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CNN Live At Daybreak
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's Surprise Visit to U.S. Troops in Iraq; Homecoming of U.S. troops at Fort Bragg
Aired December 24, 2004 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Straight ahead on DAYBREAK on this Christmas Eve, it's a warm father and son reunion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The long wait is over for the families of more than 200 soldiers who served in Iraq.
Plus, the cradle of Christianity -- the faithful return to Bethlehem.
And have you finished your holiday shopping? We'll get a look at the last minute crunch.
It is Friday, Christmas Eve, December 24.
This is DAYBREAK.
And good morning.
From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.
Now in the news, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is on a surprise visit to Iraq right now. Already he's visited Mosul, the camp where several U.S. soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber this week.
Secretary of State Colin Powell urged President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair last month to send more troops to Iraq. That's according to a report in today's "Washington Post."
Does Washington State finally have a governor elect? Maybe. A statewide hand recount puts Democrat Christine Gregoire ahead of Republican Dino Rossi. The margin? It's now 130 votes. But Republicans say the fight is not over yet.
Millions of you are expected to hit the road or hop on a plane today for the holidays but it won't be easy. Officials are cautioning travelers in areas hit hard by a fierce storm to delay getting started until some of that snow and ice is cleared.
And, jeez, Chad, that could take days.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, yes, and all of those planes that were canceled yesterday, Carol -- there were so many flights that were in and out of Cincinnati or Evansville or Indianapolis or Cleveland -- all those people now are backed up waiting for open spaces on planes that will fly today. Because your plane was canceled, you don't have priority on those planes today. The people that are booked on the planes today do. So then you have to find little open spots with five people available on this or five seats available, 10 seats available. And it is going to be a madhouse there at the airport.
One more thing. A lot of folks are going to be traveling through this region, the Ohio Valley. One thing that I will tell you today, because there are still people out there sitting on the interstate with their engines idling, trying to stay warm and stuck in closed interstates, make sure you never get below half a tank today on your gas. Stop, get it filled, then go. Stop, get it filled, then go. You don't want to be out there with a quarter tank of gas stuck for hours trying to stay warm because interstate is closed because of some, some random semi that jackknifes or rolls over or some little fender bender, for that matter, that slows you down for three or four hours.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Let's get right to Iraq, where Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is making a surprise Christmas Eve visit to U.S. troops.
Karl Penhaul live in Baghdad -- good morning, Karl.
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Carol.
Defense Secretary Rumsfeld flew in under cover of darkness to Camp Marez. That was the scene of Tuesday's bomb attack up in Mosul. He met with troops there from Task Force Olympia, took a couple of questions from them. But the main purpose of that trip was to boost morale, to shake hands and to express his gratitude for the work they were doing, we're told.
He also did say that he believed that the insurgency here in Iraq could be defeated and he described his critics as naysayers who have been present throughout the course of history.
Now, one might say that although there's little of substance, though, in terms of announcements that have come out of this trip, it is important to boost troop morale at this time of year. Also, one might suggest that it's important for Mr. Rumsfeld himself, in terms of his political image. After all, his stewardship of the war in Iraq has been under question over the last few weeks.
From Mosul, Mr. Rumsfeld moved off to Tikrit, to meet troops from the 1st Infantry Division. In the course of conversations, we have heard Mr. Rumsfeld saying that there are now 151,000 U.S. troops on the ground here in Iraq. That would indicate that the troop buildup ahead of the January 30th elections is now complete -- Carol.
COSTELLO: I know you're not there with Donald Rumsfeld, but I was just wondering if you had word of the reception that he got from the soldiers there.
PENHAUL: Typically, we're told that the groups of troops that Mr. Rumsfeld has been meeting with have been small groups of soldiers, relatively small. We understand in Tikrit he met with about 250 soldiers. And there we, from what we're hearing, the reception has been pretty warm. After all, Mr. Rumsfeld is a high ranking political dignitary and in the past he has been well liked by the troops, for what's been called his shoot from the hip style. So that is something that is appreciated by the troops -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Karl Penhaul live in Baghdad this morning.
Thank you
West of Baghdad, refugees are returning home to Falluja. About 500 of them are being allowed back to their bombed out city. They're finding that there's very little left to go back to. About 250,000 Iraqis fled Falluja before the U.S.-led assault and now as they begin to return six weeks later, guerrilla fighters holed up in houses are battling on.
Secretary of State Colin Powell has reportedly told President Bush and prime minister -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair there are not enough troops in Iraq. The "Washington Post" reports Powell's advice came last month during intense White House discussions between the two leaders. The "Post" cites people familiar with the official records of that meeting. Less than three weeks after the talks, the "Post" reports the Pentagon said it would boost U.S. military presence in Iraq by 12,000, to bring the total up to 150,000 troops serving in Iraq.
Hundreds of soldiers from Fort Bragg, North Carolina returned home from Iraq early this morning. As you might imagine, it was a wonderful Christmas gift for the troops and their families.
Reporter Gloria Lopez of our affiliate WRAL in Raleigh has more on this emotional reunion.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
GLORIA LOPEZ, WRAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): What's another hour when you've been waiting a year?
KIM STOWERS, MILITARY WIFE: It could be two more hours, it could be two more days, I'm just glad that he is coming home. I'm so glad that he'll be here soon.
LOPEZ: Deployments do that, make one lose grasp of time.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's been almost 12 months and it felt like about three years.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Yes. I miss my dad a lot.
LOPEZ: Children learn grownup lessons.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: I don't know what I would do without my dad with us, because I miss him a lot.
LOPEZ: And adults learn to be more like children.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, great. Don't get stupid emotional.
LOPEZ: But it is emotional. More than 200 soldiers home and just in time for the holidays.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's been about eight and a half months since I've seen him. He's grown up. He's grown up.
LOPEZ: What do you do when you see your kids for the first time in nearly a year? This. Sit. Touch. Cry.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's hard to catch up on a whole year's worth of stuff so we just try to take it a little bit at a time and find out what was going on and how they've been and what they've been doing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is going to be the Christmas ever.
LOPEZ (on camera): Family and friends have every reason to be excited. We are told that this is the last group of deployed soldiers that will arrive at Fort Bragg before Christmas.
Gloria Lopez, WRAL News, Fort Bragg.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: That actually brings us to our DAYBREAK E-Mail Question of the Day. What is your holiday greeting for U.S. troops? We want to know. That's daybreak@cnn.com.
If I could bring Chad in here for just a second, because I found an interesting, I guess, editorial in the "Washington Post" this morning about how the soldiers are feeling over there at Christmas time.
MYERS: Go ahead, Carol.
COSTELLO: Are you with me?
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: A lot of interesting things. He's talking to the soldiers. He was embedded over there. This is by David Ignatius. He said: "The soldiers never imagined that they would be fighting this kind of war, but they're doing it anyway, not always cheerfully, but dutifully. Some, like an Army Reserve captain I met in Kuwait, have lost their spouses through divorce during the long months of separation. Others, like a Reserve officer I met in Baghdad in July, had just started new businesses when they were called up and worry that their careers will never get back on track. As to why they're fighting, they have a number of reasons. Some say it's because of the Iraqis. Some say it's because of terrorism. But most say this. The most common sentiment you hear, which is probably the core motivation for soldiers in every war, is that they're fighting for their buddies, so they all get through it alive."
That was just so moving to me.
MYERS: It really is.
COSTELLO: So we do want your holiday greetings to the troops because they can see CNN and they do watch DAYBREAK over there. So daybreak@cnn.com.
MYERS: If you're in the airport today -- and I don't know if you will be or not, Carol -- but do me one favor. And I did it once to one soldier as he was walking into the Atlanta airport and it made me feel so amazing, and probably it made him feel amazing, because that's what was -- that was the point. Just say thank you. Whether you agree or disagree with the war, it doesn't matter. When you see those guys, they've got their backpacks on, they're getting shipped back out, just say thank you.
COSTELLO: I know. I usually salute them. And you see so many in the Atlanta airport.
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: Yes.
Thanks, Chad.
We'll get to your responses and your holiday greetings for the troops a little later on on DAYBREAK.
The Christmas snowstorm of 2004 has moved into Canada now, where it belongs. In its wake, Currier and Ives scenes are vexing travel problems. Thirty-one inches of snow piled up in Liberty, Indiana. Parts of Ohio got up to two feet. A record 16 inches in Dayton. More than 300,000 homes are without power this morning. Up to 19 inches of snow fell in the river counties of Kentucky. National Guard troops helped rescue motorists stranded in western Kentucky. It was just so nasty.
So, yes, indeed, just like the song says, the weather outside is frightful. So your trip to grandma's house isn't so easy right now.
Let's get more on the holiday travel.
Amy Wagner of CNN affiliate WLWT joins us live from Cincinnati with a look at travel today -- Amy, how's the weather today?
It's got to be bitter.
AMY WAGNER, WLWT CORRESPONDENT: I'm telling you what, though, this is the third day in a row we're dealing with the crippling effects of this storm. I'm on a cell phone here trying to talk to you because of everything that we've been going through.
Now, this is the first morning that we haven't had snow coming down. But take a look at these back roads. We're talking about inches and inches of snow and ice. And that's a lot of the big problem here is that we had snow and then we had, for probably 12 hours yesterday, inches and inches of ice, and then some more snow on top. And then earlier this morning, temperatures took a major nose dive here. We're looking at like five degrees here right now. And that means that anything that may have melted a little bit yesterday is now frozen up.
And on the interstates, that means there are huge patches of black ice out there. On these back roads, we're still seeing people getting stuck and the end isn't anywhere in sight because temperatures are going to go even lower tomorrow, on Christmas -- Carol.
COSTELLO: So, Amy, are people out and about or are they staying home longer? Do you see many people on the roads?
WAGNER: We actually have seen people on the roads, believe it or not. But the problem is once they get out there, even on the roads that are clear, then wherever they're going, the parking lots are a mess. So I can't tell you how many people we have seen stuck. And I guess the nice thing is, with this being the Christmas season, people are always out of their cars sort of pushing them, helping them. But I mean, you know, if you look at this again, you know, there is snow everywhere and I mean unless you have some really good four wheel drive, you're going to get stuck.
MYERS: Amy, this is Chad Myers up in the Weather Center.
My mother-in-law actually lives in Boone County, Kentucky there, just south of the river. And she was telling me about a code three or a class three emergency -- don't get on the road unless you have to or you'll be arrested down there.
Is that over now? Can people get out and move?
WAGNER: Chad, that is over. But I can't tell you how many problems that caused yesterday. Our airport actually had to shut down for a while because they ran out of deicer. And they ordered 13 more truckloads of deicer in. But those trucks were pulled over by the state police, who said you can't be out on the road right now. So literally hundreds, if not thousands, of people were stuck at the airport waiting for them to lift that level three snow emergency so these people could get on their planes.
COSTELLO: That's crazy.
WAGNER: I mean the rippling effects of this storm go on and on.
MYERS: What do you say to that?
COSTELLO: Well, Amy Wagner, you stay safe this morning and to all of you in...
MYERS: And stay warm.
COSTELLO: Yes, exactly. Try to stay warm, Amy.
WAGNER: We will.
COSTELLO: Thank you.
Are you planning to head out this morning for some last minute shopping? Well, you certainly will not be alone. In fact, the holiday shopping season is far from over, even though it's Christmas Eve. We'll explain why just five minutes from now. Oh, you know why, it's a tradition.
Plus, we'll take you to the biblical birthplace of Jesus. At the bottom of the hour, find out what Bethlehem is like at this holy time.
And ladies, is your doctor listening to you? Chances are the answer is no. We'll take a look at why at 49 minutes past.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Christmas Eve day.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.
It's 5:16 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is making a surprise Christmas Eve visit to see troops throughout northern Iraq. Rumsfeld first stopped in Mosul, where 14 U.S. troops died in that mess hall attack this week.
Faster updates have been ordered for the FCC's national do not call list. Starting with the new year, telemarketers must update their list every 31 days instead of every three months. More than 69 million people are listed on the do not call list.
In money news, General Motors is recalling about 700,000 minivans sold over the past seven years. A defect in the power sliding door could cause injuries to passengers. The recall includes four models from Chevrolet, Pontiac and Oldsmobile.
In culture, there is a new place to stay in Las Vegas. The Bellagio has opened its new, $375 million spa tower, which adds almost 1,000 extra rooms.
In sports, Indiana Pacers' center Jermaine O'Neal will be in the starting lineup for the team's rematch with the Detroit Pistons on Christmas Day. A federal judge has upheld an arbitrator's decision that cut O'Neal's brawl suspension from 25 games to 15 -- Chad.
MYERS: Carol, did you watch any football last night?
COSTELLO: No. What did I miss?
MYERS: Cincinnati, the Bearcats beat the thundering herd of Marshall 32-14. I couldn't believe it. Marshall had such a great start to that game and then Cincinnati whooped up on them.
Good morning, everybody.
Good morning, Cincinnati.
I hope you're getting in and out of there like your house like you should be. Watch your step, watch your shoveling and all that. Take your time.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you this morning.
Have you finished your Christmas shopping? Well, what are you waiting for? Don't worry, though.
As CNN's Allan Chernoff reports, you're certainly not alone.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's down to the wire for holiday shoppers.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I usually try to have everything done before Thanksgiving. But this year I missed that target and so I'm out last minute shopping.
CHERNOFF: But for retailers, the holiday season is not nearly finished, not even close. A growing number of shoppers are planning to spend heavily after Christmas, over 20 percent of their holiday budget, according to one survey. The quest is to get more for their money.
SCOTT KRUGMAN, NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION: Post-Christmas shopping now is more important than it's ever been in the history of retail. The main factor here is gift cards.
CHERNOFF: Gift cards, an easy solution at the last minute, are extending the shopping season. No longer perceived as the lazy man's gift, Americans are buying a record number of gift cards. It's especially important for retailers, since gift cards don't count as sales until they're cashed in.
TARA WEINER, DELOITTE & TOUCHE: A significant percentage, up to 30 percent, spend twice the face value of the gift card, a tremendous opportunity for retailers to focus on.
CHERNOFF: It's a second chance for retailers, many of whom have had a challenging holiday season, discounters in particular. Wal-Mart has said it expects sales in December may rise only 1 percent from the year ago period. Some of the money shoppers might have spent on gifts this year instead has gone to fill the gas tank -- 20 percent more expensive than last year.
KEN HICKS, PRESIDENT, J.C. PENNEY: It could take as much as $10 out of each customer's pocket per week for every car that they have. And that has an impact on what their available -- what they have available to spend for Christmas gifts.
CHERNOFF: J.C. Penney is doing better than most department stores, some of which have been struggling to meet modest sales targets of gains in the low single digits. But upscale stores like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Sak's, whose customers barely feel the pinch of higher gas prices, are filled with the cheer of ringing cash registers.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: That was CNN's Allan Chernoff.
A recent survey of shoppers says that more than 50 percent of people will take advantage of after Christmas sales to buy what they really wanted but did not get.
An update for you on the situation in Iraq. We told that Donald Rumsfeld, the defense secretary, made a surprise visit to troops in Mosul. We understand he has now visited Falluja and he is now away from that city.
We'll keep you posted on where else the defense secretary travels this morning.
While you prowl the malls for that perfect gift, have you thought about this popular pet? Yes, that one. I thought you would remember your Chia pet this year. More on this Christmas classis just ahead.
You are watching DAYBREAK for a Friday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Time for our DAYBREAK "Eye Opener."
It was good news and bad news for the Santa Claus wannabes. More than 2,600 Santa bikers showed up near Birmingham, England to raise money for charity. That's the good news. But the bad news is they fell 53 Santas short of breaking the official world record for Santa bikers.
MYERS: Carol, I think some of those were copycats from the flying Elvises.
COSTELLO: Oh, you think so?
MYERS: I think so. I recognized them as the flying Elvises.
COSTELLO: Maybe you're right. Who knows?
Commuters in South Korea are getting in the holiday spirit thanks to their subway trains. The trains and stations have been adorned with special holiday decorations, as you can see. Santa stand-ins have even been hired to ride along to entertain kids on the trains. Some of the specially decorated trains will keep running until late February. You've got to wonder if that would work in the United States. MYERS: Somebody would steal his hat.
COSTELLO: Someone would probably beat one of those people up.
MYERS: Yes, exactly.
COSTELLO: The classic gift this Christmas may have a one time, have at one time been on par with a pet rock. But millions of customers have kept their Chia pets for 22 years.
MYERS: Cha, cha, cha Chia.
COSTELLO: Cha, cha...
MYERS: Cha, cha, cha Chia.
COSTELLO: There are more than a dozen styles of Chia, or is it Chias or is it Chian? I don't know. Whatever. What's the poor old Chia, Chad?
MYERS: Chia, Chia.
COSTELLO: Chia. Just Chia.
Anyway, they have a lot of kinds of Chias, a Homer Simpson Chia, Scooby Doo Chia and the classic pet and kitten styles.
Have you ever gotten a Chia pet?
MYERS: You know, I did get a Chia gift. It wasn't a Chia pet. It was the Chia herb garden.
COSTELLO: Did it prove useful?
MYERS: These tiny little terra cotta pots about the size of a shot glass and you had to put little foam in there then plant the little seeds and then you got like basil and, I don't know, a couple others, like tarragon.
COSTELLO: Did they grow?
MYERS: They grew. And then I didn't water it and it died.
COSTELLO: I know, I got a Chia sheep and you really do have to keep it moistened or that stuff just dries in there like hard clay.
MYERS: Yes, if you don't water it, it's going to go baaaaad.
COSTELLO: It's a good thing not many people are watching this morning.
MYERS: Probably.
COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.
MYERS: You're welcome. COSTELLO: Here's what's all new in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.
A holiday surprise for troops in Iraq. Donald Rumsfeld shows up to spread a little holiday cheer.
Plus, Christmas in Bethlehem. With new hopes for peace in the Middle East, what's been the effect on tourism in the place where Jesus was born?
And a reminder, our E-mail Question of the Day. What is your holiday greeting for U.S. troops? We're going to read some of them on the air, because, you know, we're broadcast over there in the Middle East, in Kuwait and in Iraq. So send your holiday greetings to the troops to daybreak@cnn.com. That's daybreak@cnn.com.
We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Good morning to you.
Welcome to the second half hour of DAYBREAK.
From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.
Now in the news, Donald Rumsfeld told U.S. troops in Iraq today that the insurgency there will be defeated.
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Aired December 24, 2004 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Straight ahead on DAYBREAK on this Christmas Eve, it's a warm father and son reunion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The long wait is over for the families of more than 200 soldiers who served in Iraq.
Plus, the cradle of Christianity -- the faithful return to Bethlehem.
And have you finished your holiday shopping? We'll get a look at the last minute crunch.
It is Friday, Christmas Eve, December 24.
This is DAYBREAK.
And good morning.
From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.
Now in the news, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is on a surprise visit to Iraq right now. Already he's visited Mosul, the camp where several U.S. soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber this week.
Secretary of State Colin Powell urged President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair last month to send more troops to Iraq. That's according to a report in today's "Washington Post."
Does Washington State finally have a governor elect? Maybe. A statewide hand recount puts Democrat Christine Gregoire ahead of Republican Dino Rossi. The margin? It's now 130 votes. But Republicans say the fight is not over yet.
Millions of you are expected to hit the road or hop on a plane today for the holidays but it won't be easy. Officials are cautioning travelers in areas hit hard by a fierce storm to delay getting started until some of that snow and ice is cleared.
And, jeez, Chad, that could take days.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, yes, and all of those planes that were canceled yesterday, Carol -- there were so many flights that were in and out of Cincinnati or Evansville or Indianapolis or Cleveland -- all those people now are backed up waiting for open spaces on planes that will fly today. Because your plane was canceled, you don't have priority on those planes today. The people that are booked on the planes today do. So then you have to find little open spots with five people available on this or five seats available, 10 seats available. And it is going to be a madhouse there at the airport.
One more thing. A lot of folks are going to be traveling through this region, the Ohio Valley. One thing that I will tell you today, because there are still people out there sitting on the interstate with their engines idling, trying to stay warm and stuck in closed interstates, make sure you never get below half a tank today on your gas. Stop, get it filled, then go. Stop, get it filled, then go. You don't want to be out there with a quarter tank of gas stuck for hours trying to stay warm because interstate is closed because of some, some random semi that jackknifes or rolls over or some little fender bender, for that matter, that slows you down for three or four hours.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Let's get right to Iraq, where Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is making a surprise Christmas Eve visit to U.S. troops.
Karl Penhaul live in Baghdad -- good morning, Karl.
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Carol.
Defense Secretary Rumsfeld flew in under cover of darkness to Camp Marez. That was the scene of Tuesday's bomb attack up in Mosul. He met with troops there from Task Force Olympia, took a couple of questions from them. But the main purpose of that trip was to boost morale, to shake hands and to express his gratitude for the work they were doing, we're told.
He also did say that he believed that the insurgency here in Iraq could be defeated and he described his critics as naysayers who have been present throughout the course of history.
Now, one might say that although there's little of substance, though, in terms of announcements that have come out of this trip, it is important to boost troop morale at this time of year. Also, one might suggest that it's important for Mr. Rumsfeld himself, in terms of his political image. After all, his stewardship of the war in Iraq has been under question over the last few weeks.
From Mosul, Mr. Rumsfeld moved off to Tikrit, to meet troops from the 1st Infantry Division. In the course of conversations, we have heard Mr. Rumsfeld saying that there are now 151,000 U.S. troops on the ground here in Iraq. That would indicate that the troop buildup ahead of the January 30th elections is now complete -- Carol.
COSTELLO: I know you're not there with Donald Rumsfeld, but I was just wondering if you had word of the reception that he got from the soldiers there.
PENHAUL: Typically, we're told that the groups of troops that Mr. Rumsfeld has been meeting with have been small groups of soldiers, relatively small. We understand in Tikrit he met with about 250 soldiers. And there we, from what we're hearing, the reception has been pretty warm. After all, Mr. Rumsfeld is a high ranking political dignitary and in the past he has been well liked by the troops, for what's been called his shoot from the hip style. So that is something that is appreciated by the troops -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Karl Penhaul live in Baghdad this morning.
Thank you
West of Baghdad, refugees are returning home to Falluja. About 500 of them are being allowed back to their bombed out city. They're finding that there's very little left to go back to. About 250,000 Iraqis fled Falluja before the U.S.-led assault and now as they begin to return six weeks later, guerrilla fighters holed up in houses are battling on.
Secretary of State Colin Powell has reportedly told President Bush and prime minister -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair there are not enough troops in Iraq. The "Washington Post" reports Powell's advice came last month during intense White House discussions between the two leaders. The "Post" cites people familiar with the official records of that meeting. Less than three weeks after the talks, the "Post" reports the Pentagon said it would boost U.S. military presence in Iraq by 12,000, to bring the total up to 150,000 troops serving in Iraq.
Hundreds of soldiers from Fort Bragg, North Carolina returned home from Iraq early this morning. As you might imagine, it was a wonderful Christmas gift for the troops and their families.
Reporter Gloria Lopez of our affiliate WRAL in Raleigh has more on this emotional reunion.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
GLORIA LOPEZ, WRAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): What's another hour when you've been waiting a year?
KIM STOWERS, MILITARY WIFE: It could be two more hours, it could be two more days, I'm just glad that he is coming home. I'm so glad that he'll be here soon.
LOPEZ: Deployments do that, make one lose grasp of time.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's been almost 12 months and it felt like about three years.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Yes. I miss my dad a lot.
LOPEZ: Children learn grownup lessons.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: I don't know what I would do without my dad with us, because I miss him a lot.
LOPEZ: And adults learn to be more like children.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, great. Don't get stupid emotional.
LOPEZ: But it is emotional. More than 200 soldiers home and just in time for the holidays.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's been about eight and a half months since I've seen him. He's grown up. He's grown up.
LOPEZ: What do you do when you see your kids for the first time in nearly a year? This. Sit. Touch. Cry.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's hard to catch up on a whole year's worth of stuff so we just try to take it a little bit at a time and find out what was going on and how they've been and what they've been doing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is going to be the Christmas ever.
LOPEZ (on camera): Family and friends have every reason to be excited. We are told that this is the last group of deployed soldiers that will arrive at Fort Bragg before Christmas.
Gloria Lopez, WRAL News, Fort Bragg.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: That actually brings us to our DAYBREAK E-Mail Question of the Day. What is your holiday greeting for U.S. troops? We want to know. That's daybreak@cnn.com.
If I could bring Chad in here for just a second, because I found an interesting, I guess, editorial in the "Washington Post" this morning about how the soldiers are feeling over there at Christmas time.
MYERS: Go ahead, Carol.
COSTELLO: Are you with me?
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: A lot of interesting things. He's talking to the soldiers. He was embedded over there. This is by David Ignatius. He said: "The soldiers never imagined that they would be fighting this kind of war, but they're doing it anyway, not always cheerfully, but dutifully. Some, like an Army Reserve captain I met in Kuwait, have lost their spouses through divorce during the long months of separation. Others, like a Reserve officer I met in Baghdad in July, had just started new businesses when they were called up and worry that their careers will never get back on track. As to why they're fighting, they have a number of reasons. Some say it's because of the Iraqis. Some say it's because of terrorism. But most say this. The most common sentiment you hear, which is probably the core motivation for soldiers in every war, is that they're fighting for their buddies, so they all get through it alive."
That was just so moving to me.
MYERS: It really is.
COSTELLO: So we do want your holiday greetings to the troops because they can see CNN and they do watch DAYBREAK over there. So daybreak@cnn.com.
MYERS: If you're in the airport today -- and I don't know if you will be or not, Carol -- but do me one favor. And I did it once to one soldier as he was walking into the Atlanta airport and it made me feel so amazing, and probably it made him feel amazing, because that's what was -- that was the point. Just say thank you. Whether you agree or disagree with the war, it doesn't matter. When you see those guys, they've got their backpacks on, they're getting shipped back out, just say thank you.
COSTELLO: I know. I usually salute them. And you see so many in the Atlanta airport.
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: Yes.
Thanks, Chad.
We'll get to your responses and your holiday greetings for the troops a little later on on DAYBREAK.
The Christmas snowstorm of 2004 has moved into Canada now, where it belongs. In its wake, Currier and Ives scenes are vexing travel problems. Thirty-one inches of snow piled up in Liberty, Indiana. Parts of Ohio got up to two feet. A record 16 inches in Dayton. More than 300,000 homes are without power this morning. Up to 19 inches of snow fell in the river counties of Kentucky. National Guard troops helped rescue motorists stranded in western Kentucky. It was just so nasty.
So, yes, indeed, just like the song says, the weather outside is frightful. So your trip to grandma's house isn't so easy right now.
Let's get more on the holiday travel.
Amy Wagner of CNN affiliate WLWT joins us live from Cincinnati with a look at travel today -- Amy, how's the weather today?
It's got to be bitter.
AMY WAGNER, WLWT CORRESPONDENT: I'm telling you what, though, this is the third day in a row we're dealing with the crippling effects of this storm. I'm on a cell phone here trying to talk to you because of everything that we've been going through.
Now, this is the first morning that we haven't had snow coming down. But take a look at these back roads. We're talking about inches and inches of snow and ice. And that's a lot of the big problem here is that we had snow and then we had, for probably 12 hours yesterday, inches and inches of ice, and then some more snow on top. And then earlier this morning, temperatures took a major nose dive here. We're looking at like five degrees here right now. And that means that anything that may have melted a little bit yesterday is now frozen up.
And on the interstates, that means there are huge patches of black ice out there. On these back roads, we're still seeing people getting stuck and the end isn't anywhere in sight because temperatures are going to go even lower tomorrow, on Christmas -- Carol.
COSTELLO: So, Amy, are people out and about or are they staying home longer? Do you see many people on the roads?
WAGNER: We actually have seen people on the roads, believe it or not. But the problem is once they get out there, even on the roads that are clear, then wherever they're going, the parking lots are a mess. So I can't tell you how many people we have seen stuck. And I guess the nice thing is, with this being the Christmas season, people are always out of their cars sort of pushing them, helping them. But I mean, you know, if you look at this again, you know, there is snow everywhere and I mean unless you have some really good four wheel drive, you're going to get stuck.
MYERS: Amy, this is Chad Myers up in the Weather Center.
My mother-in-law actually lives in Boone County, Kentucky there, just south of the river. And she was telling me about a code three or a class three emergency -- don't get on the road unless you have to or you'll be arrested down there.
Is that over now? Can people get out and move?
WAGNER: Chad, that is over. But I can't tell you how many problems that caused yesterday. Our airport actually had to shut down for a while because they ran out of deicer. And they ordered 13 more truckloads of deicer in. But those trucks were pulled over by the state police, who said you can't be out on the road right now. So literally hundreds, if not thousands, of people were stuck at the airport waiting for them to lift that level three snow emergency so these people could get on their planes.
COSTELLO: That's crazy.
WAGNER: I mean the rippling effects of this storm go on and on.
MYERS: What do you say to that?
COSTELLO: Well, Amy Wagner, you stay safe this morning and to all of you in...
MYERS: And stay warm.
COSTELLO: Yes, exactly. Try to stay warm, Amy.
WAGNER: We will.
COSTELLO: Thank you.
Are you planning to head out this morning for some last minute shopping? Well, you certainly will not be alone. In fact, the holiday shopping season is far from over, even though it's Christmas Eve. We'll explain why just five minutes from now. Oh, you know why, it's a tradition.
Plus, we'll take you to the biblical birthplace of Jesus. At the bottom of the hour, find out what Bethlehem is like at this holy time.
And ladies, is your doctor listening to you? Chances are the answer is no. We'll take a look at why at 49 minutes past.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Christmas Eve day.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.
It's 5:16 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is making a surprise Christmas Eve visit to see troops throughout northern Iraq. Rumsfeld first stopped in Mosul, where 14 U.S. troops died in that mess hall attack this week.
Faster updates have been ordered for the FCC's national do not call list. Starting with the new year, telemarketers must update their list every 31 days instead of every three months. More than 69 million people are listed on the do not call list.
In money news, General Motors is recalling about 700,000 minivans sold over the past seven years. A defect in the power sliding door could cause injuries to passengers. The recall includes four models from Chevrolet, Pontiac and Oldsmobile.
In culture, there is a new place to stay in Las Vegas. The Bellagio has opened its new, $375 million spa tower, which adds almost 1,000 extra rooms.
In sports, Indiana Pacers' center Jermaine O'Neal will be in the starting lineup for the team's rematch with the Detroit Pistons on Christmas Day. A federal judge has upheld an arbitrator's decision that cut O'Neal's brawl suspension from 25 games to 15 -- Chad.
MYERS: Carol, did you watch any football last night?
COSTELLO: No. What did I miss?
MYERS: Cincinnati, the Bearcats beat the thundering herd of Marshall 32-14. I couldn't believe it. Marshall had such a great start to that game and then Cincinnati whooped up on them.
Good morning, everybody.
Good morning, Cincinnati.
I hope you're getting in and out of there like your house like you should be. Watch your step, watch your shoveling and all that. Take your time.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you this morning.
Have you finished your Christmas shopping? Well, what are you waiting for? Don't worry, though.
As CNN's Allan Chernoff reports, you're certainly not alone.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's down to the wire for holiday shoppers.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I usually try to have everything done before Thanksgiving. But this year I missed that target and so I'm out last minute shopping.
CHERNOFF: But for retailers, the holiday season is not nearly finished, not even close. A growing number of shoppers are planning to spend heavily after Christmas, over 20 percent of their holiday budget, according to one survey. The quest is to get more for their money.
SCOTT KRUGMAN, NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION: Post-Christmas shopping now is more important than it's ever been in the history of retail. The main factor here is gift cards.
CHERNOFF: Gift cards, an easy solution at the last minute, are extending the shopping season. No longer perceived as the lazy man's gift, Americans are buying a record number of gift cards. It's especially important for retailers, since gift cards don't count as sales until they're cashed in.
TARA WEINER, DELOITTE & TOUCHE: A significant percentage, up to 30 percent, spend twice the face value of the gift card, a tremendous opportunity for retailers to focus on.
CHERNOFF: It's a second chance for retailers, many of whom have had a challenging holiday season, discounters in particular. Wal-Mart has said it expects sales in December may rise only 1 percent from the year ago period. Some of the money shoppers might have spent on gifts this year instead has gone to fill the gas tank -- 20 percent more expensive than last year.
KEN HICKS, PRESIDENT, J.C. PENNEY: It could take as much as $10 out of each customer's pocket per week for every car that they have. And that has an impact on what their available -- what they have available to spend for Christmas gifts.
CHERNOFF: J.C. Penney is doing better than most department stores, some of which have been struggling to meet modest sales targets of gains in the low single digits. But upscale stores like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Sak's, whose customers barely feel the pinch of higher gas prices, are filled with the cheer of ringing cash registers.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: That was CNN's Allan Chernoff.
A recent survey of shoppers says that more than 50 percent of people will take advantage of after Christmas sales to buy what they really wanted but did not get.
An update for you on the situation in Iraq. We told that Donald Rumsfeld, the defense secretary, made a surprise visit to troops in Mosul. We understand he has now visited Falluja and he is now away from that city.
We'll keep you posted on where else the defense secretary travels this morning.
While you prowl the malls for that perfect gift, have you thought about this popular pet? Yes, that one. I thought you would remember your Chia pet this year. More on this Christmas classis just ahead.
You are watching DAYBREAK for a Friday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Time for our DAYBREAK "Eye Opener."
It was good news and bad news for the Santa Claus wannabes. More than 2,600 Santa bikers showed up near Birmingham, England to raise money for charity. That's the good news. But the bad news is they fell 53 Santas short of breaking the official world record for Santa bikers.
MYERS: Carol, I think some of those were copycats from the flying Elvises.
COSTELLO: Oh, you think so?
MYERS: I think so. I recognized them as the flying Elvises.
COSTELLO: Maybe you're right. Who knows?
Commuters in South Korea are getting in the holiday spirit thanks to their subway trains. The trains and stations have been adorned with special holiday decorations, as you can see. Santa stand-ins have even been hired to ride along to entertain kids on the trains. Some of the specially decorated trains will keep running until late February. You've got to wonder if that would work in the United States. MYERS: Somebody would steal his hat.
COSTELLO: Someone would probably beat one of those people up.
MYERS: Yes, exactly.
COSTELLO: The classic gift this Christmas may have a one time, have at one time been on par with a pet rock. But millions of customers have kept their Chia pets for 22 years.
MYERS: Cha, cha, cha Chia.
COSTELLO: Cha, cha...
MYERS: Cha, cha, cha Chia.
COSTELLO: There are more than a dozen styles of Chia, or is it Chias or is it Chian? I don't know. Whatever. What's the poor old Chia, Chad?
MYERS: Chia, Chia.
COSTELLO: Chia. Just Chia.
Anyway, they have a lot of kinds of Chias, a Homer Simpson Chia, Scooby Doo Chia and the classic pet and kitten styles.
Have you ever gotten a Chia pet?
MYERS: You know, I did get a Chia gift. It wasn't a Chia pet. It was the Chia herb garden.
COSTELLO: Did it prove useful?
MYERS: These tiny little terra cotta pots about the size of a shot glass and you had to put little foam in there then plant the little seeds and then you got like basil and, I don't know, a couple others, like tarragon.
COSTELLO: Did they grow?
MYERS: They grew. And then I didn't water it and it died.
COSTELLO: I know, I got a Chia sheep and you really do have to keep it moistened or that stuff just dries in there like hard clay.
MYERS: Yes, if you don't water it, it's going to go baaaaad.
COSTELLO: It's a good thing not many people are watching this morning.
MYERS: Probably.
COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.
MYERS: You're welcome. COSTELLO: Here's what's all new in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.
A holiday surprise for troops in Iraq. Donald Rumsfeld shows up to spread a little holiday cheer.
Plus, Christmas in Bethlehem. With new hopes for peace in the Middle East, what's been the effect on tourism in the place where Jesus was born?
And a reminder, our E-mail Question of the Day. What is your holiday greeting for U.S. troops? We're going to read some of them on the air, because, you know, we're broadcast over there in the Middle East, in Kuwait and in Iraq. So send your holiday greetings to the troops to daybreak@cnn.com. That's daybreak@cnn.com.
We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Good morning to you.
Welcome to the second half hour of DAYBREAK.
From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.
Now in the news, Donald Rumsfeld told U.S. troops in Iraq today that the insurgency there will be defeated.
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