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CNN Sunday Morning

Super Bowl Preview; John Paul II Gives Weekly Blessing

Aired February 06, 2005 - 07:00   ET

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

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


TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: So are you ready for some football?
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Oh, yes.

HARRIS: Well, it's a little early. Got a little bit...

NGUYEN: Never too early for football.

HARRIS: OK. So it comes down to two teams and more than 80,000 fans. Counting the hours until the big game.

NGUYEN: And from the CNN Center here in Atlanta, this is CNN Super Bowl SUNDAY MORNING. It is February 6. You know what day that is? Super Bowl Sunday.

HARRIS: Super Bowl.

NGUYEN: Good morning, everybody, I'm Betty Nguyen.

HARRIS: And I'm Tony Harris. 7:00 a.m. in Jacksonville, 4:00 a.m. in Los Angeles.

Let's check what else is going on this morning now in the news. Pope John Paul II gave his weekly blessing today on schedule from an open window at a hospital in a room. The pope has been hospitalized since Tuesday, being treated for breathing problems brought on by about with the flu. The archbishop read the pope's message today. We'll have a live report from Rome in just a minute.

From Baghdad this morning, news that four Egyptian technicians were abducted outside of their home. It's unclear who the abductors are. The four have been in Iraq for a year working for an Egyptian telecommunications company.

Iran's foreign ministry says President Bush has no right to criticize Iran for sponsoring terrorism. The statement says the U.S. supports what it calls a Zionist terrorist group and tortures detainees and military prisons. It also says millions of Iranians will march this week supporting their government and celebrating the anniversary of Iran's revolution.

NGUYEN: Well, we have a lot coming up for you this hour. And you don't want to miss it. First of all, this is a super day for football fans and for Super Bowl host Jacksonville. CNN's Rick Horrow explains how the little city dared to dream big and hit the jackpot. Also ahead, when Hollywood stars turn out to be your best fans, you must be doing something right. We'll tell you who picked up the top honors at last night's SAG awards.

And later, airports are nice places to visit, but you wouldn't want to live there. Yet a surprising number of homeless people do exactly that. We will meet some of them and the good Samaritans who trying to help.

HARRIS: Well, it is super Sunday. Super Bowl XXXIX kicks off less than 12 hours from now. Upwards of 100,000 fans have jammed to Jacksonville for the big game.

Unfortunately, not all of them can fit inside Alltel Stadium, so tickets are at a premium. How about a $3,000 to $4,000 premium from scalpers. They're flouting Florida law that bans selling tickets for more than $1.00 above retail value. Some fans are paying as much as $18,000 to rent homes for a few days as the smallest city to host the game, Jacksonville, has just 35,000 hotel rooms for the more than 100,000 visitors. Security is provided by more than 50 separate law enforcement agencies. And fans can expect to have their bags carefully searched. And we've got much more ahead. Sports, business analyst Rick Horrow talks about the $5 billion marketing juggernaut. And CNN's Larry Smith joins us live from Jacksonville.

NGUYEN: John and Linda Dollar are sitting in a San Juan County jail in southeast Utah. And there is no indication yet when they might be returned to Florida to face child abuse charges. The Dollars are accused of starving and torturing five of their adopted children.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALAN FREESTONE, SHERIFF'S LT., SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH: It's exciting to take these people off the street that have been, you know, charged with these types of crimes. Hopefully this will provide an opportunity for those children to have some closure and maybe begin to recover from what's happened to them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: The Dollars were caught Friday when sheriff's police in Utah tracked their cell phone calls and stopped their SUV near Monticello. It is unclear when they left their Florida home. some 2200 miles from where they were captured.

And in Alabama, a mother is charged with capital murder in the deaths of her three children. Police say the 33-year old woman told them she deliberately starved her children. The bodies of those children, ages 11, 9, and 8 were found Friday in a Huntsville apartment. Police say it is possible they had been dead for days.

HARRIS: Pope John Paul II gives his weekly blessing each Sunday at noon from his studio window overlooking St. Peters Square. But the pope has been hospitalized in Rome since Tuesday. So today, about an hour ago, he gave his blessing from a window in Gemelli Hospital.

Our Rome bureau chief Alessio Vinci is there. And Alessio, recap this day for us, please?

ALESSIO VINCI, CNN ROME BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Tony. Well, it is perhaps a super day in the United States, but I can tell you today was a super Sunday for the pope himself.

As you know, he was hospitalized here in a rush on Tuesday. And only five days later, he appeared from the window of the 10th floor Gemelli Hospital. The pope, nevertheless, looking rested, alert, but nevertheless not strong enough to deliver the entire Sunday prayer and the message he does every Sunday. So he has yet to be read.

Some of these aids read it for him. Nevertheless, the pope managed to deliver the blessing himself in a frail and hoarse voice. That is how he normally speaks, even when he feels well. But this time really his voice was barely audible. But nevertheless, he managed to stand -- to sit at the window the entire 10 minutes when his aids was reading this message.

Now while the pope was listening at the window there, and then eventually blessing the pilgrims, this message was relayed lived in St. Peters Square about three miles away from here, where a few thousand pilgrims, as they do every Sunday, flocked to that square at the Vatican. And they managed to see the pope on four giant television screens that were set up there by Vatican television, by Vatican engineers, in order for those pilgrims to be able to get a glimpse for the first time now in a week of Pope John Paul II.

Clearly, still very weak, still very frail, but nevertheless, determined to show that he is improving. Back to you, Tony.

HARRIS: OK. Alessio Vinci in Rome. Alessio, thank you.

NGUYEN: Back in this country, it looks like President Bush has a lot of work to do to convince Americans his plan to overhaul Social Security is a good idea. The president wants to let younger workers put some of their Social Security tax contributions into private accounts that invest in stocks and bonds.

A new "Newsweek" poll finds 38 percent of Americans say they oppose Mr. Bush's changes; 26 percent approve of them. And nearly a third say they are not even aware of the president's proposals.

Time now to fast forward through some of the stories we will be looking at in the weeks to come. Monday, the Bush administration unveils its budget for the 2006 fiscal year. President Bush says he plans to decrease or even eliminate more than 150 government programs with a goal of cutting the deficit in half by 2009.

Now Tuesday, it is time to party. Mardi Gras celebrations. Fat Tuesday is traditionally seen as the last day to overindulge in food and drink before Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday. So time's running out.

And the search for peace in the Middle East brings the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority together for a landmark summit on Wednesday. Egypt's president will host the event in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheik.

HARRIS: Well, Rob Marciano is on his way to New York for a couple days this week. Good, he was wearing me out, which means we get to welcome Jacqui Jeras.

NGUYEN: Well, he's (UNINTELLIGIBLE.)

HARRIS: Good morning, Jacqui. Good to see you.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HARRIS: You know, the hardest thing to find in Jacksonville this weekend is a room. So how do you fit 80,000 fans into the smallest Super Bowl city? We'll ask our sports guru -- looks like he's had a difficult night -- Rick Horrow, up next.

NGUYEN: Are those Mardi Gras beads? Oh, my goodness, I bet he has a story to tell.

HARRIS: What is that look about?

NGUYEN: We'll talk to him shortly. And should Jamie Foxx be counting on an Oscar? The acting community picked its own winners. That's a little bit later this hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Stories across America this morning. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg says the city will appeal a judge's ruling on same sex marriage. A state supreme court justice ruled Friday that a state law banning gay marriage is unconstitutional. Bloomberg says he fears chaos if the issue isn't settled once and for all.

Norfolk Southern Railroad has fired the three men train crew it blames for a crash last month in Graniteville, South Carolina. Nine people died when 14 cars derailed and toxic chlorine gas was released. The railroad says the local train crew failed to switch a railroad track.

Buried treasure in Florida. Police spent part of the weekend digging up 3.5 million nickels buried in the backyard of a suburban Miami home. Now they're looking for the trucker who was to deliver the $180,000 in coins to the Federal Reserve Bank in New Orleans.

Can you imagine living in the airport for months on end? Later this hour, we'll introduce you to a special patrol in New York City reaching out to people who call the airport their home.

NGUYEN: But right now, today's Super Bowl is one of the biggest public events of any kind. And hosting the game is a bonanza for Jacksonville, Florida.

CNN's Sports Business analyst Rick Horrow is in Jacksonville. He joins us now to explain the creativity and ingenuity it took for the city to seal the deal.

And I wonder what kind of deal you worked to get those Mardi Gras beads you have there, Rick?

RICK HORROW, CNN SPORTS ANALYST: Hey, Betty, how are you doing? That's not Mardi Gras beads. That's Super Bowl host committee beads.

NGUYEN: Oh, I see. OK, all right.

HORROW: And a ways -- I'll tell you about that in a couple minutes. But you know, Super Bowl brings with it one of the biggest parties of the year, as you know. And it was a time when only a few cities got a chance to host bidding on this bonanza. The criteria, by the way at that point, there were two of them. You had to be big and you had to be warm.

New Orleans, Los Angeles, Miami, San Diego. Now, though, all that is changed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HORROW (voice-over): Jacksonville, Florida is the smallest city in NFL history to host a Super Bowl. It beat all the odds in the game of high stakes bidding. The pot, $300 million in economic impact. The city showed creativity overcoming perhaps its biggest obstacle, where to put the people.

MIKE SULLIVAN, JACKSONVILLE HOST COMMITTEE: Hotel rooms, obviously, was one of our shortcomings. And we knew that. We came up with a plan to take care of that. You can see over my shoulder here one of the reasons that we did take care of that. So we got four other crew ships besides this one...

HORROW: Cruiseships with another 4,000 rooms to the city on the river. Of course, there are other considerations. It's no coincidence that Jacksonville and next year's Super Bowl city, Detroit, have new facilities.

SULLIVAN: And I think the NFL takes a look at that when there's new stadiums in the city, and then try to help the home team out, if you will.

HORROW: It's a trump card that helped two underdogs overcome obvious obstacles. Jacksonville's small size and Detroit's cold weather. The motor city turned that into a plus.

SUSAN SHERER, EXEC. DIR., HOST CMTE. DETROIT: We're creating an experience that is going to be embracing the outdoors. We just finished the 2005 Motown winter blast, which was created for '06 as the backdrop of the game, but we wanted to get some practice. So we made snow and moved snow and worked with snow. We had a 10 inch dump in the morning of the Saturday of that event, but we had a 200 foot snow slide in downtown Detroit. We had dog sledding in downtown Detroit.

HORROW: It's not just the economic impact that entices a city into this high stakes game.

SULLIVAN: The amount of publicity that you get by hosting a Super Bowl, you just can't go out and buy that. I mean, it costs you trillions of dollars to get everything that we've got as a result of this.

HORROW: But Detroit is already on the map. The Ryder Cup, baseball's All Star game, and Final Four join the Super Bowl on the city's list of recent and upcoming major sporting events. But the excitement at the Super Bowl...

SHERER: It is a significant event. It's an important event. Obviously, it's an event that has a worldwide reach, if you will. And it is the big daddy of them all.

But for us, it is the part of a bigger picture and a longer term plan for Detroit.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HORROW: And Betty, here are some really interesting numbers. 100,000, that's up to 100,000 people that are around Jacksonville, that may not even have tickets for the game. 20 -- 32,130 -- 230 countries, 31 languages. That's the number languages broadcasting this game, including Greenlandic and Farsi for the first time.

And finally, 19, that's tons of trash picked up this weekend by Super Bowl volunteers all last couple weeks. Here's the deal. I've been looking around for all of these tickets and all of these parties. We've got parties from the commissioner. We've got parties from agents. And oh, by the way, here's the big one. 6:32, kick-off today, the Super Bowl itself. That's the big deal.

And by the way, 9:00, we're going with Commissioner Tagliabue. We're talking about his take on the business of the NFL, Betty.

NGUYEN: I'm looking forward to that. And quickly, how much are tickets going for, scalper tickets, in the thousands?

HORROW: Oh, in the thousands. People are, by the way, mortgaging their first homes...

NGUYEN: I heard that.

HORROW: ...(UNINTELLIGIBLE) fans. Not going to Super Bowls for 20 years. We'll do some comparison, by the way, of ticket prices in that first Super Bowl game in '67 with the Chiefs and the Packards in Mora Stadium L.A. today. And those numbers are quite striking. We'll talk about those at 9:00.

NGUYEN: I was going to say boy have things changed. Rick Horrow, thank you so much. Enjoy yourself down there. Like I got to tell you that. Thank you -- Tony?

HARRIS: Still if you're tuning in for the Super Bowl, exactly what are you tuning in for? Is it the game itself or the commercials you're looking forward to tonight? Tell us all about it. We're at wam@cnn.com. NGUYEN: And who did the actors themselves think was the best of the best this year? Well, if you missed the SAG awards last night, we will bring you up to speed.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: All right. Are you ready for some football? Well, the Super Bowl is tonight, of course. And everything you need to know before settling in for the game is on our website.

Here to talk about it is CNN.com's Christina Park. Good morning to you.

CHRISTINA PARK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty. So are you going to be watching the Super Bowl tonight?

NGUYEN: Absolutely. Maybe more for the commercials since my team's not in it, but I'll be paying attention, but I'll be paying attention a little bit to the game.

PARK: All right, well, whether you'll be watching for the commercials, the half-time show, or the actual game, the "Sports Illustrated" section of cnn.com brings you coverage of the Super Bowl.

Now gearing up for tonight, see how opposing players stack up. Who has the edge between Patriots running back Corey Dillon and Eagle's linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. Well, you have to log on and get your talking points for the big party and our daily match-up.

Is the NFC really weaker than the AFC? And if so, how might that impact the match-up between the Patriots and the Eagles? Well, for that, Peter King and Chris Collinsworth have the pre-game analysis in King's Corner.

And finally, we've seen how rough and tumble the game of football can be. What's it like to be at the bottom of a crush of football players? Well, apparently strange things can take place at the bottom of a pile. Read the players own personal stories in "Down Under."

Just a few ways, Betty, CNN.com is getting you set for Super Bowl XXXIX.

NGUYEN: OK, you've peaked my interest. What can you find at the bottom of that pile?

PARK: All right, the survivors who came out of the pile. And so I highly recommend assuming the fetal position. But just to give you a taste of what one football player said. Ben Leber, Chargers linebacker says, "I don't know if people really want to know what goes on down there. In the pile you hear some screams of pain."

NGUYEN: Oh, I imagine, yes.

PARK: So you don't where it coming from unless it's you. Scary, right?

NGUYEN: Yes. Don't want to be at the bottom of that pile.

PARK: No.

NGUYEN: Christina Park, cnn.com. We thank you.

PARK: Thanks, Betty.

NGUYEN: Tony?

HARRIS: A little bit like CNN SATURDAY and SUNDAY MORNING.

Hollywood honored its own at the 11th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards last night in Los Angeles.

CNN's Sibila Vargas has a rap of the night that stars honored the stars.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a night for actors, by actors and about actors.

DOUG SAVANT, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: We'd like to use this award to ring the death knell to reality television.

VARGAS: The "Desperate Housewives" cast picked up actors statues for ensemble in a comedy series, while Terry Hatcher was recognized for her role in the show.

TERRI HATCHER, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES:" I came to Los Angeles as a dancing extra in "The Love Boat."

VARGAS: Tony Shalhoub and Geoffrey Rush were each honored with individual awards.

"Law and Order's" Jerry Orbach received the male actor in a drama series posthumously. His wife accepted the award.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How bittersweet, but it's still sweet.

VARGAS: "Alias" star, Jennifer Garner, picked up a statue for her dramatic role.

JENNIFER GARNER, "ALIAS:" We're so lucky to have this job. We have a blast.

VARGAS: And Glenn Close referred to a letter she got from Katharine Hepburn when accepting her award for female actor in a television or miniseries role.

GLENN CLOSE, ACTRESS: I'm glad I persuaded when you were a mere child to join this terrible profession.

VARGAS: Quadruple nominee Jamie Foxx blew his lines not once...

JAMIE FOXX, ACTOR: Got a chance to view the... VARGAS: ...but twice.

FOXX: ...nominated for...

VARGAS: The third was a charm.

FOXX: ...nominated for ensemble cast.

VARGAS (on camera): From the small screen to the big screen, it was a knockout night for two actors from "Million Dollar Baby."

JOHNNY DEPP, ACTOR: The Actor goes to Hilary Swank.

HILARY SWANK, ACTRESS, "MILLION DOLLAR BABY:" I am amazed, lucky, thankful, speechless and quite frankly stunned to be a working actor.

VARGAS: Hilary Swank was honored for female actor in a leading role, while her co-star, 67 year old Morgan Freeman, received a statue for actor in a supporting role.

MORGAN FREEMAN, ACTOR, "MILLION DOLLAR BABY:" Who is the long tall stranger there? Maverick is his name.

VARGAS: The Screen Actors Guild recognized James Garner for a lifetime of achievements. While Cate Blanchett's portrayal of Katharine Hepburn in "The Aviator" earned her a supporting award.

CATE BLANCHETT, ACTOR: I don't know where to begin. I'm overwhelmed.

VARGAS: Not as overwhelmed as the actors from "Sideways." They received outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture.

Jamie Foxx's portrayal of Ray Charles received yet another nod. He offered this sound advice.

FOXX: If you win or if you lose, keep walking in the same direction.

VARGAS: Sibila Vargas, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: First reaction from Iran coming in this morning to some tough talk from President Bush. We have those details next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

LARRY SMITH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And I'm Larry Smith in Jacksonville. It's all Super Bowl in this Sunday. Coming up, what you need to know about the keys to tonight's game. That's coming up on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: The fans, the teams, the excitement. It is down to the final hours before the game. This is XXXIX. Oh, man.

NGUYEN: Game plan.

HARRIS: Welcome back, everyone. I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. We will go live to Jacksonville, Florida in just a minute on this Super Sunday. But first now, here's a look at the stories now in the news.

Iran suggests President Bush showed some hypocrisy in its state of the union address. A foreign ministry spokesman says the president has no right to accuse Iran of sponsoring terrorism. He says that's because the U.S. supports what he calls a Zionist terrorist and runs military prisons that use torture. And we will have much more on this in a minute in our global round-up.

In the meantime, Pope John Paul II makes his first public appearance since being admitted to a Rome hospital on Tuesday. The 84-year old pope gave a brief blessing from his hospital window this morning. An aid read out the traditional Sunday prayer. The pope is recovering from a respiratory infection.

Utah authorities say they may know tomorrow or Tuesday when a Florida couple will be returned home to face child abuse charges. John and Linda Dollar were arrested in Utah on Friday. They're accused of starving and physically torturing five of their seven adopted children.

HARRIS: As promised, let's get you back to Jacksonville, Florida live. CNN Sport's Larry Smith is on the job this Super Bowl Sunday.

And Larry, we talked to Jacqui Jeras just a couple of minutes ago. We have ordered up some warmer, warmer temperatures for you today.

SMITH: Well, we would like to hear that. And certainly, some 80,000 fans would be happy to hear that as well in Alltel Stadium just across the Stadium here, just across the St. Johns River.

It is Super Bowl XXXIX, as the day that football fans and non- football fans look waiting for quite a while. Patriots and the Eagles. Now either the Patriots will make a bit of NFL history with a dynasty like third championship in four years, or the Eagles will make a bit of their own history. Their first ever Super Bowl title and the first pro championship for the city of Philadelphia in 22 years.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SMITH (voice-over): The New England Patriots have won the last eight post season games. And while there has been little confusion over how they beat opponents, their victories have left a trail of confounded quarterbacks scratching their heads.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're not sure whose coming, whose blitzing, whose dropping back in coverage.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Disguise and confusion is so important, especially nowadays with quarterbacks being so smart.

SMITH: The Patriots constantly switch their defensive alignments, using various disguises for their past coverage. It makes every Sunday feel like Halloween for quarterbacks. And the tricks the Patriots play have led to treating themselves to 14 interceptions and those eight playoff wins.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a complex defense with a lot of moving parts. And I think any quarterback is going to give them some trouble with our disguise and moving around. And definitely, it's a big part of us getting turned over.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's hard to confuse a guy like Donovan McNabb, because he's seeing so many different looks. But I think it still helps.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have to be patient, first and foremost. You know, when you're playing a team like this that kind of strives off of turnovers and strives off of mistakes, you have to be cautious and be able to execute.

SMITH: The commotion caused by New England's defense is made even more effective by the calm with which their offense plays. Quarterback Tom Brady has thrown just three interceptions in his undefeated playoff career, but the Eagles will try to use their own defensive camouflage to hide a blitzing attack and accomplish the rarest of football feats, fluster the unflappable Brady.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know about rattling. You try to shake him a little bit, but you know, I don't think he ever gets rattled.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I honestly can't even recall a time, I'm quite sure it's happened before, even if he gets frustrated, he does a really great job of handling and keeping it in control.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's tried to prepare for what they did. But also at the same time, he tried to prepare for things they might do.

SMITH: If successful, Brady might be preparing for a record typing third Super Bowl MVP awards.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SMITH: And if he gets a win, Tom Brady nine and 0 in his NFL post season career. By the way, the Patriots have never lost with their head coach Bill Belichick. But the Eagles' Andy Reid, he's already -- that franchise's all time winning coach.

As you talk about the temperature, game time temperature, expect to be about 60 degrees. But Tony, I tell you, the wind coming off the river here, it could feel colder than that at kick-off. So a brisk evening, but let's get it on. Let's go back to you.

HARRIS: Let's get it on. Hey, Larry, quick question. Carol Owens, the flamboyant wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, who messed up his leg -- I guess it was his ankle and his knee a few weeks back -- is he expected to play?

SMITH: We do expect him to play. I mean, you know, he hasn't been officially -- no official statement says he's going to play, but all indications all week are that he's been practicing. He looked pretty good in the practice video that we saw. And how much he will be used will be yet to see. But you're going to see him out there on the field, no question.

HARRIS: Sort of have to say it that way. The flamboyant wide receiver. Larry, good to see you. Have a good time.

SMITH: All right, good seeing you.

HARRIS: OK.

SMITH: OK, thanks.

NGUYEN: All right, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) news this morning. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's trips are taking her to the heart of the Middle East conflict. She'll hold talks today and tomorrow with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

While on the Turkish leg of her trip, Rice talked to CNN's State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In his state of the union this week, President Bush said that with congressional approval, he would like to offer the Palestinians $350 million to try to help them out. There didn't seem to be a whole lot of enthusiasm for this, based on the reaction in Congress.

Part of that could be because the Arab world hasn't made good on its pledge for about $1 billion. A couple of things. Are you confident that you're going to get congressional approval? And what is the U.S. going to do to get the Arab world to ante up?

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: Well, the Congress has been supportive in the past. For instance, when we have -- they direct aid of some amounts of money to the Palestinians, $20 million just a few months ago, because I believe that people understand that it is a new day with the Palestinian leadership. That in fact, they have put financial controls in place. There is greater transparency in Palestinian economic affairs frankly for a long time. There wasn't.

And so, it was understandable why there were concerns. I'm quite sure that as this process moves forward, that we will get support to have the United States be in the forefront of having the Palestinian people to build the institutions of democracy, to reconstruct areas that are -- from which the Israelis will withdraw, because it will be an important element of an overall program.

It's not just the money, but an overall program of reconstruction and reform in the Palestinian political leadership and Palestinian political institutions.

As to the rest of the Arab world, yes, the Arab world should be more generous. Some have been very generous. Others have made pledges that have not been fulfilled. And it will be part of our diplomacy to go to them and say that now is the time, because you can't have it both ways. You can't say that there needs to be an Israeli-Palestinian peace on the one hand, and on the other hand, fail to put up the resources to help that along.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And Rice met with Turkish leaders yesterday to assure them that their concerns over the future of neighboring Iraq are not being ignored.

It's that time of the morning now for a check of some of the other stories in the news around the world today.

HARRIS: And for that, let's go to Anand Naidoo at CNN's international desk. Anand, good morning.

ANAND NAIDOO, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. Checking stories from around the world right now. And we go first to Tehran. Washington has been getting tough on Iran in the past few days. Now we're getting the first reaction from Tehran.

And Iranian foreign ministry official says the White House has no authority to accuse Iran of sponsoring terrorism while the U.S. supports what he terms "Zionist terrorists." The spokesman also accuses Washington of running military prisons that use torture.

Millions of Iran's plan to take to the -- Iranians rather -- plan to take to the streets later this week for demonstrations in support of their government. And that Iranian statement, that foreign ministry statement, by the way, is a direct rebuttal to the state of the union speech -- comments that President Bush made in that speech last Wednesday.

Turning now to Iraq. Four Egyptian engineers have been kidnapped in West Baghdad this morning. This only days after insurgents kidnapped an Italian journalist in the south of the city. A company official says the four engineers have been in Iraq for a year working for an Egyptian mobile telephone company. Six other workers from that same company were kidnapped last year, but they were all released in September and October of last year.

Now an update on that airline crash in Afghanistan. Rescue workers say they still can't get to the site where the Afghan Airliner crashed because of bad weather. There were 104 people on board, including at least three Americans. Although some reports say up to six U.S. citizens had been on that plane. The flight went down near the capitol, Kabul.

Military officials say it's unlikely that anyone will be found alive when they do get to that crash site. That's it from the international desk for now. More later. Back to Tony and Betty. HARRIS: Anand, thank you.

You know, it's almost like the movie, "The Terminal," some...

NGUYEN: Oh, it is, yes.

HARRIS: Yes. Some special workers are reaching out to people who use the airport as their shelter. We'll tell you more ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

Good morning, Jacqui.

(WEATHER REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: In this morning's hero segment, a story of courage and determination. The Marine Staff Sergeant suffers catastrophic injuries while serving in Iraq, but his resolve to do whatever it takes to get his life back pulls him through.

CNN's Casey Wian has his story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Mark and Lena Graunke are building a new life after two years of marriage. When they met, Mark hoped to be a career marriage, but July 3, 2003, in an Iraqi farmer's field, all that changed. Staff Sergeant Graunke was an explosives expert, called in to disarm small bombs, a job he had done successfully 40,000 times before.

SSGT. MARK GRAUNKE (RET.), U.S. MARINE CORPS: The day that all this happened to me, I had worked on about 200 of them. And the last one that I picked up blew up in my hand. I stayed awake for about 45 minutes after the explosion. I knew exactly what had happened to me.

I didn't know about my eye, but I knew that my hand was gone on this side. I knew that, you know, something traumatic had happened to this hand. I knew both of my legs were bloody, but I didn't know the extent of the injuries to my legs.

WIAN: Graunke lost consciousness and woke up two weeks later at the Bethesda Naval Medical Center. Doctors worked to heal his arms and what was left of one hand and desperately tried to save his shattered leg. But Graunke wasn't convinced it was possible.

GRAUNKE: It took me two months to make my decision. And, in the end, I decided I would be better off having my leg amputated. And I thought that the amputation was in my best interest for, you know, my future, my family, mental and emotional reasons.

WIAN: The Navy doctors refused to amputate, so Graunke transferred to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where doctors performed the surgery.

GRAUNKE: I woke up and felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest.

WIAN: Graunke began a courageous struggle to rebuild his body.

GRAUNKE: I was wondering if I was going to be able to get back on my motorcycle, if I was going to be able to rock climb again, how it was going to affect my family life and a future, if I was going to have kids. WIAN: Seventeen months after the amputation, at home in Flower Mound, Texas, Mark has one answer. He and his wife are expecting a baby in May.

Casey Wian, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: And we bring you hero stories every week on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: Checking this Sunday's top stories, the Vatican says he is getting better. And indeed, Pope John Paul II was able to give his weekly Sunday blessing from his hospital room window in Rome. The pope has been hospitalized since Tuesday for breathing problems caused by the flu.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is on her way to Israel and the West Bank. During a visit to Turkey, Rice met with Russia's foreign minister where she stressed the importance of democracy.

And it is Super Sunday. Super Bowl XXXIX kicks off less than 11 hours from now. We are counting. Upward of 100,000 fans have jammed Jacksonville, Florida to see the Eagles take on those Patriots.

And don't forget our e-mail question this morning for all you Super Bowl fans. Are you looking forward to the game itself or the commercials? You can find us at wam@cnn.com. Send in those responses.

HARRIS: But first, a CNN extra 22 percent of U.S. workers planned on joining a Super Bowl office pool this year. Careerbuilder.com says 60 percent of them expected to win more than $100 while 15 percent anticipated the prize of more than $500. That's not bad. Careerbuilder says -- now follow this -- in addition to Super Bowl pools, the most unusual office pools include who will be fired first, who can knock over a cup of coffee with a golf putt from 45 feet away, and a cockroach race.

NGUYEN: No.

HARRIS: Looks like the last two could answer the question posed in the first bet.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Hey, next time you're in a major airport, take a look around at some of the other passengers. Chances are at least a few of them are not travelers at all, but semi permanent residents of the airport. CNN's David Haffenreffer has a closer look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's a familiar scene at New York's LaGuardia Airport. Passengers sit in the terminals waiting for flights. But this woman, known to us only as Juanita, is not a passenger. She is homeless and has been living in the airport for three months.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How long have you been here?

JUANITA, HOMELESS WOMAN: I live -- been here November 8 to now.

HAFFENREFFER: Juanita looks like a traveler, carries luggage, and looks constantly at an old airline ticket. But she is one of an estimated 200 homeless people living inside New York's two major airports.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good morning. Good morning again, Juanita. How are you today? Can we help you today?

HAFFENREFFER: Michael Noel and Howard Cunningham are outreach workers who patrol the airports looking for the homeless.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How are you doing? We're still here for you. Any time that you need us, we have a crew.

HAFFENREFFER: They walk the airport every day, encouraging but not forcing the homeless they find to seek shelter and help.

MICHAEL NOEL, VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA: We speak and then we listen. Mostly, we listen because we want to know their story. We want to know why they are here. How did they get here? And then we try from that end goal to give them the necessary information that we may have that can help them better their situation.

HAFFENREFFER: One of the big challenges, finding them.

HOWARD CUNNINGHAM, VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA: They look like passengers. You know, they walk around with smart cards. You know, they may have one bag.

How are you?

HAFFENREFFER: In the food court, Noel and Cunningham run into Jane, a homeless woman they've seen for the past few weeks. At first, she is reluctant...

CUNNINGHAM: You tired? May I sit?

JANE, HOMELESS WOMAN: No, I don't want to go into this right now.

CUNNINGHAM: You sure?

JANE: Yes.

HAFFENREFFER: But soon opens up.

JANE: I'd like to get out of that.

CUNNINGHAM: Well, we'd like to help you. We can help you with that. We know what we're going to get into before we even get here. You know, they're going to tell us no. They're going to tell us no. They're going to tell us no.

But then, we're looking for that day when they say "yes."

HAFFENREFFER: Noel and Cunningham hope one day Juanita will say yes.

David Haffenreffer, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Anyway, I find so striking that that story has affected their city down and trying to help, trying to hear the story.

HARRIS: Yes, yes.

NGUYEN: Figure a way out.

HARRIS: And you often hear that. No, no, no, no, I don't want to be helped. A lot of folks don't want to go to shelters who are homeless because they feel unsafe in the shelters. And they feel that the shelters don't necessarily address their issues. So it's great to see that there's some outreach there, the folks who are at least offering.

NGUYEN: Yes, Volunteers of America.

HARRIS: Yes. So is it the game or the commercials that will be that will be keeping you in front of your TV tonight? Will you be watching the big game at all?

NGUYEN: I'll be watching.

HARRIS: We've got two or three questions there. Complicated. All right, not an answer. We need an essay now.

Share your thoughts next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: Hey, let's get to our e-mail question of the day, shall we? Are you looking forward to the game or the commercials? Got a lot of responses today.

HARRIS: Yes. And this one from Judith. "Super Bowl, super salaries, super egos, super million dollar ads, super media hype -- no thank you. The big boys can crash their super heads together all they want, but not in my house."

NGUYEN: Well, Carol says "HATE THE GAME -- Luv those commercials!"

So many people do. They'll be watching just for those commercials, I think.

Keep those e-mails coming to us this morning, would you? Are you looking forward to the game or the commercials? That's the question of the day. Wam@cnn.com.

HARRIS: And the next hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING begins right now.

From the CNN Center this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is February 6th, Super Bowl Sunday and you're looking at a live picture. I guess that's Alltel stadium in Jacksonville, Florida where thousands of fans have come to root for their teams. Well, folks have just -- a lot of folks have come for the parties and festivities.

NGUYEN: Yes.

HARRIS: Good morning everyone, welcome back. I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen, 8 a.m. at CNN headquarters right here in Atlanta, 5 a.m. on the West Coast, very early there, but we thank you for being with us this morning.

HARRIS: And now in the news. Iran blasts President Bush for his State of the Union assertion that Iran sponsors terrorism. Iran's prime minister says the U.S. supports Zionist terrorist groups and runs military prisons that use torture.

Earlier, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice downplayed the possibility that the U.S. might consider invading Iran.

In Rome Pope John Paul II appears at his hospital room window to give his Sunday message to the faithful. In a message read by an archbishop, John Paul says he'll stay the course despite his latest health setback. The pope is recovering from a respiratory infection.

Huntsville, Alabama police say a 33 year old mother is being charged with murder in the deaths of her three children ages eleven, nine and eight. They apparently starved. Social workers say they tried to visit the family in December but were turned away.

Without giving details, police say the mother told them she deliberately starved her children.

NGUYEN: Coming up for you on this Sunday morning, President Bush appears to be writing out the rest of his 2006 budget with a red pen. We will tell you what's making the cut and what is getting cut.

Plus, on this morning of prayers you might just need a little talk with God if you're trying to get into that Super Bowl. Security is super tight. And President Bush says he is a man of strong faith, but how does that role play in his politics. We'll talk about it a little later this hour.

HARRIS: First to our top story. President Bush is beating some political capital on it, but one Democrat says it's more like Social Security roulette. Either way, reforming Social Security seems to be a bit of a gamble.

A new poll from "Newsweek" shows 56 percent of respondents think investing Social Security money in the stock market, part of Mr. Bush's plan, is too big a risk. Thirty six percent think it's necessary to improve Social Security's rate of return. The poll has a margin of error plus or minus four percentage points.

NGUYEN: Turning now to the president's budget for 2006 expected to be sent to Congress tomorrow, he wants to make some cuts in some popular programs. And for those details we bring in CNN White House correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux.

Good morning, Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty. Well as you know, the president is back at the White House this weekend after traveling across the country talking about five states in two days.

He was trying, of course, to sell his Social Security reform plan, a tough sell for the president. But what is expected to be even a tougher sell is this 2006 budget. That is what is going to be unveiled tomorrow.

President Bush already, in his weekly radio address yesterday, trying to prepare the American people for some of the tough cuts ahead.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: On Monday my administration will submit a budget that holds the growth of discretionary spending below inflation, makes tax relief permanent and stays on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009.

In the long run, the best way to reduce the deficit is to grow the economy. And we will take steps to make the American economy stronger, more innovative and more competitive.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Now Betty, of course, this is what the president is talking about. This is a $2.5 trillion budget for 2006. It involves cuts or eliminates 150 federal programs, freezes domestic discretionary spending, consolidates about 18 programs from five different departments into a single grant program at the Commerce Department. Also increases the Defense and Homeland Security spending.

Now Democrats as well as Bush critics say that this is the Bush administration's fault for this fiasco they say. It involves of course the massive tax cuts as well as increased government spending and they say they are ready for a fight.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TERRY MCAULIFFE, DNC CHAIRMAN: For years ago, when President Clinton left office, our nation was experiencing the longest economic expansion in our history.

We had moved from record deficits to record surpluses. Unemployment was at an historic low and America was respected in the world.

But after four short years of Republican control our economic growth has slowed. We've returned to the days of deficits and debt and America is no longer seen as a beacon of freedom and progress.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: So Betty, of course, the key figure here is the federal deficit. It is projected at $427 billion. The goal of the administration, of course, is to cut that in half in five years. That means by 2009.

Betty it's going to be a tough sell.

NGUYEN: I was going to say, with all those cuts on the chopping block, all those programs included as well it could be a very tough road ahead.

CNN's Suzanne Malveaux in Washington today. Thank you, Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: OK.

HARRIS: Communicating the administration's wants and needs to the public is not always easy. So, who helps the president put his thoughts into words.

CNN's Dana Bash introduces us to one man who helps the president say exactly what he means.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Two major address in two weeks, quite a challenge for the president and his chief wordsmith of six years.

MICHAEL GERSON, BUSH SPEECH WRITER: We've in many ways looked at the inaugural speech and State of the Union as a pair. The inaugural was great goals. The State of the Union is priorities.

BUSH: Build an ownership society. The best way to reach that goal is through voluntary personal retirement accounts.

GERSON: He likes clear outlines, direct and short sentences. He -- but also an element of elevation and a sense of history. And so we've tried to combine those things, to have an approach that is both direct, but also rhetorically ambitious. BASH: But some thought this year's inaugural address was too ambitious, too ambiguous, even alarming.

BUSH: We will encourage reform in other governments by making clear that success in our relations will require the decent treatment of their own people.

BASH: Bush aides scrambled to clarify his sweeping call to stop tyranny was not a concrete policy shift, but Michael Gerson defends his work.

GERSON: Well I think the president said exactly what he meant, which is America has set a generational goal.

BASH: Any specifics, he insists were intentionally left for the State of the Union.

BUSH: Saudi Arabia can demonstrate its leadership in the region by expanding the role of its people in determining their future.

BASH: Some see changes in a second term president thinking about legacy, but Gerson sees unusual consistency.

BUSH: We must make Social Security permanently sound.

GERSON: We gave our first comprehensive speech calling for personal retirement accounts in Social Security five years ago in May.

BUSH: The advance of freedom will lead to peach.

GERSON: The president has decided in many ways to use his second term for great goals.

BUSH: May God bless America.

GERSON: That's fun for a speech writer in a certain way because we're not talking about small things.

BASH: Dana Bash, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: And a programming note, be sure to watch Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld as he joins CNN's Wolf Blitzer on "LATE EDITION" today. That's at noon eastern, 9 a.m. on the west coast.

NGUYEN: At today's Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida they are strapping on their helmets and studying the play books of their opponents, but that is just the police.

The long arm of the law will be quite long as over 50 agencies team up to protect the massive sporting event. Dozens of cameras will keep an eye on the masses as well or even zoom in so close that police can watch -- or police can watch a single seat.

Now the skies above have a 30 mile no fly zone in the air, and in the waters below a 14 mile safety zone for the river that surrounds the stadium.

HARRIS: CNN Sports, Larry Smith has drawn the enviable duty of being in Jacksonville or the game. Let's take you back to Jacksonville live and Larry. Good morning, sir.

SMITH: Good morning to you. Certainly it's a tough job, but I'm glad I'm the one that gets to do it on this Super Bowl Sunday, Eagles and Patriots, Super Bowl XXXIX.

And I'll tell you what, the fans have been absolutely incredible this weekend, tens of thousands all ready to descent upon the city this week. It's been super.

In fact, it seems that for every Patriots fan that came to Jacksonville there are 10 Eagles fans. Certainly excited about the team, the greatest success they've enjoyed in 24 years and hopeful they can get their first ever Super Bowl championship.

Now if we can come back on camera for a moment and take a look over here to my right. This is what's called the Eagles next. It's empty right now as it's early in the morning, but trust me by noon it will be packed.

They been raucous all week and from many of our live shots on CNN you may have heard them changing the E-A-G-L- E -S, Eagles, Eagles and TO and every other chant that you can mention, maybe even some that we shouldn't mention on CNN.

Let's get to the quarterbacks. First off, Tom Brady, the Patriots outstanding all star. And what a career he has had, one of the best career starts in NFL history and he's only 27 years old.

Tom Brady already a two time Super Bowl MVP. He is 8 and 0 in the post season, and when it comes to overtime, well he's perfect there as well in his career.

As for Donovan McNabb, the Eagles outstanding quarterback, a victory tonight would only solidify his status as one of the elite quarterbacks in the league.

A five time pro bowler, McNabb a one time scrambling quarterback who has developed into one of the game's top passers, and already the most prolific passer in Eagles history as he has just been outstanding, continuing to develop after being a first round pick back in 1999.

And what a story for McNabb as well. He was booed by Philly fans when he was drafted, but has developed now into one of the city's best known and most loved athletes.

And certainly their hopes tonight against the Patriots will ride on his shoulders.

Let's go back to you.

HARRIS: All right. That is Larry Smith in Jacksonville getting ready to weather the big old frat party that is Super Bowl tailgating. Larry, thank you.

NGUYEN: And speaking of the Super Bowl, we want to hear from you this morning. Our e-mail question of the day. Are you looking forward to the game or the commercials? Send us your thoughts at wam@cnn.com and we will read those on the air.

HARRIS: When a president invokes the name of God we look at how it impacts you. That's ahead in our Faces of Faith.

NGUYEN: And if you're suffering from the winter blues across the east we have a weather forecast that will wake you up and cheer you up.

A beautiful start in Boston. Patriots fans waking up to 33 degrees, a high around 46 in the Boston metro area today. We'll have the rest of the nation's forecast coming up on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

HARRIS: Oh, the cars. Is that what I'm hearing? Was that what that is, Dee (ph)? OK, the cars. Good morning Jacksonville, Alltel stadium the site of all the excitement. And Betty at kickoff tonight flash bulbs. Just watch for the flash bulbs everywhere. It's just a wonderful picture.

NGUYEN: Everybody with their cameras.

HARRIS: Yes. Keep it safe down there Jacksonville. Have a great time, but keep it safe. We'll have your complete weather forecast in about a minute.

NGUYEN: A good time. Well, right now we want to check our top stories today. Iran reacts to President Bush's State of the Union warnings. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman says President Bush has no authority to criticize Iran for sponsoring terrorism, especially while America, he says, supports Zionist terrorist itself.

Pope John Paul makes his first appearance since being admitted to the hospital on Tuesday. The pope delivered a brief Sunday message from his hospital window.

An aide read a message thinking people around the world for his prayers, as the pontiff recovers from a respiratory illness.

An excitement is building for Super Bowl XXXIX, the day is here. Tens of thousands of fans will pack Alltel stadium in Jacksonville today to watch the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles duke it out.

HARRIS: Let's get to our e-mail question of the day. We're asking you if you're looking forward to the game this evening or the commercials. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) this one. This is an interesting e-mail from Carolyn and she writes.

You know what would make me a consumer for life for any advertiser, a plain white screen with the words we at blank, company, want to let you know that instead of spending $25 million to create a spiffy ad we've sent a check in that amount to blank, name the charity here. Please buy our products.

Carolyn, thank you.

NGUYEN: Yes, a very interesting thought there. Well, as do talk about the Super Bowl we want to keep you sending in your thought about whether you're going to be watching the game or the commercials.

All you have to do is write to wam@cnn.com.

HARRIS: And Jacqui Jeras is in the weather center now. Now I now it's great around the east coast, but as I look behind you on the map there are some issues...

NGUYEN: Kind of rainy.

HARRIS: ...in the mid section of the country, right.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: Well, invoking faith and making references to God during a presidential speech, straight ahead in our Faces of Faith we look at how President Bush relies on his religious convictions to get his message across.

And later on "HOUSE CALL" researchers say heart disease is the number on killer of women surpassing breast cancer. Our Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at how a few simple lifestyle changes can lower your risks.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Today's Faces of Faith is about the presidency, this one in particular. While God has always been invoked from the time of the founding fathers to the present, George W. Bush has brought religion into the political sphere unlike any of his predecessors.

Every since the attacks of 9/11 President Bush's Christian faith has become even more apparent. David Domke has written a fascinating new book about this. It's titled "God Willing" political fundamentalism in the White House, the war on terror and the echoing press.

I spoke with the author recently about President Bush's religious convictions and the role those beliefs play in this presidency.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Can I ask you why you think the president's religion is getting so much attention?

DAVID DOMKE, AUTHOR, "GOD WILLING:" I think there are three things that are playing out here. The first would be international developments. The second would be the role of religion in American politics generally today. And then the third would be this president himself.

HARRIS: OK.

DOMKE: International religion has played a substantial influence in a number of conflicts around the globe, whether it's in the Middle East, whether it's in India or Pakistan or even in several African nations.

And it certainly is playing a role here in terms of this terrorism battle for the United States. So I think that everybody -- religion is just more salient for everyone around the world today.

I think in the United States what has happened is that religious conservatives have become an ascendant political force in this country. They've moved from a marginal political groups and they've become -- by conservatives I mean Evangelicals and fundamentalist have become very influential.

Their issues are being pushed by the Republican party. They have a great deal of influence over the candidates that they support. So they are exerting much greater power and people are interested in that.

And then this president himself is just different from other presidents. A colleague of mine, Kevin Coe (ph) and I examined all State of the Unions and inaugurals from Franklin Roosevelt in 1933 through the most recent one by George Bush this past week, and two things come out.

One is that George Bush does speak more about God than other presidents in those addresses. And then second, he speaks differently about God. He speaks about God from what we call the prophetic posture.

He speaks as if he knows what God wants for the world, and he does that far more than other presidents have done.

HARRIS: And David, that makes people, some people pretty uncomfortable. Would you agree?

DOMKE: Yes, they're very uncomfortable. If you're not a person of religious faith you're deeply uncomfortable. You're offended that someone would say that someone would say they know what God wants.

HARRIS: Yes.

DOMKE: If you're a person of religious faith you're equally uncomfortable, perhaps, because you don't want anyone to say that they have kind of a direct line to God.

But then of course some people think this is terrific because they do believe that George Bush does have a line to God.

HARRIS: Well those who have a problem with it, some of them go back to when Mr. Bush was a candidate running for president, the first time around and they go to this particular debate, and you'll remember this, this whole set up and this question, when all of the candidates were asked during the debate whether or not -- who their political philosopher was, their favorite political philosopher and you remember what candidate Bush said.

DOMKE: Yes. He said Christ because he changed my heart.

HARRIS: Yes. And for a lot of people he was sort of throwing down the religious gauntlet there. You're either on our team, which is Christ's team, God's team or you're not. And from that point on he became the stereotype.

DOMKE: He's clearly part of a broader religious and political movement in this country that does see the separation of church and state as a myth. That's a word they use, as a myth.

If you look at the Texas Republican party platform the last few years they have called the separation of church and state as just that, a myth.

HARRIS: OK.

DOMKE: So I don't know if bush sees himself as the leader of that or what he exactly believes. But there is clearly a large number of people who are part of his coalition of supporters who do want to change this kind of separation of church and state.

And I -- many people are concerned. When you look at the president and his push for faith based initiatives, people would say that's just the first step and they're really concerned what might happen in the second term here.

HARRIS: Yes. And one final question, when I say the stereotype for a lot of people they suggest that that stereotype is the president as an antiabortion zealot, homophobic, a would be censor. Stereotypes are dangerous, we all know that, and are folks labeling him without looking deep enough? Is it just expediency?

DOMKE: I think they're not looking close enough because George Bush himself almost never talks about abortion or homosexuality. He does capitalize upon his supporters strong feelings about those. But Bush himself is really quite uncomfortable with those.

I think people project onto Bush a great deal of their own concerns and own desires. But Bush is a very strategic politician. Regardless of whatever he might actually believe he has certainly taken a religious movement and used it as his power base to now essentially his second term.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: OK. Boy just difficult sometimes just sort of framing that debate.

NGUYEN: Yes.

HARRIS: We know you have strong feelings about this issue. You can tell us what you think by just dropping us an e-mail at wam@cnn.com NGUYEN: Straight ahead on "HOUSE CALL" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, women and heart disease. How a few simple lifestyle changes could have a big time health effect.

I'm Betty Nguyen.

HARRIS: And I'm Tony Harris. We'll see you again at the top of the hour. "HOUSE CALL" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta and your top stories are straight ahead.

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 6, 2005 - 07:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: So are you ready for some football?
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Oh, yes.

HARRIS: Well, it's a little early. Got a little bit...

NGUYEN: Never too early for football.

HARRIS: OK. So it comes down to two teams and more than 80,000 fans. Counting the hours until the big game.

NGUYEN: And from the CNN Center here in Atlanta, this is CNN Super Bowl SUNDAY MORNING. It is February 6. You know what day that is? Super Bowl Sunday.

HARRIS: Super Bowl.

NGUYEN: Good morning, everybody, I'm Betty Nguyen.

HARRIS: And I'm Tony Harris. 7:00 a.m. in Jacksonville, 4:00 a.m. in Los Angeles.

Let's check what else is going on this morning now in the news. Pope John Paul II gave his weekly blessing today on schedule from an open window at a hospital in a room. The pope has been hospitalized since Tuesday, being treated for breathing problems brought on by about with the flu. The archbishop read the pope's message today. We'll have a live report from Rome in just a minute.

From Baghdad this morning, news that four Egyptian technicians were abducted outside of their home. It's unclear who the abductors are. The four have been in Iraq for a year working for an Egyptian telecommunications company.

Iran's foreign ministry says President Bush has no right to criticize Iran for sponsoring terrorism. The statement says the U.S. supports what it calls a Zionist terrorist group and tortures detainees and military prisons. It also says millions of Iranians will march this week supporting their government and celebrating the anniversary of Iran's revolution.

NGUYEN: Well, we have a lot coming up for you this hour. And you don't want to miss it. First of all, this is a super day for football fans and for Super Bowl host Jacksonville. CNN's Rick Horrow explains how the little city dared to dream big and hit the jackpot. Also ahead, when Hollywood stars turn out to be your best fans, you must be doing something right. We'll tell you who picked up the top honors at last night's SAG awards.

And later, airports are nice places to visit, but you wouldn't want to live there. Yet a surprising number of homeless people do exactly that. We will meet some of them and the good Samaritans who trying to help.

HARRIS: Well, it is super Sunday. Super Bowl XXXIX kicks off less than 12 hours from now. Upwards of 100,000 fans have jammed to Jacksonville for the big game.

Unfortunately, not all of them can fit inside Alltel Stadium, so tickets are at a premium. How about a $3,000 to $4,000 premium from scalpers. They're flouting Florida law that bans selling tickets for more than $1.00 above retail value. Some fans are paying as much as $18,000 to rent homes for a few days as the smallest city to host the game, Jacksonville, has just 35,000 hotel rooms for the more than 100,000 visitors. Security is provided by more than 50 separate law enforcement agencies. And fans can expect to have their bags carefully searched. And we've got much more ahead. Sports, business analyst Rick Horrow talks about the $5 billion marketing juggernaut. And CNN's Larry Smith joins us live from Jacksonville.

NGUYEN: John and Linda Dollar are sitting in a San Juan County jail in southeast Utah. And there is no indication yet when they might be returned to Florida to face child abuse charges. The Dollars are accused of starving and torturing five of their adopted children.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALAN FREESTONE, SHERIFF'S LT., SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH: It's exciting to take these people off the street that have been, you know, charged with these types of crimes. Hopefully this will provide an opportunity for those children to have some closure and maybe begin to recover from what's happened to them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: The Dollars were caught Friday when sheriff's police in Utah tracked their cell phone calls and stopped their SUV near Monticello. It is unclear when they left their Florida home. some 2200 miles from where they were captured.

And in Alabama, a mother is charged with capital murder in the deaths of her three children. Police say the 33-year old woman told them she deliberately starved her children. The bodies of those children, ages 11, 9, and 8 were found Friday in a Huntsville apartment. Police say it is possible they had been dead for days.

HARRIS: Pope John Paul II gives his weekly blessing each Sunday at noon from his studio window overlooking St. Peters Square. But the pope has been hospitalized in Rome since Tuesday. So today, about an hour ago, he gave his blessing from a window in Gemelli Hospital.

Our Rome bureau chief Alessio Vinci is there. And Alessio, recap this day for us, please?

ALESSIO VINCI, CNN ROME BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Tony. Well, it is perhaps a super day in the United States, but I can tell you today was a super Sunday for the pope himself.

As you know, he was hospitalized here in a rush on Tuesday. And only five days later, he appeared from the window of the 10th floor Gemelli Hospital. The pope, nevertheless, looking rested, alert, but nevertheless not strong enough to deliver the entire Sunday prayer and the message he does every Sunday. So he has yet to be read.

Some of these aids read it for him. Nevertheless, the pope managed to deliver the blessing himself in a frail and hoarse voice. That is how he normally speaks, even when he feels well. But this time really his voice was barely audible. But nevertheless, he managed to stand -- to sit at the window the entire 10 minutes when his aids was reading this message.

Now while the pope was listening at the window there, and then eventually blessing the pilgrims, this message was relayed lived in St. Peters Square about three miles away from here, where a few thousand pilgrims, as they do every Sunday, flocked to that square at the Vatican. And they managed to see the pope on four giant television screens that were set up there by Vatican television, by Vatican engineers, in order for those pilgrims to be able to get a glimpse for the first time now in a week of Pope John Paul II.

Clearly, still very weak, still very frail, but nevertheless, determined to show that he is improving. Back to you, Tony.

HARRIS: OK. Alessio Vinci in Rome. Alessio, thank you.

NGUYEN: Back in this country, it looks like President Bush has a lot of work to do to convince Americans his plan to overhaul Social Security is a good idea. The president wants to let younger workers put some of their Social Security tax contributions into private accounts that invest in stocks and bonds.

A new "Newsweek" poll finds 38 percent of Americans say they oppose Mr. Bush's changes; 26 percent approve of them. And nearly a third say they are not even aware of the president's proposals.

Time now to fast forward through some of the stories we will be looking at in the weeks to come. Monday, the Bush administration unveils its budget for the 2006 fiscal year. President Bush says he plans to decrease or even eliminate more than 150 government programs with a goal of cutting the deficit in half by 2009.

Now Tuesday, it is time to party. Mardi Gras celebrations. Fat Tuesday is traditionally seen as the last day to overindulge in food and drink before Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday. So time's running out.

And the search for peace in the Middle East brings the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority together for a landmark summit on Wednesday. Egypt's president will host the event in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheik.

HARRIS: Well, Rob Marciano is on his way to New York for a couple days this week. Good, he was wearing me out, which means we get to welcome Jacqui Jeras.

NGUYEN: Well, he's (UNINTELLIGIBLE.)

HARRIS: Good morning, Jacqui. Good to see you.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HARRIS: You know, the hardest thing to find in Jacksonville this weekend is a room. So how do you fit 80,000 fans into the smallest Super Bowl city? We'll ask our sports guru -- looks like he's had a difficult night -- Rick Horrow, up next.

NGUYEN: Are those Mardi Gras beads? Oh, my goodness, I bet he has a story to tell.

HARRIS: What is that look about?

NGUYEN: We'll talk to him shortly. And should Jamie Foxx be counting on an Oscar? The acting community picked its own winners. That's a little bit later this hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Stories across America this morning. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg says the city will appeal a judge's ruling on same sex marriage. A state supreme court justice ruled Friday that a state law banning gay marriage is unconstitutional. Bloomberg says he fears chaos if the issue isn't settled once and for all.

Norfolk Southern Railroad has fired the three men train crew it blames for a crash last month in Graniteville, South Carolina. Nine people died when 14 cars derailed and toxic chlorine gas was released. The railroad says the local train crew failed to switch a railroad track.

Buried treasure in Florida. Police spent part of the weekend digging up 3.5 million nickels buried in the backyard of a suburban Miami home. Now they're looking for the trucker who was to deliver the $180,000 in coins to the Federal Reserve Bank in New Orleans.

Can you imagine living in the airport for months on end? Later this hour, we'll introduce you to a special patrol in New York City reaching out to people who call the airport their home.

NGUYEN: But right now, today's Super Bowl is one of the biggest public events of any kind. And hosting the game is a bonanza for Jacksonville, Florida.

CNN's Sports Business analyst Rick Horrow is in Jacksonville. He joins us now to explain the creativity and ingenuity it took for the city to seal the deal.

And I wonder what kind of deal you worked to get those Mardi Gras beads you have there, Rick?

RICK HORROW, CNN SPORTS ANALYST: Hey, Betty, how are you doing? That's not Mardi Gras beads. That's Super Bowl host committee beads.

NGUYEN: Oh, I see. OK, all right.

HORROW: And a ways -- I'll tell you about that in a couple minutes. But you know, Super Bowl brings with it one of the biggest parties of the year, as you know. And it was a time when only a few cities got a chance to host bidding on this bonanza. The criteria, by the way at that point, there were two of them. You had to be big and you had to be warm.

New Orleans, Los Angeles, Miami, San Diego. Now, though, all that is changed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HORROW (voice-over): Jacksonville, Florida is the smallest city in NFL history to host a Super Bowl. It beat all the odds in the game of high stakes bidding. The pot, $300 million in economic impact. The city showed creativity overcoming perhaps its biggest obstacle, where to put the people.

MIKE SULLIVAN, JACKSONVILLE HOST COMMITTEE: Hotel rooms, obviously, was one of our shortcomings. And we knew that. We came up with a plan to take care of that. You can see over my shoulder here one of the reasons that we did take care of that. So we got four other crew ships besides this one...

HORROW: Cruiseships with another 4,000 rooms to the city on the river. Of course, there are other considerations. It's no coincidence that Jacksonville and next year's Super Bowl city, Detroit, have new facilities.

SULLIVAN: And I think the NFL takes a look at that when there's new stadiums in the city, and then try to help the home team out, if you will.

HORROW: It's a trump card that helped two underdogs overcome obvious obstacles. Jacksonville's small size and Detroit's cold weather. The motor city turned that into a plus.

SUSAN SHERER, EXEC. DIR., HOST CMTE. DETROIT: We're creating an experience that is going to be embracing the outdoors. We just finished the 2005 Motown winter blast, which was created for '06 as the backdrop of the game, but we wanted to get some practice. So we made snow and moved snow and worked with snow. We had a 10 inch dump in the morning of the Saturday of that event, but we had a 200 foot snow slide in downtown Detroit. We had dog sledding in downtown Detroit.

HORROW: It's not just the economic impact that entices a city into this high stakes game.

SULLIVAN: The amount of publicity that you get by hosting a Super Bowl, you just can't go out and buy that. I mean, it costs you trillions of dollars to get everything that we've got as a result of this.

HORROW: But Detroit is already on the map. The Ryder Cup, baseball's All Star game, and Final Four join the Super Bowl on the city's list of recent and upcoming major sporting events. But the excitement at the Super Bowl...

SHERER: It is a significant event. It's an important event. Obviously, it's an event that has a worldwide reach, if you will. And it is the big daddy of them all.

But for us, it is the part of a bigger picture and a longer term plan for Detroit.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HORROW: And Betty, here are some really interesting numbers. 100,000, that's up to 100,000 people that are around Jacksonville, that may not even have tickets for the game. 20 -- 32,130 -- 230 countries, 31 languages. That's the number languages broadcasting this game, including Greenlandic and Farsi for the first time.

And finally, 19, that's tons of trash picked up this weekend by Super Bowl volunteers all last couple weeks. Here's the deal. I've been looking around for all of these tickets and all of these parties. We've got parties from the commissioner. We've got parties from agents. And oh, by the way, here's the big one. 6:32, kick-off today, the Super Bowl itself. That's the big deal.

And by the way, 9:00, we're going with Commissioner Tagliabue. We're talking about his take on the business of the NFL, Betty.

NGUYEN: I'm looking forward to that. And quickly, how much are tickets going for, scalper tickets, in the thousands?

HORROW: Oh, in the thousands. People are, by the way, mortgaging their first homes...

NGUYEN: I heard that.

HORROW: ...(UNINTELLIGIBLE) fans. Not going to Super Bowls for 20 years. We'll do some comparison, by the way, of ticket prices in that first Super Bowl game in '67 with the Chiefs and the Packards in Mora Stadium L.A. today. And those numbers are quite striking. We'll talk about those at 9:00.

NGUYEN: I was going to say boy have things changed. Rick Horrow, thank you so much. Enjoy yourself down there. Like I got to tell you that. Thank you -- Tony?

HARRIS: Still if you're tuning in for the Super Bowl, exactly what are you tuning in for? Is it the game itself or the commercials you're looking forward to tonight? Tell us all about it. We're at wam@cnn.com. NGUYEN: And who did the actors themselves think was the best of the best this year? Well, if you missed the SAG awards last night, we will bring you up to speed.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: All right. Are you ready for some football? Well, the Super Bowl is tonight, of course. And everything you need to know before settling in for the game is on our website.

Here to talk about it is CNN.com's Christina Park. Good morning to you.

CHRISTINA PARK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty. So are you going to be watching the Super Bowl tonight?

NGUYEN: Absolutely. Maybe more for the commercials since my team's not in it, but I'll be paying attention, but I'll be paying attention a little bit to the game.

PARK: All right, well, whether you'll be watching for the commercials, the half-time show, or the actual game, the "Sports Illustrated" section of cnn.com brings you coverage of the Super Bowl.

Now gearing up for tonight, see how opposing players stack up. Who has the edge between Patriots running back Corey Dillon and Eagle's linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. Well, you have to log on and get your talking points for the big party and our daily match-up.

Is the NFC really weaker than the AFC? And if so, how might that impact the match-up between the Patriots and the Eagles? Well, for that, Peter King and Chris Collinsworth have the pre-game analysis in King's Corner.

And finally, we've seen how rough and tumble the game of football can be. What's it like to be at the bottom of a crush of football players? Well, apparently strange things can take place at the bottom of a pile. Read the players own personal stories in "Down Under."

Just a few ways, Betty, CNN.com is getting you set for Super Bowl XXXIX.

NGUYEN: OK, you've peaked my interest. What can you find at the bottom of that pile?

PARK: All right, the survivors who came out of the pile. And so I highly recommend assuming the fetal position. But just to give you a taste of what one football player said. Ben Leber, Chargers linebacker says, "I don't know if people really want to know what goes on down there. In the pile you hear some screams of pain."

NGUYEN: Oh, I imagine, yes.

PARK: So you don't where it coming from unless it's you. Scary, right?

NGUYEN: Yes. Don't want to be at the bottom of that pile.

PARK: No.

NGUYEN: Christina Park, cnn.com. We thank you.

PARK: Thanks, Betty.

NGUYEN: Tony?

HARRIS: A little bit like CNN SATURDAY and SUNDAY MORNING.

Hollywood honored its own at the 11th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards last night in Los Angeles.

CNN's Sibila Vargas has a rap of the night that stars honored the stars.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a night for actors, by actors and about actors.

DOUG SAVANT, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: We'd like to use this award to ring the death knell to reality television.

VARGAS: The "Desperate Housewives" cast picked up actors statues for ensemble in a comedy series, while Terry Hatcher was recognized for her role in the show.

TERRI HATCHER, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES:" I came to Los Angeles as a dancing extra in "The Love Boat."

VARGAS: Tony Shalhoub and Geoffrey Rush were each honored with individual awards.

"Law and Order's" Jerry Orbach received the male actor in a drama series posthumously. His wife accepted the award.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How bittersweet, but it's still sweet.

VARGAS: "Alias" star, Jennifer Garner, picked up a statue for her dramatic role.

JENNIFER GARNER, "ALIAS:" We're so lucky to have this job. We have a blast.

VARGAS: And Glenn Close referred to a letter she got from Katharine Hepburn when accepting her award for female actor in a television or miniseries role.

GLENN CLOSE, ACTRESS: I'm glad I persuaded when you were a mere child to join this terrible profession.

VARGAS: Quadruple nominee Jamie Foxx blew his lines not once...

JAMIE FOXX, ACTOR: Got a chance to view the... VARGAS: ...but twice.

FOXX: ...nominated for...

VARGAS: The third was a charm.

FOXX: ...nominated for ensemble cast.

VARGAS (on camera): From the small screen to the big screen, it was a knockout night for two actors from "Million Dollar Baby."

JOHNNY DEPP, ACTOR: The Actor goes to Hilary Swank.

HILARY SWANK, ACTRESS, "MILLION DOLLAR BABY:" I am amazed, lucky, thankful, speechless and quite frankly stunned to be a working actor.

VARGAS: Hilary Swank was honored for female actor in a leading role, while her co-star, 67 year old Morgan Freeman, received a statue for actor in a supporting role.

MORGAN FREEMAN, ACTOR, "MILLION DOLLAR BABY:" Who is the long tall stranger there? Maverick is his name.

VARGAS: The Screen Actors Guild recognized James Garner for a lifetime of achievements. While Cate Blanchett's portrayal of Katharine Hepburn in "The Aviator" earned her a supporting award.

CATE BLANCHETT, ACTOR: I don't know where to begin. I'm overwhelmed.

VARGAS: Not as overwhelmed as the actors from "Sideways." They received outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture.

Jamie Foxx's portrayal of Ray Charles received yet another nod. He offered this sound advice.

FOXX: If you win or if you lose, keep walking in the same direction.

VARGAS: Sibila Vargas, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: First reaction from Iran coming in this morning to some tough talk from President Bush. We have those details next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

LARRY SMITH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And I'm Larry Smith in Jacksonville. It's all Super Bowl in this Sunday. Coming up, what you need to know about the keys to tonight's game. That's coming up on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: The fans, the teams, the excitement. It is down to the final hours before the game. This is XXXIX. Oh, man.

NGUYEN: Game plan.

HARRIS: Welcome back, everyone. I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. We will go live to Jacksonville, Florida in just a minute on this Super Sunday. But first now, here's a look at the stories now in the news.

Iran suggests President Bush showed some hypocrisy in its state of the union address. A foreign ministry spokesman says the president has no right to accuse Iran of sponsoring terrorism. He says that's because the U.S. supports what he calls a Zionist terrorist and runs military prisons that use torture. And we will have much more on this in a minute in our global round-up.

In the meantime, Pope John Paul II makes his first public appearance since being admitted to a Rome hospital on Tuesday. The 84-year old pope gave a brief blessing from his hospital window this morning. An aid read out the traditional Sunday prayer. The pope is recovering from a respiratory infection.

Utah authorities say they may know tomorrow or Tuesday when a Florida couple will be returned home to face child abuse charges. John and Linda Dollar were arrested in Utah on Friday. They're accused of starving and physically torturing five of their seven adopted children.

HARRIS: As promised, let's get you back to Jacksonville, Florida live. CNN Sport's Larry Smith is on the job this Super Bowl Sunday.

And Larry, we talked to Jacqui Jeras just a couple of minutes ago. We have ordered up some warmer, warmer temperatures for you today.

SMITH: Well, we would like to hear that. And certainly, some 80,000 fans would be happy to hear that as well in Alltel Stadium just across the Stadium here, just across the St. Johns River.

It is Super Bowl XXXIX, as the day that football fans and non- football fans look waiting for quite a while. Patriots and the Eagles. Now either the Patriots will make a bit of NFL history with a dynasty like third championship in four years, or the Eagles will make a bit of their own history. Their first ever Super Bowl title and the first pro championship for the city of Philadelphia in 22 years.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SMITH (voice-over): The New England Patriots have won the last eight post season games. And while there has been little confusion over how they beat opponents, their victories have left a trail of confounded quarterbacks scratching their heads.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're not sure whose coming, whose blitzing, whose dropping back in coverage.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Disguise and confusion is so important, especially nowadays with quarterbacks being so smart.

SMITH: The Patriots constantly switch their defensive alignments, using various disguises for their past coverage. It makes every Sunday feel like Halloween for quarterbacks. And the tricks the Patriots play have led to treating themselves to 14 interceptions and those eight playoff wins.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a complex defense with a lot of moving parts. And I think any quarterback is going to give them some trouble with our disguise and moving around. And definitely, it's a big part of us getting turned over.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's hard to confuse a guy like Donovan McNabb, because he's seeing so many different looks. But I think it still helps.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have to be patient, first and foremost. You know, when you're playing a team like this that kind of strives off of turnovers and strives off of mistakes, you have to be cautious and be able to execute.

SMITH: The commotion caused by New England's defense is made even more effective by the calm with which their offense plays. Quarterback Tom Brady has thrown just three interceptions in his undefeated playoff career, but the Eagles will try to use their own defensive camouflage to hide a blitzing attack and accomplish the rarest of football feats, fluster the unflappable Brady.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know about rattling. You try to shake him a little bit, but you know, I don't think he ever gets rattled.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I honestly can't even recall a time, I'm quite sure it's happened before, even if he gets frustrated, he does a really great job of handling and keeping it in control.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's tried to prepare for what they did. But also at the same time, he tried to prepare for things they might do.

SMITH: If successful, Brady might be preparing for a record typing third Super Bowl MVP awards.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SMITH: And if he gets a win, Tom Brady nine and 0 in his NFL post season career. By the way, the Patriots have never lost with their head coach Bill Belichick. But the Eagles' Andy Reid, he's already -- that franchise's all time winning coach.

As you talk about the temperature, game time temperature, expect to be about 60 degrees. But Tony, I tell you, the wind coming off the river here, it could feel colder than that at kick-off. So a brisk evening, but let's get it on. Let's go back to you.

HARRIS: Let's get it on. Hey, Larry, quick question. Carol Owens, the flamboyant wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, who messed up his leg -- I guess it was his ankle and his knee a few weeks back -- is he expected to play?

SMITH: We do expect him to play. I mean, you know, he hasn't been officially -- no official statement says he's going to play, but all indications all week are that he's been practicing. He looked pretty good in the practice video that we saw. And how much he will be used will be yet to see. But you're going to see him out there on the field, no question.

HARRIS: Sort of have to say it that way. The flamboyant wide receiver. Larry, good to see you. Have a good time.

SMITH: All right, good seeing you.

HARRIS: OK.

SMITH: OK, thanks.

NGUYEN: All right, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) news this morning. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's trips are taking her to the heart of the Middle East conflict. She'll hold talks today and tomorrow with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

While on the Turkish leg of her trip, Rice talked to CNN's State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In his state of the union this week, President Bush said that with congressional approval, he would like to offer the Palestinians $350 million to try to help them out. There didn't seem to be a whole lot of enthusiasm for this, based on the reaction in Congress.

Part of that could be because the Arab world hasn't made good on its pledge for about $1 billion. A couple of things. Are you confident that you're going to get congressional approval? And what is the U.S. going to do to get the Arab world to ante up?

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: Well, the Congress has been supportive in the past. For instance, when we have -- they direct aid of some amounts of money to the Palestinians, $20 million just a few months ago, because I believe that people understand that it is a new day with the Palestinian leadership. That in fact, they have put financial controls in place. There is greater transparency in Palestinian economic affairs frankly for a long time. There wasn't.

And so, it was understandable why there were concerns. I'm quite sure that as this process moves forward, that we will get support to have the United States be in the forefront of having the Palestinian people to build the institutions of democracy, to reconstruct areas that are -- from which the Israelis will withdraw, because it will be an important element of an overall program.

It's not just the money, but an overall program of reconstruction and reform in the Palestinian political leadership and Palestinian political institutions.

As to the rest of the Arab world, yes, the Arab world should be more generous. Some have been very generous. Others have made pledges that have not been fulfilled. And it will be part of our diplomacy to go to them and say that now is the time, because you can't have it both ways. You can't say that there needs to be an Israeli-Palestinian peace on the one hand, and on the other hand, fail to put up the resources to help that along.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And Rice met with Turkish leaders yesterday to assure them that their concerns over the future of neighboring Iraq are not being ignored.

It's that time of the morning now for a check of some of the other stories in the news around the world today.

HARRIS: And for that, let's go to Anand Naidoo at CNN's international desk. Anand, good morning.

ANAND NAIDOO, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. Checking stories from around the world right now. And we go first to Tehran. Washington has been getting tough on Iran in the past few days. Now we're getting the first reaction from Tehran.

And Iranian foreign ministry official says the White House has no authority to accuse Iran of sponsoring terrorism while the U.S. supports what he terms "Zionist terrorists." The spokesman also accuses Washington of running military prisons that use torture.

Millions of Iran's plan to take to the -- Iranians rather -- plan to take to the streets later this week for demonstrations in support of their government. And that Iranian statement, that foreign ministry statement, by the way, is a direct rebuttal to the state of the union speech -- comments that President Bush made in that speech last Wednesday.

Turning now to Iraq. Four Egyptian engineers have been kidnapped in West Baghdad this morning. This only days after insurgents kidnapped an Italian journalist in the south of the city. A company official says the four engineers have been in Iraq for a year working for an Egyptian mobile telephone company. Six other workers from that same company were kidnapped last year, but they were all released in September and October of last year.

Now an update on that airline crash in Afghanistan. Rescue workers say they still can't get to the site where the Afghan Airliner crashed because of bad weather. There were 104 people on board, including at least three Americans. Although some reports say up to six U.S. citizens had been on that plane. The flight went down near the capitol, Kabul.

Military officials say it's unlikely that anyone will be found alive when they do get to that crash site. That's it from the international desk for now. More later. Back to Tony and Betty. HARRIS: Anand, thank you.

You know, it's almost like the movie, "The Terminal," some...

NGUYEN: Oh, it is, yes.

HARRIS: Yes. Some special workers are reaching out to people who use the airport as their shelter. We'll tell you more ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

Good morning, Jacqui.

(WEATHER REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: In this morning's hero segment, a story of courage and determination. The Marine Staff Sergeant suffers catastrophic injuries while serving in Iraq, but his resolve to do whatever it takes to get his life back pulls him through.

CNN's Casey Wian has his story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Mark and Lena Graunke are building a new life after two years of marriage. When they met, Mark hoped to be a career marriage, but July 3, 2003, in an Iraqi farmer's field, all that changed. Staff Sergeant Graunke was an explosives expert, called in to disarm small bombs, a job he had done successfully 40,000 times before.

SSGT. MARK GRAUNKE (RET.), U.S. MARINE CORPS: The day that all this happened to me, I had worked on about 200 of them. And the last one that I picked up blew up in my hand. I stayed awake for about 45 minutes after the explosion. I knew exactly what had happened to me.

I didn't know about my eye, but I knew that my hand was gone on this side. I knew that, you know, something traumatic had happened to this hand. I knew both of my legs were bloody, but I didn't know the extent of the injuries to my legs.

WIAN: Graunke lost consciousness and woke up two weeks later at the Bethesda Naval Medical Center. Doctors worked to heal his arms and what was left of one hand and desperately tried to save his shattered leg. But Graunke wasn't convinced it was possible.

GRAUNKE: It took me two months to make my decision. And, in the end, I decided I would be better off having my leg amputated. And I thought that the amputation was in my best interest for, you know, my future, my family, mental and emotional reasons.

WIAN: The Navy doctors refused to amputate, so Graunke transferred to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where doctors performed the surgery.

GRAUNKE: I woke up and felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest.

WIAN: Graunke began a courageous struggle to rebuild his body.

GRAUNKE: I was wondering if I was going to be able to get back on my motorcycle, if I was going to be able to rock climb again, how it was going to affect my family life and a future, if I was going to have kids. WIAN: Seventeen months after the amputation, at home in Flower Mound, Texas, Mark has one answer. He and his wife are expecting a baby in May.

Casey Wian, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: And we bring you hero stories every week on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: Checking this Sunday's top stories, the Vatican says he is getting better. And indeed, Pope John Paul II was able to give his weekly Sunday blessing from his hospital room window in Rome. The pope has been hospitalized since Tuesday for breathing problems caused by the flu.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is on her way to Israel and the West Bank. During a visit to Turkey, Rice met with Russia's foreign minister where she stressed the importance of democracy.

And it is Super Sunday. Super Bowl XXXIX kicks off less than 11 hours from now. We are counting. Upward of 100,000 fans have jammed Jacksonville, Florida to see the Eagles take on those Patriots.

And don't forget our e-mail question this morning for all you Super Bowl fans. Are you looking forward to the game itself or the commercials? You can find us at wam@cnn.com. Send in those responses.

HARRIS: But first, a CNN extra 22 percent of U.S. workers planned on joining a Super Bowl office pool this year. Careerbuilder.com says 60 percent of them expected to win more than $100 while 15 percent anticipated the prize of more than $500. That's not bad. Careerbuilder says -- now follow this -- in addition to Super Bowl pools, the most unusual office pools include who will be fired first, who can knock over a cup of coffee with a golf putt from 45 feet away, and a cockroach race.

NGUYEN: No.

HARRIS: Looks like the last two could answer the question posed in the first bet.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Hey, next time you're in a major airport, take a look around at some of the other passengers. Chances are at least a few of them are not travelers at all, but semi permanent residents of the airport. CNN's David Haffenreffer has a closer look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's a familiar scene at New York's LaGuardia Airport. Passengers sit in the terminals waiting for flights. But this woman, known to us only as Juanita, is not a passenger. She is homeless and has been living in the airport for three months.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How long have you been here?

JUANITA, HOMELESS WOMAN: I live -- been here November 8 to now.

HAFFENREFFER: Juanita looks like a traveler, carries luggage, and looks constantly at an old airline ticket. But she is one of an estimated 200 homeless people living inside New York's two major airports.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good morning. Good morning again, Juanita. How are you today? Can we help you today?

HAFFENREFFER: Michael Noel and Howard Cunningham are outreach workers who patrol the airports looking for the homeless.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How are you doing? We're still here for you. Any time that you need us, we have a crew.

HAFFENREFFER: They walk the airport every day, encouraging but not forcing the homeless they find to seek shelter and help.

MICHAEL NOEL, VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA: We speak and then we listen. Mostly, we listen because we want to know their story. We want to know why they are here. How did they get here? And then we try from that end goal to give them the necessary information that we may have that can help them better their situation.

HAFFENREFFER: One of the big challenges, finding them.

HOWARD CUNNINGHAM, VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA: They look like passengers. You know, they walk around with smart cards. You know, they may have one bag.

How are you?

HAFFENREFFER: In the food court, Noel and Cunningham run into Jane, a homeless woman they've seen for the past few weeks. At first, she is reluctant...

CUNNINGHAM: You tired? May I sit?

JANE, HOMELESS WOMAN: No, I don't want to go into this right now.

CUNNINGHAM: You sure?

JANE: Yes.

HAFFENREFFER: But soon opens up.

JANE: I'd like to get out of that.

CUNNINGHAM: Well, we'd like to help you. We can help you with that. We know what we're going to get into before we even get here. You know, they're going to tell us no. They're going to tell us no. They're going to tell us no.

But then, we're looking for that day when they say "yes."

HAFFENREFFER: Noel and Cunningham hope one day Juanita will say yes.

David Haffenreffer, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Anyway, I find so striking that that story has affected their city down and trying to help, trying to hear the story.

HARRIS: Yes, yes.

NGUYEN: Figure a way out.

HARRIS: And you often hear that. No, no, no, no, I don't want to be helped. A lot of folks don't want to go to shelters who are homeless because they feel unsafe in the shelters. And they feel that the shelters don't necessarily address their issues. So it's great to see that there's some outreach there, the folks who are at least offering.

NGUYEN: Yes, Volunteers of America.

HARRIS: Yes. So is it the game or the commercials that will be that will be keeping you in front of your TV tonight? Will you be watching the big game at all?

NGUYEN: I'll be watching.

HARRIS: We've got two or three questions there. Complicated. All right, not an answer. We need an essay now.

Share your thoughts next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: Hey, let's get to our e-mail question of the day, shall we? Are you looking forward to the game or the commercials? Got a lot of responses today.

HARRIS: Yes. And this one from Judith. "Super Bowl, super salaries, super egos, super million dollar ads, super media hype -- no thank you. The big boys can crash their super heads together all they want, but not in my house."

NGUYEN: Well, Carol says "HATE THE GAME -- Luv those commercials!"

So many people do. They'll be watching just for those commercials, I think.

Keep those e-mails coming to us this morning, would you? Are you looking forward to the game or the commercials? That's the question of the day. Wam@cnn.com.

HARRIS: And the next hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING begins right now.

From the CNN Center this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is February 6th, Super Bowl Sunday and you're looking at a live picture. I guess that's Alltel stadium in Jacksonville, Florida where thousands of fans have come to root for their teams. Well, folks have just -- a lot of folks have come for the parties and festivities.

NGUYEN: Yes.

HARRIS: Good morning everyone, welcome back. I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen, 8 a.m. at CNN headquarters right here in Atlanta, 5 a.m. on the West Coast, very early there, but we thank you for being with us this morning.

HARRIS: And now in the news. Iran blasts President Bush for his State of the Union assertion that Iran sponsors terrorism. Iran's prime minister says the U.S. supports Zionist terrorist groups and runs military prisons that use torture.

Earlier, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice downplayed the possibility that the U.S. might consider invading Iran.

In Rome Pope John Paul II appears at his hospital room window to give his Sunday message to the faithful. In a message read by an archbishop, John Paul says he'll stay the course despite his latest health setback. The pope is recovering from a respiratory infection.

Huntsville, Alabama police say a 33 year old mother is being charged with murder in the deaths of her three children ages eleven, nine and eight. They apparently starved. Social workers say they tried to visit the family in December but were turned away.

Without giving details, police say the mother told them she deliberately starved her children.

NGUYEN: Coming up for you on this Sunday morning, President Bush appears to be writing out the rest of his 2006 budget with a red pen. We will tell you what's making the cut and what is getting cut.

Plus, on this morning of prayers you might just need a little talk with God if you're trying to get into that Super Bowl. Security is super tight. And President Bush says he is a man of strong faith, but how does that role play in his politics. We'll talk about it a little later this hour.

HARRIS: First to our top story. President Bush is beating some political capital on it, but one Democrat says it's more like Social Security roulette. Either way, reforming Social Security seems to be a bit of a gamble.

A new poll from "Newsweek" shows 56 percent of respondents think investing Social Security money in the stock market, part of Mr. Bush's plan, is too big a risk. Thirty six percent think it's necessary to improve Social Security's rate of return. The poll has a margin of error plus or minus four percentage points.

NGUYEN: Turning now to the president's budget for 2006 expected to be sent to Congress tomorrow, he wants to make some cuts in some popular programs. And for those details we bring in CNN White House correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux.

Good morning, Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty. Well as you know, the president is back at the White House this weekend after traveling across the country talking about five states in two days.

He was trying, of course, to sell his Social Security reform plan, a tough sell for the president. But what is expected to be even a tougher sell is this 2006 budget. That is what is going to be unveiled tomorrow.

President Bush already, in his weekly radio address yesterday, trying to prepare the American people for some of the tough cuts ahead.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: On Monday my administration will submit a budget that holds the growth of discretionary spending below inflation, makes tax relief permanent and stays on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009.

In the long run, the best way to reduce the deficit is to grow the economy. And we will take steps to make the American economy stronger, more innovative and more competitive.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Now Betty, of course, this is what the president is talking about. This is a $2.5 trillion budget for 2006. It involves cuts or eliminates 150 federal programs, freezes domestic discretionary spending, consolidates about 18 programs from five different departments into a single grant program at the Commerce Department. Also increases the Defense and Homeland Security spending.

Now Democrats as well as Bush critics say that this is the Bush administration's fault for this fiasco they say. It involves of course the massive tax cuts as well as increased government spending and they say they are ready for a fight.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TERRY MCAULIFFE, DNC CHAIRMAN: For years ago, when President Clinton left office, our nation was experiencing the longest economic expansion in our history.

We had moved from record deficits to record surpluses. Unemployment was at an historic low and America was respected in the world.

But after four short years of Republican control our economic growth has slowed. We've returned to the days of deficits and debt and America is no longer seen as a beacon of freedom and progress.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: So Betty, of course, the key figure here is the federal deficit. It is projected at $427 billion. The goal of the administration, of course, is to cut that in half in five years. That means by 2009.

Betty it's going to be a tough sell.

NGUYEN: I was going to say, with all those cuts on the chopping block, all those programs included as well it could be a very tough road ahead.

CNN's Suzanne Malveaux in Washington today. Thank you, Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: OK.

HARRIS: Communicating the administration's wants and needs to the public is not always easy. So, who helps the president put his thoughts into words.

CNN's Dana Bash introduces us to one man who helps the president say exactly what he means.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Two major address in two weeks, quite a challenge for the president and his chief wordsmith of six years.

MICHAEL GERSON, BUSH SPEECH WRITER: We've in many ways looked at the inaugural speech and State of the Union as a pair. The inaugural was great goals. The State of the Union is priorities.

BUSH: Build an ownership society. The best way to reach that goal is through voluntary personal retirement accounts.

GERSON: He likes clear outlines, direct and short sentences. He -- but also an element of elevation and a sense of history. And so we've tried to combine those things, to have an approach that is both direct, but also rhetorically ambitious. BASH: But some thought this year's inaugural address was too ambitious, too ambiguous, even alarming.

BUSH: We will encourage reform in other governments by making clear that success in our relations will require the decent treatment of their own people.

BASH: Bush aides scrambled to clarify his sweeping call to stop tyranny was not a concrete policy shift, but Michael Gerson defends his work.

GERSON: Well I think the president said exactly what he meant, which is America has set a generational goal.

BASH: Any specifics, he insists were intentionally left for the State of the Union.

BUSH: Saudi Arabia can demonstrate its leadership in the region by expanding the role of its people in determining their future.

BASH: Some see changes in a second term president thinking about legacy, but Gerson sees unusual consistency.

BUSH: We must make Social Security permanently sound.

GERSON: We gave our first comprehensive speech calling for personal retirement accounts in Social Security five years ago in May.

BUSH: The advance of freedom will lead to peach.

GERSON: The president has decided in many ways to use his second term for great goals.

BUSH: May God bless America.

GERSON: That's fun for a speech writer in a certain way because we're not talking about small things.

BASH: Dana Bash, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: And a programming note, be sure to watch Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld as he joins CNN's Wolf Blitzer on "LATE EDITION" today. That's at noon eastern, 9 a.m. on the west coast.

NGUYEN: At today's Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida they are strapping on their helmets and studying the play books of their opponents, but that is just the police.

The long arm of the law will be quite long as over 50 agencies team up to protect the massive sporting event. Dozens of cameras will keep an eye on the masses as well or even zoom in so close that police can watch -- or police can watch a single seat.

Now the skies above have a 30 mile no fly zone in the air, and in the waters below a 14 mile safety zone for the river that surrounds the stadium.

HARRIS: CNN Sports, Larry Smith has drawn the enviable duty of being in Jacksonville or the game. Let's take you back to Jacksonville live and Larry. Good morning, sir.

SMITH: Good morning to you. Certainly it's a tough job, but I'm glad I'm the one that gets to do it on this Super Bowl Sunday, Eagles and Patriots, Super Bowl XXXIX.

And I'll tell you what, the fans have been absolutely incredible this weekend, tens of thousands all ready to descent upon the city this week. It's been super.

In fact, it seems that for every Patriots fan that came to Jacksonville there are 10 Eagles fans. Certainly excited about the team, the greatest success they've enjoyed in 24 years and hopeful they can get their first ever Super Bowl championship.

Now if we can come back on camera for a moment and take a look over here to my right. This is what's called the Eagles next. It's empty right now as it's early in the morning, but trust me by noon it will be packed.

They been raucous all week and from many of our live shots on CNN you may have heard them changing the E-A-G-L- E -S, Eagles, Eagles and TO and every other chant that you can mention, maybe even some that we shouldn't mention on CNN.

Let's get to the quarterbacks. First off, Tom Brady, the Patriots outstanding all star. And what a career he has had, one of the best career starts in NFL history and he's only 27 years old.

Tom Brady already a two time Super Bowl MVP. He is 8 and 0 in the post season, and when it comes to overtime, well he's perfect there as well in his career.

As for Donovan McNabb, the Eagles outstanding quarterback, a victory tonight would only solidify his status as one of the elite quarterbacks in the league.

A five time pro bowler, McNabb a one time scrambling quarterback who has developed into one of the game's top passers, and already the most prolific passer in Eagles history as he has just been outstanding, continuing to develop after being a first round pick back in 1999.

And what a story for McNabb as well. He was booed by Philly fans when he was drafted, but has developed now into one of the city's best known and most loved athletes.

And certainly their hopes tonight against the Patriots will ride on his shoulders.

Let's go back to you.

HARRIS: All right. That is Larry Smith in Jacksonville getting ready to weather the big old frat party that is Super Bowl tailgating. Larry, thank you.

NGUYEN: And speaking of the Super Bowl, we want to hear from you this morning. Our e-mail question of the day. Are you looking forward to the game or the commercials? Send us your thoughts at wam@cnn.com and we will read those on the air.

HARRIS: When a president invokes the name of God we look at how it impacts you. That's ahead in our Faces of Faith.

NGUYEN: And if you're suffering from the winter blues across the east we have a weather forecast that will wake you up and cheer you up.

A beautiful start in Boston. Patriots fans waking up to 33 degrees, a high around 46 in the Boston metro area today. We'll have the rest of the nation's forecast coming up on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

HARRIS: Oh, the cars. Is that what I'm hearing? Was that what that is, Dee (ph)? OK, the cars. Good morning Jacksonville, Alltel stadium the site of all the excitement. And Betty at kickoff tonight flash bulbs. Just watch for the flash bulbs everywhere. It's just a wonderful picture.

NGUYEN: Everybody with their cameras.

HARRIS: Yes. Keep it safe down there Jacksonville. Have a great time, but keep it safe. We'll have your complete weather forecast in about a minute.

NGUYEN: A good time. Well, right now we want to check our top stories today. Iran reacts to President Bush's State of the Union warnings. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman says President Bush has no authority to criticize Iran for sponsoring terrorism, especially while America, he says, supports Zionist terrorist itself.

Pope John Paul makes his first appearance since being admitted to the hospital on Tuesday. The pope delivered a brief Sunday message from his hospital window.

An aide read a message thinking people around the world for his prayers, as the pontiff recovers from a respiratory illness.

An excitement is building for Super Bowl XXXIX, the day is here. Tens of thousands of fans will pack Alltel stadium in Jacksonville today to watch the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles duke it out.

HARRIS: Let's get to our e-mail question of the day. We're asking you if you're looking forward to the game this evening or the commercials. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) this one. This is an interesting e-mail from Carolyn and she writes.

You know what would make me a consumer for life for any advertiser, a plain white screen with the words we at blank, company, want to let you know that instead of spending $25 million to create a spiffy ad we've sent a check in that amount to blank, name the charity here. Please buy our products.

Carolyn, thank you.

NGUYEN: Yes, a very interesting thought there. Well, as do talk about the Super Bowl we want to keep you sending in your thought about whether you're going to be watching the game or the commercials.

All you have to do is write to wam@cnn.com.

HARRIS: And Jacqui Jeras is in the weather center now. Now I now it's great around the east coast, but as I look behind you on the map there are some issues...

NGUYEN: Kind of rainy.

HARRIS: ...in the mid section of the country, right.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: Well, invoking faith and making references to God during a presidential speech, straight ahead in our Faces of Faith we look at how President Bush relies on his religious convictions to get his message across.

And later on "HOUSE CALL" researchers say heart disease is the number on killer of women surpassing breast cancer. Our Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at how a few simple lifestyle changes can lower your risks.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Today's Faces of Faith is about the presidency, this one in particular. While God has always been invoked from the time of the founding fathers to the present, George W. Bush has brought religion into the political sphere unlike any of his predecessors.

Every since the attacks of 9/11 President Bush's Christian faith has become even more apparent. David Domke has written a fascinating new book about this. It's titled "God Willing" political fundamentalism in the White House, the war on terror and the echoing press.

I spoke with the author recently about President Bush's religious convictions and the role those beliefs play in this presidency.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Can I ask you why you think the president's religion is getting so much attention?

DAVID DOMKE, AUTHOR, "GOD WILLING:" I think there are three things that are playing out here. The first would be international developments. The second would be the role of religion in American politics generally today. And then the third would be this president himself.

HARRIS: OK.

DOMKE: International religion has played a substantial influence in a number of conflicts around the globe, whether it's in the Middle East, whether it's in India or Pakistan or even in several African nations.

And it certainly is playing a role here in terms of this terrorism battle for the United States. So I think that everybody -- religion is just more salient for everyone around the world today.

I think in the United States what has happened is that religious conservatives have become an ascendant political force in this country. They've moved from a marginal political groups and they've become -- by conservatives I mean Evangelicals and fundamentalist have become very influential.

Their issues are being pushed by the Republican party. They have a great deal of influence over the candidates that they support. So they are exerting much greater power and people are interested in that.

And then this president himself is just different from other presidents. A colleague of mine, Kevin Coe (ph) and I examined all State of the Unions and inaugurals from Franklin Roosevelt in 1933 through the most recent one by George Bush this past week, and two things come out.

One is that George Bush does speak more about God than other presidents in those addresses. And then second, he speaks differently about God. He speaks about God from what we call the prophetic posture.

He speaks as if he knows what God wants for the world, and he does that far more than other presidents have done.

HARRIS: And David, that makes people, some people pretty uncomfortable. Would you agree?

DOMKE: Yes, they're very uncomfortable. If you're not a person of religious faith you're deeply uncomfortable. You're offended that someone would say that someone would say they know what God wants.

HARRIS: Yes.

DOMKE: If you're a person of religious faith you're equally uncomfortable, perhaps, because you don't want anyone to say that they have kind of a direct line to God.

But then of course some people think this is terrific because they do believe that George Bush does have a line to God.

HARRIS: Well those who have a problem with it, some of them go back to when Mr. Bush was a candidate running for president, the first time around and they go to this particular debate, and you'll remember this, this whole set up and this question, when all of the candidates were asked during the debate whether or not -- who their political philosopher was, their favorite political philosopher and you remember what candidate Bush said.

DOMKE: Yes. He said Christ because he changed my heart.

HARRIS: Yes. And for a lot of people he was sort of throwing down the religious gauntlet there. You're either on our team, which is Christ's team, God's team or you're not. And from that point on he became the stereotype.

DOMKE: He's clearly part of a broader religious and political movement in this country that does see the separation of church and state as a myth. That's a word they use, as a myth.

If you look at the Texas Republican party platform the last few years they have called the separation of church and state as just that, a myth.

HARRIS: OK.

DOMKE: So I don't know if bush sees himself as the leader of that or what he exactly believes. But there is clearly a large number of people who are part of his coalition of supporters who do want to change this kind of separation of church and state.

And I -- many people are concerned. When you look at the president and his push for faith based initiatives, people would say that's just the first step and they're really concerned what might happen in the second term here.

HARRIS: Yes. And one final question, when I say the stereotype for a lot of people they suggest that that stereotype is the president as an antiabortion zealot, homophobic, a would be censor. Stereotypes are dangerous, we all know that, and are folks labeling him without looking deep enough? Is it just expediency?

DOMKE: I think they're not looking close enough because George Bush himself almost never talks about abortion or homosexuality. He does capitalize upon his supporters strong feelings about those. But Bush himself is really quite uncomfortable with those.

I think people project onto Bush a great deal of their own concerns and own desires. But Bush is a very strategic politician. Regardless of whatever he might actually believe he has certainly taken a religious movement and used it as his power base to now essentially his second term.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: OK. Boy just difficult sometimes just sort of framing that debate.

NGUYEN: Yes.

HARRIS: We know you have strong feelings about this issue. You can tell us what you think by just dropping us an e-mail at wam@cnn.com NGUYEN: Straight ahead on "HOUSE CALL" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, women and heart disease. How a few simple lifestyle changes could have a big time health effect.

I'm Betty Nguyen.

HARRIS: And I'm Tony Harris. We'll see you again at the top of the hour. "HOUSE CALL" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta and your top stories are straight ahead.

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