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Bombing In Beirut; Thawing Out; Massive Mudslide; Political Showdown; Gerri's Top Tips; Contractor Outrage

Aired December 12, 2007 - 10:00   ET

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

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: The war zone fighting off her co- workers. The shocking allegations of gang rape by American contractors.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: A scene you don't want to see out of your window, mud running wild, on this Wednesday, December 12th. You are in the CNN NEWSROOM.

COLLINS: Powerful explosions coming one after the other this morning in Iraq. Three car bombs, one roadside bomb, ripping through the predominantly Shiite city of Amara. The interior ministry confirms at least 27 people dead, more than 150 wounded. Rival Shiite factions have been battling for control of this southern region. British troops handed security of it to Iraqi forces last year. We're told the city's police chief has just been fired. Government investigators heading to the scene.

HARRIS: A bombing in Beirut kills a top Lebanese military officer and three others and further intensifies the country's political turmoil. CNN's Beirut bureau chief Brent Sadler reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): Bombers struck at the heart of Lebanon's defense establishment, killing a top army general, throwing the country into deep uncertainty and political turmoil. General Francois al-Hajj (ph) was the Army's chief of operations. A key military strategist who planned the months long assault to crush Islamic militants in vicious battles near Tripoli, a bloody but eventually successful campaign that helped elevate the reputation of the military here as a crucial, unifying factor in a country paralyzed by deep political conflict.

But many Lebanese fear this could ignite renewed civil war. Lebanon has no president right now. Parliament is deadlocked. The government is not recognized by many in the Muslim Shiite, as well as the deeply divided Christian communities.

Anti-Syrian MPs were blocked from electing a president for the eighth time on the eve of this latest bomb attack. The political vacuum could be filled by the army chief of staff, General Michel Suleiman. But the assassinated general was one of Suleiman's key allies. And his murder is being seen by pro-government supporters as an attempt to weaken the military and sow further division in the ranks of politician and security chiefs. Western-backed MPs again accused Syria of being involved in the attacks and using its allies in Hezbollah to serve Syrian interests by paralyzing parliament. Baseless accusations according to Syrian officials. Meanwhile, the dangerous political stalemate here seems likely to worsen unless the vacant presidential post is quickly filled.

Brent Sadler, CNN, Beirut.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: OK. Here we go. Cleaning up -- whoa, whoa, whoa. Look out. Timber. Thawing out from a paralyzing ice storm. Almost 850,000 homes and businesses in the Midwest shivering through another cold morning without power. Can you imagine? In Oklahoma, it can be more than a week before everyone gets electricity again. Shelters are open, as you can imagine, across the state.

Two dozen people died in the storm, mostly in wrecks. Many roads still slippery and littered with trees. Hundreds of flights out of Chicago's O'Hare Airport canceled, delayed. Even the southwest got pounded. Some schools in New Mexico are opening later than usual this morning, OK, because of the snow.

COLLINS: Yes, I actually have been there. Great ski resorts there, too. But, unfortunately, I think it's coming down from the mountains to be in the way of all of the people and trying to drive around. Happening in a lot of cities.

Hi, Reynolds. Right?

REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hey, guys. No question about it.

I mean, you know, this is the greatest thing in the world when it's up in the mountain and you've got all your ski gear and you're ready for a great winter-like event. But when this goes down into parts of the Central Plains and people are just trying to just deal with everyday life and it's an impossibility due to all the damage from the ice. I mean Oklahoma City still reeling from all the effects. You've got a lot of your senior citizens, a lot of young families that are really damaged by this, a lot of businesses. And it's going to take a long time to get things back to normal.

Thankfully, though, the weather is going to start cooperating. Still cold. We're still getting a little bit of light precipitation. No significant accumulation expected. But as the system pulls its way to the north and northeast, we're going to see rain begin to pick up. Some of this becoming snow as we get closer to the weekend.

Right now, though, up in Cleveland, you're dry for the time being. We've got a live image for you from Cleveland. It shows the gray skies. You might see a little bit of precipitation later on.

Do we have the Cleveland shot? Did we just lose it? Do we have it, guys? It's coming up in just a few seconds. Here it is. Take a look at that. You got the low deck of clouds. That's compliments of WKYC. Good morning to you in Cleveland.

Now let's go back to the weather computer and watch this system as it pulls a little bit closer to parts of the eastern seaboard. You got to remember, it's rain now, but then later on we're going to have some cold air vection (ph) that's going to come in behind that. So when you have that cold air, then you have the overrunning moisture. That's where you could get some snow.

And we are expecting a great deal in some parts of the Northeast, especially back into Pennsylvania and New York. Could see four to eight inches of snow. We've got a winter storm watch that is in effect for tomorrow for this region.

Another spot that may be affected could be Boston. For the time being, looks pretty good. But as the system pulls its way a little bit closer as we get into tomorrow, you're going to see that combination of rain, sleet, even some snow for New York and also for Boston.

Live image from Boston right now. So far so good. We've got the gray skies there, too, in Boston. You see the Charles River in the upper right-hand corner of the sky. Gray skies too. That should remain easily for the next several days.

All right, guys, that's the latest on your forecast. Of course, you always have lots to talk about and we're going to keep you up to speed throughout the rest of the day.

HARRIS: Yes. Good morning pics. Good skylines, huh?

COLLINS: Yes.

WOLF: We do (INAUDIBLE) to see.

COLLINS: A plethora of weather conditions. Excellent.

WOLF: Oh, yes.

COLLINS: Thank you, Reynolds.

WOLF: You bet.

COLLINS: On the run now in Las Vegas. Police are looking for at least two people they say opened fire at a school bus stop. Six people were wounded. Police say at least four were high school students. The shooting happened just as a group of students were getting off the school bus Tuesday. Police believe it was linked to a fight over a girl.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHERIFF DOUG GILLESPIE, CLARK COUNTY, NEVADA: This is not a random act. We are looking at this as somebody was waiting there for these -- for a particular individual or individuals and that's how our scope of investigation is proceeding.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: School officials have increased security for today.

Meanwhile, the Colorado killing spree. As it turns out, the shooters final victim was himself. The coroner now says Matthew Murray killed himself. You may remember a church security guard shot Murray after he opened fire at the New Life Church in Colorado Springs. Apparently once Murray was down, he turned his gun on himself. In all, Murray killed four people and wounded several others in two separate attacks.

HARRIS: The Federal Reserve speaks, Wall Street listens and investors sell, sell, sell. Just after the Fed announce it was lowering a key interest rate, one quarter of a percentage point, stocks plummeted. Well, that was Wall Street's way of saying it wanted a bigger cut, I suppose. The Dow down almost 300 points at yesterday's closing bell. The Nasdaq slipped about 2.5 percent.

Let's look at the numbers today. Out of the gate -- Heidi where were we, at 200? I guess the high -- the early high was at 280 to the good. All right. Not there now. Plus 183, but no one's sneezing at that. That's a nice number. We are continuing to follow the markets throughout the morning right here for you. Susan L:isovicz with us -- or is it Stephanie Elam?

COLLINS: Stephanie.

HARRIS: Stephanie's with us, yes, in the NEWSROOM>

COLLINS: Incredible pictures of an unfolding natural disaster. In fact, watch this now. A river of mud flowing through one Oregon community. People and homes caught up in the wash. CNN's Katharine Barrett is in Clatskanie, Oregon.

And, you know, everybody wanting to know this morning, Katharine, did these people have any warning of what was coming their way?

KATHARINE BARRETT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Actually they did have warning. And they were so lucky to have had it. They had about two hours. They were called yesterday morning and told to evacuate their houses.

Geologists from the Oregon State Department of Forestry had been watching this mountainside for several days. They knew that there was a dam of debris, timber and a small landslide that had backed up a huge pond about two miles up the mountain and it was putting pressure on an old rail grade. They knew as of yesterday morning that that embankment was in imminent danger of failing.

They evacuated the homes below and they closed the road so that no traffic was coming through. And those people had just hours to get out before the mountain came crashing down at 40 miles an hour.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) JASON HINKLE, OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY: And when it did go, basically there was a lot of noise, trees breaking, and you can imagine a part of a hillside with -- just coming down all at once and all the trees coming down. And then all the water rushing in behind it and debris. And it was very impressive.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BARRETT: And you can see these massive logs and timbers that have come down all the way across the highway, across a railroad track, and they're just sitting here having come and caked with mud now. The crews hope to have this highway open by the end of today. They've cleared already a lot off the main road. But you can still see at least one home, one mobile home, is stuck sitting in the highway behind me in pieces.

Heidi.

COLLINS: Wow. Scary. I can't imagine being in the middle of all that. All right, Katharine Barrett for us.

Thanks so much, Katharine.

HARRIS: High stakes debates. Presidential candidate face off just hours from now. Experts preview the final showdowns before the votes in Iowa.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: You are in the CNN NEWSROOM. Good morning, everyone. I'm Tony Harris.

It's more than just hope.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's stunning in its scope and it's brilliant in its vision.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: A special birthday present for every newborn across an entire state?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: High stakes debate. Your last chance to see the presidential candidates face off before the Iowa caucuses. The Democrats tomorrow, the Republicans less than four hours from now. You will see it live right here on CNN.

Want to get a preview of all the action now from our political pundits with us from Washington. Republican strategist Cheri Jacobus.

Hi there, Cheri.

CHERI JACOBUS, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Hi.

COLLINS: And from New York, CNN contributor Roland Martin.

Hi, Roland.

ROLAND MARTIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: How you doing?

COLLINS: Thanks for being with us, guys.

Let's begin with this. There was a quote in today's "Des Moines Register," it comes from John Lapp. I'm sure you know him as a Democratic strategist. Let's go ahead and put it up on the screen for everybody to see. He says this, "these debates could have a seismic impact on the race. With so many undecideds still looking to make up their minds, a fatal flub or a shining performance could fundamentally change this race."

Is that true, Roland?

MARTIN: Oh, absolutely, especially in light of the fact that the CBS debate was canceled. So this is the last, major opportunity we get to see the candidates on stage together. And so no one wants to make a mistake. And so I think on the Republican side, certainly they're going to go after Mike Huckabee in their debate, but I think they must be very careful because he's been able to play this sort of role of being the nice, well-liked guy. And so I think if you attack him, he may see it as a badge of honor. So, absolutely, they'll be very careful how they play it.

COLLINS: Yes. Cheri, is this do or die time? I mean it seems like, at least with the timing of all of this, everybody debate is an important debate, particularly before Iowa.

JACOBUS: Well, actually, some debates are more important than others because of the timing. And this one, I think, is more important because, as you had said, this is the last chance really for folks to get to really take a good, close look at these candidates.

What they have to do, somebody has to break out of the pack, obviously, at some point because, on the Republican side, it's pretty fluid. But I think you will see the arrows pointed at Huckabee. The problem though, and the way these folks have to finesse this during this debate, is they have to be able to draw that contrast without going negative.

MARTIN: Right.

JACOBUS: Because Republican voters in particular really kind of chaff a little bit when things get to negative. There's that Ronald Reagan 11th commandment, thou shalt not speak negative of a fellow Republican. So it's a tricky thing, but they've got to do it. Particularly Romney now against Huckabee.

COLLINS: Yes, absolutely.

MARTIN: And you know what, Heidi . . . COLLINS: And we see it every year. I mean we say the same thing every -- I'm sorry, not every year, every four years and possibly every two years as well. You know, nobody wants to . . .

JACOBUS: And it doesn't get easier.

COLLINS: It happens every time and people need to be prepared to defend themselves, do they not?

MARTIN: Well, I think they must be prepared to defend themselves, but I think one of the other issues the Republicans have, is they pretty much had debates that are focused on immigration, abortion, and the war in Iraq. You know what? When it comes to the whole issue of abortion, if I'm Giuliani and Romney, I'm really staying away from that because from Giuliani, is the whole issue of being -- you know, in terms of pro-choice, supporting abortion rights, for Romney, the whole flip-flop. You're playing into Mike Huckabee's, you know, wheel house there. And so I think they should be bringing up this whole issue of the housing crisis in America. If they begin to focus on some pocketbook issues, you can affect people in a different way. And so I think they've got to sort of broaden the debate and not be focused on just those three, simple issues.

JACOBUS: Well, I think, too -- I mean, obviously, the issues of taxes is very important in a Republican primary. And I think what these candidates need to do is sort of take back this campaign so that they can define themselves the way they want to and they can help define the Republican Party.

MARTIN: Precisely.

JACOBUS: What we've seen too much in these debates is that, quite frankly, is defined by what the media thinks would be interesting and how they would like to define the Republican Part . . .

COLLINS: Ah, back to the media.

JACOBUS: Or -- yes, but it's very real. I mean at some point, obviously, these candidates have to answer the questions that are presented to them, whether it's by the media or other people on the panel, but it is up to them to define themselves and that's what they have to do.

COLLINS: Speaking of the media, though, what about this key endorsement for Mitt Romney. National Review. In fact, it calls him the most conservative, viable candidate. Is this a big deal for him?

JACOBUS: I think it's a very big deal for him. I mean, this is something Republicans are all trying to claim is this mantle of conservatism and to define it or redefine it. And they all sort of can lay claim to different parts of what traditional conservatism is. So this is very key to him. It's probably an endorsement, quite frankly, that, you know, Fred Thompson would have liked to have. So I think it's very important . . .

COLLINS: Fred who?

JACOBUS: Fred Thompson would have probably . . .

MARTIN: You know what?

JACOBUS: He wants to define himself, obviously, as a true conservative. A lot of them do. And, on the other hand, you've John McCain, who can lay claim to electability. He's not doing very well with the numbers with the Republican polls, but overall, nationally, I think he's the only one out of the pack that can -- that looks like he can beat Hillary Clinton in a head-to-head national race. So, you know, we've got all kinds of strengths with all of our different candidates, but somebody, obviously, has to break out of the pack.

MARTIN: But, you know, what Heidi, you know what, Heidi, Cheri brought up Fred Thompson. I mean, he's like the walking dead in these debates.

COLLINS: Wait, wait, wait. Only 1 percent support in New Hampshire in the latest poll. That's a CNN/WHUR (ph) poll.

MARTIN: The CNN/YouTube debate, I'm sitting there going, OK, Fred, wake up please. I mean, so this is a guy who, he had all of this hype and excitement and what's happening and he has been an absolute dud. Just an absolute dud.

COLLINS: That's not very nice, Roland.

MARTIN: But he has been.

JACOBUS: I would disagree. You know, maybe the debates, these televised debates are not his strengths. He's better one on one. He's got a really good record. So, again, I think that there's -- I think he's a very attractive candidate. But that's what I'm saying, in the Republican field, it's so fluid because each candidate has really a different kind of strength and so that's why you have a lot of undecided voters this late in the game.

COLLINS: OK, quickly guys, before we let you go, I got to ask the question that I ask every time to put you on the spot. Cheri, if you had to pick the nominees today, who would they be, Republican and Democrat.

JACOBUS: Oh, I can't pick a Republican.

COLLINS: Right now. Come on.

JACOBUS: Like I said, it's too fluid. I think the Democrats are still going to pick Hillary Clinton, though. I think that's who our Republican will be running against.

COLLINS: OK. So it's obviously going to be a different picture depending upon who the Democratic candidate is?

JACOBUS: You know, let's see how these debates go today and maybe I'll have an answer on who the Republican nominee will be. MARTIN: Come on, Cheri, dance. You're dancing, Cheri. You're dancing. Come on, make a decision.

COLLINS: No dancing. Who are you picking?

MARTIN: Well, I would tell you, I think right now I think Clinton, still based upon the February 5th dates. But if Obama takes the first couple of states, she's going to have a serious problem.

But I still think, on the Republican side, it's really Romney, Giuliani. I'm not sold on this Huckabee rise. These numbers seem kind of funny.

JACOBUS: I'm not either.

COLLINS: Yes, electability.

MARTIN: Twenty-three percent of Republicans have decided. There's so many who have not decided. So it's still to fluid on their side.

COLLINS: All right. I just saw a whole lot of dancing from both of you there.

MARTIN: I made a decision, Cheri.

COLLINS: All right.

JACOBUS: I'm still waiting for the debates, like I said. That's why we have them.

COLLINS: All right. Well, we'll talk to you on Friday then. Cheri Jacobus, Roland Martin, thank you.

JACOBUS: Thank you.

MARTIN: Thank you.

COLLINS: And as a quick reminder, two big presidential debates, just talking about them here. You'll see them only on -- well, I'm sorry, not only on CNN, but you'll see both of them certainly on CNN. This afternoon, the Republicans will be facing off from Iowa. It comes your way live 2:00 to 4:00 Eastern. And tomorrow the Democrats take their turn. Again, live from the same time slot there, 2:00 to 4:00 Eastern. You can see them both right here on CNN, home to the best political team on television.

If you want the most up to the minute political news anywhere available, cnnpolitics.com is your one stop shop. It's the Internet's premier destination for political news. Cnnpolitics,.com.

HARRIS: Tis the season for holiday office parties. Yes, enjoy the punch. Yes, but avoid the potholes. Gerri Willis joins us with some advice.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COLLINS: All right. Let's go ahead and check it again. What do you think?

HARRIS: Let's do it.

COLLINS: The big board.

HARRIS: Yes.

COLLINS: Let's show it. There you have it. Back up above 200 points. Wow. It is kind of all over the map today. Obviously a lot of this in response to the quarter percentage point rate cut by the Fed yesterday. It was kind of what we expected to see happen, but now there's word of a possible recession. There's word of possible more cuts. So who knows. But there you're looking at your Dow Jones Industrial averages up 204 now, resting at 13,637. We're going to be talking with Stephanie Elam a little bit later on today to talk more about why this is all happening.

HARRIS: It is that time of the year and the invitations are going out for the annual office bash. So before you put on that lampshade, and someone must, a survival guide from CNN personal finance editor Gerri Willis.

Gerri, someone . . .

GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No, no.

HARRIS: Wait, wait. Hold -- wait a minute. Wait a minute, Gerri. What do you mean here? It's not a party. Of course it's a party. Someone must where the lampshade.

WILLIS: It's not a party. It's an office party. OK. The mood's festive. There's alcohol. But, hey, this isn't the time to let your hair down. Think of the annual holiday office party as the best time to do schmoozing with the boss. Keep yourself professional, but realize, hey, you've got to be relaxed, too. Determine the objectives before the event. Think about people you'd like to mingle with.

HARRIS: Oh, this is strategic. This is warfare. You've got to go in and schmooze with the -- why can't you -- all right.

WILLIS: Hey, hey, don't go to far.

HARRIS: You offer great advice.

WILLIS: Don't go too far because you don't want to pitch ideas or push an agenda.

HARRIS: Right.

WILLIS: You just want to -- you know, hey, you're a normal person, talk to the boss, get to know them on a personal level.

HARRIS: I can't quite believe these tips today. It's not a good thing to arrive fashionably late?

WILLIS: No, no, not at all. Look, arrive early. This is the one time when you . . .

HARRIS: Arrive early?

WILLIS: Is fash -- here's why. Look, the corporate big wigs tend to show up early to these things and you don't want to seem disrespectful, sauntering in hours after go time. And don't remain invisible. Stand in a place that's approachable, not behind chairs. Hey, you want to make yourself -- this is your chance to do a little PR.

HARRIS: Well . . .

WILLIS: I know you do this. I know you do this.

HARRIS: Boy, you got me rethinking the office party here. What's the protocol if you're bringing a guest?

WILLIS: Well, you know, this is tough. If you bring outsiders to an office party where everybody knows each other, you want to bring them into the fold. Point out all the important people. You know, the big wigs at the event. Make sure you highlight any topics that they should avoid at all costs. And, remember, your boss's significant other probably doesn't know too many people either, so be inclusive. Your boss may thank you for it.

HARRIS: Boy, you know what, this really isn't sounding like much of a party. It's beginning to sound like, dare I say, work.

WILLIS: Yes, that's right. That's exactly what it is.

HARRIS: Gerri, what is this idea -- it is what it is. All right. How about this idea of a cheat sheet?

WILLIS: Yes.

HARRIS: Huh?

WILLIS: Yes, you know, sometimes you go to these parties, you're face to face with somebody that you don't see very often. You're having a hard time finding something to talk about. Think about it ahead of time. You know, get yourself up to date on what's going on with the company, current events. You know, you want to have something to talk about and try not to ask close-ended (ph) questions. Appear interested in the person you're talking to, rather than trying to impress them with your knowledge. I know you never do that.

HARRIS: Yes, right. I'm just thinking, my wife would see this list and say, yes, duh.

Ah, Gerri, great to see you.

WILLIS: You too.

HARRIS: These are great tips.

WILLIS: I'm glad you like them.

HARRIS: But it's not a party. Have a great day, Gerri.

WILLIS: I will.

ANNOUNCER: Live in the CNN NEWSROOM, Heidi Collins and Tony Harris.

HARRIS: And welcome back, everyone, to the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Tony Harris.

COLLINS: Hi, there, everybody. I'm Heidi Collins.

Powerful explosions coming one after the other this morning in Iraq. Three car bombs, one roadside bomb, ripping through the predominantly Shiite are or city, I should say, of Amara. The interior ministry confirms at least 27 people dead, more than 150 wounded. Rival Shiite factions have been battling for control of this southern region. British troops handed security of it to Iraqi forces last year. And we are told the city's police chief has just been fired. Government investigators are heading to the scene.

The head of the CIA is back behind closed doors today. Live pictures for you from Capitol Hill where we are hearing Michael Hayden may actually make a statement before he faces lawmakers' questions over the destruction of videotapes. We will be looking at those microphones for a while here just to see in case he does come out. On those tapes, the interrogation of terror suspects. Hayden says he can't really answer many of the questions because it all happened long before he took the job.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL HAYDEN, CIA DIRECTOR: The taping was done under Director Tenet and destroyed under Director Goss, was before my time. There are other people in the agency who know about this far better than I and I've committed them to come on down and answer all the questions that the committee might have.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: Once again, those live pictures for you. We are awaiting possible comments from Michael Hayden. He'll be coming to those microphones, we understand anyway, before going in and talking to lawmakers. So we'll follow it for you, bring it to you when it happens.

HARRIS: In the middle of a war, she says she had to fight off her co-workers. An American woman claims her fellow contractors raped her. CNN's Brian Todd reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): Jamie Lee Jones was only 20 years old and in Iraq only a few days when she claims her nightmare began. Jones was an employee of Kellogg Brown and Root, one of America's best known private contractors in Iraq. A former subsidiary of Halliburton. She claims several men, firefighters who also worked for KBR, drugged and gang raped her at her quarters at Camp Hope in Baghdad. In a lawsuit against KBR, she claims the attack never would have occurred but for the boys will be boys attitude at its workplace in Iraq.

Jones' attorneys told CNN that when she reported the incident to her bosses at KBR, they held her without food or water for 24 hours. The lawsuit also alleges KBR did not let her call anyone, that she convinced one of her guards to let her call her father, who frantically called his Congressman, Ted Poe of Texas.

REP. TED POE (R), TEXAS: At the time that she called, she was in one of these large sea going steel containers that we've all seen, shipping containers and that she says she was held hostage in this environment.

TODD: Poe called the State Department. He says they sent people to get Jones out of the container. KBR officials would not go on camera with us but in a letter to the government provided to CNN, KBR says the holding area was "a secure unlisted living container where she could rest" and that another KBR employee did ask her if she would like to call her family and offered counseling.

(on camera): The company says it did give Jones food and water. It also denies her claims of sexual harassment prior to the alleged rape, and disputes her allegation that company officials allowed a sexually charged environment.

(voice-over): Neither Jamie Lee Jones nor her attorneys would go on camera, but her lawyers gave us permission to use her name and pictures. The State Department says it investigated and passed its findings onto the Justice Department. But despite more than two years passing since the alleged rape, no criminal charges have been filed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What has happened? Where are the people who allegedly did this to her? Let's get some resolution to this.

TODD: Justice Department officials tell us this case is still being investigated, but no charges are imminent.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Ice, snow, freezing rain, what a mess. What is next for the messy Midwest?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: A nightmare for some in Alabama community. What one neighbor wants to do.

I will be here renting out rooms to sex offenders, ex-murderers and ex-thieves.

Whoah! Why he's taking such drastic steps. That's still ahead in the NEWSROOM.

COLLINS: Marion Jones stripped of her medals. The International Olympic Committee deciding just a short time ago to wipe her names from the record books. The disgraced Olympic star had already been given -- or had already given back, I should say, the three golds and two bronze medals she won at the Sydney Games in October. Jones admitted using performance-enhancing drugs during her record run in 2000. The IOC has banned Jones from even attending next year's Beijing Olympics.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COLLINS: Caucus countdown, political showdown, your last chance to see the presidential candidates debates before the Iowa caucuses. The Republicans in about four hours from now. The Democrats, same time tomorrow.

Jessica Yellin is live now from Des Moines on the tight race among the Democrats.

Jessica, how are the latest numbers out of New Hampshire impacting the race, do you think?

JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Some surprises, Heidi. This new CNN poll shows that in New Hampshire Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama are in a virtual tie. This is a significant change from a month ago, when Senator Clinton had a healthy lead in that state, and it's an important state for her.

Now we'll get back to that, but let me tell you the broader numbers. Clinton shows 31 percent now. That's down five percentage points from our last poll about a month ago in November. Barack Obama has gained about 8 percent since then to 30 percent. John Edwards up a slight bit to 16 percent, and Bill Richardson, he's lost a tiny bit. He was at 12 percent, and now showing at 7 percent in New Hampshire.

Now, back to the front-runners, to Clinton and Obama in that state. This is big news, because Senator Clinton has been relying on New Hampshire to make her a winner. You'll recall back in 1992 when her husband was running for president, he didn't really compete in Iowa, but it was New Hampshire that made him the "Comeback Kid." He won then, and that went on to give him the White House. And Senator Clinton was hoping that historic tie there and her support and organization would really put her over in New Hampshire, even if she shouldn't get Iowa.

So the fact that she is in a tightening race there cannot be good news for that campaign. Of course, as we've been reporting for some time now, the race here where I am in Iowa is also a dead heat among Clinton, Obama and Edwards. So what happens in the next few weeks here, and in this debate tomorrow really could make all the difference, not just for these immediate short-term early voting states, but even for the nomination -- Heidi. COLLINS: Yes, it certainly could. All right, everybody is going to be watching hopefully.

Jessica Yellin, thank you.

All right, let's talk a little more about when you can catch these debates. Just a reminder here, this afternoon the Republicans will be facing off from Iowa live, 2:00 to 4:00 Eastern, and tomorrow it will be the Democrats' turn, again, live, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern. You can see them both right here on CNN, home of the best political team on television.

And if you want the most up-to-the-minute political news anywhere available, check out CNNpolitics.com, the Internet's premiere destination for political news, CNNpolitics.com.

HARRIS: Identifying baseball's so-called cheaters. Former Senator George Mitchell reports on who is or was on steroids. New developments just in on this story. It is set to be released at a news conference tomorrow afternoon. The time, 2:00 Eastern, but does anybody still care?

Here's CNN Richard Roth.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): George Mitchell has won praise for taking on some of the toughest jobs in the world, the Middle East and Northern Ireland.

GEORGE MITCHELL, FMR. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: We call upon the parties to implement an immediate and unconditional cessation of violence.

ROTH: Mitchell's latest mission impossible: investigating performance-enhancing drug use in the sport associated with mom and apple pie in America. Some players and fans feel Mitchell is in the wrong game this time.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think the Mitchell guy should mind his own business.

ROTH: Despite infamous drug cases in other sports, it's baseball that's been under the microscope.

ALAN SCHWARZ, "NEW YORK TIMES" REPORTER: Baseball has always been held to a higher standard than any of the other major sports in just about any other industry in the United States. It's seen as this sort of Petri dish of virtue.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Baseball's image, though, has been whacked by suspicions of widespread steroid use, players bulking up to hit and pitch better. Mark McGwire, who broke the single-season home run record in 1998, discussed the issue before Congress in 2005.

But when asked if he had ever used steroids, the slugger struck out, refusing to answer.

MARK MCGWIRE, FMR. BASEBALL PLAYER: I'm not here to discuss the past; I'm here to be positive about this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: Bonds, one home run away from history.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: San Francisco outfielder Barry Bonds, who broke McGwire's single-season home run record and is now the game's all-time home run leader has been dogged by allegations of steroid use for years and has been the lightning rod for the steroid debate.

In 2003 Bonds testified before a federal grand jury that he never knowingly used steroids. The government believes he lied and recently indicted him on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. He pleaded not guilty.

Major League Baseball claims it has the strictest drug-testing program in American sports, but it took pressure from Congress to get it there.

And some believe the sport ignored the problem because fans like to see home runs. Now, some of those fans are angry.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think baseball should have done something about it a long time ago, not wait 30 years, and now it's a bigger problem.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's disgusting. They're role models. Kids look up to them. I think they should be thrown out of the game.

ROTH: Still fans stormed the gates, setting revenue and attendance records this year. And with so many other steroid scandals involving Olympic athletes, like Marion Jones and cyclist Floyd Landis, there's a sense in America now of doping fatigue.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that the baseball world in many ways has moved on, and it's taken so long for this to come to light that people have lost interest.

ROTH (on camera): Mitchell's investigation took more than 20 months and two full seasons of play to complete. Its conclusions will determine if America is truly still interested, and if the national pastime is finally ready to move forward and leave it's so-called steroids era behind.

Richard Roth, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: A huge fan of Hannah Montana scammed out of tickets. The good samaritans to the rescue.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BUSINESS HEADLINES)

COLLINS: Rough retirements ahead for young and low-income workers. Bleak predictions in the new Government Accountability Office report. It says almost 37 percent of today's 17-year-olds will have no money in a 401(k)-type plan when they retire. Sixty-three percent of low-income workers face retirement without savings.

Automatic enrollment could be an answer. The GAO estimates doing that would lower the number of those teens without retirement money in their future to about 18 percent. It would cut the number of low income workers without 401(k) money by more than half. The GAO points out the number of pension plans continues to drop. Social Security payouts also are expected to decline.

COLLINS: It's more than just hope.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's stunning in it's scope and it's brilliant in its vision.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: A special birthday present for every newborn across an entire state.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: How about this, probably the story for the day for us. A special birthday gift for the children of Maine. All newborns get a chance to go to college. More from Susan Kimball of affiliate WCSH in Portland, Maine.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GREGORY POWELL, ALFOND FOUNDATION: With this legacy gift, Harold Alfond wanted all children to have the chance to pursue further education after high school.

SUSAN KIMBALL, AFFILIATE WCSH: It's a gift that speaks volumes about Harold Alfond's vision for the children of Maine. The Alfond Scholarship Foundation will provide every newborn in Maine with a $500 grant to be invested in a next gen college savings account.

RICHARD PATTENAUDE, UNIVERSITY OF MAINE/AUGUSTA: What I know about scholarship programs all across the country, there's nothing that matches this. It's stunning in its scope, and it's brilliant in its vision.

KIMBALL: A pilot program will begin on January 1st for children born in the Waterville and Augusta Hospitals of Maine General Health. Jennifer Rackliff expects to welcome her baby boy at Maine General next month. JENNIFER RACKLIFF, EXPECTANT MOTHER: Education is so important. I can't imagine a greater gift than a stepping stone towards receiving a college education.

KIMBALL: The program will go statewide in 2009 providing that $500 to each of the estimated 14,000 babies born in Maine every year. Alfond hoped this first step would encourage parents to begin saving for college early by contributing to the account. His granddaughters say it's just the kind of challenge he liked to make.

JENNIFER ALFOND SEEMAN, PHILANTHROPIST'S GRANDDAUGHTER: He did that with us as well. It was never just a pure gift, it was you have to work at it. You have to be part of to be part of chopping the wood, you can't just pick up the pile, you have to be a part of it.

KIMBALL: He loved the state of Maine and gave generously. His name is on schools and hospitals and stadiums.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'd always liked helping others. They always helped me. I won all kinds of scholarships when I was young, and I said if I was ever successful, that was the thing I was going to do. I think I followed it.

KIMBALL: Now Harold Alfond has given a gift that will live on for generations to come.

In Augusta, Susan Kimball, News Center.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Harold Alfond made his fortune as the founder of the Dexter Shoe Company. Five hundred dollars invested now should grow to about $2,000 by the time the kids are ready for college. Alfond hoped parents would add a little extra to the accounts through the years.

What's the holiday season without a couple of feel good stories. Elizabeth Dennis is a huge Hannah Montana fan. Her mom's fiance bought tickets from eBay. But when Elizabeth and her mom got to the ticket booth, they learned they'd been scammed. A man who was at the concert with his daughter saw the two of them crying, and he stepped in to save the day.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROB BASTIAN, OFFERED TICKETS TO CONCERT: My little girl wanted to go and I couldn't see that little girl not being able to, so --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Two floor seats. How about that? As close as you can get to Hannah Montana.

COLLINS: Incredible pictures. Rivers of soupy mud invading homes in the West. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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