Evening Newscasts Wrap

W A S H I N G T O N, June 24, 2004 —
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LEADS:

All networks lead with Zarqawi's threat to the new Iraqi Prime Minister. ABC: Martha Raddatz/ NBC: Tom Apsell/ CBS: Kimberly Dozier

CHENEY A LIABILITY?

CBS' Cynthia Bowers package was about the suggestion that Vice President Cheney is a liability to the Bush campaign. In his intro, Rather said that on the Democratic side, the choice could be "Edwards, Gephardt, or some surprise," and on the Republican side there is "some negative talk about President Bush's decision to stick with Dick Cheney." Bowers reported that Cheney "now finds himself the subject of a full frontal attack." Sound bites from former Des Moines Register editor James Gannon, who wrote a letter suggesting Cheney step down, Sen. McCain, who dismissed the suggestion on Face the Nation that he might replace Cheney on the ticket, and campaign adviser Linda DiVall, who said that Cheney is the President's choice and they're going forward with that.

BUSH'S NORTH KOREA POLICY:

CBS' John Roberts reports the White House has finally put a deal on the table for North Korea today. President Bush offered to trade Pyongyang's nuclear program for energy support and security guarantees. If North Korea signs the deal, it would immediately receive shipments of desperately needed fuel oil for its power plants. If within three months its shows signs of cooperating, the U.S. will give Pyongyang assurances it won't be attacked and open talks on lifting economic sanctions. The offer is a partial retreat for President Bush. Sen. Kerry criticizes that the White House disengagement has made North Korea more dangerous.

BUSH'S AIDS PLAN:

Elizabeth Vargas reports "in Philadelphia today, President Bush touted his administration's efforts to fight AIDS. He made Vietnam the 15th country eligible for help under his global AIDS relief plan. Mr. Bush also talked up abstinence, being faithful in marriage and condom use as ways to stop AIDS.It was his 29th visit as President to Pennsylvania, a crucial state in this year's election."

NEGROPONTE SWORN-IN:

Elizabeth Vargas reports "at the State Department today, John Negroponte was sworn in as the new US ambassador to Iraq. He will head the largest US embassy in the world. In an interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer, Mr. Negroponte acknowledged there was a difficult road ahead: "I'm not arguing or suggesting that the situation can be turned around completely, overnight, nor that every problem can be solved right away. Sometimes, as Americans we, we tend to be a bit impatient. But I do think it's possible to get the trend moving in the right direction."

Brokaw reports as Negroponte's wife held the bible, Secretary of State Powell gave Negroponte the oath. Negroponte talked about the great challenges ahead. Baghdad is Negroponte's fifth diplomatic post.

Rather reports at the ceremony, Colin Powell called Negroponte "a pillar of confidence and courage." Negroponte will preside over a long-term multibillion dollar U.S. effort to rebuild and foster democracy in Iraq.

CIA BOOK:

ABC's Jake Tapper reports the senior CIA official who wrote the book "Imperial Hubris" was only allowed to write the book and speak to ABC News anonymously. In the book, he contradicts the view of the Bush Administration by saying that the war in Iraq played into bin Laden's hands. He also predicts that the war on terror will be fought mostly on American soil. Those defending the administration said "its better to spend less time writing books and more time fighting terrorists." Anonymous SOT: "we need to face the fact that Muslims are angry at us because of who we are----because of what we do in the world."

NBC's Andrea Mitchell explains why this anonymous author thinks the United States is losing the war on terror. For three years he led the war against Osama bin Laden and he was a key secret witness to the 9/11 commission. He suggests the U.S. is losing the war on terror because of the war in Iraq and says the U.S. is fighting the wrong war against terrorists, instead of against radical, extremists Muslims. His conclusions are already stirring controversy.

CBS' David Martin reports the book offers a spy's-eye view of the war on terror and paints a stark picture. The anonymous author is certain that bin Laden will make good on his threats to carry out more attacks in the U.S. and the attacks will be more devastating than 9/11.

MOON ON THE HILL:

ABC's Linda Douglass reports in March, "some members of Congress gathered in a Senate hearing room to honor ambassadors of peace, and event most now wish they had skipped." A video from the Unification Church website shows the crowning of the controversial Rev. Sun Yung Moon, who has served prison time for tax fraud and conspiracy. Moon had described himself as the messiah, and has made such controversial remarks as Jews brought the Holocaust on themselves. Rep. Elijah Cummings, who spoke at the event, explains he thought he was going to a ceremony honoring people who work for peace. Others said they didn't know Moon would be there. The Senate Rules Committee will not reveal which Senator booked the room for the Moon event.

PRESIDENTIAL MEDALS OF FREEDOM:

ABC's Elizabeth Vargas reports" at the White House today, President Bush presented the medal of freedom - the nation's highest civilian honor - to a very eclectic group of people. They included the actress and dancer Rita Moreno, the golfer Arnold Palmer and the former United States Senator Edward Brooke. Several recipients were not there including Pope John Paul the second and the actress Doris Day."

JACK RYAN:

NBC's Kevin Tibbles reports in Illinois, Republican senatorial nominee Jack Ryan is in trouble after details of his divorce have emerged from documents in a custody battle for over his nine-year-old son. In court documents released this week, ex-wife Jeri Ryan describes him taking her to a sex club. Voters have mixed views on the issue. His Democratic opponent was already leading by as much as 22 points in the polls.

ABC:

(Elizabeth Vargas substitutes)

1. Zarqawi threatens the new Iraqi Prime Minister (Martha Raddatz, Washington) 2. Negroponte is sworn-in 3. Saddam's first letter from prison 4. Saudi rulers announced today they would give Islamic militants one month to surrender and avoid the death penalty (Brian Ross, New York) 5. A new book, written by a member of the CIA is critical of how the Bush Administration is prosecuting the war on terror (Jake Tapper, Washington) 6. In Beijing today, the U-S presented a proposal to end the standoff with North Korea over nuclear weapons. 7. Closer Look: the wage gape between men and women (Betsy Stark, New York) 8. In Los Angeles today, another case of suspected police brutality. 9. Bush's AIDS plan 10. Reverend Moon on the Hill (Linda Douglass, Capitol) 11. Presidential Medals of Freedom awarded 12. There was an important warning today about herbal medicines and food supplements (John McKenzie, New York)

NBC:

1. Zarqawi issues a threat against the new Iraqi Prime Minister (Tom Apsell, Baghdad) 2. John Negroponte was sworn-in today 3. What life is like inside Baghdad's main power plant (Mike Taibbi, Baghdad) 4. Crown prince Abdullah gave al Qaeda one month to surrender to authorities today 5. CIA Book (Andrea Mitchell, Washington) 6. Supreme Court Judge Anthony Kennedy suggests the rising prison population requires new ideas about how to help in-mates lead better lives when they get out (Pete Williams, Washington) 7. Jack Ryan (Kevin Tibbles, Chicago) 8. Stocks surged at the end of trading today. 9. This rise in cosmetic surgery (Tom Costello, New York) 10. Brokaw interview with Madeleine Matelot about D-Day anniversary.

CBS:

1. New threat by Al Qaeda leader Zarqawi to assassinate new Iraqi government leader (Kimberly Dozier, Baghdad) 2. Negroponte sworn in as new ambassador to Iraq 3. New book by "Anonymous" CIA officer who says U.S. not winning war on terror (David Martin, Washington) 4. North Korea offered incentives for nuclear disarmament, includes Kerry's criticism of how Bush Administration had handled North Korea situation before today's announcement (John Roberts, Washington) 5. Video of Rev. Moon event on Capitol Hill in March 6. Vice President Cheney a liability? (Cynthia Bowers, Springfield, Mo.) 7. Brief profile of American soldier Philip Johnson who died in Iraq 8. State Department drops push for U.N. extension of U.S. exemption from international court 9. Inside Story: female Islamic terrorists and suicide bombers (Elizabeth Palmer, Baghdad) 10. AOL employee stealing AOL screen names and selling them 11. Wall Street numbers 12. Outsourcing story focusing on Tumbleweed Communications which outsourced to India but then brought jobs back to California because the overseas operation helped them make a profit (Anthony Mason, N.Y.) 13. "Eye on America" segment on proposed law in California to allow oral surgeons to do cosmetic surgery (Sandra Hughes, Beverly Hills)