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American Morning

Woman Abducted From Wal-Mart Parking Lot; George W. Bush, Road Ahead; Interview With George Mitchell; Future of Iraq

Aired January 21, 2005 - 07:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. A desperate search in Texas for a Wal-Mart cashier abducted from a store parking lot. Police hoping the surveillance tapes give them the clues they need.
The president and first lady dashing through a total of 10 inaugural balls.

And the vice president sending a message saying Iran now tops the list of the world's trouble spots.

And a sudden winter storm causing gridlock, and the big one is bearing down on this AMERICAN MORNING.

ANNOUNCER: From the CNN broadcast center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING, with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Welcome, everybody. We are back in New York after the inauguration. Still one official inaugural event to go to. That is a prayer service this morning. In just a few minutes, we're going to take a look back at the president's speech yesterday, the message that he was sending. And we'll talk about whether certain governments are now on notice when former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell joins us just ahead.

HEMMER: Also, this big storm coming to the Northeast. Chad warned us about this two days ago really all the way back to Chicago, 6 to 12 inches possible here in New York City. It's not here yet, but it won't take long to get here. Chad's up in a moment looking at the forecast for the weekend and today. Stay tuned for that.

O'BRIEN: Yes, that could be nasty.

HEMMER: Yes.

O'BRIEN: Good morning, Jack. Did you miss us?

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: See how nicer it is here in the studios?

O'BRIEN: It's about 40 degrees warmer, at least.

CAFFERTY: You guys did well yesterday. It was a tough day down there, right?

O'BRIEN: Thank you.

HEMMER: Thank you.

CAFFERTY: Call it the freedom speech, the inaugural address laying out America's agenda, if you will, to bring an end to tyranny in the world. We'll take a closer look at that idea and see just how practical it might be in a few minutes.

HEMMER: All right. It's good to be back with you.

O'BRIEN: Thank you.

HEMMER: It wasn't bad until, like, the fourth hour, right?

CAFFERTY: Memories of Chicago, right?

HEMMER: Oh, yes.

O'BRIEN: There was a really cold 20 minutes at the very bitter end.

CAFFERTY: Let's go out to some really cold place and see if we can kill off the hosts of this show. Hey, there's a good idea.

O'BRIEN: In the middle of it here.

CAFFERTY: Yes.

HEMMER: And bring your gloves.

O'BRIEN: No, it didn't work, darn it! We're back today. I'm sure there will be another chance, though.

Let's get right to the top stories this morning. Heidi Collins in for us.

Good morning.

HEMMER: Good morning.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, guys. Welcome back. And good morning to you, everybody.

"Now in the News." this morning.

An attack during an early morning prayer session on one of Islam's most important holidays. Iraqi police sources say at least 14 people were killed when a car bomb went off near a Shiite mosque south of Baghdad. Dozens of people are wounded. The attack comes on the holiday known as the Feast of Sacrifice, marking the end of the Muslim pilgrimage, hajj.

As exposed -- as expected, that is, the vote on Condoleezza Rice's nomination as secretary of state has been delayed until next week. The Senate has set aside nine hours on Tuesday for additional debate. Rice is expected to be confirmed in a full Senate vote on Wednesday. Turning now to a "CNN Security Watch." Authorities are widening the probe surrounding a possible terror plot in Boston. Four Chinese nationals are already wanted for questioning. The FBI is now adding 10 new names to that list. Authorities stressed the information regarding that possible threat still has not been verified, and the nature of the potential plot has not been disclosed.

Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

And police in Philadelphia are looking into a complaint against comedian Bill Cosby. A woman described as an acquaintance of the entertainer claims he touched her inappropriately one year ago. Cosby's attorney says no criminal complaint has been filed and called the allegation -- quote -- "utterly preposterous and plainly bizarre." Cosby has canceled some upcoming public appearances citing personal reasons.

Back now over to you guys in the warm, warm studio.

HEMMER: All right, Heidi, thanks. OK, it is. You're right about that.

This big story storm that's coming right now headed for the Northeast. Right now, it's snowing again in North Carolina. And on Wednesday, just an inch of snow and ice came down in Raleigh Durham. Roads became ice rinks there, traffic gridlocked. Trips that usually took a few moments stretched into a couple hours. Chad Myers is at the CNN center looking outside.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: In Texas now, an intensive search is under way for a young woman who was abducted in a Wal-Mart parking lot. And the entire incident was caught Wednesday night on a surveillance tape.

Ed Lavandera is in Tyler, Texas. He's got the latest developments for us.

Hey, Ed, good morning.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.

And on Wednesday night, Megan Holden was walking out of this Wal- Mart here in Tyler, Texas. She had just wrapped up her shift as a cashier at the store. When she was walking to her car, she was approached by a man from behind, apparently forced into her own truck. And the whole incident was caught on videotape. There are a series of video cameras in this Wal-Mart parking lot.

And what police describe as a 20 to 25-year-old black male, about 5 feet 11, 6 foot tall, weighing about 180 pounds, a medium to muscular build approached this woman from behind, apparently put her inside the car.

It's hard to make out on the tape exactly what happened at the moment of the confrontation. But police are now searching for 19- year-old Megan Holden.

There hasn't been an Amber Alert issued in this case, because Amber (sic) is too old. The cutoff date for that, you have to be under the age of 17 for the Amber Alert to be issued.

But nonetheless, there is a team of about 100 officers statewide here in the state of Texas, as well as in surrounding states, Louisiana and Arkansas, who have been alerted to this abduction. We understand that police officers have been using aerial support in the area, looking for this red pickup truck. Amber (sic) drives a 2002 Ford F-150 truck. It's red with a license plate, 6VTV84. Excuse me, her name is Megan Holden, apparently 19 years old.

Police say what they're really looking for at this point is that pickup truck. They're hoping that that will lead them to solve this case.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OFFICER DON MARTIN, TYLER POLICE DEPARTMENT: We've got to get a clothing description on him. We're going to try and enhance the facial parts of the videotape. And we had an artist flown in from Houston last night to do a sketch on him. So, we're hoping today that through these leads that we might be able to come up with an identification.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAVANDERA: Police also believe that this suspect was loitering around in the parking lot here at Wal-Mart for several hours before Megan Holden finished her shift as a cashier here at the Wal-Mart. In fact, several points on the videotape, police say, the man can be seen following other women out of the store and then kind of giving up. So, they believe he was here for this reason -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Oh, gosh, all right. Ed, thank you very much. Of course, we'll going to continue to watch this story. How awful. Thanks. Appreciate that update -- Bill.

HEMMER: Now from Washington, in the nation's capital, inauguration whirlwind ending with a full night of parties last night. President Bush and the first lady tripping the light fantastic in no fewer than 10 inaugural balls. All that and they were back at the White House, back home just after 10:00 local time. The official celebration ends this morning, as it began yesterday, with a prayer service.

Here's John King live this morning at the White House.

John -- good morning there.

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Bill.

That prayer service is the only public event on the president's schedule today, a chance to reflect and then relax before pushing head ahead with his ambitious and, some would say, quite controversial second-term agenda.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The Constitution of the...

KING (voice over): Left hand on the family bible...

BUSH: So help me God.

KING: ... second inaugural address shaped by the defining day of the first term, September 11, a day of fire, the president called it.

BUSH: The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands.

KING: The self-described war president said his second-term mission will be using American power and influence to end tyranny and promote democracy.

BUSH: It is the honorable achievement of our fathers. Now, it is the urgent requirement of our nation's security and the calling of our time.

KING: No specific mention of Iraq, where critics suggest Mr. Bush's zeal for promoting democracy is failing its first big test. But without singling out any one government, Mr. Bush promised an aggressive second-term approach that could, if he follows through, strain relations with governments with whom critics say Mr. Bush has been far too cozy. Russia, China and Saudi Arabia among them.

BUSH: The leaders of governments with long habits of control need to know to serve your people, you must learn to trust them.

KING: Here at home, Mr. Bush said a freedom agenda would give individuals more power and government less, and promised as he pushed controversial ideas like revamping Social Security to reach across party lines.

BUSH: We have known divisions which must be healed to move forward in great purposes. And I will strive in good faith to heal them.

KING: Chief Justice William Rehnquist administered the oath, but his frail condition amid a battle with cancer was a reminder a Supreme Court nomination could soon test any hope of bipartisanship.

And even as they joined the ceremonies, Democrats fired a symbolic early warning shot, blocking confirmation of Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state until next week.

Protests along the parade route were another reminder that Mr. Bush begins his second term as he did the first: a polarizing figure.

The security was unprecedented. And only at the very end did the president and first lady leave the limousine to enjoy a bit of the parade route on foot, before joining family members, the vice president and others in the VIP reviewing stand to savor the moment.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

While many found it interesting, there was no specific mention of Iraq in the president's second inaugural address, but he was clearly mindful of the wavering support for the war here at home and the cloud, if you will, that the war in Iraq cast over the beginning of his second term. The president said that he had accepted difficult responsibilities for America around the world, and he said that it would be irresponsible to abandon them -- Bill.

HEMMER: John, there's an awful lot of talk of this on the day after, too, about this message of democracy around the world. Does the White House express any concern at all that some countries may take that as a threat? Or do they want that message there?

KING: Well, they certainly say it is not meant to be threatening, but it is meant to be a wake-up call, if you will. Certainly, the president has in the past talked to Tehran and Damascus, for example, Iran and Syria, saying they should do more to promote democracy. They should do less, he says, meddling in Iraq.

There's a credibility test here for this president, though. Will he just pressure those governments, but will he also pressure friendly governments like Russia and Saudi Arabia and others? He raised the bar, Bill, in this speech, not only for his second term, but certainly for his new secretary of state.

HEMMER: John King, thanks, from the White House this morning.

Soledad now with more.

O'BRIEN: Thank you.

Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell brings a unique perspective to the president's remarks, having been both a leader in the Senate and an international peace negotiator.

Nice to see you, sir. It's always nice to have you back. What did you think of the speech?

GEORGE MITCHELL, FMR. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: I thought it was consistent with previous inaugural addresses, high aspirations stated in general terms, more thematic than specific and I thought quite eloquent at some points. The problem, of course, will come in translating the high aspirations, easy to state, into the realities of the difficult world. Awfully hard to put into practice.

O'BRIEN: Did you think it was powerful and aggressive -- as some have said, who are supporters of the president, and others who are not so much supporters have said -- confrontational, the wrong way to go? Where would you fall in that?

MITCHELL: I would say neither. In terms of startling and aggressive, let me just remind you, this is what John Kennedy said 44 years ago. Let every nation know whether it wishes us well or ill, that we'll pay the price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival of liberty.

What the president said yesterday was essentially the same thought, updated, cast and more than firm. So, I didn't find it either startling or unusual.

The problem, again, will come in translating it into reality. Bill just referred and John King did to other countries, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, China, countries which the president has supported, been close to, praised President Musharraf. Of course, he's a general who took power through a military coup, does not have a democratic country, but is essential in the war against terror.

I think the real startling thing will be if the president actually does, with respect to those countries, some of the things that he implied yesterday.

O'BRIEN: It's not unusual for these speeches to be low on specifics. I mean, they sort of present this idealistic plan.

MITCHELL: That's right.

O'BRIEN: Who else do you think is on this list? I mean, people are trying to figure out who he's talking to, who he's addressing, what countries he's really thinking about as he mentions countries where governments have long histories of control without naming them.

MITCHELL: Well, I think most of these countries will think it's someone else. I think Pakistan, for instance, will not include Pakistan. Saudi Arabia, for instance, will not include Saudi Arabia, and so on down the list. And it's going to be very difficult.

And the best evidence of that is that the one place in which all of the president's themes are embodied was not mentioned in this speech, and that's Iraq, of course, because the reality there has proven to be much more complex, difficult and messy than the high aspirations stated with respect to Iraq when we began there a year or two ago.

O'BRIEN: Earlier in the morning, on inauguration morning, the vice president was talking about Iran. Is Iran first on that list?

MITCHELL: Well, very clearly, Iran is high on the administration's agenda, because it is plainly trying to become the 10th nuclear power. There are nine powers now which possess nuclear weapons, and Iran is trying hard to become the 10th, despite their denials. And it confronts the administration with an exceedingly difficult problem.

Given the difficulties in Iraq, which is a country one-third the size of Iran, given Iran's long national history and high degree of nationalism, military action in Iran will be extremely difficult, much more so than Iraq. And yet, how do you get them to act in a proper way? The administration is struggling to find the right course, but it's obviously going to be high on the agenda. Wholly irrespective of this speech or whatever else is mentioned, Iran and North Korea are going to be crucial aspects of the second term. O'BRIEN: I want to take just one second to talk to you about international peace, about the Middle East.

MITCHELL: Yes.

O'BRIEN: What do you think of the first steps that Mahmoud Abbas has taken so far?

MITCHELL: Well, I think he's done a reasonably good job. He's in a very difficult spot. He does not have a broad base of support. He follows Arafat, who was a true national leader. And Abbas is trying to build a base of support.

I think the real catch-22 is that the way he's going to get that support is by demonstrating to the Palestinian people that if they follow his course, a peaceful, nonviolent course, they will improve their situation. And the only people who can make that happen are the United States and Israel. We've got to do what we can to help him deliver on improving the daily lives of Palestinians, while he has got to crack down with respect to security and these acts of terrorism. It's a very tough act.

Notwithstanding that, this is the best opportunity in many years, and I hope very much that the administration will pursue it with vigor and perseverance.

O'BRIEN: Former peace negotiator and also former Senate Majority Leader, George Mitchell. Nice to see you, Senator. Thanks for talking with us.

MITCHELL: Thank you, Soledad. Nice to be here.

O'BRIEN: Bill.

HEMMER: Almost 17 minutes past the hour. Millions of immigrants are here in the U.S. illegally. But at a time when many Americans want to crack down, there is one man who says we should be really reaching out. Our series "What's In It For Me" continues today.

Plus, Iraqis are expected to carry the security load come election day. How concerned should the U.S. military be about that responsibility? Those stories after the break on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Election day in Iraq is now nine days away on the calendar. But is a fair vote possible in the continued violence?

Retired Lieutenant General Mike DeLong is with us now from Tampa, a former deputy commander of CENTCOM and the author of "Inside CENTCOM: the Unvarnished Truth About the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq."

Welcome, General. Good to have you along with us today.

LT. GEN. MIKE DELONG, U.S. MARINES (RET.): Good to be on your show. Hi, Jim (sic).

HEMMER: It's Bill, but that's OK. If you want to pick up "The Washington Post" this morning, what you're going to find there is an article that shows a new survey conducted throughout Iraq suggests that 80 percent of the Iraqis surveyed expect the vote on January 30. What is the threat to these people's lives at this point that we know of, General?

DELONG: Well, the issue over there right now is, even the people that are running for office are running with numbers. Their names are not being put out there. You can be No. 147, and that's what people are voting for.

There is a threat over there. That 80 percent that say are going to vote, I think that's a great number. I would say that 80 percent are going to try to vote. And I would say that the coalition forces and the Iraqi forces, the security forces, will try to protect the voting areas. I hope that's the number.

HEMMER: Yes, here is the wildcard in all of this, General. No one quite knows what to expect on January 30. There is this Iraqi intelligence estimate that came out early in the week that estimates 150 more car bombs, 250 suicide attackers ready to go on the march now. Through all of this, in the wildcard that I just mentioned, what do you expect at the end of January?

DELONG: Well, I expect they can't come -- you can't have much more violence than they're currently having over there right now. You've got the security police, you've got the coalition forces doing the things they have to do over there right now. They know where the voting areas are. I can't see much more going on, because there's going to be more security on the streets.

HEMMER: Let's try and break down two critical areas here. The Iraqi forces, what is their expected responsibility that day?

DELONG: Well, when you talk to the U.S. military over there, they would like the Iraqi forces -- that includes the Iraqi police, the Iraqi national guard and the Iraqi army -- to be the front face. If that works, that would be outstanding. That number, if you add them all up, is somewhere above 135,000 trained and equipped. If you break them down, there's different numbers.

But I think there are going to be some places where the violence will be so severe that they will not be able to handle some of the stuff. And the coalition forces are going to have to be there, available to move in.

HEMMER: And on the coalition forces, about a month ago we reported that 30,000 U.S. troops are expected to be dispatched in addition in Baghdad to what is already there now. I don't know if that's the case. But if that is still the plan, what is the responsibility for the U.S. military that day?

DELONG: Well, first of all, that I'm not sure about. But I think when the president said we're going to have elections and the U.N. says we're going to have elections on 31 January, we need to have elections on 31 January. So, we're going to try to ensure that people that want to vote can vote. And we're going to help where we have to.

HEMMER: Thank you, General. Lieutenant General Mike DeLong, the author of "Inside CENTCOM: The Unvarnished Truth About the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq." Nine days away on the calendar again. Thanks, General -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: One day after Inauguration Day. Really, the inauguration goes for several days. It's still going on today. Jack has got the "Question of the Day" about that.

Good morning.

CAFFERTY: Thank you, Soledad and Jim.

HEMMER: Oh, Jack!

CAFFERTY: Call it the freedom speech. I couldn't resist.

HEMMER: I know.

CAFFERTY: President Bush used the words "freedom" and "liberty" 42 times in that inaugural address yesterday. He said the United States will seek the growth of freedom in every nation in the world with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny.

Recent democratic successes include the "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine, the defeat of Islamic parties in Indonesia and Malaysia, successful elections in Afghanistan, and, of course, the Iraqis getting their chance to vote a week from Sunday.

But what about places like Saudi Arabia and China and Russia and Egypt and Pakistan, places where opposition to tyranny is at direct odds with U.S. security or economic policy?

Here's the question: Is President Bush's goal of expanding freedom realistic? AM@cnn.com.

I mean, North Korea and Iran, you can deal with. But what about -- I mean, what do you with China?

O'BRIEN: It's trickier when you have a friendly relationship.

CAFFERTY: Yes.

O'BRIEN: That is for sure.

CAFFERTY: Yes. Or a dependent relationship. I mean, we couldn't be doing half the stuff we're doing in the Middle East if it wasn't for Musharraf in Pakistan. And if he isn't a dictator, I'm a gourmet chef, which isn't going to happen soon. Right, Jim?

O'BRIEN: You're not a gourmet chef?

HEMMER: It's Jack, right? CAFFERTY: I think, yes. I'm not sure. Ask the general.

O'BRIEN: Hey, I've got a question for you. Here's a question for you.

CAFFERTY: OK.

O'BRIEN: How did Wall Street react to the first official day of the second Bush term? Andy is "Minding Your Business." That's up next on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody.

The year is still young, but Wall Street's already singing the blues. That and a look at who's going to the Super Bowl. Woo hoo! That's what I really want to talk about today.

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Good. That's what I want to talk about, too.

O'BRIEN: Because my football picks have been doing very nicely.

SERWER: You're doing so well, Soledad. You continue to blow them away.

More pain and no gain for investors on Wall Street yesterday. The Dow fell 68 points, and the Nasdaq was worse on a percentage basis, down 1.3 percent, down 6 percent almost for the year, the Nasdaq is.

Qualcomm and eBay leading the way down. EBay down almost 20 percent yesterday after saying its forecast going forward is not so rosy.

Let's talk about football, though. Some good news this January, OK? It's playoff football time. Let's see how the anchors did. Soledad at the top. Bill Hemmer as well.

O'BRIEN: He's really -- you know, yes, we're tied.

SERWER: Soledad, there ought to be a law. I mean, look at Andy, mediocrity.

O'BRIEN: I had...

SERWER: Heidi, mediocrity. And Jack, I think he picked the road games.

O'BRIEN: I had to talk to Todd about when I dropped to the bottom.

SERWER: Yes, oh, you had a little pick-me-up.

O'BRIEN: Todd and I had a chit-chat. SERWER: Yes, I understand that. Last week, we were down at the Eagles game, the Eagles-Vikings game, and let me tell you something, it was kind of rowdy down there in the parking lot.

HEMMER: I bet.

O'BRIEN: Which one is you here?

SERWER: No, I'm hiding, Soledad. There were some crazy people out there. It was about 20 degrees, good football weather. Yes, look at that! That was a lobster pot. They were pouring beer in there. Crazy. That's just crazy.

O'BRIEN: That's how you make lobster. With beer.

SERWER: No. Water.

O'BRIEN: Yes, seriously.

SERWER: You do?

O'BRIEN: In Boston, yes.

SERWER: OK. Well, OK. You're taking a page from the Patriots' book.

All right. How about the Falcons and Eagles? I've got to pick the Eagles here. First of all, I'm scared to death of the fans after being down there. Come get me if I don't. But I think the northern birds will beat the southern birds. I checked the weather forecast, Chad, 23 degrees and snow.

HEMMER: Yes.

O'BRIEN: Yes.

SERWER: They're not going to like that. I mean, that's not good.

How about the Patriots and Steelers? This is interesting, because the Patriots are actually favored even though they're visiting. And I'm going to go with that as well. I think this is a little statistic that the Patriots are 13-0...

O'BRIEN: Yes.

SERWER: ... after playing the team twice.

HEMMER: That would make a heck of a Super Bowl.

SERWER: Yes.

HEMMER: Eagles/Patriots?

SERWER: Yes.

HEMMER: Down in Jacksonville?

SERWER: Yes. Well, it could well happen.

SERWER: It could happen, right. All right, thank you, Andy. We appreciate it.

SERWER: You're welcome.

O'BRIEN: Let's get a preview now of "90-Second Pop". SpongeBob SquarePants in the crossfire. Why is the religious right on the attack?

Plus, the Donald shakes things up for season three of "The Apprentice." But is there an even bigger twist in the show's future? That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

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Aired January 21, 2005 - 07:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. A desperate search in Texas for a Wal-Mart cashier abducted from a store parking lot. Police hoping the surveillance tapes give them the clues they need.
The president and first lady dashing through a total of 10 inaugural balls.

And the vice president sending a message saying Iran now tops the list of the world's trouble spots.

And a sudden winter storm causing gridlock, and the big one is bearing down on this AMERICAN MORNING.

ANNOUNCER: From the CNN broadcast center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING, with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Welcome, everybody. We are back in New York after the inauguration. Still one official inaugural event to go to. That is a prayer service this morning. In just a few minutes, we're going to take a look back at the president's speech yesterday, the message that he was sending. And we'll talk about whether certain governments are now on notice when former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell joins us just ahead.

HEMMER: Also, this big storm coming to the Northeast. Chad warned us about this two days ago really all the way back to Chicago, 6 to 12 inches possible here in New York City. It's not here yet, but it won't take long to get here. Chad's up in a moment looking at the forecast for the weekend and today. Stay tuned for that.

O'BRIEN: Yes, that could be nasty.

HEMMER: Yes.

O'BRIEN: Good morning, Jack. Did you miss us?

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: See how nicer it is here in the studios?

O'BRIEN: It's about 40 degrees warmer, at least.

CAFFERTY: You guys did well yesterday. It was a tough day down there, right?

O'BRIEN: Thank you.

HEMMER: Thank you.

CAFFERTY: Call it the freedom speech, the inaugural address laying out America's agenda, if you will, to bring an end to tyranny in the world. We'll take a closer look at that idea and see just how practical it might be in a few minutes.

HEMMER: All right. It's good to be back with you.

O'BRIEN: Thank you.

HEMMER: It wasn't bad until, like, the fourth hour, right?

CAFFERTY: Memories of Chicago, right?

HEMMER: Oh, yes.

O'BRIEN: There was a really cold 20 minutes at the very bitter end.

CAFFERTY: Let's go out to some really cold place and see if we can kill off the hosts of this show. Hey, there's a good idea.

O'BRIEN: In the middle of it here.

CAFFERTY: Yes.

HEMMER: And bring your gloves.

O'BRIEN: No, it didn't work, darn it! We're back today. I'm sure there will be another chance, though.

Let's get right to the top stories this morning. Heidi Collins in for us.

Good morning.

HEMMER: Good morning.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, guys. Welcome back. And good morning to you, everybody.

"Now in the News." this morning.

An attack during an early morning prayer session on one of Islam's most important holidays. Iraqi police sources say at least 14 people were killed when a car bomb went off near a Shiite mosque south of Baghdad. Dozens of people are wounded. The attack comes on the holiday known as the Feast of Sacrifice, marking the end of the Muslim pilgrimage, hajj.

As exposed -- as expected, that is, the vote on Condoleezza Rice's nomination as secretary of state has been delayed until next week. The Senate has set aside nine hours on Tuesday for additional debate. Rice is expected to be confirmed in a full Senate vote on Wednesday. Turning now to a "CNN Security Watch." Authorities are widening the probe surrounding a possible terror plot in Boston. Four Chinese nationals are already wanted for questioning. The FBI is now adding 10 new names to that list. Authorities stressed the information regarding that possible threat still has not been verified, and the nature of the potential plot has not been disclosed.

Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

And police in Philadelphia are looking into a complaint against comedian Bill Cosby. A woman described as an acquaintance of the entertainer claims he touched her inappropriately one year ago. Cosby's attorney says no criminal complaint has been filed and called the allegation -- quote -- "utterly preposterous and plainly bizarre." Cosby has canceled some upcoming public appearances citing personal reasons.

Back now over to you guys in the warm, warm studio.

HEMMER: All right, Heidi, thanks. OK, it is. You're right about that.

This big story storm that's coming right now headed for the Northeast. Right now, it's snowing again in North Carolina. And on Wednesday, just an inch of snow and ice came down in Raleigh Durham. Roads became ice rinks there, traffic gridlocked. Trips that usually took a few moments stretched into a couple hours. Chad Myers is at the CNN center looking outside.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: In Texas now, an intensive search is under way for a young woman who was abducted in a Wal-Mart parking lot. And the entire incident was caught Wednesday night on a surveillance tape.

Ed Lavandera is in Tyler, Texas. He's got the latest developments for us.

Hey, Ed, good morning.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.

And on Wednesday night, Megan Holden was walking out of this Wal- Mart here in Tyler, Texas. She had just wrapped up her shift as a cashier at the store. When she was walking to her car, she was approached by a man from behind, apparently forced into her own truck. And the whole incident was caught on videotape. There are a series of video cameras in this Wal-Mart parking lot.

And what police describe as a 20 to 25-year-old black male, about 5 feet 11, 6 foot tall, weighing about 180 pounds, a medium to muscular build approached this woman from behind, apparently put her inside the car.

It's hard to make out on the tape exactly what happened at the moment of the confrontation. But police are now searching for 19- year-old Megan Holden.

There hasn't been an Amber Alert issued in this case, because Amber (sic) is too old. The cutoff date for that, you have to be under the age of 17 for the Amber Alert to be issued.

But nonetheless, there is a team of about 100 officers statewide here in the state of Texas, as well as in surrounding states, Louisiana and Arkansas, who have been alerted to this abduction. We understand that police officers have been using aerial support in the area, looking for this red pickup truck. Amber (sic) drives a 2002 Ford F-150 truck. It's red with a license plate, 6VTV84. Excuse me, her name is Megan Holden, apparently 19 years old.

Police say what they're really looking for at this point is that pickup truck. They're hoping that that will lead them to solve this case.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OFFICER DON MARTIN, TYLER POLICE DEPARTMENT: We've got to get a clothing description on him. We're going to try and enhance the facial parts of the videotape. And we had an artist flown in from Houston last night to do a sketch on him. So, we're hoping today that through these leads that we might be able to come up with an identification.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAVANDERA: Police also believe that this suspect was loitering around in the parking lot here at Wal-Mart for several hours before Megan Holden finished her shift as a cashier here at the Wal-Mart. In fact, several points on the videotape, police say, the man can be seen following other women out of the store and then kind of giving up. So, they believe he was here for this reason -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Oh, gosh, all right. Ed, thank you very much. Of course, we'll going to continue to watch this story. How awful. Thanks. Appreciate that update -- Bill.

HEMMER: Now from Washington, in the nation's capital, inauguration whirlwind ending with a full night of parties last night. President Bush and the first lady tripping the light fantastic in no fewer than 10 inaugural balls. All that and they were back at the White House, back home just after 10:00 local time. The official celebration ends this morning, as it began yesterday, with a prayer service.

Here's John King live this morning at the White House.

John -- good morning there.

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Bill.

That prayer service is the only public event on the president's schedule today, a chance to reflect and then relax before pushing head ahead with his ambitious and, some would say, quite controversial second-term agenda.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The Constitution of the...

KING (voice over): Left hand on the family bible...

BUSH: So help me God.

KING: ... second inaugural address shaped by the defining day of the first term, September 11, a day of fire, the president called it.

BUSH: The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands.

KING: The self-described war president said his second-term mission will be using American power and influence to end tyranny and promote democracy.

BUSH: It is the honorable achievement of our fathers. Now, it is the urgent requirement of our nation's security and the calling of our time.

KING: No specific mention of Iraq, where critics suggest Mr. Bush's zeal for promoting democracy is failing its first big test. But without singling out any one government, Mr. Bush promised an aggressive second-term approach that could, if he follows through, strain relations with governments with whom critics say Mr. Bush has been far too cozy. Russia, China and Saudi Arabia among them.

BUSH: The leaders of governments with long habits of control need to know to serve your people, you must learn to trust them.

KING: Here at home, Mr. Bush said a freedom agenda would give individuals more power and government less, and promised as he pushed controversial ideas like revamping Social Security to reach across party lines.

BUSH: We have known divisions which must be healed to move forward in great purposes. And I will strive in good faith to heal them.

KING: Chief Justice William Rehnquist administered the oath, but his frail condition amid a battle with cancer was a reminder a Supreme Court nomination could soon test any hope of bipartisanship.

And even as they joined the ceremonies, Democrats fired a symbolic early warning shot, blocking confirmation of Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state until next week.

Protests along the parade route were another reminder that Mr. Bush begins his second term as he did the first: a polarizing figure.

The security was unprecedented. And only at the very end did the president and first lady leave the limousine to enjoy a bit of the parade route on foot, before joining family members, the vice president and others in the VIP reviewing stand to savor the moment.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

While many found it interesting, there was no specific mention of Iraq in the president's second inaugural address, but he was clearly mindful of the wavering support for the war here at home and the cloud, if you will, that the war in Iraq cast over the beginning of his second term. The president said that he had accepted difficult responsibilities for America around the world, and he said that it would be irresponsible to abandon them -- Bill.

HEMMER: John, there's an awful lot of talk of this on the day after, too, about this message of democracy around the world. Does the White House express any concern at all that some countries may take that as a threat? Or do they want that message there?

KING: Well, they certainly say it is not meant to be threatening, but it is meant to be a wake-up call, if you will. Certainly, the president has in the past talked to Tehran and Damascus, for example, Iran and Syria, saying they should do more to promote democracy. They should do less, he says, meddling in Iraq.

There's a credibility test here for this president, though. Will he just pressure those governments, but will he also pressure friendly governments like Russia and Saudi Arabia and others? He raised the bar, Bill, in this speech, not only for his second term, but certainly for his new secretary of state.

HEMMER: John King, thanks, from the White House this morning.

Soledad now with more.

O'BRIEN: Thank you.

Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell brings a unique perspective to the president's remarks, having been both a leader in the Senate and an international peace negotiator.

Nice to see you, sir. It's always nice to have you back. What did you think of the speech?

GEORGE MITCHELL, FMR. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: I thought it was consistent with previous inaugural addresses, high aspirations stated in general terms, more thematic than specific and I thought quite eloquent at some points. The problem, of course, will come in translating the high aspirations, easy to state, into the realities of the difficult world. Awfully hard to put into practice.

O'BRIEN: Did you think it was powerful and aggressive -- as some have said, who are supporters of the president, and others who are not so much supporters have said -- confrontational, the wrong way to go? Where would you fall in that?

MITCHELL: I would say neither. In terms of startling and aggressive, let me just remind you, this is what John Kennedy said 44 years ago. Let every nation know whether it wishes us well or ill, that we'll pay the price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival of liberty.

What the president said yesterday was essentially the same thought, updated, cast and more than firm. So, I didn't find it either startling or unusual.

The problem, again, will come in translating it into reality. Bill just referred and John King did to other countries, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, China, countries which the president has supported, been close to, praised President Musharraf. Of course, he's a general who took power through a military coup, does not have a democratic country, but is essential in the war against terror.

I think the real startling thing will be if the president actually does, with respect to those countries, some of the things that he implied yesterday.

O'BRIEN: It's not unusual for these speeches to be low on specifics. I mean, they sort of present this idealistic plan.

MITCHELL: That's right.

O'BRIEN: Who else do you think is on this list? I mean, people are trying to figure out who he's talking to, who he's addressing, what countries he's really thinking about as he mentions countries where governments have long histories of control without naming them.

MITCHELL: Well, I think most of these countries will think it's someone else. I think Pakistan, for instance, will not include Pakistan. Saudi Arabia, for instance, will not include Saudi Arabia, and so on down the list. And it's going to be very difficult.

And the best evidence of that is that the one place in which all of the president's themes are embodied was not mentioned in this speech, and that's Iraq, of course, because the reality there has proven to be much more complex, difficult and messy than the high aspirations stated with respect to Iraq when we began there a year or two ago.

O'BRIEN: Earlier in the morning, on inauguration morning, the vice president was talking about Iran. Is Iran first on that list?

MITCHELL: Well, very clearly, Iran is high on the administration's agenda, because it is plainly trying to become the 10th nuclear power. There are nine powers now which possess nuclear weapons, and Iran is trying hard to become the 10th, despite their denials. And it confronts the administration with an exceedingly difficult problem.

Given the difficulties in Iraq, which is a country one-third the size of Iran, given Iran's long national history and high degree of nationalism, military action in Iran will be extremely difficult, much more so than Iraq. And yet, how do you get them to act in a proper way? The administration is struggling to find the right course, but it's obviously going to be high on the agenda. Wholly irrespective of this speech or whatever else is mentioned, Iran and North Korea are going to be crucial aspects of the second term. O'BRIEN: I want to take just one second to talk to you about international peace, about the Middle East.

MITCHELL: Yes.

O'BRIEN: What do you think of the first steps that Mahmoud Abbas has taken so far?

MITCHELL: Well, I think he's done a reasonably good job. He's in a very difficult spot. He does not have a broad base of support. He follows Arafat, who was a true national leader. And Abbas is trying to build a base of support.

I think the real catch-22 is that the way he's going to get that support is by demonstrating to the Palestinian people that if they follow his course, a peaceful, nonviolent course, they will improve their situation. And the only people who can make that happen are the United States and Israel. We've got to do what we can to help him deliver on improving the daily lives of Palestinians, while he has got to crack down with respect to security and these acts of terrorism. It's a very tough act.

Notwithstanding that, this is the best opportunity in many years, and I hope very much that the administration will pursue it with vigor and perseverance.

O'BRIEN: Former peace negotiator and also former Senate Majority Leader, George Mitchell. Nice to see you, Senator. Thanks for talking with us.

MITCHELL: Thank you, Soledad. Nice to be here.

O'BRIEN: Bill.

HEMMER: Almost 17 minutes past the hour. Millions of immigrants are here in the U.S. illegally. But at a time when many Americans want to crack down, there is one man who says we should be really reaching out. Our series "What's In It For Me" continues today.

Plus, Iraqis are expected to carry the security load come election day. How concerned should the U.S. military be about that responsibility? Those stories after the break on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Election day in Iraq is now nine days away on the calendar. But is a fair vote possible in the continued violence?

Retired Lieutenant General Mike DeLong is with us now from Tampa, a former deputy commander of CENTCOM and the author of "Inside CENTCOM: the Unvarnished Truth About the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq."

Welcome, General. Good to have you along with us today.

LT. GEN. MIKE DELONG, U.S. MARINES (RET.): Good to be on your show. Hi, Jim (sic).

HEMMER: It's Bill, but that's OK. If you want to pick up "The Washington Post" this morning, what you're going to find there is an article that shows a new survey conducted throughout Iraq suggests that 80 percent of the Iraqis surveyed expect the vote on January 30. What is the threat to these people's lives at this point that we know of, General?

DELONG: Well, the issue over there right now is, even the people that are running for office are running with numbers. Their names are not being put out there. You can be No. 147, and that's what people are voting for.

There is a threat over there. That 80 percent that say are going to vote, I think that's a great number. I would say that 80 percent are going to try to vote. And I would say that the coalition forces and the Iraqi forces, the security forces, will try to protect the voting areas. I hope that's the number.

HEMMER: Yes, here is the wildcard in all of this, General. No one quite knows what to expect on January 30. There is this Iraqi intelligence estimate that came out early in the week that estimates 150 more car bombs, 250 suicide attackers ready to go on the march now. Through all of this, in the wildcard that I just mentioned, what do you expect at the end of January?

DELONG: Well, I expect they can't come -- you can't have much more violence than they're currently having over there right now. You've got the security police, you've got the coalition forces doing the things they have to do over there right now. They know where the voting areas are. I can't see much more going on, because there's going to be more security on the streets.

HEMMER: Let's try and break down two critical areas here. The Iraqi forces, what is their expected responsibility that day?

DELONG: Well, when you talk to the U.S. military over there, they would like the Iraqi forces -- that includes the Iraqi police, the Iraqi national guard and the Iraqi army -- to be the front face. If that works, that would be outstanding. That number, if you add them all up, is somewhere above 135,000 trained and equipped. If you break them down, there's different numbers.

But I think there are going to be some places where the violence will be so severe that they will not be able to handle some of the stuff. And the coalition forces are going to have to be there, available to move in.

HEMMER: And on the coalition forces, about a month ago we reported that 30,000 U.S. troops are expected to be dispatched in addition in Baghdad to what is already there now. I don't know if that's the case. But if that is still the plan, what is the responsibility for the U.S. military that day?

DELONG: Well, first of all, that I'm not sure about. But I think when the president said we're going to have elections and the U.N. says we're going to have elections on 31 January, we need to have elections on 31 January. So, we're going to try to ensure that people that want to vote can vote. And we're going to help where we have to.

HEMMER: Thank you, General. Lieutenant General Mike DeLong, the author of "Inside CENTCOM: The Unvarnished Truth About the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq." Nine days away on the calendar again. Thanks, General -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: One day after Inauguration Day. Really, the inauguration goes for several days. It's still going on today. Jack has got the "Question of the Day" about that.

Good morning.

CAFFERTY: Thank you, Soledad and Jim.

HEMMER: Oh, Jack!

CAFFERTY: Call it the freedom speech. I couldn't resist.

HEMMER: I know.

CAFFERTY: President Bush used the words "freedom" and "liberty" 42 times in that inaugural address yesterday. He said the United States will seek the growth of freedom in every nation in the world with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny.

Recent democratic successes include the "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine, the defeat of Islamic parties in Indonesia and Malaysia, successful elections in Afghanistan, and, of course, the Iraqis getting their chance to vote a week from Sunday.

But what about places like Saudi Arabia and China and Russia and Egypt and Pakistan, places where opposition to tyranny is at direct odds with U.S. security or economic policy?

Here's the question: Is President Bush's goal of expanding freedom realistic? AM@cnn.com.

I mean, North Korea and Iran, you can deal with. But what about -- I mean, what do you with China?

O'BRIEN: It's trickier when you have a friendly relationship.

CAFFERTY: Yes.

O'BRIEN: That is for sure.

CAFFERTY: Yes. Or a dependent relationship. I mean, we couldn't be doing half the stuff we're doing in the Middle East if it wasn't for Musharraf in Pakistan. And if he isn't a dictator, I'm a gourmet chef, which isn't going to happen soon. Right, Jim?

O'BRIEN: You're not a gourmet chef?

HEMMER: It's Jack, right? CAFFERTY: I think, yes. I'm not sure. Ask the general.

O'BRIEN: Hey, I've got a question for you. Here's a question for you.

CAFFERTY: OK.

O'BRIEN: How did Wall Street react to the first official day of the second Bush term? Andy is "Minding Your Business." That's up next on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody.

The year is still young, but Wall Street's already singing the blues. That and a look at who's going to the Super Bowl. Woo hoo! That's what I really want to talk about today.

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Good. That's what I want to talk about, too.

O'BRIEN: Because my football picks have been doing very nicely.

SERWER: You're doing so well, Soledad. You continue to blow them away.

More pain and no gain for investors on Wall Street yesterday. The Dow fell 68 points, and the Nasdaq was worse on a percentage basis, down 1.3 percent, down 6 percent almost for the year, the Nasdaq is.

Qualcomm and eBay leading the way down. EBay down almost 20 percent yesterday after saying its forecast going forward is not so rosy.

Let's talk about football, though. Some good news this January, OK? It's playoff football time. Let's see how the anchors did. Soledad at the top. Bill Hemmer as well.

O'BRIEN: He's really -- you know, yes, we're tied.

SERWER: Soledad, there ought to be a law. I mean, look at Andy, mediocrity.

O'BRIEN: I had...

SERWER: Heidi, mediocrity. And Jack, I think he picked the road games.

O'BRIEN: I had to talk to Todd about when I dropped to the bottom.

SERWER: Yes, oh, you had a little pick-me-up.

O'BRIEN: Todd and I had a chit-chat. SERWER: Yes, I understand that. Last week, we were down at the Eagles game, the Eagles-Vikings game, and let me tell you something, it was kind of rowdy down there in the parking lot.

HEMMER: I bet.

O'BRIEN: Which one is you here?

SERWER: No, I'm hiding, Soledad. There were some crazy people out there. It was about 20 degrees, good football weather. Yes, look at that! That was a lobster pot. They were pouring beer in there. Crazy. That's just crazy.

O'BRIEN: That's how you make lobster. With beer.

SERWER: No. Water.

O'BRIEN: Yes, seriously.

SERWER: You do?

O'BRIEN: In Boston, yes.

SERWER: OK. Well, OK. You're taking a page from the Patriots' book.

All right. How about the Falcons and Eagles? I've got to pick the Eagles here. First of all, I'm scared to death of the fans after being down there. Come get me if I don't. But I think the northern birds will beat the southern birds. I checked the weather forecast, Chad, 23 degrees and snow.

HEMMER: Yes.

O'BRIEN: Yes.

SERWER: They're not going to like that. I mean, that's not good.

How about the Patriots and Steelers? This is interesting, because the Patriots are actually favored even though they're visiting. And I'm going to go with that as well. I think this is a little statistic that the Patriots are 13-0...

O'BRIEN: Yes.

SERWER: ... after playing the team twice.

HEMMER: That would make a heck of a Super Bowl.

SERWER: Yes.

HEMMER: Eagles/Patriots?

SERWER: Yes.

HEMMER: Down in Jacksonville?

SERWER: Yes. Well, it could well happen.

SERWER: It could happen, right. All right, thank you, Andy. We appreciate it.

SERWER: You're welcome.

O'BRIEN: Let's get a preview now of "90-Second Pop". SpongeBob SquarePants in the crossfire. Why is the religious right on the attack?

Plus, the Donald shakes things up for season three of "The Apprentice." But is there an even bigger twist in the show's future? That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

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