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CNN Live Today

Iraq Elections; Bush Iraq Speech; Midnight Execution in California; Surviving Company Party Tips

Aired December 12, 2005 - 10:00   ET

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

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Trying to comfort her in her last moments here.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get right to Daryn. She's going to take you through the next few hours.

MILES O'BRIEN: Daryn.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Did we interrupt a moment?

MILES O'BRIEN: No, no, no.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN: We do.

MILES O'BRIEN: Totally out of context.

KAGAN: All right. Well, you guys have a great day in New York City then.

MILES O'BRIEN: We will. Same to you.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN: Thank you.

KAGAN: All right. Thank you.

We have a lot to get to here in Atlanta.

President Bush is, again, on the road. Just over an hour from now, he will continue his effort to win support for the war in Iraq. And, in fact, Marine One just landing at Andrews Air Force Base. President Bush will get aboard Air Force One and head to the Philadelphia area. He is making the third in a series of four speeches trying to increase support for the war in Iraq.

And it has been a big day in that country. Early voting underway as Iraqis begin electing a new parliament. Live coverage from Philadelphia and Baghdad ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY.

First, though, let's go ahead and check other stories that are happening "Now in the News."

A massive car bomb detonates in Eastern Beirut this morning killing a Lebanese journalist and a politician known for his anti- Syrian beliefs. Gabran Tueni was a member of Lebanon's parliament. The bombing coincides with the release of a second United Nations report probing the February 14th assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

In England, it's the largest fire in a half century. Investigators trying to figure out today what caused the explosions yesterday that started this huge blaze at an oil depot north of London. Crews are using a chemical foam, have put out fires in 10 fuel tanks. Three tanks are still burning today.

Two people are dead following an early morning fire at a Michigan nursing home. The blaze broke out just before midnight at a facility near Marquette. A hospital spokesman says the two victims died of smoke inhalation. More than 60 other residents were treated at local hospitals.

Faulty reverse thrusters may have played a part in the fatal skidding of a jet at Chicago's Midway Airport. Early findings by NTSB investigators show one of four thrust reversal stages did not properly deploy during the plane's landing last Thursday. A six-year-old child died when the car in which he was riding was struck by the skidding plane.

And we're looking at pictures live from Andrews Air Force Base. Just moments ago, President Bush going from Marine One onboard a -- do we have the taped pictures to show you of President Bush? All right, as we cue those up, we'll go from the live picture to the taped pictures. President Bush -- there it is -- going from Andrews Air Force Base from Marine One onboard Air Force One. He will be heading to Philadelphia, giving a third in a series of four speeches trying to build support for the war in Iraq.

Good morning, everyone. I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's get started on this Monday morning.

Limited early voting beginning today in Iraq to elect that country's first permanent government since the fall of Saddam Hussein. Iraqi hospital workers and patients, security forces and even non- convicted detainees are being allowed to cast ballots. The rest of the nation goes to the polls Thursday to elect a national assembly.

Iraqi forces have a security plan in place, including closed borders and a curfew. CNN's Aneesh Raman joins us live from Baghdad with more on this historic event.

Aneesh, hello.

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, good morning.

President Bush set to speak later today about political developments in Iraq. The timing clearly deliberate. On Thursday, for the third time this year, Iraqis will go to the polls. This election, as consequential as it's been.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RAMAN, (voice over): From the campaign ads, to the posters blanketing the streets, it is a political battle as vicious as it is slick, with an electorate aware of the stakes. ISMAIL ZAYER, EDITOR, AL SABAH NEWSPAPER: This is not like before. They have to go to vote because those guys will stand on their neck for next four years.

RAMAN: Twice before Iraqis went to the polls this year. In January it was largely symbolic, holding up ink stained fingers, defying insurgent threats. But the actual vote was for a transitional government that from the start was lame duck in power for mere months. In October, a referendum on an incomplete constitution, a document set to go forward in another vote next year.

But this time, the very definition of the new Iraq will be decide. With 275 seats up for grabs in the first permanent national assembly and no one party set to get an outright win, the next prime minister will come down to who form the largest coalition. Will it be Ayad Allawi, keen to see a secular Iraq. To form a viable coalition and, in turn, get the top spot, he needs to win around 60 seats and gain Sunni and Kurdish support.

Or it will be the current Shia alliance, set to get the lions share of seats. They would make Iraq more theocratic, make Iran more of a friend than simply a neighbor. And then there is the Sunni minority who make up the backbone of Iraq's insurgency but who are also entering the political fray for the first time.

ZAYER: If Sunnis come and prove they're coming, prove that it works, it means there will be very little people will continue shooting and killing.

RAMAN: There is a lot riding on this election: the potential for reducing the number of foreign troops, the chance to solidify a stable democracy, and the responsibility to make the everyday lives of Iraqis more livable.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

RAMAN: Now, Daryn, here's the time line. We expect a vote on Thursday. It will take about two weeks to certify those election results. And then expect a period of intense political wrangling and horse trading, which means it could take weeks or perhaps over a month into next year before we know who will be the country's next prime minister.

Daryn.

KAGAN: Aneesh Raman live in Baghdad. Aneesh, thank you.

And we have a lot of other news coming out of Iraq and we'll get to that in just a minute. But first, two breaking news stories.

The first one out of Houston, Texas. A judge in the first nationwide federal trial about Merck's drug Vioxx. That trial as been declared a mistrial that this point. The nine-member jury in that trial had been deliberating for about three days and on Saturday they said they were having a tough time coming to a decision. The judge sent them back. But today, first thing, the judge declaring a mistrial in the first federal Vioxx trial. More on that and what it means for Merck and those that are suing the company.

Also out of Washington, D.C., the Supreme Court agreeing to review a story involving Tom DeLay. They're going to look at the Texas congressional map that was engineered by then the house leader. He is Representative Tom DeLay. It's considered Republican friendly and a congressional map in terms of districting. There's been some complaints about that from Democrats, a legal case perhaps involving that in Texas. The Supreme Court will be looking at this Republican friendly Texas congressional map that was engineered by Tom DeLay. Taking that under review.

More on both those stories as the details become available and as they develop.

Meanwhile, we have another major story that we're following in Iraq today. New prisoner abuse allegations this time against Iraqis. Iraqi human rights inspectors have found what they call a number of problems at a detainee facility. Thirteen of the detainees were taken away to receive medical treatment. "The Washington Post" quotes an Iraqi official saying a dozen of those detainees had suffered severe torture. Last month some detainees found inside of an Iraqi interior ministry compound showed signs of abuse.

We're still awaiting word on the fate of four western aid workers now two days after a second deadline to kill them. The hostages were kidnaped late last month by a previously unknown group. The aid workers have been in Iraq for three years investigating allegation of abuse against Iraqi detainees. Muslim clerics have urged the abductors to release these hostages.

This is a key week for President Bush's Iraq strategy. It begins this morning in Philadelphia with a speech on Iraq's political progress. The president left the White House in the last hour for that address. CNN's Elaine Quijano is covering the president's appearance in Philadelphia.

Hello. Good morning.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn.

And the president's speech this morning is the third in a series of speeches leading up to Iraq's parliamentary elections on Thursday. The previous two speeches the president has delivered have focused on the security situation in Iraq and also the rebuilding process take place there. This third one will be focusing on what the administration sees as political progress in Iraq.

And taking a look at a new Associated Press/IPSOS Poll, it appears the White House strategy is having some effect. The new AP/IPSOS Poll showing the president's overall approval rating is up from 37 percent in November to now 42 percent. In addition, when it comes to the president's number on Iraq, that is up slightly as well from 37 percent then to 41 percent now. And again, really the primary goal of these speeches is to try to convince the American people that the Bush administration does, in fact, have a strategy for winning in Iraq and that that strategy is working. So the president here in Philadelphia, the cradle of American democracy, will make his case. And interesting to note that for the second time in less than a week, the president will be addressing foreign policy experts. His audience here in Philadelphia, the world affairs council, and that speech, Daryn, said to take place about an hour from now.

Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. And, Elaine, actually we can show you it's heading your way. We have live pictures of Air Force One taking off from Andrews Air Force Base as the president makes a short trip from there to Philadelphia.

And you'll be able to watch the president's address from Philadelphia in the next hour of CNN LIVE TODAY. The "Strategy for Victory in Iraq." That speech begins around 11:15 a.m. Eastern.

And now a look at stories making news overseas right now.

A huge explosion rattled central Athens this morning. Greek officials report extensive damage in one area but no casualties. Police earlier cleared several blocks after a newspaper received an anonymous warning call about the blast. So far there's no claim of responsibility. But police are treating the blast as if it were a terrorist attack.

Racial tensions are boiling over in a suburb of Sydney, Australia. For the past two nights there have been running battles between white Australians and young men of Arab descent. Numerous car and store windows were smashed and police say 31 people, including police and paramedics, were injured Sunday night. The violence first began a week ago. Police believe it's being fanned by neo-Nazis.

Nigeria's president is promising aviation reforms after that country's second major air accident in less than two months. A Nigerian airliner crashed and exploded Saturday at an airport in Southern Nigeria. All but three of 1910 people on board died. The weather was stormy at the time of the crash. Investigators hope to learn more about the crash after analyzing flight data recorders.

The clock is ticking for a man who may be the nation's most well- known death row inmate.

Kareen.

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Kareen Wynter live outside San Quentin Prison in California where condemned murder Stanley "Tookie" Williams could be in the final hours of his life. Will Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger grant his clemency request? Details coming up next.

KAGAN: Also, life imitating art? An actor recognized for shoot- outs like this one on "The Sopranos" now facing charges in the death of a New York City police officer. Plus, the first patrol of an Iraqi army platoon without the U.S. there for support. How did they do? The story when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: To California now where time is running out for death row inmate and Crips gang co-founder Stanley "Tookie" Williams. He's scheduled to be executed at California's San Quentin Prison at midnight tonight. We'll have a live report in a moment on the latest legal maneuvers to stop his execution. First, though, Chris Lawrence takes a look at the arguments both to spare his life and to take it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): Stanley "Tookie" Williams, co-founded the Crips street gang. He robbed and murdered and was convicted of his crimes in 1981. But from his cell on death row, Williams spent years writing children's books and preaching against gang violence.

EDGAR MEDINA, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT: And if he dies, some people are not going to have the opportunity to learn from his mistakes.

LAWRENCE: Edgar Medina read the books and says Williams convinced him to stay in school.

MEDINA: If I would have been in a gang right now, I would probably be in jail, dead.

LAWRENCE: Instead he's 15, on track to graduate and go to college.

WESLEY MCBRIDE, FORMER L.A. COUNTY SHERIFF: I heard one report where they say he saved 150,000 kids from joining gangs. That's absurd. How do you know that?

LAWRENCE: Retired Sargent Wes McBride worked the gang detail for 26 years in L.A. County. MCBRIDE: It's not against the law to be a gang member, it's against the law to kill people and that's what he's convicted of.

LAWRENCE: A witness says Williams robbed and executed a 7-Eleven employee, then made fun of the man as he died. He was also convicted of gunning down an entire family, father, mother and daughter.

MCBRIDE: Writing a few books doesn't exonerate you from your crimes.

LAWRENCE: In Williams' case, it won't. On December 13th he's scheduled to die.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I am, at this time, signing a warrant of execution.

LAWRENCE: Williams' books are a part of his legacy, so are the Crips. In 30 years, the gang has spread from California to just about every state in the country.

Fred Jackson works with kids who grow up surrounded by gangs. He says they really listen to Williams, don't tune him out like cops or counselors.

FRED JACKSON, YOUTH INSTRUCTOR: To kill Stan would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

LAWRENCE: Jackson says executing Williams sends the wrong message.

JACKSON: You would be telling gang members or those wannabee gang members, don't care how you turn your life around. Once you are stuck, you are stuck.

LAWRENCE: No condemned murder has been granted clemency in California since 1967. The odds are against any man, even one like "Tookie" Williams who is nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

MCBRIDE: But he didn't win it, you know. And even if he did, does that mean you forgive him for murdering a whole family? No, I don't think so.

LAWRENCE: Like his life, "Tookie" Williams' legacy will be complicated.

Chris Lawrence, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And now let's take a look at the latest legal maneuvers to save Williams' life. Late last night California Supreme Court refused to grant Williams a stay of execution and the governor has yet to decide on clemency. But Williams' supporters say they have a latest minute tactic up their sleeve. Kareen Wynter joining us now from San Quentin in California to tell us more about that.

Kareen, hello.

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, good morning to you.

That's right. Late yesterday something came to light. This was from Williams' closest confidante here, Barbara Becknell (ph). She's basically been spearheading all the efforts to help spare his life. She told reporters in a conference call that after last Thursday's clemency hearing with the governor, that a man came forward late in the day saying he had proof that Williams was innocent. It's a very, very convoluted discussion here, but the nutshell of that has to do with when Williams was in jail awaiting trial. That one of the cellmates there overheard discussions and said that another cellmate who was a key prosecution witness was coached by law enforcement, was fabricating his tale of an alleged confession.

So this all surfaced and it begs a question, well, why didn't this come forth before, come to light before? Why didn't this man contact authorities regarding this, you know, instead of waiting quote unquote until the 11th hour. She wouldn't elaborate on that. She did say that there was an affidavit from this man and that the information was sent to the governor's office. We've been trying to get in contact with the governor, his press people for response as well.

In addition to that, prosecutors on what they have to say about this new allegation. But so far we have not received return phone calls.

Daryn.

KAGAN: Well, and, Kareen, it would seem that "Tookie" Williams' best last chance would be a clemency by Arnold Schwarzenegger and they had the hearing late last week. Is there any word from the governor's office? Is he going to make an announcement either way or is he just going to let the clock tick til midnight.

WYNTER: Well, what's interesting here, Daryn, is that we heard from his press office that the governor would likely make a decision before Monday. So all day Saturday, all day Sunday we were awaiting some sort of statement. That didn't happen.

That could happen today. But remember, this was a clemency hearing that the governor granted. He didn't have to do it. So some analysts say he could either wait for time to run out and not say anything, but in all likelihood he should deliver some sort of statement today on that discussion.

KAGAN: Kareen Wynter live from San Quentin in California. Thank you.

The subject of Stanley Williams and his plea for clemency is generating quite a response on cnn.com. We'd like to hear from you. Your thoughts and opinions on the case as well. Just log on to cnn.com.

Ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY . . .

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We don't need to party. I'm homeless right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Former residents of New Orleans frustrated that plans for Mardi Gras are being made before the needs of the people have been met. But there are many who say the party should go on.

And speaking of parties, it is time for holiday office gatherings and Gerri Willis is here with some advice on that.

Gerri.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey Daryn.

What do you wear? What do you say? Do you even go? "Five Tips" is next with some ideas.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: The holidays are here, and so are company holiday parties. You might have a host of questions about what to wear or whether you should even go. Our Personal Finance Editor Gerri Willis is here to help you with those questions in today's "Top Five Tips."

Hey, Ger.

WILLIS: Hey, Daryn, good to see you.

I've got to tell you, you've got to go to the party.

KAGAN: You do?

WILLIS: Here's why. Yes, you have to show up because it's basically the biggest networking opportunity of the year with your co- workers and also your bosses. If you don't go, your boss may think you're not a team player. So you've got to show up, you've got to be nice and you've got to talk to as many people as you can.

KAGAN: And you do that by working the crowd?

WILLIS: You've got to work the crowd. You've got to break the ice and talk to as many co-workers as you can, even higher-ups in the organization. And you've got to be ready to make a little small talk. Have some questions prepared that will break the ice. Like if you meet somebody you don't know, where do you work, where do you live, do you have a long commute? Just the simple things that will get a conversation going. And then you've got to make sure you don't stay too long, right, Daryn, and you have an out. You can even set it up with a friend ahead of time to have them rescue you if you get stuck in a corner somewhere.

KAGAN: What if that corner has the boss? Do you talk to the boss?

WILLIS: You've got to talk to the boss. The boss is basically sponsoring the party. They're your host. So you have to go over, say hi. And this is your opportunity to get them to know you personally instead of just as an employee. So you don't want to spend too much time with them, but really this is your opportunity to say, hey, here's who I am, get to know me just a little bit. And don't forget, if there's somebody there that's leading a unit that you want to be a part of, this is your opportunity to go over and just shine just a little bit.

KAGAN: OK. Well to borrow from a glamour magazine, fashion do's and fashion don'ts.

WILLIS: Yes, this is not the time to stand out too much. Usually the holiday office party, leave the low cut sweater at home. You don't want to stand out too much. And if you're a fellow, their problem is typically that they're just dressing down too much. You want to be -- look like you're at a social gathering and be dressed up just a little bit. Also, watch out that you don't drink too much. That can be a recipe for disaster as well.

KAGAN: Absolutely.

What about the bosses out there. These are the people who are planning the parties. What's your advice for them?

WILLIS: Well, they've got to be careful to understand that, hey, this is a gift to employees. It has to be convenient for them. If people have long commutes, you might want to have the party in the middle of a day. Maybe it's a luncheon instead of an after work affair. You've got to make it convenient, make people feel welcome, make sure that everybody's talking to everybody else, get everybody involved. Maybe some games for the party might be a good idea. But keep in mind, it's a hefty responsibility. And you should think of it as just sort of more work, unfortunately.

KAGAN: OK. Do you CNN New Yorkers, do you guys do a holiday party?

WILLIS: There are parties all week long, Daryn.

KAGAN: Really?

WILLIS: You've got to come up and be a -- what's the party schedule in Atlanta?

KAGAN: Zilch. They haven't done them here for years.

WILLIS: That's too bad.

KAGAN: Oh.

WILLIS: You should start one. It could be the Daryn party.

KAGAN: Well, the Daryn party. Based on these tips, I think maybe everyone here is doing just fine. Have a great time at the parties, Ger.

WILLIS: Thank you.

KAGAN: Thank you. I don't want to hear about any lamp shades or any kind of thing like that.

WILLIS: All right, I'll try to keep it down.

KAGAN: All right. Great. Thank you.

Well, it's a critical step toward regaining control of their country and allowing U.S. troops to go home. Iraqi soldiers on patrol without the help of U.S. forces. Have months of training paid off?

And a New York City police officer shot and killed outside his home. One of the suspects an actor who fans of "The Sopranos" will recognize.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) KAGAN: Welcome back to CNN LIVE TODAY. I'm Daryn Kagan. Here's what's happening right "Now in the News."

A judge has just declared a mistrial in the first federal lawsuit over Vioxx. A Texas jury failed to reach a verdict after 18 hours of deliberations over three days.

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