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CNN Live At Daybreak

Crude Questions; Tennessee School Shootings; Riots in France

Aired November 09, 2005 - 05:00   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 Wednesday, November 9. And the political barometer shows a storm could be brewing for the Republicans. Democrats win the top posts in New Jersey and Virginia. The Virginia victory comes despite an election-eve appearance by President Bush.
Also, getting ready to kick back and relax. Our Richard Quest will tell us about a record in the making. There he is coughing. We'll tell you why.

And wildlife expert Jack Hanna goes searching for elephants in a land soaked in blood.

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

COSTELLO: And good morning to you. We'll have more on those election results in a minute.

Also ahead, the oil companies raked in big -- no, huge profits this quarter. Now they have to justify their results in Washington.

And we take you to the front lines of Operation Steel Curtain.

But first, "Now in the News."

A new leak investigation may be in the works. Republican congressional leaders want to know who leaked classified information about CIA secret prisons for suspected terrorists. They say last week's disclosure published in "The Washington Post" could damage national security.

Residents of a mobile home park near Evansville, Indiana, devastated by a tornado are being allowed home this morning. The sheriff there says all residents have now been located. Eighteen of the 22 people killed lived in that trailer park.

Violence flared again in parts of France last night, although there were fewer clashes with police. It is the 13th straight night of violence. Several cities now have curfews. We'll take you live to Paris in seven minutes.

But let's head to Atlanta and the CNN Center and check in with Jacqui Jeras.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Jacqui.

We start this morning with a question: How much is too much? That's what some senators want to ask the heads of the five major oil companies. Starting today, those CEOs will appear before two Senate committees to discuss how much you pay for gas and their record profits.

Record profits? Take a look at these numbers. We're talking billions of dollars here.

ExxonMobil and Shell each saw profits jump 50 percent over the first nine months of this year. ConocoPhillips isn't far behind with a 42 percent spike. And now those numbers have led many to consider bringing back the long-forgotten windfall profits tax.

CNN's Louise Schiavone explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LOUISE SCHIAVONE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It's the pocketbook issue that won't go away. Energy prices have gone through the roof and somehow taken a route through your wallet to get there. And Congress is feeling the heat.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Republicans are looking for somebody less popular than they are to score some political points off of, and oil executives happen to be a good target right now.

SCHIAVONE: A long-simmering post-hurricane resentment about rising gasoline prices erupted into out-and-out charges of price gouging after ExxonMobil posted third quarter profits of almost $10 billion. Other corporations also reported robust profits.

Congressional Republicans are stumbling over each other to appease angry consumers.

SEN. CHUCK HAGEL (R), NEBRASKA: In the interest of our country, and actually in the self-interest of oil companies, they should be out front on this, taking the initiative and exploring ways to do something for the less fortunate in this country.

SCHIAVONE: Two Senate committees will call oil executives on the carpet this week, and the speaker of the House has summoned them to one-on-one sessions with him.

Meanwhile, with public pressure rising, members on both sides of the aisle are beginning to suggest it might be time to resurrect a windfall profits tax.

TYSON SLOCUM, PUBLIC CITIZEN'S ENERGY PROGRAM: Are they going to stand up to the profiteering by oil companies? Are Congress and the White House going to step in and rescue consumers that are going to be in a crisis this winter? SCHIAVONE: Ideas vary about how large a tax should be and where it should go. One proposal envisions a rebate to consumers. Others suggest pumping those funds into energy assistance programs.

As you might imagine, the oil industry is opposed.

JOHN FELMY, AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE: We do not have windfall earnings in our companies, and so this discussion really is inappropriate.

SCHIAVONE (on camera): The American Petroleum Institute says not only does the industry object to a windfall profits tax, but they say they need more breaks from Congress to look for, refine and deliver the product.

Louise Schiavone, for CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Oh, that opens a whole can of worms, doesn't it?

JERAS: It really does.

COSTELLO: I mean, Jacqui, if you think about it, the oil companies giving consumers a break? I mean, what do they care, really? How's it going to hurt them if they don't give consumers a break?

JERAS: Exactly.

COSTELLO: We're still going to have to buy oil for our gas and heating oil from them, right?

JERAS: Absolutely, unless you are going to walk or ride your bike all the time, right?

COSTELLO: Oh, I wish that would happen.

JERAS: Wouldn't that be -- you know, you would think there would be more alternatives out there. I mean, we've got the hybrid cars now, right? But for example, in Iowa, do you know they sell ethanol- blend fuel and they've been doing it for years and years and years and years? And it costs less. It's made out of corn, so we're helping the American farmer.

Why don't we have more of that?

COSTELLO: That's a good question. I think people are slow to change. And also, doesn't the auto industry as a whole have to change the way it makes cars and it sells cars?

JERAS: Yes. We have to change completely. Definitely.

COSTELLO: And that would cost them a lot of money.

JERAS: It would. There are a lot of people looking to lose some money. But I would imagine the stockholders are pretty happy about some of these profits. So I think people are probably either really mad or really happy about it.

We want to know what you think. Should oil companies pay an extra tax on high profits? E-mail us, DAYBREAK@CNN.com. We'll read your e-mails live on the air later on this morning.

COSTELLO: You know, I think the better question would be, what would you like to say to oil company executives today? If you could meet one face to face...

JERAS: We won't be able to read those on the air, Carol.

COSTELLO: OK. We'll stick with the question we have then.

DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

In the meantime, those oil companies might have a new place to drill. According to "The Washington Post," Congress may be on the verge of opening up Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. We've heard this before.

The Senate has voted to allow it. And this week the House takes up the measure. Critics say drilling in the refuge won't do much to ease the energy crunch, but it would mess up the environment.

We have the latest results for you from yesterday's off-year election, and it was a good day for Democrats in New Jersey and in the red state of Virginia.

In New Jersey, Democratic Senator Jon Corzine has won the governor's race, beating Republican Douglas Forrester. Corzine's win creates a vacancy in the Senate which he'll be able to fill himself once he becomes governor. The win ends a costly race marked by some nasty campaign ads.

In Virginia, the governor's race there, Democratic Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine beat Republican Jerry Kilgore. Kaine won despite some last-minute campaigning for his opponent by President Bush. Kaine seemed to benefit from the popularity of outgoing governor Mark Warner.

In New York City, Republican incumbent Mayor Michael Bloomberg easily won a second term, beating Democrat Fernando Ferrer. Bloomberg won even though Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than five to one in the Big Apple.

And in California, voters have overwhelmingly rejected all four of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's ballot proposals, including his centerpiece plan to reign in state spending. The vote was seen as a test of the governor's leadership.

On to other news now.

Investigators in Campbell County, Tennessee, are trying to figure out what led a 15-year-old to shoot three school administrators, killing one of them. The school, Campbell County High, in Jacksboro, is closed for the rest of the week.

David Mattingly has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Shortly after 2:00, according to witnesses, it happened near the school's office. A student, a 15-year-old student, opened fire with a handgun, killing one administrator and wounding two others. Students there at the time say it all happened very quickly.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, he got it out, and he was kind of like saying, well, you know, all this kind of stuff being he's big and bad. And they take it out and just shoot Mr. Pierce, like around here or somewhere. And then after that, it's like blood and dying here -- it looked like he was dying. And then after that, Mr. Pierce and Mr. Seale tried to stop him, and they both got shot as well.

MATTINGLY: According to authorities, the suspect was subdued by personnel at the school before law enforcement arrived. The school immediately went into lockdown. Bomb-sniffing dogs were brought in to make sure no explosive devices were planted on the property as well. As soon as they were able to determine that everything was clear, the students were allowed to go home and meet their very worried parents outside school grounds.

The school will be closed now for the rest of the week as investigators continue to find out why this tragedy happened.

David Mattingly, CNN, Campbell County, Tennessee.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: It's kind of a good news, bad news situation in France this morning. Curfews are being praised for a drop in violence last night, but still more than 100 cities and towns were wracked by unrest.

CNN's Chris Burns is in Paris.

Hello, Chris.

CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Carol.

Well, it's all relative, really, because if you hear that 600 cars have been burned across the country overnight, you think that's a lot. But it really is less than half the damage we saw on Friday night. So in that sense, it's getting better. And in part, it's because of these curfews that the government has begin to -- begun to bring down on a number of cities across the country.

Also, banning gasoline sales to minors. So that might be to be credited. Also, the rainy cold weather that you can see behind me. It might be cooling the tensions a bit.

The government is taking a tough line against that, but also is showing some understanding. And there's a community leader here who is commending the government for doing that. Here is what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRIMA CONTEH, DIASPORA AFRIQUE: We would like to hear, first and foremost, that, yes, OK, we've heard your message, we don't really support the way you vent your anger, but we have your message and we are ready to talk. We recognize there have been injustices, and we are ready to talk to them all together, as one community.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BURNS: But of course putting words to action, that's the question, Carol. The government is promising more jobs for the youth, unemployed youth in these very poor areas mainly from African and North African origin. That's where the government has a lot of repairing to do -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Chris Burns live in Paris this morning.

Coming up on DAYBREAK, living to tell about it. A veteran of more than one storm lands in his front yard after a tornado ripped through his southern Indiana home.

Plus, it is a long, long flight from Hong Kong to London. We'll ride along as Boeing's new 777 sets a new distance record. And guess who's on board? Richard Quest. He's going to call from the airport.

And Jack Hanna goes in search of wild or may not so wild elephants in Rwanda.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Let's take a look at the international markets. They're mixed this morning.

Tokyo's Nikkei higher by 35 points. The London FTSE down by 12. The German DAX two points lower this morning.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:15 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

Be cautious. That's what U.S. embassy officials are telling Americans traveling to China. They say Islamic militants may be planning to attack high-class Chinese hotels over the next week.

Tough talks from the Senate's top Democrat. Minority Leader Harry Reid wants President Bush to promise he will not pardon Lewis "Scooter" Libby. The former White House aide is facing charges in the CIA leak scandal. No comment from the White House.

In money news, Kraft Foods, the makers of Oreo cookies and all those other snacks, says it's raising prices on many foods by an average of almost four percent. Kraft blames it on rising oil prices. In culture, actor Robert Duvall and jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis join President Bush at the White House tomorrow. He's presenting them with the National Medal of Arts. He'll also present the National Humanities Medal to some historians, authors and scholars.

In sports, Terrell Owens says he's sorry. The Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver was suspended after making derisive comments about the team. And now he's apologizing in full.

Listen to what he had to say to reporters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TERRELL OWENS, EAGLES WIDE RECEIVER: I'm a fighter. I've always been. And I'll always be.

I fight for what I think is right. In doing so, I alienating a lot of my fans and my teammates.

To those fans that supported me through these tough times, I thank you for your support. To every single Philadelphia Eagles fan out there that cheered for me, I want you to know that I am sorry this has happened. To you I apologize.

To my head coach, Andy Reid, I owe you an apology.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Owens says he still wants to suit up for the Eagles, but coach Reid says no to T.O., at least for this season.

You know, Jacqui, I watched that entire news conference.

JERAS: Yes?

COSTELLO: It was fascinating.

JERAS: Really?

COSTELLO: Especially when Terrell Owens' agent began speaking. And then you kind of understood the whole attitude problem.

JERAS: Oh, really?

COSTELLO: Oh, the agent was a piece of work. He opens it up to questions -- and don't you hate when this happens -- reporters are asking him questions, and he doesn't answer them. He just goes, "Next question." Well, why did you open it up to questions then?

JERAS: Oh, yes. Then you just don't take questions.

COSTELLO: I don't think Terrell Owens is going to play for Philadelphia anytime soon.

JERAS: Probably not. And didn't his mother say, if you can't say anything nice...

COSTELLO: Exactly.

JERAS: Right. Anyway, hey, we have some not so nice weather to talk about today, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Jacqui.

Just ahead on DAYBREAK, Jennifer Aniston sits down with our very own Larry King. Hear what she has to say about love and children after a break.

And our e-mail question of the morning, do you think oil companies should pay an extra tax on high profits? You know, to help you out this winter. Some oil execs are to appear before a Senate committee today, and senators are going to ask them about why they're making such huge profits and not passing any along to you.

Tell us what you think. Should oil companies pay an extra tax on high profits? DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Loving that. Are you awake?

Entertainment headlines for you this morning.

Actor Page Kennedy has been fired from ABC's hit show "Desperate Housewives." A series spokeswoman says he was let go for improper conduct, but they aren't exactly saying what the 28-year-old actor did to earn his pink slip. He plays a mysterious fugitive being held in his mother's basement. His role will be recast.

Kate Moss back in the modeling game. She had a photo shoot on the island of Ibiza for fashion designer Roberto Cavali. It's the first modeling gig for Moss since she got out of a rehab clinic in Arizona. Moss entered rehab shortly after she was hit with drug use allegations by tabloids in Britain.

Comedian Lewis Black is coming to The Weather Channel. He'll appear in a few segments in front of the weather map and with the channel's weather forecasters. Black is the first of what the network hopes is a series of celebrity guests who will come on to spice things up over there.

"Survivor" fans can rest easy. The hit reality show will be back on CBS next year. The network says at least two more editions will be produced, but they're unsure if original host Jeff Probst will be back onboard for the 13th and 14th editions of the show.

Actress Jennifer Aniston takes us beyond the sound bite this morning. You've seen her splashed all over the tabloids these days. First it was her headline-making divorce from Brad Pitt. Now rumors are swirling that she and actor Vince Vaughn are a hot item. So, are the rumors true? Our Larry King tried to find out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": This is fair to ask.

JENNIFER ANISTON, ACTRESS: OK.

KING: Vince Vaughn, I love him.

ANISTON: Oh, gosh.

KING: OK. Come on, we love him. Vince Vaughn is...

ANISTON: Yes, we love him. He's great.

KING: He's a national treasure.

ANISTON: He's a national treasure.

KING: Is it serious? Is everything going...

ANISTON: I'm not talking about it. I'm not talking about it.

KING: No? Because it's none of our business or...

ANISTON: Because it's none of your -- I don't mean to say that.

KING: No, it is none of...

ANISTON: It sounds harsh to say it's none of your business, but it's...

KING: Say it.

ANISTON: ... I've learned my -- you know, you learn your lessons. That's all.

KING: What's he like?

ANISTON: God.

KING: I'm not asking you about romance.

ANISTON: You said he's a national treasure. He's a great actor. He's fantastic to work with.

KING: Funny?

ANISTON: Funny.

KING: Do you see the irony in doing a movie called "Break Up?"

ANISTON: Yes.

KING: With Vince Vaughn, right? ANISTON: Yes.

KING: You liked him right away?

ANISTON: Instantly. Yes, he's a great guy.

KING: You want children?

ANISTON: Oh, yes.

KING: Yes?

ANISTON: Absolutely.

KING: Some people don't.

ANISTON: Some people don't.

KING: It's a lot of...

ANISTON: I do. It's a lot of work.

KING: It's a big -- hey, if you like changes, the minute they appear...

ANISTON: Yes, I do.

KING: Your life will never be the same.

ANISTON: Are you trying to talk me out of it?

KING: No, I'm...

ANISTON: Oh, my god.

(LAUGHTER)

ANISTON: Ever, every will your life be the same.

KING: I can just picture you with a 2-year-old kid with some paparazzi chasing you. You would kill.

ANISTON: Oh, I'd kill him. Are you kidding me?

KING: You will be arrested.

ANISTON: I'll take him down.

KING: You said you want children. Would you be a single mom?

ANISTON: I don't think so.

KING: Yes?

ANISTON: I mean, again, never say never. But I don't think...

KING: Because there are plenty of women adopting.

ANISTON: I know. I mean, I think that's fantastic. I just -- for me personally I would -- I would like to share that with...

KING: Someone.

ANISTON: ... someone, yes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: I was just wondering if he was like, Angelina Jolie was -- I don't know.

Anyway, Aniston's divorce from Brad Pitt became final in early October. You know that. But she says they are still on speaking terms. They're talking.

Imagine being stuck on a plane for 23 hours. Now imagine being stuck on a plane for 23 hours with Richard Quest. Our own resident ball of energy tests his endurance against a flight that will go into the record books. Go ahead, ask for that second bag of peanuts. We're talking to him live coming up.

And a CNN exclusive. How a manmade nightmare can now have a deadly effect on some of the world's most spectacular animals.

DAYBREAK will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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

COSTELLO: And good morning to you. Welcome to the second half- hour of DAYBREAK.

Coming up, the story of one tough survivor. He's a veteran of World War II, and now the Indiana tornado.

And imagine taking a flight for 23 hours with no stops, not even to refuel. Our Richard Quest gives it a try. That story is ahead.

But first, "Now in the News."

Democratic Senator Jon Corzine is New Jersey's new governor. And in Virginia, another Democrat, Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine, won that state's governor's race in voting.

Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Chalabi meets with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Treasury Secretary John Snow in Washington today. The Bush administration defends the meetings despite accusations Chalabi passed American code-breaking secrets to Iran.

Despite a two-week state of emergency across France, rioters took to the streets again last night, burning scores of cars, buses and some shops. Despite the 13th night of rioting, there were fewer clashes between police and rioters.

To the forecast center now and Jacqui.

Good morning.

JERAS: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

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