Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Continuing Search, Rescue and Recovery Efforts in Wake of Hurricane Katrina; Who Will Replace Chief Justice William Rehnquist?

Aired September 05, 2005 - 06:00   ET

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

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It is Labor Day, Monday, September 5.
Across the nation today, there are signs of mourning. Flags are flying low as the nation marks a deadly disaster and the loss of its top judge. The president now has to fill the biggest legal shoes in the nation. Who will replace Chief Justice William Rehnquist?

And New Orleans police stretched to the breaking point. The thin blue line gets even thinner.

ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.

COSTELLO: And good morning to you.

We'll have more on those stories in just a moment.

Also ahead, the Red Cross wants to help united loved ones separated by hurricane Katrina.

And Louisiana's parishes beg federal officials not to forget their needs.

But first, now in the news, President Bush heads back to the Gulf Coast this morning to see how hurricane relief operations are going. It will be his second visit to the region in four days.

The body of Chief Justice William Rehnquist will lie in repose at the Supreme Court tomorrow and Wednesday, and he will be buried Wednesday at Arlington National Cemetery. Rehnquist died Saturday at the age of 80.

An Indonesian jetliner crashed into a residential neighborhood during takeoff today on the island of Sumatra. One hundred seventeen people were aboard the plane. There are reports at least six survived. It's feared an unknown number of people on the ground were also killed.

To the Forecast Center now.

Jacqui Jeras in for Chad today -- good morning.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT) COSTELLO: Mission Critical -- here's a quick look at the latest in the hurricane zone.

Police in New Orleans have been stretched to the limit. The city's mayor says he's looking for a way to rotate officers out of the city after two of them committed suicide.

Hundreds of thousands of meals have already been given out at the Louisiana distribution centers. They've also passed out more than 600,000 bottles of water.

In Mississippi, a group of about 100 doctors and paramedics are looking for a place to go. One of the doctors from North Carolina says the New Orleans hasn't been able to decide where to send them.

A rescue helicopter crashed while patrolling New Orleans. There were no evacuees on board and no one was injured in the crash.

And four plane loads of hurricane victims have landed in Phoenix, Arizona. They were given food and water before being sent to a shelter set up at a veterans memorial coliseum.

Progress is being made on repairing the levees. Two pump stations in New Orleans may start draining the city as early as today. In the meantime, police shot and killed several gunmen who fired on a group of contractors who were working on the levees.

First up this hour, security is still a major topic in New Orleans. Police and the National Guard are on patrol this morning. Some journalists have even been encouraged to wear bullet-proof vests. And in at least one section of the city, women are being told not to walk alone.

live now to Nic Robertson.

He's in New Orleans this morning -- hello, Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Well, the focus this morning, at least, pushing out from the edge of the water where I am at here is the search and rescue operation that continues looking for people who are still in their homes, still want to get out and obviously the bodies, as well.

The mayor yesterday said he expected there to be thousands of dead people here. Certainly the response teams, the emergency rescue and recovery teams that have gone out from here say they have been able to see -- they've been able to recover some people who want to leave their homes. They have been finding bodies out there. They just had to leave the bodies at the houses where they've been discovered.

Today we understand that a disaster mortuary operational response team will swing into action. They will begin to recover some of those many bodies that are being discovered in the houses behind me. What will happen to them, those bodies will go to a -- will be picked up in refrigerated, taken to refrigerated trucks, moved to a temporary mortuary.

At the moment, there is no clear figure on the death toll, but it is expected to climb.

The other thing happening here today, Jefferson Parish, the residents there have been told that they can come back between 6:00 a.m. in the morning and 6:00 p.m. providing they bring with them photographic identification and proof of residence. They have been -- residency. They have been advised to bring cash, to bring food and to bring money with them, because they're told they won't find any of that here. They are only allowed to return to their homes during the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and only if they have identification -- Carol.

COSTELLO: So where are these people coming from to be able to get back into Jefferson Parish?

ROBERTSON: Well, they will be driving back down the highways into the city. When they get to the checkpoints that are part of the security that's operating here, as you approach the city, you will find police at checkpoints. As you get further into the city you may find National Guard or police at checkpoints. They will have to -- those people will have to prove their residency to get back to their homes.

But certainly the security that we're seeing in the city, certainly in the central part, is beginning to increase and push out. I was driving just outside of the center of the city last night and I could see a big gathering of National Guard members. There appeared to be setting up a sort of a command post on one of the main roads coming into the city. And that's what we're beginning to see a little more of -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Have you been asked to wear a bullet-proof vest there? We've heard some journalists are being asked to do that, Nic.

ROBERTSON: Certainly that did seem prudent several days ago, when there was the possibility of armed looters on the streets. But that threat does seem to have diminished. I haven't been asked to wear a bullet-proof vest. Certainly if we do get any information like that, we'll certainly take it on advisement.

The immediate threat that we can see in this area does seem to have diminished over the last few days. If there are other causes to wear it, obviously we'll be listening to those reasons to where bullet-proof vests -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Nic Robertson reporting live from inside the City of New Orleans this morning.

In Mississippi, aid centers are being set up this morning to get food to those in desperate need.

CNN Radio's Dick Uliano joins me now from Mobile, Alabama with one amazing story of relief for one family.

Tell us -- Dick.

DICK ULIANO, CNN RADIO CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

I am operating out of Mobile, Alabama, specifically because communications for us have been so poor in coastal Mississippi. So I've been making forays from Mobile into places like Pascagoula, Gulfport, Gautier and Biloxi.

And this weekend I was in Biloxi, Mississippi, saw some glimmers of hope as relief was picking up in this area, in this devastated area of Biloxi. But people were getting some provisions.

I interviewed, in a very hard hit neighborhood, a senior citizen by the name of Shirley Williams. This woman has lost nearly everything. The house is still standing, but it's unclear whether the house can be repaired. She's lost everything in it. And she ticked off the name of four of her friends and neighbors who she said drowned in the waters of hurricane Katrina.

We talked briefly and then, Carol, Ms. Williams lamented that she was unable to contact any out of town family members to tell them that she was OK, that she had survived hurricane Katrina.

I told Ms. Williams I had my CNN cell phone, but I offered no hope, really, because, frankly, I had been unable, up until this point, to get a phone call out of Biloxi, Mississippi on the cell phone; had trouble with the satellite phone and the cell phone. But I said look, we'll give it a try.

She gave me the phone number of her son in Burbank, California. I dialed the number and looking at the phone, I saw that it was calling and then I saw the indication that it had connected. I put the phone to my ear, but there were no circuits. I thought well, is this a new way to show the cell phone is not working or is it going to work this time?

She seemed disappointed. We dialed again. Suddenly, I put the phone to my ear and it was ringing. I handed the phone to her and I was amazed that this phone was ringing. It seemed like forever before her son in Burbank, California answered, but answer he did.

"Hello, Brent," she said. "Brent, it's your mama, baby. Thank god we're alive. We're alive."

And I just couldn't believe that this call got through, but it did. And she had this great news for her son in Burbank so far away, that they had survived hurricane Katrina. And, Carol, he had good news for his mom, Ms. Williams. He told her that relatives from Indiana were on their way to get her.

COSTELLO: Oh, a little gift from god, Dick.

They're for sharing that with us this morning.

ULIANO: My pleasure.

COSTELLO: Dick Uliano reporting live from Mobile, Alabama.

The American Red Cross has launched a massive emergency relief effort to respond to hurricane Katrina. It's also set up a new hotline number and a Web site to help worried family members find out about their loved ones.

Joining us to talk about that more is Zach Abraham of the American Red Cross. good morning.

ZACH ABRAHAM, AMERICAN RED CROSS: Good morning, Carol.

How are you?

COSTELLO: These are the latest figures -- I'm fine. And I hope you're fine, as well.

ABRAHAM: I'm wonderful.

COSTELLO: These are the latest figures that I have. The Red Cross has raised over $350 million.

ABRAHAM: That's correct, $352.9 million.

COSTELLO: Wow!

ABRAHAM: As of September 4.

COSTELLO: Where are most of these donations coming from?

ABRAHAM: Well, you know, we set a record online donations. We received $194.3 million online. But it's coming from all over the United States. The generosity of the American people constantly amazes us. No matter what, in times of crisis, the American people always step up. And this is just another example of their amazing generosity.

COSTELLO: And I know that finally somebody is doing something to reunite family members.

What is the Red Cross doing?

ABRAHAM: Well, the Red Cross started a Web site or started a link on our Web site, the Family Links Registry. And now that's a place for people to go and log on and register missing family and register themselves. It's a way to connect these -- the families who got separated because of Katrina.

And we started this Web site a few days ago. As of September 4, 75,000 people have registered. And now at our shelters we have registry centers for people when they come in. They can register their names and families can also call this one -- this toll-free number: 1-877-568-3317. And it's 877-LOVED1S. Loved ones.

COSTELLO: Yes, we've got it on the -- we have it on the screen right now. ABRAHAM: Oh, great.

COSTELLO: So fine. There's a central registry where people can go. And I know that people have been clamoring for that, yearning for that. Let me ask you this. Ninety-four-thousand plus people are in 284 shelters in nine states.

Who knows how long they'll have to stay there?

ABRAHAM: Well...

COSTELLO: How can the Red Cross possibly handle that?

ABRAHAM: The Red Cross has, I mean our history shows that we do what it takes to get the job done. And we will be there as long as there's a need. We've been working in coordination with our government and NGO partners and we will continue to serve those who are in most need. We will shelter and feed them until this crisis passes.

COSTELLO: A final question for you. A shelter in Biloxi, Mississippi was closed after 20 people were sickened with some cases of dysentery, apparently.

Any other health problems that you're hearing about?

ABRAHAM: You know, there are minor incidences and that always happens when you have large shelters. But we are doing everything we can to make sure that we're getting fresh water, clean clothes, that we're taking care of the people's basic needs and doing everything we can to prevent the spread of disease. And it's surprising -- I mean it's a reflection of the good work that's being done that there's been so few cases announced. So the shelter -- right now we have, our shelter numbers have gone up to 124,000 people in 470 shelters. And for there to be so few cases, it's just a reflection of how hard all of these groups are working together to prevent disease from taking hold in these shelters.

COSTELLO: Or how healthy most Americans already are.

ABRAHAM: Yes, exactly.

COSTELLO: Yes.

Zach Abraham of the American Red Cross, thank you for joining DAYBREAK this morning.

ABRAHAM: Thank you very much.

COSTELLO: Still to come, how does Katrina compare with other disasters from around the world? Some perspective later this hour.

Also, as gas prices rise higher and higher, the scramble is on to get the Gulf oil rigs producing at capacity. Questions are will you see relief at the pump? And, if so, when?

And with the loss of the chief justice, what's ahead for the Supreme Court?

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It's 6:16 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

President Bush makes a second trip to the hurricane ravaged Gulf Coast today. He'll visit Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Poplarville, Mississippi. The president is facing angry complaints that his administration's relief effort has fallen short.

In money news, international oil prices fell almost $1 today, to near pre-Katrina levels. That's in reaction to a decision by world leaders to release 60 million barrels of emergency oil stocks to ease the fuel crisis in the United States.

In culture, a major charity concert is in the works to raise money for hurricane Katrina survivors. It'll air September 9 on all six major they've networks. No word yet on the lineup.

In sports, Kyle Busch has become the youngest winner of a NASCAR Nextel Cup Race. The 20-year-old won the Sony H.D. 500 at the California Motor Speedway. He says he'll donate his winnings to hurricane Katrina victims.

To the Forecast Center and Jacqui Jeras.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: That's a look at the latest headlines for you.

Still to come, the nation prepares to mourn the loss of the chief justice. We'll look at what's ahead for the Supreme Court.

And later, comparing the Katrina aftermath to 9/11 -- should Gulf Coast victims receive similar compensation?

DAYBREAK will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: He was a pillar of the Supreme Court. Chief Justice William Rehnquist is being mourned this morning. His death over the weekend adds to President Bush's opportunity to shape the court.

CNN national correspondent Bob Franken joins us live from the White House with final plans for the nation's chief justice -- good morning, Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. Interestingly, although he was a practicing Lutheran, he's going to be buried in the St. Matthew's Catholic Cathedral here. It is not unprecedented that that happens. It's a very, very large church in downtown Washington that can accommodate the number of friends and guests who would want to pay final respects.

Meanwhile, a decision has to be made on whether to proceed with the nomination on Tuesday at the Senate Judiciary Committee -- that would be tomorrow -- with John Roberts. There are competing discussions about that, Carol, whether it would be appropriate to proceed. Democrats would like a little bit of a delay. Republicans really want to get moving on it. That's generally how it breaks down. But some decision on that, obviously, is expected today.

A decision is also anticipated on whether he will continue to be nominated as an associate justice over -- or whether the president will turn around and nominate Roberts to be the chief justice. The arguments for that are he's already been thoroughly, thoroughly considered in the public domain and by the senators, and that might be a quick move to do.

Another argument might be that Sandra Day O'Connor could be asked to stay on until a replacement associate justice was concerned. Of course, the other decision is who will fill that second vacancy in the court?

So there's a lot to be decided.

COSTELLO: You're not kidding.

Bob Franken live from Washington this morning.

Whomever is nominated as the new chief justice will have big shoes to fill. And there is a lot of -- and there's a lot of opportunity for President Bush to really name what will be the future of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Joining us now is constitutional law attorney David Oblon.

He was a neighbor of Chief Justice Rehnquist and he joins us live from Washington.

DAVID OBLON, CONSTITUTIONAL LAW ATTORNEY: Good morning.

COSTELLO: Thanks for joining us this morning.

OBLON: I'm glad to be here.

COSTELLO: Yes.

First, on a personal note, your neighbor.

OBLON: Yes. It's very sad. He lived right up the street from me. When I ran for the state senator, when I was door knocking through the neighborhoods, I was -- had an opportunity to meet Chief Justice Rehnquist. He lived in an unassuming town house right off of Glieb Road (ph) and he answered his own door and listened to my pitch and even told me he would vote for me.

COSTELLO: What will his legacy be?

OBLON: Well, his legacy is going to be one of having completely reversed the Earl Warren court. That was something that he set his life out to do. He wanted to change the tenor of the United States from being one of the central government controlling everything and a Supreme Court that created a personal right to privacy based not on a strict reading of the constitution, but based on what individual justices felt was right. And he wanted to change that to a Supreme Court that really followed what the constitution actually said, notwithstanding what the results could be.

COSTELLO: You heard Bob Franken's report. And there are many ways that the president could go about replacing him, and also Sandra Day O'Connor. Some Democrats are even asking that Sandra Day O'Connor not only stay, but be elevated herself to chief justice.

How likely is that?

OBLON: Absolutely zero. She is a very good justice. She is a known quantity. But she's announced her retirement for a reason. She wants to retire. And it would be silly for the president to nominate somebody who wants to retire and someone who is, let's face it, she's getting old. You don't want -- you do not want to have your nomination battle fought on somebody who is not going to be on the bench for a long time.

COSTELLO: Let's talk about John Roberts. Could the president possibly elevate him to chief justice?

OBLON: That's a...

COSTELLO: If, of course, he gets in.

OBLON: Well, that certainly would be an easy choice, and it wouldn't be one where first he gets in and then he gets placed as chief justice. Instead, the president would make a decision now. Am I going to nominate him for an associate justice position or for the chief justice?

I think that that's -- that is a possibility because he is somebody who the president agrees with philosophically and it is somebody who has already been somewhat vetted in the public. So that would be an easy choice.

Another possibility would be to pull someone else entirely from the outside in, such as Edith Clemens or Edith Brown. That would give Bush a chance to name the first female Supreme Court chief justice and that would be a message and a half.

COSTELLO: A message and a half. I mean with the racial strife coming after the hurricane, might the president be pushed ever more toward appointing a minority, or nominating a minority?

OBLON: Yes. Yes, the temptation to nominate a female has been there even when John Roberts was nominated. And so in light of the hurricane and in light of the political problems that Bush is having right now in dealing with that, the pressure is even more intense.

But keep in mind, this is a lifetime appointment. There is nothing that a president does that is really more important than naming Supreme Court justices because they last for generations. Chief Justice Rehnquist, he was nominated by Nixon. So Bush is going to have some pressure to nominate a female or nominate a minority, but he also is going to be aware of his legacy and the crisis in Mississippi and New Orleans, it's going to be relatively fleeting. F

COSTELLO: David Oblon, a constitutional law attorney, joining us live from Washington this morning.

They're.

OBLON: You bet.

Good morning.

COSTELLO: Still to come, international aid workers come to help Katrina survivors. We'll hear how the situation compares to worldwide tragedies like the tsunami in Indonesia.

Plus, outside of New Orleans, other areas of the bayou state are begging for help. We'll have a look at that as DAYBREAK continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.

COSTELLO: And good morning to you.

Thank you for waking up with us.

The NAACP has an idea to help victims of hurricane Katrina get back on their feet.

Also coming up this half hour, signs of fatigue for the New Orleans Police Department, with sometimes tragic consequences.

And Louisiana parishes struggle to get back to business.

But first, now in the news, President Bush plans a return trip to Gulf Coast region today. The president plans to review relief efforts in both Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Poplarville, Mississippi.

The body of Chief Justice William Rehnquist will lie in repose for two days at the Supreme Court. Rehnquist, who died Saturday, will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon.

Dozens are feared dead after a passenger plane crashed into a residential area in Indonesia. There were 117 passengers and crew on board the Mandela Airlines plane.

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