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American Morning

Vintage Seaplane Crashes Off Florida Coast; Madame President?

Aired December 20, 2005 - 09:34   ET

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

RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Now more on that crash of that vintage seaplane off the Florida coast, 19 people killed, one person still missing.
Bishop Duane Swilley, who was called to counsel the victims' families, is joining us know by phone.

Bishop, first of all, our condolences to you, sir, thanks so much for taking time to talk with us.

BISHOP DUANE SWILLEY: Thank you, Rick.

SANCHEZ: Are you in Bimini?

SWILLEY: Excuse me?

SANCHEZ: Are you in Bimini right now?

SWILLEY: No, no, we're in Miami. I have a congregation that's about 40 percent from the islands, and a lot of people from the Bahamas, and so I went down with one of my ministers from the Bahamas last night to be there in the station with the people, and then going over to the hotel where the city of Miami could talk to, you know, family members.

SANCHEZ: So the reason I ask you that is it's a very small community in Bimini, so everyone would know each other. I understand that many of the people on this plane, if not all of them, were from Bimini?

SWILLEY: Yes, that's what I understand, Rick.

SANCHEZ: That's interesting.

SWILLEY: They were coming over to do some shopping for the Christmas season, and there was a lot of children involved, and so, you know, there's a great deal of grieving and the people, especially from the Bahamas, they're a beautiful people. And they, you know, they're very healthy, emotional people, unlike a lot of us over here.

SANCHEZ: Yes, not quite as -- as you know, I've spent a lot of time down there in Bimini, and you're right, they're wonderful people. What can you tell us about these families? For example, we're getting some of the very first names now. I understand it was a Sabrina Dean for example, was one of the victims, and she had an infant daughter with her? SWILLEY: Well, I have not been privy to any names as of yet. All I can say is that these people are, you know, they have a thing -- when you're grieving, it's sort of like God gives you an emotional anesthetic where the shock kind of guards you until you can process, and I think that right now, the reality of it probably will come more as they're pulling the wreckage out and they begin to see their family members, and it's just the time for our community to really stand up and surround these beautiful, beautiful people that have had an incredible tragedy happen to them.

SANCHEZ: And you know, I guess to most of the nation watching this story unfold, being on a seaplane is kind of estranged or different thing to do. For these people, it was customary. It's the way they'd get back and forth whenever they needed to buy goods in Miami, right?

SWILLEY: Absolutely. I've flown that airline, and I believe this is the first accident the airline's ever had in its history, and -- well, you know, but I enjoyed my time with that. But you're right, it is their way of getting from island to island, because a lot of times there aren't airports in those communities.

SANCHEZ: Well, thanks so much, Bishop Duane Swilley taking time to talk to us, really the first person we've talked to who's given us a sense -- who's been in contact with this family and given us a sense of who these people are, and it certainly is a tragic, tragic story that we'll be following for you here on CNN.

Soledad, over back to you.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, just a terrible story.

SANCHEZ: Yes, especially the kids.

O'BRIEN: Oh, my goodness. Oh, my goodness.

Let's turn and talk politics. The next presidential election, a pretty long way off, 2008. Already talk, though, that women could be leading both tickets. Senator Hillary Clinton looking like a front- runner for the Democrats, and many Republicans say they'd like to see Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice run for president.

CNN's political analyst Bill Schneider joins us this morning.

Hey, Bill, good morning to you.

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN POL. ANALYST: Good morning, Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Well, wouldn't you know, Wolf Blitzer put the question to the secretary herself on "THE SITUATION ROOM." Let's listen to what he said and she said.

SCHNEIDER: OK.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: One final question before I let you go, because it keeps coming up no matter what you say. Condoleezza Rice- Hillary Rodham Clinton, 2008.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECY. OF STATE: I just don't have a calling to do that, Wolf, and I think politics is the kind of calling.

BLITZER: So you're saying?

RICE: Wolf, I'm saying I don't have a calling to do this. I think there are going to be great candidates in 2008.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'BRIEN: Wolf Blitzer and on THE SITUATION ROOM with the secretary.

Wouldn't it be easier, Bill, if people would just say no, no, no? Because you know, you say, I don't have a calling, well, that's not a no, that's not a yes. It's kind of I could always change my mind. What do you think?

SCHNEIDER: Well, there is this phrase, Sherman-esque. If you really don't want to be president, you have to say, if nominated I will not run; if elected, I will not serve, like General Sherman in the 19th century. And until a politician actually articulates those words, no one will take him or her at his or her word that they're not running, and that's I'm afraid what's going to happen to Condoleezza Rice. There is already a movement to draft her among Bush loyalists, and the reason that movement exists is that Dick Cheney is the first vice president since the 1930s who's made it pretty clear he's not running for president. So there's no one out there to carry the Bush legacy. So some Busy loyalists are promoting the idea of Rice as Bush's heir.

O'BRIEN: Well, maybe she's not saying no, no no, or not being Sherman-esque because maybe she'll change her mind and actually run.

SCHNEIDER: It's possible.

O'BRIEN: Let's take a look at this poll. If you look at Hillary Clinton in a run-up, if both are nominated, 53 percent; Condoleezza Rice, 44 percent. Give me the reasons why you think Hillary leads the way here.

SCHNEIDER: That polls was taken in October, so it was a couple of months ago. But Hillary is clearly ahead of Condoleezza Rice. Why? Well, essentially, Condoleezza Rice bears the burden of being closely associated with President Bush, his policies, which were unpopular in October, and remain pretty unpopular now. She is a Bush stand-in. That's why a lot of Bush loyalists want her to run. But at the moment, that's more of a burden than an advantage.

So between these two women, Hillary's ahead and why is she ahead? Women give her a 16-point margin over Condoleezza Rice, at least in that poll taken in October. And you know what men said? They couldn't make up their minds. Men were split between Hillary Clinton and Condoleezza Rice. And if men don't vote for the Republican, the Republican has sunk.

O'BRIEN: Very interesting there. Do you read all this as progressive, a sign of the times and a positive sign for women in politics when men say, oh, I can't decide between either one?

SCHNEIDER: Yes, well, I think it is a positive sign. You know, the question is often asked why hasn't America had a woman president or even a woman candidate for president on a major party ticket. One reason -- and I've done, looked at politics in a lot of different politics, covered it abroad.

The United States, as far as I know, is the only country in the world where, when people go to vote for a national leader, they think of themselves as voting for a commander-in-chief. That's the constitutionally-defined military rank of the president and Americans think of themselves as picking a commander-in-chief. No other country does that. It's a military rank.

Well, because of sexual stereotyping, it's difficult for many Americans to imagine a woman in that role. You know, there's a TV show out now and I think it's doing pretty well with a woman president and what's the title? "Commander-in-Chief."

A lot of conservatives think, a-ha, a Hollywood plot to promote the idea of Hillary for president, because it shows a woman commander- in-chief. There it is, Geena Davis. Maybe this is some kind of a sinister, Democratic plot. All we know is women have not, on the whole, had as much military experience as men and sexual stereotyping plays a role there.

O'BRIEN: And you know, "Commander-in-Chief" just nominated for a Golden Globe. Will we read into all of that? Bill Schneider, nice to talk to you as always. Thanks.

A program reminder, you can watch "THE SITUATION ROOM" weekdays 4:00 p.m. Eastern and again at 7:00 p.m. as well.

Ahead this morning, more trouble for Wal-Mart. Why the retail giant is being targeted by the Fed. That's up ahead.

Plus Botox. The gift that keeps on giving. Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: And welcome back. Another Wal-Mart theme? Is that what we got going on today?

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" COLUMNIST: Always in the news. You know, it's the largest employer in the United States, the biggest company in the world. So there's a lot of stuff going on with Wal-Mart.

But first let's go down in the big board. Yes, they are trading stocks in New York today, even with the big strike. Down two on the Dow Jones Industrial average this morning.

Of course, the big news is the transit strike. The Securities Industry Association providing buses for 12,000 employees on Wall Street. You'll be happy to know. So Wall Street is open for business. If you're looking to buy or sell securities this morning, someone on Wall Street will be happy to help you, as always.

Let's talk about Wal-Mart. This is kind of a surprise this morning. The U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles is saying that Wal-Mart is the subject of a criminal probe relating to the handling of potentially hazardous merchandise. OK. It's not garbage. It's actually merchandise. Get this. We talked to Wal-Mart just a few minutes ago and they said it's not the disposal of the waste, it's the transportation of this waste.

And here are the items. Aerosol cans, the stuff that sells -- this is old inventory. Aerosol cans, plant foods. Paint, of course, dangerous stuff. Nail polish. And my favorite thing on the list, silly string, which, as any parent can tell you, is very hazardous material, particularly if you have to clean up after your kids. What a mess.

So anyway, Wal-Mart says it's cooperating with the probe and it is seeking to remedy its ways in that department.

O'BRIEN: And you're right. Wal-Mart almost always in the news.

SERWER: They're a lightning rod, that's why.

O'BRIEN: Yes, they really are. You know what I'm getting you guys for Christmas?

SANCHEZ: No.

O'BRIEN: A little Botox. Work on that, work on this up here.

SANCHEZ: Really?

O'BRIEN: I'm kidding. Believe it or not, though...

SANCHEZ: You would talk about that on television?

SERWER: She doesn't need it. She doesn't need it.

O'BRIEN: Oh, I'm joking. I was going to tell you that, you know, believe or not, people are actually buying Botox for gifts for Christmas this year for their family members and their friends.

CNN's Jonathan Freed has the story on this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You can't box him or wrap him or tie him with a bow, but that isn't stopping people from giving this Chicago doctor and his Botox as a gift this season.

DR. STEVE DAYAN, PLASTIC SURGEON: Some people get a diamond ring, some people get a car and some people get a facelift.

FREED: It's the busiest time of the year for the Dr. Steven Dayan, a time when good friends tell each other, well, you could use a little work.

DAYAN: I'll put some Botox in here, I'll put some around here and a little around here and what it's going to do, it's going to raise your eyebrows a little bit to make your eyes look more open. You're going to love it.

FREED: When Rita Conway decided to perk herself up a bit, she decided it would be the perfect present for her friend Michelle Goodeve.

RITA CONWAY, PLASTIC SURGERY CANDIDATE: What am I going to -- I'm going to get another sweater, you know? She has enough sweaters.

FREED: Seems a lot of people have enough sweaters. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons tells us just about every one of their doctors experiences a big boost in business between Thanksgiving and New Year's.

DAYAN: Many people are coming in now, asking to look good for the holidays. And I can make them look great, which is a few procedures today.

FREED: The doctor says minimally-invasive procedures like Botox or some laser treatments are the most popular because they heal so quickly, in time for those holiday parties. Nose jobs take a week to heal. And if you want a facelift, it could be a month before you can unwrap the new you. Now, was Michelle offended when Rita popped the Botox idea?

MICHELLE GOODEVE, SURGERY GIFT RECIPIENT: Oh, God no! She's said a lot worse things to me to offend me as I have to her. No. It was a nice Christmas present.

FREED: And for Rita, it's a secret gift for her husband. She hopes not too secret, though.

CONWAY: Because I didn't tell my husband I was coming, so I'm going to probably not tell him to see if he can notice and then if he doesn't notice then I'll, you know, yell at him.

GOODEVE: That's awesome. Thank you.

DAYAN: Sure.

GOODEVE: I would walk by a mirror and I would see my constant frown and it would just irritate me. I always looked angry and now I can look a little bit more refreshed and friendly, maybe approachable.

FREED: The cost for a Botox session? Dr. Dayan charges between $300 and $600, depending on the case.

GOODEVE: I don't think I've gotten very many Christmas presents that would be better than this, in all honesty. So I'm happy with it. Thank you, Rita!

CONWAY: Merry Christmas!

FREED: Call it the gift that keeps on lifting.

Jonathan Freed, CNN, Chicago.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: You got to get it done again and again and again. That story first aired on "PAULA ZAHN NOW" and you can watch Paula weeknights 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, right here on CNN.

SANCHEZ: "CNN LIVE" is going to be coming up in just a little bit and that means Daryn Kagan's going to be telling you right now what she's going to have coming your way -- Daryn.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you, Rick. At the top of the hour, evolution versus intelligent design. Which will your kids learn in the classroom? The legal fight may come to a head today. We'll take a look at the religion and the science behind the story.

Also, face-to-face with a great white shark. This is just one picture from a book called "Extreme Nature." I'll have a chance to talk with the man who shot these amazing photos in the wild. They are absolutely awesome. For now, back to you.

O'BRIEN: All right, Daryn, thanks.

Still to come this morning, great idea for a stocking stuffer. We're going to review some of the new DVDs that coming out just in time for the holidays. Stay with us. A short break. We're back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Did you know that there are some movies that were just in theaters, big hits, too, that are already out on DVD? for a look at what you should buy, we go to Bradley Jacobs from "US Weekly."

Nice to see you. Good morning.

BRADLEY JACOBS, "US WEEKLY": Nice to see you.

O'BRIEN: I'll run through the list; you tell me why you love them. "War of the Worlds," Tom Cruise certainly has been acting strangely of late, but it still doesn't necessarily make the movie bad. You like this movie a lot.

JACOBS: I did. I saw it twice in theaters. This was Tom Cruise's biggest hit ever. People really liked it. Some people didn't like it, but if you like a good alien sci-fi movie, Spielberg, Tom Cruise, it's kind of hard to beat that combination.

O'BRIEN: Couldn't miss with that. JACOBS: "Mr. & Mrs. Smith."

O'BRIEN: I missed this when this was out in theaters. And I actually -- and I get this, because it seemed by the trailers that this was going to be a good film. Did you like it?

JACOBS: The movie was overshadowed at the time by all the Brad and Angelina stuff, but it truly is a very decent kind of love story/James Bond-like silly adventure, and I do think that it's worth a second look. You can also, knowing what we know now about Brad and Angelina, really see their love blossoming on the second viewing.

O'BRIEN: Interesting thought.

"Cinderella Man," Russell Crowe, Renee Zellweger star in it, and this is another one that was kind of overshadowed by the personal issues of one of the stars. Russell Crowe chucked a phone at the hotel guy.

JACOBS: Exactly, but it now it's being rewarded. You know, Russell Crowe got a Golden Globe nomination for this movie. People are recognizing that it actually was truly a great film. It's about a Depression-era boxer, who sort of overcomes breaking his hand to come back, and it's a real inspiring, true story.

O'BRIEN: "Forty-Year-Old Virgin," hysterical.

JACOBS: Loved it. One of my two favorite comedies of the year, that one and "Wedding Crashers." Steve Carell, of course, has become an A-list star from this movie. He plays a 40-year-old virgin whose friends are determined to help him do the deed by the end of the movie. It's just, you know, laughs from start to finish.

O'BRIEN: "Madagascar," it's a Disney comedy. My kids hated this movie, I got to tell you. But you liked it. Why?

JACOBS: This is one of those Dreamworks movies that I think you can put kids -- maybe not Soledad's kids -- but kids in front of, and they can just watch it again and again, like "Shrek" and "Shrek 2." Maybe it wasn't quite as inspired as those movies. But I think the four animals, the penguins especially, but you know, the trip to Africa. There was a lot to love about this movie.

O'BRIEN: "March of the Penguins." I think people were surprised the degree to which this was a huge success. I mean, it's about a bunch of penguins, real live penguins.

JACOBS: Right, who would expect that a movie about penguins, a documentary about penguins, would become one of the sleeper hits of the year, but it truly did, and it's a real inspiring story of these penguins as they march across Antarctica to mate. They walk hundreds of miles. It's really -- you laugh, you cry, you learn.

O'BRIEN: All about the penguins. What's not to love?

Finally "Murderball," which was one of those, I think, films that you read about, and you think, I should see this. This is so interesting. It's a documentary. And then, again, never got a chance to really see it. Why did you like it?

JACOBS: Yes, no one got there. It made less than $2 million in theaters. But it's about quadriplegics playing rugby, and it's really exciting, because these guys do not let anything stop them. Look, just the visuals alone are really captivating. I think this is one of those movies that if you truly are going to rent something a little bit unusual, something that's not big and mainstream, it's a great one. It's a great one.

O'BRIEN: A list of winners. Bradley Jacobs from "US Weekly." Nice to see you. Thank you.

JACOBS: Nice to see you, Soledad. Thank you.

O'BRIEN: And coming up tomorrow on AMERICAN MORNING, wedding bells ringing for Sir Elton John and his longtime partner, David Furnish. The two are taking advantage of a new law that recognizes gay partnerships in Britain. We're going to be there, live outside the ceremony. That's tomorrow on AMERICAN MORNING. We begin at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

A short break and we're back right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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