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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports
Chechen Rebels Take Russian School; Interview with Tom Vilsack, Interview with Spencer Abraham
Aired September 01, 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. In the midst of the Republican National Convention, the Democratic presidential candidate goes on the offensive, attacking President Bush over Iraq and the war on terror.
Also happening now, pit stop. We're standing by for a live appearance from President Bush. It's his last move before showing up here in New York City for the convention.
And evacuations ordered. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are told to get out of the path of a powerful hurricane.
Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.
From charm to Cheney: Will the GOP take the gloves off?
Then...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. ZELL MILLER (D), GEORGIA: The Republicans have dealt in cynicism and skepticism! They've mastered the art of division and diversion, and they have robbed us of our hope!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: And now Democrats call him a Zell-out. Republicans call him a keynote speaker.
In the Legion's den. Kerry takes his case to another convention.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: With the right policies, this is a war we can win, this is a war we must win and this is a war we will win.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: School under siege. Terrorists threaten to massacre children, teachers and parents.
ANNOUNCER: This is a special edition of WOLF BLITZER REPORTS live from the Republican national convention in New York.
BLITZER: Hello from Madison Square Garden. So far, the GOP convention has stuck to the middle of the road. Tonight, it takes a turn to the right. In fact, the vice president, Dick Cheney, will say the nation is at a crossroads, and he'll make it very clear which path he thinks Americans should take.
As a Democratic keynoter, he blasted the first President Bush. But Zell Miller, Republicans agree, has a different view tonight, and he has a keynote speech prepared for the Republicans.
Protesters with pink slips formed a symbolic unemployment line outside the convention. Inside, it was a battle of banners, as AIDS activists stopped a speech.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Four more years! Four more years!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Four more years! Four more years!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Four more years! Four more years!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: President Bush arrives in New York City this evening, but right now, he's still in Ohio.
John Kerry worked a tough crowd at another convention today. Our Joe Johns is live in Nashville, Tennessee. But we begin with CNN's Dan Lothian with a look at what we can expect right here tonight from tonight's GOP headliners -- Joe.
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the vice president is expected to deliver what's being called a classic Cheney speech, where he will talk about a momentous choice to be made, although his advisers say that this will not be a contrast -- a Kerry contrast speech. They say that Cheney will take a broad look at Kerry's 20- year record, saying he has not been consistent. Cheney will also make the case for another Bush term and his continued global war on terror.
In a slice from his speech, Cheney will say, quote, "Moments come along in history when leaders must make fundamental decisions about how to confront a long-term challenge abroad and how best to keep the American people secure. This nation has reached another of those defining moments."
Also tonight, the keynote speaker, not a Republican, but a Democrat from Georgia, Zell Miller. This morning, Miller was in the hall, taking a look at the stage, getting prepped for his speech tonight. He's expected to not only talk about why he's supporting a Republican, but also, he will directly attack Senator Kerry. And excerpts from his speech, this quote, "Twenty years of votes can tell you much about a man that 20 weeks of campaign rhetoric -- than 20 weeks of campaign rhetoric."
Now, 12 years ago, Miller was right in this building. He was the keynote speaker at the Democratic national convention for then President Bill Clinton. At that time, he was praising Democrats and criticizing Republicans. Now he says that Democrats have gone too far to the left.
This is something that Republicans like to hear. They hope that he will not only inspire Republicans tonight, but also inspire those moderate Democrats out there who are especially crucial in those swing states -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Dan Lothian, thanks very much, Dan reporting from the floor of this convention.
John Kerry broke from his vacation today to address the same veterans group the president spoke to yesterday -- earlier this week, actually -- the American Legion convention in Nashville, Tennessee. Kerry says extremism has gained momentum as a result of the president's missteps in Iraq, and he says the president failed by not having a plan for winning the peace.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Amazingly, they had no real plan for post-war political transition. All of this happened despite clear and precise bipartisan warnings from Congress and regional experts. Then, as the challenge grew around our troops, the civilian leadership failed to respond adequately.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Joining us now from Nashville, CNN's Joe Johns. Quite a hard-hitting speech earlier today, Joe.
JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Certainly, a very hard-hitting speech, Wolf. Among other things, of course, you saw John Kerry going on the attack there, distinguishing himself from the Bush administration on issues of Iraq and Afghanistan, also aligning himself with the key interests of the largest veterans group in the United States, an organization more than three million members strong, some of whom feel just a little bit neglected right now, Wolf.
BLITZER: Joe, the whole notion of John Kerry interrupting his vacation, if you will, in the midst of this Republican convention -- a lot of people suggesting this is almost unprecedented for the other candidate to sort of step on the message of the candidate's convention.
JOHNS: Well, the campaign is pushing back just a little bit on that, Wolf. They say this convention, the American Legion convention, was scheduled here years ago, perhaps as many as six years ago. They say the GOP convention was scheduled after that. They say any Democratic nominee would have been here to address this group of veterans. In short, they say, this was an issue of necessity, not tradition, Wolf.
BLITZER: Joe Johns reporting for us. Thanks, Joe, very much.
The president is now getting ready to address a group in the battleground state of Ohio. You see him right there. He's walking into this crowd, together with the first lady -- Ohio, a key battleground state. No Republican has ever been elected president of the United States without first winning Ohio. That's why they've been spending so much time, both Bush and Kerry, in the Buckeye State.
The president will be speaking at this rally and then getting on a plane to fly here to New York City tonight. He'll be meeting with firefighters in Queens. This is a setting deliberately poking some criticism in the -- directly into John Kerry, who has used firefighters and the endorsement of various firefighters unions to support him throughout this primary season and the general election season, as well.
The president and the first lady in Ohio right now, getting ready for this campaign rally. Once the president starts speaking, we'll go back there, hear what he has to say.
In the meantime, let's move on to some other news we're covering right now, important news affecting a lot of Americans in Florida, Hurricane Frances and the start of massive evacuations in that state. Palm Beach County officials have ordered 300,000 coastal residents to leave, effective tomorrow afternoon. More evacuation orders in other East Coast counties in Florida are likely. as well.
The menacing storm has already forced people in the Bahamas to board up and buy emergency supplies. The Bahamas are the next target, right after the Turks and Caicos Islands, which saw hundreds of people flee to higher ground. Thousands of Florida residents are already buying supplies and generators ahead of landfall. Others are trying to decide where they might go to get out of harm's way. Authorities say they'll need upwards of 36 hours to evacuate some areas.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. JEB BUSH (R), FLORIDA: We need to plan. We don't know where the storm will land, but the best thing right now for everyone who lives in the cone of the storm, which you've seen on our local TV stations, is to take the time now, today, to be prepared.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Jeb Bush, the president's brother, in Florida right now. He's, of course, the governor of Florida, and he has his hands full, helping to explain why he's not here in New York City for this Republican convention.
Let's get the latest information now on Hurricane Frances. For that, we turn to our meteorologist, Orelon Sidney. What is the latest, Orelon?
ORELON SIDNEY, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, the very latest is that the storm is holding its intensity at 140 miles an hour. It is working its way just to the north of the Turks and Caicos Islands. I'm going to zoom in a little closer and show you that in a second. And the new advisory from the National Hurricane Center has come out, and it does continue to take the storm towards the central -- especially the central coast of Florida. A little bit closer in now, well defined eye. Here are the Caicos Islands -- the Turks Islands there, the Caicos Islands here. They're going to get a glancing blow from this. But the hurricane- force winds extend out very large, so it's certainly a possibility that they will have hurricane-force winds in those areas.
Here's the latest, if you're tracking the storm, as of 5:00 PM Eastern time, 22.0 north, 71.0 west, 650 miles east-southeast of the Florida coast, moving to the west-northwest at 15, a strong category 4 storm that will continue to strengthen.
The current advisories -- hurricane warnings are in effect for the central and southern portion of the Bahamas. Hurricane watch now is in effect for the northern Bahamas, and we do expect the National Hurricane Center to send out some more watches, possibly for the East Coast of the U.S., throughout the -- later on this afternoon and this evening.
Here's the track that we see. Remember, if you're in this area of uncertainty, from Key West northward to about Savannah, you need to be prepared for the landfall of a major hurricane on Saturday -- Wolf.
BLITZER: And Orelon, it's way too early right now to get any real strong sense where that hurricane might hit Florida. So the question is this. Why is Palm Beach County already ordering evacuations?
SIDNEY: Well, they're being smart. That's because anywhere in this area of possibility is where we could see the landfall of this storm. Some of the forecast models take the storm a little bit further to the west. Others, especially over the past few model runs, have been taking the storm more to the north. So I would say anywhere from south Florida, again, up to about Savannah, maybe even up towards Charleston.
If you're in that area, you need to prepare for the potential of this hurricane coming to your area.
BLITZER: Orelon Sidney with some very good advice for our viewers in that part of the country. Thanks very much for that.
The president of the United States is about to get ready to speak in Columbus, Ohio. He's being introduced right now, together with the first lady -- Ohio a very important state for this president. He's being introduced, by the way, by Jack Nicklaus, the famed golfer, someone who has come out and strongly supported the president. The president will be speaking shortly. We'll dip in and we'll watch to see what he says later tonight. He'll be arriving here in New York City, meeting with some firefighters just as this convention gets going later tonight.
Other news we're following -- terrorists targeting schoolchildren. Coming up: horror on the first day of class. Learn what happened when armed attackers stormed a school.
Caught off guard -- more on the unexpected appearance of protesters in front of one of the president's key men. Learn who was interrupted.
And crossing the line -- why some people believe a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate went way too far in attacking the vice president's daughter.
Much more coverage coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Russians are reeling from a series of deadly attacks -- the downing of two airliners and a suicide bombing in central Moscow. Now, in the remote province of North Ossetia, they face a traumatic terror stand-off involving children. CNN's Ryan Chilcote reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These sounds of gunfire are coming from a school. Students, their parents and teachers had just gathered for a ceremony to kick off the academic year when more than a dozen armed men and women stormed the school, some of them, Russian officials say, wearing suicide belts.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): It began by shooting. We were standing by the gates. There was a song playing, and we stood there. Then I saw three people with automatic weapons running out. I at first thought it was a joke, but then they started shooting in the air. We ran away.
CHILCOTE: Russian officials don't know how many hostages are inside, but believe the number is in the hundreds, many of them children between the ages of 7 and 17. A very small number of children managed to escape in the chaos.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We were standing there, and they began shooting. We thought it was one of the parents shooting. Then these guys ran out, these Chechens, surrounded us and began shooting in the air. Then we started to run away. We saw two people. They didn't say anything. They just shouted at us. We didn't understand.
CHILCOTE: The hostage takers are threatening to blow up the school if Russian forces try to storm it. They will also, they say, kill 50 kids for every hostage taker killed by Russian fire. Russian authorities are in contact with the assailants. One of the hostage takers' demands, that Russia pull its troops out of the troubled Russian region of Chechnya. Several people have already been killed, several more wounded. Relatives are being kept away.
(on camera): It is Russia's third terrorist act in eight days, attacks that have now taken the lives of more than 100 people.
Ryan Chilcote, CNN, Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: A blunt response from Israel a day after twin bombings killed 16 people in Beersheba. Troops demolished the home of one of the suicide bombers in the West Bank city of Hebron. The radical Islamic Hamas group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, and a senior Israeli official says the government plans to step up operations against Hamas.
In Iraq, gunmen ambushed a convoy carrying the controversial politician Ahmed Chalabi. He was unhurt, but two bodyguards were wounded. Chalabi was en route to the first meeting of Iraq's new national council, which was sworn in despite a mortar attack nearby.
Seven truck drivers -- Indians, Kenyans and an Egyptian -- are free after more than a month of captivity in Iraq. Islamic kidnappers threatened to behead them if their Kuwaiti employer did not halt work in Iraq. The company says it paid a $500,000 ransom for the hostages.
The government of Nepal imposed a curfew today after the slaughter of 12 Nepalese hostages in Iraq that triggered rioting, much of it directed against Muslims. Let's go live to our State Department correspondent, Andrea Koppel -- Andrea.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, insurgents and other militant groups have been taking hostages and killing them in Iraq for many months now. But what makes this case noteworthy is the sheer number of hostages. There were 12 of them who were murdered.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Mobs attacked the largest mosque in Nepal's capital, as thousands protested the killing of the Nepali contract workers by an Islamic militant group in Iraq. The protesters blamed their government for not doing much more to win the release of the hostages, cooks and cleaners for a Jordanian company supporting reconstruction teams in Iraq. But the government of Nepal claims the kidnappers never issued an ultimatum.
In one photograph, a Nepali hostage is seen draped in an American flag, a not so subtle message from the militants, even those working to help rebuild Iraq will be treated as enemies. Experts say the steady stream of kidnappings are taking a toll on U.S. efforts to accelerate reconstruction.
FREDERICK BARTON, CSIS: It has a huge impact because all of our contracting mechanisms, the way that the U.S. government and other governments work, is usually through international contractors, U.S. contractors. And there is a massive intimidation effect that is taking hold.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOPPEL: And that is just one reason why the new U.S. ambassador to Iraq, John Negroponte, wants more than $3 billion in U.S. aid to be redirected away from big-ticket reconstruction projects, Wolf, to more of the improving-security-type projects he feels are needed immediately on the ground -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Andrea Koppel with that report. Thanks, Andrea.
He has the ear of the president. What happened when the White House chief of staff didn't have everyone's attention here at the convention? Learn who came to Andy Card's rescue. That's coming up.
Also ahead...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. ZELL MILLER (D), GEORGIA: ... as our economic position collapses right before our very eyes, and George Bush does not get it!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: That was Zell Miller 1992 about the first President Bush. Why is he changing his tune this time around?
And listen to this. They're close to the power, but they usually get little media attention. Now an inside look at the women raised by Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne Cheney.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: That's the Christian rock group Third Day. They are rehearsing, practicing for tonight's Republican national convention here at Madison Square Garden.
In the meantime, demonstrators are still filling some New York City streets, that after a big spike yesterday in the number of protester arrests. Besides complaining about police tactics, today's efforts include trying to take an economic protest to the doors of the convention. For that, let's turn to our Jason Carroll for an update -- Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And Wolf, these protesters are shouting distance from Madison Square Garden, this labor union rally well under way. Ad you can see, thousands are out here, stretching 10 city blocks leading up to Madison Square Garden. These people are from various unions, speaking out on issue such as cutbacks in overtime pay, health care costs, outsourcings of jobs. They say the current administration has not done enough for working people.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bush's No Child Behind (SIC) -- that gave no money to do anything that's supposed to be done. It's a mess. And it hasn't done anything for these kids, and yet he's trying to make points off of it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The current occupants of the White House don't seem to care about working people. Their policies, their agenda has just undermined everything we in the labor movement have worked for for generations. They want to set the clock back.
(END VIDEO CLIP) CARROLL: Another protest earlier today focusing on jobs took another form. Thousands held up pink slips and formed a symbolic unemployment line. That protest ended peacefully. Organizers out here say this protest, as vocal as it is, will end peacefully, as well -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jason Carroll outside with the protesters. Thanks, Jason, very much.
And demonstrations weren't limited to simply outside Madison Square Garden today. Around noon, just as the White House chief of staff, Andy Card, was speaking, members of the AIDS activist group Act-Up began a protest right here on the convention floor, shouting and waving signs. Young people on hand for the Republican convention's youth convention began "Four more years," chanting that, "Four more years" chant. Police and other security officers eventually moved in, arresting 11 demonstrators on trespassing charges.
The president of the United States, meanwhile -- his last stop before coming to New York in Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, right now speaking out. He'll be in New York later tonight. Let's listen in.
GEORGE WALKER BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: ... but wouldn't pay for the medicine to prevent the heart operation from happening in the first place. I went to Washington with a desire to improve Medicare for our seniors, and we got the job done.
(APPLAUSE)
We are expanding community health centers for low-income Americans. We've created health savings accounts, so families can save tax-free for their own health care needs. Most people get their insurance through their places of work. Most new jobs are created by small businesses. Many small businesses are having trouble affording health care. To make sure American families get health care, small businesses must be allowed to join together to purchase insurance at the discounts that big companies are able to get.
(APPLAUSE)
There's more work to be done to make sure health care is accessible and affordable. We'll harness technology to reduce costs and prevent costly mistakes. We'll expand research to find new cures. In order to make sure your health care system here is a viable health care, we must get rid of the frivolous lawsuits that are running your docs out of business!
(APPLAUSE)
BLITZER: The president speaking in Columbus, Ohio, his last stop before coming to New York tonight. And tomorrow night, he'll be speaking right here at the Republican convention at Madison Square Garden.
Joining us now for some Democratic perspective on the Republican proceedings here at Madison Square Garden, the Iowa governor, Tom Vilsack. He's over at the CNN convention diner outside Madison Square Garden.
Governor, thank you very much for joining us. What's your mood right now, given the fact that the polls show in recent days, maybe in recent weeks, a slight uptick for the president?
GOV. TOM VILSACK (D), IOWA: Oh, I'm telling you, Wolf, I am very, very encouraged about this election. Bottom line is, an incumbent president with numbers that President Bush has today has not been reelected. And I know that what's happening in my state and across the Midwest and in the battleground states is a door-to-door canvas process which is encouraging marginal voters to get engaged in this election and making sure that their voice is heard on November 2. I am very encouraged.
BLITZER: Governor, you're here as part of the so-called "war room" the Democrats have sent to New York during the midst of the Republican convention. We're getting -- we're still getting words that there are going to be some fine-tuning of the Kerry/Edwards campaign staff, given some concern by other Democrats. How concerned are you?
VILSACK: I'll tell you, I'm not concerned at all, Wolf. I think if John Kerry and John Edwards aggressively pursue American voters in the next 60 days with a message of hope and opportunity, a message for a stronger and better America at home and a more respected America abroad, they're going to find a very receptive audience.
I don't think most of America is buying this masquerade of a Republican convention. The fact is that most of the speakers that have appeared in primetime have been moderates who are more supportive of the Democratic Party platform than the Republican Party platform. So we've obviously won the war of ideas. Now we need to take that in the next 60 days to the American public. They'll make the right decision.
BLITZER: Well, Zell Miller himself is a Democrat. He's a Democratic senator from Georgia. He's the keynote speaker tonight, endorsing this president. Ed Koch, a former mayor of New York City, another Democrat -- he was speaking here at Madison Square Garden, and he's endorsed the president himself. Are these ominous trends for you?
VILSACK: Not at all.
I'll tell you, we had the opportunity today to meet four or five Americans who were big Bush supporters in 2000. These are ordinary Americans. These aren't folks with titles. These aren't folks trying to sell a book or trying to reclaim a bit of past glory, these are hard-working, concerned Americans who believe that George Bush let them down, who billed himself as a compassionate conservative.
And they know, with 1.8 million fewer jobs, with 45 million Americans uninsured, health care costs rising, college tuition costs rising, energy costs rising and America isolated from the rest of the world, they are very dissatisfied with George Bush and they are very encouraged by the comprehensive plan that John Kerry and John Edwards have to make America a better place in which to live, work and raise their families.
BLITZER: Other Democrats, and I assume you now, too, have joined on this notion that Zell Miller is doing this to sell his book. Is that your charge?
VILSACK: You know, I will tell you, Senator Miller is -- he is sort of yesterday. I'm not going to focus on Senator Miller. He's had a distinguished career. He's obviously bitter. And he's going to express that concern tonight.
But I honestly don't think too many people are going to be paying attention to Zell Miller. I think that they are more interested in the candidates speaking to their anxieties. What are we going to do about health care? I just heard the president suggest that there have been aggressive actions by this administration in prescription drug relief. The seniors in this country are not buying this prescription drug bill as a bill or benefit for them. It's a benefit for pharmaceutical companies.
You won't hear it today, as you didn't yesterday, any discussion about lost jobs, about health care costs going up, about energy costs going up, college tuition costs going up, average wages in this country being offset by these expenses. The Democrats have responded to the anxieties of ordinary folks out there. John Kerry and John Edwards are going to walk the main streets of our towns and cities in these battleground states.
And there's no question our message is much more solid and much more attuned to the needs of Americans.
BLITZER: We'll be hearing about energy costs coming up, because I'll be speak with the energy secretary, Spencer Abraham.
But Governor Vilsack, thanks very much for joining us.
VILSACK: You bet, Wolf. Thank you.
BLITZER: All right, there's a developing story we're following out of Eagle, Colorado.
Chris Lawrence covering the Kobe Bryant trial for us.
Chris, what are you learning?
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, there's an incredible amount of activity here at the Eagle County courthouse.
About two hours ago, the court administrator came out and told us that court was done for the day and that jury selection would continue tomorrow. Every day up until this point, that has been the case. When she said it was over, it was over. Now we've seen all the attorneys rush back into the courtroom and there is a lot of activity in there. Now, we don't know if this is connected or not. But we do know that we learned earlier today that the defense had filed this motion with the judge asking him to dismiss the case. It boiled down to this fact: Prosecutors have a legal right to disclose any information they come across if it points to the defendant's innocence. The defense was arguing in this motion that they failed to give them that information.
It had to do with a specific forensic expert that the prosecution had planned to call as a witness. This expert, when he examined the accuser's injuries, the defense is saying his testimony would have undermined what she said in terms of how severe the injuries were and what caused them. And the defense had further argued in this motion that the prosecution failed to give that information to the defense, as they would have been required to do so.
Again, if we can, we might be able to take a look at a pool camera to take you slightly closer to the Eagle County courthouse. Again, some of the attorneys arriving earlier. And there's a lot of activity in there. CNN correspondent Gary Tuchman has gone into the courthouse. And we hope to keep you updated as things progress throughout the afternoon -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, looks like a lot of commotion going on there. We'll watch and see what happens. As soon as Gary comes out and has some more information, Chris, we'll go right back to you -- Chris Lawrence reporting from Eagle, Colorado.
Is he a turncoat or a profile in courage? Tonight, an unusual moment in political history, why a man who fought to defeat the first President Bush is now working so hard to reelect the second.
Public profiles of private women, why the daughters of Vice President Dick Cheney are now engaged in a fight they did not pick.
And speaking of daughters, the Bush twins got an encore. We'll tell you what they have to say. They spoke here earlier today.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: Live from Madison Square Garden, once again, Wolf Blitzer.
BLITZER: Back now to our coverage of the Republican National Convention here at Madison Square Garden.
In a break from tradition, tonight's keynote address will be delivered by a Democrat, Senator Zell Miller of Georgia. Miller's outspoken support of President Bush has simply delighted Republicans and infuriated many members of his own party.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Democrats want to know what made Miller flip. In 1992, Zell Miller gave the keynote address at the Democratic Convention in Madison Square Garden, bashing a president named Bush. MILLER: Americans have seen plants close down, jobs shipped overseas, and our hopes fade away as our economic position collapses right before our very eyes. And George Bush does not get it.
BLITZER: Twelve years later, Miller is giving another keynote address at Madison Square Garden. But this time, it's at the Republican Convention, and this time, Miller is praising a president named Bush.
While Miller may have blasted George Bush the father, he's a strong supporter of George Bush the son.
MILLER: I want a man that will take the fight to the terrorists and fight it out with them on the other side of the world, not wait until they attack us here at home again.
BLITZER: Back in Miller's home state this past weekend, angry Democrats held a protest outside his Atlanta office. They accuse him of being a turncoat, but Miller says it's the Democratic Party that's changed.
MILLER: The Democratic Party today has gone further and further to the left. It's left me. It's left moderates. And it's left a lot of people who want to support a strong commander in chief.
BLITZER: Miller follows a long line of conservative Democrats who used to dominate Georgia politics, including the late Senator Herman Talmadge of Senate Watergate Committee fame and more recently former Senator Sam Nunn.
But nowadays, Georgia conservatives are more likely to call themselves Republicans and Miller may be the last of his line. He'll retire from the Senate next year. And although he remains a Democrat, he has not endorsed the Democratic candidate to fill his seat, an African-American congresswoman named Denise Majette.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And Zell Miller will be speaking here at Madison Square Garden during the 10:00 p.m. Eastern hour tonight.
The vice president, Dick Cheney, will also address this Republican Convention. But beyond his speech, a fascinating subplot. It involves Cheney's two daughters, both key campaign advisers, now thrust into a spotlight they certainly did not seek.
Here's CNN's Brian Todd.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They don't have the celebrity wattage of Alex and Vanessa Kerry. The media doesn't follow their every move, like Barbara and Jenna Bush. But in the context of loyalty to dad and country, Elizabeth and Mary Cheney are as tough and savvy as they come.
ELIZABETH CHENEY, DAUGHTER OF VICE PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY: They want a leader who has got political courage to make tough decisions.
TODD: It figures that these sisters would be resilient souls. Their parents are widely considered two of the most driven, no- nonsense political operators in Washington power circles. Liz, a 38- year-old married mother of four, is one of her father's closest advisers. She once worked as a deputy assistant secretary of state.
But her younger sister Mary may actually need the family toughness gene a little more, especially now. Mary is openly gay. Her affiliation with this party and this family puts her squarely in the middle of the cultural divide.
MATT FOREMAN, NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN TASK FORCE: Well, I think for most of us, Mary Cheney's role and active role in her father's reelection campaign is bewildering and it borders on betrayal. We have this administration that has just been so bad across the board to gay people.
TODD: No one in the family or the campaign would react directly to that criticism. But a source close to the family stressed to us that Mary never sought to enter this debate. Social conservatives come at the Cheneys from the other side.
In an interview with a satellite radio station this week, Republican senatorial candidate Alan Keyes said homosexuality is -- quote -- "selfish hedonism." Asked if he thought Mary Cheney is a selfish hedonist, Keyes replied, "Of course she is." CNN asked her sister to respond.
E. CHENEY: I guess I'm surprised, frankly, that you'd even repeat the quote and I'm not going to dignify it with a comment.
TODD: Other conservatives say Dick Cheney demoralized part of the Republican base last week not so much by restating his position that states should decide the legality of gay marriage, but by doing so with his first public show of support for his daughter's orientation.
DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: With respect to the question of gay marriage, Lynne and I have a gay daughter, so it's an issue that our family is very familiar with. We have two daughters and we have enormous pride in both of them. They are both fine young women.
TODD: A source close to the Cheney family says the vice president and Lynne Cheney have never expressed anything but support for Mary. A reporter who has covered Cheney for decades says the vice president's public declaration was double-edged.
TOM DEFRANK, "NEW YORK DAILY NEWS": I think he was speaking from his heart, but I think there was a political impact to that. And I don't think that was just happenstance. As you know, the vice president's a very disciplined guy.
TODD (on camera): The broader strategy, observers say, portray the party leadership as more moderate and tolerant. Still, neither Mary nor Liz Cheney have a speaking role at this convention. But campaign officials are quick to tell us, these are private people and they are not speaking simply because they choose not to.
Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: The president's twin daughters are also making some news.
After their speech last night here at the convention, the Bush daughters today introduced the White House chief of staff, Andrew Card, to a gathering of young Republicans. They also took a few moments to talk about their father.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA BUSH, DAUGHTER OF GEORGE W. BUSH: Another quality that my sister and I are perhaps all too familiar with is that our dad is extremely disciplined and always on time. This quality didn't always work to our advantage, especially when we missed curfew. But from running a marathon at age 45 to reading the Bible daily to giving up his greatest passion, cheesecake, our dad has shown us the importance of living a disciplined life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Barbara and Jenna Bush speaking here at the Republican National Convention earlier today.
Much more news coming up. It's called yellow cake. And it has the Bush administration deeply concerned. Is Iran taking a step toward building nuclear weapons? I'll ask the energy secretary, Spencer Abraham. He's here with me.
And the veterans vote. We'll hear from a delegate who fought in Europe with General Patton. Is the war against terror so different?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: The United States today again accused Iran of trying to produce nuclear weapons. The State Department is pointing to a new report by the U.N. that Iran is getting ready to produce enough uranium fuel which some experts say could be used to make four nuclear weapons.
But that same report by the International Atomic Energy Agency says weapons inspectors have uncovered no evidence to support the U.S. accusations, at least not yet.
Joining us now with his take on this, the energy secretary, Spencer Abraham.
Mr. Secretary, thanks very much.
SPENCER ABRAHAM, ENERGY SECRETARY: Wolf, good to be with you. BLITZER: How concerned should the American public be that Iran is getting close to building a bomb, a nuclear bomb?
ABRAHAM: Well, I think not just the American public, but the world community needs to be concerned about this.
There seems to be, in our judgment, no reason for Iran to be pursuing the kinds of capabilities that it is. If it wants to have a nuclear power program, which we question in the first place, it doesn't need to be developing the kind of enrichment capabilities and other things that we see happening. We think the international community has to be absolutely firm in preventing this from going foward, because we think it will lead to a weapons program and ultimately to weapons.
BLITZER: We've been doing these omni-issue questions to our viewers, asking them to ask questions of our guests.
Kevin wrote this: "Unless the global war on terror is shared with more countries, I do not believe we can secure our country enough to make the U.S. a safer place."
Are you getting the kind of cooperation globally on the Iran issue from the allies and other countries in the region that you'd like?
ABRAHAM: I think there is very strong and general concern about this. As you know, the European three, as they have been called, have attempted to negotiate. That's the U.K., Germany and France -- have attempted to negotiate with Iran. That has not yet been successful.
We've tried to support their effort. But, at this point, we think there needs to be stronger steps taken by the board of governors of the IAEA and ultimately to the United Nations if necessary.
BLITZER: Speaking of terrorism, there's been a lot of concern that America's nuclear power plants could be vulnerable to some sort of terror attack. Are you concerned about that?
ABRAHAM: Well, you and I have talked about this before.
Obviously, both before 9/11 and especially since, actions are taken to secure and protect these facilities under the leadership of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission at our department. But I can assure the American people that the possible threats are all under consideration, all assessed and being addressed in terms of responses that we think are sufficient.
This is an ongoing kind of thing, Wolf. And the analysis continues with any new information we receive and on an ongoing basis.
BLITZER: The energy secretary, Spencer Abraham, thanks very much.
ABRAHAM: Thanks, Wolf. BLITZER: And courting the veterans vote. I'll speak with a delegate who fought under General Patton in World War II. Find out why he's supporting President Bush's reelection campaign right now.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: All week long, we've been taking a closer look at some delegates who have been coming to this Republican Convention here at Madison Square Garden. Right now, we're in the New Hampshire delegation.
Our senior analyst, Jeff Greenfield, takes a look and profiles one delegate who has a record of service.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEFF GREENFIELD, CNN SR. ANALYST (voice-over): The road runs straight uphill to Joe Petrone's home on a mountaintop in western New Hampshire. Outside, this 81-year-old retired career Army officer can be found mowing just some of the 100-plus acres on the estate.
JOE PETRONE, NEW HAMPSHIRE DELEGATE: Somebody will think I'm nuts carrying this little bucket.
GREENFIELD: Or moving rocks into the garden. Inside, some of the political history of the place is revealed.
PETRONE: It's an old house. It was built in 1902. It was built by Franklin MacVeagh, who was a secretary of the treasury. Right here in the center, this is where President Taft was.
GREENFIELD: The 27th president visited the MacVeagh estate on several occasions.
PETRONE: If he called for his carriage, he probably used this phone.
GREENFIELD: And there's this presidential connection as well. For three years, Petrone worked as a White House aid to President Eisenhower, standing in at diplomatic functions.
PETRONE: He couldn't go to all those things, so I went as a representative. I thought that was a great job.
GREENFIELD: Petrone was born in Iowa, joined the National Guard at age 16.
PETRONE: That's the last year at West Point.
GREENFIELD: Where he graduated in 1944.
PETRONE: Then I went overseas and joined General Patton. Great guy. I liked him. I was a captain at the time.
GREENFIELD: A few years later, he was assigned to Iran, after that, a series of diplomatic assignments to Geneva and Paris. PETRONE: Is that what you told me?
GREENFIELD: Retired now for 20 years, Joe Petrone has volunteered for all causes Republicans. At the national GOP steak fry, he knows everybody.
PETRONE: Hi there, young man.
Hello, Bernie Streeter (ph).
Harry.
GREENFIELD: And everybody knows him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi, Ambassador. How are you?
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ambassador, what an honor and a privilege.
GREENFIELD: Not surprisingly, Colonel Petrone's No. 1 issue is defense.
PETRONE: You have just got to keep your powder dry. That's all there is to it, because we're in a war on terror right now. The whole globe is.
GREENFIELD: And wherever he goes, there's this plea from the World War II veteran.
PETRONE: We never did forget about Pearl Harbor. That's all we said. Remember Pearl Harbor. I don't hear anybody saying, remember 9/11.
Don't forget 9/11. I've got a lot of things to say on George Bush.
GREENFIELD: On this Sunday evening, Petrone is hosting a phone bank for President Bush. There are veterans from Korea, from Vietnam, Enduring Freedom and a veteran who fought with General Patton 60 years ago.
PETRONE: My name is Joe Petrone. I'm calling for the Bush/Cheney campaign and I hope the president could count on your vote this year.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: That report from our Jeff Greenfield.
Joe Petrone joining us right now.
You feeling pretty good? How you feeling?
PETRONE: Oh, boy. I feel good. I feel good.
BLITZER: You're pumped? You are ready to go?
PETRONE: Oh, yes. These last two days have really pumped me up, Wolf. Oh, my goodness.
BLITZER: I'm glad to see you, Joe Petrone. Good work. Thanks very much.
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: And I want to go back to Eagle, Colorado, right now. There's still more information on the developing story we're getting on the Kobe Bryant trial.
Chris Lawrence is standing by.
Chris, what have you heard?
LAWRENCE: Well, Wolf, the latest we've heard is that sources inside the courtroom and close to the case now tell us that a deal to dismiss the charges is at least being discussed. All of the action has quieted down outside the courtroom. It's now taking place inside.
We saw John Clune, the attorney for the young woman who has accused Kobe Bryant of rape, we saw Dana Easter, the deputy DA who is heading up the prosecution, and Kobe Bryant's defense team all go back into the courtroom. And again, right now, our sources are telling us that a deal is being discussed. I want to repeat that. Nothing has been finalized. Right now, we're just hearing that this is a discussion that's taking place.
But as things go along in the afternoon, we want to keep our eye on whether charge might be dismissed without prejudice, which would allow prosecutors to refile them at a later date -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, potentially significant developments there. We'll stay with that story, of course, as soon as we get some more information.
Chris Lawrence, thanks very much.
BLITZER: We'll take a quick break. More from the Republican Convention when we get back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: (AUDIO GAP) the economy to win? You can submit your questions, your thoughts, right now at CNN.com/Wolf. We'll have the results -- we'll have, actually, some of your comments to read tomorrow on the air.
And please stay with CNN for prime-time coverage of the Republican Convention. All that begins an hour or so from now with a special edition of "ANDERSON COOPER." And later, 8:00 p.m., I'll be back here with Judy and Jeff, "LARRY KING LIVE" at 9:00; 10:00 p.m. Eastern, Vice President Dick Cheney speaks out.
"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.
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WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now. In the midst of the Republican National Convention, the Democratic presidential candidate goes on the offensive, attacking President Bush over Iraq and the war on terror.
Also happening now, pit stop. We're standing by for a live appearance from President Bush. It's his last move before showing up here in New York City for the convention.
And evacuations ordered. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are told to get out of the path of a powerful hurricane.
Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.
From charm to Cheney: Will the GOP take the gloves off?
Then...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. ZELL MILLER (D), GEORGIA: The Republicans have dealt in cynicism and skepticism! They've mastered the art of division and diversion, and they have robbed us of our hope!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: And now Democrats call him a Zell-out. Republicans call him a keynote speaker.
In the Legion's den. Kerry takes his case to another convention.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: With the right policies, this is a war we can win, this is a war we must win and this is a war we will win.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: School under siege. Terrorists threaten to massacre children, teachers and parents.
ANNOUNCER: This is a special edition of WOLF BLITZER REPORTS live from the Republican national convention in New York.
BLITZER: Hello from Madison Square Garden. So far, the GOP convention has stuck to the middle of the road. Tonight, it takes a turn to the right. In fact, the vice president, Dick Cheney, will say the nation is at a crossroads, and he'll make it very clear which path he thinks Americans should take.
As a Democratic keynoter, he blasted the first President Bush. But Zell Miller, Republicans agree, has a different view tonight, and he has a keynote speech prepared for the Republicans.
Protesters with pink slips formed a symbolic unemployment line outside the convention. Inside, it was a battle of banners, as AIDS activists stopped a speech.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Four more years! Four more years!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Four more years! Four more years!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Four more years! Four more years!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: President Bush arrives in New York City this evening, but right now, he's still in Ohio.
John Kerry worked a tough crowd at another convention today. Our Joe Johns is live in Nashville, Tennessee. But we begin with CNN's Dan Lothian with a look at what we can expect right here tonight from tonight's GOP headliners -- Joe.
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, the vice president is expected to deliver what's being called a classic Cheney speech, where he will talk about a momentous choice to be made, although his advisers say that this will not be a contrast -- a Kerry contrast speech. They say that Cheney will take a broad look at Kerry's 20- year record, saying he has not been consistent. Cheney will also make the case for another Bush term and his continued global war on terror.
In a slice from his speech, Cheney will say, quote, "Moments come along in history when leaders must make fundamental decisions about how to confront a long-term challenge abroad and how best to keep the American people secure. This nation has reached another of those defining moments."
Also tonight, the keynote speaker, not a Republican, but a Democrat from Georgia, Zell Miller. This morning, Miller was in the hall, taking a look at the stage, getting prepped for his speech tonight. He's expected to not only talk about why he's supporting a Republican, but also, he will directly attack Senator Kerry. And excerpts from his speech, this quote, "Twenty years of votes can tell you much about a man that 20 weeks of campaign rhetoric -- than 20 weeks of campaign rhetoric."
Now, 12 years ago, Miller was right in this building. He was the keynote speaker at the Democratic national convention for then President Bill Clinton. At that time, he was praising Democrats and criticizing Republicans. Now he says that Democrats have gone too far to the left.
This is something that Republicans like to hear. They hope that he will not only inspire Republicans tonight, but also inspire those moderate Democrats out there who are especially crucial in those swing states -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Dan Lothian, thanks very much, Dan reporting from the floor of this convention.
John Kerry broke from his vacation today to address the same veterans group the president spoke to yesterday -- earlier this week, actually -- the American Legion convention in Nashville, Tennessee. Kerry says extremism has gained momentum as a result of the president's missteps in Iraq, and he says the president failed by not having a plan for winning the peace.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Amazingly, they had no real plan for post-war political transition. All of this happened despite clear and precise bipartisan warnings from Congress and regional experts. Then, as the challenge grew around our troops, the civilian leadership failed to respond adequately.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Joining us now from Nashville, CNN's Joe Johns. Quite a hard-hitting speech earlier today, Joe.
JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Certainly, a very hard-hitting speech, Wolf. Among other things, of course, you saw John Kerry going on the attack there, distinguishing himself from the Bush administration on issues of Iraq and Afghanistan, also aligning himself with the key interests of the largest veterans group in the United States, an organization more than three million members strong, some of whom feel just a little bit neglected right now, Wolf.
BLITZER: Joe, the whole notion of John Kerry interrupting his vacation, if you will, in the midst of this Republican convention -- a lot of people suggesting this is almost unprecedented for the other candidate to sort of step on the message of the candidate's convention.
JOHNS: Well, the campaign is pushing back just a little bit on that, Wolf. They say this convention, the American Legion convention, was scheduled here years ago, perhaps as many as six years ago. They say the GOP convention was scheduled after that. They say any Democratic nominee would have been here to address this group of veterans. In short, they say, this was an issue of necessity, not tradition, Wolf.
BLITZER: Joe Johns reporting for us. Thanks, Joe, very much.
The president is now getting ready to address a group in the battleground state of Ohio. You see him right there. He's walking into this crowd, together with the first lady -- Ohio, a key battleground state. No Republican has ever been elected president of the United States without first winning Ohio. That's why they've been spending so much time, both Bush and Kerry, in the Buckeye State.
The president will be speaking at this rally and then getting on a plane to fly here to New York City tonight. He'll be meeting with firefighters in Queens. This is a setting deliberately poking some criticism in the -- directly into John Kerry, who has used firefighters and the endorsement of various firefighters unions to support him throughout this primary season and the general election season, as well.
The president and the first lady in Ohio right now, getting ready for this campaign rally. Once the president starts speaking, we'll go back there, hear what he has to say.
In the meantime, let's move on to some other news we're covering right now, important news affecting a lot of Americans in Florida, Hurricane Frances and the start of massive evacuations in that state. Palm Beach County officials have ordered 300,000 coastal residents to leave, effective tomorrow afternoon. More evacuation orders in other East Coast counties in Florida are likely. as well.
The menacing storm has already forced people in the Bahamas to board up and buy emergency supplies. The Bahamas are the next target, right after the Turks and Caicos Islands, which saw hundreds of people flee to higher ground. Thousands of Florida residents are already buying supplies and generators ahead of landfall. Others are trying to decide where they might go to get out of harm's way. Authorities say they'll need upwards of 36 hours to evacuate some areas.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. JEB BUSH (R), FLORIDA: We need to plan. We don't know where the storm will land, but the best thing right now for everyone who lives in the cone of the storm, which you've seen on our local TV stations, is to take the time now, today, to be prepared.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Jeb Bush, the president's brother, in Florida right now. He's, of course, the governor of Florida, and he has his hands full, helping to explain why he's not here in New York City for this Republican convention.
Let's get the latest information now on Hurricane Frances. For that, we turn to our meteorologist, Orelon Sidney. What is the latest, Orelon?
ORELON SIDNEY, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, the very latest is that the storm is holding its intensity at 140 miles an hour. It is working its way just to the north of the Turks and Caicos Islands. I'm going to zoom in a little closer and show you that in a second. And the new advisory from the National Hurricane Center has come out, and it does continue to take the storm towards the central -- especially the central coast of Florida. A little bit closer in now, well defined eye. Here are the Caicos Islands -- the Turks Islands there, the Caicos Islands here. They're going to get a glancing blow from this. But the hurricane- force winds extend out very large, so it's certainly a possibility that they will have hurricane-force winds in those areas.
Here's the latest, if you're tracking the storm, as of 5:00 PM Eastern time, 22.0 north, 71.0 west, 650 miles east-southeast of the Florida coast, moving to the west-northwest at 15, a strong category 4 storm that will continue to strengthen.
The current advisories -- hurricane warnings are in effect for the central and southern portion of the Bahamas. Hurricane watch now is in effect for the northern Bahamas, and we do expect the National Hurricane Center to send out some more watches, possibly for the East Coast of the U.S., throughout the -- later on this afternoon and this evening.
Here's the track that we see. Remember, if you're in this area of uncertainty, from Key West northward to about Savannah, you need to be prepared for the landfall of a major hurricane on Saturday -- Wolf.
BLITZER: And Orelon, it's way too early right now to get any real strong sense where that hurricane might hit Florida. So the question is this. Why is Palm Beach County already ordering evacuations?
SIDNEY: Well, they're being smart. That's because anywhere in this area of possibility is where we could see the landfall of this storm. Some of the forecast models take the storm a little bit further to the west. Others, especially over the past few model runs, have been taking the storm more to the north. So I would say anywhere from south Florida, again, up to about Savannah, maybe even up towards Charleston.
If you're in that area, you need to prepare for the potential of this hurricane coming to your area.
BLITZER: Orelon Sidney with some very good advice for our viewers in that part of the country. Thanks very much for that.
The president of the United States is about to get ready to speak in Columbus, Ohio. He's being introduced right now, together with the first lady -- Ohio a very important state for this president. He's being introduced, by the way, by Jack Nicklaus, the famed golfer, someone who has come out and strongly supported the president. The president will be speaking shortly. We'll dip in and we'll watch to see what he says later tonight. He'll be arriving here in New York City, meeting with some firefighters just as this convention gets going later tonight.
Other news we're following -- terrorists targeting schoolchildren. Coming up: horror on the first day of class. Learn what happened when armed attackers stormed a school.
Caught off guard -- more on the unexpected appearance of protesters in front of one of the president's key men. Learn who was interrupted.
And crossing the line -- why some people believe a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate went way too far in attacking the vice president's daughter.
Much more coverage coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Russians are reeling from a series of deadly attacks -- the downing of two airliners and a suicide bombing in central Moscow. Now, in the remote province of North Ossetia, they face a traumatic terror stand-off involving children. CNN's Ryan Chilcote reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These sounds of gunfire are coming from a school. Students, their parents and teachers had just gathered for a ceremony to kick off the academic year when more than a dozen armed men and women stormed the school, some of them, Russian officials say, wearing suicide belts.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): It began by shooting. We were standing by the gates. There was a song playing, and we stood there. Then I saw three people with automatic weapons running out. I at first thought it was a joke, but then they started shooting in the air. We ran away.
CHILCOTE: Russian officials don't know how many hostages are inside, but believe the number is in the hundreds, many of them children between the ages of 7 and 17. A very small number of children managed to escape in the chaos.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We were standing there, and they began shooting. We thought it was one of the parents shooting. Then these guys ran out, these Chechens, surrounded us and began shooting in the air. Then we started to run away. We saw two people. They didn't say anything. They just shouted at us. We didn't understand.
CHILCOTE: The hostage takers are threatening to blow up the school if Russian forces try to storm it. They will also, they say, kill 50 kids for every hostage taker killed by Russian fire. Russian authorities are in contact with the assailants. One of the hostage takers' demands, that Russia pull its troops out of the troubled Russian region of Chechnya. Several people have already been killed, several more wounded. Relatives are being kept away.
(on camera): It is Russia's third terrorist act in eight days, attacks that have now taken the lives of more than 100 people.
Ryan Chilcote, CNN, Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: A blunt response from Israel a day after twin bombings killed 16 people in Beersheba. Troops demolished the home of one of the suicide bombers in the West Bank city of Hebron. The radical Islamic Hamas group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, and a senior Israeli official says the government plans to step up operations against Hamas.
In Iraq, gunmen ambushed a convoy carrying the controversial politician Ahmed Chalabi. He was unhurt, but two bodyguards were wounded. Chalabi was en route to the first meeting of Iraq's new national council, which was sworn in despite a mortar attack nearby.
Seven truck drivers -- Indians, Kenyans and an Egyptian -- are free after more than a month of captivity in Iraq. Islamic kidnappers threatened to behead them if their Kuwaiti employer did not halt work in Iraq. The company says it paid a $500,000 ransom for the hostages.
The government of Nepal imposed a curfew today after the slaughter of 12 Nepalese hostages in Iraq that triggered rioting, much of it directed against Muslims. Let's go live to our State Department correspondent, Andrea Koppel -- Andrea.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, insurgents and other militant groups have been taking hostages and killing them in Iraq for many months now. But what makes this case noteworthy is the sheer number of hostages. There were 12 of them who were murdered.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Mobs attacked the largest mosque in Nepal's capital, as thousands protested the killing of the Nepali contract workers by an Islamic militant group in Iraq. The protesters blamed their government for not doing much more to win the release of the hostages, cooks and cleaners for a Jordanian company supporting reconstruction teams in Iraq. But the government of Nepal claims the kidnappers never issued an ultimatum.
In one photograph, a Nepali hostage is seen draped in an American flag, a not so subtle message from the militants, even those working to help rebuild Iraq will be treated as enemies. Experts say the steady stream of kidnappings are taking a toll on U.S. efforts to accelerate reconstruction.
FREDERICK BARTON, CSIS: It has a huge impact because all of our contracting mechanisms, the way that the U.S. government and other governments work, is usually through international contractors, U.S. contractors. And there is a massive intimidation effect that is taking hold.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOPPEL: And that is just one reason why the new U.S. ambassador to Iraq, John Negroponte, wants more than $3 billion in U.S. aid to be redirected away from big-ticket reconstruction projects, Wolf, to more of the improving-security-type projects he feels are needed immediately on the ground -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Andrea Koppel with that report. Thanks, Andrea.
He has the ear of the president. What happened when the White House chief of staff didn't have everyone's attention here at the convention? Learn who came to Andy Card's rescue. That's coming up.
Also ahead...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. ZELL MILLER (D), GEORGIA: ... as our economic position collapses right before our very eyes, and George Bush does not get it!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: That was Zell Miller 1992 about the first President Bush. Why is he changing his tune this time around?
And listen to this. They're close to the power, but they usually get little media attention. Now an inside look at the women raised by Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne Cheney.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: That's the Christian rock group Third Day. They are rehearsing, practicing for tonight's Republican national convention here at Madison Square Garden.
In the meantime, demonstrators are still filling some New York City streets, that after a big spike yesterday in the number of protester arrests. Besides complaining about police tactics, today's efforts include trying to take an economic protest to the doors of the convention. For that, let's turn to our Jason Carroll for an update -- Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And Wolf, these protesters are shouting distance from Madison Square Garden, this labor union rally well under way. Ad you can see, thousands are out here, stretching 10 city blocks leading up to Madison Square Garden. These people are from various unions, speaking out on issue such as cutbacks in overtime pay, health care costs, outsourcings of jobs. They say the current administration has not done enough for working people.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bush's No Child Behind (SIC) -- that gave no money to do anything that's supposed to be done. It's a mess. And it hasn't done anything for these kids, and yet he's trying to make points off of it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The current occupants of the White House don't seem to care about working people. Their policies, their agenda has just undermined everything we in the labor movement have worked for for generations. They want to set the clock back.
(END VIDEO CLIP) CARROLL: Another protest earlier today focusing on jobs took another form. Thousands held up pink slips and formed a symbolic unemployment line. That protest ended peacefully. Organizers out here say this protest, as vocal as it is, will end peacefully, as well -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jason Carroll outside with the protesters. Thanks, Jason, very much.
And demonstrations weren't limited to simply outside Madison Square Garden today. Around noon, just as the White House chief of staff, Andy Card, was speaking, members of the AIDS activist group Act-Up began a protest right here on the convention floor, shouting and waving signs. Young people on hand for the Republican convention's youth convention began "Four more years," chanting that, "Four more years" chant. Police and other security officers eventually moved in, arresting 11 demonstrators on trespassing charges.
The president of the United States, meanwhile -- his last stop before coming to New York in Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, right now speaking out. He'll be in New York later tonight. Let's listen in.
GEORGE WALKER BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: ... but wouldn't pay for the medicine to prevent the heart operation from happening in the first place. I went to Washington with a desire to improve Medicare for our seniors, and we got the job done.
(APPLAUSE)
We are expanding community health centers for low-income Americans. We've created health savings accounts, so families can save tax-free for their own health care needs. Most people get their insurance through their places of work. Most new jobs are created by small businesses. Many small businesses are having trouble affording health care. To make sure American families get health care, small businesses must be allowed to join together to purchase insurance at the discounts that big companies are able to get.
(APPLAUSE)
There's more work to be done to make sure health care is accessible and affordable. We'll harness technology to reduce costs and prevent costly mistakes. We'll expand research to find new cures. In order to make sure your health care system here is a viable health care, we must get rid of the frivolous lawsuits that are running your docs out of business!
(APPLAUSE)
BLITZER: The president speaking in Columbus, Ohio, his last stop before coming to New York tonight. And tomorrow night, he'll be speaking right here at the Republican convention at Madison Square Garden.
Joining us now for some Democratic perspective on the Republican proceedings here at Madison Square Garden, the Iowa governor, Tom Vilsack. He's over at the CNN convention diner outside Madison Square Garden.
Governor, thank you very much for joining us. What's your mood right now, given the fact that the polls show in recent days, maybe in recent weeks, a slight uptick for the president?
GOV. TOM VILSACK (D), IOWA: Oh, I'm telling you, Wolf, I am very, very encouraged about this election. Bottom line is, an incumbent president with numbers that President Bush has today has not been reelected. And I know that what's happening in my state and across the Midwest and in the battleground states is a door-to-door canvas process which is encouraging marginal voters to get engaged in this election and making sure that their voice is heard on November 2. I am very encouraged.
BLITZER: Governor, you're here as part of the so-called "war room" the Democrats have sent to New York during the midst of the Republican convention. We're getting -- we're still getting words that there are going to be some fine-tuning of the Kerry/Edwards campaign staff, given some concern by other Democrats. How concerned are you?
VILSACK: I'll tell you, I'm not concerned at all, Wolf. I think if John Kerry and John Edwards aggressively pursue American voters in the next 60 days with a message of hope and opportunity, a message for a stronger and better America at home and a more respected America abroad, they're going to find a very receptive audience.
I don't think most of America is buying this masquerade of a Republican convention. The fact is that most of the speakers that have appeared in primetime have been moderates who are more supportive of the Democratic Party platform than the Republican Party platform. So we've obviously won the war of ideas. Now we need to take that in the next 60 days to the American public. They'll make the right decision.
BLITZER: Well, Zell Miller himself is a Democrat. He's a Democratic senator from Georgia. He's the keynote speaker tonight, endorsing this president. Ed Koch, a former mayor of New York City, another Democrat -- he was speaking here at Madison Square Garden, and he's endorsed the president himself. Are these ominous trends for you?
VILSACK: Not at all.
I'll tell you, we had the opportunity today to meet four or five Americans who were big Bush supporters in 2000. These are ordinary Americans. These aren't folks with titles. These aren't folks trying to sell a book or trying to reclaim a bit of past glory, these are hard-working, concerned Americans who believe that George Bush let them down, who billed himself as a compassionate conservative.
And they know, with 1.8 million fewer jobs, with 45 million Americans uninsured, health care costs rising, college tuition costs rising, energy costs rising and America isolated from the rest of the world, they are very dissatisfied with George Bush and they are very encouraged by the comprehensive plan that John Kerry and John Edwards have to make America a better place in which to live, work and raise their families.
BLITZER: Other Democrats, and I assume you now, too, have joined on this notion that Zell Miller is doing this to sell his book. Is that your charge?
VILSACK: You know, I will tell you, Senator Miller is -- he is sort of yesterday. I'm not going to focus on Senator Miller. He's had a distinguished career. He's obviously bitter. And he's going to express that concern tonight.
But I honestly don't think too many people are going to be paying attention to Zell Miller. I think that they are more interested in the candidates speaking to their anxieties. What are we going to do about health care? I just heard the president suggest that there have been aggressive actions by this administration in prescription drug relief. The seniors in this country are not buying this prescription drug bill as a bill or benefit for them. It's a benefit for pharmaceutical companies.
You won't hear it today, as you didn't yesterday, any discussion about lost jobs, about health care costs going up, about energy costs going up, college tuition costs going up, average wages in this country being offset by these expenses. The Democrats have responded to the anxieties of ordinary folks out there. John Kerry and John Edwards are going to walk the main streets of our towns and cities in these battleground states.
And there's no question our message is much more solid and much more attuned to the needs of Americans.
BLITZER: We'll be hearing about energy costs coming up, because I'll be speak with the energy secretary, Spencer Abraham.
But Governor Vilsack, thanks very much for joining us.
VILSACK: You bet, Wolf. Thank you.
BLITZER: All right, there's a developing story we're following out of Eagle, Colorado.
Chris Lawrence covering the Kobe Bryant trial for us.
Chris, what are you learning?
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, there's an incredible amount of activity here at the Eagle County courthouse.
About two hours ago, the court administrator came out and told us that court was done for the day and that jury selection would continue tomorrow. Every day up until this point, that has been the case. When she said it was over, it was over. Now we've seen all the attorneys rush back into the courtroom and there is a lot of activity in there. Now, we don't know if this is connected or not. But we do know that we learned earlier today that the defense had filed this motion with the judge asking him to dismiss the case. It boiled down to this fact: Prosecutors have a legal right to disclose any information they come across if it points to the defendant's innocence. The defense was arguing in this motion that they failed to give them that information.
It had to do with a specific forensic expert that the prosecution had planned to call as a witness. This expert, when he examined the accuser's injuries, the defense is saying his testimony would have undermined what she said in terms of how severe the injuries were and what caused them. And the defense had further argued in this motion that the prosecution failed to give that information to the defense, as they would have been required to do so.
Again, if we can, we might be able to take a look at a pool camera to take you slightly closer to the Eagle County courthouse. Again, some of the attorneys arriving earlier. And there's a lot of activity in there. CNN correspondent Gary Tuchman has gone into the courthouse. And we hope to keep you updated as things progress throughout the afternoon -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, looks like a lot of commotion going on there. We'll watch and see what happens. As soon as Gary comes out and has some more information, Chris, we'll go right back to you -- Chris Lawrence reporting from Eagle, Colorado.
Is he a turncoat or a profile in courage? Tonight, an unusual moment in political history, why a man who fought to defeat the first President Bush is now working so hard to reelect the second.
Public profiles of private women, why the daughters of Vice President Dick Cheney are now engaged in a fight they did not pick.
And speaking of daughters, the Bush twins got an encore. We'll tell you what they have to say. They spoke here earlier today.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: Live from Madison Square Garden, once again, Wolf Blitzer.
BLITZER: Back now to our coverage of the Republican National Convention here at Madison Square Garden.
In a break from tradition, tonight's keynote address will be delivered by a Democrat, Senator Zell Miller of Georgia. Miller's outspoken support of President Bush has simply delighted Republicans and infuriated many members of his own party.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER (voice-over): Democrats want to know what made Miller flip. In 1992, Zell Miller gave the keynote address at the Democratic Convention in Madison Square Garden, bashing a president named Bush. MILLER: Americans have seen plants close down, jobs shipped overseas, and our hopes fade away as our economic position collapses right before our very eyes. And George Bush does not get it.
BLITZER: Twelve years later, Miller is giving another keynote address at Madison Square Garden. But this time, it's at the Republican Convention, and this time, Miller is praising a president named Bush.
While Miller may have blasted George Bush the father, he's a strong supporter of George Bush the son.
MILLER: I want a man that will take the fight to the terrorists and fight it out with them on the other side of the world, not wait until they attack us here at home again.
BLITZER: Back in Miller's home state this past weekend, angry Democrats held a protest outside his Atlanta office. They accuse him of being a turncoat, but Miller says it's the Democratic Party that's changed.
MILLER: The Democratic Party today has gone further and further to the left. It's left me. It's left moderates. And it's left a lot of people who want to support a strong commander in chief.
BLITZER: Miller follows a long line of conservative Democrats who used to dominate Georgia politics, including the late Senator Herman Talmadge of Senate Watergate Committee fame and more recently former Senator Sam Nunn.
But nowadays, Georgia conservatives are more likely to call themselves Republicans and Miller may be the last of his line. He'll retire from the Senate next year. And although he remains a Democrat, he has not endorsed the Democratic candidate to fill his seat, an African-American congresswoman named Denise Majette.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And Zell Miller will be speaking here at Madison Square Garden during the 10:00 p.m. Eastern hour tonight.
The vice president, Dick Cheney, will also address this Republican Convention. But beyond his speech, a fascinating subplot. It involves Cheney's two daughters, both key campaign advisers, now thrust into a spotlight they certainly did not seek.
Here's CNN's Brian Todd.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They don't have the celebrity wattage of Alex and Vanessa Kerry. The media doesn't follow their every move, like Barbara and Jenna Bush. But in the context of loyalty to dad and country, Elizabeth and Mary Cheney are as tough and savvy as they come.
ELIZABETH CHENEY, DAUGHTER OF VICE PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY: They want a leader who has got political courage to make tough decisions.
TODD: It figures that these sisters would be resilient souls. Their parents are widely considered two of the most driven, no- nonsense political operators in Washington power circles. Liz, a 38- year-old married mother of four, is one of her father's closest advisers. She once worked as a deputy assistant secretary of state.
But her younger sister Mary may actually need the family toughness gene a little more, especially now. Mary is openly gay. Her affiliation with this party and this family puts her squarely in the middle of the cultural divide.
MATT FOREMAN, NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN TASK FORCE: Well, I think for most of us, Mary Cheney's role and active role in her father's reelection campaign is bewildering and it borders on betrayal. We have this administration that has just been so bad across the board to gay people.
TODD: No one in the family or the campaign would react directly to that criticism. But a source close to the family stressed to us that Mary never sought to enter this debate. Social conservatives come at the Cheneys from the other side.
In an interview with a satellite radio station this week, Republican senatorial candidate Alan Keyes said homosexuality is -- quote -- "selfish hedonism." Asked if he thought Mary Cheney is a selfish hedonist, Keyes replied, "Of course she is." CNN asked her sister to respond.
E. CHENEY: I guess I'm surprised, frankly, that you'd even repeat the quote and I'm not going to dignify it with a comment.
TODD: Other conservatives say Dick Cheney demoralized part of the Republican base last week not so much by restating his position that states should decide the legality of gay marriage, but by doing so with his first public show of support for his daughter's orientation.
DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: With respect to the question of gay marriage, Lynne and I have a gay daughter, so it's an issue that our family is very familiar with. We have two daughters and we have enormous pride in both of them. They are both fine young women.
TODD: A source close to the Cheney family says the vice president and Lynne Cheney have never expressed anything but support for Mary. A reporter who has covered Cheney for decades says the vice president's public declaration was double-edged.
TOM DEFRANK, "NEW YORK DAILY NEWS": I think he was speaking from his heart, but I think there was a political impact to that. And I don't think that was just happenstance. As you know, the vice president's a very disciplined guy.
TODD (on camera): The broader strategy, observers say, portray the party leadership as more moderate and tolerant. Still, neither Mary nor Liz Cheney have a speaking role at this convention. But campaign officials are quick to tell us, these are private people and they are not speaking simply because they choose not to.
Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: The president's twin daughters are also making some news.
After their speech last night here at the convention, the Bush daughters today introduced the White House chief of staff, Andrew Card, to a gathering of young Republicans. They also took a few moments to talk about their father.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA BUSH, DAUGHTER OF GEORGE W. BUSH: Another quality that my sister and I are perhaps all too familiar with is that our dad is extremely disciplined and always on time. This quality didn't always work to our advantage, especially when we missed curfew. But from running a marathon at age 45 to reading the Bible daily to giving up his greatest passion, cheesecake, our dad has shown us the importance of living a disciplined life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Barbara and Jenna Bush speaking here at the Republican National Convention earlier today.
Much more news coming up. It's called yellow cake. And it has the Bush administration deeply concerned. Is Iran taking a step toward building nuclear weapons? I'll ask the energy secretary, Spencer Abraham. He's here with me.
And the veterans vote. We'll hear from a delegate who fought in Europe with General Patton. Is the war against terror so different?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: The United States today again accused Iran of trying to produce nuclear weapons. The State Department is pointing to a new report by the U.N. that Iran is getting ready to produce enough uranium fuel which some experts say could be used to make four nuclear weapons.
But that same report by the International Atomic Energy Agency says weapons inspectors have uncovered no evidence to support the U.S. accusations, at least not yet.
Joining us now with his take on this, the energy secretary, Spencer Abraham.
Mr. Secretary, thanks very much.
SPENCER ABRAHAM, ENERGY SECRETARY: Wolf, good to be with you. BLITZER: How concerned should the American public be that Iran is getting close to building a bomb, a nuclear bomb?
ABRAHAM: Well, I think not just the American public, but the world community needs to be concerned about this.
There seems to be, in our judgment, no reason for Iran to be pursuing the kinds of capabilities that it is. If it wants to have a nuclear power program, which we question in the first place, it doesn't need to be developing the kind of enrichment capabilities and other things that we see happening. We think the international community has to be absolutely firm in preventing this from going foward, because we think it will lead to a weapons program and ultimately to weapons.
BLITZER: We've been doing these omni-issue questions to our viewers, asking them to ask questions of our guests.
Kevin wrote this: "Unless the global war on terror is shared with more countries, I do not believe we can secure our country enough to make the U.S. a safer place."
Are you getting the kind of cooperation globally on the Iran issue from the allies and other countries in the region that you'd like?
ABRAHAM: I think there is very strong and general concern about this. As you know, the European three, as they have been called, have attempted to negotiate. That's the U.K., Germany and France -- have attempted to negotiate with Iran. That has not yet been successful.
We've tried to support their effort. But, at this point, we think there needs to be stronger steps taken by the board of governors of the IAEA and ultimately to the United Nations if necessary.
BLITZER: Speaking of terrorism, there's been a lot of concern that America's nuclear power plants could be vulnerable to some sort of terror attack. Are you concerned about that?
ABRAHAM: Well, you and I have talked about this before.
Obviously, both before 9/11 and especially since, actions are taken to secure and protect these facilities under the leadership of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission at our department. But I can assure the American people that the possible threats are all under consideration, all assessed and being addressed in terms of responses that we think are sufficient.
This is an ongoing kind of thing, Wolf. And the analysis continues with any new information we receive and on an ongoing basis.
BLITZER: The energy secretary, Spencer Abraham, thanks very much.
ABRAHAM: Thanks, Wolf. BLITZER: And courting the veterans vote. I'll speak with a delegate who fought under General Patton in World War II. Find out why he's supporting President Bush's reelection campaign right now.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: All week long, we've been taking a closer look at some delegates who have been coming to this Republican Convention here at Madison Square Garden. Right now, we're in the New Hampshire delegation.
Our senior analyst, Jeff Greenfield, takes a look and profiles one delegate who has a record of service.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEFF GREENFIELD, CNN SR. ANALYST (voice-over): The road runs straight uphill to Joe Petrone's home on a mountaintop in western New Hampshire. Outside, this 81-year-old retired career Army officer can be found mowing just some of the 100-plus acres on the estate.
JOE PETRONE, NEW HAMPSHIRE DELEGATE: Somebody will think I'm nuts carrying this little bucket.
GREENFIELD: Or moving rocks into the garden. Inside, some of the political history of the place is revealed.
PETRONE: It's an old house. It was built in 1902. It was built by Franklin MacVeagh, who was a secretary of the treasury. Right here in the center, this is where President Taft was.
GREENFIELD: The 27th president visited the MacVeagh estate on several occasions.
PETRONE: If he called for his carriage, he probably used this phone.
GREENFIELD: And there's this presidential connection as well. For three years, Petrone worked as a White House aid to President Eisenhower, standing in at diplomatic functions.
PETRONE: He couldn't go to all those things, so I went as a representative. I thought that was a great job.
GREENFIELD: Petrone was born in Iowa, joined the National Guard at age 16.
PETRONE: That's the last year at West Point.
GREENFIELD: Where he graduated in 1944.
PETRONE: Then I went overseas and joined General Patton. Great guy. I liked him. I was a captain at the time.
GREENFIELD: A few years later, he was assigned to Iran, after that, a series of diplomatic assignments to Geneva and Paris. PETRONE: Is that what you told me?
GREENFIELD: Retired now for 20 years, Joe Petrone has volunteered for all causes Republicans. At the national GOP steak fry, he knows everybody.
PETRONE: Hi there, young man.
Hello, Bernie Streeter (ph).
Harry.
GREENFIELD: And everybody knows him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi, Ambassador. How are you?
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ambassador, what an honor and a privilege.
GREENFIELD: Not surprisingly, Colonel Petrone's No. 1 issue is defense.
PETRONE: You have just got to keep your powder dry. That's all there is to it, because we're in a war on terror right now. The whole globe is.
GREENFIELD: And wherever he goes, there's this plea from the World War II veteran.
PETRONE: We never did forget about Pearl Harbor. That's all we said. Remember Pearl Harbor. I don't hear anybody saying, remember 9/11.
Don't forget 9/11. I've got a lot of things to say on George Bush.
GREENFIELD: On this Sunday evening, Petrone is hosting a phone bank for President Bush. There are veterans from Korea, from Vietnam, Enduring Freedom and a veteran who fought with General Patton 60 years ago.
PETRONE: My name is Joe Petrone. I'm calling for the Bush/Cheney campaign and I hope the president could count on your vote this year.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: That report from our Jeff Greenfield.
Joe Petrone joining us right now.
You feeling pretty good? How you feeling?
PETRONE: Oh, boy. I feel good. I feel good.
BLITZER: You're pumped? You are ready to go?
PETRONE: Oh, yes. These last two days have really pumped me up, Wolf. Oh, my goodness.
BLITZER: I'm glad to see you, Joe Petrone. Good work. Thanks very much.
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: And I want to go back to Eagle, Colorado, right now. There's still more information on the developing story we're getting on the Kobe Bryant trial.
Chris Lawrence is standing by.
Chris, what have you heard?
LAWRENCE: Well, Wolf, the latest we've heard is that sources inside the courtroom and close to the case now tell us that a deal to dismiss the charges is at least being discussed. All of the action has quieted down outside the courtroom. It's now taking place inside.
We saw John Clune, the attorney for the young woman who has accused Kobe Bryant of rape, we saw Dana Easter, the deputy DA who is heading up the prosecution, and Kobe Bryant's defense team all go back into the courtroom. And again, right now, our sources are telling us that a deal is being discussed. I want to repeat that. Nothing has been finalized. Right now, we're just hearing that this is a discussion that's taking place.
But as things go along in the afternoon, we want to keep our eye on whether charge might be dismissed without prejudice, which would allow prosecutors to refile them at a later date -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, potentially significant developments there. We'll stay with that story, of course, as soon as we get some more information.
Chris Lawrence, thanks very much.
BLITZER: We'll take a quick break. More from the Republican Convention when we get back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: (AUDIO GAP) the economy to win? You can submit your questions, your thoughts, right now at CNN.com/Wolf. We'll have the results -- we'll have, actually, some of your comments to read tomorrow on the air.
And please stay with CNN for prime-time coverage of the Republican Convention. All that begins an hour or so from now with a special edition of "ANDERSON COOPER." And later, 8:00 p.m., I'll be back here with Judy and Jeff, "LARRY KING LIVE" at 9:00; 10:00 p.m. Eastern, Vice President Dick Cheney speaks out.
"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.
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