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CNN Live At Daybreak

Signs of Life?; 'War Room'; Red Meat Risks?; Angle on Airfares

Aired January 12, 2005 - 05:30   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.


KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, and welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Kelly Wallace in today for Carol Costello.
"Now in the News," Iraqi interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi is acknowledging this for the first time, he says some areas of Iraq may be too dangerous for Iraqis to get to the polls to vote in national elections on January 30. Thirteen Iraqis were killed in two bombings on Tuesday.

Attorneys for entertainer Michael Jackson want today's hearing closed to the public and the media. Today's hearing will focus on whether to admit evidence of prior sexual offenses. Michael Jackson's trial scheduled to start January 31.

In Philadelphia, Mississippi, a bond hearing later this morning for Edgar Ray Killen. The former Klansman was indicted last week in the 1964 murders of three civil rights workers. He has pleaded not guilty.

And in the West, yet another winter storm drops more snow in the Sierra Nevada in northern California. Some areas are now digging out from more than 21 feet. Emergency officials are warning residents to clear off roofs and decks, which could collapse under the weight.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You bet you.

WALLACE: You got it, Chad. Looking out to you, any idea of when the worst will be over for the folks in California?

MYERS: Yesterday about 8:00 it stopped.

WALLACE: Good. It's good then.

MYERS: So it's done. There's nothing out there at all now. It is perfect skiing conditions, but it is also perfect avalanche weather. Have to worry about that as well.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WALLACE: All right, Chad, talk to you in a few minutes.

MYERS: All right.

WALLACE: Thanks so much.

MYERS: You bet. WALLACE: It has been two days since a massive mudslide engulfed homes in the California coastal community of La Conchita, and searchers are still digging through the 30 foot mound of mud looking for possible survivors. At least 6 people are dead, another 13 are missing, 3 of them young children. More than 600 rescue workers are involved, some of them digging through the mud with their hands.

Also, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger gets a first-hand look at the devastation later this morning.

As searchers dig through the mud, they're also listening for signs of life and still holding out hope.

Willa Sandmeyer from our Los Angeles affiliate KTLA has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WILLA SANDMEYER, KTLA-TV REPORTER (voice-over): Throughout the day, search and rescue teams carefully sifted through the tangle of earth, crushed homes and vehicles looking for the missing. The massive landslide happened without warning Monday afternoon, burring a stretch of Vista Del Rincon Drive in this seaside community.

In this mountain of earth are not only homes and vehicles, but also, hope anxious relatives, survivors. Family members waited and watched the rescue operation, desperately hoping that loved ones somehow had survived.

One man, frantic to learn about his family, was tackled by deputies for trying to make his way into the scene. His name is Jimmy Wallet (ph). Authorities later allowed him in. Friends say his wife, Michelle (ph), and his three daughters, the youngest age 2, may be beneath the rubble.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A loving family. Absolutely loving family. Five girls, and the couple have been together for years, ever since they were kids. And everybody that I knew loved them.

SANDMEYER: The search teams here are still hoping to find survivors. At different times, they stop and stand quietly, listening for what could be the sound of life below. They use sensitive listening devices that can detect a heartbeat at a depth of 20 feet.

UNIDENTIFIED FIREMAN: It's very deliberate, it's very slow in that sense, but we are making progress. And, like I say, we are hopeful we're going to find some survivors in there.

The careful and laborious search and rescue effort means an agonizing wait for Jimmy Wallet. A friend offers a comforting hug. Another friend says he spent time digging near where Wallet's home had been and says he found the family dog. It did not survive.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I found a little pocket, actually, where I found the dog and...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dharma (ph)? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is she alive?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No. And they're thinking the kids were somewhere around there.

SANDMEYER: Shortly after 2:00 in the afternoon, a woman's body was recovered from this landslide. And before the afternoon was over, another body found as well.

But here, rescue crews still optimistic that someone may be found alive.

UNIDENTIFIED FIREMAN: Listening devices did pick up faint sounds in the rubble pile. That's a positive indicator to us that there may be somebody, something making a noise down in the rubble pile. So that's the reason why we're not giving up hope.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: Still holding out hope in California.

That was Willa Sandmeyer of our Los Angeles affiliate KTLA.

Floods, mudslides, blizzards, it has been a season of dangerous weather across the United States. What is going on and why? CNN's Aaron Brown explores those questions in "EXTREME WEATHER, A NEWSNIGHT SPECIAL EDITION." That's tonight at 10:00 p.m. Eastern.

Now to "The Fight for Iraq."

Washington's hunt for biological, chemical and nuclear weapons in Iraq is reportedly over. The top CIA weapons hunter and his analysts are home. All this is according to "The Washington Post" today. "The Post" reports the end came very quietly, nearly two years after President Bush ordered the attack on Iraq.

Here's what the president's stated goal was back then.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're making progress. We will stay on task until we have achieved our objective, which is to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction and free the Iraqi people so they can live in a society that is hopeful and democratic and at peace in this neighborhood.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Fast forward to the present and not much is being said at all about the weapons of mass destruction part of the president's objective.

Here's how Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld states the mission now in Iraq. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: This has been the coalition's goal: an Iraq run by Iraqis and secured by Iraqi security forces. The Iraqi people and their interim government are making progress in that direction, although there is still a distance to go.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And this an issue for "The War Room" here on DAYBREAK. Joining us live from Atlanta, CNN's senior international editor David Clinch.

David, good to see you. Question for you, are you expecting any outrage that the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, it appears, according to "The Washington Post," is officially over?

DAVID CLINCH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Yes, that's a very good question, Kelly. "The Washington Post" reporting that Charles Dulfer and his Iraqi survey group gave up the search for weapons of mass destruction about a month ago, returned to Washington and are compiling a report which will be issued later in this year.

The outrage question, it's hard to know. I mean, really, I think most people believe and have understood that weapons of mass destruction would not be found in Iraq. President Bush himself has stated that in a general sense a number of times. The question, of course, of whether the fact that this search has ended and was not publicized, at least until now, that might create some questions.

And of course then the other question, lingering question, is how much this search cost? Hundreds of millions of dollars allocated to this search, and to this point, no clear description of exactly how much money was spent and how it was used. So perhaps some outrage.

But again, as you heard from Secretary Rumsfeld now, there is now not two issues for Iraq but one issue for the Bush administration and that is freeing Iraq and the continuing process as the elections approach of going from what was the tyranny of Saddam Hussein to a free Iraq run by Iraqis. And that, of course, means more money, more U.S. lives of the troops over there and more time. That's really the issue that's at hand. The resolve that is required to carry through that one remaining goal is going to be very interesting.

And I think, you know my young son, a 6-year-old little boy, said to me yesterday, daddy, is the war in Iraq still going on? And I said yes, it is still going on. And he said that is taking an awfully long time. And really, when you think about it, that is what I think a lot of Americans are thinking right now. They very much, especially the U.S. troops on the ground, believe in the stated goal of the free Iraq and handing Iraq back to the Iraqi people, but time, money and U.S. lives are the issues that will be faced by the Bush administration going forward.

WALLACE: Also, David, what do you make of the Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi saying, for the first time yesterday, that parts of the country not really able to be secure for people to go to the polls on January 30? That's got to be a problem for the Bush administration.

CLINCH: It is a problem. Allawi, of course in many ways, stating the obvious. He said that for the first time definitively yesterday that many other Iraqi officials and U.S. military officials have been saying that for some time. Not saying that the vote will not happen at all in those pockets, and in fact not even really identifying those pockets, although it stands to reason that some areas are just too violent for an election to happen right now. But still very much an issue of when an election can happen in all parts of Iraq.

And if it doesn't happen in all parts of Iraq, will it be valid? So we'll know soon. The end of this month the elections happen and then we'll see how long it takes for those votes to happen in those other areas over a period of time after that.

WALLACE: Lots to watch. David Clinch, CNN's senior international editor. Thanks so much, David, great to see you as always.

Coming up next on DAYBREAK, is too much red meat a bad thing for you? We have some answers. Our registered dietitian stops by. We'll be right back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: Your news, money, weather and sports. It is about 44 minutes after the hour. And here is what is all new this morning.

Rescuers have been using their hands to dig through thick mud and debris in search of survivors of the mudslide in La Conchita, California. Six people are confirmed dead, 13 others still missing.

The FBI is worried about the growing number of incidents of laser beams being pointed at planes. It is happening all across the country. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta is expected to announce new measures today, including steps pilots should take if their cockpit is flashed by a laser.

In money, fans of the hit TV show "The Apprentice" can set sail with cast members on a September cruise to the Caribbean. There will be onboard competitions just like those you see on the show. And the big winner gets to spend a day as CEO of Expedia.com, plus $15,000 and other perks.

In culture, no "Simple Life" in south Jersey. A school district there says no to the Fox Television reality series. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie were to work as substitute teachers and cafeteria monitors, but parents protested and said no way to that.

In sports, Boston pitcher Derek Lowe is headed west. The L.A. Dodgers have finalized the deal with the free agent pitcher. Lowe will get $36 million over four years.

Time for weather now. Chad Myers in Atlanta.

And, Chad, finally some relief for people out West.

MYERS: You know, Kelly, I don't think people actually believed it.

WALLACE: I don't know that they do.

MYERS: So I put the radar up for California just to show them. There is nothing on there. Finally, finally after -- I mean we were talking about rain before the Rose Bowl and how swampy the Rose Bowl was going to be, and that was still back in 2004 it was raining. It's been raining every day in January. Finally done today, though, and the rain has moved to the east.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WALLACE: All right, Chad.

Those the headlines.

Now to some health news. Some new research may have you thinking twice about biting into that juicy steak.

Registered dietitian Lisa Drayer is here with some new information that could be a challenge for those of you on low carb diets.

Lisa, it sounds like you're going to say bad news for those following those low carb diets.

LISA DRAYER, REGISTERED DIETITIAN: You got that right, Kelly.

One of the things that people like about low carb diets is that technically you can eat red meat. Well a new study from the American Cancer Society suggests you may want to avoid red meat, that is if you want to reduce your risk for colorectal cancer.

Let's take a look at some of the findings now.

The study involved 150,00 adults aged 50 to 74 years. So researchers asked individuals about their meat intake during two different time periods 10 years apart. And then they went on to measure cancer incidents.

Well they found that those who consumed a high intake of red and processed meat during these two time periods, which was before their diagnosis, had a 30 to 50 percent higher risk of colorectal cancer compared to those who consumed little or no red or processed meat.

Now just to give you an idea of how high was defined, it was defined as at least three ounces of red meat for men each day or two ounces for women. And this is what three ounces looks like, not very big.

WALLACE: Not very big. Some people have a burger every day. DRAYER: Exactly. And for processed meat, which included a bacon and lunch meat and sausages, we're talking one ounce. That was the high level. One ounce per day, five to six days per week for men; one ounce, two to three days for women.

WALLACE: (INAUDIBLE) why increased amounts of red meat increasing your risk for colorectal cancer, do we know?

DRAYER: You know it's a really interesting question, and the study didn't look at actual mechanisms, but there are a few proposed theories. One is that the saturated fat content in meat is high and previous research has suggested a link here.

Another theory is that processed meats contain nitrates which can get converted to carcinogens in the body. So this can be another cause.

Also there's a theory that cooking red meat at very high temperatures for long periods of time causes the formation of carcinogens known as heterocyclic amines. We talked about this, and we've done grilling segments, but basically these are carcinogens and they can potentially increase the risk for cancer once they're in the body.

WALLACE: Overall, everything in moderation. So a little bit of red meat is OK?

DRAYER: A little bit is OK. Researchers aren't saying that we have to completely eliminate red meat from the diet, limit it.

Also, replace red meat with leaner sources of protein. For example, poultry, fish. This was not associated with increased risk. In fact, it was a slight decreased risk among those who ate more fish and poultry.

Also, plant sources of protein, like nuts, is a good alternative. Also, fruits and vegetables important sources of antioxidants and phytochemicals, which can help to detoxify carcinogens in the body. Maintaining a health body weight and being physically active. Not being a healthy body weight and inactivity is associated with an even higher risk for colorectal cancer.

WALLACE: All right, important information, Lisa Drayer, for viewers out there. Thanks so much. Great to see you, and we'll see you next hour with even more.

DRAYER: Thank you. Yes.

WALLACE: And we'll be right back. Much more here on Wednesday's edition of DAYBREAK.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: You can say the airline industry is all shook up over Delta's plan to cut fares. Most of the other major airlines have matched Delta's fares on routes they share. But there seems to be a better deal for business travelers than it is for consumers. So the question, are fares really lower or is this just another gimmick?

For that we turn to DAYBREAK contributor Ali Velshi.

Ali, what's the answer?

ALI VELSHI, CNN DAYBREAK CONTRIBUTOR: Well, I've got to tell you, I have to say I love business travelers, because what's happened is airline fares have become so cheap for the rest of us in the last few years that the only way the airlines make any money at all, and they don't make much, is from the business traveler who pays a lot more because they buy tickets at the last minute or they make changes and things like that.

And there's a real discrepancy between the travel I do in my personal life and the travel I do for business. Because when we travel for business, you know this because you travel more than I do,...

WALLACE: Yes.

VELSHI: ... you've got to go when you've got to go and you pay whatever the fare is.

Well Delta announced last week they're making some changes that sound very appealing off the top, but they really are geared at the business traveler.

Now I just, as an example, did a flight recently from New York to Los Angeles and it was on Delta. And they had a big sign up to say you can buy an upgrade to first class for $125 bucks. And I thought that's fantastic. And I went up and they said not on your fare because you're on a T (ph) fare or something, because there were 15 different fares.

I plugged in New York to Los Angeles, Friday, January 21, returning Saturday, January 22, one day, no Saturday night stay. That used to be where you got burned, right?

WALLACE: I used to -- exactly, unless you stayed overnight, you were going to pay.

VELSHI: You were going to pay a lot of money.

WALLACE: Yes.

VELSHI: So I looked at all the online Web sites and the Web sites of the airlines and this is what I came up with.

United, American, Delta and US Air had nonstops for $306 to $313, all almost identical. Continental a little higher at $393 bucks. And JetBlue $207. And I flew JetBlue the other day, quite a fun experience, actually.

WALLACE: You can watch CNN while you fly.

VELSHI: You can watch CNN while you're flying in a comfortable seat.

Now let's talk about what these new fares do. They are better for the business traveler than for the leisure traveler because it doesn't drop our fares by very much.

On Delta they're lowering the change fees from $100 to $50. The other airlines have not followed suit on that. There is no Saturday night stay required.

Now here's a couple things that they are doing in order to keep those costs low. On January 31, Delta is cutting the flight attendants on some flighs.

WALLACE: Really?

VELSHI: Yes, you know if it was an international flight and there were 10 flight attendants, it's going down to 9, which is never really fantastic for those of us who travel. But here's the one, domestic crews don't get food on the plane on short flights anymore. They have got to bring their own food. Feed the pilots.

WALLACE: The pilots don't get food?

VELSHI: Yes, you know what, take two bucks more out of my ticket. Feed the pilot. They have to get their own food.

WALLACE: That's amazing.

VELSHI: Yes, that's not a change I'm sort of in to. Keep the flight attendant, keep the pilot.

WALLACE: Keep the pilots happy, I think that's...

VELSHI: Do something else.

WALLACE: Yes, exactly.

Does it seem that though when you have these new fare deals that there's always a hitch, you can only fly, like you said, no Saturday travel required, so that's clear.

VELSHI: I've got to say...

WALLACE: But is it so many restrictions you can't really benefit?

VELSHI: You know you can't figure it out because there are different fares for different times. It's not clear. It's not like everybody sitting on every flight is going to be paying the same price.

But what you're seeing is the big airlines starting to match the small airlines. The JetBlues or the profitable ones, like Southwest, and they're starting to get into the same range of fares. I think you're going to see the average leisure fare go up a little bit, the average business fare come down, but there might just be more consistency.

WALLACE: All right. And next hour, talk about frequent flyer programs.

VELSHI: Absolutely.

WALLACE: All right, we'll see you then.

You won't want to miss the next hour of DAYBREAK. We will update you on Charles Graner's court martial. You will hear how detainees at Iraq's Abu Ghraib Prison describe Graner's actions.

And do you want professional help with your diet? We'll have tips on how to choose the right nutritionist.

That's all coming up in the next hour. Stay tuned.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: To CNN's "Security Watch" now.

President Bush has tapped federal appeals court Judge Michael Chertoff to head the Homeland Security Department. Chertoff led one of the largest criminal investigations in U.S. history following the September 11 terrorist attack. The president describes him as a man with -- quote -- "an unwavering determination to protect the American people." Chertoff is expected to face tough Senate questions about his role in crafting the controversial Patriot Act.

Time to hear from you and read some e-mail. Ali Velshi here, our DAYBREAK contributor.

What are you seeing -- Ali?

VELSHI: I work on the show and I'm not as awake as the people who have written in these e-mails. Some great arguments here, Chad, that people are making both for and against.

I've got one from Karen (ph) who says I think he's book smart. Talking about Chertoff. I think he's book smart, not street smart. And when the next 9/11 happens, I want someone that won't hide under their bed. I think Arnold Schwarzenegger should take the job because you don't mess with Arnold. You would think twice if you're going to attack America if Arnold were in charge. I'm not calling Michael Chertoff some girly man with a law degree, but I can't trust him.

That's kind of harsh.

What do you think -- Chad?

MYERS: There's an awful lot of those e-mails are kind of pushing that way, thinking that this is a smart guy, but is it the right guy for the job, Ali, that's the ones that I've been getting down here.

VELSHI: And that's a good question. Kelly, you were saying earlier it is political because so many appointments are, but does Chertoff's experience as a prosecutor and a hardnosed guy equip him for this job.

I've got one here from Shawn (ph) in Las Vegas who says I feel that Homeland Security chief position should have been a veteran CIA or FBI agent who has experience in security issues and intelligence issues as well. And he goes on to say more carefully screening immigrants and closing the holes in our borders would go a long way to securing the homeland.

Kelly, you know is it the experience that Chertoff brings? This guy has been a prosecutor for a long time. He's not sort of fresh off the turnup truck.

WALLACE: Right, he has experiences. Some people would also say Tom Ridge didn't have a whole heck of a lot of experience. He was the governor of the state of Pennsylvania, but how much terms of management of homeland security.

Well, Ali, we have to leave it there.

VELSHI: OK.

WALLACE: More questions in the next hour.

The next hour of DAYBREAK begins right now.

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Aired January 12, 2005 - 05:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, and welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Kelly Wallace in today for Carol Costello.
"Now in the News," Iraqi interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi is acknowledging this for the first time, he says some areas of Iraq may be too dangerous for Iraqis to get to the polls to vote in national elections on January 30. Thirteen Iraqis were killed in two bombings on Tuesday.

Attorneys for entertainer Michael Jackson want today's hearing closed to the public and the media. Today's hearing will focus on whether to admit evidence of prior sexual offenses. Michael Jackson's trial scheduled to start January 31.

In Philadelphia, Mississippi, a bond hearing later this morning for Edgar Ray Killen. The former Klansman was indicted last week in the 1964 murders of three civil rights workers. He has pleaded not guilty.

And in the West, yet another winter storm drops more snow in the Sierra Nevada in northern California. Some areas are now digging out from more than 21 feet. Emergency officials are warning residents to clear off roofs and decks, which could collapse under the weight.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You bet you.

WALLACE: You got it, Chad. Looking out to you, any idea of when the worst will be over for the folks in California?

MYERS: Yesterday about 8:00 it stopped.

WALLACE: Good. It's good then.

MYERS: So it's done. There's nothing out there at all now. It is perfect skiing conditions, but it is also perfect avalanche weather. Have to worry about that as well.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WALLACE: All right, Chad, talk to you in a few minutes.

MYERS: All right.

WALLACE: Thanks so much.

MYERS: You bet. WALLACE: It has been two days since a massive mudslide engulfed homes in the California coastal community of La Conchita, and searchers are still digging through the 30 foot mound of mud looking for possible survivors. At least 6 people are dead, another 13 are missing, 3 of them young children. More than 600 rescue workers are involved, some of them digging through the mud with their hands.

Also, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger gets a first-hand look at the devastation later this morning.

As searchers dig through the mud, they're also listening for signs of life and still holding out hope.

Willa Sandmeyer from our Los Angeles affiliate KTLA has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WILLA SANDMEYER, KTLA-TV REPORTER (voice-over): Throughout the day, search and rescue teams carefully sifted through the tangle of earth, crushed homes and vehicles looking for the missing. The massive landslide happened without warning Monday afternoon, burring a stretch of Vista Del Rincon Drive in this seaside community.

In this mountain of earth are not only homes and vehicles, but also, hope anxious relatives, survivors. Family members waited and watched the rescue operation, desperately hoping that loved ones somehow had survived.

One man, frantic to learn about his family, was tackled by deputies for trying to make his way into the scene. His name is Jimmy Wallet (ph). Authorities later allowed him in. Friends say his wife, Michelle (ph), and his three daughters, the youngest age 2, may be beneath the rubble.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A loving family. Absolutely loving family. Five girls, and the couple have been together for years, ever since they were kids. And everybody that I knew loved them.

SANDMEYER: The search teams here are still hoping to find survivors. At different times, they stop and stand quietly, listening for what could be the sound of life below. They use sensitive listening devices that can detect a heartbeat at a depth of 20 feet.

UNIDENTIFIED FIREMAN: It's very deliberate, it's very slow in that sense, but we are making progress. And, like I say, we are hopeful we're going to find some survivors in there.

The careful and laborious search and rescue effort means an agonizing wait for Jimmy Wallet. A friend offers a comforting hug. Another friend says he spent time digging near where Wallet's home had been and says he found the family dog. It did not survive.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I found a little pocket, actually, where I found the dog and...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dharma (ph)? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is she alive?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No. And they're thinking the kids were somewhere around there.

SANDMEYER: Shortly after 2:00 in the afternoon, a woman's body was recovered from this landslide. And before the afternoon was over, another body found as well.

But here, rescue crews still optimistic that someone may be found alive.

UNIDENTIFIED FIREMAN: Listening devices did pick up faint sounds in the rubble pile. That's a positive indicator to us that there may be somebody, something making a noise down in the rubble pile. So that's the reason why we're not giving up hope.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: Still holding out hope in California.

That was Willa Sandmeyer of our Los Angeles affiliate KTLA.

Floods, mudslides, blizzards, it has been a season of dangerous weather across the United States. What is going on and why? CNN's Aaron Brown explores those questions in "EXTREME WEATHER, A NEWSNIGHT SPECIAL EDITION." That's tonight at 10:00 p.m. Eastern.

Now to "The Fight for Iraq."

Washington's hunt for biological, chemical and nuclear weapons in Iraq is reportedly over. The top CIA weapons hunter and his analysts are home. All this is according to "The Washington Post" today. "The Post" reports the end came very quietly, nearly two years after President Bush ordered the attack on Iraq.

Here's what the president's stated goal was back then.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're making progress. We will stay on task until we have achieved our objective, which is to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction and free the Iraqi people so they can live in a society that is hopeful and democratic and at peace in this neighborhood.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Fast forward to the present and not much is being said at all about the weapons of mass destruction part of the president's objective.

Here's how Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld states the mission now in Iraq. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: This has been the coalition's goal: an Iraq run by Iraqis and secured by Iraqi security forces. The Iraqi people and their interim government are making progress in that direction, although there is still a distance to go.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And this an issue for "The War Room" here on DAYBREAK. Joining us live from Atlanta, CNN's senior international editor David Clinch.

David, good to see you. Question for you, are you expecting any outrage that the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, it appears, according to "The Washington Post," is officially over?

DAVID CLINCH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Yes, that's a very good question, Kelly. "The Washington Post" reporting that Charles Dulfer and his Iraqi survey group gave up the search for weapons of mass destruction about a month ago, returned to Washington and are compiling a report which will be issued later in this year.

The outrage question, it's hard to know. I mean, really, I think most people believe and have understood that weapons of mass destruction would not be found in Iraq. President Bush himself has stated that in a general sense a number of times. The question, of course, of whether the fact that this search has ended and was not publicized, at least until now, that might create some questions.

And of course then the other question, lingering question, is how much this search cost? Hundreds of millions of dollars allocated to this search, and to this point, no clear description of exactly how much money was spent and how it was used. So perhaps some outrage.

But again, as you heard from Secretary Rumsfeld now, there is now not two issues for Iraq but one issue for the Bush administration and that is freeing Iraq and the continuing process as the elections approach of going from what was the tyranny of Saddam Hussein to a free Iraq run by Iraqis. And that, of course, means more money, more U.S. lives of the troops over there and more time. That's really the issue that's at hand. The resolve that is required to carry through that one remaining goal is going to be very interesting.

And I think, you know my young son, a 6-year-old little boy, said to me yesterday, daddy, is the war in Iraq still going on? And I said yes, it is still going on. And he said that is taking an awfully long time. And really, when you think about it, that is what I think a lot of Americans are thinking right now. They very much, especially the U.S. troops on the ground, believe in the stated goal of the free Iraq and handing Iraq back to the Iraqi people, but time, money and U.S. lives are the issues that will be faced by the Bush administration going forward.

WALLACE: Also, David, what do you make of the Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi saying, for the first time yesterday, that parts of the country not really able to be secure for people to go to the polls on January 30? That's got to be a problem for the Bush administration.

CLINCH: It is a problem. Allawi, of course in many ways, stating the obvious. He said that for the first time definitively yesterday that many other Iraqi officials and U.S. military officials have been saying that for some time. Not saying that the vote will not happen at all in those pockets, and in fact not even really identifying those pockets, although it stands to reason that some areas are just too violent for an election to happen right now. But still very much an issue of when an election can happen in all parts of Iraq.

And if it doesn't happen in all parts of Iraq, will it be valid? So we'll know soon. The end of this month the elections happen and then we'll see how long it takes for those votes to happen in those other areas over a period of time after that.

WALLACE: Lots to watch. David Clinch, CNN's senior international editor. Thanks so much, David, great to see you as always.

Coming up next on DAYBREAK, is too much red meat a bad thing for you? We have some answers. Our registered dietitian stops by. We'll be right back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: Your news, money, weather and sports. It is about 44 minutes after the hour. And here is what is all new this morning.

Rescuers have been using their hands to dig through thick mud and debris in search of survivors of the mudslide in La Conchita, California. Six people are confirmed dead, 13 others still missing.

The FBI is worried about the growing number of incidents of laser beams being pointed at planes. It is happening all across the country. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta is expected to announce new measures today, including steps pilots should take if their cockpit is flashed by a laser.

In money, fans of the hit TV show "The Apprentice" can set sail with cast members on a September cruise to the Caribbean. There will be onboard competitions just like those you see on the show. And the big winner gets to spend a day as CEO of Expedia.com, plus $15,000 and other perks.

In culture, no "Simple Life" in south Jersey. A school district there says no to the Fox Television reality series. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie were to work as substitute teachers and cafeteria monitors, but parents protested and said no way to that.

In sports, Boston pitcher Derek Lowe is headed west. The L.A. Dodgers have finalized the deal with the free agent pitcher. Lowe will get $36 million over four years.

Time for weather now. Chad Myers in Atlanta.

And, Chad, finally some relief for people out West.

MYERS: You know, Kelly, I don't think people actually believed it.

WALLACE: I don't know that they do.

MYERS: So I put the radar up for California just to show them. There is nothing on there. Finally, finally after -- I mean we were talking about rain before the Rose Bowl and how swampy the Rose Bowl was going to be, and that was still back in 2004 it was raining. It's been raining every day in January. Finally done today, though, and the rain has moved to the east.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WALLACE: All right, Chad.

Those the headlines.

Now to some health news. Some new research may have you thinking twice about biting into that juicy steak.

Registered dietitian Lisa Drayer is here with some new information that could be a challenge for those of you on low carb diets.

Lisa, it sounds like you're going to say bad news for those following those low carb diets.

LISA DRAYER, REGISTERED DIETITIAN: You got that right, Kelly.

One of the things that people like about low carb diets is that technically you can eat red meat. Well a new study from the American Cancer Society suggests you may want to avoid red meat, that is if you want to reduce your risk for colorectal cancer.

Let's take a look at some of the findings now.

The study involved 150,00 adults aged 50 to 74 years. So researchers asked individuals about their meat intake during two different time periods 10 years apart. And then they went on to measure cancer incidents.

Well they found that those who consumed a high intake of red and processed meat during these two time periods, which was before their diagnosis, had a 30 to 50 percent higher risk of colorectal cancer compared to those who consumed little or no red or processed meat.

Now just to give you an idea of how high was defined, it was defined as at least three ounces of red meat for men each day or two ounces for women. And this is what three ounces looks like, not very big.

WALLACE: Not very big. Some people have a burger every day. DRAYER: Exactly. And for processed meat, which included a bacon and lunch meat and sausages, we're talking one ounce. That was the high level. One ounce per day, five to six days per week for men; one ounce, two to three days for women.

WALLACE: (INAUDIBLE) why increased amounts of red meat increasing your risk for colorectal cancer, do we know?

DRAYER: You know it's a really interesting question, and the study didn't look at actual mechanisms, but there are a few proposed theories. One is that the saturated fat content in meat is high and previous research has suggested a link here.

Another theory is that processed meats contain nitrates which can get converted to carcinogens in the body. So this can be another cause.

Also there's a theory that cooking red meat at very high temperatures for long periods of time causes the formation of carcinogens known as heterocyclic amines. We talked about this, and we've done grilling segments, but basically these are carcinogens and they can potentially increase the risk for cancer once they're in the body.

WALLACE: Overall, everything in moderation. So a little bit of red meat is OK?

DRAYER: A little bit is OK. Researchers aren't saying that we have to completely eliminate red meat from the diet, limit it.

Also, replace red meat with leaner sources of protein. For example, poultry, fish. This was not associated with increased risk. In fact, it was a slight decreased risk among those who ate more fish and poultry.

Also, plant sources of protein, like nuts, is a good alternative. Also, fruits and vegetables important sources of antioxidants and phytochemicals, which can help to detoxify carcinogens in the body. Maintaining a health body weight and being physically active. Not being a healthy body weight and inactivity is associated with an even higher risk for colorectal cancer.

WALLACE: All right, important information, Lisa Drayer, for viewers out there. Thanks so much. Great to see you, and we'll see you next hour with even more.

DRAYER: Thank you. Yes.

WALLACE: And we'll be right back. Much more here on Wednesday's edition of DAYBREAK.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: You can say the airline industry is all shook up over Delta's plan to cut fares. Most of the other major airlines have matched Delta's fares on routes they share. But there seems to be a better deal for business travelers than it is for consumers. So the question, are fares really lower or is this just another gimmick?

For that we turn to DAYBREAK contributor Ali Velshi.

Ali, what's the answer?

ALI VELSHI, CNN DAYBREAK CONTRIBUTOR: Well, I've got to tell you, I have to say I love business travelers, because what's happened is airline fares have become so cheap for the rest of us in the last few years that the only way the airlines make any money at all, and they don't make much, is from the business traveler who pays a lot more because they buy tickets at the last minute or they make changes and things like that.

And there's a real discrepancy between the travel I do in my personal life and the travel I do for business. Because when we travel for business, you know this because you travel more than I do,...

WALLACE: Yes.

VELSHI: ... you've got to go when you've got to go and you pay whatever the fare is.

Well Delta announced last week they're making some changes that sound very appealing off the top, but they really are geared at the business traveler.

Now I just, as an example, did a flight recently from New York to Los Angeles and it was on Delta. And they had a big sign up to say you can buy an upgrade to first class for $125 bucks. And I thought that's fantastic. And I went up and they said not on your fare because you're on a T (ph) fare or something, because there were 15 different fares.

I plugged in New York to Los Angeles, Friday, January 21, returning Saturday, January 22, one day, no Saturday night stay. That used to be where you got burned, right?

WALLACE: I used to -- exactly, unless you stayed overnight, you were going to pay.

VELSHI: You were going to pay a lot of money.

WALLACE: Yes.

VELSHI: So I looked at all the online Web sites and the Web sites of the airlines and this is what I came up with.

United, American, Delta and US Air had nonstops for $306 to $313, all almost identical. Continental a little higher at $393 bucks. And JetBlue $207. And I flew JetBlue the other day, quite a fun experience, actually.

WALLACE: You can watch CNN while you fly.

VELSHI: You can watch CNN while you're flying in a comfortable seat.

Now let's talk about what these new fares do. They are better for the business traveler than for the leisure traveler because it doesn't drop our fares by very much.

On Delta they're lowering the change fees from $100 to $50. The other airlines have not followed suit on that. There is no Saturday night stay required.

Now here's a couple things that they are doing in order to keep those costs low. On January 31, Delta is cutting the flight attendants on some flighs.

WALLACE: Really?

VELSHI: Yes, you know if it was an international flight and there were 10 flight attendants, it's going down to 9, which is never really fantastic for those of us who travel. But here's the one, domestic crews don't get food on the plane on short flights anymore. They have got to bring their own food. Feed the pilots.

WALLACE: The pilots don't get food?

VELSHI: Yes, you know what, take two bucks more out of my ticket. Feed the pilot. They have to get their own food.

WALLACE: That's amazing.

VELSHI: Yes, that's not a change I'm sort of in to. Keep the flight attendant, keep the pilot.

WALLACE: Keep the pilots happy, I think that's...

VELSHI: Do something else.

WALLACE: Yes, exactly.

Does it seem that though when you have these new fare deals that there's always a hitch, you can only fly, like you said, no Saturday travel required, so that's clear.

VELSHI: I've got to say...

WALLACE: But is it so many restrictions you can't really benefit?

VELSHI: You know you can't figure it out because there are different fares for different times. It's not clear. It's not like everybody sitting on every flight is going to be paying the same price.

But what you're seeing is the big airlines starting to match the small airlines. The JetBlues or the profitable ones, like Southwest, and they're starting to get into the same range of fares. I think you're going to see the average leisure fare go up a little bit, the average business fare come down, but there might just be more consistency.

WALLACE: All right. And next hour, talk about frequent flyer programs.

VELSHI: Absolutely.

WALLACE: All right, we'll see you then.

You won't want to miss the next hour of DAYBREAK. We will update you on Charles Graner's court martial. You will hear how detainees at Iraq's Abu Ghraib Prison describe Graner's actions.

And do you want professional help with your diet? We'll have tips on how to choose the right nutritionist.

That's all coming up in the next hour. Stay tuned.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: To CNN's "Security Watch" now.

President Bush has tapped federal appeals court Judge Michael Chertoff to head the Homeland Security Department. Chertoff led one of the largest criminal investigations in U.S. history following the September 11 terrorist attack. The president describes him as a man with -- quote -- "an unwavering determination to protect the American people." Chertoff is expected to face tough Senate questions about his role in crafting the controversial Patriot Act.

Time to hear from you and read some e-mail. Ali Velshi here, our DAYBREAK contributor.

What are you seeing -- Ali?

VELSHI: I work on the show and I'm not as awake as the people who have written in these e-mails. Some great arguments here, Chad, that people are making both for and against.

I've got one from Karen (ph) who says I think he's book smart. Talking about Chertoff. I think he's book smart, not street smart. And when the next 9/11 happens, I want someone that won't hide under their bed. I think Arnold Schwarzenegger should take the job because you don't mess with Arnold. You would think twice if you're going to attack America if Arnold were in charge. I'm not calling Michael Chertoff some girly man with a law degree, but I can't trust him.

That's kind of harsh.

What do you think -- Chad?

MYERS: There's an awful lot of those e-mails are kind of pushing that way, thinking that this is a smart guy, but is it the right guy for the job, Ali, that's the ones that I've been getting down here.

VELSHI: And that's a good question. Kelly, you were saying earlier it is political because so many appointments are, but does Chertoff's experience as a prosecutor and a hardnosed guy equip him for this job.

I've got one here from Shawn (ph) in Las Vegas who says I feel that Homeland Security chief position should have been a veteran CIA or FBI agent who has experience in security issues and intelligence issues as well. And he goes on to say more carefully screening immigrants and closing the holes in our borders would go a long way to securing the homeland.

Kelly, you know is it the experience that Chertoff brings? This guy has been a prosecutor for a long time. He's not sort of fresh off the turnup truck.

WALLACE: Right, he has experiences. Some people would also say Tom Ridge didn't have a whole heck of a lot of experience. He was the governor of the state of Pennsylvania, but how much terms of management of homeland security.

Well, Ali, we have to leave it there.

VELSHI: OK.

WALLACE: More questions in the next hour.

The next hour of DAYBREAK begins right now.

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