[Carol Costello, Cnn Anchor:] Unfurl the banners and cue the podium the Republicans open their national convention today with an aim at keeping the White House. It is Monday, August 30. This is DAYBREAK. And good morning to you. From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello. Now in the news, the four day Republican national nominating convention kicks off today in New York City. In a city hit hard by 911, Republicans hope to convince undecided Americans that George Bush should serve four more years. France says it will not give into the demands of a militant Islamic group holding two French journalists hostage in Iraq. The group wants France to revoke a law banning Muslim head scarves in schools. Army Private Lynndie England returns to a military court four hours from now. A hearing will determine if she should be court- martialed on prisoner abuse charges for her actions at Abu Ghraib. Residents of South Carolina say enough already. Some areas had as much as 10 inches of rain when Tropical Storm Gaston came ashore on Sunday. It's over now, though. At least I hope so Chad.
[Chad Myers, Cnn Meteorologist:] Are you French, Carol? That was very good, Gaston.
[Costello:] I tried.
[Myers:] Good morning.
[Costello:] The Republicans are gathered in New York, ready for all the hoopla and flag waving that comes with a presidential nominating convention. The Republicans will try to shape the message that George W. Bush is the man for the job again. So, we take you live to Madison Square Garden. In fact, we will take you live there in just a second. Our Kareen Wynter is there now good morning, Kareen.
[Kareen Wynter, Cnn Correspondent:] Good morning, Carol. Good morning to you. Day one of the Republican National Convention while it is here. The GOP is getting ready to take on the Big Apple. Now, it's a mostly Democratic city, where Democrats outnumber Republicans five to one. But for this week it doesn't matter. The city is hosting its first national Republican convention. Behind me, the stage is being set as day one takes shape. But outside, Carol, quite an impressive display, as protesters and police pepper the streets of Manhattan.
[Wynter:] This is just a glance at what $80 million in security looks like, the cost to safeguard the 2004 GOP convention. Ten thousand NYPD officers have been joined by thousands more federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
[George Warrington, New Jersey Transit:] We're doing everything we can conceivably do to make sure that people are safe and secure. But as is the case in life, there are no guarantees at all.
[Wynter:] Bomb sniffing dogs, security cameras and high tech surveillance equipment just a few of the safety measures in place as the spotlight shines on Madison Square Garden. The Republicans are getting ready to roll into their big week, but party faithfuls have no choice but to share some of the spotlight with diehard protesters. Sunday, tens of thousands of protesters, along with a few famous names, marched their way along the convention site in opposition to President Bush and the U.S.-led war in Iraq. Police say some 200 people were arrested on various charges. President Bush, who is out on the campaign trail, isn't expected to arrive in the Big Apple until Wednesday evening. However, late Sunday afternoon, Vice President Dick Cheney did a walkthrough inside the Garden. Now, tonight's speakers include Senator John McCain and New York's former Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Now, Democrats, Carol, if you remember, in Boston for their Democratic National Convention at the FleetCenter, well, Republicans set up shop not too far by. Well, it's the same thing here. This time around, with the Republicans, they have a with the Democrats, rather they have a war room not far from Madison Square Garden. They plan on offering daily briefings to counter the Republicans' message and really take the steam out of their big week Carol.
[Costello:] Let's talk about the protesters once again, because I know you were out there in the middle of them yesterday. Exactly how many were there? Because, you know, read any newspaper from across the country and you get a different number.
[Wynter:] Police officials aren't putting a number on the crowd estimate. We're hearing reports of anywhere between 250,000 to 400,000. I can tell you there were so many people out there, we were sandwiched in between all of the action. And it was quite orderly, the protest a little chaotic at times. There were dozens, if not hundreds, of arrests, rather, 200, and disorderly conduct. There were assaults against police. So, from our standpoint, when we were out there, it was quite calm. We saw a variety of people, from children to senior citizens, Carol, some with walkers. Just a dramatic display of people exercising their right to free speech and hammering home this message that they don't want another four years of President Bush.
[Costello:] Kareen Wynter, live at the Republican National Convention in New York, thank you. You saw the protesters in Kareen's piece. Now we want to know what you think: Will the protesters have any political impact on the election? Does it even matter? E-mail us. The address, daybreak@cnn.com, daybreak@cnn.com. And of course, we'll read some of your e-mail on the air this morning. The latest CNN"USA Today"Gallup poll shows the presidential candidates have a lot of work to do. One job the president has before him is expanding his base of social conservatives and bringing in those fence sitters. And as our Judy Woodruff reports, it's not going to be easy.
[Judy Woodruff, Cnn Correspondent:] Schwarzenegger, Giuliani, McCain the faces of this week's gathering at the Garden, beloved among the most coveted voters, independents and moderates, but largely at odds with the conservative core of the Republican Part and on some of the most contentious social issues, largely at odds with George W. Bush. The GOP is showcasing the moderate trinity this week. But Bush needs to do more than bring in wavering independents. He must also nurture and expand his base of social conservatives. And on some of the most polarizing social issues, these hard-liners are worlds apart from other voters. Take abortion, for instance. Fifty-three percent of voters who describe themselves very conservative say abortion should be illegal in all circumstances. But just 17 percent of the rest of the electorate agrees, demonstrating the ideological chasm Bush is struggling to straddle. Houston, 1992, Republicans made a hard charge to the right.
[Unidentified Female:] Most women do not wish to be liberated from their essential natures as women.
[Woodruff:] Alienating huge swaths of moderates in the process. Pat Buchanan thundered against radical feminists and denounced gay marriage as amoral.
[Pat Buchanan, Fmr. Presidential Candidate:] There is a religious war going on in this country.
[Woodruff:] George W. Bush won't allow us versus them language on social issues at his convention. But he's found other ways to telegraph to his core supporters that he's one of them, referring to Christianity as his life's guiding principle.
[George W. Bush , President Of The United States:] Democratic societies should welcome, not fear, the participation of the faithful.
[Woodruff:] Infusing the Republican platform with language defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman; supporting a constitutional amendment to do the same.
[Bush:] The union of a man and woman is the most enduring human institution.
[Woodruff:] But in that speech, Bush never disparaged homosexuality. In fact, he never even used the words gay or lesbian or morality. And as the president stakes out a clear position on same-sex marriage...
[Dick Cheney , Vice President Of The United States:] Lynne and I have a gay daughter.
[Woodruff:] ... the vice president signals the Republican Party is big enough to accommodate other views.
[Cheney:] Freedom means freedom for everyone.
[Woodruff:] And so, the ticket straddles the gap between this week's trio of prime time speakers and the social conservatives already in the fold. Judy Woodruff, CNN, New York.
[Costello:] And certainly CNN will be there to bring you full coverage of the convention. Our prime time coverage begins tonight at 7:00 Eastern with Anderson Cooper. He's followed at 8:00 by Wolf Blitzer and at 9:00 "LARRY KING LIVE" from Madison Square Garden. And of course, if you're listening to the radio, CNN affiliates from across the land will be listening to me and Kyra Phillips. In news across America this morning, a three-year-old Montana boy was found safe and sound three days after wandering away from his family's campground. He had no food, but he ate the leaves of wild rose bushes to survive. More than 100 people took part in the search. The boy was finally found outside the search area by a volunteer who had himself gotten lost. Also in Montana, a small plane narrowly misses a crowded church during a crash landing. Both people aboard the plane were killed when they plowed into the front of a house. The residents were not home, but their dog was killed in the crash. It's time for a little one-on-one time in the Kobe Bryant case. Attorneys will begin questioning potential jurors today. Three hundred prospective jurors filled out lengthy questionnaires this week. Another 100 people may be put into the Bryant jury pool after the case they were supposed to hear was settled before going to trial on Friday. It seems like one storm after another is hitting the Southeastern United States. When we come back, we'll look at the damage left by Tropical Storm Gaston, as hurricane Frances gains strength. All that comes your way six minutes from now. Plus, a gold rush for American athletes at the Olympics. Don't miss closing ceremony excitement, about 12 minutes from now. And as you get revved up for the Republican National Convention, we'll tell you what people in America's heartland are concerned about. That's at the bottom of the hour. But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Monday morning.