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CNN Live At Daybreak

State of the Union: The Day After; Pope Remains Hospitalized

Aired February 03, 2005 - 06:00   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.


(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If steps are not taken to avert that outcome...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: You can hear them in the background -- boos during the State of the Union address. Is this a hint of the political battles to come?

And Martha Stewart, you're hired. The newest business venture for the prolific prisoner.

And she calls herself MVP of the game. We'll tell you what the letters stand for when it comes to Mama McNabb.

It is Thursday, February 3.

You are watching DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you.

From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

Now in the news, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice leaves today for Europe and the Middle East. In France, she'll make her first major speech on U.S.-European relations. On Monday, she'll meet separately with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

President Bush speaks to the national prayer breakfast gathering on Capitol Hill today. That's coming up in two hours. Later, he heads to North Dakota to push his proposal for changing Social Security.

A doctor for Pope John Paul II said today the pontiff slept well last night in his Rome hospital room. Still, it's unclear just how long the pope will remain hospitalized.

And a little more than three hours ago, an Atlas 3 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The rocket is carrying a satellite that will be used for national security.

To the forecast center -- good morning, Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol. (WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Good news.

The other bit of good news you shared with us earlier was that we've reached the midpoint of winter.

MYERS: Tonight. Tonight. A little after 7:30 tonight is the middle part of the calendar winter. So tomorrow we get to the other side of winter, kind of up over that hump. Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow yesterday, though, so that means six more weeks of winter.

COSTELLO: Yes.

MYERS: But it's all relative. Of course, there are six more weeks of winter. Spring doesn't happen for six more weeks. But the other good news, Carol, that we've talked about is that next Thursday, compared to today, the day will be 19 minutes longer.

COSTELLO: That's terrific.

MYERS: So we're adding the sunshine, nine minutes on the sunrise and 10 minutes on the sunset, and then after that, we get 20 minutes a week, longer and longer and longer. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

COSTELLO: Oh, so can I. I think we should do a spring countdown again. I enjoyed that last winter.

MYERS: Fair enough.

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

MYERS: Or we could just -- we could just go to San Juan and do a couple weeks from down there.

COSTELLO: That's much better than a countdown.

Thank you, Chad.

MYERS: You're welcome.

COSTELLO: There were stirring moments that brought people to their feet and there was something heard that you don't hear very often during a president's State of the Union -- boos.

It started with an emotional moment. Guests of the president embraced, one the mother of an American Marine killed in Iraq; the other an Iraqi who was able to vote freely in her country for the first time.

President Bush was moved, but firm in his belief there can be no date for American troops to leave Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BUSH: We will not set an artificial timetable for leaving Iraq because that would embolden the terrorists and make them believe they can wait us out. We are in Iraq to achieve a result, a country that is democratic, representative of all its people, at peace with its neighbors and able to defend itself. And when that result is achieved, our men and women serving in Iraq will return home with the honor they have earned.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Another big issue of the night, Social Security. President Bush says it's heading for bankruptcy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Our society has changed in ways the founders of Social Security could not have foreseen. In today's world, people are living longer and therefore drawing benefits longer. And those benefits are scheduled to rise dramatically over the next few decades.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Boos from Democrats met the president's remarks.

Later, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid called the Bush plan "Social Security roulette."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV), MINORITY LEADER: It's wrong to replace the guaranteed benefit that Americans have earned with a guaranteed benefit cut of up to 40 percent. Make no mistake, that's exactly what President Bush is proposing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Also on the domestic front, marriage.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Because marriage is a sacred institution and the foundation of society, it should not be redefined by activist judges. For the good of families, children and society, I support a constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: In case you're wondering about numbers and stats, we did some dissecting for you this morning. The president's speech lasted 53 minutes. He mentioned Iraq 27 times, said the words "Social Security" 18 times and the word "economy" 11 times.

CNN Radio's Dick Uliano was covering the State of the Union for us. And it's the booing that's got to be first -- Dick, what was that like? DICK ULIANO, CNN RADIO CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, there were a few scattered boos during the president's State of the Union address. But really that's not totally unusual. There were Republican boos during some of the Clinton State of the Union speeches. This is generally a night of exuberance. It's always a hot ticket in Washington to get into the chamber and watch the president deliver the State of the Union.

Lawmakers are up for the event. They have a good time. There's a lot of ceremony, as you could see, attached to it, with the escorts into the chamber. So, really, a few boos about something that the party disagrees with not that unusual at the State of the Union.

COSTELLO: But don't you worry -- the other thing I wanted to ask you about is the president came out and said that the Social Security system would be bankrupt. It's in danger of being bankrupt. He used that word that many Democrats just don't agree with.

Was that the way to go when you want to come to some sort of agreement in Congress?

ULIANO: Carol, the Republican president and the Democrat Congress could not be further apart on this issue of Social Security and they are completely united against the president's idea of what they call privatizing Social Security, getting younger workers these individual savings accounts. That's why you'd hear some boos.

Harry Reid, as you heard earlier, the leader of the party in Congress, saying he believes the president's program is a benefit cut, a cut in the guaranteed benefit. And this is the way Democrats are approaching it, where Republicans believe it's more of an ownership society, letting people have these 401 style K investment accounts. They're really at loggerheads and it's going to be a battle royal. And that's what that booing was about.

COSTELLO: Were there any surprises in this speech, Dick?

ULIANO: Well, I'd have to say the introductions of the woman from Iraq, Safia Taleb al-Suhail, and the parents, the Norwoods, the parents of the submarine sergeant killed were -- was among the highest emotional moment I have seen in the past couple of decades at the State of the Union address. It was very touching and I think it appeared that the chamber was moved by it.

COSTELLO: And they were. How could you help it?

Dick Uliano from CNN Radio, joining us live this morning.

Thank you.

Pope John Paul will deliver his regular Sunday address, but he'll do it from his hospital bed. The Vatican says the pope's condition is satisfactory, but what exactly does that mean?

Let's head live to Rome and Alessio Vinci -- good morning, Alessio. ALESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Carol.

Well, we first heard yesterday, last night, from a top Vatican official, who is among the few people who actually visited the pope last night, yesterday here at the Gemelli Hospital. And that cardinal said that the pope was responding well to treatment. He also said that he was recovering quite well. So definitely a positive spin coming here from the Vatican.

This morning, we also heard from the chief Vatican spokesman, Dr. Joaquin Navarro-Valls, a medical doctor himself. He says that the people had a good night of sleep and he also said that the tests were satisfactory and he also hinted that the pope would remain at the hospital for about seven days.

There are also plans, we understand, made at this time at the Vatican, but we haven't been able to confirm this independently, that the Vatican is trying to organize for the people on Sunday to deliver his usual Sunday Angelus, his prayer, to the people from here, from his hospital bed. This has happened already in the past. As you know, Pope John Paul II has been hospitalized here many times before and the Vatican is now trying to organize a way for him to deliver this prayer from his hospital bed.

It will be either broadcast live or on tape at the Vatican for the thousands of pilgrims who flock every week at St. Peter's Square.

Back to you -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, Alessio Vinci live from Rome this morning.

Thank you.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, do you love shopping online? Amazon has a new way to make you love it even more. We will explain at 17 minutes past.

And it's going to be a big weekend for football and a big weekend for some New Jersey kids with a flair for writing. We'll explain at 23 minutes past.

And both sides of the aisle weighing in on the State of the Union and Social Security. We'll talk with lawmakers about the president's agenda.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Thursday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALTER UPDEGRAVE, SENIOR EDITOR, "MONEY": An investment club is basically a group of people that usually get together on a monthly basis and they contribute a certain amount of money, typically $20 to $100 a month, and they sit around and they pick investments. Ideally, the club should be a way for people to learn how or research stocks, to learn how to evaluate companies. And the best clubs actually work that way. And when you present your stock or the company to the group as a whole, you should be doing it in kind of a disciplined, systematic way, talking about why you think this company is a buy.

It does give you a good education in terms of, you know, how to value stocks, and also how to look at the market.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It's 6:15 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

President Bush is taking his case for Social Security reform on the road to four states. First stop, North Dakota. In last night's State of the Union address he said the entire Social Security system is in danger of being "exhausted and bankrupt."

In money news, the Fed's done it again. A key interest rate has gone up another 1/4 point. It's the sixth straight increase since last June. The rate now stands at 2.5 percent.

In culture, Catherine Zeta-Jones will lead a parade of Harvard students dressed in drag. She and actor Tim Robbins won this year's annual Hasty Pudding awards, given by a student drama group. The Zeta-Jones parade across campus is planned a week from today.

In sports, the Los Angeles Lakers coach is stepping down as head coach, citing medical concerns and stress. He came out of retirement to replace Phil Jackson as the Lakers coach this season. And now some reports say Jackson is at the top of the Lakers' wish list for a new coach.

To the forecast center and Chad.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you.

The latest controversy surrounding a Super Bowl ad. We'll tell you which company is trying to steer clear of bad publicity.

Also ahead, we'll introduce you to the Philadelphia Eagles' biggest fan, and she does her best to keep the team hot for the Super Bowl.

Stick around.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, everyone.

I'm Carrie Lee at the Nasdaq market site.

Amazon.com is offering a new shipping plan called Amazon Prime, allowing customers to have the option of paying a flat annual fee of $79 for unlimited two day shipping, no minimum purchase required. The deal also allows customers one day overnight shipping for $3.99 an item. Amazon's CEO Jeff Bezos calls the program "all you can eat express shipping" and the company says this is the most expensive program it's undertaken since it started to offer free shipping on items costing $25 or more, and they still do plan to offer that free shipping.

Basically, Amazon stepping up the competition, trying to compete with companies like Wal-Mart, Target and Overstock.com.

Meanwhile, Amazon also reported profits last night that disappointed Wall Street, and the stock fell 15 percent in the after hours session. That's part of the reason futures this morning are looking weak, especially so for technology issues.

Meanwhile, yesterday the markets finished higher for three days in a row. The Federal Reserve raising rates a 1/4 point, as expected. Still expecting a measured pace as far as future interest rates are concerned.

One stock to one stock to keep an eye on today, Wal-Mart. Today is the day Wal-Mart and other retailers report their same store sales figures for January. It will be interesting to see how people used discount cards during the holiday season and if that helps results.

And that is the latest from the Nasdaq.

DAYBREAK will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: So, it's a baseball song. Who cares? Let's talk football right now.

Jacksonville, Florida gets its turn in the national spotlight this weekend when Super Bowl 39 kicks off at Alltel Stadium. There it is. The Eagles and Patriots fans will appreciate the warm Southern weather near the ocean. In fact, many of them will stay afloat during their stay. Jacksonville has a limited number of hotel rooms, so these cruise ships will accommodate them. A dozen water taxis like the one you're seeing now will carry football fans to and from the stadium on game day.

But, of course, the real action will be inside the stadium. Quarterback Tom Brady led the Patriots through practice as they prepared to defend their Super Bowl title. But it will be up to their underrated and overlooked defense to slow down the Eagles.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) WILLIE MCGINEST, PATRIOTS LINEBACKER: We don't really care about what people give us anymore. We've been in a position where we haven't gotten respect anyway. So it doesn't really matter. Anything that we get and that we win, you know, we got the attitude that we're going to go out and take it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: They're amazing, aren't they?

On the Eagles side, Terrell Owens back on the practice field. Quarterback Donovan McNabb got a chance to work with his leading receiver for a third straight day. Terrell Owens insists his injured ankle will be well enough by game time on Sunday, but the team is still listing him as questionable. So the drama continues.

One of the Eagles getting the most attention during Super Bowl week isn't even a player, but she is one of their biggest supporters.

CNN's Larry Smith introduces us to the Eagles' mom.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

LARRY SMITH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the rough, tough world of the National Football League, nobody wants to be known as a mama's boy, unless your mama is Wilma McNabb, the mother of Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback Donovan McNabb. But if you've seen her Campbell's Soup commercials, you know she is also the unofficial team mother for the entire Eagles squad.

WILMA MCNABB, DONOVAN MCNABB'S MOTHER: I call myself the MVP -- I'm the most visible parent.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You might not know anybody else's mom on the team, but you know who Mrs. McNabb is.

W. MCNABB: They know I'm at every game and if their mom's not there, that I'm going to be there.

KOY DETMER, EAGLES BACKUP QUARTERBACK: She's great. I mean she's there every game and, you know, always with a smile on her face and giving everybody hugs and making everybody feel good.

W. MCNABB: We all just enjoy each other because they do a lot for Donovan. And I just want to make sure they know that I appreciate it just as he does.

SMITH: With her popularity skyrocketing amongst Eagles' players, Mrs. McNabb has grown accustomed to cheers.

However, her son wants to make sure she keeps it in perspective.

DONOVAN MCNABB, EAGLES QUARTERBACK: As kids, your parents sit down and tell you, OK, you need to understand, you know. We -- I had to sit down and talk to her about, you know, some of that. She's a rookie at the game. W. MCNABB: He's Mr. Man. That's what, he is the quarterback. He's the famous, infamous quarterback. I'm just the mother. And I just, I like it like that.

SMITH: Wilma McNabb certainly hopes that Donovan is the man after Super Bowl 39.

Larry Smith, CNN, Jacksonville.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: You have some information on ticket prices, I understand.

MYERS: Carol, it's crazy. Even the face value of these tickets are way out of control -- $400, $500 -- and that's not even for really great seats. I was just checking on eBay here. There are four Super Bowl tickets, lower level, in the end zone now. The reserve is met. For four tickets, $10,800.

COSTELLO: Oh, my. That's mind boggling.

MYERS: That is mind boggling. Here is another one. One end zone seat, $2,300, for one seat itself. But the prices on the tickets, they're going to make a fortune just selling the tickets at face value. You know, it's kind of bizarre. Who's paying $500 even for face value and who's paying $10,000 for four?

COSTELLO: Well, you know, we did that story yesterday about the man who mortgaged his home so he could afford Super Bowl tickets and a trip to Jacksonville to see his Philadelphia Eagles.

MYERS: Yes. There are scalper sites out there now charging between $5,000 and $8,000 per ticket to get into the game.

COSTELLO: That's insane.

MYERS: You know, and maybe they'll be so many tickets that don't get sold, you may be able to get something cheap the day of the game, with everybody trying to sell the ticket that they can't get rid of. Who knows?

COSTELLO: I don't think you're going to be able to get anything cheap, even on game day.

MYERS: You can't even get a hotel room anywhere within 100 miles of Jacksonville.

COSTELLO: Exactly.

One commercial you won't see during the Super Bowl is the latest ad from Ford. The company pulled the ad after receiving complaints from some sexual abuse victims. The commercial shows a clergyman tempted by a new truck, which leads him to add the truck to his upcoming sermon on lust. The company says they may run the ad elsewhere. DAYBREAK will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: And 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, Georgia's prime minister and a deputy in his government have died of apparent gas poisoning in Tbilisi. It's believed the gas leak in the deputy's home killed the two men.

The top investigator of U.N.'s Oil For Food Program for Iraq says the program was tainted from top to bottom. Paul Volker issues his interim report today on the Oil For Food corruption investigation.

Senate is expected to vote on President Bush's nominee for attorney general today. Alberto Gonzales faced tough questions from a number of Democrats during his confirmation hearings. But the Senate is expected to give him the job.

Jennifer Lopez and Rickie Martin have signed up, and Alicia Keyes and Sting will also perform. It's a special MTV concert for tsunami relief. It's being held in Bangkok, Thailand, and we'll take you there live later on DAYBREAK.

To the forecast center and Chad -- good morning.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired February 3, 2005 - 06:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If steps are not taken to avert that outcome...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: You can hear them in the background -- boos during the State of the Union address. Is this a hint of the political battles to come?

And Martha Stewart, you're hired. The newest business venture for the prolific prisoner.

And she calls herself MVP of the game. We'll tell you what the letters stand for when it comes to Mama McNabb.

It is Thursday, February 3.

You are watching DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you.

From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

Now in the news, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice leaves today for Europe and the Middle East. In France, she'll make her first major speech on U.S.-European relations. On Monday, she'll meet separately with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

President Bush speaks to the national prayer breakfast gathering on Capitol Hill today. That's coming up in two hours. Later, he heads to North Dakota to push his proposal for changing Social Security.

A doctor for Pope John Paul II said today the pontiff slept well last night in his Rome hospital room. Still, it's unclear just how long the pope will remain hospitalized.

And a little more than three hours ago, an Atlas 3 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The rocket is carrying a satellite that will be used for national security.

To the forecast center -- good morning, Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol. (WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Good news.

The other bit of good news you shared with us earlier was that we've reached the midpoint of winter.

MYERS: Tonight. Tonight. A little after 7:30 tonight is the middle part of the calendar winter. So tomorrow we get to the other side of winter, kind of up over that hump. Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow yesterday, though, so that means six more weeks of winter.

COSTELLO: Yes.

MYERS: But it's all relative. Of course, there are six more weeks of winter. Spring doesn't happen for six more weeks. But the other good news, Carol, that we've talked about is that next Thursday, compared to today, the day will be 19 minutes longer.

COSTELLO: That's terrific.

MYERS: So we're adding the sunshine, nine minutes on the sunrise and 10 minutes on the sunset, and then after that, we get 20 minutes a week, longer and longer and longer. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

COSTELLO: Oh, so can I. I think we should do a spring countdown again. I enjoyed that last winter.

MYERS: Fair enough.

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

MYERS: Or we could just -- we could just go to San Juan and do a couple weeks from down there.

COSTELLO: That's much better than a countdown.

Thank you, Chad.

MYERS: You're welcome.

COSTELLO: There were stirring moments that brought people to their feet and there was something heard that you don't hear very often during a president's State of the Union -- boos.

It started with an emotional moment. Guests of the president embraced, one the mother of an American Marine killed in Iraq; the other an Iraqi who was able to vote freely in her country for the first time.

President Bush was moved, but firm in his belief there can be no date for American troops to leave Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BUSH: We will not set an artificial timetable for leaving Iraq because that would embolden the terrorists and make them believe they can wait us out. We are in Iraq to achieve a result, a country that is democratic, representative of all its people, at peace with its neighbors and able to defend itself. And when that result is achieved, our men and women serving in Iraq will return home with the honor they have earned.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Another big issue of the night, Social Security. President Bush says it's heading for bankruptcy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Our society has changed in ways the founders of Social Security could not have foreseen. In today's world, people are living longer and therefore drawing benefits longer. And those benefits are scheduled to rise dramatically over the next few decades.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Boos from Democrats met the president's remarks.

Later, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid called the Bush plan "Social Security roulette."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV), MINORITY LEADER: It's wrong to replace the guaranteed benefit that Americans have earned with a guaranteed benefit cut of up to 40 percent. Make no mistake, that's exactly what President Bush is proposing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Also on the domestic front, marriage.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Because marriage is a sacred institution and the foundation of society, it should not be redefined by activist judges. For the good of families, children and society, I support a constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: In case you're wondering about numbers and stats, we did some dissecting for you this morning. The president's speech lasted 53 minutes. He mentioned Iraq 27 times, said the words "Social Security" 18 times and the word "economy" 11 times.

CNN Radio's Dick Uliano was covering the State of the Union for us. And it's the booing that's got to be first -- Dick, what was that like? DICK ULIANO, CNN RADIO CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, there were a few scattered boos during the president's State of the Union address. But really that's not totally unusual. There were Republican boos during some of the Clinton State of the Union speeches. This is generally a night of exuberance. It's always a hot ticket in Washington to get into the chamber and watch the president deliver the State of the Union.

Lawmakers are up for the event. They have a good time. There's a lot of ceremony, as you could see, attached to it, with the escorts into the chamber. So, really, a few boos about something that the party disagrees with not that unusual at the State of the Union.

COSTELLO: But don't you worry -- the other thing I wanted to ask you about is the president came out and said that the Social Security system would be bankrupt. It's in danger of being bankrupt. He used that word that many Democrats just don't agree with.

Was that the way to go when you want to come to some sort of agreement in Congress?

ULIANO: Carol, the Republican president and the Democrat Congress could not be further apart on this issue of Social Security and they are completely united against the president's idea of what they call privatizing Social Security, getting younger workers these individual savings accounts. That's why you'd hear some boos.

Harry Reid, as you heard earlier, the leader of the party in Congress, saying he believes the president's program is a benefit cut, a cut in the guaranteed benefit. And this is the way Democrats are approaching it, where Republicans believe it's more of an ownership society, letting people have these 401 style K investment accounts. They're really at loggerheads and it's going to be a battle royal. And that's what that booing was about.

COSTELLO: Were there any surprises in this speech, Dick?

ULIANO: Well, I'd have to say the introductions of the woman from Iraq, Safia Taleb al-Suhail, and the parents, the Norwoods, the parents of the submarine sergeant killed were -- was among the highest emotional moment I have seen in the past couple of decades at the State of the Union address. It was very touching and I think it appeared that the chamber was moved by it.

COSTELLO: And they were. How could you help it?

Dick Uliano from CNN Radio, joining us live this morning.

Thank you.

Pope John Paul will deliver his regular Sunday address, but he'll do it from his hospital bed. The Vatican says the pope's condition is satisfactory, but what exactly does that mean?

Let's head live to Rome and Alessio Vinci -- good morning, Alessio. ALESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Carol.

Well, we first heard yesterday, last night, from a top Vatican official, who is among the few people who actually visited the pope last night, yesterday here at the Gemelli Hospital. And that cardinal said that the pope was responding well to treatment. He also said that he was recovering quite well. So definitely a positive spin coming here from the Vatican.

This morning, we also heard from the chief Vatican spokesman, Dr. Joaquin Navarro-Valls, a medical doctor himself. He says that the people had a good night of sleep and he also said that the tests were satisfactory and he also hinted that the pope would remain at the hospital for about seven days.

There are also plans, we understand, made at this time at the Vatican, but we haven't been able to confirm this independently, that the Vatican is trying to organize for the people on Sunday to deliver his usual Sunday Angelus, his prayer, to the people from here, from his hospital bed. This has happened already in the past. As you know, Pope John Paul II has been hospitalized here many times before and the Vatican is now trying to organize a way for him to deliver this prayer from his hospital bed.

It will be either broadcast live or on tape at the Vatican for the thousands of pilgrims who flock every week at St. Peter's Square.

Back to you -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, Alessio Vinci live from Rome this morning.

Thank you.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, do you love shopping online? Amazon has a new way to make you love it even more. We will explain at 17 minutes past.

And it's going to be a big weekend for football and a big weekend for some New Jersey kids with a flair for writing. We'll explain at 23 minutes past.

And both sides of the aisle weighing in on the State of the Union and Social Security. We'll talk with lawmakers about the president's agenda.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Thursday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALTER UPDEGRAVE, SENIOR EDITOR, "MONEY": An investment club is basically a group of people that usually get together on a monthly basis and they contribute a certain amount of money, typically $20 to $100 a month, and they sit around and they pick investments. Ideally, the club should be a way for people to learn how or research stocks, to learn how to evaluate companies. And the best clubs actually work that way. And when you present your stock or the company to the group as a whole, you should be doing it in kind of a disciplined, systematic way, talking about why you think this company is a buy.

It does give you a good education in terms of, you know, how to value stocks, and also how to look at the market.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It's 6:15 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

President Bush is taking his case for Social Security reform on the road to four states. First stop, North Dakota. In last night's State of the Union address he said the entire Social Security system is in danger of being "exhausted and bankrupt."

In money news, the Fed's done it again. A key interest rate has gone up another 1/4 point. It's the sixth straight increase since last June. The rate now stands at 2.5 percent.

In culture, Catherine Zeta-Jones will lead a parade of Harvard students dressed in drag. She and actor Tim Robbins won this year's annual Hasty Pudding awards, given by a student drama group. The Zeta-Jones parade across campus is planned a week from today.

In sports, the Los Angeles Lakers coach is stepping down as head coach, citing medical concerns and stress. He came out of retirement to replace Phil Jackson as the Lakers coach this season. And now some reports say Jackson is at the top of the Lakers' wish list for a new coach.

To the forecast center and Chad.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you.

The latest controversy surrounding a Super Bowl ad. We'll tell you which company is trying to steer clear of bad publicity.

Also ahead, we'll introduce you to the Philadelphia Eagles' biggest fan, and she does her best to keep the team hot for the Super Bowl.

Stick around.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, everyone.

I'm Carrie Lee at the Nasdaq market site.

Amazon.com is offering a new shipping plan called Amazon Prime, allowing customers to have the option of paying a flat annual fee of $79 for unlimited two day shipping, no minimum purchase required. The deal also allows customers one day overnight shipping for $3.99 an item. Amazon's CEO Jeff Bezos calls the program "all you can eat express shipping" and the company says this is the most expensive program it's undertaken since it started to offer free shipping on items costing $25 or more, and they still do plan to offer that free shipping.

Basically, Amazon stepping up the competition, trying to compete with companies like Wal-Mart, Target and Overstock.com.

Meanwhile, Amazon also reported profits last night that disappointed Wall Street, and the stock fell 15 percent in the after hours session. That's part of the reason futures this morning are looking weak, especially so for technology issues.

Meanwhile, yesterday the markets finished higher for three days in a row. The Federal Reserve raising rates a 1/4 point, as expected. Still expecting a measured pace as far as future interest rates are concerned.

One stock to one stock to keep an eye on today, Wal-Mart. Today is the day Wal-Mart and other retailers report their same store sales figures for January. It will be interesting to see how people used discount cards during the holiday season and if that helps results.

And that is the latest from the Nasdaq.

DAYBREAK will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: So, it's a baseball song. Who cares? Let's talk football right now.

Jacksonville, Florida gets its turn in the national spotlight this weekend when Super Bowl 39 kicks off at Alltel Stadium. There it is. The Eagles and Patriots fans will appreciate the warm Southern weather near the ocean. In fact, many of them will stay afloat during their stay. Jacksonville has a limited number of hotel rooms, so these cruise ships will accommodate them. A dozen water taxis like the one you're seeing now will carry football fans to and from the stadium on game day.

But, of course, the real action will be inside the stadium. Quarterback Tom Brady led the Patriots through practice as they prepared to defend their Super Bowl title. But it will be up to their underrated and overlooked defense to slow down the Eagles.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) WILLIE MCGINEST, PATRIOTS LINEBACKER: We don't really care about what people give us anymore. We've been in a position where we haven't gotten respect anyway. So it doesn't really matter. Anything that we get and that we win, you know, we got the attitude that we're going to go out and take it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: They're amazing, aren't they?

On the Eagles side, Terrell Owens back on the practice field. Quarterback Donovan McNabb got a chance to work with his leading receiver for a third straight day. Terrell Owens insists his injured ankle will be well enough by game time on Sunday, but the team is still listing him as questionable. So the drama continues.

One of the Eagles getting the most attention during Super Bowl week isn't even a player, but she is one of their biggest supporters.

CNN's Larry Smith introduces us to the Eagles' mom.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

LARRY SMITH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the rough, tough world of the National Football League, nobody wants to be known as a mama's boy, unless your mama is Wilma McNabb, the mother of Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback Donovan McNabb. But if you've seen her Campbell's Soup commercials, you know she is also the unofficial team mother for the entire Eagles squad.

WILMA MCNABB, DONOVAN MCNABB'S MOTHER: I call myself the MVP -- I'm the most visible parent.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You might not know anybody else's mom on the team, but you know who Mrs. McNabb is.

W. MCNABB: They know I'm at every game and if their mom's not there, that I'm going to be there.

KOY DETMER, EAGLES BACKUP QUARTERBACK: She's great. I mean she's there every game and, you know, always with a smile on her face and giving everybody hugs and making everybody feel good.

W. MCNABB: We all just enjoy each other because they do a lot for Donovan. And I just want to make sure they know that I appreciate it just as he does.

SMITH: With her popularity skyrocketing amongst Eagles' players, Mrs. McNabb has grown accustomed to cheers.

However, her son wants to make sure she keeps it in perspective.

DONOVAN MCNABB, EAGLES QUARTERBACK: As kids, your parents sit down and tell you, OK, you need to understand, you know. We -- I had to sit down and talk to her about, you know, some of that. She's a rookie at the game. W. MCNABB: He's Mr. Man. That's what, he is the quarterback. He's the famous, infamous quarterback. I'm just the mother. And I just, I like it like that.

SMITH: Wilma McNabb certainly hopes that Donovan is the man after Super Bowl 39.

Larry Smith, CNN, Jacksonville.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: You have some information on ticket prices, I understand.

MYERS: Carol, it's crazy. Even the face value of these tickets are way out of control -- $400, $500 -- and that's not even for really great seats. I was just checking on eBay here. There are four Super Bowl tickets, lower level, in the end zone now. The reserve is met. For four tickets, $10,800.

COSTELLO: Oh, my. That's mind boggling.

MYERS: That is mind boggling. Here is another one. One end zone seat, $2,300, for one seat itself. But the prices on the tickets, they're going to make a fortune just selling the tickets at face value. You know, it's kind of bizarre. Who's paying $500 even for face value and who's paying $10,000 for four?

COSTELLO: Well, you know, we did that story yesterday about the man who mortgaged his home so he could afford Super Bowl tickets and a trip to Jacksonville to see his Philadelphia Eagles.

MYERS: Yes. There are scalper sites out there now charging between $5,000 and $8,000 per ticket to get into the game.

COSTELLO: That's insane.

MYERS: You know, and maybe they'll be so many tickets that don't get sold, you may be able to get something cheap the day of the game, with everybody trying to sell the ticket that they can't get rid of. Who knows?

COSTELLO: I don't think you're going to be able to get anything cheap, even on game day.

MYERS: You can't even get a hotel room anywhere within 100 miles of Jacksonville.

COSTELLO: Exactly.

One commercial you won't see during the Super Bowl is the latest ad from Ford. The company pulled the ad after receiving complaints from some sexual abuse victims. The commercial shows a clergyman tempted by a new truck, which leads him to add the truck to his upcoming sermon on lust. The company says they may run the ad elsewhere. DAYBREAK will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: And 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, Georgia's prime minister and a deputy in his government have died of apparent gas poisoning in Tbilisi. It's believed the gas leak in the deputy's home killed the two men.

The top investigator of U.N.'s Oil For Food Program for Iraq says the program was tainted from top to bottom. Paul Volker issues his interim report today on the Oil For Food corruption investigation.

Senate is expected to vote on President Bush's nominee for attorney general today. Alberto Gonzales faced tough questions from a number of Democrats during his confirmation hearings. But the Senate is expected to give him the job.

Jennifer Lopez and Rickie Martin have signed up, and Alicia Keyes and Sting will also perform. It's a special MTV concert for tsunami relief. It's being held in Bangkok, Thailand, and we'll take you there live later on DAYBREAK.

To the forecast center and Chad -- good morning.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

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