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CNN Live Today

Defense Secretary Rumsfeld Says He Twice Offered His Resignation During Prison Abuse Scandal; Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida

Aired February 04, 2005 - 10:32   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.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: There is U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the microphone at the United Nations this morning, answering questions about an initial report out -- an investigatory commission has come out with a report about the oil-for-food program in Iraq. Here is Kofi Annan responding to the initial report.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: Obviously, there were some hard knocks in the report, and we are concerned about it, and this is why we intend to take action promptly. This is the first step. There are going to be other reports from the Volcker Commission. And we look forward to the completion of his work. And we are as determined as anyone to get to the bottom of this.

We do not want this shadow to hang over the U.N. So we want to get to the bottom of it, get to the truth and take appropriate measures to deal with the gaps.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: A definitive report from Paul Volcker and this investigatory commission is due out by midsummer. It is going to look at Kofi Annan and his son Kojo Annan to see what involvment they could have had in the oil-for-food program and other corruption that might have taken place as that program was implemented.

Now let's take a look at what's happening now in the news.

Taking it to the people. That's what President Bush is trying to do, pushing for Social Security reform in three more cities today. Right now he's in Omaha, Nebraska. Later, the president heads to Little Rock, Arkansas, and then on to Tampa, Florida. Mr. Bush says he's convinced voters will demand action once they know more about the problems facing Social Security.

A ground-and-air search for a missing Afghan airliner has been suspended due to darkness. The plane disappeared from radar during a snowstorm yesterday afternoon. The jet wasn't far from the capital Kabul at the time; 104 people were aboard the flight. A Massachusetts company says three of its employees are believed to be passengers.

And a top Pentagon official suggest there's could be a drawing down of U.S. troops in Iraq. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz told a Senate panel some 15,000 troops could be pulled out. That would leave U.S. troop strength at 135,000. There was no word on when that move might happen.

A manhunt is under way this hour for a couple accused of brutally torturing five children inside this house in Citrus County, Florida. John Dollar and his wife, Linda, remain at large. Authorities describe the children as badly malnourished and abused. The sheriff's spokeswoman say the children, who range in age from 12 to 16, look like pictures from Auschwitz.

RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: And now this. In an exclusive interview, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld tells CNN that he twice offered his resignation during the prison abuse scandal.

We get this story from our senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was in May of last year at the height of the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal when the halls of Congress were ringing with calls for Donald Rumsfeld's head.

U.S. SENATOR LINDSAY GRAHAM (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: And what do you say to those people who are calling for your resignation?

RUMSFELD: Needless to say, if I felt I could not be effective, I would resign in a minute.

MCINTYRE: But what Rumsfeld didn't say then, and reveals now for the first time in an interview with CNN's Larry King, is that he did offer to resign, not just once, but twice.

RUMSFELD: I submitted my resignation to President Bush twice during that period. And I told him that I felt that he ought to make the decision as to whether or not I stayed on. And he made that decision and said he did want me to stay on.

BUSH: Mr. Secretary, thank you for your hospitality.

MCINTYRE: After a few days of speculation about Rumsfeld's fate, President Bush gave him a public vote of confidence after a Pentagon meeting.

BUSH: You're doing a superb job. You are a strong secretary of defense, and our nation owes you a debt of gratitude.

MCINTYRE: Rumsfeld's critics accused him of setting a tone that allowed the abuse to take place and of authorizing interrogation techniques that are tantamount to torture, a charge he flatly rejects.

Rumsfeld told Larry King that, while he was started by the abuse that took place at Abu Ghraib, he had no regrets, arguing that what happened on what he called the midnight shift at the prison could not have been, in his words, managed by someone in Washington.

Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Condoleezza Rice is on her first overseas mission since taking over as secretary of state. She began the day in London where she met British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. Rice told reporters U.S. military action against Iran is not on the agenda at this point. However, Rice, did warn Iran against pursuing a nuclear weapons program.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECY. OF STATE: It is the Iranians who are isolated if they wish to continue to go down this path. And I will just repeat, the European three has given the Iranians an opportunity to demonstrate that they are serious about living up to their international obligations. They ought to take it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Rice is in Germany now. She has a news conference at the top of the hour with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. We'll be there, and if news break, we will bring it to you.

From Berlin, Rice will travel on to Warsaw. Besides her seven- capital tour of Europe, Rice will also visit Mideast leaders.

SANCHEZ: In two days, as you know, the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles are going to be facing off in the Super Bowl. But some of the biggest players in the uniforms -- and the uniforms that they're going to be wearing, I should say, are ones that you won't recognize. Why? Because it will be law enforcement officers. That's right, from local, state and federal agencies, they're are all focusing on the Super Bowl, and it's a unique setting. See, the stadium sits along the St. John's River. It's a 14-mile safety zone that's now been established around it, and it's already being heavily patrolled. Jacksonville, by the way, is also the smallest city to host the event. So several cruise ships have been docked to try and provide extra hotel room.

Small city in population, by the way, not in size.

KAGAN: Now let's focus on the game itself. And for that, we turn to Larry Smith with CNN Sports.

Larry, on the scene in J-ville. Good morning.

LARRY SMITH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Good morning, Rick.

You know, law enforcement people certainly will be the most important people this weekend. The second most important people may be the retailers, selling winter coats. Those people who came to Jacksonville unprepared for the very winter-like conditions. Temperatures in the low 40s, but a brisk northeasterly wind really is making things very chilly this morning. Let's hope it warms up before game time. We could have 80,000 really cold fans. Let's get to the game, Super Bowl XXXIX, Eagles versus the Patriots. And old saying is that defense wins championships. And Say what you want about Tom Brady, he's certainly deserving of his two Super Bowl most valuable player awards that he's already won in his young career, but it's the defense that has stirred New England throughout their reign.

Only two teams this season forced more turnovers in the regular season than the Patriots, which forced seven more turnovers in two playoff games as they now stand on the brink of their third Super Bowl crown in four years, something only the Dallas Cowboys, nearly a decade ago, have achieved.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BILL BELICHICK, PATRIOTS' COACH: I wish we could say, well, here's our turnover defense, we'll call this one and we'll get a turnover when we need it. I think it's really more of a situation where the defense is able to take advantage of an opportunity to get their hands on the ball.

DONOVAN MCNBABB, EAGLES' QUARTERBACK: It's difficult to avoid turnovers obviously because of what they've been doing, stripping the ball and batting balls in the air. But I think what we have to do is we have to run our offense and not worry about, you know, are they going to strip the ball here or interceptions. You have to play the game.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SMITH: New England's two Super Bowl wins have both come by only three points, making them among the closest games in Super Bowl history. Let's go back to you.

KAGAN: All right. Thank you, Larry. And even though Larry's wearing a coat, things supposed to be pretty nice in Jacksonville on Sunday.

SANCHEZ: Usually is in Florida.

KAGAN: Yes. As a Florida boy, you can say that.

SANCHEZ: Counting dollars and weighing the risks of whether President Bush's Social Security overhaul plan is going to work for you.

KAGAN: Gerri Willis is here with some advice. Hey, Ger.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, guys. President Bush had a lot to say about Social Security on Wednesday. We'll tell you what you need to know when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT) SANCHEZ: Let's examine once again President Bush's plans to reform Social Security. It certainly is generating a lot of heat, as you may have noticed. So how about some illumination? For a quick look now at what you should know about this proposed overhaul, here is CNN personal finance editor Gerri Willis.

WILLIS: Confusing. What do you need to know now? Here are today's five tips. First off, the debate over Social Security is likely to rage for some time. In the process, accusations will fly and so will the scare tactics used to frighten voters.

Take it with a grain of salt. Members of Congress are unlikely to do anything to cost them votes.

Read between the lines. The real issue with retirement is that Americans are not prepared for their golden years. Pension plans are on the wane. More than half of all workers report less than $50,000 in total savings. Financial advisers say that regardless of what the government does with Social Security, it's up to you to provide for your future.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Because our children's retirement security is more important.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIS: While the president maintains that the plan will save Social Security for those in their 20s, don't be lulled into a false sense of security. Contribute the max to your 401k and get all the matching employer dollars you're due.

Don't stay up nights worrying your benefits are going away if you're born before 1949. Nothing is changing for you, but your kids will be impacted. Chances are changes in Social Security won't make the difference between tuna fish and filet mignon in your retirement years, but Social Security is the government's biggest entitlement program.

And it's up to all of us to weigh in on how it's distributed. There's a lot at stake here and we'll be watching every twist and turn as it develops -- Rick, back to you.

SANCHEZ: Have you got any sense, Gerri, for when if this thing is implemented, we will actually start to see either a change or its impact?

WILLIS: Well, you know, it's a really slow roll-out, Rick. And as a matter of fact, when it does finally get here, people will only be allowed to contribute $1,000 in the very beginning. So it's going to take some time. You'll have some time to figure out what you need to do next.

SANCHEZ: Of course, Democrats and a lot of Americans say not when, but if, right? WILLIS: That's right, there's a going to be a big debate before any of this happens.

SANCHEZ: Gerri Willis, we do thank you for bringing us up to date on that. Gerri's becoming a bigger part of CNN's weekend programming. There she is. Beginning tomorrow, you can watch her on "OPEN HOUSE" with Gerri Willis. Guaranteed to be good. It offers a how-to approach on all things real estate and premieres tomorrow, once again, 9:30 Eastern, 6:30 Pacific.

KAGAN: Good luck. Good edition for us. Good luck, Gerri.

It is a tale of a desperate woman and an overzealous male escort.

SANCHEZ: A wedding date?

KAGAN: What are you going to do? Remember Debra Messing was here yesterday?

SANCHEZ: How could I forget the impact she had on all of us?

KAGAN: Yes. She was here to talk about her movie. Today we're going to find out from Mr. Moviefone if it's any good.

SANCHEZ: Oh, great, good. Also, coming up next, we'll talk about other films. You stay with us. We'll be right here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: You should send (INAUDIBLE) a bottle of wine or something. Look at those buns. Fresh from the bakery.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Must feel great.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Dermot Mulroney earns his keep and keeps them yearning in the romantic comedy "The Wedding Date." And here to let us know if it lives up to all that eye candy appeal -- and frankly who cares? -- it looks good, Mr. Moviefone himself Russ Leatherman here with the weekend movies.

Hi, Russ.

RUSS LEATHERMAN, "MR. MOVIEFONE": Daryn, you could not be happier, could you?

KAGAN: No, you know why, because last week you brought all that bad dream junk that you know I can't stand, and I asked for a romantic comedy, and you my friend have delivered.

LEATHERMAN: I have delivered. And you know what, and, Daryn, every once in a while, you get a romantic comedy where you have actors that just so likable and have such good chemistry together, and you have a good story, you have nice comedy.

KAGAN: And this is it?

LEATHERMAN: Well, that was "Four Weddings and a Funeral" back in 1994, actually. But we do have "The Wedding Date" this week, so let's talk about that for a second.

KAGAN: Debra Messing was here yesterday. She might be watching.

LEATHERMAN: I'm so sorry, Daryn.

Here's the deal, you know, you have an interesting premise here. You've got a beautiful woman who lives in New York, very successful. She cannot find a date to go to her sister's wedding.

KAGAN: This happens.

LEATHERMAN: Daryn, that would be like saying you can't find a date. It's crazy. It's crazy talk. So she hires a $6,000 male escort to go to this wedding. And the question is, do they fall in love, don't they fall in love?

KAGAN: It doesn't matter.

LEATHERMAN: It doesn't matter. This is a pretty woman in reverse.

KAGAN: That's what Debra Messing said yesterday.

LEATHERMAN: It's exactly what it is, and it takes bits and pieces of every good and bad romantic comedy over the last 20 years.

And I have to say, you know, here's the deal, Daryn -- if you're a 35-year-old woman and have you the choice of watching your husband drunk on the sofa with a cheese doodle hanging out of his ear on Sunday or watching this movie, go ahead, it's not going to hurt you.

KAGAN: No, here's the deal, let me explain it to you from a girl's perspective. A friend here at work messaged me after I interviewed Debra Messing, and she said, well, do you think it's going to be good? And she was really hopeful. And I said it doesn't matter. Every girl or woman who's ever received the wedding invitation that says "and guest" and goes into a panic because she doesn't have someone to bring is going to go see this movie and enjoy it.

LEATHERMAN: Were you talking, Daryn?

KAGAN: I was trying to teach you about women. I know this is a silly pursuit.

LEATHERMAN: Let me say, by the way, there's a lot of rear-end nudity with Dermot in this movie.

KAGAN: Perfect. Even better. OK, now, if it's not "The Wedding Date," people going to the movies this weekend -- I was counseling Rick Sanchez on this, probably are trying to do Oscar catch-up. They haven't seen anything, so Oscars are a couple weeks away. So of the big movies out there, which ones should they see?

Well, you should absolutely go see "The Aviator," because there's a good chance it's going to sweep the awards. And it's 3 1/2 hours long, and that will keep you away from the Super Bowl, too. So go check that out. It's just a really good, solid movie.

KAGAN: You don't think "Ray" is better than "Aviator?"

LEATHERMAN: By the way, I think that Jamie Foxx is fantastic in "Ray," but whether the movie's better than "The Aviator," I don't know. But Ray's on DVD this week, actually. So you can rent that and go watch it, and watch it before the Oscars so you know whether you think he should win or not.

You have "Hotel Rwanda," that's still in theaters. "Sideways," you could go see that, that's still in theaters.

So in a week like this where the new movies may not be so terrific, that's a good bet to go check out some of these Oscars hopefuls. Good idea.

KAGAN: I am here to help produce your segment.

LEATHERMAN: Thank you so much, Daryn.

And you enjoy "The Wedding Date."

KAGAN: You know I will. I will. Just to make my point, I will.

SANCHEZ: You'll be the only one in the theater.

KAGAN: Doesn't matter. It's going to be me and Dermot Mulroney, that's enough.

Thank you, Russ.

LEATHERMAN: Bye, Daryn.

KAGAN: Mr. Moviefone stopping by.

Stick around for the next hour of CNN LIVE TODAY. I'll have a chance to visit with Brad Burt (ph)? Who, you know who he is. Director, screenwriter and the voice of Edna Mode (ph) in "The Incredibles." Find out more about this talented animator who was discovered by Walt Disney Studios at the age of 14.

SANCHEZ: He got all the good movies, huh.

KAGAN: And you can keep your eye on entertainment 24/7 by pointing your Internet browser to CNN.com/entertainment. Among the highlights to find there, the lives and loves of Patty Boyd, the woman who inspired and ignited passion for both George Harrison and Eric Clapton.

We are back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

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Aired February 4, 2005 - 10:32   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: There is U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the microphone at the United Nations this morning, answering questions about an initial report out -- an investigatory commission has come out with a report about the oil-for-food program in Iraq. Here is Kofi Annan responding to the initial report.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: Obviously, there were some hard knocks in the report, and we are concerned about it, and this is why we intend to take action promptly. This is the first step. There are going to be other reports from the Volcker Commission. And we look forward to the completion of his work. And we are as determined as anyone to get to the bottom of this.

We do not want this shadow to hang over the U.N. So we want to get to the bottom of it, get to the truth and take appropriate measures to deal with the gaps.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: A definitive report from Paul Volcker and this investigatory commission is due out by midsummer. It is going to look at Kofi Annan and his son Kojo Annan to see what involvment they could have had in the oil-for-food program and other corruption that might have taken place as that program was implemented.

Now let's take a look at what's happening now in the news.

Taking it to the people. That's what President Bush is trying to do, pushing for Social Security reform in three more cities today. Right now he's in Omaha, Nebraska. Later, the president heads to Little Rock, Arkansas, and then on to Tampa, Florida. Mr. Bush says he's convinced voters will demand action once they know more about the problems facing Social Security.

A ground-and-air search for a missing Afghan airliner has been suspended due to darkness. The plane disappeared from radar during a snowstorm yesterday afternoon. The jet wasn't far from the capital Kabul at the time; 104 people were aboard the flight. A Massachusetts company says three of its employees are believed to be passengers.

And a top Pentagon official suggest there's could be a drawing down of U.S. troops in Iraq. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz told a Senate panel some 15,000 troops could be pulled out. That would leave U.S. troop strength at 135,000. There was no word on when that move might happen.

A manhunt is under way this hour for a couple accused of brutally torturing five children inside this house in Citrus County, Florida. John Dollar and his wife, Linda, remain at large. Authorities describe the children as badly malnourished and abused. The sheriff's spokeswoman say the children, who range in age from 12 to 16, look like pictures from Auschwitz.

RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: And now this. In an exclusive interview, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld tells CNN that he twice offered his resignation during the prison abuse scandal.

We get this story from our senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was in May of last year at the height of the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal when the halls of Congress were ringing with calls for Donald Rumsfeld's head.

U.S. SENATOR LINDSAY GRAHAM (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: And what do you say to those people who are calling for your resignation?

RUMSFELD: Needless to say, if I felt I could not be effective, I would resign in a minute.

MCINTYRE: But what Rumsfeld didn't say then, and reveals now for the first time in an interview with CNN's Larry King, is that he did offer to resign, not just once, but twice.

RUMSFELD: I submitted my resignation to President Bush twice during that period. And I told him that I felt that he ought to make the decision as to whether or not I stayed on. And he made that decision and said he did want me to stay on.

BUSH: Mr. Secretary, thank you for your hospitality.

MCINTYRE: After a few days of speculation about Rumsfeld's fate, President Bush gave him a public vote of confidence after a Pentagon meeting.

BUSH: You're doing a superb job. You are a strong secretary of defense, and our nation owes you a debt of gratitude.

MCINTYRE: Rumsfeld's critics accused him of setting a tone that allowed the abuse to take place and of authorizing interrogation techniques that are tantamount to torture, a charge he flatly rejects.

Rumsfeld told Larry King that, while he was started by the abuse that took place at Abu Ghraib, he had no regrets, arguing that what happened on what he called the midnight shift at the prison could not have been, in his words, managed by someone in Washington.

Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Condoleezza Rice is on her first overseas mission since taking over as secretary of state. She began the day in London where she met British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. Rice told reporters U.S. military action against Iran is not on the agenda at this point. However, Rice, did warn Iran against pursuing a nuclear weapons program.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECY. OF STATE: It is the Iranians who are isolated if they wish to continue to go down this path. And I will just repeat, the European three has given the Iranians an opportunity to demonstrate that they are serious about living up to their international obligations. They ought to take it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Rice is in Germany now. She has a news conference at the top of the hour with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. We'll be there, and if news break, we will bring it to you.

From Berlin, Rice will travel on to Warsaw. Besides her seven- capital tour of Europe, Rice will also visit Mideast leaders.

SANCHEZ: In two days, as you know, the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles are going to be facing off in the Super Bowl. But some of the biggest players in the uniforms -- and the uniforms that they're going to be wearing, I should say, are ones that you won't recognize. Why? Because it will be law enforcement officers. That's right, from local, state and federal agencies, they're are all focusing on the Super Bowl, and it's a unique setting. See, the stadium sits along the St. John's River. It's a 14-mile safety zone that's now been established around it, and it's already being heavily patrolled. Jacksonville, by the way, is also the smallest city to host the event. So several cruise ships have been docked to try and provide extra hotel room.

Small city in population, by the way, not in size.

KAGAN: Now let's focus on the game itself. And for that, we turn to Larry Smith with CNN Sports.

Larry, on the scene in J-ville. Good morning.

LARRY SMITH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Good morning, Rick.

You know, law enforcement people certainly will be the most important people this weekend. The second most important people may be the retailers, selling winter coats. Those people who came to Jacksonville unprepared for the very winter-like conditions. Temperatures in the low 40s, but a brisk northeasterly wind really is making things very chilly this morning. Let's hope it warms up before game time. We could have 80,000 really cold fans. Let's get to the game, Super Bowl XXXIX, Eagles versus the Patriots. And old saying is that defense wins championships. And Say what you want about Tom Brady, he's certainly deserving of his two Super Bowl most valuable player awards that he's already won in his young career, but it's the defense that has stirred New England throughout their reign.

Only two teams this season forced more turnovers in the regular season than the Patriots, which forced seven more turnovers in two playoff games as they now stand on the brink of their third Super Bowl crown in four years, something only the Dallas Cowboys, nearly a decade ago, have achieved.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BILL BELICHICK, PATRIOTS' COACH: I wish we could say, well, here's our turnover defense, we'll call this one and we'll get a turnover when we need it. I think it's really more of a situation where the defense is able to take advantage of an opportunity to get their hands on the ball.

DONOVAN MCNBABB, EAGLES' QUARTERBACK: It's difficult to avoid turnovers obviously because of what they've been doing, stripping the ball and batting balls in the air. But I think what we have to do is we have to run our offense and not worry about, you know, are they going to strip the ball here or interceptions. You have to play the game.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SMITH: New England's two Super Bowl wins have both come by only three points, making them among the closest games in Super Bowl history. Let's go back to you.

KAGAN: All right. Thank you, Larry. And even though Larry's wearing a coat, things supposed to be pretty nice in Jacksonville on Sunday.

SANCHEZ: Usually is in Florida.

KAGAN: Yes. As a Florida boy, you can say that.

SANCHEZ: Counting dollars and weighing the risks of whether President Bush's Social Security overhaul plan is going to work for you.

KAGAN: Gerri Willis is here with some advice. Hey, Ger.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, guys. President Bush had a lot to say about Social Security on Wednesday. We'll tell you what you need to know when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT) SANCHEZ: Let's examine once again President Bush's plans to reform Social Security. It certainly is generating a lot of heat, as you may have noticed. So how about some illumination? For a quick look now at what you should know about this proposed overhaul, here is CNN personal finance editor Gerri Willis.

WILLIS: Confusing. What do you need to know now? Here are today's five tips. First off, the debate over Social Security is likely to rage for some time. In the process, accusations will fly and so will the scare tactics used to frighten voters.

Take it with a grain of salt. Members of Congress are unlikely to do anything to cost them votes.

Read between the lines. The real issue with retirement is that Americans are not prepared for their golden years. Pension plans are on the wane. More than half of all workers report less than $50,000 in total savings. Financial advisers say that regardless of what the government does with Social Security, it's up to you to provide for your future.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Because our children's retirement security is more important.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIS: While the president maintains that the plan will save Social Security for those in their 20s, don't be lulled into a false sense of security. Contribute the max to your 401k and get all the matching employer dollars you're due.

Don't stay up nights worrying your benefits are going away if you're born before 1949. Nothing is changing for you, but your kids will be impacted. Chances are changes in Social Security won't make the difference between tuna fish and filet mignon in your retirement years, but Social Security is the government's biggest entitlement program.

And it's up to all of us to weigh in on how it's distributed. There's a lot at stake here and we'll be watching every twist and turn as it develops -- Rick, back to you.

SANCHEZ: Have you got any sense, Gerri, for when if this thing is implemented, we will actually start to see either a change or its impact?

WILLIS: Well, you know, it's a really slow roll-out, Rick. And as a matter of fact, when it does finally get here, people will only be allowed to contribute $1,000 in the very beginning. So it's going to take some time. You'll have some time to figure out what you need to do next.

SANCHEZ: Of course, Democrats and a lot of Americans say not when, but if, right? WILLIS: That's right, there's a going to be a big debate before any of this happens.

SANCHEZ: Gerri Willis, we do thank you for bringing us up to date on that. Gerri's becoming a bigger part of CNN's weekend programming. There she is. Beginning tomorrow, you can watch her on "OPEN HOUSE" with Gerri Willis. Guaranteed to be good. It offers a how-to approach on all things real estate and premieres tomorrow, once again, 9:30 Eastern, 6:30 Pacific.

KAGAN: Good luck. Good edition for us. Good luck, Gerri.

It is a tale of a desperate woman and an overzealous male escort.

SANCHEZ: A wedding date?

KAGAN: What are you going to do? Remember Debra Messing was here yesterday?

SANCHEZ: How could I forget the impact she had on all of us?

KAGAN: Yes. She was here to talk about her movie. Today we're going to find out from Mr. Moviefone if it's any good.

SANCHEZ: Oh, great, good. Also, coming up next, we'll talk about other films. You stay with us. We'll be right here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: You should send (INAUDIBLE) a bottle of wine or something. Look at those buns. Fresh from the bakery.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Must feel great.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Dermot Mulroney earns his keep and keeps them yearning in the romantic comedy "The Wedding Date." And here to let us know if it lives up to all that eye candy appeal -- and frankly who cares? -- it looks good, Mr. Moviefone himself Russ Leatherman here with the weekend movies.

Hi, Russ.

RUSS LEATHERMAN, "MR. MOVIEFONE": Daryn, you could not be happier, could you?

KAGAN: No, you know why, because last week you brought all that bad dream junk that you know I can't stand, and I asked for a romantic comedy, and you my friend have delivered.

LEATHERMAN: I have delivered. And you know what, and, Daryn, every once in a while, you get a romantic comedy where you have actors that just so likable and have such good chemistry together, and you have a good story, you have nice comedy.

KAGAN: And this is it?

LEATHERMAN: Well, that was "Four Weddings and a Funeral" back in 1994, actually. But we do have "The Wedding Date" this week, so let's talk about that for a second.

KAGAN: Debra Messing was here yesterday. She might be watching.

LEATHERMAN: I'm so sorry, Daryn.

Here's the deal, you know, you have an interesting premise here. You've got a beautiful woman who lives in New York, very successful. She cannot find a date to go to her sister's wedding.

KAGAN: This happens.

LEATHERMAN: Daryn, that would be like saying you can't find a date. It's crazy. It's crazy talk. So she hires a $6,000 male escort to go to this wedding. And the question is, do they fall in love, don't they fall in love?

KAGAN: It doesn't matter.

LEATHERMAN: It doesn't matter. This is a pretty woman in reverse.

KAGAN: That's what Debra Messing said yesterday.

LEATHERMAN: It's exactly what it is, and it takes bits and pieces of every good and bad romantic comedy over the last 20 years.

And I have to say, you know, here's the deal, Daryn -- if you're a 35-year-old woman and have you the choice of watching your husband drunk on the sofa with a cheese doodle hanging out of his ear on Sunday or watching this movie, go ahead, it's not going to hurt you.

KAGAN: No, here's the deal, let me explain it to you from a girl's perspective. A friend here at work messaged me after I interviewed Debra Messing, and she said, well, do you think it's going to be good? And she was really hopeful. And I said it doesn't matter. Every girl or woman who's ever received the wedding invitation that says "and guest" and goes into a panic because she doesn't have someone to bring is going to go see this movie and enjoy it.

LEATHERMAN: Were you talking, Daryn?

KAGAN: I was trying to teach you about women. I know this is a silly pursuit.

LEATHERMAN: Let me say, by the way, there's a lot of rear-end nudity with Dermot in this movie.

KAGAN: Perfect. Even better. OK, now, if it's not "The Wedding Date," people going to the movies this weekend -- I was counseling Rick Sanchez on this, probably are trying to do Oscar catch-up. They haven't seen anything, so Oscars are a couple weeks away. So of the big movies out there, which ones should they see?

Well, you should absolutely go see "The Aviator," because there's a good chance it's going to sweep the awards. And it's 3 1/2 hours long, and that will keep you away from the Super Bowl, too. So go check that out. It's just a really good, solid movie.

KAGAN: You don't think "Ray" is better than "Aviator?"

LEATHERMAN: By the way, I think that Jamie Foxx is fantastic in "Ray," but whether the movie's better than "The Aviator," I don't know. But Ray's on DVD this week, actually. So you can rent that and go watch it, and watch it before the Oscars so you know whether you think he should win or not.

You have "Hotel Rwanda," that's still in theaters. "Sideways," you could go see that, that's still in theaters.

So in a week like this where the new movies may not be so terrific, that's a good bet to go check out some of these Oscars hopefuls. Good idea.

KAGAN: I am here to help produce your segment.

LEATHERMAN: Thank you so much, Daryn.

And you enjoy "The Wedding Date."

KAGAN: You know I will. I will. Just to make my point, I will.

SANCHEZ: You'll be the only one in the theater.

KAGAN: Doesn't matter. It's going to be me and Dermot Mulroney, that's enough.

Thank you, Russ.

LEATHERMAN: Bye, Daryn.

KAGAN: Mr. Moviefone stopping by.

Stick around for the next hour of CNN LIVE TODAY. I'll have a chance to visit with Brad Burt (ph)? Who, you know who he is. Director, screenwriter and the voice of Edna Mode (ph) in "The Incredibles." Find out more about this talented animator who was discovered by Walt Disney Studios at the age of 14.

SANCHEZ: He got all the good movies, huh.

KAGAN: And you can keep your eye on entertainment 24/7 by pointing your Internet browser to CNN.com/entertainment. Among the highlights to find there, the lives and loves of Patty Boyd, the woman who inspired and ignited passion for both George Harrison and Eric Clapton.

We are back in a moment.

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