Evening Newscasts Wrap: ABC News Political Unit

W A S H I N G T O N, August, 18 2004 —
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LEADS:

All networks lead with Muqtadr al Sadr's promise of a ceasefire. ABC: Mike von Fremd/ NBC: Jennifer Eccleston/CBS: Barry Peterson.

KERRY'S SPEECH TO THE VFW:

ABC's Brian Rooney wraps Sen. Kerry's speech to the VFW, in attempt to "blast" President Bush's plan to withdraw troops from Europe and Korea. He argued that Bush's plan won't help win the war on terror, would send the wrong message to Korea, and might even anger allies whose economies are helped by the presence of U.S. troops. Some veterans who had fought in Korea reacted positively to the Senator's concerns about Korea. However, Kerry "got a lukewarm reception from the same group that gave President Bush two standing ovations in the middle of his speech." Many of these veterans "are still steaming" over Kerry's anti-war activities. In addition, the recent attacks on his military records "have fed further suspicion."

CBS's Byron Pitts says Kerry appealed to the "sensibilities of veterans about not wanting to send troops to war." He reminded the audience "over and over" about his service in Vietnam. The White House says Kerry doesn't get it, and "wasted little time showing Kerry's latest flip-flop" on a recent TV show where he talked about the possibility of removing troops from Korea. A new Pew Poll shows that war is the most important issue facing voters at 41 percent, which is no wonder why the campaigns "are playing politics with war."

NBC's Carl Quintinilla Noted that Kerry's VFW audience was "decidedly chilly" and that his turning against Vietnam, "allegations about his medals," and his vote against the $87 billion supplemental has made winning the veteran's vote "a challenge." Bush "poured on the heat" with his education proposals today, and Kerry's war record isn't necessarily an advantage. But Kerry has made some inroads in "traditionally Republican" veterans -- who haven't been polled until now -- through his convention, ads like MoveOn's, and emphasis on veterans' health care.

RICE RESPONDS TO KERRY'S CRITICISMS:

Two-way with Elizabeth Vargas and Condoleezza Rice: "The President has decided that it is finally time to do something about the Cold War force posture that we've been living with since the end of the Cold War. In Europe that means that there is no need any longer for heavy divisions to defend the inner German border which no longer exists because Germany is unified."

"North Korea is a problem and we are engaged in six-party talks with the regional players, with North Korea's neighbors to dial into that situation. The way that you deal with North Korea is to have capability to deter North Korea and make it very, very clear that any provocation or action against South Korea will be met with a very strong response...

INTEL REFORM:

ABC's Elizabeth Vargas reports "in Washington a key Republican Senator threw his weight behind 9/11 Commission recommendations. Pat Roberts, Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, wants President Bush to give a new intelligence director sweeping authority over all 15 agencies that collect intelligence. That is much more power than the White House so far has been willing to give."

BRINGING BACK THE DRAFT?

CBS' Jim Stewart explores efforts to bring back the draft. Most young men don't know about this and many also don't understand how it would work. If the draft was brought back, men and women between the ages of 18 and 26 would go. Those unfit to serve, would perform two years of community service. Unlike in Vietnam, college students would not be granted deferments. Stewart notes the President, Congress, and the Pentagon are against this, but that all could change with another terrorist attack or a war overseas."

ABC:

(Elizabeth Vargas substitutes)

1. The radical Shiite cleric Muqtadr al Sadr has promised a ceasefire. (Mike von Fremd, Baghdad) 2. Al Jazerra reports that radicals are threatening to kill the American journalist being held hostage. 3. American soldier killed in eastern Baghdad. 4. Kerry responds to President Bush's plan to redeploy troops. (Brian Rooney, Cincinnati) 5. Two-way with Elizabeth Vargas and Condoleezza Rice. 6. Intel reform. 7. Health concerns after hurricane Charley. (Jeffrey Kofman, Florida) 8. Closer Look: The Government's attempt to curb delays at O'Hare Airport. (Bob Jamieson, New York) 9. Delta Airlines presented plans to avoid bankruptcy to its board. 10. Google got the go ahead from the SEC. 11. Results from the Olympics today. 12. U.S. Gymnast Paul Hamm rebounded for a win. (Bob Woodruff, Athens) 13. Beating Breast Cancer. (Betsy Stark, New York)

NBC:

1. Iraq works toward a truce in Najaf (Jennifer Eccleston, Baghdad) 2. Riot breaks out at Abu Ghraib prison 3. The poor receive the brunt of Charley while the affluent do OK (Punta Gorda, FL) 4. A trailer park copes with the effects of Charley (Martin Savage Punta Gorda, FL) 5. Courting the veterans vote (Carl Quintinilla, Cincinnati, OH) 6. Chicago O'Hare delays 7. The bumps on the road to Google's IPO (Anne Thompson, New York) 8. Greek sprinters quit amid doping allegations 9. Using technology to produce better athletes (Dennis Murphy, Athens) 10. Olympic results 11. Del Harris, coach of the Chinese basketball team (Mike Taibbi , Athens)

CBS:

(Scott Pelley substitutes)

1. U.S. troops have made a major push into Najaf in attempt to rescue an American journalist being held hostage. (Barry Peterson, Baghdad) 2. Soldiers killed in Iraq. 3. Republican Doug Bereuter says it was a mistake to go to war. 4. Kerry attacked Bush's plan. (Byron Pitts, Cincinnati) 5. CA guardsman filed suit against the Pentagon against forced extension of service. 6. Bringing back the draft? (Jim Stewart, Washington, D.C.) 7. More heartbreak for those returning to their homes after the hurricane. (Jim Acosta, Florida) 8. Fallen heroes. 9. Stocks made strong gains. 10. Google will begin selling stock. 11. Shot-put event held in same arena of ancient Olympic games. 12. Drug use at the Olympics. (Lee Cowan, Athens) 13. Communion controversy. (Elizabeth Kaledin, New Jersey) 14. Experimental Cancer test for Breast Cancer. 15. Therapy for fear of flying. (Mika Brzezinski, Boston)