Morning Show Wrap, by ABC News Political Unit

N E W Y O R K, July 9, 2004 &#151;<br> -- A product of Noted Now and The Note

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Leads

The morning shows led with the "scathing" report on pre-war intelligence, the election terror threat, and the abducted Marine who has turned up in Lebanon.

The Kerry and Edwards children appeared on ABC and NBC to discuss what their fathers are like when they let their hair down.

Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge granted interviews on all three networks and made no news.

Dem Children on ABC and NBC

Two Heinzes, two Kerrys and an Edwards sat down with ABC's Claire Shipman on "Good Morning America" and with NBC's Katie Couric on the "Today Show" to speak about the personal side of their fathers.

Asked on ABC if the two families have been drawn together by a sense of shared tragedy, Cate Edwards said that she and Chris Heinz have discussed those losses with each other but that the losses are "private" and that they have bonded "regardless of that."

The Heinz-Kerry clan then chimed in to say that when Jack, Cate's little brother, "talks about Oreos … that's what bonds us."

Andre Heinz recounted his joy at seeing "the two little ones," Jack and Emma Claire, in the pool at the Heinz family estate, saying it reminded him of his childhood.

"They are great," said Andre Heinz, "and Cate as you can see is fantastic."

Asked about his "quirky" mother, Teresa Heinz Kerry, on NBC's "Today Show," Chris Heinz said "quirkiness runs in the (Heinz) family which insulates these fine women."

Chris called his mother a hard worker who speaks what's on her mind and said of his mother, who was born in Africa, that he looks "forward to the day when there is a first generation American in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue."

Vanessa Kerry said on "Today" that the two biggest misconceptions about her father are that he's aloof and that he doesn't know his own mind. Vanessa said she's proud that her father doesn't look at issues as "black and white" but rather that he considers all sides of an issue.