you're doing?
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: I think we're doing very well. I think we're going to see some improvements of our figures over the 2000 race. But, again, it's a bit of a struggle, but this is an administration that's given us something to work with, a message to bring to African- Americans and to all Americans.
BLITZER: And you've been struggling your whole life. Now you're continuing to...
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: Deborah, thanks very much for joining us.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: Thank you.
BLITZER: And more of Jeff Greenfield's special reports on delegates, that will be coming up tomorrow.
And we'll have more coverage on this program just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: What does President Bush have to do on the issue of national security to win? You can submit your thoughts CNN.com/Wolf. We'll read some of your comments tomorrow on this program.
And please stay with CNN for complete live coverage of the Republican National Convention. I'll be back 8:00 p.m. Eastern tonight, Anderson Cooper at 7:00.
"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.
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Aired August 31, 2004 - 17:00 ET
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WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now. A call to shake up the Kerry campaign. Why some Democrats are pushing for a change at the highest levels. Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.
Compassion's in fashion at the Republican convention. So why are some showing a mean streak?
On the trail. Second thoughts about the war on terror.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE WALKER BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We are winning, and we will win.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: I'll speak with White House chief of staff Andrew Card and Democratic national chairman Terry McAuliffe.
Terror targets in Israel. Twin bus bombings take a frightful toll. In Russia, a car explodes outside a crowded metro station. In Iraq, kidnappers reach a new level of brutality.
ANNOUNCER: This is a special edition of WOLF BLITZER REPORTS live from the Republican national convention in New York.
Hello from Madison Square Garden. Tonight is set aside for the so-called softer side of the GOP, with speakers who score high on the likability scale. The California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a political moderate, will reach out to like-minded Democrats and independents. And introduced by her twin daughters, mild-mannered Laura Bush will tell the nation about the man she knows better than anyone.
Manners may be hard to come by outside the convention, protests continuing in the streets, some right now, some, in fact, peaceful, but others not.
We have three of our correspondents standing by live. CNN's Candy Crowley has details on a possible change of leadership in the Kerry campaign. Suzanne Malveaux looks at President Bush's change of heart on victory over terrorism. But we begin with our senior White House correspondent, John King, on tonight's Republican effort to win over some hearts -- John. JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, you mentioned at the top of the show some softer faces, some more optimistic faces, you might say, of the Republican Party dominating primetime tonight. But still, as it was last night, the overriding theme will be the president's wartime leadership.
Among the primetime speakers, a new star in the Republican Party, a familiar star on the movie screen, the California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He came into the hall late last night, actually early this morning, after midnight, to take a peek at the podium. In his speech tonight, he will tell his immigrant's tale, an upbeat tale of coming to the United States, the land of opportunity.
The Bush campaign thinks that will help. It also thinks this will help. Just as the speakers did last night, Governor Schwarzenegger will praise the president's leadership post-9/11. He will say, quote, "Ladies and gentlemen, America is back, back from the attack on our homeland, back from the attack on our economy, back from the attack on our way of life. We're back because of the perseverance, character and leadership of the 43rd president of the United States, George W. Bush," that a key them for all of the speakers so far, saluting this president's wartime leadership and defining leadership as the decisive issue, in the Republican view, in the coming campaign.
Also among the speakers tonight, the president's wife, first lady of the United States Laura Bush, her daughters, Barbara and Jenna, with her when she came to test out the podium earlier today. They will have a brief role in the events tonight, the proceedings tonight, too, and their father, the president, will participate from the road. The first lady, we are told, will salute her husband's leadership and offer a defense of a position that has been criticized by many, including Ron Reagan, Jr., his limits on embryonic stem cell research. That will be part of the first lady's speech.
And as policy is debated and spelled out at this convention, there is, as always, also a debate about campaign tactics, many asking the Bush campaign, including the Kerry campaign asking, if there's any Bush campaign or Bush campaign support for those so-called ads by the Swift Boat Veterans for Troops -- for Truth -- excuse me -- questioning John Kerry's service in Vietnam.
I had an interview a short time ago with the president's top political adviser, Karl Rove. He says, No, there's no role in those ads, he wishes all 527 groups -- that's a campaign finance term -- would be outlawed, but he did support the basic message in those ads.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KARL ROVE, WHITE HOUSE POLITICAL ADVISER: I'm against it, all of 527 ads and activities. I don't think they're fair. I don't think it's appropriate. They're misusing the law. They all ought to stop. But I understand why some people who were in Vietnam feel very strongly about what Senator Kerry did and said when he came back. I mean, it's -- it is, frankly, an insult to them to suggest that they were routinely war criminals, which is what he called them. And I've seen the e-mail traffic and I've seen vets out there -- I was at the VFW in Cincinnati a couple of weeks ago, and even people who are quick to disassociate themselves from the claims that he somehow, you know, didn't deserve the medals or didn't serve with valor, are -- people who defend him on those issues feel very strongly about what he did when he came back to tarnish their good service, as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Karl Rove feeling optimistic about the fall campaign. He says the Republicans have a bit of momentum now. He says the big test is for President Bush to lay out a clear agenda for a second term when he speaks to this convention on Thursday night. And Wolf, the delegates arriving tonight will receive this book, a compilation of major policy addresses given by President Bush in his first four years -- Wolf.
BLITZER: John King, thanks very much.
Meanwhile, from the Republicans to the Democrats. Some Democratic leaders are right now urging John Kerry to make some changes in his campaign staff at the very highest levels before Labor Day. One party strategist asserts if it doesn't happen, it could cost Kerry the election. Joining us now our senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley. You've been doing some serious reporting on this. How serious is this proposal to once again shake up the Kerry campaign?
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the people who are proposing it are quite serious. There's two groups here. You've got the people outside the campaign -- let's try to be specific who we're talking about -- saying, Look, this is a man -- they don't believe that the overall -- overarching theme of the campaign is clear, and they're upset that they did not respond more quickly to the swift boat ads, the veterans. We are talking about some elected officials we've talked to. We are talking about some party officials we've talked to. And we're talking about some strategists outside.
You go inside the campaign, and they push back very hard. They say, No changes here, OK? No major changes. They do concede it's been a very rough August for John Kerry, so -- and they have brought in some people to help with the message. Joe Lockhart is the most familiar name, former spokesman for Bill Clinton. But they say no major shake-ups. They have a plan. They're sticking to it. But outside, there is clearly -- they're looking at these polls and saying something needs to be done.
BLITZER: All right. We'll see what has to be done, what will be done, if anything. candy Crowley, thanks very much. We'll get more insight onto this possible, possible shake-up inside the Kerry campaign later this hour. I'll speak with the Democratic party chairman, Terry McAuliffe.
John Kerry's running mate, John Edwards, meanwhile lashed out today at the president on a campaign stop in the battleground state of West Virginia. Edwards slammed the president's economic policies in a state he says has been hit particularly hard by those policies.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D-NC), VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: They're talking about -- I guess today and through the convention, they're going to talk about compassion. You know, you remember when Bush was running, he talked about being a compassionate conservative. Well, there's nothing compassionate about millions of people losing their health care and losing their job and not being able to support their family.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Edwards also criticized the president's recent admission that he had miscalculated on post-war Iraq. He said it's one of a series of miscalculations on the economy, health care and national security.
One day after giving -- saying victory may not necessarily be possible in the war on terror, the president today reversed himself and declared the United States will, in fact, win this war on terror. His remarks came during one of his campaign stop. Our White House correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux, is traveling with the president. She's joining us now from Iowa -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the latest stop for the president is Alleman, Iowa. This is where the president attended what they're calling the Super Bowl of agriculture, one of the largest farm shows in the country, to try to make the case that his economic policy is good for the critical voting block, farmers and union workers. But of course, the president also trying to basically stamp out that controversy over remarks that he made in a TV interview yesterday, in which he said he did not believe, he did not think that the war on terror could be won.
Now, earlier today in Nashville, Tennessee, he made the case before a group of veterans at the American Legion, saying twice the familiar refrain that he was committed to winning the war on terror. And then later, in an interview with radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh, he addressed the issue more directly, saying he should have made his point more clear.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
BUSH: Really, what I was saying to Lauer was, is that this is not the kind of war where you sit down and sign a peace treaty. It's a totally different kind of war. But we will win it. Your listeners have got to know that I am -- I know we'll win it, but we're going to have to be resolved and firm, and we can't doubt what we stand for.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now, the Kerry campaign, of course, has seized on this, saying that it is President Bush who's the flip-flopper, not Kerry, as the Bush campaign has portrayed him, a Kerry spokesman saying, quote, "This president has gone from `mission accomplished' to mission miscalculated to mission impossible on the war on terror. We need a leader who knows we can win the war on terror and has a plan to do it."
And Wolf, particularly important, the president's next stop, that is Pennsylvania. That is where the latest poll shows that of those who say that the war on terror is the No. 1 issue, 71 percent voting for Bush, 22 for Kerry -- Wolf.
BLITZER: And Pennsylvania, who can stress the importance of Pennsylvania more so than the Electoral College map. Thanks very much, Suzanne Malveaux, for that.
Joining us now with insight into where exactly the president stands on this overall war on terror and other key issues, the White House chief of staff, Andrew Card. Thanks very much for joining us.
ANDREW CARD, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: Wolf, it's a joy to be with you.
(CROSSTALK)
CARD: It is a joy.
BLITZER: All right, let's talk about the president. One day, he tell us Matt Lauer you can't win the war on terror. Now he's saying today publicly that you can win the war on terror. The Democrats are railing against you...
CARD: We will prevail!
BLITZER: ... for a supposed flip-flop.
CARD: With the resolve that the president has and the resolve of the American people we will prevail. But the president was saying it's not like a traditional war, where you expect the leader to show up with a sword and hand it to a gentleman, say, We give up. I'm ready to sign a peace treaty. This is not that kind of a war. This is more like the cold war. There may not be a VE Day. You know, this is going to be a war that will be won because we got the resolve to see it through, but the battle will be fought not nation by nation, instead it will be fought cell by cell all around the world, including in the United States.
BLITZER: Some have compared the war on terror to the war on crime, the war on drugs. You have to fight it. You have to fight it all the time, year by year. You make inroads, but you're never necessarily going to beat it.
CARD: Well, I would like to say that all terrorists would stop doing their dirty business in the world. I don't think that's realistic. But what we can do is make sure that there are no nation states that harbor terrorists, that there are no infrastructures that can be used by their terrorists to finance their means of activity. But I don't think we're ever going to find a situation where every individual terrorist is eliminated. I do think that we will win the war on terror, and I think that we will prevail. BLITZER: A lot of people remember when the president spoke of his "axis of evil," Iraq under Saddam Hussein, Iran and North Korea. Many have argued that Iran actually represented and still represents a greater threat to the U.S. and its allies in that part of the world because it's getting closer and closer, as you well know, to developing a nuclear bomb.
CARD: Well, first of all, you understand that the president is addressing the challenges around the world in many different ways. With Iraq, he used our troops, and that was after diplomacy had a chance to work and it didn't work. It was after the world did not demonstrate the complete resolve to force Saddam to comply with the U.N. and all of its resolutions. And when diplomacy didn't work, the last option ended up being going to war.
We're still working diplomacy with the Iranians, and we've got allies. The French and the Germans and the British are working very hard with an international organization called the IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Association (SIC), and they are working to bring Iran into a responsible relationship with the rest of the world. And the United States has been a partner in that process, working with our allies.
BLITZER: Yesterday, we asked our viewers to give us their input on some questions that they would want to ask you. We got about 11,000 or 12,000 e-mails.
CARD: I am ready!
BLITZER: Let me read a couple. Sean wrote this. "George W. Bush needs to be more forthright regarding the challenges facing the troops remaining in Iraq and tell the American people how long we should expect our troops to be in Iraq."
CARD: We expect the troops to be there as long as necessary and not a day longer.
BLITZER: We've heard that from the president.
CARD: Well...
BLITZER: Are we talking six years, three years?
CARD: You know, it's up to what's happening on the ground. We know that in order for us to achieve our victory, complete victory, we want democracy and freedom to take hold in Iraq so that they become an example of what can work in the Middle East. You know, this is far more than just Iraq. This is sending the right kind of signal to a very troubled part of the world, and the success and the opportunities that will come from the people in Iraq are quite significant. They now have a government that is committed to writing a constitution, and that constitution will allow for full elections and democracy to flourish.
BLITZER: If the president is reelected, would you expect over the next four years a big chunk of that U.S. military presence in Iraq to be able to come home?
CARD: Well, what we'd like is for the Iraqi people to develop a constitution and have leadership that will train an army and police forces that will be able to handle their own security. And right now, we're work very, very closely with Prime Minister Allawi as he is developing that kind of security infrastructure. But we're going to be there to help him do that and to work side by side. And as more of the Iraqi police officers and the security officials come on board, I think you'll find the burden will be lifted off the coalition forces.
BLITZER: A lot of our viewers saw the Michael Moore movie, "Fahrenheit 9/11." He made a big deal of those, what, seven or nine minutes, whatever the president spent on 9/11. When you whispered in the president's ear, "The country" I guess in your words, was "under attack."
CARD: Well, I was very clear. I passed on two facts and made one editorial comment. Remember, the president walked into that classroom, and it was a classroom with very young students. These were young elementary school students. And there was a press corps watching the president's every move.
And as the president walked into that classroom, he had been told that it looked like a small twin-engine crop plane crashed into one of the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. And the thought was, What a horrible accident. The pilot must have had a heart attack or something. The president went into classroom. He sat down. I very quickly learned that it looked like that first plane was, in fact, a jetliner, a commercial jetliner. And then, oh, my gosh, another jetliner just crashed into the other tower at the World Trade Center.
I stood at the door, collected my thoughts, decided I would pass on two facts and make one editorial comment. I walked in when there was a break in the conversation and went up to the president's right ear and whispered, A second plane hit the second tower. America is under attack. The president did not want to introduce fear to those young students, and he did not want to demonstrate fear to a press corps that didn't know what was going on in New York.
So he acted entirely appropriately. He was patient. He was confident. He collected his thoughts. And when it was appropriate, he excused himself from the classroom without introducing any fear to those young people and came into the holding room, and then the rest is history.
BLITZER: So if all of you had to do it all over again, would you have changed anything?
CARD: I think he did it exactly the right way. It would have been wrong to cause those young students to have fear or to pass on fear to the American people through a press corps that really didn't know what was happening.
BLITZER: You're looking -- you're feeling good about this election right now? CARD: I feel terrific. We came into this convention with more momentum than the pundits had predicted, and we're on the road to build more momentum coming out of this convention. So I feel very, very good. The president's going to have a great message on Thursday night. And tonight, we get to listen to First Lady Laura Bush, and it doesn't get better than that.
BLITZER: What about Arnold Schwarzenegger?
CARD: Arnold Schwarzenegger, too.
BLITZER: Andy Card, thanks very much.
CARD: Thank you, Wolf.
BLITZER: Appreciate it very much.
Our live coverage of the Republican national convention continues with our one-on-one interview with one of tonight's primetime speakers. That's coming up later. Also ahead, a day of terror around the world. Why Israel and Russia were targeted today.
And in Iraq, the unthinkable, the largest number of hostages killed at once, a brutal story of the mass murder of those working to try to help that country.
And here in the United States, hear why some analysts say Arnold Schwarzenegger will not get votes necessarily for President Bush. We'll have some analysis. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to the Republican National Convention. I'm Wolf Blitzer at Madison Square Garden. We're getting ready for day two. It all begins in just a couple of hours. Much more coverage on what to expect tonight. That's coming up.
But right now, we turn to terrorism. From the Middle East to Moscow, it was a bloody day of slaughter. In Israel a pair of suicide bombers killed 16 people and wounded almost 100 others. CNN's Stan Grant reports from the southern city of Beersheba.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STAN GRANT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In mid-afternoon, two coordinated suicide bombings, two buses targeted within 100 meters of each other, the explosions nearly simultaneous in the main street of Beersheba. Security and emergency services quickly on the scene. Quickly, the casualties mounted, the death toll racing above a dozen, the wounded multiplying by the tens.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The nightmares are coming back after a couple of months that we didn't have anything. And I witnessed about 90 percent of the suicide bombing in Israel. And everything is coming back to you when you see children and people looking for the children and children are looking for their mother. GRANT (on camera): As you can see behind me, the absolutely devastated site of that bus after the suicide bombing. There are police and security personnel still searching through the debris scattered across the ground. On the other side of that bus, medical personnel are still treating the wounded and retrieving the bodies of the dead.
(voice-over): The Tuesday blasts were the first suicide bomb attacks within Israel since March. While the rescue effort continued, a claim of responsibility, the militant group Hamas saying it carried out the attack, a retaliation for the killing of two of its leaders earlier this year.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Today there was an operation to show the enemy we can reach them.
GRANT: From the Palestinian authority, condemnation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is quite regrettable that these attacks are ongoing. It is also a time to stop the tragic loss of life on both sides.
GRANT: Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon is vowing to continue the fight against terror, and a pledge: This attack will not halt his plans for an Israeli pullout of Gaza and parts of the West Bank.
ARIEL SHARON, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): Israel will continue to fight terror with utmost determination, and that issue has no connection to the disengagement plan.
GRANT: On the ground, the talk of politics, of pullout, of peace a long way away. Here, it is survival and a price paid in blood. Stan Grant, CNN, Beersheba.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: There was another suicide attack today in central Moscow, where a bomber killed nine people and wounded dozens more. CNN's Ryan Chilcote has the story from the Russian capital.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Russian officials are blaming this attack on a female suicide bomber. It happened at this subway station behind me, here on the northeastern side of Moscow. Eyewitnesses are telling police that they saw a suspicious-looking woman making her way toward the entrance of the subway station. When she saw some police checking people's bags as they went into the subway, that's when she stopped, turned around, and that is when she blew up.
Now, this comes exactly one week after twin terrorist attacks here in Russia. That's when two Russian airliners were brought down almost at the very same time, killing 90 people, by terrorists. Russian officials are looking at two Chechen females that were on those planes, one on each of them, and they suspect that they may have been suicide bombers. Now, Chechen rebels have denied any responsibility for those terrorist attacks last week on those planes, and no one has claimed responsibility for today's attack.
Ryan Chilcote, CNN, Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: An Iraqi group today said it killed 12 hostages from Nepal and showed pictures to prove it. The massacre is the worst killing of captives since the Iraqi insurgency began. CNN's senior international correspondent Walter Rodgers reports from Baghdad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WALTER RODGERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): Those 12 Nepalese workers were shown being executed on an Islamist Web site. One of the Nepalese workers was beheaded. His throat was slit. The others, you can see, brutally killed execution- style, bullets to the back of their heads with semi-automatic rifles. They were killed because it is said they were working for the Americans and working for the Israelis here in Iraq. Again, an Islamist group, Ansar al-Suna (ph), said that they were responsible for the killing of these men. In point of fact, these were simply contract workers for a Jordanian company. By CNN's count, 23 hostages have been killed in recent months. More than 80 have been taken hostage.
Walter Rodgers, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Meantime, the Arab League says it has won another 24- hour extension from a radical Islamist group. The kidnappers are threatening to kill two French journalists unless France repeals a law banning Muslim head scarves in public schools. The French government has so far balked at that demand.
Some Democratic leaders urging John Kerry to shake up his staff over the handling of the swift boat controversy. Are changes really coming, though? I'll ask Terry McAuliffe. He's the chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He'll join me live.
Police on guard as activists plan a day of civil disobedience. Protesters are marching to Madison Square Garden right now.
Verbal jab. Senator John McCain targets the controversial filmmaker, Michael Moore, to the Republican delegates' delight.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: As we mentioned, some Democratic leaders are urging John Kerry to make some changes in his campaign staff. They say Kerry's staff is adrift after failing to respond quickly and effectively to Bush campaign attacks, as well as those attacks coming from the group Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Regarding Kerry's Vietnam war record, Democrats today are expressing outrage over Republicans here at the convention wearing small Band-Aids with small Purple Hearts. They view that as mocking the awards Kerry received in combat in Vietnam and for which the Navy awarded him three Purple Hearts.
Joining us now to talk about all of this, the Democratic National Committee chairman, Terry McAuliffe. He's here in New York representing the Democrats during this Republican convention. Let's talk first of all, Terry, about the possible shake-up, if you will, of the Kerry campaign. What are you hearing?
TERRY MCAULIFFE, DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: Well, I checked with the campaign. They said absolutely not. There are not going to be any changes. You know, people are going to be added into the campaign, Wolf, as we head towards the general election. Al Hunt was in your diner a few minute ago. I asked him where the story came from. He wouldn't tell me. If the election were held today, as you know, we would win a majority of the electoral votes. We would have about 300-plus today.
It's been a hard August, but we're about ready to kick off the general on Friday. John Kerry is going to take off, take the message across the country. So we're in a very good position today.
BLITZER: Our Electoral College map analysis showed that the Republicans would get about 274, the magic number 270, the Democrats about 260, in the 260s, something like that, but that's another issue.
There have already been some significant additions to the Kerry campaign. Clinton -- former Clinton administration officials like Joe Lockhart, the White House press secretary under Clinton, Doug Sosnik, Bill Clinton's political strategist in the White House. What does that suggest to you? They're going to the Clinton well for help.
MCAULIFFE: Well, I do remind you that Bill Clinton was the first president reelected since Franklin Delano Roosevelt. We had eight great years from 1993 through 2000, won several campaigns and we want to bring the best talent possible.
As John Kerry came over to my office the day after he won the nomination and he said, Terry, I want all hands on deck. I want everybody involved. We need to do this for the millions of Americans who are counting on this party, are counting on John Kerry and John Edwards to move this country forward.
So you are going to see a lot more people joining the campaign, Wolf, as we head into the final stretch here. We're 63 days to go. Let's get the best talent in there. We've got a great story to tell. We had a great convention in Boston. We're in great shape. Another poll out in Florida now has us up in Florida, so things are trending very nicely for us. We have got a long way to go, but we're in very good position today.
BLITZER: What I've heard from some Democrats, important Democrats, not on the campaign, outside the campaign, is that this Kerry team, the staffers they have right now were good to get him the Democratic nomination, but not up to the task of beating a Republican, especially an incumbent Republican.
And only Clinton aides really know how to do that, since they beat Republicans in '92 and in '96. Should there be a major -- you know the situation. Do they need to bring in some of those heavy guns who worked with Bill Clinton?
MCAULIFFE: Let me say, first off, the folks who ran the Kerry for president campaign did a magnificent job. I remind you that John Kerry won primary after primary and caucus. He won the nomination by March 10. We had what I believe was the most impressive springtime we've ever had in the history of our party.
We had a great convention. The party is financially in the best shape we've ever been in. We're mobilized, ready to go. But we need a lot of people. And I think a lot of people who we wanted to come in the campaign I think wanted to wait until the final stretch. They had jobs, family obligations. But now I think you see people flocking in and we want everybody in this campaign. John Kerry wants everybody in this campaign.
And, clearly, people who were responsible for winning 1992 and the 1996 presidential campaigns are the people who ought to be joining this campaign. They did it once. They did it twice. And they're going to help us do it a third time.
BLITZER: Terry McAuliffe, representing the Democrats here in New York City during this Republican Convention, thanks very much for joining us.
MCAULIFFE: Thanks, Wolf. You bet.
BLITZER: Focusing on a key domestic issue, that would be education. just ahead, I'll speak live with the education secretary, Rod Paige. He's here at Madison Square Garden.
Plus, highlighting the Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger in the GOP spotlight tonight. Can his star power sway voters?
First Lady Laura Bush vs. Teresa Heinz Kerry. A new poll shows the majority of voters prefer one over the other.
And first, it was Charley, now Frances. The Southeast of the United States bracing for another major hurricane. We'll have an update just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: Live from Madison Square Garden, once again, Wolf Blitzer.
BLITZER: Welcome back.
A night of compassion with the Hollywood star-turned-governor of California taking center stage tonight. We'll have a closer look at Arnold Schwarzenegger's political appeal. That's coming up.
First, though, a quick check of some stories now in the news.
A major portion of downtown Richmond, Virginia, was declared uninhabitable today after remnants of Tropical Storm Gaston dumped a foot of rain over parts of the central Virginia. Cars were scattered by the rushing water and one building in Richmond collapsed.
The Bahamas and parts of the Southeast United States coast bracing for Hurricane Frances. That storm grew to a category 4 status today, with winds near 140 miles an hour. Forecasters say Frances could hit the United States by the weekend, a hurricane warning already in place for the Bahamas. Unfortunately, we'll be hearing a lot more about Frances in the coming days.
Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
Now back to the Republican Convention here in New York, where, unlike last night, tonight's 10:00 p.m. Eastern hour will be carried by the three broadcast television networks. Why? It likely has to do with one of the speakers themselves, someone who brings the wattage the GOP has been looking for.
Here's CNN's Brian Todd.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The sound bite becomes spectacle.
GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA: I call them girly men. They should go back to the table and they should fix the budget!
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
TODD: A tedious budget fight becomes a mission. In style and substance, Arnold Schwarzenegger has won over California, with approval ratings in the 60s. And as he takes the national stage, Republicans are banking on his star power.
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST: He has an appeal way beyond politics. He brings in a lot of people who just have no interest politics simply as a charismatic figure.
TODD: Is Schwarzenegger a polarizing figure in his own party? This is a man who is married to a Kennedy, disagrees with the president on abortion, gay rights, gun control. Analysts say he's closer to John Kerry than to the president on the environment. But they also say those positions got him elected in California and make him an important draw at a convention where Republican moderates are front and center.
RON BROWNSTEIN, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Highlighting him allows them to make the case that there is a broader -- there's an opening in the party to a broad range of viewpoints. The other thing that Schwarzenegger, though, did during his election was, he did expand the electorate.
TODD: Political observers in California says Schwarzenegger brought younger, blue-collar and Latino voters into the state's GOP fold, but none the analysts and reporters we spoke to believe he'll be able to swing California to Bush in November. Most agree, though, the visuals do help, images of a leader who doesn't take himself too seriously.
SCHWARZENEGGER: I just realized that I have a perfect part for you in "Terminator 4."
(LAUGHTER)
SCHWARZENEGGER: That's it.
TODD: Who proudly campaigns for the president at home.
SCHWARZENEGGER: Please welcome the president.
TODD: And now, with a showcase political speech in New York, the promise of a household name will send a message to Democrats and undecided voters, look, we have a star of our own.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TODD: Because he was born in Austria, Schwarzenegger is prohibited by the Constitution from running for president. There's a lot of talk about changing that clause. And if it is changed, one analyst told me Schwarzenegger would run for president in a minute.
Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Also tonight at prime time, the first lady, Laura Bush, tries to boost the president's standing among female voters, where he trails John Kerry.
As far as being a factor, a "TIME" magazine poll shows Mrs. Bush with a 53 percent favorable rating among voters, while only 7 percent view her unfavorably. The same poll shows voters split over Teresa Heinz Kerry, a 25 percent favorable opinion, a like number unfavorable.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY: Well, I'm flattered with those numbers. I think that's nice. But, you know, this isn't really a popularity contest. And it's a privilege. In fact, I have the privilege of traveling around our country and meeting people all over the country who are making a huge difference in the lives of their neighbors and themselves. And that's what I'm really fortunate to be able to do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: The first lady speaking earlier today with our Bill Hemmer on "AMERICAN MORNING."
Meanwhile, a high-ranking minority member of the Bush administration takes to the podium tonight as well. The education secretary, Rod Paige, will highlight the president's education priorities.
Secretary Paige joining us now live to talk a little bit about the administration's accomplishments.
What's going to be the main thrust of your remarks tonight, Mr. Secretary?
ROD PAIGE, SECRETARY OF EDUCATION: Well, I don't think it's going to surprise anybody that I'm going to talk about the No Child Left Behind Act. I'm going to talk about the increase in Pell Grant funding so one million more young adults can attend college.
BLITZER: You're not surprised, also, to know that a lot of Democrats, including Senator Kennedy, who worked with you to get that he No Child Left Behind Act in place, think it's been a failure.
PAIGE: Well, they supported it and we're very appreciative of that support.
But now we're in an election season. And we're having a little election-season amnesia. But that's OK. That's how things are.
BLITZER: Are you going to get into the issue of race tonight?
PAIGE: Well, no, I'm not.
The achievement gap talks about that a little bit. What we'll be talking about is education for America, not Democratic education or Republican education, but the president knows that we as a nation must improve our education offerings.
BLITZER: The president has several African-Americans in very senior positions, the secretary of state, national security adviser, you. Why is he having so much trouble getting significant support among African-American voters?
PAIGE: Well, I think when people look at the president and look at his appointments and look at his staffing and look at the important role they're playing in government, I think it would be clear to anybody that the president is pretty balanced here.
He looks for talent. And I don't think that he's involved in these other issues. The president's very attractive about this, and I think the public will give him credit for that.
BLITZER: Do you think he'll do better this time than he did last time? More than 90 percent voted for Al Gore, as you know, among African-American voters.
PAIGE: Well, right. But look at this convention. Look at the surge of African-American and minority members here. Look at the delegates and look at the alternates. The percentage is skyrocketing here.
BLITZER: Still not where the Democratic Party is.
PAIGE: Still not where the Democratic Party is, but I see growth. And I think there's soft underbelly out there. As I go around the nation, I see people are interested in the philosophy that the president espouses.
BLITZER: We have a brand new CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup with some numbers out. I want to get your thoughts, because you've worked very closely with the vice president over these years. Who would you choose for vice president? Right now, look at this, Edwards, 52 percent, Cheney, 42 percent, Edwards clearly ahead of the vice president right now.
A second poll just out right now, a CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll, has Cheney given Bush good advice, bad advice, unsure? Look at this, 41 percent good advice, 39 percent bad advice, 17 percent unsure.
You've worked closely with Dick Cheney.
PAIGE: Yes, I have.
BLITZER: In the Cabinet, in the administration, is he is a divisive figure?
PAIGE: The vice president is a wonderful statesman. He's earnest, trustful, loves his country. He has years and years of service to this -- to the country.
And I think when people know him better and know him well, they'll agree with that. I think the final poll that we're going to see will be the one we'll have in November. The president is a -- we're very fortunate to have him on the ticket with President Bush, the vice president.
BLITZER: Good luck in your speech today, I think about 9:45 today.
PAIGE: Something like that, I think, yes.
BLITZER: Are you nervous?
PAIGE: Well, I've never done this before, but I don't think nervous is the right word. But there's a wee bit of apprehension.
BLITZER: Good luck.
PAIGE: Thank you.
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Mr. Secretary.
PAIGE: Thank you.
BLITZER: And our live coverage of the Republican Convention will continue with a look at what's happening outside on the streets. It's a day of civil disobedience, police on guard as protesters make their presence known.
Igniting the crowd. Senator McCain targets the controversial filmmaker Michael Moore.
And courting the minority vote in a key battleground state. We'll meet a delegate from Ohio who's lending her voice to the cause.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
BLITZER: That's Dana Glover. She's going to be singing tonight. She's rehearsing, the gospel singer singing and practicing, getting ready for tonight's performance. She'll be singing during the 8:00 Eastern hour.
We're back at the Republican National Convention in Madison Square Garden.
Outside the convention hall, protests continuing on the streets of New York City.
Let's check in with CNN's Jason Carroll -- Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And, Wolf, we're less than two hours away from a rally that's scheduled here tonight. Police are going to be keeping their eye on that and the group behind it, A31, a loose coalition of activists.
But, first, very quickly to what has already happened today. Less than an hour ago, police made several arrests in a park not far from here, that protest by a group called the Organization Representing Homeless and Health Care Issues.
Also, Wolf, we're getting word that just a short while ago dozens of demonstrators were arrested down at Ground Zero. Many of those demonstrators were planning to head up here for that rally at 7:00. So it's unclear how many groups are going to be represented here. As for the group that's behind it, A31, we checked their Web site. They put out an open letter to New Yorkers indicating that they will be conducting acts of random disobedience and as well they say they apologize for all of the inconvenience -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, Jason Carroll on the streets of New York -- thanks, Jason, very much.
While some people march on those streets, one of President Bush's most outspoken opponents uses a camera to make his arguments. The director Michael Moore has become the man so many Republicans simply love to hate. That became very clear at last night's convention session.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): It was an obvious jab at liberal filmmaker Michael Moore and his anti-Bush documentary, "Fahrenheit 9/11." And Moore there was to take the hit in person. Senator John McCain was at the convention podium declaring that President Bush went to war in Iraq to protect America from a graver threat.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
MCCAIN: Not our political opponents, not -- and certainly not -- and certainly not a disingenuous filmmaker who would have us believe...
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
BLITZER: The crowd erupted with cheers before McCain could even finish the sentence. Moore, who is attending the convention as a guest columnist for "USA Today," responded with waves and smiles.
CROWD: Four more years! Four more years!
BLITZER: When the crowd began chanting "four more years," Moore could be seen offering his own refrain, "two more months." At one point, Moore held up his finger and thumb in the shape of an L., the symbol for the word loser.
MICHAEL MOORE, FILMMAKER/AUTHOR: People are going to trust their own experiences with what they've seen with this war. And it doesn't look good for Mr. Bush.
BLITZER: Moore's column today ignored McCain's speech, but Moore says he thinks it was -- quote -- "dumb" -- unquote -- for the Republicans to give him so much publicity.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And carrying the conservative message to minority groups. I'll speak here at the convention with a delegate from the battleground state of Ohio who's trying to rally support for the Bush/Cheney ticket.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: As part of our Republican Convention coverage, CNN senior analyst Jeff Greenfield has been introducing all of us to some of the convention delegates. Today, it's a member of the Ohio delegation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DEBORAH BURSTION-DONBRAYE, OHIO DELEGATE: That looks done?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: It's done, isn't it? JEFF GREENFIELD, CNN SR. ANALYST (voice-over): For 49-year-old Deborah Burstion Donbraye, dinner with relatives is a Sunday tradition.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: You want a big piece? How's that?
GREENFIELD: Missing this evening is husband Frank, a Nigerian who's away in Africa for the summer working on the family's consulting business. But, as always, Lucy and Ricky are in the house and Donbraye knows...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "I LOVE LUCY")
DESI ARNAZ, ACTOR: How often is Ethel's checking account overdrawn?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GREENFIELD: ... every...
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: Never.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "I LOVE LUCY")
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Never.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GREENFIELD: ... word.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: You want me to get it for you?
GREENFIELD: As with most African-Americans, Donbraye's relatives, her mom, niece and brother, are all Democrats, but Donbraye came to the Republican Party because of one man.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: That whole idea of being part of the Reagan revolution, it was so attractive. And I just got sucked in willingly to it and loved it. And I haven't really left it since that time.
GREENFIELD: She began her career as a reporter for Knight Ridder, but eventually moved into politics, serving as Ed Meese's spokesperson at the Justice Department back in the 1980s. She also served as press secretary for George W. Bush's 1994 Texas gubernatorial campaign.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: This area has been heavily Democratic for a very long time.
GREENFIELD: On this busy day...
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: Hey, how are you doing?
GREENFIELD: ... she has a series of meetings in Cleveland.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: Are you targeting specific schools or is it...
GREENFIELD: As outreach director for the Ohio Republican Party.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: How are you?
GREENFIELD: Her job is to bring the GOP's message to groups that usually vote Democratic.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: I've put a face and a person to the enemy, in their minds. They'll say, well, I've never met a black Republican. I've never spoken with one. And that's the first thing. It's no different than any other salesperson. I got my foot in the door.
OK, right now I'm going to my Right to Life office.
GREENFIELD: Donbraye's other job is president of the Cleveland chapter of Right to Life. She volunteered for the anti-abortion movement after reporting a story about a child born during the second trimester.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: And I said, but I thought I would look at something that was very strange-looking or odd, but it's hair, fingernails, eyelashes and all of those things. And that's when I realized that this isn't a choice. This is a child. And that was my moment.
GREENFIELD: This week in New York, Donbraye is bringing her message to a city where minorities vote overwhelming Democratic.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: I'm getting them to think. And that's what I'm saying. Life and that vote, both are too important to sleepwalk through. Pay attention.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And Deborah is joining us now live now here.
How are you doing among African -- you're reaching out, trying to get that vote in Ohio, a key battleground state. How do you feel you're doing?
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: I think we're doing very well. I think we're going to see some improvements of our figures over the 2000 race. But, again, it's a bit of a struggle, but this is an administration that's given us something to work with, a message to bring to African- Americans and to all Americans.
BLITZER: And you've been struggling your whole life. Now you're continuing to...
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: Deborah, thanks very much for joining us.
BURSTION-DONBRAYE: Thank you.
BLITZER: And more of Jeff Greenfield's special reports on delegates, that will be coming up tomorrow.
And we'll have more coverage on this program just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: What does President Bush have to do on the issue of national security to win? You can submit your thoughts CNN.com/Wolf. We'll read some of your comments tomorrow on this program.
And please stay with CNN for complete live coverage of the Republican National Convention. I'll be back 8:00 p.m. Eastern tonight, Anderson Cooper at 7:00.
"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.
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