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Democrats Wrangle Over House Leadership; Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breaks Ground; New RNC Leader Chosen?
Aired November 13, 2006 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: And we begin this hour of the CNN NEWSROOM with some breaking news coming out of Washington.
Florida Senator Mel Martinez, we're told, has agreed to take over the Republican National Committee as a leader. He stepped -- Ken Mehlman stepped down, or at least said he would not be seeking the leadership position, last week.
For the latest on this, let's head to John King in Washington.
John, what do you know?
JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Don, this is a deal sealed by the White House.
Senator Mel Martinez, who, before becoming a senator back in 2005, was President Bush's housing secretary, we are told that he has been asked by the White House, and has accepted, to become the next general chairman of the Republican National Committee. He will continue to serve in the Senate.
You're seeing the current chairman right there, Ken Mehlman. Ken Mehlman announced last week, after we first reported it here on CNN, that he would not seek a new term beginning in January, when the Republican National Committee holds its committee,
Now, Mel Martinez will take over the job heading into the 2008 election cycle, heading out, of course, of this past cycle, where the Republicans took what the president himself has called thumping in the midterm elections.
Why Mel Martinez? He is well-liked by this White House, as someone who has the standing of a United States senator. He is -- believed that he could be an effective spokesman for the party. He's the first Cuban-American to serve in the United States Senate. And recruiting Latino voters is a top priority for the Republican Party.
Senator Martinez, again, will stay in the Senate. He is not giving up that job. But he will take on this prominent role for the Republican Party coming out of a very difficult cycle.
And the man who will run the day-to-day operations of the Republican National Committee, we are told, is also a veteran Republican operative. His name is Mike Duncan. His formal name is Robert Duncan, but he goes by the nickname Mike. He has been a national committeeman from Kentucky for some time, has been at every Republican Convention, dating back to the 1970s, well-liked by the Republican National Committee around the country -- so, the party deciding, come out of this election, Don, to split the titles, if you will, to have a general chairman, who helps raise money, who is the party's chief national messenger, and then a regular chairman who will run the day-to-day party operations -- again, President Bush and his political operation at the White House making these decisions.
The national committee needs to ratify them in its meeting in January, but that is considered pretty much pro forma.
LEMON: And, John, this happening so fast, as we were coming out of commercial break, I neglected to say that you broke this story.
And I think what people want to know is, what are the challenges that -- that Mel might face, that Mel Martinez might face, in this role?
KING: Well, you're seeing the challenges play out post-election.
The president is having a -- a new assessment of his policy in Iraq. There are leadership struggles in both the House and the Senate on Capitol Hill -- Republicans saying: Where did we go wrong on this past election? And what do we need to do to go right?
Some say get back to cutting taxes and smaller government, balancing the budget. Others say, well, what about Christian conservatives, and how much of the blame should lie with the president? So, there's a lot of finger-pointing in the Republican Party right now. Mel Martinez will have to try to convince Republicans, the best way to build, going forward, is to stop pointing fingers, looking in reverse.
And he also will have to manage -- and it will be quite interesting, being from the United States Senate himself -- he is going to have to manage now, try to keep peace in the party, try to be even-handed, as the 2008 campaign begins in earnest.
One of his own colleagues, Senator John McCain, is running for president. That's crystal clear. Other Republican senators might join the fray as well. So, Mel Martinez will try to raise money, will try to be an optimistic messenger for the party, will try to appear on television shows like this one when the party has something to say or questions to answer, will try to reach out to Latino voters, and will try to keep the 2008 campaign from becoming an early civil war, if you will, so they can rebuild, after the drubbing they took in 2006.
LEMON: CNN's John King breaking the news that Florida Senator Mel Martinez will take over as head of the Republican National Committee -- John, thank you.
KING: Thank you, Don.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get to Betty Nguyen in the NEWSROOM, working more details on that story out of West Virginia -- Betty.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, this hostage situation IN Stollings, West Virginia, we are getting some new information.
Let me tell you what happened around 1:20 Eastern this afternoon. We understand six people are being held hostage. A man walked into the pharmacy, apparently intending to rob it. And, of course, something went wrong.
A shot was fired. The good news is, no injuries have been reported. But two negotiators are on the scene, and they're in contact with the suspect.
Let me tell you what we're learning from the Associated Press. They have spoken with some people directly involved with what was happening in the store, and luckily got out of there before the hostage situation took place.
A woman was actually filling a prescription at the pharmacy when a man met her at the door. And she says he told her to "take myself and my three children and get out of there," and -- quoting now -- she said, "I was like what? And then he said, 'Trust me. You want to get out of here with these children now."
So, she walked out the front, and then she said she heard a sound that sounded like kaboom. I'm obviously referring to that one shot that was fired. Now, the Associated Press also talked with a man who owned a business next door, an appliance shop. And he said several dozen police have surrounded this pharmacy. It's a locally owned pharmacy. It's called the Family Discount Pharmacy.
The store is located in a business district -- about 20 businesses nearby. So, obviously, this is causing a major problem. In fact, the major throughway in front of the pharmacy has been shut down to prevent people from coming into the area, as this hostage situation still goes on at this hour. It's almost two hours into it at this point.
So, we will stay on top of it. Any more developments, we will bring them to you.
PHILLIPS: All right, Betty, thanks.
NGUYEN: Mmm-hmm.
PHILLIPS: Well, a change in power of Congress, a change of leadership at the Pentagon, both fueled by the drawn-out and deadly war in Iraq -- now, the war could be in for a change as well. And Democrats, poised to take charge on Capitol Hill, want it to happen sooner than later.
Let's get the latest now from congressional correspondent Dana Bash.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Senator Carl Levin just wrapped up a rather lengthy press conference, talking about his priorities for the Congress, when they do take the reins of power in January.
And he made crystal clear that his first priority is to figure out, in his words, how to change course in Iraq, because he said that is the message that came through with this past Tuesday's election. Now, from his point of view, that means making clear to the Iraqi people and to the administration that the U.S.' patience with Iraq is not never-ending and that it is actually running out, and that the best way to do that, from his point of view, is with a resolution, saying that the U.S. must start redeploying or bringing troops home within four to six months.
SEN. CARL LEVIN (D), MICHIGAN: Most Democrats share the view that we should pressure the White House to commence the phased redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq in four to six months -- to begin that phased redeployment, and thereby to make it clear to the Iraqis that our presence is not open-ended and that they must take and make the necessary political compromises to preserve Iraq as a nation.
We cannot save the Iraqis from themselves.
BASH: Now, the important thing to keep in mind in what we just heard from the incoming chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee is, he is talking about a resolution, something that would be nonbinding, more of a message that Democrats want to send, they hope with a bipartisan majority, which means they are going to have to get Republicans on board, to the administration, and, again, to the Iraqi people, that it's time that they get their house in order in Iraq.
That is different from any kind of actual policy change that the Democrats can or even -- will or even can put in place, now that they have control of Congress.
Senator Levin made very clear that, at -- the first thing that they're talking about is only this kind of resolution, or message, that they want to send. And, also, they're not going to try to do that immediately. The first thing -- first thing that they're going to look at, Kyra, is what went on at the White House today, the Iraq Study Group.
They are hoping that that study group comes out with some kind of recommendation, hard recommendation, for the administration, in terms of a real change of course. Then -- and only then -- will they even do this resolution to send that kind of message.
PHILLIPS: Well, you talk -- you talk about that Democratic control -- also, a lot of drama already developing within the leadership in the House.
BASH: In the House, there is a lot drama.
Last night, the incoming speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, got off the sidelines, and got involved in a leadership fight, a fight to -- for -- in terms -- trying to figure out who will be her number two, the majority leader in the House.
We have all heard about the name John Murtha, Congressman John Murtha, because of Iraq. It was last year that he was one of the first to come out, a hawkish Democrat, somebody with strong military ties to come out and say, the U.S. troops should come home from Iraq.
Well, it was part of -- partly that reason that Nancy Pelosi again came off the sidelines, and threw her support behind him to be her number two. This is something that many Democrats perhaps did not want this kind of very public internal spat, just as they're taking the reins of power. But, nevertheless, it is the happening.
The other Democrat who had been working this for months, the person who is currently Nancy Pelosi's number two -- that's Congressman Steny Hoyer -- he has been trying to get the votes. He still -- according to his aides, still thinks that he has the votes. But this is a secret ballot, Kyra. So, we won't really know, and, really, those leaders won't really know who supports them until the ballot is taken. And that is on Thursday.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: All right. And that was our Dana Bash reporting.
A fresh start, a new plan, or a scheduled end? What is the U.S. looking for more than three-and-a-half years into the war in Iraq? The group that could determine the answer is at the White House today.
Our Kathleen Koch is there, too -- Kathleen.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Don, yes.
That's the Iraq Study Group that was created by an act of Congress. It's being led by former Secretary of State James Baker, former Democratic Congressman Lee Hamilton. And they met here at the White House for about an hour and 15 minutes with President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Stephen Hadley, national security adviser, and also White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten.
The White House is being very tight-lipped about any specifics about what was discussed. Press Secretary Tony Snow said that this was not a deposition, but a discussion. And Snow said that there was no presentation of any of the alternatives for Iraq that this group is considering, that it was crafted to consider, because it's an independent group, and that won't come until its findings are complete in December.
President Bush, when he came out of the meeting this morning, was equally circumspect.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm not going to prejudge the Baker commission's report. I was pleased to meet with them. I was impressed by the quality of the -- of their membership. I was impressed by the questions they asked. They're -- they -- they want us to succeed in Iraq, just like I want to succeed.
And so we had a really good discussion. And I'm not sure what the report is going to say. I'm looking forward to seeing it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOCH: And the administration is downplaying speculation, which is fairly widespread here in Washington, that this Iraq Study Group report, when it comes out in December, could be a cure-all, and really provide the Bush administration and the United States with a way out in Iraq -- Tony Snow, at the briefing this afternoon, chastising reporters for making it sound as if -- quote -- "The president wants to outsource this. He is the commander in chief," replied Snow, though it is clear to everyone here that there is a real belief that this will at least serve, Tony, as a sort of -- or, Don, excuse me -- as a -- as a starting point, as a -- as a framework for both the Republicans and Democrats in Congress, and the president in finding a way forward in Iraq -- back to you, Don.
LEMON: All right, Kathleen Koch, at the White House, thank you very much.
KOCH: You bet.
PHILLIPS: A deadly Monday in Iraq, after even a deadlier weekend -- a suicide bomber blew himself up on a bus in Baghdad, killing at least 10 people and wounding 17 others.
Elsewhere, police found 46 bullet-riddled bodies around the city. They're believed to be victims of sectarian violence, not to mention torture. Yesterday, dozens of Iraqis were killed or wounded in Baghdad in the space of just a few hours.
LEMON: The top U.S. soldier in the Mideast sits down with the top civilian leader in Iraq.
The head of the U.S. Central Command, General John Abizaid, paid a surprise visit to Baghdad today. He met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The Iraqi government says Abizaid came to reaffirm President Bush's commitment to Iraq at a time of political change in both capitals. Al-Maliki is calling for changes in his cabinet, amid growing divisions in the national government.
PHILLIPS: Like father, like son -- if the new people advising President Bush on Iraq seem similar, well, they are. Many are old friends of the first President Bush.
CNN's Mary Snow reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERT GATES, FORMER CIA DIRECTOR: Mr. President, thank you. MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He's part of the new in crowd on Iraq strategy. But observers say the welcome mat wasn't always out for Robert Gates, President Bush's choice for defense secretary.
Gates served as CIA director under President Bush 41.
DEREK CHOLLET, FELLOW, CENTER FOR STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL STUDIES: Many of those who were part of Bush 41, including the incoming defense secretary, felt as though they had been put on the sidelines over the past few years.
SNOW: On the sidelines, maybe, but close to President Bush 41 -- Gates is seen here with his former boss just days before he was tapped to replace Donald Rumsfeld. Add that to the fact that another Bush 41 alumnus, former Secretary of State James Baker, now co-chairs the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, working towards a new strategy in Iraq.
TOM DEFRANK, WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF, "NEW YORK DAILY NEWS": The Baker crowd are the pragmatists. Their attitude is: Iraq, for whatever reason, isn't working. We have got to fix this.
And I think the Cheney and Rumsfeld wing is basically kind of in the: History will prove us right.
SNOW: Some in that Baker crowd were openly critical of the Iraq war plans, notably former National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft. Observers say Gates was not as outspoken.
In a 2003 CNN interview, he talked about establishing a new regime in Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, 2003, "THE CAPITAL GANG")
GATES: I think it is going to be, perhaps, somewhat more complicated and difficult than some of the people are saying. But I think it's a manageable task.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SNOW: But had President Bush sought his father's advice before invading Iraq?
He was quoted in 2003 as saying: "He is the wrong father to appeal to in terms of strength. There is a higher father that I appeal to."
But at least one veteran Washington correspondent believes President Bush might now be learning lessons from his father.
DEFRANK: Forty-one has been very cautious about not looking like he was pulling some strings. I think his advice is more welcome than it used to be, for all the obvious reasons.
SNOW: Mary Snow, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: The man, the movement, and the message.
PHILLIPS: Forty-three years after the March on Washington, the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. gets a memorial.
LEMON: And straight ahead: today's ground-breaking ceremony and the legends that honored his legacy.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Let's head over to the breaking news desk -- Betty Nguyen with details on a developing story in Florida -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Actually, we're going to bring you up to speed on what is happening in West Virginia first, Don, simply because we have just learned here at CNN that the hostage situation there in Stollings, West Virginia, is over, that a man is in custody.
So, let me give you the background. Between five and six people were taken hostage earlier today at a family drugstore there. We have been told by authorities in the area that this man walked into the drugstore, intending to rob it, and then something went wrong, and a shot was fired, but no injuries occurred because of that.
Well, we have just learned just minutes ago that a man is in custody. The hostage situation is over. And we have not heard any more reports of any injuries. So, we're assuming that no injuries have been reported throughout this whole entire deal.
That hostage situation took place about 1:20 this afternoon, Eastern time. So, the hostage situation in West Virginia is now over. A man is in custody.
All right, now let's bring you to Florida, where there is a standoff situation. That, unfortunately, is not over. The situation there is in Homestead, Florida, which is near Miami. And what we understand is that a suspect is held up in a home there -- or holed up in a home.
And he is in this standoff situation with officers. This started around 11:00 Eastern time today. So, it's in its fourth hour. Many officers are on the scene. In fact -- in fact, a SWAT truck was there a little bit earlier. And we heard a shot -- at least we're told that a shot was heard being fired from that home.
Authorities have not confirmed that. But what they are confirming is that the suspect involved in this standoff situation is wanted for firing shots at two Florida City police officers during a chase on Saturday, and that "The Miami Herald" is reporting now that a man is arrested in connection with that shooting.
Now, another man has been arrested. The second man, obviously, is what we're looking at now, which is the standoff situation. So far today, despite rumors and witness testimony that a shot has been fired, no injuries have been reported. But the key here, too, is that there is a middle school nearby. And because of this ongoing standoff situation, that school is in lockdown.
So, we will continue to follow this one. Unfortunately, like I said, Don, the standoff situation in Florida is not over. But the hostage situation in West Virginia is.
LEMON: All right, Betty Nguyen, thank you so much for that.
NGUYEN: Mmm-hmm.
PHILLIPS: Four decades after Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination on a motel balcony in Memphis, the civil rights legend will take his place on hallowed ground in Washington. Colleagues, friends, and thousands of admirers helped break ground this morning on an MLK Memorial on the National Mall in Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (singing): Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight. O'er the ramparts we watched...
WILLIAM J. CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It belongs here, proof of Dr. King's famous injunction that the arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice.
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": That I live in a state of perpetual gratitude, because I know that I didn't get to be who I am, where I am, alone.
And so, today, to Martin Luther King and all of those who walked the line for us, the boycott line and the sit-in lines, the protest lines, from Montgomery, to Selma, to Birmingham, to Cicero, it is because of Dr. King and all of those who worked with him that I stand.
And, because of them, I have a voice that can be heard. And I want you to know that I do not take that for granted, not for one breath.
BUSH: I'm proud to dedicate this piece of our nation's capital to the lasting memory of a great man. As we break ground, we recognize our duty to continue the unfinished work of American freedom. America has come a long way since Dr. King's day, yet, our journey to justice is not complete.
MAYA ANGELOU, AUTHOR/POET (singing): Look where we have all come from, moving out of darkness, moving towards the light. Look.
(MUSIC)
YOLANDA KING, DAUGHTER OF MARTIN LUTHER KING: A King who fought injustice with the shield of prayer and the sword of nonviolence.
REVEREND JESSE JACKSON, FOUNDER, RAINBOW/PUSH COALITION: But we measure our character by how we treat the least of these. We pray for continued will to struggle. In his name, we pray. Amen.
(APPLAUSE) (END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, politicians, dignitaries and other VIPs were on the dais.
But, in the crowd for the MLK Memorial groundbreaking were 50 students who took part in a Kids for King national essay contest. They were chosen from more than 3,500 children, who wrote about King's dream for a better America means to them.
Eight-year-old Jacob Long, 8 years old, got to travel from Ohio to the nation's capital. He and his dad, Michael, join us live.
Great to see you guys.
MICHAEL LONG, FATHER OF JACOB: Thank you. Great to be here.
PHILLIPS: Jacob, why did you want to write the essay?
JACOB LONG, KIDS FOR KING ESSAYIST: To get that wristband.
PHILLIPS: To get the wristband?
J. LONG: Yes.
PHILLIPS: Oh, so there -- you -- you got -- did you win the wristband?
J. LONG: Yes.
PHILLIPS: Really? Do you have it on?
J. LONG: No.
PHILLIPS: No? What does the wristband say?
J. LONG: "Build a dream."
PHILLIPS: Oh, dare to dream.
So, did you -- who first told you about Martin Luther King? Did you learn about it in school or from mom or dad?
J. LONG: Learned about it in school.
PHILLIPS: In school.
And what did you learn?
J. LONG: That Martin Luther King, he made black and white -- he tried to make black and white people equally.
PHILLIPS: Now, from what I understand, you're the only African- American in your class; is that right?
J. LONG: Yes. PHILLIPS: So, what is that like?
J. LONG: It's good.
PHILLIPS: It's normal to you, right?
J. LONG: Yes.
PHILLIPS: So, when you first came to class, did you realize, hmm, I'm a little different from these other kids?
J. LONG: Yes.
PHILLIPS: You did?
And was it difficult at first, or did you have any problems with any other students?
J. LONG: No.
PHILLIPS: No. Why do you think that is? Why do you think you got along so well?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're a nice person.
(LAUGHTER)
J. LONG: I'm a nice person.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Is your mom helping you out with those answers?
J. LONG: Yes.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: I -- yes, I thought so. I can hear Tara (ph) in the background. That's all right.
Well, I think that's one of the most beautiful things, Jacob, is that you came to that classroom, and you noticed a little bit of difference, but you did just fine hanging out with all those kids. And you put together this essay. You won the wristband.
Will you do me a favor and read me your essay?
J. LONG: Yes.
PHILLIPS: OK. Let's hear it.
J. LONG: "I am Jacob. I live in a small town in Ohio, where they are very little African-Americans. During Black History Month, my teacher read us a story about Dr. King. And our class talked about what it meant to be the African-American. "I am the only one in my class. So, all of my friends ask me. I tell them that my family celebrates our history every day by doing things that will -- would make God and Dr. King proud. My mom says that the best thing we can do is to learn about our past, and use it to make a better future. She is right. Sometimes, it is hard to be the only African-American kid in my class. Sometimes, it is no big deal. But I use every day as a chance to learn and teach other kids about Dr. King's dream for everyone."
PHILLIPS: Oh, what a great job, Jacob.
Well, let me ask you two things about your essay. You say sometimes it's hard to be the only African-American in your class. Why is that?
J. LONG: I have no clue.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Did your mamma help you write this essay, Jacob?
J. LONG: Yes.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Oh, you are fantastic.
Let me bring in your dad, Michael.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Michael, you actually were telling me that you were the only African-American in your class, too; is that right?
M. LONG: Yes, there was -- there was a lot of times, growing up, when I myself was the only kid in the class that was African-American. And, to me, I -- I can understand -- Jacob don't tell the whole story, because he's kind of nervous. But...
PHILLIPS: That's OK.
M. LONG: But I can understand how he feel, and -- when he goes to school and, you know, everybody else is not like him. And it's -- if you're not in that position, it's hard to explain how you feel.
PHILLIPS: Well, believe it or not, I went to an elementary school where I was one of very few white kids in the class.
So, Jacob, like you, I was learning about race relations very early in my life, as well. And it's -- it's a beautiful thing, when you can be able to connect with so many people at a young age, and use that throughout your life.
And I bet your dad -- and, Michael, you can answer this. How did you prep him for that? M. LONG: Well, basically, we tried to teach him that it -- like, at school, he will have -- there will be little incidents they will have on the playgrounds and stuff. And we try to teach him, you know, no matter what, you are who you are, because -- and you should love who you are, because that's who you're going to be.
You can't be anyone else. All you can be is Jacob. So, we try to teach him to respect everyone, regardless of their color, and treat everyone equal. And that's -- basically at this age, I -- I told him today. I said, "Jacob, you won't understand what you just experienced until you get older."
So, maybe, once he gets older, he will understand really what this meant today.
PHILLIPS: Absolutely.
Jacob, real quickly, do you know what you want to be when you grow up yet? Have you thought about it?
J. LONG: Yes.
PHILLIPS: What do you want to be?
J. LONG: A football player.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: All right.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Jacob Long and his dad, Michael, thanks, guys.
Thanks for sharing the essay, Jacob.
And, Michael, you are a -- a tremendous father. Thanks for spending time for us.
M. LONG: Thank you.
PHILLIPS: All right.
And thanks, Tara (ph), for the coaching on the side there, OK?
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Bye, guys.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bye.
PHILLIPS: Well, for more information on the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial, or to donate money to the fund, just log on to MLKMemorial.org.
We will have more from the NEWSROOM straight ahead. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MARKET REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: The murder conviction of Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel stands. Today, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear his claim that the deadline for prosecution had passed long before arrested in 2000. Skakel was convicted in the 1975 beating death of his neighbor Martha Moxley when both were teenagers. He is serving 20 years to life in prison.
Under control -- almost. It depends on the winds actually. Another wildfire sparked yesterday in the hills east of Los Angeles has burned about half a square mile. How it started is still a mystery. The flames forced hundreds of people to clear out overnight. Those warnings were lifted when crews bulldozed a ring around the fire. They hope to have it contained by the evening.
LEMON: Nancy Pelosi may have picked her first fight as House Speaker to-be and it's not with President Bush. Somewhat unexpectedly, Pelosi endorsed Congressman John Murtha for House Majority leader in his race against Steny Hoyer. Hoyer, the current Democratic Whip is seen as frontrunner and many expected Pelosi to avoid endorsing either man. Murtha's crucial opposition to the war in Iraq, could be a signal of Pelosi's priorities, then again Pelosi and Murtha are long-time allies.
A fight over titles is a last thing Democrats need after years in the Washington wilderness. Here's a look at two men and one woman at the center of the leadership battle in the House.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER (voice-over): In one corner, Pennsylvania's John Patrick Murtha, a decorated Marine combat veteran from the Vietnam War, and outspoken critic of the Iraq war who has called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. His opponent, Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland. Serving his 13th term, Hoyer is currently the second ranking Democrat in the House. In the middle, the woman poised to be the new House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi. She stirred up this fraticidal battle by publicly endorsing Murtha, but there's more of her support for Murtha than Iraq.
Pelosi and Hoyer are old rivals. Hoyer challenged Pelosi for House Minority Leader in 2001. Managing Pelosi's winning campaign, none other than John Murtha, but many liberal Democrats have moved into Hoyer's camp because of Murtha's stance against abortion and gun control. Hoyer also has strong support from many of the party's blue- dog conservatives. Decision day is set Thursday when House Democrats meet to pick a majority leader for the 110th Congress.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: So how far would you go to avoid breast cancer? One woman's drastic step to reduce her risk -- we're going to tell you about it straight ahead from the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: For months, all has been relatively quiet on the bird flu front but there are so,e fears in Indonesia where two cases have been reported, one fatal. The government says a 2-year-old boy died today of bird flu one day after being admitted to the hospital. A 35-year- old woman is being treated. In Egypt, the government is calling birds near Luxor after detecting a new outbreak of H5N1. Egypt's health ministry warns of a possible increase in bird flu cases during the winter migration.
PHILLIPS: And consider this. One out of every eight women will develop breast cancer at one point in her life. And if a family member has it, well, the odds go up dramatically. So much so that one young woman did the unthinkable to avoid being stricken herself. CNN's Alina Cho has her story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Lindsay Avner has her whole future ahead of her, but a year ago she received some news that changed her life.
LINDSAY AVNER, HAD PRE-EMPTIVE MASTECTOMY: My whole life and dream of what I wanted just shattered.
CHO: Doctors told her she had a defective gene that put her chances of getting breast cancer at 85 percent. Her mother, who is healthy now, was diagnosed with breast cancer when Lindsey was 11. Her grandmother and great grandmother both died from it before she was born. When Lindsay found out she was at risk, she imagined a lifetime of hospital visits and living in constant fear.
AVNER: Every single appointment, getting so hyped up beforehand, going, and then trying to calm myself down and just kind of take that sigh of relief that, OK, it's not cancer yet. I couldn't live like that.
CHO: So Lindsay, 23 and cancer free, made the unusual decision to have doctors remove both of her breasts, to take away what she called the ticking time bomb.
AVNER: I thought to myself, what are a few scars if this means kind of freeing my mind, as well as allowing me to live this rich, healthy, happy life?
CHO: Yet, she wondered, how would she look? Would she still be attractive to men? Her mom gave her some sound advice.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I told her, you know what? She's a beautiful girl inside and out, and you know, she's going to make it.
CHO: Lindsay's doctor applauds her decision. She's had reconstructive surgery, and her chances of getting breast cancer are now one in 500. The self-described perfectionist has now learned to relax.
AVNER: OK, this isn't me as I was born, but I've never felt so comfortable in my own skin.
CHO: And her mother couldn't be more proud.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She's my hero. She is.
CHO: Alina Cho, CNN, Chicago.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: And just in time for the holidays a pop-up book commemorating the most embarrassing moments of the rich and famous. That's head in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: That's our theme song. He may not end up with nine lives but this is Cat's work. Well he's working at least three. Stay with me, OK. Steven Demetre Georgiou first morphed into the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens. Well now he's back as Yusef Islam, with a new album titled "An Other Cup." He became the cat in the Muslim hat when he converted in 1977 during a self-imposed exile from the music biz. Steven Cat Yusuf allegedly supported the Fatwa, calling for Salman Rushdie's death. He showed up on a no fly list when he tried to visit the U.S. in 2004. Can't wait to hear his new album.
LEMON: There are few things Americans love more than a good celebrity meltdown. Remember Russell Crowe's phone throwing fit? Michael Jackson's baby dangling incident? Now you can relive all those moments over and over again. CNN's Jeanne Moos speaks volumes.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If you just can't get enough of Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah's couch, now you can make him jump.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is how I like to make him go, just shorter and quicker.
MOOS: If a million replays of Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction aren't satisfying enough, here is one you can enjoy forever.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What better for a pop-up book than a pop-out?
MOOS: It's the pop-up book of celebrity meltdowns. I bet Russell Crowe is thrilled to have the moment when he hurled a phone at a hotel clerk immortalized in 3D. This is a book so eye-popping...
(on camera): There you go, ready?
(voice-over): ... it makes you go... UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: ... Wow.
MOOS: See Mike Tyson chomp down on Evander Holyfield's ear.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The idea here is we wanted to want it to feel like "Jaws."
MOOS: Take a page out of O.J.'s playbook, only now you control the white Bronco's slow-speed chase using a pool tab.
MELCHER: It says pull slowly. Do not exceed 30 miles per hour. Everything about the book was to play off of our love of tabloid journalism.
MOOS: Celebs like baby dangler Michael Jackson may be embarrassed by their meltdowns, but the pop-ups are engineered with pride.
MELCHER: Wouldn't it be great as you opened the page, the baby really dangled?
MOOS: And dangle it does thanks to...
(on camera): There really is someone called a paper engineer?
MELCHER: Oh, yes, paper engineers. I think it's an art form.
MOOS: (voice-over): Charlie Melcher is known for publishing pop-ups, including the classic "Pop-up Book of Phobias".
Fear of the Dentist, Fear of Flying.
MELCHER: The horizon tilts and the wing flies by.
MOOS: Fear of public speaking.
MELCHER: And you've got a whole group of people who are just not interested.
MOOS: Fear of heights.
MELCHER: Ahhhhh!
MOOS: Melcher also created The Pop-up Book of Sex", which pops up a little too much to show on TV.
(on camera): She's whipping him with a duster?
MELCHER: A duster.
MOOS (voice-over): A few of the pop-up celeb meltdowns are too risque.
(on camera); And this I can't show either. It's the Paris Hilton sex tape.
(voice-over): Though the lighting is better on the pop-up than in the actual video.
And remember when Hugh Grant got busted in a car with a lady of the night?
HUGH GRANT, ACTOR: I did a bad thing. And there you have it.
MOOS: Now you have it in 3D.
MELCHER: This is Kate Moss in one of her less well thought- through moments.
MOOS: The supermodel the London tabloids dubbed "Cocaine Kate" is depicted with eyes that roll and a line of coke that disappears when you pull on the tab. All that's are missing are sound effects.
Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: OK. I actually have to try to talk about something serious now.
A shark attack closes the beaches. This time it's just south of Maui. Jacqui Jeras has the details on that -- Jacqui.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. This is every ocean swimmer's nightmare it?
I'll tell you right off the bat, though, the guy is OK. This happened on Saturday and our iReporter Miranda Kawaiola -- she is from Kihay (ph), Hawaii -- sent us in a couple of pictures. And you can kind of see what's wrong with this picture. Well, there's nobody in the water. I guess a lot of people still coming to the south Maui beaches, just not going in and the life guards, doing their job, patrolling the waters, keeping people out, and keeping their eyes open for sharks as well.
A lot of opportunities for iReports, guys. The next couple of days, some big weather happening, it's going on in the West, and all the wind and all the delays in the East. So go ahead and send us your iReports, weather-related on news-related, to CNN.com/exchange. Or just look for the iReport, click on it and send us your information and your pictures.
Back to you.
PHILLIPS: Thanks, Jacqui.
LEMON: Chinese diners in a hurry now can get even faster food. Discovering the drive-thru, next in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Time now to check in with CNN's Wolf Blitzer.
PHILLIPS: Standing by in the sit room. Hey, Wolf.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, guys. Thanks very much.
Is there a way out of Iraq? President Bush meets with the bipartisan Iraq Study Group that's been trying to find an answer for him. We will talk about it with our world affairs analyst William Cohen in our strategy session with Paul Begala and Bay Buchanan.
Also, the Democratic divide on Iraq and a growing leadership battle as the party prepares to take power. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer is standing by. He's right in the middle of things. He'll join us live.
And we'll look at the fast-changing landscape of the 2008 presidential race with our senior political analyst Bill Schneider.
Also, our Internet reporters, standing by to show us the situation online.
All that coming up right at the top of the hour here in the "SITUATION ROOM".
LEMON: All right, Wolf. Thank you very much, sir.
Drive-thru's are old-school in the U.S., but in China, they're nouveau cuisine.
And CNN's Jaime Florcruz reports drive-in diners are loving this faster food.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAIME FLORCRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's China's latest novelty, a trip to the drive-thru.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I drove here during a break and I can go straight back to work. It's good to bring in advanced concepts from abroad.
FLORCRUZ: Of the nearly 800 McDonald's outlets in China, only six have drive-thrus. But the trend is catching fast.
GARY ROSEN, MCDONALD'S MARKETING EXECUTIVE: The consumers here understand it, they get it and they've moved right through it.
FLORCRUZ: The world's largest restaurant chain is betting big on China's growing middle class and the red-hot economy. With more money in their pockets, they're increasingly able to afford eating out. Racy ads like this entice many Chinese to eat fast food instead of sitting through traditional meals, which can take hours.
Young consumers especially like the restaurant's modern look and the free Internet connection. More and more urbanites are trading bikes for cars. Just last year, car sales were nearly $6 million, up 10 percent from the year before. Their new wealth is leading to a frenetic lifestyle.
(on camera): There's probably no quicker way than this to grab burgers and fries on the go, but some say the appeal of drive-thrus in China is more than just about speed and convenience.
LIU KANG, DUKE UNIVERSITY: In China, it's a completely different concept. You just want to show off how rich you are, you have a car, you can drive thru.
FLORCRUZ (voice-over): Upwardly mobile Chinese are discovering the pleasures of car ownership, including the high social status that goes with it. But while they may have more money, they have less and less time. And that's why McDonald's says more than half of its future outlets in China will have drive-thrus.
ROSEN: It is a novelty at the beginning, but what people have certainly recognized is it actually provides a solution for what they need in their busy life.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I think it's fantastic because it's convenient.
FLORCRUZ: And profitable, too.
Jaime FlorCruz, CNN, Tianjin, China.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: All right. Let's check in with Susan Lisovicz. She's in the New York Stock Exchange -- yes?
(MARKET REPORT)
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