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CNN Live At Daybreak
Debating Condoleezza Rice; 'America's Voice'; Soaring Property Taxes; Waiting for Oscar
Aired January 25, 2005 - 06:29 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you. Welcome to the last half-hour of DAYBREAK. From the Time Warner center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.
"Now in the News."
The cost of war is going up. Congressional sources tell CNN that President Bush will ask Congress for an extra $80 billion. That's for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
President Bush welcomes some leaders of the African-American community to the White House. He speaks to about 20 black pastors today and will meet tomorrow with the new chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Many black leaders opposed his re- election.
Police in Sydney, Australia, are investigating a possible bugging attempt at the home of actress Nicole Kidman. A listening device was found across the road from her home there.
And the pro-basketball players and fans involved in that big brawl last November are due in court today. Five Indiana Pacers players and five Detroit Pistons fans have been ordered to attend a pre-trial conference.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Expect plenty of grandstanding on the floor of the Senate today. They've set aside nine hours to debate Condoleezza Rice's nomination for secretary of state. But will it be any more than a partisan parade of policy platitudes? How's that for a little (UNINTELLIGIBLE) this morning?
CNN congressional correspondent Ed Henry joins us with a preview.
Good morning -- Ed.
ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: So, what can we expect?
HENRY: You're right. There will be some partisanship. There's no question about it. There is some symbolism here. Democrats realize that this nomination is going to go through. The vote will actually be on Wednesday, nine hours of debate today. And it's going to get hot. It's going to get partisan. It's going to get rough. It's going to be more of what we saw at Condoleezza Rice's confirmation hearings last week.
But Democrats say that it's more just than just partisanship. It's more than just politics. It's more than just symbolism. There's also substance here. They have sharp policy differences, not just with Condoleezza Rice, but with the entire Bush administration.
And since Democrats are in the minority in Capitol Hill, they don't get a chance to call hearings. They don't get to do any real oversight of the Bush administration. And they're saying the confirmation process, the floor debates over the nominations, it's really their only forum to raise their differences, specifically over Iraq.
And you can bet that the news CNN is reporting this morning about the president probably asking for something in the neighborhood of another $80 billion to continue funding the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. That's the kind of a serious policy situation that's going to come up, and that it's going to go beyond politics. But in terms of how much money taxpayers are going to be shelling out, that's going to be a real issue that's going to come up today.
COSTELLO: Yes, yes. But, Ed, when you really think about it, Condoleezza Rice is a shoe-in. I mean, she's going to be confirmed. So, when she gets out of the nine hours of grilling, will there really be any change in policy in the future? I mean, she doesn't have to change anything.
HENRY: No, not really. And, I mean, that's why Republicans do feel that this is not about substance. It's really just about politics, because, as you mentioned, Condoleezza Rice has already faced grilling, two days of grilling last week. So, this is maybe nine hours of overkill in the minds of Republicans, and they feel like Democrats are playing politics with national security.
The president wanted to have his new secretary of state in place on the first day of his second term last week. We're at war right now. And they feel that it's very important to have a new secretary of state in place. Colin Powell has already signaled he's leaving. They want to get Condoleezza Rice confirmed. And I think that's why Republicans are frustrated here.
COSTELLO: CNN congressional correspondent Ed Henry joining us live from Washington them. Thank you.
We hear a lot about how Iraqi families will be affected by this weekend's election. But what about the families of U.S. soldiers working to make the region safe?
For that, we check in with Bill Hemmer for a look at what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."
Good morning -- Bill. BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Carol, good morning to you. Five days away now on the calendar for these elections, and word from Iraq all week, Carol, has been that the violence is expected to escalate. What kind of an impact is that having on the military families back here in the U.S., tens of thousands of them waiting and watching?
We'll talk to Linda Tarser (ph) today. Her husband is in Iraq. They joined us last month, Carol, as part of our holiday home front series. We want to know how she's feeling now and how her children are handling this situation as well. So, you'll hear from her in our program in about 25 minutes from now.
Carol -- hope to see you then.
COSTELLO: We'll be here. We'll be here. Thank you, Bill.
Congressional Republicans and Democrats laid out their top priorities in dueling press conferences on Monday. But what are the priorities of the American people?
For some answers, we turn to Gallup editor-in-chief Frank Newport live in Princeton, New Jersey, this morning.
Good morning -- Frank.
FRANK NEWPORT, GALLUP POLL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Good morning, Carol.
Indeed, it was interesting yesterday. The Republican Senate leaders, the Democrat Senate leaders said this is what we think Congress should focus on going forward. But we like to go the people.
This is our question we ask every month: What's the most important problem facing the country?
Now, I think if congressional leaders and administration look at these numbers, they'll see where the public wants them to focus.
First and foremost, Iraq, 1 out of 4 Americans say that's the central issue facing the country. And you can never forget unemployment and the economy. That's the second-biggest issue. So, those are the top two that I think Congress should be focusing on.
Health care costs, that is in some of the plans raised yesterday. Terrorism. And they won't like this, Carol, but 7 percent of Americans say the biggest problem is the government itself. Americans are dissatisfied with the way Congress and what-have-you run it at this point.
COSTELLO: Yes. Americans have always been a bit cynical about their government, though, right? Let's talk about Iraq and how the president is handling the situation over there and how people feel about that.
NEWPORT: Well, it's an interesting trajectory right before these elections. I think it's interesting to look at the job approval rating for Bush handling Iraq. It started at 56 percent. It zoomed way up right as the war began in March of 2003.
But look at how it's come down from that point. Now, we're at 56 percent of Americans disapprove, just 42 percent approve. Clearly, a major liability at this point for Bush as far as the public is concerned, but I think everything -- we'll wait and see what happens after this weekend -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right. Let's talk about abortion now, because the president spoke to abortion opponents in Washington yesterday. He says he shares their values for a so-called culture of life. How do most Americans stand on changing the nation's abortion laws?
NEWPORT: Well, the majority presumably -- or not presumably, but based on our data, are not in favor of what those protesters were out there in force talking about yesterday. Just 38 percent of Americans say they believe at this point laws about abortion should be made more strict. What does that leave? Well, that leaves 41 percent who say keep them like they are now an even 19 percent to make them less strict.
So, the abortion review that we do here at Gallup periodically shows Americans, at least a majority at this point, don't want, say, Roe rescinded or laws more strict.
COSTELLO: Interesting. OK. Let's end on a happy note with the way people felt about Johnny Carson.
NEWPORT: Carol, we went back in our archives after the passing of Johnny Carson -- one of my favorites by the way -- on Sunday to see what we had asked about him. Just a couple of years ago at the anniversary of his leaving the show -- this was asked in 2002. We gave people a list of six talk show hosts. We didn't have room to put it on her. We put Steve Allen in there and Jack Parr and Dick Cavett, and said of all of these talk show hosts, who is your favorite of all time? Two years ago, the king of late night, Johnny Carson, beat out everybody else -- Carol.
COSTELLO: No surprise there. Frank Newport live in Princeton, New Jersey, this morning. Thank you.
In Tucson, Arizona, police are investigating officers involved in a dramatic confrontation with a suspect. At issue: Did officers use the appropriate force, or did they go too far?
Take a look. This incident was caught on tape by our affiliate station, KGUN. Police used a non-lethal weapon known as a pepper ball launcher on a suspect whom they believed had a gun. They were responding to a call of shots fired allegedly after some kind of fight.
Officers said they fired the pepper balls after the suspect refused a command to get down on the ground. KGUN reports the suspect was hit 70 times. Look at that. His chest, side and back now covered with bruises.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GABRIEL GANDARA, SUSPECT: They told me, "Put your hands on your head." And then they told me, "Turn around." And when I was turning around, they kept shooting at me. I tried to lay down. They keep shooting at me. I'm not going to stand there and just take it.
SGT. ARDAN DEVINE, POLICE DEPARTMENT: The way the training is set up is you apply and reassess. And then if necessary, you reapply. And you continue reapplying until you gain compliance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Police say the suspect did not have a gun when he was arrested. We're sure to hear more about this story in the days to come.
A Dallas radio station hits a nerve with a lot of people with a controversial ad campaign that features Osama bin Laden. Take a look at this. The station has erected about 20 billboards across the Dallas/Fort Worth area feature with bin Laden. In one of them are Saddam Hussein and the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. You see it, "Two down, one to go."
Another billboard features a man with explosives and a caption that reads, "Unthinkable?" And then it has a question mark after the "unthinkable."
And yet another shows Osama bin Laden alone and a headline saying, "Some people want you dead."
Critic say KLIF is using shock advertising and fear tactics to lure listeners to its talk radio station. The general manager disagrees.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LON BASON, GENERAL MANAGER, KLIF: Is the TV show "24" using fear as a sales tactic when it has Muslims killing other American citizens to hide a terrorist plot? I think it's something that's on people's minds, more maybe in the back of their minds than in the forefront. And we want to bring it to the forefront. I don't believe it is a fear campaign in that it is caught dead next means that we have a mission. Some people want you dead is not necessarily to scare you, but to bring you into reality.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: The radio station manager says he's gotten hundreds of e-mails and phone calls about the billboards. They say supporters and opponents are about evenly split.
You homeowners out there better brace yourselves. Many of you might be facing a bigger property tax bite. But is there a chance for some relief? We'll tell you after the break.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Tuesday morning, January 25. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Take a look at Boston, Massachusetts, today. As you know, they got hard hit by the storm over the weekend. It's going to be a balmy 27 degrees there, and as far as we know, Logan International Airport is running on time today. So good luck to all of you Bostonians our business travelers leaving Boston today.
It's time now for a little "Business Buzz." Homeowners across the country know all about soaring property taxes. But some states are looking to ease the burden.
David Haffenreffer joins us live from the Nasdaq Marketsite with more.
Good morning.
DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Carol, I'm starting to think maybe we should revise that saying about death and taxes being the only sure things in life. Maybe it should be death and higher taxes.
COSTELLO: I think that's probably a good switch.
HAFFENREFFER: It would make it easier for the politicians out there. Yes, we do have a report out there. Did you know that state and local property taxes in the first months -- the first nine months of 2004 rose 7.9 percent from the same period in 2003?
These state and local property taxes go toward paying everything from police and fire services to parks and schools as well.
It looks like that trend is going to continue, although some people are beginning to grumble, beginning to get in touch with their elected officials and saying, hey, wait a minute. Just because the real estate market has been booming over the past four or five years doesn't mean you can keep raising my taxes.
One state we'd like to sort out here -- cite right here is Texas, and that's where legislators are considering a plan now to ease that burden a bit for property owners. They're looking to reduce property taxes by up to one-third. One way to fill the gap, the financial gap there, is by creating some new business taxes. And also raising taxes on guess what? Cigarettes, alcohol and automobiles.
COSTELLO: You know, on those items, I think that the taxes will one day be more than the actual product itself.
HAFFENREFFER: They almost are here in New York, I believe, on cigarettes. And what they found, I believe, is that people are simply leaving the state to buy their cigarettes since they're so darn expensive here.
COSTELLO: There's always a way. David Haffenreffer live at the Nasdaq Marketsite. Thank you.
HAFFENREFFER: You bet.
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 6:44 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.
The cost of war, congressional sources say, is going up. They tell CNN the White House will ask Congress for an extra $80 billion to pay for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A developing story out of Texas this morning. Federal agents have forced a small plane to land at a San Antonio airport. The AP and local news reports say officials suspect the plane was carrying illegal immigrants.
In money news, a campaign to vaccinate children in poor countries gets a real shot in the arm. Microsoft founder Bill Gates is pledging $750 million, while the government of Norway is pledging 290 million.
In culture, ABC stations that aired "Saving Private Ryan" will not have to pay a fine after all. The FCC is rejecting viewer complaints that the stations broke indecency rules when they aired the graphic war movie last November.
In sports, No. 4 seed Maria Sharapova advances in the Australian Open. Sharapova will now face Serena Williams in a semifinal match. Williams is seeded seventh.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Politics, prostitution and the pretty people. No. We're talking about the plot -- we're not talking about the plot of a blockbuster film, but we are talking about the ingredients behind the biggest event of the year in the movie business. We'll preview today's Oscar nominations next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: You know, it is never too late to develop a "New You." And "AMERICAN MORNING" is helping a lucky group of people find their inner healthy person. "AMERICAN MORNING's" Soledad O'Brien...
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: There's one in there for each and every one of us, isn't there?
COSTELLO: I'm sure there is.
O'BRIEN: I'm sure there is, too. I haven't found mine yet, but this morning we're talking about five folks who actually are working to find theirs. We're calling it the "New You Revolution." It is week two, of course. And today, we catch up with the Reverend Leigh Ann Raynor. She's trying to lose weight, quit smoking. Only one week in, though, is she keeping up with the program, or is she ready to throw in the towel?
We're also going to bring you an update on the ups and downs of all of our other participants as well. That's ahead this morning on "AMERICAN MORNING." We'll see you in just about 12 minutes. COSTELLO: We'll be here. Thank you, Soledad.
Sleepless in Hollywood. In just a few hours, the movers and shakers behind last year's films will find out if they'll get a nod from Oscar. Coming up, could history give a hint?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: All right. Now that we know Tom's picks, we want to examine if they really have a chance. Sometimes winning an Oscar isn't based on talent, but one male beauty or lack thereof, prostitution and politics. Really?
Tom O'Neil from "In-Touch Weekly" is here now to explain all of that.
Well, do you want to start with the beautiful man syndrome? Who did you pick to get the Oscar for...
TOM O'NEIL, EDITOR, "IN-TOUCH WEEKLY": Well, this year, a beautiful man might actually get it, because we have three who will likely be in the runoff. We have Leo DiCaprio for "Aviator," which is, right now, the best picture frontrunner. And very often the star of the best picture goes along for a ride, literally in this case. But Jamie Foxx, of course, is considered the frontrunner with "Ray." And then we have Johnny Depp as the third person.
Leo and Johnny have been nominated in the past, but neither has ever won. Oscar voters tend to be older guys in their 50s who punish young good-looking guys for all of that success they have. Really. Paul Newman didn't win an Oscar until he was 62 years old and on his seventh try.
COSTELLO: So, do you really think it's because of jealously on the part of those who vote who wins the Oscars?
O'NEIL: It has to be, Carol. Think of this: Only beautiful women win. Look at the best actress race for the past five years: Halle Berry and Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron. And handsome men don't win in general.
And so, clearly, there's a sexist thing going on here. There's got to be.
COSTELLO: Interesting. You know, not only do beautiful women win, you say, but if they portray a prostitute, they're even more likely to win an Oscar.
O'NEIL: Slam-dunk, can't lose. Isn't that almost shameful? But the history of the Oscar has beared (ph) this up. Go back to Helen Hayes' first Oscar. It was for "The "Sin of Madelon Claudet." Recently we've seen Meryl Savino (ph) and Kim Basinger play prostitutes.
And it's interesting this year because everybody is assuming that Cate Blanchett is ahead for best supporting actress for portraying Katharine Hepburn...
COSTELLO: Yes.
O'NEIL: ... Oscar's biggest winner -- how perfect -- in "Aviator," the best picture frontrunner. But she's up against Natalie Portman, who portrays a stripper. And Natalie Portman just beat her at the Golden Globes.
COSTELLO: That's just insane!
O'NEIL: It's terrible.
COSTELLO: OK. So, tell me your reasoning behind these Oscar voters and why they might enjoy picking beautiful women who portray prostitutes to win. And I already know the answer to that, so I don't even know why I'm asking you.
O'NEIL: A bunch of horny, old guys. I mean, I hate to say it, but that's really what it comes down to. Sometimes they're actually picking the best performances, and I think this year we may see the babe factor come back again, because Hilary Swank is back. And five years ago, she dealt "American Beauty" its only defeat in a lead category when...
COSTELLO: But you say Oscar voters don't like older women, and Annette Bening, was, what over 40? And maybe that's part of the reason she didn't win that year.
O'NEIL: Right. Only one woman past the age of 50 has won an Oscar in the past two decades, and it was Judy Dench. Many, many men win. In just in the last few years, James Coburn. Well, Sean Penn was in his 40s. But actually it's 50s now.
COSTELLO: Yes, yes. So, older men win, but not -- well, you know, that's just the way life goes for whatever reason. But I want to show these quickly before you have to go. These are from your collection. This is Katharine Hepburn's Oscar nomination. And Tom O'Neil owns it. This is incredible.
O'NEIL: This is one of her 12 nominations. It was a record in her day. This is for "The Rainmaker," which is one of her great spinster roles. This record was broken two years ago by Meryl Streep, when she was nominated for "Adaptation." We may see Meryl back today, bringing her tally to 14 with "Manchurian Candidate."
COSTELLO: Unbelievable. Thank you for sharing this with us, Tom O'Neil, and also those interesting tidbits.
O'NEIL: Thank you.
COSTELLO: Be sure to catch the Oscar nominations live right here on CNN. "AMERICAN MORNING" will bring them to you as they happen at 8:30 a.m. Eastern.
And as soon as the nominees are named, be sure to log on for all of your Oscar essentials. CNN.com will have printable ballots so you can play along. And speaking of playing, you can also take a crack at our "Inside the Envelope" game. All of that at CNN.com.
You are watching DAYBREAK for a Tuesday morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Chad, I've been looking at the morning headlines...
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes.
COSTELLO: ... from papers across the land. In "The Wall Street Journal" this morning, they're talking about hotels going to the mattress.
MYERS: All right.
COSTELLO: Are you curious?
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: Intrigued?
MYERS: A little.
COSTELLO: Well, let me explain. Let me read the first graph to you. Marriott International will launch a major initiative to replace nearly every bed in seven of its chains. So, apparently, hotel chains are trying to introduce better beds in order to lure customers. Marriott will -- let's see. Marriott is slated for the most expensive upgrade. Each king size bed will be getting 300 thread counts, 60 percent cotton sheets, seven pillows instead of five, a pillowy mattress cover, a white duvet, and a bed scarf.
Would that make you more likely to stay at a Marriott?
MYERS: Not really.
COSTELLO: Really?
MYERS: Not really. I mean, the five or seven pillows doesn't really make a difference. You know, I stayed in New York, not in a Marriott, but when I looked at the bed, it looked like two invisible people were already sleeping there. It went (UNINTELLIGIBLE). And I went, well, they haven't changed that mattress in a long time.
COSTELLO: So, you have that male pillow thing, because men don't like pillows and women love pillows. The more pillows the better.
MYERS: Well, you've got to throw them off before you go to sleep.
COSTELLO: Yes, whatever.
MYERS: All right.
COSTELLO: Tomorrow on DAYBREAK, weight-loss surgeries. What's the difference between gastric bypass and a gastric band? Nutritionist Lisa Drayer will explain which options work for different body types.
From the Time Warner center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.
MYERS: See you, Carol.
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Aired January 25, 2005 - 06:29 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you. Welcome to the last half-hour of DAYBREAK. From the Time Warner center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.
"Now in the News."
The cost of war is going up. Congressional sources tell CNN that President Bush will ask Congress for an extra $80 billion. That's for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
President Bush welcomes some leaders of the African-American community to the White House. He speaks to about 20 black pastors today and will meet tomorrow with the new chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Many black leaders opposed his re- election.
Police in Sydney, Australia, are investigating a possible bugging attempt at the home of actress Nicole Kidman. A listening device was found across the road from her home there.
And the pro-basketball players and fans involved in that big brawl last November are due in court today. Five Indiana Pacers players and five Detroit Pistons fans have been ordered to attend a pre-trial conference.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Expect plenty of grandstanding on the floor of the Senate today. They've set aside nine hours to debate Condoleezza Rice's nomination for secretary of state. But will it be any more than a partisan parade of policy platitudes? How's that for a little (UNINTELLIGIBLE) this morning?
CNN congressional correspondent Ed Henry joins us with a preview.
Good morning -- Ed.
ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: So, what can we expect?
HENRY: You're right. There will be some partisanship. There's no question about it. There is some symbolism here. Democrats realize that this nomination is going to go through. The vote will actually be on Wednesday, nine hours of debate today. And it's going to get hot. It's going to get partisan. It's going to get rough. It's going to be more of what we saw at Condoleezza Rice's confirmation hearings last week.
But Democrats say that it's more just than just partisanship. It's more than just politics. It's more than just symbolism. There's also substance here. They have sharp policy differences, not just with Condoleezza Rice, but with the entire Bush administration.
And since Democrats are in the minority in Capitol Hill, they don't get a chance to call hearings. They don't get to do any real oversight of the Bush administration. And they're saying the confirmation process, the floor debates over the nominations, it's really their only forum to raise their differences, specifically over Iraq.
And you can bet that the news CNN is reporting this morning about the president probably asking for something in the neighborhood of another $80 billion to continue funding the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. That's the kind of a serious policy situation that's going to come up, and that it's going to go beyond politics. But in terms of how much money taxpayers are going to be shelling out, that's going to be a real issue that's going to come up today.
COSTELLO: Yes, yes. But, Ed, when you really think about it, Condoleezza Rice is a shoe-in. I mean, she's going to be confirmed. So, when she gets out of the nine hours of grilling, will there really be any change in policy in the future? I mean, she doesn't have to change anything.
HENRY: No, not really. And, I mean, that's why Republicans do feel that this is not about substance. It's really just about politics, because, as you mentioned, Condoleezza Rice has already faced grilling, two days of grilling last week. So, this is maybe nine hours of overkill in the minds of Republicans, and they feel like Democrats are playing politics with national security.
The president wanted to have his new secretary of state in place on the first day of his second term last week. We're at war right now. And they feel that it's very important to have a new secretary of state in place. Colin Powell has already signaled he's leaving. They want to get Condoleezza Rice confirmed. And I think that's why Republicans are frustrated here.
COSTELLO: CNN congressional correspondent Ed Henry joining us live from Washington them. Thank you.
We hear a lot about how Iraqi families will be affected by this weekend's election. But what about the families of U.S. soldiers working to make the region safe?
For that, we check in with Bill Hemmer for a look at what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."
Good morning -- Bill. BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Carol, good morning to you. Five days away now on the calendar for these elections, and word from Iraq all week, Carol, has been that the violence is expected to escalate. What kind of an impact is that having on the military families back here in the U.S., tens of thousands of them waiting and watching?
We'll talk to Linda Tarser (ph) today. Her husband is in Iraq. They joined us last month, Carol, as part of our holiday home front series. We want to know how she's feeling now and how her children are handling this situation as well. So, you'll hear from her in our program in about 25 minutes from now.
Carol -- hope to see you then.
COSTELLO: We'll be here. We'll be here. Thank you, Bill.
Congressional Republicans and Democrats laid out their top priorities in dueling press conferences on Monday. But what are the priorities of the American people?
For some answers, we turn to Gallup editor-in-chief Frank Newport live in Princeton, New Jersey, this morning.
Good morning -- Frank.
FRANK NEWPORT, GALLUP POLL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Good morning, Carol.
Indeed, it was interesting yesterday. The Republican Senate leaders, the Democrat Senate leaders said this is what we think Congress should focus on going forward. But we like to go the people.
This is our question we ask every month: What's the most important problem facing the country?
Now, I think if congressional leaders and administration look at these numbers, they'll see where the public wants them to focus.
First and foremost, Iraq, 1 out of 4 Americans say that's the central issue facing the country. And you can never forget unemployment and the economy. That's the second-biggest issue. So, those are the top two that I think Congress should be focusing on.
Health care costs, that is in some of the plans raised yesterday. Terrorism. And they won't like this, Carol, but 7 percent of Americans say the biggest problem is the government itself. Americans are dissatisfied with the way Congress and what-have-you run it at this point.
COSTELLO: Yes. Americans have always been a bit cynical about their government, though, right? Let's talk about Iraq and how the president is handling the situation over there and how people feel about that.
NEWPORT: Well, it's an interesting trajectory right before these elections. I think it's interesting to look at the job approval rating for Bush handling Iraq. It started at 56 percent. It zoomed way up right as the war began in March of 2003.
But look at how it's come down from that point. Now, we're at 56 percent of Americans disapprove, just 42 percent approve. Clearly, a major liability at this point for Bush as far as the public is concerned, but I think everything -- we'll wait and see what happens after this weekend -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right. Let's talk about abortion now, because the president spoke to abortion opponents in Washington yesterday. He says he shares their values for a so-called culture of life. How do most Americans stand on changing the nation's abortion laws?
NEWPORT: Well, the majority presumably -- or not presumably, but based on our data, are not in favor of what those protesters were out there in force talking about yesterday. Just 38 percent of Americans say they believe at this point laws about abortion should be made more strict. What does that leave? Well, that leaves 41 percent who say keep them like they are now an even 19 percent to make them less strict.
So, the abortion review that we do here at Gallup periodically shows Americans, at least a majority at this point, don't want, say, Roe rescinded or laws more strict.
COSTELLO: Interesting. OK. Let's end on a happy note with the way people felt about Johnny Carson.
NEWPORT: Carol, we went back in our archives after the passing of Johnny Carson -- one of my favorites by the way -- on Sunday to see what we had asked about him. Just a couple of years ago at the anniversary of his leaving the show -- this was asked in 2002. We gave people a list of six talk show hosts. We didn't have room to put it on her. We put Steve Allen in there and Jack Parr and Dick Cavett, and said of all of these talk show hosts, who is your favorite of all time? Two years ago, the king of late night, Johnny Carson, beat out everybody else -- Carol.
COSTELLO: No surprise there. Frank Newport live in Princeton, New Jersey, this morning. Thank you.
In Tucson, Arizona, police are investigating officers involved in a dramatic confrontation with a suspect. At issue: Did officers use the appropriate force, or did they go too far?
Take a look. This incident was caught on tape by our affiliate station, KGUN. Police used a non-lethal weapon known as a pepper ball launcher on a suspect whom they believed had a gun. They were responding to a call of shots fired allegedly after some kind of fight.
Officers said they fired the pepper balls after the suspect refused a command to get down on the ground. KGUN reports the suspect was hit 70 times. Look at that. His chest, side and back now covered with bruises.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GABRIEL GANDARA, SUSPECT: They told me, "Put your hands on your head." And then they told me, "Turn around." And when I was turning around, they kept shooting at me. I tried to lay down. They keep shooting at me. I'm not going to stand there and just take it.
SGT. ARDAN DEVINE, POLICE DEPARTMENT: The way the training is set up is you apply and reassess. And then if necessary, you reapply. And you continue reapplying until you gain compliance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Police say the suspect did not have a gun when he was arrested. We're sure to hear more about this story in the days to come.
A Dallas radio station hits a nerve with a lot of people with a controversial ad campaign that features Osama bin Laden. Take a look at this. The station has erected about 20 billboards across the Dallas/Fort Worth area feature with bin Laden. In one of them are Saddam Hussein and the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. You see it, "Two down, one to go."
Another billboard features a man with explosives and a caption that reads, "Unthinkable?" And then it has a question mark after the "unthinkable."
And yet another shows Osama bin Laden alone and a headline saying, "Some people want you dead."
Critic say KLIF is using shock advertising and fear tactics to lure listeners to its talk radio station. The general manager disagrees.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LON BASON, GENERAL MANAGER, KLIF: Is the TV show "24" using fear as a sales tactic when it has Muslims killing other American citizens to hide a terrorist plot? I think it's something that's on people's minds, more maybe in the back of their minds than in the forefront. And we want to bring it to the forefront. I don't believe it is a fear campaign in that it is caught dead next means that we have a mission. Some people want you dead is not necessarily to scare you, but to bring you into reality.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: The radio station manager says he's gotten hundreds of e-mails and phone calls about the billboards. They say supporters and opponents are about evenly split.
You homeowners out there better brace yourselves. Many of you might be facing a bigger property tax bite. But is there a chance for some relief? We'll tell you after the break.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Tuesday morning, January 25. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Take a look at Boston, Massachusetts, today. As you know, they got hard hit by the storm over the weekend. It's going to be a balmy 27 degrees there, and as far as we know, Logan International Airport is running on time today. So good luck to all of you Bostonians our business travelers leaving Boston today.
It's time now for a little "Business Buzz." Homeowners across the country know all about soaring property taxes. But some states are looking to ease the burden.
David Haffenreffer joins us live from the Nasdaq Marketsite with more.
Good morning.
DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Carol, I'm starting to think maybe we should revise that saying about death and taxes being the only sure things in life. Maybe it should be death and higher taxes.
COSTELLO: I think that's probably a good switch.
HAFFENREFFER: It would make it easier for the politicians out there. Yes, we do have a report out there. Did you know that state and local property taxes in the first months -- the first nine months of 2004 rose 7.9 percent from the same period in 2003?
These state and local property taxes go toward paying everything from police and fire services to parks and schools as well.
It looks like that trend is going to continue, although some people are beginning to grumble, beginning to get in touch with their elected officials and saying, hey, wait a minute. Just because the real estate market has been booming over the past four or five years doesn't mean you can keep raising my taxes.
One state we'd like to sort out here -- cite right here is Texas, and that's where legislators are considering a plan now to ease that burden a bit for property owners. They're looking to reduce property taxes by up to one-third. One way to fill the gap, the financial gap there, is by creating some new business taxes. And also raising taxes on guess what? Cigarettes, alcohol and automobiles.
COSTELLO: You know, on those items, I think that the taxes will one day be more than the actual product itself.
HAFFENREFFER: They almost are here in New York, I believe, on cigarettes. And what they found, I believe, is that people are simply leaving the state to buy their cigarettes since they're so darn expensive here.
COSTELLO: There's always a way. David Haffenreffer live at the Nasdaq Marketsite. Thank you.
HAFFENREFFER: You bet.
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 6:44 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.
The cost of war, congressional sources say, is going up. They tell CNN the White House will ask Congress for an extra $80 billion to pay for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A developing story out of Texas this morning. Federal agents have forced a small plane to land at a San Antonio airport. The AP and local news reports say officials suspect the plane was carrying illegal immigrants.
In money news, a campaign to vaccinate children in poor countries gets a real shot in the arm. Microsoft founder Bill Gates is pledging $750 million, while the government of Norway is pledging 290 million.
In culture, ABC stations that aired "Saving Private Ryan" will not have to pay a fine after all. The FCC is rejecting viewer complaints that the stations broke indecency rules when they aired the graphic war movie last November.
In sports, No. 4 seed Maria Sharapova advances in the Australian Open. Sharapova will now face Serena Williams in a semifinal match. Williams is seeded seventh.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Politics, prostitution and the pretty people. No. We're talking about the plot -- we're not talking about the plot of a blockbuster film, but we are talking about the ingredients behind the biggest event of the year in the movie business. We'll preview today's Oscar nominations next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: You know, it is never too late to develop a "New You." And "AMERICAN MORNING" is helping a lucky group of people find their inner healthy person. "AMERICAN MORNING's" Soledad O'Brien...
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: There's one in there for each and every one of us, isn't there?
COSTELLO: I'm sure there is.
O'BRIEN: I'm sure there is, too. I haven't found mine yet, but this morning we're talking about five folks who actually are working to find theirs. We're calling it the "New You Revolution." It is week two, of course. And today, we catch up with the Reverend Leigh Ann Raynor. She's trying to lose weight, quit smoking. Only one week in, though, is she keeping up with the program, or is she ready to throw in the towel?
We're also going to bring you an update on the ups and downs of all of our other participants as well. That's ahead this morning on "AMERICAN MORNING." We'll see you in just about 12 minutes. COSTELLO: We'll be here. Thank you, Soledad.
Sleepless in Hollywood. In just a few hours, the movers and shakers behind last year's films will find out if they'll get a nod from Oscar. Coming up, could history give a hint?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: All right. Now that we know Tom's picks, we want to examine if they really have a chance. Sometimes winning an Oscar isn't based on talent, but one male beauty or lack thereof, prostitution and politics. Really?
Tom O'Neil from "In-Touch Weekly" is here now to explain all of that.
Well, do you want to start with the beautiful man syndrome? Who did you pick to get the Oscar for...
TOM O'NEIL, EDITOR, "IN-TOUCH WEEKLY": Well, this year, a beautiful man might actually get it, because we have three who will likely be in the runoff. We have Leo DiCaprio for "Aviator," which is, right now, the best picture frontrunner. And very often the star of the best picture goes along for a ride, literally in this case. But Jamie Foxx, of course, is considered the frontrunner with "Ray." And then we have Johnny Depp as the third person.
Leo and Johnny have been nominated in the past, but neither has ever won. Oscar voters tend to be older guys in their 50s who punish young good-looking guys for all of that success they have. Really. Paul Newman didn't win an Oscar until he was 62 years old and on his seventh try.
COSTELLO: So, do you really think it's because of jealously on the part of those who vote who wins the Oscars?
O'NEIL: It has to be, Carol. Think of this: Only beautiful women win. Look at the best actress race for the past five years: Halle Berry and Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron. And handsome men don't win in general.
And so, clearly, there's a sexist thing going on here. There's got to be.
COSTELLO: Interesting. You know, not only do beautiful women win, you say, but if they portray a prostitute, they're even more likely to win an Oscar.
O'NEIL: Slam-dunk, can't lose. Isn't that almost shameful? But the history of the Oscar has beared (ph) this up. Go back to Helen Hayes' first Oscar. It was for "The "Sin of Madelon Claudet." Recently we've seen Meryl Savino (ph) and Kim Basinger play prostitutes.
And it's interesting this year because everybody is assuming that Cate Blanchett is ahead for best supporting actress for portraying Katharine Hepburn...
COSTELLO: Yes.
O'NEIL: ... Oscar's biggest winner -- how perfect -- in "Aviator," the best picture frontrunner. But she's up against Natalie Portman, who portrays a stripper. And Natalie Portman just beat her at the Golden Globes.
COSTELLO: That's just insane!
O'NEIL: It's terrible.
COSTELLO: OK. So, tell me your reasoning behind these Oscar voters and why they might enjoy picking beautiful women who portray prostitutes to win. And I already know the answer to that, so I don't even know why I'm asking you.
O'NEIL: A bunch of horny, old guys. I mean, I hate to say it, but that's really what it comes down to. Sometimes they're actually picking the best performances, and I think this year we may see the babe factor come back again, because Hilary Swank is back. And five years ago, she dealt "American Beauty" its only defeat in a lead category when...
COSTELLO: But you say Oscar voters don't like older women, and Annette Bening, was, what over 40? And maybe that's part of the reason she didn't win that year.
O'NEIL: Right. Only one woman past the age of 50 has won an Oscar in the past two decades, and it was Judy Dench. Many, many men win. In just in the last few years, James Coburn. Well, Sean Penn was in his 40s. But actually it's 50s now.
COSTELLO: Yes, yes. So, older men win, but not -- well, you know, that's just the way life goes for whatever reason. But I want to show these quickly before you have to go. These are from your collection. This is Katharine Hepburn's Oscar nomination. And Tom O'Neil owns it. This is incredible.
O'NEIL: This is one of her 12 nominations. It was a record in her day. This is for "The Rainmaker," which is one of her great spinster roles. This record was broken two years ago by Meryl Streep, when she was nominated for "Adaptation." We may see Meryl back today, bringing her tally to 14 with "Manchurian Candidate."
COSTELLO: Unbelievable. Thank you for sharing this with us, Tom O'Neil, and also those interesting tidbits.
O'NEIL: Thank you.
COSTELLO: Be sure to catch the Oscar nominations live right here on CNN. "AMERICAN MORNING" will bring them to you as they happen at 8:30 a.m. Eastern.
And as soon as the nominees are named, be sure to log on for all of your Oscar essentials. CNN.com will have printable ballots so you can play along. And speaking of playing, you can also take a crack at our "Inside the Envelope" game. All of that at CNN.com.
You are watching DAYBREAK for a Tuesday morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Chad, I've been looking at the morning headlines...
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes.
COSTELLO: ... from papers across the land. In "The Wall Street Journal" this morning, they're talking about hotels going to the mattress.
MYERS: All right.
COSTELLO: Are you curious?
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: Intrigued?
MYERS: A little.
COSTELLO: Well, let me explain. Let me read the first graph to you. Marriott International will launch a major initiative to replace nearly every bed in seven of its chains. So, apparently, hotel chains are trying to introduce better beds in order to lure customers. Marriott will -- let's see. Marriott is slated for the most expensive upgrade. Each king size bed will be getting 300 thread counts, 60 percent cotton sheets, seven pillows instead of five, a pillowy mattress cover, a white duvet, and a bed scarf.
Would that make you more likely to stay at a Marriott?
MYERS: Not really.
COSTELLO: Really?
MYERS: Not really. I mean, the five or seven pillows doesn't really make a difference. You know, I stayed in New York, not in a Marriott, but when I looked at the bed, it looked like two invisible people were already sleeping there. It went (UNINTELLIGIBLE). And I went, well, they haven't changed that mattress in a long time.
COSTELLO: So, you have that male pillow thing, because men don't like pillows and women love pillows. The more pillows the better.
MYERS: Well, you've got to throw them off before you go to sleep.
COSTELLO: Yes, whatever.
MYERS: All right.
COSTELLO: Tomorrow on DAYBREAK, weight-loss surgeries. What's the difference between gastric bypass and a gastric band? Nutritionist Lisa Drayer will explain which options work for different body types.
From the Time Warner center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.
MYERS: See you, Carol.
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