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American Morning
FDA Considers Mevacor As Over-the-Counter Drug
Aired January 14, 2005 - 08:30 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back, everybody. 8:30 here in New York. Soledad is out for a long weekend. Kelly Wallace with us here in New York City.
Good morning to you again.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Halfway mark...
HEMMER: Yes.
WALLACE: ... we are at.
HEMMER: Better inside than outside.
WALLACE: Exactly.
HEMMER: A lot of ugly stuff going on out there.
WALLACE: Again, nice to be at work.
HEMMER: Yes.
In a few moments, counting all the dollar signs and zeroes going into this year's inauguration, total cost in the neighborhood of about $40 million.
Big companies putting up much of that cash, private money. And what are they getting for that money? We'll talk about it with our "Gimme A Minute" panel in a moment here.
WALLACE: Big debate there, Bill.
Also, buying a pill to lower cholesterol without going to the doctor. People in other countries can do it. Regulators today are deciding if Americans should be able to as well. We'll talk to Sanjay Gupta about that.
HEMMER: All right. Back to Daryn Kagan now at the CNN Center -- headlines there.
Daryn, good morning.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Bill, good morning.
Now in the news. Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee, is planning to get a firsthand look at the tornado damage in the south central part of that state. This comes after a twister left a 20-mile long path of destruction, ripping apart homes and throwing around cars. The weather is being blamed for the deaths of at least three people.
The United Nations is creating a new position to deal with the international tsunami relief effort. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan has been touring the devastation sites in Southern Asia. He says he'll appoint a special envoy this week to spearhead plans for aid and reconstruction.
North Korea may be ready to rejoin talks on its nuclear program in a matter of weeks. That is according to Pennsylvania Republican Curt Weldon. He is heading a congressional team in the region.
North Korea backed out of a round of six party talks last September.
And former Vermont governor, Howard Dean, had reportedly hired two consultants to say positive things about him online. That's according to the "Wall Street Journal". The Dean presidential campaign made payments to two bloggers -- a blog, of course, an online personal journal or series of postings.
The Dean campaign says it has not done anything unethical because both men had disclosed their connection with the Dean campaign.
And Bill, of course, Howard Dean back in the news trying to become the chairman...
HEMMER: That he is.
KAGAN: ... of the DNC.
HEMMER: That so true.
KAGAN: Yes, it is.
HEMMER: And about six others too.
Tim Roemer is our guest next hour. He's on that list too, so we'll get his reaction to that very soon shortly.
KAGAN: Good idea.
HEMMER: Thank you, Daryn.
Every Friday at this time, we turn to our "Gimme A Minute" panel for some look inside the week's biggest stories.
From Pittsburgh today, Bev Smith is with the Urban -- American Urban Radio Networks. Bev, how are you doing?
BEV SMITH, AMERICAN URBAN RADIO NETWORKS: Hi, Bill. Happy New Year to you.
HEMMER: Thank you, and to you. Is it Jets or Steelers this weekend, by the way?
SMITH: Excuse me. Is there anyone playing other than the Steelers?
HEMMER: Right answer.
SMITH: Excuse me?
HEMMER: Right answer.
In New York, Mark Simone, WABC radio host.
Mark, Jets or Steelers?
MARK SIMONE, WABC RADIO HOST: Jets, obviously.
HEMMER: I'm telling you.
Andy Borowitz is in L.A. today, from the borowitzreport.com. They don't care about Jets or Steelers out there, do they, Andy?
ANDY BOROWITZ, "BOROWITZREPORT.COM": The Browns -- the Browns are going to win.
HEMMER: Wait 'til next year or the year after.
Hey, Bev, start us off. "Washington Post" is reporting that 88 different companies have given about $18 million to the inauguration. Is this what this day is all about on Thursday?
SMITH: We just think that, that amount of money is unbelievable. We wish they had that thousand points of light spirit. Eighty-eight companies, $40 million for a party.
But not since Franklin Delano Roosevelt has anyone decided not to do it that way. We think this would have been a good year for the president to say, no party, just taking the oath and a continuation.
But that's not going to happen. And the people that are going to suffer the most are those taxpayers in the nation's capitol because they have to foot a lot of the bill and some of that safety money will go there. And they're going to suffer. They really are.
HEMMER: Hey, Mark. Let me get to Mark here in the time. A peaceful transition of power? Is this what it means?
SIMONE: Yes, but I think it's wrong, all these corporate donors, these big sponsors. I mean, who do the Bushes think they are, the Clintons? Next thing, they're going to be selling pardons and renting out the Lincoln bedroom.
HEMMER: Here's to L.A. and Andy. He loves a parade -- Andy?
BOROWITZ: You know, I just think the corporate thing is out of control. I just heard they're selling ad space on the side of Dick Cheney.
HEMMER: AMERICAN MORNING, by the way, will be in D.C. on Thursday morning. HEMMER: Let's talk about baseball and steroids. Mark, start us off here.
Did they go far enough yesterday with the new agreement announced?
SIMONE: No. I mean, random testing that's good. It's a first step, but it's a very small step. But that four strikes and you're out is wrong. They should do what the Olympics does, which is two strikes and you're out.
And I think McCain is wrong about the government coming in, like the government knows how to stop illegal drugs.
HEMMER: Well, the penalties so far are more severe in the minor leagues, aren't they, Bev?
SMITH: Well, yes, they are more severe. But I would have liked to have seen "habilitation" kept in there. A little bit of money set aside so that whoever the young athletes are, we could not only talk to them but rehabilitate them before we punish them.
And I think that would have helped a lot.
HEMMER: They're hearing the footsteps of Jason Giambi.
What about it, Andy?
BOROWITZ: I think baseball players should start hitting home runs the old fashioned way, by corking their bats.
HEMMER: There's an idea for you.
Ten games in the first offense, too.
Hey, Bev, I want to talk about Senator Kennedy. He made a speech earlier in the week, and he talked about Democrats getting back to values.
Will that be a winner for Democrats in blue states going forward if that's the case?
SMITH: Well, I think it would be a winner, but I think his speech was a winner. There were so many of us cheering on the sidelines saying, it's about time we see a Democrat with real chutzpah, not afraid to stand up and say the things that our party needs to hear.
And I'm hoping that it will galvanize the Democratic Party in a way we haven't seen yet. Values, we have them. Should we be talking about them? Like yesterday.
HEMMER: The other thing he talked about was Republicans hyping the politics of fear. How do you come back at that, Mark?
SIMONE: Well, let's focus on chutzpah, for a moment. Ted Kennedy lecturing people about values? That's -- that's like Michael Moore offering grooming tips.
SMITH: So, you're not for rehabilitation obviously.
SIMONE: Well, I values are important. But Kennedy's answer always seem to be another big blow to government programs, which is what he proposed.
HEMMER: Andy, how about it?
BOROWITZ: I just think the Democrats need to hire a lot more bloggers.
HEMMER: Get on it. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
Hey, under the radar -- Mark, what did we miss this past week?
SIMONE: Well, you know, Bill Clinton's memoir, the thousand pages. It's called "My Life," big best seller. Here now it's going all over the world -- this week, published in China. It took a lot of time to translate it, and the actual Chinese title is "Way Too Long."
HEMMER: Cute.
Bev, what about you?
SMITH: I think we missed the whole story of no weapons of mass destruction.
In December, the president quietly announcing that the investigation was over. And I think we have not heard enough about the discussion or questioned where all that tax money has gone. I think we missed a chance to really debate that issue.
HEMMER: Andy, wrap it up.
BOROWITZ: Well, Prince Harry says he's learned his lesson, and from now on, he will only wear his Nazi uniform around the house.
HEMMER: Cameras or no camera, Andy?
BOROWITZ: No cameras.
HEMMER: Enjoy L.A. Thank you, Andy.
BOROWITZ: Thanks a lot.
HEMMER: Mark, good luck this weekend with the Jets, and Bev, you and your Steelers.
All right. Have a great weekend...
SMITH: Steelers are going to win.
HEMMER: ... all three of you.
BOROWITZ: Go Roethlisberg. HEMMER: Thanks. Talk to you later.
Kelly?
WALLACE: Thanks, Bill.
Always a tough act to follow there, but who better than Chad Myers at the CNN Center in Atlanta with the latest on the wild, wild weather.
You've been a busy man this week, Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, earning my keep.
(WEATHER REPORT)
MYERS: Kelly, back to you.
WALLACE: Thanks so much, Chad.
HEMMER: It's going to happen eventually, right?
MYERS: Yes, it is.
WALLACE: Exactly.
HEMMER: Thanks, Chad.
An FDA panel weighing whether or not to make statins available over-the-counter. There are worries here about side effects that could be deadly. We're paging Dr. Gupta in a moment on that.
WALLACE: Also, Bill, one of my favorites, TV's "Desperate Housewives" and one of the "Desperate Housewives", Eva Longoria talking to CNN. Her thoughts on how she'd like to use her newfound clout to help others.
That's all ahead, here on INSIDE -- AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WALLACE: And welcome back.
An FDA advisory panel debating right now whether to allow over- the-counter stat -- sales -- of the cholesterol drug Mevacor. It would be the first time a statin was placed in that category in the United States, and we are paging Dr. Gupta about it this morning.
Sanjay, joining us from the CNN Center in Atlanta. Good morning, Sanjay, good to see you.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Kelly.
Yes, day two of the meetings going on now -- today, expecting to hear from doctors who are opposed to making statin drug, Mevacor, over the counter, as well as patients who may benefit from the change as well.
Mevacor has been around for a long time, since 1987, widely touted as a drug, the statin -- one of the statin drugs that could lower your risk of a heart attack and of a stroke. So, obvious benefits there.
Still, the FDA four years ago turned down a similar request to try and make this medication over-the-counter. They've gone back, they've gotten some focus groups, talked to patients and doctors bringing back the case. That's what's happening right now.
Kelly, one of the things that's important to notice as well, Zocor, another statin medication, already approved over-the-counter in Great Britain.
What are the concerns here? The concerns really are about the patients who sort of fall at the extremes of either needing these medications or not needing these medications.
Let me give you a couple of quick examples. First of all, a 28- year-old man, for example, who eats a lot of junk food, perhaps, hasn't really seen a doctor, but is concerned about heart disease later in life. He takes medications, may face some serious side effects, may experience some longer term dangers, or may just simply be wasting his money as the medication may not necessarily be doing him any good.
Even more concerning, really, at the other end of the extreme. For example, a woman in her late 50s. Again, this is a woman who has significant risk of heart disease, may have a family history of heart disease and probably should be seeing her doctor. Instead, may just buy the over-the-counter medication, suffer the side effects, not have other health issues monitored or be on the appropriate dose of the medication.
These are the patients doctors are concerned about, Kelly, in terms of making sure they see their doctors, making sure they're on the right dose, if necessary at all.
WALLACE: And Sanjay, picking up on that, what are the opponents most concerned about because as you know, of course, many doctors out there, think it would be good to make it available over-the-counter, lower the cost, and make it more widely available to people in the United States.
GUPTA: The benefits, really, about lowering the cost, I think, are there. And a lot of doctors do talk about that. But many cardiologists and doctors who take care of heart disease on a regular basis are concerned about this over-the-counter becoming over-the- counter because of possible side effects that we just mentioned, including liver toxicity, possibly, kidney toxicity as well in rare cases.
But also, it's -- any drug has side effects. It could interact with other medications that you're taking. It could interact with an antibiotic, for example, could even interact with some citrus fruit juices.
Not to scare people off these medications, but just to tell them, rather, that they should be talking to a doctor before probably going out, and even if it's over-the-counter.
WALLACE: And Sanjay, turning to another subject, you're keeping very busy, about to launch your "New You Revolution" here on AMERICAN MORNING. What can we expect?
GUPTA: On Monday, we do launch our "New You Revolution." We're going to introduce you to our five participants who have joined our revolution to break some bad habits and to start some new, healthier ones.
Then every Tuesday for the next eight weeks, we're going to bring you updates on their progress. We encourage everyone to follow along. You've made those New Year's resolutions. Here's your chance to keep them.
Follow along on AMERICAN MORNING, also on the Web. Just go to CNN.com/AM. I think it's going to be a lot of fun.
WALLACE: All right. Sanjay, we look forward to that...
GUPTA: Thank you.
WALLACE: ... and we look to following along with our New Year's resolutions.
Thanks so much.
GUPTA: Thank you.
HEMMER: Some TV housewives not so desperate when it comes to award nominations -- a preview, now, of Sunday night's Golden Globe's presentations from the host of "OFF TOPIC."
Carlos Watson is live in L.A. Carlos, good morning.
CARLOS WATSON, CNN "OFF TOPIC" HOST: Hey, Bill, good morning. How are you?
HEMMER: I'm doing just fine. Who are you sitting down with, here, by the way?
WATSON: We've got three great guests. We've got an exclusive sit down with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, where, among other things, he weighs in on a constitutional amendment and gives you a hint at what he could see happening there.
We also talked to a guy who we're calling the new face of religion in America, Dr. Creflo A. Dollar, an Atlanta-based preacher.
But last, and certainly not least, we're talking to Eva Longoria, star of "Desperate Housewives" and arguably the hottest new face on television. And while she's a beauty who as has appeared on the cover of "Rolling Stone" and other places, she also has worked in presidential politics longer than she's worked in acting.
She is producing a documentary film, which will be fairly cutting edge. And she's also a comedian, so pretty interesting person. I think we've got a clip of her talking about the Golden Globes, which are this Sunday.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WATSON: So Golden Globes are coming up.
EVA LANGORIA, ABC "DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES" ACTRESS: Yes.
WATSON: Were you bummed at all that...
LANGORIA: That I wasn't nominated? No. No, it's so funny. I -- we have been on eight times. The fact that we got nominated for best comedy was overwhelming.
WATSON: Do you ever worry you'll be like Kristin Davis from "Sex In The City," who always was the one not nominated? You know, I mean, that once something starts, it'll...
LANGORIA: Right. Right. No. No, I'm not really big on awards and accolades.
WATSON: OK.
LANGORIA: I mean, you know, because we come here every day and we do really good work.
WATSON: What's the best thing that's happened, literally. I mean, when you really think about it, what's the best thing that's happened?
LANGORIA: That's still happening is every week our ratings go up. It's insane.
WATSON: Is that right? I mean, literally it gets better?
LANGORIA: Yes, it really gets better and better and better. You would think, you know, we're the number one show, yeah...
WATSON: Right, right, right.
LANGORIA: ... and it can't get any better than that. But it gets better and better and better.
And specifically, like demographics-wise and more men, and older, and younger, and everybody's just adding on. I like the business side of this whole, you know, entertainment thing.
WATSON: Could you ever see yourself running a studio one day?
LANGORIA: I would definitely -- not a studio, but I would love to produce independent projects, yes.
WATSON: Well, with a social theme, with just a variety?
LANGORIA: Just a variety of stuff. Not really anything specific other than things that will give opportunities to more minorities, including Latin women, people of color.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WATSON: Bill, so as you can see, she's a very intriguing person. And one of the things we're trying to do with "OFF TOPIC," which obviously airs a week from Sunday, January 23 at 10:00 p.m. Eastern and again at 10:00 p.m. Pacific, is to talk to unusual people in ways that go beyond kind of the normal conversations.
So Eva talking about business, talking about politics, also talking about "Desperate Housewives." Arnold weighing in on how he raises his kids, talking about his marriage, but also talking about some of the struggles he sees on the national and state level.
Should be a really interesting show coming up next Sunday at 10:00 p.m.
HEMMER: Well, looking forward to it.
Thank you, Carlos. Enjoy the Golden Globes this weekend.
WATSON: Good to see you.
HEMMER: To you, as well.
"OFF TOPIC " comes a week from Sunday, 10:00 Eastern, as Carlos mentioned, the 23rd of January. Thanks again - Kelly?
WALLACE: All right. Thanks, Bill.
NFL star, Randy Moss, gave Packer fans an eyeful last week in Green Bay. Wait until you hear how he says he'll top himself this week.
"The Cafferty File" coming up ahead here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WALLACE: And welcome back.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Inflation numbers are out, and a dream job scored by a young Harvard graduate. Andy Serwer is here "Minding Your Business."
Good morning.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Good morning to you, Jack. We have a lot of Harvard news for all of you out there this morning.
First of all, the markets -- yesterday a bit downer on Wall Street, Dow down 112 points. The price of oil was higher -- well, almost 112. I overstated the case, 111.9. Price of oil was higher. GM saying that its business was weaker than anticipated. This morning, futures are up, however, maybe part of that has to do with producer price index, that's wholesale prices for the month of December fell. And that's good news for the economy.
Harvard, Soledad O'Brien not here. She's a Harvard grad. We never held that against her. First of all, Apple Computer suing a 19- year-old Harvard student. Nick dePlume is his name. That's a non de plume (ph), by the way.
This guy writes one of these Web blogs where talks about Apple. And Apple is going after these people because it's saying that they're revealing trade secrets.
He first started doing this blog when he was 13.
CAFFERTY: Wow.
SERWER: OK. Leave him alone, Apple. He's 19.
HEMMER: What kind of secrets?
SERWER: You know, he's -- this guy's predicted some of the new products. And he said -- Apple says -- he's encouraging employees to tell him the leak secrets to him. I mean, leave it alone.
That's our first Harvard story.
CAFFERTY: OK. You have another one?
SERWER: My second Harvard story? Yes, there is a fun czar. Harvard has hired a fun czar.
CAFFERTY: Why am I not surprised at that school...
SERWER: Yes, a young...
CAFFERTY: ... that they'd have to hire somebody...
WALLACE: So, an F.U.N., right?
CAFFERTY: ... to teach the children how to have a good time.
SERWER: His job is actually special assistant to the dean for special programming. He will be broadening the range of social activities, et cetera, et cetera. That's Harvard speak.
Zac Corker is the young man's name. This is from the "Harvard Gazette." Zac Corker, that's a good name for a fun -- He throws parties.
They had to hire a guy -- here he is -- counseling another student on -- he just graduated, on how to have a party. How --
Those guys look like a barrel of laughs, those two. Let me tell you something. One thing that Zac has did, he organized a Halloween bus trip to Salem, Massachusetts. Ha, ha, ha.
I'd rather stay in the dorm and have a Schlitz, thank you. Unless I'm 21 -- but I'd have to be 21. I want to make that clear.
WALLACE: Yes, let's...
SERWER: I'd have to be 21 years old. Anyway...
CAFFERTY: Only college in America.
SERWER: One last thing, Jack.
CAFFERTY: Go ahead.
SERWER: The guy at Yale said -- they always go back and forth. "We don't need to have one. Students here already know how to have fun."
CAFFERTY: Yes.
SERWER: Good for you. Bulla, Bulla (ph).
CAFFERTY: Time for "The Cafferty File."
Yesterday, the NFL fined Minnesota Viking's wide receiver, Randy Moss, $10,000 for this stunt. He pretended to moon the Green Bay Packer fans sitting behind him in the end zone after scoring a touchdown.
He was asked about the fine, and Moss had this to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RANDY MOSS, NFL PLAYER: Ain't nothing but $10,000. What's $10,000 to me? Next time, I might shake my (off mic).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CAFFERTY: Somewhere, I wonder if his mother is, you know -- I mean, what a moron.
SERWER: She doesn't watch him, I bet.
CAFFERTY: That's just unbelievable.
Politicians in one Australian state are being asked to become sperm donors to help ease the dwindling supplies at an in vitro fertilization clinic. The Monash IVF clinic has written to 25 parliamentarians under the age of 45 asking them for an -- to set an example for the rest of the male population by becoming donors.
A Monash spokeswoman says it has approximately 100 clients, but it only has 13 donors. Couples who find out that the donors are politicians may want to consider adoption.
SERWER: Ooh. WALLACE: That's a new term, new word to public service.
SERWER: Well -- a couple of jerks there.
CAFFERTY: Yes, absolutely.
WALLACE: I'm trying...
CAFFERTY: They were asked to lend a hand.
SERWER: So many places we can go, but we shouldn't.
HEMMER: We won't.
CAFFERTY: The Vermont Teddy Bear Company will continue to sell its $70 crazy for you bear, complete with a straightjacket...
SERWER: Get out.
CAFFERTY: ... despite opposition from the state's mental health community.
We shouldn't laugh here. This is serious.
WALLACE: Yes.
SERWER: It's very serious.
CAFFERTY: The bear is part of the company's Valentine's Day lineup. It comes complete with commitment papers. The Vermont chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill calls the crazy for you teddy bear a "tasteless use of marketing that stigmatizes persons with mental illness."
Get over yourselves.
SERWER: Yes.
CAFFERTY: It's cute. The company defends the bear saying it's designed to be a light-hearted depiction of the sentiment of love for Valentine's Day. And besides that, it's funny.
SERWER: You know, you're really sick.
CAFFERTY: I am?
SERWER: Yes. I mean...
CAFFERTY: I am. You know, I have a cold.
SERWER: You know, you have a cold. That's true.
CAFFERTY: Paging Dr. Gupta.
SERWER: Yes.
CAFFERTY: I told him if I needed any medication, I might call you later.
SERWER: Me or him?
CAFFERTY: You.
SERWER: Oh, where should I put this, by the way?
HEMMER: You were kind of like the fun czar at Yale, but you just did not have the title.
SERWER: Yes, right. Where should I put this, Jack?
CAFFERTY: No, no, don't ask me that.
SERWER: What? Never mind.
WALLACE: Never mind.
HEMMER: We're not going to pop the top?
WALLACE: Just one time.
SERWER: The NFL is going to call us after this.
WALLACE: I was going to say, are there copyright issues here.
SERWER: No, they love it. It's free advertising.
HEMMER: Seems like a Friday.
SERWER: Yes, it does.
HEMMER: In a moment here -- in a moment here, one Midwestern state transformed into a water world. Now comes a drastic change in temperature.
What happens when all the water turns to ice?
Back in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired January 14, 2005 - 08:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back, everybody. 8:30 here in New York. Soledad is out for a long weekend. Kelly Wallace with us here in New York City.
Good morning to you again.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Halfway mark...
HEMMER: Yes.
WALLACE: ... we are at.
HEMMER: Better inside than outside.
WALLACE: Exactly.
HEMMER: A lot of ugly stuff going on out there.
WALLACE: Again, nice to be at work.
HEMMER: Yes.
In a few moments, counting all the dollar signs and zeroes going into this year's inauguration, total cost in the neighborhood of about $40 million.
Big companies putting up much of that cash, private money. And what are they getting for that money? We'll talk about it with our "Gimme A Minute" panel in a moment here.
WALLACE: Big debate there, Bill.
Also, buying a pill to lower cholesterol without going to the doctor. People in other countries can do it. Regulators today are deciding if Americans should be able to as well. We'll talk to Sanjay Gupta about that.
HEMMER: All right. Back to Daryn Kagan now at the CNN Center -- headlines there.
Daryn, good morning.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Bill, good morning.
Now in the news. Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee, is planning to get a firsthand look at the tornado damage in the south central part of that state. This comes after a twister left a 20-mile long path of destruction, ripping apart homes and throwing around cars. The weather is being blamed for the deaths of at least three people.
The United Nations is creating a new position to deal with the international tsunami relief effort. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan has been touring the devastation sites in Southern Asia. He says he'll appoint a special envoy this week to spearhead plans for aid and reconstruction.
North Korea may be ready to rejoin talks on its nuclear program in a matter of weeks. That is according to Pennsylvania Republican Curt Weldon. He is heading a congressional team in the region.
North Korea backed out of a round of six party talks last September.
And former Vermont governor, Howard Dean, had reportedly hired two consultants to say positive things about him online. That's according to the "Wall Street Journal". The Dean presidential campaign made payments to two bloggers -- a blog, of course, an online personal journal or series of postings.
The Dean campaign says it has not done anything unethical because both men had disclosed their connection with the Dean campaign.
And Bill, of course, Howard Dean back in the news trying to become the chairman...
HEMMER: That he is.
KAGAN: ... of the DNC.
HEMMER: That so true.
KAGAN: Yes, it is.
HEMMER: And about six others too.
Tim Roemer is our guest next hour. He's on that list too, so we'll get his reaction to that very soon shortly.
KAGAN: Good idea.
HEMMER: Thank you, Daryn.
Every Friday at this time, we turn to our "Gimme A Minute" panel for some look inside the week's biggest stories.
From Pittsburgh today, Bev Smith is with the Urban -- American Urban Radio Networks. Bev, how are you doing?
BEV SMITH, AMERICAN URBAN RADIO NETWORKS: Hi, Bill. Happy New Year to you.
HEMMER: Thank you, and to you. Is it Jets or Steelers this weekend, by the way?
SMITH: Excuse me. Is there anyone playing other than the Steelers?
HEMMER: Right answer.
SMITH: Excuse me?
HEMMER: Right answer.
In New York, Mark Simone, WABC radio host.
Mark, Jets or Steelers?
MARK SIMONE, WABC RADIO HOST: Jets, obviously.
HEMMER: I'm telling you.
Andy Borowitz is in L.A. today, from the borowitzreport.com. They don't care about Jets or Steelers out there, do they, Andy?
ANDY BOROWITZ, "BOROWITZREPORT.COM": The Browns -- the Browns are going to win.
HEMMER: Wait 'til next year or the year after.
Hey, Bev, start us off. "Washington Post" is reporting that 88 different companies have given about $18 million to the inauguration. Is this what this day is all about on Thursday?
SMITH: We just think that, that amount of money is unbelievable. We wish they had that thousand points of light spirit. Eighty-eight companies, $40 million for a party.
But not since Franklin Delano Roosevelt has anyone decided not to do it that way. We think this would have been a good year for the president to say, no party, just taking the oath and a continuation.
But that's not going to happen. And the people that are going to suffer the most are those taxpayers in the nation's capitol because they have to foot a lot of the bill and some of that safety money will go there. And they're going to suffer. They really are.
HEMMER: Hey, Mark. Let me get to Mark here in the time. A peaceful transition of power? Is this what it means?
SIMONE: Yes, but I think it's wrong, all these corporate donors, these big sponsors. I mean, who do the Bushes think they are, the Clintons? Next thing, they're going to be selling pardons and renting out the Lincoln bedroom.
HEMMER: Here's to L.A. and Andy. He loves a parade -- Andy?
BOROWITZ: You know, I just think the corporate thing is out of control. I just heard they're selling ad space on the side of Dick Cheney.
HEMMER: AMERICAN MORNING, by the way, will be in D.C. on Thursday morning. HEMMER: Let's talk about baseball and steroids. Mark, start us off here.
Did they go far enough yesterday with the new agreement announced?
SIMONE: No. I mean, random testing that's good. It's a first step, but it's a very small step. But that four strikes and you're out is wrong. They should do what the Olympics does, which is two strikes and you're out.
And I think McCain is wrong about the government coming in, like the government knows how to stop illegal drugs.
HEMMER: Well, the penalties so far are more severe in the minor leagues, aren't they, Bev?
SMITH: Well, yes, they are more severe. But I would have liked to have seen "habilitation" kept in there. A little bit of money set aside so that whoever the young athletes are, we could not only talk to them but rehabilitate them before we punish them.
And I think that would have helped a lot.
HEMMER: They're hearing the footsteps of Jason Giambi.
What about it, Andy?
BOROWITZ: I think baseball players should start hitting home runs the old fashioned way, by corking their bats.
HEMMER: There's an idea for you.
Ten games in the first offense, too.
Hey, Bev, I want to talk about Senator Kennedy. He made a speech earlier in the week, and he talked about Democrats getting back to values.
Will that be a winner for Democrats in blue states going forward if that's the case?
SMITH: Well, I think it would be a winner, but I think his speech was a winner. There were so many of us cheering on the sidelines saying, it's about time we see a Democrat with real chutzpah, not afraid to stand up and say the things that our party needs to hear.
And I'm hoping that it will galvanize the Democratic Party in a way we haven't seen yet. Values, we have them. Should we be talking about them? Like yesterday.
HEMMER: The other thing he talked about was Republicans hyping the politics of fear. How do you come back at that, Mark?
SIMONE: Well, let's focus on chutzpah, for a moment. Ted Kennedy lecturing people about values? That's -- that's like Michael Moore offering grooming tips.
SMITH: So, you're not for rehabilitation obviously.
SIMONE: Well, I values are important. But Kennedy's answer always seem to be another big blow to government programs, which is what he proposed.
HEMMER: Andy, how about it?
BOROWITZ: I just think the Democrats need to hire a lot more bloggers.
HEMMER: Get on it. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
Hey, under the radar -- Mark, what did we miss this past week?
SIMONE: Well, you know, Bill Clinton's memoir, the thousand pages. It's called "My Life," big best seller. Here now it's going all over the world -- this week, published in China. It took a lot of time to translate it, and the actual Chinese title is "Way Too Long."
HEMMER: Cute.
Bev, what about you?
SMITH: I think we missed the whole story of no weapons of mass destruction.
In December, the president quietly announcing that the investigation was over. And I think we have not heard enough about the discussion or questioned where all that tax money has gone. I think we missed a chance to really debate that issue.
HEMMER: Andy, wrap it up.
BOROWITZ: Well, Prince Harry says he's learned his lesson, and from now on, he will only wear his Nazi uniform around the house.
HEMMER: Cameras or no camera, Andy?
BOROWITZ: No cameras.
HEMMER: Enjoy L.A. Thank you, Andy.
BOROWITZ: Thanks a lot.
HEMMER: Mark, good luck this weekend with the Jets, and Bev, you and your Steelers.
All right. Have a great weekend...
SMITH: Steelers are going to win.
HEMMER: ... all three of you.
BOROWITZ: Go Roethlisberg. HEMMER: Thanks. Talk to you later.
Kelly?
WALLACE: Thanks, Bill.
Always a tough act to follow there, but who better than Chad Myers at the CNN Center in Atlanta with the latest on the wild, wild weather.
You've been a busy man this week, Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, earning my keep.
(WEATHER REPORT)
MYERS: Kelly, back to you.
WALLACE: Thanks so much, Chad.
HEMMER: It's going to happen eventually, right?
MYERS: Yes, it is.
WALLACE: Exactly.
HEMMER: Thanks, Chad.
An FDA panel weighing whether or not to make statins available over-the-counter. There are worries here about side effects that could be deadly. We're paging Dr. Gupta in a moment on that.
WALLACE: Also, Bill, one of my favorites, TV's "Desperate Housewives" and one of the "Desperate Housewives", Eva Longoria talking to CNN. Her thoughts on how she'd like to use her newfound clout to help others.
That's all ahead, here on INSIDE -- AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WALLACE: And welcome back.
An FDA advisory panel debating right now whether to allow over- the-counter stat -- sales -- of the cholesterol drug Mevacor. It would be the first time a statin was placed in that category in the United States, and we are paging Dr. Gupta about it this morning.
Sanjay, joining us from the CNN Center in Atlanta. Good morning, Sanjay, good to see you.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Kelly.
Yes, day two of the meetings going on now -- today, expecting to hear from doctors who are opposed to making statin drug, Mevacor, over the counter, as well as patients who may benefit from the change as well.
Mevacor has been around for a long time, since 1987, widely touted as a drug, the statin -- one of the statin drugs that could lower your risk of a heart attack and of a stroke. So, obvious benefits there.
Still, the FDA four years ago turned down a similar request to try and make this medication over-the-counter. They've gone back, they've gotten some focus groups, talked to patients and doctors bringing back the case. That's what's happening right now.
Kelly, one of the things that's important to notice as well, Zocor, another statin medication, already approved over-the-counter in Great Britain.
What are the concerns here? The concerns really are about the patients who sort of fall at the extremes of either needing these medications or not needing these medications.
Let me give you a couple of quick examples. First of all, a 28- year-old man, for example, who eats a lot of junk food, perhaps, hasn't really seen a doctor, but is concerned about heart disease later in life. He takes medications, may face some serious side effects, may experience some longer term dangers, or may just simply be wasting his money as the medication may not necessarily be doing him any good.
Even more concerning, really, at the other end of the extreme. For example, a woman in her late 50s. Again, this is a woman who has significant risk of heart disease, may have a family history of heart disease and probably should be seeing her doctor. Instead, may just buy the over-the-counter medication, suffer the side effects, not have other health issues monitored or be on the appropriate dose of the medication.
These are the patients doctors are concerned about, Kelly, in terms of making sure they see their doctors, making sure they're on the right dose, if necessary at all.
WALLACE: And Sanjay, picking up on that, what are the opponents most concerned about because as you know, of course, many doctors out there, think it would be good to make it available over-the-counter, lower the cost, and make it more widely available to people in the United States.
GUPTA: The benefits, really, about lowering the cost, I think, are there. And a lot of doctors do talk about that. But many cardiologists and doctors who take care of heart disease on a regular basis are concerned about this over-the-counter becoming over-the- counter because of possible side effects that we just mentioned, including liver toxicity, possibly, kidney toxicity as well in rare cases.
But also, it's -- any drug has side effects. It could interact with other medications that you're taking. It could interact with an antibiotic, for example, could even interact with some citrus fruit juices.
Not to scare people off these medications, but just to tell them, rather, that they should be talking to a doctor before probably going out, and even if it's over-the-counter.
WALLACE: And Sanjay, turning to another subject, you're keeping very busy, about to launch your "New You Revolution" here on AMERICAN MORNING. What can we expect?
GUPTA: On Monday, we do launch our "New You Revolution." We're going to introduce you to our five participants who have joined our revolution to break some bad habits and to start some new, healthier ones.
Then every Tuesday for the next eight weeks, we're going to bring you updates on their progress. We encourage everyone to follow along. You've made those New Year's resolutions. Here's your chance to keep them.
Follow along on AMERICAN MORNING, also on the Web. Just go to CNN.com/AM. I think it's going to be a lot of fun.
WALLACE: All right. Sanjay, we look forward to that...
GUPTA: Thank you.
WALLACE: ... and we look to following along with our New Year's resolutions.
Thanks so much.
GUPTA: Thank you.
HEMMER: Some TV housewives not so desperate when it comes to award nominations -- a preview, now, of Sunday night's Golden Globe's presentations from the host of "OFF TOPIC."
Carlos Watson is live in L.A. Carlos, good morning.
CARLOS WATSON, CNN "OFF TOPIC" HOST: Hey, Bill, good morning. How are you?
HEMMER: I'm doing just fine. Who are you sitting down with, here, by the way?
WATSON: We've got three great guests. We've got an exclusive sit down with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, where, among other things, he weighs in on a constitutional amendment and gives you a hint at what he could see happening there.
We also talked to a guy who we're calling the new face of religion in America, Dr. Creflo A. Dollar, an Atlanta-based preacher.
But last, and certainly not least, we're talking to Eva Longoria, star of "Desperate Housewives" and arguably the hottest new face on television. And while she's a beauty who as has appeared on the cover of "Rolling Stone" and other places, she also has worked in presidential politics longer than she's worked in acting.
She is producing a documentary film, which will be fairly cutting edge. And she's also a comedian, so pretty interesting person. I think we've got a clip of her talking about the Golden Globes, which are this Sunday.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WATSON: So Golden Globes are coming up.
EVA LANGORIA, ABC "DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES" ACTRESS: Yes.
WATSON: Were you bummed at all that...
LANGORIA: That I wasn't nominated? No. No, it's so funny. I -- we have been on eight times. The fact that we got nominated for best comedy was overwhelming.
WATSON: Do you ever worry you'll be like Kristin Davis from "Sex In The City," who always was the one not nominated? You know, I mean, that once something starts, it'll...
LANGORIA: Right. Right. No. No, I'm not really big on awards and accolades.
WATSON: OK.
LANGORIA: I mean, you know, because we come here every day and we do really good work.
WATSON: What's the best thing that's happened, literally. I mean, when you really think about it, what's the best thing that's happened?
LANGORIA: That's still happening is every week our ratings go up. It's insane.
WATSON: Is that right? I mean, literally it gets better?
LANGORIA: Yes, it really gets better and better and better. You would think, you know, we're the number one show, yeah...
WATSON: Right, right, right.
LANGORIA: ... and it can't get any better than that. But it gets better and better and better.
And specifically, like demographics-wise and more men, and older, and younger, and everybody's just adding on. I like the business side of this whole, you know, entertainment thing.
WATSON: Could you ever see yourself running a studio one day?
LANGORIA: I would definitely -- not a studio, but I would love to produce independent projects, yes.
WATSON: Well, with a social theme, with just a variety?
LANGORIA: Just a variety of stuff. Not really anything specific other than things that will give opportunities to more minorities, including Latin women, people of color.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WATSON: Bill, so as you can see, she's a very intriguing person. And one of the things we're trying to do with "OFF TOPIC," which obviously airs a week from Sunday, January 23 at 10:00 p.m. Eastern and again at 10:00 p.m. Pacific, is to talk to unusual people in ways that go beyond kind of the normal conversations.
So Eva talking about business, talking about politics, also talking about "Desperate Housewives." Arnold weighing in on how he raises his kids, talking about his marriage, but also talking about some of the struggles he sees on the national and state level.
Should be a really interesting show coming up next Sunday at 10:00 p.m.
HEMMER: Well, looking forward to it.
Thank you, Carlos. Enjoy the Golden Globes this weekend.
WATSON: Good to see you.
HEMMER: To you, as well.
"OFF TOPIC " comes a week from Sunday, 10:00 Eastern, as Carlos mentioned, the 23rd of January. Thanks again - Kelly?
WALLACE: All right. Thanks, Bill.
NFL star, Randy Moss, gave Packer fans an eyeful last week in Green Bay. Wait until you hear how he says he'll top himself this week.
"The Cafferty File" coming up ahead here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WALLACE: And welcome back.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Inflation numbers are out, and a dream job scored by a young Harvard graduate. Andy Serwer is here "Minding Your Business."
Good morning.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Good morning to you, Jack. We have a lot of Harvard news for all of you out there this morning.
First of all, the markets -- yesterday a bit downer on Wall Street, Dow down 112 points. The price of oil was higher -- well, almost 112. I overstated the case, 111.9. Price of oil was higher. GM saying that its business was weaker than anticipated. This morning, futures are up, however, maybe part of that has to do with producer price index, that's wholesale prices for the month of December fell. And that's good news for the economy.
Harvard, Soledad O'Brien not here. She's a Harvard grad. We never held that against her. First of all, Apple Computer suing a 19- year-old Harvard student. Nick dePlume is his name. That's a non de plume (ph), by the way.
This guy writes one of these Web blogs where talks about Apple. And Apple is going after these people because it's saying that they're revealing trade secrets.
He first started doing this blog when he was 13.
CAFFERTY: Wow.
SERWER: OK. Leave him alone, Apple. He's 19.
HEMMER: What kind of secrets?
SERWER: You know, he's -- this guy's predicted some of the new products. And he said -- Apple says -- he's encouraging employees to tell him the leak secrets to him. I mean, leave it alone.
That's our first Harvard story.
CAFFERTY: OK. You have another one?
SERWER: My second Harvard story? Yes, there is a fun czar. Harvard has hired a fun czar.
CAFFERTY: Why am I not surprised at that school...
SERWER: Yes, a young...
CAFFERTY: ... that they'd have to hire somebody...
WALLACE: So, an F.U.N., right?
CAFFERTY: ... to teach the children how to have a good time.
SERWER: His job is actually special assistant to the dean for special programming. He will be broadening the range of social activities, et cetera, et cetera. That's Harvard speak.
Zac Corker is the young man's name. This is from the "Harvard Gazette." Zac Corker, that's a good name for a fun -- He throws parties.
They had to hire a guy -- here he is -- counseling another student on -- he just graduated, on how to have a party. How --
Those guys look like a barrel of laughs, those two. Let me tell you something. One thing that Zac has did, he organized a Halloween bus trip to Salem, Massachusetts. Ha, ha, ha.
I'd rather stay in the dorm and have a Schlitz, thank you. Unless I'm 21 -- but I'd have to be 21. I want to make that clear.
WALLACE: Yes, let's...
SERWER: I'd have to be 21 years old. Anyway...
CAFFERTY: Only college in America.
SERWER: One last thing, Jack.
CAFFERTY: Go ahead.
SERWER: The guy at Yale said -- they always go back and forth. "We don't need to have one. Students here already know how to have fun."
CAFFERTY: Yes.
SERWER: Good for you. Bulla, Bulla (ph).
CAFFERTY: Time for "The Cafferty File."
Yesterday, the NFL fined Minnesota Viking's wide receiver, Randy Moss, $10,000 for this stunt. He pretended to moon the Green Bay Packer fans sitting behind him in the end zone after scoring a touchdown.
He was asked about the fine, and Moss had this to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RANDY MOSS, NFL PLAYER: Ain't nothing but $10,000. What's $10,000 to me? Next time, I might shake my (off mic).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CAFFERTY: Somewhere, I wonder if his mother is, you know -- I mean, what a moron.
SERWER: She doesn't watch him, I bet.
CAFFERTY: That's just unbelievable.
Politicians in one Australian state are being asked to become sperm donors to help ease the dwindling supplies at an in vitro fertilization clinic. The Monash IVF clinic has written to 25 parliamentarians under the age of 45 asking them for an -- to set an example for the rest of the male population by becoming donors.
A Monash spokeswoman says it has approximately 100 clients, but it only has 13 donors. Couples who find out that the donors are politicians may want to consider adoption.
SERWER: Ooh. WALLACE: That's a new term, new word to public service.
SERWER: Well -- a couple of jerks there.
CAFFERTY: Yes, absolutely.
WALLACE: I'm trying...
CAFFERTY: They were asked to lend a hand.
SERWER: So many places we can go, but we shouldn't.
HEMMER: We won't.
CAFFERTY: The Vermont Teddy Bear Company will continue to sell its $70 crazy for you bear, complete with a straightjacket...
SERWER: Get out.
CAFFERTY: ... despite opposition from the state's mental health community.
We shouldn't laugh here. This is serious.
WALLACE: Yes.
SERWER: It's very serious.
CAFFERTY: The bear is part of the company's Valentine's Day lineup. It comes complete with commitment papers. The Vermont chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill calls the crazy for you teddy bear a "tasteless use of marketing that stigmatizes persons with mental illness."
Get over yourselves.
SERWER: Yes.
CAFFERTY: It's cute. The company defends the bear saying it's designed to be a light-hearted depiction of the sentiment of love for Valentine's Day. And besides that, it's funny.
SERWER: You know, you're really sick.
CAFFERTY: I am?
SERWER: Yes. I mean...
CAFFERTY: I am. You know, I have a cold.
SERWER: You know, you have a cold. That's true.
CAFFERTY: Paging Dr. Gupta.
SERWER: Yes.
CAFFERTY: I told him if I needed any medication, I might call you later.
SERWER: Me or him?
CAFFERTY: You.
SERWER: Oh, where should I put this, by the way?
HEMMER: You were kind of like the fun czar at Yale, but you just did not have the title.
SERWER: Yes, right. Where should I put this, Jack?
CAFFERTY: No, no, don't ask me that.
SERWER: What? Never mind.
WALLACE: Never mind.
HEMMER: We're not going to pop the top?
WALLACE: Just one time.
SERWER: The NFL is going to call us after this.
WALLACE: I was going to say, are there copyright issues here.
SERWER: No, they love it. It's free advertising.
HEMMER: Seems like a Friday.
SERWER: Yes, it does.
HEMMER: In a moment here -- in a moment here, one Midwestern state transformed into a water world. Now comes a drastic change in temperature.
What happens when all the water turns to ice?
Back in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING.
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