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Take a quick break from speculating about the outcome of the elections this November. There is a new topic that is causing quite a bit of speculation: just what did Kiran Chetry of CNN's American Morning do last Wednesday that caused co-host John Roberts to pause in the middle of introducing guest David Axelrod and snap at her in a fit of extreme irritability? Almost as funny watching it on TV was the fact that the moment was officially recorded in CNN's transcripts: DAVID AXELROD, SENIOR ADVISER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you for having me. ROBERTS: Let me ask you...

<p>Bob Franken: "But many experts say that designating this a civil war will undermine U.S. support even more, which might explain why so many Democrats are jumping on the bandwagon."</p> <p>Democratic Senator Jack Reed: "I think for months now there's been a low-level civil war going on in Iraq."</p>

With a tropical storm threatening Florida and the one-year anniversary of Katrina approaching, CNN’s August 28 “American Morning” kicked off a weeklong look at “Red Tape and Rubble” in the Gulf Coast. But Ali Velshi’s first report in the series was unbalanced, treating insurance companies as guilty until proven innocent of greed or fraud. “We’re going to be there when you need us,” anchor Soledad O’Brien said is the promise insurance companies extend out to policy holders, “But many Katrina victims think uh, uh, that’s not true,” she complained. O’Brien set the stage for Velshi’s unbalanced report by painting insurance...

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The story of his life is a profile in courage, both political and personal. Before John McCain was a maverick senator, he was a Vietnam prisoner of war for six years in Hanoi. His book about that experience, "Faith Of My Fathers," is now being made into a TV movie. You'll see it this weekend, in fact. Senator McCain is back with us from Washington. Nice to see you, Senator. SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Thanks, Bill. HEMMER: Do you... MCCAIN: I prefer outstanding senator to maverick. HEMMER: Well, you can take whatever you like, all...

Anchor's Not Outfoxing Foe CNN seeking help for PaulaBy PHYLLIS FURMANDaily News Business WriterNN isn't getting its money's worth from Paula Zahn.The cable network's $2 million-a-year investment in its new anchor has yet to pay dividends — and CNN is looking to make a change to beef up her expensive new morning show.In spite of big bucks and megapromotion for Zahn, Fox News Channel's edgy, zoolike "Fox & Friends" is beating her more serious show, "American Morning," by up to 200,000 viewers a day. Paula Zahn: Provocative, supersmart and, oh yeah, just a little bit overpaid. That has CNN trying...