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CNN Live At Daybreak

Former FEMA Chief Testifies Before House Committee; New Orleans Police Chief Steps Down; Attack in Iraq

Aired September 28, 2005 - 06:29   ET

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

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Did FEMA fail the people of Louisiana? That's what they're trying to determine on Capitol Hill.
The former FEMA director, Michael Brown, told his story to the House committee investigating the federal response to Hurricane Katrina. Brown responded to his critics by saying, it wasn't all my fault. He blamed officials in Louisiana for their failure to fully evacuate New Orleans, and pointed to positive feedback in Alabama and Mississippi. But Brown did admit that he could have done some things differently.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL BROWN, FORMER FEMA DIRECTOR: I prepositioned those in all three states so that we would have communications wherever we needed it. I eventually sent one of those command units -- in fact, it's one of the largest ones we have called Red October. I eventually sent one of those into New Orleans for Mayor Nagin to use. In retrospect, I wish I had done that four days earlier. Had I done it four days earlier though, guess what? It probably wouldn't have gotten there.

So I am now second-guessing myself, and perhaps I should have prepositioned it there before Katrina made landfall. But, again, that's not the role of the federal government. That's Mike Brown Monday morning quarterbacking, having seen everything that took place and trying to figure out, OK, now seeing everything that did not work in Louisiana, if I had known that beforehand, what could I have done?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Talking about sending in the USS Comfort, which is a hospital ship.

I want to get more on Brown's testimony and the politics of the investigation. For that, we're joined by CNN's senior political analyst, William Schneider.

You know, Bill, this got quite nasty.

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Yes, it certainly did, which is interesting, because a lot of Democrats have been complaining that the committee is a setup. Democrats are not participating officially, though several from the region were invited, because they want an independent commission. They believe that the whole point of this Republican-led investigation by Congress is to whitewash what happened and to try to get the president off the hook. So the committee itself is controversial.

COSTELLO: Well, we heard a lot from Michael Brown about the blame he placed on the Louisiana governor, Kathleen Blanco, and also Mayor Nagin, the mayor of New Orleans. We heard very little about what President Bush did or did not do.

SCHNEIDER: Yes. He was specific in saying that he didn't have -- he did not have a problem with evacuations in Mississippi or Alabama. They were doing their job. But Louisiana was, in his words, dysfunctional.

The governor of Louisiana and, of course, the mayor of New Orleans are both Democrats. The governors of Mississippi and Alabama are Republicans. So, he said, well, the implications are partisan, but that wasn't the intention.

So, to a lot of people, his testimony was itself a partisan testimony and is suspect.

COSTELLO: So, do you think that an independent, like, inquiry will come about? Or will this be -- and I know there's a Senate hearing today, too. But will there be a 9/11-type investigation into this?

SCHNEIDER: None without a lot more public pressure the way there was, of course, with the 9/11 Commission. There had to be enormous pressure from, in that case, the families of the victims and the people who had suffered on 9/11. They put pressure directly and kept it up on the Congress and the federal government to have an independent commission. You're going to have to see that same kind of direct political pressure.

Right now, it's happening mostly among Democrats, but they're the minority in Congress. And they really don't have a lot of power.

COSTELLO: Well, you know, let's go back for a second about how nasty this got. Representative Christopher Shays said to Michael Brown, he said, I can't help but wonder how different the answers would be if someone like Rudy Giuliani had been in your position instead of you. And then Brown responded angrily saying, I never thought I'd sit here and be berated because I am not Rudy Giuliani.

Were they really tough on him and downright mean sometimes to take the pressure off of the Republicans? Or am I reading too much into that?

SCHNEIDER: Well, I think it's very easy to beat up on Michael Brown, even Republicans, even though he was part of the Bush administration, and Bush praised him at one point, the famous, Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job, which the Democrats may yet adopt as a slogan. The Republicans found it easy to beat up on Michael Brown as he himself described himself as a scapegoat in all of this.

In one way, that takes the pressure off President Bush, because even though he was responsible to President Bush, appointed by the president, it's pretty clear, everyone agrees Brown wasn't doing his job. He resigned under pressure.

So, I think that a lot of Republicans see him as a sort of safety valve. But the one name that did not come up very much in this hearing really was President Bush.

COSTELLO: Interesting. Well, we'll see what happens today. Bill Schneider, political analyst for CNN, joining us live this morning. Thank you.

New Orleans investigators now say some of the reports of violence there in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina had been greatly exaggerated. They're talking about reports of murders and sexual assaults at the Superdome and inside the Convention Center.

Some of those instances were passed along to the media by the police superintendent, Eddie Compass. Compass announced that he's stepping down as police chief. You know that by now. Mayor Ray Nagin stressed that he didn't ask for the resignation.

Compass was the face of the police force under constant fire, both figuratively and literally, in the days after Hurricane Katrina.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SUPERINTENDENT EDDIE COMPASS, NEW ORLEANS POLICE DEPARTMENT: I have served this department for over 26 years. And I have had the pleasure to be superintendent for over three-and-a-half years. I have taken this department through some of the toughest times in its history. And I am very proud of the men and women of this New Orleans Police Department.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Yes, but the timing is really strange. I mean, why step down now when you have a huge job ahead of you?

Let's head live to New Orleans and check in with Soledad O'Brien.

Soledad, what are you hearing about this?

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, you know, Carol, it came as a big surprise to many people, in fact. And I think your question is sort of the $64,000 question, which is, why now? And to what degree did the mayor, Mayor Ray Nagin, play a role in the stepping down of the police chief?

We're going to be talking about that this morning on "AMERICAN MORNING."

Also, Carol, we're in Lexington Place. This is a relatively new subdivision in St. Bernard Parish, where we were actually a couple of days ago. We came back, because people who have come back to pick up whatever they can find have a lot of questions as well.

One of the questions is this: How much was this disaster as much as it was a natural disaster, how much of it was exacerbated by manmade conditions?

Today, we're going to take a closer look at the levee system here. They put in about 40 years ago this channel. They cut through the estuary and put in a channel. And so, when the hurricane hit -- and it clearly was a devastating hurricane -- but to what degree did that channel, which makes it faster for the boats to get to the Gulf, speed up the wind?

Look behind me. I mean, the homes here look like they were -- they were not flooded. They look like they were hit by a tornado practically. People who live here say that, in fact, this is the ground zero. This is where essentially a tsunami came over the walls and took out these homes.

We're going to talk this morning about man's role in the devastation that we're seeing from Hurricane Katrina. And also, of course, what's happening with the police department?

That's all ahead this morning on "AMERICAN MORNING," Carol. We'll see you right at the top of the hour.

COSTELLO: Well, stay with us for just a second, because I'd like to talk about Eddie Compass for just a little while longer.

S. O'BRIEN: Sure thing.

COSTELLO: Mayor Nagin made this passing comment that Eddie Compass was going to make a lot of money. And it's funny, I talked to Eddie Compass my last day in New Orleans last week, and he talked about being in Dennis Quaid's movie. The actor, Dennis Quaid, is going to make a movie in New Orleans. Eddie Compass supposedly is going to have a small role in it.

Also, when Mr. Compass came to New York, he talked with a couple of book publishers. And he wants to tell of his experiences during the hurricane.

So, you know, I guess the obvious question is: Did he leave because there is more money to be made?

S. O'BRIEN: He said he would stay. At the beginning of the month, he said, I will stay. I want to stay in this job, and I'll stay as long as the mayor wants me. And then, weeks later he's gone.

So, I think that that point is debatable.

There's no question that Chief Compass became to a large degree a media darling. He was the one who was fronted to do the interviews and to give information as the media was looking for information about the police department. He was often very emotional and often told, you know, pretty incredible stories about what was happening in his city, a city where he had lived for a long time.

No surprise then that people saw him and said, this is a guy who should be writing a book. This is a guy who we could turn into a movie star. That would not surprise me at all. What would surprise me is that he would leave right now to do that. I don't think anybody believes at this point that Chief Compass is leaving his job to go be a Hollywood star. I think people here believe that there is a lot going on within the department -- allegations of looting among police officers. Why did 15 percent of the police force leave their jobs and were unaccounted for during the most desperate hours here in New Orleans? And lots of controversial statements as well.

I would imagine that that has much more bearing on the decisions that Chief Compass had made than Hollywood calling or a book deal coming up.

COSTELLO: Interesting.

S. O'BRIEN: That's a guess at this point. But we'll see. You know, we haven't heard from the chief himself. And he really is the person who can answer those questions.

COSTELLO: Yes. Hopefully we'll get final word from him on exactly why he's stepping down at this particular time. Soledad O'Brien live in New Orleans. We'll catch you on "AMERICAN MORNING."

Still to come on DAYBREAK, the U.S. military is chalking up a victory after a shootout with a wanted man. A live report from Baghdad.

Also, NASA's top dog is openly criticizing the space program. We'll explain.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It's time now for a little "Business Buzz."

Small cars may be making a comeback. No surprise there. Carrie Lee says high gas prices may finally be changing our driving habits.

Really?

CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Yes. It seems like the bigger the better has been the way things have gone for drivers. But not anymore. Things are changing, and this could be bad news for Detroit's Big Three automakers.

Big SUVs were once the cash cows of Detroit. But they're falling out of favor as gas prices skyrocket.

One analyst says Ford and GM may see sales drop by 20, 30 or even 40 percent when they report September results next week now that those employee pricing plans from the summer are over.

Now, at this point, small cars seem to be taking over. Toyota says it has only nine days' worth of supply of its Toyota Corolla when it normally has 50 or 60 days. And Japan's top five automakers are all boosting their overseas production. They did so in August; this, as dealers report seeing SUV owners trading in their big cars for small, more fuel-efficient models that cost half as much.

One Honda dealership in Alabama told "The Washington Post" demand for Civics has skyrocketed as people from Mississippi and Louisiana are looking to replace cars that were ruined by Katrina. Ford is also seeing an uptick in small car sales. A company spokesman says sales of the Focus have risen 10 percent over the last 90 days.

So, Big Three are doing what they can focusing, in some cases, on new hybrid models, more fuel-efficient SUVs. But it looks like the tide is really changing here.

COSTELLO: Wow!

LEE: And I'm sure some people are happy about that.

COSTELLO: Excuse me. I must get a drink of water.

LEE: Sure. I'll just continue. Futures are looking up. We saw a mixed session yesterday. We will have a weekly oil inventory report at 10:30. So that could give us some direction as things continue.

COSTELLO: I knew it wouldn't go away. I get that tickle in my throat (INAUDIBLE).

Let's go to the forecast center to check in with Chad. It's going to be a nice day over much of the country.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: More violence this morning in Iraq. There has been another suicide bombing, this time with a twist. The bomber was a woman. It happened in Tal Afar, an Iraqi city near the Syrian border.

Let's head live to Baghdad to find out more. Aneesh Raman is there.

Good morning -- Aneesh.

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, good morning.

It's really the first female suicide bomber that I can recall since the start of the war, a sign perhaps that the insurgency continues its ability to adapt.

This bombing taking place this morning, as you mentioned, in Tal Afar. That's in northwestern Iraq. She detonated amidst Iraqis who were in the city center trying to get compensation for buildings that were destroyed during a U.S. military offensive -- a joint U.S.-Iraqi military offensive at the beginning of this month.

At least five people were killed, 30 others wounded.

And, Carol, it really underscores the fact that while you can route out the insurgency, which they did in Tal Afar at the beginning of the month, it is near impossible to prevent attacks like this; these suicide bombers that are able to reintegrate into society as civilians and then attack those very same civilians in this manner.

It comes, though, a day after the U.S. military announced a huge get, if you will, a big blow to Iraq's insurgency.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RAMAN (voice over): Still at the top and still at large, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi defiantly remains in command of al Qaeda in Iraq. His capture, many suspect, would deal a significant blow to the raging insurgency.

Now, U.S. and Iraqi officials say they have done the next best thing: Killing this man, Abu Azzam, the group's second most-wanted, in a shootout with U.S. and Iraqi security forces.

It is, they say, a big get.

MOWAFFAK RUBAIE, IRAQI NATIONAL SECURITY ADVSIOR: It is the biggest probably after Saddam Hussein.

RAMAN: Azzam, according to officials, planned countless car bomb attacks, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of innocent Iraqis, and was the group's financial planner.

Removing him is an undeniable success against Iraq's insurgency. But with this enemy and in this setting, success is rarely permanent. Military officials have long said the insurgency here is incredibly flexible, able to fill holes rapidly, find new weaknesses constantly, and replace leaders killed or captured almost instantly.

BRIG. GEN. DONALD ALSTON, MILITARY SPOKESMAN: This is going to degrade the insurgency today. How long it's going to degrade the insurgency, this individual being taken out of the picture, is certainly hard to calculate.

RAMAN: Case in point: Just a few weeks ago, the U.S. military took back areas in western Iraq that were under insurgent command, an operational success. Days later, Zarqawi's response: a string of bombings in the capital that left over 100 people dead.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

So, Carol, officials say they have a window of opportunity to really mobilize, use the momentum after the killing of Abu Azzam until essentially someone else comes to replace him and continue the organization's campaign -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Aneesh Raman reporting live in Baghdad.

And the president is expected to talk about Azzam and the war on terror this morning. That will come your way at 10:20 Eastern. CNN will bring you his remarks live. Still to come on DAYBREAK, much activity at the Supreme Court as it's about to start another session. We'll take a look at some of the hot topics on the agenda. That's when DAYBREAK returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Welcome back. It's 6:51 Eastern. Here is what will be making news today.

The talk on Capitol Hill will be about big money paying for Katrina. The Senate Finance Committee opens a hearing at 10:00 Eastern. We'll hear from the governors of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Back to the talk around the offices of NASA this morning. NASA administrator Michael Griffin tells "USA Today" the space shuttle program was a mistake.

Here is what he said. He said: "My opinion is that it was a mistake. It was a design which was extremely aggressive and just barely possible."

And what about the space station? That too gets a thumbs-down from Griffin. Quoting again, he said, "Had the decision been mine, I would not have built a space station we're building in the orbit we're building in."

You can read more in "USA Today."

On Monday, the Supreme Court begins a new term with uncertainty and a heavy docket of cases. The issue of abortion tops the list. The most watched case deals with a New Hampshire law requiring minors to get parental permission before an abortion is performed. The only exception would be if the woman's life was in danger.

And there's still the issue of finding a replacement for retiring justice Sandra Day O'Connor. O'Connor has said she will stay until a replacement is named. But her role in the upcoming term is unclear.

And testimony continues this morning in Pennsylvania in the first trial concerning the concept of intelligent design and its place in the public schools.

Plaintiffs say the Dover area school district ignored science teachers' protests when it decided to introduce intelligent design as an alternative to the theory of evolution. They say the concept violates the constitutional separation of church and state, promoting the Bible's view of creation.

Proponents of intelligent design argue life on Earth was the project of an unidentified force and cannot be fully explained by Darwin's theory of natural selection.

Let's talk about something happy now, the mug.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Or aliens dropping us all off at some time.

Here are the questions and the answers from the mug from yesterday, and now a new mug for tomorrow. Wal-Mart is looking to buy out what clothing designer company? That's Tommy Hilfiger. And according to the "Archives of Internal Medicine," what percentage of doctors surveyed say they misdiagnosed chicken pox at least one time? Forty-two percent was the answer to that.

And we go to Palatkal, Florida today on the beautiful banks of the St. John's River for our winner. The winner, Valerie Dennard. Valerie Dennard of Palatkal, Florida. Congratulations.

Now your questions for today. Following Hurricane Rita, marine biologists are worried that what will linger along the Texas coastline? Following Rita, marine biologists are worried that what will linger along the Texas coastline? And number two, what casino agreed to settle charges that employees use surveillance cameras to ogle women?

Submit your answers -- well, whatever.

COSTELLO: Did we have to choose a question from that particular story?

MYERS: I don't make up the questions. I just read them, Carol.

COSTELLO: I understand.

MYERS: Daybreak@cnn.com.

COSTELLO: Thanks, Chad.

When we come back, more headlines and a look at your travel forecast. This is DAYBREAK for a Wednesday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: "Now in the News."

A suicide bomber in Iraq has killed at least five people. It happened in Tal Afar near the Syrian border. The bomber was a woman. At least 30 people were hurt.

President Bush is scheduled to talk about the war in Iraq in a little more than three hours. CNN will bring that you to live at 10:20 Eastern.

The airstrikes continue in the Middle East. Israel launched several in central Gaza and Gaza City today. The attacks are in retaliation for dozens of recent rocket attacks by Palestinian militants on Israeli targets.

And baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron is expected to testify today on steroids in the sport. Aaron is one of six Hall of Famers who will appear before a Senate committee. The House held the last round of hearings. Also scheduled to appear are the commissioners and union heads from all four major sports.

From the Time Warner center in New York, I'm Carol Costello along with Chad Myers. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks, Carol. I'm Miles O'Brien.

A blistering session before members of the House. Mike Brown calls Louisiana's response to Katrina "dysfunctional." Governor Kathleen Blanco with a chance to fire back at the former head of FEMA. She'll testify before members of the Senate just a few hours from now -- Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: I'm Soledad O'Brien in New Orleans.

In the wake of the city's biggest disaster ever, the police chief is suddenly resigning. No explanation. What happened and why now? We'll take a look at that this morning.

And then, when it comes to paying for Katrina, who is doing the math? Those crews ships that were booked for $230 million, well, there are reports today that it would have been cheaper to send those 7,000 evacuees on a six-month luxury vacation.

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