Evening Newscasts Wrap: ABC News Political Unit

W A S H I N G T O N, August, 17 2004 &#151; <br> -- A product of Noted Now and The Note

Morning Show Wrap

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LEADS:

ABC and CBS lead with rebuilding after the hurricane. ABC: Jeffrey Kofman/ CBS: Kelly Cobiella. NBC leads with the filing of formal charges against a man accused of doing terrorist surveillance on buildings in the U.S. Pete Williams reports.

CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS ON THE 9/11 COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS:

NBC's Jim Miklaszewski wraps the congressional hearings on the 9/11 Commission recommendations. Today, families of 9/11 victims urged that there be no more "excuses or delays." Meanwhile, Secretary Rumsfeld has been warning against moving too quickly on these recommendations while American is still at war in Iraq. President Bush's creation of the National Intelligence Director post "has sparked a turf war within in the intelligence community." Rumsfeld has said he isn't read to accept the position and doesn't see how it will work. In addition, there is another "growing debate" over who will control the money.

DRUG IMPORTATION:

NBC's Anne Thompson reports that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich announced residents will be able to order drugs through an online clearinghouse from Canada, Ireland, and the UK, but for refills only. Other states, such as Wisconsin, North Dakota, Minnesota, and New Hampshire are "joining the fight" for cheaper drugs. Frustration "could move from pharmacy lines to voting lines as one issue beyond the war and economy that could fire up Democrats and the crucial swing voters."

ABC:

(Elizabeth Vargas substitutes)

1. Rebuilding after the hurricane. (Jeffrey Kofman, Punta Gorda, Fla.) 2. Damage from the hurricane. (Erin Hayes, Orlando) 3. British authorities charged eight men with connections to terrorist activity. 4. Seven people were killed in Baghdad after a mortar shell was fired onto a crowded street. 5. The day in Iraq. (Mike von Fremd, Baghdad) 6. "An archaeologist in Israel claims to have made one of the most significant biblical finds ever." (Neal Karlinsky, Jerusalem) 7. Closer Look: SUV Safety. (Jake Tapper, Washington, D.C.) 8. Encouraging numbers on the economy. 9. The Olympics today. 10. The U.S. Women's softball team. (Bob Woodruff, Athens) 11. Fighting Cancer. (Bill Blakemore, New York)